Tag: WWE

El Hijo del Vikingo wins Latin American Championship at AAA Noche de Los Grandes

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

El Hijo del Vikingo is the brand new AAA Latin American Champion.

In the second match of the night on the May 30, 2026 edition of AAA Noche de los Grandes at Arena Monterrey, fans saw Vikingo defeat El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. to crown himself the new Latin American Champion.

Minutes after Rey Fenix won the Cruiserweight Championship, Vikingo, with Omos and Dorian Roldan by his side, defeated El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. in a short, almost 8-minute match. The match also saw the involvement of Galeno, who tried to take down Omos. It also had Mini Vikingo interfering and attacking El Hijo del Vikingo with a springboard dropkick.

Despite numerous disruptions, Vikingo ultimately secured victory by pinning El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. with a 630 senton in the final moments of the match. Moments after winning the match, Vikingo escaped the ring and celebrated his new championship win with Roldan and Omos at ringside.

Rey Fenix wins Cruiserweight Championship at AAA Noche de Los Grandes

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Rey Fenix has won the Cruiserweight Championship at AAA Noche de los Grandes.

For the past few weeks, Fenix and Laredo Kid have been actively feuding in AAA. Despite Fenix’s victory over Kid earlier this month, Kid managed to retain his title against Fenix last week through the use of a low blow.

However, shortly after, it was announced that Kid would defend his title against Fenix at AAA Noche de los Grandes. In the opening match of the May 30, 2026 edition of Noche de los Grandes, Fenix defeated Kid and won the title.

The two engaged in an extremely closely fought battle. While Fenix blocked an initial low blow from Kid, he later received one when the referee was distracted by an exposed turnbuckle. However, Fenix still managed to continue the match.

The closing moments of the bout saw Fenix put Laredo Kid away with a Mexican Muscle Buster to become the new AAA World Cruiserweight Champion. Kid held the title since December 2024. Fenix had previously held the title from 2022 to 2023 before having to relinquish it. The title win at Noche de los Grandes also marked Fenix’s first singles title win since leaving AEW in 2025.

AAA Noches de Los Grandes live results: El Grande Americano vs. The Original Mask vs. Mask

Posted on by Jeff Moss

AAA presents Noche de los Grandes tonight at Arena Monterrey.

The two-week event will start with a live episode tonight.

Scheduled to air on this week’s episode is the mask vs. mask match between El Grande Americano, aka the Ludwig Kaiser version, against the original El Grande Americano, aka Chad Gable.

Also scheduled to air this week is the AAA Latin American title match, with El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. defending against El Hijo del Vikingo.

The AAA World Cruiserweight Championship match, with Laredo Kid defending against Rey Fenix, will also air live tonight.

One other match scheduled for the live portion of AAA Noche de los Grandes is Pagano and Psycho Clown defending the AAA Tag Team titles against Erik and Ivar, The War Raiders. The storyline heading into this bout is the distrust that has grown between Pagano and Psycho Clown as a result of the attacks on other members of Psycho Circus.

Our live coverage kicks off at 10 p.m. Eastern.

****************

Noche de los Grandes night one is here and it is packed from open to close with big matches! Tag Titles on the line! Latin American Title on the line! Cruiserweight Title on the line! Plus what could be the final brutal battle in the Americano Civil War! There’s no more time to waste, let’s do this thing!

AAA World Cruiserweight Championship Match: Laredo Kid (c) vs. Rey Fenix

Fenix and Laredo have had a couple of really good matches in the last few weeks, but for some reason Laredo always ends up very rude and grumpy. He resorted to nefarious means and low blows last week to steal a win, so new GM Rey Mysterio made this match to make things right.

Fenix exploded off the bell with a series of dropkicks and went right to the Mexican muscle buster. Laredo was able to get out of that, but Fenix kept the pressure up until Laredo was able to find space for a powerbomb.

Laredo hit a sling blade into a Michinoku driver, but Fenix kicked out of the cover. Laredo started stomping his back and twisting his leg, trying to take away Fenix’s ability to got up top. He locked Fenix in a Texas Cloverleaf, but Fenix grabbed a rope to break the hold.

Laredo took the pad off the turnbuckle (Rey Mysterio said that doing something about it “wasn’t his job” which is great for a GM), but then took Fenix to the other corner and put him in a Cloverleaf around the top and middle ropes!

Laredo threw Fenix off and thens stomped Fenix’s back out of a crab hold. Fenix exploded up with a series of lariats. Fenix hit a splash from the top rope and went back up top for a crossbody frog splash. Fenix then put Laredo in an arm bar until he was able to shimmy over and grab the ropes.

The two traded shots in the middle of the ring until Laredo hit a DDT. Fenix blocked it though and came back with a spin kick and a destroyer DDT. Laredo went for another low blow out of desperation, but Fenix blocked it and hit a rolling cutter. Laredo kicked out of the cover at two.

Fenix hit a picture perfect superkick and then went for the Mexican Muscle Buster but Laredo countered by mocking Penta. That enraged Fenix who managed to pull him in and finally execute the Mexican Muscle Buster. Somehow, Laredo kicked out at two.

Fenix indicated he wanted to use the exposed turnbuckle and when the ref turned to look, Laredo kicked Fenix in the junk. Laredo hit a frog splash, but Fenix kicked out of the cover. Laredo charged and Fenix sent him into the exposed turnbuckle.

Fenix then hit another Mexican Msucle Buster and made the pin to end Laredo Kid’s 500+ day reign and become the new AAA Cruiserweight Champion!

Match Result: Rey Fenix defeated Laredo Kid

After the match, Fenix went into the crowd and celebrated with his family.

AAA Latin American Championship Match: El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. (c) vs. El Hijo del Vikingo

Vikingo has been on a depressing roll lately, failing to regain the AAA Mega Championship from Dominick Mysterio and failing to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship from Penta. He even took a loss to his former protégé, Mini Vikingo. Tonight he takes a swing at the Latin American Championship which has been held by Wagner for 285+ days.

Wagner was in the air with a dropkick as the bell rang and followed that up with a powerslam. Vikingo kicked out of the pin, so Wagner hit him with a senton. Vikingo escaped to the outside and Wagner dove at him, but Vikingo moved and laid a dropkick into Wagner’s knee.

Vikingo then wrapped Wagner’s legs around the ringpost and double stomped him to the floor. He threw Wagner back in the ring and went for a cover, but Wagner kicked out at two. Vikingo sent the writhing Wagner to the floor with a baseball slide followed by a standing Shooting Star Press.

Back in the ring, Wagner started a comeback with a superkick and a cannonball in the corner. He hit a diving splash from the top rope, but Vikingo kicked out. Vikingo hit a perfect crucifix driver and Wagner crumpled to the mat.

That brought out Vikingo’s friend Omos who stomped down to the ring and pulled Wagner off the top rope while Dorian Roldan caused a distraction. Vikingo hit a 450 splash, but Wagner managed to kick out.

Galeno then ran down and Omos cut him in half and threw him over the barricades. Galeno came back with a chair though and beat Omos with it until he collapsed at ringside. Vikingo then took out Galeno, but while the ref was dealing with it Mini Vikingo hit a dropkick on Vikingo in the ring! Wagner went for a cover, but Vikingo wouldn’t stay down.

Omos fought off Galeno and laid a giant right hand onto Wagner. Vikingo hit a 630 and made the cover to win the match and the Latin American Championship!

Match Result: El Hijo del Vikingo defeated El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.

Again, GM Rey Mysterio did nothing. I’m starting to side with Dominick. Maybe he is a deadbeat…

AAA World Tag Team Championship Match: Pagano & Psycho Clown (c) vs. War Raiders

I could write about 75 paragraphs on what’s been going on with the Clowns, but heres the gist: Someone has taken out Panic Clown, Murder Clown and Dave The Clown. Psycho Clown suspects that it was Pagano behind it all, but Pagano denies this. Now they must come together to fend off the War Raiders, reincarnated vikings and beard enthusiasts. I love wrestling.

The Raiders tried to jump the Clowns off the bell, but Pagano and Psycho saw it coming and countered it Pagano and Psycho sent Ivar out and Erik and Psycho fought in the ring. Erik sent him to the outside and Ivar squashed him. Throwing him back into the ring, Ivar went for the cover, but Psycho kicked out.

Erik tagged in and took the fight to Psycho. Ivar tagged in and continued the beat down until Psycho came out of the corner with a clothesline. Pagano and Erik got tags and Pagano hit a back elbow. Pagano hit a second rope code breaker and went to the outside to nail Ivar with a tornado DDT.

Pagano got back into the ring and hit a side slam for a two count on Erik. Tags were made and Psycho and Ivar took up the fight. Psycho stagged Erik and took out Ivar with a suicide dive. He hit a code red on Erik, but could only get a two count.

Psycho hit a Psycho Driver and Pagano dropped a leg from the top rope. Psycho followed that up with a frog splash, but Erik broke up the pin.

Pagano took out Erik on the outside and then sent a kick towards Ivar that sent him careening into Psycho. Ivar sent Pagaono to the outside and the War Raiders hit a DTM. Ivar then pinned Psycho before Pagano could get back into the ring, becoming the new AAA Tag Team Champions.

Match Result: War Raiders defeated Pagano & Psycho Clown

After the match, Psycho was furious at Pagano and a shoving match ensued. They yelled and screamed until Pagano turned his back on Psycho and walked away. The War Raiders took advantage and attacked Psycho. Pagano went back and forth before decided to walk out on Psycho and leave him at the mercy of the War Raiders. They beat him up some more and then posed with their new belts.

Before the Main Event, GM Rey Mysterio left the commentary desk, ran to the back, came out to his music, and then a video package about the Americanos played.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Mask Vs Mask Match: “The Real” El Grande Americano vs. “The Original” El Grande Americano

Before we even get into the match, just for clairification, I’ll be referring to the Chad Gable Americano as “OG” and the Ludwig Kaiser Americano as “Real.” Just so everyone knows who is who.

There isn’t enough time to get into how we got here, but know this: The Americano Civil War has been going on since the Royal Rumble when OG appeared and laid claim to the Americano name. Real had been growing a massive following in Mexico and the two fought each other through Rey De Reyes (which Real won) and beyond in all kinds of matches and situations. Tonight’s Mask-Vs-Mask match will give the winner the sole right to the name, legacy and mask of El Grande Americano.

I don’t know if the winner also gets Los Americanos and the Creed Brothers. That may be for the lawyers to sort out.

After Wrestlemania-length entrances and introductions, the match was on and OG started it off by laying out Real with a loaded guitar shot! He smashed it over his head as the bell rang then stomped Real in the corner, choking him on the bottom rope.

In case it was apparent, the match was no DQ.

OG chased Real around the ring, punching and kicking until Real started firing back and it bacame a slugfest. Real got OG up in a staaaaallllling suplex as Rey Mysterio rejoined commentary.

OG set up Real on the apron and went to spear him, but Real moved and OG ran into the ring post. Real dropkicked OG, but OG came back and bounced his head off the ringpost. Real recovered and hit a death valley driver on the concrete floor.

Real went under the ring and pulled out a table. A very small table for some reason. As he was setting it up, OG rushed him and sent him into the steel ring steps face first repeatedly.

Back in the ring, OG went for the cover but Real kicked out. OG started trying to rip the mask off of Real, tearing at it and pulling on the eyes. Real fought back and hit a side slam through the table, though it looked like he took the brunt of the impact becasue the table was so strangely small.

Real went for a spin kick, but OG caught him and put on an ankle lock. OG dumped Real with a German suplex and grabbed a piece of the broken table. He smashed it over Real’s head and then picked up one of the chairs from the commentary desk, throwing it at him repeatedly.

OG suplexed Real on the outside before depositing him on the announce table. Real rolled off and underneath, so OG retrieved him and sent him back into the ring for some stiff right hands, busting Real open.

Real started swinging wildly until OG hit him with a suplex. He then set Real up on the top turnbuckle and dropped him with a belly-to back suplex from the top rope. OG went back to punchingm but Real started to power up. He no-sold some shots then started throwing his own.

Real hit a blockbuster from the top rope, but OG wasn’t staying down. Real chopped him in the corner and began treaing at OG’s mask, ripping it down the side. OG threw a back elbow that sent Real to the outside. OG went after him, but Real saw it coming and dropped him face first on the steel steps.

Real then dropkicked OG’s head into the steps and threw him back into the ring. He hit a running knee and some punches, trying to pull OG’s mask off, busting him open in the process.

Real went to the outside and started throwing chairs into the ring. He set one up in the corner ropes, but that gave OG enough time to recover and hit him with a German suplex. They both got to their feet with chairs. OG whiffed on his shot, but Real connected on his.

That brought out the Creed Brothers to drag Real from the ring and slam him onto the announce table, twice. They threw him back into the ring and OG hit a diving headbutt. Somehow though, Real kicked out of the cover.

Rayo and Bravo then ran down to even the odds and take out the Creed Brothers. They fought up the ramp and to the back, with Bravo diving from the crowd balcony onto both brothers.

A bloodied OG staggered out of the ring and started picking on the Blind Comedian he had beat up a few weeks ago. Real came diving in to make the save and threw OG back in the ring. OG hit a rolling Liger kick and then suddenly, a Mariachi player took out OG with a guitar shot!

The assailant pulled their mask off to reveal Pimipinella Escarlata!

Real went under the ring and pulled out a legnth of bull rope which he then went to whip OG with. OG managed to sneak in a low blow though and turned the tables, whipping Real with the rope. He started choking Real with it and slammed his head into a chair, but Real still kicked out.

Suddenly, Real’s girlfriend arrived after AAA was forced to fire her at OG’s request. OG started stalking towards her. Real flew in and beat him mercilessly with the rope. OG escaped back into the ring but Real followed and DDT’d him onto the chair. OG wouldn’t go down though and kicked out at two.

They started trading shots in the middle of the ring, back and forth until OG managed a back body drop in the corner followed by a moonsault. Real kicked out at 2.5.

OG wrapped Real’s leg around the ring post and hit it repeatedly with a chair. He then put an ankle lock on Real who managed to counter it into la caveranria! He pulled back, but OG reversed it into another ankle lock, grapevined this time.

Real managed to work his way out and suplex OG. He went to charge him but Real’s ankle gave out. OG dropped the straps and hit a Chaos Theory suplex for a two count. The two men stared at each other with hatred in their eyes as they struggled to their feet.

OG charged, but Real sent him into the ringpost. Real then went off the ropes and hit OG with a running headbutt. He quickly made the pin and 1-2-3 won the match!

Match Result: “The Real” El Grande Americano defeated “The Original” El Grande Americano

After the match, Pimpinela embraced the one, true and only El Grande Americano. The mat was filled with blood and debris from the absolute war that these two went through. OG was called to the middle of the ring and addressed the crowd.

He said that he put on the mask to defeat all the luchadores he hated. he learned everything there was to learn about Lucha Libra, Mexico and the Mexican culture. He said that he is man enough to admit that he could not overcome the Mexican spirit.

He said that he will always be the Original El Grande Americano, but tonight and from now on, Real is the only El Grande Americano.

With that, OG, with his family in the ring, pulled off his mask to reveal a bloodied Chad Gable.

Gable explained who he was and what he’s accomplished in wrestling and introduced his family. He said that he doesn’t know when or how, but Chad Gable will be back in AAA one day!

Gable handed his bloody mask to El Grande Americano and left the ring, ending probably the match and feud of the year as Night One of Noche de los Grandes came to an end with El Grande Americano celebrating in the ring, then walking up the ramp to the back, still clutching OG’s mask.

WOL: Zzzmackdown, mask vs. mask, WWE shareholder lawsuit

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s the Saturday Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley.

Some fans are calling AAA’s El Noche de Los Grandes the real main event of this weekend. Who will lose their mask: El Grande Americano or El Grande Americano Original?

A hot crowd in Barcelona saw a pretty lukewarm edition of WWE SmackDown leading into Sunday’s Clash in Italy PLE.

Also, what kind of revelations might we learn from the WWE shareholder lawsuit?

Plus, Clash in Italy odds, BOSJ, CMLL, AEW Collision, and more.

Check it out.

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Wait, did WWE just turn Chelsea Green babyface? | Opinion

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE’s great Chelsea Green babyface experiment has begun.

Yes, Green is a good guy now.

I’m not saying that based on the reaction the Barcelona crowd gave to her on Friday’s SmackDown. We’ve seen Green get babyface reactions while being a heel character plenty of times.

But what we saw on Friday was different.

WWE wants us feeling sympathy for Chelsea, relating to Chelsea, and connecting with Chelsea.

What happened on WWE SmackDown on Friday?

For the most part, up until Friday’s show, Chelsea’s storyline with Tiffany Stratton was something similar to what you would see The Miz do. It’s entertaining and funny, but Chelsea was still a heel in that funny and entertaining role.

But there have been little hints dropped along the way that maybe we’re supposed to start relating with her a little bit.

There may have been earlier instances, but the first thing I picked up on was two weeks ago on SmackDown during Blake Monroe’s “SmackDown debut.”

Green walked up to Blake in the back and sort of posed face-to-face with her before Blake rebuffed her and walked out of the scene.

I thought to myself, wait a second, do they want me to feel sympathy for Chelsea Green?

Then on this week’s SmackDown, Green was backstage with Tiffany Stratton and had assumed that Stratton would accompany her to the ring for her match with Nia Jax later. However, Tiffany, in a polite manner, explained that this wouldn’t be happening.

And Chelsea looked sad.

So why are we seeing all these instances of Chelsea Green wanting to be friends with people only for those people not to want to be friends with her?

Then we get to the match against Nia Jax. Green is doing missile dropkicks, smiling up at the crowd, and wrestling in a very babyface manner.

After Lash Legend got involved, Tiffany Stratton had to do what was right and come out to help poor vulnerable Chelsea win the match.

But after Chelsea picked up the win, was her focus on how she had just pinned a former women’s champion? No, she only cared that Tiffany had come out to help her.

She wasn’t as excited about winning the match as she was that Tiffany was going to be her friend.

All of this is meant to make us feel for Chelsea, want what’s best for her, relate to her, and turn her into a big babyface.

Did Chelsea Green’s babyface run start with WWE Unreal?

Not long ago, there was a big brouhaha after Michael Hayes said on WWE Unreal that Chelsea Green is not a main eventer.

I have a theory, and perhaps others do as well, that this could have been a narrative WWE was pushing to see how fans would react. If there was backlash to Hayes’ comments and fans were like, “No, we love Chelsea, she could be a main eventer,” then it would let the company know that pushing her in that way could be successful.

And I think they got the reaction they were looking for, too.

Green as a babyface may be surprising to some because I think she is seen as similar to The Miz, and The Miz’s babyface runs have never lasted long. But I think it’s a little bit different with Green.

WWE fans en masse seem to recognize that she has been one of the most entertaining people on the WWE main roster ever since she’s been there. I’m certain she has haters on social media, but how often in real life have you ever heard someone say, “Man, enough with all the Chelsea Green already”?

That’s why when WWE goes to markets they are not in often, Green frequently gets a babyface reaction no matter how heelish she’s being at the time.

Will Chelsea Green ever win a world title?

If Chelsea Green is going babyface and she’s about to enter a new stage in her WWE run, the next question is whether that run could result in a world title.

Now, what that means for her or her fans, I’m not sure. It’s not like if Green never won a world title in her career, you would ever think to call her unsuccessful or something.

But if a babyface Chelsea Green catches fire in the way I think is at least possible, I don’t think a world title win within the next year is out of the question.

Former Dakota Kai addresses WWE Intercontinental Championship rumors

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

Dakota Kai spent close to ten years wrestling for WWE, winning championships in NXT and on the main roster. But her biggest championship win never came to pass.

In January of 2025, in perhaps the biggest match of her career, Kai faced Lyra Valkyria in the finals of a tournament to crown the inaugural WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion. It was the second episode of Monday Night Raw to air on Netflix, and reportedly, Kai was at one point planned to win that match. 

Instead, Valkyria won and held the championship for 144 days. Kai lost the match, never again won gold with WWE and was released from her contract last March. 

Kai (who is now wrestling as Charlie on the independents) talked about that match in a conversation with D.S. Shin of Ring The Belle.

“She’s awesome too,” Charlie said about Valkyria. “We had such good chemistry and we never wrestled each other before—I don’t think any singles capacity at least. But, she’s amazing. … She’s insane. Everything she did was awesome.” 

Shin then asked Charlie about any plans to crown her as champion. “Things change all the time, you know what I mean?” Charlie replied. “Like last minute and I get that too but, I don’t know. I’m so happy for her.”

Since her release from WWE, Charlie has challenged Kris Statlander for the EVE International Championship and Shotzi Blackheart for the HOG Women’s Championship. 

She also hosts a show with the former Zelina Vega (now known as ZELVX) on YouTube. 

The latest on potenital WWE return for Enzo & Big Cass | Exclusive

Posted on by Bryan Rose

More on a potential Enzo Amore & Big Cass reunion.

In this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it was noted that Amore is set to return to NXT soon. However, there hasn’t been much discussion on Big Cass, who remains under AEW contract.

“The current plan has Enzo Amore to be in NXT soon. Nothing on Big Bill, the former Big Cass, is official or even talked about heavily in the company, but outside the company there is a lot of talk,” Meltzer wrote. He compared the situation to Chris Jericho’s, where just because someone is off television for a period, doesn’t necessarily mean they are on their way out. 

Bill’s last AEW match to date was in early April, when he and Bryan Keith wrestled during a set of Ring of Honor tapings.

Amore has already been spotted at the WWE PC

WrestleVotes reported earlier this month that WWE was interested in reuniting the two after Amore was reported to be visiting the WWE Performance Center.

The two became big stars in NXT. After being called up to the main roster, the two enjoyed further success before Cass turned against Enzo Amore. After their feud, the two continued as singles wrestlers until Amore was released in 2018 following sexual assault allegations. The Phoenix Police Department later announced that his case had been closed with no charges filed. In the time since his release, Amore was worked the independent scene.

Cass was released the same year and struggled with addiction following his departure. He eventually found sobriety and signed with TNA in 2021 before joining AEW one year later.

Daily Update: WWE shareholder lawsuit update, UFC Freedom 250, Arena Mexico notes

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • The most detailed look at the sale of New Japan, what happened, the glory days that Bushiroad built and why it came down and what led to the sale.
  • Business realities of Japanese wrestling today.
  • The reason for the surprising low sale price.
  • The shareholders lawsuit against Vince McMahon and the WWE Board of Directors is getting near. Judge Travis Laster orders sanctions against Nick Khan and Vince McMahon for destruction of evidence. Laster makes a ruling, and we look at it in detail, on how this changes the trial and the exact details of the destruction of evidence including when McMahon and company knew not to do it and ignored their own lawyers. Also we look at problems with the case.
  • AEW Double of Nothing coverage. Business notes, historical biggest gates in U.S. pro wrestling, three-time world champions by 30, how the PPV did, poll results, Mick Foley and more.
  • Did Ronda Rousey set a viewing audience record for MMA, plus coverage of Rousey vs. Carano, how everything goes forward, can things be sustained, can she fight, will she fight, her thoughts on AEW.
  • Scott Coker returns to MMA with a new promotion.
  • Marcel Barthel (Ludwig Kaiser) arrested.
  • A look at the career of Jerry Grey.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the TV shows over the past two weeks.
  • Mistico injury update.
  • How CMLL is doing this year compared to last year.
  • Natalia Jiminez and J Balvin appear and are part of CMLL shows.
  • Wrestlers vs. media soccer game.
  • Grande vs. Grande match looked at.
  • Major return to Stardom.
  • Champion Carnival finals.
  • NOAH tag team tournament.
  • New Japan Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
  • Hana Kimura tribute show.
  • Phil Hickerson passes away.
  • WCW announcer is the final anchor as CBS News Radio closes its doors after 99 years.
  • Death of the Laguna version of Piloto Suicida.
  • Junior Hodge Trophy winner.
  • Advance ticket sales for all major events in AEW, WWE, TNA and other indies.
  • Pro wrestler/fighter on the Rousey-Carano undercard.
  • WWE stars purchase promotion.
  • Tony Khan media appearances.
  • More thoughts on how Paramount/Skydance can affect AEW.
  • What can affect the time slot of Collision in 2027.
  • What’s next for AEW.
  • AEW star to return in the fall.
  • Latest Zuffa myths regarding Trump and UFC.
  • UFC fighter pay comes up again

This Week’s Back Issue

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Friday Update

CMLL logo
CMLL logo (Image credit: CMLL)

— Garrett Gonzales and I have our week in review talking about the current issue of the Observer and latest news show being taped today. My weekend show with Bryan will be Sunday after Clash in Italy.

— Judge Travis Laster, who is in charge of the shareholders lawsuit against WWE, ruled in favor of reporter Brandon Thurston’s challenge regarding documents WWE was attempting to keep sealed. Thurston challenged WWE’s attempt to keep evidence confidential and not to be reported on, including a voicemail message from Ari Emanuel to Vince McMahon. There were key deposition questions regarding discussion of the Wall Street Journal’s sources regarding sexual misconduct claims.

WWE lawyers argued according to Post Wrestling, which Thurston writes for, that the information could have unfavorable or reputational consequences such as weakened negotiating position or public embarrassment. They also argued it could create damages to professional relationships within and outside WWE, harm to an individual identified and would erode confidence among stakeholders. Laster ruled those arguments were not sufficient and the information must be revealed stating that the defendants’ harm was outweighed by the public interest in the information. The conversation Thurston was trying to get access to was part of the one where Emanuel had claimed he could go to lawyers he knows and help get the criminal investigation against McMahon regarding sex trafficking to go away.

— Tonight on USA will have the SmackDown taped this afternoon from 8-11 p.m., WWE: Made in America, a documentary at 11 p.m. and the first episode of Braun Strowman’s Everything on the Menu at midnight.

— The Huffington Post reported that Donald Trump has purchased between $15,001 and $50,000 stock in TKO Holdings. He made the purchase on 3/26. This leads to major conflict of interest claims given his having the show at the White House.

— The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon is recruiting hundreds of troops to appear as spectators at the UFC show at the White House on 6/14. However, those who attend are required to pay their own way and have to meet height and weight requirements to attend. Those attending must meet acceptable waist-height ratios and be physically fit, and are required to wear short-sleeve dress uniforms. Neither UFC nor the defense department will cover arrangements or accommodations. In fact, this event is the U.S. equivalent to Collision in Korea, except it won’t draw as much, and has far less star power.

— We’re looking for your thoughts on Sunday’s Clash in Italy. You can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

— Arena Mexico tonight has changed its main event. The Copa Juniors finals is now Villano III Jr. vs. Zandokan Jr., who finished third in last week’s elimination match. Atlantis Jr., who was to face Villano III Jr. in the finals, blew out his knee on Sunday. At first he was advertised for the show but he was later in the week pulled from the show. They still sold out yesterday. The rest of the show has Mascara Dorada & Volador Jr. vs. Esfinge & Averno, Los Calaveras Jr. I & II & Soberano Jr. vs. Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja & Cobarde, El Hijo de Blue Panther vs. El Hijo del Villano III, Tessa Blanchard & Skadi vs. Olympia & Sanely and Oro Jr. & Pantera Jr. & Pendulo (who is like a second cousin of Eddy Guerrero) vs. Estudiante Jr. & Robin & Sangre Infernal.

— Villano III Jr. said that if he wins the Copa tonight, he would like to put it at stake against Atlantis Jr., when he’s healthy.

— Salvador Lutteroth was at Double or Nothing on Sunday.

— The first CMLL Wednesday night show at Arena Mexico (they’ll be running almost every Wednesday in June and July) starts this week. No word on if it will be streamed live, nor do we have a lineup.

— Mistico has said that he hopes to be back by next Friday’s show. He had a huge knee brace on when talking on Informa Wednesday night. He said he has not been cleared. It was also noted on the show that he has dates scheduled for AEW & New Japan. We knew he’d be in AEW soon and I suspect something big for August, if not June. He’s part of the junior tag champions in New Japan so he’d have to be back there soon. He had been advertised to appear signing autographs last night in Pachuca, and he had been making his dates and doing signings. However, the promotion announced just before show time that every effort was made with them and CMLL, but due to the severity of the injury, he would not be appearing. He said he would appear in Pachuca as soon as he can to make up for this.

— On AEW Spanish language commentary, Carlos Cabrera said Grand Slam Mexico would be in August, which confirms that we had been told it would be after the end of July but before school starts. AEW has tapings already announced 8/12 and 8/26, leaving 8/5 and 8/19 open. I suspect the announcement will come relatively soon.

— AAA Noche de los Grandes on YouTube from Arena Monterrey tomorrow night at 10 p.m. Eastern:

  • Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano mask vs. mask
  • Pagano & Psycho Clown vs. War Raiders for AAA tag titles
  • El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. El Hijo del Vikingo for the Latin American title
  • Laredo Kid vs. Rey Fenix for the cruiserweight title
  • Lola Vice & Catalina & Bayley vs. Flammer & Maravilla & La Hiedra (this will be taped for 6/6)

The show is scheduled for 90 minutes.

— Two corrections from the current issue. Regarding the advance for the 6/11 MLW show at the Melrose Ballroom in New York, we listed it as sold out. It is not sold out. They can get 912 in the building. Also, we said Fabian Aichner told Jon Alba that he had a TNA contract into the summer. Alba, who did talk with Aichner, said he got the contract info from another source.

— The Best of the Super Juniors continues later tonight at 2 a.m. Eastern time from Takaoka. The tournament matches are Jakob Austin Young vs. Hyo, Yoh vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Robbie Eagles vs. Daisuke Sasaki, Kushida vs. El Desperado and Sho vs. Taiji Ishimori.

— Today’s results from Tsubame for B block matches:

  • Hyo (6) b Yoshinobu Kanemaru (6)
  • Master Wato (10) b Daiki Nagai (0)
  • Robbie X (8) b Ryusuke Taguchi
  • Nick Wayne (8) b Titan (10)
  • Kosei Fujita (8) b Valiente Jr. (4)

— UFC is in Macau for a show that starts late tonight at 4 a.m. Eastern:

  • Loma Lookboonmee (115) vs. Jacqueline Amorim (115.5)
  • Zhu Kangjie (145) vs. Rodrigo Vera (145)
  • Angela Hill (115) vs. Xiong Jing Nan (115.5)
  • Rei Tsuruya (135) vs. Luis Gurule (135)
  • Aoriqileng (135) vs. Cody Haddon (135)
  • Ding Meng (170.5) vs. Jose Souza (170.5)
  • Yi Zha (185) vs. Luis Felipe Dias (184.5)
  • Alex Perez (125.5) vs. Sumudaerji (126)
  • Jake Matthews (170) vs. Carlston Harris (170.5)
  • Kai Asakura (135.5) vs. Cameron Smotherman (135.5)
  • Sergei Pavlovich (257) vs. Tallison Teixeira (250)
  • Zhang Mingyang (205) vs. Alonzo Menifield (206)
  • Song Yadong (136) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (135.5)

— Eddie Hearn has asked Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from his contract, saying that he will pay Aspinall a minimum of three times what he’s getting in UFC, and that White should be happy for a working class man to be able to earn so much more money.

— TNA has announced for 6/28 Slammiversary in Boston (this will be an afternoon show to avoid AEW) that Mike Santana defends the TNA title against Eddie Edwards, Cedric Alexander, Leon Slater and others in an Ultimate X match, Lei Ying Lee defends the Knockouts title against Xia Brookside and there will be a ladder match on the show.

— Thursday’s TNA TV has The Hardys vs. The Righteous in a Wicked Garden match, Santino Marella & Indi Hartwell vs. Stacks Lorenzo & Arianna Grace and Edwards vs. BDE.

— Ricky Sosa vs. Amazing Red takes place for House of Glory Wrestling on 6/19 at the Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago.

— Zuffa Boxing announced a 7/26 show at the Infosys Theater in Madison Square Garden.

— A two-hour episode of MLW Fusion will air tomorrow at 6:05 p.m. on YouTube, 9 p.m. on Veeps and 10 p.m. on beIN Sports. This was the show taped in Orlando with Trevor Lee vs. Austin Aries, Alex Hammerstone vs. Bishop Dyer, Shotzi Blackheart vs. Priscilla Kelly, Scarlett Bordeaux vs. Aleah James and more.

— Among today’s birthdays are Samu Anoa’i turning 63, Pete Gas turning 56, Steve Corino turning 53, Brian Kendrick turning 47, Nia Jax turning 42, Hornswoggle turning 40, Josh Alexander turning 39 and Konosuke Takeshita turning 31. Man Mountain Dean, a major drawing card in the 1930s, died 73 years ago today at 61. Tarzan Goto died four years ago today at 58. (thanks to Tony Richards)

— Metro in the U.K. had an interview with TNA announcer Tom Hannifan today. He said that when he announced the Kofi Kingston WWE title win over Bryan Danielson, he did not know Kingston was going to win the title. He also said that Michael Cole and Lance Storm have been huge helps to his career. (thanks to Matt Barker)

Two wrestlers declare for WWE King & Queen of the Ring

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two people have declared for King and Queen of the Ring.

During Friday’s SmackDown, Trick Williams and Jacy Jayne both announced that they would be entering this year’s King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, which begin this Monday on Raw. It was also confirmed that the winners of both tournaments will earn a title match at this year’s SummerSlam, which takes place in August.

Williams was the first to declare, cutting a promo in Barcelona against Carmelo Hayes, who has made it clear he wants another shot at the United States title. Hayes came out and said while his former friend may be the King of the Entrance and King of the Microphone, he wasn’t exactly the King of the Ring. Williams took a shot at his height before Ricky Saints made his entrance, saying he’d take care of Williams after he took care of Hayes.

However, no one took care of anyone as their match ended in a double countout when both men continued to fight outside of the ring. The segment ended with Hayes standing tall after connecting with the First 48.

Meanwhile, Paige and Nikki Bella were being interviewed backstage when Jacy Jayne and the rest of Fatal Influence interrupted. Jayne called her shot for the Queen of the Ring tournament, while Fallon Henley and Laney Reid made it clear they were coming for the Women’s Tag Team titles.

WWE Clash in Italy main event potentially in jeopardy

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Clash in Italy main event might be in jeopardy after Jacob Fatu suffered an injury at a WWE European tour house show.

Earlier today, word was going around that Fatu was seen limping after facing Solo Sikoa at a Thursday WWE live event in Liverpool, England. PWInsider now reports that Fatu did legitimately get hurt — and WWE is concerned that he might not be cleared in time for Clash in Italy. Fatu is scheduled to face World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns in a Tribal Combat match at Sunday’s PLE.

PWInsider writes that WWE “is mulling over alternative plans” in the event that it needs to pivot away from Fatu taking on Reigns. It’s not known what those alternative plans are.

Cory Hays of False Finish adds that, while WWE is looking into possible pivots, the assumption is that Fatu will be fine for Sunday. False Finish notes that Fatu’s injury is said to be a back injury.

Reigns vs. Fatu is advertised as the main event of the show, with the Undisputed WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Gunther set to open the action during the hour one ESPN simulcast.

The start time for Clash in Italy is 2 p.m. Eastern. Five matches are announced for the PLE:

WWE Clash in Italy (Sunday, May 31) —

  • Tribal Combat: World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jacob Fatu
  • Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch defends against Sol Ruca
  • Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar
  • WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Jade Cargill
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defends against Gunther

WWE 2026 PLE list & PPV schedule: How to watch, start time, streaming options

Posted on by F4W Staff

WWE’s schedule of premium live events (formerly known as pay-per-views) and special events are always developing throughout the year.

The following is a list of announced WWE premium live events and special shows like Saturday Night’s Main Event throughout 2026.

Read More – How to watch WWE RAW: US, UK, Canada, Australia and more

WWE PLE Upcoming Schedule For 2026

WWE Clash in Italy

  • Event Name: WWE Clash in Italy
  • Event Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026
  • Event Location & Venue: Inalpi Arena in Turpin, Italy
  • How To Watch: ESPN Unlimited (United States) & Netflix (outside United States)

WWE Night of Champions

WWE Night of Champions
  • Event Name: WWE Night of Champions
  • Event Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
  • Event Location & Venue: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • How To Watch: ESPN Unlimited (United States) & Netflix (outside United States)

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

WWE Backlash
  • Event Name: WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event
  • Event Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
  • Start Time: 8 pm Eastern
  • Event Location & Venue: Madison Square Garden in New York City

WWE SummerSlam

  • Event Name: WWE SummerSlam
  • Event Date: Saturday, August 1 & Sunday, August 2, 2026
  • Start Time: 7 pm Eastern
  • Event Location & Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • How To Watch: ESPN Unlimited (United States) & Netflix (outside United States)

WWE Money in the Bank

  • Event Name: WWE Money in the Bank
  • Event Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026
  • Start Time: 7 pm Eastern
  • Event Location & Venue: Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana
  • How To Watch: ESPN Unlimited (United States) & Netflix (outside United States)

WWE PLE & Saturday Night’s Main Event results:

WWE reveals Clash in Italy opening match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Undisputed WWE Championship will be on the line to kick off Clash in Italy.

During Friday’s episode of SmackDown, WWE announced that Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther for the Undisputed WWE title will be the opening match of Sunday’s broadcast. The first hour of the PLE is being simulcast on ESPN, with the entire show airing on the ESPN app in the United States and on Netflix internationally.

Another big title match will be going on second with Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship also scheduled for the ESPN simulcast portion of the PLE.

Clash in Italy is Rhodes’ first televised defense of the Undisputed WWE Championship since retaining against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42. In the aftermath of WrestleMania, Gunther moved over to the SmackDown roster to begin this title feud with Rhodes.

Inalpi Arena in Turin is hosting Sunday’s PLE and the following day’s episode of Raw. Here is the updated PLE lineup:

WWE Clash in Italy (Sunday, May 31) —

  • Tribal Combat: World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jacob Fatu
  • Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch defends against Sol Ruca
  • Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar
  • WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Jade Cargill
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defends against Gunther

WWE considering new additions to The Vision

Posted on by Joseph Currier

It sounds like Paul Heyman’s faction The Vision could be getting some reinforcements soon.

With Bronson Reed already sidelined, The Vision suffered another blow with Logan Paul tearing his triceps last weekend at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event. The World Tag Team titles do still remain in The Vision’s possession with Bron Breakker filling in as Austin Theory’s partner. And Dave Meltzer reports that WWE has discussed the idea of adding other members to the group, even past the teased addition of Maxxine Dupri.

Meltzer wrote in the new edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

  • On Raw, they said that Paul Heyman had put ‘The Vision’ and not individual members of the team in all contracts related to the title, so Theory & Bron Breakker (the only members of the team right now not injured, although I expect them to add members–besides Maxxine Dupri – and there has been talk of that even before this injury) are going to be the tag team champions for now.

The Vision has been snakebitten by injuries since its introduction. Founding member Seth Rollins hurt his shoulder in 2025, which sped up the timeline for him to be kicked out of the group. Breakker then needed to undergo hernia surgery earlier this year before returning at WrestleMania.

A connection between Theory and Dupri has been forming on WWE programming ahead of Dupri possibly splitting off from Otis & Akira Tozawa. Past that, it’s not known who could potentially join The Vision.

Logan Paul’s recovery timeline —

Paul has already undergone triceps surgery and was given a six-month timeline for how long he’ll be out of action. He is hoping to make it back much sooner, though, writing that he wants to be back “in a couple weeks.”

“Tore my tricep, got surgery while wide awake, told doc I wanna feel it all. Still the Tag Team champ just FYI,” Paul wrote on Instagram this Wednesday. “They’re telling me 6 month recovery but I don’t believe them, I’ll be back in a couple weeks with some @drinkprime shake (32g protein).”

Donald Trump purchased TKO stock in March ahead of June UFC event

Posted on by Josh Nason

U.S. President Donald Trump purchased between $15,000 – $50,000 in TKO stock in March, months ahead of the high-profile UFC event outside the White House on his birthday.

First noted by the Huffington Post, Trump bought the stock on March 25 according to a May 12 disclosure filing.

The June 14 event, dubbed UFC Freedom 250, will be held on the South lawn of the White House with an estimated 4000 in attendance (2900 White House/TKO guests and 1100 military members and their families), according to TKO COO Mark Shapiro on a recent investors call. WWE talent will take part in a fan fest prior to the show.

Given the relationship between Trump and TKO, namely his longtime friendships with UFC president Dana White and former WWE head Vince McMahon, the transaction has raised some eyebrows as has been the case with many of his financial transactions during his second term.

The outlet, and others, have noted his proclivity toward “purchasing stocks in companies ahead of actions by his own administration favorable to those same companies” while also stating that White House officials claim his financial advisors handle all decisions and not him.

Trump’s cabinet includes longtime friend and former WWE executive Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education and Robert F. Kennedy as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, notable as his niece is now under a WWE contract. Current WWE CCO Paul Levesque is a member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.

WWE SmackDown live results: The Miz vs. Axiom in Barcelona

Posted on by Marc Quill

WWE SmackDown is live from Olimpic Arena in Barcelona, Spain today.

Just one match is official for the show. WWE has announced that The Miz will face Axiom in singles competition.

WWE’s Summer European Tour kicked off in Liverpool on Thursday. After tonight’s SmackDown, WWE will be in Turin, Italy for two straight nights, first for Clash in Italy on Sunday, May 31, then for WWE Raw on Monday, June 1.

On Tuesday, WWE runs a live event in Strasbourg, France before heading to Lisbon, Portugal on Wednesday and Madrid, Spain on Thursday. Next week’s SmackDown will take place from Bologna, Italy on Friday, June 5.

After next week’s SmackDown in Bologna, WWE heads to Rome on Saturday, June 6 and Florence, Italy on Sunday, June 7 before closing out the Summer European Tour with the June 8 edition of WWE Raw in Paris, France.

Our live coverage kicks off at 2 p.m. Eastern time.

**********************************

– After the round of wrestler arrivals, we went straight to the arena as Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett introduced themselves, as well as the Spanish team of Miguel Perez and Alvaro Carrera. We then went to a recap of the six-woman tag match from last Saturday Night’s Main Event

Jade Cargill and the Baddies kick off SmackDown

The challenger WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley this Sunday at the Clash in Italy made her way to the ring, flanked by Michin and B-Fab.

As soon as Cargill got into the ring, she soaked all in as the crowd jeered. Cargill said she didn’t ask for permission and that she did what she wanted. B-Fab said that Cargill woild beat Ripley on Sunday and that the future wasn’t coming… the future was now.

The music of Rhea Ripley interrupted the proceedings, and out came the WWE Women’s Champion to a huge ovation. Ripley stepped inside despite being outnumbered three-to-one by Cargill and her Baddies and faced them down.

Ripley said that Cargill was out here every week throwing around her dominance, acting like her successes wasn’t from using people to make herself look better. Ripley pointed out that Cargill forgot one very important detail: when it came to them facing one-on-one, Ripley had her number. She beat Cargill at WrestleMania and she’d do it again this Sunday in Italy.

Cargill responded by stating that Ripley sounded stupid for saying that, claiming that the champion thought the division revolved around her. She called Ripley “weak” for wanting to work with women who didn’t even like her. That was the cue for Charlotte Flair to make her way down to the ring. Of course, Alexa Bliss wasn’t too far behind. The former Women’s Tag Champions made their way down ot the ring with mics in hand.

Flair said that Cargill was out here talking like a Hall of Famer. She respected Cargill, but she thought she got confused with her own successes. Bliss added by stating that Cargill and her crew had the egos of a legend, but they have the resumes of rookies. Bliss warned Cargill that she might end up being embarrassed before Clash in Italy.

Naturally, this brought out Nick Aldis to set up the Bliss vs. Cargill match as he called for a referee. This match would begin after the break.

An alright opening gambit, but this Rhea/Cargill and Baddies/Charlexa story is honestly not moving me one bit.

**********

Jade Cargill vs. Alexa Bliss

This opening match got underway after the commercial with Bliss going right after Cargill with strikes. Bliss leapt onto the back of Cargill, but got thrown aside. After she headed out of the ring, Bliss toyed with Cargill to get under her skin. She once again went after Cargill with strikes, but got thrown into the corner. The running splash was missed by Cargill as she headed up top. However, Cargill caught her and dropped her for a backbreaker. In the corner, Bliss hit Cargill with a boot to the face, but she was lifted overhead for a press drop down to the mat.

On the apron, Bliss tried to leap at Cargill, but she was caught once more and thrown to the barricade for a powerbomb, as we took a break with Cargill in complete control.

Back from commercial as Cargill continued to punish Bliss on the outside, with Charlotte and Rhea Ripley forced to look on. Cargill dropped Bliss onto the apron, but she took too long on a second attempt, which allowed Bliss to hit where with a dropkick. Bliss avoided a running attack from Cargill, which sent her barrelling into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Bliss mounted her comeback with the strikes to the face, followed by the dropkick. The double knees to the back of Cargill’s neck was followed by the flipping senton and the modified Natural Selection. Cargill managed to kick out at two, however.

Bliss set up Cargill for the Sister Abigail DDT, but that was countered. The Baddies and Charlotte and Rhea brawled to the back in the midst of all this. Back in the ring, Bliss headed up top and whiffed on Twisted Bliss after Cargill got the knees up. The pump kick, followed by Jaded got the three for Cargill.

After the match, Cargill grabbed a chair from under the ring and looked to do more damage to Bliss with another Jaded onto the chair. Charlotte and Rhea ran out a bit too late as a satisfied Cargill taunted her Clash in Italy opponent.

Jade Cargill def. Alexa Bliss via pinfall

Just an okay match between Cargill and Bliss. Like i said at the top of things, I am not feeling this feud, so a lot of my reactions to this will be colored by that. The actual match itself on Sunday should be decent, at the very least.

**********

– Cody Rhodes was interviewed backstage about his upcoming match against Gunther on sunday, but Sami Zayn interrupted. Rhodes said he had nothing to say to Zayn, who demanded an apology. Zayn said that Rhodes asked for that fight last week and he stated that Rhodes stuck a “knife in his back” with the Crosss Rhodes. The Undisputed WWE Champion was not gonna have any of it as he got mad at Zayn’s refusal to help him when Gunther was choking the life out of him.

Zayn tried to justify his lack of actions because it was the right thing to do, because Rhodes needed to learn a lesson. Rhodes responded, stating that maybe he was when he was done with Gunther, he’d teach Zayn a lesson of his own.

– Elsewhere, Danhausen was told by Nick Aldis that his science equipment was stuck in customs, but the ever-fascinating Danhausen decided to take matters into his own hands. While The Miz barged in to argue with Aldis, Danhausen was seen futzing around with some equipment in the background.

Axiom vs. The Miz

Axiom kept Miz grounded with some chain wrestling to start. The lights briefly went out before turning back on, presumably due to Danhausen’s experiments. Miz mocked Axiom’s agility and paid for it as he was hit with a nice drop kick. Miz decided to run out, but Nathan Frazer stopped him. Back in the ring, Miz tripped up Axiom as we took an oddly-timed break in the action.

We returned from commercial as Miz and Axiom were down and out. The masked Spaniard kipped up and hit Miz with a snap German suplex for the two-count. Axiom headed to the top as he avoided Miz’s attack. The Skull-Crushing Finale was countered, but Miz got Axiom with the DDT for the near-fall. The “It” Kicks were blocked by Axiom, who hit the Dragon Screw. Now Axiom got some kicks of his own on Miz. Flying crossbody only got the two.

Miz had Axiom in the corner as he hit the signature clothesline, but missed with the splash. Axiom turned it into a Crossface, but Miz tried for the cover attempt. Miz did not miss with the powerbomb as he headed to the top. The lights went out yet again, which allowed Axiom to hit the avalanche Spanish Fly followed by the Golden Ratio to pick up the duke in Spain.

Axiom def. The Miz via pinfall

This was a good match and it was nice to see Axiom get the win in front of his home country.

***********

– Sami Zayn continued to lament his plight to Johnny Gargano as Matt Cardona approached him. Cardona called out Zayn for acting out of line as the Canadian continued to whine about being disrespected. This led to a potential match being set up between the two.

– As Charlotte Flair was checking up on Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley met with her and said that she’d take care of Jade Cargill on Sunday. Flair warned that if Ripley couldn’t get the job done, she’d deal with Cargill herself, because she had a receipt coming.

Damian Priest & Royce Keys vs. Tama & Talla Tonga

Talla and Priest started off this match. Talla withstood Priest’s blows and threw him into the MFT corner. Tama tagged in, but Priest fought out of his predicament as Royce tagged in. Keys dropped Tama and hit a nice powerslam on his foe. A big powerhouse pounce sent Tama out of the ring. Talla entered the fray but found himself taken out of the ring by a double team effort from Keys and Priest as we took a break.

We returned from commercial as Talla had Keys trapped in a resthold. Keys powered out of the submission, but he was still isolated successfully by the MFT duo. Keys created separation with a sitdown powerbomb on Tama as Priest tagged in. Priest unleashed kicks on Tama and Talla, then nailing the two with running splashes on opposite corners. Tama got dropped by a with a Flatliner while Talla was jettisoned out of the ring.

Things broke down as Keys sent Talla put with a clothesline. Samoan Spike by Solo Sikoa with the back turned as R-Trurh ran in to even the odds. Things became chaotic on the outside as the T-Bomb by Talla on Priest got the win for the Tongas.

Talla and Tama Tonga def. Royce Keys and Damian Priest via pinfall

This feud is honestly boring and this match really added to how apathetic I am about another MFT feud.

************

– Chelsea Green tried to talk to Tiffany Stratton, who still wasn’t too receptive over her friendship just yet.

Sami Zayn vs. Matt Cardona

Zayn wrenched at Cardona’s arm as things took a methodical pace to start with neither man on top. Zayn with the arm drag on Cardona with the match still in the early feeling-out process. Cardona threw Zayn out of the ring and immediately took him down with the sliding dropkick to the outside. In the ring, Zayn got the upper hand with a series of rights to the face of his foe. The chops to the chest from Zayn as cardona turned it around with some strikes of his own. Cardona sent Zayn retreating with a missile dropkick as we took a commercial break.

Our match returned from the break as Zayn applied a chinlock on Cardona that would make Davey Boy Smith proud. Cardona got out of the hold and dropped Zayn with a facebuster. In the corner, Cardona knocked Zayn down with a punch, which led to the Broski Boot. Zayn stumbled to his feet, but he avoided the Rough Ryder. Cardona did get Zayn with the double-underhook powerbomb for the near-fall. Cardona countered a Zayn suplex into a neckbreaker, but his Rough Ryder was turned into a powerbomb from the Montreal native. Zayn went for the Helluva Kick, but Cardona finally nailed the Rough Ryder on the third try. Zayn got his foot on the ropes to avoid defeat.

Cardona put Zayn on the top turnbuckle and looked for a high-risk maneuver. However, Zayn pushed him down… Exploder Suplex into the corner, was soon followed by the Helluva Kick and the pinfall win.

Sami Zayn def. Matt Cardona via pinfall

This was a good match, and the current Zayn character is interesting. I did find it a bit odd that he won clean here instead of doing some sort of heelish things to continue that story.

***********

– Nick Aldis was seen talking to Gunther, urging him to keep things civlized when he meets Cody Rhodes later tonight. Gunther said he agrees, but suggested the next time WWE went to Spain, they’d go to Madrid instead (referencing the infamous Barcelona/Real Madrid football rivalry)

Trick Williams speaks

Trick Williams, accompanied by the Trick Stick-wileding Li’l Yachty, arrived to huge cheers from the Barcelona crowd.

Yachty introduced himself as the man with the money, the connections, and who makes it happen. He said that today was the beginning of the Trick Williams campaign. Williams took the mic and said that he was the man holding down the brand for quite some time. The crowd continued to cheer for Williams as the U.S. Champion talked about how he took out The Miz and Carmelo Hayes in the past two weeks. Williams called his shot for King of the Ring, stating that it was only right to declare himself right here in Barcelona, a place that knew a thing or two about royalty.

Carmelo Hayes interrupted Williams and said that his old rival may have been the King of the Entrance and King of the Microphone, but King of the Ring? Not quite. Hayes said once he took care of Ricky Saints, he was going to finish what he started with Wiliams last week.

Williams responded by stating that if Hayes could grow an inch for every excuse he made, he’d be left with no choice but to acknowledge that Trick Williams was better than him. Ricky Saints interrupted and said that Williams thought he’d get the upper and on him last week, but he was going to take care of Williams once he dealt with Hayes.

Saints talked some more trash and got slapped down by Williams for his troubles.

**********

Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints

This match was joined in progress during the break as Hayes hit Saints with a dropkick after a roll over. Hayes kept momentum going with his reverse legdrop on a prone Saints. A lariat from Saints stopped Hayes’ momentum cold as he took over in the corner with the stomps. Hayes recovered and hit a pair of chops on Saints, followed by the running forearm into the corner. Hayes kept the heat up with the punches in the corner, followed by an attempted springboard attack. Hayes was shoved out of the ring by Saints, who threw him into the barricades as he struck a pose in the ring and we took a timeout.

This match continued from commercial as Saints was still in control. Hayes was put on the top rope as Saints looked for a superplex. Hayes shoved Saints to the mat and lookes for the frog splash. Knees up by Saints, followed by the Northern Lights suplex for the near-fall. Hayes recovered and got the leaping DDT on Saints. Both men back to their feet as they exchanged strikes. Hayes connected with the trademark springboard clothesline. That was soon followed by Dirty Diana for the near-fall. Hayes was hit by the reverse DDT from Saints for the near-fall. Saints got sent out of the ring and hit with Hayes’ Fosbury Flop. Hayes then got on the barricade and hit Saints with the clothesline. However, this match ended with a double countout.

Post-match, Saints attacked Hayes from behind, but the ambush was turned aside as Hayes superkicked Saints and delivered First 48.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints ended in a Double Countout

I quite liked this match, and the double countout was honestly a good call. Not really much to complain about here, just a solid match between two really good workers.

**********

– We got a vignette from Blake Monroe that took a direct shot at Rhea Ripley. She said that that she was coming soon… despite the fact we saw her last week in a brief backstage cameo.

Nia Jax vs. Chelsea Green

Jax threw Green across the ring to start, but the wily Canadian soon got the advantage as she sent Jax out of the ring and took her down with a suicide dive, which was our cue for a commercial break.

We returned from commercial as Green’s Rough Ryder attempt was turned into a Jax powerbomb. Jax’s missed legdrop allowed for Green to get a momentary respite with the jumping neckbreaker. That was followed by the Rough Ryder for the close near-fall. Lash Legend tried to get involved, but she got kicked aside. However, that allowed for Nia Jax to hit Green with the Samoan Drop. Was it time for the Annihilator? No, as Tiffany Stratton’s music hit and she ended up hitting Jax with the Women’s US Title in the chaos. Green took advantage and got the pin and win.

Chelsea Green def Nia Jax via pinfall

Not really much of a match and more to advance the kinda-sorta alliance between Green and Stratton, so there’s that.

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Cody Rhodes and Gunther’s Final Face-Off

The Undisputed WWE Champion and his Clash in Italy foe made their way down for this final faceoff ahead of their match on Sunday in Turin.

Gunther said he wasn’t here to engage with any of the fans, but he wanted to talk to Rhodes. Gunther said that Rhodes made it all about himself, and that he was a product of the American society that birthed him. Gunther pointed out that Rhodes nickname was fitting as a descriptor of the declining American society. Gunther said his mission was to protect the sacred sport of wrestling from people like Rhodes. He called Rhodes a mark for himself.

Rhodes responded by saying that Gunther didn’t want the responsibility of being a champion and all that it implied. He pointed out Paul Heyman and what he told him to intimidate him. Rhodes said that the world title was addictive and that Gunther was as sick as he was. At Clash in Italy, Rhodes said that Gunther was going to get this close to the title, but we were all going to find out that he just wasnt going to be good enough. “Easy to find, hard to beat,” said Rhodes.

Gunther asked if Rhodes thought he was a liar. He boasted about how he beat Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles. He promised to choke Rhodes out and take the title with him.

Producer credits are up, as well as hype for WWE’s America 250 special, which airs on USA tonight after SmackDown, and we’re out.

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I really have to say that this Clash in Italy show feels really weakly built, and that’s largely on the anemic booking WWE has been partaking in as of late. Nothing on the card grabs my interest and tonight’s go-home show kind of did a poor job in building Sunday’s show.

The WWE Title match doesn’t really feel that intriguing, and unless Gunther pulls off the upset, not sure if a likely Cody Rhodes title retention will move the needle. That being said, the closing promo tonight was an admirable effort to add some spice to this match. Gunther, I felt particularly did well to twist the knife against Cody, who came off as a bit more defensive in his response. Whether or not that will be enough to add a little intrigue on Sunday will be a wait-and-see.

Elsewhere, I do like the Hayes/Saints/Williams dynamic in the U.S. Title picture and a lot of that comes down to the strengths of Hayes and Williams, who are very charismatic and talented in the ring, to the point that they carry a lot of the interactions here.

All in all, kind of a poor final show before Clash in Italy. It’s clear WWE didn’t put their best foot forward here for the go-home show.