After showing the ending of last week’s Raw, Drew McIntyre is in the ring. He blamed Jey for his loss to Roman Reigns and he has not joined the Judgment Day, but he will be on their team for Survivor Series.
Jey Uso came out. As Jey was going to get in the ring, the Judgment Day got on the apron behind him. Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, and Cody Rhodes then come out to support Jey. As they got in the ring Adam Pearce came in yelling no this is not going to happen tonight, this will go down Saturday and if a fight starts the first person that throws the first punch will lose the advantage. And Cody, Seth, Jey, and Sami need to find a partner and are going to need to pick a partner before the end of tonight and they all have till 9 o’clock to pick who is going to face each other in a one-on-one match to determine which team gets the advantage Saturday or he is picking for them.
In the back, the Judgment Day are talking about the match and Damian talking to Rhea about not talking to the team about Drew joining the team.
Nia Jax VS. Raquel Rodriguez
As Jax climbed the ropes Rodriguez caught her and picked her up for the power bomb but her back gave out and Jax fell on top of her and gave her the annihilator for the win.
Winner: Nia Jax
Drew McIntyre comes in to talk to the Judgment Day and Damian Priest wants the advantage match and Drew offered to do the match and told them he didn’t like any of them but despises Jey Uso. Damian said fine go get us the advantage.
Cody, Sami, Seth & Jey talking about who is going to fight Drew tonight. They decided it will be Jey facing Drew tonight then they started talking about their 5th partner, Sami says Smackdown guys are not off limits here and Cody says I have an old friend who I will call.
Becky Lynch VS. Xia Li
Xia kicked Becky out of the ring and went out after her and she ran into the corner post and Becky gets her in the ring and hits the manhandle slam.
Winner: Becky Lynch
After the match Damage Control comes out and a fight begins.
Ludwig Kaiser walking in the back and Giovanni Vinci caught up to him and Kaiser was mad and told Vinci to stay in the back and he will take care of Johnny Gargano.
Ludwig Kaiser VS. Johnny Gargano
Vinci made his way to the ring which gave Gargano time to hit his DDT.
Winner: Johnny Gargano
In the back, Chelsea Green and Piper Niven were talking to Adam Pearce, Natalya and Tegan Nox came in and Adam made a fatal four way with the winner getting a shot at the tag championship.
Rhea Ripley and Zoey Stark are in the Judgment Day locker room and Zoey tells Rhea she is focused on everything but holding onto the title.
Natalya & Tegan Nox VS. Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS. Candace LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS. Maxxine Dupri & Ivy Nile with winner gets a match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
Tegan Nox rolls through a Maxxine cross body block and was able to hold her down for the three count.
Winners: Natalya & Tegan Nox
In the back Kaiser and Vinci were arguing when Gunther walked up to them and asked what was going on. Gunther tells them to iron things out and he is going to go take care of the Miz.
All the men’s tag teams corner Adam Pearce and he said next week it will be tag team turmoil to determine the #1 contenders and Nick Aldis comes in and Adam says let’s go have a conversation.
Gunther and The Miz face–to–face. Gunther starts pushing the Miz and Miz finally fought back after Gunther shoved him in the face. But Gunther kicked him down. Gunther then held Miz up yelling at him to look at the Intercontinental championship, but Miz gives him a back kick landing a low blow. Miz adjusted his suit then hit his Skull Crushing Finale’ on Gunther and stood with the Intercontinental Championship held high in the air over a fallen Gunther.
Valhalla and Ivar challenged Bronson Reed next week.
Shinsuke Nakamura VS. Chad Gable
A great match which saw Nakamura get out of an ankle lock and flip Gable and Gable attempted to roll up Nakamura, but Nakamura just knelt on his chest and was able to hold Gable’s legs for the pin.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Bronson Reed accepted Ivar’s Challenge for next week’s Monday Night Raw.
Seth and Sami were in the back getting Jey pumped up for his match and Jey said he is going to go handle business. Cody comes in and asks if there was any luck with the 5th person Seth says no, Sami said I reached out but it’s not going to work and asked Cody if he had any luck and Cody said yes, he picked up and we are in business. He is in, Seth and Sami both look at each other and say he’s in.
Drew McIntyre VS. Main Event Jey Uso in a Survivor Series advantage match
Jey climbed to the top rope, but Drew caught him and pulled him off and hit a future shock DDT and gets the win.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
After the match Rhea Ripley comes out applauding and Drew continues to beat Jey. Jey fights back and grabs a chair but the Judgment Day comes out and attacks him again. Sami, Seth, and Cody come out to make the save with chairs in hand. Cody grabs a microphone and says they are not alone, and the 5th member is somebody I have a legacy with. Cody announced that with them is the Apex Predator and the crowd starts chanting “Randy.” Cody says you’re not just hearing voices in your head because these people here tonight are right.
In recent years, the popularity of home golf simulators has surged, allowing golf enthusiasts to enjoy their favorite sport in the comfort of their own space. The advancements in simulation technology have made it possible to replicate the golfing experience with stunning accuracy, making these setups a desirable addition to many homes.
Importance of Room Dimensions and Layout in Creating an Immersive Experience
While the technology behind golf simulators is crucial, the design of the space in which they are placed plays a pivotal role in achieving an immersive and realistic experience. The room’s dimensions and overall layout impact everything from the golfer’s swing to the visual and audio aspects of the simulation.
Purpose of the Article: Providing Guidelines for Designing an Effective Golf Simulator Space
This article aims to guide golf enthusiasts in creating the optimal golf simulator space within their homes. From choosing the right room to selecting the best flooring, lighting, and equipment, we’ll provide comprehensive guidelines to ensure your golf simulator setup meets technical requirements and enhances the game’s overall enjoyment.
Room Selection
Choosing the Right Room in Your Home
Considerations for Room Size and Shape. Evaluate available rooms based on dimensions and layout. Opt for a rectangular or square room to accommodate the simulator setup efficiently.
Avoiding High-Traffic Areas and Minimizing Distractions. Choose a room away from high-traffic areas to minimize disturbances during gameplay. Ensure the selected room allows for a dedicated and focused golfing experience.
Room Dimensions
Ideal Dimensions for a Golf Simulator Room
Length, Width, and Height Considerations. Ideally, aim for a room with a minimum length of 15 feet, width of 10 feet, and height of 10 feet for a comfortable setup: the larger the room, the more freedom for a natural swing motion.
Clearance Space Around the Simulator for a Full Swing. Leave at least 5 feet of clearance behind the golfer to accommodate a full swing without any restrictions. Side clearance is equally essential to prevent collisions with walls or objects.
When considering your golf simulator room’s dimensions, you might wonder, “How much space is really enough?” The answer may vary based on individual preferences and needs. For a more in-depth exploration of this topic, you can check out The Left Rough insightful article on Golf Simulator Room Dimensions: How Much is Really Enough? They provide valuable insights into optimizing your space for the ultimate golfing experience.
Simulator Placement
Optimal Placement Within the Selected Room
Aligning the Simulator with the Room’s Longest Dimension. Position the simulator parallel to the longest wall to maximize space and provide an unobstructed view. Consider the golfer’s stance and orientation during placement.
Ensuring Enough Space for Club Movement and Follow-Through. Place the simulator at a distance that allows for a full follow-through after the swing. Consider the height of the room to accommodate any lofted shots.
Flooring and Lighting
Choosing Suitable Flooring for the Simulator Space
Impact Absorption and Comfort. Opt for flooring with shock absorption properties to reduce strain on joints. Carpet or specialized golf simulator mats are popular choices.
Avoiding Hard Surfaces That May Damage Clubs or Balls. Ensure the flooring is forgiving to prevent club or ball damage. Consider installing a platform or using interlocking foam tiles for added protection.
Adequate Lighting for a Realistic Visual Experience
Avoiding Glare and Shadows. Position lighting sources to minimize glare on the simulator screen. Eliminate shadows that could affect the accuracy of ball tracking.
Adjustable Lighting for Different Times of Day. Install adjustable lighting to mimic different lighting conditions, enhancing the realism of the simulation. Consider smart lighting solutions for easy customization.
Screen and Projector Considerations
Selecting the Right Screen Size and Type
Choose a high-quality impact screen to ensure clear visuals and accurate ball tracking. Consider the available space when selecting the screen size—consideration of Space Constraints. Opt for a retractable screen if space is limited to maximize versatility. Ensure the screen is positioned at an appropriate distance for optimal focus.
Choosing a Projector with Appropriate Lumens and Resolution
Select a projector with sufficient lumens to maintain a bright image in varying lighting conditions. Higher-resolution projectors enhance visual clarity. Check the compatibility of the projector with the golf simulator software to avoid technical issues. Calibrate the projector to match the screen dimensions for accurate representation.
Surround Sound and Ambiance
Position speakers strategically to create a surround sound experience. Consider ceiling-mounted speakers for a more immersive feel. Ensure the sound system is compatible with the golf simulator software to synchronize audio cues with visual elements—Fine-tune audio settings for realistic feedback.
Enhancing Ambiance with Decor and Lighting
Add golf-themed decor to enhance the ambiance. Consider golf course murals or personalized touches to make the space uniquely yours. Choose decor and lighting options that contribute to the atmosphere without compromising the simulator’s functionality. Keep the space clutter-free for an optimal playing experience.
Ventilation and Climate Control
Importance of Proper Ventilation. Install fans or ensure adequate ventilation to prevent heat buildup during extended use. Consider the use of climate control devices to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Insulate the room for year-round use, considering both heating and cooling requirements.
Ensure proper airflow to maintain a comfortable and enjoyable environment.
Budget Considerations
DIY Solutions vs. Professional Installations
Assess the feasibility of a DIY setup for those on a budget.
Consider professional installations for a more seamless and polished result.
Balancing Quality and Affordability
Research and compare prices of essential components without compromising on quality.
Explore second-hand options for cost savings without sacrificing performance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the key to a successful golf simulator setup is meticulous planning and consideration of various factors. Each element contributes to the overall experience, from room selection to equipment choices. Adhering to these guidelines can create a golf simulator space that meets technical requirements and provides an immersive and enjoyable golfing experience.
While this guide provides a comprehensive overview, it’s essential to remember that personal preferences and the unique characteristics of your available space play a crucial role. Feel free to customize the recommendations to suit your needs, ensuring that your golf simulator space reflects your style and enhances your enjoyment of the game.
Tonight’s Raw is the go-home episode for the Survivor Series and will feature a WarGames advantage match to see who will have the upper hand on Saturday in the opening minutes of the match.
One member from each team will go-head-to-head for the advantage but who will be in the squared circle has not been announced yet. Speaking of WarGames, Drew McIntyre will be kicking off the broadcast to address his actions from last week where he turned heel and seemingly joined partners with Judgment Day.
Three matches have been publicly announced so far, with Raquel Rodriguez taking on Nia Jax, Becky Lynch vs Xia Li, and Shinsuke Nakamura battles Chad Gable.
At last night’s non-televised live event in Saginaw, Michigan, MVP offered $10,000 to anyone in the arena who wanted to take a shot and knock Omos off his feet.
Standing in the middle of the ring with the money in his hand, MVP said that he knows this particular area has been “economically challenged” for some time and most of the fans in attendance could barely afford their ticket to the show.
“So, I’m giving you an opportunity to change your life. I have $10,000 right here, more money than any of you have seen at one time,” MVP said. “I am putting up $10,000 of my money to anyone that can knock the Nigerian Giant off his feet!”
People started to raise their hands and MVP then proceeded to poke fun at some of them at ringside for not looking the part.
“Your money is safe,” said Omos. “Cause none of these cowards stand a chance!”
Omos crushed Akira Tozawa at the show, his fourth match in a row against the Japanese star during house shows.
Late into Saturday’s main event, MJF dragged Jay White toward the announce desk. And as Excalibur and co. talked about having to move for the fourth time that night, the champ gently rolled White atop the desk. And it collapsed. Totally and utterly collapsed. Under the weight of being overbooked. A fitting visual for the show as a whole.
Illustrated by how we reached that point:
Samoa Joe (who’s going to get a world title shot) was about to lose to the Gunns after a second 3:10 to Yuma when Adam Cole’s music blared and the babyfaces won via distraction. Justifiably pissed, the heels blasted Max’s leg and he was stretchered out to an ambulance and whisked away just after pleading with Cole not to let ‘them take my title’.
Right as the pre-show ended.
A little into the show itself, Jay White came out (to the Gunns’ music which he angrily pointed out) and Schiavone revealed that White was the new champ due to forfeit and the main event was cancelled. When Adam Cole’s music blared again. And he limped out on crutches to say Tony Khan had granted him the chance to protect his friend’s title.
Let’s set aside all the injury plot holes, because Britt Baker did that work for us:
Tony Khan agreed to let someone else defend a title on the champion’s behalf!? Perhaps one day resulting in a Surrogate Interim Champion? We can dream.
Come the match itself, Cole limped out and was introduced as ‘representing’ the defending champion while using the ropes to help him stand (White brilliantly took great umbrage at being introduced as challenger).
The contest about to start when sirens wailed and MJF drove an ambulance into the arena, before wrestling a world title match featuring interference, said interferers being ejected only to return later, a belt shot, a low blow, a ref bump and finally the champ retaining by using his diamond ring because White now needed protecting since losing cleanly to such a weakened MJF wouldn’t do much for him.
In a long clash which was pretty good outside of all that and the fact Max was barely able to walk before it started but was soon attempting Panama Sunrises.
That’s a lot of gaga simply to try persuading patrons that Jay White might win. It’s a crutch AEW use often to make tv matches ‘less predictable’. But to do it for a pay-per-view main event you’ve had five weeks to build?
Especially as the closest we came to a clean win on this show was either Orange (Mox twice hit an exposed buckle), Kenny & Jericho (the Bucks took a nut shot) or Julia Hart (who stole Statlander’s pin). All three of which would be fine if they were the exception.
But AEW seem terrified to have anyone lose cleanly and it not only results in overbooking like this but leads to no-one being on a clear upward trajectory, which then results in more ‘creative booking’ such as injury angles to persuade fans the heel challenger mired in the mid-card most of the year has a chance to win.
It’s a vicious cycle. And one they must break if they’re to build stars.
Bringing us to a bright spot in that regard, Will Ospreay. Apparently some were non-plussed by this reveal. But he absolutely is a big signing for the company, because he could’ve gone anywhere he damn well chose. And said all the right things – bring out the best you got, going to redefine what Elite really means – it was everything Adam Copeland’s promo wasn’t. Hungry, here to show he’s better than the best.
Plus, is a potential world champion in a company which has no-one even remotely ready to dethrone Max. After he arrives in February, they’d be stupid not to build to the Brit being crowned at Wembley.
And presumably punters in London will be more into the product than the 10,000 carcasses in Kia Forum. There must be libraries, churches, crypts, morgues, cemeteries and funeral parlours louder than that place. The 3,000+ in Portland last week made 5x the noise. And the drab atmosphere really took away from the action.
Meaning even matches which were pretty good suffered.
Such as Moxley/Cassidy, which wasn’t close to their previous outing but still entertained. Helped by the continuing story that Orange can’t hurt Mox. And the fact I predicted exactly the number of Orange Punches needed to win (if you saw a ‘9’ in the preview you must have been reading upside down 😉).
Or the Bucks vs Kenny & Jericho, which built well and told a good story of Omega trying to be respectful and keep the peace until the Bucks kicked him in the dick, solidifying their heel turn.
While MJF and White did have its moments, including Max taking to the air for a diving elbow from the buckle to the floor after the aforementioned desk collapsed. And a similarly risky vaulting cutter over the ropes to the floor with White on the apron. That one took your breath away. And White was great in his role – cocky before facing a one-legged Cole; vicious when targeting MJF’s injury.
Though pretty good was where things topped out.
Because I stopped watching most people’s match of the night the second Hangman pulled the staple gun out; cool if you enjoyed it, just not my thing. And it too involved a cavalcade of interference. Then there was the similarly popular ladder match, in which the guys absolutely killed themselves but was a spot fest among spot fests. Exemplified by Cash and Jose the Assistant working together to replace a fallen ladder bridge in preparation for the next sequence. And that no-one was actually trying to win. They just kept doing moves.
(Related, when’s Ricky Starks’ contract up? Because that dude is just doing whatever he likes out there: babyface comebacks, babyface spots and poses, dapping up fans in the front row. He was over and entertaining but absolutely wasn’t a heel.)
Lastly, there’s the women’s title match. Which didn’t come close to best of the year. More like worst on the card. Easily. Far from giving the division a popular champion to build around, Toni Storm’s reign is going to be colossally bad if her new character leads to her wrestling like this.
I.e. stuffing a frying pan down the back of her trunks, it showing so visibly that Aubrey was left to wonder how Toni’s ass suddenly became so flat. And metallic. For a good couple of minutes. Before she tried – and failed – to hide it prior to hitting the hip attack. And it wasn’t the only thing here to stretch disbelief to breaking point. Though her Why I Oughta… wind-up punch is a fun addition to the arsenal.
Overall, if you missed it, it’s not one you’ll regret.
And a review on the often pro-AEW Observer site about summed it up: the writer didn’t know what to think. There was good, there was bad, there was bad that’s obvious and easy to change, there was bad that’s harder to put your finger on. But what mostly stood out is that this didn’t feel like an AEW pay-per-view. At least what AEW was supposed to be.
AEW commentator Jim Ross continues to heal up from his skin cancer while staying at home and off the road.
JR said that he still has several weeks before he can return to work as being at home and avoiding traveling will help his healing faster.
On his latest episode of Grilling JR, the WWE Hall of Famer said that he had a busy week visiting doctors to get “little things taken care of,” although he admitted they aren’t really little things if you don’t take care of them.
“Hopefully it will work out. I had a long doctor’s meeting yesterday, over two hours, so just trying to get better,” JR continued, adding that getting old is the “shits.”
JR announced at the beginning of this month that he was taking a leave of absence and confirmed that his deal with AEW runs out in a couple of months but Tony Khan wants him to stay on.
WWE today announced that due to the incredible early pre-registration response for Bash in Berlin, Smackdown will also emanate from the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany, the night before on Friday, August 30, 2024.
This marks the first time ever that Smackdown will broadcast from Germany.
Pre-sales for combo tickets will begin on Tuesday, November 28, at 10AM CET. Fans can register now to receive an exclusive presale offer by visiting https://www.wwe.com/bash-in-berlin-presale.
General public on-sale for Smackdown and Bash In Berlin will be available on Thursday, November 30, at 10AM CET at www.ticketmaster.de.
SmackDown and Bash In Berlin Priority Pass ticket packages are available now from On Location, offering fans the chance to be ringside for every exhilarating moment including premium seating, pre-show hospitality with WWE Superstar appearances, ringside photo opportunities, exclusive merchandise and more. To learn more about Priority Passes, please visit onlocationexp.com/bashinberlin.
Additional information will be announced in the coming weeks. To learn more please stick with WWE.com or visit wwe.livenation.de.
During the post-Full Gear press conference, AEW President Tony Khan said that All In next year might be more expensive for them as their load-in time at Wembley Stadium will be shorter thanks to a certain someone by the name of Taylor Swift.
It just so happens that Swift will be running not one, not two, not three, not four, but five shows in Wembley Stadium prior to All In, with the possibility of adding more shows as well. Her last show for now at Wembley is on August 20 and All In’s date is scheduled for August 25.
“This is going to be very different. You talked about the logistics, from a preparation standpoint, this is going to be a very different challenge for AEW,” Khan said. “The load-in is a very different schedule than what we had last year.”
Khan said that Swift being scheduled ahead of them at Wembley is a “big deal” and he has some interesting stories on how all this came to be.
“It’s very fun. So when Wembley approached us about our load-in and the Taylor Swift shows, there was an opportunity for them to add more shows, and we are going to do everything we can to abbreviate our load-in time,” Khan added. “We said it would be costly and challenging, and we would like to help you out, so we will.”
The load-in time refers to when the promoter of the event takes over the location to start preparing and setting up. A stadium show obviously takes more time to setup than a regular arena and finishing it in less time will require more hands on deck.
AEW President Tony Khan addressed the status of both Ronda Rousey and Mercedes Mone during the Full Gear post-show press conference last night.
Rousey made a surprise appearance at the ROH television tapings on Friday, teaming up with Marina Shafir for a match against Athena and Billie Starkz. Khan confirmed that the former Raw and Smackdown Women’s champion is not signed to the company but he thought it would be great to have her coming off that Wrestling Revolver show. Since she lives close by, it was easier to pull it off. Khan said that he would welcome her back if she wants.
Regarding the status of Mercedes Mone, Khan once again said that he had great conversations with the former IWGP Women’s champion and didn’t hide the fact that he would love to have her in AEW eventually. Mone was a guest of AEW at All In this past August but was still injured and her appearance was limited to being in the stands.
Mone has recently said that she would be coming back in 2024 after breaking her ankle.
The Continental Classic tournament will crown the new AEW Triple Crown champion as AEW President Tony Khan announced that the ROH World title and the NJPW Strong Openweight title will be merged.
Khan said that at the Worlds End pay-per-view, the winner becomes the AEW Continental champion as well, which is why they’re calling it the Triple Crown with all the titles merged together.
Khan also revealed the scoring system for the tournament, with three points for a win and one point for a draw, similar to those for soccer/football leagues especially in Europe. In addition, there will be no interference in any of the matches.
With the announcement also came the additions of Eddie Kingston, the current ROH World and NJPW Strong Openweight champion, and Mark Briscoe to the tournament. They join Bryan Danielson and Andrade El Idolo, with eight more set to be announced.
The round-robin tournament starts next Wednesday on Dynamite and continues on Rampage and Collision every week.
“Timeless” Toni Storm is once again the AEW Women’s champion after she beat Hikaru Shida last night at Full Gear.
With this win, Storm is now a three-time AEW Women’s champion, matching the record that Shida has. They are the only two women who held the title on more than one occasion, with the six other women who held it all so far having one reign each.
Shida’s latest reign ended just after 39 days, slightly more than her second reign which was at 25 days. Shida still holds the record for the longest reign at 372 days. Storm previously held the title for 76 and 66 days respectively.
Storm did not attend the post-show press conference and instead left a handwritten note to Tony Khan, saying she couldn’t make it to his “little scrum” as she had to board a plane to Peter Lawford’s beach house for the weekend.
“If you MUST talk about me, do be kind and don’t drink so much coffee,” the note read, which was sealed with a kiss. She also said she will be on Dynamite this Wednesday and expects to be lauded as the new AEW Women’s champion!
As expected, the popular NJPW star signed with AEW last night and will begin his proper AEW journey once his current NJPW contract expires in the beginning of 2024.
The popular British star was at Full Gear and told fans that they have to wait just a bit more for him to start as he wants to finish his NJPW duties first. He did mention that he would be available for Revolution.
Ospreay was about to become a free agent and while WWE expressed interest in signing him, the belief was always that he was going to AEW due to his many friends there as well as the style of wrestling which suits him more than in WWE.
Ospreay’s last match for AEW was at All In where he beat Chris Jericho.
AEW President Tony Khan posted the usual “is All Elite” graphic during the segment.
Here are the results from last night’s Full Gear pay-per-view which took place from the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.
ZERO HOUR: Eddie Kingston defeated Jay Lethal to retain the ROH World title; Claudio Castagnoli defeated Buddy Matthews; MJF and Samoa Joe defeated The Gunns to retain the ROH World Tag Team titles.
PPV: Sting, Darby Allin, and Adam Copeland defeated Christian Cage, Luchasaurus, and Nick Wayne in a trios match; Orange Cassidy defeated Jon Moxley to retain the AEW International title; Toni Storm defeated Hikaru Shida to become the new AEW Women’s champion; Ricky Starks and Big Bill defeated Rush and Dralistico, FTR, and Malakai Black and Brody King in a four-way tag team ladder match to retain the AEW World Tag Team titles; Julia Hart defeated Kris Statlander and Skye Blue in a three-way match to become the new AEW TBS champion; Swerve Strickland defeated “Hangman” Adam Page in a Texas Death match; Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega defeated The Young Bucks; MJF defeated Jay White to retain the AEW World title.
Hulk Hogan’s son Nick was arrested yesterday in Clearwater, Florida and charged with DUI at around 4AM.
TMZ.COM reports that when police stopped him on suspicion of driving under the influence, he refused to submit to a sobriety test. Nick attended a bikini contest at his father’s bar and restaurant Hogan’s Hangout just hours before he was arrested.
Nick was previously involved in a car crash in 2007 when he was 17 years old, a crash which left his friend and passenger with a serious brain injury. He served an eight-month sentence for his actions.
We are just a couple of hours away from Full Gear live from the Kia Forum in Inglewood and we have the latest betting numbers for all the matches tonight.
Remember, these odds by slot88 are accurate at time of this writing but will probably change as the event gets closer. Please bet responsibly if using real money.
MJF continues to be the overwhelming favorite for tonight with his odds remaining at 1/50 against those of Jay White who is 1/10 and practically zero chance of getting that gold.
Will timeless Toni be champ Toni tonight? Bookmakers think so as Storm is heavy favorite to win the AEW Women’s title with 1/5 odds while Hikaru Shira is 3/1 to retain it.
Adam Copeland, Sting, and Darby Allin will take on Christian Cage, Luchasaurus, and Nick Wayne in a trios match and the faces are 1/20 favorites to beat the heels who have 7/1 odds.
The AEW International title is on the line as Orange Cassidy defends against Jon Moxley. Moxley is tipped to win this one with 1/2 odds while Cassidy is 3/2 to retain.
Ricky Starks and Big Bill will defend their AEW Tag Team titles in a four-way match and are favorites to retain with 1/3 odds. FTR are 3/1, House of Black are 5/1, and LFI are 9/1.
In the AEW TBS title match, Julia Hart is currently the favorite with 2/7 odds to walk out with the title while champ Kris Statlander is 9/4 to retain and Skye Blue is 12/1 as the big underdog.
The Golden Jets will take on The Young Bucks with the stipulation that if Jericho and Omega win, they will take the Bucks’ AEW title shot while if Bucks win, Omega and Jericho cannot team again. The Golden Jets are favorites with 1/6 odds and the Bucks are 7/2.
In the Zero Hour, Eddie Kingston defends the ROH World title against Jay Lethal and Kingston is 1/10 favorite while Lethal is an outsider with 5/1 odds.
MJF and Samoa Joe team up to defend the ROH Tag Team titles against The Gunns. MJF and Joe are now 1/4 favorites and The Gunns are 5/2.
Claudio Castagnoli battles Buddy Matthews in the last match on this Zero Hour card and the Swiss Superman is 1/6 favorite and Matthews is at 7/2.
Those looking for a great Christmas present, replica WWE titles are currently on sale with a big discount.
The Blue Winged Eagle mini title, made famous by The Ultimate Warrior, is currently $22.79 while the regular sized title is $181.44. The dual plated Winged Eagle title on a black leather strap is just $261.24, down from $429.99.
The NXT UK men’s and women’s mini replica belts are just $25.64 and $25.69 respectively, down from the $69.99 regular price, while other belts such as the NXT Tag Team, NXT Cruiserweight, and NXT Women’s titles are just $33.24 each.
The NXT replica title is at $152.94 and the commemorative replica is just $94.
The WWE World Heavyweight championship is at $284.99 from $449.99 and so is the blue Universal title. The red Universal title is $227.04 and the classic Intercontinental title is $237.49.
Almost all title belts have a big discount and you can purchase them at WWEShop.
Andrew Zarian of The Mat Men Podcast is reporting that Will Ospreay is going to be one to be unveiled as the newest AEW signing tonight at Full Gear.
AEW President Tony Khan said a few days ago that one of the best wrestlers in the world who is known and well respected by virtually every AEW fan will be at the Kia Forum to sign their AEW contract.
Ospreay is still under an NJPW deal until January 2024 but both AEW and NJPW have a great working relationship so reaching an agreement to sign Ospreay while allowing him to fulfill the remainder of his NJPW deal is totally doable.
WWE has also expressed interest in Ospreay and the British star did not shoot it down but the consensus was always that he was going to All Elite Wrestling where that style of wrestling fits him better.
Multiple other insiders also shot down the idea that it would be Mercedes Mone who would be unveiled tonight.
Live from the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, AEW presents Full Gear 2023 on pay-per-view. The full card is as follows:
PPV: MJF vs Jay White for the AEW World title; Orange Cassidy vs Jon Moxley for the AEW International title; Hikaru Shida vs Toni Storm for the AEW Women’s title; Kris Statlander vs Julia Hart vs Skye Blue in a three-way match for the AEW TBS title; Ricky Starks and Big Bill vs Rush and Dralistico vs FTR vs Malakai Black and Brody King in a four-way tag team match for AEW World Tag Team titles; “Hangman” Adam Page vs Swerve Strickland in a Texas death match; Sting, Darby Allin, and Adam Copeland vs Christian Cage, Luchasaurus, and Nick Wayne in a six-man tag team match; Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho vs The Young Bucks.
ZERO HOUR: MJF and Samoa Joe vs The Gunns for the ROH World Tag Team titles; Eddie Kingston vs Jay Lethal for the ROH World title; Buddy Matthews vs Claudio Castagnoli.
Zero Hour starts at 7PM ET on AEW’s YouTube channel and social media properties while the pay-per-view kicks off at 8PM ET. It is available on FITE.TV for international viewers.
WWE will be having a Survivor Series Superstore open for three days in Rosemont next week.
The store is at the Chicago Harley-Davidson location at 5490 Park Place and will open on Friday at 11AM until 7PM, Saturday from 11AM until 7PM, and Sunday from 11AM to 3PM.
Fans will have a chance to shop exclusive WWE Survivor Series merchandise, including replica championship titles, WWE Superstar apparel, collectibles, mini-titles and more.
There will also be three meet and greets starting on Friday at 1PM with Pretty Deadly, Saturday at 1PM with Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde, and Sunday at Noon with JD McDonagh. All are free and on first-come, first-served basis.
It’s time once again to forensically analyze guys – and girls – fighting in tight shorts.
Quick reminder, there are three categories: star quality, match quality, build. For each we’ll assign a score out of 10. To get a total score with which to rank the matches.
Star quality is based on fan appeal. If scores are even, matches’ll be ranked according to personal preference. Otherwise this is supposed to be at least semi-objective.
We’ll then predict the winner(s) of each contest.
Without further ado.
Jon Moxley vs Orange Cassidy (International Title)
Star quality: 8
Two of the most popular babyfaces in the company, which might lead one to wonder why the company keeps them feuding with one another.
Match quality: 9
They had themselves a hell of a match at All Out. So this should be up there among the best things on the card. Yes, there’s the whole babyface vs babyface thing but these are two guys the audience has a connection with. So they should be invested in the match. Plus the dude who goes round grating people’s heads open will obviously play heel anyway.
Build: 6
AEW haven’t had too much time to overthink (read: ruin) this by allowing it to lag or get too fancy.
Moxley beat Orange for the belt, lost it to Fenix and in Moxley’s mind Cassidy disrespected him by swooping in and stealing his property while he was injured. He’s pissed off, told us why he’s pissed off and told us what he’s going to do about it: ‘beat… the everloving piss out of you’.
While Cassidy – far from disrespecting the former champ – hasn’t been able to think about anything else since September. To truly feel he’s earned his title, ‘I need to beat you, I have to beat you in order to be the International Champion that I know I am. I will beat you’.
Okay, they’re both babyfaces and the build’s been a little blunt, but we’ve got a title, a grudge and both guys might win. All helped by strong promo work.
Wrestling doesn’t have to be complicated.
Overall Score: 23
Bringing us to the toughest prediction of the entire show. Partly because it’s a title meant to signal someone’s on the way up. And both guys are above that. Partly because going back to Moxley would feel like simply re-setting things and pretending two months never happened. Partly because it feels like Cassidy’s done everything he can as champion.
The story is that Cassidy needs to win to validate himself as champ; Moxley’s the only thing he wasn’t able to overcome. And he’s vowed to do so. More than once. Usually when a babyface does that, they’re damn well winning. But there’s the possibility they continue with Moxley as the immovable object, the single thing beyond Cassidy’s abilities.
Suggested when the BCC-er shook off an Orange Punch Wednesday and sneered that Cassidy ‘hits like a bitch’. So that’s likely to play into a finish: either it still doesn’t work, Cassidy loses and the story is him having to pick himself up; or he comes up with some way to soup up his finish or just hits like nine of them.
As is clear from my constant meandering, I still can’t decide. Guess I’ll go with…
WINNER: Jon Moxley
MJF vs Switchblade Jay White (AEW Title)
Star quality: 7
Champ remains popular with live crowds; White’s not ‘there’ yet as will be discussed below.
Match quality: 9
A ‘10’ is so very tempting; this could be AEW’s match of the year. Both have played their part in contenders, both are in their athletic primes, both are proven workers and know how to manipulate a crowd. And White will be keen to show AEW fans and higher-ups what he can do when given the biggest of stages.
Preventing a perfect score is the high likelihood of shenanigans. BCG, Wardlow, Samoa Joe, Roderick Strong and even the Devil himself(herself?) may get involved. And AEW have unfortunately spent much of 2023 scared to have stars lose cleanly.
Build: 5
Finally, some other wrestlers want the world title. Probably too many, but it’s preferable to too few. One of them is Jay White. Who made his intentions clear by pinching the item itself and taunting the champ. Who… wasn’t all that bothered? It took him a long time to decide he wanted it back. So there was no real reason to get invested.
Continuing MJF’s recent struggles to find his character while vacillating between goof with a clipboard and shouty douchebag who checks his own Trends.
As for White while he did bag a pinfall over the champ, it wasn’t enough to elevate him to bonafide main eventer. Too much of the year was squandered with him languishing in the middle of the pack. In fact you might argue Collision saved the Kiwi, establishing him on the main event fringes, thanks in part to CM Punk wanting to work with him.
Plus he’s been overshadowed by the sheer pile of contenders and Devil storyline. Despite it only really getting going ten days before showtime. An intriguing little whodunnit which I don’t believe will culminate until after this show so we’ll park that for now.
Overall Score: 21
Taken in toto – White carrying the belt, White pinning Max, the threat of the Devil and/or Wardlow interfering – we’re supposed to think this might be it for MJF’s record reign.
And for the first time since this event last year it seems somewhat possible the challenger might emerge as champ. But only somewhat.
The fact World’s End even exists suggests MJF will retain. As does the ongoing story with Samoa Joe.
WINNER: MJF
Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho vs the Young Bucks (If Omega/Jericho win they’re #1 contenders to tag belts; if the Bucks do Omega can no longer team with Jericho)
(Before we start, I’m just refusing to write G***** J***. Because the name sucks and they haven’t even bothered explaining what sounds like a bad writer describing someone taking a piss… *gets idea*.)
Star quality: 7
Like their boy Hangman, the Bucks are ice cold. They’ve all but disappeared from tv for the past month, though their presumed heel turn and promo work leading up to this has been promising.
Omega and Jericho remain pretty damn popular.
Match quality: 8
Last time the Bucks faced off with Kenny in a tag it resulted in a MOTY contender and possibly my favorite tag of all time. Problem is, Jericho ain’t Hangman. And that match was all about nuance and their relationships. So, much like last month, this one will go as far as the Best Bout Machine’s ring-time.
Which ultimately brings into question the whole purpose of this duo. Wouldn’t it make more sense for both Canadians to be teaming with younger workers who get a ‘rub’ while carrying the load in-ring?
Build: 6
Additional pay-per-views might not be the worst thing for AEW. It will make them feel less special, but means stories can neither lag or be forgotten about for weeks on end. At least in theory.
Take the build to All Out for example. They had four hours, two shows and one week to build a pay-per-view. So Jon Moxley and Orange Cassidy got a ton of focus, Orange got a main event win and both got promo time. It was one of the better builds they’ve done this year (which says a lot about the booking but was good even so).
This fits that bill. The Bucks are being prickish heels and prickish heels get jealous when their friends hang with other people. But this is also about ego and professional pride.
The Bucks jabbering with Jericho turned into a pissing contest: while they might be the best team in the world, he and Omega are among the best singles. And Kenny himself, after initially trying to play peacemaker, became irritated and warned that we’ve seen what happens when he faces the Bucks, they lose.
I’m also quite happy for this to be a brief. After spending two years getting the Elite back together only to split them up six months later, the last thing I want is to see it all unwind again over a period of months. Them all just going their separate ways for now without a lot of drama is probably best for all concerned.
Overall Score: 21
Kenny asked the Bucks to ‘keep it clean’, will they? The only way I see them winning is if they cheat and it plays into that story. Though I’d be quite happy for the faces here to split and Omega to become a serious singles guy again.
WINNER: Omega & Jericho
Hangman Adam Page vs Swerve Strickland (Texas Death Match)
Star quality: 6
Page is cold. He’s one of my favorite guys, I hate to say it, but it’s true. Since Swerve called him out for lagging he hasn’t exactly become a solid fixture on the show – Here comes Hangman, he’s winning every week, building momentum, Swerve lit a fire.
His fan reactions have been tepid; a fiery promo Wednesday did help.
Strickland on the other hand has certainly made the most of regular tv time and being in a high-profile feud.
Match quality: 9
They were having a hell of a match at WrestleDream before the lousy finish. Assuming this one’s clean, there’s no reason they can’t better that. On a personal note, really hope the Texas Death stip doesn’t result in puddles of blood, the match does need a level of violence and intensity, it doesn’t need gore. Bringing us to why it’s taking place.
Build: 4
You can’t threaten to kill someone in pro wrestling. Because you’re not going to. For obvious reasons. It’s an idle threat, something to be avoided by parents, teachers and babyfaces the world over. While a home invasion is similarly hard to pull off because it stretches credibility. If you’re going to do one, you need to have your stuff together:
The heel better have a damn good reason to act so recklessly
The company and babyface need to have their responses sorted, things have gone beyond mere competition
You’d better have a good way to end the feud; some things can’t be solved by pinfall
Starting with #1, Swerve’s played the ‘on the edge’ heel persuasively enough that Page costing him a title shot was sufficient. Particularly since Strickland was superb in simply violating Hangman’s personal space without smashing the place up or punting his wife in the head. With a single camera and Nana concerned about them being caught.
As for #3, well a Texas Death Match is as good a stip as any. Especially if they’re making this the match Hangman goes to when he’s really ticked with a heel.
The problem here lies in the middle. Because there was absolutely no reaction to Strickland threatening an infant. Page didn’t burn the arena down, the announcers weren’t disgusted, and Tony Khan seemingly saves the verbal smackdowns for when tag teams are playing Crocodile Dundee.
Instead it was left to a lower-card wrestler and a mid-card manager to give Swerve what for.
Until the angle was somewhat saved by strong performances from both this past Wednesday: Page bringing appropriate intensity, Swerve showing appropriate fear. As noted then, it’s a shame the surrounding story and thus the company have let them down. They didn’t even bother explaining the rules or Hangman’s history in such matches.
Overall Score: 19
It is possible ‘anything goes’ allows a fleet of heels to cost Page the match. But considering Swerve’s actions and the likelihood they’re making this Hangman’s Match, all things point to the babyface emerging victorious, free to once again have his infant child defecate on sacred ground.
Presumably leading to a third match next month. Because unless there’s some sort of injury angle, Page needs to follow through on his promise to pursue Strickland as long as he’s walking and talking.
WINNER: Hangman Page
MJF & Samoa Joe vs the Gunns (ROH Tag Titles)
Star quality: 6
Much as I enjoy them, the fact the Gunns don’t even seem credible ROH tag contenders is amazing given they held the AEW ones earlier this year.
Match quality: 6
This could be good but will likely settle for solid given Max has a world title match later on the show. As is usually the case with these MJF tags, they’re more story than substance, which is fine, there’ll be more than enough of the latter on the main card.
Build: 7
That’s not for the match itself but the Joe/MJF storyline around which it’s built. The announcers have talked it up, Max and Joe have talked it up, there are pros and cons: Joe will undoubtedly help Max hold onto the tag belts he’s promised will be awaiting Cole on his return. But at the cost of putting his own world title at risk. The babyface has a dilemma. It’s the fulcrum of any good story.
Outside of that the Gunns won a couple squashes and cut a nice promo on the penultimate Dynamite.
Overall Score: 19
If the heels are going to win, AEW have done a horrible job preparing them and us for it. In contrast, a lot of tv time’s been used on this Joe/MJF story. So it’s likely they’ll win here, setting up Joe as MJF’s next contender – either at World’s End or Winter is Coming, perhaps even defending the titles on the ROH ppv as a bonus to grab a few extra buys.
WINNER: MJF & Samoa Joe
Sting, Adam Copeland & Darby Allin vs Christian Cage, Nick Wayne & Luchasaurus
Star quality: 7
Copeland feels flat already and the babyface trio did nothing to boost Collision numbers last Saturday (admittedly, paired against nobodies). A big part of what made Cage & co’s act and feud with Darby so good – the TNT Title – has been forgotten about. Wayne & Saurus make up the numbers: they don’t talk, win or have characters outside of Cage.
Match quality: 6
‘I ask cause I’m not sure…’ Is Adam Copeland still any good? Because the last two matches I’ve seen were an absolute snorer with Saurus and a similarly boring clash with AJ Styles. If he isn’t, that leaves Darby with a lot to do. Which is what happens when you put two aging ‘Legends’ on the same side of a three-man team.
Build: 2
En route to WrestleMania XIV the Undertaker refused to face Kane. He’d thought his brother dead, questioned his own role in the fire which left him disfigured and questioned Paul Bearer’s manipulative influence. Until finally, after a period of months, Kane chokeslammed him into a casket and set it on fire. And it was time to put ‘em up.
It took six months to finally get Taker to agree, his reticence was understandable, as was the act which prompted his finally snapping.
Which is what I thought we were getting with Edge & Christian. I thought they’d tease it. Elongate it (what!?). Stretch it out (what!?). Have some patience (what!?).
Instead, in all ill-advised moment of honesty Copeland said he’d come to AEW to ‘have fun with Uncle Jay’. The most despicable heel on the roster with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Then meandered through reasons not to face him while Cage said and did despicable things to him and others.
Until, after being non-plussed by Cage’s promise to turn him into a paraplegic, instantly agreeing minutes later to face him after the mere threat of a con-chair-to to his admittedly injured neck.
And six weeks after the initial refusal, they’re wrestling. You may have noticed a few differences in execution.
None of which is helped by having not really explained the pair’s background to any newer fans.
And even more perplexingly, you wouldn’t know this is among the final few times we’ll ever see Sting wrestle. They seemed to have forgotten the match even exists on Wednesday.
Overall Score: 15
Adam Copeland’s already dead as a babyface. He came here to screw around with his pal while he winds down his career. So he needs a refresh if he’s to be taken seriously – yes, already. Leading to the question, if Cage won’t go to Copeland, will Copeland go to Cage?
It’s unlikely given it’d mean both man and company admitting this has been a failure so far. But apart from being necessary, it’s the only way the babyfaces don’t win here.
Most likely outcome? Allin pins Wayne to get his revenge for last month (hands up if you remembered that happened, cause I didn’t till just now. Be honest…) and hopefully end a feud with Cage etc. which is becoming stale.
Oh and Ric Flair’s out there so may play a part in the finish if the babyfaces are winning or may harass several women in the front row. He shouldn’t have been signed.
WINNER: Sting, Adam Copeland & Darby Allin
Timeless Toni Storm vs Hikaru Shida (AEW Women’s Title)
Star quality: 5
In what’s been one of the worst booking periods of a poor year, the company have allowed the women’s division to disintegrate to nothing. Shida’s new gimmick might as well be ‘The Placeholder’ and while Storm’s ‘Timeless’ character is certainly entertaining and creative, it’s been (predominantly) limited to backstage and p-in-p skits.
Match quality: 7
This could probably be a little higher, much depends on how Storm wrestles in the guise of her new character. Does it insist on a lot of zaniness? There’s also sure to be a weird atmosphere because Storm’s kind-of(?) supposed to be a heel but absolutely won’t be.
Otherwise, there’s a very good chance this will be the company’s best women’s match this year.
Build: 1
‘Hey, isn’t Toni zany and creative!?’ is basically the entire story here. They’ve pitched it as Storm’s Hollywood Homecoming, a tagline announced out of nowhere: Shida wasn’t consulted, Storm hasn’t won any matches and their interactions have been limited to Storm coming out after Shida’s and ‘stealing her spotlight’.
She was doing this because she felt Shida had stolen hers. First at Wembley by walking in as champ then by dethroning Saraya after Storm herself had failed at the task.
As was explained during a nice segment ten days ago. But that was our lot.
It’d be nice if in 2024 the women didn’t end up near the bottom of every single one of these previews.
Overall Score: 13
Shida’s freezing as champion, she couldn’t even pin Saraya cleanly last night, hasn’t had any real feuds or memorable matches.
While Storm seems to be the centerpiece of the division. The story with her and Mariah May took precedence over the champ on Dynamite, with the latter offering to assist Storm in any way she could. Helping her take the title wouldn’t be a bad start.
And a long reign building to a split between she and May would allow for long-term storytelling and feud-building sorely lacking among the women.
Depending on if Mercedes is the touted new signing (Ospreay’s the latest favorite), you might even have her come in, win the TBS Title and have it be the ‘wrestling’ belt building to a champ vs champ clash.
As long as it’s not someone who’s spent years on the WWE undercard only to be thrust into the AEW limelight, I’m happy either way.
WINNER: Toni Storm
Ricky Starks & Big Bill vs FTR vs LFI vs Kings of the Black Throne (Ladder Match, AEW Tag Titles)
Star quality: 5
After Starks and FTR were made to feel a little special over the summer, both acts have joined the rest of this crew in the section marked ‘middling’.
Match quality: 8
Good teams, good workers, plenty of experience at structuring tags.
Build: 0
Four-ways are what wrestling companies do when they have too many wrestlers and too few ideas. Exhibit A, ladies and gents, is the tag division since the last pay-per-view:
When the Young Bucks were made #1 contenders, something forgotten about until last week.
FTR were champs, they subsequently lost their belts, vowed they wouldn’t take a rematch until they earned one, didn’t earn one, but decided to throw their lot in with two other teams anyway.
The House of Black did essentially nothing, because they never do anything.
LFI have won a solitary tag after being gone for months – and the only thing I can tell you about Dralistico is his name’s a pain in the arse when taking notes (btw guess who’s taking the pin?).
Typically, heel champs spend weeks vowing not to defend their titles, building to the moment when they’re informed they have to, they throw a fit, the fans enjoy it, everyone’s happy. Instead, Starks & Bill went from vowing not to even entertain the idea to being forced into it in thirty seconds, laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation then came out swinging, vowing to retain their belts. They didn’t sell anything.
So that’s a big fat zero for build, heat, payoff, whatever you want to call it. The company then overcompensated by making this a ladder match with one day’s notice and had all the guys brawl during Collision. Five P’s baby.
Overall Score: 13
As for a winner, meh, who cares? The tag division’s dead again. And this match and the build to it are the greatest proof. Doubly a shame when Collision is crying out for something to set it apart.
WINNER: Ricky Starks & Big Bill
Claudio Castagnoli vs Buddy Matthews
Star quality: 4
Claudio’s usually fairly popular. Matthews is an afterthought in a group of afterthoughts.
Match quality: 8
I wasn’t especially into Castagnoli when he debuted but no-one’s won me over more in 2023. Predominantly via his ring work. And often against flyers for whom he’s a great ‘base’: Rey Fenix and Orange Cassidy for example. So this should be excellent.
Build: 0
It’s just a shame there’s absolutely no reason for it. Matthews was going to attack Yuta with a chair on Collision when Claudio came out to challenge him. The end.
Overall Score: 12
Claudio’s winning.
WINNER: Claudio Castagnoli
Kris Statlander vs Julia Hart vs Skye Blue (TBS Title)
Star quality: 4
Julia’s fairly over and is finding her character, neither of the other two are anywhere close. The status of the TBS champ and title itself shown by the fact this match is more about Skye being misted by Julia than it is about becoming a champion.
Match quality: 4
And Blue is just nowhere near ready for the position she’s in, as was clear on Wednesday. So while Julia’s making incredible strides, neither she or the champ are up to carrying Skye to anything above passable.
Build: 2
Blue might have been ‘turned’ by the House of Black Mist™; she might just not like Statlander. Which would be understandable since the champion’s been thoroughly unlikeable, almost literally hissing at the screen while watching Blue on Wednesday. Meaning she too might be turning. Or might just be unlikeable.
The main takeaway here is that the only person whose stance is clear… is the heel.
Overall Score: 10
This may be building to a SWERVE BRO! with Julia and Skye.
Since after the crowd got behind her at the last big show, it seems they’ll put the title on Hart. Especially as they’ve done nothing with Statlander during her reign. Ideally they’d give Julia a little more seasoning since she’s improving so rapidly. But then again, this title isn’t exactly a burden to bear.
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