The Rise of Women’s Mid-Card Titles in WWE: What to Expect

The winds of change in WWE’s women’s division arrived in the form of the Women’s United States Championship. A tournament to crown the inaugural champion kicked off on SmackDown last Friday when Bayley defeated B-Fab and Candice LeRae and will meet the winner of the Bianca Belair vs. Chelsea Green vs. Blair Davenport. The other side of the bracket sees Jae Cargill vs. Michin vs. Piper Niven and Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi vs. Elektra.

The tournament finals will be held on 12/14 at Saturday Night’s Main Event, emanating from the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The first round will comprise four Triple Threat Matches, with singles matches filling the semi-final rounds.

Fans have clamored for a women’s mid-card title in WWE for years. NXT was the testing ground for the initiative in June when Kelani Jordan became the inaugural Women’s North American Champion.

Fatal Influence’s Fallon Henley recently bested Jordan to hold the gold. There are rumors of either a Women’s Intercontinental Title or a Netflix Title being implemented on Raw as the brand’s secondary women’s championship.

Tony Khan popularized the women’s mid-card title concept in the U.S. when AEW introduced the TBS Championship 2021, and ROH followed suit with the Women’s World Television Championship in May 2024. Mercedes Moné and Red Velvet are the respective title holders. Last year, Billy Corgan’s NWA also implemented a Women’s World Television Title.

Women’s wrestling in WWE and abroad has significantly expanded over the last decade. The top storyline on Monday Night Raw was the love triangle between Rhea Ripley, Dominick Mysterio, and Liv Morgan. In the eyes of many, it demonstrates how female acts on television are now on par with male performers in terms of importance.

While hard-nosed grizzle veterans say title belts are simply props, the right champion differentiates between them being a fashion accessory and a coveted prize. Mid-card championships allow members of a particular roster to work their way up, and as with most things in life, there are levels to professional wrestling.

Throughout WWE lore, most male wrestlers win the secondary or mid-card championship before capturing the World Championship. However, the women’s roster has no silver medal to win. No progression to establish a character’s credibility as they work through the ranks.

Female wrestlers have either been in the world title mix or have been irrelevant until now. With sixty-eight active women’s wrestlers in WWE and more on the horizon, it is the perfect time to introduce a second singles title across all three brands.

Brock Lesnar’s WWE Return: Rumors Resurface

The rumor of Brock Lesnar’s return resurfaces frequently, but sources with an excellent track record confirmed the story this time. While not surprising, it’s still disappointing.

Lesnar was last seen getting ousted by Cody Rhodes, the company’s top star, fourteen months ago. Since then, WWE has thrived like never before, and to be blunt, the company has moved past the need for Lesnar.

While Lesnar wasn’t named in the Janel Grant lawsuit, the Wall Street Journal and the Mr. McMahon Netflix documentary identified him as the former UFC fighter referenced. The suit alleges Vince McMahon used Grant as a sexual bargaining chip while negotiating to re-sign Lesnar in 2021.

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WWE 2024 Bad Blood (Review)

Twenty-seven years ago, at WWE’s inaugural Bad Blood event, not only did the first Hell in Cell Match take place, but the most memorable debut in wrestling history changed WWE forever. Undertaker battered and bloodied Shawn Michaels in the climax of their historic matchup. Then the lights fall, the arena turns red, and a large crimson figure storms toward the ring.

“IT’S GOT TO BE KANE!” McMahon infamously yelled as the masked man ripped the door off the Cell and tombstoned his older brother, allowing Shawn Michaels to pin the Undertaker. After two decades, WWE presents the 4th edition of Bad Blood, emanating from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

CM Punk and Drew McIntyre will complete their hellacious trilogy inside Hell in a Cell and perhaps the most star-studded tag team since the Mega Powers take center stage as Cody Rhodes teams with the returning Roman Reigns to take on Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.

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The Max of AEW’s Media Rights Renewal

After months of intense speculation that predicted glorious ascension from some and the utter demise from others, All Elite Wrestling and Warner Bros. Discovery officially announced a new multi-year media rights deal on Wednesday.

The renewal of the deal calls for Dynamite and Collision to remain on TBS and TNT respectively, with AEW programming streaming live simultaneously on Max for U.S. subscribers in January 2025. AEW pay-per-view events will stream live on Max later next year for an additional cost.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Kathleen Finch confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that AEW’s library will be available on Max as part of the deal.

The Sports Business Journal is the first mainstream source to report that WBD has an equity stake in AEW and retained it as part of the new deal.

Industry insiders, including former WCW President Eric Bischoff, have long since suspected ownership stake was part of the equation, considering their financial support of the promotion despite declining ratings.

There was no mention of AEW’s Friday night show Rampage, their quarterly specials Battle of the Belts, Ring of Honor, or Tru TV, which is rebranding as a sports channel. The word on the street is Rampage has been canceled and will finish its run through 2024.

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PodcastOne and Nic and Ryan Nemeth Tag Team for Nemeth Bros Podcast

PodcastOne and Nic and Ryan Nemeth Tag Team for Joint Venture Nemeth Bros Podcast

Wrestling World Champion Nic Nemeth and Brother Award Winning Actor Ryan Nemeth Launch Weekly Wrestling and Comedy Podcast

Los Angeles, CA – September 4, 2024 – PodcastOne (Nasdaq: PODC), a leading podcast platform and a subsidiary of LiveOne (NASDAQ: LVO), announced today that it has entered into a multi-year exclusive joint venture with Nic and Ryan Nemeth for the Nemeth Bros Podcast. PodcastOne will exclusively oversee the distribution and sales on the weekly wrestling and comedy show which is set for launch on September 5, 2024.

Nic and Ryan Nemeth bring all things wrestling, comedy, and pop culture along with insider knowledge, personal anecdotes, and special guests each week! Whether you’re a die-hard wrestling fan or just looking for your next pop culture fix, Nemeth Bros offers a perfect mix of humor, commentary, and exclusive interviews that you won’t want to miss.

“There are very few personalities that are as dynamic as Nic and Ryan Nemeth. Meeting them it was easy to see how they’ve managed to create their fandom, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have them on our network. This duo is incredible, they are witty and they have the sort of charismatic energy that only points at success. We know that podcast listeners, wrestling fans or not, will love this show,” said Kit Gray, President of PodcastOne.

“When we were approached by PodcastOne to launch a podcast we were impressed by their enthusiasm, their professionalism, and their commitment. With their proven track record and the expert teams they have in place, we’re thrilled to partner with them. We cannot wait to share our unique voice, expert opinions and our sibling revelry and rivalry and make this podcast the “must listen” in podcasting,” said Nic and Ryan Nemeth.

Nic Nemeth is the Wanted Man! He is the current TNA World Champion and a two-time WWE World Champion, a living legend in pro wrestling, and he has garnered championship titles all over the world. He’s been featured on Comedy Central’s Roast Battle, starred in the film Countdown, and you can see him in the feature film Drugstore June. Ryan Nemeth is an award-winning actor, writer, wrestler, and comedian. You can see him in A24’s feature film The Iron Claw, in the upcoming film Stranglehold, countless sketches on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and on AEW and TNA programming as the Hollywood Hunk. Nic and Ryan perform live together on their touring variety show Hunkamania.

Nemeth Bros is available through PodcastOne, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, Amazon and wherever podcasts are heard. PodcastOne’s full roster of top ranked podcasts includes programming across top genres such as news, comedy, true crime and society and culture, including shows such as The Adam Carolla Show, LadyGang, Baby Mamas No Drama, Varnamtown, The Prosecutors, Court Junkie, The Jordan Harbinger Show, Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe, Camp Counselors, and The Schaub Show.

WWE SummerSlam 1989: Feuds, Matches, and Controversies

It’s time to “Feel the Heat” with the sophomore edition of WWE’s “biggest party of the summer.” The summer of 1989 was all about the feud between Hulk Hogan and “The Human Wrecking Machine” Zeus, aka Tiny Lister, aka Debo, which was used as a vehicle to promote Hogan’s first theatrical starrer, No Holds Barred.

“Macho Man” Randy Savage was still sour over losing the WWE Title to Hogan at WrestleMania 5, aligned with the seemingly indestructible Zeus to finally destroy Hulkamania. Not to fear, the Hulkster has backup in the form of everyone’s favorite barber, Brutus Beefcake.

The broadcast opened with a shot of a red-hot New Jersey crowd inside Meadowlands Arena. Jesse “The Body” Ventura and Tony Schiavone welcome everyone to the show. Ventura’s mad at Schiavone for getting Bobby Heenan run off the air.

Schiavone remained professional and excitedly proclaimed it was time to “Feel the heat,” with a video montage of summertime activities and WWE superstars hitting their finishing maneuvers to the nostalgic sound of the old-school SummerSlam theme song. Jim Johnson

Do you like driving your red Corvette with the top down? How about a Brainbuster (spiked piledriver) instead? Speaking of Brain Busters…

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The Legacy of Sid Vicious, Sid Justice, and Sycho Sid

A man of many names in many places with many faces. Intensity incarnate who enthralled the masses regardless of whether he was friend or foe.

I was shocked, along with many others, to learn that Sid Eudy, famously known as Sid Vicious, Sid Justice, and Sycho Sid, died on August 26. Eudy, who was only 63 years old, will always be remembered as one of the great pro wrestling attractions of the 90s.

Sid’s passing was announced on Monday by his son Gunnar Eudy on Facebook, who stated that Sid had been battling stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for several years. On Tuesday, Gunnar posted more about his father: “He was known as Psycho Sid Vicious to the world, but to our family, he was simply ‘Popper,’ the beloved grandfather.”

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Ten Favorite Movies

Daily writing prompt

What are your top ten favorite movies?

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I decided to have fun with the WordPress daily writing prompt and list my 10 favorite movies. The listings are in no particular order. These are primarily movies that always stop me while channel surfing.

1. The Empire Strikes Back (1980): “Do. Or do not. There is no try”

2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994): “Hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things and no good thing ever really dies.”

3. The Boondock Saints (1999): “We’re sorta like 7-Eleven. We’re not always doing business, but we’re always open.”

4. Forest Gump (1994): “Lieutenant Dan got me invested in some kind of fruit company. So then I got a call from him, saying we don’t have to worry about money no more.”

5. Independence Day (1996): “We’re going to live on! We’re going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!

6. Remember the Titans (2000): “Alice, are you blind? Don’t you see the family resemblance? That’s my brother.”

7. Goodfellas (1990): “Never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut.”

8. The Usual Suspects (1995): “How do you shoot the devil in the back? What if you miss?”

9. Lilo & Stitch (2002): “Oh good. My dog found the chainsaw.”

10. The Truman Show (1998): “Good morning, and in case I don’t see ya: Good afternoon, good evening, and good night!”

Since I primarily cover professional wrestling, here are my favorite films regarding the operatic undertakings of the Squared Circle.

1. The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019): “Tyler, I am going to give you all of my wishes for my birthday.“

2. Body Slam (1986): “You don’t need music to wrestle. You need Balls”

3. Vision Quest (1985): “Have you done everything you came to do?”

4. Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows (1998): “There was no choice but to get up and punch Vince one time.

5. The Wrestler (2008): “The only place I get hurt is out there.” As Randy points away from the ring.

6. Man on the Moon (1999): “You don’t know the real me.”

7. The Iron Claw (2023): “It’s okay Dad, we’ll be your brothers.”

8. Beyond the Mat (1999): “I think he could be Denzel’s friend.”

9. Ready to Rumble (2000): “Sal Bandini! Wanna wrestle?”

10. No Holds Barred (1989): “You jock ass.”

All In Texas Is Not a Good Idea

What seemed to be another false wrestling rumor was true after all. AEW will run its first U.S. stadium show next year. All In comes to the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. It will be the first pro wrestling show held in the home of MLB’s Texas Rangers. Globe Life Field opened in 2020 and holds 40,300 people at capacity.

Saturday’s episode of Collision will wrap up AEW’s five-week residency at Arlington’s Esports Stadium (it’s not a stadium). Tony Khan denied the rumors of a stadium show in Texas last month, saying it’s an exciting idea, but it’s not something he’d do anytime soon.

All In will return to London in 2026. AEW’s flagship pay-per-view will emanate for the second consecutive time at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, August 25. The headline bouts feature Swerve Strickland defending the AEW World Championship against Bryan Danielson, and MJF puts the American Championship on the line against Will Ospreay.

Can AEW fill a stadium in the United States with 40,000 people? Can they draw a respectable number if the show isn’t a sellout? It was the first question on everyone’s mind when they heard the news. AEW has struggled with TV ratings and at the box office lately. While the shows have improved recently, a long stretch of bad shows has seemingly eroded consumer confidence.

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WWE SummerSlam 2024 Review

Depending on your preferred flavor of professional wrestling, SummerSlam received rave reviews from some and faint praise from others. Those who live or die by five-star ratings won’t find a match on the card to garner such esteem. However, fans who are all about spectacle and storytelling got more than their money’s worth on Saturday night, as Cleveland Browns Stadium hosted “the biggest party of the summer.”

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