Soon-to-be free agent Kazuchika Okada will be returning to TNA Wrestling next month for their Las Vegas television tapings on Sunday, January 14.
The highly-regarded Okada, who’s expected to leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling when his deal expires in January, wrestled for TNA under the name of Okato between 2010 and 2011 and is now returning for revenge after he said he was not allowed to shine when he was with the promotion over a decade ago.
Both AEW and WWE are interested in bringing Okada in full time with them when his deal expires in late January and there’s a push from WWE to land the former IWGP Heavyweight champion in time for the Royal Rumble.
With the ROH World title match absent from Final Battle, the ROH Women’s title match will take the main event spot next week on the pay-per-view.
This will be the first time that a women’s match will headline a Ring of Honor pay-per-view, with Athena defending her title against Billie Starkz.
Athena and Willow Nightingale did make history earlier in the year by headlining an episode of ROH TV, something which was never done before as well.
The storyline deserved the top spot after months of build with Starkz being labeled as “minion in training” and eventually turning on Athena last week.
Becoming a professional wrestler requires many skills and abilities. You need technical skills, passion, energy, stamina, physical training, mental capacity, and enthusiasm. Professional wrestling emphasizes a professional style of fighting and entertainment value.
You must build a specific persona or character to become a good wrestler. You need dedication, consistency, and hard work.
The blog will explore the incredible tips to become a good wrestler. Here are the outstanding ways to become a pro-wrestler.
Watch Wrestling Videos
You must watch the videos of professional wrestlers on TV and many other social media forums. You can learn more when you watch videos of professional and legendary wrestlers. You must watch the videos of not only other wrestlers but also yourself. Watching videos with your coach, professional trainer, or mentor is better. It will help you avoid your mistakes, even if you are unaware. So you can work on them to get better results. After that, If you watch videos of yourself from one or two seasons ago, you will notice a significant difference in your wrestling style. Plus, you will learn both wrestling and betting techniques by watching videos. This way, you also can generete pasisve income from sports betting. If you love betting, you can Access the Ricky Casino review here to learn more.
Find a Best Mentor
Finding the best coach or mentor to learn and improve your wrestling style is crucial. You can get admission to the coaching center or hire your trainer in person. You must start training with an experienced mentor. If your mentor has first-hand experience, you must opt for someone else. Your mentor is not only your physical trainer or professional trainer, but also he is your life coach. A mentor is a person who not only trains and grooms the wrestlers but also motivates them and prevents them from distractions.
Rigorous Practice
You need a lot of practice to become a good wrestler because practice makes a man perfect. Not only do you have to practice in practice sessions, but you also enter matches against many wrestlers. You can learn their unique style close up when you answer against a more experienced and trained wrestler. There are also other benefits, such as the opportunity to observe their persona in the ring. This way, you can learn more and improve your style.
Focus on Your Physical Health
You must focus on your physical health to become a good wrestler. You must enhance your stamina, body muscles, and physical strength. You must do exercise daily to strengthen your body. Physical training and exercise improve your stamina and cardio muscles and enhance physical strength.
Improve Your Mental Health
To become a good wrestler is more challenging than it seems. Not only do you need better physical fitness, but also you need sound mental health. You have to control your aggression. Besides, you have to learn to manage swinging moods. You must learn to be motivated and encouraged for better results in your wrestling.
Prevent Drug Addiction
If you want to become a good wrestler, you must prevent using any drug or taking any narcotic substance. Taking medicines and narcotics is not only disastrous for your physical fitness and health, but they are also harmful to your mental health.
You must avoid taking any drug or narcotics supplements because it can ruin not only your professional career but also your life.
Avoid Alcohol
Consuming alcohol is fatal for your health. Alcohol damages your body’s muscles, and it is the main cause of damage to your liver. To take alcohol also offers mental it creates distraction and destroys your cognitive abilities.
Take a Healthy Diet and Protein Supplements
You must eat a healthy diet to get proper nutrition. You must follow your diet plans to build and maintain your physical fitness and muscles. You need a protein-rich diet and other healthy nutrients such as vitamins, carbohydrates, and minerals. You can also take food supplements to meet your needs for proteins. You do not need to rely just on your regular diet. Food supplements can help you to get better results.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a good wrestler requires technical skills, rigorous practice, professional coaching, physical fitness, and cognitive abilities. You should focus on physical and mental health to become a pro wrestler from an average wrestler. You also take healthy diets and protein supplements. It is mandatory to find a professional mentor.
Dax Harwood of FTR announced that he and his tag team partner Cash Wheeler will be at the ROH Final Battle pay-per-view next week to celebrate the two-year anniversary of the first-ever face-to-face meeting between themselves and the Briscoes as well as the one-year anniversary of their greatest match ever, the dog collar match between both teams.
“It was the last match in our epic trilogy w/ the Briscoes & the last time Cash & I saw Jay,” Harwood wrote. “Come celebrate this emotional night with us in Garland, TX on 12/15.”
Unfortunately, tickets for ROH’s Final Battle have suffered big time and five days ago they were just shy of 1,000 tickets distributed according to @WrestleTix, with an arena close to 4,000-seat setup.
The show, being held at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas, has four matches announced so far. The ROH World title will not be on the line as it’s being merged under the AEW Triple Crown title with the Continental Classic tournament.
TKO and Endeavor Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro said at a recent UBS media conference this week that they could eliminate some non-televised WWE live events in the future.
Shapiro was talking about the smaller markets where the company runs these house shows at a loss and instead they would concentrate on larger markets that bring in a higher revenue.
The house show business was operating at a loss for WWE for a while before the COVID-19 pandemic but recently there has been a big boom in popularity and attendance has been healthy in most markets, be it for a non-televised live event or television tapings.
Shapiro did not announce any concrete plans for the elimination of smaller markets from the WWE touring schedule.
NXT this week drew 626,000 viewers, down 33,000 viewers from last week’s broadcast. The show has suffered against NBA programming over the past few weeks, with the show getting around 100,000 viewers less on average. NXT drew a 0.19 rating in 18-49, up 0.01 from the prior week and placed #8 on the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: SpoilerTV)
During an interview with Chris Van Vliet, AEW’s Chris Jericho explained how everybody in AEW could benefit from working six months for Vince McMahon.
“That’s where you really understand what wrestling is, the wrestling business, and how the business works,” Jericho said without mincing any words.
Jericho admitted that he loved working for Vince and going head-to-head with him on creative and arguing. He said that Vince always told him that he was there to teach him life lessons, not give him wrestling lessons.
“And he did. He taught me a lot of life lessons. The guy is really a f*cking cool guy,” Jericho said.
Jericho noted that McMahon was not easy to deal with and was an asshole on occasions but he was the boss and you’re not supposed to be friends with the boss all the time.
“But then you can still get on a private jet and drink for four hours listening to the Stones,” Jericho continued.
The former multi-time champion shared a great relationship with the former WWE boss and was a loyal soldier for many years before he moved to AEW.
Variety is reporting that the upcoming movie The Iron Claw from A24 will be streaming exclusively on Max after its theatrical run ends.
The deal is part of an agreement between A24, the production company behind the movie, and Warner Bros. Discovery which will see A24’s movies coming exclusively to HBO, Max, and Cinemax.
The Iron Claw, from director Sean Durkin, will be released in theaters nationwide on December 22 and features Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Holt McCallany, and Lily James in the leading roles.
The synopsis of the movie reads, “The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.”
Former AEW Women’s champion Riho returned to the company on last night’s Dynamite following a six-month absence.
Riho made her presence felt after Toni Storm defended her title against Skye Blue. Riho came face-to-face with the champion and made her intentions known that she was gunning for the title. Storm tried to attack Riho, but Riho dropkicked her out of the ring and Luther then saved the Timeless one.
Riho last wrestled for AEW in mid-June during a dark match, teaming up with Abadon and Maki Ito against Nyla Rose, Marina Shafir, and Emi Sakura.
The 26-year-old has been signed to AEW since 2019 and is the inaugural AEW Women’s champion.
AEW announced a tour of eight dates in Canada for 2024 which will see Dynamite, Rampage, and Collision filmed in eight different cities across the country.
The first show will be Collision on Saturday, March 16 in Ottawa at the Canadian Tire Centre then the following week it’s Dynamite and Rampage on Wednesday, March 20 in Toronto at the Coca-Cola Coliseum. Dynamite and Rampage tapings will move to Quebec City on Wednesday, March 27 at Centre Videotron followed by Collision on Saturday, March 30 in London at the Budweiser Gardens. On Wednesday, April 10 it’s Winnipeg’s time with Dynamite and Rampage tapings at the Canada Life Centre and then tapings continue the following month on Wednesday, May 8 with Dynamite and Rampage in Edmonton at Rogers Place, Collision on Saturday, May 11 in Vancouver at the Rogers Arena, and the tour wraps up on Wednesday, July 10 in Calgary with Dynamite and Rampage at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Tickets for all shows go on sale on Friday, December 15.
Kevin Von Erich and his two sons, Ross and Marshall, will be appearing on next week’s episode of Dynamite which will air live from Arlington, Texas.
The Winter Is Coming themed episode of AEW’s flagship show will coincide with the release of The Iron Claw movie which is based on the Von Erich family and which also features AEW champion MJF in an on-screen camera role and also in an executive producer credit.
Both Ross and Marshall have been wrestling for the past 11 years where they had stints in Major League Wrestling, Impact Wrestling, NOAH in Japan, and other indie promotions.
AEW President Tony Khan hinted at a cross promotion for The Iron Claw movie several weeks ago.
Baccarat, often associated with high rollers and a sense of exclusivity, remains one of the most intriguing and elegant games in the casino world. Its blend of simplicity, suspense, and strategic play has captivated players for centuries.
This article explores the allure of Baccarat, detailing its rules, strategies, and historical significance to provide a comprehensive understanding for casino enthusiasts.
Historical Context of Baccarat
Originating in Italy during the 15th century, Baccarat has a rich history. The game was initially known as ‘Baccara,’ Italian for ‘zero,’ reflecting the value of all face cards and tens in the game.
It quickly gained popularity among the French nobility, evolving into various forms. Today, Baccarat is a staple in casinos worldwide, often played in secluded areas to maintain its elite status.
Why Players Love It
Baccarat stands out in the casino world, mainly due to its straightforward nature and the sophisticated aura it exudes.
This game, in contrast to more complex card games, is relatively easy to grasp, which makes it an appealing option for newcomers. At the same time, it maintains its allure for high rollers, thanks to its generally high betting limits.
For Australian players looking to dive into the world of Baccarat in 2023, along with taking advantage of no deposit bonus codes, National Casino is an excellent destination.
They offer an extensive range of Baccarat games, suitable for both beginners and seasoned players. To explore Baccarat’s features and to access exclusive no deposit bonuses, visit https://nodepositbonuscasinoau.com/all-casinos/national-casino, where both the simplicity and excitement of Baccarat come to life.
The Basics of Baccarat
Baccarat is known for its simple rules and straightforward gameplay. The game’s objective is to bet on which hand – the Player or the Banker – will have a point total closest to 9.
Card Values and Dealing
Number cards (2-9) are worth their face value.
Aces are worth 1 point.
10s and face cards are worth 0 points.
If the total exceeds 9, the second digit is the value of the hand (e.g., a total of 15 becomes 5).
The Gameplay
Players bet on the Player, Banker, or a Tie. Two cards are dealt to both the Player and the Banker. In certain situations, a third card may be drawn, following specific rules. The winner is the hand closest to 9.
Betting Strategies in Baccarat
While Baccarat is largely a game of chance, understanding betting strategies can enhance the playing experience.
Bet on the Banker
The Banker bet has the lowest house edge, making it statistically the most favorable bet over time. However, casinos usually charge a commission on Banker bets to balance this advantage.
Avoid the Tie Bet
The Tie bet, despite its attractive payout, has a significantly higher house edge. It’s generally advised to avoid this bet for long-term play.
The Variations of Baccarat
Punto Banco
The most common version found in casinos, especially in North America and Australia. The casino banks the game at all times, and players bet on the outcome.
Chemin de Fer
Popular in Europe, this version allows players to take turns being the banker, adding a layer of strategy and skill.
Baccarat Banque
Similar to Chemin de Fer but with a fixed banker, adding a twist to the traditional gameplay.
Tips for New Baccarat Players
Understand the Rules: Familiarize yourself with the game’s basic rules and the process of when a third card is drawn.
Observe First: Watch a few games to get a feel for the process and pace before placing your bets.
Start with Smaller Bets: Begin with smaller bets to understand the game dynamics without risking a significant portion of your bankroll.
Observing Casino Manners
Baccarat, particularly in high-stakes settings, isn’t just about the game; it’s also about the experience. Observing proper etiquette is essential.
This includes understanding the dress code, being respectful to dealers and fellow players, and knowing the norms of betting and handling cards (if allowed).
In many high-end casinos, Baccarat is as much a social engagement as it is a gambling activity, and maintaining decorum adds to the overall ambiance of the game.
The Psychological Aspect of Baccarat
Successful Baccarat players often exhibit strong emotional discipline. The game’s seemingly simple nature can lead to quick, impulsive decisions, especially after a series of losses or wins.
Maintaining composure, sticking to a predetermined strategy, and making decisions based on logic rather than emotion are crucial skills for any Baccarat player.
Understanding when to step away from the table is also an important aspect of maintaining control over the game.
Advanced Baccarat Strategies
For more experienced players, advanced strategies can add depth to the game.
This might involve tracking patterns or streaks (despite each hand being an independent event), or implementing more nuanced betting systems that adjust to the flow of the game.
However, it’s important to remember that no strategy can overcome the inherent house edge, and these approaches should be used with caution and within the limits of one’s bankroll.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Baccarat is a game that combines elegance, simplicity, and excitement, offering a unique gambling experience.
Whether you are attracted to its history, the thrill of the high-stakes environment, or its cultural significance, Baccarat provides a captivating world worth exploring.
With the right balance of knowledge, strategy, and discipline, players can fully immerse themselves in the allure of Baccarat, enjoying one of the classic mainstays of casino gaming.
Excalibur talked about history between these two and their factions. Helpfully, without going into any details whatsoever. Rush’s mid-left leg was wrapped after seemingly legitimately injuring it last week.
As we all knew it was going to, this began with stiff knife edges, overhands and forearms until a weird-looking throw saw Mox land awkwardly on his shoulder and head outside to shake it off. Rush followed, hurling Mox into the crowd where they brawled. Excalibur had to talk about Paul Turner being ‘liberal with his count’ since Mox was out of the ring for ages.
After the latter briefly rolled back in, they brawled through fans on the other side as Excalibur talked about what’d happen if a double count out was called. Again, both guys went way past even a ‘liberal’ ten-count. Rush also used a beer can which Excalibur tried to explain a way. Guy has his work cut out here.
Finally back to the ring, the Mexican stomped Mox down in the corner, fake Bulls Horns, dismissive kick, into his pose, Mox wasn’t pleased. He rolled out into a double bird before both guys got to scrappin’ again. Crowd chanted for Mox to ‘F him up’ as Rush bagged two after a snap powerslam.
Then choked Mox in the ropes. It’s hard to tell whether fans are booing or chanting ‘Ruuuuuush’. On some Mr. Burns ish. Possibly a bit of both.
Rush took too long posing and ate a cutter. Mox lariat in the corner, five shots before a superplex. For two. Wrists captured, Rush blocked the first stomp then fought Mox to the apron where they went at it. Mox blocked the belly to belly to the floor but took it into the barricade instead.
Ads. Doesn’t seem like a tournament match, just feels like a wild brawl.
Back to Mox slipping under into a single-arm ddt, targeting the shoulder. He hasn’t sold the knee targeted by Lethal last week. Rush tried a straight jacket piledriver but settled for a stalling one. Mox out at two. Then placed atop the buckle. Superplex from Rush, another two.
But missed a charge, tumbling through the ropes, Mox followed via tope. Duelling chant from the crowd with both down at the foot of the ramp, mostly in Moxley’s favor. He was up first too, both barely made it back in. Went head-to-head as they pulled themselves up, Mox firing rights, Rush walking into them then firing back, pair of chops, Mox lariat which barely budged the Mexican who fired back via discus elbow.
Mox up to block Bulls Horns before they got back to fighting. Both colliding several times, Mox eventually staggering back to the corner only to pop-up and again counter Bull’s Horns via KKL, Death Rider, Rush kicked out, Mox snatched him right into the Bulldog, Rush went night night.
Only to immediately pop-up after the bell rang. Because who wants to sell a loss right? If this guy is this hard to work with, I don’t know why they bother.
Also seemed like they had to re-do that Bulls Horns/KKL sequence after it didn’t come off the first time.
Winner: Jon Moxley
Jay White promo putting over Lethal as one of the best, a guy he looked up to in ROH. Lethal said he has no points and needs the win. White that he, and they historically, are both 1-1.
This was very good. Wasted though for a match we all know the finish to.
*****
Renee on the ramp to bring out Roderick Strong and the Kingdom. The crowd all yelled ‘ADAAAAAAM’. Strong said it’s tough preparing to watch his ‘best friend by proxy… SAMOOOOA’ heading into a setup tonight. But Joe’s a big boy.
Renee asked whether he was wrong about Max. Strong yelled her name. He said actions have consequences. He knows that because look what’s happened to him after his – he’s in a wheelchair. ‘Until now.’ He stood up and said he’s no longer going to suffer the consequences of his actions. Crowd were chanting something all the way through this. Not sure what.
Strong said this had been going on far too long then slammed the mic down. At one point I thought this was a relatively fun mid-card act who would be peripherally involved in the world title picture. How wrong I was on both counts.
*****
Renee was waiting to talk to Max when Hangman Page walked by and asked ‘Am I in your frame? I don’t care.’ She decided to interview him instead. He said he hadn’t been able to fly for a few weeks after being hit in the head with a cinderblock (would that have been so f’ing hard to slip into the ten hours of tv they’ve had the past two weeks? Also though, how can an angle like that just be so casually mentioned? I wasn’t even aware that happened).
He had words for Strickland. He can concede and recognize when he’s lost. But he took something from Swerve that Swerve can never get back. He knows what Swerve wants more than anything and because of what he did to him, Page’ll make sure it never happens.
Max happened by, calling Page ‘Seabiscuit’. And started making fun of their match at Full Gear. Page said he didn’t have thirty minutes to stand here while Max talked. He started to leave. MJF said he needed to talk for thirty minutes to wake the crowd up after Page talked.
The Cowboy doubled back, Max said the last time they were face to face like this was when he embarrassed Page in front of Bret Hart. Page said that was when he Buckshotted Max out of a battle royal. Max said he’d won the diamond ring by beating Page. Page said he consoled himself by becoming world champ. Max said it was a cute six-month reign; he’s been champ a year.
Page said he’s sure that’ll console Max when he’s 70, alone and telling his ninth cat about it. Which was a nice line. MJF asked if Page wanted to get honest, he thinks Hangman’s the Devil. Page said MJF’s always been a manipulator. It’s probably him.
Things were heating up when ‘Dad’ Samoa Joe interrupted to tell Page Max was his responsibility and yell at Max for ignoring his responsibilities later. Those two left, Max said Page was lucky.
If I ignore all the context of them doing their usual suck ass job following up on major matches and angles, this was pretty good. These two, along with Swerve and Jay White, are who AEW should be preparing to lead the company.
Excalibur talked about Max saying Page was the Devil as if it had a shred of credibility.
Joe was more over than both btw.
Swerve Strickland vs Mark Briscoe (Gold League)
Backstory: Swerve’s 2-0; Briscoe the reverse
Swerve continues to be a babyface. Even against another.
Briscoe headlock takedown, into a front headlock on the mat, Swerve slipped behind working the arm, rested his body on Briscoe for a one count, to their feet, back to a Briscoe headlock, back to a headlock takedown.
Swerve countered, coming up with Mark in a headlock, whipped off, sunset flip attempt countered back into the headlock by Briscoe. Swerve headscissors to escape, Briscoe ducked a rushing Swerve then dropped him with a boot.
Before forcing him to the corner, choking him via boot, big chops mixed with more boots, suplex out, count of two. Back to the headlock, this time into a Russian leg sweep (love that move); Swerve reversed a whip, running back-elbow in the corner, to the top, diving elbow to the back. So smooth.
Big right dropping Briscoe before focusing on the kidneys, delayed neckbreaker for two. Briscoe blocked a rushing Swerve with a back elbow, flung him outside then landed a dropkick through the ropes, Swerve met him on the apron with a pump kick, chop battle, Briscoe enziguri saw him take over, beating Swerve ‘round ringside until being elevated into the front row. Then suplexed back over to ringside, Swerve performing the move while balanced on the barricade.
Ads. This is excellent. Such a refreshing change from chop, strike, bleed.
Back to Strickland firing rights, draping neckbreaker bringing Briscoe back in, now pinning one shoulder to the mat, exposing the other arm, Briscoe stopped the armbreaker by kicking free, redneck kung fu, knife edge, three of em, four even, diving forearm after rebounding off the ropes, crowd into this as he landed a running big boot in the corner, fisherman buster, 2.5.
Swerve tripped him into the buckle, half nelson, duelling chant as Briscoe slipped behind, Swerve got a funky leglock, twisting and transitioning through into a wheelbarrow German. To reiterate, so smooth.
As Tony Schiavone did his best Scott Steiner impression pushing the sales and figures for All In. ‘£3,000,’ at one point. Not been a good week for Tony.
Rolling flatliner, roundhouse kick, Briscoe just kicked out.
Swerve to the top, cut off but blocking a superplex only for Briscoe to land a big right which dropped Swerve to ringside then following up with a somersault dive and smacking lariat back inside for a near fall.
Jay Driller coming, Swerve blocked it, twice, rolling through to hit house call, 450 blocked as Briscoe got the knees up, Swerve kicked out at 2.999999. Swerve got his knees up on a Froggy Bow, crowd loving this. Fifteen minutes gone.
As they fought on the apron, Briscoe again thinking Jay Driller, Swerve countered to hit a DVD, Stomp from the top back into the ring for the win. This was excellent. The big difference between Briscoe and Lethal is that fans are into Briscoe. They know he’s going to lose but care about him because he’s given them reason to. So are more into his matches.
Winner: Swerve Strickland
Renee with Mariah May. She asked about her meeting with Tony Khan. May told us again that she wrestled in Stardom and that Khan ‘loves Japanese wrestling’.
They do know ‘being in Stardom’ isn’t a gimmick or a character right? And that probably half the people watching don’t know what the hell it is?
She and Khan planned her debut – when Renee asked who it was, May said it was none of her business then switched to fawning over Toni Storm and saying she was going to learn from watching her later.
Aka a waste of time.
MJF & Samoa Joe vs The Devil’s Goons
Backstory: the Devil challenged the pair to a tag last week after hijacking AEW’s audio & video – no, none of that is made up
Another example of AEW sucking at stories: they have barely mentioned this. No ‘Will the Devil reveal themself tonight? Who are the Devil’s goons? Will they be unmasked? Will Joe have MJF’s back as promised?’. Really not that hard.
Joe got his usual nice reaction but as he hit the ring the super lame flickering lights started, the Goons hit ringside as the crowd booed. The lights went out, the crowd booed some more – not in a heel heat way; when they came up, the Goons were gone and the Devil appeared on the screen, revealing Max laid out backstage. Joe sprinted up the ramp for some reason.
Max had been smacked with a bottle – there was broken glass everywhere. Very clearly meant to insinuate Hangman.
Crowd cannot be happy at that bait and switch. Did wonder how Max was going to wrestle given his injuries.
Winner: Match didn’t happen
Backstage to Moxley. He’s humble before god and his mom but he knows who he is. He expected to be 3-0, expects to be 5-0 because he’s ‘the Ace of the world’. Strickland rolled up to say he’s unbeaten too and showed in LA he’s prepared to do whatever it takes. Mox said, ‘Good, me too’, in a way only he can.
*****
Turner Classic Movies’ Ben Mankiewicz introduced Toni Storm in a pre-done promo. He talked about her like an old-timey movie star, said some of her catchphrases but clearly refused the ‘tits out’ line.
‘Playing the part of AEW Women’s World Champion, this is Timeless Toni Storm’.
Dude. Playing the part… is a line that should never be said in wrestling in any context.
Skye Blue vs Toni Storm (Women’s Title)
Backstory: Blue wandered out through Toni’s speech or something
This is the second time they’ve faced off for Storm’s title in the past six months. In which time there’ve been five champions. It took the men from the company’s inception till May 2022 to have that many.
Storm worked a headlock down to the mat and back up, Blue worked the arm, a light ‘Holy S’ chant started – that was funny. Storm kicked free, Blue came back with a throw, Storm snapped and nailed her with a right. Crowd chanting for the champ here. At least those who are chanting.
Blue hit a tejeiras to send Storm outside but was nailed with a right through the ropes after politely stopping so Storm could do so. The announcers had to try to cover for this. Storm then climbed on Luther’s shoulders and dragged Blue off the apron by the hair. Crowd enjoyed that.
Mariah May’s out there btw.
Storm aggressively beat Blue against the barricade and announce desk. Then hit a hip attack against the barricade. Thankfully she didn’t put as much behind it as usual, otherwise Blue would be no more.
Ads.
Blue ducked Toni’s why I oughta punch, knee strike in the ropes, snapmare, weak low enziguri, crowd didn’t care. Diving cross body for two. Storm switched behind into a release German, missed the hip attack which wasn’t surprising as Blue moved in 2022. Blue hit a thrust kick before a hip attack of her own, a brutal one, weak running boot, Code Blue which actually looked good, Storm kicked out. Not a single fan bought it as a finish.
Blue back upstairs, cut off, Storm superplex, Blue helpfully positioned herself in the opposite corner which Excalibur had to try to cover for, dude’s been patching holes all night. Storm hit a hip attack, Blue countered Storm Zero into a jackknife, Storm countered back to bag the win, though Blue’s shoulders weren’t on the mat.
Better than I expected. Storm seems to have decided on mixing character work with a more aggressive ring style instead of the goofy stuff in LA.
Riho’s music hit and Excalibur did his ‘oh ho ho’ laugh. Riho ducked a lariat, hit a dropkick, Luther rescued Storm off the apron. Is Storm a face or a heel? Please.
Winner: Toni Storm
Cage/Copeland package. Nice they remembered it’s on the show. This company misses on so many small, easy things.
Related: no updates, discussion or anything re: MJF, Joe, the Devil, the world title or Hangman and that beer bottle.
Jay White vs Jay Lethal (Gold League)
Backstory: White’s 1-1; Lethal 0-2
So don’t care about this match. Crowd amused themselves with a ‘Jay’ chant and ‘let’s go Jay’.
As they locked up stiffly, neither getting an advantage. They broke, switching to headlocks, Lethal got the better and White cowered in the ropes. Know he’s a heel but no-one serious should ever do that before Jay Lethal.
Lethal drop toe hold out of a cartwheel, magistral for two, hip toss into another cartwheel and low dropkick. It’s a good, smooth start; still don’t care.
‘Let’s go Jay/Jay you suck,’ is the latest chant. As the announcers talked about how into the matches the crowd had been. Would argue chants like that suggest the opposite.
Lethal countered a whip and a boot to the gut, White ducked under to land a ddt for barely two.
Ads. It’d be nice to mix things up and have a tournament match where a guy just smashes through somebody instead of them all being ‘good matches’. This’d be a good candidate – White’s already sold too much and been countered too often.
Back to the crowd chanting ‘O-Jay, O-Jay O-Jay O-Jay’ and ‘Holy Jay’. As Lethal landed Lethal combination. ‘Jay forever’ now. As Lethal again countered White and landed a lariat. Then a tope suicida into the desk.
Torture rack into an awkward fireman carry slam, elbow from the top for two. Lethal continued countering everything White tried until White snapped his leg, suplex into the corner, brainbuster, two.
Crowd quiet now they’ve run out of chants. As Lethal got right back on top with knife edges. Until White ducked under to land a sleeper suplex.
Bryan Danielson will face Daniel Garcia on Rampage btw to make up for the match he missed.
Bladerunner coming, Lethal fought it off, they both blocked each other’s finishers until White got a chop block to stop Lethal Injection, they wrestled in and out of pins until White just about managed to hook the pin.
He looked so weak here. His fans who complained about his portrayal at Full Gear won’t want to watch this.
They ran through the Winter is Coming lineup. 2020’s version this was not.
Winner: Jay White
Excalibur told us the main event was next – ‘You gotta see it’.
All ‘tell’ and no ‘show’.
Adam Copeland vs Christian Cage (TNT Title)
Backstory: Short version – Cage tried to take Copeland out after rejecting his offer to team again; Copeland took out Cage’s minions and now wants to take what he values most – his title
Cage was actually a heel here, zero cheers from his fellow Canadians.
They went face to face, jawing, ‘holy S’ chant from the crowd, Copeland smacked him and grabbed a body choke, Cage struggled to the ropes, an aggressive Copeland smashed him with ten beats then knocked him down to ringside with a running shoulder. Then repeatedly rammed his head into the desk.
Before flinging him back in, Cage begged off, tried a low blow which would’ve been a DQ, Copeland blocked it and stomped the hand. Then took things back outside, introducing the champ to the barricade.
Copeland broke the count as the crowd chanted ‘Who’s your daddy?’ at Cage. Before continuing the beating. Until Cage got a cheap shot and dragged Copeland throat-first into the ringpost.
You’ve GOT to have the heel on top as we go to break!
Back to Cage fish-hooking Copeland mid-ring, now working the chin, back elbow as Copeland came off the ropes – ‘F you Christian!’ from the crowd. Ten in the corner until Copeland bit the hand, Russian leg sweep from the second buckle, both down. Excalibur emphasized both guys’ neck injuries. As Cage hit a punt to the face from the apron but Copeland blocked the pendulum kick.
They interrupted to push All In for the millionth time all show. Schiavone was again all over the place.
As Copeland knocked Cage off the apron with a diving lariat from the top. Cage tripped him into the steps, frog splash back inside for two. Prepping a Spear, Copeland used the momentum to spin off the buckle into an Impaler ddt for two. Slightly awkward.
Cage crotched him up top, posed to boos, Copeland wrenched the fingers to land a running powerbomb out of the corner for two. Cage thinking Killswitch, Copeland wrenched the arm to block, hooked a cradle for two, countered another Killswitch by driving Cage’s head to the mat to bag another close count.
Right into a crossface, middle of the ring, Cage reversing to get the rope break with his feet. TiA from the crowd. Shots from the mount, Cage left lying flat, crowd behind Copeland as he readied a Spear, Cage leapfrogged, Killswitch, Copeland just kicked out.
Cage Spear coming, Copeland avoided it, kinda clipped the ref in so-doing, Cage then punted the ref in the balls from behind before heading outside to grab his belt. Schiavone said they should look at the video of that and punish Cage. Which they should, but won’t. Because it’d require attention to detail.
Cage missed a belt shot, both hit Spears at the same time, both down as Nick Wayne’s mom predictably came out. SWERVE BRO! time. The announcers of course oblivious, certain she’s going to paste Cage. She of course nailed Copeland in one of the most poorly performed swerve’s in a long line of them – she didn’t even really line Christian up.
Interesting choice. Undercuts all of Nick’s heel heat since all the bad things he’s done, he’s now done to another heel.
Ref still down after apparently one hell of a low blow, Cage hit Killswitch, positioned Copeland face down atop the belt then stomped his face, just as the ref recovered to count the fall and presumably send the crowd home very flat.
The announcers massively oversold how evil the situation was.
Dynamite will be live from Montreal tonight and will feature a huge TNT title match as the main event.
Adam Copeland will get his first shot at AEW gold as he challenges Christian Cage for the title, with the life-long friends getting to headline another show together in another wrestling promotion apart from WWE.
Three Continental Classic Gold League matches will also take place, with Jay White vs Jay Lethal, Jon Moxley vs Rush, and Swerve Strickland vs Mark Briscoe.
Plus, MJF teams up with Samoa Joe to take on The Devil’s masked men and AEW Women’s champion Toni Storm defends her title against Skye Blue.
The men’s NXT Breakout Tournament will commence on next week’s broadcast on USA Network.
Eight men – Riley Osborne, Keanu Carver, Tavion Heights, Dion Lennox, Luca Crusifino, Myles Borne, Trey Bearhill, and Oba Femi – will be taking part in this tournament where the winner will eventually receive an NXT title shot in the future.
Only three out of the eight have appeared on NXT television before, including Crusifino, Borne, and Femi. Bearhill, Heights, Lennox, and Osborne wrestled on Level Up in the past while this will be the debut for Carver.
The women’s NXT Breakout Tournament wrapped up a few weeks ago with Lola Vice winning.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has witnessed a surge in the dominance of fighters with a wrestling background. Many UFC champions owe their success to skills honed in collegiate, Greco-Roman, or similar wrestling styles. Looking into why this is happening shows how wrestling gives strategic advantages in MMA.
Why Wrestling (Collegiate, Greco-Roman, etc.) Is Generally Considered The Best Base Style For MMA?
Wrestling’s Weight Advantage
In Mixed Martial Arts, wrestling, including styles like Collegiate and Greco-Roman, is the go-to starting point for many fighters. This choice makes sense when you consider the tough world of weight cutting. It is something wrestlers and MMA athletes both go through. Champions often go through big weight cuts, showing how wrestlers and MMA athletes share similar challenges.
Conditioning Is Key to Winning
Wrestlers bring a special kind of fitness to MMA. The tough training and fast-paced wrestling matches create athletes with incredible stamina. In MMA, lasting through the whole fight is super important. Henry Cejudo won a gold medal in the Olympics. Then he went on to win two UFC championships.
Controlling Where the Fight Happens
Wrestling isn’t just about being strong. It also involves intelligence. Choosing whether the battle occurs on the ground or standing is a big benefit. It allows them to exploit their opponent’s weaknesses.
UFC champions like Kamaru Usman, Daniel Cormier, and Israel Adesanya combine wrestling with striking. They have shown how wrestling skills help fighters control the match.
In the betting world, these wrestling-based champions are often the favorites. Bookmakers know that wrestlers tend to do well. They give good odds to fighters with a wrestling background. The connection between wrestling skills and success in MMA is clear in how popular these champions are.
Wrestling’s top spot in MMA comes from how well it fits the sport’s physical demands, its boost to unmatched fitness, and its role in deciding how a fight plays out. As we see more wrestling-based champions, it reminds us of the lasting importance of this starting style in the world of Mixed Martial Arts.
What Are Some Differences Between Wrestling for Sport and Wrestling in MMA?
There are clear differences outside the wrestling ring when wrestlers transition from traditional wrestling to the exciting extravaganza of the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Check out former professional wrestlers who are now MMA stars like Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar. They come with a track record of wins and championships. They made fans all around the world appreciate them.
These wrestling stars don’t just switch sports. They bring a fan base and a winning history into MMA, making them favorites for bookmakers. The odds for these well-known names in MMA are often in their favor, showing how their transitions are exciting for fans and profitable in the betting world.
Bookmakers, always looking for successful moves, often cheer for wrestlers turning to MMA. They see the potential for success and the buzz it creates, not just in the cheers of fans but also in the busy betting world.
Platforms like BetZillion have become super helpful for online sports betting in this mix of fun and profit. They cater to fans who want exciting matchups and help them understand the betting scene around wrestling entering MMA. BetZillion is a trusted guide, giving insights and a smart approach for anyone diving into online sports betting, making it easy to connect the worlds of wrestling and MMA.
As wrestling and MMA get linked, the connection between these two worlds becomes an exciting journey for fans, bookmakers, and those diving into the online sports betting scene. The mix of strategy and the thrill of a bet creates a lively mix that truly defines the spirit of a sporting spectacle.
Is It Possible to Do Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Without Wrestling or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)?
Many argue that mastering these grappling skills is crucial for effective control and ground game. Wrestlers are praised for their control moves, while BJJ enthusiasts earn props for their ground expertise.
Conversely, a rebel faction insists that success in MMA doesn’t depend on wrestling or BJJ. Striking arts like Muay Thai and boxing can lead to victory by knocking opponents out with powerful punches and kicks. Some fighters have risen through the ranks solely based on striking prowess.
Speaking of different perspectives, have you considered exploring a guide for online betting on wrestling? It could offer valuable insights into the dynamics of the sport and enhance your overall MMA experience. The battle online is like a snapshot of the bigger MMA world, where there’s no clear agreement on whether you need wrestling and BJJ to succeed.
It seems like a middle ground is forming. It shows how diverse MMA is. It leaves the door open for fighters to find their unique paths to success. It can be through grappling traditions or by becoming striking superstars.
What Are Some Wrestling (WWE) Moves That Can Be Utilized in MMA?
All Basic Chain-Wrestling Moves Are Real
The basic chain-wrestling moves you see in WWE? Believe it or not, they’re real moves from martial arts. It’s like taking a page from traditional fighting styles and giving it flair in the wrestling ring.
Striking and Throws
When it comes to striking, pretty much any hit can be fair game in MMA. Fighters borrow from a range of striking techniques to keep their opponents guessing, whether it’s a punch, kick, or elbow.
Hip Toss Move Is Real
Have you ever seen a WWE superstar pull off a hip toss? Well, surprise! That is a real move, too. In MMA, hip tosses can shake things up and throw your opponent off balance. It’s not just for looks. It’s a real move that can work well in the cage.
German Suplexes Are Taken from Legit Wrestling
German suplexes, those powerful throws you witness in wrestling? They’re not just for entertainment. Actual wrestling techniques inspire them. MMA fighters can adapt these suplexes to control their opponents and create opportunities in the heat of a match.
John Cena’s AA Is Standing Kata Guruma in Jiu-Jitsu
Let’s talk about John Cena’s signature move, the Attitude Adjustment (AA). Believe it or not, it has a counterpart in Jiu Jitsu – a standing Kata Guruma. Cena’s move isn’t just for the ring. It has roots in a real martial art.
Submissions and Locks
In MMA, they’re likely to work if you can lock in submissions like armbars, chokeholds, or leg locks. Wrestlers bringing in these submission skills from the squared circle can catch their opponents off guard. So, when you think about WWE moves in MMA, remember that it’s not all for show. There’s a method to the madness, and these moves can also pack a punch in the real fighting world.
In Conclusion
Wrestlers are doing well in MMA because the sport needs certain skills that wrestlers are good at. As MMA keeps changing, wrestling will likely stay important in making champions.
For in-depth insights into the best wrestling UFC fighters and top-notch MMA fight skills, checking out Wrestling Online could provide a comprehensive source of information. Stay updated on the latest developments and achievements within the wrestling and MMA community through their coverage.
Fallon Henley and Tyler Bate became the final two participants of the two Iron Survivor Challenge matches for this Saturday.
Henley defeated Kiana James, Roxanne Perez, and Thea Hail in a last chance fatal four-way match while Bate beat Joe Coffey, Carmelo Hayes, and Eddy Thorpe in a similar match.
Henley now joins Tiffany Stratton, Lash Legend, Kelani Jordan, and Blair Davenport in the women’s match while Bate joins Trick Williams, Dijak, Bron Breakker, and Josh Briggs in the men’s match.
The winners of the two respective Iron Survivor Challenge matches will earn a shot at the NXT or NXT Women’s titles.
It’s not often that women bodyslam men in a wrestling ring. It’s even less often when a woman bodyslams a 330-pound man!
But that’s what happened last night on NXT when Chad Gable, Otis, and Maxxine Dupri took on Noam Dar, Oro Mensah, and Lash Legend in a six-person tag team match.
The incredible feat came when Otis went to hug Lash Legend but the six-foot NXT star moved away, with Otis hitting the ropes and then walked into a bodyslam by the 26-year-old who weighs half his weight.
“No freakin way,” screamed Vic Joseph on commentary as the NXT crowd popped big! “What the…you gotta be kidding me,” laughed Booker T.
Unfortunately for Legend, her effort was in vain as Meta-Four still lost the match when Dar tapped out to Gable’s ankle lock.
The clip has already 1.5 million views on WWE’s X account!
Monday Night Raw drew 1,532,000 viewers this week, down 352,000 viewers from the previous week which had CM Punk’s first appearance on the show in nearly 10 years. Raw faced an NFL game which drew 16.45 million viewers across three stations.
The first hour started with 1,673,000 viewers, then dropped to 1,517,000 viewers in the second hour, and finished the night with 1,408,000 viewers for the World Heavyweight title match. Apart from last week’s show, this was the best number since October 9.
Raw had a 0.50, 0.48, and 0.48 ratings respectively in the 18-49 demo for an average of 0.49, down 0.16 from last week’s huge number and the same as two weeks ago. Raw was #4, #6, and #7 in the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: SpoilerTV)
Ken Shamrock merchandise has started to pop up on WWEShop.com which means that the company has reached some sort of a Legends deal with the former Intercontinental champion which also allows them to sell apparel bearing his name and likeness.
The 59-year-old has not appeared on WWE television since 1999 but continued to wrestle following his release from WWE, doing the indie runs as well as stints with New Japan Pro-Wrestling and TNA/Impact Wrestling.
Shamrock was inducted into the Impact Hall of Fame in 2020 by none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
