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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)
The only thing advertised as of writing this is the return of the Miz. That’s always good news. The A Lister is always entertaining and is due a rematch for his Intercontinental title. That may not happen this week and there’s been no talk of it, but Roman pretty much defends his title weekly so maybe.
Meanwhile, they’re still building towards two Royal Rumble matches and the WWE title match between Kane, Braun Strowman, and Champion Brock Lesnar.
Verdict: Despite getting closer and closer to the Royal Rumble, the last week of both Raw and SmackDown didn’t get much done. Neither are must watch but you never know when they’re going to deliver a good one.
Tuesday
SmackDown Live (USA Network)
They’re slowly building the Shane McMahon/Daniel Bryan bit and I mean slowly. Too slowly. This has led to AJ Styles having to defend his title at the Royal Rumble in a handicap match against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
There is an advertised first round match in the US title tournament between Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley. It’s about time they have a match that’s not on the Kickoff of a B PPV.
The tag team scene has been the highlight of the show lately with four really hot teams in New Day, Rusev Day, Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable, and the Usos.
Verdict: What was said about Raw applies here.
205 Live (WWE Network)
They should have the Enzo Amore vs. Cedric Alexander match eventually now that Enzo is back working. When don’t know when though.
Verdict: I wouldn’t recommend this show to anyone not watching already, especially since after this week, it’s being preempted for the Mixed Match Challenge.
Wednesday
NXT (WWE Network)
This is the first episode of the last set of tapings headed into TakeOver: Philadelphia. We know the title match will be Andrarde “Cien” Almas vs. Johnny Gargano. They have a few weeks to put the rest together.
This episode will be the debut of Shayna Baszler in NXT officially.
(There’s also a tag team title rematch between SAnitY an the Undisputed ERA this week which I didn’t include initially.)
Verdict: Nothing specifically advertised outside the Baszler debut but they’re likely to be busy episodes headed into TakeOver.
Thursday
Impact Wrestling (Pop TV)
There’s a week or two of tapings from the last round to be aired prior to the episodes under new regime Scott D’Amore and Don Callis start. The show has been solid this round of tapings. There’s nothing specifically advertised for this episode as of writing this.
Verdict: Impact has been solid so it’s worth considering checking it out, but there’s nothing specifically advertised.
If I could only watch one thing this week, it’d be:
NXT
Man, this feels like a slow week of wrestling, even with the Royal Rumble in less than a month. Little to nothing is advertised for pretty much all the shows this week. But NXT, in my opinion, is the most consistent show.
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!