WWE’s Rhea Ripley and AEW’s Buddy Matthews tied the knot a few days ago, with Ripley announcing they got married on June 23.
“Til death,” Ripley wrote, with a black love emoji and the date in a post on Instagram, along with a photo of the two kissing each other.
Both stars wore black for the occasion.
The two have been dating publicly since 2022 and got engaged this past August.
Several fellow wrestlers congratulated the brand new husband-and-wife team with comments on Instagram.
Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
*****
No intro again, right to MJF coming out to a massive pop, there are about 4,000 people here tonight and it shows. Makes a big difference. He brought a mic, fans chanted very loudly for him, and was about to start speaking when Dancin’ Daniel’s music interrupted.
He too got a nice pop in his hometown. Max chilled against the ropes with a wry smile on his face. But warned about interrupting him, he was glad the people loved Garcia but ‘tread lightly.’
Things started well as Garcia thanked Max for saving him ‘next week.’
Then said everything in Buffalo is his business. He said he’s out here to do something no-one ever has before… ‘I’m gonna say nice things about MJF!’ Crowd sort of cheered. Bit corny.
Garcia noted Max ‘main evented and made history’ as champ. Then came backstage and had a convo that lit a fire under Garcia.
It’s a wonder this dude hasn’t burned to death with all the fires that have been lit.
And Max gave him a title shot which was one of the most embarrassing moments of Garcia’s life. But sparked the ‘run of a lifetime and being part of the biggest matches and moments that this company has ever seen.’
He said he doesn’t want to be a pillar, he wants to be a foundation and a workhorse, something AEW can be built on. Fans chanted his name. He thanked Max again. But warned that if Max talked shit now, he’d be real two-faced.
What an insult! As Max himself noted when acknowledging that he’s been called two-faced most of his career.
Then shilled the ppv. Where he’ll ‘Wrestle a guy who looks like a poorly drawn comic book character, Hechicero.’ He then pushed another event. Finally getting to the point, Max said he’d planned on asking Garcia to come out.
So thanked him back. After teasing the opposite of course. Everything’s a swerve. Max blathered some more about guys backstage thinking they deserve ‘my spot.’ But none are good enough. But there’s one he thinks might be (ie Garcia).
He went into shill mode again re: his title reign. Blather blather blather, didn’t come into the company expecting things, ‘you earned it.’ Blah blah blah, they have a lot in common, ‘New York pitbulls’ with bark and bite.
Then said he whupped Garcias scrawny little ass without breakin’ a goddamn (bleeped) sweat. But since then Garcia’s got better and ascended the ladder.
So Max thinks Garcia deserves another shot at ‘the king.’ So challenged him to a match at Wembley. Thank god, Ospreay’s music interrupted before Max was totally dragged to the mid-card by a Chippendale dancer.
And someone’s finally here who’s a major part of the ppv happening in four days.
He played to the crowd. Then put over Garcia. For racking up wins ‘quicker than I last in the bedroom, bruv.’ He apologized to his ‘missus.’ Then gave Garcia an International title match next week. But said he’d put the AEW title on the line too after winning it.
Then offered his hand. Garcia shook. MJF had a face of thunder as the announcers said he’d been upstaged. He sneered at Ospreay as he left. Hated most of this; that’s nice subtle build for Ospreay/MJF.
Max cut Garcia off and said Danny needed to focus on that match and left. Garcia looked like he’d been slighted. His stripper music played and he gyrated.
They cut to Swerve backstage with Nana. He wasn’t happy at Ospreay offering title matches when he didn’t have the belt yet. And reiterated that Ospreay didn’t have the strength to hold two belts. He said Ospreay has a focus problem, and that’s not a champion’s mindset. He’ll see him later.
Fans were chanting ‘We can’t hear you!’ during this.
It feels like AEW’s nose grew exponentially during most of that. I’m not the biggest Garcia fan because of the stupid dancing. But also because I’m constantly told he’s newly motivated and what a roll he’s on. When they haven’t shown any evidence of it.
‘We don’t believe you, you need more people,’ as Jay-Z once said to Nas.
Though after Tony Khan’s claim that AEW has the best women’s wrestling in the world, I genuinely don’t think he knows the difference between hyping something and just outright lying. So probably encourages his wrestlers and announcers to go OTT.
While Max said no-one’s capable of taking his spot. Well, Ospreay’s better in the ring, and his very real personality and way of talking made Max’s shtick seem extremely tired here. He didn’t need ten minutes to get thirty seconds of words out.
Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta vs Shingo Takagi, Titan & Hiromu Takahashi
Backstory: Danielson’s on comms ahead of his clash with Shingo Sunday, the heels part of the faction led by Naito ahead of facing Moxley
The heels (?) here are known collectively as Los Ingobernables de Japon (LIJ). Excalibur explained the foundation of the group, setup by Rush and Naito in CMLL. Which must be some time ago because CMLL hate them some Rush these days. Nice, quick synopsis though. Good stuff.
Not much of a reaction for the New Japan guys.
Claudio and Shingo to start, the Swiss ran him through with a shoulder then grabbed a headlock when Shingo ducked too early. Takagi tried to hit back with a shoulder, Claudio rocked but didn’t budge, they brawled, Shingo getting the better until stiff uppercuts from Claudio which Shingo looked to counter into a backslide but Claudio fought out, missed a corner charge and took a hiptoss.
Reset. Nice flurry.
Takahashi (Taka) and Yuta in, step-up tejeiras from Taka, running dropkick with Yuta on the mat, Shingo in too for a double shoulder block, Yuta on his ass, Titan tagged in to get launched into a corner lariat on Yuta, beautiful cross body from the top and a dropkick sending Yuta outside, the latter saving Titan from a broken neck as he was short on a tope.
Titan rushed back in to get two. Yuta hit back via Manhattan and enziguri. CC back in, Titan hit a flurry of kicks and strikes, the Swiss down to a knee, Titan to the top, cross body going badly this time as he was caught into a backbreaker and his teammates were knocked off the apron by the other BCC.
Ads. Jesus Christ that was rapid. Very good start.
Back to everyone in the ring, Mox and Taka spilling outside where Mox ran him into the barricade. Titan and Claudio now going at it inside, Mox tagged in to cut off the tag to Shingo, Mox hit stiff rights, Titan ducked a lariat, leaping heel kick, Mox rocked back to the corner, tag to Shingo which got a nice pop.
Flurry of rights until Claudio came in illegally and Shingo fought off both, double lariat not budging them but a double ddt getting the job done. Yuta in to take a brainbuster. Danielson said his neck wasn’t ready for that Sunday. He’s on comms btw.
Shingo and Mox exchange of forearms until a snapping jab from Shingo, Mox hit back via lariat, both popping back up, back elbow and very stiff lariat from Shingo. God damn dude looks good here.
Taka and Yuta back in, each getting follow-in blows in the ropes, superkick to Yuta who did his version of skin the cat back in to the dropstep German but took a DVD for a near fall. Crowd into this. Understandably.
Lariat from Taka. Goddammit Mox just came in with a chair and got a DQ. So lame. Was so good up to now.
They all brawled at ringside until Naito’s music interrupted and Mox went to the ring to await him. He slowly sauntered out doing his eye thing. Slowly stripping on his way to the ring to reveal a ‘kept you waiting but tranquilo’ tee and a big grin, a frustrated Mox pacing until having enough and heading to the aisle to brawl.
A weak brawl which was quickly cut away from as Shingo rained hammer and anvils on Yuta, who was out of it. Until Danielson hit the ring and Shingo backed up. Fans loud for this face to face. Good crowd tonight.
They continued to lock eyes as Danielson’s music played and we cut away.
That was some damn good action until the crappy finish. Can Yuta or Claudio really not afford to take a pin to give Shingo a boost before Sunday? He looked great btw. If he’s on this form Sunday that’ll be some match.
Naito/Mox stuff wasn’t nearly enough for a feud we haven’t seen and AEW haven’t at all explained.
Winner: LIJ via DQ
Rey Fenix vs Jay White
Backstory: Winner advances to Owen semis
This is White’s first appearance on Dynamite or Collision since the gauntlet on 5/29. Doesn’t exactly make a guy among only eight going for the title feel hot. Though at least he hasn’t lost since 1998 ran him over in April.
Excalibur continued the company lying tonight as he put over the Owen bracket as loaded. Know what people in the USSR hated more than the shops having nothing in them? Being told they were full.
BCG, Penta and Alex all out at ringside.
A lot of ‘zero miedo/Gunns up’ stuff from all the extras. This made Rick Knox eject everybody. That’s so dumb considering all the crap that happens every match. Knox was booed. Loudly.
White nearly got cradled complaining about it. Btw, they said Schiavone’s backstage or something. Hadn’t noticed he hasn’t been here. Man a two-man booth is nice.
Dueling chants as White launched jabs in the ropes, reversed a whip, Fenix went for his rebound spin kick, White fought it off with elbows, another whip saw White counter Fenix again but Fenix counter back to send him to the corner, Fenix to the apron, big chop, springboard armdrag before sending White outside via dropkick.
Tope to follow.
Fenix went for a springboard; White grabbed his legs and he went splat on the apron. Crowd almost silent now as White hit a neckbreaker inside for two.
Ads. Some nice counters but also sloppy moments. This fifty minutes has absolutely whizzed by.
Back to Fenix fighting back with chops and open hands until being cut off with a shot to the gut, he slipped behind but took another chop, hit back with a thrust kick, rope walk punt, gorgeous frogsplash, crawling for the cover, crowd chanting the count as he got two.
Before rolling into a leaping rana with White’s legs hooked for another two. Pair of kicks, thrust kick blocked, White spinning him into a ddt. Brainbuster next for two. Crowd very quiet when Jay’s on offense.
Chin lock now as Rey fought to his feet and cradled through for two. White snatched him into a uranage for the same. Then called for the Bladerunner, Fenix slipped behind into a rollup for two.
They countered back and forth out of tombstones, into a Bladerunner, Fenix slipped free again, kick to the head, White on his shoulders, Jay landed on his feet out of a DVD attempt into a Bladerunner to win.
Definitely had good moments. Seemed pretty obvious White would win so not a lot of drama. And again the loser took most of the match to further confirm this.
Winner: Jay White
BCG came out to celebrate. Christian Cage marched to the ring with the Patriarchy, BCG got ready to fight. Cage stopped on the steps, eyeing White who talked trash. BCG held the ropes open inviting them in, the Patriarchy backed off.
Seems they actually are trying to do something with the trios. Nice stuff. Though confusingly, BCG seemed to be portrayed as babyfaces between their actions and the announcers’ words.
*****
To the Bucks backstage. Nick said the Acclaimed took advantage to win last week. But when the belts are on the line things’ll be different. Matt bragged that three of the Elite had belts and Perry will add one Sunday.
Then said the Elite have decided to insert their wildcard into the Owen tournament. A guy who’ll run through it and bring the world title back to the Elite.
The announcers wondered who the Bucks had been referring to. That’s either some real foreshadowing or a big ass swerve.
There were some CM Punk chants at the end.
*****
The Acclaimed came out with 1998 to not much of a reaction. They ‘aren’t scheduled.’
Ads.
It seemed they didn’t get the message that we were back from break cause they continued to ham it up for the crowd. Caster did his ‘Yo, yo, yo…listen,’ thing. Then said they beat the Young ‘Cucks’ (bleeped).
Caster said the EVPs couldn’t run a Target, backstage production, the company or from them (he didn’t really say the Target bit). Nice line.
Bowens said there’d be no excuses next time they face. Then did the ‘everyone loves…’ line. Not many people seemed to.
They were about to close out. When Okada and the Bucks came out, Okada yelling ‘wait.’ Then ‘scissor me bitch.’ Crowd laughed. Bucks heeled on the crowd for cheap heat. It worked.
They challenged the Acclaimed and 1998 for Forbidden Door. 1998 took the mic and said he’d like to come down there and beat them all up by himself. Bet he would. Then said he has friends in high places and threw to a Tanashashi package.
Over his highlights, Tanahashi addressed Okada (via subtitle) as his ‘greatest rival’ and said he’s coming to Forbidden Door. ‘Scissor Ace is coming,’ he said, holding up the sign. That’s fun. Crowd chanted it.
Tanahashi’s so likeable; seems to have so little ego. They announced he was teaming with the Acclaimed Sunday. Tana’s not what he was but that’s a fun match.
*****
Renee with Cassidy, Briscoe and Kyle. She went right to Mark. They’re now called the Conglomeration. Briscoe said he has two shoulders and only one belt so needs to win the TNT title.
Then put over his partners until Kyle took over, mimicking Briscoe as he addressed Zack Sabre, even going into an English accent before asking if it was working. Briscoe said it was but took back over and called someone (lot going on here) ‘Peppa Pig, you soft boy!’ which was just awesome. Absolutely hilarious.
Can’t help but smile when that guy talks. Seems they’re being setup as another trio?
Mariah May, Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa vs Saraya, Anna Jay & Harley Cameron
Backstory: After Mina asked May to ‘choose,’ the heels attacked last week, Storm fought them off by herself as May snuggled with Mina
Storm out by herself. May came out for a bit with Storm but then went back to come out with Mina and do their Club Venus dance on the stage.
Still just Taz and Excalibur on comms and it’s a massive improvement. Genuinely nothing against Schiavone. Two just works better and they have a good rapport.
The heels all came out to Saraya’s music.
Mina and Jay to start, Anna aimed a cheap shot, Mina rolled over a drop down, blocked a suplex, slid under a lariat and jiggled. Jay just watched while she did this. Then was tripped aiming a kick. Mina continuing to counter and avoid everything Jay did into a leaping kick from the apron back into the ring.
Storm held her hand out, Mina tagged May instead and they did their double dropkick then jiggled their breasts. As Excalibur said that’s how he and Taz celebrate. Good rapport.
Cameron in, briefly on top until being snatched into May’s spinning slam. She went over to tag and couldn’t make her mind up. Some chants for Toni, who kinda tagged herself in. The heels all attacked from behind.
Ads.
Saraya managed to get another ‘bitch’ onto tv despite no microphone. Cameron crawling to tag her, May getting the tag to Storm which the cams missed. Big pop as she came in with a German.
Hip attack next. But Mina tagged herself in. Saraya kicked her away to tag Cameron who hit a backstabber for two. May made the save, Storm didn’t try to help. Everyone took out everyone until Mina ended Saraya with a back fist. One for Cameron too before an elevated reverse ddt to win.
Crowd popped. May and Mina hugged and danced. May was handed two champagne glasses and gave one to each of her partners. They reluctantly toasted and Mariah was delighted. That was nice. You may have noticed I like ‘subtle’ stuff.
The fun ended when Mina cracked May with the champagne bottle when Storm ducked. Wasn’t brilliantly timed. Mostly looked like Mina meant to do it. They were both stunned for a while then Toni got pissed and yelled ‘How dare youuuuuuuu!’ and was held back.
Actually really liked them subtly keeping the tease going with both accepting the champagne and Mariah managing to delay choosing. Don’t think that bottle shot was needed. Kept the drama going though.
Winner: Mariah May, Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa
They pushed the ppv previews they do on Friday nights. This one will really feature Mercedes/Vaquer. They went to a package for this.
Then to Mone backstage. Who within mere seconds was easily the most arrogant person on the show. Crowd pretty quiet as Mone overacted while wondering where Stephanie was after she’d flown to Mexico to beat her ass. She vowed to be there for Vaquer’s match on Collision.
Then said she’d be ‘Two Belts Mone.’ Crowd seemed tepid.
Presumably that’s supposed to make us think Becky might be coming. All the reporting says otherwise.
*****
The Learning Tree came out. Keith’s arm is in a sling. Bill took the mic and told Hook and etc to look what they did to ‘our Apple.’ Keith’s out of FD. Bill called Jericho the ‘Sensei of the Sickos.’ To zero reaction. And said he’d taught him a lesson:
When one door closes, another door open. ‘Perhaps a forbidden door. See what I did there?’ Still hate the rest of this but am warming to Bill in this role. He’s actually entertaining being deliberately bad, instead of just bad.
Jericho did his ‘Hi Guys’ to almost no reaction. Then said he’s just here for the young guys (Cody did an interview saying any vet who says that is full of shit).
He called Joe ‘Samoa Joke.’ And laughed too hard. Then said he’s been to Japan a lot so has a lot of connections. Crowd pretty much dead. He threw to a video he wants to watch with all his branches.
Minoru Suzuki. Not much of a pop. Suzuki said he knows Jericho wants him to be his partner. But Suzuki wants to wrestle Jericho instead (this was all subtitled, like Tanahashi earlier). He said Jericho has got soft. And he ‘wants nothing to do with’ the Learning Tree. He asked him to put the FTW Title on the line and called him ‘Chris Fucking Jericho’ (bleeped). Then said ‘Thank you guys,’ a la Jericho.
Crowd chanted a bit for Suzuki before dying again as Keith said ‘Jericho ain’t no chicken.’ Then woke again as Joe’s music played and that trio came out. Joe said ‘isnt this awkward,’ Jericho looked for a savior but struck out.
He said they’ve watched every single Learning Tree segment to learn everything they can about them. And Shibata had put into words their feelings on them: ‘Oh brother, this guy sucks.’ Played through the phone, that line was way too lame for that setup.
A ‘this guy sucks,’ chant started.
Jericho slapped Joe who briefly smiled then set his face to killer and headbutted the Ocho. They brawled and the faces forced the heels to bail up the ramp.
The seg ended with the announcers saying Jericho etc. still don’t have a partner for the ppv. Was okay. If the match is happening, could think of a million people I’d rather see Suzuki against than Jericho but then that’s why people are sick of him isn’t it.
Zack Sabre Jr. vs Kyle O’Reilly
Backstory: NONE
Orange on comms. Taz got right on him for using that color as his name. The Kingdom were watching in the crowd, who seemed to be entertaining themselves as this started. With serious grappling to a stalemate.
Orange said he didn’t know how to do any of what he’d just seen.
In the ring, both continued to attempt the same things only to be countered or escaped. To another stalemate. Kyle working the shoulder, Zack pivoted around on the mat out of it then posed. Kyle took him down by the wrist, Zack countered via headscissors. Light clapping from a quiet crowd.
Some of the War Dogs or something are with the Kingdom. Kyle got a snapmare, they kept countering and hitting those till Zack shook him off and did his twisting boot thing (great description, right?) to Kyle’s neck then stomped the arm.
Ads. Quite dull.
Back to Kyle countering into an ankle lock. Orange keeps putting across that he has no idea how to do any of this and doesn’t understand any of it. Kyle hit his flurry of kicks into a trip as a light ‘this is wrestling’ started then died.
Kyle running shot in the corner, Zack got a rear choke, Kyle snapmared free but Zack hit a soul food kick to the shoulder. Kyle got two via cradle then a suplex into a juijigitame. Nice move. Zack floated over into an ankle lock; Kyle rolled through into one of his own. Not my taste but can’t say they’re not smooth.
Zack got a headlock but was taken down via belly to back.
A flurry of strikes followed, each landing stereo kicks and dropping. Gabe Kidd and Strong were arguing. Kyle and Orange paintbrushed one another with open hands until Zack got a cross armbreaker, Kyle looked for a triangle but overextended, allowing Sabre to slip into a Fujiwara, Kyle immediately tapped.
It’s highly unlikely this will have got Zack over to the fans who don’t already know him. If enough people were interested in matches like this, ROH would be a viable company.
The Kingdom and etc hit the ring to check on Kyle. Cassidy got in there, Zack and TMDK had a 3:1 on Orange when Ishii’s music played and he came out to stand with his pal. Refs kept them separated. Other than a light ‘Ishii’ chant, this played to silence.
Very AEW. They jammed so many guys into this, including a bunch only the most hardcore fans will know, that it was impossible for any to stand out.
Without a storyline behind the match, this was a crowd killing segment. Following the Learning Tree probably didn’t help. It’s like following Black Panther into a Dynamite.
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr.
They pushed Beach Break next week. As the site noted ‘…in Chicago.’ Though it’s better than a frigid Cleveland in February.
Hard to see this second hour doing well. Has felt flat since the women. And they haven’t mentioned this main event since Swerve did at the outset.
Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay vs Gates of Agony
Backstory: You may have heard this line before… Can they coexist!?
Swerve came out and these two hours have absolutely flown.
After a previously strong build for the AEW title match, it feels like the ninth ppv in a row where we’ve had champ and challenger tag. And tonight it’s been an afterthought. This AEW title match is ultimately what will sell the ppv. Not Sabre, not Shingo, not even Tanahashi. The people who like them are already buying.
The Gates came out to crickets. Then rushed the faces at the bell. Leona took Swerve out outside. Ospreay took care of Kaun inside as Swerve made it back to the apron. AJ forearm for barely two.
Tag to Swerve, they hit nice, fluid double teaming capped by an Ospreay standing moonsault as Swerve got two. The fans were entertaining themselves again. Ospreay nearly booted Swerve after the Gates moved but Swerve caught the boot at the last second.
Nana started yelling ‘Whose house?’ to try to drum up any sort of noise.
Ads.
Back to the world champion selling for total losers. He elevated Kaun outside but was cut off from a tag by Leona. Kaun dragged Ospreay off the apron then they doubled up on Swerve. It’s like AEW learned nothing from Max losing to those masked goons in December.
Swerve moved and Kaun knocked Leona out of the ring then took a brainbuster. Swerve got the tag, Ospreay in with a leaping forearm until being doubled himself briefly until a double corkscrew kick and standing shooting star to Kaun for barely two.
Kaun hit an avalanche jackhammer, Swerve saved the pin. So the #1 contender nearly got pinned by the Gates. Strickland hit a Stomp off the apron to Leona. Then distracted Kaun for Ospreay to hit Spanish Fly for two.
He hooked the arms in a stormbreaker/tiger driver position, eyeing Swerve on the apron, hesitating long enough to be countered. He then inadvertently knocked Swerve off the apron. Then kicked out at two after a pounce. Crowd are dead.
Swerve back in with a violent pump kick which looked like it was for Ospreay but he ducked.
Another pump kick helped Ospreay hit a poisonrana. Toa Leona then kicked out of the Oscutter. Because we must have a ‘good match’ and ‘good matches’ have near falls. Swerve broke Kaun’s arm as Ospreay looked disgusted. Then hit a Hidden Blade to Leona to win.
There was some good subtle storytelling around the whole ‘killer instinct’ thing.
But this too was very AEW. Should have been a quick, convincing win with the odd miscommunication along the way. A poor, flat end to what’d been a strong feud. ‘Going home’ with this versus last week could make a big difference to buys.
Ospreay snatched the world title again as Swerve was leaving. So Swerve nailed him with a House Call and left him laying. Totally deserved. Strickland warned him last time that he was lucky they were friends. He posed over Ospreay with his belt. Which in another company would mean he’s losing Sunday. Better way to end than just with the match at least.
Winner: Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay
________________________________________________________________
Next Collision:
Forbidden Door:
Next Dynamite (Beach Break):
Thumbs Up/Down
*****
Appreciate you reading. Hope you’re having a good week.
Dynamite is coming off the record low viewership of last week and you can bet things are going to get into a higher gear tonight to avoid a repeat of last Wednesday.
Five matches have been announced for tonight’s broadcast including Kyle O’Reilly vs Zack Sabre Jr, a trios match with Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta vs Shingo Takagi, Titan, and Hiromi Takahashi, Saraya, Anna Jay, and Harley Cameron vs Mina Shirakawa, Mariah May, and Toni Storm, Jay White battles Rey Fenix in an Owen Hart Cup tournament quarter final match, and Swerve Strickland teams up with Will Ospreay to take on Gates of Agony.
Plus, segments featuring Daniel Garcia, TBS champion Mercedes Mone, and MJF will also be part of the show.
AEW announced that next week’s episode of Dynamite from Chicago will be themed as Beach Break and will be presented by Discovery’s Shark Week.
The announcement got some questions from fans, wondering why a Beach Break themed episode of the show would be held from Chicago of all places.
The Owen Hart Cup tournament will take center stage that week, with Jeff Jarrett taking on a mystery opponent plus Kris Statlander vs Willow Nightingale and PAC vs the winner of Bryan Danielson vs Shingo Takagi which will happen at Forbidden Door.
AEW did not hold a Beach Break episode of Dynamite last year, with 2022 being the last one it held. It was headlined by Orange Cassidy vs Adam Cole in an unsanctioned lights out match.
Monday Night Raw this week had an average of 1,814,000 viewers, up 68,000 viewers from the prior week despite going against game seven of the NHL Stanley Cup final. That was the most-watched episode of Raw since April 8.
The first hour started with 1,804,000 viewers and then increased nicely to 1,936,000 viewers for the second hour, and ended the night with 1,703,000 viewers.
In 18-49, Raw drew a 0.61 average over the three-hour period, up 0.06 from the previous week and the highest since April 15. No hourly ratings or cable rankings are available as of now. (Ratings credit: PWTorch)
The wrestling world used social media to remember WWE Hall of Famer Sika, who passed away yesterday at age 79.
WWE paid tribute to Sika during last night’s episode of NXT, and will do so again this Friday on Smackdown.
“WWE is saddened to learn that Sika Anoa’i, a WWE Hall of Famer, one-half of The Wild Samoans tag team and father of Roman Reigns, has passed away,” the company wrote in a post on X. “WWE extends its condolences to Anoa’i’s family, friends and fans.”
AEW wrote, “AEW and the wrestling world mourn the passing of the legendary Wild Samoan Sika. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans.”
TNA Wrestling also sent its condolences to the family, adding, “TNA is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary Samoan wrestler Sika Anoaʻi. We offer our sincerest condolences to his friends and family.”
Rikishi, Sika’s nephew, wrote that the first thing that comes to mind when he thinks of his uncle is mentor. He was also his first trusted adviser, confidant, and someone who always spoke his mind.
“As a professional, he showed me all of the ropes, (literally) and guided me on ‘roadlife,’ and being one of the boys,” Rikishi wrote. “But more importantly, as my Uncle, he taught me to slow down, take my time, and truly ENJOY life. We both loved living in Pensacola and appreciated the slower pace of life.”
Sika’s niece, Vale Anoa’i, wrote that her uncle was her dad’s (Afa) closest brother, best friend, tag team partner, and soulmate.
“There was no bond like theirs. Uncle Sika loved the family and Samoan culture more than anything. This loss is agonizing for all of us, but especially for my Dad. Please keep him in your prayers,” she wrote.
Several others also used social media to remember Sika.
Jey Uso: “I had to (Raising his index finger). One time for unk. RIP”
NWA: “The National Wrestling Alliance sends condolences to the family friends and fans of Sika Anoa’i”
Ric Flair: I’m saddened to hear about the loss of Sika! Your legacy will live on through the greatness of your son Roman! Rest in peace my brother!”
Bully Ray: The 1st tag team I ever saw and the reason I wanted to be a tag team wrestler was The Wild Samoans. My sincere condolences to the entire extended Anoa’i family. GOD BLESS and RIP.”
Natalya: “Sending so much love today to @WWERomanReigns and the entire Anoa’i family. My dad always spoke so highly of Sika and Afa and my grandfather had so much respect for The Wild Samoans when they wrestled in Stampede Wrestling. Sika was a legend and a pioneer in our industry in so many ways.”
Michael PS Hayes: “Words cannot express my feelings on the passing of Sika. If not for Sika and Afa, there would be no Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, Fabulous Freebirds, period. Sika was as always like an older brother to me. Prayers to Afa, Joe and the entire family. Now Sika rests with God.”
Matt Hardy: “Saddened to learn about Sika Anoa’i passing today. The few times I met him, he was very kind & friendly. My condolences go out to his family, friends & fans.”
Adam Pearce: “Godspeed, Sika. Your legacy and contributions to our wonderful industry can never be questioned. My heart goes out to the entire Anoa’i family, their friends, and everyone touched by this. Rest well, sir. My respect, always.”
Taz: “When I was high school, WWF did a show in our gymnasium. We (the football team) was security for the guys to go to their cars after the show. I had the honor of walking Afa & Sika to their vehicles and they both were so nice to me had me laughing a lot, great memory! My deepest condolences to @WWERomanReigns on the passing of his father along with the entire Anoa’i family on losing this HOF’er & pure legend. RIP Sika.”
Former WWE champion Jinder Mahal, now going by his real name of Raj Dhesi, will be teaming up with current AEW star Satnam Singh in a tag match at the upcoming AAA Triplemania XXXII event in Mexico City.
The two, who will be managed by Jeff Jarrett, will be taking on Dr. Wagner Jr and Galeno del Mal, and Psycho Clown and Negro Casas in a triple threat match for the AAA Tag Team titles.
This will be Dhesi’s first match for the Mexican AAA promotion. The two-time WWE champion was recently released from the company after 14 years of service.
Triplemania XXXII will take place on Saturday, August 17 at the Mexico City Arena in Azcapotzalco.
Jim Ross continues his string of bad luck with his health as the AEW commentator was admitted to a hospital again because of difficulty breathing.
In a post on X, Ross wrote, “Another trip to the ER. Difficulty breathing. Likely an overnight stay. I’ll be ok. Let’s fight!”
The 72-year-old will now probably miss the AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door pay-per-view due to his health problems. He already missed the Double or Nothing pay-per-view due to hospitalization days before. He last called a match in April at the Dynasty show.
The WWE Hall of Famer had a challenging 2024 so far, undergoing multiple surgeries due to cancer and several trips to the emergency room.
JeetBuzz started its operations in Bangladesh with the aim of providing an unparalleled gaming experience to each player. Interestingly, since its inception, it has steadily grown in popularity due to its legal and regulated status, thereby providing every player with absolute confidence and security. JeetBuzz will definitely delight you with its great offers and will also surprise you with the ease of use of its platform. After becoming a player of the site, you will get:
We can conclude that JeetBuzz will be an excellent guide for you into the world of sports betting and casino games, and with the above features, you can be confident in every decision you make while playing.
The JeetBuzz website has a combination of exceptional design, user-friendly components and flawless functionality. Below, you can have a closer look at the most important features and qualities of the website that make JeetBuzz the best choice for players:
Registration on the JeetBuzz bookmaker app is designed to be easy and accessible for players of all levels, whether you are an experienced player or a newbie. With a user-friendly interface and clear instructions, the registration process ensures you can get started in just a few minutes. Follow these simple steps to join the JeetBuzz community:
Now that you are registered with the unique online betting and casino gaming platform, you can take full advantage of the best offers from JeetBuzz.
JeetBuzz definitely stands out in the betting market of Bangladesh, especially with its sports section, offering some of the most meaningful and lucrative odds. It also often runs seasonal promotions around specific events, including many sporting events, that will increase your chances of winning. Below are the suggested disciplines for betting on JeetBuzz:
The sports section of JeetBuzz not only comes with great deals but also with a host of unique features that make it stand out from its competitors in Bangladesh. For example, the ability to place bets in real time allows you to add an extra level of excitement to the betting process, as well as implement a winning strategy. The statistics section provides you with detailed information and analytics, helping you make more informed decisions. These features coupled with reliable and secure payment options, 24/7 customer support and a constant stream of promotions makes JeetBuzz a popular platform for all sports betting enthusiasts.
The good news for all betting lovers is that JeetBuzz offers a variety of options, providing an exciting and potentially profitable betting experience to each one of you. With a wide selection of sports and events, you can find unique betting opportunities and big wins. Below is a detailed list of bet types available on JeetBuzz:
The JeetBuzz online casino section offers you the best world-class gaming experience. The platform features excellent visual design and an elegant, modern interface that conveys the atmosphere of a real casino to each of you. Players are greeted with a huge selection of games, from classic table games to the latest slots. The casino’s fun and exciting atmosphere makes every gaming session unique and exciting.
One of the outstanding qualities of JeetBuzz online casino is its user-friendly navigation and easy access to a wide range of games. High-quality graphics and smooth gameplay ensure that you can enjoy your favourite games without any interruptions or glitches. Additionally, JeetBuzz frequently updates its game library with the latest and most popular games, keeping its offerings fresh and interesting. The following games will be available to you in the JeetBuzz online casino section:
Whether you are a novice or an experienced casino enthusiast, the JeetBuzz online casino offers an unmatched gaming experience, brimming with exciting features and generous rewards.
JeetBuzz in Bangladesh stands out as a leading platform for both online sports betting and casino gaming, offering some of the most impressive and lucrative opportunities. Whether you are a new user looking for exciting rewards or a regular player looking for ongoing rewards, JeetBuzz has something different for everyone. Here, you will have access to a variety of bonuses and promotions designed to maximize your winning potential and improve your overall gaming experience. Let’s have a closer look at the main types of bonuses and promotions on JeetBuzz:
You will agree that choosing the right payment method is crucial for smooth and secure online gaming, and JeetBuzz excels in providing this important feature for each of you. Providing absolute security and reliability, JeetBuzz offers a variety of payment options to cater to the preferences of every player, making it an ideal platform for all betting and gaming lovers in Bangladesh. The most commonly used payment methods on JeetBuzz include:
JeetBuzz offers a minimum withdrawal amount of 500 BDT and a maximum withdrawal amount of 50,000 BDT, which is suitable for absolutely every player.
Raw commentator Pat McAfee revealed on his show yesterday that he missed Monday Night Raw because his father-in-law passed away just hours before the show.
Addressing the situation, McAfee said that after he wrapped up Monday’s episode of his show, which also had Triple H on as guest, his wife called him to tell him that her father was in bad shape at the hospital and they needed to go there.
McAfee said that his father-in-law was admitted to the hospital a few days before battling an infection but on Friday they told them that everything will be okay and was supposed to be discharged.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as doctors hoped for and he lost his battle.
“Last night was obviously a very difficult night for our family,” McAfee said. “And it was a nice reminder, thankfully my wife, her mom, with her dad, the last thing they said to him, Bob, who is a great man, was ‘I love you’ and I think this is a nice piece of perspective and a moment to tell everybody, like hey, tell your people you love them.”
The Miz replaced McAfee on commentary with Michael Cole.
Tell your people you love them.#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/wFGaR3lUF4
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 25, 2024
The NXT Heatwave main event has been changed to a fatal four-way match with NXT champion Trick Williams now defending his title against Je’Von Evans, Shawn Spears, and Ethan Page.
The change was made last night on NXT by General Manager Ava after Spears defeated Williams in a non-title match which closed the show.
Je’Von Evans won a 25-man battle royal last week to become the number one contender but Ethan Page contested that win after he was taken out early in the match but was never eliminated from the battle royal.
On NXT last night it was also announced that at Heatwave, the NXT Tag Team titles will be on the line as Nathan Frazer and Axiom defend their gold against Chase U, Roxanne Perez puts her NXT Women’s title against Lola Vice, Wes Lee goes for the NXT North American title against champ Oba Femi, and Kelani Jordan defends the NXT Women’s North American title against Sol Ruca.
In a rare personal post on social media, former Undisputed WWE champion Roman Reigns thanked everyone on behalf of his family for their outpouring support following the death of his father, WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoa’i.
“My father had a profound impact on my entire family and we are forever grateful for the foundation he built for us,” Reigns wrote. “There’s no way to fill the void left by his passing but my sisters and I will do our best to represent him and his legacy. Rest in Power, Dad. We love you.”
His last original post was on April 9 just after WrestleMania and his title loss to Cody Rhodes, posting a video in the gym writing, “Yesterday I mourned. Today is Day 1.”
Spinning right out of Forbidden Door it’s the Owen and Blood & Guts. Leading right into All In. And the glue binding it together is Hangman Adam Page. Who could play his part in an episodic feud featuring the world champion as the focus of the show. Right where Swerve should be.
If Page is the ‘Wild Card’ (best other guess being the loser of Swerve/Ospreay), renewing his maniacal pursuit of Swerve Strickland, it could lead to some damn good tv. As AEW feature Page chasing Strickland across a tournament, a cage and an ocean.
Beginning with building constant tension as he goes through the tournament. Taking a mic after win #1 to deranged-ly tell Strickland his #1 goal is still to stop him being champ. Then bailing as Swerve hits ringside
Beginning the cat and mouse game.
And leading into the semis where Swerve is watching backstage from the start. Into the final which Strickland takes in on comms, the feud deeply personal. Page winning all of his matches as convincingly and cleanly as possible. The stronger he is; the stronger Swerve comes out in the end.
Then onto Blood & Guts, Hangman having reunited with his Elite buddies to take down their joint target. No, it’s not original. But given we seem stuck with the angle, it at least gives the group…
And at the caged event*, Strickland comes out last, maximizing his confrontation with Page, who he finally gets his hands on as the avenging angel of the babyfaces. Buuuuut, Page pins him. Maybe his team’s already down a man through injury, maybe they’re all down (it’s only the Acclaimed); despite fighting valiantly, the numbers prove too much. Can use weapons too, obviously the champ needs protecting.
Giving Hangman something to crow about as we now build to Wembley – he won ‘fair and square’ (he’s a heel dammit!) but Swerve still hasn’t beaten him cleanly. And importantly, this is the last time they touch before the big show. Page continuing to goad and run, playing the ‘lousy, stinking hyena’ Bret Hart once accused Steve Austin of being. Strickland increasingly losing his cool.
But gaining wins over Page’s Elite buddies along the way to sate his anger and give him credibility: both Jacksons, maybe even Jack Perry if they’re feeling really brave. The feud knitted all over tv – promos, recaps, matches involving both sides, Strickland constantly trying to get at the cowardly heel.
But he never quite can. Until Wembley. Where he retains his crown in a credibility boosting win over a heel with momentum who’s done nothing but win on his way here. A former world champion who Strickland no longer has to beat with a chain or a distraction. He finally gets his clean win.
Capping a big show which seems to be shaping up along the lines of:
After that, I’m digging Page and Okada as a badass tag who truly rejuvenate the division. TV main events, serious feuds, a nice oddball chemistry between the comedic (but now credible) Okada and serious Page… They could even feud with Kenny and a partner. Long as it’s not Chris Jericho.
But then I love tags. And Tony Khan doesn’t appear to. So this is likely one broken dream even Drew McIntyre can’t make come true. But at least for once I didn’t spend an article complaining! Enjoyed it too. Hope you did. Thanks for reading.
*Could also have whoever’s team wins picks the stip for the All In match, though I prefer my title matches plain and simple
NXT’s momentum is certainly on the up and WWE is looking to make NXT #1 in ratings again for the third week in a row with tonight’s episode.
Six matches have been announced for the show later tonight, headlined by NXT champion Trick Williams vs Shawn Spears in a non-title match. Tony D’Angelo will defend his NXT Heritage Cup against Nathan Frazer and new number one contenders for the NXT Tag Team titles will be determined in a tag team turmoil match. Sol Ruca battles Arianna Grace in a number one contender’s match as well, this time for the NXT Women’s North American title, Wes Lee takes on Joe Coffey, and Tavion Heights battles Damon Kemp.
Last week’s NXT beat Dynamite in both viewership and 18-49 demo.
Collision on Saturday night drew 429,000 viewers, down just 2,000 viewers from the prior week. The show had a slight increase in its 18-49 demo, up 0.01 to 0.14 compared to the previous show and was #5 on the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
The trailer for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s latest movie, Red One, was released today by Amazon MGM Studios.
Directed by Jake Kasdan and written by Chris Morgan, from an original story by Hiram Garcia, Red One also stars Chris Evans, Kiernan Shipka, Lucy Liu, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, J.K. Simmons, Nick Kroll and Kristofer Hivju.
The movie, with a budget of a whopping $250 million, is about Santa Claus being kidnapped from the North Pole and an E.L.F. (Extremely Large and Formidable) operative joins forces with the world’s most accomplished tracker to find him and save Christmas. Red One is supposed to be the first of a potential franchise from MGM.
Johnson, Hiram Garcia, and Dany Garcia of Seven Bucks Productions will serve as producers. Red One is scheduled to be released by Amazon MGM Studios in the United States on November 15, 2024 and by Warner Bros. Pictures internationally.
WWE Hall of Famer Sika of the Wild Samoans passed away today at the age of 79. The news was announced by his nephew Jahnus Anoa’i.
Real name Leati Sika Amituana’i Anoaʻi, he was best known as former WWF Tag Team champion with his brother Afa, who together terrorized the tag team division of several promotions around the world.
Sika started his career in 1973 and joined the WWF with Afa in 1980. After just a year, the duo left the company and worked for NJPW, Mid-South and Georgia Championship Wrestling before eventually returning to the WWF in 1983. Their second stint in WWE didn’t last long either, leaving in 1985 but he returned a year later for another two-year stint.
After retiring from in-ring competition, Sika helped train up-and-coming wrestlers at the Wild Samoan Training Center with Afa.
Sika is the father of former Undisputed WWE champion Roman Reigns. He last appeared on WWE television at the 2020 Hell In A Cell premium live event where he celebrated his son’s victory of his cousin Jey Uso.
Reebok, in association with AEW, are releasing the Brodie Lee Classic Leather sneakers starting on July 1.
Available exclusively at Champ Sports, 100% of the royalties will be donated to Highmark Caring Place, an NGO providing programs and equipping the community to support children and families who have experienced the death of a loved one.
The sneakers are black and purple and have Brodie’s name on the side.
Get your own pair of Brodie Lee @Reebok Classic Leather Sneakers on July 1st, exclusively at @champssports
The Huber Family will donate 100% of royalties to @HighmarkCaring, continuing Mr. Brodie Lee’s legacy of kindness, compassion, and community#BrodieLeeLegacy pic.twitter.com/ljaI0Io42b
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 25, 2024
For decades, gambling has meant heading to the nearest casino or racetrack and trying your luck at games like blackjack, roulette, and slot machines. But in today’s digital world, the concept of gambling is rapidly evolving far beyond those smoke-filled rooms. There is now a whole universe of alternative betting opportunities to explore online. From betting on esports matches at Pame Stoixima to putting money down on the weather, the betting landscape now stretches as far as the imagination. So step away from those slot machines and let your curiosity lead you as we delve into the new frontier of online gambling alternatives.
One of the biggest rising stars in alternative online gambling is esports betting. Esports involves professional video game competitions, with teams battling in popular games like League of Legends, DOTA 2, Counter-Strike, and more in front of millions of adoring digital fans. The esports industry has absolutely exploded recently, expected to top $1 billion in revenue this year. With so much hype around top teams and marquee events, it was only natural that betting markets sprang up. Fans can now put money down on the outcome of major tournaments like the League of Legends World Championship, or even bet on individual pro matches. With so much momentum, esports betting shows no signs of slowing down. So whether you’re a hardcore gamer or just looking to make your next wager a little more cutting-edge, loading up an online esports betting account may be the perfect alternative for you.
Another form of alternative gambling that allows you to literally predict the future is weather betting. As climate science continues to progress, forecasters have gotten scarily accurate at calling rain or shine. Weather betting websites leverage this by allowing you to put money on predictions like tomorrow’s high temperature in New York City, or whether Los Angeles will see any rainfall this month. Some sites even offer exotic bets like predicting the first hurricane to make landfall during storm season. While betting on the weather may seem strange, it requires skill and research similar to handicapping a football game. For weather geeks, retired meteorologists, or anyone looking to show off their forecasting chops while making some cash, weather betting is a perfect storm.
Are you a current events buff who dominates Trivia Night at your local bar? Then trying your hand at news betting may satisfy your appetite for feeling smarter than everyone else. News betting sites allow you to wager on the outcomes of world events, celebrity gossip, business news, and more. For example, you could bet on whether the next CEO of Amazon will be an internal hire. Or who will win Best Actor at the next Oscars. Sites like PredictIt even take niche bets on issues like “Will NHS waiting lists in England exceed 5 million by the end of 2023?” By drawing on your knowledge of politics, business, and pop culture, news betting provides a real shot to monetize your expertise. Just try not to gloat too much next time you correctly predict a high-profile divorce or corporate shakeup.
Table 1: Types of Alternative Gambling
| Type | Examples |
| Esports Betting | League of Legends tournaments, DOTA 2 matches |
| Weather Betting | Temperature forecasts, hurricane predictions |
| News/Prop Bets | Celebrity gossip, business news, politics |
While traditional gambling like poker, horse races, and sports betting will always have their dedicated fanbases, alternative betting represents an exciting new frontier. Whether you’re into video games, celebrity gossip, or arguing about politics, there are fresh opportunities to channel your interests into predictions and profit. Sure, you could still head to Vegas and pump coins into a loud slot machine for hours on end. But just like any form of entertainment, gambling is evolving to offer more niche experiences that resonate with specialized audiences. The onset of alternative betting ensures paradise can still be found for degenerate gamblers everywhere – even those who think Blackjack is the name of a music festival headliner.
So step boldly forward into this brave new world of esports matchups, weather forecasts political polls ready to reveal their lucrative secrets. There will be slumps and winning streaks, long shots that shock the world, and sure things that somehow let you down. But ultimately, diving deep into alternative gambling represents a chance to learn about new worlds, test your skills, and maybe come out a little richer too.
