Last Week in Pro Wrestling Today: Judgement Day's shocking move, Riddle faces SmackDown ban, AEW's battle royale goes down
When you think of professional wrestling, you think great athletes, male soap opera, DO NOT SAY FAKE, say choreographed, and pretty tough. I have seen folks get injured and still go. Also saw injuries I wish I never saw. Look up Rick Boogs at Wrestlmania and recently Big E. E almost died. But, they did not go on to perform. By now you have seen Cody Rhodes, and his torn pectoral muscle. It was one of the hardest things to watch, but it added so much to his ongoing story with Seth Rollins. But also, what does that say about Seth Rollins to be able to do what he did with Cody and keep him safe. That alone puts him in a level very few in the world are capable. Get well Cody, see you….at the Royal Rumble?
Monday Night Raw craziness…
Every segment afterwards was really good on Raw. WWE is looking like they’re in transition to something big for the summer. What? I don’t know. With all the plot twists this week, it’s tough to pick up on. In wrestling, that is a good thing, where we as fans don’t really know what is next. The Usos and the Street Profits crushed it on Monday Night. The Street Profits have been patient while this RK-Bro story played itself out. Now, it’s their turn. In a high flying, hard hitting match, the Street Profits were able to steal a victory via count out(protecting the Usos) to set themselves up for an opportunity at the Tag Titles.
The Judgement Day welcomed a new member. Well, sort of. Addition by subtraction. In an effort to gain more clout, Judgement Day turned on their leader Edge. In a surprise betrayal, Damian Priest WRECKED Edge. Acknowledging Finn Balor as their new member at Edge’s expense. We didn’t really get to see what Judgment Day could be with Edge, but with Finn, we have a story for one of the best talents on the roster and someone who could really benefit in Damian Priest. Up and comers getting their shot with a legit story behind them. Let’s see what they got. Give it a chance, I will as well.
Rhea Ripley, member of Judgement day, is getting her shot at Bianca Belair. She came out the victor of a fatal four-way match with Alexa Bliss, Doudrop and Liv Morgan. It was entertaining as hell, but this was the match we all wanted as these two always kill it at the Rumble in their specific spots. Should be a good one for Money in the Bank.
SmackDown lived up to the hype, too…
SmackDown was legit as well. The qualifying matches have begun for Money in the Bank. Drew McIntyre and Sheamus tore it down. These two when they have their matches, it always resembles just a hard hitting fight. We got just that and more. The match ended in a double DQ. So, who is going into the ladder match? Adam Pearce has been threatened by both. Now…we wait.
Walter, I mean, Gunther went face to face with Ricochet for the Intercontinental Championship. Both competitors were able to showcase how great they are in their respective ways. Gunther is strong and physical. Ricochet is fast, agile, and is just a ridiculously talented athlete. The build for Gunther has led to this moment. Gunther defeated Ricochet and is your new Intercontinental champion. This star is just starting to shine, and now we see what Gunther can do on the A show.
Riddle was able to get his hands on Sami Zayn in a match with high stakes. Lose, never come back to SmackDown. Or, win and get a shot at the Universal Champion Roman Reigns. With Paul Heyman ringside, Riddle had to scrap and claw against Sami. Riddle had to go into deep waters. Inspired by his best bro, Randy Orton, Riddle was able to hit an RKO to secure his match against the Tribal Chief next week on SmackDown. Once it was over, cue The Bloodline to jump Riddle. But, Riddle didn’t go down easy. He stood up and made his threat. Let’s see what happens this week!
All Elite Wrestling’s intense fights go hard…
AEW had their battle royale to determine who would face Jon Moxley for the main event spot at Forbidden Door. I had my money initially on Andrade El Idolo. The match was great. It came down to Wheeler Yuta and Kyle O’Riley. KOR was able to eliminate Yuta and earned his match with the number 1 contender for the AEW Championship. We’ll comeback to that later, just another banger on Mox’s belt.
The Bastard Pac and Buddy Matthews opened the All-Atlantic Title tournament, a new belt for AEW. Back even to their WWE days, these two put on a match which could only be described as phenomenal. Pac was able to get the victory on his 450 splash. He will face the winner of Miro (my favorite) and Ethan Page.
Will Ospreay decided to show up. He wasn’t alone. Tony Khan is fascinated by the Forbidden Door, so here came the New Japan Pro Wrestling Invasion of Dynamite. It was expected as the build is still going for the end of the month, but taking down FTR is the process was a surprise. How does AEW respond?
The main event of the evening Mox v. KOR. Blood flows in almost all of Mox’s matches. You can count on that like the sun is going to rise. Thing is. We got to see a different side to Mox as well. KOR is one of the best wrestlers in the world. Mox was able to bring his reckless character and hard hitting, brawling style to a wrestling match. KOR looked as though he may even steal it away. The way the match was going, AEW did a good job of making you doubt what the eventual outcome would be. Mox was able to hit a paradigm shift to get the cover on KOR. Setting up Jon Moxley for the main event and Interim Championship match at Forbidden Door. Now, the waiting game begins.
Another great week of professional wrestling. If you want to continue the conversation, or I missed something you want to talk about, hit me up in the comments or on the social media. Twitter: @zero2hero or IG: Rproctor23. Keep an eye on Wardlow going after the TNT championship.
