Gringo Loco’s Wrld On Lucha 2026
Date: April 17, 2026
Location: Horseshoe Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: John Mosley, Veda Scott

This is one of those shows where you can probably get the concept just based on the title. The show will feature a bunch of lucha style matches, which should make for an entertaining card. I’m not sure how it is going to be that much different than a lot of what you see on these other shows as lucha is rather popular but let’s get to it.

Gringo Loco narrates the opening video, talking about his love of lucha libre and how this is about the style at its best. Welcome to its world.

Opening video, which seems to be a standard GCW video.

Rafael Quintero vs. Resplandor vs. Jimmy Lloyd vs. Dulce Tormenta vs. Devon Monroe vs. KJ Orso

Orso runs his mouth to start and gets kicked in the face before the bell. Monroe snaps off a poisonrana and the ring is mostly cleared until Orso comes back in to poke Resplandor in the eye. That earns him a rather springboardy armdrag to the apron, where Orso hits a brainbuster. Quintero comes back in and gives Orso a running elbow, only to get suplexed by Lloyd.

Monroe grabs a flipping facebuster so Tormenta comes in for a butterfly backbreaker and a clothesline. Orso crotches Tormenta on top and goes for her mas, only to get super hurricanranaed down by Monroe. Tormenta is back up to dive onto a pile, leaving Quintero to hit a corkscrew dive from the top. Back in and Resplandor’s double moonsault gets two on Orso and Moore grabs a tornado DDT on Lloyd. Tormenta powerbombs Resplandor into Quintero in the corner. A Blue Thunder Bomb connects but Orso hits a double stomp to pin Tormenta at 9:35.

Rating: C+. It was a bunch of insanity but as usual, you can only get so much out of having this many people flying around. That was the case here, with Orso being a fairly obvious winner as he was the only one really hyped up at the beginning. As usual, I get why there are so many people in these things and why they exist, but they’re far from my favorite.

Video on Julissa Mexa, who is on a roll lately. Now she gets some better competition.

Thunder Rosa vs. Julissa Mexa

Rosa rolls away from Mexa to start so Mexa takes the leg out and cranks on the leg a bit. A dragon screw legwhip has Rosa in more trouble but she gets up and hammers away. Rosa’s headscissors into the ropes has Mexa reeling but she sends Rosa outside for the running flip dive. They fight into the crowd with Rosa firing off some chops and it’s time to get back inside.

Mexa avoids a shot and dances a bit, only for Rosa to knock her down as well and dance right back. Rosa sends her into the ropes for some running dropkicks, followed by something like a tabletop superplex. Mexa catches her on top though and it’s a flipping fall away slam. Rosa isn’t having this and grabs the over the shoulder piledriver for the on 10:31.

Rating: C+. Well that happened. Mexa was introduced, presented as a big deal, and then lost to a bigger name in a match that was just ok. It was far from bad, but I’m not sure why they made such a big deal out of Mesa before having her lose like this. Rosa is a star, but that’s all I know coming out of this.

Mexa’s Boys/Briyante Jr. vs. Mala Fama/Rey Horus

That would be Noisy Boy/Spider Fly and Latigo/Toxin. The Boys and Briyante waste no time in knocking the other three to the floor for the big running dives. Back in and Fly spins around Latigo and sends him out to the floor. Noisy headscissors Toxin out as well but gets hurricanranaed by Horus. Briyante comes in and gets stomped down by Mala Fama, who are sent back outside.

Another set of dives is cut off and Horus chops Briyante to the floor. A double spinebuster drops Noisy and Horus gives Fly a UFO splash for two. Briyante is back up with a moonsault to the floor and Fly follows with a running flip dive of his own. Back in and Briyante’s frog splash gets two on Toxin, followed by a six man Tower Of Doom for the huge crash. Latigo fails on three straight attempts at a nip up until Fly helps him up. Well that was nice of him. Back in and Horus gives Noisy a super victory roll for the pin at 11:58.

Rating: B. This was more what I was expecting from the show with six talented stars flying around and going nuts with one big spot after another. It worked out rather well with mostly non-stop action. Mala Fama has shown up around the weekend a few times now and they’re not bad at all for what they’re doing as a heel lucha team. Keep an eye on them.

Post match respect is shown and money is thrown.

Galeno del Mal vs. Jack Cartwheel

The idea is that Cartwheel has never been able to beat Mal. Cartwheel, who is about six inches shorter, gets shoved away a few times to start and a running forearm puts him down as well. Cartwheel gets in a kick to the chest and sends him outside, where Mal pulls a dive out of the air. Back in and Mal kicks him in the head, followed by a hard chop in the corner.

They go outside with Mal dropping him off a single shot to the face. Cartwheel gets a running charge and tries a dive over the steps, only to get caught and swung into them. Back in and Cartwheel low bridges him to the floor for the running tornado DDT. A spinning slingshot elbow connects back inside. Cartwheel hits a springboard Phoenix splash…and has hurt his arm so the match is called at about 7:05.

Rating: C+. It’s hard to rate a match like this as they were just starting to roll when everything stopped. Hopefully Cartwheel is ok as that’s a terrible thing to see. It was a nice story going as Cartwheel was trying to slay the giant and I’m curious about where it was going before the injury.

Arez/Gringo Loco/Vengador vs. Hyo/Kzy/Yuki Yoshioka

Loco armdrags Kzy down to start and they flip up to a standoff. They run the ropes until Loco tells him to stop, meaning it’s gyrating time. Arez and Yoshioka come in, with the grappling sending Yoshioka into a rollup for a near fall. They both miss dropkicks and flip to their feet for another standoff.

Now it’s Hyo vs. Vengador and Hyo takes his straps down, only to pull them right back up. They shake hands, but Vengador doesn’t let go, meaning it’s time to run the ropes. Vengador knocks him down and hands it off to Loco, who goes up top for a gyrating split legged moonsault. Hyo gets slammed into a sitout powerbomb and a brainbuster drops him again. Yoshioka is powerbombed too and a toss into a DDT makes it worse.

Kzy fights out of the corner but gets thrown into Loco’s super sitout powerbomb (that looked GREAT). Arez kicks Kzy down again but Hyo is back in for a running headscissors and double stomp to Loco. Yoshioka hits a big springboard dive to the floor and Arez gets caught with a sitout fireman’s carry slam. It’s Loco back up with the save but Hyo gyrates right back at him for a change.

They fight to the floor and Yoshioka tries a sunset bomb on Arez to no avail. Instead Loco and Arez break up stereo moonsaults so Vengador can hit a running flip dive of his own. Back in and Hyo takes the straps down again for a middle rope cutter to Arez. Loco is up with some kind of a double crucifix bomb (commentary doesn’t know how to describe it either), leaving Vengador to hit a pop up cutter on Hyo. Loco’s moonsault is good for the pin at 18:54.

Rating: B+. Awesome match here, which shouldn’t be a surprise given who was in there. They were just going nuts with one spot after another here and you could tell how much Loco was putting into the big match on his own show. The Dragon Gate guys were more than doing their thing and I had a heck of a time watching this one.

Post match, respect is shown.

We recap El Desperado vs. Vipress. They’re both into death match stuff and they’re having a death match. Sometimes it’s that simple.

Vipress vs. El Desperado

Death match but they actually go with some grappling to start. With that not working, it’s already time for chairs. As in a lot of chairs. Back in and Vipress sends him right out to the floor and follows, only to get sent into the chairs. With Vipress’ head in a chair, Desperado blasts her with another chair.

A door is set up at ringside and they go back inside, with Desperado’s superplex being turned into one from Vipress. Desperado belly to back suplexes her into a brainbuster for two and goes up again, only to be shoved down through the door. Back in and something like a pumphandle Blue Thunder Bomb gives Desperado two and they’re both down.

They forearm it out until Vipress is knocked down but she hurricanranas him for two. A Deadeye gives Desperado two but Vipress is back with a Canadian Destroyer for two more. Desperado’s tombstone gets another two and it’s time to throw in a bunch of chairs. Angel’s Wings onto the chairs finish Vipress at 15:32.

Rating: B-. The match wasn’t exactly a classic but my goodness what a relief that they didn’t go insane. The weapons used here were nothing more than a bunch of chairs and a single door. Other than that it was a clean match and I had a good enough time with it. While not exactly great and I’m not sure why it was the main event, it could have been much worse.

Veda Scott: “We’ll catch you next time! Which is in like two hours!”

Overall Rating: B-. While this show might not have been some all time classic, it was the kind of show that flew by and had some entertaining action. That’s all it was supposed to be and the six man tags were both rather good. There’s nothing must see on here but if you want something a little easier to watch, you’ll have a fine time.

Results
KJ Orso b. Resplandor, Rafael Quintero, Jimmy Lloyd, Dulce Tormenta and Devon Moore – Double stomp to Tormenta
Thunder Rosa b. Julissa Mexa – Over the shoulder piledriver
Mala Fama/Rey Horus b. Mexa’s Boys/Briyante Jr. – Super victory roll to Noisy Boy
Galeno del Mal b. Jack Cartwheel via referee stoppage
Arez/Gringo Loco/Vengador b. Hyo/Kzy/Yuki Yoshioka – Moonsault to Hyo
El Desperado b. Vipress – Angel’s Wings onto a pile of chairs

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Well with that out of the way (because I’m absolutely writing this after Night One wrapped up and certainly not a few days in advance of course), we’re on to Night Two, which has the bigger and better main event, plus a rather interesting battle of the monsters. This show looks a lot better on paper, but that’s not how good wrestling is made. I’m hopeful going in so let’s get to it.

Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar

We’ll start big here as this is an absolute showdown between a couple of monsters who have been teasing their big fight for about a month now. Lesnar issued and open challenge for Wrestlemania and Femi is trying his luck. That should be more than enough to make things interesting, but Femi has run through him a few times now and it has me wondering what we might be seeing.

At the end of the day, as hard as it might be to believe, I don’t see a reason to have Femi lose here so we’ll say Femi gets the huge win. Lesnar seems to be wrapping up his career (he’s 48 so it isn’t going to be much longer anyway) and having him lose to some up and coming stars like Femi on the way out is a good way to go. Lesnar is more than a made man so a loss isn’t going to hurt him (never has before) so yeah, Femi gets the big win.

Intercontinental Title: Penta(c) vs. Rusev vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonagh vs. Rey Mysterio

It’s Wrestlemania so of course we’re seeing a big multi person mess of a ladder match. As usual, the best thing to do here is just eliminate a few names who aren’t leaving with the title. Therefore, Rusev, Lee and McDonagh are gone, as there’s pretty much no chance they’re winning here. That leaves us with the other three options and that’s not as easy as it should be.

Of the three remaining options, I think I’ll go with Penta to retain. He’s doing well enough as champion and save for Mysterio getting a title win that he absolutely does not need (a possibility), I don’t see anyone but Evans being a serious threat to win the title. Evans winning is absolutely in the cards, but I think they might wait for a bigger moment. Penta wins, with Evans as a legitimate second option.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Jade Cargill(c) vs. Rhea Ripley

Now here we have a match that has my interest, as I’m really not sure where it’s going to go. On one hand you have Ripley as one of the biggest stars women’s wrestling has ever seen, but at the same time you have Cargill, who shouldn’t be losing very often. You also have the Iyo Sky factor, as this whole thing seems primed for her to turn on Ripley and cost her the title. This really could go either way, but it’s only so interesting of a match in the first place.

I’ll go with Cargill to retain, though I’m not sure about Sky turning on her. It’s almost so much of a simple story that I don’t know if I can see it happening. Both Ripley and Cargill need the win, but Ripley can take a loss better than Cargill here. Cargill beating someone on Ripley’s level would help her a bit, as getting to brag doing doing her cocky pin on Ripley would be a big deal. Cargill wins, but it’s probably the least confident I am in anything all weekend.

Dominik Mysterio vs. Finn Balor

Here we have a straight up grudge match as they were partners in Judgment Day for the better part of ever and then Mysterio turned on Balor who wanted to do things the right way. As a result, Mysterio and company turned on him to set up this match. That’s enough to get going here, but Balor is also bringing back the Demon to make things all the more intense.

As much as it would seem to make sense to have Balor win here, I’ll take Mysterio to win. We’ve seen that one of the best things Mysterio can do is brag about his upset wins and this would be pretty high up on the list. Mysterio is someone who could very well wind up in the World Title picture someday and Balor has way too much of a history of choking in big matches. I’ll go with Mysterio to win in a heck of an upset, though again I’m far from sure about it.

US Title: Sami Zayn(c) vs. Trick Williams

This is another match where I’m not sure what is going to happen as it feels like we’re in for a big turn, or maybe even two of them. Zayn seems to be changing over to the side of evil (or at least the side of the middle) while Williams is already one of the most popular stars on the Smackdown roster. Zayn basically won the title to guarantee he’s on the show, but Williams wants to be a big star going forward.

I want to say that Williams wins the title here and becomes a hero, but there might be something bigger in having Zayn cheat to keep Williams from winning the title here and getting it later. I think that’s what we’ll go with here, as Zayn embraces more of the dark side to keep things going the right way, while Williams eventually becomes the cool hero that the fans want him to be.

Raw World Title: CM Punk(c) vs. Roman Reigns

This is the match that interests me the most and it makes sense that it’s the last match taking place over the whole weekend. Punk is the older champion who is trying to hang on against the former champion who wants the top spot back. That is more than enough to carry the feud but dang their promos have been great throughout. This is a match that feels like a tossup and I’ll absolutely take that in a Wrestlemania main event.

As possible as it seems that Reigns gets the title back here, I really don’t see the point in giving him the win. Therefore, I’ll take Punk to retain, with next to no idea who comes after the title next. The best thing I can say here is that this feels like a Wrestlemania main event, which is a lot more than you can say about some of them over the years. I don’t know where this is going and that’s a good feeling to have for a match of this magnitude.

Overall Thoughts

This is a show where the big parts are looking rather good, but the rest is quite a bit weaker. Hopefully there are a few strong surprises in there, though Lesnar vs. Femi and the main event should be enough to carry things. The potential is certainly there, but it’s going to need more than that to pull it off. That very well may be the case, but it’s no guarantee.

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Wrestlemania XLII Night One
Date: April 18, 2026
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Michael Cole

We have arrived. After a less than great build and some questionable choices, it’s time for the biggest weekend of the wrestling year. No matter what happens here, this is a special event and we have Cody Rhodes defending the Smackdown World Title against Randy Orton in the main event. Let’s get to it.

The opening video, as narrated by Lin-Manuel-Miranda, talks about the memories and moments that are made at Wrestlemania. Years from now, our children will ask us where we were when things happened at this show. Heck of an opener here and it still worked even though it aired on Smackdown last night.

Here is John Cena as the host. He seems actually taken aback by the reception and then talks about how the Road To Wrestlemania has been rough this year. As Michael Cole has said, it’s been polarizing, but the important thing is that we’re here now. Cena getting emotional was a great thing to see as you can tell this means a lot to him.

Usos/LA Knight vs. Vision/IShowSpeed

The Usos come through the crowd and Knight comes to the stage in a customized truck. The Vision and Speed have a unique entrance of their own, as they have nine different camera angles shown at once to cover everything. We officially start and the Vision is knocked to the floor, leaving Speed alone with Knight. Speed’s headlock doesn’t work as Knight just stands up and walks around with him, sending Speed running off.

Knight stomps on Paul in the corner and it’s back to the Usos for a double elbow. Theory comes in off a blind tag though and jumps Jimmy so the villains can take over. The stomping has Jimmy in trouble but he fights back on Paul and gets over to Jey. Theory comes in as well and gets punched in the face, followed by the spear. Paul dives in for the save and everything breaks down, with Speed snapping off a headscissors. Speed accidentally knocks Paul down so Theory tells at him, only for Knight to send them into each other. The BFT finishes Theory at 7:07.

Rating: C+. It’s no classic, but it did exactly what it needed to do. They go the celebrity in there and he didn’t embarrass himself, with Knight getting the pin in the end. It’s just a basic match, but I do like the idea of taking something simple and doing it well. Nice enough here and that’s a good way to start the show.

Post match Paul yells at Speed and drops him with the metal fist. Paul loads up the announcers’ table but Jimmy and Knight make the save. Knight helps him up and Speed goes up top for the huge splash through the announcers’ table.

Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu

Unsanctioned. Fatu comes out with fire dancers while McIntyre knocks down a stone wall and walks through the hole. The entrances take a long time so Fatu dives onto McIntyre to start fast. The weapons are thrown in early on but Fatu is smart enough to knock McIntyre down again. It takes too long to get a toolbox though and McIntyre decks him from behind. A catapult sends Fatu face first into the bottom of the ring and it’s time for a table.

Actually it’s time for McIntyre to continue his tradition of tweeting during a match, which allows Fatu to fight back. A pop up Samoan drop gives Fatu two but McIntyre knocks him down again. The chair is loaded up in the corner but they both avoid going into it. Instead Fatu misses a charge and goes face first into the post, allowing McIntyre to suplex him down. McIntyre gets knocked back down though and Fatu’s triple jump moonsault connects….for two.

McIntyre finds a piece of metal to jab into Fatu’s head and then sends him onto some open chairs for two more. That’s not ok with McIntyre, who grabs the referee’s belt, only to walk into a superkick. Fatu chairs him in the back a few times and now it’s his turn with the belt. The whipping ensues so Fatu goes to grab the toolbox, allowing McIntyre to hit a Claymore for two.

McIntyre screams at the referee some more but loses a slugout with Fatu, who fires off some headbutts. Fatu puts him on a table and hits him with a chair to keep him down. That doesn’t really work either as McIntyre is right back up to hit him with a chair as well. Fatu is shoved off the top and through a table at ringside, which somehow doesn’t do much to slow him down. Back in and Fatu hits him in the head with the toolbox, setting up the triple jump moonsault through the table to finish McIntyre at 14:17.

Rating: B. That’s what this should have been, as Fatu survived everything a former multiple time World Champion threw at him and then finished him off. Some of the no selling and things that were shrugged off were a bit much, but that was how the match needed to go. Fatu gets probably the biggest win of his career and can move on to…whatever is next, just like McIntyre. Good brawl.

We run down the remaining card.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Bella Twins vs. Irresistible Forces vs. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria

The Forces are defending, there is one from each team in at all times and it’s one fall to a finish. Actually hang on as Nikki Bella says she can’t get medically cleared so she’s called in an old friend. And PAIGE is back, which is great to see after how bad her neck has been over the years. It’s a brawl to start with Jax taking over, only to get knocked outside by Charlotte.

Brie’s chops don’t get her very far as Valkyria hits a dropkick. Back up and Brie kicks away at Valkyria and Charlotte but the tag to Paige is cut off. Legend takes Brie outside for a drop onto the apron, leaving Bayley to middle rope elbow Bliss. Legend is back in to start taking over but she gets pulled out of the corner, allowing Brie to hit a middle rope dropkick. The tag brings in Paige, who strikes away at Jax and cleans house as everything breaks down.

The Paige Turner connects with Bayley making the save. A Lash Extension hits Valkyria so another save is made. Legend is knocked outside so it’s off to Paige vs. Charlotte for a big showdown. Paige wins the slugout and gets two off a small package. Charlotte is sent outside where Nikki beats on her with the crutch. Bliss tries Twisted Bliss but hits raised knees. The Rampaige gives Paige the pin and the titles at 8:29.

Rating: C-. Well that happened. As usual, these matches are kind of all over the place and it’s just a collection of spots that only kind of tie together. The ending was all about the big moment of the Bellas and Paige getting a special win. I’m not big on the Bellas, but it is good to have Paige back. Other than that, this was just kind of a mess with way too much going on to have a coherent match.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee

Lee is defending and comes out with an army of school girls dressed like her and carrying replica belts. On the other hand, Lynch is played to the ring live for a pair of cool entrances. Lynch is ticked off to start and gets sent outside, with Lee’s dive being powerslammed into the barricade. Back in and Lynch puts her down again and goes to take the turnbuckle pad off. The referee (Jessika Carr, who has had issues with Lynch) calls her insane and ties it back up.

Lee uses the delay to fight back for two but the Black Widow is countered. Lee’s standing Sliced bread connects but the Shining Wizard is countered into a powerbomb for two. A quick Black Widow attempt is swung into the corner and the Manhandle Slam gives Lynch two. Lynch gets into it with the referee again and they shove each other, allowing Lee to grab a Manhandle Slam for two of her own.

Lee grabs the Black Widow so Lynch pulls the hair to escape. The referee checks on Lee so Lynch gets the buckle off and pulls the referee over. That’s enough of a distraction for Lee to be sent into the buckle, setting up the Manhandle Slam to give Lynch the title back at 8:18.

Rating: C+. This felt like it should have been a Raw main event more than big time Wrestlemania title match. The stuff with the referee did fit well with the story, but these two just don’t have the best chemistry. Lee can go away for a bit again and come back to do something fresh, as anything she does now is pretty much bonus money. Lynch has a bunch of people who can come after the title, so this is the right result after an ok match.

Gunther vs. Seth Rollins

Rollins’ eyes are blacked out for a cool look. Gunther jumps him from behind before the bell though and hits the dropkick into the powerbomb to send him outside. Rollins goes to the eyes when they get outside and throws some chairs at Gunther as the bell hasn’t rung yet. Rollins flips him off and they get inside, with the bell ringing and Rollins taking over. Gunther gets knocked down again and stomped in the head but knocks Rollins down for a breather.

The pace slows way down and Gunther stands on Rollins’ head before trying a delayed vertical superplex. That’s broken up though and Rollins somehow gets him up for the Buckle Bomb. It’s too early for the Stomp so Rollins hits a clothesline and they’re both down. They kick away at each other until Rollins wins a chop off, only to get powerbombed for two more.

Gunther slowly hammers away but the clothesline is countered into a failed Pedigree attempt. Rollins hits a knee but the Pedigree is blocked again, only for tries it again and connects (though it didn’t look great). A Stomp gives Rollins two but Gunther pulls him into the sleeper. Rollins manages to get out and they trade big shots, with Gunther’s clothesline putting Rollins down.

Gunther takes too long going up though and gets superplexed into a Falcon Arrow for two. Rollins gets his own sleeper to send Gunther to the ropes and then out to the floor. The suicide dive is blocked and Gunther powerbombs him onto the apron and announcers’ table. Rollins shakes that off and counters the powerbomb into a Pedigree on the table. The Stomp drives Gunther into the table…and Bron Breakker is back with a Super Spear to Rollins. Back in and the sleeper finishes Rollins at 15:53.

Rating: B+. This took time to get going but they wound up having a heck of a fight. Gunther winning is fine as Rollins can get back to Breakker, where he belongs. Gunther is probably getting ready to retire Brock Lesnar at Summerslam so he needs all the build he can get. Good match here, despite a slow start.

Post match Breakker glares at Rollins…and runs all the way down the ramp to spear him again. Breakker hugs Paul Heyman as he leaves.

We meet the Hall Of Fame class:

Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant (biggest match ever so that fits)
AJ Styles (yep)
Demolition (as overdue as it gets)
Dennis Rodman (someone had to get the celebrity spot)
Sycho Sid (how was he not in already)
Bad News Brown (put him in or he might hurt you)
Stephanie McMahon (yeah she’s probably still talking too)

Raw Women’s Title: Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Morgan is challenging and basically does the music video to Trouble down the ramp. Vaquer goes after after her to start and Morgan is in early trouble. The Devil’s Kiss is blocked though and Morgan is right back up with a Backstabber. Morgan loads up her own Devil’s Kiss but Vaquer is grabs an SVB for two.

Vaquer hits her own Oblivion for two but here is Roxanne Perez for the distraction, allowing Raquel Rodriguez to knock Vaquer off the top. Oblivion gives Morgan two but Vaquer is back to dive onto Rodriguez and Perez. Morgan is up to send her into the steps though and a middle rope Codebreaker knocks Vaquer silly. Another Oblivion gives Morgan the title back at 6:52.

Rating: C+. Well that was quick. I’m not sure why they were flying through this match so fast but it didn’t feel like they had time to really do anything. At the same time, Vaquer only had so much of a chance in this one as Morgan has been on fire as of late. You could only stretch that out so far, as this was pretty much all about Morgan getting her coronation and it wasn’t a secret.

Here is John Cena for the attendance announcement: 50,816. Last year both nights had over 60,000.

Hold on though as here is Bianca Belair for a surprise. Belair says they need to add one more to that list and opens her rather feathery blue attire to reveal that she’s pregnant. Yeah ok that’s awesome.

We recap Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton. They were close back in the day and Rhodes considers him his mentor. Then Orton won the Elimination Chamber to get the title shot and Rhodes wants the old Orton, who listens to those voices. Orton turned evil thanks to someone calling him, who was revealed to be Pat McAfee of all people. This resulted in Orton attacking Rhodes to quite the positive reaction and beating up Jelly Roll. Yeah see why this has been kind of a mess?

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton

Rhodes is defending and his entrance is…a lot. He has basically a museum of his previous ring gear and clips of him in it before rising up through the stage as he does for big matches. Pat McAfee is here with Orton and handles Orton’s entrance. Also of note, not counting the Big Match Intros or the pre-match video, from the time McAfee’s name appeared on the Titantron to the end of Rhodes’ music: 15:18, or 35 seconds shorter than the longest match of the show.

McAfee jumps Rhodes before the bell but Rhodes fights back and sends Orton outside. Cross Rhodes takes McAfee out and here is Jelly Roll to put him through the announcers’ table. McAfee is taken out on a stretcher as Cole talks about Orton possibly having a back injury. As McAfee is wheeled out, he gives a thumbs up in a great moment. The bell actually rings and they fight over a top wristlock, which is quite the way to go for this kind of a feud.

Back up and Orton tries the over the back backbreaker…but he’s hurt. A poke to the eye lets Orton grab a chinlock but Rhodes fights up and puts him down again. That sends Orton out to the floor for a breather so Rhodes sends him back inside for a half crab. With that broken up, Rhodes switches to a waistlock but Orton fights out and…needs some time. Orton takes him up top for a superplex and then hits the powerslam, allowing him to shake his back a bit.

The hanging DDT slows Orton down again but the RKO is blocked. Rhodes sends him outside, where Orton cuts off a suicide dive. Orton drops him onto the announcers’ table for another breather but Rhodes stops him with a posting. Back in and Rhodes starts in with a few stomps (it looks like he’s trying a Garvin Stomp but doesn’t quite know how to do it). The Disaster Kick gets two so Rhodes rubs the blood on his own chest. A hanging DDT gives Rhodes two but Orton is back with a Cross Rhodes for two of his own.

The RKO is countered into a backslide to give Rhodes two, followed by an RKO to Orton for two more. They head outside again with a ticked off Rhodes being dropped onto the announcers’ table. Back in and a quick RKO gives Orton two and they slowly slug it out. Rhodes goes to the eye so Orton RKO’s the referee but the low blow is blocked. Rhodes kicks Orton low but the Cody Cutter is countered into an RKO. Cue Pat McAfee with a referee shirt (and a neck brace) to count two. That means an RKO to McAfee, allowing Rhodes to hit Cross Rhodes to retain at 23:40.

Rating: C. Well, it got better near the end (it couldn’t have gotten much worse) and Rhodes seemingly got rid of McAfee for good so we’ll call that a win. I still have no idea what is going on or how this is supposed to make sense, but I don’t think WWE is quite sure either. This felt like “throw a bunch of stuff out there and hope they’re confused enough by the time we’re done”, which is quite the way to go for the main event. It turned into a better match near the end and that was enough to save it (kind of) but wow this was a mess.

The problem is that’s just the insanity that went with it, as you also have the majority of the match being Rhodes working on the back in slow motion. I’d assume there’s a bit of truth to Orton being hurt but nothing terrible, which just leaves me wondering why they went in this direction. It’s not some terrible match overall, but sweet goodness it’s an amazing spectacle of nuttiness.

Post match Rhodes celebrates but Orton takes the title from him. A belt shot drops Rhodes and Orton Punts him before holding the title to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was ok enough for the most part, but as usual these two night Wrestlemanias just feel incomplete when you watch them this way. It’s a mixture of there being too much for one night but not enough for two and that leaves you with stuff like this, with short matches and some very questionable nuttiness.

Rollins vs. Gunther and Fatu vs. McIntyre were both good, but wow those things were few and far between. It’s not awful, but as usual it leaves you with a “that’s it?” feeling as there is so much left tomorrow. Overall, the good outweighs the bad and….whatever that main event was supposed to be, but just barely.

Results
LA Knight/Usos b. IShowSpeed/Vision – BFT to Theory
Jacob Fatu b. Drew McIntyre – Triple jump moonsault through a table
Brie Bella/Paige b. Irresistible Forces, Bayley/Lyra Valkyria and Charlotte/Alexa Bliss – Rampaige to Bliss
Becky Lynch b. AJ Lee – Manhandle Slam
Gunther b. Seth Rollins – Sleeper
Liv Morgan b. Stephanie Vaquer – Manhandle Slam
Cody Rhodes b. Randy Orton – Cross Rhodes

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Maple Leaf Pro Multiverse
Date: April 17, 2026
Location: Pearl Theater At Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Johnny Laquasto, So Cal Val

Maple Leaf Pro has gone from a promotion that doesn’t exist about a year ago to a pretty consistently good independent company. That is a heck of an impressive feat and it’s great to see them as part of the lineup around here. I’m assuming there are going to be a lot of guest stars here so let’s get to it.

The opening video focuses on how worlds come together and how the greats will rise, but some will fall.

Subculture (Attack Wrestling) vs. Guy Cool/Vaughn Vertigo (UWN)

The sound mix is WAY off to start, as the theme music is drowning out everything, from the ring announcer to the commentary. Vaughn and Webster start things off with Vaughn taking him to the mat by the arm. Back up and Webster takes him down for an inverted flipping backsplash. Cool (“confidently aloof”) comes in and brings Vaughn right back in for a failed double suplex attempt.

Vaughn is quickly taken down by Subculture, who start in on the arm but manages to take Webster into the wrong corner. A cheap shot to the knee takes Webster down and a pumphandle backbreaker…seems to be a bad idea as Webster fights back. It’s back to Andrews for the double Pele as everything breaks down. Webster gets sent outside and Vaughn’s Swanton hits the standing Andrews. A Stundog Millionaire gets Andrews out of trouble though and Fall To Pieces (shooting star press) finishes Vaughn at 8:21.

Rating: B-. Rather good choice to open the show here, with Subculture getting to show off their rather impressive talents. They’re a team who have done well every time I’ve seen them in the ring and that was the case again here. Cool and Vaughn were fine as villains and held their own rather well, which isn’t surprising given how much experience commentary said Vertigo had.

Commentary previews the rest of the show.

Steven Borden (Ring Of Honor) vs. Kiran Grey (Defy Wrestling)

They shove each other to start and Borden wrestles him down, followed by a backdrop and dropkick. Grey knocks him outside and takes over though and it’s a running elbow back inside. The chinlock goes on and Grey cuts off a comeback rather quickly. A running neckbreaker gives Grey two and he goes up top, where Borden catches him.

The superplex is broken up but Grey misses a top rope splash. Borden hits a Stinger Splash and bulldog but a full nelson slam is blocked. A pump kick drops Borden and Grey tries his own Scorpion Death Drop. That’s broken up as well and the full nelson slam finishes for Borden at 5:55.

Rating: C. The main thing to remember here is that Borden is still brand new in the ring. He’s still certainly a work in progress and that’s going to be the case for a long time. He has a good look and is very athletic. The good thing is that you can see a lot of his father in him. Get him in a good developmental program and there is absolutely a shot of him going somewhere.

We see Paul Hauser on Jimmy Kimmel, talking about his wrestling career.

Sidney Akeem (GCW)/Rich Swann (MLP)/Michael Oku (RevPro) vs. The Demand (AEW)

Ricochet and Swann start things off but it’s off to Kaun before anything happens. Kaun tosses Swann into the corner and runs him over with a shoulder. Everything breaks down and Akeem and Oku go up, only to have the Gates pull them out of the air. That’s reversed into a pair of hurricanranas to the floor, leaving Swann and company to hit three straight dives.

Back in and Kaun chops the heck out of Swann in the corner and it’s back to Ricochet. Swann fights out of the corner and avoids a charge from Ricochet, allowing the tag off to Akeem. House is quickly cleaned and Oku comes in for a triangle dropkick. The Gates double team Akeem into a backsplash for two and Ricochet’s springboard splash gets the same.

Open The Gates is countered into a double DDT and some trouble teaming manages to knock Liona down. A pair of top rope splashes gets two on Liona with Ricochet and Kaun having to make a save. The Gates are knocked to the floor but come back in to clear out Swann and Oku. Open The Gates and the Ricocsault finishes Akeem at 12:37.

Rating: B. While it was fairly obvious that Akeem was out there to take the pin, at least he got to showcase his impressive athleticism first. This was about four people flying all over the place and the two monsters…well being monsters really. It was a fast paced and flashy match and it did exactly what it was designed to do so well done.

We look at the announcement of MLP’s upcoming weekly TV show. Yeah that’s a big deal.

CMLL World Title: Jonathan Gresham (MLP) vs. Hechicero (CMLL)

Hechicero is defending and actually shakes hands to start. They start off rather slowly with neither getting very far on while going for the legs. Hechicero twists the leg around and now Gresham isn’t interested in a handshake. We pause for Gresham to tie his boot and they go back to trying for the leg again and it’s a standoff.

Hechicero’s boot is undone this time and Gresham uses the distraction to hit a quick dropkick. A not so great Figure Four has Hechicero in trouble but he flips Gresham off anyway. The rope is grabbed but Gresham won’t let go as this is quite the evil side of him. Gresham dropkicks the leg out so Hechicero hits one heck of a chop to send him outside. Back in and Gresham’s chops have no effect on Hechicero’s rather large chest so it’s a low blow to put Hechicero in trouble instead.

Hechicero is right back with a dragon screw leg whip over the rope, followed by a top rope elbow for two. The hammerlock backbreaker drops Gresham again but Hechicero’s knee is banged up. An octopus doesn’t last long for Gresham as he gets faceplanted down. Gresham reverses a surfboard into an ankle lock, with Gresham switching into a German suplex for two. A springboard hurricanrana sets off a pinfall reversal sequence until Hechicero knees him down. Hechicero’s spinning sunset flip retains the title at 16:25.

Rating: B+. This turned into a chess match and I liked what we got here with Hechicero getting to be the hero for a change. It worked well for him with the technical stuff being so easy to cheer. On the other hand you have Gresham as a villain, which works out very well for him too. I liked this a lot and they had a great match.

We recap Paul Hauser vs. QT Marshall. They had a street fight in Ring Of Honor last year and they’re running it back here.

Paul Hauser (Progress) vs. QT Marshall (Ring Of Honor)

Street fight with Hauser actually as the villain this time. They circle each other to start until Marshall starts sending him into the corner. An early Diamond Cutter sends Hauser rolling out to the floor and Marshall knocks him over the barricade. Marshall spits an energy drink in his face and whips out a door but Hauser fights back.

A chair shot off the apron puts Marshall down but he’s back with a DDT inside. More weapons are brought in, including a barbed wire board, though Hauser blocks a suplex onto said board. Instead Marshall is sent into the wire and Hauser hits him in the head with his Progress title.

Hauser stomps away and sets up a table, which of course is covered in thumbtacks. A superplex takes too long though and Marshall sunset bombs him through the tacks (and table) instead. Hauser low blows his way out of trouble and hits a spinebuster into a quickly broken half crab. Some kind of Sharpshooter variant makes Marshall tap at 12:30.

Rating: C+. Hauser isn’t exactly a polished wrestler but he knows how to do a nice enough brawl. At the same time, he is absolutely playing with the house’s money, as he loses nothing for doing this kind of thing and can gain another following. I was a bit surprised by the ending as it came out of nowhere, but it was a nice enough brawl.

Gisele Shaw is ready to retain her Women’s Title against a bunch of opponents.

Women’s Canadian Title: Gisele Shaw (MLP) vs. Persephone (CMLL) vs. Shotzi Blackheart (MLW)

Shaw is defending…and hang on as we’re making this a four way.

Women’s Canadian Title: Gisele Shaw (MLP) vs. Persephone (CMLL) vs. Shotzi Blackheart (MLW) vs. Killer Kelly (Wrestling Revolver)

Shaw is still defending and rolls Persephone up for an early two. Blackheart sends Shaw outside though, leaving Persephone to roll Kelly up for two. Blackheart’s high crossbody takes the two of them down and the reverse cannonball hits Kelly. Shaw is back in to superkick Blackheart and a hanging swinging neckbreaker gets two. Back up and Blackheart hits a rolling kick to the head and a legdrop connects as well.

Persephone pulls Blackheart to the floor though, only for Blackheart to get back up for a heck of a suicide dive. Shaw dives onto all three of them and the head back inside, with Blackheart hitting a Doomsday Dropkick to Persephone. Everyone is down and it’s Kelly up first to crawl around a lot. Shaw spears the heck out of Blackheart and Kelly Death Valley Drivers Persephone for two. Kelly grabs a Tree Of Woe dragon sleeper on Kelly, which can only last so long. Persephone is back up with a Razor’s Edge to Kelly…but Shaw steals the pin to retain at 12:21.

Rating: C+. This was another perfectly fine match, with Shaw not so much winning as much as surviving. That’s how she should be going, as she has a big mouth but can back it up just well enough. Kelly as an addition was a surprise, though I’m not sure how big of a deal it was to have her in there. Good enough match, though nothing that hasn’t been done before, especially the finish.

Rascalz (AEW) vs. Mistico (CMLL)/Mascara Dorada (CMLL)/Amazing Red (HOG)

Yeah this should work. Dorada and Xavier start things off and they trade wrist twisting. With that not being the most thrilling, Xavier flips over him and brings Wentz in to stay on the arm. Dorada fights back on both of them before handing it off to Mistico for a quick dropkick. Red kicks Wentz to the floor but Reed cuts him off, setting up a Dream Sequence for two on Dorada.

A flipping legdrop gets two on Dorada and we hit the chinlock. Mistico breaks that up and hits a springboard elbow before Red plants Xavier with a tornado DDT. Back up and Reed and Xavier are tied up for a Boston crab/camel clutch, with Red adding a running dropkick. Wentz is back in for the save and it’s a triple dropkick to Dorada. Red kicks Xavier into the corner but Mistico gets kicked down and we get a needed breather. The Code Red gets two on Wentz but Reed hits his running cutter to take Red down. Back up and Mistico La Misticas Reed for the tap at 11:32.

Rating: B+. I love a match where it’s exactly what you’re expecting it to be and that was the case here. This was a situation of “here are six high fliers, watch them fly the whole time”. They did their job well, with one of the biggest stars in the world being there at the end for the show’s main event. Heck of a main event.

Overall Rating: B. Maple Leaf Pro is rapidly developing an identity for itself: they might not do anything new or revolutionary (which is fine) but whatever they do is done well. That’s all you can ask for in a promotion like this and I’ve yet to see them have a bad show. I’m curious about their upcoming TV show, as they’re certainly making things work with these stand alone events.

Results
Subculture b. Guy Cool/Vaughn Vertigo – Fall To Pieces to Vertigo
Steve Borden b. Kiran Grey – Full nelson slam
The Demand b. Rich Swann/Michael Oku/Sidney Akeem – Ricosault to Akeem
Hechicero b. Jonathan Gresham – Rolling sunset flip
Paul Hauser b. QT Marshall – Leglock
Gisele Shaw b. Killer Kelly, Persephone and Shotzi Blackheart – Razor’s Edge to Kelly
Amazing Red/Mascara Dorada/Mistico b. Rascalz – La Mistica to Reed

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Death Vegas Invitational
Date: April 16, 2026
Location: Horseshoe Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Veda Scott, Jordan Castle

This is from New Japan, though I’m not entirely clear just how much impact they’re going to have on the show. The good thing is that the promotion is getting some attention during the biggest wrestling week of the year, though hopefully the DEATH name is more just some odd name rather than a certain type of wrestling. Let’s get to it.

The opening video…yep it’s death match stuff, as presented by El Desperado. Thanks for that.

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Fuminori Abe

The graphic says that Sabre is the World’s Best Technical Wrestler while Abe (who is listed as X) is a third rate wrestler. I sense shenanigans. Anyway they go to the mat to start with Sabre’s cranking on the leg not getting him very far. Abe cranks on a hammerlock but Sabre slips out and stomps Abe’s arm for a change.

Back up and Sabre takes him to the rope for a slap to the face, which doesn’t sit well with Abe. Sabre misses a charge and crashes to the floor, with Abe sending him into some chairs. Abe chops and kicks him in the back but takes too long, allowing Sabre to get in a neck twist. Back in and Sabre ties up various limbs, followed by another neck twist to keep him down.

Sabre’s kick to the ribs is cut off though and Abe twists the knee around. A spinning kick to the ribs drops Sabre and Abe grabs a failed cross armbreaker attempt. Sabre wins another grapple off and gets his own cross armbreaker, followed by a double arm crank. Abe gets over to the rope and they both need a breather.

They trade some big shots to the face and both go down again. It takes a bit longer to get up as we hit the fifteen minute call. Abe wins a slugout and grabs an octopus, which is reversed into the ankle lock. That’s broken up as well but Sabre snaps on the Zack Driver for the pin at 16:52.

Rating: B+. This was a technical showcase and that’s a great thing to see. They were trading one hold after another and trying to wear the other down until someone got the big shot at the end. That’s exactly how it should have gone and it was quite the opener, with Sabre knowing how to do this match in his sleep.

Post match, respect is shown.

Effy vs. Jimmy Lloyd vs. Ishin

This is billed as Cute Sexy Hardcore and I think that is the right order for these three. It’s a dance/gyrate off to start, with Lloyd knocking them both down. Effy sits in a chair and wants a lap dance before watching the other two thrust their pelvises. Ishin runs Effy over but gets knocked down by Lloyd’s chair shot.

The chairs are brought in but Ishin suplexes Lloyd onto the side of an overturned chair (OUCH). Ishin knocks Effy down and pokes him in the back of the trunks while Lloyd pushes his thumbs into Effy’s mouth. Castle: “Double penetration here.” Effy fights up and kicks Ishin in the face and gives him a leg bulldog out of the corner.

It’s time for the first door, which he rams into Lloyd in the corner. Effy’s double Rough Ryder gets two but Lloyd is back up with a powerbomb through the door. Ishin makes the save and puts some chairs on Lloyd, only for Effy to cut him off on top. Ishin kisses Effy on top and superplexes him onto the chairs onto Lloyd. A frog splash onto the chairs onto Lloyd gives Ishin the pin at 8:24.

Rating: C+. Weird spot in the middle aside (uh, yeah), this was a somewhat fun match, mainly because they didn’t go with the crazy hardcore. Chairs and a door are fine and the match didn’t go too long. Effy continues to be a talented star who can have some good matches and he fit in well here. Ishin has been around a lot this week and it’s nice to see him get a win for a change.

MxM Collection vs. Kushida/Yamato vs. Bustah And The Brain

This is billed as “Runaway Rush And Crash: A Drop Dead Gorgeous” match, which makes perfect sense. Thankfully Price is walking and he jumps over the steps (after getting hurt on them yesterday). Price, Yamato and Mansoor start things off with a three way test of strength. Yamato gets the better of things but the other two knock him down. Price isn’t about to touch tips with Mansoor so Yamato is back up with a running shoulder to Mansoor.

Madden comes in but gets sent to the apron by Kushida as everything breaks down. Bustah And The Brain take over but Mansoor breaks up a double suplex. Madden’s running hip attack connects, only for Kushida to pull Mansoor out of the air for the Figure Four. Price add and Oliver add neck cranks but Madden turns it over for a four person Boston crab.

With that broken up, Kushida and Yamato hit stereo dropkicks on Oliver and Price…and we lose signal from the venue. The signal stays gone for a few minutes and we come back with Kushida and Yamato winning at we’ll say around ten minutes. I won’t rate it due to missing that much of the match but what we got to start was working well, which shouldn’t be a surprise.

El Phantasmo/??? vs. Dragon Kid/Starlight Kid

Phantasmo’s partner is…Maika, who is replacing Maki Itoh, who has visa issues, for the “High-Stakes Heartbreak Jackpot” tag match. Funny way to say “mixed tag”. Phantasmo gives Maika the light up glasses before starting with Dragon. A running shoulder puts Dragon down and Phantasmo sticks the landing off Dragon’s headscissors.

Starlight comes in for a headscissors to Maika, followed by a standing moonsault (Scott calls it “adorable”) before everything breaks down. Phantasmo declares them the second cutest tag team in the world and Maika kicks Starlight out to the floor. Back in and Phantasmo ties Starlight in the Tree Of Woe and stands on her, along with Maika.

Starlight comes back with some nipple twisting and avoids Maika’s falling headbutt. Maika misses it again and tries a third time, which hits Phantasmo by mistake. It’s back to Dragon for a tornado DDT and a 619 to Maika’s back. Everything breaks down again and Phantasmo and Maika collide again, meaning it’s time to argue.

We get some mixed submission holds until Phantasmo and Maika make the ropes. Phantasmo is sic of this and suplexes Starlight before kneeing her in the head on top. Dragon is back up with a super poisonrana, allowing Starlight to hit a big splash for two. Phantasmo kicks Dragon and gives him a spinning torture rack neckbreaker. Maika breaks up Dragon’s sunset flip and Phantasmo gets the pin at 12:23.

Rating: B. This was little more than an athletic comedy match and that was a nice change of pace after everything else that has gone on with this show. They didn’t try to do anything too crazy here and the women were just as good as the men. Phantasmo and Maika’s arguing was funny and this wound up being the most entertaining thing on the show thus far.

Gringo Loco/Joey Janela vs. Daisuke Sasaki/Gedo

House Rules Hardcore match which can’t go well. Gedo is sent outside to start fast and a double elbow drops Sasaki. Loco’s split legged moonsault gets two on Sasaki and it’s time for some chairs. Janela gets knocked down though and it’s time for Gedo’s fork. Gedo stabs Janela in the mouth and then in the stomach, allowing Sasaki to wrap a chair around Janela’s neck.

A Twist Of Fate (with chair) drops Janela again and let’s stab him in the tongue. Since that’s just stabbing and a possible neck injury, Janela is right back to kick a chair into Sasaki to send him outside. Loco (busted open) hits a big flip dive and then plants Sasaki for two back inside. Sasaki DDTs his way out of a powerbomb attempt, leaving Janela to load up a door in the corner.

Gedo Downward Spirals him through said door though and there’s a fork shot What’s Up (thankfully minus the jumping). Loco is back with a fork to stab Gedo in the head a few times (just go with it) and Sasaki gets the same. A door bridge is set up but Sasaki goes up, where Loco gives him a super Spanish Fly through the door for a crazy crash. Sasaki pops up for a La Mistica crossface but Janela and Gedo are back in as the hold is broken.

Gedo is laid on some open chairs so Janela goes up, only to get superplexed down through the chairs instead. It’s Gedo with a fork and everyone else with a chair, with Gedo being knocked down. Loco’s corkscrew moonsault onto the chair misses so Janela snapdragons Sasaki. An AA sends Gedo through some open chairs for two, followed by a top rope double stomp through a piece of the door to pin Gedo at 18:45.

Rating: C. This could have been a lot worse, though it could have been a lot better too. The fork stuff was stupid, if nothing else because they kept doing the same stuff over and over again. Other than that it was a pretty standard hardcore tag match, even if Janela’s tendency to go long was on full display. Not my thing, but it could have gotten a lot worse than they wound up going.

We get a bunch of tarps and light tubes brought out because…oh let’s get this over with already. Oh and panes of glass and barbed wire because they’re going full boar here.

Matt Tremont/Nick Gage vs. El Desperado/Jun Kasai vs. Masashi Takeda/Rina Yamashita

Love & Pieces because each match has a name of some sort. Gage comes in through the crowd for the MDK chants and after the Big Match Intros, we’re ready to go. They go right for the light tubes to start, with Gage having them broken over his back. A double suplex sends Gage through the pane of glass and it’s Yamashita vs. Desperado. Tremont breaks that up and gets stabbed with a fork (it gets stuck in his head), allowing Takeda to carve him up with scissors.

Desperado’s mask is cut but Tremont runs Yamashita and Takeda over. Gage is back up with a light tube to Yamashita and stabs her with a broken piece. Yamashita pops up to try a super hurricanrana to Tremont but gets superbombed through some glass instead. Gage and Tremont get stabbed with skewers but Gage is back up with the pizza cutter. Kasai and Desperado go up and splash Yamashita and Takeda (glass tubes includes) for two.

Gage is back up with the pizza cutter and some running knees connect as well. Gage’s Vader Bomb crushes the tubes on Yamashita, who pops back up because hardcore or something. Desperado picks up some tubes, which are dropkicked into him for a big explosion. Desperado kicks Gage low and suplexes him onto more tubes. Gage blocks a powerbomb through the glass so Tremont chokeslams Desperado through the glass instead. Gage’s chokebreaker and two piledrivers into a powerbomb finish Desperado at 14:26.

Rating: D+. Yeah I’m not going to try to validate any thoughts on this. I’ve ranted about how I don’t want to see this stuff and how it isn’t good, mainly just because of how repetitive it gets. They do the same stuff over and over and then just do a bunch of it for the ending. Nothing to see here, as usual.

Post match Gage calls out Kasai for a singles match and swears a lot. The catchphrase wraps us up.

Overall Rating: B. The last two matches bring this down a lot (though the Janela match wasn’t THAT bad), with the main event definitely being the biggest problem. The good thing is that a lot of this show wasn’t hardcore or deathmatch stuff, with the triple threat being a pretty standard weapons match. This could have been a lot worse and if you cut out the main event, it’s a very good show. I know the deathmatch stuff has an audience, but it’s just not me and never will be.

Results
Zack Sabre Jr. b. Fuminori Abe – Zack Driver
Ishin b. Jimmy Lloyd and Effy – Frog splash onto chairs onto Lloyd
Kushida/Yamato b. Bustah And The Brain and MxM Collection
El Phantasmo/Maika b. Dragon Kid/Starlight Kid – Rollup to Dragon
Gringo Loco/Joey Janela b. Gedo/Daisuke Sasaki – Top rope double stomp through door to Gedo
Matt Tremont/Nick Gage b. El Desperado/Jun Kasai and Masashi Takeda/Rina Yamashita – Powerbomb to Desperado

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Ring Of Honor
Date: April 17, 2026
Location: WJCT Studios, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re on a Friday this time as Collision was in the usual Ring Of Honor spot. In this case that probably doesn’t mean much, though Supercard Of Honor is in about a month and it’s time to start getting some matches together. That would be nice to see, though this place hardly works on a traditional schedule. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening video looks at the Women’s Survival Of The Fittest at Supercard Of Honor, with qualifying matches tonight. Well at least that’s something.

Opening sequence.

Survival Of The Fittest Qualifying Match: Lacey Lane vs. Billie Starkz

Athena is here with Starkz. An early armdrag sends Starkz outside, with Lane superkicking her from the apron and hitting a crossbody. On the way back in, Starkz plants her on the apron though and they head back inside with Starkz looking cocky. Some hair mares have Lane down but it’s way too early for the Swanton.

Lane rolls away and hits a basement superkick for two but Starkz has a knee injury. A fake injury that is but an injury nonetheless. Starkz slams her into a Swanton for two, with Lane reversing into a rollup for two of her own. A suplex gives Lane two and a neckbreaker connects for the same. Another exchange of rollups gets some near falls until Starks knees her in the chest and grabs a pancake for the pin at 7:27.

Rating: C+. I still don’t get the appeal behind Starkz but it makes sense to have her in the match. At the same time, it’s rather annoying because Lane was looking rather awesome in this one. She has a certain confidence to her style and it works well when she’s in the ring. It would be nice if they could both go, or if Starkz could be a bit more interesting.

Survival Of The Fittest Qualifying Match: Yuka Sakazaki vs. Viva Van

Van grabs a headlock to start and easily wins a battle of the shoulders. Sakazaki avoids a charge to send her outside though and hits the dive to take over. Back in and Van gets painful with a dragon screw legwhip before working on the knee. One heck of a Boston crab sends Sakazaki over to the ropes but she’s able to kick Van down. A basement clothesline drops Van again but she’s right back with a spinning kick. Van’s flipping kick to the head gets two so Sakazaki nails her with a discus forearm. The spinning slam and Magical Girl Splash finish Van at 7:10.

Rating: C. Well at least her knee healed up so fast. This was one of those matches with zero drama about who was going to win so Van working on the knee was a nice enough story. At the same time, it really doesn’t matter if Sakazaki shrugs it off and does her big moves to win in the end anyway.

We look back at Ace Austin pinning Carly Bravo last week in an eight man tag. Naturally, this leads to the following.

Pure Rules Title: Marshall Von Erich vs. Lee Moriarty

Von Erich is challenging in his first singles match in ROH and commentary makes it clear that the eight man tag set this up. I’m sure there’s a logic in there somewhere but please don’t explain it to me as I don’t want my mind working that way. Moriarty grabs a hammerlock to start and Von Erich uses his first rope break less than fifty seconds in. Back up and Von Erich hits a dropkick to try the Claw, causing Moriarty to use his first break

Moriarty works on the arm and even bends the fingers to try and take the Claw away. Von Erich burns another rope break and hits a running corner clothesline to take over for a change. There’s a cannonball for two but Moriarty Saito suplexes him for the same. The Border City Stretch goes on and there’s Von Erich’s last rope break. The Claw goes on but Moriarty pulls him into the ropes and grabs a triangle choke to retain at 6:51.

Rating: C+. Well that was quite the side trip. Von Erich, who isn’t a singles wrestler and is barely a tag wrestler, lost his title shot which was set up when his partner pinned someone other than the champion. This is an example of something that was thrown out there in an attempt to give the match a story and it didn’t work because it made no sense. This stuff really shouldn’t be that hard and yet…well you make sense of it.

Josh Woods is bored with the lack of competition so it’s an open challenge for a Pure Rules match as he tries to get to the Pure Rules Title. So, to recap, Woods wins a streak of Pure Rules matches but can’t get another title shot while Von Erich….you know what, never mind. It’s so dumb at this point I’m not even going to waste my time.

Survival Of The Fittest Qualifying Match: Hyan vs. Trish Adora

Christian XO is here with Adora. They fight over a lockup to start with Adora backing her into the corner. Hyan gets in a dropkick so Adora rolls outside, where Hyan scores with a dive. Back in and Hyan goes up top, only to get knocked down. XO gets in a cheap shot and Adora cranks on the arms (while sitting between them) back inside.

The weird kneeling stretch has Hyan in more trouble and her chops are cut off with a crank of the arm. Hyan gets up for a pump kick and a belly to back suplex for two. A spear drops Adora for two more but an Unprettier is blocked. Adora’s bridging German suplex (with that weird knee bend) sets up the Lariat Tubman to finish Hyan at 7:28.

Rating: C+. It was nice to have a match which could have gone either way, as Adora is someone who could knock anyone out but Hyan has been near the title for a little while now. I could go for some more of Hyan getting a chance, while Adora making the match is fine enough. Another perfectly fine match, though at least it had some drama about the result.

Survival Of The Fittest Qualifying Match: Isla Dawn vs. Persephone

Persephone’s CMLL Women’s Title isn’t on the line. They fight over a lockup to start with neither getting very far so they break it off. Persephone snaps off a running headscissors but Dawn is back with a running shoulder for a knockdown. Dawn hits a Backstabber and starts in on the leg in the corner, followed by a Saito suplex.

The chinlock goes on but Persephone fights up, only to get blasted with a clothesline. Persephone fights out of a cobra clutch, followed by a fall away slam to put Dawn down for a change. A middle rope moonsault misses though and Dawn gets something close to a dragon sleeper. Persephone manages to spin around and get on top for the pin at 8:16.

Rating: B-. This was a better match with Dawn mostly escaping with the win, which made for a good result. Persephone is on fire at the moment and it wouldn’t shock me to see her win the title at Supercard Of Honor. As a result, she wasn’t about to lose here but at least she had to work hard to get there.

Nick Wayne, Mother Wayne and Kip Sabian (who still has a job) sat down with Caprice Coleman to talk about Nick going to compete in the Best Of The Super Juniors. He was gone for eight months, came back for like six weeks, and is leaving for a Japanese tournament??? Good grief. Well, granted it’s not like the title is going to be missed anyway.

TV Title: Evil Uno vs. Nick Wayne

Uno is getting this title shot due to his success in Mystery Wrestling, Maple Leaf Wrestling and Ring Of Honor. Dang it. Hang on. Uno’s record in:

Mystery Wrestling – 2-6 (with his one singles win coming in 2019)
Maple Leaf Pro – 3-1 (his one singles win was in October)
Ring Of Honor (this year) – 0-5 (all in tag matches, with his last singles win coming in 2014)

Three promotions, one with a winning record and most of that was in tag matches. But sure, let’s do this. Uno backs him into the corner to start and Wayne hides in the ropes for a bit. Wayne grabs a headlock and snapmares him down but Uno sends him outside for a hug from Mother. Uno runs him over and they go back inside for some corner clotheslines. Wayne goes back to the arm and hits it with a top rope double stomp.

Some less than respectful slaps to the head wake Uno up a bit but Wayne is right back on the arm. A jumping neckbreaker gets Uno out of trouble and he DDTs Wayne for two. The piledriver gets two but Wayne is right back with a standing Sliced Bread for the same. Wayne’s Kimura sends Uno over to the rope and it’s a Last Shot to rock Wayne for a change. Back up and Wayne kicks him in the head for the pin to retain at 10:13.

Rating: B-. They had a better match than I was expecting as Wayne is starting to look more polished in the ring. That’s a good sign for his future, as he could be a bigger deal in the future. At the same time, I have completely given up trying to figure out how title matches work around here and apparently the promotion has too. Apparently I now need to follow two other promotions (minimum) to get why matches are taking place here, though it doesn’t seem like ROH has any idea how math works anyway.

Post match Wayne says it’s his world and you’re just living in it. AR Fox comes out and has a staredown with Wayne. Now that at least makes a bit of sense.

AR Fox vs. Daisuke Sasaki

Sasaki shoulders him down to start and tries an early crossface, with Fox slipping out. Fox kicks him to the apron for the running flipping stomp but Sasaki twists the leg around in the corner. More leg cranking sets up a kneebar and Fox makes it over to the rope. Back up and Fox rolls over for a suplex and they’re both down for a bit. Fox elbows and kicks away, setting up the basement cutter.

A rolling cutter gives Fox two but a 450 misses. Sasaki is back on the leg and DDT has Fox in more trouble. The crossface almost makes Fox tap, with his foot having to reach the rope. Sasaki goes for the arm again but gets pulled into a cutter to send him outside. Fox hits a big dive and hangs him in the corner for a slingshot Canadian Destroyer and the pin at 9:37.

Rating: B. The more I see from Fox, the more I appreciate how unique he really is. He’s able to make things look different than anyone else and while he is a good example of a moves guy, he’s able to do it so smoothly that it’s fun to watch. Let him into the TV Title picture or just have him beat Wayne for the title already.

Nigel McGuinness will face Josh Woods at Supercard Of Honor. Is it just me or are the same three or four people fighting for the title for years?

Supercard Of Honor rundown, with Bandido vs. Blake Christian for the World Title FINALLY being set.

Christian says it should have always been his title shot. Well yeah.

Aaron Solo/QT Marshall/Nick Comoroto vs. Lethal Twist

The Twist jumps them to start fast with Lethal being left alone against Comoroto. That earns Lethal a quick gorilla press as Lethal is in early trouble. Solo comes in to chop away at Lethal but gets knocked into the corner for some stomping. It’s off to Johnson to kick at Solo before Lethal is back in to work on the leg.

Johnson’s stalling suplex gets two but Solo manages to crotch Lethal and Johnson on the top rope. Christian can’t cut off the tag and it’s Marshall coming in to fight back. Everything breaks down and Solo gets dropkicked in the Tree Of Woe. Comoroto gets struck down and it’s the double stomp/Death Valley Driver combination to finish him off at 8:52.

Rating: C+. Maybe it’s the old school fan in me but maybe the it would make more sense to have the #1 contender for the World Title in a singles match rather than yet another six man tag against low level competition. I don’t know, like, building him up for the title match? Maybe? Just a thought of course.

We look at Maya World almost beating Athena for the Women’s Title three weeks ago.

Survival Of The Fittest Qualifying Match: Maya World vs. Robyn Renegade

World works on a headlock to start and they trade wristlocks for an early standoff. Renegade knocks her down but misses a pump kick in the corner, allowing World to snap off an anklescissors. A snap suplex gives World two but Renegade superkicks her off the ropes and out to the floor.

Back in and a dropkick gives Renegade two but World blocks a kick and gives her a German suplex. World’s dropkick gets two, only for Renegade to stomp her onto the apron. The twisting suplex gives Renegade two and she goes up, where a slip causes her to miss a moonsault. World’s Shining Wizard is enough for the pin at 8:54.

Rating: B-. There wasn’t exactly much drama to this one as World has been around the title picture for awhile now and Renegade…well she hasn’t. That being said, it felt like Renegade was giving it all she had here and they wound up having a nice back and forth match. World is getting better every week, though it isn’t going to matter if she doesn’t win something eventually.

Zayda Steel vs. Athena

Non-title Proving Ground match. Steel’s headlock takeover is countered into a headscissors so Athena grabs a headlock of her own. That actually sends Steel over to the rope, followed by a running headscissors. A fireman’s carry doesn’t work for Athena as Steel armdrags her down but gets sent outside. Athena nails a dive and it’s time to start slowing things down a bit. A dropkick cuts Steel off again and Athena drives some knees into the back.

The standing crossface has Steel in more trouble but she elbows her way out of the corner. There’s a neckbreaker to drop Athena and Steel rolls a kick into the head for two more. Athena pops back up with a superkick into a tiger suplex but the O Face is broken up. A tornado DDT gives Steel two but another attempt is countered into a kind of Boss Man Slam. The reverse Koji Clutch makes Steel tap at 9:34.

Rating: B-. Well thank goodness they tacked this on because Steel hadn’t lost a match in long enough. She’s the latest in the “well yeah she’s losing a lot but she’s losing to big names so it’s ok”, which has worked….maybe a few times? Anyway, this was another hard fought match with Athena getting close to being in trouble but Steel doesn’t win big matches so it wasn’t going to happen.

Overall Rating: C+. While I liked that this show had a theme with the qualifying matches, it’s a glaring example of how little sense this whole place makes. Continuing with the theme of earning title shots, you had people either trying to get title shots or earning title shots on this show. This week saw:

• Marshall Von Erich gets a shot because his partner pinned someone who wasn’t the champion
• Evil Uno gets a shot because of his success in other promotions
• Five women get a shot because they won qualifying matches
• Josh Woods trying to get a title shot because the matches he’s won don’t count
• Blake Christian gets a shot because he should have had a one on one title shot even though he hasn’t won a singles match since December

This is what I’m talking about when I say it’s like they make things up as they go around here. The rules change depending on whomever is going after a title because it’s like no one remembers anything that happened more than five minutes ago. I get that Ring Of Honor isn’t a promotion or anything close to one, but I should be able to figure out what is going on and how it makes sense in the span of a two hour (because THIS SHOW needs to be that long) broadcast.

Results
Billie Starkz b. Lacey Lance – Pancake
Yuka Sakazaki b. Viva Van – Magical Girl Splash
Lee Moriarty b. Marshall Von Erich – Triangle choke
Trish Adora b. Hyan – Lariat Tubman
Persephone b. Isla Dawn – Rollup
Nick Wayne b. Evil Uno – Kick to the head
AR Fox b. Daisuke Sasaki – Slingshot Canadian Destroyer
Lethal Twist b. QT Marshall/Aaron Solo/Nick Comoroto – Death Valley Driver/top rope double stomp combination to Comoroto
Maya World b. Robyn Renegade – Shining Wizard
Athena b. Zayda Steel – Reverse Koji Clutch

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Well, here we go. It’s the biggest weekend of the year and…yeah the build for this one hasn’t been great. There are good parts to it, but a lot of what we’ve been seeing has been a bit less than a success. The ticket sales haven’t been great either, likely due to a variety of reasons. Hopefully they can make the wrestling side of things work and that’s what we’re looking at here. Let’s get to it.

Vision/IShowSpeed vs. Usos/LA Knight

So we’re starting with the celebrity match as Speed is dealing with Danhausen’s curse (assuming there is one) and accidentally got himself into this match as a result. Speed thinks he’s ready despite not being a wrestler, though almost everyone else thinks he’s going to get destroyed. This feels like a way to just get people on the show and I’ll take that over some multiman mess.

In theory (as opposed to Theory), this is one sided on paper and while Speed will get to do a thing or two, I can’t possibly imagine the villains win. I’ll take Knight and the Usos winning here as a way to get the crowd going in the right way. They’re a combination of popular stars against some unliked villains and that should be a simple enough formula. Knight and the Usos win a fun one here.

Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre

For the second year in a row, McIntyre is in a match with a monster which should be incredibly physical. Last year it was a street fight and this year it’s unsanctioned, meaning things should get nuts. That’s where Fatu should thrive and McIntyre can more than hang in a hard hitting match. They hate each other over previous brawls and it’s time for revenge all around.

I’ll go with Fatu here, as he needs the win a lot more than McIntyre, who has had all kinds of moments. Fatu is getting a chance for his first big personal feud match on the major stage and it wouldn’t make a ton of sense to have him lose. These two should beat the fire out of each other until one of them can’t get up anymore and in this case, the one who can’t get up should be McIntyre.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: AJ Lee(c) vs. Becky Lynch

This feud has shown just how good Lynch can be when she goes insane and acts like a raving lunatic, but she has more recently switched into someone who just wants her title back. On the other hand you have Lee, who returned last week and is basically playing with the house’s money. That makes for a good enough story, as this feels like a personal feud where two people want to get at each other, however they choose to do that.

I’m really not sure who wins this one. Lee is doing well in her return and while it makes sense for her to keep it going, I’m not sure I can imagine Lynch losing again. I’ll go with a tentative pick of Lee winning, but this one has me rather confused. It could go either way and while that is usually a good feeling, I’m really not sure how this is going to go. It might wind up being one of the weaker matches, though we’ll say Lee retains either way.

Raw Women’s Title: Stephanie Vaquer(c) vs. Liv Morgan

Morgan won the Royal Rumble (after coming close so many times) and it wasn’t clear which champion she would choose. Eventually she and Vaquer argued enough that Morgan made her choice and it’s turned into a heck of a heated feud, as Morgan seems ready to smash through Vaquer. At the same time Vaquer is just kind of there, feeling like a total afterthought most of the time.

In what might be the easiest pick of the weekend, I’ll take Morgan to win the title here. There is pretty much no reason to believe that Vaquer is going to keep the title. As much as I like Vaquer, Morgan is just that much bigger of a star and it fits so much more to have her win. It’s a good match, but the fans want to cheer Morgan and they’ll get a chance when she wins the title here.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Irresistible Forces(c) vs. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria vs. Bella Twins

So here we have a question mark, as Nikki Bella is injured and might not be able to work the match. That leaves things a lot more wide open, as the Bellas winning the titles felt like the logical ending. If they can’t go though, it makes things a lot more interesting. It helps that you have three teams who could all conceivably leave as champions and the match has been put together rather well.

I’ll throw in an asterisk here, saying that if the Bellas are in then they win, but if they aren’t then the champions retain. The good thing here is I could easily see any of them leaving with the titles, which is more than you get to say about a lot of matches. Bayley and Valkyria feel like dark horses, but I’ll take the Bellas as the favorites but the Forces as the best alternative option. Somehow, this is one of the best built matches on the card and that’s a nice thing to see.

Seth Rollins vs. Gunther

Gunther jumped Rollins to save Paul Heyman a few weeks back, setting up the proverbial “you owe me a favor”. While that sounds like Gunther vs. Brock Lesnar in the latter’s retirement match this year at Summerslam, there is a bit more to it. Gunther has said that he wants to face Rollins because Rollins was all goofy while Gunther wanted to face the best competition in the world and it offended him. That might sound a bit ridiculous, but it makes complete sense for Gunther.

As for a winner…geez this could go either way. Rollins is fresh off his injury and in theory you would want to see him get the big win, but I’m also not sure how logical it is to have Gunther lose here. I’ll go with Rollins winning, as in theory Gunther will be rebuilt on his way to the match with Lesnar (assuming it happens, which it should) later on this year. This could go either way though and it has a lot of potential to be awesome.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes(c) vs. Randy Orton

We had to get here eventually. This is a match that was going in a weird direction as the fans did not want to boo Orton no matter what. Then Pat McAfee was revealed to be the man influencing Orton and…well they still wouldn’t boo Orton, but they certainly would boo McAfee. I’m not even sure if WWE knows what they’re doing with this story but it’s what we’re getting for a main event. There is also a stipulation that if Orton doesn’t win, McAfee leaves wrestling. Just in case you needed anything to tip this further.

Yeah of course I’m taking Orton here, as there is no reason to suggest that Rhodes retains and gets rid of McAfee. Rhodes has been in something of a holding pattern for a long time as he isn’t doing anything different lately and that needs a shake up. The fans want to see Orton win and while I’m not sure where it goes after that, Orton should win here and move on to whatever he’s doing next.

Overall Thoughts

As risky as it might be to say this, I’m kind of digging this show’s card. They’ve got some interesting stuff here and if these matches deliver, it could be an awesome first half. That being said, the main event has all the signs of being a train wreck and could drag things way down. We’ll call this one cautious optimism though and hope for the best, which has gotten me in trouble before.

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Sin City Stampede
Date: April 16, 2026
Location: Bizarre Bar, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Cam Hawkins, Dan Miller

This is New Texas Pro, which I’ve looked at before, though they have only impressed me so much in previous viewings. They’re often around for the weekend though so I’ll give them another shot. You never know what you’re going to see on a show like this one so hopefully it works out. Let’s get to it.

We don’t get any opening video, which is odd as they have nice name graphics.

Starboy Charlie/Cosmo Orion/Epydemius Jr. vs. Shimbashi/Dragon Kid/Andrew Cass

Charlie and Cass start things off with Cass flipping out of a headscissors attempt. Charlie’s legsweep doesn’t work and they trade dropkicks for a standoff. Shimbashi and Orion come in with Orion getting planted off a Wasteland. Kid comes off the top to stay on Orion and it’s off to Jr., who sticks the landing on a headscissors.

It’s back to Charlie, who holds Kid for a kick from Cass as things slow down. Charlie’s shooting star press gets two but Kid Stundog Millionaires his way out of trouble. That’s not enough for a tag though as Charlie is back in with a northern lights suplex for two. Jr. hits a standing moonsault for two but Kid manages a quick hurricanrana.

The double tag brings in Shimbashi and Cass as house is quickly cleaned. Everything breaks down and Charlie snaps off a headscissors. Jr. is back up with a corkscrew moonsault to Shimbashi. That’s shrugged off as Shimbashi knees Charlie into a lifting DDT for two, with Orion making the save. Everything stays broken down and Kid’s crucifix finishes Orion for the pin at 10:38.

Rating: B-. It was a fast paced match to start things off and that’s always going to work. I’m not sure how many of these people are regular stars in New Texas but that’s the point of a show like this at this time of the year. Nice stuff here, though I’m kind of surprised that a WWE ID talent was on the losing team.

Post match Shimbashi praises Dragon Kid for everything he has done to get us here. Orion says something similar.

1 Called Manders vs. Timur The Great

Manders gives the referee his hat and flips Timur off as we’re ready to go. They fight over a lockup with Timur actually giving him a clean break in the corner. Timur knocks him down though and Manders bails outside to avoid a suplex. That’s fine with Timur, who follows him out for some chops against the…well chair. Manders’ chop only hits post but he’s able to fire off more chops back inside.

They trade clothesline for a double down and the fans seem to approve. An exchange of chops (again) goes from their knees to their feet until Timur sends him into the corner for a splash. A powerslam gives Timur two but Manders is back with an Oklahoma (so he’s a heel here) stampede for the same. The big lariat is countered with a spear but Manders hits the big lariat (mach two) into an elbow drop for the pin at 9:34.

Rating: C+. I still like Manders a good deal and he is a regular on the Wrestlemania Week circuit. It was nice to see someone wrestle a bit more old school Texas style match, or at least as close as you can get to one, with the striking and laying it in. That’s where Manders tends to shine and Timur was there to hang with him the whole way. At the same time, it was a nice change of pace after the very different opener, which is a good idea.

Jak Galloway vs. Jackpot J-Rok vs. Prince Kxriuki vs. Chris Marcell vs. Devin Carter vs. Ethan Hunter vs. Travis Cudi

Scramble of course…and apparently this has staggered entrances as it’s Prince vs. Cudi to start things off. They trade some respect until Prince knocks him hard into the corner. Cudi rolls away from him and they trade some rapid fire rollups for two each. Prince sends him hard into the corner and Cudi nails a side kick.

Marcell is in at #3 and easily runs Cudi over with a shoulder. A belly to belly gets two with Prince making a save. Marcell misses a charge into the corner and J-Rok is in at #4. Naturally he gets to clean house but Cudi blocks a Code Red. Instead J-Rok hits a double moonsault to Prince as Galloway is in at #5.

The entrances speed way up as Hunter is in at #6 about ten seconds later and cleans house as well. J-Rok is down in the corner so three people go up for Coast To Coast dropkicks at the same time (and he’s dead). Carter is in at #7 and wrestles in women’s underwear, complete with some additional spanking. We get a parade of knockdowns, with Carter rather enjoying hitting a Bronco Buster. Carter fires off some kicks but gets caught in a package piledriver to give Hunter the pin at 10:05.

Rating: C+. The staggered entrances helped SO MUCH here as it let some of the wrestlers have a chance to showcase themselves a bit. If nothing else, it’s a lot better than having seven wrestlers running around all at once with no way of keeping track what is going on. This still wasn’t great, but it could have been FAR worse given how some scrambles tend to go.

The ring announcer plugs socials and some kind of deal you can get.

Vin Massaro vs. Oli Summers

Massaro is rather Italian and Summers is lovestruck (whatever that means). We get a hug to start and they touch hands before locking up. Summers takes him down to start and hits a basement clothesline as commentary talks about the greatness that is this week. Back up and Massaro pulls him hard out of the corner, setting up the chinlock.

Quite the elbow drop gives Massaro two but Summers gets the boots up in the corner. Summers knees his way out of a belly to back suplex and a belly to belly gets two. Massaro t-bones him for the same but Summers does one better with a straitjacket German suplex. The pace picks up as they trade rollups for two each until Massaro ties him up for the pin at 9:20.

Rating: C+. Yeah it was fine. That’s about all there is to this one as it was a basic match where they didn’t embarrass themselves and the ending was pretty nice. The best thing here was Massaro’s rather catchy theme, which thankfully we get to hear again after the match. This was just a random match and while it was fine, it wasn’t anything beyond that.

Post match Massaro uses the same rollup to pin the referee so Summers can learn it. Summers demonstrates it as well.

Adam Priest vs. Dustin Nguyen

Nguyen is into martial arts and commentary doesn’t think he’s going to be much trouble for Priest. They pose at each other until Priest takes his belt off and wraps it around his head. Then he slaps Nguyen in the face, earning a leg lariat for being rude. A basement dropkick gives Nguyen two and there’s another kick to the back for the same. Priest snaps off a DDT and kicks him in the back before going with a more basic rip at the face.

A camel clutch (with more face ripping) has Nguyen in more trouble and Priest catapults him throat first into the bottom rope. Back up and Priest’s brainbuster gets two (Commentary: “That’s not much of a brain to bust.”) but Nguyen kicks him out of the air. A leg lariat connects for Nguyen and a snapdragon follows, with Priest getting a foot on the rope. Nguyen misses a big strike but manages to kick Priest out to the floor. Back in and Priest chop blocks him down, setting up a half crab for the tap at 8:37.

Rating: C+. This was mostly goofy fun as Priest played with his food, got in a bit of trouble, and then finished him off without much effort. That’s all the match needed to be as commentary wasn’t exactly selling Nguyen as a big threat. Priest is a bigger deal due to his time on AEW so this had some star power. And ninja skills to make it even better.

Tag Team Titles: Dream Team vs. Toxic Tour vs. Meat Market vs. LJV/Maya World

The Dream Team (Danny King/KC Kr’eme) is defending against the Tour (Pac Ortega/Prince Ly) and the Market (Cutlet/Isaiah Morales). Oh and LJV and World but their names are a bit easier to remember. World and King start things off but LJV tags himself in and gets headlocked down by King. KC tags himself in for a nice dropkick but World takes over on him in the corner.

World gets slammed onto KC and Ortega comes in to send him hard into the corner. The rather needed tag brings in King to clean house but Morales cuts him off rather quickly. Cutlet it in for a double chop to King and it’s off to the Meat Train, with everyone (well almost everyone) dropping elbows on King. Somehow King gets up to hit a Backstabber on Ortega and it’s World coming in as everything breaks down.

LJV takes Ly out but the Tour is back up with a Shatter Machine to LJV with the champs making a save. A wheelbarrow bulldog gets two on Morales and a top rope double stomp/Big Ending drops King for two more. LJV knees King for two and a 450 connects (impressive as LJV is pretty tall)…and then LJV knees World down. A Michinoku Driver drops World again and an assisted DDT lets King pin Cutlet to retain at 11:48.

Rating: B-. It was pretty much the match you would expect, with all kinds of people running around and a not so easy task of keeping up with who was whom. The turn near the end was a big angle for the match and I’m sure World and LJV will have a big fight as a result. The champs retaining is fine and at least they had a lot to sweat on the way there.

Dimitri Alexandrov vs. Ishin

They fight over wrist control to start and go to the mat for a rollup into a standoff. Ishin shakes hands with the referee (nice guy) and does the same to Alexandrov, which means a kick to the ribs (smart guy). Alexandrov is back with a slam and basement clothesline for two so Ishin bails out to the floor. Back in and Ishin grabs a triangle choke, followed by a running shoulder to drop Alexandrov again.

A quick fisherman’s suplex takes Ishin down for two but he one ups Alexandrov with a superplex. Back up and a discus lariat connects for Alexandrov and they’re both down. Naturally that means the exchange of forearms until Ishin plants him with a DDT. Ishin’s frog splash gets two so Alexandrov discus lariats him for the same. A suplex slam gives Alexandrov the pin at 8:40.

Rating: B-. I’m not overly familiar with these two but they beat the heck out of each other and had a nice match in the process. This is the kind of thing that I love about the week as you get to see all kinds of wrestlers you might not see otherwise. Alexandrov had a nice presence about him and I liked this rather well.

Raychell Rose interrupts the announcement of the next match and rants a lot. She’s interrupted as well and it seems we’re ready to go.

Raychell Rose vs. Kitti Hisatomi

They seem to have a history and Hisatomi sends her hard into the corner for a shoulder to the ribs. Rose is back with a knee and a World’s Strongest Slam gets two. Rose’s running kick misses though and she hammers on Hisatomi…who jackknifes her for the pin at 1:45.

Women’s Title: Gabby Forza vs. Charity King

King is defending and I’m not sure why Forza is wearing a dunce cap. King gets a dunce cap of her own and they pose together before giving them to the referee, who poses with them as well. With that out of the way, they lock up and take turns backing each other into the corner.

The exchange of shoulders doesn’t go anywhere and they yell at each other a lot as I’m getting mixed emotional messages from this match. King gets the better of a collision to take over but gets dropkicked hard into the corner. Forza fires off some clothesline in a different corner, including one after a cartwheel.

A charge misses for Forza though and King grabs a belly to back suplex. King grabs a string of slams and they trade some big forearms. A full nelson slam gives King two and Forza’s Alabama Slam gets the same. King catches her going up top though and powerbombs her down for a rather near fall (I bought that one). Forza hits a spear, only to have her suplex reversed into a World’s Strongest Slam to retain the title at 11:24.

Rating: B-. I have no idea what the opening with the dunce cap was about but this turned into a nice power match with the two of them hitting the other with one big spot after another. It didn’t quite hit that top level stuff but at least it was something different than what we’ve been seeing tonight. That always helps and it did so again here.

The ring announcer has the fans slap the mat to hype things up for the main event.

New Texas Pro Title: Bryan Keith vs. Danny Orion

Orion is defending for the first time while Keith is the longest reigning champion in the title’s history. They take their time starting with the grappling and that’s an early standoff. Orion takes him down and the pace picks up, with Orion flipping over Keith and hitting a dropkick. Keith boots him in the face and sends him outside, meaning it’s time to fire off some chops on the floor.

Keith’s chop most hits the post but he stops himself in time and slaps Orion in the back of the head. They get back in with Orion breaking out of a double underhook and firing off some chops. Keith gets sent face first into the corner and Orion grabs a Boston crab. With that broken up, Orion knocks him down again and adds a slingshot corkscrew splash for two.

The fans are still behind Keith, which is the problem with a legend challenging. We’re about eight minutes in and get the ten minutes remaining call, which isn’t a great sign. Orion rolls out of a sunset flip and fires off some kicks to the head but gets caught in a spinning powerbomb. Back up and they chop it out (rather hard at that) until Orion knocks him into the corner.

Keith snaps off the tiger driver for two more before taking him up top with five minutes left. Orion gets back down and grabs a straitjacket German suplex for two. We’re down to two minutes as they stare each other down, with Keith pulling his hair. Another tiger driver is blocked so they chop it out again, with Keith grabbing an emerald tiger driver for a rather near fall. Time runs out at 15:42.

Rating: B-. What in the world was that? I’m guessing they just mistimed the 42 second part, but what in the world was the thinking behind having a main event World Title match with a fifteen minute time limit? They completely telegraphed it just a few minutes in and it was almost all downhill from there. The idea of the match was fine, but it’s hard to get into some big struggle after something that didn’t even last as long as an episode of Doug.

They seem to want to keep fighting but some seconds have to be separated as the ring announcer explains that the match is over to wrap it up.

Overall Rating: C+. That ending left a bad taste in my mouth as it felt like they ran out of time and just went with it instead of doing something that made more sense. The rest of the show was perfectly ok, though there isn’t anything that you need to go out of your way to see. It’s an improvement from what I’ve seen the promotion do before though and that’s a nice enough success. Not a bad show, but nothing worth special attention.

Results
Shimbashi/Dragon Kid/Andrew Cass b. Starboy Charlie/Cosmo Orion/Epydemius Jr. – Crucifix to Orion
1 Called Manders b. Timur The Great – Elbow drop
Travis Hunter b. Jak Galloway, Jackpot J-Rok, Prince Kxriuki, Chris Marcell, Devin Carter and Travis Cudi – Package piledriver to Carter
Vin Massaro b. Oli Summers – Arm trap rollup
Adam Priest b. Dustin Nguyen – Half crab
Dream Team b. Toxic Tour, Meat Market and LJV/Maya World – Assisted DDT to Cutlet
Dimitri Alexandrov b. Ishin – Suplex slam
Kitti Hisatomi b. Raychell Rose – Jackknife rollup
Charity King b. Gabby Forza – World’s Strongest Slam
Danny Orion vs. Bryan Keith went to a time limit draw

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Smackdown
Date: April 17, 2026
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Corey Graves, Joe Tessitore

Well, it’s a day before Wrestlemania and I’m not sure how much can be done to help the show. The big story continues to be Randy Orton with Pat McAfee vs. Cody Rhodes and…what are they supposed to do to make that work? This show is almost always light on wrestling and heavy on talking, but we do at least have the Andre Battle Royal. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a variety of wrestlers (and Jelly Roll) talking about various big Wrestlemania moments that meant the most to them over the years. This was good stuff and could have been on the Wrestlemania broadcast.

Randy Orton and Pat McAfee arrive, with Nick Aldis showing up with a contract for McAfee. He has to look at it before he signs it…and then signs it anyway. Orton is off to say something while Aldis can park McAfee’s truck.

Here is Orton for a chat. Orton gets to the point: he doesn’t need McAfee around but he wants him there. McAfee is the one who tells him what he needs to hear, which is how we got here. Orton talks about how he was ready to face Drew McIntyre for the title but then Rhodes became champion.

Then Rhodes told Orton to be himself and WHO DOES RHODES THINK HE IS TO SAY THAT??? Rhodes does nothing but take, like needing Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania XL, which got Orton put through a table. Then he gave Kevin Owens a title shot and Orton got attacked again. Now Orton is going to take something with an RKO.

Orton and McAfee leave, with Nick Aldis left holding the contract. That could be interesting.

MFT’s vs. Wyatt Sicks

Street fight so it’s a big brawl to start (of course) with the Wyatts clearing the ring early on. Rowan teases a dive but gets pulled outside, where Talla gets in a shot of his own. Talla grabs the steps and wrecks Gacy and Lumis before tossing them right at Rowan’s head (that always looks great).

We take a break and come back with Howdy getting stomped down in the corner until Gacy is back in for the save. Lumis nips up for a legdrop but Mateo is back in to start wrecking people. Talla does the same until Rowan is there to knock him outside. Rowan’s big dive connects and let’s get the weapons. The Wyatts clean house again and we take another break.

We come back again with Howdy cleaning house with a chair, with Sikoa being release Rock Bottomed onto said chair. Nikki Cross hits a dive of her own but Talla breaks up the Sister Abigail. A Superfly Splash gives Sikoa two but Gacy and Lumis are back in for the save. Rowan and Talla crash to the floor, with Rowan coming up holding his knee. Tama loads up the Cutthroat but Sikoa quickly Spikes Howdy for the pin at 14:36.

Rating: B. That ending seems designed to sew some tension in the MFT’s, which isn’t exactly a surprise. The MFT’s winning is a bit of a surprise but there is a good chance that this somehow isn’t over yet. That makes for some interesting options, though Tama splitting off is an intriguing concept.

R-Truth and Damian Priest are still confused over who is running around cursing people. It might be New Day, Asuka or Grayson Waller. It turns out they have a title defense tonight, which is news to Priest.

Earlier this week, Miz and Maryse were renewing their wedding vows, with Kit Wilson officiating…when Danhausen popped in. Danhausen says he’s ring bearer and maid of honor and maid of honor before cursing Maryse. This causes her to get hit in the face with some cake.

Video on Royce Keys losing his mother to an overdose and she never saw her kids getting to do what they loved. He wants to make her proud. This is quite the emotional video and that’s a good thing. Now let Keys do some more stuff in the ring.

We look at Drew McIntyre attacking Jacob Fatu last week.

A police car drives into the arena and it’s Fatu driving. Yeah he used to be a criminal but he’s changed his life. No he didn’t mind being put in handcuffs last week because he’s not that person anymore. Tomorrow it’s unsanctioned so there is no one to save McIntyre this time. McIntyre wants to put him back in the jail cell but that’s in the rear view. After Wrestlemania, McIntyre is in his rear view mirror too because tomorrow, it’s a beating.

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte want to win the titles tomorrow but they want to win tonight too. Charlotte wants the title more than friendship, which doesn’t seem to surprise Bliss.

We look at the Wrestlemania set reveal.

Tag Team Titles: R-Truth/Damian Priest vs. Grayson Waller/Kofi Kingston

R-Truth and Priest are defending in quite the random match. I’m going to assume R-Truth mentioned this in his talk earlier but….yeah it’s kind of easy to get lost listening to him. Waller slugs away at Priest to start and gets kicked in the face for his efforts. Priest sends him flying into the corner and hammers away before handing it off to R-Truth. Waller manages to knock R-Truth down but runs into Priest, with Kingston making a quick save.

We take a break and come back with R-Truth still in trouble but the illegal Waller’s cover not counting. Kingston isn’t happy with Waller and gets sent into him, allowing the tag back to Priest. House is quickly cleaned…and R-Truth gets on the apron for the tag from Kingston. R-Truth initiates John Cena’s finishing sequence and the champs hit stereo Shuffles. An elevated Little Jimmy retains the titles at 9:25.

Rating: C+. This is the kind of match that fits in perfectly on this show as it’s not like there was any doubt about the titles changing, but R-Truth and Priest got to do their thing. There were some stakes to the match and it was fine enough all things considered. If nothing else, it was nice to see the match get some extra time, which it probably wouldn’t have gotten on a regular Smackdown.

Video on Cody Rhodes vs. Pat McAfee from last week, with Randy Orton attacking Jelly Roll.

Here is Jade Cargill, with Michin and B-Fab, for a chat. Well she would be but here is Rhea Ripley to interrupt instead. Ripley could lay Cargill out right now but she doesn’t want Cargill to have any excuses at Wrestlemania. She accuses Cargill of hiding in any way she could find so this is Cargill’s last chance to say something to Ripley alone.

Cargill mocks the idea of being scared of some cosplaying goth girl. Ripley has had her way around here because of the weak locker room. If Ripley keeps talking, Cargill will make it quick at Wrestlemania. Ripley laughs off the idea that she wants to be like Cargill and says her insecurities are the reason she is the woman she is today. They go face to face and Cargill walks away.

Solo Sikoa says they won as a team and now Talla Tonga needs to win the Andre. Now though, it’s time to get the Tag Team Titles back. That’s what Tama Tonga wanted, but he doesn’t seem thrilled.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Jordynne Grace

For a Women’s US Title shot and I had forgotten Grace was on the main roster. Giulia and Kiana James are at ringside and we get a handshake before we’re ready to go. Stratton gets an early rollup for two and they’re right back up for a standoff. Grace sends her into the ropes, with Stratton flipping away with ease. Grace goes strong with an electric chair drop onto the rope and a clothesline for two.

We take a break and come back with Stratton reversing a suplex into a DDT to leave them both down. Grace can’t hit a powerbomb but Stratton can elbow her in the face, setting up a basement dropkick for two. Back up and Grace ties her in the ropes for some rapid fire headbutts, followed by a package powerbomb for two more. Stratton is back with a handspring Stunner into the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the pin at 8:05.

Rating: C+. I was a bit surprised by the match as I had thought Stratton already was the #1 contender given how much she’s been around Giulia as of late. If nothing else it’s nice to see someone wanting to be the champion, which still doesn’t have much of a history. This was a perfectly decent match, though DANG Grace has felt like nothing in WWE.

Here is Trick Williams for a chat. He’s not happy with Sami Zayn, who went too far last week by going after Lil Yachty. Zayn hurt his friend last week and that hurt something much bigger: it hurt Williams’ Wrestlemania entrance! Williams wants Zayn out here right now…but he gets a gingerbread man instead, with Williams having quite the laugh. Williams thinks Zayn’s friends might be on Drury Lane but here is Zayn to interrupt.

Zayn says he’s not having a good time with this and hasn’t in a long time. What exactly did he do wrong? He doesn’t know and he doesn’t care, because this is for the ride or die Zayn fans. Those people will be in his corner at Wrestlemania and beyond…but can this Gingerbread Man get away? Zayn says that Williams has talked a lot but hasn’t shown Zayn anything in the ring. All Zayn sees is a little punk rookie about to walk into his first Wrestlemania with one of the best ever.

Williams says he is the plan and that he sees two gingerbread men. The fight is on with Zayn Helluva Kicking the Gingerbread Man but getting taken down by Williams, who holds up the title. They’ve basically done the double turn now and that’s what it should be. Williams is on fire right now so go with him.

Video on the four way Women’s Tag Team Title match, with the Bellas saying Nikki is still hurt. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria and the Irresistible Forces are ready, sans injuries.

Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria

They start fast…and the Irresistible Forces run in for the DQ at 30 seconds. As dumb as that might have been, it’s not like the match needs any more build.

Post match the Forces lay everyone out.

Video on Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Royce Keys, Axiom, Psycho Clown, Zack Ryder, Ilja Dragunov, Shinsuke Nakamura, Johnny Gargano, Joe Hendry, Rey Fenix, Berto, Angel, La Parka, Otis, Kit Wilson, Original El Grande Americano, Alex Shelley, Aleister Black, Shiloh Hill, Chris Sabin, Nathan Frazer, Talla Tonga, El Grande Americano, Apollo Crews, Akira Tozawa, Cruz del Toro, Joaquin Wilde

It’s a brawl to start with Gargano laying on the mat…where Wilson trips over him to eliminate himself. Eh I chuckled, but then again I like Wilson. Frazer and Sabin brawl to the apron and Gargano gets rid of Frazer, with Sabin following. Talla dumps both Americanos and it’s Hill vs. Dragunov in the middle.

Dragunov kicks Hill out and Los Garza get rid of Parka. Fenix gets rid of Berto and Psycho Clown goes, uh, psycho, only to get clotheslined out by Keys. Gargano slingshot DDTs Axiom out and runs into Shelley on the apron. Fenix kicks Shelley out and Nakamura does the same to Crews. Hendry stops to pose and gets dumped by Black (that’s a natural feud). Talla tosses del Toro and Wilde with ease and it’s time for everyone to go after the giant.

Talla shrugs that off and chokeslams Fenix onto the apron for an elimination. A bunch of strikes drop Talla but Black throws Nakamura out. Black kicks Dragunov out as well and Black Mass is enough to eliminate Tozawa. Otis runs Black over and tosses Angel as Gargano drops to the mat again.

That’s an easy elimination for Otis and Cardona gets the same treatment. We’re down to Otis, Talla, Black and Keys, with Black kicking Otis down in a hurry. Keys throws Black out so Otis runs the other two over. Talla kicks Otis in the face though and we’re down to Talla vs. Keys. The spinebuster plants Talla and Keys wins at 10:01.

Rating: B-. Ok then. I said do something with him and while the track record for winners is hit and miss for these things, that is certainly a notable win. The rest of the match went by quickly enough and it was the kind of match that gets people around Wrestlemania. I was looking forward to this and that’s a nice feeling, as it means we’re at the biggest time of the year and with the right winner.

Wrestlemania rundown.

Video on CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns.

Here is Cody Rhodes for the big final speech. We’re not going to talk about the last three Wrestlemanias and the theory that someone is needling him. Tomorrow is simple: it’s two men having a match for the most important prize in this business. Earlier tonight, Orton was out here talking about Rhodes always taking things. That’s interesting as Orton has never taken responsibility for anything.

As good as wrestling has become…and here is CM Punk to interrupt. Rhodes: “Champ to champ and friend to friend, if I shake your hands and we hug right now, are you going to turn on me and kick me in the balls too?” They take some shots at each others’ formal wear due to the Hall Of Fame ceremony tonight, with Punk saying he hasn’t been in a suit on WWE TV since Teddy Long’s wedding.

Punk says he isn’t Rhodes’ teacher now but on Monday, the two of them will be there and he wants the fans to be there too. Go get it done tomorrow and have some fun. Punk goes to leave but Rhodes says hang on. This Sunday, Punk is up against someone who is so good they’ve had to invent names for him.

Punk wasn’t born into this like Reigns and Rhodes were but Punk came here because WWE wanted him. Now Punk is back and better than ever and making a case to be the new Mr. Wrestlemania. Rhodes thanks him for everything he’s done and Dusty would be proud of Punk (that has Rhodes near tears). Punk thanks him and they go into the crowd to celebrate with the people.

We get what looks like the opening video to Wrestlemania, as narrated by Lin Manuel Miranda. It’s about being there for the moments and how one day, you’ll tell your kids about where you were this weekend when more moments take place and more memories are made. Great stuff here, as WWE knows how to turn up the nostalgia.

Overall Rating: C+. This is one of the most unique shows of the year every single year and you know what you’re getting with it. The wrestling is usually a few midcard matches to go along with the battle royal and a lot of talking about Wrestlemania. That’s exactly what we got here and the show was completely acceptable for what it was supposed to be. It’s little more than a big Wrestlemania preshow and tomorrow the real stuff starts. In other words, this was the Wrestlemania Week Smackdown.

Results
MFT’s b. Wyatt Sicks – Samoan Spike to Howdy
R-Truth/Damian Priest b. Kofi Kingston/Grayson Waller – Elevated Little Jimmy to Waller
Tiffany Stratton b. Jordynne Grace – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Charlotte/Alexa Bliss b. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria via DQ when the Irresistible Forces interfered
Royce Keys won the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal last eliminating Talla Tonga

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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CWC vs. The World 2026
Date: April 15, 2026
Location: FSW Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Chad Kalina, Rocco McSweets

This is the Colorado Wrestling Connection as I like to get in some of the smaller promotions as well. I have a grand total of no idea what this is going to include but that’s part of the point of this week. My money would be on the world in this kind of a battle but I’ve been surprised before. Let’s get to it.

There appear to be less than 100 people here.

The host welcomes the CWC owner, who hypes up all of the titles on the line, including many from outside of the CWC. He talks about a six man tag but a monster team called Stand On Business interrupt. One of them says they own the CWC and another wrestling promotion in Colorado, which brings out presumably their opponents to start fast.

Tag Team Titles: Stand On Business vs. Justin Andrews/Marlion Bishop

Business is defending. The camera is handheld and it feels like things are clipped a bit here and there. Andrews sends Dorian Maddox into the barricade but Andrews’ partner gets cut of, meaning Andrews is beaten down in the corner. Maddox’s partner (seems to be Papa Lypto) comes in to kick Andrews in the back of the head.

Maddox hits a Rock Bottom for two, followed by a spinebuster for…well not two as there’s no cover. Maddox’s Old School is blocked but he’s fine enough to hit an elbow to the face. Lypto grabs a choke, which is quickly broken up for the tag to Bishop. House is quickly cleaned and the rather muscular Bishop hits a Big Bang Catastrophe for the pin and the titles (with Andrews getting a pin of his own) at 7:30.

Rating: C. It was a very basic match but they played the formula well enough. The problem here comes down to I have pretty much no idea what is going on with these people or who they are, but I was able to pick up enough from commentary and what I could see. It’s not a great opener, but starting with a title change is often a smart way to go.

Reality Of Wrestling Women’s Title: Dani Mo vs. Lady Bird Monroe

Monroe is defending. They grapple around to start with Monroe grabbing a Sling Blade. A Regal Roll puts Mo down but Mo pulls her off the ropes for a crash. Mo’s backflip splash (not really a moonsault as it didn’t include any jumping) gets two and Mo slams her for two. There’s a fall away slam to Monroe and we hit the chinlock.

One heck of a clothesline sets up a leglock to keep Monroe in trouble but she’s back up for a double knockdown. Monroe wins a chop off and snaps off a powerslam, setting up a moonsault for two. Mo’s belly to belly into a Vader Bomb gets two but Monroe is back up with an AA. A Swanton retains at 7:31.

Rating: C+. It was better than the opener as you could keep track of what was going on as it’s a simple enough story. Monroe is the easy to cheer for heroine while Mo is more of the monster coming for the title. I liked this well enough and it was nice to have a guest star, with Monroe getting to showcase herself rather well.

Heritage Title: Manny Lemons vs. Ryzin

Lemons (with his two other belts) is defending and Ryzin is a ringmaster (complete with whip). Ryzin teases using the whip to start but settles for choking using Lemons’ own boa instead. Lemons fights up and hammers away in the corner, with the fans rather approving. A cheap shot out of the corner puts Lemons back down and Ryzin drops a leg for two. The chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by a boot scrape across the eyes. Lemons avoids a moonsault though and fires back, only to get caught with a superkick. Ryzin gets crotched on top and slammed down, meaning the Lemon Drop (fireman’s carry slam) retains at 5:54.

Rating: C. I could go for seeing a bit more of Ryzin, as his gimmick and look are enough to stand out a bit. Lemons felt like a standard slightly silly star and that’s not a terrible way to go. Commentary suggested that these two had a lot of history together but you wouldn’t have imagined it here, as it felt like a pretty basic match.

United Wrestling Network Tag Team Titles: 5150 vs. Delta Jr./Toxin

5150 (Slice Boogie/Danny Limelight) is defending, at least after some confusion over which match was next, with the ring announcer saying the owner set her up for sabotage. The champs jump them to start fast but get knocked into the corner. Toxin grabs a chinlock but Boogie comes in for a cheap shot to take over.

Back up and Toxin is sent into the corner and a snapmare sets up a rolling knee. Toxin makes Limelight kick Boogie in the face and then helps Delta hit a kick to the floor. Commentary says they’re lost as everything breaks down. With Toxin sent outside, a piledriver/superkick combination gets two but Toxin runs in for the save. Delta grabs standing crossface kind of thing but Boogie rips his mask off and steals the retaining pin at 7:18.

Rating: C+. The “heel takes the mask off and gets the pin” finish needs to go away for a long, long time. It’s just so cliched these days and that was the case again here. I don’t need a get out of a lucha match free spot like that and it doesn’t offer anything new. The match was ok, though neither team stood out for the most part.

CWC Women’s Title/CSW Women’s Title: Hussy Steele vs. Pixi Pulsing

Title for title. Steele (who has a bad ankle coming in) tackles her down to start fast but gets elbowed in the face. A running Downward Spiral sends Pulsing out to the floor so she charges back inside, where Steele grabs a backbreaker. Pulsing gets smart by going after the ankle and a brainbuster drops her again. A Vader Bomb gives Pulsing two but Steele manages a crane kick of all things.

They forearm it out from their knees until Pulsing knocks her into the corner, crushing the referee in the process. The referee is down and Pulsing grabs a studded belt to whip Steele. Pulsing goes up and calmly shoves off a Stratusfaction attempt. Steele grabs a German suplex for no count and hits something like a reverse Nightmare On Helm Street. A triangle choke makes Pulsing tap at 10:24.

Rating: C+. Neither of them tore the house down here but Steele working through the injury and fighting for the win was good stuff. Steele sold the leg well, though Pulsing didn’t feel like she was really going after the leg full blast. I do like the title changing hands though, as it actually feels like a big deal, which should be the case here.

Post match Steele is happy with her win.

Bret The Threat vs. Royce Isaacs

Tom Lawlor and Josh Barnett are here too, making the seconds more interesting than the wrestlers themselves. They go straight to the grappling (of course) with neither being able to get a hold so they get back up. Isaacs goes for the leg but Bret keeps spinning around to escape. Back up and Isaacs kicks at the leg before they trade some chops. A suplex sends Bret flying but he’s right back with a leglock to slow Isaacs down for a change.

An ankle lock sends Bret over to the rope but he escapes for a kick to the face. Isaacs is back up with a German suplex into a leglock, sending Bret back to the rope. Bret’s ankle lock works a bit better so Isaacs rolls him into a cradle for two. A brainbuster gives Isaacs the same but Bret flips out of a reverse dragon sleeper. Bret tries an armbar, which is reversed into a Texas Cloverleaf for the tap at 10:47.

Rating: B. I wasn’t expecting this but they wound up having a heck of a match and that’s a great thing to see. This was all about the grappling and striking with little in the way otherwise. It worked very well and felt so different than anything else on the show. Good stuff here, even with the biggest names on the floor.

Trios Titles: AMF vs. Hybrid Hit Squad

AMF (America’s Most Famous, the combined forces of Michael Avalon, Frankie Gonzalez and Audric Gallegos) is defending against Codah Alexander/Mikey O’Shea/Jack Moody…and we lose the signal. Commentary can be heard scrambling to get it back on and after about two and a half minutes away, we come back to a split screen and then the regular feed (commentary apologizes and fair enough as these things do happen) with the match joined in progress.

Moody rolls Avalon up for two and it’s off to the rather large O’Shea, who manages a knockdown. Avalon gets dropped with a suplex and it’s off to Gonzalez to knee away at Alexander. Three straight backsplashes give Gonzalez two but Alexander fights back, allowing Moody to go after the arm. Gonzalez comes back in to knee Alexander in the face and a double basement dropkick has him down again. Avalon rolls him around into an Angle Slam for two, followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb for the same.

They clothesline each other down though and it’s a double breather. The camera gets knocked down as O’Shea (by far the biggest man in the match) is in to clean house. Everything breaks down and O’Shea teases a dive but opts for a drop down into a double spank instead. Alexander hits a top rope clothesline…and AMF steals the referee’s glasses. That means she can’t see Avalon bring in a belt (that’s kind of brilliant) but Moody takes it away, only to hit Alexander on purpose. Avalon gets the easy pin to retain at 13:52.

Rating: C+. The ending was a twist and felt like a surprise, though I was more impressed by the glasses stealing deal. That’s not something you often see and I can appreciate thinking outside of the box like that. The rest of the match wasn’t bad, with O’Shea being different enough to really sand out. Nice job with some good thinking.

Colorado Springs Wrestling Title: Niles Blood vs. Sam Stackhouse

Stackhouse (who has to weigh close to 500lbs) is defending in a Last Man Standing match. Apparently Stackhouse is some kind of a big traitor, with commentary hating him for something he has done. A spinwheel kick puts Blood down fast and the beating is on as commentary talks about Stackhouse being Blood’s former friend when Blood won the title and then turning on him.

Stackhouse sends him into the post and talks a lot of trash, with commentary hating him even more each time. Blood is already bleeding but beats the count so Stackhouse puts him in a chair in the corner. The Cannonball only hits (and crushes) the chair but Stackhouse is up again. Blood hammers him down in the corner again and hits him with a trashcan, followed by a DDT onto the trashcan for another near count.

A running dropkick drives a chair into Stackhouse’s head for nine but he gets a boot up in the corner. Stackhouse, also busted open, manages an ax kick and sits in the chair as Blood tries to get up. That’s quite the target so Blood is back up with a superkick to knock him out of the chair. Stackhouse tries to tie Blood in the corner but another wrestler, apparently out with an injury, runs in for a distraction. Blood grabs a Heatseeker onto a chair for nine so he uses the rope to choke Stackhouse out for the title at 15:16.

Rating: C+. Well, they didn’t go too insane with the weapons here and that helped a lot. I’ll take this kind of violence over the deathmatch nonsense any day, as this was more about two men that hated each other wanting to hurt the other. It might not have been great but there was a story to it and since they haven’t done this stuff all night, it had more of an impact.

Post match Blood grabs the mic and thanks the crowd.

CWC Title: Duke Lawrence vs. Lonnie Valdez

Valdez is defending but Lawrence (hometown star) has a title of his own, which might be some kind of interim thing. Lawrence low bridges him to the floor and hits a big running flip dive, only for the bigger Lawrence to grab a rather delayed vertical suplex back inside. A big toss sends Valdez flying and they go outside for some rather loud chops. Valdez’s comeback doesn’t last long but he’s able to send Lawrence into the post.

Back in and Valdez takes out the leg before starting in on the arm. The arm is sent into the mat and the Fujiwara armbar goes on. Lawrence fights up and hits a heck of a clothesline but Valdez knocks him down again. The Swanton gives Valdez two so he hits it again, only for a third to hit knees. A spinning powerslam gives Lawrence the pin and the title at 10:36.

Rating: C. The match was good enough, though I’m not entirely clear what is going on with the whole double titles thing. What matters is that they had a big moment in the main event, which is hard to do. I’m not sure what the story was supposed to be here either as neither of them felt like a villain, but Lawrence getting the win seemed to be a popular enough result.

The host (she was rather good and had a charm to her so nice find with her in this role) thanks us for coming out and tells us about another show next month.

Overall Rating: C+. I wasn’t expecting much of anything and got an ok show here, which I’ll take. There are some weak points to this show but the good parts (Last Man Standing, the technical match and the host) were enough to put it just over the top. It needed some better commentary to explain some things (along with any kind of name graphics) but I did like the variety of things we saw. I can go with having all of the guest stars coming and CWC wrestlers fighting over various titles, as the roster can’t be that deep in the first place. I wouldn’t call it good, but I’d call it good enough all things considered.

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