Ring Of Honor
Date: May 12, 2026
Location: SoFi Center, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

It’s a special edition of the show as we are three days from Supercard Of Honor, which will be the third show of the week. That’s not the most promising feeling as these shows tend to be pretty a bunch of stuff that doesn’t have any other spot to air. Given how much filler the weekly show involves, that’s covering a lot of ground. Let’s get to it.

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

Bustah And The Brain talk about how they have been grateful to be here thus far but now they want to be the Tag Team Champions. Therefore, they’ll be doing the same thing they do every night: plan world domination.

Bustah And The Brain vs. Spanish Announce Project

Oliver works on Angelico’s arm to start but gets pulled back into the corner. Serpentico comes in and picks up the pace, only to get clotheslined by Price. Everything breaks down and Bustah And The Brain are sent outside for a pair of big boots from Angelico. Back in and Serpentico starts in on Price’s arm, with Price escaping for the tag back to Oliver. Angelico plants Price and heads outside, where Price hits him with a suicide dive. Back in and Serpentico gets picked up for a belly to back suplex/diving reverse DDT combination for the pin at 6:21.

Rating: C+. I’m almost starting to think that Bustah And The Brain could become something around here, which would at least be an upgrade over another Sammy Guevara version of the Tag Team Champions. The titles have basically been put on ice for a bit so giving them to a team who, for now at least, is regularly around would be nice to see. Then again that’s assuming they actually get a shot, which is a big enough accomplishment in its own right.

Post match the Lethal Twist come out to beat up Serpentico, with Blake Christian putting the Bandido mask on. Christian says Bandido isn’t here again but as usual, he is. He’ll be here Friday too, when he wins the World Title.

Lance Archer vs. Trent Jordy

Archer drags him to the ring for the opening bell but Jorday actually breaks up the Blackout. The chokeslam and a swinging Rock Bottom finish Jordy at 1:43. As usual, there’s no explanation for why Archer has never gotten a title shot despite the all over the place justifications for other people getting shots.

Diamante is ready to make Deonna Purrazzo tap out and win the Women’s Pure Title.

Deonna Purrazzo vs. Haven Harris

Non-title Proving Ground match under Pure Rules. Harris takes her to the mat with a headlock to start but Purrazzo reverses into an early armbar. The Fujiwara armbar makes Harris use her first rope break before she hits a spinebuster for two. Purrazzo powerbombs her right back down and the Fujiwara armbar finishes Harris at 2:41.

Evil Uno vs. Vaughn Vertigo

The bell rings and it’s time to talk about Viva Van vs. Red Velvet. Uno shoulders him into the corner to start but Vaughn hits a leg lariat for two. Uno blocks a ram into the corner though and hits some running clotheslines. A DDT gives Uno two but Vaughn’s running knee gets the same. The swanton misses though and Uno hits a kind of pumphandle Downward Spiral for the pin at 4:02.

Rating: C. Uno is someone else who just kind of sticks around without doing much of note. I’m not sure what that is going to mean for him but it’s not like he has anything going on. Granted I’ll take him wandering around on his own rather than doing something with another stable around here.

Satnam Singh vs. Dave Dutra/Nick Ruiz

The team runs into each other to start and some big chops in the corner make it worse. The double chokeslam is broken up though but for some reason they try a double suplex. Singh crossbodies both of them but gets up at one, setting up the double chokeslam for the double pin at 2:32. I’m more confused about why the announcers’ table is completely empty. Maybe move the table so it’s not clear that commentary isn’t there?

AR Fox/Mascara Dorada/Mistico/El Phantasmo/Michael Oku vs. Nick Wayne/Kip Sabian/Lethal Twist

Fox and Lethal start things off with Fox taking over and grabbing a swinging suplex. Dorada comes in to forearm away at Christian but they both flip into a standoff. It’s off to Johnson, who gets taken down with a rather springboardy armdrag. Oku comes in for the dropkick but can’t get the half crab, as it’s off to Wayne instead.

Phantasmo comes in to chop away and does a rather snazzy rope walk into a hurricanrana. It’s back to Christian to stomp away in the corner who stomp away, only for Phantasmo to get over to Mistico. House is quickly cleaned, including a springboard double crossbody. The big spinning wristdrag takes Wayne down, setting off the parade of knockdowns.

Wayne’s standing Sliced Bread drops Mistico before Lethal and Mistico dropkick Fox and Wayne to the floor. Stereo dives connect, followed by Johnson and Dorada adding dives of their own. That leaves Fox to hit a springboard imploding 450 but Christian is back in with a springboard double stomp to Oku’s back. The 21 Plex drops Oku and Wayne adds a pumphandle fisherman’s driver for the pin at 7:58.

Rating: B. This was a nice way to see Wayne get a win and cram in a bunch of people at once. I’ll take that over some random tag match between middle of the road teams who have nothing going on and it made for a good main event. Fox is set for a title shot against Wayne on Thursday so there was even a reason for some of the people to be fighting. Not bad at all.

Overall Rating: B-. There was one thing that made this show stand out: it felt like there was a purpose to the whole thing. This was a show that felt like it was all about getting fans interested in what Ring Of Honor had to offer. Like it or not, but there was a focus here and it helped quite a bit. Good enough show here, with Bustah And The Brain moving towards the Tag Team Titles and the main event working well. Nice job here and far different than the previous special editions.

Results
Bustah And The Brain b. Spanish Announce Project – Belly to back suplex/diving reverse DDT combination to Serpentico
Lance Archer b. Trent Jordy – Swinging Rock Bottom
Deonna Purrazzo b. Haven Harris – Fujiwara armbar
Evil Uno b. Vaughn Vertigo – Pumphandle Downward Spiral
Satnam Singh b. Dave Dutra/Nick Ruiz – Double pin
Nick Wayne/Kip Sabian/Lethal Twist b. AR Fox/Mascara Dorada/Mistico/El Phantasmo/Michael Oku – Pumphandle fisherman’s driver to Oku

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

What should have been.

https://411mania.com/wrestling/halls-wwe-invasion-review/

Monday Night Raw
Date: May 11, 2026
Location: Food City Center, Knoxville, Tennessee
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re done with Backlash and Roman Reigns is still World Champion but he might not be done with Jacob Fatu. While Reigns retained the title, Fatu attacked him again after the match and left him laying. Other than that, we are on the way to Saturday Night’s Main Event in less than two weeks so let’s get to it.

Here is Backlash if you need a recap.

Backlash recap.

Roman Reigns arrives and meets with Adam Pearce, who says Jacob Fatu isn’t here. Reigns asks for his title, which is apparently held for him at the venue. With the title back, Reigns wants Fatu fired, but that won’t be happening. Reigns says he brought Fatu in so he’ll be the one taking him out. With that, Reigns heads into his dressing room.

Here is the Vision for a chat. Paul Heyman insults the “inbred” fans and moves on to Seth Rollins, who was defeated at Backlash. Rollins is never going to be ready for a vision over any of the team. Bron Breakker defeated Rollins, and now we move on to the Tag Team Champions. Austin Theory says the Street Profits need the titles because Bianca Belair can’t pay the bills anymore.

On top of that there is Joe Hendry…and here are the Profits to interrupt. After Montez Ford sucks up to the Knoxville crowd, he makes it clear: they still want the titles. Logan Paul says the only thing Ford has done in the last six months organize a baby shower. Logan says Belair is better than Ford (he nods) and the Vision is ready but as he says his name, here is Hendry to sing about getting him fired. And now, for the scheduled six man.

The Vision vs. Street Profits/Joe Hendry

We’re joined in progress with Dawkins in trouble but he brings in Ford for a change. Breakker comes in as well though and hits a crazy fast clothesline, followed by a suplex for two. Ford gets launched into Paul’s uppercut for two but he’s able to get over to Hendry. That goes just as badly as Breakker takes over on him as we take a break.

We come back with Hendry suplexing his way out of trouble and bringing Ford back in to clean house. The big flip dive connects on the floor but Breakker is back up. Dawkins is sent outside for the big running spear but Seth Rollins pops up to clothesline Breakker. Back in and Dawkins gets the quick rollup pin on Theory at 9:17.

Rating: C+. This was in fact a six man with some interference to wrap it up. I’d bet on the Profits getting the title shot either at Saturday Night’s Main Event or Clash In Italy, though I’m not sure where that leaves Hendry. He seems to be mainly dealing with Paul, which is kind of weird while Paul is in a tag team. Rollins vs. Breakker is clearly not done though, so expect some kind of a big violent rematch and then a third match down the line.

Post match Rollins helps up a skeptical Dawkins, who gets speared by Breakker anyway. Ford isn’t happy at all.

The Original El Grande Americano introduces Bruto and Julio to Adam Pearce but Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan come in. Morgan isn’t impressed and Mysterio says Americano isn’t even a real luchador. Americano isn’t happy but Pearce gives him a AAA Mega Title shot. With that out of the way, Los Garza come in to say they’re looking for an opportunity on Raw. Pearce is interested.

Here is Penta, who heard what Ethan Page has been saying about him. He wants Page to say it to his face so here is Page to interrupt. Page says he would love to say it to his face but there’s a mask and paint covering it up. Instead, Page stands here with nothing hiding his face (save for the glasses of course) and is from the greatest country in the world.

Penta is ready to fight right now but Page points out that he’s not in wrestling gear. Page says that both he and the title both deserve a bigger spotlight, like say at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Penta seems ready to agree but here is Rusev to interrupt instead. Rusev doesn’t like Penta but Page tries to cut him off.

Apparently Page doesn’t want to skip the line, but Je’Von Evans went to see Adam Pearce and asked for a title shot over Rusev. Evans even asked why Rusev can get a title shot when he can’t beat Evans in the first place. This brings out Evans, who denies saying all of that but gets shoved into Rusev. Penta takes out Page on the floor while Evans clears Rusev out and hits a suicide dive. Back in and Page and Penta both do the latter’s strut. You know why this worked? You had four people who all want the same thing and they’re jockeying for it. That’s always going to work in wrestling.

Je’Von Evans vs. Rusev

We’re joined in progress with Rusev firing off some shots to the face and back. Rusev slowly knocks him around and then puts him on top. Evans gets in a shot of his own and a dropkick gets him out of trouble. A springboard hurricanrana has Rusev in trouble but the suicide dive is broken up. Rusev tosses Evans onto the announcers’ table and we take a break.

We come back with Rusev yelling at Evans, who fires off a clothesline. A spinning kick to the head in the corner has Rusev in trouble but he gets in some more forearms to the back. Rusev kicks him down for two but the Accolade is blocked. Evans gets in a kick to the floor for a great looking no hands dive. The OG Cutter finishes Rusev for the clean pin at 10:22.

Rating: B. They had me wondering what was going to happen here, as it was hard to imagine Evans actually beating Rusev. That being said, the match followed a well done story with Evans fighting through the pain and coming from behind to win. They’re going to mess around and turn this guy into a star, which is exactly what should be happening with someone that talented.

Video on the AAA Mega Title.

Asuka comes up to hug Iyo Sky and wants Sky to take her place. They have a big hug and a smiling Asuka leaves, taking her bag with her. So that seems to be it for Asuka for the most part.

Here are Brie Bella and Paige, who are here to answer the challenge from the Judgment Day. Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez come out, with Perez talking about how she was asked to take on the Bellas’ legacy. How dare the Bellas set the bar that low? Bella says the low bar would be Liv Morgan, and the only person who is that disappointed is Perez’s MOM.

Rodriguez calms things down and mocks Paige, who is just waiting for her next disaster. The fight is on, with Liv Morgan running in to help so the villains can stand tall. Well mainly Rodriguez stands tall but her friends stand next to her. Please change the titles, as I do not have the vocabulary to express how uninterested I am in Paige and Bella as a team. Also Bella insulting Perez’s mom? Come on.

Jimmy Uso talks to Roman Reigns about dealing with Jacob Fatu. Reigns says Fatu has to acknowledge him because they had a contract. Uso still isn’t sure about it.

Video on Dominik Mysterio as AAA Mega Champion.

Rhea Ripley NXT Origins video.

Iyo Sky vs. Sol Ruca

Feeling out process to start as commentary explains that they don’t know much about what Asuka is doing but she seems to be stepping away a bit. Ruca slams her down and surfs on Sky’s back but Sky dropkicks her out of a handstand. Sky is sent outside, where she avoids a step up moonsault and hurricanranas Ruca down.

Something like an apron 619 hits Sky though and a springboards corkscrew crossbody connects as we take a break. We come back with Sky hitting a super Spanish Fly for two, leaving both of them down. Ruca is back up with a fireman’s carry swung into a sitout powerbomb for two of her own.

Sky missile dropkicks her into the corner but misses the Bullet Train Attack. Ruca sends her into the corner again, where a cartwheel DDT plants Sky for two more. That leaves Ruca stunned for a change so Sky sends her into the corner for the Bullet Train Attack. Over The Moonsault hits raised knees though and the Sol Snatcher….misses as Sky stops short (on purpose), catching Ruca in a crucifix to give Sky the pin at 12:27.

Rating: B-. That ending was great as I thought they had botched it at first but it was really just well timed. Sky basically caught the younger Ruca going for a big move and pinned her, which is what a veteran should be doing. At the same time, I’m not wild on Ruca taking a fall like this, especially not when she seems to be gearing up to face Becky Lynch.

Post match, respect is shown.

We look at Jacob Fatu attacking Roman Reigns after their match at Backlash.

Jey Uso is waiting on Fatu when Jimmy Uso comes up. Reigns said that was terrible but Fatu has to acknowledge him.

We recap the announcement of the John Cena Classic, which is apparently a fan voted competition where wins and losses might not matter. We still have no details on when or where this will take place.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown, with the Street Profits challenging for the Tag Team Titles and Penta defending the Intercontinental Title against Ethan Page.

The Profits are happy with the news but Seth Rollins interrupt. If they want the titles, Rollins thinks they need to talk, but Ford says there is no “we” between the three of them. Rollins apologizes, though Ford doesn’t trust him and says they don’t need his help. Dawkins looks at Rollins and walks off.

Iyo Sky congratulates Sol Ruca and says they’ll meet again. Ruca says she looks forward to it and Sky parts in peace. Becky Lynch comes up to mock Ruca.

Here is Oba Femi for an open challenge but Adam Pearce interrupts….because no one has answered the challenge. Therefore, there is no challenge, which does not sit well with Femi. He goes to the back and kidnaps Los Garza (who were sitting with some random women) to bring them to the ring. They’re in street clothes but we have a referee anyway.

Oba Femi vs. Los Garza

Femi hits some running elbows in the corner and tosses Angel over Berto. With Angel on the floor, Berto gets tossed as well, setting up the Fall From Grace to finish Berto at 50 seconds.

The Original El Grande Americano wants the AAA Mega Title.

JD McDonagh is walking Dominik Mysterio to the ring when Finn Balor jumps McDonagh from behind. Balor says Mysterio has to do this on his own.

AAA Mega Title: Dominik Mysterio vs. Original El Grande Americano

Mysterio is defending. Americano starts fast with a springboard armdrag into a bridging northern lights suplex for two. The armbar keeps Mysterio in trouble but he sends Americano crashing over the top and out to the floor. We take a break and come back with Americano hitting an Angle Slam, followed by a moonsault for two.

Mysterio is right back up with a Michinoku Driver for two of his own but Americano sends him flying into the corner. A dragon suplex gives Americano two more so here are Los Americanos for a distraction. Mysterio’s tornado DDT gets two but Los Hermanos Americanos come out for a distraction. El Grande Americano offers a distraction of his own, allowing Mysterio to hit a 619 into the frog splash to retain at 9:15.

Rating: B. This was how a match between the two of them should have gone, with all kinds of people running in to screw with it. Mysterio’s big matches work best with all of the gaga going around and that’s what we had here. The battle of the Americanos is a huge story in Mexico and while it doesn’t mean as much here, at least they’re getting to do something with all of the talent that they have.

The Vision is sick of Joe Hendry, with Logan Paul threatening to cut his ear off if he has to listen to Hendry’s song about him. And they leave, with a woman in the front seat of their car that might have been Maxxine Dupri.

Here are Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso for the acknowledgment ceremony. After Reigns’ catchphrase, Jacob Fatu arrives, with Jey Uso trying to talk him out of the likely violence. That earns Jey a headbutt, with Fatu saying that Reigns is going to have to beat the acknowledgment out of him. Jimmy tries to calm Fatu down and gets beaten up in the aisle for his efforts.

Fatu hits the ring and the fight is on, with Reigns managing to knock him down and grab a chair. The big beatdown is on but the spear is cut off by a superkick. Fatu gets the Tongan Death Grip and sends Reigns outside for the suicide dive. With Reigns down, Fatu shouts about how Reigns left his family for dead. The announcers’ table is loaded up but Reigns hits a Superman Punch.

A second edition is countered into the Tongan Death Grip, followed by a powerbomb through the table. Fatu holds up the title to…well just tease ending the show actually as he runs back to Umaga Attack Reigns and the Usos through the barricade. Now the show ends with the Bloodline laid out. I’m not wild on the feud continuing after Reigns beat him at Backlash, but that’s a good way to show that Fatu is still a threat.

Overall Rating: B. This was a solid show, though it did show that Backlash was little more than a pit stop and not any kind of a game changer. A lot of the feuds are just continuing forward, which makes me think that Reigns vs. Fatu should have been a double DQ or something. Other than that, I liked the wrestling well enough and Saturday Night’s Main Event is already being set up. They have to do it that fast with just a twelve day turnaround, but at least they’re off to a good start.

Results
Street Profits/Joe Hendry b. The Vision – Theory
Je’Von Evans b. Rusev – OG Cutter
Iyo Sky b. Sol Ruca – Crucifix
Oba Femi b. Los Garza – Fall From Grace to Berto
Dominik Mysterio b. Original El Grande Americano – Frog splash

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

We’re taking a look at NXT, and why it’s doing really, really well as of late.

https://www.smarkdownsblog.com/wwe-nxt-callups-main-roster-success

AAA On FOX
Date: May 9, 2026
Location: Auditorio General Jose Maria Arteaga, Queretaro, Mexico
Commentators: Corey Graves, Rey Mysterio, John Bradshaw Layfield

The focus is on the tag division here as we have the face to face showdown between Pagano and Psycho Clown. This comes after someone has been going after the Psycho Circus and Clown thinks Pagano has been behind the whole thing. I’m not sure where that is going but it is quite the story. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Octagon vs. Cruz del Toro vs. Lince Dorado

They circle each other to start and we get a triple (Or is it double?) headlock. Dorado is sent outside so Octagon kicks del Toro in the head. Del Toro is back with a kick to the head of his own and a Prism Trap with a bodyscissors goes on. Dorado comes back in for the save but gets punched by del Toro.

With del Toro sent outside, Dorado hits an Asai moonsault into a cross armbreaker back inside. Octagon is back in with a springboard hurricanrana but del Toro pulls him outside. Dorado is taken out as well but Octagon is up with a dive onto del Toro. Back in and Octagon hits a slingshot hilo to del Toro but Dorado pulls him outside.

Dorado and Octagon slug it out until Dorado hits a handspring Stunner. They all trade kicks to the head until Octagon gives del Toro a super flipping World’s Strongest Slam. Del Toro is back up with a Coast To Coast to Octagon but Dorado breaks it up with a shooting star press. A brainbuster to del Toro gives Dorado the pin at 9:38.

Rating: B. This was the kind of match that was hardly making things complicated, as it was all about three people getting in as much as they could in about ten minutes. I’m not sure if this is going to go anywhere from here but Dorado looked rather good here. Then again so did the other two, making for a rather entertaining opener.

Chessman goes to see about the GM position but runs into Dorian Roldan. While Roldan doesn’t think Chessman should waste his time, Chessman blows him off and heads into the office.

La Catalina vs. Jessy Jackson

Hold on though as here is Flammer to watch at ringside. Jackson’s early wristlock doesn’t work as Catalina rides her on the mat and snaps off some armdrags. A running dropkick sends Jackson outside for a running flip dive off the apron. Back in and Catalina misses a shot and gets caught with a dropkick against the ropes.

Jackson chops away in the corner but Catalina dropkicks her into another corner. The running hip attack gets two and a running knee drops Jackson again. Jackson is right back with the running knees in the corner for two but Catalina hip attacks her in the ropes. A spinning top rope splash finishes Jackson at 7:34.

Rating: C. I wasn’t sold on this one, as Catalina is certainly the next big hope to stop Flammer’s reign, but it doesn’t do much good when it took her seven and a half minutes to beat someone who I don’t believe has actually been on this show before. Catalina is talented but she didn’t really look dominant here. The women’s division has been kind of a weak spot for AAA since I started watching and this wasn’t doing much to change that.

Post match Catalina and Flammer have a staredown until Las Toxicas run in for the beatdown. Lola Vice makes a failed save attempt but Bayley runs in for the real save.

We look at Galeno del Mal and El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. taking out Omos last week.

We look at last week’s Grande Americano contract signing and post match attack from the Creed Brothers.

We recap the Psycho Circus being attacked over the last few months. Psycho Clown thinks Pagano might have done it, despite the two of them being Tag Team Champions.

Psycho is in the ring and says this is why he is here tonight. He wants answers and wants to see Pagano face to face. Pagano comes down and Psycho says their brothers have been taken out one by one. Psycho found a Pagano bandanna next to Murder Clown and his heart is broken. What is going on here?

Pagano talks about everything they have done together and now Psycho is accusing him of attacking his own brothers? This is a game and Pagano understands why Psycho thinks he did it. Psycho needs to take a look in the mirror though, because it wasn’t Pagano. He isn’t the kind of person who would turn his back on his family.

Psycho doesn’t seem convinced but leaves, with Pagano yelling at him to stop. Pagano says Psycho will find out that it wasn’t him but here are the War Raiders to jump Psycho. Pagano makes the save and they leave separately, with commentary suggesting that Psycho might have done it (which Pagano may have suggested) to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The big showdown at the end was the featured attraction here and that went pretty well. The best thing I can say about the Psycho/Pagano story is I don’t know who is behind the attacks and I want to find out. I’d call that good storytelling, which is a nice feature to go with the fast paced opener. Not a great show here, but the big story went well.

Results
Lince Dorado b. Octagon and Cruz del Toro – Brainbuster to del Toro
La Catalina b. Jessy Jackson – Spinning top rope splash

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

Collision
Date: May 9, 2026
Location: SoFi Center, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness

It’s a live with a golf theme, which is certainly a way to go. The show is also only an hour long this week as the first half took place after Dynamite. Much like Dynamite, the World Title is on the line here, with Darby Allin defending against Pac this week on his way to Double Or Nothing. Let’s get to it.

Here is Wednesday’s Collision if you need a recap.

Well the venue is unique, with most of the arena taken up by a golf hole, complete with bunker.

National Title: Jack Perry vs. Mark Davis

Perry is defending and gets thrown out of the corner for daring to fire off some chops. Davis gets sent outside though and there’s the moonsault to take him down. That just earns Perry a toss onto the apron and a big clothesline drops him right back. They get back inside with Davis throwing him around as the golf green behind the ring is throwing me off. Davis knocks him outside again for a big crash and we take a break.

We come back with Perry’s running forearm staggering Davis and a sunset bomb getting two. They go to the apron, where Perry escapes a suplex attempt and snaps off a hurricanrana to the floor. A top rope elbow to the back gives Perry two and a running hurricanrana gets the same. Davis’ discus lariat into the piledriver gets two more so he takes Perry up top. The super piledriver is countered into a super hurricanrana. Don Callis gets on the apron so here is Ricochet with a golf club to Perry’s back. The piledriver gives Davis the pin and the title at 14:18.

Rating: B. It was a messy finish but what mattered the most here was Davis getting a win. He has turned into one of the more consistent stars in AEW and I can go with seeing him get some success. I’m not expecting him to be some all time champion, but he won it once and that’s all that matters at the moment. At the same time, how is Perry vs. Ricochet still going? It feels like it was long past done and yet here we seem to be again.

Nick Wayne will be in the Best Of The Super Juniors in New Japan for the second consecutive year.

Jack Perry is on the phone after his loss and wants to get his hands on Ricochet. Like say in Stadium Stampede, with the rest of the Elite. As in the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega. Assuming the Hurt Syndicate stay in, we could be in for a fourteen man match.

Don Callis is thrilled and of course the Family is in for Stadium Stampede. Ricochet approves.

Lena Kross/Megan Bayne vs. Ruthie Slay/Rachel Ley

Non-title with a five minute time limit. Kross shrugs off some kicks to the head and plants Ley down. It’s off to Bayne for the German suplex, followed by one from Kross and another from Bayne. A double German suplex sends both of them flying and the double chokeslam finishes Ley at 2:17.

We look at the Women’s Title picture in recent weeks, with the result being Thekla defending against Hikaru Shida, Kris Statlander and Jamie Hayter at Double Or Nothing. That’s a bit of a surprise.

The Owen Hart Tournament brackets will be announced on Dynamite.

Don Callis says the winner of tonight’s World Title shot will be facing Konosuke Takeshita on Dynamite. That’s different from the announced Kazuchika Okada match, with Callis saying Okada had to go back to Japan on personal business. Takeshita comes in to say he’ll win.

We look at Kyle O’Reilly’s recent successes. Well kind of recent.

Mike Bailey vs. Kiran Grey

Grey shoves him before the bell to start so Bailey kicks Grey out to the floor. That means the middle rope moonsault to the floor can connect and Bailey goes up again. Grey tries to cut him off but gets knocked down, setting up the Ultimate Weapon to give Bailey the pin at 1:49.

Post match Kevin Knight gets in to say he and Bailey should go to the top of the company together.

Video on Pac vs. Darby Allin.

AEW World Title: Pac vs. Darby Allin

Allin is defending and there are no countouts. The bell rings and Allin bails to the floor to head up to the golf hole. Pac follows him and they slug it out with Allin blocking a suplex. Instead it’s a sunset bomb into the sand trap, followed by a running dropkick into another sand trap. Back up and Pac suplexes him into the sand trap and grabs the Brutalizer, with the referee breaking it up due to the lack of value. Or he just wants to get out of the sand. A gorilla press slam sends Allin into the sand again as we take a break.

We come back with Allin tied in the corner so Pac can kick him in the face a few times. Allin is right back up with a Scorpion Death Drop for two but Pac crotches him on top. A top rope Falcon Arrow gives Pac two and Allin rolls outside. Naturally that means it’s time for a table but the shooting star press misses, with Pac crashing hard. Back in and the Scorpion Deathlock goes on, with Pac crawling over to the rope. Pac knocks him down again and here are more Death Riders to load up a table.

A tombstone plants Allin onto the steps as the Death Riders are stacking up even more tables. Pac carries him towards the 2×2 tables and we take a break (already in the overrun). We come back with Allin fighting back in the balcony but getting thrown off through the pile of tables. That’s only good for two back inside and the Death Riders are stunned. The referee takes a chair away from Pac so he grabs the belt. That’s enough for Allin to get up, kick him low, and hit a belt shot. The Coffin Drop retains the title at 20:23.

Rating: B-. That was quite the long match, but the bigger issue here is how much Allin is surviving. It’s one thing to be a tough fighting champion, but someone kicking out of not only a tombstone onto the steps but also being thrown off a balcony and through four tables is a bit much. It reaches the point of I’m not buying Allin being in danger and that kind of defeats the purpose of the whole thing. The match was more good than bad, but it felt like a few matches tied together into one, with the sand stuff feeling like it was from something totally different.

Overall Rating: B. For what was basically a two match card, this worked out rather well, with a surprise title change to start and a good (albeit too long) main event. The venue was also very unique and that’s nice to see, as you can only have so many shows in the same kind of arenas. Trim the main event down a bit and the show is that much better, but what we got was solid enough.

Results
Mark Davis b. Jack Perry – Piledriver
Lena Kross/Megan Bayne b. Ruthie Slay/Rachel Ley – Double chokeslam to Ley
Mike Bailey b. Kiran Grey – Ultimate Weapon
Darby Allin b. Pac – Coffin Drop

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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Backlash 2026
Date: May 9, 2026
Location: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, Florida
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Michael Cole

We’re already up to the next pay per view after Wrestlemania and in this case, there is only so much to be seen here. There are five matches announced for the show and one of them involves a mystery partner and a cloning machine. The main event is Roman Reigns defending the Raw World Title against Jacob Fatu. Oh and John Cena will be here for some announcement. Let’s get to it.

The opening video mainly focuses on Reigns vs. Fatu, which is the pretty clear main event for the whole show.

Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker

Paul Heyman is here too. Breakker misses the spear at the bell to start and Rollins sends him outside to hammer away. Back in and Rollins takes too much time going to the top and gets suplexed out to the floor. Breakker sends him inside again for a suplex, followed by a second, and we hit the chinlock. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker has Rollins in more trouble and Breakker insults him while putting the chinlock back on.

Back up and a heck of a running clothesline drops Rollins, followed by a German suplex. A release German suplex sends Rollins flying and the super Frankensteiner does it again. Rollins is sent outside, where he cuts off Breakker’s charge with a superkick. They both dive in to beat the count and Rollins hits a running knee to the face (looked like it was supposed to be the Stomp but Breakker wasn’t looking down) for two. Rollins kicks him down and blows Heyman a kiss, but the Stomp is grabbed instead.

A gorilla press gutbuster connects and they….I’m not sure what happens, though Rollins lands on the back of his head. Breakker hits a standing moonsault for two but gets caught in a Buckle Bomb. Breakker pops right out of the corner with a running clothesline and Rollins bails out to the floor. The diving clothesline knocks Rollins over the announcers’ table and they head back inside. Rollins runs the corner to catch Breakker with the superplex but Breakker reverses into a Falcon Arrow for two.

They go up again where Rollins rakes the back, only to get caught with another super Frankensteiner. Breakker tries a third but Rollins sticks the landing and hits a Pedigree. The Stomp connects so Heyman gets on the apron, and even the bottom rope. Rollins grabs a chair and cuts off the rest of the Vision as they run in for the attempted save. Back in and the Super Spear gives Rollins two but another is countered into the Pedigree (ala Roman Reigns). A super Stomp is loaded up but Breakker spears him out of the air and hits another Super Spear for the pin at 21:28.

Rating: B. This was a good enough fight but it had some sloppy moments and never got to that next level. What matters here is that Breakker won though, as it’s the biggest victory of his career. After being gone for so long, Breakker needed the big victory and they made it work. It’s not a great match, but they did what they needed to do.

US Title: Sami Zayn vs. Trick Williams

Williams, with Lil Yachty, is defending in a Wrestlemania rematch after they got in a fight over a Gingerbread Man (who had a funeral). Zayn tries to jump him to start and fires off the chops in the corner. Williams is back up with chops of his own and Zayn bails to the floor, where he gets clotheslined from behind.

Another shot puts Williams down again and Zayn hammers away back inside. Williams grabs a jumping neckbreaker but the Trick Kick is blocked. A Rock Bottom gives Williams two but a super version is broken up. Zayn’s Blue Thunder Bomb gets two but he seems to have hurt his knee. The goldbricking allows Zayn to roll him up for two but Yachty gets on the apron.

That’s enough for Zayn to get in the kendo stick shot for two more so Zayn loads up the Helluva Kick. Yachty hits Zayn in the back of the head with the kendo stick, setting up the Trick Kick for two. They head outside with Zayn DDTing Williams on the steps and beating up Yachty with the kendo stick. A Helluva Kick knocks Yachty silly again but the Helluva Kick misses Williams. The Trick Shot retains the title at 12:25.

Rating: B. The main question I have coming out of this is why Yachty isn’t the US Champion. He was the big focal point of the match and got most of the attention. That doesn’t make for the most thrilling result, but at least Williams won. He can move on to something else now, though it really doesn’t need to be the Open Challenge. I’m not sure about Zayn, but Kevin Owens has to be coming back for their latest reunion right?

We recap Miz/Kit Wilson vs. Danhausen/???, with the preview seemingly made by Danhausen. He wanted Miz to mentor him but got turned down, earning Miz a curse instead. Bad things started happening to Miz, who got Wilson to help him out. Miz jumped Danhausen, who wound up stealing $40,000 from Miz, along with Miz’s daughter’s bike. Either way, Danhausen will now have a mystery partner, which might be his clone (yes he has a cloning machine.

Miz/Kit Wilson vs. Danhausen/???

Danhausen comes out in the Danhausenmobile and has his cloning machine on the stage. It’s a big crate and we have a Mini Hausen. Wilson kicks Mini Hausen down as Barrett wonders if it’s a thing or a child. Mini nips up and strikes away, including a springboard spinning shoulder. Wilson cuts him off but gets sent outside, where Danhausen helps with a dive.

Danhausen gets sent into the post though and Mini gets planted back inside. Mini gets put in the Tree Of Woe but sits up to avoid a charge. Wilson is taken down and it’s off to Danhausen to clean house. Danhausen gets a bit winded but Hulks Up, setting up a pump kick to Wilson. Miz steals a rollup for two but Mini tags himself back in and knocks Miz out of the corner. A top rope hurricanrana sends Wilson outside and there’s the suicide dive, with Mini taking a nasty landing.

Mini chases Wilson up the aisle but gets sent into the cloning machine….which restarts. The door opens and it’s an army of Mini Hausens, with the original (the one without a cape) grabbing an airplane spin into Wasteland (Barrett: “THAT’S MY MOVE! DON’T YOU DARE DO THAT YOU DIRTY LITTLE GOBLIN!” Wilson blocks the curse with a mirror and the Skull Crushing Finale hits Mini, with Danhausen running in for the save. Miz knocks Danhausen outside but a fire extinguisher….only sprays himself in the eyes. Wilson is blinded too and Mini dives onto him, leaving Danhausen to hit a pump kick for the pin at 11:55.

Rating: B+. If you do not like this stuff, I won’t argue with you at all. I’ll accuse you have having a terrible sense of humor, but I get that it’s not for everyone. This was goofy, silly fun and that’s all it was supposed to be. Sometimes you need to just have a good time and they went insane with goofy stuff. I had a good time with this and Danhausen is still a blast. Of all the matches that I’ve seen involving a cloning machine, this had to be in the top four, with Barrett’s overreaction making it even better.

TripleMania is now two nights, but not consecutive nights for an odd change.

Asuka vs. Iyo Sky

This is basically mentor vs. mentee, with a bit of a twist as the mentor (Asuka) is going too far instead of the mentee for a change. They flip each other around to start and then trade forearms, with Sky sending her into the corner. Sky sends her into the ropes and kicks her into the apron, followed by more kicks to the face. Asuka grabs a Boston crab in the ropes before starting in on the arm.

Sky strikes back and hits a missile dropkick, allowing her to flip up into the crazy pose. Back up and Asuka goes for the arm again before hitting a jawbreaker. Asuka’s armbar is countered into an Asuka Lock from Sky, sending Asuka over to the ropes. They head outside with Asuka loading up the announcers’ table. Sky gets smart though and uses a laptop to block the mist, setting up a crossbody off the table to drop Asuka again.

Back in and Sky knocks her down again but Over The Moonsault is blocked. A cross armbreaker into the Asuka Lock has Sky in even more trouble but she rolls out for the break. The release German suplex sets up the Bullet Train Attack and now Over The Moonsault can connect for the pin at 18:08.

Rating: B+. Yeah shockingly enough, two incredibly talented wrestlers had a heck of a match, but dang this needed Kairi Sane to really complete the story. Sky had to win here, as otherwise Asuka is just a jerk who was right in the end. They can both move on to something else, if nothing else possibly as partners again. For now though, heck of a match and probably the best thing on the show thus far.

Post match respect is shown and everything seems to be ok again.

Here is John Cena for his big announcement. Cena seems rather thrilled to be here and says it’s fun to be able to be in the ring without having to get in a fight. The fans chant ONE MORE MATCH and Cena says he was expecting that. He talks about the last night of his career and how he wanted it to be about an opportunity. That night we saw people like Sol Ruca, Je’Von Evans and Oba Femi (pause for chant). Cena hopes Femi is listening because that’s what this is all about.

It worked so well that we can do it again, with the John Cena Classic. The best of today vs. the best of tomorrow in a one night event for a brand new championship. Cena has said before that the biggest stars are the WWE Universe and for the first time in history, the fans’ voices will be heard louder than ever before. The fans will vote to crown the first champion and every participant qualifies. Just because you don’t win your match, you could still win the fans’ vote and win the competition.

Cena thanks everyone for giving this a shot and it’s main event time. This was quite the rambling announcement (no date or participants were given) and while the last thing they need is another belt, if it’s something you win and then it’s not defended in any way, it’s not nearly as bad.

We recap Roman Reigns defending against Jacob Fatu. It’s another battling family thing, with Fatu saying Reigns didn’t help him up when he was on top. Now Fatu wants to win the title to boost his own family up and has brought back the Tongan Death Grip. Fair enough.

Raw World Title: Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu

Fatu is challenging. Reigns shoulders him down to start so Fatu grabs a headlock. Fatu knocks him outside for the suicide dive and the Tongan Death Grip goes on, with Fatu sending him into the post. For some reason Fatu lets go and Reigns is in trouble as he gets tossed back inside. A neck snap across the top gets Reigns out of trouble but Fatu shoves him out of the corner.

Reigns’ arm gets trapped and Fatu drops him with a clothesline before sending him into the post. Fatu tries a big charge but hits the post, allowing Reigns to nail the Superman Punch for…one. Back up and Fatu knocks him into the corner for the running Umaga Attack, only for Reigns to come back with the Superman Punch for two. They head outside where the announcers’ table is loaded up, only for Fatu to powerbomb him through it instead.

Back in and a spear gives Reigns two but he charges into a pop up Samoan drop. The triple jump moonsault gives Fatu a VERY close near fall but his Swanton hits raised knees. The slugout goes to Fatu, who sends him into the corner for the running Umaga Attack. Fatu gets the Death Grip but Reigns stops at two arm drops. The referee gets bumped but Reigns hits a Superman Punch into another spear for two (with the referee stopping a bit early on the near fall). Fatu gets the Death Grip on again but Reigns rips off a turnbuckle pad and sends Fatu face first. Another spear retains the title at 18:04.

Rating: B+. These two beat the heck out of each other and there were some very nice near falls. Reigns basically had to go desperation to win and the ending felt like Fatu got pinned because he went a bit too nuts. It’s a heck of a main event and it wouldn’t shock me if we see these two run it back, which wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Post match Fatu lays Reigns out again and gets another Tongan Death Grip, even as agents come down. One of them is sent outside and Fatu Grips him again, with Reigns foaming at the mouth. Fatu comes back in and does it again before posing with the title to end the show.

Overall Rating: A-. Heck of a show here, with five matches all delivering at worst and overdelivering in some spots. What mattered here was allowing some of the matches to actually go somewhere rather than cramming in a bunch of short matches like at Wrestlemania. This wound up being rather good and FAR better than I was expecting, which is a very nice surprise.

Results
Bron Breakker b. Seth Rollins – Super Spear
Trick Williams b. Sami Zayn – Trick Shot
Danhausen/Mini Hausen b. Miz/Kit Wilson – Pump kick to Miz
Iyo Sky b. Asuka – Over The Moonsault
Roman Reigns b. Jacob Fatu – Spear

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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Geez it feels like we’ve had almost no time for the fallout since Wrestlemania. It’s weird to see things moving forward so fast and this show feels kind of weak, with most of the matches feeling like they’re just kind of there. That can make for a surprising result but this show could go south in a hurry if it doesn’t exceed expectations. I’ve been surprised before though so let’s get to it.

Miz/Kit Wilson vs. Danhausen/???

We’ll get the worrisome one out of the way from the start, as I’m almost scared of who Danhausen’s partner might be. There are so many people on the roster with nothing to do who could use the spot or who could be a perfect choice for Danhausen, but at the same time, there are some people who would be absolutely horrible choices. I’m scared at the idea of how bad it could go.

Either way, I don’t see any reason for Miz and Wilson to win, because the second Danhausen loses, his career is going to have trouble. I’ll absolutely take Danhausen and his partner to win, but the interesting thing here is who that partner will be. While CM Punk would be perfect for the surprise to pop the crowd, I’ve seen another name out there (which I won’t spoil) which would make me roll my eyes hard. I’ll hope that it’s Punk but I won’t be surprised if it isn’t. Either way, Danhausen’s team wins, because of course.

Iyo Sky vs. Asuka

This is a good example of a story where WWE shot itself in the foot. This story was ALL about Kairi Sane and for reasons of TKO is kind of bad at this stuff, Sane was released before the payoff. Without her, there is far less of a reason for these two to be fighting. Yes there is a story, but before they were fighting over Sane and now Sky is basically playing both her role and Sane’s role, which just makes it more jarring that Sane isn’t there.

I’ll go with Sky winning here to put Asuka in her place and move on. It would be nice for Sane to pop up again for a one off and wrap up her spot in the story before moving on but that might be wishful thinking. Sky shutting Asuka down and possibly getting rid of her for a bit is the way to go, as Asuka could use something of a reset. Either way, it won’t matter without Sane, so spend some of that ridiculous income TKO earned and bring her in for one more night.

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

Here we have a Wrestlemania rematch and the big story is the double turn from a few weeks ago is basically complete. Williams is feeling like a hot prospect and Zayn is pretty much a heel again. Zayn is already kind of spiraling and that is only going to make him dig into his new side of things that much more. At the same time you have Williams, who looks like he could be ready to become something big in a hurry.

Therefore, I’ll go with Williams overcoming the veteran again to establish himself even more. Outside of some cheating to set up a rubber match between the two of them, I can’t imagine Zayn getting the title back. He can move on to something else after this while Williams does anything other than the US Open Challenge. Williams should win here and I think he will, but it’s not a lock.

Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker

Now we’re getting up to something bigger as we have one of the really personal feuds in WWE today. These two do not like each other and have been fighting for months, including a variety of injuries which have prevented them from having their big showdown. This was going to take place at Wrestlemania but Breakker wasn’t back from his injury in time to make it happen. In other words, this one is a big deal.

I’m going to go with Breakker winning here, as he needs a big win after his return from injury. He lost the biggest singles match of his career to CM Punk back in January and then went on the shelf for a few months. This is where he can regain that momentum and he’s in trouble if Rollins beats him. I’ll take Breakker to win here, and in this case he really needs to go over.

Raw World Title: Roman Reigns(c) vs. Jacob Fatu

This one has me interested because WWE has made Fatu feel like that much of a monster. The Tongan Death Grip looks like the kind of thing that could give Reigns a lot of trouble and while I’m not sold on him winning the title (yet), Reigns is going to have his hands full. In other words, they have done a good job of making this feel bigger than it is, with the personal side of things making it more interesting.

That being said, I can’t imagine Reigns losing the title just a few weeks after winning it in a Wrestlemania main event. Fatu is going to have his day at some point, but I don’t think it happens just yet, not with the Usos running around. There is always the chance that we get a shocking upset, but it makes more sense for Reigns to win here and get ready for a bigger challenger, but Fatu is a rather big challenge in the first place. This should be a heck of a fight, but the champion retains.

Overall Thoughts

This show doesn’t look great on paper, but it still has a chance. If the two big matches deliver and Danhausen’s partner isn’t a letdown, this could wind up being a rather nice night of wrestling. WWE could use that after some of the less than positive stories in recent weeks, but putting that kind of negative atmosphere around the wrestlers can be devastating. I’m not sold on the show, but it could wind up being good enough if things go right.

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: May 8, 2026
Location: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the night before Backlash and that should mean a pretty big Smackdown. WWE has turned the shows before the pay per views into a big preview, which is quite the use of three hours. Hopefully it’s quality to go with quantity this year, though it’s hard to make that work with such a long show. Let’s get to it.

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

In Memory Of Ted Turner. That’s a nice touch.

We open with a long recap of Jacob Fatu vs. Roman Reigns.

Here is Fatu for a chat. Tomorrow, he’s taking the title from Roman Reigns. Since they were kids, everyone has seen Reigns as the future and Fatu as nothing. Everyone has had it in for him but it’s been to protect Reigns. This brings out the Usos to interrupt, who say they aren’t out there to change Fatu’s mind. Jimmy understands that Fatu needs this, but what happens if he loses? Has he ever thought about that?

Jey doesn’t believe Fatu thinks like that but Jey has been there. Tomorrow night, Fatu’s family will be there to see him lose, and his wife and children will have to acknowledge the Tribal Chief. That doesn’t work for Fatu, because this isn’t just a main event. This is about his family because they are going to see him win the title. Oh and if the Usos try to interfere, he’ll burn this whole place down. I don’t think he’s going to win, but Fatu has sold me on him being a threat to Reigns.

We look at Gunther attacking Cody Rhodes last week.

Nick Aldis doesn’t like what Gunther has done, but here is Ricky Saints to interrupt. Matt Cardona comes in and doesn’t like Saints so they’re set for tonight.

Post break, Nick Aldis shakes Jacob Fatu’s hand and Fatu seems ready to leave in peace. As he’s leaving, Fatu runs into Royce Keys, who gives him a pep talk about winning the title. With Fatu gone, Keys runs into Solo Sikoa, who says Keys was in the wrong place at the wrong time last week. Sikoa needs an answer from Keys soon.

Women’s US Title: Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James

James, with Giulia, is challenging. We get a video from Chelsea Green, who is bedridden (in a lot of pink of course) and can’t be at the show tonight. James grabs a headlock to start but Stratton is right back with a clothesline. Stratton gets caught in the ropes though and a kick to the head knocks her down. The leg gets wrapped around the post and Stratton is in trouble and we take a break.

We come back with James grabbing a rather logical half crab, sending Stratton over to the ropes. The leg is fine enough to hit the handspring elbow in the corner and a handspring Stunner connects. A basement dropkick gives Stratton two but James sends her into the corner for a handspring (popular in this match) kick to the head. James misses a charge into the post though and Giulia gets on the apron, meaning the referee doesn’t see James grabbing a rollup for two. Stratton knocks Giulia down and hits a Regal Roll into the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to retain at 8:04.

Rating: C+. Oddly enough, Giulia gets my attention the most here as she feels like she is just falling lower and lower every single week. Hopefully they have something for her going forward as this hasn’t worked thus far. As for the people in the match, this felt like a way for Stratton to get a win over a challenger who didn’t feel like the biggest threat.

We go to the funeral for the Gingerbread Man (oh boy) where Sami Zayn asks Nick Aldis how he is letting this happen. Aldis says everyone needs some closure and Zayn is close to losing his mind when R-Truth comes up with a flower for him. R-Truth can see the resemblance between Zayn and Gingerbread Man, who talked about Zayn all the time. Zayn is ready to burst, mainly due to how ridiculous this whole thing is. To be fair, he has a point.

Video on Fatal Influence.

Rhea Ripley, Charlotte and Alexa Bliss are ready to take out Fatal Influence, but Charlotte and Ripley get into it all over again. Bliss has to calm them down, again.

R-Truth is sad about the Gingerbread Man but Damian Priest is more annoyed at Talla Tonga. R-Truth will be out there with him, but Priest wants him to stay in the back due to his shoulder injury. That’s good enough for R-Truth.

Talla Tonga vs. Damian Priest

Solo Sikoa is here with Tonga, who gets jumped by Priest to start fast. Tonga is knocked out to the floor but Priest’s spinning kick is sent into the post. Priest gets slammed onto the announcers’ table and we take a break. We come back with Tonga missing an elbow, allowing Priest to slug away.

Priest avoids a kick into the ropes and now the spinning kick to the face connects. After taking out Sikoa, the top rope clothesline gives Priest two but here is Tama Tonga for a distraction. Talla hits the discus lariat for two and here is R-Truth to even things up a bit. Priest sends Sikoa into Tama but gets dropped by Talla, who hits a chokeslam for the pin at 9:16.

Rating: B-. This was a big man fight and it seems like Priest and R-Truth are having some issues. That makes sense as the team never felt like it was supposed to be anything long term. At the same time, the MFT’s aren’t exactly doing well either, though it seems like we’ll be seeing a title match between the two sides sooner or later.

Post match the beatdown is teased but Royce Keys comes out to stare the MFT’s down, though he doesn’t get physical.

We recap Danhausen getting beaten down last week.

Danhausen is sitting at a table trying to find a partner when Miz and Kit Wilson interrupt. They’re not worried about the match because Danhausen doesn’t have any friends. Wilson holds up a mirror, saying the only person who would team with Danhausen is Danhausen. This gives Danhausen an idea, even though he goes the wrong way at first. I’m terrified.

Paul Heyman goes into Nick Aldis’ office.

We look at the Gingerbread Man being at various famous moments over the years.

Nick Aldis gives Paul Heyman a contract. Gunther comes in and Heyman hands him the contract, with Aldis welcoming Gunther to the Smackdown roster. They’re interrupted by Cody Rhodes coming to the ring, with Heyman saying he’ll handle this.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat. Rhodes wants to talk about Gunther but gets Heyman instead. Heyman has a solution in the form of the contract but Rhodes is ready to fight right now. That’s not going to work for Heyman, who makes it clear that this contract is the favor he owes Gunther (that’s interesting and nice job of wrapping up the point).

Heyman says he’s a fan of Rhodes and gets in the ring, saying that the title shot is for…Clash In Italy (later this month). By handing Rhodes the contract, Heyman’s part is done as Rhodes has to get Gunther to sign it himself. Rhodes stops him though and asks if he’s doing this because he’s out of options. Heyman says he’s not the one who’s out of options, because “sooner or later they all need the Wise Man.”

Heyman leaves and here is Gunther, who jumps Rhodes but gets knocked to the floor. Rhodes rants about how he doesn’t sweat Gunther because Rhodes is easy to find and hart to beat. Now that is a heck of a tease from Heyman, though Rhodes kind of forgetting that Heyman has the Vision with a healthy Bron Breakker is kind of odd.

Tama Tonga and Solo Sikoa argue about Royce Keys, with Tonga saying he’s going to go deal with Keys on his own. Sikoa won’t let Talla Tonga go too, because Tama needs to deal with this.

Matt Cardona vs. Ricky Saints

Cardona backs him into the corner to start and hits a running shoulder to annoy Saints again. A running forearm in the corner and a flapjack have Saints down again and he goes to the floor to kick the barricade. We take a break and come back with Saints in control but Cardona making a quick comeback. The Reboot gets two but Saints hits a spinning Downward Spiral for the same. Cardona is right back with Radio Silence as the fans seem to be thrilled that a fan is being ejected. Saints pops up with a tornado DDT into Roshambo to finish Cardona at 8:36.

Rating: C+. This was pretty much booking 101 as Saints lost a competitive match in his debut last week but came back to win here over an established name. Saints should be fine going forward as a midcard hand and this showed he can hang in there just fine. Cardona is pretty much resigned to his fate at this point, which is kind of a shame but he had to know what he was signing up to do.

Sami Zayn is still at the funeral and ranting about how he’s losing everything…to Johnny Gargano, who is still laying there in shock. Rey Fenix comes in and Zayn can’t believe he’s here.

Brie Bella and Paige are almost crushed by a falling piece of the set and Danhausen runs by. And we move on.

Blake Monroe is still on her way here.

Here are Brie Bella and Paige for a chat. Bella talks about how there are a lot of teams coming for the titles so bring it on. Paige has heard them referred to as a retirement tour but they’ve never been better. This brings out Fatal Influence, who say the champs should be worried about them. They’re about to have all the gold but here are the Irresistible Forces to say this isn’t NXT. The fans chant for Trick Williams, with Lash Legend laughing it off. The Forces lay the champs out while Fatal Influence stares on. This brings out Rhea Ripley, who stares at Legend on her way to the ring.

The Gingerbread Man was at other classic moments.

Fatal Influence vs. Rhea Ripley/Charlotte/Alexa Bliss

Henley and Bliss start things off with Henley dodging her and getting in a little dance. Bliss knees her in the face and does her own dance, which seems more popular. Bliss’ knee drop and flipping splash get two but Henley takes her into the corner. Jayne comes in for a boot choke and Reid mocks Bliss, who rolls over and brings in Ripley to start wrecking people. The flip dive off the apron connects and we take a break.

We come back with Reid hitting a neckbreaker on Ripley, who is back with that cool kick from the mat. Charlotte gets the tag and comes in to fire off the chops. The Flair Flip in the corner lets Charlotte hit a double high crossbody and Natural Selection gets two on Jayne. Bliss comes back in but walks into a superkick, as does Charlotte. Cue Jade Cargill to pull Ripley off the apron, allowing Cargill to hit the Rolling Encore to pin Bliss at 9:56.

Rating: B-. This was a good match, with the six person formula working as it usually does. You don’t get enough six person tags, as it worked rather well, allowing multiple combinations to keep things fresh. Cargill being back is good, but I don’t really need to see her going after Ripley again, at least not immediately. At the same time, Fatal Influence, with Jayne in particular, have hit the ground running on the main roster and that is rather impressive as that’s not something everyone can do.

Post match Cargill glares Fatal Influence away. Cargill goes after Bliss but Charlotte gets back in, only to be beaten down by Michin and B-Fab. Ripley tries to make a save and is beaten down as well.

Royce Keys is on his way to the ring but runs into the Usos. They talk about their history together and warn him to stay away from the MFT’s, or risk catching the eyes of Roman Reigns.

Gingerbread Man, classic moments, again. Do you get the joke yet?

Tama Tonga vs. Royce Keys

Solo Sikoa and Talla Tonga are here with Tama, despite what Sikoa said earlier. Tama hammers away to start and gets caught in a running powerslam. Keys punches him down in the corner but Tama slips out of a suplex and goes after the leg. Tama knocks him to the floor but a slide is countered into a World’s Strongest Slam onto the apron. A missed charge sends Keys into the steps though and we take a break.

We come back with the two of them slugging it out until Tama grabs a rolling neckbreaker for two. Keys gets up to fire off some clotheslines, meaning the straps can come down. Another powerslam gets another two but Tama’s reverse DDT gets the same. The comeback is on almost immediately and Tama is clotheslined outside, where Sikoa tells Talla to let Tama figure it out. Back in and the USB (Ultimate Spinebuster) finishes Tama at 7:53.

Rating: C+. This was about Keys getting to beat a name and it worked out well enough, though Keys still needs some more ring time to really polish things up (using the same running powerslam twice in a seven minute match isn’t a good idea). At least Keys keeps winning and, for now at least, he isn’t joining the MFT’s. The team needs some new recruits, though I’m not sure if Keys is the right choice.

Danhausen goes to his laboratory, where he has some chemicals, a microwave, and a cloning machine. This would be in the “well of course he does” category.

Shinsuke Nakamura comes up to Tama Tonga and asks if he’s still an MFT. Talla Tonga comes in to warn Nakamura about talking this brother. We’re still doing this?

Backlash rundown.

Trick Williams runs into Nick Aldis, who is letting the funeral have the rest of the broadcast.

It’s time for the funeral, with the casket and a choir in the ring as Trick Williams comes out to join them. Williams pours out a drink for the Gingerbread Man and hopes he can get through this. He speaks a song (with the choir joining in) about how the Gingerbread Man was destroyed and asking if someone can tell him why.

We get a package on the life of the Gingerbread Man, including him signing with the University Of South Carolina to play football, climbing a mountain, going to various national landmarks with Williams and Lil Yachty and participating in a dunk contest. Sami Zayn comes out to say this is ridiculous and asks if he’s losing his mind for this to go on so long. Closing Smackdown used to mean something and he asks why Williams spent this much money on one idea.

Zayn gets in the ring to yell at Williams about how he’s been doing this for twenty years and isn’t leaving. Zayn decks Williams and shouts about how the title is his life. Then the Gingerbread Man gets out of the casket and it’s Lil Yachty, who beats Zayn down with a kendo stick. The Trick Shot lays Zayn out to end the show.

So Zayn was right yes? Williams spent all this time and money for the sake of knowing that Zayn would interrupt (fair) and get beaten down for fifteen seconds to end the show? That’s quite a bit of effort and resources spent for not much of a payoff. And Aldis and everyone else hates Zayn enough to go with this? This feels like something from the Vince McMahon era and that’s not a good thing to see.

Overall Rating: C. It was a good enough show for the most part, but dang I didn’t care for that ending segment. The whole thing went on way too long and the lack of a big Smackdown match at Backlash made this a bit less than thrilling. Rhodes vs. Gunther being set up (pretty much) for Clash In Italy is fine, but it doesn’t make for the best build to Backlash. Fatal Influence continues to feel like a big deal and Heyman teasing Rhodes needing him in the future is interesting, but this show didn’t really have a big moment to go out on, which hurt things a lot.

Results
Tiffany Stratton b. Kiana James – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Talla Tonga b. Damian Priest – Chokeslam
Ricky Saints b. Matt Cardona – Roshambo
Fatal Influence b. Rhea Ripley/Charlotte/Alexa Bliss – Rolling Encore to Bliss
Royce Keys b. Tama Tonga – USB

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

More from my big assortment of leftovers from the WWE Network.

We go to an unspecified TV show from February 22, 1994 with Vince McMahon interviewing Jim Cornette on the platform. Cornette has the WWF Title with him and wants everyone to know that Lex Luger is never going to hold this because he can’t beat Yokozuna. Vince doesn’t know about that and here’s Luger, sending Cornette into terror. Luger takes the belt from him and puts it on, which Vince thinks looks pretty good. Not good enough to make Luger the champion mind you.

Vince wants the ring announcer to announce Luger as champion, with Luger doing a full on entrance with the title and getting in the ring to pose with the title. Luger walks around the ring and then takes the belt back to the platform to throw it at Cornette. This was actually a thing they did to make the fans think that Luger won the belt, as well as filming a special scene in advance in case they went with Luger at Wrestlemania. That obviously didn’t happen, but the fans needed a reason to see them filming this so the “what would happen if” deal was thrown together. Another cool little feature here.

From January 12, 1976 in Championship Wrestling From Florida.

Andre the Giant bends a bar around his neck (and breaks it), lifts 2000lbs and wins a tug of war (as in he’s in the middle with five wrestlers on each side) by pulling everyone into each other. This wasn’t even two minutes long.

Todd Hansen vs. Brian Black
Date: May 2, 2005
Location: Fleet Center, Boston, Massachusetts

Raw dark match with Lilian Garcia welcoming us to the night. Hanen is better known as Ivar (minus the long hair and/or beard) and Black is better known as the guy who is about to lose to Hansen in a dark match. Hansen grabs a headlock to start but gets elbowed in the stomach for his efforts.

A headlock takeover works a bit better for Hansen but Black whips him hard into the corner and puts on a double arm crank. That’s broken up as well and Hansen hits an ugly crossbody for two. Hansen makes the clothesline comeback and gets two off a spinning kick to the face. Black hits a pumphandle faceplant for the same but Hansen small packages him for the pin at 4:40.

Rating: D+. This was just a pair of local guys getting to have a quick match to warm up the crowd. There was nothing to indicate that Hansen would become a star in the future and it took a very long time for his career to take off. You have to start somewhere though and that’s what we were seeing here, in one of probably several similar matches he had during this part of his career.

From August 25, 1973 in the AWA.

Billy Graham loses to the Great Scott (with his 8 inch bicep) in an arm wrestling match. The clip runs 43 seconds and I have no idea what the joke was supposed to be here.

From the AWA on January 15, 1977.

Gene Okerlund brings in the Iron Sheik (who looks TINY compared to what he would become), who refuses to speak English. Sheik rants a lot, drops to his knees and prays and shows off the Persian clubs, as was his tradition. After a break, Sheik lifts a 300lb chain above his head and then rants a lot more. Gene says come and see Sheik when you have a chance. Of note: Sheik was billed from Lebanon here rather than Iran.

Kenny Omega vs. Cru Jones
Date: September 3, 2006
Location: Deep South Arena, McDonough, Georgia
Commentators: Bill DeMott, Nigel Sherrod

This is from Deep South Wrestling, where Omega was in the WWE developmental system for a bit before realizing he wasn’t going to get anywhere in this company. Before the match, Omega mocks Jones for being a former football player who yells a lot and promises to pin him. Yeah Omega wasn’t great with the talking at this point. Jones takes him into the corner to start so Omega tries a waistlock.

Omega picks up the pace and armdrags him into an armbar, with one fan calling it boring. Another armdrag into an armbar keeps Jones down but he throws Omega into the corner. The chinlock goes on until Omega fights up and drop toeholds him into the middle rope. A running dropkick to the side of the head gets two on Jones but Jones is back with a Michinoku Driver for the same. Omega is right back up with Sliced Bread for the pin at 5:06.

Rating: C-. Another historical curiosity more than anything else here as Omega was nowhere near what he would become. He was just a guy in trunks here without any kind of character or gimmick to speak of. I can see why he would want out, as doing something like this isn’t going to give him any kind of a change to shine. Jones never did anything of note in wrestling and retired in 2012.

From Championship Wrestling From Florida on September 8, 1988.

Dusty Rhodes introduces us to his son Dustin, who he says is green behind the ears and needs to fill out a bit. Dusty knows everyone is going to be watching and he wants the people to love his son like they love him. Dustin is ready to get funky like a monkey, but he looks rather stoic here and doesn’t say a word.

Rico Constantino vs. Brock Lesnar
Date: January 3, 2002
Location: MCI Center, Washington DC
Attendance: 13,978

Raw dark match and the arena might be 15% full. Lesnar is in white boots for a really weird look. Rico strikes away out of the corner and runs Lesnar over with a shoulder. The cross armbreaker goes on but Lesnar powerbombs out of it without much trouble. Lesnar stomps away in the corner and hits some shoulders to the back for two. The powerslam into the corner lets Lesnar stomp away some more but Rico comes back with a kick to the head. The spinning kick to the face is countered into a powerslam to finish Rico at 4:20.

Rating: C. Believe it or not, two of the more polished OVW wrestlers can have a completely passable match against each other. Lesnar was showing off the power here and that’s what you want to see from him. Rico continues to look more polished than you would ever imagine and I would have loved to see what he could do if he hadn’t been saddled with such a stupid gimmick.

Jim Duggan vs. Sgt. Slaughter
Date: February 4, 1981
Location: Fieldhouse, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Pat Patterson

This is from All-Star Wrestling and I absolutely would not have recognized Duggan. He has short blonde hair and a mustache here, to the point where I thought it was a typo until he was introduced. Slaughter has the Grand Wizard with him and gets in an argument with a fan in the front row before the match starts. Then he does it again, with Vince calling the fan “rotund”.

Duggan (an unknown here) forearms Slaughter in the chest and hits another in the corner. Slaughter unloads with shots to the chest against the ropes and whips him into the corner to cut off a comeback attempt. Duggan gets in his own whip but walks into a piledriver (Vince: “That’ll hurt.”) and the Cobra Clutch finishes for Slaughter at 6:31.

Rating: C-. Now this was fun, as Duggan showed the fire that would make him a star in Mid-South when he got the chance. He was a total rookie at this point though and it was amazing to see in a way. If you have never seen the old school Slaughter, make some time to do so, as he really was awesome in his slimmer days.

Great Kabuki vs. Bruiser Brody
Date: June 7, 1981
Location: Reunion Arena, Dallas Texas
Commentator: Stan Hart

From World Class inside a cage with escape rules only and if Brody wins, Fritz Von Erich gets to face Gary Hart (evil manager) inside the cage. They circle each other to start with Brody kicking his way out of the corner. Kabuki chokes him down but gets whipped into the corner for a right hand. Brody misses the knee though and Kabuki gets in a top rope forearm to the back.

The armpit claw goes on and a superkick cuts off Brody’s comeback attempt. Another comeback works a bit better as Brody kicks him down into the corner, only to get kicked up against the cage. Brody fights out of another nerve hold but a chop cuts him down again. There’s a top rope stomp to the head (geez) to bust Brody open (makes sense) but he kicks Kabuki down again. Now the big knee connects and Brody ties him in the Tree of Woe to escape at 9:55.

Rating: C-. I was expecting more from this but the big story here was more about setting up the next match. It’s a little weird to have what feels like a big showdown inside a cage for the sake of another match later, but that’s a Von Erich story for you. Brody vs. Kabuki would seem to be a bigger match than this, though there is only so much you can do with one guy knocking the other down, then having them swap roles over and over again for about ten minutes.

Bonus match time. Well after we come back from a break and look at the last thirty seconds of the match first.

Fritz Von Erich vs. Gary Hart

Hart, in his suit, is terrified and Fritz stalks him around for a good while. A charge in the corner goes badly for Hart as he gets pounded down, allowing Fritz to start ripping at the suit. Some people are running around at ringside as the pants go flying. The Claw goes on and Hart is left in his underwear. More stripping and more Clawing ensues to give Fritz the win at 4:47.

Rating: D. This was barely a match so there is only so much you’re going to get out of it. I’m sure this would mean a lot more if I know the story (to be fair, Hart vs. Von Erichs went on for years) but this was much more about giving the fans something to cheer. Fritz was a monster in real life but the fans loved him so this worked as well as it could have.

Post match Kabuki gets Hart out of the cage in search of pants.

Minnesota Stretching Crew vs. Mr. Black/Mark Henry
Date: December 16, 2000
Location: Davis Arena, Louisville, Kentucky
Commentators: Kenny Bolin, Dean Hill

That would be a VERY young Brock Lesnar/Shelton Benjamin and Black is a big guy. Black shrugs off Shelton’s dropkick to start and runs him over with a shoulder as commentary actually says this was taped before their big show (which wound up getting knocked out by a blizzard and postponed by a month anyway, so it was WAY before the big show). Shelton crucifixes Black for two and hits a top rope flip dive for the same. Black drives him into the corner and it’s off to Henry to toss Shelton around with ease.

A crossface chickenwing of all things has Benjamin in trouble and there’s a clothesline to drop him again. Henry drops a leg for two and Black blocks a sunset flip with a right hand. A missed charge lets Shelton bring in Brock off the hot tag and even Bolin (the heels’ manager) knows this is trouble. Everything breaks down and Black pulls out a police baton. Cue Rob Conway to take it from him and knock Black silly with it, giving Benjamin the pin at 5:40.

Rating: C. Totally watchable match here as they were just waiting on that hot tag to Lesnar. He was incredibly green at this point but when you can do things like that, does it really matter? I could have gone with the Stretching Crew on the main roster but Charlie Haas was a great choice for Benjamin’s partner and Brock did fine for himself. Black….well he was good for OVW.

Post match Henry and Black beat Conway down.

And now to Championship Wrestling From Florida, June 15, 1972.

We get a training session with Les Thornton, Harley Race, Danny Hodge and more slowly doing moves as commentary talks about what we’re seeing. We’re just seeing individual moves here and there is no crowd or anything. It’s mainly a bunch of suplexes and throws but they’re in slow motion to focus on the athletics and leverage. Believe it or not, Race looks exactly like he always wood as the guy never aged. We wrap it up with some clips of Chavo Guerrero dropkicking a Samoan in a match. This is the kind of thing I can always go for and it was a lot of fun for a short video.

From OVW, May 26, 2001.

Mark Henry is in the ring to talk about how OVW and its fans are on pace to raise $20000 for a children’s charity. Cue Bolin Services (top heel stable) with Kenny Bolin saying he is tired of Henry raising money that could go into his pocket in these towns. They have found something in the contract, with a Randy Savage impersonator (ahuh) saying that the contract states that all money Henry raises goes to Bolin, including the charity money.

Henry says he’ll see Bolin in the hospital and the brawl is on with Henry cleaning house. Cue some guy that commentary doesn’t recognize to beat Henry down with the help of Mr. Black. Jim Cornette wants to know who the guy is hitting a tornado DDT to leave Henry laying. He would know him soon enough: it’s a debuting John Cena.

Fritz Von Erich vs. The Sheik
Date: February 28, 1977
Location: Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas
Commentator: Bill Mercer

Texas Death Match, meaning anything goes. We’re joined in progress with Gary Hart offering a distraction so Sheik can get in a cheap shot. Fritz grabs the stomach claw anyway before switching to the head for a change. Sheik rolls over to the rope for the break (in a death match) but Fritz keeps the hold on. The hold has been on for about two minutes at this point, making it seems like one of the lamest holds in history.

Sheik finally gets in a cheap shot and makes the crazed comeback but Fritz chokes him down again. Some choking gets the bloody Sheik out of trouble and they slug it out as we take a break. Back with Fritz punching his way out of a choke to grab another claw from the mat. A headbutt knocks Sheik out to the floor but they’re both down for the count and the draw at 6:20.

Hang on though as Sheik gets a chance to come back in to answer the ten count (ok then)….and they’re both out again at 7:08. There must be a winner so the first person to his feet wins. Hart and company try to help Sheik up but Fritz is down. Cue Kerry Von Erich to pour water on Fritz and hit Hart with the bucket. Fritz FINALLY gets up for the win at 10:02.

Rating: D-. There was some nice drama with who gets up first but this was a lot of laying around (about 4 minutes out of 10) and the rest was spent on choking and the claw. I know the fans loved Fritz and that’s fair enough, but it would be nice to have them actually do something. Sheik can have his wild brawls, though you would never know it off of this one.

Post match Sheik uses the water on the mat to wash his face because he’s an odd duck.

UPW Heavyweight Title: Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels
Date: March 14, 2001
Location: Galaxy Theater, Santa Ana, California
Attendance: 775

Daniels is defending and this is Loser Leaves UPW (a California independent promotion which trained John Cena). We’re joined in progress with Joe (slim here) missing an enziguri and Daniels (with HAIR) pulling him into an STF. Joe makes the rope and pulls Daniels into a chinlock. That’s broken up as well but the referee gets crushed in the corner. A low blow into Angel’s Wings gets the pin….from a wrestler named Mikey Henderson, meaning it doesn’t seem to count. Joe gets back up and hits an enziguri, setting up the Emerald Driver (Emerald Flosion) for the pin and the title at 2:02 shown.

Daniels gets the Goodbye Song but grabs the mic and thanks the fans for everything over the years.

Samoa Joe, who looks YOUNG, says he’ll face everyone and ran both Daniels and Rob Van Dam out of UPW.

From Florida Championship Wrestling, February 23, 1989.

Oliver Humperdink is sick of Dusty Rhodes so he needs to get rid of Dustin Rhodes. So who should he bring in to take care of Dustin? The only solution is Terry Funk, and we see a video of Funk standing in front of an unpainted white figure with the word DUSTY on the chest. Funk talks about how worthless and fat he is, and how something like this can only be called a “Dusty”. Then he whips out a chainsaw and cuts off the limbs, which represent his words and fat. That leaves you with a Dustin, who is too stupid to speak. I think I’ve done this one 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:

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