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Top 10 Wrestling Stories of the Week 10/21: Bray Wyatt Speaks On WWE Smackdown, Adam Page Injured, More

By Matthew Fowler • Published 21st October 2022
Bray Wyatt

Welcome back, TJRWrestling readers! Did you spend all Friday trying to figure out if Brutus Beefcake is really going to be a part of the Wyatt 6, and missed WWE Smackdown? Perhaps you spent all day Monday realizing that maybe last year should have been your last at playing QB, and missed Raw.

Worry not for I have returned with another edition of the Top Ten Wrestling Stories of the Week.

Before getting into the Top Ten this week I would like to send my condolences to Kevin Nash and his family, who tragically lost their son Tristen Nash at the way-too-young age of 26 this week.

10. NXT and AEW Go Head to Head

Thanks to the MLB postseason, NXT and AEW went head-to-head one more time this past Tuesday night. Both shows were stacked for the occasion, with WWE superstars Kevin Owens, Judgement Day, Gallows and Anderson, Raquel Rodriguez and Shinsuke Nakamura all appearing on the show. AEW counter-programmed by having four title matches on their show. In the end, AEW won the “battle” with 752,000 viewers to NXT’s 676,000. TLC’s 7 Little Johnstons, a show about little people, actually had 904,000 viewers in the same time zone. Upon hearing this news, both AEW and WWE immediately tried to sign Hornswoggle. (TJRWrestling)

jon moxley aew world champion

9. Elias Returns to Raw

WWE fans will once again be walking with Elias. Elias returned to Raw this past Monday, to give one of his famous concerts in the ring. Before Elias could perform, however, he was first interrupted by Matt Riddle and then by Seth Rollins. Elias would then get involved in the match between Rollins and Riddle, inadvertently costing Riddle the match. Rollins would then hit the Curb Stomp on Elias after the match. Elias’ return likely means that we have seen the last of his brother Ezekiel, with Elias stating that his brother’s career was tragically cut short. Tony Khan is reportedly attempting to sign Ezekiel to a five-year contract to wrestle and mentor the younger talent. (TJRWrestling)

8. Ace Steel Released From AEW

We finally know what it takes to actually be fired from AEW. This week it was reported that former AEW Producer Ace Steel has been released from the company. Steel’s release comes six weeks after he memorably bite EVP Kenny Omega and hit EVP Nick Jackson with a chair, in the now infamous backstage melee. It is still unknown at this time what will happen to currently suspended wrestlers Omega, Nick Jackson, Matt Jackson and CM Punk, for their parts in the altercation. It is unknown what job will be next for Steel, but hopefully it is something he can really sink his teeth into. (TJRWrestling)

CM Punk and Ace Steel stand in-ring on AEW Dynamite 2022

7. WWE Cancels Day 1 Premium Live Event

Wrestling fans are going to have to find something else to do on New Year’s Day. This week it was reported that WWE has canceled their Day 1 Premium Live Event that was scheduled for January 1st. There is no indication of why WWE has chosen to cancel the event, but it does potentially mean that there will be no Premium Live Events from Survivor Series in November all the way to the Royal Rumble in January. This also potentially means that instead of constantly working, John Canton may have to actually spend the holidays with his family this year. (TJRWrestling)

Day 1

6. NXT Halloween Havoc to Take Place This Saturday

NXT’s next Premium Live Event titled Halloween Havoc is scheduled to take place this Saturday, October 22nd at 8PM ET. So far six matches have been announced including Apollo Crews facing Grayson Waller in a Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal Match. Julius Creed will face Damon Kemp in an Ambulance Match, with Brutus Creed having to leave NXT if Julius loses. Roxanne Perez will face Cora Jade in a Weapons Wild Match. Carmelo Hayes, Oro Mensah, Wes Lee, Von Wagner and Nathan Frazer will all compete in a ladder match for the vacant NXT North American Championship. Mandy Rose will defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Alba Fyre. Finally, Bron Breakker will defend the NXT World Championship against Ilja Dragunov and JD McDonagh in a triple threat match. NXT Halloween Havoc should not be confused with the Halloween Havoc that happens every November 1st when Walmart marks all the Halloween Candy 75% off. (TJRWrestling)

5. Chris Jericho Signs Three-Year Extension With AEW

Last week, Jon Moxley signed a long-term extension with AEW. This week it was Chris Jericho’s turn to extend his time with the company. It was announced this past Tuesday on AEW’s official website that Jericho signed a three-year extension with the company. Also similar to Moxley’s deal, Jericho will be taking on extra responsibilities with AEW as well. Jericho will be serving as a producer and creative advisor in addition to continuing as a mentor to young talent. With both Moxley and Jericho now locked down for the foreseeable future, Tony Khan will now focus on re-signing the other 185 wrestlers he has under contract. (TJRWrestling)

4. JBL Becomes Baron Corbin’s Manager On Raw

Baron Corbin is no longer “Happy.” This week on Monday Night Raw, WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield came down to the ring for a promo. JBL would then go on to trash the Oklahoma crowd before introducing his new protege Baron Corbin. Corbin then came to the ring in new gear, and wearing a cowboy hat. Corbin would then go on to defeat Dolph Ziggler, while JBL praised him on commentary. Corbin will now be a permanent member of the Raw roster, as he was traded for Rey Mysterio. With JBL in his corner, Corbin has the potential to get back to what he does best; defeating legends in disappointing retirement matches. (TJRWrestling)

3. MJF to Face Jon Moxley at AEW All Out

We finally know when MJF will cash in his Casino Ladder Match chip for a chance at the AEW World Championship. After the unfortunate finish of the Jon Moxley and “Hangman” Adam Page match this week on Dynamite, MJF came down to tease cashing in his chip. MJF instead gave a promo stating that he wanted to face Moxley when he has 110% and wanted to earn the World Championship. MJF then told Moxley he would cash in the chip at AEW Full Gear on November 19th. MJF’s recent actions have made many fans wonder if he may be turning face in the near future. Turning “the devil” face seems like a weird decision, but I suppose if the Demon Kane can be mayor then anything is possible. (TJRWrestling)

2. Adam Page Suffers Concussion During World Title Match On AEW Dynamite

The main event of AEW Dynamite ended in scary fashion this week. During the AEW World Championship Match between Champion Jon Moxley and “Hangman” Adam Page, Moxley hit Page with a vicious lariat. Page flip bumped from the maneuver but unfortunately landed awkwardly on his head. Page was knocked out cold from the landing, with the referee instantly stopping the match. Page was then stretchered from the ring, while Moxley gave a promo to fill some time, which then led to the MJF promo at the end. AEW later released that Page was taken to a local hospital and was diagnosed with a concussion before being released. Page’s injury is a stark reminder of the dangers that wrestlers face every time they enter a ring, and why my fat old ass decided to be a referee. (TJRWrestling)

https://twitter.com/theadampage/status/1582838865064525824?s=46&t=z-3tmY_yHo3GJiHZaj287w

1. Bray Wyatt Gives Heartfelt Speech on Smackdown

Wrestling fans waited patiently all week to see what Bray Wyatt would say or do on Smackdown, and if he would potentially be bringing anybody with him for his rumored Wyatt 6 faction. When Wyatt finally did appear at the end of Smackdown, however, he came alone and dressed in normal street clothes. Wyatt would then give a passionate promo thanking the WWE fans, while admitting he was grateful and nervous having never expected to be back in a WWE ring. Bray’s heartfelt passionate promo was suddenly cut short by a masked figure appearing on the video screen. The masked figure then told Wyatt to come with him, before stating that “you have no idea who you are dealing with, but you will.” WWE is reportedly calling the masked figure “Uncle Howdy” which could only mean that Jimmy Wang Yang is officially a part of the Wyatt 6! (TJRWrestling)

That concludes another edition of The Top Ten Wrestling Stories of the Week. Although I often joke, I have recently started refereeing with NYCW and FCWA, and respect more than ever what wrestlers do every week. I wrote an article all about it all right here. If you like what I do, despite my jokes being almost as bad as Bret Hart’s and Goldberg’s relationship. Then follow me on Twitter @Fowlerwrestlin1. Thank you for taking the time to read this each week.