For several WWE Superstars, this weekend is a special one for them as many are making their WrestleMania debut at possibly the biggest WrestleMania of all time.
In total, 12 are making their WrestleMania in-ring debut either tonight or tomorrow. These are Karrion Kross, Akam and Razar of The AOP, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa of DIY, Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate of New Catch Republic, Grayson Waller, Dragon Lee, Santos Escobar, LA Knight, and Jade Cargill.
Other stars such as Scarlett, B-Fab, and members of the LWO and Legado del Fantasma will also be making their debut if they appear but they are not scheduled to have a match.
WWE has unveiled the WrestleMania XL stage with a video uploaded on their social media channels late yesterday.
WWE backstage correspondents Kayla Braxton and Jackie Redmond hosted the unveiling along with some help from Ninja Kids.
The set is minimal considering the milestone number with large X L blocks on each side of the stage and mostly video screens surrounding it and a large WrestleMania logo on top. WWE is using the green color scheme all around for this show.
The cold weather is also prompting WWE to put out the ring heaters for both nights to make things a little bit less freezing for the Superstars who will be inside the ring.
Coco Jones has been tasked with singing the U.S. national anthem on Saturday at WrestleMania XL night one. The news was announced by Triple H in a post on social media.
“Excited to welcome Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter @TheRealCocoJ to #WrestleMania XL this weekend, where she’ll perform our country’s National Anthem to kick off @WrestleMania Saturday,” he said.
At WrestleMania, America The Beautiful is usually sang instead of the national anthem so this could be a change.
Jones, who is also part of the cast of the Peacock series Bel-Air, was nominated for five Grammy Awards this year.
AEW President Tony Khan addressed the recent releases from AEW, something which he has never done and often viewed it as a feather in his cap when comparing his practice to that of WWE.
Khan admitted that sometimes you do have to make tough calls and in order to go after top talent, he needs to have enough money so trimming the roster where necessary is going to be a thing.
He said that Anthony Henry will be re-hired after he heals from the broken jaw injury he’s suffering, an injury he got wrestling at an indie show not related to AEW.
He also added that Brandon and Brent Tate of The Boys were let go after they repeatedly missed shows they were supposed to be on.
Khan’s first question was about CM Punk and his recent interview but Khan refused to answer and no one bugged him again about the subject. Khan also did not want to talk when the AEW television rights with WBD will exactly expire, just noting it will be “soon.”
Khan was speaking to the media ahead of ROH Supercard of Honor tomorrow.
The Stand & Deliver go-home episode of NXT on USA drew 641,000 viewers this week, up 40,000 viewers from last week’s broadcast. The show had a 0.20 rating in 18-49, the highest since January 9 and was #8 on the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: SpoilerTV)
Becky Lynch’s new book, titled The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl, has reached the #4 spot on the New York Times best-selling chart in the hardcover nonfiction section for April 14, 2024.
The book sits behind The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, Age of Revolutions by Fareed Zakaria, and Get It Together by Jesse Watters.
“World Champion. WrestleMania main eventer. Mother,” Lynch wrote on X today. “And now, a new title I’m very proud of, New York Times Best Selling Author.”
Published by Gallery Books through Simon & Schuster, this 384-page hardcover book is compelling and deeply personal memoir from Rebecca Quin who delves into her earliest wrestling days, her scrappy beginnings, and her meteoric rise to fame.
Fans going to the WWE World today in the afternoon will get to see The Rock as WWE announced that the Final Boss will be appearing at the fan convention starting at 4PM.
The Rock was not added as a VIP Superstar and is likely appearing on the main stage only and not doing any meet and greet. This is the only day that Rock is scheduled to be at WWE World during WrestleMania week.
He also made headlines yesterday after a fan who he met at Target promised to get his autograph tattooed on his arm if he would sign his hand. After he got the tattoo, this fan tweeted the photo to The Rock.
“That’s the authentic real deal signature & bull right there! Looks amazing,” The Rock wrote. “You’re a man of your word, and so is the Final Boss… Pack your bags – because you and your daughter are coming to @wwe #WrestleMania!”
The Rock promised that he is paying for their tickets, flight, hotel, transportation and food.
Rossy Ogawa, the former STARDOM chief, is currently in Philadelphia and was photographed at the WWE hotel.
Ogawa is there along with protege Giulia ahead of the launch of his new all-women promotion in Japan following his ousting from STARDOM by its parent company Bushiroad. Ogawa was accused of poaching talent away from STARDOM and was terminated by his bosses.
The news was celebrated by AEW President Tony Khan at the time, and soon after his departure, Khan and STARDOM’s new President and CEO Taro Okada met in the United States to start a working relationship, something that AEW didn’t have with the Japanese promotion while Ogawa was there.
There are rumors that Ogawa’s new promotion will be tied with WWE although those claims remain just rumors.
Several of the STARDOM talent are very loyal to Ogawa and the promotion is facing a mass exodus as they look to join him in his new venture.
Mercedes Mone will be getting a TBS title shot at next month’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view in Las Vegas.
Appearing on last night’s episode of Dynamite, Mone crashed Willow Nightingale’s segment and told her that after Dynasty, she will take on whoever is the champion in Las Vegas.
Nightingale will challenge Julia Hart for the TBS championship on the April 21 pay-per-view.
Mone and Nightingale share a history together as they wrestled for the inaugural NJPW Strong Women’s title last year, with Mone originally supposed to win but the match finish was changed on the fly after she suffered a broken ankle. Nightingale won the match and the title.
It was a rough night for Chelsea Green on Tuesday after she wrote that she was kicked out of The Plaza hotel in New York after she was mistaken for an escort.
Green said that she and a friend went to the bar inside the hotel on Tuesday afternoon before heading to a Broadway show but security told them they have to leave because they were not guests at the hotel even though the Champagne Bar is open to the public and not just guests.
The former WWE Women’s Tag Team champion told TMZ that security and staff at the bar told them that they know “what they were doing there” and Green took issue with the comment because of the outfit she was wearing – denim skirt, shoulder top, brown boots, and a coat.
Trying to speak to front desk and managers went nowhere and Green and her friend eventually were forced to leave the premises.
Green told TMZ that she was both pissed and embarrassed over the situation.
She wrote on X, “Man… one night you’re wrestling at Barclays Center, having the time of your life and the next you’re being kicked out of @FairmontHotels and accused of being an escort because of your outfit.
Life is funny! Maybe next year I won’t celebrate Wrestlemania weekend at The Plaza Hotel LOL…”
Man… one night you’re wrestling at Barclays Center, having the time of your life and the next you’re being kicked out of @FairmontHotels and accused of being an escort because of your outfit😵💫
Life is funny! Maybe next year I won’t celebrate Wrestlemania weekend at The Plaza… pic.twitter.com/U2oDSOfMj7
Several WWE Superstars will be appearing at The World over the next five days for meet and greets, some of which will cost $200 each due to their designation as VIP Superstars.
The VIP Superstars are The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Bayley, Dominik Mysterio, LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, Jey Uso, Randy Orton, Rhea Ripley, Rey Mysterio, Becky Lynch, Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Charlotte Flair, CM Punk, and Bianca Belair.
All are sold out with the exception of The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Bayley, Dominik Mysterio, and LA Knight. Taker and Hogan tickets vary in prices and cost more than $200.
General Admission stars which do not require extra payment for Thursday include Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Bobby Lashley, Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles, Kofi Kingston, and The Miz.
Appearing on Friday are Gunther, Nia Jax, Natalya, JBL, Naomi, Austin Theory, Sami Zayn, and Big E.
Saturday will feature Sonya Deville, Bronson Reed, Carmella, Iyo Sky, Omos, Braun Strowman, and Chad Gable.
Sunday will have Baron Corbin, Tiffany Stratton, Diamond Dallas Page, Raquel Rodriguez, Kairi Sane, Asuka, and R-Truth.
Monday’s guests include The Street Profits, Dakota Kai, Kevin Owens, Xavier Woods, and Liv Morgan.
Dynamite last night opened with a rally speech from TNT champion Adam Copeland as a reaction to CM Punk’s explosive interview earlier this week where he blasted the company for not being a real business and labeling Tony Khan as “not a boss.”
Copeland noted that there were a lot of negative bullshit this week but he was out there to only talk about positive things and put over the AEW locker room and said he would put this AEW locker room against any other locker room he’s been part of.
The champion mentioned a list of stars who he can face and said that he’s having the most fun he’s ever had in his career which started an AEW chant from the crowd. Copeland put over The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes, and Tony Khan for starting the company and said that AEW has made the industry and wrestling a better place and stuff like this should be celebrated.
“AEW makes pro wrestling better. AEW makes pro wrestling more fun and AEW is where the best wrestle,” Copeland said.
He added that there is a reason why people like Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada, and Mercedes Mone chose to come to AEW.
“There’s a reason I came here,” Copeland continued.
Earlier in the interview, Copeland mentioned “WWF” as one of the promotions he used to watch when he was a kid and it received some boos, but nothing that can be compared to the early days of the company when the competition used to be mentioned.
AEW President Tony Khan tweeted during the interview that it means a lot to hear those AEW chants on Dynamite.
During his podcast What Happened When, AEW announcer Tony Schiavone was asked about Punk’s comment when he mentioned him during the interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani this past Monday.
Punk said that Schiavone was the one who went over to ask him to deal with Jack Perry when Perry was cussing everyone out after he was told he could not use real glass during an episode of Collision.
Co-host Conrad Thompson told Schiavone that Punk had nothing bad to say about him but wanted his reaction to Punk’s version of events.
“Did he have a couple of stories about me? Jungle Boy, right?” asked Tony. You know what? I really don’t give a shit about it. I’m not gonna get into this.”
Schiavone said he “knows what he said” and he’s going to let Punk talk about it if he wants and that’s all he has to say about it.
“Look…okay…I don’t give a shit. That’s all I can say. I can’t get into that. It would be stupid for me to get into that, so f*cking what?” Tony continued.
He said that he had no idea what Punk said because he did not see the interview but someone mentioned to him that Punk brought up his name, with Thompson once again pointing out the fact that Punk had no bad things to say about Tony.
“I know,” Schiavone responded. “That’s why I’m saying, ‘So what?’ If he was critical of me, people would say, ‘Oh, Schiavone on his podcast wanted to defend himself.’ I have nothing to defend. Let’s move on,” Schiavone concluded.
WWE World at WrestleMania will feature a ton of live content across the five days.
Today, the festivities start with the WWE2K Showdown including the first-ever WWE 2K24 gaming tournament featuring WWE Superstars Xavier Woods, The Miz, R-Truth, Zelina Vega, Bayley and more! The WWE World Main Stage will have Cody Rhodes and Rey Mysterio.
On Friday, Pat McAfee will host his Pat McAfee Show live and will feature special guest Triple H. An Up Up Down Down live stream will also take place with Xavier Woods, Tyler Breeze and other WWE Superstars. The WWE World Main Stage will have Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins.
Saturday will start with a Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal Documentary Panel featuring Big E, Natalya, JoJo Offerman, Taylor Rotunda (Bo Dallas) plus surprises you won’t want to miss. The WWE World Main Stage will have Charlotte Flair, Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton.
On Sunday morning, The Slammys: The Fans Choice Awards will be held and it will be hosted by Cathy Kelley and Big E with special appearances by WWE Superstars. A WWE Mattel Elite Squad Panel featuring CM Punk will also take place during the day while WWE World Main Stage has Rhea Ripley.
On the last day on Monday, Pat McAfee will host another Pat McAfee Show live featuring WWE Superstars to be determined and the WWE World Main Stage hosts Bianca Belair and Jey Uso.
The modern-day version of WrestleMania Axxess, now titled WWE World, will open its doors this morning at the Philadelphia Convention Center.
WWE World at WrestleMania will feature engaging content across multiple stages, the Kids Zone, the Gaming Zone, Superstar Row, the WrestleMania Superstore, memorabilia museums, interactive photo op experiences, and much more.
At Superstar Row, you can meet your favorite WWE Superstars in person and pose for a photo with them. Select number of Superstars will be free while another batch will be designated as VIP Superstars and require an add-on ticket.
Autograph Stages will have Superstars ready to sign one item per person and fans can either bring an item or an autograph mat will be provided. No photography is included here as that is all at Superstar Row.
Kids Zone is family-fun activities where you can get your face painted, play your favorite carnival games, bust a move on the dance floor, and even participate in the DIY craft zone.
Tattoo Pavilion will allow you to choose from the pre-designed tattoos and get inked up from the folks at Ink Fusion Empire.
Superstar Entrance is a popular area where fans can create their own entrance by choosing your own theme and walk down a WWE set. All entrances are filmed and can be downloaded for free.
WrestleMania Superstore is also part of WWE World, although a ticket for this is not required. You can, however, enter to the Superstore from WWE World to spend your life savings by buying tons of WWE and WrestleMania merchandise.
Opening hours are today from Noon to 8PM ET, tomorrow from 10AM to 7PM ET, Saturday from 10AM to 5PM, Sunday from 10AM to 5PM, and Monday from 10AM to 5PM as well.
A five-day ticket will cost $240, adult day tickets are $60, kids day tickets are $25, evening adult tickets are $30, and even kids tickets are $10. Evening tickets entry are from 3PM onwards.
WWE World is not the only fan interactive convention that is happening in Philadelphia during this WrestleMania week as the popular WrestleCon is back for another round at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown.
WrestleCon will run from today, April 4 until Sunday, April 7 and will feature nearly 250 guests and wrestling legends.
This year’s WrestleCon guests include the likes of Sting, Ronda Rousey, Bob Orton, Booker T, DDP, Dean Malenko, Dustin Rhodes, Earl Hebner, Mandy Sacs, Honky Tonk Man, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Jeff Hardy, Jerry “The King” Lawler, Jordynne Grace, Kurt Angle, Lita, Trish Stratus, Matt Hardy, Mickie James, Mustafa Ali, Richard Flair, and many many more.
Convention tickets are $41 per day plus extra for photos and autographs.
The WrestleMania Superstore opens this morning at Hall B of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and will be available for fans for the next five days.
The largest collection of WrestleMania and WWE merchandise will be on display including apparel, toys, replica championship belts, and anything else imaginable where a WrestleMania or WWE logo can be slapped on.
The hours of operation are today from 11AM to Midnight, tomorrow from 9AM to Midnight, Saturday from 9AM to 7PM, Sunday from 9AM to 7PM, and Monday from 9AM to 7PM.
Entry to the WrestleMania Superstore is free and open to the public.
P.S. Don’t forget your credit card(s). You will need them!
You can also opt to order online, beating the lines and take advantage of free shipping by going to WWE Shop.
Wrestling and other athletic pursuits demand a high level of physical exertion and skill. While the thrill of competition can be exhilarating, athletes must recognize and address the risks of injuries that come with the territory. From sprains and strains to more severe fractures and concussions, the potential for harm is ever-present. However, with proper knowledge and preventive measures, athletes can minimize these risks and ensure their longevity in their chosen sport. This ultimate guide aims to equip wrestlers and athletes with the tools they need to navigate the challenges of injury prevention, management, and recovery effectively.
Strategies for Injury Avoidance
Prevention is always better than cure, and in the realm of athletics, this adage holds. One of the most effective ways to prevent injuries is through proper training and conditioning. This includes incorporating strength training exercises to build muscle strength and endurance, as well as flexibility training to improve range of motion and reduce the likelihood of strains and sprains. Additionally, athletes should pay close attention to their technique and form, as poor mechanics can increase the risk of injury. Coaches and trainers play a vital role in this process by providing guidance and feedback to ensure athletes are executing movements correctly. Moreover, maintaining a balanced diet and staying adequately hydrated can support overall health and resilience against injuries. By adopting these proactive measures, athletes can significantly reduce the risk of injury and stay in peak physical condition throughout their careers.
Dealing with Injuries Effectively
Despite athletes’ best efforts to prevent injuries, they may still occur. When faced with an injury, prompt and appropriate management is essential to minimize its impact and facilitate recovery. The RICE protocol—rest, ice, compression, and elevation—is a cornerstone of injury management, particularly for acute injuries such as sprains and strains. This approach helps reduce pain and swelling while promoting healing. However, not all injuries are straightforward, and seeking professional medical evaluation is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Physical therapists, sports medicine physicians, and orthopedic specialists can provide tailored rehabilitation programs to address specific injuries and facilitate safe return to sport. Moreover, athletes should prioritize rest and recovery, allowing their bodies adequate time to heal before resuming training or competition. By taking a proactive approach to injury management, athletes can expedite their recovery and reduce the risk of long-term complications.
Returning Stronger Than Before
Recovery from an injury is a multifaceted process that requires patience, diligence, and perseverance. While it may be tempting to rush back into training or competition, doing so prematurely can exacerbate the injury and prolong recovery time. Instead, athletes should follow their healthcare provider’s guidance and gradually reintroduce activities once they have regained strength, mobility, and function. Rehabilitation exercises play a crucial role in this phase, helping to rebuild muscle strength, improve flexibility, and restore neuromuscular control.
Additionally, addressing any underlying biomechanical imbalances or weaknesses can help prevent future injuries. Athletes need to listen to their bodies and prioritize self-care during the recovery process, which may include adequate sleep, stress management, and proper nutrition. By approaching recovery holistically and respecting their bodies’ needs, athletes can emerge from injury stronger and more resilient than before, ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
Consulting a Personal Injury Lawyer
In some unfortunate cases, athletes may sustain injuries due to the negligence or misconduct of others, such as unsafe playing conditions or reckless actions by opponents. When faced with such situations, consulting a personal injury lawyer can be a crucial step in protecting one’s rights and seeking justice.
Personal injury lawyers specialize in advocating for individuals who have been harmed due to the actions or negligence of others, including athletes who have suffered injuries during sporting events or training sessions. These legal professionals can assess the circumstances surrounding the injury, gather evidence, and pursue legal action against responsible parties to recover compensation for damages and seek justice. Whether it’s medical expenses, lost income, or pain and suffering, athletes deserve fair compensation for the harm they’ve endured. By enlisting the expertise of a personal injury lawyer, athletes can navigate the complexities of the legal system with confidence and focus on their recovery journey, knowing that their rights are being safeguarded.
Supporting Recovery
Nutrition plays a crucial role in the recovery process for injured athletes. Consuming a balanced diet rich in nutrients helps support tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and enhance immune function. Protein, in particular, is essential for muscle repair and rebuilding, so athletes should aim to include sources such as lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, and tofu in their meals. Additionally, foods high in antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, can help combat oxidative stress and promote healing. Hydration is equally important, as adequate fluid intake supports circulation, nutrient delivery, and toxin removal. Athletes should aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially during and after exercise, to replenish lost fluids and maintain optimal hydration levels.
Addressing Psychological Impact
Injuries not only affect athletes physically but can also take a toll on their mental well-being. Dealing with pain, frustration, and uncertainty about the future can be challenging, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, or anger. Athletes need to prioritize their mental health during the recovery process. Seeking support from friends, family, coaches, or mental health professionals can provide a valuable outlet for expressing emotions and coping with stress. Engaging in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or visualization can help alleviate tension and promote a sense of calm. Additionally, staying connected to the sports community through spectatorship, volunteering, or involvement in non-physical aspects of the sport can maintain a sense of identity and purpose during the healing journey.
Injuries are an inevitable aspect of athletics, but with proper prevention, management, and support, athletes can navigate these challenges effectively and emerge stronger than before. By prioritizing injury prevention strategies, seeking prompt and appropriate medical care when needed, and embracing a holistic approach to recovery, athletes can optimize their chances of returning to sport safely and successfully. Whether it’s through physical rehabilitation, nutritional support, or addressing mental health needs, athletes have a range of resources at their disposal to facilitate their healing journey. With determination, resilience, and the right support network, athletes can overcome injuries and continue to pursue their athletic dreams with confidence.
Adam Copeland out to start the show. To a big reaction from the roughly 3,000 fans. The mic was echoing badly, killing an ‘Adam’ chant. He said he didn’t bring his title and came out here as ‘Adam, to talk to all of you.’
The mic echoed again, then he said lots of negative BS has happened this week. But he wants to talk positives. If you’re a fan, there are a lot of positives. He’s a fan too, he used to watch ‘WWF’ – one or two people booed and Copeland said they’re missing the point. He also watched NWA, he watched Stampede, he watched everything he could because he ‘love(s) professional wrestling.’
For nine years he had it taken from him and worked hard to get it back because he loves it so damn much. And when he thought about the end of his career, he realized AEW is where he should do it. He saw ‘a murderer’s row of talent’. He’ll put the AEW locker room against any he’s ever been part of.
He can face Ospreay, Kenny (said he hoped he was doing well), Hangman, Joe, Moxley, Darby, FTR, Bucks, HOB (he said ‘Malakai’ and looked right at the camera). Nearly all to loud cheers. He said his friends say he looks like he’s having a blast. And he is. He insisted this is the most fun he’s ever had in his entire career.
An ‘AE-dub’ chant started. Copeland celebrates AEW, the guys who started it – ‘the Bucks, Kenny, Cody, Tony Khan’. They’re all fans, being a fan isn’t something to make fun of, AEW has pushed the industry and the wrestlers into a better place. That should be celebrated.
AEW makes pro wrestling better. Makes pro wrestling more fun. And AEW is where the best wrestle (again looked right into the camera).
He thanked us for hearing him out. He got fired up this weekend and wanted to get some stuff off his chest. AEW is moving forward, there’s a reason Okada, Mercedes and Ospreay came here. ‘Theres a reason I came here.’
So now he wants to introduce a man who symbolizes everything AEW will be going forward…’the Aerial Assassin, Will Ospreay’ (he kept saying ‘Os-pree’ the whole time).
Then waited in the ring to shake Ospreay’s hand.
Phenomenal promo btw. Don’t use that word lightly. This is the sort of stuff Copeland should’ve been doing from the start – excited to be here, putting the talent over, and importantly, working with actual AEW talent. He clearly wanted to speak and was given time. Came off as a real – very likeable – person. Hopefully AEW follow his words and leave the past in the past.
Notable how few boos there were for the words ‘WWF.’ Would’ve been very different a few years back.
Will Hobbs vs Will Ospreay
Backstory: NONE
Callis joined on comms.
Ospreay ran at Hobbs and was sent sprawling backwards, spinning and crashing to the mat. Callis is painting this again as best vs best and Ospreay wanting to test himself.
After a few Hobbs shots, Ospreay went low then high then tripped Hobbs down, standing moonsault for barely one. More kicks to the legs, Hobbs hit back and tried a cocky pin, Ospreay wasn’t impressed and tried to slug it out, ducked a Hobbs lariat before sending the big man outside with one of his own, then crashing down onto him with a smack via vaulting press.
Hobbs whipped Will to the barricade, he hopped over but was caught atop it and hooked into a delayed suplex down onto the steps. Tree slam now onto the apron. Repeatedly. Then just dumped onto the announce desk by fallaway slam. Scott Hall used to call it ‘sack of shit drop’ and the way Ospreay was dumped here fits that bill.
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Slugging it out as we returned, Ospreay handsprung back into a corkscrew kick – just incredible athleticism. Kip up, Hobbs reeling, back elbow in the corner, to the apron, springboard forearm, for two.
But made the mistake of hurling chops. Hobbs wasn’t impressed, flinging him back to the corner as Ospreay came out with a big slap. Hobbs really wasn’t impressed now, Ospreay’s face said ‘oh shit,’ as he was caught and flung via belly to belly.
But avoided Hobbs charging, Hobbs blocked a tornado ddt, Ospreay hit back via stundog; Hobbs blocked an oscutter and got two via snap powerslam. Then headed upstairs, Ospreay down but moving to avoid a frogsplash, oscutter coming, Hobbs too strong, Ospreay flipping behind to get it at the second attempt.
Near fall.
Elbow pad removed, Ospreay to the corner, Hidden Blade coming, countered, Ospreay countered back to hook a cradle out of a tree slam. For two. Hook-kick hit, Ospreay hit the ropes but rebounded into a massive lariat, both down.
Another big lariat in the corner before Hobbs sat Ospreay up top as the crowd chanted TiA. Avalanche powerslam. For another near fall. Straps down, end coming, Ospreay countered a spinebuster into a ddt, racing to the top, sky twister press (right onto Hobbs’ head), Hidden Blade, win.
After suspending Sammy Guevara, AEW have now twice in a few days allowed matches to finish despite potential head/neck injuries. Hopefully Hobbs is okay, he seemed to be afterward. But concussions aren’t predictable like that.
Callis got in to celebrate, Hobbs wasn’t happy and started barking at Will, Callis had to hold him back and talk him down.
As Ospreay was leaving, AEW did their new favorite gimmick of having a feuding wrestler come out ‘early’ for their match and cross paths with their future foe. In this case, it presumably doubles as Copeland-into-Ospreay-into-Danielson – aka don’t change the channel.
Which is smart after last week’s rating. Good match btw. Far from Ospreay’s best but featuring a little more selling than his previous efforts along with a clearer face/heel dynamic and your classic big man vs flyer story. Would have really meant something if Hobbs hadn’t been left to cool off for so long after smashing Jericho and Omega.
Winner: Will Ospreay
Ads. Guessing the tag is main eventing then? Yes, I’m theorizing about what’ll end the show, drink at home 😉.
Bryan Danielson vs Lance Archer
Backstory: NONE
Archer attacked Danielson before the bell (Archer and etc have been mini-feuding with BCC on Collision), scraping his face in the ropes, open palm to the chest, Danielson on his knees being clubbed across the chest until collapsing.
Crowd very quiet.
Choking boot in the corner, hard whip to the opposite buckle, release snap suplex, Danielson struggling. Pair of running back elbows in the corner, a third missing, Danielson going to work on the legs with dragon screws, crowd waking a bit, the big man on his knees taking chops and kicks.
Danielson now looking for a Romero special but instead stomping the Achilles as he’s been doing lately. Before some stiff ass kicks to the quads, no daylight there. Archer hit back with a club to the back, flinging Danielson out, the Dragon ran back in looking for a tope but was caught into a goozle and sent against the apron.
Archer then grabbing a crew member at ringside, slamming him onto the downed Dragon. Crowd reacted big to that.
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Archer still on top, Danielson briefly fighting back but smacked down with a single shot. Coming right back though with more kicks to the quad, vaulting over off the buckle but smashed via an Archer cross body.
The big man setting him in the corner, crushing BD against the ropes with his boot, clubbing blows to the back, Archer now readying his rope-walk moonsault. But being crotched, Danielson firing up, running dropkick in the corner, a second, a third countered into a bearhug, Danielson hooked him down though via front facelock, into the LeBell, dead center, crowd chanting ‘tap.’
After being in it for a long time – too damn long for a top guy’s finish – Archer got the ropes with his boot. And bailed outside. Danielson following, dropkick through the ropes, leaping knees off the apron before sending the big man back in, to the top, shotgun coming, hit, Danielson firing up once more, Archer on his knees.
You know what that means.
Stiff yes kicks to the chest, a fourth caught and countered into a chokeslam, Danielson kicking out just before three. Archer seeking Blackout, Danielson fighting back from atop the buckle with H&A, Archer hit back with a climbing knee strike, Blackout coming now, Danielson countering again, slipping into a sleeper, dead center, thrown free though.
But responding right into a busaiku. This has gone way too long now. At least five minutes.
Another busakiu was blocked, a pair of roundhouses wasn’t. Make that three. Now the second busaiku. For the win.
Well, if AEW learnt anything from last week, it wasn’t that they shouldn’t put on long matches with obvious finishes. It was good for most of it and built to a really good finishing sequence; unfortunately, despite long periods of dominance, no-one bought Archer winning, so that sequence didn’t mean much.
Danielson led the fans in a yes! chant. They pushed his match vs Ospreay again. Then pushed the rest of the show: Jericho being out next was booed viciously.
Winner: Bryan Danielson
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Back to Renee to bring Jericho to the ramp. He’s still insisting on being ‘Lionheart.’ If you wondered why he’s now ‘calling out’ Hook, you’re not alone. Jericho finally emerged. To boos. Renee asked about his relationship with Hook. The fans stopped boing as Jericho started to speak. But they started again the longer he went.
Jericho said it seemed the pair were cool last week but something Hook said stuck with him. He asked him to come out. Hook did. Jericho referred to Hook saying he knows what Jericho is really like last week.
He admitted he’s turned on pretty much everyone. Then used the third person to talk about himself; the boos stated again. He basically said to be a top guy, you have to turn on people.
Hook said he believed in Jericho enough to get them a tag. But still has his eye on Jericho. Jericho said he wouldn’t expect anything else and gave him a fist bump and said ‘bet,’ like Hook did last week. That match is on Collision.
During this, Jericho kept sucking up to Hook in a way intended to get the crowd back onside.
*****
Now to Shane Taylor and Lee Moriarty. Seems they’re the ones facing ‘LionHook.’
Billy Gunn vs Jay White
Backstory: BCG invaded Gunn’s home or something, so Billy challenged Jay to a match here, Acclaimed challenged the Gunns to remain backstage with them so this is 1:1
We then got the best theme this side of Elevated. Unfortunately, Billy Gunn appeared behind White during it and attacked him. Because Billy Gunn is always better and smarter than all the young dumbasses he wrestles. Bigger too.
The guy whose career peaked in 1998 ignored the recent IWGP champ’s brief offense and continued to drub him around ringside. The Acclaimed and the Gunns were shown watching backstage.
Excalibur was forced into his weekly ‘the ref’s being lenient,’ as they were outside for ages. Gunn now beating White in the crowd. The announcers keep talking about White invading his home, but still haven’t actually shown that outside of Rampage. As with Saturday, might want to clue your audience in on an angle that deep.
We’re now several minutes in, White has got in one chop, which Gunn no sold. He’s now desperately trying to crawl away around ringside after being tossed back there. You would think Tony Khan had a daughter and White screwed her.
He finally slipped out of a suplex and shoved Gunn into the barricade. Then continued to pathetically try to crawl away. Before being beaten on some more. Crowd pretty dead now. Much like Jay White.
Crawling back inside, White desperately grabbed the ropes and pathetically screamed that he had them, begging the ref to help him. Gunn dumped him back outside with a lariat.
Ads.
Gunn continued battering and smashing White until being shoved into the ringpost. He blocked a Bladerunner and hit the One or whatever it used to be called. Then a Fameasser. Then yelled ‘SUCK MY DICK,’ and hit another.
Then went to get a chair. The Gunns came out to beg him to stop then hit a low blow. For the DQ. The fans booed mildly. The Acclaimed raced out to stop a 3:1 and beat the crap out of the Gunns. White tried to run away but tripped and was caught. The Acclaimed threw him back in, then the faces walloped the heels including another Billy lariat to Jay.
‘Stoppppp, he’s already dead…’
The Gunns then saved White from being sent through a table. The heels fled through the crowd. ‘This is far from over,’ said Excalibur.
Why? The heels just got absolutely annihilated? What’s left?
Guessing they won’t have to talk Billy out of wanting to lose his final match.
Winner: DQ
The Bucks pulled up to boos. The Best Friends were shown arriving along with Trent’s mom. Hey, 70 minutes in, did you know a spot in the tag tournament final is on the line tonight?
*****
From the ramp, Renee brought out Willow Nightingale. Almost nothing backstage tonight. Maybe trying to keep the crowd hot? Statlander is now dressed in all black with sunglasses. Like a walking ‘I’m going to turn on you’ warning.
Willow said she’s feeling ‘motherfluffing great,’ then played for a cheap pop. She said she really loves this city because for years she was busting her ‘butt’ in this town. Driving up and down, show to show. Often with Statlander. They wrestled at a place called the ‘White Eagle’ (got a huge pop).
To her, this is a home away from home. This is where she figured out who she is. And everytime she wondered whether someone like her belonged (the crowd got loud supporting her) a ‘unconventional, chubby, curly-haired freak like me’, the cheers here ‘reassured me.’ The applause watered her and made her blossom.
Into the woman who’ll be challenging Julia Hart for the TBS Title. She knows she’s going to be the ‘smiling face of TBS’.
Stokely said he’s going to say something uncharacteristic. Last week, Willow had a banger and knocked it out of the park. She’s special, she impresses him and the world week after week…
Mercedes’ music interrupted. Are they trying to turn her heel?
She brought a mic with her. Thankfully the music stopped quickly. She too played to the locals, though with her very heelish tagline: ‘Please say hello to your CEO.’ She can’t wait to see Willow tear it up with Julia. A ‘CEO’ chant interrupted briefly.
But whoever is the champ at Double or Nothing, ‘I get next.’ Cause in Vegas, ‘money changes everything.’
Her music played again. She danced. This must have been a turn right?
Interrupting a heartfelt babyface promo, a very heel tagline, just announcing she’s getting a title shot without wrestling a single match and basically saying money gets you whatever you want.
Guess we know when her first match is anyway. Hell of a wait. Especially since they’re already struggling to make her a relevant part of the show.
Ads.
Young Bucks vs Best Friends
Backstory: Winner advances to Tag Finals
Sue came out with the Friends. Heel heat alert.
Trent got the better of Nick, tag to Orange, double shoulder block, elbow drop, barely one. Snap suplex, crowd quiet again, more tags from the faces, double suplex, Trent getting two. Ducking a lariat but tripping over Nick and smacking into the ropes. Matt tagged in and hit loco northern lights.
Trent no sold to hit a tornado ddt off the buckle. Double knees to Nick as he returned. But Trent went to the apron and was tripped off it. Orange too was caught and double powerbombed against it. One for Trent now too.
Boos as Matt put on a headset. He mocked Excalibur and sent us to break.
Ads.
Nick ripped the pad off in their corner, Matt readying a powerbomb; Trent backdropped free and tagged Orange. In off the top via cross body, another, but caught into a ddt trying a double rana. Nick punted Trent, Matt tried to run Orange into the exposed buckle, Cassidy missed a Punch, Nick slugged him from the apron then ran to his corner to tag in.
Crowd are so quiet. This feels so far from being one match away from winning the tag titles.
The Bucks held Orange in position for the EVP Trigger but kept mocking Orange’s kicks so he ducked the Trigger and ran wild, spiking both Bucks, to the top, diving ddt for two.
Trent in, Matt fought off a double team, crotching Orange up top, German to Trent, who recovered to shove Matt into Nick, he and Orange hit a TK Driver for a near fall.
Orange got the pockets and hit a half and half soul food combo with Trent. Then did the stupid hug. And it cost them: the Bucks throwing superkicks to everyone, including Chuck outside, where Matt nearly hit Sue with one too but just stopped himself.
Then offered a fistbump. That’s hilarious. Might be my favorite part of the show. This disingenuous character’s great.
She very very weakly slapped him, Cassidy hit a Punch, the faces hit Strong Zero, Nick just saved the pin but took a Cassidy tope. Leaving Matt and Trent.
Sue encouraged her son and he went for another Strong Zero, Matt countered to catapult him into the exposed buckle and hooked the tights to win. The Bucks then mocked Sue.
Bang, bang, bang match but without much crowd interest and certainly not near the level of these fours’ best efforts. Or any drama as to who might win. Crowd were hot for the faces nearly winning after the Bucks nearly took out Sue but were flattened again by the finish.
The Friends looked all dejected, Trent and Cassidy readied a hug but Trent aimed a running knee at Cassidy instead. Chuck was in the ring and just watched as Trent left. He also stormed past his mom.
Yeah, that’s what happens when dumbass babyfaces stop to hug.
Winner: Young Bucks
Mariah May vs Thunder Rosa
Backstory: Winner faces Toni Storm for her title
May being part of this seems storyline driven. Which is fine… if you don’t also have rankings. Make your mind up AEW. Or plan a hell of a lot better so both correspond.
She came out as the old Toni Storm again. The latter joined comms.
Rosa went right after May, aggressively running her into the buckle. Storm called Rosa a dog. May aggressively fought back, stiff rights in the corner, hip attack coming, and hit. She keeps pointing at Toni. Running dropkick, Rosa out at two.
Quickly to ads.
Exchange of forearms, each sending the other to the ropes and back. Slaps now, until a Rosa flurry into a German, two count. Not content with racing to ads, they keep cutting to Toni so it’s hard to get into the match.
Rosa got an elbow up in the corner as Toni said she wasn’t wearing underwear so to keep the cameras high. May tried Mayday, Rosa got a sloppy cradle for two but took a headbutt. She countered Mayday again, into a backstabber, Tijuana Bomb, win. Finish came out of nowhere after a disconnected match, both in terms of coverage and the action between the ropes. Storm constantly cracking jokes and trying to pop the announcers does anything but help build the match. She’s totally not a heel.
Rosa ranted at her like a madwoman, challenging her to go right now. Toni sat back in her chair looking some combo of scared/confused. Unable to speak.
Guess at least it got Rosa a win and can now play into the Storm/May relationship.
Winner: Thunder Rosa
Backstage, Penta with Alex Abrahantes. Penta’s for the people and the people are for Penta. Penta challenged Copeland to stop facing outsiders and face an original next week on Dynamite.
Would love that if I thought Penta had a chance in hell. But can’t remember the last time he won.
*****
Schiavone in the ring for the contract signing which I’d forgotten was happening they’ve mentioned it so infrequently. He brought out Swerve. Who took ages doing his entrance considering tv time is fast running out.
Joe isn’t in a suit which seems to suggest an angle. He sat and signed as Swerve paced and a ‘Swerve’s house’ chant played. Joe took a mic and said he had some advice for Swerve. He thinks Swerve is working on bad info. He’s been watching – his feud with Page, his path to two title opportunities. All ending with Swerve holding the gold, right?
That’s the bad info – signing this contract is ‘doom and destruction, a career-defining mistake.’ He’s going to beat him so badly it’ll leave a mental scar ‘like you left Diddy’s party too late.’ Crowd really oohed at that.
He advised Swerve to ‘do the right thing.’
Strickland took a mic and said he’s wanted this moment all his life. He dreamt about it because he didn’t believe it was actually possible. A light-ish ‘Joe’s gonna kill you’ chant started.
He said there’ve been roadblocks but the journey’s taken him all the way to Dynasty. Which is what AEW are building. With signings like Okada, Mercedes and Will Ospreay. An ‘MJF’ chant started then died after Swerve paused to let it do so.
‘This championship is bigger than the both of us.’ He understands the danger, ‘you are the definition of a killer… but so am I.’ At Dynasty, he’ll show he’s every bit of that. He’ll win and turn AEW into ‘whose house?’
He called Joe a bitch then tried to choke him with the chain. Joe headbutted free and nailed him with the chain. Then beat him down with it in the corner.
After leaving him bloody, Joe left up the ramp, Swerve did his evil villain cackle, said he ‘loves this shit’, asked if it was all Joe had then said he was taking the title and signed the contract with his own blood. Joe then raced back in and uranage’d him through a table.
AEW’s booking tonight has been just awful in terms of how they’ve made talent come across. I really liked Swerve’s promo but then he introduced a chain when it wasn’t warranted. And got his ass beat. Fair and square. In fact, he was the only one who tried a shortcut. Like he came up with the idea of signing the contract in with his blood and didn’t care how bad he had to look to get there.
I came out of this seeing Joe as a badass who didn’t have to cheat. And thus the guy to root for.
On another show lacking any real oomph. Nothing you can’t wait for next week to see the continuation of. Ospreay/Danielson will be a killer match but has cooled off after little interaction in weeks. Very much could just be me, not much about the product excites me currently.
Week six of WWE on A&E programming had Rivals with an episode of The Miz vs Daniel Bryan followed by the Biography of Roman Reigns, directed by Paul Heyman.
Rivals started the night with 333,000 viewers and a 0.10 rating in 18-49, good enough for #31 on the top 50 cable chart. That is up 13,000 viewers from last week’s show but same in the demo rating.
Biography followed with 337,000 viewers, down 20,000 viewers from the previous episode and a 0.11 rating in 18-49, the same as of last week. The show was #24 on the cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: SpoilerTV)
