Weekly Wrestling Viewing Guide: Aug. 6 - 12, 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.

On Going

G1 Climax (New Japan World)

This is the last week of the G1. As a first time viewer, I felt the middle week dragged a bit, but as we get to the point where people are trying to stay alive in the standings, things are picking up. As they head to the finish line, this should be a fun week.

And more importantly, Aug. 12 is the Kenny Omega/Kazuchika Okada match. As of writing this, Okada is two points up on Omega so this could decide who wins their block. Omega and Okada have had two classics already so definitely get your eyes on this.

Technically, this guide covers up to Aug. 12, but the final match where the winner of B block will face the winner of A block to decide the winner of the G1 climax at 2 am on August 13.

You can see what bouts are coming for the following day on ReverendKain’s daily G1 results post. And he will be doing some recommendation pieces for the week after they are done. Find all of the matches here.

Verdict: It’s the final week so things are definitely heating up. Plus Omega/Okada is a must watch.

ROH Wrestling ( FITE ) - any time on Demand

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

This week, we have champion Cody vs Christopher Daniels in a Two Out of Three Falls match for the ROH World Championship. The match has been hyped for three weeks now.

Verdict: The last time these two were together in the same ring, chaos ensued. This should be good, probably a must watch.

(To add my own two cents, it’s uncommon that the Ring of Honor title is defended on TV. While there is a slim chance the title will change hands, they’ll make sure to try to tear the house down.)

Monday

Monday Night Raw (USA Network)

The big match advertised this week is a Last Man Standing match between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman. Both are part of the fatal 4-way at SummerSlam with Samoa Joe and Universal champion Brock Lesnar for the title. Unlike last week’s triple threat between Joe, Roman, and Braun, this one feels like it has a bit more meaning given the history between Strowman and Reigns.

Plus, we’ll learn the state of the women’s title match with WWE reporting Bayley has injured her shoulder. (It will also give us an idea if that is more storyline or not.)

The Hardys are teasing a new WOKEN persona as well. So there are things to look out for.

Verdict: There are only two episodes left until SummerSlam so it’s worth at least keeping your eye on things as they build to the biggest party of the summer.

Tuesday

SmackDown Live (USA Network)

Last week, Shinsuke Nakamura defeated John Cena to earn the righto face Jinder Mahal for the WWE title at SummerSlam. They also booked Rusev vs. Orton and set the stage for Cena vs. Baron Corbin.

We also know Naomi will face Natalya for the Women’s title and the Usos and New Day will go for the third time at the pay-per-view.

Expect them to continue building those feuds this week. They’ve advertised a couple women’s matches in Naomi vs. Carmella and Lana vs. Charlotte. We may also finally learn who kidnapped Fandango, and maybe, just maybe. see the return of James Ellsworth.

Verdict: As mentioned with Raw, with only two weeks until one of their biggest shows, it’s worth keeping an eye on what’s going on in WWE.

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)

NXT is only two weeks away from TakeOver: Brooklyn and championship matches are (probably) set.

This week, challenger Drew McIntyre and champion Bobby Roode will have a face to face in the ring. The biggest question surrounding that is whether Roderick Strong will interject again and whether or not the title match is going to become a triple threat.

This episode will also feature a match between No Way Jose and Andrade “Cien” Almas. This will be Almas’ first match with Zelina Vega in his corner. Can he finally pick up a win?

Other big TakeOver matches that could get time this week are the women’s title match between Ember Moon and Asuka, the tag match between SAnitY and the Authors of Pain, and Aleister Black vs. Hideo Itami.

Verdict: TakeOver’s card is looking stacked. It’s worth tuning into to NXT to see the final build.

Lucha Underground (El Rey Network)

Last week, Lucha Underground picked up on a lot of the storyline threads that have been on the back burner during the early stages of the Cueto Cup. We saw Matanza for the first time since the mid-season break. We found out Captain Vasquez knows Cage killed Councilman Delgado and knows his gauntlet makes him a god. Plus, we learned the Aztec medallions will be returning this week as each member of the Worldwide Underground will have a chance to earn one.

Also, last week, Johnny Mundo knocked out Rey Mysterio’s son Dominic with the championship belt. You know the master of the 619 isn’t going to let that stand.

And of course, the third round of he Cueto Cup continues and we should see Mil Muertes vs. Jeremiah Crane.

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

Thursday

GFW Impact Wrestling (Pop TV)

This is the final episode of the last set of tapings before they finally tape another live episode on Aug. 17.

Last week, Low-Ki was revealed as a new member of Konnan’s LAX and EC3 beat Moose to win the Grand Championship.

As Impact has gotten deeper into the latter episodes from this set of tapings, it’s started to fall flat. This may very well feel like a lame duck episodes until they get to the live episode. However, there is a match between Taiji Ishimori and ACH that could be good.

Verdict: Since this is the sixth episode of the last set of tapings, you can probably skip this and tune in for the live episode the following week.

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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!