Rezar says ‘very unprofessional’ Wyatt Sicks incident led to AOP’s WWE exit

A house show incident led to The Authors of Pain departing WWE in early 2025.

Coming off his successful Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut, Gzim Selmani (Rezar) was a guest on The Ariel Helwani Show on Tuesday. He opened up about AOP’s WWE release and said it stemmed from something that happened at a house show tour in December 2024. AOP were working matches against The Wyatt Sicks on the loop, and one of the members of The Wyatt Sicks tried to change things up mid-match.

“Yeah, there was an incident. Very unprofessional from one of those guys, I don’t know their names,” Selmani said. “I don’t want to go into it too deeply, but there was an incident at one of the Holiday Tours that we did. Somebody tried to switch up the match during the match. And that’s just a no-go for me, especially if you’ve just been in the company for a little bit and we were already there for a long time. You know, you don’t do that. And, yeah, I just had to let somebody know. And that was the end of it.”

Selmani did not name which member of The Wyatt Sicks he was talking about. He said the mid-match change had nothing to do with the actual result of the bout. It concerned certain moves that the Wyatt Sicks member no longer wanted to take, which led to an argument backstage following the match.

“They tried to switch up the match in the middle of the match,” Selmani said. “So, you know, I’m a professional, even if I gotta take a beating in the wrestling ring, I do it. And if you’re going to be a scared little, you know, b*tch, then it’s not my fault, you know? I will let you know backstage.”

Selmani said he’s happy with what AOP accomplished in WWE, and he’s at peace with how their run ended. He was never 100 percent comfortable in pro wrestling and feels shoot fighting organizations like BKFC are the right place for him.

AOP spent two separate stints with WWE. During their latter run, they were part of The Final Testament with Karrion Kross. Selmani told Helwani that he thinks WWE dropped the ball by not giving Kross a bigger push during his time there.

“Same thing with him, man. He got promised so f***ing much,” Selmani said. “They dropped the ball on that guy. Very sad.”

Former WWE wrestler wins BKFC debut by KO

A former WWE wrestler scored a major win in his bare knuckle fighting debut.

Gizm Selmani, formerly Rezar of the Authors of Pain, won a second round KO over Dan Curtin on Saturday. In his post-fight interview, he laid out his goals and mentioned his pro wrestling past.

“I’m here to knock mother*******s out anywhere in the mother******g world. Come get it, mother******s,” he said in a obscenity-laced promo. “I’m the motherf****r that came from WWE to this place. I fought my a** off and I’m here. “

Rezar is a former MMA fighter amassing a 4-2 record, losing his last fight to Daniel Gallemore back in 2014 at Bellator 130. He signed with the WWE the following year and was soon put in a team with Akam as the Authors of Pain. They achieved success in NXT and on the main roster, holding the Raw Tag Team titles before being released in 2020.

When Triple H became CCO of WWE, they were brought back in 2023 and reunited with Paul Ellering to form a new group consisting of themselves, Karrion Kross, and Scarlett. After losing to Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits at WrestleMania XL and to Fraxiom on an episode of NXT, they were released from their contracts in early 2025.

AOP vs. Malik Blade & Edris Enofe added to WWE NXT lineup

A new match has been announced for Tuesday’s edition of WWE NXT. 

The Authors of Pain vs. Malik Blade & Edris Enofe is now scheduled for the show. 

Akam and Rezar along with Karrion Kross and Scarlett made a surprise appearance on last week’s episode and attacked new tag team champions Axiom and Nathan Frazer. The segment ended with AOP holding up the NXT Tag Team titles. 

Final Testament’s manager Paul Ellering has recently been teasing a return of his old ventriloquist dummy.

AOP are coming off a loss at WrestleMania 40. They teamed with Kross and dropped a six-man tag to Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits. Enofe & Blade’s last televised match was on Main Event two weeks ago when they lost to Hank Walker & Tank Ledger. 

Six matches and one segment are now confirmed for Tuesday’s show. 

The announced lineup for the Tuesday, April 16 WWE NXT:

  • Steel cage match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams
  • Ridge Holland vs. Joaquin Wilde
  • Lola Vice vs. Sol Ruca
  • Dijak vs. Noam Dar
  • Thea Hail vs. Tatum Paxley
  • AOP (Akam & Rezar) vs. Malik Blade & Edris Enofe
  • Tony D’Angelo returns to NXT following Stand & Deliver loss

WWE reveals name of Karrion Kross-Authors of Pain faction

The new group consisting of Karrion Kross, Akam & Rezar of Authors of Pain, Scarlett, and Paul Ellering was given a name on WWE SmackDown.

Ellering interrupted an in-ring promo segment with Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits to introduce a video package christening the Kross-AOP group as “The Final Testament” on Friday’s SmackDown episode. 

Kross & Scarlett spoke during the video package and explained that their testament for the last several years has been to show the world how corrupt they are “by hurting them on the inside,” but that this new group is going to hurt people on the outside. 

The video then recapped the angle from last week’s SmackDown where AOP and Kross attacked Lashley & The Street Profits. Kross said that Lashley & The Profits are at the top of their list as they reshape WWE. 

Kross also referred to Ellering as “The most sadistic and inhumane person this world has ever had the displeasure of knowing,” before revealing The Final Testament name. 

AOP returned to WWE on last week’s SmackDown and aligned with Kross as they attacked The Street Profits & Lashley two weeks after a vignette aired teasing the arrival of the new group.

The SmackDown segment with The Final Testament reveal is embedded below.

Daily Update: AEW departures, Authors of Pain, The Iron Claw

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The longest issue in our history. Among the highlights are:

  • Match and performer of the week
  • A preview of what will be among the biggest if not the biggest pro wrestling news story of 2024, the upcoming contract deals for both all the AEW television shows and WWE Raw. We go through details of talks that have taken place, potential homes for both shows, what would be best for AEW and why those situations are unlikely, past history of rights talks, where WBD stands, momentum, money figures, ROH, discrepancy in household wealth of AEW Dynamite viewers vs. Raw & Smackdown viewers, what AEW would need to be home free financially and very profitable, value of AEW and how it can change and much more 
  • Update on Kenny Omega
  • What we do and don’t know and may never know about the WWE lawsuit settlement with MLW
  • Promotions in Japan unite together
  • Notes on the Iron Claw movie including a review
  • Notes on the business for the major AEW & WWE PPV shows over the next few months
  • UFC 296 full coverage
  • Political leanings of WWE & UFC fans
  • Tokyo Sports Japanese wrestling awards for 2023 and the politics involved in the decision making and why some obvious choices didn’t even get considered
  • Full coverage of ROH Final Battle, NXT Deadline and recent television
  • The career of Japanese star Osamu Kido, who passed away recently, including highlights and the period he go a major push and why
  • Update on Liv Morgan’s arrest
  • The most complete look at the ratings over the past week, including demo, competition and segment-by-segment
  • International ratings and streaming numbers
  • Andrade returns to Arena Mexico
  • Stardom big show this coming week
  • Former New Japan star debuts for All Japan
  • Jan. 2 NOAH major show card
  • Wrestle Kingdom update
  • 60th anniversary of the death of Rikidozan, one of the biggest stars in history
  • Will Ospreay’s last match of 2023 and his final independent match before starting with AEW announced
  • Tony Khan talks social media negativity
  • Rocky Romero talks CMLL and AEW relationship
  • Ticket sales for upcoming AEW & WWE events as well as Impact and NJPW U.S. events
  • Major question regarding non-UFC MMA fighters under contract and if they’ll get enough fights in 2024
  • WWE Speed concept
  • Notes on WWE Hall of Fame
  • WWE stock value

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Sunday Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight for Wrestling Observer Radio covering the news from the past several days including AEW departures, AEW & WWE TV, Tokyo Dome, Iron Claw and more.

Want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas tomorrow and hope that you and your families have a great holiday season.

With the new format of the Observer which is now printable in the format of the printed issues previously, we no longer have space limitations so the issue that came out Friday is the longest in our history.

Regarding the recent AEW departures, both Rafael Morfii and Dana Massie, who finish up at the end of the year, left on their own. Morfii, who was in charge of live event promotion, has taken a job working at the Barclays Center. He’ll be booking sports and entertainment acts for the building. His background included working for WWE, TNA, and the New York Mets and Cosmos.

PWInsider reported that the Authors of Pain with manager Paul Ellering will return to WWE on the 1/5 Smackdown show in Vancouver. Akam of the team is from British Columbia and was an Olympic probability in wrestling before he left the sport young to take a WWE deal.

With the release of the Iron Claw movie, VICE has put up part one of its two part series on The Von Erichs up for free.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V7xEp5hGzg

The Iron Claw was No. 6 at the box office for the weekend and will do an estimated $5.06 million in 2,774 theaters in week once. I don’t think anyone expected this to do big numbers at the theaters. I saw it at a theater Friday night in Santa Barbara and aside from a large family, we were the only ones in the theater and there were no wrestling fans there.

Conor McGregor was at the Anthony Joshua fight on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and said he wanted to fight, talking about facing Manny Pacquiao in boxing and how he was supposed to return in April but UFC isn’t booking him, which shows you how much the guaranteed money for PPV from ESPN has changed the game as far as UFC booking McGregor and other big stars. He claimed nobody in the history of the fight game has been treated the way he’s been treated Well, maybe nobody with his drawing power. McGregor has only fought four times in MMA in the last seven years.

For this past week, the only thing related to wrestling, MMA and boxing that hit the top 20 for a day on Google searches was Anthony Joshua, who won his fight yesterday, at No. 7 with more than 100,000 searches.

A match that took place on Thursday that people have been raving about, including some calling it the best trios title match in New Japan history, was the Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii match against Jeff Cobb & Henare & Great O’Khan from Korakuen Hall.

Dwayne Johnson doing a make-a-wish visit teased the idea of returning to WWE.

Israel Adesanya is now talking like he’ll be back in UFC soon. He had previously said he wouldn’t be fighting until 2027.

Geoff Neal vs. Ian Machado Garry and Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa have been announced for 2/17 in Anaheim, CA.

Yair Rodriguez vs. Brian Ortega has been announced in a five round co-main event on 2/24 in Mexico City. Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi will headline the show.

LA Knight got the key to the city of Hagerstown, MD last night. He was born in that area. There were about 500 people there, all ages. Shaun Ricker’s family serves the community and his brother is a member of the fire department. He was very gracious, signing tons of autographs and taking photos with anyone who asked. His family was there as was his girlfriend. (Thanks to Jimmie Alexander at WTOP News)

Stardom today at Korakuen Hall: Mei Seira b Yuzuki, Hanan b Hanako, Mai Sakurai & Thekla b Hazuki & Saya Iida, Saki Kashima won three-way over Mina Shirakawa and Yuna Mizumori, Nanae Takahashi & Yuu b Syuri & Ami Sohrei, Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani & AZM & Lady C & Hina & Miyu Amasaki b Natsuko Tora & Momo Watanabe & Starlight Kid & Ruaka & Rina & Fukigen Death in an elimination match, Suzu Suzuki & Megan Bayne & Saori Anou b Giulia & Maika & Mirai when Bayne pinned Giulia after an F-5.

There were three title changes on today’s Dragon Gate Final Gate 20223 in Fukuoka. Kai & Ishin & Yoshiki Kato won the Triangle gate titles over Yamato & Dragon Kid & Punch Tominaga, Kaito Kiyomiya & Alejandro from NOAH won the vacant Open the Twin Gate titles beating Ben K & Kota Minoura and Luis Mante won the Open the Dream Gate title in a three-way over Madoka Kikuta and Shun Skywalker.

Tetsua Endo faces Yukio Naya in the finals of the DDT D King Grand Prix tournament on 1/3.

Pro Wrestling Phoenix from Wednesday night in Omaha, NE: Ryan Romantic b The Siev, Tanner Renken b Chaac De Oro, Willy Sweet b Clay Evans, Pat Powers & Vic Douglas b Con Artiest & TankBryson, JC Slater b Xander McIntosh, Joey Daniels b Alan Lyric, Willy Sweet won Battle Royal, Moonshine Russell b Willie Sweet. The next show is 1/25 at the Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha.

Lucha Va Voom has announced shows on 2/14 and 2/15 at the Mayan Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Those announced are Taya Valkyrie, Ma1gno, Lil Cholo, Jack Cartwheel, and Dirty Sanchez.

Mustafa Ali vs. Leon Slater was announced for the 1/28 Progress show at the Electric Ballroom in London.

Rusty Blair was announced as the 2023 inductee into the Scotland Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. Born Carole Taylor, she won the British and European women’s championship, beating Mitzi Mueller in 1980. In 1987, she headlined the first all-women’s match held at Royal Albert Hall.

Stee Teulan aka Jack Bonza, who was in the New Japan tag tournament, pleaded guilty to a high range drunk driving after admitting drinking a full bottle of Vodka and driving. He almost hit a police car set up at a random testing site and pleaded guilty to one count of high range drunk driving. The alleged incident took place on 11/11 in Tuggerah, Australia at 9:15 p.m. 

In the CBS celebration of the 98th birthday of Dick Van Dyke on Friday, they showed the clip from the original Dick Van Dyke show in 1964 where Fred Blassie appeared as the world heavyweight wrestling champion and gave Van Dyke an airplane spin.

Dana White announced Jiri Prochazka vs. Alexander Rakic, Aljamain Sterling moving to 145 to face Calvin Kattar and Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage for the 4/13 UFC 300 show.

PCO vs. Dirty Dango has been added to the TNA 1/13 PPV show in Las Vegas.

Pro Wrestling Eve has 16 tickets left for its 1/5 show at the Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, London.

2 Cold Scorpio headlines a 1/19 show in Niagara Falls, NY at the Frontier Fire Hall for Empire State Wrestling.

Bob Magee sent us notes regarding independent promotions raising money for Christmas charities this year. This is always something we like to publicize and give credit to:

As of the morning of December 21, I have information on $246,523.40 in cash donations, 6,779 pounds (that’s OVER THREE TONS) of canned and non-perishable food, 3,960 pounds of dog food donated, and 21,594 toys/gifts that have been collected, and 6 bags of winter coats.

All Pro Wrestling/Nevada presented Headlock on Hunger at Reed High School, Sparks, NV raising over $10,000 for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.

Wrestling for a Cure raised over $7,000 for St. Jude’s Hospital for Children through wrestling shows in the Chicagoland area.

Uprise Pro Wrestling held Climb The Ladder on August 5 in Marshall, NC to benefit the Manna Food Bank, raising around $500.

Supreme Pro Wrestling presented Lemonade on August 20 at Soccer World Indoor Arena in Elk Grove, CA; and is proud to announce it raised over $1,300 for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand charity dedicated to pediatric cancer.

San Diego Pro Wrestling Academy, together with It’s All About the Kids Foundation presented the Unity in the Community Food Drive charity event to collect canned food in El Cajon, CA on August 26. 50 pounds was collected at this individual event, as well as its wrestlers packing 700 bags of non-perishable food, which will benefit 3,500 to be distributed all over San Diego County.

Keystone State Wrestling Alliance set up a ring at Century 3 Kia in West Mifflin, PA on September 2 to raise $350 and 20 pounds of food for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Mid Southern Championship Wrestling held a food drive on September 2, for the children the Trumann, AR School District to help students who don’t know where their next meal will come from. At least 100 pounds of food that filled the back of a Dodge Ram was collected.

 1CW Pro Wrestling comes to Houston, DE on September 9 at the Houston Volunteer Fire Company, 143 Main Street, raising $2,325 at a show designed to benefit the Alex Oliveras Family.

GCW Charity Wrestling event returned to Aurora, ON on Saturday September 9, collecting 300 pounds in non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada event came to Aurora, ON on September 10, collecting 500 pounds in non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

Wrestling for a Cause returned to Tulsa, OK, on September 9 for WHY Ranch Foundation Presents: WFC- Wrestleland 4: Fight For Emmitt raising $1,200.

REAL Pro Wrestling returned to Fort Myers, FL on September 15 benefitting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, raising $1,000 and counting.

ECWA Pro Wrestling returns to Morganville, NJ on September 16, benefitting POAC (Parents of Autistic Children) Autism Services in Brick Township, NJ, which provides educational, support and recreational services to children and adults on the autism spectrum.

Lehigh Valley Apparel Creations presented Steelstacks Smackdown II in Bethlehem, PA on September 16 as a benefit to raise money for New Bethany, featuring The Godfather and D’Lo Brown. 450 pounds of canned and non-perishable food items were collected, as well as $400 in cash donations and counting to help Bethany’s work.

Chinlock Wrestling presented Chinlock for Charity on September 16 (sponsored by Cigar Chief) in Tyendinaga, ON with Legends of Wrestling meet and greet and autograph signing, as well as an exciting show raised $8,298.14 in support of Indigenous organizations in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory,

United Wrestling Coalition held a benefit at its September 23 show at McKaig-Test-Mullen American Legion Post 455 New Egypt, NJ raising $3,600 for an annual scholarship fund for the family of fan John Begley, who recently passed away from cancer. UWC also collected $65 cash and 50 items for Angels in Motion (Atlantic City chapter) that helps the homeless with “blessing bags”.

Journey Independent Championship Wrestling returned on September 23 for the Austin Fury Memorial Tournament in Martinsville, IN at the Morgan County Fair and 4-H Association; raising $500 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Metro Pro Wrestling presented its annual Relay for Life Cancer Benefit show on September 23 in Taylor, MI, raising $48,000.

Pure Pro Wrestling returned on September 23 at Flint Iceland Arenas, with a show that helped raise $1,000 for the Autism Parent Support Network, a Flint based nonprofit.

WrestleARTS 12 returned to The Irving Theater in Indianapolis, IN on September 23 and raised an additional $500 for the Grotto’s Kids Fund. 

Crossfire Wrestling presented FIRED UP 2023 at Merriton Community Centre in St. Catharine’s, ON on September 24. Partial proceeds from this and all shows go to the Niagara Peninsula Foundation for Children (see below for overall total).

GCW Charity Wrestling returned to Cobourg, ON on Saturday September 30, collecting 250 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

Team Blue Brands and Pure Pro Wrestling presented Battle in the Creek 3: The Whole DAM Show on September 30, This year’s event featured Rob Van Dam, Dan Severn, Brian Cage, Alex Hammerstone, and more. $250 was collected for the South Michigan Food Bank. The League of Enchantment also held a Toy Drive at the event, collecting 35 toys.

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada returns to Kingston, ON for a ComicCon on October 1, collecting 200 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

Pro Wrestling KING returned to Anderson, IN on October 1, and raised $165 for the Anderson chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Service Dog Program.

On October 7, One Fall Entertainment, and Sheboygan County Pink Heals Organization return to Sheboygan, WI to raise funds for Pink Heals, a non-profit organization assisting cancer victims and their families raising $13,000 this year featuring Al Snow, Doug Basham, Kenny King, Heath, and James Storm.

Tri States Wrestling partners with Against All Odds Animal Rescue for the entire 2nd Annual Midwest Tour October 5 – Palmyra, MO at the Palmyra Middle School Gym October 6- 7:00 PM in Sliced Bread Innovation Center, Chillicothe, MO. October 7- The St. Joseph REC Center, Saint Joseph, MO October 8 – Kansas City North Community Center, Kansas City, MOAs a result, just over $500 and (3,960 pounds) of dog food were donated for Against All Odds Animal Rescue.

On October 7 in Pascagoula, MS, AWA Pro Wrestling honored our great friend Joey Goetz with a portion of our proceeds from our October events donated to the Animal Rescue Foundation, an organization he was passionate about.

Promoter Diamond Dan Garza and Dr. Chuck Dietzen (aka Dr. Doom) together with Timmy Global Health presented the 21st annual #TimmyTakeDown, an event for children with many different disabilities to showcase their amazing abilities against professional wrestlers in a ring on October 8, in Kirklin, IN. The event raised $11,500

Showcase Pro Wrestling returned to Taunton, MA on October 13 for a Suicide Awareness show.

Champion for a Cause Promotions presented: The Hart of the Matter on October 13 in Wayne, MI: featuring Bret “The Hitman” Hart , Rhino, The Motor City Machine Guns, and Zach Gowen; raising $9,000 for the Fredi the PizzaMan Foundation, dedicated to building sensory rooms in public schools, creating safe spaces for students with autism to learn, grow, and thrive.

1CW Pro Wrestling returned to Selbyville, DE at the Selbyville Volunteer Fire Company, on October 14 raising $2,300 for Choke Slammin’ Cancer.

Proving Ground Pro held its annual show, ELKMANIA 10 on October 14, a fundraiser for the Elks National Foundation, which provides veterans services, medical research and college scholarships, raising $2,142 (totaling $25,000 over the last 10 years of Elks shows.

Live Pro Wrestling returned to Goderich, ON at Goderich Memorial Arena on October 14, and raised $6,000 to benefit the Hunter Costello Memorial Fun-dation, which works to build an accessible playground in Goderich, and to provide financial relief to families with ill or injured children in the local community.

GCW Charity Wrestling returned to Oshawa, ON on October 14. collecting 500 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.*

Pure Pro Wrestling stormed into Bay City, MI, on October 14, to benefit the Historic Masonic Temple community arts and movie facilities, raising approximately $1,000

On October 14 in Ocean Springs, MS, AWA Pro Wrestling honored great friend Joey Goetz with a portion of our proceeds from October events donated to the Animal Rescue Foundation, raising $540. 

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada event returned to Ajax, ON for a ComicCon on October 15 collecting 300 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

United Wrestling Coalition held a benefit at its October 21 Trick or Treat with the wrestlers show in New Egypt, NJ, collecting a large bag of personal hygiene items and non-perishable foods for Angels in Motion (Atlantic City chapter) that helps the homeless.

Appalachian Championship Wrestling presented Barnyard Beatdown 3 on October 21 in Winfield, WV; raising well over $1,000 to benefit West Virginia Horse Network, a horse rescue organization.

Mission Pro Wrestling returned to San Antonio, TX on October 21 at the Salvation Army Mission Corps, raising $400 to benefit the Salvation Army.

Cody Deaner (who also does motivational appearances at schools under his given name of Chris Gray) is raising funds at his wrestling and motivational appearances until just before Christmas for a special young man named Conor, who deals with Coffin-Lowry Syndrome, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, Crohn’s disease, and other conditions. 100% of the money Deaner brings in from his “Giv’er for Charity” merchandise at events for the next few months will go to Conor, his family, and paying for their growing medical expenses. Deaner will make five wrestling appearances and seven speeches this month; and has raised $1,114 through October 28.

On October 21, KSWA Wrestling teamed up once again with Sam’s Club Tarentum (Pittsburgh Mills) to raise $1,700 for a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraiser to benefit the local Children’s Hospital on October 21.

On Saturday, October 28 in Winston-Salem, NC, AML Wrestling held a pro wrestling benefit for TJ Small who has been diagnosed CNS Lymphoma in the brain, raising at least $2,400.

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada event returned to Belleville, ON for a ComicCon on October 28, collecting 400 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

California Championship Wrestling presented a fundraiser show on October 28 for the 51 Fifty Gloves not Drugs program, raising $550.

IWA Productions presented its 11th annual Wrestling for a Cause show in Mount Vernon, IL on October 28, raising $2,167 for the mammogram department at Crossroads Hospital.

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada event returned to Whitby, ON for a ComicCon on October 28, collecting non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

GCW Charity Wrestling returns to Bowmanville, ON on October 29, collecting 240 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

Independent Pro Wrestling returned to Hamilton, ON on November 4 for Hammering Cancer 4, working with Chris M Toste with all proceeds to benefit Hamilton Health Sciences/Juravinski Cancer Center. $4,174was raised.

1CW Pro Wrestling came to Houston, DE on Saturday, November 4, raising $3,200 for Delmarva Aces, and will Adopt a Family for Thanksgiving.

AWA Pro Wrestling and Mississippi Gulf Coast Toys for Tots held a Toys for Tots collection at its November 4 Ocean Springs, MS show, collecting at least 20 new, unwrapped toys.

Project X Wrestling presented House Party on November 3 at The Caruso Club, Sudbury, ON with a toy drive which will benefit the Salvation Army Christmas Hamper Program , collecting at least 100 toys.

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada returned to Sudbury, ON for a ComicCon on November 4 collecting 800 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada returned to Angus, ON at the Angus Recreation Centre on November 5collecting 400 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

GCW Charity Wrestling returned to Orillia, ON on November 10, collecting food for the local community food bank.

AWA Pro Wrestling held a Toys for Tots collection at its November 11 Pascagoula, MS show, collecting at least 80 toys.

All Star Wrestling presents Bodyslams for Toys on November 11 in Vancouver, BC collecting an overflowing table of 50-100 new, unwrapped toys to the show.

GCW Charity Wrestling returns to Oshawa, ON on November 11, with two shows collecting 320 pounds food for the local community food bank.

MMWA Professional Wrestling returns to action on November 11 in St. Louis, MO, collecting a “very nice amount” of food for those in need for the holidays.

Tippy’s Collectibles and Midwest All Star Wrestling presented Women of Nations Grand Slam 5 on November 11 at North St. Paul High School, North St Paul, MN, raising the unbelievable figure of $74,800.

The United By One non-profit presented Together We Stand on November 11 in Hamden, CT in a wrestling charity event, raising $7,000 in a sold out show to raise awareness about type 1 diabetes with a portion of the proceeds going towards Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, with the remainder going to their own efforts.

GCW Charity Wrestling returned to Lindsay, ON on Sunday, November 12, collecting 280 pounds of food.

Empire State Wrestling returned to Buffalo RiverWorks on Friday, November 17 with WrestleBash XIII, with a food drive with three boxes of canned food going to Hearts for the Homeless of WNY Inc.

Three Legacies Wrestling presented Damage Control in Lancaster, PA on November 18 with an associated food drive for Brightside Opportunities Center, collecting around 50 pounds of canned and non-perishable foods.

United Wrestling Coalition held its November 18 New Egypt, NJ show, collecting for Angels in Motion (Atlantic City chapter) that helps the homeless, collecting 7 winter jackets and a case of Progresso soup for Angels in Motion, plus 5-10 toys/bikes ahead of the actual toy drive in December.

Brew City Wrestling returned to Waukesha, WI on November 18 with “Thanksgiving Throwdown”, the promotion’s annual Hunger Task Force show, collecting two full containers, over 100 pounds total.

UWE Pro Wrestling presented Headlock for Hunger on Saturday November 18, in Cadillac, MI at the National Guard Armory, around two dozen store bags worth, about 30 pounds of food.

On November 18 in Rocky Top, TN, Tennessee Legacy Wrestling presented the Mac McMurray Memorial Rumble, raising $357 to benefit the Rocky Top Angel Tree.

On Saturday November 18, CanAm Wrestling presented “The Good, The Bad, & The Crazy” in Olds, AB, raising $950 and collecting 60 pounds of food for the Mountain View Food Bank stock its shelves for the Christmas season.

IWF Media LLC and North Arlington Board of Education presented: When Legends Rise- 26th Anniversary Live Event on November 18 in N. Arlington, NJ to benefit Michael Robert Cammett Jr. Memorial Foundation. The event raised $4,051.26

On November 19, Supreme Pro Wrestling presents: STILL HUNGRY, their annual food drive show at Soccer World Indoor Arena in Elk Grove CA, around 50 pounds, enough food collected to fill a car for the Elk Grove Food Bank.

Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on November 25 and raised $1,300 for their ministry feeding the hungry in the Tulsa area.

GCW Charity Wrestling returned to Aurora, ON on November 25 collecting at least 50 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

Journey Independent Championship Wrestling presented Toys for Tots on November 25 in Martinsville, IN , collecting 50 toys.

Southern States Wrestling collected 15 toys and 2 bikes, plus 100 pounds of food donatedmat its November 25 show at Kingsport TN’s Armed Forces Center Armory making 31 straight non-pandemic years the promotion has served its community.

Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling returned to Nanaimo, BC on November 25, with its annual food drive event, Headlocks for Hunger, collecting 563 pounds of food for Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes.

Cape Championship Wrestling returned to Perryville, MO on November 25 in a benefit show with $1,000 raised for St. Jude Hospital for Children.

Gulf State Wrestling presented Season’s Beatings 7 for Toys for Tots in Berwick, LA on November 26, collecting at least 200 toys/and bikes.

For many years pre-pandemic, Hoosier Pro Wrestling held one of the largest toy drives in indie wrestling with their Firemen’s Cheer Fund Toy Drive shows. Although Hoosier Pro no longer is operating, Jerry Wilson and those sponsors still do a small toy drive, which this year bought 17 bikes for the Firemen’s Cheer Fund.

Wrestling With Purpose presents Clash For the Kids 2 on December 1, in Pembroke, NC and raised $1,490 so less fortunate children of Robeson County will get to experience the magic of Christmas.

DCW Wrestling returned for its annual Toys for Tots show on December 2 in Felton, DE, collecting around 100 toys.

MCW Pro Wrestling collected around 200 toys at its Breakthrough event on December 2 in Joppa. MD.

International Wrestling Cartel held their annual toy drive with Toys for Pittsburgh Tikes, at the December 2 show in Elizabeth, PA, collecting 50-60 toys.

Rocket Pro Wrestling returned to Joliet, IL for Christmas Chaos for Children on December 2, collecting 100 toys donated, plus $250 in donations for Windy City Ghostbusters for the LaRabida Children’s Hospital!!

Total Wrestling Federation returned on December 2 to Sacramento, CA for Wreck The Halls to collect 35 toys for children at Shriner’s Hospitals.

GCW Charity Wrestling/POP Culture Canada came to Port Perry, ON on December 2, collecting 250 pounds of canned and non-perishable foods for the local community food bank.

Wrestling for a Cause returned to Tulsa, OK on December 2 for the Fight for David Burt show, raising $1,300.

GCW Charity Wrestling/POP Culture Canada came to Newmarket, ON on December 2, collecting 80 pounds of canned and non-perishable foods for the local community food bank.

Crossfire Wrestling presented Jingle Bell Brawl in St. Catharines, ON on December 2, with $2,000 going to the Niagara Peninsula Foundation for Children this season.

KSWA Wrestling held its annual Fan Fest/Toy Drive 2023 on December 2, in Pittsburgh, PA in conjunction with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Holiday Project that provides toys and other necessities to families within Allegheny County; with the show collecting nine construction bags of toys”, around 700 toys.

On December 2, POWW Entertainment returned for Rage Reaction in Fox Lake, IL; collecting about 100 pounds of canned/non-perishable foods for Project FISH in McHenry, IL.

Cojo Toy World held its annual Toy Drive on December 3 in New Bedford, MA with Ethan Page, Spike Dudley, and John Cena Sr., collecting an incredible 2,000 toys

Revolt Ministries held their annual 12 day Stuff The Bus Toy Drive at The Guardian’s Legacy show in Florida on December 2, with the overall Stuff The Bus Toy Drive (a part of Revolt Ministries’ work with The Guardian’s Legacy) going through, collected 12,000 toys as of December 13, plus $6,000 in cash donations for toys

ACTION Wrestling held its annual Toys for Tots event on December 8 at the Roger Spencer Community Center in Tyrone, GA, collecting around 80 toys.

Power Pro Wrestling/Adrenaline Championship returned to Milford, DE on December 8 for We Have Risen featuring Mark Briscoe and BLK OUT, collecting 100 new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.

Atlantic All-Star Wrestling presented “Christmas Beatings 2023” on December 9 in Woodbury, NJ, collecting 80 toys for Toys For Tots

1CW Pro Wrestling returned to Houston, DE on December 9, raising $2,475 with the annual Toys for Joy show.

Championship Wrestling from Georgia presented Revelation on December 9 at the Emanuel County Recreation Cnter in Swansboro, GA, collecting 100 toys for Restoration Worship Center in Metter, GA.

Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on December 9, collecting canned and non-perishable food for their ministry feeding the hungry in the Tulsa area, with 100 pounds of bread, and canned food items working with the local BIMBO Bakery.

SuperKrazee Wrestling presented its Toys For Tots show on December 9 in Gloucester City, NJ, collecting around 30 toys.

UWE Pro Wrestling presented Christmas Karnage on December 9 at the Cadillac Army National Guard Armory in Cadillac, MI, collecting around 100 toys and bikes, with 1 blanket.

CanAm Wrestling, partnering with the Olds Christmas Angels Society presented “The Nightmare before Christmas” in Olds, AB, on December 9. During the intermission, they hosted a Teddy Toss event, where 125 Teddy Bears were donated to the Olds Christmas Angels Society.

Barrie Wrestling pulled a double header on December 9 at the Ferris Lane Community Church, Barrie, ON; raising $500 for Christmas Cheer Barrie.

On December 9, United Pro Wrestling returned to Bowling Green, KY at the National Guard Armory for Toys for Tots of Southern Kentucky, collecting 281 toys and books.

Off The Ropes Studio in Kitchener, ON worked with Camino Wellbeing to give back to the kids in the Kitchener community this Christmas at Punk Rock Slobberknocker 2 in Kitchener, ON as part of the KWPRFM Holidaze Market on December 9, raising $350.

MCW Pro Wrestling held its annual Toys for Tots show on December 9 in Frederick, MD, handled by Frederick Elks Lodge #684, with a guesstimate of at least 100.

Big Time Wrestling returned to Newark, CA in December 8, collecting 250 toys and gifts (per Family Giving Treet) in their annual Toy Drive for Family Giving Tree.

Hamilton Pro Wrestling presented its annual Wreck the Halls Food and Toy Drive Wrestling Event on December 8 in Hamilton, ON, with 300 canned and non-perishable items for the annual Food Drive with The Good Shepherd, and around 200 toys for the Toy Drive partnered up with Friends with Hearts! 

Mission Pro Wrestling returned to San Antonio, TX on December 9 at the Salvation Army Mission Corps, for Silver Bells 3 to benefit the Salvation Army.

Palmetto Championship Wrestling returned to Camden, SC on December 9 raised $250 to benefit the Elgin Police Department Toys Roundup and Caring Hands Foundation.

Hope For The Holidays presented their annual Charity Wrestling Event on December 10 in St. Petersburg, FL, to benefit Christmas Toy Shop, collecting 1,500 toys…enough toys to fill a 20 foot box truck. 

RMW Lucha Libre returned to Oxnard, CA on December 10; for its holiday toy drive show: collecting 150 toys for the children served by La Mision de Jesus in Tijuana, MX.

Demand Lucha returned to Toronto, ON on December 14 for A Very Merry Christmas Show, including a Toy Drive for Starlight Childrens Charity/Sick Kids

New Breed Wrestling returned on December 16 to Eldon, MO for a night of family fun and collecting at least 100 toys for Toys for Tots.

United Wrestling Coalition held its annual Toys for Tots event in New Egypt, NJ on December 16, and collected 5 large Toys for Tots boxes filled to the brim and 12 new bicycles, plus 5 large bags of winter clothing, coats and gloves.

Three Legacies Wrestling presented its final event of the year with Ring The Bells on December 16 in Lancaster, PA, collecting 50-60 new, unwrapped toys.

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada featured a ComicCon on December 16 in Markham, CA, collecting around 50 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

Delmarva Wrestling Digest presented: Over The Top For Toys For Tots…and the ninth Annual Toys For Tots Toy Drive on December 16 in Bridgeville, DE, collecting at least 100 toys plus cash donations.

Lucky Pro Wrestling and West Real Estate joined forces on December 17 in Wilmington, MA, collecting eight boxes of new and unwrapped toys, around 200 toys.

Texoma Pro Wrestling presented a Toy Drive show on December 15 in Sherman, TX and December 16 in Ardmore, TX, collecting at least 50 toys

New Tradition Lucha Libre returned to Palmdale, CA on December 17 for the NTLL Toy Pile Driver show, donating at least 200 toys to the Pinney Lane Foundation in Lancaster, CA.

On December 17, Supreme Pro Wrestling returned to Elk Grove, CA for its annual toy drive show, collecting around 100 toys.

Tri States Wrestling returned for a special two-night event with The Rumble for the Rescue Dogs in Bethany, MO on December 15 and 16; raising $300 for Against All Odds Animal Rescue.

Future Stars of Wrestling presented Holiday Smile Driver in Las Vegas, NV on December 16, collecting toy and wish donations.

American Premier Wrestling returned to East Statesboro, GA on December 16; show and dinner benefit Toys for Tots Foundation.

Glory Pro Wrestling returned to St. Louis, MO on December 17 for its annual holiday charity event, December to Rizzmember II, raising $5,000 to benefit Operation Food Search. 

GCW Charity Wrestling presents its annual Season’s Beatings Live Charity Wrestling Event on December 27 at the Harmony Creek Community Centre,15 Harmony Rd N, Oshawa, ON in Oshawa, ON Front Row reserved seats $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Please bring non-perishable food items for your local community food bank and get entered to win some fun prizes. One raffle ticket will be given for each item. The following items are in high demand and are greatly appreciated: Kids school snacks, juice (boxes and large), canned veggies and fruit, canned pasta, cereal, toothpaste/soap/toiletries, pet foods, diapers and baby supplies.

Southern States Wrestling will collect canned food items, clothing, and toys at its December 30 show at Kingsport, TN’s Armed Forces Center Armory making 31 straight non-pandemic years the promotion has served its community. Kids 12 and under FREE with paid adult to general admission! Saturday December 30th 7:30 p.m. Armed Forces Reserve Center Armory 399 highway 11w Mount Carmel Tennessee. Who is going to leave bald!?! Main Event Hair vs. Hair “Lord” Murphy Costigan vs. Wayne Adkins. Two special referees, one inside the ring, one outside the ring: Jason Blythe and Bruiser Bob. Plus five other main event matches!

WWE teases return of Authors of Pain in SmackDown vignette

WWE has teased the return of The Authors of Pain and the group aligning with Karrion Kross & Scarlett. 

During a Kross & Scarlett vignette on Friday’s SmackDown episode, an image of Akam, Rezar, and Paul Ellering in silhouette was shown. Kross used the word “Authors” in the promo, heavily implying the group’s return to the company and an alliance with Kross & Scarlett. 

Akam & Rezar are former NXT Tag Team Champions, winners of the 2016 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in NXT, and former Raw Tag Team Champions. They debuted in NXT in 2016 with former Road Warriors manager Ellering, and were heavily pushed in the Road Warriors mold as a monster tag team. 

The group was called up to WWE’s main roster in April 2018, where Ellering was quickly replaced by Drake Maverick as the manager. After a Raw Tag Team title reign and alliance with Seth Rollins, Akam & Rezar were taken off television after an injury to Akam in March 2020, before both were released from their contracts in September 2020. 

Fightful reported earlier this year that Akam & Rezar had re-signed with the company as early as 2022, and that travel for the group had been planned as early as May 2023. Fightful also reported this week that the group’s return to WWE television was imminent.

Authors of Pain launching new Wrestling Entertainment Series promotion

The tag team formerly known as The Authors of Pain are launching a new wrestling promotion next month.

Gzim Selmani (the former Rezar) and Sunny Dhinsa (the former Akam) have announced that their new Wrestling Entertainment Series promotion will launch with a show taking place at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England on Saturday, June 4. The event will include Selmani & Dhinsa’s first match since they were released by WWE in September 2020.

Paul Ellering, who was AOP’s manager in NXT, will manage Selmani & Dhinsa at the inaugural Wrestling Entertainment Series event.

The show will be available to watch live via Fite TV.

“Some of the biggest names in professional wrestling will all be announced very soon for this celebratory kick-off event. WES already has an action-packed schedule in place for the remainder of 2022 with several yet-to-be-revealed dates across Europe & the Middle East,” a press release said.

“WES will also see the in-ring return of the Selmani & Dhinsa with legendary manager Paul Ellering by their side. The duo is set to re-establish themselves as one of the most dominant forces in the tag team wrestling division.”

AOP are former Raw Tag Team Champions and NXT Tag Team Champions.

Selmani is the co-founder of an NFT company named BullApePlanet.

Authors of Pain join WWE Raw roster

Another post-WWE Draft roster addition has been confirmed.

After they weren’t selected on either night of this year’s draft, WWE announced today that The Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar) have joined the Raw roster. 

WWE began hyping the return of AOP on the September 16 episode of Raw. They haven’t had a televised match since taking part in the battle royal at Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia this June. That match was the first time Akam had wrestled since undergoing knee surgery in January.

The Viking Raiders won the Raw Tag Team titles from Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode this Monday. Ziggler & Roode were then drafted to SmackDown.

Here are the updated rosters for Raw and SmackDown:

Raw —

  • Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch
  • The O.C. (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
  • Drew McIntyre
  • Randy Orton
  • Ricochet
  • Bobby Lashley
  • Kevin Owens
  • Natalya
  • Raw Tag Team Champions The Viking Raiders (Ivar & Erik)
  • The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
  • EC3
  • Eric Young
  • Sin Cara
  • Universal Champion Seth Rollins
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Andrade (w/ Zelina Vega)
  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Kairi Sane
  • Rusev
  • Aleister Black
  • Cedric Alexander
  • Humberto Carrillo
  • Erick Rowan
  • Buddy Murphy
  • Jinder Mahal
  • 24/7 Champion R-Truth
  • Samoa Joe
  • Akira Tozawa
  • Shelton Benjamin
  • Rey Mysterio
  • Titus O’Neil
  • Liv Morgan
  • The IIconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay)
  • Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins
  • Mojo Rawley
  • No Way Jose
  • Sarah Logan
  • AOP (Akam & Rezar)

SmackDown —

  • Roman Reigns
  • “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt
  • Sasha Banks
  • Braun Strowman
  • Lacey Evans
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder)
  • The Lucha House Party (Kalisto, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado)
  • Heavy Machinery (Otis & Tucker)
  • Apollo Crews
  • Drew Gulak
  • Heath Slater
  • Tamina
  • The B-Team (Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas)
  • WWE Champion Brock Lesnar
  • The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E & Xavier Woods)
  • Daniel Bryan
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley
  • Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura (w/ Sami Zayn)
  • Ali
  • Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
  • Carmella
  • The Miz
  • King Corbin
  • Shorty Gable
  • Elias
  • Alexa Bliss
  • Nikki Cross
  • Cesaro
  • Luke Harper
  • Fire & Desire (Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville)
  • Dana Brooke
  • Drake Maverick

VIDEO: AOP reintroduce themselves on Raw

AOP appeared in a video tonight reintroducing themselves to the WWE audience.

After introducing themselves, both spoke in their native languages. They said they had come to the WWE because they wanted to fight. They couldn’t continue their MMA careers because no one wanted to fight them. They called the WWE tag team division soft, saying that none of the teams are hard enough to fight them.

They ended the promo by issuing a warning, saying that they want the opportunity they have earned or they will take it. They called themselves the future of the tag team division, and that the future will be written in pain.

AOP have been wrestling at house shows, but have not appeared on WWE television for most of the year. Their last appearance together on television was back at the Super Showdown event in June, taking part in the 50-man battle royal. 

You can watch the full video of their reintroduction below:

WWE Main Event results: Authors of Pain, Chad Gable in action

The Big Takeaway: The Authors of Pain continued their undefeated streak, seeing off Titus Worldwide with relative ease. Chad Gable and Curt Hawkins had a good match, leaving Hawkins without a win since November 2016.

**********

The Authors of Pain defeated Titus Worldwide (w/ Dana Brooke) (4:34)

This was yet another dominant performance of power, strength, and agility from the Authors of Pain, and they remain undefeated since being called up to the main roster in April. The only thing stopping these two is going to be promos. With Paul Ellering gone, if they are to be main event players, they might need someone to talk for them.

Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews couldn’t get any degree of separation until O’Neil dodged a charge to the corner, leaving Rezar posted. This meant O’Neil and Crews could grab a minute or so of offense, before they were quickly cut off again.

The finish started when Rezar broke up a pin attempt by O’Neil. Crews came into the ring, but Rezar sent him packing and neutralized him outside by driving him into the apron. He then blind tagged in so that he and Akam could hit the Last Chapter on O’Neil for the win.

Chad Gable defeated Curt Hawkins (4:58)

Hawkins and Gable had a fine match here, ending with Hawkins’ streak extending to 0-208. He took to Twitter this week to show the extent of his injuries from the match — some pretty nasty bruising to his left forearm.

This was a pretty athletic contest from start to finish and went by in a flash. Why they aren’t doing more with either of these performers is a question worth asking. Hawkins is a good foil for Gable, who is able to flip around and show off all of his best stuff and distill it down to five minutes.

There were a few false finishes at the end. And then, after Hawkins got a near fall on Gable, Gable escaped a powerbomb attempt, sending Hawkins into the turnbuckles. Gable then sunset flipped Hawkins, following it up with a roll-through German suplex for the win.

WWE Main Event results: The Authors of Pain squash Breezango

The Big Takeaway: Tony Nese picked up a rare victory against Gran Metalik and The Authors of Pain made it two wins in two matches on Main Event since being called up to the main roster.

**********

Tom Phillips and Percy Watson hosted the show in a two-man announce booth. Phillips replaced Vic Joseph, while Nigel McGuinness was also absent this week, as the pair were over in the United Kingdom covering the WWE UK Championship tournament and the launch of the NXT UK brand.

Tony Nese defeated Gran Metalik (w/ Lince Dorado) (5:03)

Tony Nese has had a fairly rotten couple of years in terms of results in WWE. In 2017, Nese only had 14 singles wins all year – and for a guy who can appear on Raw, 205 Live, and Main Event, that’s got to be demoralizing. This year, he’s only had three and we’re nearly in July.

Gran Metalik is another wrestler who seems to suffer a lot considering his ability and potential to be a star in this cruiserweight division. But the two worked well together here, with Nese finally getting the upper hand after a solid back-and-forth match.

Metalik hit a hurricanrana from off the top rope on Nese but was only able to get a two count. So he got Nese up into a fireman’s carry, but Nese grabbed at Metalik’s mask. He hit a German suplex on Metalik and then nailed him with the Running Nese for the win.

Dorado added little from the sidelines, but Nese was good here notching up his fourth-ever win on this show.

The Authors of Pain defeated Breezango (2:30)

This was as close to a squash as they come on WWE programming these days. Tyler Breeze got in a total of two dropkicks and a superkick and Fandango managed some knife-edge chops, but that was about it.

The Authors of Pain used power moves and postured a lot, making the match longer than it actually ought to have been. They seem to be fairly over, getting a good reaction to their devil-may-care attitudes here.

Inexplicably, in a match that ran less than three minutes, they went through a commercial break. When we returned, Breeze hit the Beauty Shot on Akam for two. Rezar tagged in, elbowed Fandango off the apron, and they hit the Last Chapter on Breeze for the win. 

WWE Main Event results: Authors of Pain win their show debut

The Big Takeaway: A good show from London this week. The Authors of Pain won their Main Event debut against Titus Worldwide, then Mojo Rawley defeated an impressive Chad Gable to give Rawley his first win since he switched brands.

**********

The Authors of Pain defeated Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews (w/ Dana Brooke) (4:40)

When the European tour heads to the United Kingdom, you often find NXT wrestlers getting a run out on Main Event. Last year, Aleister Black made his first main roster appearance on this show. Having got the call-up after WrestleMania, here in London, The Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar) got a decent reaction as they came out to face O’Neil & Crews.

The crowd wasn’t much into this one from there, but they were keen to see O’Neil, who has gained some cult status since his slip at the Greatest Royal Rumble last month. The Authors of Pain impressed, cutting the ring in half and working in tandem. The fact that they look huge when next to O’Neil and Crews says it all.

Late in the match, Akam took out Crews, clotheslining him on the outside matting. Rezar then attacked O’Neil from behind in the ring and Akam tagged back in so that they could hit the Last Chapter for the win.

Mojo Rawley defeated Chad Gable (7:37)

You have to go back to late 2016 to find Gable on Main Event, and his defeat here to Rawley marked his first appearance on the show as a singles wrestler. Back at Fastlane in March, Rawley, Gable & Shelton Benjamin were on the same team, but they had a good back-and-forth match as adversaries on this show.

This got pretty good the longer it went. Gable was impressive, particularly in his strength when throwing Rawley around. Gable got some heat after Rawley had dominated the first part of the match and, after repeated European uppercuts, he was able to nail Rawley with a beautiful looking Alpha-Plex.

The finish saw Rawley launch Gable head-first onto the top turnbuckle and hit his running forearm smash. Rawley covered Gable for the win and sold the effects of the match as if it had been an epic battle.

The Authors of Pain debut on WWE Raw

The WWE’s tag team division got a shakeup Monday as The Authors of Pain made their Raw debut and even shed some weight in doing so.

Escorted by manager Paul Ellering, the former NXT tag team champions (Akam and Rezar) answered an open challenge from Heath Slater and Rhyno, dominating the two and pinning Slater after hitting The Last Chapter after just a few minutes.

Following their win, they exited the ring and put their hands on Ellering’s shoulders as if to tell him he wasn’t coming with them. They walked up the ramp and he remained, shaking his head as he watched. 

The two men made their NXT TV debut less than two years ago and defeated Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa for the tag titles, later losing them to SAnitY. 

Akam (Sunny Dhinsa) was a standout amateur wrestler in his native Canada, scouted by Gerald Brisco and signing with the company in 2014. Rezar (Gzim Selmani) is a former pro MMA fighter and kickboxer from the Netherlands, and signed with WWE in 2015.

Tommaso Ciampa avoids serious injury, TakeOver match on as of now

The condition of Tommaso Ciampa is up in the air, but all things considered, the news was positive as X-rays showed he didn’t suffer a broken ankle last night.

During the match in Highland Heights, Kentucky, with Ciampa & Johnny Gargano vs. Alexander Wolfe & Eric Young, Ciampa suffered what appeared to be a left ankle injury about four minutes into the match.

Paul Levesque, on this morning’s WWE conference call, said that Ciampa suffered a sprained ankle and was feeling a lot better today.

He said that as of this moment, the plans for tomorrow night’s Ciampa & Gargano vs. Authors of Pain ladder match in Chicago for the NXT tag team titles are still on. But he said that it’s up to the medical side if they will clear him tomorrow.

Levesque said that right now they don’t have a specific backup plan in place. He noted that both Gargano & Ciampa worked a lot around the Chicago area so the match was a big deal to them and he’d hate for them to miss the opportunity.

NXT Albany, NY, live results: Nakamura & DIY vs. Roode & AOP

Submitted by reader Adam Shinder

– Kassius Ohno defeated Patrick Clark

Good reaction for Ohno, who did his best to make Clark look good. Eventually, Ohno made a comeback with a bunch of elbow strikes, then hit his rolling big boot for the win.

– Mandy Rose defeated Daria Berenato

Rose, who is from a couple hours downstate from here, did a pre-match promo heeling on Albany. Not much to the match. Berenato hit a spear, but Rose got her foot on the ropes, then rolled Berenato up and used the ropes for leverage to get the win.

– Steve Cutler defeated Oney Lorcan

Some good stuff from Lorcan, including a big running European uppercut that knocked Cutler to the floor, followed by a flip dive off the top rope. At some point, it looked like Cutler got busted up hardway.

Lorcan hit a bunch of running hip attacks in the corner, but Cutler countered one with a big clothesline, hit an underhook backbreaker for a near fall, and won with the Boston Crab.

– Aleister Black defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas

A lot of the crowd didn’t seem to know much about Black, but the former Tommy End popped the crowd with some of his big spots, including a triangle moonsault to the outside. Almas’ heel charisma seems to resonate better live than it does on TV.

Almas hit a nice bridging German suplex for a near fall. After Black blocked the hammerlock DDT, Almas went for the double knees in the corner, but Black popped up and hit a jumping knee strike for the win.

– NXT Women’s Champion Asuka defeated Ember Moon and Nikki Cross in a triple threat match to retain her title

Good reactions for all three women. Cross does a great job portraying her unhinged character, and Moon had a few impressive athletic moments. Moon was going for the corkscrew stunner on Asuka, but Cross came in and went for a superplex, only for Asuka to powerbomb both off the top rope, then hit a roundhouse kick on Cross to retain the title.

– SAnitY (Killian Dain & Alexander Wolfe w/ Eric Young) defeated Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins

Ford and Dawkins were the surprise hit of the night, getting “Red Shoes” and “White Shoes” chants. Ford, in particular, looks like he might have some real potential. Some fun exchanges between Ford and Wolfe based around both mocking each other through dancing.

There were a couple sloppy spots, including Ford botching a running flip off of Dain in the corner, but things picked up before the finish, which came after a distraction from Young and a combo powerslam/running boot by SAnitY for the win.

SAnitY beat down Ford and Dawkins after the match. Young got on the mic and said there wasn’t a man, woman, or child in the building that could beat him, bringing out Tye Dillinger to the biggest reaction of the night so far and lots of “10” chants. SAnitY jumped Dillinger three-on-one, but Ford and Dawkins evened the odds and ran off Dain and Wolfe, leading to the next match.

– Tye Dillinger defeated Eric Young

Very good match. It had some “10” based comedy early. Young took control with a lot of neckbreaker variations. Young got a near fall after a top rope elbow drop, then went outside and grabbed a chair, but Dillinger cut him off with a superkick and followed up with the Tye Breaker for the pin.

– Shinsuke Nakamura & DIY defeated NXT Champion Bobby Roode & NXT Tag Team Champions The Authors of Pain

Nakamura and Roode were both massively over, with the crowd singing along to their entrance themes. Big response for DIY as well. The match had a lot of Roode avoiding getting into the ring with Nakamura early.

Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa got in some good double team offense on the Authors early, before the heels cut them off and went to work on Ciampa. They teased the hot tag to Gargano, but the ref was distracted and Gargano got booted off the apron.

Nakamura finally got the tag and ran wild, hitting most of his signature spots on Roode. Gargano recovered and hit his slingshot spear from the apron, and Nakamura got the win with the Kinshasa on one of the Authors.

Nakamura cut a brief post-match promo thanking the crowd, then posed with Gargano and Ciampa, including a triple “YeaOh!” Nakamura took his bow at the top of the ramp, and DIY spent a long time interacting with the ringside crowd and taking a ton of pictures.