A noteworthy heel turn took place at Saturday’s Clash at the Castle pay-per-view in Cardiff.
Dominik Mysterio turned heel at the PPV, betraying his father Rey Mysterio and attacking Edge. The heel turn happened after Rey & Edge defeated The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor) at Clash at the Castle.
Dominik entered the ring following Rey & Edge’s win. Instead of celebrating with them, Dominik gave Edge a low blow. Rey then argued with Dominik and pleaded with him to stop the attack. But Dominik responded by laying out Edge with a lariat.
The Judgment Day reacted by laughing at Rey and Edge. It wasn’t confirmed if Dominik will be joining Judgment Day.
As Dominik headed to the back alone, he ripped off his “Mysterios” T-shirt and threw it to the ground.
Leading into Clash at the Castle, The Judgment Day had attempted to recruit Dominik into their ranks. There was a moment on Raw this past Monday where Dominik refused to hit Rhea Ripley with a kendo stick.
Dissension between Dominik and Edge was established last month when Edge accidentally gave Dominik a spear when Ripley pushed Dominik in the way.
At Saturday’s Clash at the Castle pay-per-view, Giovanni Vinci rejoined Imperium and reunited with his stablemates Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser. Vinci had left the faction shortly before Gunther and Kaiser were called up to SmackDown this April.
Vinci and Kaiser brawled with Ridge Holland and Butch as Gunther’s Intercontinental title defense against Sheamus began. Officials broke up the brawl and Vinci, Kaiser, Holland, and Butch were sent to the back, leaving Gunther and Sheamus to go at it one-on-one with no one at ringside.
Despite rejoining Imperium, Vinci is still going by the name “Giovanni Vinci.” He previously went by his real name Fabian Aichner until being repackaged in NXT earlier this year.
Gunther retained the Intercontinental title against Sheamus at Clash at the Castle, pinning him after hitting a powerbomb and a lariat. Sheamus went for a Brogue Kick near the finish, but his back gave out following all of the punishment he had taken in the hard-hitting match.
Vinci and Kaiser returned to ringside after the match to celebrate with Gunther. When they left, the crowd gave Sheamus a standing ovation.
At Clash at the Castle this afternoon, Theory was introduced as “Austin Theory” when he entered for a six-man tag team match on the pre-show. Since April, he had been going by the name “Theory” after having his first name dropped.
Theory teamed with Alpha Academy in a loss to Madcap Moss & The Street Profits on the Clash at the Castle pre-show. Montez Ford pinned Chad Gable to get the victory.
PWInsider reported earlier this week that Theory (real name Austin White) would be returning to using the full name Austin Theory. Matt Riddle also got his first name back on Raw this Monday.
PWInsider wrote that the “shortened names were an edict under the Vince McMahon regime that has now been reversed.” The move comes after Paul “Triple H” Levesque was put in charge of WWE creative following McMahon’s retirement.
“I would say no. Just because I love Theory,” Theory said when asked if his first name would be returning. “To me, Austin was always the throw-on, my first name. Theory is what I created in the backyard as a kid. I love it. Theory. It’s all we need.”
Theory currently holds the Money in the Bank briefcase, which grants him a shot at the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship whenever he wants it.
Theory began a feud with Johnny Gargano when Gargano returned to WWE on Raw last month. The two were formerly stablemates in NXT.
WWE heads to Cardiff, Wales this afternoon for its first major pay-per-view in the United Kingdom in more than 30 years.
Clash at the Castle takes place at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The show will be something of a homecoming for the Scottish-born Drew McIntyre, who challenges Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in the main event.
McIntyre will be looking to end one of the longest title reigns in WWE history. Reigns’ run as champion officially reached the two-year mark earlier this week.
Five other bouts are also scheduled for Clash at the Castle. Liv Morgan puts her SmackDown Women’s title on the line against Shayna Baszler, Sheamus challenges Gunther for the Intercontinental title, Matt Riddle and Seth Rollins meet in a grudge match, Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY take on Bianca Belair, Asuka & Alexa Bliss, and Edge teams up with Rey Mysterio against The Judgment Day.
Clash at the Castle streams live on Peacock/WWE Network at 1 p.m. Eastern time. There will also be a pre-show starting at noon.
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Pre-Show
The pre-show panel was in studio with Jackie Redmond, Matt Camp, and Pete Rosenberg. They ran down the lineup and announced Madcap Moss & The Street Profits vs. Austin Theory & Alpha Academy for the Kick-off show.
They aired a Matt Riddle vs. Seth Rollins video package. The panel used Matt Riddle’s full name during the segment.
They discussed SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan vs. Shayna Baszler next. They showed Morgan in the locker room talking to UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards.
The panel brought in Wade Barrett to discuss Gunther vs. Sheamus. Barrett was excellent in explaining why all U.K. fans would support Sheamus and McIntyre. Barrett was great in the short segment. He should be hosting the panel.
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MadcapMoss & Street Profits defeated Austin Theory & Alpha Academy (6:30)
This started off as just a basic pre-show match until the last few minutes. The finish was awesome and got a huge pop from the crowd.
Moss got a good reaction for his entrance. The fans popped big for the Street Profits. Austin Theory has his first name back.
Angelo Dawkins and Chad Gable started off with a hot sequence. Ford caught Gable with a standing dropkick to take over. Austin Theory made the blind tag and took out Ford’s knee with a chop block. The fans broke into a loud “You suck” chant directed at Theory.
The heels isolated Ford on their side of the ring. Ford fought back, and Moss got the hot tag. The fans popped for Moss’s comeback.
Dawkins tagged in and hit a twisting splash on Theory. Gable hit a rolling German suplex on Moss for a close near fall. Otis avoided Moss and caught him with a shoulder tackle.
In an awesome spot, Otis went for a flying cross body, but Moss caught him and hit a fallaway slam. The fans popped big for that spot.
The finish was awesome. Everyone was on the floor except for Ford and Gable. Gable tried to give Ford a German suplex off the apron to the floor, but Ford held onto the ropes.
Dawkins then pulled Gable off the apron and placed him on his shoulders. In a crazy spot, Ford hit a dive over the top rope into a blockbuster on Gable off of Dawkins’s shoulders onto Moss, Otis, and Theory at ringside. Ford then hit the frog splash for the win. The fans went crazy for the last few minutes.
They showed Roman Reigns arriving at the arena to end the pre-show.
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Main Show
The entrance ramp is basic, but there’s a giant castle above the ring.
Damage Control (Bayley, IYO SKY & Dakota Kai) defeated Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, & Asuka ( 18:49)
This was a good opener and a fun match. The story was Damage Control worked together better as a team than the faces. The crowd was on fire the entire match.
The fans sang, “Hey Bayley, I wanna know if you’ll be my girl” at the bell. She tried to get the fans to stop, but they kept doing it more. They kept signing it throughout the match. Bayley tried being a heel, but the fans love her. They didn’t boo the faces, though.
The faces had the early advantage and gave the heels a triple suplex. Belair hit a head spring moonsault on all three heels for a near fall.
Asuka and Sky squared off. Sky avoided a kick and rolled up Asuka for a near fall. Damage Control took over and isolated Asuka on their side of the ring. The fans broke into a brief “Bayley” chant. Bayley tagged in and got a huge pop. She acted annoyed and tagged back out to boos.
Bliss caught Bayley with a cannonball of the apron. Kai took advantage and blindsided Bliss with a shotgun dropkick. The heels cut Bliss off from her corner. Bliss fought back and caught Sky with a sunset flip, but Kai made a blind tag.
Kai rocked Bliss with a running kick in the corner. Bliss recovered and went for the tag, but Bayley pulled Belair off the apron. Asuka got the hot tag and ran wild. She rocked Sky with a knee, spinning back fists, a German suplex, and sliding clothesline for near fall.
Belair finally tagged in, and the fans popped. She hit a spinebuster and standing moonsault on Bayley for a two-count. Belair and Bayley fought on the top rope. Belair avoided Kai and threw her out of the ring.
Somehow, Belair hit the middle turnbuckle. Bayley tried to tie her up, but Asuka and Bliss gave Bayley a double superplex off Belair’s back.
Sky hit an Asai moonsault onto the faces at ringside. In the ring, Belair was firmly in control. She went for the KOD on Kai, but Kai escaped.
The finish came when Bayley tied up Belair in the corner with her hair. Kai hit the running boot in the corner. Bayley followed up with the Rose plant, and Sky hit a moonsault. Bayley then pinned Belair for the win.
Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton made a big deal out of Bayley pinning Belair.
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They showed Drew McIntyre backstage earlier today. Tyson Fury showed up to greet McIntrye. They showed Fury at ringside to a massive pop.
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They showed highlights from SummerSlam 92 of The British Bulldog defeating Bret Hart for the Intercontinental title. Cole called it the greatest match in SummerSlam history.
In the arena, they announced The British Bulldog’s family at ringside to a good pop. Then they showed Bret Hart at ringside to a gigantic pop.
Intercontinental Champion Gunther (w/Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci) defeated Sheamus (w/Butch & Ridge Holland) to retain the title (19:33)
Walter and Sheamus had a great match. It was brutal and hard-hitting. Walter destroyed Sheamus’ chest with violent chops. They both worked hard and just beat the hell out of each other.
The Brawling Brutus got a huge pop. During Gunther’s intro, Kaiser brought out Giovanni Vinci (Fabian Aichner) to reform Imperium. The fans booed Gunther but popped for Imperium.
Imperium and The Brawling Brutes squared off in the ring. Butch and Holland brawled with Vinci and Kaiser around ringside. Sheamus and Gunther stayed facing off in the ring. Butch hit a moonsault on Imperium. They fought to the back.
The fans popped when Sheamus and Gunther traded shots at the bell. Sheamus had the early advantage. The fans broke into a “Let’s go, Sheamus” chant.
Sheamus and Gunther traded hard shots in the corner. Sheamus knocked Gunther down and pulled himself up to the top rope. Gunther jumped to his feet and chopped Sheamus to the floor. Gunther then gave Sheamus a slam onto the ring steps. The fans broke into a “Walter” chant.
Gunther rocked Sheamus with hard chops and a kick to the face. He backed Sheamus against the ropes and destroyed Sheamus with vicious chops.
Sheamus tried getting up, but Gunther rocked him with a boot to the face. The fans broke into another “Let’s go, Sheamus” chant. Gunther locked on the Boston crab and transitioned into the cross face. Gunther rocked Sheamus with a brutal chop to the back.
Sheamus and Gunther traded brutal shots. Gunther held onto Sheamus’ arm and hit a series of vicious chops. The fans broke into another “Let’s go, Sheamus” chant.
Sheamus blocked the last chop and fought back. Gunter recovered and slammed Sheamus onto the floor. He then tossed Sheamus over the announce desk. Sheamus fired up and hit the ten beats of bodhran on the desk, the ropes, and the barricade.
Sheamus hit a diving knee. Gunther and Sheamus traded hard shots again in the ring. Gunther hit a German suplex, but Sheamus got back to his feet. Sheamus then rocked Gunther with a knee for a two-count. The fans broke into a “This is awesome chant” chant.
Gunther got Sheamus in the sleeper. He went for the piledriver, but Sheamus countered with white noise for near fall. Sheamus set up for the Brogue kick, but Walter avoided it. He followed with a powerbomb for a two-count. Walter targeted Sheamus’s back.
Walter climbed to the top rope, but Sheamus cut him off. They trade traded hard chops and slaps.
Sheamus regained control and hit the Celtic cross for a very close near fall. The fans thought that was the finish. Sheamus went for the Brogue kick again, but his back gave out. Gunther hit a powerbomb and destroyed Sheamus with a lariat for the win.
After the match, Imperium celebrated with Walter and left. The fans gave Sheamus an amazing reaction and a standing ovation after the match. This felt like a special moment after an amazing match.
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They showed a Shayna Baszler vs. Liv Morgan video package.
They showed UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards at ringside to a big pop.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan defeated Shayna Baszler to retain the title (11:00)
Morgan and Baszler had a good match. The story of the match was Baszler targeting Morgan’s injured arm. Instead, Morgan worked on her submissions and injured Baszler’s arm, which worked into the finish.
They did the special ring introductions. The crowd was still hot. They erupted in boos for Baszler and popped big for Morgan. Cole noted Morgan trained with Riddle for the match.
They traded submission moves for the first few minutes. Morgan took over and tried to stand on the top rope. Baszler pushed Morgan off and she caught her arm on the rope as she fell.
Baszler slowed the pace down and destroyed Morgan’s arm. Morgan tried to fight back, but Baszler caught her with a back suplex. Baszler slowed the pace down.
Morgan broke free and hit a middle rope dropkick. Morgan jumped to her feet and fired up. She caught Baszler with a knee off the middle rope for a two-count.
Baszler regained control and teased stomping on Morgan’s injured arm. Morgan locked on the triangle and an arm bar. Baszler escaped and rocked Morgan with a knee for a two-count.
Morgan recovered and hit a running powerbomb for a two-count. Baszler kicked out into the kirifuda clutch. Baszler couldn’t keep the hold because of her injured arm. The finish came when Morgan hit the code breaker and oblivion for the win.
After the match, Morgan got a great reaction from the fans as she celebrated.
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They showed Adrian Street & Miss Linda at ringside.
They showed a Judgment Day vs. Edge & Rey Mysterio video package.
Edge & Rey Mysterio (w/Dominik Mysterio) defeated Judgment Day (Finn Balor & Damien Priest w/Rhea Ripley) (12:25)
This was a really good tag team match. The fans went crazy for everything and popped big for the finish.
The big story was the angle after the match. Dominik finally turned on Edge and his father. The turn got a massive reaction from the fans. The heat was intense, and they erupted in boos.
Dominik didn’t leave with Judgement Day, so it’s unclear if he’s with them. If he’s with Judgement Day, the finish doesn’t make sense since he helped Edge and Mysterio win.
On commentary, Cole noted Dominik showed some jealous tendency lately and was upset that Rey picked Edge as his partner.
Rey and Dominik got a good reaction. Edge got a huge pop and came out wearing a luchador mask. The fans sang Edge’s theme music. The fans loved Edge and are still a hot crowd.
Balor and Mysterio started off with fast-paced back-and-forth action. Balor tagged in Priest. He demanded Edge get in the ring, and the fans popped.
Priest was briefly in control. He whipped Edge into the corner, but Mysterio protected him. The heels tried the same spot but Edge kicked Balor. Edge then gave Mysterio a reverse powerbomb onto the heels at ringside. The fans broke into a “Rey Mysterio” chant. The heels took over and isolated Mysterio in their corner.
Balor slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Mysterio fought back and sent Balor over the barricade. Mysterio jumped on the barricade, but Priest cut him off. Mysterio then crotched Priest on the barricade, which Priest sold big.
Edge got the hot tag and ran wild. He set up for the spear, but Priest caused a distraction. Mysterio took out Preist with a senton off the apron. In the ring, Edge hit the 619 on Balor. It wasn’t pretty, but he hit it.
Mysterio hit a splash on Balor for a near fall. Edge then speared Preist off the apron to the floor. Balor set up for the coup de grace on Edge, but Dominik caused a distraction. Mysterio then gave Balor a hurricanrana off the top rope.
Ripley took out Dominik at ringside. She picked him up for a slam, but Mysterio took them out with a dive. Mysterio set up for the 619, but Balor hit a clothsline instead.
The finish came when Dominkik grabbed Balor’s leg, which allowed Mysterio to hit the 619. Edge then speared Balor for the win. On commentary, they pushed that Dominik played an important role in the win.
After the match, the faces celebrated the win when Dominik suddenly gave Edge a low blow. The crowd erupted in boos. Dominik then laid out his father with a clothesline to louder boos.
The heat was pretty intense. The fans booed Dominik as he walked out. Judgement Day laughed at Edge and Rey but Dominik didn’t leave with them.
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They announced tonight’s attendance of 62,296.
Seth Rollins defeated Matt Riddle (17:20)
Rollins and Riddle had a great match. The story of the match was Rollins got Riddle so angry and emotional that he made a mistake.
Matt Riddle has his first time back. He got a big pop during his entrance. Rollins came out in a spectacular ring outfit. The fans sang Rollins’s entrance music throughout the match.
Riddle and Rollins charged at each other at the bell. They traded shots in the corner. Riddle got in the referee’s face. Riddle then got the triangle on Rollins, but they both fell over the top rope. Rollins took over and hit a suicide dive.
Rollins was in control but got in the referee’s face. Riddle fought back and climbed to the top rope. Rollins cut him off and went for a reverse suplex. Somehow, Rollins lost his grip. He recovered and caught Riddle in the tree of woe. He followed up with a double foot stomp.
They continued to fight on the top rope. Rollins hit a superplex and rolled through for the falcon arrow. Riddle countered and hit the fisherman buster for a near fall instead.
Riddle hit the floating bro off the second rope to the floor. Rollins went for the pedigree, but Riddle escaped. Riddle countered into the bro to sleep into a powerbomb into a jumping knee for a two count.
Riddle went for the floating bro, but Rollins got his knees up. Riddle avoided the stomp and locked on the triangle. Rollins broke free and hit Riddle’s Bro Derek for a close near fall.
Riddle avoided the phoenix splash and hit the Pele kick. Riddle jumped to his feet, but Rollins rocked him with a forearm. Rollins then hit the pedigree for a very, very close near fall. The fans couldn’t believe Riddle kicked out.
Rollins screamed at Riddle that he’s a loser and mentioned his wife leaving him. He said Riddle’s kids would soon know he’s a loser too. Riddle snapped, but Rollins took advantage. He hit Randy Orton’s draping DDT to a chorus of boos that turned into fans singing Rollins theme music.
Rollins set up for the RKO, but Riddle locked on the sleeper. The fans broke into a “This is awesome” chant. Riddle grabbed a chair, but Rollins avoided the chair shot.
Rollins hit the stomp for a near fall as Riddle got into the ring. Rollins then hit another stomp off the second turnbuckle for the win.
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They showed a Becky Lynch video package.
Earlier today, Roman Reigns hung out with Tyson Fury. They showed Fury at ringside again.
They also showed Karrion Kross and Scarlett at ringside.
They showed a Reigns vs. McIntyre video package.
WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns defeated Drew McIntyre to retain the title (30:39)
This was an awesome match. The fans loved McIntyre and wanted to see him win more than anything. They chose not to do the title change, but it felt like the right place because of the atmosphere. They had Tyson Fury and McIntyre cut a promo and sing after the match to send the fans home happy.
The story of the match was Reigns didn’t have the help of Paul Heyman, The Usos, or Sami Zayn. However, his cousin and Uso’s younger brother Solo Sikoa debuted to help Reigns win.
They aired a cool little video about McIntyre before his entrance. They did the special ring introductions, and McIntyre got a massive pop.
The fans broke into a loud “Drew” chant. They erupted into loud boos for Reigns. The fans love McIntyre and hate Reigns. They broke into several “Drew” chants and “Drew McIntyre” football chants throughout the match.
McIntyre had the early advantage after pushing Reigns into the corner. Reigns tried a shoulder tackle, but it didn’t move McIntyre. Reigns was shocked and rolled out of the ring.
Reigns was briefly in control, but McIntyre fought back. He sent Reigns outside with a hard clothesline. McIntyre then tossed Reigns into the steps.
Karrion Kross distracted McIntyre from the crowd. Reigns took advantage and blindsided McIntyre. Reigns grabbed the mic and demanded the fans acknowledge him. They erupted in boos. As Reigns turned around, McIntyre rocked him with a sick-looking Glasgow kiss.
McIntyre and Reigns traded shots in the middle of the ring. The fans did the “Yay” and “boo” chants. McIntyre ran wild and hit a belly-to-belly suplex and a neck breaker. He did a kip up to a huge pop,
McIntyre hit a spine buster for a close near fall. Reigns fought back and hit the rock bottom for a two-count. Reigns went for the Superman punch, but McIntyre reversed into the future shock DDT. McIntyre went for the claymore, but Reigns hit the Superman punch for a close near fall.
Reigns went for the spear, but McIntyre kicked him in the face. Reigns recovered and hit the spear for a very close two-count. Reigns locked on the guillotine submission, but McIntyre broke free.
Reigns rolled to the floor. McIntyre went after him and speared Reigns through the barricade. In the ring, McIntyre went for the claymore, but Reigns hit the spear for another very close near fall. The fans were relieved that wasn’t the finish.
Reigns was furious and yelled at referee Charlies Robinson. McIntyre hit the claymore, and Reigns bumped into the referee knocking him out of the ring.
Suddenly, Austin Theory’s music hit, and he ran down to cash in the briefcase with a second referee. The fans were furious until Tyson Fury knocked out Theory to a huge pop.
In the ring, Reigns went to hit McIntyre with a chair. McIntyre avoided and hit the claymore for another close near fall. The fans thought that was the finish.
McIntyre and Reigns traded hard shots in the middle of the ring. McIntyre took out Reigns with a spear and hit the claymore. McIntyre had the match won when someone pulled the second referee out of the ring. He took off his hood to reveal the Usos’ younger brother Solo Sikoa.
McIntyre got in Sikoa’s face. Sikoa hung McIntyre on the top rope as Robinson got back in the ring. Reigns then hit the spear for the win. The fans were furious and massively disappointed.
After the match, Tyson Fury got in the ring and shook Reigns’ hand to a chorus of boos.
Reigns and Sikoa walked off to loud boos. In the ring, Fury helped up McIntyre to loud cheers from the fans. They gave him a good reaction.
Fury grabbed the mic and praised McIntyre. He told him to be proud because he fought hard. Fury sang “American Pie” to McIntyre, and the fans joined him. McIntyre admitted he was disappointed but will win the Universal title someday.
McIntyre sang and then posed with Fury to end a very good Clash at the Castle. The fans seemed to enjoy Fury and McIntyre’s interaction.
Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley returns this week as Jim looks not just at the cuts in NXT, but how NXT and stars like Nikkita Lyons are an insight on WWE and what to expect in the future of WWE. You need a distinct look and and trademark to make it as a character.
We’ll also look at Butch and compare him to another star from the 90s: Skinner. Plus, should WWE create a championship that is only defended at live events? All this and more, check it out.
WWE has announced the name of their September stadium show in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, plus set an on-sale date for tickets for the event.
WWE Clash at the Castle will take place on Saturday, September 3, the first major stadium event in the UK since SummerSlam 1992. It was revealed today that tickets for the stadium show will go on sale Friday, May 20, with a pre-sale set for Wednesday, May 18. Registration for the pre-sale is available here.
Drew McIntyre was the first to reveal the name for the stadium show, announcing it in a promo at Friday’s WWE house show at the O2 Arena in London. A match between McIntyre and heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury has been hinted at for the event by both men. Fury previously appeared for WWE for a pair of matches in 2019.
The BBC claims that more than 125,000 people have registered for tickets at the 74,500-seat Principality Stadium.
BREAKING: WWE Clash at the Castle takes place LIVE from @principalitysta in Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday, Sept. 3, and tickets will be available Friday, May 20! #WWECastle@visitwales
Major players from five companies test positive for COVID causing changes in television or major shows.
Sunday’s Fukuoka Dome show and a look back at the previous pro wrestling events in the building that featured some of the biggest American stars of all-time.
The Discovery/Warner merger, what was said at the earnings call about cutbacks, and the different ways this can go for AEW
Streaming vs. television and the realities of the numbers
Wrestling on television in every category, who is up, who is down, factoring out cable losses, and reasons behind the ups and downs.
WWE & AEW shows coming up between now and August ticket sales, interest in the secondary market, how many seats WWE is setting up for the stadium shows
WrestleMania Backlash card update and business update
Saturday’s UFC report
New wrestling history television show series being filmed and who is behind it
Karl Lauer and the growth of the Cauliflower Alley Club
Ratings of all the television shows of the past week
Death of Toro Bill Jr.
Preview of TripleMania
Unique statement by L.A. Park about TripleMania
All Japan, Dragon Gate, NOAH and other Japanese events
This week’s PWG show
MLW answers the WWE’s attempt to get the lawsuit by MLW thrown out
Personnel changes in Impact
AEW injury notes
AEW’s Double or Nothing show
Updates on ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows
Promotion gets major television deal with Amazon Prime
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Friday News Update
Garrett and I will be doing a show today to go over a lot of major news, including WWE cuts, Warner/Discovery and AEW, and other news in the current issue of the Observer.
Some notes on the WWE cuts today.
Obviously Parker Boudreaux (Harland) had been removed from the Joe Gacy act so they knew something was coming
The decision had been made after several tryouts that they didn’t see Dakota Kai as main roster material. She had been with the company for years and the idea is not to have people have ten year careers as NXT stars so there was nothing left for her. A lot of people disagree but they have visions about women and obviously she’s a good wrestler but didn’t fit
Just as obviously, Malcolm Bivens last week had started a multi-week new storyline that had a lot of stuff left. While he did not sign a new deal, him being cut blindsided the people in creative at NXT
Same for Persia Pirotta, who just bought a house. She was in a storyline ongoing.
Same for Dexter Lumis, which leaves creative in the lurch since he’s supposed to be married to Indi Hartwell and they were given no name to develop a storyline reason he’s gone
Paige Prinzivalli was a referee who was cut
Mila Malani and Raelyn Divine were from the Las Vegas tryouts and had not made it to television
Draco Anthony had just started on television.
The WWE’s 9/3 show at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales will be called WWE Clash at the Castle. Tickets go on sale on 5/20 and are expected to sell out instantly.
Smackdown tonight from Albany, NY was taped on Friday since the Smackdown crew is in London and the decision was made not to tape from there:
Ricochet vs. Shanky for IC title
Raquel Rodriguez vs. ?
Naomi vs. Shayna Baszler
Xavier Woods vs. Ridge Holland
Kofi Kingston vs Sheamus
Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn cage match
Ronda Rousey vs. Shotzi Beat the Clock challenge
Charlotte Flair vs. Aliyah Beat the Clock challenge
Usos-RK Bro contract signing
AEW Rampage tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern on TNT:
Darby Allin vs. Swerve Strickland Owen Hart qualifier
Sky Blue & Willow Nightingale & Trish Adora vs. Jade Cargill & Kiera Hogan & Red Velvet
Keith Lee vs. Colten Gunn
Hook-Danhausen confrontation
Samoa Joe vs. Trent Baretta for ROH TV title
UFC tomorrow from the Apex in Las Vegas:
Tatsuro Taira (125.5) vs. Carlos Candelario (126)
Gina Mazany (126) vs. Shanna Young (125)
Natan Levy (155) vs. Mike Breeden (155.5)
Gabriel Green (170.5) vs. Yohan Lainesse (169)
Daniel Lacerda (125) vs. Francisco Figueiredo (125.5)
Alexandr Romanov (236.5) vs. Chase Sherman (247)
Krzysztof Jotko (186) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (185)
Darren Elkins (145.5) vs. Tristan Connelly (146)
Jared Gordon (155.5) vs. Grant Dawson (155.5)
Andre Fili (145.5) vs. Joanderson Brito (145.5)
Andrei Arlovski (246) vs. Jake Collier (265)
Rob Font (138.5) vs. Marlon Vera (136)
Font missed weight by 2.5 pounds and had to forfeit 20 percent of his purse
They are pushing tomorrow’s Amanda Serrano (42-1-1) vs. Katie Taylor (20-0) boxing match for Taylor’s lightweight title as the biggest women’s boxing match in history. It is the first time a women’s fight will ever headline Madison Square Garden. It is said that DAZN paid WWE nearly $500,000 to heavily promote the show across all of WWE outfits in a deal made with Stephanie McMahon. It will be the first women’s boxing match where both participants will earn in excess of $1 million. They are claiming it is expected to sellout. There are 14,000 tickets out and 3,000 still left as of yesterday. WWE is involved heavily in this with a lot of talent at the weigh-ins and some will be at the right itself.
There will be a lot of stuff this coming Monday in mainstream media since Dwayne Johnson turns 50.
Arena Mexico has one of its biggest shows of the year tonight with Mistico vs. Titan vs. Templario in a series of singles matches to determine the Universal champion. Ultimo Guerrero & Rey Bucanero, at one time Mexico’s best tag team, reunite to face Averno & Mephisto, another former regular team.
There will be a Toro Bill Jr. tribute match on Monday night in Puebla.
Rush is back after knee surgery this week on shows for Robles Promotion in Mexico. He will b be working shows in Mexico City, Merida and Cancun. The Mexico City show has Rush & Bestia del Ring & Vangellys vs. Chris Masters & Marco Corleone & LA Park as the main event, plus Dragon Lee & Dralistico & Bandido vs. Flamita & Taurus & Carlito. (thanks to The CubsFan)
Go Shiozaki vs. Kaito Kiyomiya is official as the GHC title match on tonight’s NOAH show at Sumo Hall. Champion Kazuyuki Fujita vacated the title due to testing positive for COVID. The show starts at 2 a.m. Eastern and 11 p.m. Pacific and airs live on Wrestle Universe. Wrestle Universe also has a free trial for the show.
Slex & Kai Fujimura vs. Alejandro & Yasutaka Yano
King Tani & Mohammed Yone & Akitoshi Saito vs. Manabu Soya & Tadasuke & Hajime Ohara
Nosawa Rongai & Eita & El Texano Jr. & Kotaro Suzuki & Super Crazy vs. Hayata & Yoshinari Ogawa & Chris Ridgeway & Seiki Yoshioka & Yuya Susumu
Kazushi Sakuraba & Kendo Kashin vs. Rene Dupree & El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.
Masa Kitamiya vs. Michael Elgin
Masakatsu Funaki vs. Simon Gotch for National tile
Naomichi Marufuji & ? vs. Kinya Okada & Yoshiki Inamura
Takashi Sugiura & Hideki Suzuki vs. Kenou & Katsuhiko Nakajima for GHC tag titles
Go Shiozaki vs. Kaito Kiyomiya for vacant GHC heavyweight title
Jake Lee vs. Yuma Aoyagi will be the Champion Carnival finals on 5/4 at Korakuen Hall. Lee won the A block. Aoyagi went to a 30:00 draw with Kento Miyahara to finish with a 3-1-1 record while Miyahara and Takuma Nomura both finished 3-2.
Mirai beat Natsupoi in the semifinals and Koguma in the finals to win the Stardom Cinderella tournament meaning she can challenge for any title.
Jessica McKay, who just left Impact (formerly Billie Kay) has a role in a movie called “The Charisma Killer” directed by Michael Matteo Rossi.
Chris Jericho will be doing a three-date talk show promoted by Inside the Ropes. The shows are 7/4 in Glasgow, 7/5 in Belfast and 7/6 in London. The 7/6 date means he will be missing the Dynamite/Rampage tapings for that week in Rochester, NY. He is advertised for that show.
Other Notes
Jose & Joel Maximo, the SATs, have been added to the 5/13 MLW show in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena.
Combate Global tonight on Paramount + from Miami at 11 p.m. Eastern has a lightweight main event with Ivan Castillo (22-13) vs Claudio Quintana from Chile (8-4). The semi is also a lightweight bout with Hugo Flores (9-4) vs. Richie Palomino (5-2).
Icebox is running a show in Alameda, CA on 5/7 with JTG vs. Jacob Fatu, Juicy Finau vs. Vinni Massaro, Fred Rosser vs. Jeckles, Boogeyman vs. ?, Carlito vs. Titus Alexander, Ultimo Panda vs. Boyce Legrande and more.
559 Fights on 5/21 in Visalia, Ca at the Convention Center.
LFA on 5/13 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on UFC Fight Pass is headlined by Italo Gomes (10-2) vs. Meiquizael Costa (17-4).
Empire State Wrestling on 5/21 in Buffalo,NY at the RiverWorks is headlined by Buddy Matthews vs. Trey Miguel. There will also be a ladder match and Shazza McKenzie and Big Bill Collier are on the show.
Mike Rotunda, as IRS will be appearing for CWE on shows on 5/26 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, 5/27 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, 5/28 in Regina, Saskatchewan and 5/29 in Carnduff, Saskatchewan.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix from Wednesday night in Omaha,NE: Duke Cornell b Luke Luna, Angus Keyser b Ryan Romanitc, Omar Pachecco b Logan Ocean, Lars Metzger b Keaton Stoneburner, Purple & Xander McIntosh b Paul & Joey Daniels, Willy Sweet b Austin Fouts, Moonshine Russell & Jack Darling b Tim Boston & Seto Kobara Next show is 5/7 in Omaha at the Epoca Cantina,
PFL from last night in Arlington, TX in their tournament:
Heavyweight: Klidson Abreu b Adam Keresh via decision
Featherweight: Bubba Jenkins b Kyle Bochniak via decision
Heavyweight: Ante Delija b Matheus Scheffel second round knockout
Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov b Cody Goodale first round knockout
Heavyweight: Renan Fereira b Jamelle Jones first round knockout in 25 seconds
Featherweight: Chris Wade b Lance Palmer via decision
Heavyweight: Bruno Cappeloza b Stuart Austin first round knockout
Women of Wrestling will be taping its television show for syndication on 5/5, 5/6 and 5/7 at the Globe Theater in Los Angeles.
United Wrestling Coalition on 5/28 in Bordentown, NJ at the Elks Lodge with a 25 man Rumble
ISPW on 5/7 in Morristown,NJ at the Mennen Sports Arena is headlined by Danny Morrison vs. Justin Corino for their title. Appearing in non-wrestling roles on he show include Maven, Jake Roberts, Earl Hebner, Greg Valentine, Demolition Tito Santana and Tommy Rich. There will also be a Bushwhacker Luke Williams vs. Brooklyn Brawler match.
Impact will be running shows on 5/13 and 5/14 in Kissimmee, FL at the Osceola Heritage Park Event Center. Both nights will be TV tapings.
Lucha Libre on 5/26 at the Opera House in Toronto for the Demand Lucha promotion.
