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Top 10 Wrestling Stories of the Week 8/4: WWE SummerSlam, Vince McMahon Subpoenaed, MJF-Cole At AEW All In, More

By Matthew Fowler • Published 4th August 2023
wwe roman reigns jey uso solo sikoa

Welcome back TJR readers! Did you spend all day Friday trying to remember what other videos you had erased, and missed WWE Smackdown? Perhaps you spent all day Monday remembering going on a Big Adventure, and missed Raw.

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

Before I begin the Top Ten List this week, I would like to take a moment to remember Adrian Street. Street unfortunately passed away this week, at the age of 82. Street was a legend in UK wrestling, with his flamboyant and charismatic persona influencing countless future superstars. I would like to send my condolences to Street’s friends and family.

Adrian Street

10. Rey Mysterio Injured on Smackdown

This past Friday on Smackdown, Rey Mysterio faced Santos Escobar in the finals of the United States Title Invitational tournament. Unfortunately, however, the match had to end suddenly when Mysterio suffered a concussion. Thankfully Mysterio will reportedly be all right, and won’t miss a significant amount of time from the injury. Escobar will now go on to face Austin Theory for the United States Title, while simultaneously disappointing millions of fans due to not being LA Knight. (TJRWrestling)

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9. Rob Van Dam Debuts for AEW

It was the 1990’s all over again this week on AEW Dynamite. This past Wednesday, FTW champion Jack Perry and ECW original and AEW producer Jerry Lynn met in the ring. Perry wanted to fight Lynn, but Lynn said he could no longer compete due to having plates and screws in his neck. Lynn then told Perry that he had called an old friend however, bringing out fellow ECW legend Rob Van Dam. Perry and Van Dam then ended up getting into a physical confrontation, with Perry eventually running away. It was later announced that RVD and Perry will now meet this Wednesday on Dynamite, for the FTW title. We will have to wait and see if Tony Khan can sign other ECW stars like Colin Delaney and Ezekiel Jackson. (TJRWrestling)

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8. Gable Steveson Booed Loudly in Debut Match

Gable Steveson’s debut match certainly did not go as planned. This past Sunday at NXT Great American Bash, Steveson had his debut match against Baron Corbin. What was probably not expected during the match was the fans actually cheering for Corbin, while also chanting “you’re not Angle” to Steveson. To make matters even worse for Steveson, the match ended in a disappointing double count-out. It is not all negative for Steveson, however, as I am pretty sure they chanted “you’re not Angle” to WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett as well. (TJRWrestling)

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7. Ronda Rousey to Face Shayna Baszler in a MMA Rules Match

Mixed Martial Arts and Professional Wrestling will be merging a lot sooner than anyone thought. This week it was announced that Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler will be facing off in a MMA rules match. Both Baszler and Rousey competed in the UFC in the past, so they will not be strangers to this kind of match. It is unclear what the rules for this match will be at this time, but it will likely be a “work” instead of a legitimate fight. This will also likely be Rousey’s last match with the WWE for the foreseeable future, as she is leaving the company. It is unclear what is next for Rousey, but she will likely not be going to AEW to not be featured. (TJRWrestling)

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6. The Elite Re-sign with AEW

AEW will be staying All Elite for a very long time. This week it was revealed that Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks and ‘Hangman’ Adam Page had all signed multi-year deals with AEW. Omega and The Bucks also will reportedly keep their EVP roles with the new deal as well. It is unknown how long to deal is for, but it is said to be for at least four years. In related news, AEW has also re-signed its two legally blind referees to long-term contracts as well. (TJRWrestling)

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5. MJF and Adam Cole to Meet at AEW All In

Tony Khan finally got around to announcing a match for the biggest show in AEW history this week. This past Wednesday on Dynamite, AEW World Champion MJF and Adam Cole continued their blooming friendship during an in-ring promo. MJF told Cole that he had promised him a title shot, and that Cole will get that shot in front of 70,000 people at AEW All In on August 27th. MJF then gave Cole a contract, which Cole signed. MJF and Cole then said they love each other, before embracing in the ring. We will have to see if MJF’s and Cole’s friendship can survive this, and also if their match will become a four hour Iron Man Match to fill out the card. (TJRWrestling)

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4. Hikaru Shida Captures AEW Women’s Championship

A week after being criticized for not featuring their women’s division, AEW Dynamite decided to main event with an AEW Women’s Championship match. This past Wednesday on Dynamite, Toni Storm defended her championship against Hikaru Shida. Shida was able to survive several cheating attempts by Storm and her Outcast partners, to roll-up Storm for the win. This is Shida’s second reign with the title, with her previously holding it for a record-setting 372 days. Shida will only have to hold the title for 23 days to be able to defend in front of 70,000 people at AEW All In, likely against an opponent that will be announced in 22 days. (TJRWrestling)

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3. CM Punk Reveals “Real World Championship” On AEW Collision

On the list of things that most people would say AEW needs, another championship likely would not be on it. Nevertheless, that is exactly what occurred this past Saturday on Collision. During an in-ring segment, CM Punk finally revealed what was in the red bag he has been carrying around since his return. Punk revealed the AEW World Championship that he never lost, claiming himself the real world champion. Punk then spray-painted a black X over the title, claiming the X was the foundation that he built his wrestling career on. Punk will now defend the title against Ricky Starks this Saturday on Collision with Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat as the special guest referee. It is unknown why Steamboat was chosen as the referee for this match, but it could just be because they couldn’t get Elon Musk. (TJRWrestling)

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2. Vince McMahon Subpoenaed by Federal Grand Jury

It was not a good week to be Vince McMahon. First, it was reported that McMahon had major spinal surgery that has put him on medical leave for the foreseeable future. Then to make matters much worse, it was revealed as part of WWE’s 2023 Financial Filings that McMahon has been served by law enforcement agents. “On July 17, 2023, federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant and served a federal grand jury subpoena on Mr. McMahon. No charges have been brought in these investigations.” These charges are related to the ongoing sexual misconduct allegations against McMahon. We will have to see if McMahon will end up being charged, and if this will lead to a second battle of the billionaires to see who can be indicted more. (TJRWrestling)

vince mcmahon mustache man

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1. WWE SummerSlam to Take Place This Saturday

The biggest party of the Summer is taking place this weekend. WWE SummerSlam will take place at 8PMET this Saturday, with so far eight matches being announced. A SummerSlam Battle Royal will take place, which will include fan favorite LA Knight. Ronda Rousey will face-off against Shayna Baszler in a MMA Rules Match. Drew McIntyre will challenge Gunther for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Ricochet and Logan Paul will compete in a match. Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar will attempt to settle their feud. Seth “Freakin” Rollins will defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Bálor. Asuka will defend the WWE Women’s Championship in a Triple Threat Match against Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair. Finally, Roman Reigns will defend the Undisputed Universal Championship against Jey Uso. Surprisingly to Tony Khan, all the matches on this huge show have storylines and have not just been thrown together randomly the week before. (TJRWrestling)

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That concludes another edition of The Top Ten Wrestling Stories of the Week. Although I often joke, I have recently started refereeing with GroundZero and training at the Institute of Professional Wrestling, and now respect more than ever what wrestlers do every week. If you like what I do, despite my jokes being as bad as getting subpoenaed by the Federal Government. Then follow me on Twitter @Fowlerwrestlin1 and listen to my Podcast The Smark and the Noob. Thank you to all of those who read this every week.