Tag: wol saturday

Wrestling Observer Live: Why can’t LA Knight win at Crown Jewel?

Posted on by Jim Valley

Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley is back with a new episode.

SmackDown did what it needed to do: heat up LA Knight for his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match against Roman Reigns in Saudi Arabia. Even though he’s hot right now, most people don’t expect Knight will win the title at Crown Jewel. Does it really matter if he does? WrestleMania is already sold out. It’s going to break records regardless.

Plus, AEW Rampage, Ronda Rousey working indies, NOAH, Stardom, New Japan in Las Vegas, Super Junior Tag League, NWA Samhain, CMLL, Vlad the Superfan documentary and more.

Plus, bonus time: I go through my 2023 Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame ballot after the show.

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Wrestling Observer Live: Packed weekend of wrestling, Sting’s upcoming retirement

Posted on by Jim Valley

Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley is back live and packed with wrestling! Seriously, a lot of wrestling. WWE SmackDown, AEW Rampage, AEW Collision, AEW Battle of the Belts, Impact Bound for Glory, NJPW Super Junior Tag League night one, and much more.

That’s a lot, isn’t it? So much, a caller asks, “How much wrestling is too much wrestling?” We do our best to answer the question.

Plus, Sting announces he’s going to retire early next year at AEW Revolution. Even though he’s from a different generation, Sting should be considered the first Gen-X wrestler. The first star on the national stage to embody Gen-X sensibilities. A very busy show. Check it out.

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Wrestling Observer Live: Tony Khan’s image vs. Vince McMahon’s image

Posted on by Jim Valley

Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley is back with a new episode.

If you followed wrestling the past few months, you’d think that AEW is about ready to become a Spirit Halloween store. Some metrics have been soft, but not nearly as bad as some would lead you to believe. Meanwhile, the feds investigate Vince McMahon and it has no effect on business whatsoever. Sometimes the PR battle is the most important one. We’ll talk about Tony Khan’s public image vs. Vince McMahon’s public image.

Plus, Matt Riddle, SmackDown, John Cena, AEW Rampage, and more. Check it out.

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Wrestling Observer Live: We’re in The Genuine Era

Posted on by Jim Valley

Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley is back.

It’s another weekend packed with wrestling: WWE Payback on Saturday, AEW All Out on Sunday, plus Collision, Rampage, and SmackDown. John Cena’s back and says he’ll be around for “months.”Cena’s return certainly promises to make this fall more interesting in WWE.

We’ve had the  Hulkamania Era,the Attitude Era, Ruthless Aggression Era, PG Era. What era would you say we’re in today? I’ll explain why I think we’re in “The Genuine Era.” 

Is money tight for New Japan? Plus, we talk Sukeban and much more. A packed show. Check it out.

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Wrestling Observer Live: The cross-generational influence of Bray Wyatt

Posted on by Jim Valley

Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley is back.

It’s been an emotional week in wrestling with the loss of Terry Funk, Abe Jacobs, and Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda). Wyatt touched so many people of different generations. His influence will be felt for years.

Is Terry Funk the greatest of all time? While other candidates may be household names, I’m not sure they can compete with the number of wrestlers influenced by Terry Funk.

Does it really feel like All In is one of the biggest shows in wrestling history? AEW is limping across the finish line. All that and more. Check it out.

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Wrestling Observer Live: Thank you, Edge

Posted on by Jim Valley

Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley is back this week.

An emotional ending to SmackDown as Edge beats Sheamus in what Edge says is his last match in Toronto. Is it his last match ever? We talk about that and his legacy. Plus, the arraignment of Cash Wheeler puts a spotlight on more AEW drama instead of the All In card at Wembley Stadium. Why can’t more wrestlers come into the corporate world the rest of us live in? Focus on money and not drama.

Plus, Rampage, Triplemania, The Dirty Sheet, and more. Check it out.

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Wrestling Observer Live: Talent and TV time

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley. Once again, a ton of wrestling this weekend. We try to cover it all in this extra-long show.

That includes an outstanding match between Rocky Romero and Mascara Dorada in Arena Mexico,, SmackDown, Rampage, Stardom, NXT Great American Bash preview, and more.

There’s been talk this week about talent and TV time with many blaming management. What about the talent? Do they bear any responsibility to get themselves more over? Plus, wrestling needs new ideas to grow, not a return to the past. It’s a packed, extra-long show. Check it out.

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Wrestling Observer Live: How much wrestling is too much?

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s a new edition of Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with a very tired Jim Valley who stayed up all night watching the first night of the NJPW G1 Climax. Some expected outcomes along with a few surprises. We’ll run that down. The G1 press conference is more like playing “Make Me Laugh” as the wrestlers cut promos intended to crack up their fellow roster members.

Plus, WWE SmackDown, AEW Rampage, AEW Collision, AEW Battle of the Belts, AAA Triplemania in Tijuana, Impact Slammiversary, and GCW where Mike Bailey gave Yoshihiko a Tiger Driver 91 off the top rope!

And I give you my thoughts on Nick Wayne, his AEW debut, and his future. A packed show of all packed shows. Check it out.

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Wrestling Observer Live: What would you do with LA Knight?

Posted on by Jim Valley

Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley is back discussing last night’s SmackDown, which had a red-hot New York City crowd at Madison Square Garden. We talk to someone who was there live. He tells us what made this crowd so different compared to other crowds from even just a few years earlier.

Plus, what would you do with LA Knight? He’s over. The crowd loves him. He sells merch. Should WWE invest more into a wrestler over 40 years old?

Also, Jim talks CM Punk, AEW Collision, the Grimace Shake, and more.

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Wrestling Observer Live: Why do we need so many record-setting title reigns?

Posted on by Jim Valley

Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley is back for a busy Memorial Day weekend.

We dive into the big pile of wrestling this weekend: Stardom Flashing Champions, Impact Under Siege, New Japan Best of the Super Juniors, GCW Lifestyle, NXT Battleground, AEW Double or Nothing, AEW Collision, and, of course, WWE Night of Champions.

Roman Reigns may be celebrating 1,000 days as champion, but Jim thinks all of the long title reigns in wrestling are getting boring and predictable.

Plus, AEW, CM Punk, and more. Check it out.

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Wrestling Observer Live: Can Cody maintain his WrestleMania momentum?

Posted on by Jim Valley

Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley is back for WrestleMania weekend. 

WWE has a lot of momentum heading into this weekend, but there are questions: Will Cody Rhodes maintain his popularity or will we see fans’ reaction to him change like it did in AEW? Even if the excitement over the Sami Zayn vs. Bloodline story wanes, there’s a lot of young talent ready to make their mark. When you look at the roster, WWE looks to be in very good shape.

Plus, ROH, the WWE Hall of Fame, Konnan, Rey Mysterio, Ric Flair, and much more.

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Wrestling Observer Live: WWE for sale, AEW in Portland & Seattle thoughts

Posted on by Jim Valley

Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley is back from Portland, Oregon — the home of Friday night’s AEW Rampage and Battle of the Belts.

Jim gives his thoughts on AEW live in Portland on Friday and AEW Dynamite in Seattle on Wednesday: The Acclaimed, Jade Cargill, Darby Allin, Jeff Jarrett, Kip Sabian, Teal Piper, and more.

But before that, word now that WWE has entered the process for a potential sale and has hired JPMorgan to help lead the talks. This follows the return of Vince McMahon to the WWE Board of Directors. Who are the possible suitors and what does all of this mean for the future of WWE and the business? Check it out.

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Wrestling Observer Live: The golden age of wrestling commentary

Posted on by Jim Valley

Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley is back with a new episode that was recorded ahead of Crown Jewel.

Everyone talks about great wrestlers and matches, but what about the quality and professionalism of the people calling those matches? When you think about it, we are truly living in a golden age of wrestling commentators. From WWE to AEW to NJPW to AAA to Impact, there are a lot of very talented people calling wrestling matches around the world.

It’s a crowded wrestling market and GCW has found its niche. Plus, Mike Tyson, Bray Wyatt, and NJPW Battle Autumn getting us excited for Wrestle Kingdom. Battle Autumn was such a great show. Check it out.

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Wrestling Observer Live: Sami has all of us feeling very ‘Ucey’

Posted on by Jim Valley

Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley is back with a new episode.

An unforgettable segment on Friday Night SmackDown: Sami Zayn was so funny that Jey Uso struggled and struggled not to break character on live TV. Another time, another talent, it could have ruined the moment. Instead, this was great. Classic stuff. 

On AEW Rampage, Swerve kidnapped Daddy Ass. Is that something we want from AEW? Where did this Swerve come from?

WWE has a lot of momentum heading into WrestleMania. What should AEW’s strategy be right now?

Uncle Howdy and Bray Wyatt talk a lot but don’t say too much. Also, we talk Emma, Ethan Page, Mike Tyson, and more in a potpourri of topics this week. Check it out.

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Wrestling Observer Live: Did Vince screw Vince?

Posted on by Jim Valley

Did Vince screw Vince? That’s the question on this edition of Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley.

Plus, more thoughts on Vince McMahon retiring from WWE. Is the retirement real? Will it be permanent? Why does Jim expect relatively few changes in the WWE presentation even if Vince is gone?

Then, in preparation for The Nature Boy’s “last match” next week, it’s The Roast of Ric Flair. Also, Jim talks Max Dupri reportedly being out of Maximum Male Models, ROH Death Before Dishonor, and more. A very fun show. Check it out.

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