Top 10 Wrestling Stories of the Week 9/19: WWE NXT on USA Network, AEW, Lesnar Returns, More
Welcome TJR readers, my name is Matt Fowler. I am a 30-year fan of this wacky crazy world of professional wrestling. Now get this TJR fans, I am here to bring you all a brand new, never before seen concept, which I am calling a “Top 10 Wrestling Stories of the Week” (working title – we’re open to suggestions!). This “list” will consist of the top stories of the week and my unique and quite frankly brilliant take on them. So get ready to be amazed as I bring you what I feel were ten of the biggest wrestling stories of the week.
10. AEW Finalizing Their Card for Debut Episode on October 2
Just as this column clearly is doing, AEW has to make an amazing first impression. With the crowning of the first Women’s Champion and The Elite vs Jericho, plus a mystery team, they are hoping to do just that. Now, if they could just get Lex Luger to show up in the middle of a giant mall, they will be on the path to success for sure! (Rajah)
9. Police Have to Be Called to a WrestlePro Event After Big Cass Acts Aggressive and Erratic Backstage
Usually my goal is to be lighthearted and have fun in these columns, but unfortunately, this story does not have a lot to laugh about. Far too many wrestlers’ lives have been cut short. Being 7ft tall may not be teachable, but how to deal with the stresses of daily life on the road and being in the public eye hopefully can. My hope is that Big Cass can learn those lessons and get the help he needs before it’s too late. (Rajah)
Here’s hoping for some good news out of this story after Enzo Amore posted this letter on behalf of Big Cass. Get better soon, big man.
8. Maria Kanellis Has a Gender Reveal Party on Raw
Remember how many of you have been clamoring for the return of the Attitude Era? Clamor no more. We now have a “cuckolding” storyline on RAW in 2019; I hope you are satisfied. At least the happily married Rusev is returning to potentially be the baby’s illegitimate father. All we need now is for the baby to end up being a hand, and the Attitude Era is back! (TJRWrestling)
7. WWE to Hold a Draft on October 11th and 14th
They say the third time’s the charm. After attempting, and then abandoning the idea of separate brands in 2002, and then again in 2016, WWE is promising two completely separate rosters from now on. Will this mean we will never again see RAW stars on Smackdown and vice versa? Or will a month from now Vince come up with another brilliant idea, like the “Wild Card Rule”? Since Vince seems to change his mind on this more than Ric Flair changes wives, I’m going to guess the latter. (TJRWrestling)
6. Baron Corbin Wins King of the Ring on Raw
Despite immensely improving in the ring, including a great match with Chad Gable this week, Corbin is still, unquestionably, one of the most loathed wrestlers on the roster. No matter how good of a heel he becomes, it seems like a portion of the audience will always give him “go away” heat. Does this heat come from not wrestling in the Indy’s, getting pushed way before he was ready, or his strangely shaped belly button? The world may never know. (TJRWrestling)
5. Luke Harper Returns at Clash of the Champions
I found Clash of the Champions from this past Sunday to be a mostly average show. One exception to this was the surprise return of Luke Harper, who helped Eric Rowan beat Roman Reigns. Will this underused big man finally be able to show that he has all the tools, or just a ridiculously large hammer again? (TJRWrestling)
4. Kevin Owens Sues Shane McMahon for Wrongful Termination
After being fired last week, WWE waited a whole week before having Owens return to television. We’re being told if Owens wins this lawsuit he will get 25 million dollars and apparently the ability to fire the boss’s son. Maybe next week it will be revealed that Shane will have to be Kevin Owens’ butler if Owens wins as well. Now that’s quality storytelling! (TJRWrestling)
3. Two Matches Announced for Hell in the Cell
The Hell in a Cell concept is hard to pull off in today’s WWE without the use of blood, and the occasional molar in a nostril. However, if any two matches can pull the Cell off, it’s these two. Banks, after contemplating quitting wrestling altogether, has returned with a new hair color and a new heel attitude. Wyatt, who has had more stops and starts than a NASCAR race, has gotten his new Fiend persona over more than anything else in the WWE right now. There is no way that the WWE can possibly mess this up, right? …..Right? (Rajah)
2. Brock Lesnar to Face Kofi Kingston for the WWE Title at the First Smackdown on FOX
For years, one of the top complaints from the WWE universe is that a part-time wrestler has been holding the title on Raw hostage. Now, a part-time wrestler is potentially going to hold the Smackdown title hostage instead. See guys, Vince McMahon does listen to us. (TJRWrestling)
1. WWE NXT debuts on the USA Network
NXT came out with guns a blazing on USA last night. It was a show that had many great moments, including Roderick Strong capturing the North American title from The Velveteen Dream. NXT was clearly looking to end the Wednesday night war before it could truly begin. Can AEW respond to the “follow that” challenge put in front of them? I, as one wrestling fan, certainly hope so. If this is any indication of the quality of wrestling we are going to be getting every week, then all of us fans should be chanting “fight forever.” (Review by Jim Kress of TJRWrestling)
That concludes the inaugural Top 10 Wrestling Stories of the Week. I’d like to take a moment to say how excited and humbled I am to be a member of this site. I have been reading John’s reviews and coming to this site for well over ten years. It’s hard to believe I am a part of it now. If you enjoyed my input and wacky sense of humor, you can follow me on Twitter @BackseatBookers or listen to my podcast The BackseatBookers (Beware it is explicit content as I have a potty mouth). Until next week, remember that wrestling is supposed to be fun; don’t let it stress you out too much.