Tag: icymi

North American title match set for next week’s WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A North American title match is set for next week’s NXT.

Dragon Lee will defend the title against a member of the No Quarter Catch Crew, which consists of Drew Gulak, Myles Borne, Damon Kemp, and Charlie Dempsey. Lee successfully defended the title on Tuesday’s show against Tyler Bate. Later, in a segment backstage, the No Quarter Catch Crew confronted Lee and asked if he would be defending the title every week. After Lee said yes, the group issued the challenge and refused to say who would be facing Lee.

Tiffany Stratton will face Fallon Henley, continuing their rivalry. Henley was distracted by Stratton at ringside during a six-person tag match on Tuesday, causing the two to brawl to the back. Despite Henley’s departure, Briggs & Jensen defeated The Meta-Four.

Thea Hail & Jacy Jayne will face Kiana James & Izzi Dame. James & Dame formed an alliance when Dame helped James defeat Roxanne Perez in a steel cage match at Deadline this past Saturday. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger will also be in action, taking on Gallus.

The Men’s Breakout Tournament will also continue with two quarterfinal matches. Lexis King will face Dion Lennox, while Tavion Heights will face Luca Crusifino.

Here is the lineup for next week’s NXT:

  • WWE NXT North American title: Dragon Lee defends against a member of the No Quarter Catch Crew
  • Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley
  • Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Gallus
  • Thea Hail & Jacy Jayne vs. Kiana James & Izzi Dame
  • NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament: Lexis King vs. Dion Lennox
  • NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament: Tavion Heights vs. Luca Crusifino

Two Tag Team title matches set for next week’s WWE Raw

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The Undisputed Tag Team and Women’s Tag Team titles will be defended on next week’s WWE Raw episode. 

It was revealed during Monday’s Raw that both sets of Tag Team Championships will be on the line next week, as The Judgment Day defend the Undisputed WWE Tag titles against The Creed Brothers, while Chelsea Green & Piper Niven will defend the WWE Women’s Tag titles against Katana Chance & Kayden Carter. 

The Creed Brothers won a Tag Team Turmoil match on the November 27 Raw to earn the number one contendership to Damian Priest & Finn Balor’s Undisputed Tag titles, while Chance & Carter defeated former top contenders Natalya & Tegan Nox on the December 4 Raw to stake their claim as number one contenders to the Women’s Tag Team titles. 

A future Intercontinental Championship match was also agreed to during Monday’s Raw, as Gunther accepted a challenge from The Miz with the stipulation that Miz will never again challenge Gunther for the title should he lose. No date has been announced for that title bout. 

The announced lineup for the Monday, December 18 Raw: 

  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Damian Priest & Finn Balor defend against Julius Creed & Brutus Creed
  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green & Piper Niven defend against Katana Chance & Kayden Carter

Women’s Tag Team title match official for next week’s WWE Raw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On next week’s Raw, Tegan Nox & Natalya are getting their WWE Women’s Tag Team title shot.

Nox & Natalya will challenge for Chelsea Green & Piper Niven’s championships on Raw next Monday (November 27). The announcement of the match was made on Raw Talk last night.

Nox & Natalya earned the title shot by winning a fatal four-way number one contender’s match on last night’s Raw. They defeated Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri, Kayden Carter & Katana Chance, and Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell.

To win the number one contender’s match, Nox rolled through on a crossbody and pinned Dupri for the victory.

Niven became Green’s new Tag Team title partner this August, taking over for Sonya Deville after Deville was forced out of action due to a torn ACL.

Raw is taking place from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville next Monday. The following matches have been announced for the show:

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green & Piper Niven defend against Tegan Nox & Natalya
  • Tag Team Turmoil match for Undisputed WWE Tag Team title shot: New Day vs. Alpha Academy vs. The Creed Brothers vs. DIY vs. Imperium vs. Indus Sher
  • Bronson Reed vs. Ivar

Two matches added to Monday’s WWE Raw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has announced two new additions to the lineup for Monday’s episode of Raw.

On Saturday morning, Raw general manager Adam Pearce revealed that Xia Li vs. Indi Hartwell and Tommaso Ciampa vs. Ludwig Kaiser are both set for this Monday (November 13). The episode is taking place from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

Li is currently feuding with Becky Lynch. On Raw last Monday, Li attacked Lynch before a Women’s World Championship number one contender’s battle royal. Lynch wasn’t able to compete following the attack. Pearce wouldn’t allow Li to participate in the battle royal after what she did to Lynch.

Li then showed up on Tuesday’s NXT and confronted NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria. Li said she plans to take the NXT Women’s title from Valkyria.

Ciampa & Johnny Gargano defeated Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci on the October 30 episode of Raw. Interference by Kaiser then caused Ciampa & Gargano to lose a match against The Creed Brothers last Monday.

The updated card for Monday’s Raw is listed below:

  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Finn Balor & Damian Priest defend against Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso
  • The Miz vs. Ivar
  • Piper Niven vs. Tegan Nox
  • Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Otis
  • Xia Li vs. Indi Hartwell
  • Tommaso Ciampa vs. Ludwig Kaiser

Women’s title match set for next week’s WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A match for the WWE Women’s Championship is set for next week.

IYO SKY will defend the title against Charlotte Flair following events that went down on Friday’s show. After defeating Zelina Vega, Bayley and the rest of Damage CTRL continued to target Vega until Flair made the save.

Later, Flair was seen in new SmackDown General Manager Aldis’ office. Also in the office was Jade Cargill, and the two exchanged words with one another.

Flair last competed for the title at WWE Fastlane, where she lost to SKY in a three-way match thanks to interference from Bayley.

Also set for next week is a match between Montez Ford and the LWO’s Santos Escobar. Carlito was being interviewed after making his return at Fastlane last Saturday when he was attacked by Lashley and the Street Profits. The LWO attempted to make the save, but Carlito had already been laid out.

Here is what is currently set for next week’s SmackDown:

  • WWE Women’s Championship: IYO SKY defends against Charlotte Flair
  • Santos Escobar vs. Montez Ford

New champions crowned at NJPW Dominion

Posted on by Bryan Rose

New champions were crowned at NJPW Dominion on Sunday.

Francesco Akira and TJP regained the IWGP Junior Tag Team titles from KUSHIDA and Kevin Knight. Akira scored the win for his team, pinning Knight after both he and TJP connected with running knees. This is their second reign with the titles.

Later in the show, Bishimon (YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto) won the IWGP Tag Team and New Japan Strong Tag Team titles, defeating Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL and Aaron Henare & The Great-O-Khan after hitting their powerbomb/GTR combo on Takahashi. Bishimon won the vacant titles after Aussie Open were forced to vacate the titles last month due to Mark Davis suffering an injury.

After the match, Alex Coughlin and Gabriel Kidd came out wearing Bullet Club t-shirts, revealing they had joined the group. They attacked Bishimon, making it clear they were next in line for a title match.

Elsewhere on the card, SANADA retained the IWGP World Heavyweight title against Yota Tsuji, Hiromu Takahashi retained the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title against Master Wato, Zack Sabre Jr. retained the New Japan World Television title over Jeff Cobb, David Finlay retained the NEVER title over El Phantasmo, and the team of Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Tomohiro Ishii retained the NEVER Six-Man Tag Team titles against Shota Umino, Jon Moxley, and Claudio Castagnoli.

Women’s Tag Team title match set for next week’s WWE Raw

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A Women’s Tag Team Championship match is set for the April 10 WWE Raw event. 

Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez defeated Damage CTRL’s Dakota Kai & IYO SKY on Monday’s Raw after WrestleMania to become number one contenders to Becky Lynch & Lita’s Women’s Tag Team titles. The title bout was then announced for next week. 

Lynch, Lita, and Trish Stratus defeated Bayley, Kai, and Sky on night one of WrestleMania 39 on Saturday. Damage CTRL’s Bayley was notably absent from Monday’s Raw after WrestleMania, while Stratus appeared in a backstage promo segment with Lynch & Lita. 

Morgan & Rodriguez competed in a four-way tag team Showcase match on WrestleMania Sunday, a match won by Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler, neither of whom appeared on the Raw after WrestleMania.

Also announced for next week, the returning Matt Riddle will face The Miz. 

Riddle made his return to WWE after a months-long absence on the Raw after WrestleMania, interrupting a Miz promo to set up the bout for next week. 

The April 10 Raw will be held at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. 

The announced lineup: 

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Becky Lynch & Lita defend against Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez
  • Matt Riddle vs. The Miz

WWE Raw ratings up for Roman Reigns appearance

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Raw last night averaged 1.77 million viewers, drew a 0.55 rating in 18-49, and drew a 0.37 in 18-34.

Essentially the story in recent weeks is that Raw has had an upswing in younger viewers, particularly 18-34, while losing viewership with people over 50.

Raw was second on cable to the Japan vs. Mexico World Baseball Classic game on FS1 which did 1.89 million viewers and a 0.68 in 18-49. Even though baseball in general draws a much older audience than most sports, the WBC games have been drawing the youngest sports audience of late, even younger than the usual three youngest audiences of soccer, the NBA, and AEW Dynamite.

Raw also beat ABC in hour three, CBS all night, NBC in hour three, and FOX after 9 p.m. The only shows ahead of Raw in 18-49 were the baseball game, The Bachelor (0.63), The Voice (0.64), and Fox’s 911 (0.59). During the 10 p.m. hour, Raw was second on television behind the baseball game.

Raw was second to baseball on cable in women 18-49, second in men 18-49, second in 18-34, second in women 12-34, and second in men 12-34. Raw was 11th in total viewers behind the baseball game and nine news shows.

It was up four percent in viewers from last week, up five percent in 18-49, and up six percent in 18-34.

From last year, Raw was up 0.1 percent in viewers, but up 10 percent in 18-49 and up 16 percent in 18-34. Factoring in homes lost, the actual percentage increases were six percent in viewers, 16 percent in 18-49, and 22 percent in 18-34. Again this is another example of the Raw audience being notably younger than heading into last year’s WrestleMania.

The big story of the ratings was that Raw held strong for all three hours, which is a feather in the cap of Roman Reigns since he was the person pushed for the final segment of the show. In fact, hour two beat hour one and the first to-third hour audience decline was only three percent.

First-to-third hour drops were only three percent in women 18-49, three percent in men 18-49, no drop in women 12-34, 10 percent in men 12-34, and four percent with people over 50. This is far better than usual.

The three hours were:

  • 8 p.m. 1.78 million viewers
  • 9 p.m. 1.81 million viewers
  • 10 p.m 1.73 million viewers

NJPW reveals full card for New Japan Cup finals

Posted on by Ian Carey

The 2023 New Japan Cup concludes on Tuesday in Nagaoka. 

NJPW has released the full card for the final day of the tournament. 

The night’s main event will see Bullet Club’s David Finlay face Just Five Guys’ SANADA to decide who takes home the cup this year. The winner will also earn an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match against Kazuchika Okada at Sakura Genesis. 

The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship will be defended on Tuesday’s show as well. Hiromu Takahashi will put his title on the line against Lio Rush. 

New Japan Cup Finals, March, 21, 2023 lineup:

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yuto Nakashima vs. DOUKI & Taichi
  • Ryohei Oiwa & Shota Umino vs. Kosei Fujita & Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Tomoaki Honma, Tomohiro Ishii & Tama Tonga vs. El Phantasmo, Chase Owens & KENTA
  • Rysuke Taguchi, Toru Yano, Ren Narita & El Desperado vs. Dick Togo, SHO, Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL
  • Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito vs. Aaron Henare & Great-O-Khan
  • YOSHI-HASHI, Hirooki Goto & Kazuchika Okada vs. Jeff Cobb, Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi (c) vs. Lio Rush
  • New Japan Cup 2023 Finals: SANADA vs. David Finlay

Thirteen matches announced for AEW Dark

Posted on by Ian Carey

AEW has announced the lineup for Dark. 

13 matches are scheduled to air on Tuesday’s show including Trent Beretta vs. Tony Nese, Billie Starkz vs. Emi Sakura, and Jeff Jarrett & Satnam Singh vs. The Boys (Brandon & Brent).

Preston Vance, Julia Hart, Tony Deppen, Matt Sydal, Slim J, and The Workhorsemen will also be featured on this week’s episode. 

AEW Dark on February 21, 2023, was filmed on Saturday, January 28, 2023, from Universal Studios in Orlando. The advertised lineup is as follows: 

  • Iron Savages (Boulder & Bronson) vs. Chris Sandson & Terry Kid
  • Preston Vance w/ Jose the Assistant vs. Blanco Loco
  • Emi Sakura vs. Billie Starkz
  • Julia Hart vs. Devlyn Macabre
  • Jora Johl & Rohit Raju vs. Dale Springs & Bryce Cannon
  • Tony Deppen vs. Caleb Konley
  • Jeff Jarrett & Satnam Singh vs. The Boys (Brandon & Brent)
  • The Wingmen (Peter Avalon, Ryan Nemeth & Cezar Bononi) vs. Jay Marte, Jarett Diaz & Rich Adonis
  • Dak Draper vs. Brady Booker
  • Trent Beretta vs. Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling
  • Matt Sydal vs. Slim J
  • The Renegades (Charlette & Robyn Renegade) vs. Lizzy Payton Blair
  • The Workhorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake) vs. Oliver Sawyer & Jay Malachi

Women’s Tag Team title match set for next week’s WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A unique Women’s Tag Team title match is set for next week’s WWE NXT.

It was announced on Tuesday that Katana Chance and Kayden Carter will defend the titles against Alba Fyre in a 2-on-1 match. After Isla Dawn cost Fyre a match against Sol Ruca, she was about to attack the referee with a baseball bat backstage when the champions came in to stop her. Instead of calming her down, however, the champions ended up getting challenged to a match by Fyre. The announcers later explained that Fyre had refused to find a tag team partner for the match.

Elsewhere, Tiffany Stratton will face Indi Hartwell after a vignette was shown of Hartwell taking over Stratton’s dressing room. Elektra Lopez will also be in action, taking on Wendy Choo.

Segments announced for next week include a Thea Hail award ceremony after she picked up a win over Valentina Feroz on Tuesday’s show. Lopez had come out prior to the finish of the match and handed Feroz a pair of brass knuckles. Feroz refused to use the weapon, but the distraction ultimately cost her the match.

A Vengeance Day summit between new Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez, Gigi Dolin, and Jacy Jayne will also take place. Perez, along with Lyra Valkaria, defeated Toxic Attraction on Tuesday’s show.

The new lineup for next week’s NXT:

  • NXT Women’s Tag Team titles: Katana Chance and Kayden Carter (c) vs. Alba Fyre
  • Tiffany Stratton vs. Indi Hartwell
  • Elektra Lopez vs. Wendy Choo
  • Thea Hail award ceremony
  • Vengeance Day Women’s Championship Summit

Two Tag Team title matches set for next week’s WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Both NXT Tag Team titles are on the line next week.

NXT Tag Team Champions The New Day will defend the titles against Briggs and Jensen, while Kayden Carter and Katana Chance will defend the Women’s Tag Team titles in a three-way against Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne and Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley.

Additionally, Carmelo Hayes will face Axiom, Zoey Stark will take on Nikkita Lyons, and Apollo Crews will return after his loss at NXT Deadline this past Saturday.

The New Day came out during Tuesday’s show to celebrate their title win when Pretty Deadly interrupted, wanting a rematch. The New Day said they would consider it if they could recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Briggs and Jensen came out and did just that, earning themselves a title match.

A match between Dolin & Jayne vs. Nile & Paxley that took place Tuesday ended when the three teams ended up brawling. Later in the show, the three teams fought again, with officials having to separate them.

Here is the lineup for next week’s NXT:

  • NXT Tag Team titles: The New Day defend against Briggs and Jensen
  • NXT Women’s Tag Team titles: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance defend against Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne and Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley
  • Zoey Stark vs. Nikkita Lyons
  • Elektra Lopez vs. Indi Hartwell
  • Apollo Crews returns

Eight matches announced for AEW Dark

Posted on by Josh Nason

For Tuesday’s edition of Dark, AEW will finish airing footage from their recent taping in Newark, New Jersey, with an eight-match lineup.

Brian Cage will look to rebound from his loss to Ricky Starks in the AEW World title eliminator tournament as he faces former ROH TV Champion Tony Deppen.

ChocoPro’s Hagane Shinno will make his official AEW debut as he takes on Angelico. Shinno competed against Michael Nakazawa at the company’s Fight Forever event at September’s Tokyo Game Show. This is Angelico’s first singles match and third match overall since September.

Former AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida will take on Layla Luciano.

Here’s the full lineup:

  • Hikaru Shida (w/ Hagane Shinno) vs. Layla Luciano
  • Matt Hardy & Private Party vs. The Wingmen (Peter Avalon, Cezar Bononi & Ryan Nemeth)
  • The Factory (Lee Johnson, QT Marshall & Cole Karter) vs. Justin Corino, Ryan Mooney & Steve Josifi
  • Zack Clayton vs. Chris Wylde
  • Angelico vs. Hagane Shinno
  • Brian Cage (w/ Prince Nana) vs. Tony Deppen
  • Jericho Appreciation Society (Matt Menard, Angelo Parker & Daniel Garcia) vs. Tracy Williams, LSG and Jack Tomlinson
  • Emi Sakura (w/ Baliyan Akki) vs. Tiara James

AEW reveals bracket for World title eliminator tournament

Posted on by Ethan Renner

AEW has revealed the bracket for the World title eliminator tournament set to conclude at Full Gear on November 19. 

Eight participants have been announced for the tournament, with one first round match set for the November 9 Dynamite, and three set for the November 11 Rampage.

The tournament semifinals will take place the following week, with the finals set for Full Gear. The winner will receive a title shot at Winter is Coming on December 14. 

The first round matches: 

  • Eddie Kingston vs. Ethan Page — November 9 Dynamite
  • Bandido vs. Rush — November 11 Rampage
  • Ricky Starks vs. Lance Archer — November 11 Rampage
  • Brian Cage vs. Dante Martin — November 11 Rampage

Bryan Danielson won the 2021 AEW World title eliminator tournament, defeating Miro in the finals at Full Gear. Danielson went on to face Hangman Page for the title at Winter is Coming in December in a match that went to a time limit draw.

Three matches announced for next week’s WWE NXT

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Three matches have been announced for the October 11 WWE NXT episode. 

In a tune-up match prior to Halloween Havoc, NXT Champion Bron Breakker will face “Big Body Javy” Javier Bernal in a non-title match next week. The match was set up on this week’s episode, where Bernal interrupted a Breakker interview backstage. Breakker is set to defend the NXT title against Ilja Dragunov and JD McDonagh in a triple threat match at Halloween Havoc on October 22.

The best-of-three series between Nathan Frazer and Axiom will conclude on next week’s show. Each has one victory in the series. The winner will also qualify for the North American Championship ladder match at Halloween Havoc.

In another bout for next week, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo will face Wes Lee in singles competition. 

Next week’s card: 

  • Bron Breakker vs. Javier Bernal
  • Best-of-three series finale, Halloween Havoc North American Championship qualifying match: Nathan Frazer vs. Axiom
  • Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo vs. Wes Lee