Features

Top 10 Wrestling Stories of the Week 11/3: WWE Crown Jewel, New Women’s Tag Champs, Jarrett to AEW, More

By Matthew Fowler • Published 4th November 2022
wwe raw alexa bliss asuka womens tag team titles

Welcome back, TJR readers! Did you spend all day Friday trying to ignore political ads and missed WWE Smackdown? Perhaps you spent all day Monday trying to figure out if you wanted to go as Slutty Doink or Slutty Brutus Beefcake for Halloween, and missed Raw.

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

10. Dark Side of the Ring to Return for Season 4

The Vice TV show that features the more controversial side of wrestling is set to return for a fourth season. It was reported this week that filming has begun for Dark Side of The Ring. Dark Side of The Ring has previously covered such controversies as Owen Hart’s death, Chris Benoit and the plane ride from hell. It is unknown what topics will be covered during this season, or how many times Tommy Dreamer will talk about Ric Flair’s “hammer.” (TJRWrestling)

Dark Side Of The Ring Logo

9. Colt Cabana Returns to AEW Dynamite

Any questions about who AEW and Tony Khan sided with in the “Backstage Brawl” fiasco were put to rest this week. This past Wednesday on Dynamite, Colt Cabana returned to answer Chris Jericho’s open challenge for the ROH Championship. Cabana was unsuccessful in the match, getting pinned after a CodeBreaker from Jericho. Cabana was the catalyst for the animosity between CM Punk and The Elite, with Punk claiming that The Elite spread rumors that Punk tried to get Cabana fired. Cabana and Punk were once the best of friends, but had a major falling out after the WWE sued them both over comments Punk made on Cabana’s Podcast. It is unknown if Cabana’s mother has to sign the paycheck for the match. (TJRWrestling)

8. R-Truth Injured on NXT

R-Truth’s debut match for NXT unfortunately did not end as planned. Truth faced NXT star Grayson Waller this past Tuesday on NXT. During the match, Truth attempted a Vaulting Senton while Waller was on the floor. While attempting the maneuver, however, Truth slipped while going over the rope and landed hard on the floor. Truth then immediately clutched his leg while the show went to a commercial break. When the show returned, it was announced that the match could not continue due to Truth suffering an injury. It is unknown how long Truth will be out, but I hope that Truth is oK and makes a Kwik recovery. (TJRWrestling) (UPDATE:A new report has noted that it be a serious injury that could keep Truth keep out of the ring for nearly a year.)

7. Shinsuke Nakamura to Face The Great Muta at NOAH The New Year 2023

WWE showed that they can also open the forbidden door this week. This week it was announced that WWE superstar Shinsuke Nakamura will face Japanese legend The Great Muta at NOAH’s The New Year 2023 event on January 1 at Budokan Hall. This match is a part of The Great Muta’s retirement tour, which will end three weeks later with Muta teaming with AEW Superstar Sting to face two unknown opponents. Upon hearing of the news, Tony Khan immediately contacted six independent promotions to get their wrestlers on Dynamite. (TJRWrestling)

6. Emma Returns on Smackdown

Emma won the “who is Triple H going to bring back” lottery this week. This past Friday on Smackdown, WWE Women’s Smackdown Champion Ronda Rousey held a open challenge. This led to Emma making her return to the WWE, after being released way back in 2017. Unfortunately for Emma, she was unsuccessful in her match against Rousey. All is not lost for Emma however, as Emmalina could always answer Rousey’s challenge next week. (TJRWrestling)

5. Jeff Jarrett Signs With AEW

Jeff Jarrett has clearly made it his goal to work for every major wrestling company in existence before retiring. This past Wednesday on Dynamite, Jarrett made a surprise appearance on the show. Jarrett appeared after the Darby Allin and Jay Lethal match, attacking Allin with a guitar while aligning with Lethal, Satnam Singh and Sonjay Dutt. Jarrett will not only be competing in the ring however, as it was later announced by Tony Khan that he will also be the Director of Business Development. It is unknown at this time if Jarrett will have to be hit with a chair or bitten as well, now that he is an executive. (TJRWrestling)

4. Vince McMahon Investigation Has Ended

During WWE’s Third Quarter Earnings Call this week, it was reported that the investigation of sexual misconduct has been concluded. It is unknown at this time what the investigation uncovered, but McMahon is not expected to return in any administrative role with the WWE. It was also reported that the investigation cost the company $18 million, with McMahon agreeing to cover any cost that was not covered by insurance. It is unknown which female will not be receiving her hush money payment this month so Vince can cover this cost. (TJRWrestling)

Vince McMahon

3. Alexa Bliss and Asuka Capture the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships

After being off Raw for over a month, it did not take long for Asuka and Alexa Bliss to make an impact. This past Monday in the main event of Raw, Bliss and Asuka defeated IYO SKY and Dakota Kai of Damage CTRL to capture the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Bliss and Asuka will not have long to celebrate their big win however, as they will be defending the titles against SKY and Kai this Saturday in Saudi Arabia at Crown Jewel. Bliss and Asuka are now both three-time Women’s Tag Team Champions, with Asuka actually capturing the titles with three different partners. WWE Hall of Famer Sunny was said to not be impressed with this stat, as she has had three different partners in one night. (TJRWrestling)

2. Saudi Arabia on High Alert After Warning of Imminent Iranian Attack

Just days before WWE returns to Saudi Arabia, their already controversial show has now added even more controversy. It was widely reported this week that Saudi Arabia is on “high alert” due to reports of an imminent attack from Iran. As of this writing, WWE plans to go ahead with the show, with WWE stating that they have emergency contingencies and security protocols in place in case any issues happen. Hopefully, for all involved, these threats remain just threats, and Adam Bomb doesn’t make a surprise appearance on the show. (TJRWrestling)

1. WWE Crown Jewel to Take Place This Saturday

WWE returns to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel tomorrow at 12PM ET. So far eight matches have been announced including The OC (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) facing The Judgment Day made up of Finn Bálor, Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio. Asuka and Alexa Bliss will defend their newly won WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships against former champions IYO SKY and Dakota Kai of Damage CTRL. Braun Strowman will clash with Omos. The Usos will defend the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championships against The Brawling Brutes. Drew McIntyre and Karrion Kross will try to settle their differences inside a steel cage. Bianca Belair and Bayley will face each other in a Last Woman Standing Match for the WWE Raw Women’s Championship. Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley will go head-to-head. Finally, WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns will defend his title against Logan Paul. Some have questioned if Paul deserves a title shot, but he earned it fair and square by using the AEW rule of being on a YouTube show. (Please check out our team TJRWrestling preview here)

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 having to pay for a blue checkmark on Twitter. Then follow me on Twitter @Fowlerwrestlin1. Thank you for taking the time to read this each week.