Weekly Wrestling Viewing Guide: Aug. 13 - 19, 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.

Monday

Monday Night Raw (USA Network)

It’s the go home show to the SummerSlam pay-per-view (PPV) and it will be all hands on deck (in this case meaning Brock will surely be there again). While there have been matches made, such as the fatal 4-way Universal title match, Wyatt/Bálor, and Big Show/Big Cass, there are matches that still need to be set for the PPV.

Sasha Banks will face Nia Jax to find out who will face Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam since Bayley is out with an injured shoulder. And there hasn’t been any match made for Intercontinental title (probably Miz/Jason Jordan), the Hardys, or Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins.

With plenty of SummerSlam implications and their likely desire to add buzz to the big summer show that doesn’t feel like it has much, it’s worth keeping an eye on. Then again, go home shows often disappoint.

Verdict: There are things that still need to be set up for SummerSlam so it’s worth keeping an eye on things for that. But I can’t imagine you’d miss anything big if you just tuned in for SummerSlam next week instead.

ROH Wrestling ( FITE ) - any time on Demand at ROH Wrestling’s website.

As per usual, here’s its999maggle with this week’s recap:

This week, we have Kenny King vs. KUSHIDA for the ROH World TV Championship. After a face turn, we'll see how much Kenny holds up on his own.

Verdict: Worth your "Free" time

Tuesday

SmackDown Live (USA Network)

Obviously, this is a go home show for SummerSlam as well. However, unlike Raw, it feels like the blue brand’s card is pretty much set. (Though if that’s the case, this would be the first PPV Charlotte would miss since arriving on the scene.)

Maybe we’ll actually see Shinsuke Nakamura and Jinder Mahal do something together this week since that hasn’t happened yet and they are, you know, the WWE title match.

Verdict: Same as Raw - may be worth watching but you probably can just tune into SummerSlam.

205 Live (WWE Network)

The big stories in the division will be touched on during Raw, but to follow all of the happenings, 205 Live is the spot to look.

Verdict: If you like the cruisers, check it out.

Wednesday

NXT (WWE Network)

This is the third go home for WWE with TakeOver: Brooklyn on Saturday. However, NXT has a big match with title implications set for this night.

Drew McIntyre will face Roderick Strong. If Roddy wins, he will get a shot at the championship after TakeOver. (This is not to add him to the main event in Brooklyn.) Also, we will get a contract signing between Asuka and Ember Moon and that should deliver.

Verdict: If I were to pick one go home show to watch this week, it’d be NXT’s.

Lucha Underground (El Rey Network)

We’re onto the semi final matches in the Cueto cup and things are heating up as they head to the finish line. Also, LU’s other stories, which are their bread and butter, have stated picking up, adding to the enjoyment of the show.

Verdict: Lucha Underground is always a fun show. If it’s your bag, watch it.

Thursday

GFW Impact Wrestling (Pop TV)

This is their Destination X special, which is pretty much a PPV for them but on TV. It’s also filmed the same day (not technically live but pretty close) so there’s more possibility for surprises.

Here’s what’s advertised:

• Alberto El Patron (c) vs. Low-Ki for the GFW title
• Sienna (c) vs. Gail Kim for the GFW women’s title
• Matt Sydal vs. Bobby Lashley in a #1 contenders match
• Sonjay Dutt (c) vs. Trevor Lee in an ladder match for the X Division title
• Taiji Ishimori vs. Dezmond Xavier in the Super X Cup finals

Also, the tag team oVe (who you may know as the Crist Brothers) will debut. As for possible surprises, John Morrison/Mundo and Taya have worked some house shows for GFW lately so it’s always possible they make an appearance. That’d be cool.

Verdict: This is an episode to consider checking out since they’re pretty much treating it like a PPV on TV.

Saturday

NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III (WWE Network)

TakeOver: Brooklyn is more like NXT’s WrestleMania than the show they actually run on WrestleMania weekend. It was their first big show outside of Full Sail two years ago and they always treat it like a huge deal.

The card:

• Bobby Roode (c) vs. Drew McIntyre for the NXT title
• Asuka (c) vs. Ember Moon for the NXT Women’s title
• Authors of Pain (c) vs. SAnitY for the tag team championships
• Hideo Itami vs. Aleister Black
• Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas

This very well could be the first time we see Asuka lose in her tenure in NXT. Black/Itami should be killer, as should Gargano/Almas. But even if there’s a match or two that you may not be as hyped for, TakeOver always delivers.

Verdict: TakeOvers are pretty much must watch shows.

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

TakeOver: Brooklyn

This isn’t a tough call for me. I can’t think of a bad TakeOver. I remember a bad Baron Corbin/Bull Dempsy match, but I assume the rest of that card was solid.

I’ve been a huge McIntyre fan for awhile so I’ll be rooting him on hard. I’m more excited for Asuka/Ember this time than I was last time. And my dark horse is Itami/Black for some hard hitting, ass kicking action. The only match that I’m not too pumped about is the tag team title match, but even that I expect to deliver some, pardon the pun, insanity.

Let us know what you’d pick if you could only watch one thing in the comments.

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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!