Home Blog Page 715

WWE and Peacock convince The Undertaker to start own podcast

The usually-very reliable @WrestleVotes Twitter account today reported that The Undertaker will be entering the podcasting world after some convincing from WWE and Peacock.

The show is described similar to that of Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions although there’s no information about what kind of format this will be. Judging that it had some help from Peacock execs, it’s safe to say that this will be airing in a video form on the streaming service when it eventually starts.

“Source states his new show should begin airing within the next few months. A fascinating concept that was unfathomable just a few years back,” @WrestleVotes wrote.

The Undertaker was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania weekend and appeared twice at WrestleMania to salute the fans.

WrestleMania 38 surpasses the Super Bowl in social media engagement and video views

The two-night WrestleMania 38 managed to outdo this year’s Super Bowl LVI in social media metrics according to analytics firm Conviva.

Both nights of WrestleMania drew a combined 2.2 billion impressions across all social media platforms whereas the Super Bowl did 1.8 billion impressions this year.

When it comes to video views, WrestleMania did 1.1 billion video views for a total of 13.1 million hours of video watch time and 87 million in engagement. In comparison, the Super Bowl had 618 million video views, 3.56 million hours of video watch time and 78 million engagements.

Conviva also adds that the show broke all social media records for WWE, a 47% increase across all social media networks compared to last year’s WrestleMania.

Not surprisingly, the Cody Rhodes return post was the most popular with 500,000 engagement and the Pat McAfee/Austin Theory/Mr McMahon match did 450,000. Other matches that ranked up there for WWE this year was the return of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Bianca Belair regaining the Raw Women’s title, and Roman Reigns unifying the titles.

8 activities to do with friends after watching WWE

Watching Wrestling on your PC doesn’t have to be a lonely experience! If you’re going to watch it, why not do it with some friends? Sure, the action is awesome if you’re watching in private. But if you kick back and enjoy that WWE wrestling experience with friends or family, it makes the event even better.

After watching wrestling on your PC, you might be looking to do something with your friends, but what? Read on to discover some of my favorite activities.

1. Play Your Favorite Casino Game

Slot machines are among the most popular games in both land-based and online casinos. They’re easy to play, and they can be quite lucrative if you hit a winning streak.

If you can’t find the time to go to a casino, you can still play your favorite slot machine from the comfort of your home through https://nongamstopbookies.com/best-betting-sites/ .You can even get a bonus for playing with real cash if it’s your first time playing an online slot machine game.

2. Attend Local Sports Game

There are few things more fun than attending sports games with friends. You can coordinate with your buddy and root for the same team or playfully argue about whose team is better (but don’t get too competitive).

If there isn’t a local game on that night, you can always catch an NBA game on TV. Alternatively, if you and your friend have room for some friendly competition, you can play basketball or another sport at a nearby court.

3. Go Shopping at Your Favorite Store

If you don’t want to cook or eat out after watching WWE all day, then shopping is another option! You can go to the mall with friends and see the latest fashions. Or, if you prefer shopping online, there are many websites where you can find clothes from your favorite brands such as Nike, Adidas, and more! This would be perfect.

4. Go Bowling

Bowling is another classic pastime from the 80s and 90s that’s making a comeback in recent years. It’s a great way to spend time with friends and some friendly competition. Thanks to the resurgence in popularity, it’s also more affordable than back then. You can visit any local bowling alley and rent lanes for a fraction of what it would have cost back in the old days!

5. Visit an Arcade

Arcades may have fallen out of favor recently, but in the 80s and 90s, they were a huge part of the culture. Companies like Nintendo and SEGA put out arcade cabinets that were fun to play with friends or even strangers!

Consider visiting an arcade if you’re looking for a fun way to spend time with your friends after watching WWE. Local arcades are still in business, and sometimes you’ll find them in pizza parlors!

6.Take a Dance Class Together

You see it on TV all the time- Superstars dancing their way to the ring. Now it’s your turn! WWE is home to some of the greatest dancers in sports-entertainment history, and there’s no better way to celebrate this than by taking a class together. Take a salsa or cha-cha class and dance or take a hip-hop class and learn how to move.

7. Watch a Movie

You might have to wait another few months before the next installment of Avengers or Star Wars on the screens, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other movies that you can watch with friends after watching WWE on the WWE Network.

For example, Deadpool 2 is still showing in theaters, and it would be a fantastic experience to watch it with friends. Or better yet, why not watch all three movies in one sitting?

Ensure you don’t dwell on it much after watching, or else your brain will feel like it got punched by a superhero who woke up from an 18-month coma! Playing on casino sites not registered with gamstop can still be a good option for you.

Go Out and Enjoy!

Watching wrestling is one thing, but there’s a lot more to it than just that. If you truly enjoy it, you should consider yourself a fan rather than merely a spectator. Some of the best fans are those that are in WWE social media groups or whose friends are huge fans such as themselves. Either way, they can still have some fun with the other people they spend time with.

Kimber Lee deletes Twitter following Nash Carter getting fired from WWE

Kimber Lee, who helped get Nash Carter fired last week from WWE, has deleted her Twitter account.

Lee used the social media platform to expose Carter, uploading photos of when he busted her lip when he was drunk and then uploaded a photo of Carter, sporting the Hitler mustache, doing the Nazi salute which eventually got him fired. Lee said that she had forgiven him for what he done to her but she couldn’t hide it anymore and then posted the Nazi salute photo to tell the world what kind of man her husband is.

Lee accused Carter of domestic violence and talked about his anti-LGBT views but Carter’s friend and the wife of his now former tag team partner Wes Lee said that Kimber Lee was served with divorce papers last week which prompted her outburst and defended Carter, saying he has been living with them to escape the mental abuse of his soon-to-be ex-wife.

ROH Television title to be defended this Wednesday on Dynamite

The Ring of Honor TV title will be defended this coming Wednesday night on Dynamite as champion Minoru Suzuki will take on Samoa Joe.

This is the first time that Joe will meet Suzuki in a match which many are considering a “dream” one.

Joe never won the TV title in Ring of Honor although he is a former Pure and World champion in the promotion. The title was introduced two years after his departure from ROH.

Suzuki hasn’t wrestled for AEW since October, losing to Bryan Danielson in a match which aired live on YouTube. He won the TV title from Rhett Titus at last week’s Supercard of Honor.

5 great careers for fans of wrestling

The post is developed in partnership with BetterHelp.

Do you love wrestling but don’t want to get in the ring yourself? Are you looking for a way to get more involved with your favorite sport? Do you want a career that you love and brings you closer to the action? Then it’s time to find a career in the wrestling industry!

When people consider wrestling careers, they only think about the athletes who actually participate in the ring. But there are many other roles that are necessary to keep the sport alive and entertaining. So if you are looking for a career in the wrestling world, read on to explore some ideas.

After reading these ideas, if you are looking for career advice or some tips on how to switch careers, you can find great resources at the link below:

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/careers/

Coach

If you’re a fan of wrestling and enjoy training others, then becoming a wrestling coach may be the best career for you. As expected, wrestling coaches help wrestlers work on their moves and forms to ensure success in the next match. They also advise their athletes on the best diets and lifestyles to ensure they are at peak health and don’t have any disadvantages in the ring.

To become a wrestling coach, you may need a degree in kinesiology, business, or a similar field. This role may also require experience coaching in other ways, such as for other sports or as an assistant coach. Furthermore, your passion for wrestling will pay off in this role as you must know all the sport’s rules to train your athletes effectively.

Referee

If you love the rules of wrestling and don’t mind enforcing them on emotional and intimidating athletes, then you may do well as a referee. Being a referee consists of more requirements and training than being a coach. You will need to take exams to ensure you understand all the rules and when to make certain calls. Referees must enroll with a local state board and become certified before refereeing any matches.

As a referee, you will have the best seat to the action but must be vigilant at all times to ensure no rules are broken. You must do your job fairly and not show any bias toward any of the wrestlers in the match. Furthermore, you must have a calm and cool head as the wrestlers will often disagree with your calls. Therefore, you should also be mindful of the hazards while working the job, as you can easily get hurt if you aren’t prepared.

Announcer

Do you have charisma and charm? Do you know how to keep the crowd entertained? Are you great with commentary? Then you would be perfect as a wrestling match announcer or commentator!

Announcers are the second most entertaining part of a wrestling match (only outdone by the wrestlers themselves). They need great charisma and must know how to work a room to keep everyone entertained and engaged. This is the show business side of wrestling but is one of the reasons why it has become such an entertaining sport.

You don’t need formal training or licensing to become an announcer, but having a background in acting, improv, or the entertainment business is a plus. You should also have a thorough knowledge of the sport and the wrestlers in the match so your commentary remains accurate. Furthermore, like a referee, you will need a cool head and the ability to take criticism because you might get a lot of it from the athletes or even the crowd.

Booker

If you’re interested in the creative and organizational side of wrestling, then you may enjoy being a wrestling booker. A booker schedules the events, pits athletes against one another, and comes up with much of the themes, angles, and marketing for the event. If the wrestlers are the actors of the match, the booker is the screenwriter.

Though there is no obvious career path to getting a booker position, there are some skills you need to succeed. First, you will need good organizational skills as you are the one who will set everything up. The schedule needs to work for the wrestlers, and everything must flow well throughout the match. For example, you need to provide the wrestlers enough time from breaks recovering from injuries and factor in commercials.

You will also need sales and marketing experience as you are essentially selling and marketing the match as though it is a product. This is what makes the wrestlers, the organization, the networks money. So you need good sales skills to make sure fans show up with cash, and everyone is profiting from the match.

Work With A Wrestling Organization Or Network

Every wrestling organization or network operates just like any other company. They need professionals in IT, marketing, sales, business, and other aspects to keep the company running smoothly. So even if you don’t have a history in entertainment or sports, you can still find a job within the companies that broadcast and support professional wrestlers.

This is the best option for those who don’t want to get directly involved with the matches. Furthermore, this path gives you far more options to choose from, so you won’t have to go back to school or completely change your career just to support your love of wrestling.

Bottom Line

With a little creativity and some training, you can turn your passion for wrestling into a career. Even if you don’t want to get in the ring yourself, there are plenty of ways to get involved in the industry.

Here comes the bride! Details on the Alexa Bliss wedding ceremony

Alexa Bliss is off the singles list after marrying Ryan Cabrera yesterday at Kempa Villa in Palm Desert, California, PEOPLE Magazine announced.

PEOPLE got the exclusive on the wedding, including the photos as well as a pre-wedding interview and details on everything about the party, the wedding vows, the music played, and the dress of the bride.

With the wedding now over, the honeymoon will consist of two parts: first, a stop at Disneyland in Anaheim, and then off to Hawaii for a few days of alone time before being joined by friends.

Several of her friends including The Miz, Maryse, Braun Strowman, Raquel Gonzalez, Nia Jax, CJ “Lana” Perry, Kayla Braxton, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, and many others were in attendance for the wedding.

You can check out the full coverage of the Alexa Bliss wedding at PEOPLE.COM.

Scott Hall laid to rest

Scott Hall was buried yesterday and his son Cody posted a lengthy message on Instagram along with a photo of Kevin Nash, Diamond Dallas Page, Sean Waltman, Shawn Michaels, and Triple H near the grave.

“We buried my father yesterday. And I guess it was the last step in the process, but it still feels like I’m going through a ton. Being my dad’s son wasn’t always easy, in fact it used to feel really hard sometimes, he was hard sometimes,” Cody wrote.

“But it feels different now, not my burden to bear but my torch to carry going forward. A legacy from a legend. It feels like he’s with me now. The whole world feels different now. I feel so different now. Death is part of the circle of life, and my father lives through me.”

Cody wrote that his father was his best friend and taught him everything he knows. “And I’ll never ever forget it. I love you dad,” he wrote.

Scott passed away on March 14 at the age of 63 after suffering three heart attacks stemming from surgery.

Cody’s theme Kingdom climbing the charts on Spotify and iTunes

The band Downstait, which performs the Cody Rhodes theme song Kingdom, wrote on Twitter today that the song has now over 1 million streams on Spotify for this year so far.

“Kingdom just passed 1 million streams on Spotify for 2022!! Thank you guys so much,” the band tweeted.

The song is also performing strong on iTunes in the top U.S. rock chart and earlier this week it was #3 on the chart.

Cody, who owns the rights to the song, has been using Kingdom since August 2016 and the theme has accompanied him in Impact Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Ring of Honor, AEW, and now WWE.

Guide to the Best Casinos in Europe

There are many great casinos in Europe, but which ones are the best? Here is a list of the top casinos in Europe, based on player feedback and expert reviews. Whether you’re looking for top-notch customer service, luxurious surroundings, or exciting gaming options, you’ll find what you’re looking for among these casinos. So read on to learn more about the best of the best when it comes to European casinos!

Where Can One Find the Best Casinos in Europe?

One of your options is to head on over to countries like Great Britain, the Czech Republic, or Italy for an extravagant experience with plenty going around every corner. However, if you’re looking more along these lines then don’t worry because there are also smaller gaming halls that provide charm as well! The top three locations include London (UK), Lisbon in Portugal, Madrid in Spain, and Monte Carlo in Monaco.

Europe is home to some of the world’s most iconic casino destinations, from the glittering casinos of Monte Carlo to the luxurious resorts of the Czech Republic. However, with so many choices, it can be hard to know where to start. To help narrow things down, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best casinos in Europe, based on criteria such as size, amenities, and location.

In the United Kingdom, there are several world-famous casinos worth visiting, including The Ritz Club in London and The Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square. For something a little different, Why not try Aspers Casino in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, which is the largest casino in the UK and boasts beautiful Art Deco architecture.

World Best Casinos Researchers Team

SlotsUp is a leading casino review site that strives to provide its readers with accurate and up-to-date information. They provide users with high-quality reviews and top lists of games and casinos, e.g. you can easily find a range of PaysafeCard casino online with reviews on each. To this end, the site’s research team recently undertook a comprehensive analysis of the world’s top casinos. The team looked at a variety of factors, including the size and scope of the casinos, their history and reputation, the quality of their games and software, and their overall user experience. After carefully considering all of these factors, the team compiled a list of the world’s best casinos. The casinos on this list are all reputable and well-established gambling hotspots that offer plenty of gaming options for players of all tastes.

So, how did the SlotsUp team go about choosing the best casinos in the world?

  • First, they looked at the overall reputation of the casino. If a casino has been in business for a long time and has a good reputation, it is likely that they are doing something right.
  • Second, they looked at the range of games offered by the casino. A good casino will offer a wide variety of games, including slots, table games, and more.
  • Third, they looked at the bonuses and promotions offered by the casino. A good casino will offer generous bonuses and promotions to its players.
  • Finally, they looked at the customer service offered by the casino. A good casino will have friendly and helpful customer service representatives.

European Casinos From The Best Casinos Research

Resorts World in Birmingham, England

Resorts World Casino Birmingham is a large casino and entertainment complex located in the city of Birmingham, England. The complex includes a casino, restaurants, bars, a hotel, and a conference center. The casino is the largest in the UK and offers a variety of table games and slots. The restaurants offer a range of international cuisines, and the bars provide live entertainment. The hotel has over 500 rooms and suites, and the conference center can accommodate up to 1,000 people. The complex is owned by Genting Group, a Malaysian company that also owns casinos in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, and the United States.

Casino de Monte Carlo in Monte Carlo, Monaco

The Casino de Monte Carlo is one of the most iconic casinos in the world. Located in the Principality of Monaco, it is known for its luxurious surroundings and opulent décor. Founded in 1863 by Charles III of Monaco, the casino was originally intended to generate revenue for the struggling principality. However, it quickly became a popular destination for the European aristocracy, who flocked to its grandiose gaming rooms to gamble and socialize. Today, the Casino de Monte Carlo remains one of the most popular casinos in Europe, attracting visitors from all over the world. While its opulent atmosphere and rich history are certainly part of its appeal, its wide range of gaming options is what keep people coming back.

King’s Resort in Rozvadov, Czech Republic

King’s Resort is a luxury casino and resort located in Rozvadov, Czech Republic. The resort features a world-class casino with over 500 gaming tables, a five-star hotel, a spa, and wellness center, and several restaurants. King’s Resort is owned and operated by Kings Entertainment, a company that also owns and operates casinos in London and Macau. The resort is situated on the border of the Czech Republic and Germany, making it easily accessible for visitors from both countries. In addition, the nearby city of Prague is only a short drive away. Kings Resort has become one of the most popular gambling destinations in Europe, attracting visitors from all over the world.

Casino Café de Paris in Monte Carlo, Monaco

The Casino Café de Paris is one of the most popular casinos in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The casino first opened its doors in 1863, and it has been a popular destination for gamblers and tourists ever since. The casino is situated in the heart of Monte Carlo, and it offers a wide range of gambling options, including roulette, blackjack, and slots. The casino also boasts an impressive selection of restaurants and bars, making it the perfect place to spend an evening. Whether you’re looking to try your luck at the tables or simply enjoy a night out on the town, the Casino Café de Paris is sure to offer an unforgettable experience.

Ibiza Gran Hotel in Ibiza, Spain

The Ibiza Gran Hotel is located in the heart of Ibiza Town, just a short walk from the marina. The hotel offers magnificent views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Old Town, as well as a rooftop pool and bar. The rooms are spacious and elegantly furnished, with private balconies overlooking the sea. The hotel also has a restaurant, serving traditional Spanish cuisine, and a spa with a range of treatments. For those looking for a truly memorable experience, the Ibiza Gran Hotel is a perfect choice.

I Quit match official for Backlash 2022

Ronda Rousey will get another shot at the Smackdown Women’s title as her match against Charlotte Flair for Backlash has been made official.

The title match will be an I Quit match where the only way to win the match is to make your opponent utter those two words. There will be no pinfall, no countout, and no disqualification.

Rousey lost her original title shot at WrestleMania after Charlotte Flair pinned her. Rousey became the second female to win the Royal Rumble but not win the title at WrestleMania. Asuka, the first winner of the Rumble, also suffered the same ending in 2018.

Alexa Bliss getting married to Ryan Cabrera this weekend

WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss is getting married this weekend to singer Ryan Cabrera.

Bliss returned at the Elimination Chamber premium live event this February but has not appeared again since then. She had been previously absent from WWE television for several months after undergoing nose surgery.

Cabrera, 39, and Bliss, 30, have been dating since late 2020 and this is the first marriage for both of them. The two will tie the knot somewhere in California and details have been kept under wraps.

Bliss had a bachelorette party in Las Vegas in late February and former WWE Superstars Ember Moon and Nia Jax were also present.

Joe Hennig and Ariya Daivari get producers tryout at Smackdown

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Wrestling is reporting through his Select service that Joe Hennig and Ariya Daivari had a tryout as producers backstage at Smackdown last night.

Hennig, better known as Curtis Axel and the son of Mr Perfect, and Daivari, were both released from WWE over the past few years and while Hennig didn’t wrestle since his 2020 release, Daivari did some indies as well as AEW and NJPW.

Sapp added that Hennig helped produced the Banks vs Morgan match with Tyson Kidd while Daivari helped produce McIntyre vs Zayn with Abyss.

Several former WWE stars are now working as producers backstage and all have been brought back since the return of live events.

Rampage TV report for 04/08/2022

Arena: Agganis Arena
City: Boston, MA

It’s Saturday morning, and you know what that means…  it’s time for our Rampage Review!

With Tony Khan promising to return to his ‘ruthless roots’ ahead of his upcoming mixtape tour, we saw some marquee names return to the show.  ‘My palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy…’

BRYAN DANIELSON VS TRENT?

Story going in: The Best Friends are annoyed at the BCC for trying to poach Wheeler Yuta, Trent vowed to show Yuta what he could still learn from them

A cagey start filled with mat-work and headlocks ended with a Trent back-elbow to the face as Danielson rebounded off the ropes.  Both landed kicks to the spine as they searched for the upper hand.

‘You’re gonna get your ****** head kicked in!’

After trading chops, Trent countered a hanging front chancery into a northern lights as Regal put over Excalibur, Taz and Starks’ commentary.  Trent then damaged his already injured neck after colliding with the ring steps.

After the ads, Danielson was dominating in the ring, aiming strikes and kicks at the neck of his opponent, ending with Trent countering with a superplex as Bryan scaled the ropes.  Regal said the BCC didn’t respect anyone, they might admire certain people but no respect.

Scrambling to their feet, chops were exchanged until Danielson got a two-count after a shoulder capture suplex, following with a dragon sleeper which Trent shook off by reaching the ropes.  A tornado DDT out of the corner got Trent a two as he prepared Danielson on the top buckle.  Another two resulted as Trent countered a back suplex from the top.

Hard strikes ended with another close count after a lariat, Trent thoroughly in control as Bryan lay on the mat.  Exploding off the ropes with a busaiku knee, Danielson followed with a gotch-style piledriver before this one reached its end with Danielson kicking Trent’s head in and submitting him with a neck lock.

Very good opener.

WINNER: Danielson

Lexi was with Hook, who ate chips while ignoring her questions.  Finishing, Danhausen popped up out of the bin to curse Hook.  Again it didn’t work.  Danhausen ate the remaining chips out of the bin, theorizing they were the source of Hook’s power.

In the ring, Scorpio Sky reminded us of his undefeated record.  Until he was interrupted.  Tay Conti translated ‘Sexist piece of shit’ as ‘Dan Lambert.’  Lambert told them to focus more on the ring than the bedroom.

Page cut an excellent promo – as he often does, Lambert’s a little redundant here – telling them were ‘a PR nightmare waiting to happen,’ then talking to his little girl at home: ‘I pray you don’t end up like Tay Conti.’

Sammy vowed to make their life a living hell until he gets the match he wants.

Now, according to arena reports, Sammy and Tay were booed heavily in Boston.  Loudly enough that a rattled Sammy had to acknowledge the boos.  Not to mention chants of ‘Shut the **** up!’  None/Very little of that came through here, so whether this was sweetened or the reports were just wrong?  I guess we’ll find out at upcoming live shows.

Excalibur calling them ‘America’s favorite couple’ is certainly is not going to help.

SWERVE STRICKLAND VS QT MARSHALL 

Story going in: None

QT received the Sports Entertainer of the Week.  This thing’s dead already.

Displaying his athleticism, Swerve landed a headscissors before landing on his feet after being flung outside.  Back from break, this continued with a rolling flatliner and a leaping heel-kick to the back of the head as Swerve took the victory.

Grabbing the mic, Starks interrupted the celebrations to make a challenge for a tag match next week: he and Hobbs vs Lee and Strickland.

WINNER: Swerve

Quick hype video for Marina Shafir.

WILLOW NIGHTINGALE VS RED VELVET, Owen Hart Qualifier

Story going in: Winner gets a spot in Owen Hart tournament

This didn’t look a strong one on paper: Velvet’s still pretty inexperienced.  But she did a good job going along with a crowd determined to cheer Willow Nightingale (who went to college locally), perhaps the most popular performer on the show.

Starting quickly, Velvet’s speed lost out to Nightingale’s strength as the former was repeatedly sent to the mat.  After missing a senton, Velvet took advantage with chokes in the corner until Willow cartwheeled out, this time landing the senton for two.

Missing a moonsault from the top, Velvet exploded with leaping takedowns, double knees, culminating with Just Desserts a for a close two.  Fighting back, Willow got a two of her own via a spinebuster.

A Pounce brought the crowd to their feet before a corner cannonball again nearly brought the victory for Willow.  Slightly awkward ending sequence brought Red the victory after a Corkscrew Kick.

Pretty good match.

WINNER: Red Velvet

Lexi was with Tony Nese, who complained about a lack of respect.  ‘Smart’ Mark Sterling agreed, asking Nese to walk with him.

JON MOXLEY VS WHEELER YUTA

Story going in: After winning over both Danielson & Regal, Yuta now has his chance against Mox

Wasting no time ‘impressing’ his opponent, Moxley was blasted with a tope through the ropes before even reaching the ring.  The newly crowned ROH Pure Champion then set about going after Mox at ringside.

Back inside, Mox took over with suplexes and chops in the corner.  A big boot brought a one-count.

Dueling chants rang out as the match continued.  Before turning in very AEW fashion: Yuta bleeding a gusher after being introduced to the ringsteps by his opponent.  Whereafter the youngster was woozy and wobbly-legged, though rejecting referee Paul Turner’s attempts to check him.

As we returned, Yuta was fighting out of crab.  Then sending Mox to the outside and drilling him through a ringside table with a splash.  Despite this, Yuta was last back into the ring, where he fought off Moxley repeatedly with suplex counters and kicking his head in, another splash for two, and a crossface which Moxley barely broke.  Exploding with a king kong lariat, Mox got a close count of his own.

Covered in blood, Yuta repeatedly refused to stay down, continually fighting back even when Moxley bit him.  But he got caught diving from the top, right into the Paradigm Shift for the 1,2, kickout!  Huge reaction from the crowd after which Moxley lost it with the ref.

Suckering Mox in, Wheeler rolled through into the Bulldog choke.  Annoyed, the former AEW champ unloaded with vicious elbows to the head, a Regal knee and a high-angle Paradigm shift.  Another kickout!

Unfortunately, that was all the fight Wheeler had left, passing out rather than tapping out in the clutches of a Bulldog Choke.

Which brought out the rest of the BCC, who appeared to be preparing more misery for the youngster.  Instead, Regal shook his hand, Yuta using his own blood to spell out ‘BCC’ on his chest, as fans chanted ‘Let him in!’ and Moxley told him ‘Now, the real work begins,’ as the show ended.

Once again, the company did a stellar job in their efforts to get behind a young star.  After a weekend where the opposition spent much of the show featuring the ageing or just plain old, AEW is developing a crop (Yuta, Garcia, Swerve, Starks) beneath a crop (MJF, Darby, Jungle Boy, Sammy).

WINNER: Moxley

There’s no doubting this was an improvement over recent shows: more stars, bigger stars and a match forwarding a storyline with one of the company’s top acts.  There’s also no doubting this was formulaic: I filled in the winner of each match prior to watching, as could have been done on Wednesday too.

Which isn’t to say a bunch of ‘swerves’ are necessary, but in three hours of television, at least one of the matches should have its outcome in doubt.

Though at least both shows finished strong with excellent matches whose outcomes forwarded feuds and rivalries.

GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO WATCH…

  • Wheeler vs Mox

Thanks for reading.  Have a great weekend!

Smackdown TV report for 04/08/2022

Arena: Fiserv Forum
City: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Smackdown opens with a video package of what happened last weekend at WrestleMania.

Kayla Braxton is in the ring and welcomes everyone to Smackdown and then announced the Baddest Woman on the Planet, Ronda Rousey. Rousey gets in the ring and says she tapped Charlotte out but not when it counted. Kayla asked her what was next? Ronda said she wanted a rematch, not just any rematch, but an “I Quit Match”.

Charlotte is shown and says she is not a quitter and is a winner because she felt Ronda’s armbar and still won. And said no to the challenge.

Ronda says the fight is going to happen and she is going to make her scream “I Quit” when she turns her elbow backward.

Xavier Woods VS. Butch

Real physical match by Butch, Butch covers Woods for a 2 count after a kick to the back of Woods’ head, then headbutted him a few times and goes for a big kick. Woods sidesteps and rolls up Butch into a small package for the win.

Winner: Xavier Woods

More WrestleMania Highlights are shown.

Sami Zayn is in the back talking to Adam Pearce, Sami says he wants his respect back and the next person that walks through the door he wants a match with. Pearce says OK and Drew McIntyre walked through the door and Sami begs for the next guy that walks through the door and Pearce says too late the match is on for tonight.

As Sami walks away a producer walks up and hands Pearce a piece of paper and Pearce looks at him and says to tell Ronda he cannot meet with her right now.

Back in the ring Samantha Irvin announces the arrival of Ludwig Kaiser (NXT’s Marcel Barthel) who announces the arrival of Gunther.

Gunther VS. Joe Alonzo

Gunther overpowered Alonzo from the beginning bell, Lots of chops, a big boot and a huge powerbomb for the win for Gunther.

Winner: Gunther

Kayla Braxton announces Raquel Rodriguez as the newest member of the Smackdown Roster. Raquel is interrupted by the Los Lotharios, they said they would like to welcome her with a kiss, and she says not a chance and they walked away.

Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss come out. Madcap laughing and carrying on as usual and Happy not acting too happy on his way to the ring. They show what happened at WrestleMania with both of them.

Happy Talk is next after the break.

Happy says he has had time to reflect and there is only one person to blame for his loss at WrestleMania to Drew McIntyre and its Madcap Moss.

The crowd started chanting Madcap Moss, Corbin asks for a joke, after a few jokes Moss said that Corbin said sucked. Moss asked what do you call a guy who treats his friends like crap and like he is better than him? He said you call him Happy Corbin and Corbin then attacks Moss, but Moss got the upper hand and even destroyed the Happy Talk set and stomped on Corbin’s hat as Corbin walked to the back.

Jinder Mahal in the back arguing with Adam Pearce as Ronda Rousey walked in and Jinder says he wasn’t finished as Ronda stared at Jinder. He and Shanky leave, and Ronda asked if she got her match and Pearce told her we should know by tomorrow.

Drew McIntyre VS. Sami Zayn

After getting carried back to the ring at one point by McIntyre, McIntyre goes for the kick and Zayn rolls out of the ring and ran through the crowd and up the steps as the referee counted to 10.

Winner by count-out: Drew McIntyre

They show more WrestleMania highlights, this time what went down with Pat McAfee, Austin Theory, Mr. McMahon and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Lacey Evans is shown as a new segment on the story of her life, and she talked about her dad being mentally unstable and leaving with her mom at an early age. She says she is a proud mother, daughter, sister, wife, Marine and WWE Superstar and that does not make her better than anyone else on the roster, but they are not better than her either.

Sasha Banks VS. Liv Morgan

Nice match back and forth action, the end saw Morgan go on the top rope, but Sasha countered and crawled up to superplex her off, but Liv Hooked Banks as they landed and held her down for the 3 count.

Winner: Liv Morgan

Out next the Tribal Chief and Unified Universal Champion Roman Reigns. He says what’s next? He doesn’t know because he has done it all, but he says it’s time we unify the tag team championships as well. He says the Bloodline is going to have all the gold soon.

Shinsuke Nakamura comes out, Roman says he understands he lost his partner at WrestleMania and hugs Nakamura as he lets him go, Nakamura gets double superkicked by the Usos.

New-look Lacey Evans re-introduced on Smackdown

A much-changed Lacey Evans returned on Smackdown last night in a backstage segment where she discussed having to overcome a lot of obstacles in life to get where she is today.

Gone is her southern belle look and Evans showed up in military combat trousers for the promo to discuss her rough upbringing, talking about her father’s constant battle with addiction and mental illness and how her mother saved them from the physical and emotional abuse by taking everyone out from that environment.

Evans explained how she spent a lot of years living in different shelters and learned how to adapt and refused to give up.

The story of the former U.S. Marine will continue on next week’s broadcast ahead of her in-ring return. Evans has been out since February 2021 when she announced that she was pregnant with her second child. She gave birth in October of last year.

Ways to ease pre-match anxiety

The article is developed in partnership with BetterHelp.

Pre-match anxiety is more common than you would think. Even if there are no noticeable visible signs, many athletes experience anxiety before or even during their matches. Wrestling can be a high-stakes sport, which gives athletes many reasons to feel anxious.

However, don’t blame yourself if you are experiencing anxiety. It is a normal feeling that many humans experience and does not make you weak in any way. Nevertheless, it should be managed and treated so that it doesn’t interfere with your performance or worsen your mental health. Read on to learn more about pre-match anxiety and how to manage and treat it.

Signs You Experience Anxiety Before Your Match

If you’re not familiar with anxiety, you may not even be aware that you are experiencing it. But that lack of awareness can cause internal distress and hurt your performance in your upcoming match. If you are unsure you are experiencing anxiety, keep an eye out for these signs and symptoms:

  • Tremors or shaking
  • Racing heart
  • Hyperventilation
  • Muscle tension
  • Cold sweat
  • Feeling weak
  • Clammy hands
  • Negative self-talk
  • Gastrointestinal issues such as constipation or diarrhea
  • Intense fear of failure
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Overthinking
  • Lowered self-confidence or self-esteem

As you can see from this list, anxiety not only manifests in mental symptoms but physical symptoms too. That’s why your body may seem off in the moments or hours before a match.

Tips To Ease Your Anxiety

The good news is that there are many ways to manage and treat anxiety. People all over the world experience this condition and utilize great strategies to stay calm and focused. Here are a few tips for managing your pre-match anxiety.

Meditation And Mindfulness

You may roll your eyes at this tip, but meditation and mindfulness are great tools to manage anxiety and remain calm and focused before a match. Mindfulness allows you to notice your thoughts, so you are more aware when anxiety creeps up.

The importance of being aware of your emotions cannot be understated. Those who are not mindful of their emotions leave them untreated or act out on them in unhealthy ways. For example, untreated anxiety may cause you to sabotage yourself before or during the match, ensuring the defeat you are anxious about. You may also take out your feelings on your loved ones or your coaches and team.

Mindfulness can be practiced at any time of day, but it is most commonly practiced during meditation sessions. Meditation allows you to set aside some time to become aware of your thoughts and calm your mind. You can quiet the inner chatter and focus on the match ahead. Athletes who practice meditation often are usually calm, collected, and focused, which brings them great success.

Visualization

Visualization is another great tool that not only eases anxiety but can also boost confidence and morale. Some of the best athletes in the world use visualization to help them prepare for their matches.

So before your match, take a few minutes to visualize the experience and desired outcome. Visualize your opponent, their moves, and the moves you will use to counter them. See yourself winning and the crowd cheering to boost your morale. A session like this can convince your brain that you have already won, boosting the confidence that is necessary for a great win.

Breathe Deeply

When experiencing anxiety or other distressing emotions, we can quicken and shorten our breath without realizing it. That’s why when anxiety hits, it is essential to be mindful of your breathing. Breathing slowly and deeply brings more oxygen to your body and brain, helping to ease your body back into a state of calm.

Therapy

If you are struggling to manage anxiety on your own, you may need to talk to a therapist for help. There is no shame in this. Caring for your mental health is just as important as training physically for a match. Experiencing untreated anxiety can affect your wrestling performance just as much as skipping training or exercise. A therapist will help you find the sources of your anxiety and provide strategies on how to manage those thoughts as well as produce more helpful thoughts.

Final Thoughts

Anxiety before a match is a fairly common experience. However, it is not often discussed in the sports world, especially in the realm of wrestling. But anxiety is an important condition to be aware of and treat. Hopefully, this article gave you some tips on managing your pre-match anxiety so that it no longer affects your wrestling performance.

To learn more about anxiety and find more tips for managing it, click on the link below:

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/anxiety/

Three NXT stars debut on Friday Night Smackdown

Three NXT stars – Gunther, Marcel Barthel, and Raquel Gonzalez – all made their Smackdown debuts last night.

Gunther and Barthel appeared together, although Barthel is now going by the name of Ludwig Kaiser and both of them are wearing red. Gunther had a squash match and defeated Joe Alonso.

Gonzalez also got a slight name change and is now using the name of Raquel Rodriguez. She appeared in a backstage segment where she was interrupted by Los Lotharios who wanted a kiss, a gesture she refused.

All three were rumored for a main roster call up this week.

Impact rating for 04/07/2022

Impact Wrestling drew 89,000 viewers for the April 7 broadcast, down a whopping 60,000 viewers from the previous episode. The show did a 0.02 in the 18-49 demo, down 50% from the prior week. This was the second least-watched Impact of 2022 so far. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)

Khan in discussions with WarnerMedia over Ring of Honor future

In an interview published on ESPN.COM, AEW President Tony Khan said that while he owns ROH as a separate entity from AEW, he’s been having conversations with WarnerMedia to see how they can work together to grow the brand.

Khan expressed his appreciation to WarnerMedia for allowing him to do the ROH Supercard of Honor and using some resources from AEW with permission.

“I did utilize some resources from AEW with permission from Warner with the understanding from them that I was not going to make this an AEW show. It would be a Ring of Honor show. I was asking them to utilize some AEW resources to make this a great pay-per-view event. For Ring of Honor, it turned out to be one of the most successful events in their history,” Khan told ESPN.

He said that it would make the most sense if Ring of Honor continued as a weekly series and then having major events and thinks the success of Supercard of Honor will bode well for WarnerMedia taking an interest in the brand.

“I think there’s great potential to have a complementary wrestling brand,” Khan continued.