Heatwave 2025
Date: August 24, 2025
Location: Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

It’s another special event and in this case we have quite the David vs. Goliath main event, as Je’Von Evans challenges Oba Femi for the NXT Title. Other than that, TNA is around again and has some fairly prominent matches, including the Knockouts Title on the line. This show has been fairly big over the years so hopefully the live up to the reputation here. Let’s get to it.

The opening video focuses on the idea of a spark turning into a big fire and how anything can make it start. This gives us a look at the card.

Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice

For a future Women’s Title shot and Jordan’s parents are in the crowd. Parker gets double superkicked to the floor to start and a flipping forearm knocks her off the apron. That doesn’t last long as Parker comes back in to knock them both down to quite the reaction, as Parker seems to be the crowd favorite. The double stack tear drop connects for Parker in the corner but Jordan knocks her to the floor again.

That leaves Vice to get caught in the ropes for a spinning legdrop, with Parker having to make a save. Back in and Vice pulls Parker into a triangle choke, only for Jordan to dive off the top for a save. Jordan superkicks Parker to the floor and hits a slingshot dive but Vice is back in with her bouncing kicks back inside. The running hip attacks connect in the corner but Parker is back up to run them over for two each.

Vice is sent outside but comes back in to catch Parker on top for a Tower Of Doom. Jordan gets up and kicks Parker down but One Of A Kind hits raised knees. Hipnotique is cut off by Vice but Jordan gives Vice a spinning Angle Slam. Jordan’s 450 is left short and Vice guillotine chokes her, only to avoid Parker’s Hipnotique. With Jordan knocked silly, Vice gets a rollup to pin Parker at 11:52.

Rating: B-. This had some issues but they gave three up and coming women a chance to show what they could do and the match wound up being pretty good. I’m not sure it got to the point of being some big career making match for the three of them as Vice has been close to the title before, but this was a good opener and showed what we might be seeing in the future of the women’s division. Nice work from everyone involved, though Parker needs to win something soon.

The Culling is ok with recent losses and focus on going after the No Quarter Catch Crew.

Tag Team Titles: Darkstate vs. Hank & Tank

Darkstate (Osiris Griffin and Dion Lennox in this case, with the other members at ringside) is challenging. Hank slugs away at Lennox to start and shrugs off a clothesline, which has Lennox a bit surprised. Griffin comes in to slam Tank but everything breaks down and the champs hit some running dives to the floor to drop all of Darkstate. Back in and Hank gets crotched on top, allowing Lennox to hammer away outside.

Lennox whips him into the corner back inside as Booker doesn’t think it would be too bad if Darkstate wins. Booker: “Other teams will have to step up.” Kind of yeah, but wrestlers have weird logic. Hank manages to avoid a charge and brings Tank back in, with Darkstate quickly double powerbombing him for two.

Tank breaks up a superplex attempt and throws Lennox off the top onto Griffin, setting up a Swanton onto both of them. Hank takes out the rest of the team and gets up for the tag, followed by a dive off the top to drop them again. The double standing splash looks to set up the powerbomb/neckbreaker combination but a distraction lets Tank get crotched on the post. A Doomsday Device gives us new champions at 10:06.

Rating: C+. There was almost no reason to believe that Hank & Tank were going to retain here as Darkstate needed to win something and Hank & Tank felt like underdog champions for their entire reign. Darkstate feels like it could be something with the titles and that’s a good idea. Now just find some good teams to come after the belts.

Ava isn’t happy with Lexis King for attacking Myles Borne. The solution: a blindfold match next week.

TNA Knockouts Title: Ash By Elegance vs. Jacy Jayne vs. Masha Slamovich

Jayne (with the rest of Fatal Influence) is defending and Ash has the rest of the Elegance Brand with her. Ash and Slamovich punch Jayne down to start but Jayne is back up for a quick rollup. Jayne sends Ash to the apron and hits a flip dive off the apron. Slamovich is right there with a dive of her own, followed by a running kick for two on Ash.

Jayne gets back in and is sent down just as fast, leaving Slamovich to clothesline Ash for two. The Personal Concierge offers a distraction so Slamovich can be knocked outside, leaving Ash to get two off a flipping neckbreaker. A sitout powerbomb gives Jayne two and it’s Slamovich coming back in to clean house. Jayne cuts Slamovich off with a running knee to the face and a swinging neckbreaker gets two.

Slamovich sends Jayne into the corner but Ash is right back with a top rope Meteora for two of his own. The other groups get in a big argument on the floor, with Jazmyn Nyx getting in a cheap shot, and that’s an over the top ejection for Fatal Influence. Slamovich and Jayne crash out to the floor and Ash dives onto both of them for probably the biggest spot of her career. Back in and the Rolling Encore connects on Slamovich but the Elegance brand pulls Jayne out, leaving Ash to hit Rarefied Air to pin Slamovich at 12:22.

Rating: B-. What we got here wasn’t a great match, but what mattered the most was getting the title back to TNA. At some point they had to win something or things were going to get even worse. The match featured a bunch of high spots, but it was the second match of a similar style of the night, which isn’t the easiest thing to overcome. Either way, the result is what matters most.

Je’Von Evans is getting warned up when Ricky Saints comes in to give him a pep talk. Evans has sore ribs but he’s ready to go.

Blake Monroe vs. Jordynne Grace

No recap here but they were friends for about five minutes before splitting up and Monroe mocked Grace for not being a star, while Grace needs to win the big one to prove herself. Monroe slaps her in the face to start and runs away from a charging Grace, who chases her behind commentary. Back in and Grace hits a kind of spinning Big Ending, followed by a suplex out to the floor.

A fall away slam sends Monroe crashing on the outside but she gets in a shot of her own to take over. Monroe pulls her shoulder first into the post and it’s off to a seated full nelson. That’s broken up so Monroe goes with a Sling Blade for two. Monroe’s seated armbar doesn’t work as Grace fights up and slingshots her into the ropes for the break. Some clothesline drop Monroe again and a spinebuster into a Jackhammer gets two.

Grace loads up a reverse Alabama Slam and throws Monroe down, with a turnbuckle pad being ripped off in the process. Back up and a not so great Skull Crushing Finale has Grace in trouble and Monroe flips over for an armbar. That’s broken up and Grace gets fired up but a headbutt cuts her off. Monroe’s suplex gets two and Grace’s arm seems to be banged up from the armbar. Grace is able to reverse a superplex attempt into a super sitout powerbomb for two and they’re both down. Back up and Monroe manages to stomp her Grace head first into the exposed buckle, setting up a double arm DDT for the pin at 12:45.

Rating: B. Rather good, hard hitting fight here, with Monroe looking like she survived for a big win here. That’s something that should serve as a nice upgrade for her, which she needs so soon after her debut. That being said, is Grace just not allowed to win anything important? She was the biggest deal ever when she came into NXT and has proceeded to do just about nothing. They might want to work on that.

Jaida Parker is mad about her loss when Lash Legend comes in to mock her. They’re quickly held apart.

Jacy Jayne isn’t happy with her loss and blames her teammates when Lola Vice comes in. Jayne says there’s no problem here, but Vice thinks there will be a problem at No Mercy when she gets her title shot. Zaria and Sol Ruca come in to mock Fatal Influence (Jayne wants to know how they always manage to show up) and the villains leave.

Tavion Heights/Tyra Mae Steele vs. Chelsea Green/Ethan Page

USA vs. Canada, the Secret Hervice is with Green/Page and the fans are VERY pro-Green and don’t approve as Steele takes her to the mat for a roll around. Heights comes in for a fireman’s carry on Page and the Canadians are sent crashing out to the floor. Page grabs the mic and shouts that Canada will NOT give your citizenship before taking Heights down for some elbows.

The chinlock goes on for a bit before Green comes in to dropkick Steele off the apron. A running Downward Spiral gets two on Heights, who is back up to block Green’s chop. Steele comes back in with a spear and swings Green into Page, which might have been a bit low. The women trade crossbodies for a double down, allowing the tag off to Heights to clean house. Green offers a distraction though and stereo big boots leave Heights and Page down.

Steele comes in to suplex Page and tries to do it again, only for Alba Fyre to try to make the save. That’s fine with Steele, who suplexes both of them but the referee won’t stand for her ankle locking Page. The distraction lets Fyre come in for the superkick and Green grabs the Unpretty Her for the pin at 9:31.

Rating: C. Heights and Steele are still fairly new, or at least rather untested, and it was clear that they needed some help to get them through the match. At the same time, it’s nice to see them getting the chance to go out there as you have to bring in the fresh blood at some point. The match wasn’t the best, but it’s nice to see someone new being presented in a bigger spot.

Josh Briggs comes in to see Oba Femi, who is clearly being worn down by being champion. Femi wants him out of here but Briggs says he’s next in line to come for the title.

Ava announces that the Speed Titles will be defended on NXT, with Sol Ruca defending at No Mercy. A tournament is coming to crown a new opponent. You know, it is ok to just drop some concepts occasionally. The Speed Titles would be a good choice for that status.

NXT Title: Je’Von Evans vs. Oba Femi

Femi is defending after Evans won a #1 contenders match. Evans goes after him to start and is sent flying into the corner, further banging up his bad ribs. Instead Evans tries to pick up the pace and goes for the springboard cutter, which is pulled out of the air as well. With that not working either, Evans lands a quick superkick and Femi is stunned by the knockdown.

A basement superkick looks to set up the frog splash but Evans bails out at the last second. Femi gets back up so Evans dropkicks him to the floor, only for the dive to be cut off as Femi grabs him by the throat. Back in and a gutbuster has Evans in more trouble and a big spinebuster makes it worse. Evans somehow fights up again but walks into a backbreaker. A chokeslam gets two and Femi isn’t sure what to do now.

Evans manages to get in a few shots of his own and some spinning kicks to the head get two. The top rope splash connects, though Evans lands a bit too early and the referee has to check on him. The second attempt lands a lot better for two but a strike off goes to Femi (that forearm was LOUD). Somehow Evans manages a German suplex but Femi pops up with a hard clothesline. The springboard cutter gets Evans out of trouble so he tries it again, only to get uppercutted out of the air for a rather near fall.

Femi goes up (up oh) but Evans is shoved down and into the referee, only to come back with a super hurricanrana. A pop up cutter hits Femi and the top rope cutter connects as another referee comes in to count three….but the first referee points out that Femi’s foot was underneath the rope. Back up and Femi picks Evans up and THROWS HIM OVER THE TOP AND ONTO THE ANNOUNCERS’ TABLE for one of the nastiest landings I’ve seen in a long time. Back in and what used to be Evans is planted with the Fall From Grace for the pin to retain at 17:42.

Rating: B. This started out slowly but I was getting it it by the end, with Evans doing everything he could to make you believe that the impossible could happen. The visual pinfall at the end was a nice touch, but that crash at the end was the really big spot of the match and OUCH. Hopefully Evans gets that he doesn’t have to do that very often, or he’s going to have a very short career.

Post match Femi celebrates but Ricky Saints comes out for the staredown to end the show. There are worse choices for a next challenger.

Overall Rating: B-. I’m not sure how much this needed to be its own stand alone special, as it felt more like getting things ready for the future rather than doing much here. The biggest things were setting up Saints as the next challenger and the two title changes, one of which doesn’t even involve an NXT title. That being said, the focus here seemed to be on bringing up some fresh names, which is a good idea. It might not be the stuff that matters at the moment, but it’s planting some seeds for the future.

Results
Lola Vice b. Jaida Parker and Kelani Jordan – Rollup to Parker
Darkstate b. Hank & Tank – Doomsday Device to Hank
Ash By Elegance b. Jacy Jayne and Masha Slamovich – Rarefied Air to Slamovich
Blake Monroe b. Jordynne Grace – Double arm DDT
Chelsea Green/Ethan Page b. Tyra Mae Steele/Tavion Heights – Unpretty Her to Steele
Oba Femi b. Je’Von Evans – Fall From Grace

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

Forbidden Door 2025
Date: August 24, 2025
Location: 02 Arena, London, England
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Bryan Danielson

We’re back to the international show, but this time the guest star aspect has been toned down a good deal. That’s made for a better build to the show, which feels like more of a regular AEW pay per view with a few bonuses rather than a big side trip before we can get back to what matters. Let’s get to it.

Zero Hour: Yuya Uemura/El Desperado/Paragon vs. Cru/Don Callis Family

Don Callis is here with the villains. Hechicero and Desperado start things off and go to the mat, which is good for an early standoff. An exchange of rollups gets two each and Desperado rolls out of a leglock. Cru comes in to send Desperado into the corner but he rolls over for the tag off to O’Reilly. Kicks to the chest put Cru down and Strong comes in for the save. The backbreaker/middle rope knee drop combination hits Hechicero but Andretti slips out and hammers away for a bit.

O’Reilly fights up and gets the cross armbreaker on Andretti. That’s switched into a leglock on Rush but Andretti is back in with a running shooting star. Uemura and Alexander slug it out with Uemura getting the better of things off a dropkick. Hechicero is back in to kick Uemura into a DDT and Rush hits the Final Hour for two as everything breaks down. Andretti hits a big corkscrew dive to the floor and Uemura grabs a butterfly suplex for two on Rush. A double arm capture suplex gives Uemura the pin on Rush at 12:04.

Rating: C+. Fun match, but this was a case where you could drop Paragon and Cru without losing much. Paragon has been losing a good bit lately and Cru hasn’t wrestled on TV in over a month. I’m not sure why they needed to be here, save for adding more people to the card. Still though, nice fast paced match to start the show, which is often a good idea.

Post match the beatdown is on but Tomohiro Ishii comes in for the brawl with Lance Archer. Ishii gets to stand…well not very call but he gets rid of Archer at least.

Zero Hour: Gates Of Agony/Ricochet vs. Jet Speed/Michael Oku

The Gates and Ricochet jump them to start and pose on the apron, only for Jet Speed to slap Ricochet in the head. Back up and a Pounce sends Oku over the top and out to the floor for a big crash. We settle down to Liona dropping a knee on Oku, who manages to avoid a shot and bring in Jet Speed (yeah both of them) to clean house.

Everything breaks down and Oku hits a missile dropkick, followed by Bailey’s standing moonsault knees to Kaun. A missed charge sends Kaun into the post and Oku hits a frog splash for two on Ricochet. Bailey moonsaults onto the Gates, leaving Oku to Lionsault Ricochet into the half crab. A rake to the eyes breaks that up though and it’s Open The Gates into the Spirit Gun to finish Oku at 9:54.

Rating: B-. The flips and dives were nice, with Jet Speed and Ricochet getting to do their flips and dives. I’m still not sure I get the appeal of Oku, but he’s a talented star in the ring. Other than that, the Gates getting to smash through smaller people was fun, though they are little more than Ricochet’s goons at this point. Granted that’s better than pretending that they’re going to be serious title challengers anytime soon.

Zero Hour: Triangle Of Madness/Megan Bayne vs. Willow Nightingale/Queen Aminata/Kris Statlander/Harley Cameron

It’s a big brawl to start, with Cameron shouting FEEL THE WRATH as the villains are sent to the floor. Some dropkicks through the ropes have Bayne and the Triangle down until Thekla comes back in to kick Nightingale in the face. Statlander comes in to take over on Hart but the Triangle knocks her outside. Bayne sends Aminata and Cameron flying and a pair of dives drop them on the floor.

Blue’s front facelock is broken up but Statlander intentionally brings in Cameron instead of Nightingale. Cameron hits some running shots in the corner before it’s back to Aminata, who gets clotheslined by Bayne. The hips to the face just annoy Bayne but Aminata pulls her down with a headscissors.

Nightingale comes in to a big reaction as everything breaks down. Thekla hits a big dive to the floor and brawls to the back with Aminata. That leaves Cameron to take her mask off and hit Bayne in the face, setting up a tornado DDT for two. Bayne kicks Nightingale off the apron and Statlander kicks Nightingale, setting up Bayne’s Liger bomb for the pin at 11:16.

Rating: C+. Well thank goodness Cameron came back and got to take a pin so fast. It’s not like Aminata was right there to take the fall or anything. The match was basically another chance for Bayne to come in and wreck people, which she does rather well. As has been the case here though, there are too many people in the match for someone to really stand out, including Bayne.

Zero Hour: Trios Titles: Opps vs. Bullet Club WarDogs

The WarDogs (Clark Connors/Robbie X/Drilla Maloney) are challenging. Connors and Shibata slug it out to start with Shibata getting the better of things and taking him outside for some rams into the barricade. Back in and Joe comes in, which scares Maloney away. It’s off to Robbie X, who gets knocked into the corner, with Shibata coming back in for a running dropkick.

Everything breaks down and Connors sends Shibata into the barricade with Hobbs making the save. Back in and Maloney takes over on Shibata, with Shibata dropping an elbow. Connors chops away with Shibata telling him to keep going before coming back with an STO. Hobbs comes in to clean house but the numbers take him down. Robbie X’s Spiral Tap gets two but Hobbs is back in with a spinebuster for two. Joe kicks Robbie X into the corner as everything breaks down. Shibata chokes Maloney and Joe MuscleBusters Robbie X to retain at 7:21.

Rating: B-. They didn’t have much time here and you could see how rushed they were as a result. Again though, it isn’t like there was much of another option because Zero Hour absolutely had to have four matches with that many entrances and people. Anyway, it’s nice to see the champs get a win over an established group, as there are only so many of them out there to come after the belts.

And now, the show proper.

The opening video talks about how special it is to have wrestlers from so many promotions on one show. That would have more of an impact if these wrestlers weren’t around so regularly.

Adam Copeland/Christian Cage vs. Matriarchy

This is Copeland and Cage’s first match as a regular team in over 14 years. As usual, the fans sing Copeland’s song to him. Copeland and Sabian start things off and it’s already time for a chase, with Copeland managing to send him face first onto the floor. Cage comes in and hammers on Sabian in the corner before it’s off to Killswitch. That’s enough for Cage, who lets Copeland have him for a change.

A superkick cuts Copeland down and now Sabian is willing to come back in for a neck snap across the top rope. Killswitch sends Sabian hard into Copeland in the corner and we hit the neck crank. That’s broken up so Sabian tells Killswitch to tag him, earning a chop for a tag. Sabian comes in and takes Copeland up top, with Cage coming in for an electric chair and a Doomsday spear.

That’s enough for Cage to come in and face Killswitch with Cage sending him into the post. Cage chokes both Killswitch and Sabian on the rope and then hits a big dive onto Killswitch. Back in and Killswitch kicks out at one but Sabian tags himself in. A double implant DDT drops Killswitch and Copeland spears him to the floor. Cage fights out of Sabian’s Killswitch attempt and throws Sabian into the air cor Copeland’s spear and the pin at 13:48.

Rating: C+. The second the match was announced, it was a question of whether Sabian would get pinned off the spear or a Killswitch from Cage. Killswitch got to look awesome as you knew he would in his return to the ring but there was no way Copeland and Cage were going to lose here. They’re in for a major match at All Out in Toronto so this was little more than a warmup which went a good bit longer than it needed to last.

We recap Kyle Fletcher defending the TNT Title against Hiromu Takahashi. Fletcher recently won the title and needs a top challenger so here we go.

TNT Title: Kyle Fletcher vs. Hiromu Takahashi

Fletcher, with Don Callis, is defending and shoves Takahashi down to start. Back up and Takahashi strikes away but Fletcher kicks him in the face. Takahashi strikes away in the corner but gets knocked down just as fast. The chinlock does on to keep Takahashi in trouble, only for him to fight up and snap off a hurricanrana.

Fletcher is right back with a Michinoku Driver and they’re both down for a breather. A hard belly to back suplex into a sitout powerbomb gives Fletcher two more. Back up and a boot to the face makes Takahashi come up smiling so they go to the apron. Fletcher’s suplex is reversed into a DDT and Takahashi powerbombs him to the floor.

A clotheslines gives Takahashi two and he reverses a powerbomb into a Canadian Destroyer for two more. Fletcher is back with a jumping Tombstone for two and a running boot in the corner. The brainbuster is countered into a rollup to give Takahashi two, only for Fletcher to come back with the brainbuster to retain at 15:23.

Rating: B. This took its time to get going but then it really picked up once Takahashi made his comeback. What mattered the most is that Fletcher had to break a sweat against someone with that kind of a resume. Fletcher is going to be a big project for AEW and having him win here is the right way to go. There was no reason to believe Takahashi was winning here, but at least the match went as it should have.

We recap the TBS Title match, which has Mercedes Mone defending against challengers from three companies. Only Alex Windsor has gotten a serious focus and it would be a lot better off with her getting her own shot.

TBS Title: Mercedes Mone vs. Bozilla vs. Alex Windsor vs. Persephone

Mone is defending. It’s a staredown to start with Mone being sent outside, leaving the rather large Bozilla to clothesline the other two. Back in and Mone gets gorilla pressed out to the floor as it’s all Bozilla to start. Mone comes in again and gets flapjacked by Persephone and Windsor, only for Bozilla to come back in and run them over.

Bozilla drives Mone into the corner but a Codebreaker over the ropes sends Bozilla outside. Mone’s dive is countered though, leaving Persephone to make a save. Back in and Persephone gets some rollups for two on Mone, only to get bearhugged by Bozilla. That’s broken up and Mone comes off the middle rope with a double knee to put Bozilla down. They go to the corner for the Tower Of Doom with Windsor getting the best of it.

Windsor ties up Mone and Persephone in a double half crab, at least until Bozilla making some saves. Bozilla clotheslines Windsor for two but Persephone is back with a Razor’s Edge. Mone breaks up Windsor’s Sharpshooter and counters Persephone’s Razor’s Edge into a hurricanrana to retain at 15:34.

Rating: B. Kind of like the Copeland/Cage match, there wasn’t much doubt here as the question was more who was taking the pin. Persephone and Bozilla were both basically just there to fill in the international quota, as the build for this was all about Mone vs. Windsor, which will likely take place at All Out.

Bozilla absolutely stood out here, as someone with her size and power is going to get attention no matter what she’s doing. On the other hand, Persephone didn’t really get the chance to show up until the ending, which again goes back to the theme of having too many people in the match. That’s always an issue and it was certainly the case again here.

We recap Nigel McGuinness challenging Zack Sabre Jr. for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title. McGuinness is mostly retired but he’s a technical master who has Daniel Garcia in his corner. Ignore Garcia seemingly all but saying “I’m going to turn on you.”

McGuinness trained with wrestling legend Johnny Saint by playing chess. To be fair, McGuinness did win.

IWGP World Title: Nigel McGuinness vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Sabre is defending and McGuinness has Daniel Garcia with him. Feeling out process to start and they both roll through a snapmare attempt to start. McGuinness takes him down with a headlock but Sabre slips out as only he can. Sabre’s headlock takes him down as well, with McGuinness slipping out too.

Some arm cranking has McGuinness down again but he comes up with a middle finger to a nice reaction. McGuinness pulls him down into an armbar, which is reversed into the neck twist, allowing Sabre to go after the arm again. Back up and McGuinness avoids a charge into the corner and hits a clothesline for a needed breather. The big lariat gives McGuinness two but Sabre gets to the rope to avoid the London Dungeon.

The Tower Of London is countered as well and Sabre gets in a Disarm-Her, which is escaped rather quickly. They uppercut it out until the rebound lariat blasts Sabre for two. Something close to a Rainmaker drops Sabre for two more so it’s something like the London Dungeon again. Sabre makes the rope again but McGuinness grabs another Tower Of London for another near fall. They trade rollups for two each until Sabre gets a sunset flip to retain at 17:01.

Rating: B. Points for not having Garcia cost McGuinness the title here, though McGuinness was a long shot at best to take the title here. Sabre is an absolute monster when it comes to the technical stuff, though McGuinness more than held his own out there. This was more a “here’s one last great moment for McGuinness in his hometown” and there is nothing wrong with that, as they had a heck of a match.

Post match Tony Schiavone gets in the ring for a special presentation, which (after Garcia and McGuinness stand there for a second and realize it has nothing to do with them) is the pro wrestling record attendance for the venue: 18,982.

Queen Aminata and Thekla brawl from the back into the arena, with the Triangle Of Madness running in to beat Aminata down. Jamie Hayter returns for the save to quite the strong response.

We recap the Tag Team Titles. The Hurt Syndicate are the dominant champions and Bandido/Brody King and FTR…well they didn’t win a tournament but they didn’t lose it either, so it’s time for a three way title match.

Tag Team Titles: Hurt Syndicate vs. FTR vs. Bandido/Brody King

The Syndicate is defending and Stokely Hathaway is here with FTR. The challengers pair off to start, with FTR taking Lashley to the floor while Bandido and King take over on Benjamin. We settle down to Bandido headscissoring Harwood to take over. Lashley is back in with a double clothesline and a suplex. Harwood dares to chop at Benjamin, who just glares at him in response.

Bandido comes in to send Benjamin outside for a suicide dive, only for Lashley to take Bandido down. Benjamin can’t hit a suplex as Bandido slips out but FTR drops to the floor to avoid a tag. Bandido’s spinning high crossbody drops Benjamin and it’s off to King to clean house. King crushes FTR in the corner and hits a cannonball, followed by the showdown with Lashley (the fans like this).

The big spinebuster drops King but he’s back up with a clothesline to send Lashley outside. Back in and Benjamin rolls some German suplexes on King but walks into a Shatter Machine. King makes the save and sends Wheeler into the Syndicate on the floor, with King taking them down. Bandido’s top rope flipping fall away slam onto the pile leaves everyone down. Cue some guys in New Japan gear (we can’t see their faces) to brawl with the Syndicate, leaving Bandido to kick a chair into Harwood’s face.

Wheeler gets punched out of the head but Harwood chairs King in the head. The New Japan guys are Ricochet and the Gates Of Agony, who can’t believe King kicks out. The PowerPlex is loaded up but Bandido breaks it up and hits a frog splash. King monkey flips Bandido into the 450 to Harwood for the pin and the titles at 15:07.

Rating: B+. Good stuff here and while the Syndicate wasn’t even involved in the decision, they did have a reason for being taken out. At the same time, it would have been better to have Bandido and King win the tournament and the titles, even with the interference. Just let them be the best team rather than a team that escaped with the belts. Either way, best match of the night thus far and the new champs are an interesting choice.

We recap Kazuchika Okada defending the Unified Title against Swerve Strickland. Okada is the dominant champion and Strickland doesn’t like him, so the title match is on.

Unified Title: Kazuchika Okada vs. Swerve Strickland

Strickland is challenging and Okada gives him the pat on the chest against the ropes to start. That’s shrugged off and Strickland hits a dropkick to send him outside. Strickland follows with a knee, which he seems to bang up on contact. Back in and some rolling neckbreakers put Okada down, followed by the middle rope elbow to the back of the neck.

Okada catapults him over the top so Strickland tries to stick the landing, over to hurt his knee again in the process. Okada sends him into the steps to keep the knee in trouble and they go back inside with the pace slowing a good bit. Strickland manages to roll some suplexes, followed by a belly to back superplex for two. They head back outside, with Okada hitting a tombstone on the floor.

Back in and the Rainmaker is countered into the House Call and Strickland fires off some clotheslines. The Rainmaker misses again and Strickland hits a dropkick. A powerbomb is swung into a powerslam (cool) to plant Okada, followed by the Swerve Stomp for two. Okada gets smart by going back to the knee, meaning it’s another dropkick, only Strickland to hit another House Call. Strickland tries it again but walks into the Rainmaker to retain the title at 16:33.

Rating: B. This got going in the end, though Strickland’s knee injury seemed to go away for a long stretch in the middle. I wasn’t quite sold on Strickland winning here but it felt like there was at least a reasonable chance he would get the title. It was a good, hard hitting match with Strickland going for it but ultimately coming up short, which is a good way to go.

Post match Okada goes after the knee again but Prince Nana makes the save with a pipe. Freaking WARDLOW of all people comes in for the beatdown though, laying out both Nana and security. Then Wardlow hugs Don Calls, whose Family somehow has another member. Konosuke Takeshita comes out to show his approval.

We recap Athena challenging Toni Storm for the Women’s Title. Athena is cashing in her Casino Gauntlet title shot and has been coming after Storm, who finds Athena rather annoying.

Women’s Title: Athena vs. Toni Storm

Only Storm is defending and Billie Starkz is here with Athena. Storm hammers away in the corner to start and they head outside, where Starkz offers a quick distraction. Athena dropkicks her up against the barricade and we hit the neck crank back inside. A backsplash misses for Athena but she swings Storm’s head into the post.

Storm gets knocked into the corner but Athena takes too long loading up a running hip attack. A clothesline drops Athena for two, though the TCM Chickenwing is broken up. Athena hits a snap belly to back suplex and they forearm it out. Storm Mongolian chops her down but Athena hits an elbow to the face for two. Starkz’ distraction lets Athena hit a running boot in the corner, followed by a powerbomb for two more.

A Koji Clutch has Storm in even more trouble until she makes the rope and gets outside. Storm sends Athena face first into the steps, followed by Storm Zero for another near fall. Starkz offers another distraction though and the O Face across the top rope connects but here is Mina Shirakawa to cut Starkz off. Another O Face is countered into the TCM Chickenwing to retain the title at 15:15.

Rating: B. Gah I was getting into this one near the end and I was wanting to see Athena win the title. While there are other challengers waiting for Storm, it would be great to see Athena’s incredible Ring Of Honor reign rewarded with a run with the real title. Either way, good match here, though the ending left me a bit disappointed.

We recap Hangman Page defending the World Title against MJF. They don’t like each other as MJF says they’re the villain/main character of the AEW story, with MJF cashing in his Casino Gauntlet contract. Then he changed his mind, but got the title shot anyway by threatening to burn Mark Briscoe alive (as you do).

AEW World Title: Hangman Page vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

MJF (in a snazzy green feathered robe) is challenging and Page can lose the title via countout or DQ. After the Big Match Intros, MJF bails out to the floor, with Page following him to hammer away against the barricade. Page drops him throat first across the barricade, followed by a belly to back suplex back inside. They’re already back on the floor, with Page teasing using a chair and getting sent into the post as a result.

Back in and a quick piledriver gives MJF two before he goes after the arm. Page is suplexed into the corner by the arm but he’s fine enough to hit a top rope clothesline for two. MJF is sent outside for the moonsault, followed by a sitout powerbomb for two back inside. Somehow MJF grabs a quickly broken Salt Of The Earth but the Heatseeker is blocked. A hammerlock DDT gives MJF two and he sets up a table at ringside, only for Page to snap off a moonsault.

Rather than covering, Page loads up the table (Danielson disagrees) and hits the Deadeye through the wood (now Danielson approves). MJF manages a foot on the rope back inside and they’re already back outside, with MJF avoiding a charge to send Page into a chair. They jumping (and running) Tombstone onto the broken tables rocks the (bleeding) Page but he beats the count at nine.

Back in and the turnbuckle is exposed, with Page sending MJF into it to bust him open as well. They pull themselves up and slug it out (I’ll take it over forearms) until stereo rolling elbows drop both of them. A rather rapid fire pinfall reversal sequence gets a bunch of twos (and ones) until the Deadeye gives Page a rather near fall. Page is frustrated so MJF hands him the ring and insults him, only for Page to use a regular punch.

The referee gets bumped and MJF gets in a low blow into the Heatseeker, with Page’s foot on the rope. Cue Mark Briscoe for a distraction as the referee gets up and sees the foot on the rope, meaning no count. MJF kicks Page low again and hits him with the contract for two but Page is back with the Deadeye. The Buckshot Lariat FINALLY retains the title at 31:10.

Rating: B-. WAY too long here as they proved the point time after time: MJF was trying to steal the title through any means he could but Page kept surviving. The idea was explained multiple times in there and it was getting to the point of “get on with this already”. Page winning is good, but dang I was annoyed when they pulled back the contract and that’s still the case now. Just let Page move on already, but he can’t because of that stupid contract.

The cage is lowered.

Quick recap of the main event. The Death Riders and the Young Bucks are bad and a bunch of people are after them. Put them all in a cage, including the injured Will Ospreay, non-sanctioned.

Young Bucks/Death Riders/Gabe Kidd vs. Kenny Omega/Kota Ibushi/Darby Allin/Hiroshi Tanahashi/Will Ospreay

In a cage, which is VERY wide and basically a Cell without the roof. Ospreay gets a special entrance video for quite the hero’s welcome. The Bucks’ pyro and entrance stuff isn’t exactly right, but at least the chyron spells their names properly. It’s a huge brawl to start and yes there are weapons already provided around the ring. Tanahashi does the air guitar inside but gets decked by Kidd, who gets in a brawl with Ospreay.

Back up and Ospreay hits a big flip dive to the floor onto Kidd and Allin hits his own running flip dive. We get the Bucks vs. Omega/Ibushi showdown with the Bucks being sent outside for stereo moonsaults. Allin and Moxley are handcuffed together as the Bucks fight back and beat up Omega and Ibushi inside.

The Legos are poured out and Tanahashi comes in to faceplant Matt, followed by Omega powerbombing him into Ibushi’s German suplex. A ladder is brought in and the Bucks (amazing how they keep popping back up) powerbomb Allin into said ladder, allowing the Bucks to clear out the Legos. The bleeding Ospreay is up and wraps a chair around Moxley’s neck (no longer handcuffed) but Kidd is back in with a piledriver.

Castagnoli swings Omega and catapults him into a superkick from Matt. The TK Driver gets two on Ibushi and Allin gets launched over the top and into the cage for a crazy crash. Tanahashi is back in to clean house until Moxley drops him with a DDT. Back in and Allin is duct taped to a chair….so Moxley can try to use a fork to cut his ear off. Hey did you know that Moxley is hardcore? I’m not sure we made that clear.

The barbed wire table is loaded up as Allin is out as well (because not much has a lasting impact in this match). Moxley is sent face first into the barbed wire but Castagnoli gives Tanahashi the Neutralizer. The BTE Trigger connects on Tanahashi but Ospreay dives in for the save. Tanahashi drives Moxley through the barbed wire board and Omega takes Kidd down with the snapdragon.

Ibushi adds a snapdragon of his own (he’s been looking WAY better here) and everyone goes out to the floor. Naturally Ospreay goes up to the top of the cage for a moonsault back down, because he’s kind of out there. Kidd and Omega have their staredown but everyone else gets back in and brawls for the big everyone down.

Omega beats up Moxley and hits the one Winged Angel for two with multiple saves being made. A big stack of four tables are set up outside of the cage so of course Allin goes up, with Kidd trying to choke him. They go crashing through the tables, leaving Nick to take the Golden Trigger. A top rope Hidden Blade into the One Winged Angel drops Matt and the High Fly Flow gives Tanahashi the win at 32:36.

Rating: B-. I get the appeal of the match, but this felt like they were trying to do Anarchy In The Arena without going around the arena. Having this be in a cage only added a few spots, to the point where you could probably have gotten rid of the cage and done about the same thing. Other than that, it felt like a big collection of violence and spots without anything that really felt like it belonged in the main event spot of the pay per view.

Post match Ospreay gets the big moment (as he’s likely off to have neck surgery)…but the Death Riders jump him for a big beatdown. They lock the cage and Pillmanize Ospreay’s neck until the cage is raised, allowing the Opps and company to run in for the save. Everyone is sad and serious as Ospreay is checked on to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. This was in a weird place as the wrestling itself ranges from good enough to rather good, with only the opener being a bit lower on the scale. The problem here was that with the guest stars concept mainly being just a feature rather than the focus (Tanahashi could have been taken out of the main event without losing much of anything), there was only so much that felt really high level about this show. It came off like a pretty weak level pay per view (at least by comparison to other AEW shows) and hopefully they come up with something better next year.

The biggest problem though is I really didn’t care that much about what was happening. The action was good and it’s a fine enough show, but in addition to the usual length issues, the two main events don’t really change anything. MJF still has a World Title shot in his back pocket and the main event was really just about revenge. That doesn’t make it feel must see, especially when the two matches added up to over an hour. Anyway, a good show overall, but it really didn’t feel special.

Results
Paragon/El Desperado/Yuya Uemura b. Don Callis Family/Cru – Double arm capture suplex to Rush
Gates Of Agony/Ricochet b. Michael Oku/Jet Speed – Spirit gun to Oku
Megan Bayne/Triangle Of Madness b. Queen Aminata/Harley Cameron/Kris Statlander/Willow Nightingale – Liger Bomb to Cameron
Opps b. Bullet Club WarDogs – MuscleBuster to Robbie X
Adam Copeland/Christian Cage b. The Matriarchy – Spear to Sabian
Kyle Fletcher b. Hiromu Takahashi – Brainbuster
Mercedes Mone b. Alex Windsor, Persephone and Bozilla – Hurricanrana to Persephone
Zack Sabre Jr. b. Nigel McGuinness – Sunset flip
Bandido/Brody King b. Hurt Syndicate and FTR – Monkey flip 450 to Harwood
Kazuchika Okada b. Swerve Strickland – Rainmaker
Toni Storm b. Athena – TCM Chickenwing
Hangman Page b. MJF – Buckshot Lariat
Hiroshi Tanahashi/Kenny Omega/Kota Ibushi/Darby Allin/Will Osprey b. Death Riders/Young Bucks – High Fly Flow to Matt

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

We’re back to the international themed show and in this case it’s actually going international. In this case the show is taking place in London, which should open up quite the excited audience. The big main event features Lights Out steel cage match, which has the potential to be quite the spectacle. Other than that, there are multiple title matches, which makes sense in a promotion that has so many titles. Let’s get to it.

Zero Hour: Paragon/El Desperado/Yuya Uemura vs. Cru/Don Callis Family

This is your latest reminder that Cru is in fact still employed. It’s a match that was thrown together on the Collision before the show, meaning it doesn’t have much in the way of a backstory, though the action should be fine. Paragon is getting more serious and wants revenge for Adam Cole being injured, so maybe they can start things off here, even if Kyle Fletcher isn’t around.

I’ll take the good guys to win, as there are too many people on the other side who could take a fall. Cru has absolutely no value at the moment so beating one of them is a perfectly fine way to go. Paragon or one of the guest stars can get a win so this is likely going to be fine, albeit without much drama. In other words, it’s fine for a match on the Kickoff Show, assuming it isn’t coming up fourth.

Zero Hour: Triangle Of Madness/Megan Bayne vs. Harley Cameron/Kris Statlander/Queen Aminata/Willow Nightingale

This one was set up on Collision so points for having an actual build to the match for a change. The villains are another group trying to dominate without actually winning anything and that’s not the most thrilling deal, but Bayne is someone who could be put into the title picture at the drop of a hat. Other than that, you have the in-ring return of Cameron, which should work out rather well.

When I was putting the participants down for this match, it was a case of looking to see who would be taking the fall and it’s hard to imagine it being anyone but Aminata. Odds are Bayne pins her and gets to look all dominant while saving the others for bigger stuff. That’s a good way to go and a nice effort to get a bunch of women on the show, though it only feels so important.

Zero Hour: Gates Of Agony/Ricochet vs. Jet Speed/Michael Oku

I still don’t know if I get the appeal of Oku, who is fine in the ring but never really comes off as a huge star. That being said, he’s fine as a guest star here as the fans will know who he is and he’s a bigger deal in England than he is in the United States. The rest of the people involved seem to be cases of “get them on the show one way or another” and there are worse options for that status.

I’ll take the good guys to win here, for the sake of having the guest starring Oku win. The Gates have shown that they can lose over and over (and over and over) without really changing so they should be fine here. Ricochet very well could get the win here and if that involves him getting to beat up Mike Bailey along the way, I can think of a few worse outcomes for the match.

Zero Hour: Trios Titles: Opps(c) vs. Bullet Club War Dogs

It’s better than no main event at all. The Opps are at least turning into something of an established team with the titles so I’ll take that over another thrown together team with no reason to be in the title picture. At the same time, they’re facing an established faction so this could be a heck of a lot worse (as it tends to be when either set of six person titles are defended around here).

I’ll go with the champions retaining in a hard fought match, which will be another nice win on their resume. The Opps have already been champions for several months and there is a good chance that they’ll hold the titles for a long time to come. Let them face other established teams (as many of them as there are) and their reign will feel even better, with this being a nice example.

TBS Title: Mercedes Mone(c) vs. Persephone vs. Alex Windsor vs. Bozilla

We’ll get one of the international matches out of the way here with challengers from AEW, CMLL and Stardom. The problem with Forbidden Door season is that Bozilla and Persephone have barely been a factor while Windsor has been the real challenger to Mone. In theory that’s going to be the match at All Out, as it’s certainly the match that has gotten the most attention on the way to this show.

So yeah of course I’m going to take Mone to win, as she needs to get a victory back after losing to Toni Storm (and since winning those random titles means a grand total of nothing, this is what she can do). Odds are she beats either Bozilla or Persephone to retain, leaving Windsor free to get the title shot later. It should be a good match, though it would be that much better as a singles match.

TNT Title: Kyle Fletcher(c) vs. Hiromu Takahashi

This is another match where there isn’t exactly much in the way of drama about the result. Fletcher just won the title a few weeks ago and seems primed for a big run. Takahashi is an incredible talent in his own right but he feels like he’s there for the sake of making Fletcher look good. That’s not the worst thing in the world, but it doesn’t exactly leave much in the way of questions about how it’s going to go.

Naturally Fletcher retains here, albeit after a heck of a match. Fletcher can work well with anyone and Takahashi is one of the most talented starts you’ll find today. This has the potential to steal the show (or at least come close) but I can’t find a way to believe that Takahashi is going to win here. It’s part of the issue of the international theme, but at least the match should be great.

Adam Copeland/Christian Cage vs. Matriarchy

I’m still not sure if that’s the right name for the team or not but I’m going with it. Now I’m trying to figure out something to say about the match, as it’s rather amusing to suggest that this has any kind of drama. The team is back together after twenty plus years (ignoring two matches in March 2011 because…well they don’t really matter) and they’re coming up on the pay per view in Toronto. What do you think is happening here?

You can put Killswitch in there all you want and it isn’t going to matter, as Cage and Copeland could go out there and split a sandwich and they would find a way to win. This is all about getting the big reunion and that should get quite the reception. I’m sure the match itself will be fine, but there is just no reason to believe that the Canadian legends are going to have any real trouble.

IWGP World Heavyweight Title: Zack Sabre Jr.(c) vs. Nigel McGuinness

So again, there isn’t much drama about who is walking away with the title here, but also again, this should be a heck of a match. Sabre can get in the ring and torture anyone, while McGuinness is a technical master in his own right. Both of them are from England as well so the fans will be way into things. At the same time though, there is a wild card to be considered and that’s not going to go well.

While Sabre is all but a lock to retain here, McGuinness is likely to give him a run for his money and probably get close with some submission attempts. That being said, ever since McGuinness won the Technical Spectacle to get the title shot, there has been a big countdown going until Daniel Garcia turns on him. That likely happens here, with Garcia likely costing McGuinness the title to set up something of a teacher vs. student match at All Out. McGuinness comes close here, but ultimately comes up short, thanks to Garcia.

Tag Team Titles: Hurt Syndicate(c) vs. Bandido/Brody King vs. FTR

This is the result of a #1 contenders tournament, because tournaments don’t need to have conclusive winners in the name of a triple threat title match. If nothing else, it’s nice to have a match which could go in a few ways though and that’s what we have here. While the Syndicate is great at what they do and have been dominant champions, they might not be able to hang in there the whole way here.

While there is always the chance of having the Syndicate win and move on to All Out as champions against fresh challengers, I’ll go with what feels like the more likely path of FTR winning here. That means they can face Copeland and Cage at All Out, possibly even in a ladder match for the belts. While that match doesn’t need the belts (or the ladders), it’s what feels the most likely, so we’ll say FTR wins here.

Unified Title: Kazuchika Okada(c) vs. Swerve Strickland

Now we’re getting into the interesting stuff, as while Okada would seem like the heavy favorite here, beating Strickland is no easy feat. That could make for some interesting results, as Strickland is certainly a worthy challenger. Okada is someone who could run with the title until the Continental Classic, but there is also an interesting situation with Strickland possibly taking it.

I’ll take Okada to retain here, but dang it should be a fun one. This is one of the matches that has me the most interested and hopefully it lives up to its potential. Strickland has shown that he can hang with anyone in the world and beating Okada isn’t out of the question. Either way, Strickland needs something to do, though I don’t think it’s going to be winning the title.

Women’s Title: Toni Storm(c) vs. Athena

Here we have another one that has me really intrigued. Storm is one of the most successful stars in the history of the women’s division (if not the most), but at the same time, Athena has been Ring Of Honor Women’s Champion for so long that it’s hard to remember not having the belt. She’s absolutely hit the ground running in AEW and feels like she could easily carry the division. That being said, I’m just not sure if she will.

I’m going to go out on a limb and take Athena to win here, with the full on feeling that Storm will wind up winning so she can put Mercedes Mone over and give her the win back later on. Athena needs the win more, and it isn’t like Storm is going to be hurt by losing anything. Hopefully Athena wins and I’ll go with that as my pick, albeit one that I expect to be wrong.

AEW World Title: Hangman Page(c) vs. MJF

So this was the contract match from All In but instead we’re getting that later, because the Money In The Bank style thing HAS TO BE AROUND. As annoying as that is, we should be in for a good match here, as MJF has an ability to bring it on the big stage. The stipulations of Page being able to lose the title by countout or DQ make things more interesting and that’s a positive sign for this.

That being said, it’s almost impossible to imagine Page losing the title in his first pay per view defense after the big title win at All In. I’ll take Page to win here as it makes the most sense, though hopefully we get the contract for another match immediately thereafter to burn that thing off for good. Either way, Page overcomes the odds to win and retain the title.

Kenny Omega/Kota Ibushi/Darby Allin/Hiroshi Tanahashi/Will Ospreay vs. Death Riders/Young Bucks/Gabe Kidd

This is a Lights Out steel cage match with Will Ospreay likely not being around much longer after this due to needing neck surgery. I’m not sure what that is going to mean, but having ten people in a single cage is kind of asking for trouble. That being said, I have no reason to believe that they’re all going to stay in the cage anyway, which tends to be the case with these things.

At the end of the day, this is a match which could go either way and I’m curious about how it goes, but I’ll take the villains to win here. It allows Moxley to get a big win back after his World Title loss and sets up Allin to be the one to finally take Moxley and the Death Riders down. This also could be the match where Ospreay is written off television, even if it means sacrificing him getting a big win in the main event in front of his home country.

Overall Thoughts

If I didn’t know any better, I might miss the fact that this is Forbidden Door. The build has been far less than previous years and that is making it a lot better. Instead of taking a big side trip with all of the guest stars, the outsiders are little more than bonus pieces on the show and that has me a lot more interested. The show might not be a guaranteed smash hit, but it fees a lot more interesting coming in and I’ll definitely take that.

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

Collision
Date: August 23, 2025
Location: OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness

It’s the night before Forbidden Door and the card is pretty much all set. That means this show is going to be centered around getting everything set up. There is also the chance of adding in some more matches, as that whole Zero Hour has the space for at least three or four matches. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Don Callis Family vs. SkyFlight/Hiromu Takahashi

Don Callis handles his team’s introduction and screws up the Spanish for Hechicero. Takahashi runs the ropes to start and hits a quick dropkick to Alexander. Darius comes in for an assisted DDT to Alexander but Archer cuts off a dive and chokeslams him onto the apron. Back in and Hechicero takes Dante down and Archer fires off a kick to the chest. Romero gets to dance a bit before Hechiero gets to work on the leg. Alexander adds a gutbuster into a gutwrench suplex and we take a break.

We come back with Archer missing a charge into the corner, allowing the tag off to Sky so everything can break down. Everything breaks down and Archer gives Sky a swinging Boss Man Slam. Hechicero kicks Sky into a DDT from Alexander and everything breaks down with Archer getting double suplexed. Romero’s Sliced Bread is countered into a TKO from Sky before Skyflight hits a triple dive. Back in and the Time Bomb finishes Romero at 12:31.

Rating: B-. This was a fun opener and it’s nice to see SkyFlight actually win a match (even if they didn’t get the pin) before they are likely put into the jobbing vortex. If nothing else, it’s nice to see Romero losing the fall for a change instead of Alexander. It’s not like Romero has much else in the way of value in the ring so let him lose the fall here for the good of the team.

Post match Kyle Fletcher comes out for a staredown with Takahashi.

Video on the Forbidden Door four way for the TBS Title, with a look at all four participants.

Hook is coming back.

Megan Bayne vs. Isla Dawn

Penelope Ford is here with Bayne, who runs Dawn over without much trouble to start. Dawn’s waistlock attempt goes nowhere and Bayne snaps off a few slams. A hard clothesline sets up a running boot in the corner but Dawn fires off some kicks to the leg. Dawn’s running knee connects in the corner but Bayne shrugs it off and hits a running powerbomb for the win at 4:44.

Rating: C. Pretty much a squash here with Dawn getting to make a nice appearance. I’m not sure if she’s going to get a run around here, but putting a former WWE star with connections to the live crowd is a smart idea. The same can be said of having Bayne destroy her, as Bayne is on the way to getting somewhere around here, if she can get out of the midcard quagmire.

Post match Willow Nightingale comes out for her match and passes Bayne/Ford on their way to the back.

Willow Nightingale/Queen Aminata vs. Triangle Of Madness

Blue chokes Nightingale on the ropes to start but gets run over with a shoulder. Some corner clotheslines have Hart in trouble but it’s off to Aminata, who gets caught with Old School. Aminata gets in her hips to the face thing and is taken down by the hair as we take a break.

We come back with Nightingale spinebustering Hart for two but a double DDT gives Hart the same. Aminata gives Blue a reverse DDT but misses a top rope double stomp. Everything breaks down and the Triangle get stereo holds, which are broken up rather quickly. Aminata headbutts Blue into the ropes and the running knee gives Aminata the pin at 9:30.

Rating: C+. This was another example of taking a bunch of women with little going on and putting them in a tag match. It’s nice to see Nightingale on the winning side more often than not for a change, though I’m not sure if this is going to lead anywhere. At the same time, the Triangle continues to be off to a hit and miss start, though at least it wasn’t the full version here.

Post match Thekla comes in for the beatdown, with Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford joining the villains. Harley Cameron makes a failed save attempt but Kris Statlander is back for the real thing.

Daniel Garcia is disappointed about not getting the IWGP World Title shot but he’ll be there for his friend, Nigel McGuinness.

Here is Max Caster for another open challenge and the fans are starting to get into him. So get him an opponent out here.

Max Caster vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Non-title and oh dear. Caster is a bit frustrated and Sabre starts working on his arm. A headlock takeover doesn’t work for Caster so he ax handles Sabre in the neck instead. That’s cut off as well and a cobra twist gives Sabre the win at 2:20.

Post match Sabre comes out for a staredown with McGuinness and they shake hands, though McGuinness doesn’t let go immediately. With Sabre gone, Anthony Bowens runs in to beat Caster down, with Billy Gunn having to come out and yell at Bowens.

Harley Cameron is thankful to Kris Statlander for her help but Statlander hasn’t gotten her $100,000. Apparently it was supposed to come out of the Young Bucks’ salary but there are insufficient funds. Cameron is off to get it, but is told next week. The Death Riders come in to glare a lot, with Jon Moxley producing Statlander’s money.

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Konosuke Takeshita

Believe it or not, they trade forearms to start until Takeshita takes him down with a flying clothesline. Back up and Ishii knocks him to the floor but Takeshita gets a hanging DDT from the apron as we take a break. We come back with Ishii hitting a delayed superplex, meaning it’s time to trade more forearms.

Takeshita gives him a knee but gets dropped for the sliding lariat. A Blue Thunder Bomb cuts Ishii off for two but Raging Fire is blocked. Takeshita reverses the brainbuster into the poisonrana, only for Ishii to enziguri him for a double down. An exchange of clotheslines gives Takeshita two and the Raging Fire finishes at 10:33.

Rating: B. Ishii is nowhere near what he used to be but dang this was working. They were beating the fire out of each other here, which is where Takeshita tends to shine. There wasn’t going to be much drama about the winner here before Takeshita won the G1 and now that he’s gotten the biggest win of his career, it was even less likely for Ishii. Heck of a hard hitting match here.

Big Bill vs. Mark Andrews

Bryan Keith is here with Bill, who jumps Andrews in the corner. A big boot sends Andrews to the floor, followed by a swinging Boss Man Slam for the pin at 1:46.

Post match Bill chokeslams him through two open chairs. Bill and Keith go into the crowd but stop to watch the next entrance.

Gates Of Agony vs. Grizzled Young Veterans

Ricochet is here with the Gates (whose entrance Bill and Keith were watching) for commentary as Liona sends Drake flying to start. Kaun comes in for a bow but can’t get a suplex, allowing the Veterans to double team him down. A running boot in the corner knocks Liona to the floor but Ricochet offers a distraction so the Gates can take over again.

Drake gets whipped into the barricade and apron over and over and we take a break. We come back with Kaun missing a charge into the post, allowing Gibson to come back in and clean house. A Saito suplex gets two on Kaun and a Michinoku Driver/dropkick combination gets the same. Liona is back in to clear the ring and Open The Gates finishes Gibson at 9:07.

Rating: C+. The Gates continue to be fine in matches like this with no pressure on them, but there is no reason to believe that they’re going to be a big deal anytime soon. They’re good enough as Ricochet’s lackeys, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up for them going after any gold. Well maybe the Trios Titles with Ricochet, though that’s a stretch as well.

Gabe Kidd brings in the Bullet Club Wardogs, who are coming for the Trios Titles at Zero Hour.

Young Bucks vs. Paragon

The Bucks (Rod and Todd) are already in the ring and don’t like their name changes. O’Reilly works on Matt’s arm to start and snaps on the cross armbreaker. That’s blocked so O’Reilly tries an ankle lock, which doesn’t work either. Nick comes in and gets kicked down, with Matt tripping on the way in for the save and hurting his foot by kicking the announcers’ table.

Back up and Matt takes over on O’Reilly, who hands it off to Strong without much trouble. The belly to back faceplant drops Nick, followed by the Bucks colliding for another mistake. Matt kicks O’Reilly down though and the draping 450 hits Strong. The spike Tombstone plants O’Reilly on the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Matt giving O’Reilly a flipping cutter on the floor while Nick superkicks Strong for two. More Bang For Your Buck is broken up and O’Reilly is back up on the apron so Strong can get the needed tag. That means O’Reilly gets to clean house, including a cross armbreaker to Nick.

The Bucks manage to superkick their way out of trouble but O’Reilly catches them with a rebound double clothesline to leave everyone down. Matt suplexes his way out of a guillotine and Strong is sent outside for Nick’s running twist drive. An assisted Sliced Bread gets two on O’Reilly but the TK Driver is broken up. End Of Heartache hits Nick but here is Don Callis for a distraction. Cue Kazuchika Okada to give Strong the Rainmaker and the TK Driver finishes O’Reilly at 15:46.

Rating: B. I’m not sure about the Bucks winning again after their fortunes started to turn bad, though at least they had some help. Paragon continues to look good in defeat, but unfortunately they’re getting rather experienced in that area. They’re basically the upper midcard jobbers of the tag division and that’s only going to have an impact for so long. Good match though, and a solid main event.

Post match the beatdown is on until Swerve Strickland makes the save. The numbers game gets to Strickland though, with Okada taking out his knee. A Rainmaker takes Strickland out to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show was about getting things ready for Forbidden Door and the matches that got some time here did the job well. At the same time, we had some nice action, which is a good way to fill out what is basically a big commercial for the pay per view. Collision continues to be unnecessary in its current form, but it can work well at times, which was the case here.

Results
Skylight/Hiromu Takahashi b. Don Callis Family – Time Bomb to Romero
Megan Bayne b. Isla Dawn – Running powerbomb
Willow Nightingale/Queen Aminata b. Triangle Of Madness – Running knee to Blue
Zack Sabre Jr. b. Max Caster – Cobra Twist
Konosuke Takeshita b. Tomohiro Ishii – Raging Fire
Big Bill b. Mark Andrews – Swinging Boss Man Slam
Gates Of Agony b. Grizzled Young Veterans – Open The Gates to Gibson
Young Bucks b. Paragon – TK Driver to O’Reilly

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 #20
Date: November 6, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Don West, Mike Tenay

We’re at a bit of a milestone here and we are celebrating it with…well more of the #1 contenders tournament actually as Ron Killings needs a new challenger. Other than that, the Disciples of the New Church are back and seem to want the Tag Team Titles. Mr. Wrestling III is getting closer to being unmasked as well so let’s get to it.

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

We look at some TNA wrestlers at the NWA 54th Anniversary Show and….my goodness OVW looked better at this point.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

We recap Jorge Estrada/Priscilla losing to Bruce/Ace Steel last week, because this needs to keep being a thing.

Bruce, now with rather shiny high heeled shoes, has made up with Lenny Lane, who might fill in for him as Miss TNA. Goldilocks says Bruce is a b****.

Bruce vs. Jorge Estrada

Lenny and Priscilla are both here and if Estrada wins, Priscilla is the new Miss TNA (I think). After a quick hug from Lenny, they go to the mat for some quick grappling. Estrada grabs some armdrags and hammers away, only for Priscilla to get on the apron. The distraction lets Lane come in for a cheap shot and Bruce gets an early near fall. Lenny comes in again so Estrada rolls both of them up for two at the same time (cool with the ref). Bruce goes to the eyes to take over and they crash out to the floor, with the seconds helping to put them back in.

Back in and Bruce gets two off a springboard sunset flip, only for Estrada to come back with a headlock takeover out of the corner. The Lionsault hits raised knees though and Bruce hits a spinning reverse powerbomb. Priscilla comes in again to kiss Bruce (he’s not a fan) so Lenny gives chase, earning a slingshot dive from Estrada. The chase is on and Bruce…actually slips on a banana peel (as dropped by Lenny) for the countout at 8:49.

Rating: D. I have run out of ways to describe how much I can’t stand the whole Bruce deal. It isn’t funny, it isn’t interesting, it is as low level comedy as you can get and somehow it’s getting even worse. The match literally ended because someone slipped on a banana peel. I’m sure the people writing the show find it hilarious but this terrible stuff is cutting away all of the positives that the decent wrestling cause. Terrible stuff here, as usual.

Post match Priscilla is crowned…but Lenny takes away the tiara and sash to return them to Bruce. As I guess this is continuing.

Sonny Siaki is ready to move on in the tournament. He hits on Goldilocks too, as is his custom.

#1 Contenders Tournament Semifinals: BG James vs. Sonny Siaki

I’m not sure why the semifinals are starting before the first round is done but the previous match ended because of banana peel slippage so there are bigger problems. Before the match, James says the same thing he always says before getting jumped to start. James fights back and knocks him into the corner before working on the arm.

Siaki takes him down and starts in on the knee, including some general cranking. An Indian Deathlock stays on the leg before Siaki starts dropping down on the leg, allowing James to kick him out to the floor. Back in and Siaki hits his running Blockbuster for two but here is Jerry Lynn for a distraction. James is back with a neckbreaker into the pumphandle slam for the pin at 7:08 (with Siaki popping his arm up at 3.1).

Rating: D+. Siaki is good at what he does but James is just so generic in the ring and living off his reputation. The distraction finish didn’t help either, and now James is on his way to a #1 contenders match. I’m not sure how that’s supposed to be appealing, but at least James is someone with a bit of star power.

We look back at the return of the Disciples Of The New Church, as they laid out America’s Most Wanted last week.

America’s Most Wanted is ready to bring their own evil. This was by far the most fire both of them have ever shown and it worked.

Tag Team Titles: Disciples Of The New Church vs. America’s Most Wanted

The Disciples, with James Mitchell, are challenging and Mitchell talks about how evil his team can be. The champs charge in to start the brawl fast with the Disciples getting beaten up on the floor. Back in and Slash is already busted open, with Storm dropping a top rope elbow for two.

Lee takes Storm outside for a ram into the barricade though and the villains take over as we settle down. An elbow misses though and Harris gets the tag to clean house. Everything breaks down and Slash chairs Harris on the head for two, leaving Mitchell rather peeved. A double clothesline gets Harris out of trouble and it’s back to Storm as everything breaks down. Lee grabs a spike to stab the champs though and that’s a DQ at 7:44.

Rating: C+. The ending was there to set up a rematch and that’s a good thing for AMW. They need challengers and a pair of monsters who are all about violence is a good choice. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the titles change hands to give AMW a real issue for once. This was more of a preview than anything else and in this case, that’s a good thing.

Post match the Disciples keep up the beating and the champs are left laying. Slash is covered in blood and looks like a monster.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Brian Lawler vs. Syxx Pac

April is here with Lawler, who polishes up a seat for her. Lawler wants revenge so he jumps Pac on the floor and sends him into the steps. They get inside for the bell and trade some right hands in the corner as April screeches a lot. She won’t slap Pac, but does make sure Lawler knows everything is fine. Pac fights back and knocks him to the floor, where Lawler gets in a crotching against the post.

Back in and Lawler misses the Hip Hop Drop (might have spent too much time flipping off the fans), allowing Pac to hit the Bronco Buster. Hold on though as he goes outside to kiss April, earning a superkick from Lawler. Back in and Lawler hammers away but yells for April to get on the apron, which is enough of a distraction for Pac to hit an X Factor for the win at 5:02.

Rating: D+. Pac is trying and there are worse choices than Lawler for an in-ring star, but at the same time, OH SWEET GOODNESS THIS APRIL STUFF IS HORRIBLE! I have absolutely no idea why I’m supposed to care about Lawler or anything he’s doing, including his issues with April. The story just keeps going and it’s putting so much focus on Lawler, who really isn’t interesting in the first place.

Post match Pac holds up April’s hand, though she doesn’t seem thrilled. So our hero is a kidnapper…and never mind as Lawler has a heart attack. April goes back to check on him…and more on this near death experience later.

Ron Killings has signed a contract to face Mr. Wrestling III for the World Title so come see him.

Here is Jeff Jarrett to interrupt. He calls all of the top good guys idiots and looks at the contract for Mr. Wrestling III’s World Title shot. Jarrett says if he’s Mr. Wrestling III, all he has to do is sign the contract and get the title shot that he wants. He rips up the contract, saying he’s winning the tournament and getting the title shot on his own.

Kid Kash vs. Ace Steel vs. Jose Maximo vs. Joel Maximo vs. Tony Mamaluke

Elimination tables match for a future X-Division Title shot. The fight starts before Steel comes in but he joins the brawl, with the ring announcer having to throw him in as well. They go outside so Kash can hit a dive before going inside to brawl with Steel. Mamaluke Fujiwara armbars Jose, which is broken up for no apparent reason.

Joel powerbombs Kash on the floor but the Maximos’ double super Spanish Fly is broken up. Instead Mamaluke chokes Joel as the first tables are thrown in. Steel chokebombs Mamaluke off a table in the corner but Mamaluke sends Steel through another table for the elimination at 6:18. Mamaluke sets up a second table on the floor but Joel puts him on the first table for the moonsault and the elimination at 8:16.

Back in and Kash brainbusters Joel onto his knee and hurricanranas both Maximos down at the same time. A Cactus Clothesline puts everyone on the floor and Kash lays Joel on the table at ringside. Kash’s super hurricanrana sends Jose through Joel for the double elimination and the win at 12:57.

Rating: C+. And here we have a pristine example of the big issue with the way TNA is presented. It’s fine enough to have a five way match for a future title shot and even having it as an elimination match is acceptable. But then, for no logical reason, it’s all about the tables. There’s no reason for that to be added in, but here we are, with one extra stipulation thrown in for the sake of making things more complicated. Oh and why is Mamaluke in the same match as Kash when Kash beat him last week?

Video on Curt Hennig vs. Jeff Jarrett.

Here is Jarrett to say that he and Hennig had a title match scheduled tonight but no one has seen Hennig. Jarrett lists off his resume for some reason and here is Hennig, in street clothes, to start the brawl.

Jeff Jarrett vs. Curt Hennig

Hennig knocks him into the corner to start and the beating is on, with Hennig using a variety of choking. The referee tries to take a chair away from Hennig, who knocks him down and takes Jarrett inside for some HennigPlexes as the referee throws it out for the DQ at 4:32.

Rating: C. Somehow this was one of the better parts of the night, if nothing else because it showed emotion and logically followed something that happened last week. Hennig and Jarrett might not be the most interesting these days, but they know what they’re doing. You can put them out there and get something out of them, with Hennig showing fire here, even if it wasn’t really anything close to a match.

Don West runs down the card for next week.

Video on Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles.

X-Division Title: Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles

Styles, with Mortimer Plumtree, is defending. Lynn works on a wristlock to start but Styles spins out and we go to an early standoff. An exchange of headlock takeovers doesn’t go anywhere so Lynn flips around a bit to take Styles down, meaning it’s time for some staring. Back up and Styles backs him into the corner but Lynn hits a middle rope spinning crossbody.

The chinlock goes on for a bit, with Styles fighting up without much trouble. A backbreaker gives Lynn two and he drops Styles throat first across the top rope for two more. Styles is sent to the apron for a triangle dropkick before Lynn sends him into the steps. Lynn drops him throat first across the barricade and then cuts off a dropkick off of said barricade. Back in and Styles sends him crashing outside, where Plumtree gets in a cheap shot so Styles can hit a dive.

A powerbomb is countered with another hurricanrana but Styles grabs a dragon sleeper. That’s reversed into a powerbomb flipped into a facebuster, but Plumtree gets on the apron for a distraction. Instead Lynn hits a sitout powerbomb to leave both of them down. Back up and Lynn suplexes him into the corner, setting up the cradle piledriver for two and a shocked kickout face.

The TKO gives Lynn two more, as Sonny Siaki comes out to pull the referee. Styles sends Lynn face first into a chair in the corner, followed by the Styles Clash for two of his own. Lynn catches him on top with a superplex so Styles tries another Clash, which is reversed into a cradle Tombstone to give Lynn the title back at 21:04.

Rating: B+. Maybe it’s everything else I’ve had to sit through on this show, but I had a good time with this one. Take two rather good wrestlers with a history together, let them have a lot of time, and put together one of the better matches TNA has had to date. Lynn getting the title back is a good thing to see as he can have a solid match with almost anyone so it’s quite a smart move.

Overall Rating: C-. The main event tried to bail this out but there was only so much that it could do. The undercard stuff is just so dreadfully bad and unfortunately it seems like they’re leaning more into that direction. It’s another case where the company just needs to slow WAY down and unfortunately I don’t see that happening. Styles vs. Lynn was very good, but it’s nowhere near enough to bail out the rest of this mess.

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 #19
Date: October 30, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Don West, Mike Tenay

Now here we have something interesting as it’s a show I’ve never actually seen. When I originally tried to do this series, I stopped after the 18th show, meaning we’re into completely new territory. Mr. Wrestling III is running around and tonight, evil returns, whatever that means. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Kid Kash vs. Tony Mamaluke

No entrances here as we go straight to the ring. They fight over wrist control to start and trade some escapes until Mamaluke gets two off a sunset flip. An exchange of armdrags sends Mamaluke outside for a slingshot dive from Kash. Back in and Mamaluke fires off some knees in the corner, which are reversed into a quick chinlock. Kash’s moonsault gets two but Mamaluke reverses an armbar into a leglock. Mamaluke snaps off a belly to back suplex before they trade backslides for two each. The Dead Level (Jay Driller) finishes for Kash out of nowhere at 8:32.

Rating: C+. These two were just two more of the people involved in the X-Division and that meant they were sent out there to have a fast paced match and warm the crowd up. They did it more than well enough here, which hopefully leads to some more good stuff on the show. Unfortunately I’m not exactly picturing either of them going that high in the division, but they had a fine match here.

We run down tonight’s card.

Earlier today, Scott Hall sat down with Mike Tenay and talked about how he wanted to win the World Title because it is the one title that has eluded him. He likes the outlaw spirit around here (because nothing says outlaw like a governing body that has been around for over fifty years).

NWA World Title: Scott Hall vs. Ron Killings

Killings is defending and raps his entrance. The fans tell him he sucks, but he says if he sucks then they swallow. Hall comes out to tell Killings to stop being Jeff Jarrett’s stooge or worrying about Mr. Wrestling III because Hall is here for a big dose of the truth. Hall throws the toothpick in his face to start and works on the arm, followed by the required abdominal stretch.

That’s broken up and Killings flips around a bit, setting up a side kick for two. The ax kick gets two more and a guillotine legdrop gets another delayed near fall. Another side kick misses though and Hall hits a chokeslam for two. The fall away slam sends Killings flying but here is Mr. Wrestling III. Hall decks him and gets the mask off but Wrestling gets his hands up in time to hide his identity. The distraction lets Killings hit a sitout gordbuster to retain at 6:43.

Rating: C. The match was mainly there to have Mr. Wrestling III out there again, but at least Killings got the win. Hall’s only value is in putting someone else over at this point and having Killings get the win is a good step for him. I’m almost scared of where the Mr. Wrestling III stuff is going though, and it seems like we’re getting closer to the big reveal.

Here is Jeff Jarrett for a chat. He wants the World Title and now he’s in the tournament for the title shot, so he’s coming for the title. For now though, he’s putting a bounty on Mr. Wrestling III’s head. He won’t give us an amount, but he’ll pay a lot. Cue Curt Hennig (facing Jarrett tonight), who accuses Jarrett of being Mr. Wrestling III and promises violence for later tonight.

Tag Team Titles: Hot Shots vs. Chris Michaels/Rick Michaels vs. America’s Most Wanted

Harris and Storm (they have AMW on their trunks so I’m counting that as the name change) are defending and the brawl starts in the aisle. All six fight on the floor to start, with Harris being dropped onto exposed concrete. Storm gets double teamed inside by half of each challenging team before Harris comes in to fight back against Rick. Everything breaks down again (that didn’t take long) and it’s already time for the challengers to get in a fight. Rick neckbreakers Harris so Chris’ top rope elbow can get two. Storm is back up though and a spinebuster/top rope legdrop combination finishes Rick to retain at 6:21.

Rating: B-. Again, the action worked, but can we PLEASE get the champs some better competition? You’re only going to get so far with AMW running through every team out there and they did it to two teams at once here. AMW is clearly the best team around, but bringing in teams for them to beat week after week isn’t helping them.

Post match the lights go out and the Disciples Of The New Church, with James Mitchell, are here, apparently the EVIL returning. The champs are wiped out, with Mitchell being rather pleased. Mitchell says this is just the beginning. Well, there’s your new competition.

Earlier today, Bob Armstrong made some new rules: if a champion loses by countout or DQ, they lose their title. There is also going to be a tournament for the #1 contendership to the World Title, with Don Harris as guest referee.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Ron Harris vs. BG James

Ron backs him into the corner to start but Don breaks it up. Since it’s Ron though, he runs James over again and whips him into the corner. We cut to the back, where Jeff Jarrett has attacked and bloodied Curt Hennig. Goldilocks tries to talk to him as the medics are taping up Hennig’s head. Timing Goldilocks, timing. Ron grabs a chinlock but James fights up for the comeback, only for Don to break it up.

Ron’s big boot connects but here is Bob Armstrong to complain about the refereeing. While the commissioner is here to complain about the guest refereeing in the tournament for the #1 contendership, we cut to the back for the third time in the four minute match to see Hennig and Jarrett brawling. Don decks Armstrong and James rolls Ron up for the fluke pin at 5:37.

Rating: D. As usual, if so much of the match is spent on another angle going on in the back, it is only going to mean so much in the first place. Throw in everything else going on here, including it being a RON HARRIS match, and this was never going to work. It was a big mess and way more complicated than it needed to be, which fits in pretty well around here.

Post match James does at least check on his dad.

Jorge Estrada/Priscilla vs. Bruce/Ace Steel

Bruce is wrestling in Mortimer Plumtree’s place because Plumtree is a man but Bruce is more woman than Priscilla (who is wrestling in street clothes). Steel kicks the rope to low blow Estrada to start but Estrada is fine enough to dive onto Bruce to save Priscilla. Since Priscilla isn’t a wrestler, things break down into a glorified handicap match, with a powerbomb/top rope boot combination giving Bruce two.

Bruce hammers away in the corner but gets crossbodied for two. That doesn’t get him very far though as it’s back to Steel to hammer away, followed by Bruce coming back in. Estrada manages to get to the apron for a high crossbody to both villains before Priscilla trips Steel down. The Lionsault gives Estrada two but Bruce knocks him off the top. Steel hits a neckbreaker so Bruce can get the pin at 5:52.

Rating: C-. I really don’t know what I did to deserve Bruce, but it must have been pretty terrible. As tends to be the case, the in-ring stuff was fine, as Estrada and Steel can go and Bruce isn’t terrible when he cuts out the goofy stuff. The problem is the focus is on the goofy stuff and that drags down any of the positives they might have.

Post match Plumtree gives Priscilla a spanking.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Curt Hennig vs. Jeff Jarrett

Hennig’s head is bandaged up and he can barely walk so Jarrett hits him in the back with a chair on the way to the ring. Jarrett throws him inside and hits the Stroke for the win at 1:15. That’s all you could do with Hennig this banged up, which was the point.

Post match Jarrett gets to beat up security because Jarrett is awesome and you need to know it.

Jerry Lynn is ready for the opportunity of a lifetime. He’s been World Champion before, but not the NWA World Champion, and that’s worth more than revenge.

We recap Jerry Lynn vs. Sonny Siaki.

Siaki tells Goldilocks that he has stamina and can keep going all night. He’s ready to beat Jerry Lynn and has officially left this interview.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Sonny Siaki vs. Jerry Lynn

Feeling out process to start, with a lockup going nowhere. Lynn gets a boot up to stop a charge in the corner and grabs a middle rope bulldog for two. Siaki bails to the floor for a breather so Lynn takes him down again to keep up the beating. Lynn sends him into various things but walks into a hot shot back inside.

A legdrop gives Siaki two but Lynn fights up and strikes away in the corner. Siaki’s reverse DDT gets two and we hit the neck crank. That’s broken up so Siaki hits a running flip neckbreaker, followed by a brainbuster for two more. Siaki goes up but Lynn catches him on top with a superplex.

A tornado DDT gets two but Siaki’s cutter gets the same. The referee gets bumped (of course) so Siaki grabs a chair, which is dropkicked into his face. Siaki shrugs that off and hits a DDT onto the chair for two more. A drop toehold sends Lynn into the buckle and Siaki puts his feet on the ropes for the pin at 15:12. Was that buckle supposed to be exposed? Otherwise it’s a very weird ending.

Rating: B-. Weird ending aside, this was a good, back and forth match between two talented wrestlers. It’s becoming a running theme around here: when they cut out the insanity and let the talented wrestlers do their thing, the matches tend to work just fine. That was the case here and thankfully it ate up a good chunk of the show.

Post match Lynn beats Siaki up, including throwing him off the stage.

Video on Brian Lawler vs. Syxx Pac.

Lawler is very happy to have April back. They love each other and Lawler knows she would never have anything to do with Syxx Pac. April doesn’t look so convinced.

Here are Lawler and April, because seeing them backstage wasn’t enough. Lawler gets into it with a fan and beats him up. Then they leave, sans planned announcement.

X-Division Title: Amazing Red vs. AJ Styles

Styles, with Mortimer Plumtree, is defending and they fight over a wristlock to start. They both miss splashes until Styles gets two off a quick rollup. Styles’ springboard is broken up with a dropkick but he’s able to block Red’s slingshot hurricanrana. Red kicks him away and hits a big running flip dive, as tends to be his case.

Back in and Styles knocks him down, setting up a brainbuster for two. Red’s Code Red gets two but Styles is back with a middle rope moonsault into a reverse DDT for two of his own. A spinning DDT drops Styles for two more but he’s right back with a sitout powerbomb for another near fall, giving us quite the shocked face. Styles superkicks him for two more and it’s off to the front facelock.

Back up and Red kicks the leg out and hits a quick standing shooting star press for another two. The Styles Clash is countered into a hurricanrana for two more but Styles is back with a Razor’s Edge Dominator. Plumtree trips Red though and Styles hits a hard clothesline but Red crotches him on top. Red goes up so Styles tries a super Styles Clash, which is countered into a super hurricanrana, which Styles rolls through for a sunset flip to retain at 12:38.

Rating: B. Red is someone who can hang with the bigger names in the division so it’s nice to see him getting a chance like this. Odds are he’ll be sticking around in the division as he’s already been treated as something more important than a lot of the other wrestlers. Just don’t have him lose all the time, though a defeat at the hands of someone as talented as Styles isn’t going to do a ton of damage.

Don West hypes up next week’s show to wrap us up.

Overall Rating: C-. As has been the case before, you can tell when the creative team is paying extra attention to something, because it’s a heck of a lot worse. The in-ring action was mostly good here, but the bad parts were bringing it down. Things have gotten better since the earlier days of the promotion, but there are still some parts that need a lot of tweaks. Fix those and you’ll have something, though I have no idea how you would fill almost two hours a week.

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

We’re one day before Summerslam and that means this is going to be the big push towards the show. That could go in a variety of ways, though I’m not sure how much I’d expect from what was definitively the B show at this point. It’s not a great time for the company either, but there is some talent worth seeing. Let’s get to it.

Superstars
Date: August 17, 1996
Location: Yakima Sun Dome, Yakima, Washington
Attendance: 2,922
Commentators: Jim Ross, Vince McMahon, Mr. Perfect

The opening recap looks at Ahmed Johnson needing surgery and having to vacate the Intercontinental Title.

Opening sequence, which is a country style theme (and sounds like it’s being sung by Michael Hayes).

Commentary runs down the card.

Undertaker vs. Who

Paul Bearer is here with Undertaker (in what would be the last time for the original team, at least when it comes to a traditional entrance). Who jumps him to start and hammers away in the corner, earning himself a jumping clothesline. The Tombstone finishes fast at 1:08.

Ahmed Johnson, in a snazzy red robe, talks about how the mental pain is worse than the physical pain.

We look at Johnson’s recent success and how everything has stopped, with the Intercontinental Title being vacated. A tournament is starting next week on Raw, but it isn’t clear if or when Johnson will return to the ring. There will also be a mini battle royal for his previously won WWF Title shot.

It’s off to Slam Jam, with the big final push of Summerslam.

Jerry Lawler is ready to make Jake Roberts see a lot of doubles, just like when he’s drunk!

Roberts is ready to get revenge on Lawler.

Savio Vega/Freddie Joe Floyd vs. Uncle Zebekiah/Justin Hawk Bradshaw

This is fallout from Zebekiah and Bradshaw branding Vega. Zebekiah bails to the floor so Vega hammers on Bradshaw, with Floyd coming in for a double dropkick. Floyd kicks Bradshaw in the case for a quick two as the rapid tags continue. Bradshaw finally manages to kick Floyd out to the floor as commentary talks about the Summerslam Tag Team Title match. Zebekiah gets in a clothesline on the floor and it’s a double team in the corner to keep Floyd in trouble as we take a break.

We come back with Vega having to save Floyd but that’s not enough for the actual tag. Bradshaw grabs a Russian legsweep for two but a jumping back elbow gets Floyd out of trouble. Vega comes in to clean house, with a spinning kick to the face getting two on Zebekiah as everything breaks down. Zebekiah misses a branding iron shot to Vega and gets rolled up for the fast pin at 9:37.

Rating: C+. This is what you would get on Superstars around this point, as it was more about giving something to the lower level stars. Vega vs. Bradshaw might not be a top level feud but it is at least a story and something that got a few weeks to build. Floyd might not be a top level star, but he’s more than good in the ring. Zebekiah is fine as a second for Bradshaw, as long as you understand that he’s so banged up from a harsh career that he can’t do much in the ring.

Post match the brawl stays on with Floyd getting double teamed until Vega makes the save with the branding iron.

Video on Shawn Michaels vs. Vader, with Vader pinning Michaels at In Your House: International Incident. Michaels knows that he is in danger and wants the Kliq to support him more than ever.

Crush vs. Aldo Montoya

Clarence Mason is here with Crush. Montoya gets knocked down to start and the neck crank is already on. Crush thumbs him in the neck and the tilt-a-whirl backbreaker cuts off Montoya’s comeback attempt. The big clothesline sends Montoya outside and Crush powers him inside without much trouble. A shoulder breaker into the full nelson finishes for Crush at 3:11.

Rating: C. Crush is someone who got chance after chance and while it could have been worse, he never became the star that the company seemed to want him to be. Granted putting him in there with Mason wasn’t the best way to go, as Mason wasn’t going to make Crush feel important. For now though, not a terrible start for Crush’s singles run, but I’m not getting my hopes up.

Video on Undertaker vs. Mankind.

Mankind vs. Billy Two Eagles

Mankind hammers him down into the corner to start and shrugs off a boot to the face. A swinging neckbreaker (with Mankind pulling the hair of course), setting up the Mandible Claw for the fast win at 1:48.

Another Slam Jam looks at the Tag Team Title match, with the Smoking Gunns/Sunny thinking that the company is against them. The Bodydonnas just want the titles back.

The Stalker talks about wanting to hunt various people. The introduction called him Barry Windham, so why not just let him be that?

Sunny teases various limited material swimsuits for the Summerslam pre-show.

Steve Austin vs. Marc Mero

Sable is here with Mero, who knocks him into the corner to start. They go outside, where Austin yells a lot and kicks him in the ribs to take over. Back in and Mero takes him down into an armbar as Marlena and Goldust joins commentary. Goldust talks about being a zookeeper at Summerslam as Austin makes the comeback and knees Mero in the head. We take a break and come back with Austin holding a chinlock. Mero fights up and snaps off a headscissors as Mankind comes out to tell Sable (“Mommy”) that he’s been a naughty boy. Mero goes after him for the save and that’s a DQ at 9:43.

Rating: C+. The match was pretty good, which shouldn’t be a surprise given who was involved, but dang there was too much going on with the whole thing. The ending was a bit of a cheap way to prevent both of them from losing, but at least the match wasn’t boring. Just slow down a bit next time.

Post match the brawl is on until Undertaker comes out for the save, with Sable running away in terror to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. Well, the show was designed to make me more interested in seeing Summerslam and that went well enough. At the same time, Summerslam 1996 is only so interesting of a show in the first place. It’s an absolute two match show and pretty much nothing more, with what we got on here not exactly being enough to carry it that much higher. The action here was fine, but it was very clear that Raw was the thing and had been for a very long time.

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

This is an all time disaster of a show and somehow even worse than I remember (good for someone if you like me getting angry).

Clash Of The Titans 2
Date: August 22, 2025
Location: Greenwirth Community Centre, Golden Grove, Australia
Commentators: Paul Roberts, Trent JM

This is Pro Wrestling South Australia and I know absolutely nothing about it. The show apparently aired for free in full on YouTube and it can be fun to throw on something random like this every so often. I came coming into this one totally blind so this could go in any kind of direction. Let’s get to it.

Again to be clear: I do not follow this promotion so I apologize for missing any character or storyline details.

Opening sequence.

The arena looks small but it’s a fine camera setup with a mini screen and some nice graphics. Not bad at all.

Commentary is introduced and introduce John E. Radic and, I’m assuming, his son Cody Radic. They want the Tag Team Titles so here is Commissioner Freak, with a referee who is carrying a trophy (apparently Freak’s Hall Of Fame trophy). Freak brags about being in the Hall Of Fame and says it means he can make decisions.

Apparently he recently stripped the Radics of the Tag Team Titles and that isn’t good. Freak hands Cody his own title, which Cody throws over his head. He doesn’t want any of the Radics to hold a title so the family leaves. With them gone, Freak unveils the new PWSA Title belt for the winner of the main event. So was this just to establish that Freak is a jerk and to show off the new belt?

Legacy Title: Rocco Reid vs. Max Kelly

Reid is defending and this is kind of an Iron Man title, with the most “points” in ten minutes winning, though you can win a point off any of the regular kinds of falls, plus knockouts and over the top rope with both feet touching the floor. The announcer said basically any kind of finish in wrestling gets you a point and in the case of a tie after ten minutes, it’s sudden death. Fair enough. The bell rings and Kelly pulls out some beers, which are taken away, allowing Kelly to get in a low blow. Kelly tosses him over the top for the first point at 57 seconds.

Kelly – 1
Reid – 0

Back in and Kelly clotheslines him outside for the point at 1:05.

Kelly – 2
Reid – 0

Reid gets back inside and is knocked down with a dropkick but comes back with a German suplex. The running charge misses in the corner though and Kelly gets in a running slap to the face. A DDT plants Reid again but Kelly stops to yell at the crowd as we have 5:00 left. Reid’s comeback is quickly cut off as Kelly plants him down again. The slow beating ensues and Kelly hits some forearms to the back. A torture rack neckbreaker gets two on Reid and we’re down to 2:00 left. Kelly stops for a beer but the referee takes it away, allowing Reid to get in a low blow (evening the score from earlier). Kelly is tossed over the top to give Reid a point with 1:22 to go.

Kelly – 2
Reid – 1

Kelly kills some time on the floor but misses a charge and gets low bridged to the floor to tie it up with 55 seconds left.

Kelly – 2
Reid – 2

Back in and Reid hits a frog splash for the pin at 7 seconds left.

Kelly – 2
Reid – 3

And time expires for Reid to retain at 10:00.

Rating: C+. The idea is a nice little twist, but the rapid fire over the top eliminations feel like a way to run the scores up in short order. A little tweak like maybe “you can’t win the same way in back to back falls” or something could do a lot of good here, as this was basically two quick tosses over the top each and a quick rollup for the tiebreaker. Fun idea, but maybe adjust it a bit.

Jaxx L. Radic vs. Harper Sky

Intergender match. Radic is related to John and Cody earlier and has Maddie James with him. Radic easily powers the much smaller Sky into the corner and slams her down for two. Back up and Sky sends him into the corner but Radic knocks her off the top. A suplex gives Radic two but Sky rolls him of for some near falls. Sky’s high crossbody connects so James pulls her out at two, which earns some yelling from Radic. For some reason, James breaks it up, allowing Radic to get a rollup for the pin at 5:02.

Rating: C. Not much to see here as Radic powered her around and then won. The stuff with James was a bit confusing and commentary didn’t exactly explain what was going on. Other than that it was Sky trying to get in offense where she could, so this was about as good as it was going to get.

Post match James is not happy with Radic, who stays on Sky in the corner. James jumps Radic and chases him off.

The vacant Tag Team Titles will be crowned in a TLC match later this month.

Bob vs. DJ Lucia

Apparently Bob is short for Beautiful Old Bastard. They fight over wrist control to start until Lucia snaps off a headscissors. Bob takes him down by the arm and sends it into the corner for some cranking around the rope. The armbar goes on for a few moments but Lucia fights up and strikes away. The high crossbody gives Lucia two and it’s some rolling suplexes into a sitout gordbuster for two. Bob is right back with a clothesline into a fisherman’s buster for the pin at 6:22.

Rating: C. Not much to this one, as Bob was just a generic heel and Lucia was flying around well enough to give him an issue. It’s another match that went rather quickly and didn’t get much time so it was only ever going to get very far. The match wasn’t bad, but it felt like a regular TV match rather than something that belonged on a major event.

Post match Bob goes after the arm again

Here is JMC for a chat. He has some things to get off his chest after winning a recent street fight. Now he isn’t sure what is next for him, but apparently someone played a video of him recently and he wants revenge on the tape player. Vengeance is sworn. As he leaves, here is Brett Santarini to interrupt. We get a quick staredown and it’s time to….actually talk a lot.

Santarini is tired of his lack of respect and is ready to prove it. He doesn’t seem to like the fans that much.

Adelaide Open Title: Brett Santarini vs. Corvidae

Corvidae is defending. Apparently they have a history together, with Corvidae having used something like Money In The Bank to take the title from Santarini. The brawl is on to start with Corvidae being sent outside, only to come back in and get German suplexed. Santarini hammers him down and we go back outside, where Corvidae manages to send him into the apron.

That doesn’t do much as Santarini takes him back inside to work on the back. A big forearm gives Corvidae a needed breather but he can’t do it again as his back gives out. Santarini sends him hard into the corner and out to the floor, followed by a cannonball back inside. A Swanton gives Santarini two and he can’t believe the kickout. Someone named Ace Wilson’s music plays but Corvidae rolls Santarini up for the pin to retain at 14:04.

Rating: C. Yeah I wasn’t feeling this one, as it was a long match with Santarini beating Corvidae up but then losing to a distraction rollup. That isn’t the most thrilling way to go and again, it was kind of confusing to figure out what was going on. It makes enough sense on the surface, but an explanation would make some more sense.

Post match someone comes through the crowd to lay Corvidae out (apparently his former partner). Some other wrestlers come in for the save. The wrestler who ran in says he’s coming for the title, and for the hand that broke their promise.

Joey Triton vs. Twisted J

Triton is “the greatest scumbag of all time” and J has Michael Weaver with him. They go straight to the brawling with J taking over for two. J shrugs off a beating in the corner but charges into a side slam for two more. A spinebuster gives J two but Triton gives him a flapjack. The running…something misses in the corner and an RKO gives J the pin at 4:43.

Rating: D+. Again, this felt like a match that belonged on a regular TV show rather than some big special. I’m not sure why they went with something going this short but nothing about it made me want to see either of them again. J seems like someone the fans might get behind, though I have no idea what makes Triton a “scumbag”.

Post match Weaver gets in the ring and talks about his violent history with J. They tease being the Tag Team Champions but J should want to be World Champion. This is a situation that needed a bit better explanation as I was trying to figure out what they were talking about more than once.

Here is Commissioner Freak with the Tag Team Titles. He calls out some teams for a tag match and seems ready to award the titles to the winners but Malykai Slic interrupts, saying he wants in on this by himself. Cue Cazador to be Slic’s partner and it’s time for a triple threat, albeit not for the titles. Freak says Cazador/Slic have to win here to get into the title match.

Kode99 vs. Conflict Axiom vs. Cazador/Malykai Slic

Non-title. That would be EVO/Frankie Grime and Kris Law/Luke Reznor (with James Marshall and Kler Konstantin). Slic knocks Law down to start so Law wants Cazador (the World’s Largest Luchador). Law’s running shoulder doesn’t work and Cazador drops him with a shoulder of his own.

More shoulders are total failures so it’s off to Reznor, who is tossed into the corner for a monkey flip from Slic. Axiom takes over on Slic though and it’s EVO coming in for a snap suplex as the two evil teams (I think) start taking turns, including Law suplexing Slic for two. EVO and Law get in an argument though and slug it out, with Law hitting another suplex for two more.

Reznor’s Sling Blade gets two and it’s off to Grime, who gets caught with a DDT. That’s enough for Slic to come in, only to get kneed in the face to cut him off. A springboard legdrop/side slam combination gets two on Slic but it’s time for the other teams to argue again. Cazador comes in to run people over, including a heck of a clothesline to Law. A double chokeslam puts Grime and Reznor down and Slic is dropped down with a legdrop to give Cazador the pin at 12:58.

Rating: B-. Cazador and Slic are fine enough as a power/speed team and that’s all they needed to be. The other two were little more than generic villains, though they were both fine. There was no reason for anyone but Cazador/Slic to win here so they didn’t do anything nuts and the action was good enough to get by.

PWSA Title: Magni Ragnarsson vs. Colossus

Magni (with Jaxx L. Radic) is defending and is the smaller of the two at about 6’8. Colossus hammers away in the corner to start but can’t suplex the 400lbs Magni. Back up and Colossus hits a Sister Abigail but another attempt is countered into a chokeslam to give Magni two. Magni’s running splash misses and Colossus drops him, which draws Radic up to the apron. That’s good for an ejection, leaving the monsters to slug it out.

Magni gets knocked into the corner and he waves Radic back for some powder to the eyes. The blinded Colossus headbutts the referee before hitting another Sister Abigail to Magni onto the belt. Another referee runs in for the pin to give Colossus the title at 7:27….but the original referee calls it a DQ and Magni retains instead.

Rating: C. The problem with monster vs. monster matches like this is they have a VERY short shelf life. Magni is getting into Viscera size territory so there is only so much he’s able to do. The same is true of Colossus, though he was moving around a bit better. The ending didn’t help, but it did at least feel like an important match.

Post match Michael Weaver and Twisted J come out for the staredown but Magni and Radic leave to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. While I wouldn’t call this a must see show, I’ve seen far, far worse. The production looked good and the graphics team did a rather nice job, as the show certainly looked professional. The problem is the wrestling didn’t really stand out very much and I didn’t quite know why I was supposed to be invested in certain parts. Maybe this would be better if I saw some of the build, but I can’t go much higher than mediocre 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

Smackdown
Date: August 22, 2025
Location: 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

We’re just over a week away from Clash In Paris so the company is already over to Europe. The big appeal of this week’s show is John Cena making another appearance as he is on his way to facing Logan Paul next weekend. Other than that, Brock Lesnar is looking and we might be seeing that in less than a month. Let’s get to it.

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

Commentary welcomes us to the show and introduces hometown star Becky Lynch (the introduction loses a lot with the terrible music). Lynch is very fired up to be here and the fans tell her that she deserves it. She came to a live event here when she was younger and Randy Orton made eye contact with her. Now that they’re here for TV…..the people don’t deserve it.

Lynch is AGHAST at the lack of media coverage she has received and as a result, she is let down by everyone here. Lynch lists off her accomplishments, including having a VERY hot American husband. That brings up the CM PUNK chants so Lynch complains about a bunch of celebrities getting more attention than her, including a boxer, who can fight but “CAN SHE CUT A PROMO???”.

Cue Tiffany Stratton to interrupt, saying she can’t believe how ungrateful Lynch is to DUBLIN, IRELAND. Stratton threatens to make her leave and here is Nia Jax to go after Stratton, with Jade Cargill running in for the save. Cargill stares Lynch to the floor and Nick Aldis comes in to make the tag match main event. Putting Stratton and Cargill in there with Lynch is a good thing, and they managed to get the fans against Lynch, which is a heck of a trick.

Fraxiom tells Carmelo Hayes that the Miz is a schemer, which brings Miz up to protest. Hayes defends Miz and the team’s awesomeness is declared.

Carmelo Hayes/The Miz vs. Motor City Machine Guns

Hayes takes Sabin down to start but Sabin snaps off some armdrags. Shelley comes in and sends Miz outside for the for the big dives as we take a break. We come back with Shelley kicking him away and diving over for the tag to Sabin. Miz breaks up Skull And Bones and Hayes hits a Codebreaker on Sabin. Shelley clotheslines Hayes to the floor and it’s a slingshot dive, only for Miz to steal the pin on Sabin at 8:18.

Rating: C+. Take a team, give them some kind of a bond and have them win matches. That’s the trick to making a team feel important and it’s working here. Miz and Hayes are a team of two guys who needed something to do and this is a simple story and it’s working. Don’t make this more complicated than it needs to be.

Jimmy Uso (the birthday boy) is very happy that he’s going to be a father. Sami Zayn comes in for the big congratulations but Solo Sikoa and the MFTs interrupt. Sikoa says they can name the baby after Uncle Solo, but Zayn says Sikoa needs to worry about holding onto his title. The bad guys leave.

Charlotte vs. Piper Niven

Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre are here too but there is no Alexa Bliss. Niven sends her into the corner to start but Charlotte flips over to the apron. A crossbody takes Niven down, only for Green to offer a distraction. Niven crushes Charlotte for two and we take a break. We come back with Charlotte firing off the chops for a needed breather. Niven is dropped so Charlotte can hit the moonsault for two, followed by a spear for two. The Figure Eight goes on but Fyre distracts the referee, allowing Green to rake the eyes. That’s enough for the hold to be broken and the Piper Driver finishes Charlotte at 8:24.

Rating: C+. Nice enough match here, with the story being that Charlotte was fighting without her friend and partner, meaning the numbers game cut her off. That’s something that works well and this will probably set up the Women’s Tag Team Title match. The match didn’t have much time to work, but Green being a thorn in Charlotte’s side is a good way to go.

Michin interrupts Kiana James and Giulia, asking for a title match. James says Michin will have to go through her first, which is fine with Michin.

Wrestlepalooza is coming.

Here is John Cena to a hero’s welcome. After the big special introduction, here is Logan Paul to cut him off before Cena can say a word. Paul doesn’t think anything of Cena, who is just a fake. How is Paul seen as the outsider? He’s been doing this for four years while Cena is a corporate shill who will do whatever the company tells him.

Paul asks who is the impostor: the one who risks his life at every PLE, or the guy who has been doing the same five moves for twenty years? Cena admits that Paul is a presence and a tremendous athlete, along with being a future Wrestlemania main eventer, but he is stuck on the term “outsider”. Paul is not an outsider, but rather a disappointment. Cena talks about how he and WWE embraced Paul, who comes in here and tries to sell us Prime. And now, Paul is bragging about putting his life on the line for 23 matches?

Cena has been doing this for twenty three YEARS, including all kinds of times when there were no cameras around. It doesn’t matter how many moves he has, but rather how much he can give to the fans. The reality is Paul is a parasite and Cena lists off some names he could be dealing with, but he’s facing Paul instead. Paul knows a lot about hustle, but he knows nothing about loyalty and respect. He better bring his a game to Paris, or Cena will “beat the ever loving s*** out of you.” Paul knocks the hat off and is promptly dropped with the AA. Cena was bringing the straight fire here and it was great.

Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill agree to work together tonight, but Cargill is coming for the title after.

Logan Paul runs into Drew McIntyre, who praises Paul’s abilities.

Street Profits vs. MFT’s

Loa runs Dawkins over to start so it’s off to Ford for a dropkick. Ford is taken into the corner but fights out of the corner rather quickly, only to be pulled outside. A hard posting cuts Ford down and we take an early break. We come back with Ford sending Loa crashing outside, allowing the needed tag off to Dawkins. Everything breaks down and Ford knees Mateo in the face so Talla Tonga tries to get involved. Cue Jimmy Uso to chair Talla in the back and Sami Zayn to cut off Solo Sikoa. Back in and Dawkins’ spinebuster to Mateo sets up Ford’s frog splash for the pin at 9:57.

Rating: B-. Remember earlier when I said Miz and Hayes were a pair of guys who were put together and getting somewhere because they won matches? Well the Profits are the same kind of thing but as a regular, long term team. That’s something that works well and the Profits vs. Miz and Hayes for a title shot would make sense.

Aleister Black vs. Ron Killings

Hold on though as Killings pops up on screen and says he won’t be here because he flew to Dublin, Georgia. Instead, someone else is here in his place. Cue Damian Priest to return and attack Black, with security having to break it up. No match.

Commentary doesn’t have an update on Cody Rhodes but here is Drew McIntyre to interrupt. The update is that Rhodes is a little b**** and the next time they fight, McIntyre is taking that title. Rhodes has no friends….but Randy Orton is here with an RKO to lay McIntyre out.

Nia Jax and Becky Lynch argue a bit but seem to be ok.

Here’s what’s coming next week, including Miz/Hayes vs. the Street Profits in a #1 contenders match. See? Makes sense.

Becky Lynch/Nia Jax vs. Tiffany Stratton/Jade Cargill

Stratton slugs away at Lynch to start and knocks her outside for the big flip dive off the top. Back in and Lynch grabs Stratton’s leg so Jax can drop a leg as we take a break. We come back with Stratton making the tag to Cargill, who gets to face Lynch. Cargill gets to clean house, including a spinning torture rack powerbomb for two. Jax comes in off a blind tag but Cargill powerbombs her out of the corner. The Prettiest Moonsault Ever and Cargill’s top rope splash finish at 6:33.

Rating: C+. This didn’t have the time to go anywhere and it barely broke the threshold to get a rating. Again, the point here was to have Stratton and Cargill in there with the biggest female star in WWE history and they kept Lynch protected at the same time. Jax losing is the way to go here, as it’s not like she’s doing anything.

Nick Aldis tells John Cena that he just heard from Brock Lesnar….and Logan Paul knocks Cena cold to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The Cena promo was the big highlight of the show and the matches were good enough to back it up. They teased Lesnar again at the end, but the story that kept my attention was the tag team stuff. I love seeing something that you can logically follow rather than all of the material based on swerves or guessing. Nice show here, and they’re getting ready for the next big events.

Results
The Miz/Carmelo Hayes b. Motor City Machine Guns – Codebreaker to Sabin
Piper Niven b. Charlotte – Piper Driver
Street Profits b. MFT’s – Frog splash to Mateo
Jade Cargill/Tiffany Stratton b. Nia Jax/Becky Lynch – Top rope splash to Jax

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