Tons of SummerSlam merchandise just went on sale on the WWE Shop website ahead of the premium live event in two weeks.
Many t-shirts, hoodies, baseball caps, glasses, socks, tank tops, and even the good-looking mini replica title are all available for sale, some already eligible for 20% off with the code WALKOUT.
As you can imagine, merchandise is very car-heavy due to the location of Detroit but there are also some retro SummerSlam merchandise sporting the original orange and blue logo.
You can order your SummerSlam merchandise now at WWE Shop.
Brian Pillman Jr participated in a virtual signing yesterday afternoon for Captain’s Corner, an event which streamed live on Facebook.
During the broadcast, Pillman teased that something big is coming up for him professionally, calling it a “huge opportunity” which will enable him to continue making memories and sharing his version of pro wrestling with everyone.
“There is a lot to come. I can’t speak on it right now. It’s kind of in the works, but I’ve got a huge moment, a huge opportunity, coming up in my career,” Pillman said.
Pillman is no longer under an AEW deal and two weeks ago he was training at the WWE Performance Center in what insiders believe was a tryout for the 29-year-old star.
Ricky Starks was highlighted as the show began and introduced as the Owen Hart winner when announced for his match. Then won in the main event by the same means as last week.
Likewise, White and Juice weren’t forgotten about: given a decent win to confirm this.
And FTR were given promo time to address their continuing run as tag champs and upcoming match with BtYBB.
I might have reservations about who they aren’t using, but the guys they do don’t disappear for weeks at a time like some of Dynamite’s lost souls. Hopefully this continues, it’s crucial in establishing stars.
Proper Heels
Not a single ‘bad guy’ on this show did a single thing to endear themselves to fans.
Christian immediately killed any cheers for interrupting Punk and was duped into admitting he sees himself as the TNT champ. Starks bragged about his designer gear and brushed off his disrespect of Liger like it was nothing (would’ve been nice if they’d properly shown this outside of BotB).
BCG were obnoxiously annoying (the Gunns) and cheated to win (Juice).
Taya arrogantly patronized Skye Blue.
While Cage and Starks’ consistent reluctance to enter the ring against the babyfaces was both entertaining and effective.
Bullet Club vs Top Flight
I called this excellently-worked in the review. Because it was well-structured and worked with clear heels and babyfaces. The latter of whom were allowed to shine with their high-octane offense before being cheated in the end as the bad guys – correctly – got the win.
Meaning that next week’s six-man is totally justifiable.
And BCG walk the line perfectly between playing heel and cheating without making anyone look dumb. They had the Gunns out there but won without the interference ubiquitous on Wednesdays.
(Which apparently a Punk-led talent meeting had a lot to do with, so kudos)
Miro
His match got the biggest pop when announced, his comeback the biggest pop of anything in-ring. ‘Keep doin your thing, he said, say no more’.
DOWN
The Punk Conundrum
‘He gets a reaction’ has become the announcers’ go-to. And it’s inarguable that there’s been an extra energy to his matches because the fans provoke one-another with their chanting.
But the opening segment here showed why it’s also a real problem. AEW might have had issues getting Ricky Starks booed anyway – he’s a popular guy. But he was clearly supposed to be established here as a heel. That’s the message fans at home were supposed to receive.
Yet he was cheered. Because he’d cheated a guy many fans don’t like and was confronted by the same dude. We all know how easily babyfaces trend into heels and vice-versa based on one or two crowd reactions. There’s a chance that might stick.
And when it begins affecting the guys Punk’s working with – it’s an issue. And one that wasn’t solved by leaving Canada.
His baiting the crowd about their hockey team didn’t help. Especially since he had supporters among them. He’s presented as a ‘controversial’ babyface; that was full-on heel.
Trios titles, champs and challengers
As a nerd curious about this sort of thing, I occasionally check YouTube views to see what’s popular. And going back months now, almost nothing draws fewer eyeballs than the Acclaimed.
Which of course isn’t the be-all end-all. Could simply be that the younger viewers who like them are checking them out on more trendy platforms.
But when the card was run down last night, the total lack of reaction to their clash with the House, gold on the line, suggests AEW have messed up a hot act. Nor does it speak much for the HOB themselves and certainly not for the trios titles.
None of which is surprising. Miro aside, there aren’t six guys on the roster used-less relative to popularity. And AEW should scrap the trios titles if they can’t book them properly, since they’ve achieved nothing in almost a year outside of ruining the tag division.
Announcer Credibility & More Less is More
Related to the above, Ian Riccaboni trumpeted the House of Black as having the ‘longest reign’ of any trios champs. So I ask which is your favourite aspect of this momentous run?
That the belts have existed less than a year? Or that they never defend them (certainly not against anyone good)?
Could be he’s told to say this. Either way, it reduces his credibility next time he tries to push something.
Which indeed he did later in the show by announcing that AEW have not one but two(!) ‘dream matches’ next week. There’ve been WrestleManias & Forbidden Doors that don’t have two dream matches. But next week’s AEW tv…
If they’re this plentiful, then they’re not really dream matches.
*****
Thanks for reading. Curious to know what you thought of the show if you fancy banging a comment in? Cheers.
Matt Cardona is taking his wife’s WWE Women’s Tag Team title around with him, proclaiming himself as one half of the one half of the tag team champions since by law, everything his wife owns he owns it too!
Cardona came out with the WWE Women’s Tag Team title his waist during the DDT Pro-Wrestling event today held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo for his match against Tetsuya Endo. Dressed like the Macho Man, he also carried his own Internet championship.
His wife Chelsea Green won the titles along with Sonya Deville last week on Monday Night Raw, her first title win in the promotion. Both Deville and Green were contestants on the last Tough Enough season and after several title swaps due to injuries and other circumstances, it looks like WWE has finally found a tag team to carry the belts moving forward.
AEW Collision tonight comes to us from the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. After last week drawing 579,000 & 0.20 in the 18-49 demo.
*****
Well I was immediately repulsed as we were shown fifty-odd-year-old Billy Gunn in a leopard-print fur coat. Along with the Acclaimed, to insist they’d take trios gold. Darius Martin & Action Andretti will face BCG – ‘Martin & Andretti… stay ready’ – nice line from Action, the extended Bullet Club pushed the match & the Gunns’ new shirt.
Then Ricky Starks arrived to say tonight was a celebration.
(Glad the HOB didn’t have a promo here – this style wouldn’t suit them, wouldn’t seem like something they’d agree to.)
To the ring and Tony Schiavone to introduce Mr Starks. To a majority pop. Interesting test-case for Punk tonight when he presumably interrupts. His first time on truly neutral ground.
Huge pyro display for Ricky. Nice and all, but not forgetting him in a month is more important. Schiavone immediately talked about the ‘controversy’ in how he won – as a wholesale ‘You deserve it’ chant played.
Starks had a bag with him but he just wanted to show off his stylish new stuff. Name dropping brands as he talked about his clothing too. In twenty years they’ll ask ‘How many’, not ‘how he did it’, he won the only way he knows – ‘by any means necessary’.
‘What about disrespecting Liger?’ Starks said he hadn’t and quickly brushed it off as if it weren’t important. He doesn’t want to be a pillar, none of them have won any Owen titles. As we knew Punk had come out since the cheers turned to nothing but boos.
He wasn’t here to rain on Starks’ parade. He’s not mad, maybe a little at himself. He’s ‘kinda proud’ of Ricky. He’s cheated at things and imagines everyone in the crowd has too. Then heeled on the hockey team.
This is officially weird.
He ‘can live with the L’ but can Starks live with the knowledge that he can’t beat him without cheating? He hit the ramp to leave but stopped when Starks said his own bag is as empty as the one Punk’s been carrying around (Punk showed Starks what was in it a couple weeks back – might’ve been nice to remind the audience of this).
Back to the ring, face-to-face, a few ‘CM Punk’ chants: ‘You want a shot at what’s in the bag Ricky? Or are you like Little Max and just don’t want me to have it?… I am the real world’s champion’. More boos.
Christian & Luchasaurus interrupted to mostly cheers. Cage said this was all taking too long – he doesn’t want to be in Jersey any longer than he has to. ‘What kinda man carries ‘round a championship he didn’t win?’ he asked Punk, with Luchasaurus’ TNT belt across his shoulder.
Tremendous.
Before they leave, he wanted to remind the crowd that ‘I…we’ are the faces of TNT ‘forever’. As the crowd cheered once more, finally revealing Darby Allin as he stalked past, snatching away the mic.
(Other than Starks, no-one got their entrance music here)
Allin won a shot at the TNT title on Rampage. The crowd chanting his name as he went to the ring to address Starks. To say he hates the term pillar – ‘anyone who is ride or die with this company is a pillar in my eyes, like my good friend CM Punk’ – he put his arm round Punk, to boos.
(If he means that, how is defecating all over the company at a press conference being ‘ride or die’?)
Then addressed Cage and Luchasaurus to ask who was really the champion. Either way he’ll take the title back and restore credibility at All Out. Saying Luchasaurus took ‘too many psychedelics and thinks he’s a dinosaur’. Best explanation I can come up with.
But he didn’t come here to talk. So proposed a tag – him and Punk vs Starks and Luchasaurus. Since he wants to face the TNT champ. Cage got pissed and stood in front of Luchasaurus, ‘I’m the champion’.
Having goaded him into admitting that, Allin then cornered him into agreeing to the match. ‘Yes’ chants from the crowd. Schiavone said Tony Khan had told him in his ear piece that the match was made.
Darby’s slowly becoming an all-rounder. Maybe with his improved mic skills he can stop killing himself every match? Probably not.
Effective in setting up the match. Might’ve liked to see Starks get a little more time, partly for exposure, partly to truly establish himself as a heel. He certainly seems more comfortable in the role. Though it leaves the show incredibly light on top-level babyfaces, as shown by bringing Allin in here.
*****
Riccaboni threw to a backstage incident earlier today – Andrade was denied entry then thrown out of the arena. ‘After last week’. Didn’t he just walk out onto the ramp?
The commentators tied this to the trios title match, saying management wanted a clear victor.
They ran through the card, nothing got much of a response until ‘Miro in action’ came up. Almost as if they oughta do something with the guy. His pop even outdid the graphic for the main event tag. And AEW should be worried by how little the crowd reacted to the trios match.
Jay White & Juice Robinson vs Action Andretti & Darius Martin
Backstory: None
Like this face team. Andretti’s as good a replacement for Dante as exists on the roster. Though they’re in a bad spot here, the heels getting a pop after two excellent tag performances.
The Gunns accompanied them this week which should help. Within ten seconds Austin had already made ‘bang’ and ‘bang bang gang’ incredibly annoying. Can’t deny he’s a dedicated heel.
White and Martin starting, to the corner, break, White taking a cheap shot and stomping down the youngster. Big chop, a second, a third and a tag to Juice. Double team attempt, Martin blew it up, flung White through the ropes, slipping under Juice to tag Andretti who came in via springboard tornillo for two.
Arm-wringer, chop, springboard armdrag, dropkick, White in – Martin sent him packing via dropkick before the faces hit a double to Robinson. Really nice start. McGuinness complained it wasn’t fair BCG having to wrestle so soon after last week’s classic.
Ahhhhh, a proper heel-commentator.
Andretti caught, landing on his feet out of a German, taking a leg lariat from Juice, tag to White as they worked him over in the corner, catapulting him neck-first into the bottom rope then hitting a neckbreaker off the apron.
As Martin came to help, White flung him into the barrier.
Things just a beat off as there was an awkward pause before going to break.
Juice delayed suplex as we returned, Andretti countered into a cradle for two, enziguri, desperately seeking the tag, White in to stop it, fought off, diving tag to Darius who ran wild with boots, chops and shots to the face, fighting off both heels, turning a tornado ddt into a double.
Bagging two on White. Who blocked a suplex, threw a chop, went to hit the ropes, Martin too quick as he overtook White, bulldogging him against the middle one, to the top, big cross body. Another two.
Martin took out Juice with a vaulting cross body, sending his buddy out to join him via lariat, Action to the apron, springboard moonsault to both. Great double-team following: shotgun dropkick into a bridging German for another close count.
Quick tags in and out from the faces, Juice distracted Action, Darius was taken out off-camera, Andretti enziguri to White. He hit the top thinking split-leg, Juice grabbed his legs, turning him into a tree-of-woe position, the ref quickly sending Robinson back to his corner.
Where he took the tag: running cannonball to both faces in the corner, White back in, Left Hand of God, sleeper suplex, Pendulum ddt and a Bladerunner which the cameras missed since they deemed Robinson on the outside more important than the finish.
Camera-work the only thing to complain about here. Another excellently-worked Collision tag All four coming out having looked good.
(To be clear, the match was good but the way they worked to tags and etc was excellent – don’t want to confuse anyone into thinking this was on the level of last week).
The Gunns attacked after the bell, booting the faces from the ring. Kinda weird that they used to be tag champs. They’re total afterthoughts only months later.
Winner: Jay White & Juice Robinson
Willow Nightingale package showing her winning the Owen then her ROH clash with Athena last night which I think she lost, they didn’t make it clear.
Miro vs Nick Comoroto
Backstory: None
Comoroto interrupted the Redeemer’s entrance. Please, please tell me he’s not going to feud with the QTV crew.
Riccaboni was about through comparing Comoroto to the highest deities when he nearly botched a DVD. Miro kicked out at one, selling his back.
Took a splash in the corner, shoulders to the gut, another splash/clothesline, a third avoided: German, Mahka kick, Miro firing up, crowd roaring as he announced it was Game Over.
Seems it’s yet another meaningless match. I’ll take that over QTV.
Winner: Miro
FTR package, beginning with their arriving in 2020 during a Bucks’ match and beating a bunch of teams via Big Rig.
Another nice thing to separate Collision. Dynamite doesn’t do things like this. The amount of Bucks/FTR stuff here makes me think that’s where we’re going for All In. The closest thing to CMFTR vs the Elite we can actually get.
The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn vs the House of Black (Trios Titles)
Backstory: Zip, zilch, zero, nil, nada
Best guess is Andrade costs his foes the titles here. Despite being ‘banned’. Says a lot that this is neither opening or closing the show. Riccaboni congratulated the HOB on the longest reign in AEW history. The sort of stuff that kills commentators’ credibility.
Caster’s rap – I think – implied Rhea Ripley was on a goth porn site. So he got a bicycle kick in the aisle before he’d even finished.
The HOB brawled with the challengers around ringside as Matthews and Caster got to work in the ring and Brody smashed Gunn against the barricade with his running body splash. Presumably he did the same to Bowens – the cameras missed it.
Leaving Caster alone against the heels. A Matthews punt bagged just about two for Malakai. Who blasted Caster with a back elbow for another two. Brody in as Bowens just about made it back to the apron.
Body slam, senton, Matthews back in, Caster in the wrong corner, fighting his way out, the tag cut-off. Fighting free, he was about to bag the tag when Brody sent Bowens plummeting off the apron. Gunn recovered to take him out, making the apron just as Caster dropped Matthews via superkick.
But again couldn’t make the tag. This was stretching it a bit, he spluttered around in the middle of the ring like a kid learning to swim. After not taking all that much damage.
Again fighting off Matthews so the middle-aged guy could get the hot tag, corner splashes to Malakai and Matthews. Until Brody hit a lariat so hard Austin and Colten felt it. The End from Malakai, 1, 2, 3.
I ain’t the biggest Acclaimed guy but did they piss in Tony Khan’s drink or something?
Billy began unlacing his boots and left them in the ring. The crowd chanted ‘You still got it’. I’m over this sort of angle. He’s so clearly not retiring after a random Collision.
Presumably building to them actually taking the titles at a big show. The Acclaimed looked all sad, Riccaboni overdoing it by talking in hushed tones as if someone had died, as Billy left.
Winner: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn
Recap of Royal Rampage. Highlighting that Allin and Swerve started and finished the thing. Darby also took an avalanche powerbomb onto his skateboard – wheel-side up. He’s insane.
*****
Schiavone introduced the ‘best team in the world’ FTR. Nice pop and ‘FTR’ chants as the lights came up and they began to speak. Schiavone asked about next week’s match vs Max and Cole. The crowd booed, since they wanted to see it. Which amused Dax.
Cash began to speak: ‘Aussie Open, the Acclaimed… the Young Bucks (boos – make your mind up Jersey!) – all teams we have unfinished business with’. The way he both said ‘Young Bucks’ and looked at the camera here only further convinces me.
But first, they have MJF and Adam Cole to get through. Cheer from the crowd. Cash acknowledged that the fans ‘kinda like them right now, but, do you trust MJF?’ Loud yell of ‘NO!’ from the crowd. ‘Adam, listen to me (he looked right at the camera) do you trust Max? Because I don’t’.
Reminding us of the Pinnacle, he saw what MJF was really like. MJF’s admitted before that he’s the devil, Cole should remember that – ‘Do not trust him’. ‘Next week, you are not gonna beat FTR, bay bay’.
Dax recalled getting his first job as a teenager. Rich kids used to come in and make fun of him every day. And he always promised himself that one day he’d ‘crack them in the nose’. He never got the chance. But this reminds him a little of what’s coming up.
MJF and Cole seem to be taking the tag titles and the match ‘as a joke’. A ‘double clothesline’ chant started – Dax diplomatically said he liked the move – walking an awkward line while speaking the truth about a very popular act.
Before complaining about the ‘dance break’ and similar silliness. Getting the crowd back on track by talking about all the injuries he’s suffered through to make himself and FTR the best team in wrestling. The crowd booed again when he referred to the match being next week – where ‘there won’t be any dance break, there won’t be any comedy’ because he’s going to give them what he never got the chance to give those rich kids – ‘an ass kickin, top guys out’.
Really like tying together a storyline across two shows. And the promise next week will be serious. Definitely intrigued where they go now since it’s been made absolutely explicit that Cole’s a moron if he trusts Max.
*****
Blood and Guts recap, of course focusing on the bed of nails and the thumbtacks. I hope they’re going to show the post-match handshake Wednesday since it’s an important part of the story.
Skye Blue vs Taya Valkyrie
Backstory: None
The announcers kept telling us Valkyrie was one of Blue’s heroes. Would’ve been nice to hear it from Blue herself.
Taya gave her a condescending smile and pat on the head before shoving Skye on her ass. Blue aggressively grabbed a waistlock but couldn’t budge the vet, being flung around while clutching her waist.
To the corner for another condescending slap. Blue ducked another, firing a flurry, ducking a lariat, trying a shoulder block and being absolutely run over by one of Taya’s. Again ducking and moving, Blue got a step-up knee strike as the crowd chanted for her.
Sent to the apron, she hit a kick to the back of the head but was smashed off down to ringside and half-speared/half lariated to the mat. Before being flung back inside, Taya missed a boot, Blue shots to the face, Valkyrie snatched her by the trunks into a blue thunder bomb for two.
Ads.
Slugfest in the middle, Valkyrie lariat sending both crashing to the mat. Fistfight from the knees, to their feet, yay/boo strikes, Blue shotgun dropkick, knee strike in the ropes, her low enziguri, Taya stunned, stumbling to the corner.
Where she sent Skye to the apron, who climbed the buckle, cross body for two. Caught out of a quebrada, she was placed in the ropes and hit with a German as Taya slid out under them. Love that move.
Blue briefly struck back with a thrust kick but was smashed via lariat. With Blue face-first on the mat, the wrists captured, Taya stomped her down into the mat for the win. Caught me by surprise since they seemed to be getting behind Blue.
Solid match. Taya took the mic to say the folks in Jersey were ‘worse than she thought’. She won tonight, Britt won on Wednesday but only against ‘an extra’. So she challenged her for Wednesday. ‘Come play with me, Britt’.
Nice mic work and a women’s match with even some semblance of a backstory!
(Taya also called Blue ‘one of your homegrown favorites’, so it’s possible there’ll be something with the Outcasts.)
Winner: Taya Valkyrie
They spent time flogging a dead horse by trying to convince us AR Fox is a remotely worthy challenger for Orange Cassidy’s title with a highlight package. Reminder: he got the shot since he was nice to Darby Allin in the past. And never, ever wins on tv.
CM Punk & Darby Allin vs Ricky Starks & Christian Cage
Backstory: Made at the top of the show
Seemed more of a mixed reaction for Punk this time as his theme played, fist bump from Darby, crowd chanting his name with an undertone of boos (Sorry for those of you who don’t care about all this stuff, just know there are people who do).
Starks and Christian argued over who should start. Neither wanted to. Fun stuff, nice heel work. To the degree that they were nearly counted out, Starks making it in off the apron at ‘nine’ to face off with Punk.
Who tried a series of roll-ups and cradles, up for the GTS, a panicked Starks wriggling free as the crowd duelled again over ‘Pepsi Phil’ as McGuinness called him. Starks tagged an unaware Cage to be dragged in by Punk and introduced to various buckles. Ten punches in the corner, hip toss as Christian stumbled out, arm wringer, tag to Allin.
Same move, another tag. The pair did this several times, milking the crowd with Allin pointing to Punk each time. Finally the match continued, Allin bagging two via rollup, same result from a backslide after ducking a wild swing. Cage shot to the gut, slap to the face, headlock, Darby blind tag to Punk who had a leg lariat for Christian.
Slow or deliberate start, I guess depending on your perspective. As Punk mocked Starks’ pose. Ricky wanted no part of the tag when Cage went for it. The vet got Punk in a headlock and now Starks was interested in entering. Punk sent Cage outside, suplex to Starks for two.
Arm wringer, tag to Darby, double clothesline sending Starks outside and Cage off the apron on the other side. Sparking an eventual ‘double clothesline’ chant from the crowd. Punk vaulting cross body onto both heels, Allin following via Coffin Splash.
Break.
They’ve now made Andrade/Matthews a ladder match. El Idolo’s mask the prize. Bit early for that surely?
‘One more time’ chant with Christian working over Punk. Starks in, belly to back, count of two. Chops to the chest, Punk slipped behind, O’Connor roll for two, Starks cutting-off the tag as the crowd duelled in support of both.
Starks rope-walk shot preceding a tag to Cage, the vet paint-brushing Punk as Scorpio Sky was shown watching in a sky box. Punk hit his duck-under neckbreaker then crawled towards the tag, got it, Allin in, over the shoulder stunner to Cage, code red to Ricky for two.
Bullet tope to Starks, Luchasaurus stepped in front of one intended for Cage, Allin crumpled to the ringside mats. Back inside, Starks flung Allin to the buckle, hit snake eyes and a lariat for another two.
Picking up a bit with Allin in but nothing more than solid so far.
Darby still in trouble after the break, tilt-a-whirl backbreaker from Ricky before hitting his pose. Cage in, Allin fighting back, crowd clapping as Cage hit a reverse ddt but badly missed a diving headbutt.
Punk begging for the tag, Allin and Cage crawling, Starks pulled Punk off the apron, Punk chased him then stared down Luchasaurus. Meaning he wasn’t there for the tag, Allin dragged back center by Christian.
Cage then baiting Punk into entering illegally, allowing the heels to double Darby, the two exchanging places without tagging. Starks looking for Roshambeaux, Darby slumping to the mat, changing direction on a whip to knock Cage off the apron, tag to Punk, rights and slams for both heels, dropkicks too.
Before cartwheeling a la Bam Bam Bigelow.
The heels in opposite corners, knee strikes to both, bulldog/lariat combo bringing both together. Crowd continuing to duel as he hit a hammerlock clothesline to Cage for nearly three.
Cross body from the top, Cage rolled through for two. Then hit the heights himself, caught up top by Punk and elevated up and over to the mat. ‘A lesser man would’ve let Luchasaurus wrestle this match’ – McGuinness is brilliant.
Diving elbow for another close call. Cage shot to the gut, tag to Starks, who landed on his feet out of a GTS, double-leg into a pin, Punk arching up into a bridge, backslide blocked, the two scrapping instead, rights exchanged until Punk dropped Ricky with a kick to the back of the head.
Woozily the two looked for tags, Cage wasn’t there, Darby in, evading a Spear but caught with a second, Roshambeaux, Darby kicked out at 2.9. Last few minutes really good.
Starks looked for a delayed suplex from the top, Allin countering into a Scorpion Death Drop, Cage crawling back in to save things at the last. Then gouging Punk’s eyes to block a GTS but following Punk outside where he was drilled with it.
Leaving Darby readying a Coffin Drop on Starks, crowd really into this now, as Luchasaurus crotched Allin, the ref checking on Cage, Allin got a cradle, Starks reversed it, using the ropes to win the exact same way he did last week.
Then ran for it with the faces chasing him from the ring. He, Cage and Luchasaurus posed atop the ramp as Punk helped Darby to his feet.
Right guy won, the heels were proper heels and the match built to a nice last five minutes, little slow beforehand.
It looks like “Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn has decided to call it quits when it comes to his in-ring career as following last night’s match on Collision when he teamed up with The Acclaimed against House of Black, Gunn left his boots in the middle of the ring.
Gunn lost the match for his team after Black hit the Black Mass finisher on him. As he recovered in the middle of the ring in front all members of House of Black, Malakai Black leaned over to Gunn, whispered something in his ear and then hugged him.
Gunn then start unlacing his boots as fans chanted “No! No! No!” and “You still got it” but with The Acclaimed looking over from the outside, Gunn placed both his boots in the middle of the ring and exited.
“All jokes aside, thank you for everything,” tweeted his son Austin. “Never needed a big send off, never asked for anything, just went out there & had fun and even though we haven’t seen eye to eye recently, we love you.”
His other son Colten also added, “We aren’t on the best terms right now but thank you….no other words need to be said.”
Less than 100 tickets remain available for the Smackdown and Survivor Series combo tickets, all of which are floor tickets and selling for $750 each.
Everything else on the seating chart for Allstate Arena is dark grey, meaning sold out. This will be another very successful WWE weekend with back-to-back sold out shows. WWE did hold a small limited number of single event seats which will eventually go on sale at a later time as the only tickets available were the two-day combos.
The Allstate Arena holds 18,000 people but it’s unclear at this point how many tickets WWE sold as wrestling set-ups take a good chunk of one end of the arena.
Tickets on the secondary market are going for over $100 each for the cheapest ticket, indicating a big demand.
ROH Women’s champion Athena and Willow Nightingale made history last night as they became the first two women to main event a Ring of Honor pay-per-view in 21 years.
Their ROH Women’s title match closed the Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view, with Claudio Castagnoli and PAC for the ROH World title co-main eventing before it.
In the post-show press-conference, an emotional Athena said that she never main evented a pay-per-view before and the gesture meant a lot to her. Both Athena and Nightingale are African Americans and Athena said that representation is key and she brought back memories of being the only black woman on indie shows she participated in.
This match became the first women’s main event to headline a PPV since Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair did it at WrestleMania 37.
Darby Allin earned himself a shot at the TNT title after he won the Royal Rampage match last night on Rampage.
The 20 participants also included Swerve Strickland, Nick Wayne, Minoru Suzuki, Brian Cage, Ethan Page, Komander, The Butcher, Big Bill, Brother Say, To a Liona, Matt Sydal, Bishop Kaun, Matt Hardy, Matt Menard, Jeff Jarrett, Angelo Parker, and Jake Hager.
Allin and Strickland were the last two remaining in the ring and it was the dare devil who speared Strickland to the floor, with Strickland’s back hitting the floor first and giving Allin the win.
Allin will now challenge for the TNT title at the All Out pay-per-view in September. Luchasaurus currently holds the belt.
The SummerSlam 2023 main event was set last night on Smackdown as Roman Reigns and Jey Uso agreed on their “rules of engagement” and the two will now meet under Tribal Combat rules.
The show-closing angle saw Reigns and Uso in a contract signing, but Uso tore up the contract after Reigns signed it.
“We don’t need no contract. Cause the contract is in the blood. This right here is Tribal Combat now,” Jey said.
Reigns asked Jey if the elders knew about this and Uso replied saying it was their idea. The two then put their heads against each other and shook hands and Reigns slowly backed away. Solo got pissed off and was about to hit the Samoan Spike to Jey but Reigns stopped him. Jey then super kicked his brother.
The stipulation is that both the Undisputed WWE Universal title and Roman Reigns’ Tribal Chiefdom are on the line in the same anything goes match.
Rey Mysterio VS. Sheamus VS. Cameron Grimes VS. L.A. Knight in a fatal-four way match in the United States invitational
Rey gives Sheamus and Grimes a double 619 then splashes Grimes and goes for the pin but Austin Theory who is sitting at ringside pulled Rey out of the ring and began punching him until Santos Escobar came out for the save and sent Theory into the crowd.
Sheamus gives Knight a Brogue Kick and Grimes gives Sheamus a Cave in and Rey comes in and rolls up Grimes for the win.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio will face Santos Escobar next week to see who faces Austin Theory at Summer Slam.
In the back Austin Theory tells Adam Pearce he wants a match with Santos Escobar tonight but not for the title. Pearce said fine I will make that official.
Charlotte Flair VS. Iyo Sky
After a couple of reversals Flair hit Natural Selection and got the win.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
After the match Asuka attacked Flair.
Dominik Mysterio is interviewed, and he talks about being a better champion then his dad and Butch comes in and challenges him for the title and Dominik tried to weasel out of it by saying there is no one here from NXT to make the match but Shawn Michaels shows up and said that sounds like a great idea and said he will go talk to Adam Pearce to get this done.
Roman Reigns is shown sitting in the locker room.
Austin Theory VS. Santos Escobar
Theory went to the top rope, but Escobar caught him and gave him a hurricanrana, then Escobar gave Theory a phantom driver and gets the win.
Winner: Santos Escobar
Dominik Mysterio VS. Butch for the NXT North American Championship
After interference from Pretty Deadly and Rhea taking out Butch’s leg, Dominik rammed Butch into the corner post and pulls Butch in the ring and pins him.
Winner and Still NXT North American Champion: Dominik Mysterio
Jey Uso comes to the ring. Roman Reigns now comes to the ring to deliver the Rules of Engagement to Jey. Jey says we don’t need no contract this is tribal combat, and anything goes, Roman asks if the elders know and Jey says it was their idea.
Roman and Jey stood and held each other’s arms and touched their foreheads together, Solo then went for the Samoan Spike but got knocked out of the ring by a superkick by Jey.
Here are the results from last night’s Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view which took place live from the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, New Jersey.
ZERO HOUR: Josh Woods defeated Tracy Williams; Action Andretti and Darius Martin defeated Anthony Henry and JD Drake; Leyla Hirsch defeated Trish Adora; AR Fox defeated Shane Taylor.
PAY-PER-VIEW: Gravity defeated Komander; Samoa Joe defeated Dalton Castle to retain the ROH World Television title; Aussie Open defeated The Lucha Brothers, The Kingdom, and Best Friends in a four-way tag team match to become the new ROH World Tag Team champions; Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona defeated Leon Ruffin, Master Wato, and Ryusuke Taguchi in a six-man tag team match to retain the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team titles; Katsuyori Shibata defeated Daniel Garcia to retain the ROH Pure title; Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds, and John Silver defeated Stu Grayson, Vincent, and Dutch; Claudio Castagnoli defeated PAC to retain the ROH World title; Athena defeated Willow Nightingale to retain the ROH Women’s title.
The WWE Women’s title will be on the line at SummerSlam in a triple threat match as WWE officially announced Asuka defending her title against Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair.
Originally the match was going to be announced on Smackdown but it was then advertised on social media and on WWE.COM as well hours before the show.
This is the third match on the SummerSlam card so far along with Seth Rollins vs Finn Balor for the World Heavyweight title and Cody Rhodes vs Brock Lesnar.
Tonight’s Friday Night Smackdown will be airing on FS1 instead of FOX as the show is pre-empted due to the women’s World Cup match featuring the United States against Vietnam.
Roman Reigns will be appearing on the show as the rules of engagement for SummerSlam against Jey Uso will be discussed in an in-ring segment.
The only other thing announced for the show is Rey Mysterio vs Sheamus vs Cameron Grimes vs LA Knight in a four-way match in the United States Championship Invitational.
The last time Smackdown aired on FS1 was in December 2022 and it drew 902,000 viewers, way below the usual over two million viewers the broadcast usually does on FOX.
The Blood & Guts episode of Dynamite on TBS drew 953,000 viewers, up 128,000 viewers from last week and the best number for the show since March 22. It did a 0.34 rating in the 18-49 demo, up 0.05 from the previous week and the highest since February 22. This was the least-watched Blood & Guts match though, with last year’s pulling in 1,023,000 viewers and a 0.36 rating. (Ratings credit: Wrestlenomics)
In the ever-evolving landscape of WWE’s women’s division, a new contender is beginning to assert her dominance. The 24-year-old Illinois native, Cora Jade, is proving herself to be a formidable force in the ring, demonstrating a captivating mix of athletic ability, charisma, and raw talent. However, recent circumstances have cast a shadow on her fast-ascending career as she deals with an undisclosed injury.
Jade, having firmly established herself as one to watch, is now grappling with a health predicament that has fans and industry insiders concerned. The nature of the injury remains undisclosed, leaving room for speculation regarding the extent of its impact on her future performance. Jade’s tenacity is not to be underestimated, though. Her track record of overcoming obstacles and emerging stronger suggests she may bounce back from this setback stronger than ever.
An interesting fact for fans of Jade, particularly those in Illinois, is that while she is indeed a rising star in WWE, betting on her matches via state-regulated sites is not permitted. In the words of a representative from Illinois Sports Betting, “At just 24 years old, the Illinois native is already one of the most talented wrestlers in WWE. Unfortunately, Illinois Sports Betting Wrestling fans are not allowed to place WWE bets on state-regulated sites.”
Adding another layer of intrigue to Jade’s career trajectory is her forthcoming battle with fellow WWE superstar, Dana Brooke. In what promises to be a memorable encounter, the two women are set to face off in a Kendo Stick match. Brooke, a seasoned competitor, is known for her formidable in-ring skills, presenting Jade with a considerable challenge.
This upcoming match stands out not only for its unique stipulation but also for the potential it holds for Jade, should she emerge victorious. Brooke is a seasoned competitor in the WWE, and a win against her, even while nursing an injury, could be a significant boost to Jade’s rising profile.
There are quotes circulating from other wrestlers lauding Jade’s skill and potential. For example, fellow competitor Ember Moon was quoted as saying, “She’s a tough competitor and has a bright future ahead of her.” These sentiments underscore the widespread recognition of Jade’s talent within the wrestling industry, further amplifying the anticipation for her upcoming matches, injury notwithstanding.
As Jade’s journey continues to unfold, it’s clear that her talent, resilience, and unique appeal make her a valuable addition to WWE’s women’s division. While her current injury may be a temporary roadblock, her potential to make a significant impact in the wrestling world remains unquestionable. The upcoming Kendo Stick match against Dana Brooke is a golden opportunity for Jade to further prove herself, and WWE fans worldwide will undoubtedly be watching with bated breath.
Live from the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, New Jersey, Ring of Honor presents Death Before Dishonor live on Bleacher Report and pay-per-view. The full card is as follows:
PPV: Claudio Castagnoli vs PAC for the ROH World title; Athena vs Willow Nightingale for the ROH Women’s World title; Samoa Joe vs Dalton Castle for the ROH World Television title; The Lucha Brothers vs The Kingdom vs Best Friends vs Aussie Open in a four-way tag team match for the ROH World Tag Team titles; Katsuyori Shibata vs Daniel Garcia for the ROH Pure title; Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona vs Master Wato, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Leon Ruffin in a six-man tag team match for the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team titles; Vincent, Dutch, and Stu Grayson vs Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds, and John Silver; Komander vs Gravity.
ZERO HOUR: Action Andretti and Darius Martin vs Anthony Henry and JD Drake; Leyla Hirsch vs. Trish Adora; AR Fox vs Shane Taylor; Josh Woods vs Tracy Williams.
The Zero Hour show kicks off at 7PM ET while the PPV portion will start at 8PM ET. International fans can watch the show on FITE.TV.
The Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view main event has been set up, just over 24 hours from the show.
During yesterday’s Blood & Guts match, PAC turned on the rest of the Blackpool Combat Club after a confrontation with ROH World champion Claudio Castagnoli. The BCC ended up on the losing end of the match against The Golden Elite.
Following the match, Castagnoli called out PAC to face him tomorrow night and “step up.” In his reply, PAC said that they had an agreement: to play nice and achieve a common goal.
“Now clearly, Ring of Honor, your World Heavyweight champion, he couldn’t do that. Now, I am in no way shape or form an unreasonable bastard. But you’ve left me no choice,” PAC said, before he accepted his challenge.
“I’m gonna hurt you, I’m gonna embarrass you, but more importantly, I’m gonna take your belt.”
Episode seven of Dark Side of the Ring featuring Abdullah The Butcher drew 178,000 viewers, up 26,000 viewers from the previous episode which revolved around Adrian Adonis. The show drew a 0.06 in the 18-49 demo, up 0.02 from the Adonis episode. (Ratings credit: Wrestlenomics)
