The week started off on a sad note for the wrestling industry.
A trio of deaths on Sunday were felt throughout the industry and its fan base. The machine must keep spinning though as Takeover, Summerslam, and the Mae Young Classic are all fast approaching. Let’s take a look at all of the top stories coming out of WWE this week.
R.I.P.
The wrestling world suffered a trio of losses on Sunday. First up Brickhouse Brown passed away at the age of 57 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Brown competed for multiple organizations through the 80s and 90s, feuding with folks like Terry Funk and Jerry Lawler.
WWE Hall of Famer Nikolai Volkoff passed Sunday at the Age of 70. He’s probably best remembered for his 80s WWF run as a classic anti-American heel who would come out and sing the Russian national anthem before his matches. Paired with the Iron Sheik, the two won the WWF Tag Titles at Wrestlemania 1. Volkoff would then go one to feud with “Real American” Hulk Hogan over the WWF Title. He continued to make sporadic “legend” appearances on WWE TV in the decades that followed and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Finally, and most tragically, Grand Master Sexay Brian Christopher took his own life at only 46 years old. Christopher is best known as part the Too Cool faction from WWE’s Attitude Era. Alongside tag partner Scotty 2 Hotty and sometimes joined by Rikishi they popped crowds with their in ring dancing. Unfortunately Christopher, who was also the son of the legendary Jerry “the King” Lawler, has been battling a lot of personal demons in recent years. Having recently been arrested for DUI and resisting arrest, Brian was found hanging in his jail cell on Sunday. He was declared brain dead at that time but kept on life support until his father could arrive. The King has said he was able to hold his son’s hand while his heart stopped and has expressed his appreciation for the outpouring of love from both friends and fans.
Our condolences go out to the friends and families of all three men. Most importantly, if you’re struggling with personal demons of your own, please know that help is out there. All you need do is ask and accept.
Summerslam Plans
RAW- Although no official matches were added during Raw this week, some seeds were planted for rivalries that could unfold in the remaining weeks before Summerslam. The Revival have seemingly supplanted Wyatt and Hardy as the next challengers for the B Team’s tag titles. It’s a shame that the bookers have given up so completely on the promise once held by the Deleters of Worlds, but Dash and Dawson should ALWAYS be considered “top guys.” Bobby Lashley, now out of the main title scene, looks to have his sights set on an undercard feud with Elias next.
Smackdown Live- The Bar defeated the Usos as part of Smackdown’s tag tournament. Next week they face the New Day with the winner going on to fight for the titles at Summerslam. The Women’s title match got a new addition as Charlotte defeated current champ Carmella to make the Summerslam match a triple threat. It’s a shame they felt the need to once again overshadow Becky Lynch’s opportunity to get back into the title hunt by adding Flair to the mix in this way. Perhaps it’s just the first step in a plan that gets best friends Flair and Lynch into a feud that provides a show stealing match come Evolution.
205 Live- It was announced via social media early in the week that Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander will defend against Drew Gulak at Summerslam.
Card thus far:
Universal Title- Brock Lesnar© vs Reigns
Raw Womens Title- Alexa Bliss© vs Ronda Rousey
Smackdown Womens Title- Carmella© vs Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair*
Kevin Owens vs Braun Strowman with the MitB contract on the line
Intercontinental Title- Dolph Ziggler© vs Seth Rollins
WWE World Title- AJ Styles© vs Samoa Joe
Smackdown Tag Titles- Bludgeon Brothers© vs New Day or The Bar
Cruiserweight Title- Cedric Alexander© vs Drew Gulak
NXT News
Mustache Mountain came to the ring this week and invoked their rematch clause for the tag titles. They’ll get another crack at Undisputed Era in Brooklyn. In non-title news, EC3 and Velveteen Dream appear to be set for a showdown at Takeover. Dream interrupted a match between EC3 and Kona Reeves. An invitation was presented and accepted, and later in the night General Manager William Regal made the match official. Mr. Regal also announced that Adam Cole (Bay Bay) will defend the NXT North American Title against Ricochet in Brooklyn.
*Spoilers from the tapings are available online, but I’ll only be reporting the developments as they unfold on television.
Takeover card thus far:
NXT Womens Title- Shayna Baszler© vs Kairi Sane
NXT Tag Titles- Undisputed Era© vs Mustache Mountain
NXT North American Title- Adam Cole (Bay Bay)© vs Ricochet
EC3 vs Velveteen Dream
Injury Report
Two members of the 205 Live roster have joined the injury list this week. WWE has reported that Lince Dorado will need to wear a small cast for a ruptured thumb ligament. Meanwhile, Mustafa Ali has posted photos of himself in a hospital. No word yet on the reason he’s receiving medical care.
Mae Young Classic 2
With matches set to begin filming in the coming weeks, we have a few names to add to the tournament. The biggest of these is Ashley Rayne. Formerly known as Madison Rayne, she is a former Knockouts Champion for Impact Wrestling. Also added this week was Priscilla Kelly who has worked for both Shine and Full Impact Pro. The youngest competitor announced so far has a familiar name and lineage. 19 year old Xia Brookside is the daughter of WWE Performance Center coach Robbie Brookside.
Every couple of days we get 3 more names from WWE, so here’s our next group of MYC participants. The most experienced of the new additions is Hiroyo Matsumoto. She’s been in the business for more than a decade, primarily in her home country of Japan. Canada’s Vanessa Kraven is no stranger to fans of Shimmer and Shine. Last but not least is Florida’s Aerial Munroe. She’s an Air Force veteran who has been making a name for herself recently on the indy circuit. Munroe also happens to be the wife of WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander.
New Prospects
The latest updates on the potential signing of Matt Riddle suggest that he has signed a 3 year deal with WWE. If true, expect him to be introduced to NXT audiences sitting in the crowd during Takeover.
The latest word on Rey Mysterio is that his final independent dates are September 1 and 2. He’s expected to make his return to WWE any time after that.
Is it possible WWE has their eyes on a pair of popular luchadors? Rumors suggest that interest has been shown in two of the top stars of Lucha Underground, Fenix and Pentagon Jr. All indications seem to be that they are locked in contracts to LU for a while yet, but they could eventually follow in the footsteps of fellow LU champion Prince Puma, aka Ricochet.
