Weekly Wrestling Viewing Guide: Oct 8 - 14, 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. This won’t cover your indie needs, but ReverendKain always has you covered in his weekly Sermon on the Mat for that.

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

Sunday

Hell in a Cell (WWE Network)

SmackDown has their first post SummerSlam exclusive pay-per-view and it will feature hell’s playground. Or is hell’s playground Elimination Chamber? I get my monikers confused.

This feels like a show that is very top heavy with a bunch of average undercard matches. The two matches that earned the Cell stipulation, Kevin Owens vs. Shame McMahon & New Day vs. the Usos, are highly anticipated bouts.

The rest don’t feel big. It doesn’t mean some of them won’t deliver, but the excitement going into it isn’t there.

Verdict: It is worth watching for the Cell matches, but it may be something to wait and see if it’s worth watching the entire show or just some key matches.

Monday

NJPW Kings of Pro Wrestling (NJPW World)

This is a very early in the morning show that has three big matches at the top of the card, two of them rematches from the G1 Climax.

Tetsuya Naito will put his G1 contract up against Tomohiro Ishii. And Okada will defend his IWGP heavyweight title against EVIL.

AND Will Ospreay will challenge KUSHIDA for the Junior Heavyweight title.

Verdict: The top three matches are high implication matches and if you’re a fan of NJPW, you’re probably already checking them out.

Monday Night Raw (USA Network)

This biggest thing happening on Raw is the eventual Shield reunion. And it may very well happen this week. Apparently, they are returning to the building that they both debuted in and broke up in. It would only make sense for then to reunite there.

Say what you will about the lack of competition for the Shield or the uninspired story, and there’s plenty to say there if you so choose, the idea of an epic trio reuniting is worth tuning in for. My bet is when that moment happens, we won’t care about the caliber of competition or the story prior. It’ll just be a great moment.

Sheamus and Cesaro will be on Miz TV and that will likely play into the reunion.

Verdict: It’s worth tuning in to see the Shield reunion. That feels like something you won’t want to miss.

Tuesday

SmackDown Live (USA Network)

This is the Hell in the Cell fallout. Chances are there will be things to look out for, but it will be dependent on how the PPV plays out.

Verdict: Post PPV shows are usually worth checking out.

205 Live (WWE Network)

205 Live is fully the Zo show and he’s got a future date with Kalisto.

Verdict: If you like the cruisers or certified g’s, check it out.

Wednesday

NXT (WWE Network)

We know now that the next TakeOver is subtitled War Games, though it’ll be a few weeks until that’s announced on NXT TV. But there’s still TakeOver implications as there’s a triple threat between Peyton Royce, Nikki Cross, & Liv Morgan to claim one of the spots in the women’s fatal 4-way to crown a new NXT champion.

Also, Johnny Gargano will face Andrade “Cien” Almas in a TakeOver: Brooklyn rematch.

Verdict: While this doesn’t seem like the most “must watch,” NXT has been overall entertaining as of late

Lucha Underground (El Rey Network)

Ultima Lucha Tres continues. Previously, I had mentioned that they part 3 last week, but that is incorrect. See the note below and check your DVR to make sure the same issue wasn’t made so you don’t miss your episodes.

(Note: This was based on my XFinity DVR settings that had a bunch of things mislabeled. It recorded both episodes of last week’s show but labeled it as Ultima Lucha Tres 2 AND 3 and then don’t have anything set to record next week. I’m leaving this here as a reminder for those who DVR the show to make sure to check their DVR schedule in case this is an issue for others.)

Verdict: If you’re following Lucha Underground, watch the last two episodes of the season. But I wouldn’t call a season finale a jumping on point. If you want to jump on, hit up Netflix or iTunes and check out season one.

Thursday

Impact Wrestling (Pop TV)

Impact is setting up it’s Bound for Glory main event on Thursday when Johnny Impact (aka Mundo) will face Garza Jr. The winner faces Eli Drake for the Global title at Bound for Glory. With BFG only a few weeks away, there may be other matches made for the PPV on this show.

Verdict: The BFG implications make it worth keeping an eye on, but it doesn’t feel “Must Watch”

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If I could only watch one thing this week, it’d be:

Raw

It feels weird picking Raw. I mean, there’s a Hell in a Cell pay-per-view the night before with two matches that I’m highly looking forward to. New Japan’s special has three exciting matches. And Raw is often a slog at 3 hours.

But man, I just couldn’t miss out on that Shield reunion. Even if it’s not guaranteed to happen on this episode, though I bet it does, I’d have to tune in to find out.

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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!