Your Weekly Wrestling Viewing Guide: Feb. 12 - 18, 2017

There’s a ton of wrestling content nowadays and unless you’re a hardcore pro-graps fan, you have to decide what to watch when and what to consider leaving out. That’s where we come in to help.

Every week, we are going to run down the big in-ring happenings for the easily accessible US wrestling. (“In-ring” meaning no Talking Smack nor Total Divas). This won’t cover your indie needs, but ReverendKain always has you covered in his weekly Sermon on the Mat for that. Ring of Honor won’t be making the weekly recap, but you can always find them on their website. Lucha Underground is on midseason break until the summer.

Bear in mind, matches could be added after this posts that would definitely change how worth a show is to watch.

Sunday

Elimination Chamber (WWE Network)

This SmackDown specific pay-per-view (PPV) looks to be one worth watching.

The Elimination Chamber match is a fun one that we don’t get to see often. While there isn’t a ton of intrigue given the rumors that Bray Wyatt will take home the prize, it’s still worth watching. You’ll either get to see Bray Wyatt win WWE’s top prize or a surprise you didn’t expect.

This show also has three women’s matches including the Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James dream match that will be LIT y’all. Also, Luke Harper and Randy Orton should have a really good match.

This show give us a clearer picture of the WWE title scene heading into WrestleMania.

Verdict: Definitely consider watching this

Monday

Monday Night Raw (USA Network)

Raw is advertising a Women’s title match between Charlotte and Bayley and WWE has taught us not to sleep on those. The Women’s title has been lost more than retained on Raw in the last six months.

Not that it would make much sense for Bayley to best Charlotte tomorrow, but there’s a lot in play that can happen. Will this be that long awaited Emmalina debut? Will we see a Sasha Banks heel turn?

Unfortunately, the rest of the show is likely going to tread water until Fastlane in a month. Kevin Owens will defend his title against Goldberg but if Goldberg isn’t there (and he’s not advertised) there isn’t much they can do. There is a Friendship Celebration with Jericho and Kevin Owens, and that should be funny, but I can’t see it advancing the plot too much.

When there’s a decent amount of time between shows, Raw will often just tread water. But the Women’s title match is worth getting your eyes on.

Verdict: The Women’s title match is worth checking out, though the rest of the show could be time filler.

Tuesday

SmackDown Live (USA Network)

Nothing is advertised because everything will be dependent on the outcome of Elimination Chamber. This fallout show should start putting some pieces of the WrestleMania puzzle together, though with a month and a half until the show of shows, that will be a slow process.

Still, with the title fallout from the Chamber, there’s plenty to watch for.

Verdict: This is worth checking out.

205 Live (WWE Network)

Last week, Jack Gallagher became number one contender to Neville’s cruiserweight title. The two Brits are almost polar opposite and if they advertise something good between the two (a tag match or some type of contract signing) it will be worth tuning in for.

Verdict: This is still a skippable show if you don’t care about the cruisers, but Gallagher vs. Neville will be a fun program.

Wednesday

NXT (WWE Network)

There are a couple matches advertised for this show but nothing that impacts the big stories of the NXT-verse.

The United Kingdom title will be defended when Trent Seven takes on champion Tyler Bate. The UK tournament was fun and this match should be as well. Also the Aussies (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) will face Liv Morgan and a partner of her choosing, which feels like a retread of something they did a month or so ago.

There’s nothing big advertised for Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Roode, or Tye Dillinger. Nor has there been any word on Kassius Ohno. It doesn’t mean they won’t be part of this show, but they’re not specifically advertised.

Verdict: There’s nothing advertised that makes this must watch, though that doesn’t mean it won’t be a good show.

Thursday

TNA Impact (Pop TV)

The Hardy Brothers are teleporting now and they’re going all over the world with that power to win tag team gold. This week, we’ll see the Hardys in Tijuana fighting Psicosis and Super Crazy. It’ll be a something different for Impact.

The other advertised match is a mixed tag between two members of Decay against Moose and Brandi Rhodes. Decay is always great but much of this match will be hiding Brandi as she’s still rather green in the ring.

They will also be following up on other stories such as Davey Richards finally stabbing his partner Eddie Edwards in the back.

Verdict: The Hardy stuff is new and may be worth a watch. They are also resetting some stories so this is a good jump on point if interested.

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There’s a ton of other wrestling out there and we can’t cover it all on here. So if there’s something you’re particularly excited for this week, let your fellow wrestling fans know in the comments.

See ya next week!