On December 5, 2022, a seemingly playful segment on WWE Monday Night Raw turned into one of the more bizarre but memorable mashups of the wrestling and poker worlds. JBL, never one to shy away from theatrics, hosted what was dubbed the JBL High Stakes Invitational Poker Tournament backstage, featuring a colorful mix of WWE stars. Among them: Johnny Gargano, Baron Corbin, Akira Tozawa, and the ever-stoic Dexter Lumis. What started as a comedic filler ended up creating legitimate matchups and sparking storyline tensions. One moment, Dexter Lumis was being questioned for even entering the room. The next, he was emptying a duffel bag filled with money (his spoils from a previous storyline with The Miz) onto the table. Just like that, Lumis was dealt in. 

The fallout from the tournament spilled into the ring, as per a WWE Raw recap from CBS. Chad Gable caught a Magic Killer from The O.C., which resulted in a decisive win, all because of an argument that erupted at JBL’s poker table. Similarly, Dominik Mysterio took down Akira Tozawa in a match born from another cardroom dispute. In true WWE fashion, a deck of cards, a few bad beats, and a room full of egos became the spark for a string of in-ring conflicts. Fans were divided—some enjoyed the drama and character-building, others questioned the value of a poker segment in a wrestling show. 

Either way, the JBL Invitational made noise. And just like a controversial hand at the World Series of Poker, everyone was talking about it. 

A Risky Bet: Fan Reactions to the Poker Segment 

The JBL High Stakes Invitational was the WWE’s attempt to infuse a different kind of storytelling tool into its live programming. But not everyone at the table was impressed. Audience reactions ranged from curious engagement to full-blown rejection. Among the harshest critics was former WWE head writer Vince Russo, who called the entire segment “bad, campy, stupid, silly, unfunny comedy.” In an interview with Sportskeeda, Russo blasted the angle for lacking authenticity and leaning too hard into forced humor. The poker table setup did resemble a retro backstage skit from WWE’s Attitude Era. With JBL presiding like an old Western saloon boss and wrestlers taking exaggerated losses or throwing tantrums, it walked the line between parody and plot device. And while the segment did drive story progression, creating friction that led to two actual matches, it felt disjointed to fans expecting hard-hitting action. 

Still, others saw potential. Some praised the tournament’s attempt at blending character motivations with real-life themes like pride, risk, and ego, all things central to both poker and wrestling. The line between fiction and reality blurred in ways that piqued the interest of fans who know the strategic side of poker. Could WWE have pushed the concept further? Maybe. The segment at least highlighted how common the cross-pollination of poker and wrestling has become. In both games, you either play the character or get played. 

Where Wrestlers and Poker Pros Collide 

As unusual as it may seem, poker and pro wrestling are cut from the same cloth. Both demand psychological warfare, stamina, and the ability to control a room (or a table). It’s no surprise that some of today’s poker pros once thrived on the mat. 

For example, Americas Cardroom pro Chris Moneymaker — yes, the man who ignited the poker boom in 2003 — has roots in wrestling. In an interview with a major poker publication, Moneymaker shared a story about his early wrestling struggles, including a 0-15 season in high school and a socially awkward match against the only girl wrestler in his area. While the bout ended in his favor, it taught him a valuable lesson about resilience and pressure, two things that serve him just as well under the bright lights of a poker final table. Another example is Dash Dudley. Before winning three World Series of Poker bracelets, Dudley wrestled at Michigan State and played football at Okemos High School. He credits his competitive edge in poker to his early years in wrestling. “They’re essentially trophies,” Dudley told WILX News. “But they’re a lot harder to get. I had to battle 2,600 [players] for the last one.” 

The shared DNA between poker and wrestling runs deeper than fans realize. Both require a strong poker face, a flair for the dramatic, and a willingness to take calculated risks. Wrestlers know the grind of mental endurance and physical pressure. Poker players navigate tells, tempo, and mental warfare. It’s why crossover events like the JBL Invitational, while polarizing, are more than a gimmick; they reflect a genuine cultural overlap. With WrestleMania rumored to return to Las Vegas, the world’s poker capital, many fans are speculating whether poker-themed segments will make another comeback. According to some sources, the WWE has already floated the idea of reviving poker-related storylines to align with the city’s casino culture. If so, JBL’s poker night might have been the opening shuffle. 

Betting on Entertainment’s Future 

The JBL High Stakes Invitational Poker Tournament was a bold, if clunky, attempt to unify two competitive arenas. While critics like Vince Russo may have folded early, others saw the segment as a creative gamble worth exploring. Whether you view it as a missed opportunity or a fun deviation from the norm, it proved one thing: poker and wrestling are more intertwined than ever. With stars like Chris Moneymaker and Dash Dudley bridging the gap, and live segments creating real match outcomes, the relationship between the ring and the felt continues to evolve. For WWE, poker is a storyline waiting to be dealt. 

Ring Of Honor
Date: August 7, 2025
Location: Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We have four shows left before Death Before Dishonor and one match has been announced (earlier this week on Twitter), as Bandido will defend the World Title against Hechicero. Other than that you can probably guess some matches, but nothing else is officially set. They’ll need to come up with something for the Tag Team and Six Man Titles, as apparently having Dustin Rhodes stand on the apron while his partners lose them was asking too much. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Bandido vs. Gringo Loco

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning that if Loco wins or survives the ten minute time limit, he gets a future title shot. Bandido flips around to start and snaps off a middle rope hurricanrana but Loco sends him outside. Back in and a spinning faceplant puts Bandido down but he’s back up with a quick hurricanrana. Loco shoves him off the top though and hits a split legged moonsault for two. A GTS drops Loco again and Bandido goes up, where he gets caught with a super reverse Spanish Fly. The switchfoot moonsault misses for Loco though and Bandido hits the frog splash for the pin at 5:32.

Rating: B-. They had five minutes to get in a bunch of spots so it was entertaining while it lasted but it didn’t last all that long. That’s not the most thrilling stuff as they were coming in cold with pretty much no reason to believe that Loco was going to win. I’ll take it over the World Champion never being around though so this could have been far worse.

We run down the rest of the card.

Video on Mistico.

Satnam Singh/Jay Lethal vs. GPA/Hunter Holdcraft

Lethal headlocks Holdcraft to start and snaps off the strut. Holdcraft uses the distraction to jump Lethal from behind and some double teaming ensues. Lethal slides away and teases the tag to Singh, which has the jobbers terrified. Singh comes in for the big chops in the corner before chokeslamming GPA over and over (bouncing him off the mat like a ball). The Lethal Injection drops Holdcraft and the big chokeslam finishes GPA at 3:18.

Rating: C. This is in the category of “well, what were you expecting?”. Singh isn’t going to be the next big giant around here so putting him in nothing tag matches is a fine way to go. I’ll take that over having him do important stuff as this could have been a far worse idea. It’s sad that this is the best they have for Lethal though, as he could be working with someone with a brighter future.

Blake Christian and Lee Johnson want the Tag Team Titles. We look at some of their recent success.

Athena/Billie Starkz vs. Missa Kate/Laynie Luck

Athena and Starkz deck them to start fast and it’s Kate getting caught in the wrong corner to start. A running forearm knocks her out and it’s off to Starkz vs. Luck. Athena pulls her off the top and it’s a Swanton from Starkz into a Koji Clutch from Athena for the tap at 2:26.

Post match the hold stays on until the referee gets it broken up.

We look at Dustin Rhodes’ knee injury but there is no word on the future of either title.

Volador Jr./Magnus/Rugido vs. Dark Order

Reynolds and Rugido start things off with Rugido flipping his way out of an armbar. Back up and Reynolds gets a headscissors choke in the ropes before it’s off to Magnus. Some running shoulders to Uno don’t work and it’s Uno getting caught in a triple team. Uno has to save his mask and neckbreakers Magnus, which is enough for the tag off to Silver. Magnus gets caught in the corner for a parade of running clotheslines but the triple flipping slam is broken up. Instead it’s a suplex into a top rope elbow into la majistral to give Volador the pin on Uno at 6:27.

Rating: B-. As usual, the luchadors are fun stars to have around for a one off match like this. In this case though, there is a very good chance that the Six Man Tag Team Titles will be available in the near future so this might have an impact later on. The rapid fire lucha offense was fun as always, even if the match was nothing that we haven’t seen a bunch of times.

QT Marshall mocks Paul Walter Hauser’s career as an actor and now Hauser is obsessed with him. This isn’t a fantasy land so next week, Hauser can show up to watch his match. Then they can deal with their issues.

Video on Mascara Dorada.

Mistico/Mascara Dorada vs. Lee Johnson/Blake Christian

Christian and Dorada start things off with Christian getting in a cheap shot to start fast. They both bounce off the ropes and Dorada kicks him in the head, meaning it’s off to Mistico vs. Johnson. Everything breaks down rather quickly with Christian and Johnson being sent out to the floor. The stereo dives are broken up so it’s a pair of handspring elbows to drop Christian and Johnson instead.

Back in and Johnson drops Dorada onto the top rope for a splash from the top, leaving Christian to send him into the barricade. A basement forearm gives Johnson two but Dorada is up for the tag without much trouble. Everything breaks down and Christian hits a superkick to Dorada, followed by a suicide dive to Mistico. Back in and we get a parade of superkicks, followed by everyone being planted to leave all four down. Dorada hurricanranas Christian to the floor and drops Johnson, leaving Mistico to grab La Mistica for the tap at 10:01.

Rating: B-. This was the kind of entertaining match you would expect from Mistico and Dorada, but at the same time, I have no idea why you would build up Christian and Johnson for the sake of putting the CMLL guys over. Unless the CMLL guys are going after the Tag Team Titles (not likely), this continues to leave the belts mostly high and dry for the sake of pushing stars who don’t need the wins. I don’t quite get the thinking here, but at least the match was good.

Overall Rating: B-. Better than usual show, but the bigger issue is that after this show, we have three weeks left before Death Before Dishonor and we have one match set. There are likely to be two vacant titles decided at the show so maybe we could hear something about them? I have no idea why they wait this late to announce things, but my guess would be they don’t know what they’re going to do yet. That’s not a good sign and leaves a lot to be desired, yet here we are again with the same issue.

Results
Bandido b. Gringo Loco – Frog splash
Satnam Singh/Jay Lethal b. GPA/Hunter Holdcraft – Chokeslam to GPA
Athena/Billie Starkz b. Missa Kate/Laynie Luck – Koji Clutch to Luck
Volador Jr./Magnus/Rugido b. Dark Order – La majistral to Uno
Mistico/Mascara Dorada b. Blake Christian/Lee Johnson – La Mistica to Johnson

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

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

NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #17
Date: October 16, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Don West, Mike Tenay

So the big lesson coming out of last week was just how smart the former WWF/WCW stars are in comparison to these young whippersnappers. That was on full display as Syxx Pac ran in to win the X-Division Title in a ladder match despite not being involved in the vast majority. Other than that, Jeff Jarrett is still a big deal and will likely get a lot of attention this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Commentary sends us to a long recap of the last few weeks, which sets up a few of tonight’s matches.

Jorge Estrada is looking for a new Flying Elvis. Brian Lawler runs in to look for his girlfriend and holds Goldilocks responsible for her missing. Goldilocks does not care.

David Young vs. Brian Lawler

April comes out with Lawler, who makes her sit down at ringside. They trade armdrags to start until Young clotheslines him out to the floor. Back in and some atomic drops have Lawler in more trouble but he clotheslines his way to freedom. Lawler gets in a few shots, yells at the referee, and then gets in some more shots. Young manages a spinning Alabama…faceplant (dropping Lawler face first rather than slamming him down) and a DDT gets two. A moonsault misses though and Lawler goes up, only to miss the Hip Hop Drop. Young goes up again but takes too long and gets super reverse DDTed for the pin at 5:52.

Rating: C-. I’m sure Lawler is there because he’s something of a name and probably works relatively cheap, but again I ask why I’m supposed to be interested in his issues with April. Why would I want to see them together or whatever they’re doing when Lawler isn’t interesting on his own? Not much here, though that faceplant was cool.

Video on Sonny Siaki vs. Jerry Lynn, with Siaki attacking Lynn and costing him a few times, including the X-Division Title last week.

Here is a limping Lynn for a chat. He wants Siaki next week because he’s beaten up “punk a** b******” like Siaki for fourteen years. Next week, he’s beating some respect into Siaki. Cue Siaki, who says he respects no one and comes in to go after Lynn’s knee. Various X-Division wrestlers make the save. Security has to hold them apart and here is Bob Armstrong to yell.

Earlier today, Syxx Pac sat down for an interview and talks about how the X-Division is about the ability rather than the weight. He can have a positive or negative impact around here because he’s a wrestler rather than a sports entertainer. As for tonight, he’s ready for AJ Styles, who has done some of the same things that he has done.

Sonny Siaki vs. Jorge Estrada

Estrada, with newcomer Priscilla, charges to the ring and chops away, followed by a Lionsault for two. Siaki sends him outside though and hits a pumphandle suplex on the floor. Back in and a spinning cutter gives Siaki two but Estrada drops him as well for a double down. A Regal Roll into another Lionsault gives Estrada two more but Siaki drops him with a clothesline. Estrada knocks him outside, only to miss a dive into the barricade. Siaki’s rolling cutter is good for the pin at 5:18.

Rating: C. There wasn’t exactly much of a surprise here as Siaki has already moved on to his feud with Jerry Lynn and just needed to beat Estrada to wrap up the Flying Elvises stuff. Siaki has a good attitude and, despite feeling like a Rock impersonator, is more interesting than a lot of people around here. Let him get away from the goofy comedy stuff and see what they’ve got with him.

Post match Jerry Lynn runs in and beats on Siaki, meaning it’s another pull apart brawl.

Derek Wylde vs. Ace Steel

Steel has Mortimer Plumtree with him and takes Wylde down without much trouble. They fight over arm control until Wylde snaps off a hurricanrana. Steel puts him on the apron and they go to the floor, where Wylde grabs a headscissors. Back in and Steel puts him up top for a superplex, followed (eventually, after a lot of reaching and stretching) by a Widow’s Peak for the pin at 3:50.

Rating: C-. Steel has some potential and looks good in the ring, but dang that finish was as smooth as something that isn’t smooth whatsoever. It brought the match down a bit despite them doing well enough otherwise. Wylde is another name in the crowded X-Division, but there are worse choices for jobbers to the stars.

Bruce/Jeff Jarrett vs. Hermie Sadler/BG James

Please be quick. Before the match, James makes his usual jokes about Jarrett and Bruce, which are as unfunny as usual. Jarrett comes back by saying Sadler can be in THE LAST AND THE FURIOUS before getting forearmed by James to start. Bruce comes in and immediately drops to all fours before taking Sadler down. Sadler gets in an armdrag and it’s back to James, who can’t find anything low on Bruce to hit.

A Jarrett cheap shot from the apron lets the villains take over, with both of them getting int heir usual. James fights up with the shaky jabs and shaky knee, allowing the tag to Sadler. Jarrett and James brawl up the ramp, where Brian Lawler pops up with a trashcan to knock James silly. Back inside, Sadler proves that he is better than any woman so far and pins Bruce with a rollup at 6:50.

Rating: D-. Sweet merciful goodness enough with the Bruce stuff. Hermie Sadler isn’t much better, but at least he seems to be serious when he’s out there. I get exactly what they’re going for with Bruce, but good grief they couldn’t make it much dumber. That leaves James and Jarrett to do the important stuff and they have a pretty firm ceiling on the excitement scale at the moment.

Post match Bruce puts on his tiara…and gets taken out with the Stroke.

Norman Smiley vs. Ron Harris

Harris shoves him down to start but charges into a hiptoss, allowing Smiley to dance a bit. Smiley goes for the knee but the Big Wiggle is broken up rather quickly. More kicks to the leg seem to annoy Harris but a shoulder does put him down. A spinning side slam drops Smiley though and a half nelson slam gives Harris the pin at 4:49.

Rating: D+. At least it was relatively short and Harris only beat one person this time. Smiley’s comedy is always worth a chuckle as he’s good in that style, but I still have no idea why I’m supposed to care about the Harris stuff. He’s fine on his own, but after being bored by he and his brother for so many years, stop trying to make him into some big force here.

Post match Smiley actually beats Harris down but Don Harris comes out to make the save. the Harris Twins go face to face and that’s it.

Tag Team Titles: Chris Michaels/Rick Michaels vs. James Storm/Chris Harris

Harris and Storm are defending and for the sake of simplicity, Chris Michaels is “Chris” and Chris Harris is “Harris”. Rick and Storm slug it out to start until Rick is sent outside, where Chris is tossed on top of him. Everything breaks down and Storm is sent into the steps to put the Michaels in trouble.

Rick comes back in and gets caught with a hurricanrana, allowing the tag off to Harris. A high crossbody gets two on Chris and Storm grabs the reverse tornado DDT but there is no referee. Rick gets in a cheap shot to give Chris two and Storm’s superkick gets the same. Rick’s neckbreaker sets up Chris’ top rope elbow for two on Harris, who is right back up with the swinging Rock Bottom to pin Chris and retain at 6:46.

Rating: C+. As usual, Storm and Harris are one of the bright spots on this show, though they’re going to need some serious challengers sooner than later. The problem with having a dominant team and basically no division underneath them is that you can’t exactly build up anyone to come for the belts. The Michaels weren’t great but I’ve seen far worse challengers for the titles. Like anyone with Ron Harris for example.

Post match the Hot Shots run in to beat on the champs, with the Michaels getting in on it as well.

X-Division Title: AJ Styles vs. Syxx Pac

Pac is defending and Mortimer Plumtree is with Styles. Multiple handshake offers don’t interest Styles, who takes Pac down and gets some applause. An exchange of wristlocks goes to Styles as they’re still firmly in first gear here. Pac takes him down for some slaps to the back of the head but Styles is right back up with a hurricanrana. Styles needs a breather on the floor before coming back in, only to get armdragged right back to the floor.

Back in (again) and Styles manages to crotch him against the post, with Plumtree getting in some choking on the ropes. The chinlock keeps Pac down until he misses a charge to the floor. That means Styles can hit a big running flip dive before hitting the chinlock again. Pac fights up again and fires off some spinning kicks to the face, only for Styles to dropkick him out of the air for two.

Back up and Pac knocks him to the floor for the big flip dive, followed by a northern lights suplex for two more. The referee gets bumped so Plumtree comes in, with the referee not allowing Pac to him him. Instead Pac unloads on Styles in the corner until it’s a DQ at 13:53.

Rating: B-. The ending was annoying but it’s nice to see two talented wrestlers who can work a good match getting the chance to do it. Last week’s issues aside, there is something good about having Pac around because he really can hang with just about anyone. It makes the division feel more important and someone beating him for the title will be a big moment.

Post match Pac decks the referee and security has to hold him back so Styles and Plumtree can escape.

Don West previews next week’s show.

Earlier today, Mike Tenay sat down with Curt Hennig, who talks about being a big success in the AWA, WWF and WCW. He was impressed by the reaction he received last week and thinks Ron Killings is quite the star.

NWA World Title: Curt Hennig vs. Ron Killings

Killings is defending and goes on a rant about how minority wrestlers don’t get a fair chance. He doesn’t duck anyone and tonight, Hennig’s blood is on his critics’ hands. Hennig comes out to call Killings a punk and we’re ready to go. Killings backs away into the corner to start so Hennig grabs a lockup, with the referee splitting them up.

Hennig pulls him into a front facelock but they fall out to the floor, with Killings grabbing a backdrop onto the announcers’ table. Back in and Killings hammers away, including starting in on the leg. The jumping sidekick staggers Hennig, who is right back with a slam but the referee gets bumped. The HennigPlex is loaded up but here is Mr. Wrestling III to go after both of them.

BG James and Syxx Pac come in to chase him off but Ace Steel and the Harris Twins come in for a big brawl. Bob Armstrong comes in to clear the ring and restart the match but Killings knocks various people down. Killings grabs a chair so Armstrong says get in the ring and defend the title or be stripped. Cue Jeff Jarrett to hit Hennig low, allowing Killings to steal the pin at 9:00.

Rating: C. Well I’ll be darned if Jeff Jarrett didn’t get involved in the main event again. Hennig getting a title shot so soon is fine as he’s one of the biggest names in the company and having him put Killings over is a good thing. BG James continues to be mostly useless, but they’re far better than the Harris Twins who simply won’t go away. As usual, too much going on in a match that really didn’t need all the smoke and mirrors.

Killings rants to the fans a lot.

We get a graphic saying EVIL RETURNS on October 30 to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. The biggest problem here continues to be a lack of a reason to care about most of this stuff. Things happen every week, but so many of them aren’t interesting or feature people who could be dropped from the show with nothing being lost. The Harris Twins, Brian Lawler, Bruce and BG James would be on this list, as the limited star power they add isn’t helping much. As usual, there are people here who are working hard, but the whole product needs a new direction with A LOT more focus, as so many things are all over the place.

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

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

Sunday Night Slam
Date: August 21, 1994
Location: Beeghly Center, Youngstown, Ohio
Commentators: Jim Ross, Randy Savage

This is a special (part of a series) of hype shows before pay per views, Summerslam 1994 in this case. I’ve seen some of them before and they’re hit and miss to say the least, but this isn’t exactly from the best time in the company’s history. This isn’t exactly looking promising but I’ve been surprised before. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Jim Ross and Randy Savage welcome us to the show and run down the card, which is very 1994.

Lex Luger vs. Crush

They test the power to start as commentary says they aren’t sure if Luger has sold out to Ted DiBiase or not. Luger gets an early knockdown for two but Crush hits him in the ribs to cut that off. The piledriver is blocked though and Luger hammers away, followed by a running shoulder to send Crush outside.

They get back inside and Crush goes to the back to take over, setting up the camel clutch. Crush crashes down onto the back for two and the bearhug stays on the bad back. Cue Ted DiBiase at ringside to count money and Luger fights out. That earns him a gorilla press slam though and we take a break with Luger in big trouble.

We come back with Crush still on the back until a double should gives them a double down. DiBiase seems to be cheering for Luger, who gets up for the signature clothesline comeback. A powerslam and DDT (that’s a weird one for him) give Luger two but Crush superkicks him down. The tilt-a-whirl backbreaker plants Luger but DiBiase gets up on the apron to offer Crush money. Crush swats it away (seems kind of dumb) and the distraction lets Luger hit the forearm for the win at 15:58.

Rating: C. This could have been a lot worse, which is about as high as Luger was going to get in the WWF. His offense was just so basic and generic that there was nothing to get excited about when he was in the ring. He was living off that single bodyslam and the luster has worn very thin. At some point he needed to win something (other than tying for the Royal Rumble) and that hasn’t happened yet.

Jerry Lawler and Vince McMahon are in the WWF Studios and talk about the disappearance of the Undertaker. We see Undertaker rising up through the screen at the Royal Rumble, with even Paul Bearer not being sure where he is. Then a bunch of people swore they saw Undertaker, which is one of the weirdest angles to build up a match that I can remember. This led to Ted DiBiase bringing back his version of the Undertaker, who was clearly not the real thing. Bearer realized it was a fake and is swearing that the real Undertaker will be back at Summerslam. This is still dumb and the match would be even worse.

Bam Bam Bigelow/IRS vs. Bob Holly/1-2-3 Kid

Ted DiBiase is here with the villains. Bigelow LAUNCHES Kid around a few times to start but Kid is back with the rapid fire kicks. A missed charge in the corner lets Kid fire off even more kicks to put him on the floor, where a big slingshot flip dive connects. IRS misses a charge at Holly and crashed to the floor, where Bigelow and IRS are rammed together.

Back in and Holly’s high crossbody gets two on Bigelow and we hit the armbar. Bigelow misses a headbutt so it’s off to IRS to slow things down (shocking I know). Holly gets two off a dropkick and it’s back to Kid, who is sent crashing out to the floor. A legdrop gives IRS two and we hit the chinlock. Bigelow comes in for a front facelock and a DDT gets two, leaving Bigelow shocked.

We flash back to the 70s as IRS hits an airplane spin for two and Bigelow grabs an Argentine backbreaker, albeit with Kid spun around in an opposite direction than usual. IRS drops an elbow to the elevated Kid as Savage sings Kid’s praises. The moonsault misses for Bigelow and it’s Holly coming back in to clean house. That lasts until a high crossbody is countered into a World’s Strongest Slam to give Bigelow the pin at 10:10.

Rating: B. The first two or so minutes of this show were as hot of a start of a tag match as I have seen in a very long time. They were all over the place and the fans were wanting to see the underdogs pull off a miracle. Throw in an airplane spin being used as something other than a comedy spot for the first time in forever and this was FAR better than I would have ever expected.

Leslie Nielsen is going to be at Summerslam to find the Undertaker.

And now, the Summerslam Report, which is, shockingly, about Summerslam. We run down the card and hear from Razor Ramon, who is ready to win the Intercontinental Title and has Walter Payton with him. Payton’s voice is not exactly intimidating.

Razor Ramon vs. Todd Becker

Ramon sends him flying to start and then grabs an abdominal stretch, followed by the weird STF variation. A belly to back suplex sets up the belly to back superplex, followed by the Razor’s Edge to complete the squash at 3:38.

Rating: C. This was about what you would have expected, as Ramon destroyed the jobber in short enough order. That’s a good enough way to get him heated up before he goes after the Intercontinental Title at Summerslam and I’ll take this over a dull match with IRS. If nothing else, it’s fun to see Ramon doing his cocky stuff, which he did so well.

Leslie Nielsen orders Domino’s and doesn’t realize the Undertaker delivered it.

Abe Knuckleball Schwartz (a baseball themed character) is on strike. End of character and storyline.

Bull Nakano vs. Heidi Lee Morgan

Luna Vachon is here with Nakano. Morgan gets an early rollup for two before Morgan takes her down with a short armscissors. Nakano powers out and works on the back, with a Boston crab making it worse. What would become Paige’s Scorpion Crosslock has Morgan tapping but that doesn’t mean anything in 1994 WWF. Nakano throws her outside for a ram into the steps from Vachon, followed by a seated abdominal stretch back inside. Morgan fights up and hits a dropkick but gets dropped with a hard suplex. The guillotine legdrop finishes Morgan at 7:28.

Rating: C. Well that was….lengthy. Morgan was a good example of why the division wasn’t working at this point. She was certainly trying in the ring and you could see that she knew what she was doing, but she felt like a relic from 1982 as one of Moolah’s old girls (and hey, she was one of them, albeit one who debuted in 1987). That’s not going to work in there with someone like Nakano, who was throwing out all kinds of crazy stuff for the time being. Morgan was absolutely not bad, but she’s not the kind of wrestler who was going to feel important at this point.

Here is Bret Hart for a chat (from Superstars, because doing this on the regular show would be putting in too much effort). Yes Owen Hart beat him at Wrestlemania, but this time it’s different with the title on the line. The entire Hart Family is going to be there and Owen was the one who wanted it to be in a cage.

Owen got his one win at Wrestlemania and maybe Bret was a bit distracted. Sure Owen has Jim Neidhart with him, and yes Neidhart is fat, but Bret forgot to mention that Neidhart is STUPID. Bret talks about looking through the bars of Owen’s crib as a child and laughing, which is what will happen at Summerslam. I’ve heard worse, but it would have been nice to hear it here, rather than from Superstars.

We get the still awesome Go Get Em Champ Bret Hart ad.

Typhoon vs. Diesel

Diesel’s Intercontinental Title isn’t on the line and Shawn Michaels is in Diesels’ corner. Diesel hammers away in the corner but Typhoon fights back with a rather easy slam. Back up and Diesel knocks him down, setting up the neck crank. Some boot choking in the corner has Typhoon in more trouble but he fights out rather well. The legdrop misses but Typhoon goes with the basics, meaning using his rather large stomach to crush Diesel in the corner. Diesel cuts off a charge with a boot though and finishes with a running clothesline at 4:58.

Rating: C-. When I saw this match advertised, it felt like something of a sick joke. At the end of the day, there is only so much you can do with Typhoon, whose lone characteristic is “he’s big”. Diesel’s offense against him worked and they did what they could, but you know what you’re getting out of a Typhoon match and it isn’t very much.

Leslie Nielsen is going around the world to find the Undertaker.

Vince and Lawler don’t have much to say in the studio.

Undertaker vs. Sonny Rogers

Ted DiBiase is with the Undertaker, who grabs him by the face and chokes to start. The Tombstone finishes at 1:22.

Leslie Nielsen isn’t sure how there can be two Undertakers and then has a fake Leslie Nielsen arrested.

Apparently Vince and Lawler will be taking live fan calls as the show continues, though there don’t appear to be any more matches. This part isn’t included on the WWE Vault version and the show just ends.

Overall Rating: C. There’s a reason that Summerslam 1994 is not among your more remembered editions. The show was built around two matches and this show featured one of them in a squash and the other was a taped promo. Other than that, the highlight was a 1-2-3 Kid/Bob Holly match, even though neither of them are on Summerslam. Nothing to see here, and really not much of a special.

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

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Monday Night Raw
Date: June 28, 1993
Location: Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Randy Savage, Bobby Heenan

It’s the last show of the month and the big story coming out of last week is Razor Ramon’s continued frustrations with the 1-2-3 Kid. Last week Ramon still couldn’t beat the Kid, who ran off with the $10,000 Ramon was putting up. Other than that, we’re coming up on the Yokozuna bodyslam challenge, which could be rather interesting. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Intercontinental Title: Shawn Michaels vs. Kamala

Michaels, with Diesel, is defending. They take their time to start with Michaels offering a handshake, which allows him to knock Kamala into the corner. Kamala doesn’t care for that and bites the finger before knocking Michaels out to the floor. Back in and Kamala charges into some raised knees in the corner as we take a break.

We come back with Kamala’s bearhug being broken up with a rake to the eyes, allowing Michaels to stomp away. Michaels avoids a charge in the corner and goes after the leg, though the Figure Four attempt is blocked. Kamala kicks him into the corner and starts chopping away, setting up the splash to the back. As usual, Kamala doesn’t quite have the pinning thing down so Diesel gets on the apron. That’s enough for Michaels to hit a superkick to the back of the head for the pin at 11;15.

Rating: C-. Michaels is an all time star but there is only so much you can do in this situation. Kamala’s good guy run was a stretch on its best day and then it was hard to make something like this work. Diesel being involved in the ending helped establish him, but the idea of Michaels needing help against Kamala is a stretch at best.

Post match Kamala goes after Michaels but Diesel makes the save.

Here are Yokozuna and company for a chat. Mr. Fuji is ready to humiliate various American athletes at the bodyslam challenge but Vince McMahon warns him that America is kind of amazing. Someone will step up and hit a home run, though Fuji doesn’t seem convinced. Yokozuna calls American athletes inferior, just like American products, so McMahon gets a USA chant going. It was weird to hear McMahon be so one sided in a story like this, but it shows how big of a villain Yokozuna really is.

Various athletes, including Tatanka, say they can slam Yokozuna.

Smoking Gunns vs. Iron Mike Sharpe/Barry Horowitz

Billy and Sharpe start things off with Billy clearing both jobbers out in a hurry. Bart comes in for a crisscross into a small package for two on Sharpe, followed by the armbar. It’s off to Horowitz, who avoids a crossbody to actually take over. A northern lights suplex doesn’t get Horowitz very far as Bart is back up for the tag off to Billy. The Sidewinder finishes Horowitz at 4:25.

Rating: C. The Gunns are only going to be able to go so far, but at the same time, the tag division isn’t exactly strong at this point so they only have to be so good. They have a time honored gimmick and the Sidewinder isn’t bad. Just let them win some matches and see where they can go from here.

We look at the 1-2-3 Kid stealing Razor Ramon’s money last week.

Here is Money Inc. for a chat, with Vince McMahon immediately mocking them for being the FORMER Tag Team Champions. IRS shrugs that off because they have a rematch clause in their contract against the Steiner Brothers. They move on to the idea of keeping your money, with Ted DiBiase mocking Razor Ramon for losing his cool, and as a result, his money, last week. Maybe Ramon can go to some stupid school like the University Of Michigan so Ramon can become the third Steiner Brother! And that’s how we’re setting up Ramon’s face turn.

Adam Bomb vs. PJ Walker

Johnny Polo is here with Bomb, who chokes Walker down to start. Naturally commentary ignores the match to talk about the bodyslam challenge, even as Bomb takes him to the floor for a hard clothesline. Back in and a top rope clothesline sets up the Atom Smasher for the pin at 2:14.

Crush vs. Bastion Booger

Heenan says Booger is related to Hilary Clinton as Crush can’t quite lift him up. Instead they go outside, with Crush not being able to ram him into the post. Booger can send him into the post though, and the steps as well. Back in and Booger grabs a bearhug but Crush powers out and manages a suplex. Some slams put Booger down, followed by a second and third for the pin at 5:37.

Rating: D+. Hey, did you know that Crush is strong and can lift large people? That was the entire point of the match and there wasn’t anything else going on, which made for a long five minutes. The match was as dull as you would expect and thankfully they did what they should have. It’s about as good as a Booger match is going to be, because, shockingly enough, he’s not very good.

Randy Savage is at Giants Stadium with a New York Giant who is ready to slam Yokozuna.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Commentary is hyped for the bodyslam challenge to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. The idea of this show was focusing on the upcoming bodyslam challenge, with Crush being the big name who is going to come after him. That’s a fine enough idea, but then you realize that you’re getting ready for a bodyslam challenge rather than a match. It’s only going to change so much, and it makes for some rough time on the way there, which was on display this week.

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

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Monday Night Raw
Date: June 21, 1993
Location: Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Randy Savage, Bobby Heenan

We have a fresh taping after the King Of The Ring and in this case that means we have a pair of rematches. One of them is going to involve a good bit of money and the other is going to involve possibly multiple clowns. That sounds like quite the show and hopefully it lives up to its (probably limited) hype. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a quick look at the (soon to be) 1-2-3 Kid beating Razor Ramon six weeks ago.

Opening sequence.

Steiner Brothers vs. Barry Hardy/Reno Riggins

The Steiners are the new Tag Team Champions (though this is non-title), having won the titles and then traded them with Money Inc. over the last week or so. Scott armdrags Riggins down to start as commentary recaps the recent title changes. It’s off to Hardy, whose forearms to Steiner don’t particularly do much. Rick drives him into the corner and hands it back to Scott, who gets to beat up Riggins again. The Frankensteiner finishes at 3:45. Total domination.

Rating: C. I could watch the Steiners smash through people for a long time and that made this a rather entertaining match. They ran through these jobbers with ease and the Frankensteiner always looked good. This is the Steiners’ bread and butter and it was on full display here.

Marty Jannetty vs. Doink The Clown

2/3 falls after last week’s match went to a double countout. They stare at each other a lot and Doink backs him up against the ropes for an oddly clean break. With that not working, Jannetty hits a dropkick and grabs an armbar to slow things down. It feels like they have a lot of time here, some of which is spent on Jannetty flipping around to get another armbar. Back up and Jannetty misses a charge into the buckle, allowing Doink to hit a quick Whoopee Cushion for the first fall at 7:02.

We take a break and come back with the start of the second fall as Doink takes over in the corner. Doink knocks him outside and laughs a lot as commentary talks about the upcoming Yokozuna bodyslam challenge. Jannetty fights up and slugs away, setting up a suplex. The referee makes Jannetty get off the top though, leaving him to superkick Doink instead. The top rope fist drop ties us up at 11:54 and we take another break.

We come back with Doink bailing out to the floor but tripping Jannetty down to wrap the leg around the post. Back in the and Figure Four goes on, with Jannetty getting out and slugging away to start the comeback. That’s reversed into an STF but the Whoopee Cushion is broken up. Jannetty elbows him in the face again but goes outside to check underneath the ring.

Doink gets in a cheap shot and goes under the ring, with the Doink who comes back out clearly not being the same one (with Vince and Savage realizing it). Jannetty rolls him up for two anyway, only for Doink to grab a piledriver for the pin. Hold on though as Randy Savage pulls out the original Doink and that’s enough for the referee to reverse the decision at 20:45.

Rating: C+. I’ve seen far worse matches, but twenty plus minutes of Jannetty vs. Doink, after last week’s match on top of that, is a bit more than anyone could ever reasonably need. I do appreciate having a story carry over though, as it’s not something you would often see around here. Good match, but I pretty much never need to see them wrestle again.

Mr. Hughes vs. Bobby Who

Hughes hammers away like…well like he’s Mr. Hughes in a squash match. The plodding forearms have Who down and a powerslam gets two, with Hughes pulling him up. Something like a Boss Man Slam finishes Who at 3:01.

Rating: C-. Unlike the Steiners, this wasn’t much in the way of an entertaining squash, as if you’ve seen one Hughes match, you’ve seen most of them. That was certainly the case here, as Hughes did his usual slow motion stuff and then won. They kept it short, but this wasn’t exactly a who’s Who of jobber opposition.

Razor Ramon vs. 1-2-3 Kid

This is a rematch from the big upset and Ramon is putting up $10,000 to get another shot. Kid starts fast with a top rope sunset flip for two and Ramon is looking a bit panicked. A fall away slam sends Kid flying as the fans are all behind said Kid. Ramon hammers him down even more and grabs a powerslam for two. Kid gets thrown outside and the pads are pulled back but he reverses a Razor’s Edge attempt. Back in and Kid’s moonsault press (how he won the first time) gets two…so he grabs the bag of money and runs off, jumps into a car and leaves at 5:14. Ha!

Rating: C+. The match was basically a squash until the end but then the Kid had a rather hilarious way out of the whole thing. Ramon shooting off his mouth and being sure that he would win is only going to cause him more problems and I’m curious to see how he is going to respond. If nothing else, the Kid’s awesome debut push continues and it’s working rather well.

Ramon swears this isn’t over.

Commentary wraps it up.

Overall Rating: B-. Good show here, with the long match in the middle being a nice change of pace before the rather funny ending to the main event. This show felt so much fresher than what they have been doing lately and that is something that has been needed. Keep this kind of stuff up and Raw could get entertaining rather quickly.

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

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Dynamite
Date: August 6, 2025
Location: Wolstein Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Commentators: Excalibur, Taz, Tony Schiavone

We’re getting closer to Forbidden Door and the show is at least starting to come together. There might not be many matches officially announced but we should be getting some of that covered this week. This might including World Champion Hangman Page, who is going to need a new challenger after dispatching Jon Moxley again last week. Let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

MJF, now the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion, is willing to send Mark Briscoe to Hell so he’ll never see his brother again. Or just back to Delaware. Tonight, Mark Briscoe’s luck runs out.

Jon Moxley vs. Mike Bailey

The Death Riders are here with Moxley while Bailey has Kevin Knight. Bailey kicks away in the corner to start so Moxley reverses to rain down some right hands. A crossface chickenwing has Bailey in more trouble but he gets up and flips away. Some kicks send Moxley outside, where he goes to the eyes to cut Bailey off. Shafir sweeps Bailey’s leg out and Moxley slaps Knight in the face.

The fight is teased but Bailey uses the distraction to take Moxley down. The moonsault knees to the back hit Moxley on the barricade and we take a break. We come back with Moxley working on the arm/fingers before shoving him into the corner. Bailey blocks a whip out of the corner though and hits a middle rope dropkick. The running shooting star press gives Bailey two, followed by the top rope version for the same.

A cross armbreaker has Moxley in more trouble and the moonsault knees connect. The Death Riders’ distraction let Moxley hit a big boot into a Crash Landing for two but Darby Allin pops up in the crowd and kidnaps Wheeler Yuta. Moxley has to break out of another cross armbreaker and hits the Death Rider for the pin at 14:15.

Rating: B. This match had Bailey getting beaten up and Yuta possibly vanishing. I’d call that a success on multiple points to start and Moxley gets some of his heat back after the consecutive losses to Page. That being said, it shouldn’t take him that long to beat a tag wrestler, especially with the Death Riders out there helping him.

Alex Windsor is ready for her four way TBS Title #1 contenders match. Toni Storm is ready to “whip out her t*** and tango” with Athena tonight. Then she dances off with Windsor.

The Death Riders are in the parking lot when Darby Allin throws a white bag (Wheeler Yuta shaped) out of his car. The team opens the bag and finds a note saying FORBIDDEN DOOR attached to Yuta. Excalibur seems to think that’s obvious, but without a “check yes or no” option, how can we be sure?

Earlier today, Mercedes Mone returned and, when asked about her loss, told Renee Paquette to not be such a mark.

Alex Windsor vs. Queen Aminata vs. Skye Blue vs. Billie Starkz

For one of three spots in a four way for the TBS Title at Forbidden Door and Toni Storm and Athena are both here. Starkz gets knocked outside to start and Blue is chopped back and forth. Blue asks both of them to stop and is double chopped down for her request. That leaves Aminata to waistlock Windsor and kick her in the back.

Blue breaks that up and pulls Aminata outside for a ram into the steps. Windsor gets taken down with a running hurricanrana and Blue gives Aminata a hanging neckbreaker to the floor. Starkz dives in to crush the pile and we take a break. We come back with Aminata slugging away at Blue until Windsor gives Blue a blue thunder bomb for two. Windsor’s sitout powerbomb gets two on Starkz but Aminata breaks up the Sharpshooter.

Aminata and Windsor strike it out before German suplexing the other two down. A bunch of headbutts leave everyone down, with Athena and Storm seeming to approve. Aminata gives Blue a reverse implant DDT but Starkz Swantons in for the save. Aminata and Blue go to the floor, leaving Windsor to discus lariat Starkz. Athena’s attempt at a save is cut off by Storm and Windsor’s small package gets the pin on Starkz at 11:31.

Rating: B-. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Windsor so far and she’s a nice breath of air to the division. Her moving on to an immediate title match is a good sign for her future, even if she isn’t likely to win the title. This was almost as much about Athena vs. Storm though, which is feeling like a big time title match which could go either way. Nice stuff here.

Post match Mercedes Mone comes in for the staredown. The distraction lets Athena hit the O Face on Storm. Mone and Athena have a bit of a staredown of their own.

The Young Bucks, in their founding fathers gear, commandeer the camera and yell at the production guy for not doing their entrance properly in recent weeks. They have some special instructions for him tonight.

Here is Kyle Fletcher, with the Don Callis Family, for a chat. Don Callis cuts Renee Paquette off and says he is building such a huge roster because it means power. The more titles you have, the more power you have, and he loved seeing Fletcher take out Dustin Rhodes last week.

Fletcher talks about how Rhodes doesn’t belong in the same ring as him and says anyone who tries to take the title from him will receive the same fate. Callis unveils a new painting of the two of them together, with Fletcher naked and the title strategically placed and a rather muscular Callis next to him. Fletcher is ready to be champion for a long time and is first title defense is this weekend on Collision.

Cope is ready to deal with Stokely Hathaway and FTR and next week he’s facing Hathaway. If FTR interferes, their whole restraining order is gone.

#1 Contenders Tag Team Title Tournament Semifinals: Brody King/Bandido vs. Young Bucks

The Bucks’ entrance is screwed up again as the set doesn’t rise, leaving them to crawl underneath. In addition, their instructions are read verbatim, including saying to make them look like stars instead of jobbers. On top of that, they are now listed as Max and Jeremy, their Generation Me names from TNA. Throw in bad pyro and a messed up version of their song and things aren’t looking great for them.

Bandido runs Matt over to start and King clotheslines both Bucks down. The Bucks are sent outside for a moonsault from Bandido, setting up King’s running crossbody against the barricade. We take a break and come back with Matt still in trouble, with Bandido’s crossbody connecting for two. A cheap shot from the apron cuts Bandido off though and Risky Business gives Matt two of his own.

King comes back in and gets taken down with a standing Sliced Bread into a kick to the head for two. More Bang For Your Buck doesn’t work due to King being a rather large man and it’s back to Bandido. The Bucks take him down as well though and a slingshot X Factor sets up the apron moonsault to King. A superkick into a flipping cutter has the Bucks in even more control and we take another break.

We come back with the Bucks arguing over what they should call the EVP Trigger. That’s enough of a delay for their knees to collide so King can come back in for a Cannonball to Matt. Bandido hits a big step up flip dive to the floor but some kind of a double team move doesn’t quite work. Nick superkicks Bandido but gets superplexed by King. Back up and multiple superkicks rock King and the TK Driver gets two on Bandido with King having to dive over for a save.

Nick dives at King, who Death Valley Drivers him on the apron, leaving Matt and Bandido to fight on the barricade. Bandido gets the better of things and takes him back inside for the X Knee into the 21 Plex, with Nick making a save of his own. The super flipping fall away slam gives Bandido two on Matt so King comes back in for the monkey flip into the 450 to finish Matt at 20:26.

Rating: A-. The match was a lot of fun with the flips and the dives, plus the Bucks losing, which makes the story that much better. It’s one thing to have them be treated like losers, but that doesn’t make a difference if they keep winning. Here they look like goons and lose at the same time, albeit after a very entertaining match. Rather awesome stuff here, with the Bucks looking like goons again to make it better.

Video on MJF vs. Mark Briscoe, including some of the rather personal insults they’ve thrown at each other.

The Hurt Syndicate is ready to hurt either team in the tournament finals at Forbidden Door. MJF comes in to say they they can win the World Title, but MVP says he’s tired of hearing about MJF all the time. The team is about them, but MJF’s ego is out of control. MVP gives him the thumbs down.

FTR and Stokely Hathaway don’t like what Adam (thank goodness that seems to be his name again) is doing. Hathaway is on a crutch and says Adam is a bully. He’s going to pin Adam next week anyway though, just like that.

Video on Swerve Strickland vs. Kazuchika Okada.

Here is Strickland for a chat (oddly in the aisle). Strickland talks about doing well in big matches as well and brings up the things he’s done to people he likes, such as Will Ospreay. So what will he do to someone like Okada? Three times now, Okada has come after him to no avail and now it’s Okada in a big match because he is in there with a dangerous man. Strickland is ready to win the title at Forbidden Door, while Don Callis cries like a little b****. Good stuff here from Strickland, who knows how to make things feel big.

Mark Briscoe is ready to do his talking with his fists and make MJF pay for his sins. When asked if a win puts him in the World Title picture, Hangman Page comes in to interrupt. They’ve known each other for a long time and he hopes Briscoe is his next challenger. We get a respectful handshake.

Willow Nightingale interrupts Queen Aminata to give her a pep talk but Kris Statlander interrupts, seemingly mocking Nightingale. That doesn’t work for Nightingale, who tells Statlander to get serious and then come find her.

MJF vs. Mark Briscoe

Briscoe punches him in the face to start and teases the Froggy Bow but MJF bails into the crowd instead. That’s fine with Briscoe, who chases him up the steps and then back to ringside. It’s already time for a table but MJF rolls away before another Froggy Bow attempt. MJF uses the referee as a shield and pokes Briscoe in the eye, setting up the chinlock. Some back rakes and choking have Briscoe in more trouble so MJF drops him ribs first across the top.

We take a break and come back with Briscoe fighting out of an abdominal stretch and Hulking Up. MJF gets dropped but manages to roll away before the Froggy Bow for the third time. Instead it’s a Bang Bang Elbow from Briscoe, followed by a flip dive through the ropes. Briscoe puts him on a table but MJF rolls away and hits an Alabama slam back inside.

The Boston crab has Briscoe in more trouble but he slips out before countering the Heatseeker as well. MJF crotches him on top, only to get knocked back down. NOW the Froggy Bow can connect…for two, which is quite the letdown after it being one of the stories of the match. Another Froggy Bow through the table misses MJF, but does make good table contact. Back in and the Heatseeker to Briscoe gets the pin at 17:30…even with the foot on the rope, but MJF knocks it away at 17:30.

Rating: B. The ending feels like a way to set up the World Title match at Forbidden Door, as MJF can have a title match and Briscoe gets cheated out of the win. That’s a good way to keep things going and it came after a hard hitting match. MJF was out to win and Briscoe was out to prove a point, which is why MJF was able to avoid so much of Briscoe’s offense. Nicely put together match here with the ending making sense as well.

Post match MJF beats Briscoe down and gets in a Dynamite Diamond Ring shot. Hangman Page comes out for the brawl, which is broken up but they brawl again with security not being able to do much. The threat of a Buckshot Lariat sends MJF running to end the show.

Overall Rating: A. The show featured solid action throughout and set up some more things for Forbidden Door. I can go for that kind of a show, as it has me more interested in seeing where things are going. It continues to make me wonder why the pay per view needs all of those guest stars, as this was far better than seeing everyone come in to do their annual guest staring appearances. Heck of a show here and I could go for a lot more like this.

Results
Jon Moxley b. Mike Bailey – Death Rider
Alex Windsor b. Queen Aminata, Skye Blue and Billie Starkz – Small package to Starkz
Brody King/Bandido b. Young Bucks – Monkey flip 450 to Matt
MJF b. Mark Briscoe – Heatseeker

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

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Evolve
Date: August 6, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s time for another showdown here as Wendy Choo is facing Carlee Bright. In addition, Kali Armstrong is dealing with Jin Tala, who is coming for the Women’s Title. Other than that, Keanu Carver is going after the ID Program and some people are not pleased with what he has been doing. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Jin Tala coming after Kali Armstrong and the Women’s Title.

Here is Armstrong to call out Tala for a fight. Cue Tala for the brawl so the referees break it up, but Stevie Turner comes in to make the match for right now.

Women’s Title: Kali Armstrong vs. Jin Tala

Tala is challenging. Armstrong knocks her around the ring to start and hammers in the corner as commentary talks about how this match was scheduled for later tonight so Tala isn’t ready. Tala fights back and works on the arm, allowing her to kick away at the ribs. A 619 to the ribs keeps Armstrong in trouble and we take a break.

We come back with Tala staying on the ribs, including a seated abdominal stretch with some driving elbows. Armstrong Hulks Up (as commentary puts it) and hits a spinebuster to put Tala in trouble for a change. Tala avoids a charge into the post, followed by a kick to the ribs. Another 619 is cut off though and the Kali Connection retains the title at 7:03.

Rating: C+. Perfectly logical match here but it’s nice to see Armstrong get another title defense under her belt. She overcame some adversity here and should be done with Tala as a result. Armstrong has the physical stuff and the talking is starting to come around, as there is always a place for someone with her natural abilities.

Post match Karmen Petrovic comes out to say she and Armstrong have unfinished business (Jordynne Grace interfered in their match on NXT) so Petrovic wants the title.

The Vanity Project isn’t worried about Keanu Carver because he’s probably just jealous. Jackson Drake is a bit nervous though and Brooks Jensen is coming for him too. Bryce Donovan is going to take Carver out…but no one told Donovan about that. This was seemingly filmed by a hidden camera or someone hiding.

Carlee Bright and Kendal Grey both want to hurt Wendy Choo, with Bright getting the chance this week.

Over the weekend, Cappuccino Jones and Kylie Rae won the inaugural ID Titles. I still have no idea why these are necessary when there are already Evolve Titles.

Karmen Petrovic is trying to get a Women’s Title shot but Tyra Mae Steele comes in to say they can have a #1 contenders match next week.

Carlee Bright vs. Wendy Choo

Kendal Grey is here with Bright. Choo takes her down to start and crawls along on the mat for some mind games. Bright gets in a headlock takeover and works on the arm, with Choo giving some rather disturbing facial reactions. That’s reversed into a wristlock from Choo but Bright flips out and sends her to the floor. Grey offers a quick distraction so Bright can hit a flip dive off the apron.

We take a break and come back with Choo flipping her off the top for a crash. A double elbow to the chest gives Choo two and we hit the neck crank. Bright fights up and hits a neckbreaker into a standing moonsault for two. Choo rolls through a high crossbody for two but the Dirt Nap is broken up. Bright forearms away but gets dropped with a clothesline. Now the Dirt Nap finishes Bright at 8:34.

Rating: B. These two had a good, back and forth match and it’s far better than anything Bright has done before. The result sets up Choo’s next match against Grey and that’s how it should be going. I liked this more than I was expecting and I’d call it quite the success, as Bright doesn’t have the experience to make something like this work, but they pulled it off.

Tate Wilder is happy to have had his first match in Evolve but he’s disappointed in coming up short. Brooks Jensen interrupts and Wilder isn’t happy, with Jensen insulting Jordan Oasis making it even worse. Wilder challenges him and a match seems likely.

Dante Chen talks about how he’s been in NXT for a long time so now he’s taking his chance in Evolve. He didn’t expect Edris Enofe to turn into something like this. Just because Enofe says he’s great doesn’t mean he should be handed everything. Chen is fighting up the hill while someone carries Enofe up. They’re facing each other again next week. Chen was pretty fired up here and I’ve seen worse.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Bryce Donovan vs. Keanu Carver

The rest of the Vanity Project is here with Donovan, who kicks Carver into the corner to start. Some elbows to the face stagger Carver, who could out with a running shoulder. Donovan knocks him outside, where Carver gets in a knockdown of his own. Carver gets in a staredown with Jackson Drake and we take a break. We come back with Donovan booting him down for two and pounding some forearms into Carver’s chest. Back up and a hard clothesline puts Carver down again, followed by the chinlock.

Carver fights up and blocks a boot in the corner before hitting hit own hard clothesline. Donovan gets launched with a fall away slam but manages to plant Carver again. Carver is fine enough to hit a Samoan drop but Zayda Steel distracts the referee. Cue Brooks Jensen to go after the Vanity Project but Jordan Oasis comes in to brawl Jensen off. Carver gets back up and hits a Pounce into the spinning powerslam for the pin at 7:52.

Rating: C+. Nice power brawl here, with Carver continuing to look like he is on the way to becoming Evolve Champion. The Vanity Project is a fine choice for an early heel stable, but there comes a point where it’s time for someone better to come along. That might be what Carver is doing, as he is smashing through a variety of people. Odds are the title match is coming after Carver gets rid of the rest of the team, which is a nice story to see.

Overall Rating: B. This show featured a bunch of different stories, nice action, and teasing things for the future. Evolve has gone from not existing about five months ago to being more organized than some long running shows. That’s an impressive feat and they did it in about forty five minutes this week. Nice job, as this show is finding new ways to improve week after week.

Results
Kali Armstrong b. Jin Tala – Kali Connection
Wendy Choo b. Carlee Bright – Dirt Nap
Keanu Carver b. Bryce Donovan – Spinning powerslam

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

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Monday Night Raw
Date: June 14, 1993
Location: Manhattan Center, New York City, New York
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Randy Savage, Bobby Heenan

King Of The Ring has come and gone and that means…well not much here as this show was taped before the pay per view. We’ll probably be getting a bunch of nothing matches and some clips from the show, but the big stuff won’t be taking place until next week at the earliest. That’s not going to make for the easiest show so let’s get to it.

Here is the King Of The Ring if you need a recap.

We open with a clip of Yokozuna winning the WWF Title last night.

Also last night, Mr. Fuji promised a special celebration on the 4th of July at an unnamed American landmark.

Opening sequence.

Mr. Perfect vs. LA Gore

What a great name for a jobber. Gore actually elbows him in the face to start so Perfect grabs a headlock to chase Gore outside. Back in and Gore chops away as Heenan is on a rant and a half about how Yokozuna destroyed Hulk Hogan last night. Perfect shrugs that off, hits a knee lift, and grabs the PerfectPlex for the pin at 2:47.

Here is Razor Ramon, carrying a big bag, for a chat. Ramon is ready to offer the 1-2-3 Kid $10,000, in the bag, for a rematch. And of course he won’t lose!

Doink The Clown vs. Marty Jannetty

Doink ducks underneath the ring during his entrance and comes out with a jacket on (which wasn’t there when he went in). The obvious solution: he found a jacket under the ring. Doink dropkicks him through the ropes to start on the floor but Jannetty is right back with an armbar. Jannetty slides between the legs and grabs another armbar as we take a break.

We come back with Jannetty staying on the arm until Doink pulls him outside. Back in and Doink grabs a powerslam into a crossface chickenwing of all things. A half nelson keeps Jannetty in trouble and the Whoopee Cushion gets a rather delayed two. Doink goes up again but gets slammed down this time, allowing Jannetty to start the real comeback. A dropkick into a suplex gets two on Doink and they fight to the floor for the double countout at 12:22.

Rating: B-. The action was fine as they’re both talented stars, but you’re only going to get so much out of these two fighting. There is no way around the fact that they’re both middle of the road hands who have only ever been so important. There are worse ways to fill in time on TV, but they were working underneath a firm ceiling.

Post match the brawl keeps going until Doink bails to the back.

Owen Hart vs. Dan Dubiel

Dubiel has to go to the ropes to escape an early hammerlock as the 1-2-3 Kid calls in. The Kid is over in Japan, where Yokozuna is very popular. He’s also a bit blown away by the offer of $10,000 to face Ramon but yeah of course he’s in. With that out of the way, Hart works on the arm and hits a missile dropkick. A northern lights suplex finishes for Hart at 3:48.

Rating: C. It’s still weird to see good guy Hart getting wins like this. Of course he’s good enough in the ring, but Hart doesn’t feel like anyone to take seriously at this point. At least he’s getting in the ring though, which is the way to show off the talents that he has. Just give him something to do already.

We look at Undertaker winning a squash on Superstars until Mr. Hughes and Giant Gonzalez came in to beat him down. Even Paul Bearer got taken out! Hughes stole the urn, which tends to be a running theme in Undertaker’s early days.

Jerry Lawler vs. Mark Thomas

Before the match, Lawler (still in pink) tells the fans they should be kissing his feet. Lawler punches, misses a punch, punches some more, hits the piledriver, and finishes with another punch at 3:50.

Rating: C. You know what you’re getting with a Lawler match and that’s what we saw here. Lawler likes to do a lot of punching and even did another one here after the piledriver. That being said, he’s red hot as a heel after attacking Bret Hart and now we get to see what he can do, which is still worth a look.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Overall Rating: C+. It’s amazing to see what happens when you don’t have a massive tournament holding up a bunch of people and let them do something else. There were some more of the usual squash matches around here, plus a pretty good Doink vs. Jannetty match (not something you often say). We’ll start to see where things go next week with a show that wasn’t taped before the pay per view, but at least the tournament is over.

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

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Monday Night Raw
Date: June 7, 1993
Location: Manhattan Center, New York City, New York
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Randy Savage, Bobby Heenan

We’re on the way to the King Of The Ring, with the show taking place this coming Sunday. That should be more than enough of a focus, and now we get to see if Yokozuna is ready to face Hulk Hogan. Other than that, there is a good chance that we get a look at the tournament so let’s get to it.

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

Intercontinental Title: Shawn Michaels vs. Russ Greenberg

Michaels, the brand new champion (having won the title at a house show last night), has a brand new unnamed bodyguard is defending here (in case there was any confusion). A hammerlock takes Greenberg down to start and Michaels gives him a slam. Michaels grabs a chinlock until Greenberg fights up, which is cut off just as fast. The middle rope elbow and piledriver finish for Michaels at 3:48.

Rating: C. This was exactly what you would have expected as Michaels smashed through a jobber shortly after winning the title. The good thing is that they kept it short enough to not be dull but let it go on long enough so Michaels could look good. That being said, Michaels using a piledriver still doesn’t feel right and that’s going to need to change.

It’s the King Of The Ring Report, which runs down the card, including the first round of the tournament. Also announced: Shawn Michaels vs. Crush is now an Intercontinental Title match.

Michaels, with the bodyguard, storms down to ringside where he is livid over having to defend the title.

Adam Bomb vs. El Matador

Johnny Polo is here with Bomb. Matador works on the arm to start and Bomb is already bailing over to the ropes. The quick breather seems to work as Bomb is back with a powerslam but Matador grabs another armbar. Bomb powers out again and kicks away before ramming Matador face first into the buckle. Matador fights back and the fans seem into it but Bomb cuts off an O’Connor roll attempt. A slingshot clothesline to the back of the head finishes for Bomb at 5:32.

Rating: C+. Better than I was expecting here though I’ve long since been a fan of both guys. Matador is someone who had been established as a good hand for a very long time and thankfully that continued after things changed from years as just Tito Santana. On the other hand you have Bomb, who always felt like he had potential but never got the chance to really do anything important.

Tatanka vs. Peter Weeks

They fight over arm control to start until a hiptoss puts Weeks on the floor. Back in and a big jumping elbow hits Weeks but he actually fights back with some forearms. Tatanka goes on the warpath for the quick comeback, with the top rope chop connecting for the pin at 3:15.

Rating: C. Another squash here, but not quite as entertaining as the Michaels version, though that might be due to the other one featuring Shawn Michaels. Tatanka was someone who basically give you just about everything he was going to be able to do in any given match. That’s not giving him much of a ceiling, though there were far worse options for a short outing.

Here is Jerry Lawler (in pink) for the King’s Court. He’s sick of being in the Rotten Apple and insults various people who live here. After a break (yes in an interview segment), Lawler says he’s not talking about the King Of The Ring tournament because the winner is nothing but an imitation of the real king. Instead he brings out Mr. Fuji and Yokozuna, who are ready for Hulk Hogan. Lawler insults Hogan and Fuji brags about Yokozuna’s weight. Even Yokozuna is ready to win.

Rick Steiner/Billy Gunn vs. Fatu/IRS

Their partners are all here too. Afa is here too…and he’s having a WWF ice cream bar. Those Samoans have all the luck. Afa isn’t sure what to make of the $50 that IRS hands him but gets distracted by the good guys taking over on Fatu. IRS comes in and gets caught in the wrong corner, allowing Rick and Billy to work on the arm. That’s broken up and IRS accidentally decks Fatu, with the big fight being teased as we take a break.

We come back with the villains having calmed down, mainly thanks to DiBiase paying them off (the Headshrinkers ate the money). Back in and IRS sends Rick crashing out to the floor, with DiBiase and Samu sending him into the steps. Fatu drops Rick with a clothesline but Rick Steiner Lines his way out of trouble. The tag brings in Billy as everything breaks down, with DiBiase offering a distraction. That’s enough for IRS to hit a clothesline to the back of the head for the pin at 11:35.

Rating: C-. What exactly were you expecting out of this? It’s a mixed up tag match to preview a King Of The Ring eight man tag which wound up being a heck of a lot shorter than this one. The match was rather long and nothing of note happened, which made for a pretty lengthy stretch of TV time.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Here is Razor Ramon to offer the 1-2-3 Kid $7,500 for a rematch. As for King Of The Ring, he’s ready to make Bret Hart a Nutter Loser.

Overall Rating: D+. Well, King Of The Ring can’t get here fast enough, as a tournament show doesn’t exactly give you much to talk about on television. It doesn’t help that a bunch of big names are in the tournament and that leaves stuff like Hulk Hogan (not here), an eight man tag and Shawn Michaels vs. Crush. I’m going to need more to get hyped about than that and we didn’t see it happen here.

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

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