The D'Amore Drop: Welcome to pro-wrestling's biggest weekend since WrestleMania
The D'Amore Drop is a weekly guest column on Uncrowned written by Scott D'Amore, the Canadian professional wrestling promoter, executive producer, trainer and former wrestler best known for his long-standing role with TNA/IMPACT Wrestling, where he served as head of creative. D'Amore is the current owner of leading Canadian promotion Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling.
This weekend is pro-wrestling's biggest since WrestleMania 41 in April.
Advertisement
Saturday is headlined by the biggest show on AEW's calendar: All In. We went over what a home run this is for AEW last week — today, let's focus on the matches.
As a promoter/booker, you dream of the times where everything just clicks. Everything in AEW is clicking right now.
The main event is a Texas Death Match for the AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley vs. Hangman Adam Page. We know this is going to be a violent, personal, emotionally-loaded match.
Some people have been critical of Moxley's title run, saying the Death Riders have outlived their usefulness. Well, ratings and attendance have gone up during Mox's reign as champ. If you're going to blame the world champ when things go down, you have to credit him when things goes well.
Advertisement
With that said, it is time for Hangman to complete his redemption arc and regain the title.
WWE presents its latest mid-year edition of "Saturday Night's Main Event," just hours after AEW's big event (how'd that happen?), with the headliner being 58-year-old Bill Goldberg's retirement match against WWE World Champion Gunther.
A lot of people are asking if Gunther can carry Bill to a good match. That's not a fair question — and it isn't the right one.
What fans want is simple: That knock on the door, that music to hit, the smoke, the fireworks, Goldberg punching the air on the way to the ring, the spear, the Jackhammer — and a near-fall.
Advertisement
They just want the chance to believe in Goldberg one last time. Don't we all want that — just one more time seeing our heroes as we remember them?
That's what WWE aims to deliver on Saturday.
Some fans argue WWE has telegraphed that Goldberg is losing, because he's not getting the belt in his last match, especially with WWE establishing that wrestlers 'Jon Jonesing' the heavyweight title 'ruins' things.
Even if that was the case, sometimes the result is not as important as delivering the moment.
Also on "Saturday Night's Main Event": LA Knight vs. Seth Rollins in the co-main event.
It's a big spot for LA Knight — well earned. He's incredibly over and super talented. Some people compare him to The Rock, others to Stone Cold. If you're compared to both, you're doing something right.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, Rollins is having one of the best — maybe the best — in-ring years of his career. He had the best match on Day 1 of WrestleMania 41 with his triple threat against CM Punk and Roman Reigns. And he's followed that up with banger after banger.
His match with Penta this week on "WWE Raw" was just a perfect TV match — everything you'd want from weekly wrestling.
Sometimes it takes a while for even a top hand to find their footing in a new environment, but Mercedes Moné now looks like an AEW superstar and not 'Sasha Banks from WWE.'
However, to me, this is the — ahem — 'time' for Toni Storm to retain her Women's Championship and then circle back to this feud a little down the road.
Saturday's biggest match in terms of pure wrestling is, of course, Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega. This is the fifth match in a series that not only is one of the very best in the sport's history, but a massive reason AEW even exists.
Advertisement
Okada and AEW took some criticism about how Okada was used early on in his AEW run, and some of that was fair, but there's no question that since linking up with Don Callis, Okada is on fire.
If I had the pencil — and I don't — I'd have Okada go over, 100%. He needs the win way more than Kenny does. He's just starting to really hit top gear in AEW, in part because he's been paired with a heat machine like Callis.
Okada losing would put him at 1-3-1 against Kenny in singles matches.
I'd have Okada draw level in the series. Maybe I'd lean into the idea that Kenny's been off hurt, maybe plant the idea he's not quite what he was, give him something to prove to the fans and himself.
Advertisement
Then do another rematch in September or even early next year when Kenny Omega proves the old adage from Toby Keith, 'I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was.'
Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega's rivalry goes back to their NJPW days.
(Etsuo Hara via Getty Images)
That's all this weekend. Last weekend was a huge one for my new promotion, Maple Leaf Pro.
It's hard to call our July 5 event in Montreal anything but a smashing success.
Montreal is a wrestling city with deep roots, but it's also fiercely competitive. There's always a lot going on every weekend and you have to fight to sell every ticket.
On the same night we ran our show, the CFL's Montreal Alouettes drew 21,000 fans, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were in town, and one of North America's biggest Comic-Cons was happening a few blocks away.
Advertisement
And yet — in a market we'd never touched before — we still drew 2,800 fans. That's an incredible statement about what we're building with MLP.
This promotion is just 10 months old. We don't have a TV deal or national distribution. What we do have is a passionate crew, a growing digital footprint … and a roster of talent that's second to none.
And in Montreal, we had a secret weapon: PCO.
Carl Ouellet, 57, is a Montreal legend, and he and his team put in the old-school hustle — boots on pavement, posters on walls, shaking hands and filling seats the hard way.
And then, as advertised, PCO had a wild, unforgettable main event against Dan Maff with AEW's Billy Gunn as special guest referee.
Advertisement
The spot PCO did — at his age and after three decades in the business — through the table was as legit of a 'Holy s***!' moment as I've seen all year. And Maff underlined that he also absolutely belongs in a main-event spotlight.
The show itself was our best yet.
We even had a surprise reunion of AEW's Dark Order with Stu Grayson and the unexpected return of Evil Uno.
That moment was so cool to give the fans — those guys haven't teamed in years. Then we added another layer of fun with TNA's Santino Marella making a one-night-only appearance as MLP's Director of Authority. That whole segment, with AEW, TNA and MLP talent all sharing the ring, was a great example of the kind of cross-promotion and fan-first moments we love delivering.
NWA Champion Thom Latimer is criminally underrated. His match at MLP last week against Matt Cardona was as good as anything you'll see on WWE or AEW week to week.
Shotzi Blackheart hit free agency like a ton of bricks — already appearing on MLW and then having a great match against MLP Women's Canadian Champ Giselle Shaw.
Advertisement
Similarly, hot new free agent Ace Austin reminded — as if anyone should need reminding — what a massive talent he is against Josh Alexander.
The entire team — in front of and behind the camera — delivered big. I left that night feeling humbled, proud and more excited than ever for what's next.
Which brings me to Downtown Showdown.
On Saturday, July 26, Maple Leaf Pro literally takes wrestling to the streets — closing off downtown Windsor, dropping a ring at the intersection, and letting the action fly.
This is wrestling on the patios. Wrestling on the sidewalk. A fair show on supplements.
Last year's trial run drew about 500–600 fans. This year, we're expecting to pack in around 1,000.
Advertisement
The vibe is casual and electric — no video wall, no big stage, just daylight, great matches, a sound system, and the energy of a live crowd standing (or sitting) just feet from the action.
It's free, it's family-friendly, and it's world-class wrestling in the heart of my hometown.
Expect to see The Good Brothers, Giselle Shaw, Ace Austin, and more — not behind a velvet rope, but right there, where you can shake hands, grab a photo and make a memory.
We're proud of what we're building with Maple Leaf Pro.
And we're just getting started.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Shark Tank' star Kevin O'Leary's next project is movie acting. He says he loves it when 'people say I can't do something.'
Kevin O'Leary says he'll never retire as he's a "vampire" who can keep working forever. The "Shark Tank" investor said trying new things has been key to staying healthy as he's aged. O'Leary discussed his first movie role and said navigating "volatility" is part of life. Kevin O'Leary plans to keep working until the day he dies — and beyond. "I'm never going to retire," he told Business Insider in a wide-ranging interview. "That's because I'm a vampire," he quipped, playing up his reputation as a cold-blooded capitalist, earned from years as a "Shark Tank" investor. O'Leary is known for cofounding SoftKey in the mid-1980s, building it into The Learning Company, then selling the educational-software business to Mattel for $4.2 billion in 1999. He's also the founder of O'Leary Funds and O'Leary Ventures, and has invested in companies such as Basepaws on "Shark Tank." The 71-year-old said that working, especially past 60, keeps people's minds sharp, and that doing things "outside of your comfort zone" that cause you some "stress" has been key to his staying healthy in body and mind as he's aged. The self-proclaimed "Mr. Wonderful" said he relishes competing and "being in the game." When others predict he'll fail at a challenge, it "just motivates me to go kick ass" in that industry, he said. "I just love it when people say I can't do something," he added. O'Leary's latest adventure isn't investing or starting a company: he has a major role alongside Timothée Chalamet in "Uncut Gems" director Josh Safdie's next movie, "Marty Supreme." The celebrity investor told Business Insider he initially balked at the idea as he had no experience performing from a script. He recalled the producers replying, "We don't care, we're not asking you to act. We're looking for a real asshole, and you're it. We just want that guy that we know from 'Shark Tank.'" O'Leary said he "never looked back" and was soon on set. O'Leary's performance is prominent in the movie's trailer, which gives him fourth billing behind Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Odessa A'zion. "I think that helped me in business. I think it helped me be disciplined," O'Leary said of the "remarkable" experience. Wine and worry Asked what keeps him up at night, O'Leary replied that his "one sin" is "drinking wine too close to bedtime." O'Leary said he's "really into longevity" — minding what he eats, not smoking or taking drugs, and trying to exercise daily. But he said he's found "the older I get, the better the wine gets." Sleep is so vital that you "can't let your problems keep you awake, because that's very unhealthy," O'Leary said. O'Leary told Business Insider that there are always good and bad days, describing that as "volatility" in business, relationships, and life. He said he'd recently received a "catastrophic" call from one of the entrepreneurs he had invested in, saying their company was being sued. Twenty minutes later, he learned on another call that one of his team's investments six years ago would be going public, and he stood to make 43 times his money. "So there's utter despair, and a few minutes later, utter euphoria," he said. "Sometimes the poo-poo hits the fan one hour. And then something beautiful happens the next. You've got to roll with it," he added. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
TOPS OF THE WORLD: The most viral stories of the week
From local and provincial news, Canadian politics, the latest in sports, outrageous entertainment offerings, the Toronto Sun always has you covered. There are stories, however, that are more newsworthy to the masses than others. If you want to keep up with those at the watercooler or on social media, read on to see what stories everyone was talking about this past week: TIFF reverses decision on Oct. 7 doc after backlash Joe Warmington pointed out the 'absurd and insulting censorship' of the documentary The Road Between Us at the Toronto International Film Festival after it was pulled from the schedule because the filmmakers used footage filmed by Hamas but — wait for it — didn't obtain the rights from the terrorist group for the clips. Well, the backlash came fast and furiously, and the film about the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel will be gracing festival screens after all — but only after the pulling of acclaimed director Barry Avrich's film made international headlines, including the front page of the New York Post and being discussed on Fox News. 'It was never my intention to offend or alienate anyone,' TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey wrote in a statement. 'Given the sensitive and significant nature of the film's subject, I believe that it tells an important story and contributes to the rich tapestry of perspectives in our lineup — stories that resonate here at home and around the world.' Taylor Swift announced new album on Kelce brothers' podcast Taylor Swift was the special guest on boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce's New Heights podcast on Aug. 13 — after confirming on social media that she was in her showgirl era. The superstar made the big announcement of The Life of a Showgirl, her 12th studio album at exactly 12:12 a.m. on Aug. 12 but for all the details, Swifties and fans alike would have to tune in to the podcast. Crafty buggers. It's her first new record since her epic Eras Tour ended last December, and Swift has shared stunning images from the album on her socials, admitting the Kelces, 'We're going all out. This is a full send. I care about this record more than I can even overstate.' The Life of a Showgirl debuts Oct. 3 (but you can already get it in presales, if you follow Swift on social media). Air Canada's work stoppage More than 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants walked off the job as of 1 a.m. ET Saturday, which was followed by a company-imposed lockout after the airline and the workers' union were unable to reach a deal. Flights have already been cancelled in anticipation of the work stoppage with a full stoppage now in effect. Air Canada said it would notify customers of cancellations through email and text message, adding it recommends against going to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking and their flight still shows as operating. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Buck Martinez's return to broadcast booth The Blue Jays are tops in the American League East and, as of press time, leading the AL. And with Buck Martinez back on the Sportsnet broadcast, they are the hottest ticket in town. A lot has happened in the last two-plus months that he was MIA, with the Jays being far from the team they were on May 28, when Martinez was last in the booth. But that journey pales in comparison to what Martinez has endured in that time after a diagnosis of lung cancer sidelined him. He's back now, and that voice is as comforting as ever alongside his long-time play-by-play partner, Dan Shulman. There's nothing like listening to Martinez talk baseball with such passion, and he had plenty of words of admiration for the Blue Jays and what manager John Schneider has done for the team. 'These guys, the way they are playing, this is how you play winning baseball. This is how you win championships.' From his lips … KINSELLA: Is Qatar steering TIFF's ship? Taylor Swift's new album has everyone seeing orange: An exploration of the colour What's a Blue Jays TV rally-killer? Another Apple game on Friday to bounce Sportsnet coverage Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin kicked off their reunion with a warm handshake before getting to the business at hand: A summit to discuss Russia's war on Ukraine and relations between Moscow and Washington. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the previously planned one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin is now a three-on-three meeting — but no, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not in attendance of discussions he should totally be a part of, nor were any other European leaders invited to join in. Rather, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff made up Team U.S., while Putin had Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov by his side. 'HIGH STAKES!!!' Trump posted shortly on his Truth Social account before he boarded Air Force One for Alaska. No kidding.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Drake Blocked From A New No. 1 By One Of Rap's Most Successful Women
As is often the case, Drake has a number of singles present on multiple Billboard charts this week. The Canadian superstar recently delivered a pair of new tunes — 'What Did I Miss?' and 'Which One' with Central Cee — only a few months after sharing a full-length, Some Sexy Songs 4 U, with PartyNextDoor. A number of tunes from that project are also performing well, even as Drake seems ready to move on. Drake almost sends one of his most recent releases to No. 1, but one of the most successful women in hip-hop history blocks him from ruling, at least for the moment. 'What Did I Miss?' Climbs to No. 2 Drake's 'What Did I Miss?' rises to No. 2 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart, one of Billboard's radio rosters centered around hip-hop. Five weeks into its life on the tally, 'What Did I Miss?' almost conquers the ranking, but another current smash blocks it from becoming the rapper's record-extending forty-third champion. Cardi B Sends 'Outside' to No. 1 This week's Rhythmic Airplay is led by Cardi B, who brings 'Outside' to No. 1 for the first time. Last week, the tune sat at No. 3, and now it's another chart ruler for her. Cardi lands her ninth career No. 1 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart as 'Outside,' a single from her forthcoming sophomore album Am I the Drama?, ascends. She has now led the charge with all of the following successes: 'I Like It' with Bad Bunny and J Balvin, 'Bodak Yellow (Money Moves),' 'Finesse' with Bruno Mars, 'No Limit' with G-Eazy and ASAP Rocky, 'WAP' with Megan Thee Stallion, 'Please Me' (another collaboration with Mars), and 'Be Careful.' Drake's 'Which One' With Central Cee Debuts While he might not score another No. 1 just yet, Drake does collect a new hit on the Rhythmic Airplay chart, as 'Which One,' which features U.K. artist Central Cee, opens at No. 29. Drake has now racked up 135 wins on the radio roster. He fills a trio of spaces on the tally this time around, as 'Nokia' drops outside of the top 10, falling from No. 8 to No. 11. 'What Did I Miss?' Lifts on All Radio Rankings 'What Did I Miss?' is gaining ground on every radio chart on which it appears. The track lives inside the top 10 on the Rhythmic Airplay, Rap Airplay, R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, and Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay lists, lifting to Nos. 2, 3, 7, and 8, respectively. Drake's cut also grows on the all-genre Radio Songs roster, pushing from No. 39 to No. 31 in its third turn on the tally.
