In a post on Instagram, WWE Hall of Famer Edge praised Sheamus for this past Friday’s Smackdown, where the two wrestled in their first one-on-one match on Edge’s 25th year anniversary.
“Full circle pints of Guinness. From Dublin to Toronto and 19 years in between. Back now after an amazing trip home to Toronto. What can I say?” said Edge.
“I’ll take that experience with me to the grave. Toronto you brought it. Speaking of bringing it, @wwesheamus is a beast. As strange as this sounds it was pure joy in there. Just two buds beating the hell out of each other,” he continued.
Edge said he knew that Sheamus was great, but he didn’t know how great.
“That dude is so insanely talented, spectacular at what he does, and just a damn hard worker. He is the epitome of work ethic. Can’t teach that. Thanks fella. It was an honor,” concluded the Rated-R Superstar.
Sheamus helped Edge get in shape for his WWE return a few years ago which is why the two share a bond and why Edge requested Sheamus to be in that match with him.
Edge confirmed that his WWE contract is up at the end of September and this was his last match for that contract.
There are several rumors that he will be moving to AEW after his WWE deal is up. Edge was close joining AEW before he returned to WWE at the Royal Rumble but WWE countered with a better offer.
Netflix today released the trailer of Wrestlers, based on Kentucky’s Ohio Valley Wrestling, which will start streaming on September 13.
The new documentary series from director Greg Whiteley and BBC Studios Los Angeles, Wrestlers follows the struggles of Al Snow who tries to keep Ohio Valley Wrestling afloat even after selling a majority stake of the business.
The description provided by Netflix reads, “Ohio Valley Wrestling of Louisville, Kentucky is a regional wrestling gym whose alumni include Brock Lesnar, The Miz, John Cena, Dave Bautista and Randy Orton. Once a proud finishing school for aspiring pro wrestlers, the gym has since hit hard times. Acclaimed wrestler Al Snow clings to an old school wrestling philosophy with a heavy emphasis on storytelling, but in spite of the love of a few diehard fans, the gym struggles week to week to stay relevant enough to keep its doors open. Things have become so dire financially that Al has to sell a majority stake to a group of local businessmen including Matt Jones, the most popular radio personality in the state of Kentucky. Matt and the new ownership group have infused the struggling gym with much-needed cash but it still operates at a staggering loss. The new owners have given Al the summer to turn things around. Wrestlers chronicles the efforts Al and his band of aspiring wrestlers make as they struggle with their personal ambitions and each other while they attempt to come together to save this historic gym.”
WWE today announced that WrestleMania 40 broke the company’s all-time gate record in one day. The previous total gross record – $21.6 million – was set earlier this year at WrestleMania 39 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
WrestleMania 40, which takes place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7, sold more than 90,000 tickets when it went on sale last Friday.
The record gate comes on the heels of unprecedented ticket sales demand for WWE in 2023, which to date has produced the highest-grossing gates of all-time for premium live events such as SummerSlam, Royal Rumble and Money In The Bank. SummerSlam, which emanated from Ford Field in Detroit earlier this month, generated a record gate of $8.5 million, the largest gate for any non-WrestleMania event ever.
Additionally, On Location has sold more fan experience packages for WrestleMania 40 than all of WrestleMania 39 and broke the all-time revenue record for a single WWE event in this area.
Limited tickets for WrestleMania 40 are still available via https://www.ticketmaster.com/. In addition, limited exclusive ticket packages are available for WrestleMania 40 via On Location. WrestleMania 40 Priority Passes offer the WWE Universe 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.
Football coaches use a variety of strategies to help their team achieve success. Similarly, experienced gamblers use different tactics to increase the quality of their bets.
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Strategies have disadvantages, but they are not as serious as with anything else. On the other hand, the benefits are significantly greater. Strategies could not hurt you as their purpose is to guide you to success. The advantages of strategies are contained precisely in the knowledge they give you. Moreover, once you learn and understand them, you can decide for yourself what the advantages and disadvantages of each tactic are.
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Every single tactic you can find is different from the rest. Readers will have plenty of options to choose from, given the hundreds of football prediction sites. You can experiment with each strategy to see which one suits you best. If you decide to try each strategy, we advise you to refrain from placing a significant bet until it becomes clear which one is most effective. Chances are you will find the best sports betting strategy for you among the many excellent strategies. It’s all up to you, including what sports you prefer to bet on and whether you’ll be persistent enough to stick with a particular approach.
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Last words
You have different chances of success with each of the strategies. It’s entirely up to you whether you want to try each one. You and you alone determine whether you win or lose. Different sites try to show you effective paths to success through the different tactics. We encourage you to read each one, familiarize yourself with them, and then decide which one to start with. Learn everything you need to know about each betting strategy, then start placing your bets.
Here are the results from last night’s Impact x NJPW: Multiverse United 2 – For Whom The Bell Tolls event which aired live from the the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on FITE.
Joe Hendry, Yuya Uemura, and Heath defeated Rocky Romero, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Master Wato in a six-man tag team match in the pre-show; Kenny King defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru to retain the Impact Digital Media title in the pre-show; Chris Sabin defeated Yoh Bushi, El Desperado, Frankie Kazarian, Kevin Knight, Mao and Rich Swann in an eight-man scramble; Eddie Edwards and Moose defeated Shane Haste and Zack Sabre Jr; Giulia defeated Gisele Shaw, Deonna Purrazzo, and Momo Kohgo to retain the Strong Women’s Championship; Sami Callihan defeated Douki in a South Philly street fight; TJP and Francesco Akira defeated Kosei Fujita and Robbie Eagles; Kenta, Ace Austin, Chris Bey, Alex Coughlin, Clark Connors and David Finlay defeated The DKC, El Phantasmo, Josh Alexander, PCO, Tama Tonga, and Tanga Loa in a 12-man tag team match; Trey Miguel and Lio Rush defeated Hiromu Takahashi and Mike Bailey; Alex Shelley defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to retain the Impact World title.
NXT star Arianna Grace placed in the top 20 at the Miss Universe Canada event which took place yesterday and streamed live on Vimeo.
Grace, real name Bianca Carelli, wrote on X, “Rehabbing my ACL injury was very difficult, so while I was forced to be out of the ring I decided to pursue this and tonight – I did the damn thing! So fulfilled, proud and ready to return to the ring a new woman!”
She also posted two videos, walking the runway in a bikini and in a dress.
Grace is the daughter of former WWE Superstar Santino Marella.
Live tonight from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Impact Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling present Multiverse United 2: For Whom The Bell Tolls. The show will air exclusively on FITE.TV starting at 5PM ET. The full card is as follows:
Alex Shelley vs Hiroshi Tanahashi for the Impact World title; Giulia vs Deonna Purrazzo vs Gisele Shaw vs Momo Kohgo in a four-way match for the Strong Women’s title; Bushi vs Chris Sabin vs El Desperado vs Frankie Kazarian vs Kevin Knight vs Mao vs Rich Swann vs Yoh in an eight-way scramble; Douki vs Sami Callihan; Lio Rush and Trey Miguel vs Hiromu Takahashi and Mike Bailey; Zack Sabre Jr and Shane Haste vs Moose and Eddie; TJP and Francesco Akira vs Robbie Eagles and Kosei Fujita; Ace Austin, Alex Coughlin, Chris Bey, Clark Connors, David Finlay, and Kenta) vs El Phantasmo, Josh Alexander, PCO, The DKC, Tama Tonga, and Tanga Loa in a 12-man tag team match.
The pre-show will also have Joe Hendry, Yuya Uemura, and Heath vs Rocky Romero, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Master Wato in a six-man tag team match; and Kenny King vs Yoshinobu Kanemaru for the Impact Digital Media title.
AEW Collision tonight comes to us from Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY. After last week drawing 476,000 & 0.17 in the 18-49 demo.
Whether pro or anti, we can all at least agree that Punk isn’t going to allow any Leatherface crap on Saturdays. Especially since the Head of Talent Relations is persona non grata.
*****
Opening promos:
Christian & Luchasaurus – Cage said it’s Fight for the Fallen, promising Darby they were going to fight and he was gonna fall
Allin said he was gonna strangle Cage with his turtleneck then become the TNT champ at All Out
Jay White told Dalton Castle his ‘spotlight is about to get snuffed out’
Castle told us – the audience – we’re getting exactly what we deserve – him ‘suplexing Jay White so hard I’m gonna send him to Hades’
Samoa Joe has coming seeking a ‘real answer’ from a ‘real world champion’ and until he gets that answer things will be ‘real violent’
Kevin Kelly’s back on comms.
The Golden Vampire vs Samoa Joe
Backstory: None
Joe continues to be massively over with Colliders. The Vampire (fully masked and body-suited) attacked with Joe on the apron, fans were already chanting ‘CM Punk’ before he hit a step-up knee in the corner, then the boos came as he lugged Joe up for a very sloppy GTS. Before unmasking.
To cheers at first before more boos. He did the GTS signal then yelled ‘I accept bitch’ to a prone Joe before leaving.
Joe looked furious as Punk’s music played.
Really hope Joe’s winning at Wembley (clearly he’s not, they’ve made the match for the Real World Title) because otherwise he’s been made to look a mug everytime he faces Punk. And Joe’s so popular and respected that it won’t help Punk with fans who are neutral or anti if he’s a mere stepping-stone.
Perhaps I’m reading too much into this since he always looks like this to some degree, but Punk looked like he hadn’t slept all week.
*****
They finally got round to revealing the history behind All In and actually hyping the upcoming ppv. Via a package voiced over by Tony Khan. This felt like something that should’ve been done in June to lay the groundwork.
Jay White vs Dalton Castle
Backstory: None
Nice pop for White as his music hit. The whole BCG and his cardboard double joined him. Dalton came with a lot of Boys. Yelling into the camera that ‘I’m going to suplex him so hard his brains are gonna fall out of his butt’. So wonderfully over the top.
Lotta smack talk before Castle leg dived and took down Jay who sought the ropes for the break. Castle was fanned in the corner before they locked up once more, standing switches, Castle again took him down, too strong for White who again sought the ropes before a cheap shot and some chops led to him pounding Castle down to the mat.
Before he took White down again. Crowd quiet as Castle did so once more. White returning fire with shoulders to the gut and knife edges in the coner, Castle fighting his way out, sending White to the opposite corner but missing a running knee and splatting down at ringside.
The BCG chased the Boys round ringside as White dumped Castle onto the apron via suplex and the ads arrived.
White in control via waistlock, Castle fighting free, yay/boo in the middle, chops and strikes until White landed a low dropkick but was snatched up into an overhead throw. Both scrambling to their feet, more chops and strikes, White reversing a whip, taking a big back-elbow strike, running knee in the corner, discus lariat, bulldog blocked but White again snatched into a suplex. And another.
White being dominated, Castle dragging him up, White again using the ropes, back elbow but snatched into a deadlift German for two. White again used the ropes to block a suplex, sent Castle outside then fired stinging chops against the announce desk.
Castle came back with a hurracanrana, using the bottom rope to spin round and hook White into it, the BCG then surrounded him, crowd chanting for Castle, the Boys took out the other BCG.
Castle blocked a Bladerunner, Jay fought off the Bangarang and landed a high-angle uranage for two. Grabbed a choke, Castle escaped via back elbow but was snatched into a sleeper suplex. Then dragged back up for the Bladerunner and the win.
I really like Dalton Castle, he’s very entertaining. But with the way he’s been positioned, it’s gob smacking that he was allowed to dominate White like this. While the Boys took out a guy who’s facing two former AEW champions next Sunday, and the former tag champs. Very strange booking.
Winner: Jay White
Tony Schiavone talked to the BCG about their match next Sunday. Sounded like boos for the Elite. White said he had a message for Omega: if he doesn’t want to be exposed at the biggest event of all time, he should stay in that bed. He’s known Omega a decade and had to wait for too long while Kenny and his friends deceive the entire wrestling world. And deceived fans into believing that the Elite were the apex of Bullet Club.
It doesn’t matter who he brings. They’ve beaten he and his friends before, they’ll do so again. Juice had a great retort for Hangman – who’d mocked them for driving all the way to Florida for a two-minute beatdown. Rightly pointing out that it only took two minutes to put Omega in the hospital (which makes it even weirder that they so clearly cut that whole clip down so much). What does he think they’ll do when they have a whole match to work with.
The Gunns then noted the Bucks had to cheat to beat them Wednesday. And asked their friend Omega for help, but the Gunns’ friends (ie Juice) are tougher. Austin demanded Tony Khan send three guys out for them to squash. White told the crowd they had ‘two words for ya’ – ‘Gunns Up’.
BCG vs Iron Savages & Jacked Jameson
Backstory: None
The Iron Savages came out looking, acting and sounding like 1984 spat them through the tunnel. Whichever of them it was on the mic introduced them by shouting every single word so that it was mostly unintelligible. One of the Iron Savages shouted that you could call him ‘Ass Boy’ then mimicked motorboating an ass.
They dominated the BCG for a couple minutes to almost total silence until Colten and Juice stomped down one of them in the corner. The announcers went on and on about what the BCG did to Omega. What the editors did was worse.
Juice hit a cannonball in the corner, he and the Gunns then mimicked the Elite’s pose. Jay White graciously turned down Kevin Kelly’s offer to let him commentate since Kelly needs the reps. Easily the most entertaining thing of this whole match.
This inexplicably is going through a break.
AEW have now rustled up a third headset for Jay White. One of the faces avoided a triple team and got a tag to Boulder who landed a double flatliner to the Gunns then caught Juice off the top to slam him onto them.
Before hitting a splash to all three for two.
Juice was squashed in the corner, Colten avoided another, the Gunns did a goofy comedy spot built around them botching their finish, the long-haired one came in, took Left Hand of God and the 3:10 to Yuma. Robinson then polished Jameson (I think) off with with his ddt/facebuster.
This whole BCG sequence was so weird. You would never guess one of these acts is being built for a big match next weekend. Baffling.
Winner: Powerhouse Hobbs
Schiavone backstage with Ricky Starks. Nigel called Ricky the ‘biggest superstar in AEW today’. Someone clearly screwed up last week since they’ve changed Starks’ suspension from 30 days to 28. 14 of which have already been served. Meaning he can now appear at All Out. Starks said he’d promised a war against AEW and he meant it. He’s going to bring chaos. They cut to reveal Big Bill. And he’s going to do it live tonight.
They then played a Starks package of him basically in the dark. He lost himself, people took advantage of him, ‘the amount of kindness I have is the same amount of chaos I can bring’ (okay seriously, do they even bother watching these back? What in the blue hell does that mean?) ‘I am Absolute’. Generic is the word.
Big Bill (with Ricky Starks) vs Derek Neal
Backstory: Starks is suspended from wrestling but has a manager’s license
Bill came out with Starks to Starks’ music.
Bill squashed Neal in the corner, Neal threw one punch, Bill got angrier, hit a big boot, screamed, hit a chokeslam. Win. Starks whipped Neal with the belt. Will Starks ban have been shortened again by next week? Tune in to see if they’ve finally got their own story straight.
If a squash match win is ‘bringing chaos’ then this whole show is chaotic as hell. A complete waste of tv time.
Winner: Big Bill
Recap of the Mogul Affiliates vs Darby etc feud.
Willow Nightingale vs Diamante
Backstory: Diamante cheated to help her team beat Willow’s last week
Willow out to her usual nice pop. But can’t make the All In four-way despite also being better in the ring than at least two of the four.
Diamante had a kick caught but ducked a Willow right. Then was crushed in the corner, hit with back elbows and a big right. Then stomped mudhole-style. And hauled up for a delayed suplex.
Count of two.
Willow was then tripped into the ropes, Diamante hitting shots to the back, crowd quiet but coming alive behind Willow. Who snatched Diamante out of a headscissors into a side slam and hit a lariat knocking Diamante down to ringside, bringing Mercedes Martinez out.
Willow sent Diamante back in but briefly eyed Martinez, allowing Diamante to club Willow down and climb her back for a sleeper but be flung off, hit via bodyslam, Oklahoma Stampede, the latter of which saw Diamante slip behind then target the calf. Firing shots from the mount as the ads arrived.
Slugfest in the middle, big lariat from Willow dropping Diamante, Nightingale firing up, another lariat, another, splash in the corner, big boot, spinebuster with a stack, two only.
Crowd still chanting for Nightingale who was caught up top and dragged off the top buckle. Diamante hit running double-knees then an Asai ddt for two. Willow came back via thrust kick, Diamante blocked a suplex, rollup for two, Willow drove her to the corner, set her up top, Diamante fought back looking for a powerbomb, Willow fought her off to hit a missile dropkick off the top. Big pop from the crowd.
Mercedes dragged Diamante outside to safety, bringing Kris Statlander down to brawl with her. Nice pop for her too as she landed a suplex on the ramp. Willow smacked Diamante with a pounce which saw her land painfully against the barricade then sent her inside for the Babe with the Powerbomb for three.
Enjoyed this. Willow is as popular and good in the ring as any woman on the roster. It’s time AEW realized it.
Statlander and Willow posed in the ring as Mercedes ranted from the apron. It’s nice seeing babyface women who actually have friends. Usually they just let themselves get outnumbered.
Winner: Willow Nightingale
Lexi with Toni Storm to preview a tag on next week’s Rampage involving the four women competing for the title. Storm – who now looks like an early-1900s widow – said it’ll be a preview like we’ve never seen before and the faces won’t make it to Wembley.
Nair asked if she was confident Saraya would have her back at Wembley. Storm said she should never question the friendship of the Outcasts. At Wembley she’ll be elevated to the spotlight she deserves.
Not as much fun as the last couple weeks. Lexi’s question was a good one re: Saraya. It’s a shame they haven’t done a single thing on tv to suggest there’ll be any issues.
Powerhouse Hobbs vs Kevin Ku
Backstory: None
Back to the ring here on AEW Dark. After a few minutes – which was still too long – Hobbs hooked Game Over to win. Miro appeared on the big screen to say they have a lot in common. He too used to rely on a book for guidance and surround himself with distractions but now he walks alone.
He kneels for no-one. Hobbs talks about redemption, well at All Out redemption is coming for him and it’s ‘going to piss on your cold, dead body’. ‘I am godless, but I know you are not, because you pray to me now.’
Great closing line. He should use some version of that every time.
Winner: Powerhouse Hobbs
Christian Cage vs Darby Allin
Backstory: Darby will face Luchasaurus for the TNT title @ All Out but challenged Cage to stop lurking in the background
JR joined on comms. Allin out to a good pop. The announcers did an excellent job talking about how Darby had ascended to the top level yet still had much more to come. JR still adds an awful lot in small doses. Because he has credibility.
Cage brought Luchasaurus along. As JR talked about signing he and Edge back in the day. As Cage kissed the belt and held it up, Ross railed on Cage doing this with a title he never won. Not enough babyface announcers get mad at heel BS anymore either.
Allin threw his shirt at Luchasaurus, Cage stalled by whispering to him, then locked up with Allin. Break in the corner. Another lockup, Allin kicked Cage’s hand away, rolled through, headlock takeover, maintaining it up to their feet, transitioning to a hammerlock, maintaining it through several escape attempts until shots to the shoulder broke it.
Allin flung Cage outside, the vet ran to-and-fro in fear of Darby dives. Allin glared at Cage through the ropes as the vet stalled. Christian finally back in on six, back to grappling, back to the hammerlock, Cage countering into one of his own then slamming Darby down on his arm and stomping away in the corner.
Continuing to focus on the shoulder via arm wringer then sending him shoulder-first into the buckle. Swerve and Fox were shown watching happily.
Ads.
During the break, Cage had continued the focus on Allin’s arm via single-arm ddt. Allin slipped behind a suplex: O’Connor roll for two, twisting springboard cross body for two, cradle for two, magistral for two, Allin speeding things up. Until walking into a Cage open-palm but again countering Cage into a backslide for yet another two.
Darby was then snapped back-first against the top rope, hitting the mat face-first then dragged outside, flung against the barricade and hit with chops. Before being taken back in, the arm attack continuing via stomps. Christian then grabbed the TNT title, asking Allin to come get it, the youngster crawling over only to be dragged into the bottom buckle.
Cage hit another hammerlock slam then milked the crowd who were enjoying booing the vet. Darby fought back with shots to the gut but was drilled with Unprettier. Cage didn’t attempt a cover. Readying a spear istead, Allin hit a boot to block it, wild flurry, code red, two only.
Allin then attempted to choke Cage with his turtleneck as promised before the two clashed heads. Leaving both down as the ads arrived.
Back to a dead-center scrap, Darby getting the better, pace quickening as he was whipped to the ropes, coming off via springboard back elbow, series of coffin splashes and a running shotgun dropkick to follow, Cage left slumped in the corner, crowd chanting for Allin as he headed upstairs. To aim a Coffin Drop at Luchasaurus, paying the price when he was caught then ran into a Cage lariat outside.
Cage stopping to pose, he too paying for it by running into a drop toe-hold into an open chair. Allin sitting him on it, Luchasaurus distracting the ref as Allin went up top, coming off via shotgun dropkick to Cage who was seated at ringside. Crowd loved it.
Count at seven as Darby bundled the vet back in, Coffin Drop coming, unfortunately this was where the match briefly went a little sour. Cage visibly moved and draped himself across the apron and Allin still flung himself despite Luchasaurus lurking there too long, waiting to drag Cage out of harm’s way.
For which he was ejected.
Despite this he hung around long enough to allow Cage to smack Allin with the belt. Darby got his foot on the rope just before three. Cage then missed a spear, Allin striking via shotgun dropkick, sitting Cage upstairs, Christian fought back to hit an avalanche sunset bomb then a spear which folded Darby in two. Allin still kicked out.
Then bagged the win via jackknife pin.
Afterward, Luchasaurus returned as Allin was being interviewed to chokeslam him. Cage ordered Schiavone to count a pinfall then announce Cage was still the TNT champ.
Before this main event I couldn’t wait for this show to end. But it was very well-worked between a clear heel and babyface, both of whom the crowd cared about. It wasn’t enough to save easily the worst Collision so far but it at least prevented a bad taste being left.
Swerve Strickland & AR Fox vs Darby Allin & Nick Wayne
Jericho/Ospreay contract signing
Renee talks to Adam Cole
‘’ MJF
Jack Perry will retire the FTW title
Next Collision:
‘All In, All Star 8-man tag’
Hear from the stars in London preparing for All In
More announced on Dynamite
Added to All In:
CM Punk vs Samoa Joe (Real World Title)
Added to All Out:
Miro vs Will Hobbs
Thumbs Up/Down
Willow vs Diamante (it might say more about the overall quality of this show that it makes this list but it was enjoyable)
Christian vs Darby
*****
Poor booking – making Punk/Joe a title match does nothing other than make the outcome definite; White & the BCG needed to look strong
A show full of squashes – for the second week running
It doesn’t feel like we’re close to a massive show, to put it lightly. Momentum’s actually going in the wrong direction. It felt like they were just desperate to fill two hours of tv
Appreciate you reading. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
CM Punk finally got his All In match yesterday at Collision as he responded to Samoa Joe’s challenge from a couple of weeks ago.
Joe was set to meet The Golden Vampire on Collision, a man in a Conquistador-looking costume with a full mask. The masked man quickly attacked Joe, shoved the referee and then hit the GTS before unmasking to reveal himself as CM Punk.
With Joe lying on the floor knocked out, Punk grabbed the microphone, leaned over and said, “I accept, bitch,” and left the ring. Punk took Joe’s towel on the way back and taunted him on the ramp as fans cheered.
Later it was revealed that the match will be for the “real” AEW World championship that CM Punk holds.
AEW is back on television tonight with Collision live from the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, a week away from the record-breaking All In pay-per-view.
Speaking of All In, the “real” AEW World champion CM Punk is still without a match at All In and it’s highly likely his involvement on the show will be announced tonight.
Three matches have been announced so far for Collision, including Darby Allin vs Christian Cage, Jay White vs Dalton Castle, and Diamante vs Willow Nightingale. Powerhouse Hobbs will also be in action against an unnamed opponent.
Plus, Ricky Starks, Miro and FTR will be in the house as well.
AEW World champion MJF has jumped to the defense of Cash Wheeler of FTR, writing that “we all make mistakes” regarding his aggravated assault with a firearm charge and arrest yesterday.
“Kinda disappointed how many dorks there are on this app that jump to conclusions so quick. A ton of peoples privilege is showing,” MJF wrote on X. “We’re all human. We’re all flawed. We all make mistakes. Take it from a guy who’s made more mistakes than most.”
MJF added that he had his ups and downs with FTR, “but Cash wheeler is a great dude and a bad ass.” MJF and FTR were part of The Pinnacle a few years ago.
“You’re getting FTR Vs Young Bucks in front of 80k plus on august 27th,” he continued. “Talk about that ya dweebs.”
According to ticket tracking service @WrestleTix, AEW’s All In pay-per-view has now distributed more tickets than there were people inside the AT&T Stadium for WrestleMania 32, which held the record of the highest-attended wrestling event.
All In now stands at 80,846 tickets, beating out WrestleMania 32 which according to Arlington Police had 80,709. WWE announced an attendance of 101,000 for that show in 2016.
The 80,846 figure is not the paid number as that is slightly less.
The gate for All In will be in excess of $10 million, which is a record for AEW. WrestleMania 32, with higher prices, pulled in $17.3 million in gate revenue.
Fresh off the news of his arrest and charge of aggravated assault with a firearm, Cash Wheeler will be joined by his tag team partner Dax Harwood tonight live on Collision.
AEW started promoting an appearance by the AEW Tag Team champions last night, uploading a graphic of the two and that we’ll hear from the champions during the show.
Much has been said about Wheeler’s status for All In in London and his ability to be at the show. At yesterday’s arraignment, his passport was not confiscated and technically he’s still innocent as he has not been convicted of anything. UK immigration laws prevents a convicted felon from entering the country but at this point, Wheeler does not fall in that category.
The match between FTR and The Young Bucks for the AEW Tag Team titles at this point all rests on the shoulders of AEW President Tony Khan and if he is going to take action against Wheeler for what he did. Khan immediately suspended Jeff Hardy when he was arrested for a DUI last year.
The Grayson Waller Effect opens Smackdown with special guests Santos Escobar and the new United States champion Rey Mysterio.
Waller tried to drive a wedge between Santos and Rey, but they continued to show solidarity which led to Austin Theory coming out and complaining and wanted Adam Pearce to come out and give him his United States Championship back. Pearce comes out and said no one came here tonight to listen to him complain. But before he could say anything else L.A. Knight comes out.
Knight challenges Theory to a match with the winner getting a shot at the United States Championship and Pearce said sounds good to me the only thing that would be better is if we do this right now.
Austin Theory VS. LA Knight
As the match was getting ready to start the Miz comes to the ring to join the commentary team.
As the action spills out of the ring, Knight throws Theory right onto the Miz’s lap. As Knight goes for the elbow drop, the Miz jumps up on the apron distracting Knight who then chases the Miz around the ring until the Miz slid in the ring and Knight went for a clothesline to send the Miz over the top rope, but Knight had to push Miz the rest of the way over the top rope. This distraction led to Theory rolling up Knight and getting the pinfall.
Winner: Austin Theory
Bayley & Iyo Sky VS. Charlotte Flair & Bianca Belair
Belair hits Bayley with the KOD for the win.
Winners: Charlotte Flair & Bianca Belair
Bianca Belair was about to be interviewed when Damage Control attacked her and put her left leg in a chair and hit it with another chair.
The Street Profits VS. The OC
The Street Profits hit a sit-down power bomb/neck breaker on Anderson for the win.
Winners: The Street Profits
After the match Bobby Lashley joins them on the stage.
In the back Paul Heyman is shown leaning on some furniture. Kayla Braxton asked Paul Heyman to give an update on the Bloodline and Heyman said he could not, and she said she has been hearing rumors and Heyman said started talking about Kayla’s family and saying he heard rumors too. Heyman then takes a phone call. Heyman said Jimmy Uso will be live on Smackdown next week. Kayla asked him to share his source, but Heyman said he wouldn’t dare.
Sheamus VS. Edge
This may very well be Edge’s last match in WWE. An awesome match for both men and Edge hit two spears on Sheamus to finally get the win.
Winner: Edge
After the match, Edge and Sheamus hug in the ring as the show fades to black.
Following his match on Smackdown against Sheamus, Edge thanked the crowd and told them this would be the last time they would see him wrestle there.
“I don’t think I can make it another forum to get here for another match. I’m just being honest with you,” Edge said. “But don’t let that be a downer. Cause man, what an experience you all gave me. I will never forget it. And when I’m 84 years old and don’t remember much, you’re damn sure I’m gonna remember this.”
The Rated-R Superstar stopped short of announcing his official retirement but said that after sitting home and licking his wounds, he will discuss the subject with his family and see what they want him to do.
“But what I can say, Toronto, is thank you. Thank you for being the city that I have always been proud to represent, that I’ve always been proud to be announced from. And I came out here in full-on Maple Leafs gear, pandering to all of you,” he continued.
His match against Sheamus was the last one on his current WWE contract and it’s unknown if he will sign a new one.
It will be a special Smackdown for WWE Hall of Famer Edge as tonight he wrestles his last match under his current WWE contract in his hometown of Toronto against a man who helped him prepare to return to the ring a couple of years ago, Sheamus.
WWE is promoting tonight’s Smackdown as Edge’s 25th Anniversary Special as the company celebrates two-and-a-half decades of Edge in WWE.
Edge, while he stayed away from calling this his retirement match, said that he’s unsure if there will be other matches following this one. Soon 50, the Rated-R Superstar has admitted that it gets tougher every time he steps in the ring and recovery takes longer.
Last year at a show in Toronto, Edge said that he would like to end his career with a match there and tonight it could be just that. Friends and family will be at ringside to cheer on the former champion.
In what could be a very rare occasion, The Bloodline storyline will take a backseat tonight as none of the members of the faction are rumored to be in Toronto tonight as the focus will be solely on Edge.
The only other thing announced for the show is new United States champion Rey Mysterio being a guest on the Grayson Waller Effect.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated to promote the general on-sale for WrestleMania 40 tickets, Charlotte Flair said she’s going to work to main event one of the two nights.
Flair was close to headlining this year’s WrestleMania 39 Saturday with Rhea Ripley but eventually they were outdone by The Usos vs Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn who made history by becoming the first tag team title match to headline a WrestleMania and the first tag team match to headline the show since the first-ever WrestleMania.
Asked who she would want to headline the show with, Flair name dropped three individuals: Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, and Mercedes Mone, the artist formerly known as Sasha Banks.
“We’ll see what WrestleMania XL brings, but you know what’s crazy? Think of how much better we are now than we were then. We’ve both grown so much, you can’t even compare it to before,” Flair said of her former arch-rival and fellow Four Horsewoman Mercedes Mone.
Flair is also sure that she and Belair will eventually have a WrestleMania match, where it’s at the next one, 41, or even 42.
The sworn affidavit by the victim in the Cash Wheeler aggravated assault with a firearm incident has been published by the Orange County Clerk.
Written by police officer M. Bohway, the affidavit states that the victim, Daniel Matta, was driving when a Jeep Gladiator was driving erratically honking its horn to let him pass.
After Matta moved over to let the Jeep pass, Wheeler pointed a black semi-automatic handgun out of the driver’s window at him along with a strong stare.
Matta then called 911 and was met by another police officer who presented him with a line up of photos to try and identify the accused. The affidavit says that he quickly selected Wheeler with 100% certainty.
The full affidavit can be read below.
“On July 27, 2023, at 0959 I, Officer M. Bowhay #19932, responded to 5300 S. Orange Blossom Trail in reference to an aggravated assault with a firearm call.
Upon my arrival I spoke to the victim, Daniel Matta, who provided me with a sworn written/verbal statement that said the following:
Matta stated he was driving west on Interstate 4 north of Exit 83. He noticed a Jeep Gladiator weaving in and out of traffic honking its horn, so he moved over to the far-right lane to let the Jeep pass.
Matta said the Jeep took the right shoulder to drive around him on the passenger side of his vehicle. Matta looked over and noticed a white male with a beard pointing a black semi-automatic handgun out of the driver’s window at him with a strong stare.
Matta said he feared for his life at this time. Matta stated he slowed down to get out of the way of the firearm and ended up behind the suspect vehicle at this time.
At this time both were committed to exit 83 (Ivanhoe Blvd). Matta took pictures of the Jeep as it turned right onto College Park Drive and began to drive reckless. Matta said the Jeep beared Florida tag EFRC72. After taking the picture, Matta said he called 911 and gave the vehicle information to dispatch the details of what occurred.
He explained he could not be late for work and asked an officer to meet him at his work (Orlando Luxury Motors, 5300 S. Orange Blossom Trail.
I created a photo line-up using ELVIS (a database used by law enforcement for investigative purposes). Elvis selected five random photos based on the suspect’s Florida driver’s license picture and put them in a randomized order with the suspect being the sixth picture.
Officer Blinn #34211 met with Matta and presented him with the photo lineup instructions and the photo lineup. Matta quickly selected the correct picture, photo #2, of the suspect, later identified as, Daniel M. Wheeler, W/M D.O.B 5/17/1987 with 100% certainty. (See Officer Blin’s supplement for more details.)
Based on Mattas sworn statement and the positive photo lineup identification, probable cause exist to charge Wheeler with, aggravated assault with a firearm violation of F.S.S. 784.021(1)(A)-1.”
Action Network HQ sports reporter Darren Rovell wrote on X today that WWE broke its all-time gate record for WrestleMania 40 on the first day of general sale.
Tickets went on pre-sale on Tuesday and then on general sale this morning and with higher prices, WWE has exceeded the $21.5 million that WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles generated as gate revenue.
Rovell added that the company moved over 90,000 tickets so far for the two-night WrestleMania. The Lincoln Financial Field will be able to hold just over 60,000 fans and it’s a smaller stadium than this year’s host, SoFi Stadium.
The general tickets that went on sale today were largely labeled “official platinum” with inflated prices, including $300 for limited view seats in the nosebleeds. Combo tickets are pretty much sold out with only a few tickets remaining between $3,000 and $10,000. The cheapest available seat for night one is $600 while the cheapest for night two is $500. All seats are labeled platinum, regardless of the section.
Impact pulled in 107,000 viewers this week, down 19,000 viewers from the prior week. It did the same 0.02 rating in 18-49 as the previous show. (Ratings credit: Wrestlenomics)
