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 ReverendClaire always has you covered in her 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.
All Week
Best of the Super Juniors (New Japan World)
NJPW’s tournament showcasing their junior heavyweights continues.
Not all the episodes are streamed live. In fact, most are just Video On Demand matches only.
And read more about it in general courtesy of Reverend Claire here.
Verdict: It’s not something they’re showing completely live so just cherrypick what you want to watch.
Monday
Raw (USA Network)
This week, Jinder Mahal will challenge Seth Rollins for the Intercontinental title match. While it isn’t as jazzy as Seth vs. one of our faves, Jinder has had some pretty good matches against high caliber opponents. His matches against AJ when he lost the title and then failed to win it back were good. And Seth Rollins is just on fire.
There will also be a gauntlet match involving all the women who came up short trying to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match to try to claim the final spot. Last time there was a women’s gauntlet match on Raw, it was very good.
In other stories, they have Nia Jax vs. Ronda Rousey to continue to build. Roman Reigns is feuding with Jinder Mahal so we could see him insert himself into that title match. The B Team continue to pick up wins, albeit only against Breezango so far.
Verdict: Last week’s Raw was hit or miss. They had a huge miss with Sami Zayn bringing out Bobby Lashley’s fake sister’s. But the main event was a great match between Finn Bálor and Braun Strowman. The women’s gauntlet match could be very good (though with Liv Morgan, Dana Brooke, and Sarah Logan, there could be some lulls). And Seth Rollins is fire. So it’s still worth keeping an eye on.
Tuesday
SmackDown Live (USA Network)
We’ve got a money main event here, folks.
Samoa Joe vs. Daniel Bryan with the winner going to Money in the Bank. They’ve set Bryan up with a handful of one on one matches since his return, and most of them have been good. (The match with Cass at Backlash was probably the weakest, but that was all about the post match angle anyway.) Bryan vs. Joe? Sign me up.
And check out this awesome promo Bryan cut when asked about the match.
Also, the New Day will face the Bar & the Miz. The A Lister has trying to get the New Day to reveal which one of them is going to participate in the Money in the Bank ladder match while trying in vein to create tension in the group.
Verdict: For my money, Joe vs. Bryan is worth the two hour commitment.
205 Live (WWE Network)
We’re getting a cruiserweight title match this week. Cedric Alexander will defend his title against Buddy Murphy.
Verdict: If you’re casually interested in the cruisers, then a title match episode is one to check out.
Wednesday
NXT (WWE Network)
This is a pretty big week.
The main thing is we’re getting a title match. Shayna Baszler will defend her women’s title against Dakota Kai. Kai has been frightened of Baszler since the Queen of Spades broke her arm months back. She’ll have to completely overcome that if she has any chance against Shayna this week.
NXT champion Aleister Black (remember him?) finally returns. My bet is he’ll be facing Lars Sullivan at TakeOver: Chicago.
Also Roderick Strong faces Danny Burch as they build to the Undisputed ERA/Burch & Oney Lorcan tag title match at TakeOver.
Verdict: This feels like a bigger episode given the title match, even though we can be pretty certain there won’t be a title change. We’ll also likely learn Black’s opponent for Chicago as well. This one feels like one worth checking out.
Thursday
Impact Wrestling (Pop TV)
Impact is hosting their Under Pressure special. Occasionally they will assign names to episodes and stack the cards a bit. These would have been their B PPVs back in the day.
On this card:
- Aries Aries challenges Pentagon for the world title
- Allie defends her title against Su Yung in a Last Rites match (which is in essence a casket match)
- Tessa Blanchard vs. Madison Rayne
- Dezmond Xavier vs. Brian Cage
Verdict: This is an episode to check out if you’re interested in what’s going on in Impact. (In my opinion, it continues to improve under Don Callis and Scott D’Amore.)
If I could only watch one thing this week, it’d be:
Impact
Really tough week. SmackDown was easily a contender because of Joe vs. Bryan. NXT was as well given their title match.
But I’ve really enjoyed what Impact is doing and this looks to be a loaded episode. I’m especially loving what they’re doing with Allie/Su Yung/Rosemary so that match really has my interest piqued.
Let us know what you’d choose below.
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!