Weekly Wrestling Viewing Guide: Sept. 17 - 23, 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 for No Mercy, which means they’ll be putting finishing touches on their stories for that show. That means we’ll likely get another (probably awesome) moment with Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar as they build to their title match. We’ll probably get yet another “OMG we’re super meta” John Cena/Roman Reigns that you’ll either love or hate. (Count me in the latter.)

As they build to the Women’s title fatal 4-way, Alexa Bliss will face Nia Jax. As of now, that’s the one thing advertised.

Verdict: It’s the go home show and will likely have a cool moment with Braun Strowman. But this is one of those shows that you can probably just tune into the pay-per-view and not miss anything.

Tuesday

SmackDown Live (USA Network)

Last week’s SmackDown had plenty that was noteworthy, and the most noteworthy was Kevin Owens attacking Vince McMahon after a match between KO and Shane McMahon inside Hell in a Cell was announced. This story has been hot so far.

AJ Styles is a fighting champion and will defend his US title against Baron Corbin this week. Will we see a title change?

Also, the New Day won the tag titles, but probably have another match with the Usos in their future. Plus Jinder Mahal and Shinsuke Nakamura is still happening.

Verdict: SmackDown has been picking up as of late. It’s worth starting to pay attention to it again.

205 Live (WWE Network)

Last week, Jack Gallagher turned heel at expense of Cedric Alexander. Plus this will be the final show prior to Neville’s title defense against Enzo Amore. Expect them to both be on this show.

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

Wednesday

NXT (WWE Network)

This is the first episode of the most recent set of tapings, so things will be at their most fresh.

There are plenty of things to look for. Adam Cole’s Undisputed stable was challenged by the UK trio of Mustache Mountain after they attacked Wolfgang last week. I don’t see it specifically advertised for this week, but that should be fun when it happens.

We know Kairi Sane is part of the match that will crown a new NXT champion in NXT TakeOver: Houston. But who else is?

We haven’t seen SAnitY in the ring since they won the tag titles. But that’s not including Nikki Cross, who made herself an unlikely partner to former nemesis Ruby Riot last week. And No Way Jose has issued a challenge to Lars Sullivan. Watch yourself, Jose.

Verdict: This first episode of a taping often has a lot of the good stuff. And NXT has been really good as of late.

Lucha Underground (El Rey Network)

Lucha Underground is getting closer to the season (or maybe series?) finale. This week, they’ve advertised a mixed tag of Marty the Moth Martinez & his sister Mariposa against Fenix & ring announcer Melissa Santos. Melissa hasn’t wrestled prior in LU. (I don’t know if she’s wrestled anywhere.)

Verdict: For fans of LU, it’s certainly worth watching the end of the season. Though if you’re a new comer, I’d probably get my LU fix by catching up on Netflix.

Thursday

GFW Impact Wrestling (Pop TV)

GFW is building to a big episode the one after this that will have a title match between Johnny Impact (ie. Mundo) vs. champion Eli Drake. This will likely set up other matches for that show but there’s nothing else announced for it as of now.

The title scene currently has Trevor Lee as the X Division champion, Sienna as Knockouts champion, EC3 as Grand Champion, and LAX as tag champions.

They’ve also introduced issues between a Pagano and El Hijo de Fantasma (aka King Cuerno) of Triple A and EC3 and Eddie Edwards.

Verdict: Unless they advertise something big here, you can probably just think about watching their bigger episode next week.

Friday

Ring of Honor Death Before Dishonor XV (PPV)

The main event for this PPV is champion Cody Rhodes defending against New Japan veteran Minoru Suzuki. This is the first US match for Suzuki in a long time.

Here is the full card.

Personally, nothing here pops out ot me as something I’m dying to see. But admittedly I don’t follow ROH as closely as the other promotions.

Verdict: The main event should be interesting, but the rest of the card feels underwhelming. Take that with a grain of salt because in general, I’m not a huge ROH guy.

Sunday

NJPW Destruction (NJPW World)

This another of four big September shows for New Japan. Here’s the line up for all of them.

This has the main event of Juice Robinson challenging Kenny Omega for Kenny’s US title. (Kenny has a knee injury but has said he’ll be able to go.) Their match at the G1 was one of my favorites so I’m much looking forward to it. As of now, the undercard looks to be all tag matches.

Verdict: The main event should be really good, but according to Rev’s match recommendations, the first two Destruction shows did not have any real stand out undercard tag matches.

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

Kenny Omega vs. Juice Robinson

Technically this isn’t even this week but airs so early on Sunday that this won’t post until after it’s happened. I watched the G1 and Juice is a stand out for me so I want to see this rematch.

Plus, there’s really nothing else this week that’s grabbing me. SmackDown has the follow up to the KO/McMahon stuff that I’m interested in and NXT has been good. But there’s nothing major advertised that’s swaying me that way.

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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!