Tag: AJ Lee

AJ Lee helps Maxxine Dupri win Women’s Intercontinental title on WWE Raw

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

AJ Lee made her return to WWE on Monday Night Raw, helping Maxxine Dupri defeat Becky Lynch to win the women’s Intercontinental championship.

On Monday night, Lynch was defending her women’s Intercontinental championship against Maxxine Dupri when she was distracted by Lee’s entrance.  Dupri then pinned a distracted Lynch with a crossbody to win the title shortly thereafter. 

It was the first pro wrestling championship for Dupri (real name: Sydney Zmrzel). The former cheerleader and dancer signed with WWE after a tryout in 2021. She debuted on the main roster in July of 2022 as the sister of Max Dupri (now known as L.A. Knight), serving as Director of Talent for Maximum Male Models (now performing in AEW as MxM Collection).  In 2023, she joined Alpha Academy alongside Chad Gable, Akira Tozawa, and Otis. Most of her matches this year have come on Main Event or on NXT house shows, though this was her fourth Raw match against Lynch since August. 

Lee returned to WWE after a decade away last September. She teamed with her husband CM Punk to defeat Lynch and her husband Seth Rollins at Wrestlapalooza that month, but had not been seen since. 

WWE Shop lists top merch sellers of 2025

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Shop has put out a list naming the company’s top merchandise sellers of 2025.

The 10-person list is ranked in alphabetical order and does not disclose how each competitor ranked inside of the top 10. It includes seven male wrestlers and three female wrestlers:

  • Alexa Bliss
  • AJ Lee
  • CM Punk
  • Cody Rhodes
  • Jacob Fatu
  • Jey Uso
  • John Cena
  • Penta
  • Rhea Ripley
  • Roman Reigns

AJ Lee ranks on the list despite only having returned to WWE in September. She was also a highly ranked merchandise seller during her first run with the company, which ended with her retiring from the ring in 2015. She made her long-awaited return by teaming with her husband Punk to defeat Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins at WWE Wrestlepalooza.

In a graphic posted by WWE on social media promoting the top-sellers list, Cena, Reigns, Rhodes, Punk, and Ripley were the five wrestlers featured. Cena — who has been on his retirement tour all year with city-specific merchandise released for some of the stops — is front and center.

WWE Shop is run by sports merchandise company Fanatics. WWE and Fanatics have been partners since 2022, and the relationship has expanded into several different areas including podcasts and online casino games.

AJ Lee reflects on WWE Wrestlepalooza return: ‘I guess I still got it’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

AJ Lee is expressing gratitude for everyone who helped with her WWE return.

After a decade away from the ring, Lee returned to competition in a mixed tag match last Saturday at WWE Wrestlepalooza. She made an Instagram post today reflecting on the moment and showing appreciation for everyone else who was involved in the match. She thanked her husband CM Punk, their opponents Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins, referee Jessika Carr, producer TJ Wilson, her dog Larry, and all of the fans.

“A chaotic fairytale so far. I’m proud of myself for being scared but doing it anyway, after ten years of retirement, on one month’s notice. I guess I still got it,” Lee wrote. “I’m so grateful to Rebecca, Colby, Jess, TJ, and my hot husband Phil for taking such good care of me. And Larry for sharing his dressing room. I’m feeling all the love and support from you guys, my wonderful weirdos, it means the world.”

The mixed tag match ended with Lee using her Black Widow submission on Lynch to get the victory. What’s next for Lee remains to be seen, but her challenging Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship would appear to be the logical direction.

The 38-year-old Lee has officially signed a new contract with WWE in her return. She was a three-time Divas Champion during her first run with the company, where Lee was one of the most popular characters on WWE programming. A neck injury contributed to her decision to retire in 2015.

Outside of the ring, Lee is a writer and mental health advocate.

AJ Lee says in-ring return was ‘a lot of fun,’ talks locker room reception

Posted on by Bryan Rose

AJ Lee reflected on her first match in over 10 years.

On the WWE Wrestlepalooza post-show, Lee said that while she forgot how much everything hurts, she had fun.

“It’s been a minute. Everything hurts way more than I remember. But that was a lot of fun.”

Big E also asked about the impact she’s had on so many people, not only to the people backstage but also to many fans.

“It is the most meaningful thing I can ever do is connect with my fans, particularly with young women and connect on a mental health topic. It’s the greatest thing i’ll ever do in my life,” she said. “I was built to take your stories and be a part of your journey and just help you realize you are not alone but I hope my fans know in my hard times, they helped me not feel alone. In this industry, it’s surreal to see the locker room are my offspring in a lot of ways.”

She said she agreed with Punk on how things have changed in the locker room in the last ten years.

“Everyone was so welcoming and kind and complimentary in a way that made me feel like oh, I did something and it meant something to these wonderfully talented women,” she said. “To be a tiny piece of their journey is so humbling. I’m so proud of them, like a mama, and they’re wonderful and I’m happy to be in their presence in the locker room but the evolution of the women has been the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. They deserved it ten years ago, they deserve it now, they deserve even more in the next ten years.”

Lee and husband CM Punk emerged victorious on Saturday, defeating Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins after Lee captured Lynch in the black widow.

Married couple victorious at WWE Wrestlepalooza

Posted on by Josh Nason

For the first time in more than a decade, AJ Lee returned to in-ring action, leaving WWE Wrestlepalooza victorious alongside her tag team partner in life, husband CM Punk.

The duo defeated rivals and fellow married couple Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch at Saturday’s premium live event in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The end came when Lee countered a Lynch Manhandle Slam attempt into a Black Widow submission, eventually getting the reigning Women’s Intercontinental Champion to tap out.

Punk and Rollins were both on the floor at the time, recovering after crashing through an announcer’s table following Lynch throwing Lee into them while on another announcer’s table.

It was Lee’s first match since March 2015 and her first time teaming with Punk since July 2012. She officially returned two weeks ago on SmackDown.

**********

The story of the match was Lee being kept out of the match by Rollins and Lynch who wanted no part of her. She finally did get in as Lynch was holding Punk’s leg, he blew her a kiss, and then backed up for the tag.

She got the better of Lynch with a flurry of offense and then, all four competitors battled it out with the men somewhat getting physical with the women. Punk and Lee hit an assisted sliced bread using Rollins onto a prone Lynch for a nearfall in one sequence.

One close call sequence began with a Lee counter to a disarmer into a Black Widow followed by Punk getting a sharpshooter on Rollins for a near double submission, thwarted by a Rollins eye rake and superkick to Punk. Later, Punk and Lee got double pedigreed by Rollins and Lynch for their own close call.

Another saw Lynch getting Punk in a sharpshooter of her own which he eventually countered, but got hit with a pedigree and curb stomp. Lee broke it up and got hit with a Manhandle slam for a very, very close two count.

It now remains to be seen if and when Lee challenges Lynch for her title and when Punk might challenge Rollins for his.

WWE Wrestlepalooza live results: John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar, AJ Lee’s in-ring return

Posted on by Jeff Moss

WWE kicks off their ESPN era tonight with their first-ever Wrestlepalooza premium live event from Indianapolis, Indiana.

In one of the featured matches, John Cena takes on Brock Lesnar who returns for the first time in more than two years. The two last clashed more than a decade ago.

In another high-profile return, AJ Lee competes for the first time in a decade, joining husband CM Punk against rivals WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes returns after a month off to defend his title against Drew McIntyre after McIntyre put him out of action. It’s Rhodes’ first defense of the title he regained at SummerSlam.

IYO SKY takes on Stephanie Vaquer with the vacant WWE Women’s World title on the line.

Jimmy & Jey Uso will reunite to take on Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed.

The pre-show begins at 5 PM Eastern. The show airs on Netflix outside the U.S.

**********

When you think of the great “Paloozas” of time, Lollapalooza, Chillipalooza, etc, there has until now not been a wrestling even worthy of joining the great “Palooza” lexicon. Fear no more friends for that time is over as WWE presents Wrestlepalooza from the great state of Indiana and for the first time under a newly struck deal, on ESPN.

ESPN viewers got their first taste of the legally mandatory “Wrestlers Arriving To Work” montage and you’ll be happy to know everyone made it there OK. After that, it was right into match number one!

Hahaha gotcha! No, there was an extensive promo package that played comparing WWE and ESPN over the years, showing wrestling and sports have been intertwined over the years and entertainment is key to both.

After it was over, The Triple One himself, HHH appeared in the ring a said that tonight is the “final form” of sports entertainment (take that how you will). He welcomed everyone in and cued the fireworks.

But the show still wasn’t ready to start yet because a black truck pulled up and Mr Indianapolis, Pat McAffee climbed out and sauntered to the join the announce team to a huge ovation.

John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar

OK, I don’t want to deal with this, you don’t want to deal with this, but they are getting it out of the way early, so lets just hold hands and get through it.

Lesnar is 4-2 when it comes to singles matches against Cena. The last time they met was 2014, and Cena walked away with a DQ victory, but took quite a beating in process. Since we last saw him, Lesnar has been lifting presumably large logs and working on his Canadian accent.  

Cena came to the ring with a hoard of children all dressed like him and I swear at one point Lesnar looked confused as to which one he was. Bold strategy, John. Lesnar stomped around the ring as Cena took a moment to highlight the ever present “let’s go Cena/Cena sucks” chant before Alicia Taylor announced the participants.

She got through Cena just fine, but when it came to Lesnar we suddenly heard “Ladies and Gentlemen…” and who should appear but Paul Heyman, longtime manager and mouthpiece for Lesnar. Heyman did his thing and people were excited about that.

The bell rang and Lesnar jumped Cena, sending him into the corner for some shoulders to the gut. Cena punched his way out of it, but Lesnar sent him to the mat with a clothesline, followed by another. Lesnar whipped Cena into the corner, raising welts all over Cena’s back.

Lesnar hit a British Bulldog style powerslam and then threw Cena out of the ring with a suplex. Cena climbed back in and Lesnar locked in a bear hug. Cena fought out of it, and hoisted him up on his shoulders, but Lesnar got free and hit another clothesline.

Lesnar took Cena back to Suplex City (hopefully in time for Suplexpalooza) and tossed him clear across the ring. Cena got up and shoved Lesnar into the turnbuckle. The then hit a dozen shoulders and two back to back AA’s. Cena hit a third AA and Lesnar kicked out at two.

Cena went for his You Can’t See Me Elbow, but Lesnar intercepted and delivered two F5’s. He landed a third F5, but seemed to be in pain doing so. Lesnar hit him again with an F5, bringing the total to four. He didn’t try to pin him though.

Cena staggered to his feet and Lesnar hit a fifth F5, then a quick sixth. Finally he pinned him and the ref counted 1,2,3 to give Lesnar the victory.

Match Result: Brock Lesnar defeated John Cena

After the match, Lesnar went back into the ring and hit an F5 on the ref, then one more on Cena for good measure. Lesnar then took off his gloves and left. Cena staggered out of the ring and up the ramp to “Thank You, Cena” chants.

Not for nothing, but when Lesnar won the match there was barely a cheer from the crowd and no one in the section behind the ring was standing. I can’t for the life of me figure out what this match accomplished, so I’m just going to move on and enjoy whoever Cena faces next on his retirement tour.

The Usos vs. Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker

Jey Uso and LA Knight were in a tag match against Breakker and Reed that went awry. So, it was announced earlier in the night that LA Knight would be the special guest referee for this clash of tag team heavyweights. The Usos have reunited to avenge Roman Reigns who was injured at the hands of Breakker and Reed.

Once Indianapolis was satisfactorily YEET’ed, the bell rang and Reed and Jey kicked things off with a lockup. Reed came out the better and pounded Jey in the corners. Jey turned the tables with a kick to the ear and tagged in Jimmy. They double superkicked Reed and splashed him in the corner.

Reed fought back though and tagged in Breakker. Breaker isolated Jimmy in the corner and laid in some shoulders before throwing him outside. Breakker distracted ref Knight and Reed went for a chair, but Knight saw it and told him to stop. Jimmy picked it up and Knight “turned away” allowing Jimmy to nail Reed with the chair. That brought Breakker to the outside and Jey hit a splash from the top on all three of them.

Back in the ring, Jimmy and Reed fought in the corner, while Jey and Breakker battled on the outside. Breaker got the best of Jey and pulled the rope down so that Jimmy spilled back to the outside. Breakker took a running leap and hit a shoulder on Jimmy. He tossed him back in the ring and went for a cover. Before he could complete it though, he tagged in Breakker and they double teamed Jimmy.

Back on the outside, Reed tried the chair thing again, this time hitting Jimmy in front of Knight, but for some reason he allowed it. Reed tossed the chair and Jimmy back in the ring, with Uso clutching his left knee.

Reed set up the chair in the ring and after a back and forth, Jimmy went for the hot tag, but Reed got one first and Breakker stormed across the ring to take out both Usos. Reed got Jimmy up on his shoulders and Breakker bulldogged him from the top rope.

Breakker went for a pin and argued with Knight when it was only a two count. Reed tagged in and went for a senton, but Jimmy rolled away. When no one was looking, Jimmy set up the chair in between the ropes and lured Reed into it face first.

Jey reappeared on the apron and Jimmy finally got that hot tag. Breakker ran in and Jey punched him into the corner. He hit a crossbody on Breakker but only got a two count. Jimmy pulled a table from under the ring and sent it in to his brother. They both set it up in the middle of the ring, but Brekker and Reed popped up and took them out.

Reed set up the table in the corner with an assist from Knight, the ref. Jey staggered up and Breakker went for a spear, but Jey caught him in a superkick and Jimmy hit one on Reed. The Usos went for a 1D but Reed broke up the pin at two.

Reed put Jey up on the turnbuckle, but Jey fought him off. Breakker ran up for a frankensteiner and then Reed hit Jey with a moonsault. Jimmy got involved and ate a spear from Breakker. Jey then speared Breakker and went up top for an Uso splash, but Breakker would not go down and kicked out at two.

Knight and Reed began arguing at ringside, allowing Jey to hit a superkick and a dive through the ropes. Knight questioned if he was aiming at him, and Heyman threw a chair to Breakker to try and sneak a shot at Jey. Jey intercepted and went to hit Breakker, but Breakker ducked and Jey almost hit Knight. He then threw the chair at reed.

Breakker hit a spear on Jey coming across the ring, covered in Jey’s blodd. Breakker then speared BOTH Usos through the table in the corner. He set up Jey and Reed went up top for a Tsunami. That did it and Reed got the pin, 1-2-3.

Match Result: Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker defeated Jimmy and Jey Uso

I’ll say, it was a fun match, but there was absolutely no reason for LA Knight to be the referee. It would have been easier just to have a No DQ or tables match. Regardless, it was fun and I mean it when I say that Breakker was covered in Uso’s blood.

WWE Women’s World Championship Match: IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer

For those not in the know, Naomi had to vacate the championship a little more than a month into her reign due to becoming pregnant. That set up this match between Vaquer, who was owed a title shot for winning a Battle Royal at WWE Evolution, and IYO SKY, who was next in line to face Naomi. So, the winner of this match is the new Champion.

The two locked up off the top with Vaquer sending Sky to the mat. The two chain wrestled with Vaquer ending up getting Sky in a waist lock. Sky fought out of it and the two ran the ropes ofr a second before flipping in a few pinning combinations, with the crowd cheering the technical showcase.

Vaquer hit a back drop but Sky was able to avoid the Devil’s Kiss. Sky hit a chop block and a dropkick to sent Vaquer to the ropes. Then she stomped her and hoisted her up for a scoop slam. Sky then dropped double knees on Vaquer and rolled her over for a knee lock. Vaquer kicked her way out of it and wrangled Sky into a tarantula around the ropes.

Sky emerged clutching her arm and Vaquer hit a running leg drop. She then hit a big suplex (a Suplex Burrough as opposed to City, if you will) followed by another. She put Sky in a modified surfboard but Sky was able to slide back and turn it into a lock of her own.

After an exchange, Sky hit a stalling backbreaker on Vaquer and both women collapsed. Sky got back to her feet first and hit a missile dropkick from the top turnbuckle. The crowd was into it and Sky hit a suicide dive onto Vaquer on the outside.

They staggered to their feet by the light of the Old Spice signs and Sky tossed Vaquer back into the ring to avoid a countout. Sky tried a sunsetflip pwerbomb, but Vaquer had it scouted and sent Sky off the apron with a double knee. Vaquer dove on her and then threw her back into the ring to hit a springboard crossbody.

Vaquer picked up the speed and snap suplexed Sky. She charged, but Sky caught her and hit a suplex of her own. Vaquer got back up and suplexed Sky in retaliation. The striking began as they traded punches chops and head butts.

Vaquer went back to the suplex well and the crowd was on their feet. Vaquer took too much time to get the Devil’s Kiss in and Sky managed to knock her down and lock in a crossface. Vaquer flipped out of it and right into a knee from Sky.

Sky went up top, but Vaquer caught her in a dragon screw, yanking Sky’s leg through the ropes. Sky recovered and kicked Vaquer square in the temple. Sky started punching her leg to keep going and pulled Sky into position for an Over the Moonsault. Vaquer got her knees up though and Sky bounced across the ring. Vaquer set her up and hit a second dragon screw.

Vaquer dragged Sky to the center of the ring and locked in the Devil’s Kiss, pounding Sky’s head against the canvas. She hit her signature bomb and went for a pin, but Sky kicked out at two.

Vaquer went up top, but Sky went after her and they battled on the top turnbuckle. Sky set up Vaquer and hit a Spanish Fly, but seemed to knock her own knee in the process. Sky went for the pin, but Vaquer kicked out at two.

Digging deep, Sky exposed her knee for a Bullet Train attack in the corner. She then hit a running knee right to Vaquer’s head and dragged her in position for an Over The Moonsault. Sky leapt, but Vaquer rolled out of the way. Vaquer went up top and hit a spiral moonsault. She landed it and pinned Sky for the three count to become the new WWE Women’s World Champion.

Match Result: Stephanie Vaquer defeated IYO SKY

The crowd was hotter for this match than they have been for anything else tonight. These two put on a hell of a show and Vaquer really earned the Championship here.

-For reasons unknown, Pat McAffee signed off after the Vaquer/Sky match, so Cole and Barrett carried on from here.

Mixed Tag Team Match: CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch

Rollins and Punk have been trying to kill each other for years, but they’ve never gotten their wives involved until now. The exciting part is of course the return of Punk’s wife AJ Lee who hasn’t been in WWE in over a decade. Punk and AJ are 2-0 in mixed tag matches, while Lynch and Rollins went 3-0 in 2019. So, someone’s streak is coming to an end, presuming there’s a winner in this match.

The Rollins Family Entrance for this match began on a platform raised about 40 feet in the air. It lowered into a circle of fireworks and they stomped off of it in matching suits with GIGANTIC shoulders and lapels. It was, by definition, very extra.

Punk arrived in an amazing “AJ’s Husband” jacket and announced that it was clobberin’ time. Lee arrived next to a massive ovation and then walked/skipped down to the ring (I’ll let you guess who skipped and who walked. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised).

Lee wanted to start the match, but Lynch waved her off and Punk and Rollins faced off. Then, Lynch decided she wanted in and started shoving punk. The crowd chanted for a GTS, but instead they got an AJ Lee who tagged in and the match actually started.

Lynch bailed from the ring and Lee chased her until she popped back in and tagged Rollins. Rollins and Lynch started making out so CM Punk hit them both with a suicide dive. He then threw Rollins into the barricades and leapt off them, fighting him in the crowd.

Rollins ran back ro the ring and Punk went for a head lock. Rollins sent him into the corner and Lynch reached over and choked him behind the ref’s back. Punk shook it off and returned the favour, driving Rollins into the corner for Lee to mess with him out of the ref’s sight.

Punk grabbed Rollins for an atomic drop followed by a big chop. He landed an axe handle on Rollins’ head and went up top for a shot from the top rope. Rollins crumpled and Punk tried it again, but Rollins kicked him instead. Punk bounced off the ropes and caught a kick from Lynch. Rollins stomped him until he rolled out of the ring where Lynch sent him into the steps.

Lee ran around to help, but Rollins got in her way. Rollins grabbed Punk and laid him out on the announce table, punching him. He then tossed him back into the ring and hit an axe handle from the top rope. Punk tried to stand, but Rollins stomped his hand and delivered some chops before kicking him in the face.

Rollins went over and kissed Lynch (which apparently didn’t count as a tag) and then threw Punk onto the ropes for a big knee to the back of the head. Punk reached for Lee, but Rollins wouldn’t let it happen. Punk threw punches, but Rollins held him back.

Lee bounced on the ropes as Rollins whipped Punk back into the corner. Punk tried to crawl to the tag, but Rollins intercepted and tried for a suplex. Punk blocked it and tried for one of his own that Rollins blocked. They went back and forth until Punk executed a suplex and crawled over to get the tag. Rollins cut him off again though.

Punk fought hard against Rollins, pushing him closer and closer to finally get the hot tag, but the ref didn’t see it. She put Lee back in her corner allowing Rollins and Lynch to double team Punk. Rollins lifted Lynch up to throw her at Punk, but Punk rolled out and Rollins dropped her right on the mat.

Rollins charged Punk who sent him out and just before he could get the tag, Lynch pulled Lee off the apron. In the ring, Rollins hit a Falcon Arrow, but Punk kicked out at two. Rollins then skipped around thr ring, mocking Lee. He rolled out of the ring and skipped around her before climbing back in.

The mocking might have gone on too long though as Punk scooped him up and hit a GTS, knocking Rollins cold. Punk went to tag Lee, but Lynch grabbed his foot trying to prevent it. Punk blew her a kiss and made the tag anyway.

Lee entered the ring with a Thez press and rained down shots on Lynch. She threw Lynch to the corner and stomped her, then delivering a splash in the corner. Lee climbed the turnbuckles and punched Lynch exactly 10 times before laying Lynch out with a spin kick.

Lee went up top for a crossbody and got a two count, with Lynch just kicking out. Lee pulled Lynch up to her feet and the two traded slaps. Rollins rolled back in and pulled Lee off of Lynch. Lee then punched him in the face about it and then hit a DDT on Lynch. Rollins grabbed her, but Punk arrived and hit a sliced bread with is own wife.

Lynch and Rollins were dazed in each corner and Lee and Punk hit duelling bulldogs and shining wizards. Lee tried for a black widow submission, but Lynch thew her off. Lee tried it again and managed to lock it on. Rollins tried to save his wife, but Punk grabbed him and locked in a sharpshooter. Rollins kicked his way out of it though and Lee put a Black Widow on Seth. Lynch broke it up and she and Rollins hit a double Pedigree on Punk and Lee.

Rollins and Lynch made motions like they were going to hit duelling GTS’s, but Punk sent Rollins to the outside. Lee took advantage and hit Lynch with a Bexploder. Rollins grabbed her ankle and dropped Lee in the ring. Punk then hit a curbstomp on Rollins and Lynch began hitting Punk.

Punk caught her foot through when she went for a kick and looked to put her in a sharpshooter. Rollins interfered, and Lynch put the sharpshooter on Punk! Punk powered out of it and reversed it. Rollins then broke it up with a Pedigree and curb stomp.

Rollins went for the pin, but Lee broke it up. Lynch grabbed her and hit a Manhandle slam, but Lee kicked out at two.

Lynch got to her feet first and threw a few shots at Lee. Lee hit a few of her own until Rollins and Punk pulled them apart so they had room to brawl. Lee and Lynch then pulled them apart and started a brawl of their own. Then everyone brawled.

Lee and Punk sent Rollins and Lynch out of the ring and Punk flipped Rollins over the announce table. Lee took the monitors off the Spanish Announce Table and Punk began to clear Cole and Barrett’s table. They grabbed Lynch and Rollins and put them on the tables.

Rollins and Lynch woke up and reversed it though, with Lynch sending Lee into Punk and Rollins, collapsing their table. Lynch grabbed Lee and threw her back into the ring. Lynch went for a Manhandle, but Lee locked in a Black Widow, forcing Lynch to tap out.

Match Result: CM Punk & AJ Lee defeated Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch

That was a ton of fun. Lynch and Rollins are some of the best characters in WWE right now and Punk and Lee made her return a really good one. It was a great match that ticked all the boxes without making them feel like a list. Great work by all four.

We were all set for the Main Event when suddenly we were interrupted by the Undertaker’s dong. The American Badass rolled down to the ring on his motorcycle and hopped into the ring while Stephanie McMahon clapped at ringside.

Undertaker grabbed a mic and asked her if he could sit next to her in the crowd. They sat down and discussed what they did last weekend. They had a pleasant conversation and then Undertaker asked her “… are you ready?” He then announced that Stephanie would be be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2026. They hugged as the crowd cheered.

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre

Cody Rhodes wears big coats. Drew McIntyre occasionally wears a big coat. That has nothing to do with this match, but they are some nice coats. Anyway, McIntyre put Rhodes out of action for a month via Claymore to the face, so there’s some animosity there. Rhodes issued this challenge to settle the face-kicking thing once and for all, here in the Main Event of the only palooza that matters, Wrestlepalooza.

McIntyre started off the match by approaching Rhodes and opening his arms as if asking for a hug. Rhodes didn’t go for it though and the two started to fight with McIntyre sending Rhodes into the ropes and landing a headlock.

They traded blows with Rhodes landing a bionic elbow and bringing McIntyre to his knees. Rhodes went for a Cody Cutter, but stalled and seemed to fall over, indicating that maybe he isn’t at 100%. He put a waist lock on McIntyre to fought out of it and armdragged Rhodes. Rhodes hit a disaster kick and sent McIntyre out of the ring.

Rhodes went for a suicide dive but McIntyre caught him and sent him into the ring post before throwing Rhodes over the announce table. He put Rhodes back in the ring and he stumbled again, allowing McIntyre to get a couple of belly-to-belly throws in.

McIntyre charged and Rhodes moved, sending him into the ring post. McIntyre lured Rhodes out of the ring and hit an Alabama Slam onto the steel steps. He thew Rhodes back into the ring, but could only get a two count.

Rhodes covered up as McIntyre stomped and punched him. McIntyre went up to the top turnbuckle, but Rhodes followed and landed a superplex. Both slowly got to their feet and started trading punches. Rhodes landed a powerslam and then a disaster kick. He landed a Cody Cutter but looked dazed in between.

He set up McIntyre for a Crossrhodes, but McIntrye got a way and delivered a Glasgow kiss. He then grabbed Rhodes on the top turnbuckle and hit a while noise for a two count. He tried for a Claymore, but Rhodes caught him and stacked him up for a two count.

Rhodes then wrapped McIntyre up in a figure four, but he was able to throw him off. While the ref checked on Rhodes, McIntyre pulled the turnbuckle pad off. McIntyre stacked up Rhodes, but the ref was out of position and couldn’t count the three in time. Rhodes took advantage of the situation and hit a Crossrhodes. McIntyre kicked out at two. McIntyre then landed a Claymore kick, but Rhodes wouldn’t go down and kicked out at two.

On the outside, McIntyre set Rhodes up against the announce table for a big boot. The ref tried to stop McIntyre, but he went for it and Rhodes rolled out of the way. McIntyre kicked through the Announce table, screaming with pain. He went back in and hit a Glasgow kiss. Mcintyre tried for a Claymore, but his leg buckled, allowing Rhodes to hit a super cutter.

Rhodes hit a picture perfect Crossrhodes and pinned McIntyre 1,2,3 to get the victory and retain the title.

Match Result: Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre

Pretty good main event! I liked Cody selling the potential head injury and McIntyre is very good and playing a villain. The stuff with the Ref might come back to haunt Rhodes, but for the most part, lots of fun and a good night of wrestling!

WWE Wrestlepalooza preview, predictions & odds: The ESPN era begins

Posted on by Ian Carey

In case you hadn’t heard, WWE presents Wrestlepalooza tonight live from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

It’s the first PLE aired in the U.S. under their new ESPN deal and WWE is going to pull out all the stops to make it both a fun and newsworthy event. They are expecting new eyeballs and some lapsed eyeballs on this show, so expect them to do everything they can to rope those viewers in.

When looking at the lineup, it seems as though the results are a foregone conclusion. However, the betting lines don’t always line up with what you think is going to happen.

Below are previews, predictions, and betting odds for each match at Wrestlepalooza (7 PM Eastern start on ESPN domestically & Netflix internationally):

John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar

Cena is a -350 favorite to defeat Lesnar (+225) and I’ve never been more baffled by a wrestling betting line in my life.

Cena is retiring in a few months and Lesnar just signed a new WWE contract, so it feels a little odd to have the retiring guy beat the one you likely want to be a big part of storylines moving forward. But, the betting line has favored Cena ever since odds were released.

There are a few reasons I can think of as to why Cena is favored: belief that WWE primarily wants babyfaces to win on their first ESPN show, it could set up a second match between them afterward, or perhaps some believe Lesnar only signed a short-term deal to come in, lose to Cena, and leave again. I don’t really think any of those are particularly strong possibilities, though.

When the odds were first released, Cena was a -300 favorite. In yesterday’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, I had the odds at -400. Now, they have simmered down to -350.

Prediction: The scrappy +225 underdog Lesnar wins

The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed

Breakker & Reed are currently -500 favorites to defeat The Usos (+300), but I’d give them better odds than that.

Their odds of winning have fluctuated around -500 and -400 since they were released. Considering the current storyline with The Usos seems to involve a building rivalry between Jey and LA Knight, having the Bron Brons go over, possibly due to something Knight does, feels like the most likely finish to this match. Perhaps, if we’re lucky, Reed will steal somebody’s shoes as well.

Prediction: Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker

Vacant WWE Women’s World Championship: IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Vaquer is only a -200 favorite to defeat SKY and win the vacant WWE Women’s World title, and the line has been a little funny since it was released.

Last week, Vaquer was a -600 favorite to beat SKY. Considering WWE has been spending a lot of time building a storyline involving SKY, Asuka, and a somewhat stuck-in-the-middle Kairi Sane, it feels likely that Vaquer walks away with the title, but confidence in that has been slipping the last two weeks.

One thought is that Vaquer’s odds dropped due to rumors she was injured, which she denied, stemming from her missing Raw two weeks ago. She’s wrestled twice on television since then, however, so it’s a little confusing why her odds have continued to drop all week.

Regardless, Vaquer walking away with the title here feels much more likely than -200, but I guess we’ll see.

Prediction: Stephanie Vaquer is the champ

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defends against Drew McIntyre

I don’t think too many people are giving McIntyre much of a chance to win the title here, and the oddsmakers agree with Rhodes a -1500 favorite.

This match could be a turning point for McIntyre’s character. For years, his bitterness had grown due to The Bloodline, and later CM Punk, costing him matches for a World title. He said during the contract signing on SmackDown last night that he knows Rhodes will give him a fair shot at the title with no interference. I’m expecting McIntyre to lose clean here which would mean he no longer has that chip on his shoulder.

So then what happens to McIntyre’s character? That part is far more in question than the results of this match.

Prediction: Cody Rhodes retains

CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch

Punk and Lee are currently -2500 favorites to win.

When the odds first came out, they were -1000 favorites. By Thursday, those odds had increased to -3000, and they’ve now settled back down to -2500. Barring a mid-match injury, AJ getting the pin or submission on Lynch seems like the most likely conclusion to this match, setting up a singles match for the women’s Intercontinental title between them somewhere down the line on a future ESPN show.

Prediction: Punk & Lee

CM Punk reveals what led to AJ Lee’s WWE return

Posted on by Bryan Rose

CM Punk has revealed more details on what led to AJ Lee’s return.

Talking to Pete Rosenberg and Big E on ESPN, CM Punk brought up that at one time, he considered Lee’s return to WWE a “hard no,” but also noted that timing was important in her decision to return as well.

“The ball was always going to be in her court, it just needed to be a conversation,” he said. “Timing was super important. Timing, in this business, is everything. And she’s so busy with everything else, that’s one of the bigger reasons why I just assumed, okay, ten years, it’s long gone. She has so many irons in so many different fires with production companies, so many different scripts, re-writes, and doing her own acting when it comes down the pipe. I just figured she’s too busy and it would never happen. I guess timing was everything in this instance.”

“One day she asked me, ‘I’m so busy doing stuff, but I have this time coming up. If I were to come back, what would you do? Talk to me, essentially, go ahead, book it,” Punk added. “To me, that’s what I do. My brain never shuts off and I said, ‘Well, I would do this, this, and this…” the fact that she didn’t say no right away and she wasn’t turned off by it, there was a hint of a spark.”

Lee made her return to WWE earlier this month, confronting Becky Lynch after she repeatedly slapped Punk and cost him the World Heavyweight title at Clash in Paris. She and Punk will now meet Lynch and Seth Rollins in a mixed tag match at Wrestlepalooza on Saturday.

Wrestling Weekly: AEW All Out & WWE Wrestlepalooza predictions

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Image: AEW

It’s a big weekend of wrestling for AEW and WWE and that means another big Wrestling Weekly with Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa.

The guys run down the cards for both shows and make predictions about who will emerge victorious and who might have to rethink their next move.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

AJ Lee on WWE return: ‘It had to feel brand new’

Posted on by Ian Carey

AJ Lee shared new details on how long she’s been considering an in-ring comeback during a recent interview.

Lee will wrestle her first match in 10 years on Saturday when she teams with her husband CM Punk against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch at WWE Wrestlepalooza. She told ESPN SportsCenter on Wednesday that the response to her WWE return has been humbling.

Lee said:

“I was sort of imagining what that moment could be like and I in no way anticipated the response would be as humbling and amazing as it has been. So I still feel a little bit like I’ve disassociated, I’m just imagining all this, and it’s been pretty cool.”

When asked what brought her out of retirement after a decade away from the ring, she said:

“It’s sort of been something that was in the air for the past couple of years as an option. However, when I retired, I was very comfortable staying retired and I felt very complete in my career. So I’ve always said to do something, to embark on a new journey, it has to feel brand new, it has to feel like I’m needed, it has to feel exciting and kind of scary. And so starting this new chapter on ESPN feels like a whole new mountain the company needs to climb and I was flattered that they believed that I could help sort of draw eyeballs in that way.”

Lee also addressed what facing Becky Lynch means to her.

“Also, Becky is very interesting to me. I think that she’s wonderful in the ring and we have a lot of similarities and she would not be an easy person to get back in the ring with.”

Lee was asked if she’s concerned about having ring rust when she wrestles on Saturday.

“I mean, yes. It’s been 10 years. I try to stretch as much as I can, but you don’t really know what’s going to happen when you get out there.”

Lee returned to WWE on the September 5, 2025 edition of SmackDown, held in Chicago. On WWE Raw on Monday, Lee took a Man-handle slam from Becky Lynch to close their segment with Punk and Seth Rollins.

AJ Lee’s full appearance on ESPN SportsCenter is available below:

CM Punk: Having AJ Lee back in WWE is ‘like a dream come true’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Having AJ Lee back in WWE is like a dream come true for CM Punk.

“I’m having the time of my life,” Punk told Pardon My Take when asked about his wife’s return. “I’m like the uber, nerdiest wife guy. I always like to say I try to spend as much time with my wife as I can, and I spend a lot of time with her. And it never feels like it’s enough. So having her be back in this environment with me at work is like a dream come true.”

Lee, a popular star from the 2010s era of WWE, made her long-awaited return to the company on the September 5 episode of SmackDown. At Wrestlepalooza this Saturday, she will be competing in her first match since retiring in 2015. It will be a battle of married couples with Lee & Punk facing Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins in a mixed tag match.

During the Pardon My Take interview, Punk praised Lee for how hard she works in the gym.

“She’s inspirational, honestly,” Punk said. “Her willpower, a lot of that’s diet. But she’s also super strong in the gym and she’s, like, lifting heavy weights and busting her ass all the time.”

Punk noted that he was originally supposed to be in Austin, Texas this Friday to attend the premiere for his upcoming horror movie “Night Patrol.” But once the idea of Lee’s return became a reality, he had to make some calls and skip out on the premiere.

Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis is hosting Wrestlepalooza on Saturday. It’s the first event in WWE’s new PLE deal with ESPN.

WWE Raw live results: Wrestlepalooza go-home show

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: September 15, 2025
Location: MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA 

The Big Takeaway —

Wrestlepalooza is Saturday. 

**********

Show Recap — 

Penta (wearing his mask but no makeup underneath), Stephanie Vaquer, El Grande Americano, and Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed were shown arriving. (It’s a little weird that they show Penta without his face paint for the sake of this gimmick of showing people arriving at the arena.) 

There was a recap of Jey Uso spearing LA Knight as Raw concluded last week. 

Back to the live show, Knight shoved Jey Uso as he arrived with Jimmy Uso. Adam Pearce and some officials quickly broke it up, and he demanded they see him in his office or their paychecks would be missing zeros. 

Despite some stars actively on the screen, the crowd was already chanting for John Cena, who is scheduled to open the show. 

Joe Tessitore and Corey Graves are tonight’s announcers.

John Cena kicks off Raw

Cena was happy to be back on Raw and in Springfield, Massachusetts. Cena informed the younger fans in the crowd that he played football up the street at Springfield College. He told the older fans he was an offensive lineman, which is why they probably didn’t know this. 

Being an OL meant you never got your name in the paper, you got your ass kicked, and you showed up the next day prepared to get your ass kicked again. Springfield College prepared him for life in WWE. 

Cena said he had friends and family in the building tonight, and he wished his niece a happy birthday because she couldn’t be here tonight. He acknowledged that there was no stage because the arena was packed. 

He enjoyed these moments with the fans and wanted to while he could, because he had a tall hill to climb. His intro called him the last real champion, but Brock Lesnar wanted to end the last real champion. 

He called Lesnar intimidating, “controversial,” and nearly invisible. Fans chanted, “F—k you, Lesnar.” 

Cena said Lesnar returned to WWE once again and again targeted him. Cena could have used his influence to turn down a match with Lesnar. Saying ‘no’ was safe, especially with only six appearances left. The crowd chanted, “Whoop his ass,” and “Thank you, Cena.”

As the fans chanted, Cena said they were the reason he said ‘yes’. He was the last real champion. He didn’t fight his battles backstage, he fought them in the ring. Being the last real champion wasn’t about holding a belt or fighting in the main event. The last real champion didn’t take their ball and go home. They fought with hustle, loyalty and respect. 

Cena admitted he was afraid of Lesnar and could fail—but he would never back down. We would take the fight to the beast because that’s what we did. On the history-making Wrestlepalooza on ESPN, it would be the final showdown between two generational titans. 

Cena didn’t care how many suplexes Lesnar had in Suplex City. He has taken Lesnar’s best shot for 20 years. His jorts were stronger than Lesnar’s jeans. On Saturday, Cena was ready for war. 

*********

Pearce met with Jey and Knight. After some arguing, Pearce agreed to Knight’s request to fight the Brons tonight, but said he needed to pick a partner. Knight looked Jey in the eye and said his partner would be Jimmy. Jey didn’t like that, but there was nothing he could do. 

Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez (w/Raquel Rodriguez)

Rodriguez tripped Valkyria from outside the ring, so the referee tossed her from ringside. Perez applied a cradle, but the referee missed it because she was still arguing with Rodriguez. After she left, Perez yanked Valkyria off the top turnbuckle to take control. 

(The match started as soon as they returned from a break, so they were actually able to wrestle for about four minutes instead of the usual 90 seconds before going to break.) 

There were chants for both women during the break. Perez cut off Valkyria’s comeback and hit a double knee drop for two. Perez applied a crossface, but Valkyria powered to her feet and hit Nightwing for the pinfall win. 

— Rodriguez attacked Valkyria from behind after the match, and Perez gave her a Pop Rox. Bayley ran out to make the save. She wiped out Rodriguez and gave Perez a Bayley-to-belly. 

The crowd was happy to see Bayley, who was full babyface—at least at first. She suddenly had a stern demeanour as she stared at Valkyria, but she snapped out of it and turned into hugger Bayley. She smiled and excitedly hugged Tessitore, Graves, Alicia Taylor, and a bunch of fans. (So, Bayley will indeed be doing a split-personality gimmick.) 

Valkyria was nonplussed. 

Match result: Lyra Valkyria defeated Roxanne Perez (9:06)

This match was just there to get Valkyria a win after losing to Rodriguez last week and set up Bayley’s return. 

********

Pearce met with Iyo Sky and Stephanie Vaquer backstage. He made their world title match official for Wrestlepalooza. They wished each other luck. 

Asuka and Kairi Sane barged in. Asuka got in Vaquer’s face and told her she wasn’t ready for Sky. Vaquer told her to get out of her face, so Asuka told Vaquer she would face Sane tonight. Sane was surprised to hear this, but she was ready. Pearce made it official. Asuka giggled as she left, before calling for Sane to join her. (Asuka is so good in this role.) 

******** 

Knight met with Jimmy Uso. Jimmy didn’t think it was a good idea for them to team up. Knight said he could trust Jimmy after he helped him last week. Jimmy said Knight put him in a tough spot and politely declined being his partner. Knight left. 

********

They’ve removed the commercial break countdown timer, at least for this week. I wasn’t sure if they were in a commercial break or not, but I realized they were because New Day cut a promo. 

Xavier Woods and Grayson Waller wanted the Mexican Destroyer banned. Kofi Kingston said his home state should be cheering him, but he understood because his part of the state had much more money than this piss-hole city. Kingston called Pearce a tyrant and told the fans they should thank God for him. 

Penta vs. Kofi Kingston (w/Xavier Woods & Grayson Waller)

Kingston took control thanks to a distraction about a minute into the match, and they went to break. Kingston cut off Penta’s comeback attempt after the break with an SOS. They traded strikes until Penta hit an enziguri. (Woods made cracks to the fans about Shelbyville because they were in Springfield.)

Penta set up for the Canadian Destroyer, but Woods distracted the referee. Penta superkicked Waller before he could interfere and chased Woods off the apron. Penta then hit Kingston with a springboard Destroyer for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Penta defeated Kofi Kingston (7:30) 

This was an ordinary match until the finish, which looked awesome. Penta gets his win back over Kingston, who beat him three weeks ago. 

This was the second straight match with a distraction, and this is now seven straight going back to last week. 

********

Jimmy approached Jey as Jey was leaving a voicemail for someone on the phone. Jey didn’t tell him who it was. They had a disagreement after Jey told Jimmy he had to turn down Knight tonight. Jimmy said he already turned down Knight, but he also didn’t like the way Jey was bossing him around as if he had the Ula Fala around his neck. Jimmy stormed off. 

After a break, Jimmy told Knight he would be his partner tonight. Knight was glad to hear it. 

There was a clip of Jey Uso throwing out the first pitch at yesterday’s Boston Red Sox game. 

******** 

AJ Lee & CM Punk go face-to-face with Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins 

Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch entered first (Rollins’ music played first, followed by Lynch’s). Rollins took his time introducing himself and Lynch. Rollins introduced her the way he introduces himself, including calling her “Becky freakin’ Lynch.” 

AJ Lee and CM Punk entered to Lee’s music. Punk introduced himself as Lee’s husband. He didn’t plan on wasting time (like Rollins) with a long-winded introduction explaining who she was. (The fans chanted for Punk at first, so he made sure to feed them a line to get them to chant for Lee as well.) 

Punk referred to Lynch and Rollins as goofs (based on their matching leather outfits) and said they must share the same closet. They also came out to two annoying songs, but Punk gladly put Cult of Personality on the shelf so they could enter to Lee’s Let’s Light it Up (patting himself on the back). 

Rollins actually wanted to give Punk some credit because Lee was the best decision he ever made—in his personal life. (After some “Shut the f—k up” chants, the crowd chanted, “No one likes you.”) However, inserting Lee into this was something he would regret for the rest of his days. 

Lee said the regret would be Rollins’. She wouldn’t even be here if he hadn’t used his wife as a human shield. 

Lynch said nobody expected Lee to come back, and she couldn’t believe how irresponsible Punk was. She said Punk only cared about three things: himself, Rollins’ title, and AJ. 

Lynch read Lee’s book and said she might have healed mentally, but she wondered how she felt physically. Lynch asked how her neck was doing and asked how Punk would feel when she pummeled Lee’s face in. Lynch called Lee a liability, not an asset. 

Lee thanked Lynch for reading her book and said she didn’t read Lynch’s. (The crowd sang Lee’s name.) Lee admitted she didn’t know how her neck would hold up on Saturday. Lee also said she won two titles on that same neck. (Lee made a comment about Lynch looking constipated, so the fans chanted for that, too.) 

She didn’t know what she was going to do on Saturday. She’s been known to make rash decisions. She was a Puerto Rican girl from New Jersey—sometimes you had to shank a chick. Rollins liked to have a plan, but Lee warned them that they can’t plan for what they can’t predict. 

Rollins laughed at the idea that he couldn’t handle Lee. He called her a little girl. He may not be able to predict her, but he could read Punk like a book. Rollins warned Lee that Punk had a habit of leaving things when he was let down. Lee better hope to God that Punk doesn’t leave her, too. 

Lee slapped Rollins. Rollins said he wouldn’t put his hands on a lady, but knew someone who would. Lynch was not on board with this right now, so they argued. Punk and Lee looked on, amused. Lynch and Rollins argued until Lynch stormed off. 

It was all part of the plan, of course, and Punk fell for it. Punk went after Rollins, who escaped the ring. That left Lee alone, so Lynch caught her from behind and hit a Man-handle Slam. 

Punk tended to Lee as he stared down Lynch. Lynch slapped him and left with Rollins. The heels held their belts up high as Punk checked on Lee. 

********

There was a recap of Dominik Mysterio winning the AAA Mega Championship. Byron Saxton interviewed Dom and asked him about El Grande Americano. Dom responded, “Don’t worry about it, sweetheart,” and called himself the Mega Intercontinental Champion. 

The interview was cut short by a nearby commotion. New Day laid out Penta, and the War Raiders chased them off. 

El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) vs. Dragon Lee

There was a cool sequence early on where Dragon Lee used a leaping hurricanrana over the top rope to send El Grande Americano off the apron. Dragon Lee followed with a flip dive, sending both men into the announce table. 

Americano took over during a break. (He tied Dragon Lee’s mask to the rope during the break, which Kingston also did to Penta during the earlier match.) Lee hit Liger Bomb for two and a double foot stomp off the top rope for two. 

The distraction/interference streak continued because a mystery masked man attacked Lee. Americano hit a leaping blockbuster for a nearfall. 

AJ Styles marched out to even the odds. The masked man (Pete Dunne) tried to hide under the ring, but Tessitore pointed him out. Styles chucked him over the barricade. 

Styles stood by the timekeeper’s area but was attacked by a third masked person. The third person distracted the referee while masked Dunne shoved Dragon Lee off the top rope. Kaiser applied a deep submission, and Lee tapped out. 

— The three masked men did the Spider-Man meme pose outside the ring. 

Match result: El Grande Americano defeated Dragon Lee (10:12) 

Three matches on Raw, three distractions. That’s eight straight going back to last week. 

********

Valkyria approached Bayley’s locker room door but stopped upon hearing an argument. Bayley’s personalities were arguing with each other until there was a loud bang against the door. Valkyria hesitantly entered the room, and Bayley sat calmly on a sofa. Bayley told her off for entering without knocking and called her an idiot. Bayley stormed off. 

********

Rhea Ripley (who got a huge pop) approached Vaquer to wish her luck and tell her that she’d be ready for the winner. 

Stephanie Vaquer vs. Kairi Sane (w/Asuka)

The crowd was relatively quiet until Vaquer set up for Devil’s Kiss, but Sane countered it into a roll up for two. Sane followed with a DDT and went to the top, but Vaquer followed her there. A battle on the ropes led to Sane hitting a double foot stomp (the same one we saw in the last match) for two. Sane hit consecutive spinning back fists, but Vaquer came back with a headbutt and a dragon screw. 

Sane rolled outside the ring into the arms of Asuka, so Vaquer wiped them out with a dive off the top. Back in the ring, Vaquer hit Sane with Devil’s Kiss and SVB for a nice, clean pinfall win.

— Asuka hit the apron and got in Vaquer’s face, but Sky ran out to get between them before anything could happen. Sky settled Asuka down until she left. 

Sky and Vaquer faced off and shook hands ahead of their title match on Saturday. 

Match result: Stephanie Vaquer defeated Kairi Sane (11:57)

******** 

There was a video package for Breakker and Reed. 

A red-hot Asuka confronted Sky as Sane tried holding her back. Asuka wanted to ensure Sky became champion, but Sky wanted to do it on her own. Asuka continued screaming in Japanese. She seemed to agree to Sky’s request, but she was pissed. 

******* 

The announcers ran down the Wrestlepalooza card and let us know how we can watch. 

  • John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar 
  • CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. World Champion Seth Rollins & Women’s IC Champion Becky Lynch (mixed tag match) 
  • IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer for the vacant Women’s World Championship 
  • Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship 
  • The Usos vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed 

******** 

The Judgment Day met backstage. They toasted champagne to congratulate Dom on his title win. (Finn Bálor’s glass was all head, poured poorly by JD McDonagh. Bálor didn’t seem to appreciate that.) 

Bálor was still unhappy with Dom about the El Grande Americano situation. He fired up at Dom until McDonagh calmed him down. McDonagh asked Dom what Americano wanted from him. 

Dom didn’t think it was a big deal that Americano would simply want the respect of the greatest Mysterio ever. Bálor told him that he shouldn’t expect their help next time. Bálor and McDonagh left together. 

Rusev approached Dom. Rusev got in his face and told him he was the next IC champion. Rusev smiled and told him to enjoy his party. 

********

LA Knight & Jimmy Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed 

Knight and Jimmy worked well together early on and had control until Reed headbutting Jimmy gave the heels control during a break. The crowd chanted for Jimmy, who was cut down by a Breakker suplex. Jimmy avoided Reed’s senton and made the hot tag to Knight. 

Knight gave Breakker a neckbreaker, but turning his attention to Reed allowed Breakker to cut him off with a knee strike. Reed tagged in, but Knight avoided a Jagged Edge (DVD) and hit a reverse DDT and elbow drop. Jimmy tagged himself in and hit an Uso splash, but Breakker broke up the cover. 

Knight clotheslined Breakker out of the ring, and Jimmy hit Reed with a suicide dive. Jimmy went for another, but Reed caught him with a forearm. Knight attacked Reed and sent him back into the ring. Jimmy hit Reed with a superkick and spear. As Jimmy went to the top, Breakker ran over Knight with a leaping shoulder tackle. 

Breakker went after Jimmy, but Jimmy kicked him off the apron. The distraction allowed Reed to hit Jimmy with Jagged Edge for the pinfall win. 

— Breakker speared Jimmy after the match, so Jey ran out to make the save. Jey attacked both Brons with a chair as the fans Yeeted. 

The crowd gasped as Knight grabbed a steel chair with Jey’s back turned. Jey turned around and went face-to-face with Knight. Knight dropped the chair, and Jey offered a handshake. 

Knight shook his hand—then dropped him with a BFT (as payback for last week). 

Match result: Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker defeated Jimmy Uso & LA Knight (12:02)

Wrestling Weekly: Ticket prices keep climbing, WrestleMania potentially going international

Posted on by Victor Sosa

It’s Friday and a new Wrestling Weekly with Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa has arrived.

WWE ticket prices keep climbing and seeing WrestleMania live in a couple of years might require a passport for US citizens. We discuss TKO COO Mark Shapiro’s recent comments and the rumors regarding WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia.

We also discuss AJ Lee’s first promo and AEW’s TV partner potentially under new ownership.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

Fight Game: AJ Lee’s return is a home run

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and Garrett Gonzales return with a brand-new Fight Game to discuss the latest happenings in the world of wrestling.

We kicked off the show with our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week before getting to our headline topic about AJ Lee’s return to WWE.

We also talked about the following:

  • WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia
  • Brock Lesnar’s return being overshadowed
  • Some odd happenings on AEW Dynamite
  • Early preview of All Out vs. Wrestlepalooza
  • A new segment called “Ask LaRocca”

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF – Exclusive Subscriber only Podcasts

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Triple H praises AJ Lee’s WWE return: ‘As charismatic as ever’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Triple H says AJ Lee “hasn’t missed a beat.”

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, WWE’s Chief Content Officer addressed Lee’s return, saying:

“It’s funny, she’s been out 10 years and hasn’t missed a beat. Just right in there as charismatic as ever. Fans are loving it so it’s going to be great.”

Triple H also addressed Lee’s upcoming match at Wrestlepalooza teaming with CM Punk against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. Triple H called it the biggest mixed tag they’ve done since he and Stephanie McMahon teamed up against Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle at WrestleMania 34.

“On a high level like this, it’s been a while,” he said after being asked when WWE’s last high-profile mixed tag was.

“There’s a part of me that wants to say the biggest and the last really big high-profile mixed tag we did was myself and Steph, Kurt and Ronda at WrestleMania.”

Also during the interview, Triple H revealed that he did not attend this week’s Raw as he was recording an episode of the Kill Tony podcast on Monday night.

“To be honest, I was not there, I haven’t had a chance to watch the show yet. I did Kill Tony last night,” he said when asked why the Stephanie Vaquer/IYO Sky contract signing didn’t take place.

Triple H’s comments about AJ Lee’s WWE return are available below.