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4 hours ago
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WWE, AEW power rankings: Whirlwind weekend of wrestling chaos gives us a brand new No. 1
It was the biggest weekend in pro wrestling since WrestleMania (and arguably a better one too), but what did it mean for our Uncrowned power rankings? From new champions and No. 1 contenders to one of the most unexpected Money In The Bank cash-ins in years, there was plenty to upset the hierarchy in both major promotions. Here's where our rankings stand after more than 12 hours of PLE-quality wrestling across a frantic weekend. Advertisement MEN'S POWER RANKINGS 10. LA Knight (Prev: NR) Is the long-standing fan favorite finally primed for the world title scene? LA Knight might not have triumphed in the gauntlet match on 'WWE Raw' to determine Gunther's next contender, but his inclusion in the match in the first place was interpreted as a big sign as to WWE's future intentions for 'The Megastar.' If you need a babyface contender to take on a heel champion like Gunther (or maybe even Seth Rollins) before long, surely he has to be the go-to choice? 9. MJF (Prev: NR) Is it a coincidence that 'AEW Dynamite' has been on a roll at the same time that MJF is hitting his stride again? No doubt wrestling's most arrogant man would be quick to take the credit in either case, and given the quality of his work with Jay Briscoe and Místico, can you really blame him? Having emerged victorious in the Men's Casino Gauntlet match at All In, AEW's most charismatic heel suddenly finds himself at the front of the queue for a world title shot. There's no doubt about it: MJF is back, baby. Advertisement 8. Gunther (Prev: 7) Being chosen as the man to retire Goldberg was a serious honor for WWE's world heavyweight champion. But will it be his last successful title defense on this particular run? With a blockbuster match against CM Punk on the horizon — and the threat of a Seth Rollins cash-in hovering over him — you have to question whether 'The Ring General' is due to take a rare "L" come SummerSlam. Whatever happens, though, don't expect Gunther to be down for long; already there are reports WWE wants him to be the man to retire John Cena in December. 7. Bron Breakker (Prev: NR) What a year it's been for wrestling's most intimidating nepo baby who seems to get stronger every week in terms of his presentation. If it's true that Rollins really is sidelined with injury, then will it be Breakker who gets another big push to fill that particular void? Judging by the massive events on this week's 'Raw,' it certainly feels that way, as the former Intercontinental champ looks set for action against Roman Reigns at SummerSlam. Given that Breakker is destined to be a top guy for many years to come, there's a decent chance he wins such an encounter. Advertisement 6. Roman Reigns (Prev: NR) Another year, another return for 'The Tribal Chief,' who came riding to the rescue at the end of this week's 'Raw,' just in time for SummerSlam. The prospect of a Reigns vs. Breakker feud has been on our wishlist ever since Breakker hit "The OTC" with a massive spear on this year's 'Raw after Mania' — and now that looks like it's happening, either as a singles match or a tag with Jey Uso and Bronson Reed. Let's hope it delivers the kind of electricity that the Reigns vs. Sikoa feud failed to generate. Roman Reigns made his presence felt in a hurry on Monday's "WWE Raw." (WWE via Getty Images) 5. John Cena (Prev: 3) Has John Cena been taking all those tired 'you can't see me' jokes too seriously? After all, the WWE's Universal Champion has been completely invisible from the televised shows since his team's defeat at Night of Champions. The only place I've seen him this month was in the crowds at Wimbledon. Given his absence, you'd better hope WWE has something big planned for his upcoming appearance with Cody Rhodes on this week's 'SmackDown.' Either that, or this heel run could soon run out of steam entirely. Advertisement 4. Seth Rollins (Prev: 6) Depending on your view on that ending to his SNME match with LA Knight, 'The Visionary' is either facing months on the couch with another unfortunate injury or is on the verge of executing one of the most devilish briefcase cash-ins of the past decade. Is the knee injury genuine? Leaving aside the wisdom of these fake injury angles (I detest them, personally), the answer to that question could decide whether Rollins rockets to the top of this list by the end of the summer or drops out of it entirely. 3. CM Punk (Prev: 2) Of the various would-be world title contenders who entered the gauntlet on Monday's latest 'Raw," only one was standing tall at the end of it all: CM Punk. Having consistently proven himself — and stayed out of trouble — since returning to WWE just over 18 months ago, you get a sense that Punk has earned this particular title shot in more ways than one. Unlike his rendezvous with John Cena — for which Punk deserves massive credit for re-energizing the whole Cena heel run — the result of this one won't be a foregone conclusion. Advertisement 2. Hangman Adam Page (Prev: 5) The right man triumphed in Texas, as 'Hangman' Adam Page took back the AEW World Championship following a suitably blood-splattered deathmatch against the ever-controversial Jon Moxley. In truth, a Hangman victory always seemed like by far the more likely option, but that didn't stop us watching the All In finale with a sense of nervousness, just in case Tony Khan did the unthinkable. In any event, the fact that the odds were so strongly in his favor is a tribute to the work of Hangman, who has spent the past few months reminding everyone why he deserves to be the man to carry Khan's company into the next phase of its existence. 1. Cody Rhodes (Prev: 1) Halfway through the summer and it's the babyfaces who are back on top when it comes to the power rankings (at least on the men's side anyway), with Cody Rhodes in the ultimate podium place. Having won King of the Ring in Saudi Arabia, "The American Nightmare" now receives his big rematch with John Cena at SummerSlam, where the overwhelming expectation is that Rhodes will get the chance to reverse the injustice of WrestleMania 41. Advertisement It might not have the same emotional hook as the whole 'finishing the story' angle but it certainly makes 'The American Nightmare' look like the most powerful man in wrestling right now. Cody Rhodes celebrates his win during WWE Night Of Champions. (WWE via Getty Images) WOMEN'S POWER RANKINGS 10. Athena (Prev: NR) Did you hear the huge hometown pop when Athena made her entrance at this past weekend's Women's Casino Gauntlet Match at All In? Impressive as it was, that ear-busting roar was topped within 20 minutes, when the former Ring of Honor champ scored the big pinfall, making her the No. 1 contender for AEW's Women's World Championship. The former WWE talent clearly has Tony Khan's backing and deserves all the plaudits for her recent work. Advertisement 9. Becky Lynch (Prev: NR) WWE's veteran Irish star has been on one hell of a run since her big return at WrestleMania, embarking on one of the feuds of the year with Lyra Valkyria and delivering an absolutely stellar triple-threat to kick off Evolution. While few will be expecting Lynch to walk away from her SummerSlam match (the completion of her trilogy with Valkyria) holding the Intercontinental title, you can't deny she's done a stellar job at raising the profile of that particular prize. 8. Lyra Valkyria (Prev: NR) Lynch's protege turned fierce rival has been on an absolute tear this year, delivering the standout match at Backlash as well as that aforementioned curtain-raiser as Evolution. If you want a barometer to just how quickly the WWE audiences are growing to respect Valkyria, listen to how those trademark 'woos' are getting louder when she enters the arena. Come SummerSlam in New Jersey, you'll probably hear them from Central Park. Lyra Valkyria tore down the house with Becky Lynch and Bayley during WWE Evolution. (WWE via Getty Images) 7. Iyo Sky (Prev: 1) While Iyo Sky's title reign might have come to an end (at least for now), no one can say that the 'Genius of the Sky' didn't leave a massive mark during her time at the top — as evidenced by that absolute sensational match with Rhea Ripley to cap off Evolution. While her booking hasn't always done her justice, Sky has consistently proven her worth as a generational in-ring performer and one of the brightest lights in the entire women's wrestling landscape. Advertisement 6. Tiffany Stratton (Prev: 5) It was a largely ceremonial victory for Tiffany Stratton at Evolution, who was surely never in any danger of dropping her women's championship to part-timer Trish Stratus. The former NXT champ is now approaching the nine-month mark in her title reign, having chalked up two seriously impressive defenses: one against Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania and one against Nia Jax in a street fight on 'SmackDown.' Whether or not she retains when she faces Jade Cargill at SummerSlam, you suspect Stratton's time in the spotlight is only beginning. 5. Stephanie Vaquer (Prev: NR) It's a fitting tribute to Stephanie Vaquer's stratospheric rise that she already feels like an established name on 'Raw' and a genuine threat to its top talents. In fact, it's only been three months since the Chilean superstar got her big promotion from NXT, during which time she's gone on to team with Rhea Ripley, participate in MITB, and win the 20-women battle royal at Evolution. Now she heads to Clash in Paris for a much-deserved shot at the title of her choosing. Whatever happens in France, she has to be a shoo-in for 2025 Rookie of the Year. Advertisement 4. Jade Cargill (Prev: 6) Being crowned Queen in the Ring was just the latest in a long line of accomplishments for Jade Cargill, who went from her legendary record-breaking run in AEW to making one of the most anticipated WWE debuts in years. With Naomi's MITB briefcase now out of the picture (more on that later...) does Cargill now head to SummerSlam as the favorite to leave with the women's championship? Based on how she's been booked so far, that would look like the most likely outcome. Jade Cargill makes her entrance after winning at WWE Night of Champions. (WWE via Getty Images) 3. Toni Storm (Prev: 8) Just in case you hadn't gotten the message by now, All In provided yet another reminder: Never doubt Toni Storm. While many figured the starlet's days as AEW women's champion were numbered the second we found out she'd be facing Mercedes Moné in Texas, some of us kept the faith and correctly tipped Storm for the victory. Getting the backing from Tony Khan to express her creative side has to be one of the best things to ever happen to Storm, even if we do cringe a bit at her press conference performances. Advertisement 2. Rhea Ripley (Prev: 4) She might not have left with the big prize on Sunday, but there's no doubt: Rhea Ripley was one of the very biggest winners from this weekend's Evolution. As with the Netflix debut on 'Raw,' WWE wisely chose to put 'The Eradicator' front and center when it came to promoting the all-women event and were rewarded with another barnstormer of a match between Ripley and Iyo Sky. Title or not, can anyone beat Ripley when it comes to the massive crowd reactions she receives when her theme song hits? Perhaps WWE needs to bring back that decibel-meter and put it to the test. 1. Naomi (Prev: 2) As much as we've raved about Naomi's performances this year, did we really expect her to leave Evolution as the Women's World Champion? God knows that I certainly didn't. Though as the woman herself explained on 'Raw' this week, wasn't that exactly the point — to catch us off-guard? While we were all speculating as to whether she'd cash in during Jade vs. Tiffy at SummerSlam, we were blindsided when she came for Iyo Sky's world championship instead. Perhaps we should have paid closer attention to her warnings. Advertisement Whether you saw it coming or not, there's no question that the former TNA champ has earned her place at the top of the WWE hierarchy since embarking on her big return back at the 2024 Royal Rumble. Having finally gotten to the top of the mountain, you can be sure Naomi will fight tooth and nail to retain her perch.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
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Roundtable: What should WWE do with Seth Rollins' injury? And did AEW win the weekend?
Are you tired of us yet? No? Good. A wrestling weekend like we just experienced, requires — no, DEMANDS — an emergency gathering of the Uncrowned Horsemen to discuss everything that transpired from the good (there was A LOT) to the bad (Seth Rollins' reported knee injury). Advertisement Kel Dansby, Robert Jackman, Drake Riggs and Anthony Sulla-Heffinger are here once again to examine how the pro wrestling landscape has changed in the wake of AEW All In/WWE Saturday Night's Main Event/WWE Evolution — with a little Great American Bash sprinkled in — and offer up their thoughts on arguably the most important non-WrestleMania weekend of the year. 1. What was your favorite match of the weekend and which match had the most significant impact on its promotion moving forward? Riggs: I'm about to give the most non-definitive answer possible, which shows just how much happened this past weekend. Thankfully, there was much more good than bad. First I want to shout out the AEW Women's Casino Gauntlet match, because of how much it exceeded expectations. Yet as someone who loves the lengths AEW will go to when the pressure is on to deliver a masterpiece — more often than not, they do so, like with the world title match between Jon Moxley and Hangman Adam Page. And that's also my answer for part two of this question, because of how absolutely momentous that match — and its result — felt. Just as Hangman has done by being the company's main character, Page vs. Moxley embodied the spirit of everything wrestling fans love about AEW and sent everyone home happy. That being said, it needs to be argued that LA Knight vs. Seth Rollins wound up as the most impactful match of the weekend, if only because of Rollins' knee injury. As Mr. Money In the Bank, Rollins felt like a guarantee to be up next for another world title run and he's been the centerpiece of "WWE Raw" since WrestleMania 41. Now Triple H presumably has to do a massive deck shuffling. But that's more speculation than what we saw to close AEW All In, so I'll stick with Page vs. Moxley as my answer. Advertisement Dansby: Tough question — two matches fit the bill perfectly. But if I have to pick, I'll go with Hangman vs. Moxley, even though Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley was the more entertaining match from bell to bell. Hangman feels like the guy for AEW right now, and ending Moxley's Death Rider streak only reinforces that. The Texas Deathmatch stipulation is tailor-made for both guys, and they leaned all the way in on Saturday — brutality, chaos, interference, all of it. It wasn't just a bloodbath for shock value — it set the tone for AEW's next few months. We now know Hangman has MJF in his sights, but the looming presence of the Hurt Syndicate throws a wrench in that. Meanwhile, Moxley's story feels far from over. He still has unfinished business with Bryan Danielson and Darby Allin, both of which could blow up into their own feuds. Advertisement Jackman: In a very competitive field I'm going with the triple threat match that opened WWE Evolution. Remember this time last week when the overall sentiment on social media toward Evolution wasn't exactly optimistic? Don't get me wrong: I think most people wanted the event to succeed, but there was a lot of consternation about the low ticket sales and whether WWE had made a mistake by booking three separate events in one weekend. The second this match started, though, all of that went out of the window. All three women — Bayley, Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria — absolutely smashed it, and the crowd was on fire instantly. From that moment on, you just knew the naysayers were going to end up eating their words. As for the most significant, I say Moxley vs. Hangman. I've set out my thoughts on the Death Riders a couple of times recently, but, in short, I genuinely think this one was existential for AEW. To stick with Moxley as champion would have sent a bold signal (to put it mildly) about the future of AEW. Thankfully, Tony Khan decided to take the right decision, rather than burn all that goodwill he's been building up lately. Sulla-Heffinger: I'm going with two AEW contests here. For my favorite match, I have to go with Mercedes Moné vs. 'Timeless' Toni Storm. When you look at the body of work they have put together since coming to AEW, it's hard to argue anything other than these two being the best female wrestlers in the world. Considering this was probably the most important women's match in the history of AEW, the stakes and anticipation for it were remarkably high — and naturally, Storm and Moné knocked it out of the park, as it took an avalanche Storm Zeroes to finally end Moné's unbeaten singles streak. A lot of times the term 'dream match' is either thrown around or used far too late in careers, but that isn't the case with what we saw Saturday. Advertisement As far as the most significant impact, Rollins' injury not included, Hangman Adam Page defeating Jon Moxley has to be the most impactful moving forward. Unlike the feel-good AEW title win from Bryan Danielson last year, I would imagine Page's run post-All In lasts significantly longer and there were two high-profile returns and a major Swerve (see what I did there) that make it hard to not get overly excited about the future of the top of the card at AEW. Seth Rollins' reported knee injury could have major implications across all of WWE. (Photo by Heather McLaughlin/WWE via Getty Images) (WWE via Getty Images) 2. What is the best way for WWE to navigate the Seth Rollins injury/MITB briefcase? Sulla-Heffinger: If Rollins is out for an extended period of time, it's absolutely brutal in the sense that he has been the centerpiece of 'Raw' for the entirety of 2025. That said, if we're going to try and look at the positives, it opens the door for CM Punk, Jey Uso, LA Knight, Bron Breakker or Sami Zayn to cycle in and out of the main-event picture — after his win on 'Raw,' Punk gets the first crack at Gunther— until Rollins returns. It's unclear if Roman Reigns' return was a 'break glass in case of emergency' move or planned, but there are multiple, extremely compelling angles immediately with his return. Depending on the recovery timetable, you could have Knight and Breakker battle for the MITB briefcase — and then Rollins has a built-in title shot when he returns — or just have Rollins refuse to give it up and then when he does return for an immediate cash-in, the moment will be bigger than perhaps any before. As for the 'Seth Riders,' WWE could give the fans what they want and have Karrion Kross take over the group and get his big push finally, which would be an interesting twist, especially involving Paul Heyman. Advertisement Jackman: Well, first you need to answer the million-dollar question: Is he really injured at all? For readers who haven't followed this one, there's been some convincing sounding reporting coming out of Post Wrestling that this whole thing is actually a set up to pull off a massive shock cash-in at SummerSlam, presumably at the expense of CM Punk. I'm on the record as saying how distasteful I find these 'fake injury' angles, so I hope that's not the case. When you look at the genuine outpouring of sympathy we've seen from the WWE and AEW fanbases towards Kevin Owens and Adam Cole respectively in recent months, I can't see why anyone would think it's a good idea to use a serious injury for storytelling purposes. It's the same response I had to Triple H pretending that the R Truth 'fake firing' was some stroke of creative genius. Does he not realize that if he makes these things fair game, then you'll have internet sleuths second-guessing every reported injury or release from now until eternity? If I hear that Kevin Owens is undergoing life-changing neck surgery, I don't want even a little part of me thinking 'Wait, is this all a work?' If the injury is genuine, then obviously I hope Seth will be back on his feet soon. Though assuming it requires a rewriting of the MITB storyline, then I'd suggest just passing the briefcase on to Bron Breakker. Surely that's the sort of thing that Paul Heyman could arrange (in kayfabe terms) having used his years of experience to call an audible? Advertisement Riggs: No matter the direction taken, it has to involve LA Knight heavily. Realistically, he should probably be given the briefcase for beating Rollins, despite that not being a stipulation. You can't just get rid of that element, though. At the same time, it would be fair to Rollins to wait and see what a timetable might look like for his return. And in that case, if it's not overly long, this could be an ultra-happy accident for a big surprise. Regardless, suppose Knight doesn't receive something big and possibly related to the briefcase. In that case, he should kayfabe be livid about it, taking an aggressive anti-hero approach until he gets what he wants. Dansby: WWE should treat the MITB briefcase like the wild card it is. If Seth is out for a while, the briefcase becomes more valuable than ever. Whoever holds it—especially if it's a heel—can tease cash-ins constantly to keep the world title picture interesting. The key is not rushing. The worst thing they can do is give it immediately to a returning Roman Reigns. Let the briefcase holder be someone who could simmer and build some momentum. It's been a while since the contract has truly felt dangerous. Jade Cargill stood tall at WWE Evolution and was among Uncrowned's breakout performers for the weekend. (Photo by Chansey Augustine/WWE via Getty Images) (WWE via Getty Images) 3. Who was the breakout performer of the weekend? Dansby: That honor goes to Jade Cargill. Her No Holds Barred match with Naomi was not just her best match to date—it was a legit show-stealer. She's always had the look, the presence, the confidence. But now? She's adding in-ring legitimacy to the package. Advertisement Winning Queen of the Ring punched her ticket to SummerSlam, and with Naomi cashing in the MITB briefcase and walking out as Women's World Champion, there's some real tension building. Their chemistry was undeniable, and now they've got a story that could headline a major PLE. Jackman: We haven't included the event in our round-ups so far, but I'd like to give a shout out to Yoshiki Inamura for his performance against Oba Femi at The Great American Bash. I was in two minds whether that match was going to be a total flop, but my goodness did they bring the goods. If you didn't catch it due to WWE's choice to book the event alongside All In, I'd highly recommend that you go back and watch it. Sulla-Heffinger: As odd as it is to have a champion in this spot, I firmly believe it has to be Sol Ruca. As Riggs wrote in his SmackDown recap last Friday, the Fatal 4-way match she was involved in felt like a showcase to specifically introduce her on the main roster. For anyone who has been watching NXT, none of this was really a surprise, but for anyone who was unsure of what's on the horizon for the women's division, this weekend showed that the future is very bright — OK, enough Sol puns, I swear. Ruca retained her NXT Women's North American Championship the following day and even though she took the pin at Evolution on Sunday night, she showed she's closer to the main roster than we think. Also, the Sol Snatcher is already in the conversation for the best finishers in WWE today. Riggs: It has to be Lash Legend. Her performance in the WWE Evolution Battle Royal was as star-making as it gets. She felt like a force, almost akin to Keith Lee's first Royal Rumble appearance years back. Possibly even to a higher degree than that, though. WWE booked her so well that I bought a ticket, thinking she might actually win it. That match was the perfect catalyst for a mega push because man, did she earn it. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Goldberg retires from wrestling during Saturday Night's Main Event at State Farm Arena on July 12, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images) (WWE via Getty Images) 4. Do you feel any differently about the pro wrestling landscape for the rest of 2025 after this weekend? Jackman: Whatever your thoughts on WWE's aggressive 'double booking' strategy, I have to say it was a real treat to have so much wrestling over the weekend. Sure, it might not work to do it every month (or even every six months), but the back-to-back events made the whole thing feel similar to a WrestleMania weekend. Advertisement In terms of the bigger question, I'd just echo what I said earlier about AEW. I wrote a column on Friday about how a Hangman victory would be the perfect starting point to a new era for the company and I really hope that's the direction they take. The imagery of Hangman retrieving that belt from the briefcase perfectly captured that sense of AEW being re-born after the long shadow of the Death Riders. Dansby: Not really, but some pieces have definitely shifted. AEW is having a strong summer, especially at the top of the card. Their men's and women's main events feel intentional and meaningful. The big question now: can they elevate the midcard and tag/trios divisions to that same level? That's where long-term momentum is either made or lost. On the WWE side, the creative highs are still being carried by special events. Evolution was arguably their best PLE in recent memory, but the company is still heavily leaning on part-timers, legacy names, and viral moments. The main roster feels like it's stuck balancing corporate obligations with fan engagement. Not an easy line to walk. Riggs: Yes. Each company is going in a clear, different direction. Whether you think that is good or bad is up to you. WWE is entirely playing into the entertainment, more playful demographic, with the reinvitations of celebrity matches like Jelly Roll's upcoming in-ring debut. Meanwhile, AEW just had their wrestlers stab each other with forks and rub glass in their faces. For WWE, they need to recover the incredibly bumpy first half of the year they've had from a story perspective in most angles, while AEW simply needs to carry the incredible momentum they've accrued. All the pieces are in place for each to keep going the way they are. Advertisement Sulla-Heffinger: Like Riggs, my biggest takeaway from the weekend is just how different AEW and WWE truly are. I teased this in our preview Horsemen column when we talked about how 'success' is defined for each company and I think this weekend hammered home that point in particular. With a stacked card, AEW put on an absolutely incredible stadium show that somehow managed to at least exceed — if not completely obliterate — all of the expectations going in. The momentum Tony Khan's company has is undeniable. On the other side, WWE took over Atlanta and ran three shows, including an Evolution PLE that should not be overlooked in the slightest, and managed to involve both celebrities (Jelly Roll) and legends, particularly Trish Stratus and Goldberg. As much as we want this to be a recreation of the 'Monday Night Wars,' the reality right now is this: AEW is the better pure wrestling promotion and WWE is the better sports entertainment promotion. There's plenty of room for both to thrive in this space and EVERYONE from the talent, to the media, to the fans are better off for it. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 13: Naomi speaks at the Press Conference Desk during WWE Evolution at State Farm Arena on July 13, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images) (WWE via Getty Images) 5. Give your one-word review of each show from the weekend and a short explanation why. Riggs: AEW All-In: Momentous. The 2025 iteration truly felt like the company's version of WrestleMania, and a WrestleMania of old — an actual culmination point of everything that happened since the last titular event. I don't want to say "reset point," but rather something like the "end of season" or "next book in the series" type of event. Advertisement WWE Evolution: Epic. The second event of its name just felt special, and almost like a continuation of that evolution label. Every performer channeled it beautifully. WWE Saturday Night's Main Event: Pass. I'm not saying anything new by calling SNME a glorified house show, but that's just what they are. Occasionally, a banger of a match unfolds in the short time given. That's about it, though. As overall events, they're almost totally missable. Sulla-Heffinger: AEW All In Texas: Defining – AEW's first true stadium show in the U.S. marks a significant real-life milestone and acts as a turning point for the creative future of the company. More than any other stateside AEW show, All In Texas felt like a WrestleMania. WWE Saturday Night's Main Event: Forced – Again, not necessarily bad because there were some decent matches on the card, but even if Rollins didn't get hurt, this felt like it took a little bit away from a weekend that Evolution should have dominated in the WWE landscape. Great moment and a fitting end for Goldberg, though. Advertisement WWE Evolution: Worthy – Sunday proved that this should be a tentpole event on the WWE PLE calendar every year. Dansby: Great American Bash: Meh. This felt more like a placeholder than a peak NXT event. They've got to figure out how to make the TNA involvement actually mean something and start building up the next wave of top stars. Right now, it feels like they're in a holding pattern. All In: Electric. AEW is giving its core fans exactly what they want—and doing it well. But the challenge now is to turn that momentum into growth. Can they bring in new fans without losing their base? We're about to find out. Evolution: Eye-opening. The women delivered. Period. The talent is there, the performances were top-tier, and the response was overwhelming. If WWE doesn't make this a yearly event, it'll feel like a huge missed opportunity. This was proof that the women can consistently headline, draw, and steal the show. Advertisement Jackman: AEW All-In: Coherent. Unlike previous AEW events, this actually felt like more than the sum of its respective parts, with multiple storylines gelling perfectly throughout the evening. The whole feel was much more professional and narrative-driven than the Wembley events, which always felt more like a big carnival show than a self-contained PLE. WWE Evolution: Justified. I made the risky play of expressing some skepticism about the merits of an all-women event and I'm pleased to see that they knocked it out of the park. WWE Saturday Night's Main Event: Mixed. As usual, the whole thing felt more like a procession of 'SmackDown' main events rather than a proper PLE (in fairness, I should note that WWE doesn't actually call SNME a PLE, but they do kind of imply it...). The Goldberg stuff was excellent though. I'm not embarrassed to say that I welled up a bit when Doug Dellinger knocked on the door that one final time.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
AEW Star Was Supposed To Be Popular Masked WWE Character
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. AEW star Blake Christian has revealed that he was the original person chosen by WWE to portray the popular masked superstar, Axiom. The scrapped plans would have dramatically changed the career paths of both Christian and the man who eventually took on the role. During a recent appearance on the Fightful Overbooked podcast, Christian, who wrestled in NXT as Trey Baxter, opened up about the character that was created for him but never came to be. The Original WWE Plan For Axiom Christian explained that WWE officials first approached him with the idea of a masked, superhero-like character when he signed in early 2021. While the initial plan was dropped, it was brought up again during the brand's transition to the more colorful NXT 2.0 later that year. "When (NXT) 2.0 came around they were like, 'We're going to do it now. This is a perfect character for this show,'" Christian recalled. "I came up with a suit design and a name. It just didn't happen. Well, it did happen, but it didn't happen with me." When asked directly if he was supposed to be Axiom, Christian confirmed it. "I was supposed to be, yes. I came up with all the stuff," he stated. Roman and Seth celebrate in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. Roman and Seth celebrate in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images A Tale Of Two Paths Blake Christian's run in WWE as the high-flying Trey Baxter was brief. After a handful of matches on NXT and 205 Live, he was released from his contract in November 2021 as part of a large round of budget cuts. He has since found success in promotions like GCW and AEW. Nearly eight months after Christian's release, the Axiom character finally debuted on NXT television in July 2022. Under the mask was the Spanish technical wrestling wizard A-Kid, who had been a standout in the NXT UK brand where he was the first-ever NXT UK Heritage Cup Champion. WWE repackaged the highly-touted prospect with the new masked gimmick upon his move to the United States. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Axiom Became a Massive Success Christian showed no bitterness about the situation, praising the man who took on the role he helped create. "I think the person they gave it to is great and he's done a great job, maybe even better than I could have done," he said. "I'm happy to see it still alive and doing as well as it's doing." The Axiom character has indeed been a success. He formed a popular, high-energy tag team with Nathan Frazer called "Fraxiom." The duo went on to become two-time NXT Tag Team Champions before being called up to the main roster, where they are currently a part of the SmackDown brand. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Will Jon Moxley's frustrating title reign finally end at AEW All In?
Heaven knows we've been teased and tested along the way, but heading into this weekend's AEW All In Texas event, you get the sense that it's finally happening. Jon Moxley's reign of terror is coming to an end. Reign of terror, you say? Well, how else do you describe the fact the Death Riders have ruled over the AEW world championship with an iron fist in a way not seen before in Tony Khan's promotion? But, yes, there's also the fact Moxley himself has been perhaps the most divisive champion in modern wrestling, and that a sizable chunk of fans see his dominance as an abomination. Advertisement But why all the Moxley hatred? On the face of it, his whole schtick hasn't been that big a departure from the established heel playbook. Plenty of "tough guy" champs have enjoyed dominant reigns without being popular. But how many have had fans actively jeering, 'Bulls***!' when they win? Sometimes I wonder if the rage-baiting is the whole point. When you look at how the Death Riders are presented, there's something gratuitous about their whole biker gang vibe that goes beyond the traditional heel factions. The point isn't just to win the match, but to actively pulverize opponents in a way you rarely see in WWE (at least when The Rock and Travis Scott aren't around). The mold was established on the first night Moxley became champion. Having already scored a gut-punch win over Bryan Danielson (just listen to the air go out of the room when he beats the most beloved man in the company), Moxley and his goons proceeded to beat "The American Dragon" senseless. Lowlights included suffocating him with a plastic bag and stomping on his neck in an obvious reference to Danielson's legitimate injury history. Jon Moxley, pictured here with the IWGP World Heavweight Championship, puts the AEW title up for grabs against 'Hangman' Adam Page at All In Texas, and there's only one right choice. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) That sort of ultraviolence can work well when used discerningly and at the right moments — like The Bloodline savaging Kevin Owens after Royal Rumble 2024. But when it's forced down our throats time after time, accompanied by another Moxley victory we probably didn't want in the first place? It's no wonder this run has tested the patience of AEW fans. Advertisement Add on top of that, some of the more inexplicable narrative decisions — and I'm not talking about little quirks like the Death Riders locking away the title in a briefcase (Personally, I always wondered if that was a satirical commentary on Jon Jones running away with UFC's heavyweight title). But how do you explain the Young Bucks suddenly appearing out of nowhere to kick Swerve Strickland into oblivion just when Mox was actually on the ropes for once? Did we ever get an answer to that? It isn't that there isn't a place for the Death Riders in AEW. Compared to the more rigid nature of WWE, Khan's promotion has always endorsed a wider diversity of wrestling styles, and presumably some folks like the bar-fight, death-match stuff. What should be obvious even to them, though, is Moxley isn't working as the top guy. In fairness, AEW has been telegraphing the end of Moxley's reign for a while now, even if most of us erroneously guessed it would be Will Ospreay who would be doing the honors. The whole story of the last few months has been how the winner of the Owen Hart Cup will go on to challenge Moxley at All In — the biggest show on the AEW calendar. That will now culminate with 'Hangman' Adam Page vs. Jon Moxley in a Texas Death Match main event. It isn't just that 'Hangman' needs to win for narrative reasons. It's that putting the belt on one of AEW's most loyal soldiers and consistent performers is the perfect way to usher in a new era for the challenger promotion — one that takes hold of all the things that seem to be going in the right direction for Khan right now while also setting up things for an excellent end to the year. Advertisement We've mentioned a few times at Uncrowned that AEW is on a bit of a run right now (Death Riders storyline aside). Viewing figures and live audiences have been picking up, after a noticeable 2024 slump, this year. On this week's media call, Khan said he expects All In to do a $3 million gate in Texas, which, if accurate, is seriously impressive. Wrestling-wise, Ospreay and Swerve are both still red-hot with fans, despite their respective setbacks. Kenny Omega is back on his feet after his health issues, while MJF is jelling nicely with The Hurt Syndicate — which looks as good as it ever did in WWE — all while having a solid feud with Místico. You also have new talents like Megan Bayne and Kevin Knight establishing names for themselves. Advertisement As much as the gambling metaphors have been done to death with AEW, you have to admit that it all looks like a seriously strong hand for Khan. If there was ever a time to reset things at the top and tell stories that don't end with your best babyfaces being choked out with plastic bags, now is the time to do it. Again, all signs point to that happening this weekend. But when you've confidently set out predictions about how Moxley's title run will end — only to see them go up in smoke — you learn to be a bit more cautious. Sometimes I wonder if all our hopes just end up contributing to some cosmic jinx that keeps the Death Riders on top. Come Saturday evening, we'll know the answer to all those questions. And right now, the smart money has been on "Hangman" scoring the victory and becoming the first non-Death Rider to even touch the world title (quite literally) in this calendar year. At that moment, AEW can finally put those 'bulls***' chants firmly in the past. On the other hand, if things go the other way, then Khan's company might want to update its motto. I suggest: 'AEW: Where the Best Wrestle — Before Being Choked Out Again by Jon Freaking Moxley.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'I'm sorryyyyy!': Saraya apologizes to her fans for not appearing on WWE Evolution 2 PLE
(Image via AEW) This week, WWE has conducted two big events, Saturday Night's Main Event (SNME) and Evolution 2 PLE on July 12 and July 13, 2025. The events witnessed several high-octane matches and feuds, leaving fans completely baffled and awestruck by the intensified performances, especially at the all-women's Premium Live Event (PLE). Ahead of the highly anticipated WWE Evolution 2 event, many fans were convinced Saraya would make a surprise return. However, Saraya was not seen during the premium live event, which has made her fans disappointed and upset. Saraya has now addressed her not appearing at Evolution 2. Saraya apologizes to her fans for not appearing on WWE Evolution Former WWE star who was supposed to make an appearance at the recently held WWE Evolution PLE has not appeared at the event, and this has made her fans very upset. However, due to her absence, the WWE star has issued a heartfelt apology to her supporters after failing to appear at WWE Evolution 2 , a landmark all-women's premium live event. Her absence left many fans disappointed, especially after a viral post on social media that falsely claimed that she was en route to the show. Earlier, a tweet went viral that had a caption, 'She's on the flight. Saraya is coming to Evolution 2!' Upon hearing this, fans flooded the comments with speculation, GIFs, and emotional tributes. However, as the event progressed and Saraya failed to appear, the mood quickly shifted. Her fans expressed confusion, while others joked about being misled, with one popular post humorously stating, 'That flight must've gone to Hawaii instead. ' Owing to this situation, Saraya has issued an apology to her fans. She responded by saying she was sorry and admitted that seeing all the love from fans made her very emotional, as she said, 'I'm sorryyyyy! Although seeing all the love made me very emotional.' Previously, during an interview, Saraya hinted at her appearance at Evolution 2. She said, 'Yeah, I could pop up in WWE tomorrow. I know Evolution's going to pop up soon. I was in the first one, but I wasn't wrestling on it because of my neck. There is a second one, only took them how long? F***. Also Read : WWE RAW (07/14/25) preview and streaming details: Full match card, confirmed segments, how to watch, start timings, and more As WWE celebrated the contribution of its women's division through events like Evolution 2, fans believe that it is high time that Saraya makes her comeback in the ring to continue her living legacy in the company. It's now a matter of time to see when the WWE legend will set foot again inside the ring. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
