We’re on the cusp of witnessing a legitimate dream match in professional wrestling. For many diehard fans, Kenny Omega and Bryan Danielson are the absolute best wrestlers in the industry.
The two will lock horns on tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite, ceremonially dubbed “Grand Slam.” New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium will host the largest crowd in AEW’s 2 ½ year history, along with millions watching at home on TNT.
Continue reading “All About A Dream: Omega vs. Danielson”
Big E is the new WWE Champion, and don’t you dare be sour!
Continue reading “Big E Cashes In Big”
I was sleeping in on the morning of September 11, 2001, for I thought it was another Tuesday off from school.
Continue reading “Looking back at 9/11 with WWE Documentary ‘Never Forget’ (Review)”
Years from now, when fans look back at All Elite Wrestling’s 2021 edition of All Out, they won’t just remember one of the most incredible nights in professional wrestling. Still, they will gain a deep appreciation for the nonconformist storytelling that led the way.
AEW owner Tony Kahn did things on Sunday night that the rules of booking 101 prohibit. Every veteran, booker, and experienced hand worth their salt would not have debuted four new acts on one show, much less two of them in the same segment.
One on loan from Japan and the other three officially signed, sealed, and “All Elite.”
Continue reading “AEW Delivers an ‘All Out’ Blockbuster”
Recently, Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) officially conferred World Championship status on The IWTV Independent Wrestling Championship and Pan-Afrikan World Diaspora Wrestling Championship.
Since 1979, PWI has provided news and rankings with their highly selective World Championship distinction. This news took me down memory lane, recalling treks to the newsstand as a kid (RIP Bookends) to secure the latest issue. I still remember the first issue I ever purchased.
The magazine served as a kayfabe sanctioning body for the industry. Fans ate it up as it provided a sports motif, which made wrestling feel more legitimate.
However, there is one time I vehemently disagreed with their ruling.
Continue reading “The Ballad of PWI’s World Title Recognition”
The bloodshed continues as WWE released 13 NXT talents Friday night during SmackDown. Many of the names on this list were currently on television, while others wrestled sparingly. What does this mean for the future of NXT and WWE? What about Triple H and Vince McMahon’s eye for talent? Bronson Reed is the prominent name on the list that includes:
The wrestling world received some sad news today. ‘Beautiful’ Bobby Eaton passed away Wednesday at the age of 62. Deborah Eaton, Bobby’s sister, confirmed the news on Facebook.
Bobby started wrestling in 1976 and wrestled throughout the southern territories, Mid-Atlantic, Jim Crockett Promotions, and WCW.
Eaton’s biggest claim to fame was one-half of the Midnight Night Express with Dennis Condrey and Stan Lane. Jim Cornette managed both incarnations. Their battles with the Rock “n” Roll Express in the ’80s is one of the hottest wrestling feuds of all time.
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone in the wrestling business who has a bad word to say about Bobby Eaton, the worker, and the man.
Konnan, ten years ago, in an interview, talked about working with Bobby Eaton on a 1999 WCW house show in Alabama. Konnan was booked to go over, but he insisted on putting over Eaton.
Konnan’s request was denied.
When the bell rang, Konnan told Eaton and the referee he was changing the finish. Eaton went over to a huge pop, and Konnan expected to be read the riot act when he walked back through the curtain.
Instead, he was applauded for the finish.
When Konnan was asked why he went to such lengths to put over said Bobby Eaton, Konnan said Eaton is such a nice guy and wanted to give him a win in his hometown. That speaks volumes, considering the dog-eat-dog atmosphere of many wrestling locker rooms.
In any trade, some individuals are revered by their peers for how well they apply their craft.
Basketball hopefuls observe and admire how well Mark Price shot free throws.
Up and coming boxers are urged to examine the defensive genius of Pernell Whitaker.
Aspiring wrestlers are encouraged to study the work of Bobby Eaton.
Eaton wasn’t an elite high flyer or a technical wizard. However, he was a highly versatile jack of all trades who told engaging stories in the ring. Eaton is highly respected within the business for his talent as an all-around worker from bell to bell.
Oh man, that punch was a thing of beauty, and who can forget his top rope leg drop, the Alabama Jam. These attributes led him to a reign as WCW Television Champion along with a plethora of tag team titles.
Bobby Eaton leaves a legacy as a pioneer of tag team wrestling in front of the camera and the kindest gentleman behind the camera.
– Bray Wyatt Released by WWE
WWE releasing Bray Wyatt was the big news of this past weekend. Wyatt, whos been out since WrestleMania in a losing effort to Randy Orton, was expected to return at any moment. At the end of the match, Alexa Bliss turned on Wyatt while simultaneously taking over “The Fiend” character.
WWE has released over 33 wrestlers in 2021, with Wyatt as the latest casualty with “budget cuts” cited as the official reason. The company is reportedly trying to get the payroll down, and with such an initiative, a wrestler’s on-screen range as a performer means more than ever. What do I mean?
Continue reading “Ringside Roundup: Bray Wyatt, Adam Page, Ronda Rousey, Adam Cole’s Contract, More”
Yesterday morning, I told my wife, who doesn’t follow wrestling, about “Pizza Cutter Gate.” As I finished telling the story, her dog barking text notification went off. It was a message from Dominos about a new pizza deal. At that point, I knew I had to write about this.
Dominos issued a statement regarding a commercial that aired Wednesday night on AEW Dynamite playing juxtaposed to Nick Gage using a pizza cutter on Chris Jericho’s forehead. This bloody and hilarious coincidence has everyone but AEW laughing.
Continue reading “Wrestling’s “Pizza Cutter Gate” is a Howl”
All Elite Wrestling is on the precipice of its first game-changing moment in its short but noteworthy history. In a similar vein to when WCW signed Hulk Hogan in 1994, AEW has presumably signed CM Punk.
Capitalizing on the fervent speculation, Tony Schiavone announced Rampage on August 20 will emanate from Punk’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois, at the United Center. The sophomore episode is auspiciously dubbed “The First Dance.”
Continue reading “Will CM Punk’s Arrival in AEW Cancel Out Adam Page?”
