Welcome to an all new edition of Blogs Count Anywhere, the complementary pro wrestling blog to the ODPH podcast and 607 TWS. It has been a more relatively quiet week than we’ve seen in recent weeks, so this will be a shorter blog than usual. WWE keeps bringing back familiar faces while the eyes on the independent scene have been locked into Atlantic City for GCW Homecoming. In between that, there are some stories worth mentioning about so lets’ talk about them, shall we?
CM Punk
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling
First up is AEW Dynamite closed with the return of current AEW world champion CM PUNK. Punk has been out with a foot injury in early June. In the meantime, AEW has crowned Jon Moxley as their intern champion. There has been rumors of when Punk would be back, but no clarification until this moment. The only other time anyone had seen Punk out really was seeing him at San Diego Comic Con in July. That said, the main event for their biggest show of the year appears to be all set with the unification bout locked up for September 4th at “All Out” in Chicago.
It’s the smart move to make and if Punk’ 100% ready, then go for it. It will be an interesting reaction form the crowd because both Mox and Punk are considered faces in this battle. I’m expecting it to be very pro-Punk but what (if anything) does this mean for the Blackpool Combat Club? They have been getting booked as top faces. It’s a bit confusing on that perspective but all signs point to Punk winning regardless.
Since his arrival last year, Punk has been pushed HEAVY into this position on the card. Whatever your feelings are about him, you can’t deny he gets fans attention. Has the return been the ”game changer” many thought? Debatable on what do you measure that on. Ratings still struggle to continuously clear 1 million for Dynamite. Social media impressions appear to be increased, but overall, imo, the jury is still out. With his return heading into the big show, it will be interesting to see how this set-up goes. AEW programing and PPV Buys will give a general idea if it’s the “Summer Of Punk” again or is the honeymoon phase finally over? Wait and see…..
Chris Jericho
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling
Also “returning” this week was the “Lionheart” persona of one Chris Jericho. Facing Jon Moxley, Jericho went back to his original gimmick that he broke into most notably ECW with during the 90’s. The match started a bit off imo, but picked up towards the end (I personally didn’t score it 4.75 but to each their own). Seeing Jericho borrow from the playbook of Mick Foley with bringing back characters like “Lionheart” and “The Painmaker” from NJPW has been good for nostalgia, and is a credit to how Jericho has gotten over pretty much every character he’s created thus far. “The Wizard”…..to be determined. Seeing less of the trip into the past would make these moves more impactful, but the AEW faithful enjoyed it. End of the day, that’s what matters more.
FTR and Wardlow
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling
Speaking of Nostalgia, Wardlow reunited with FTR for a semi-reunion of The Pinnacle, the faction started by he who AEW does not name (MJF). The ROH tag team champs came to back up Wardlow versus the Jay Lethal faction (name TBD) on AEW Dynamite this week. Seeing the 3 together makes me wonder if this is going to be a thing moving forward. AEW is in full trios tag team mode with champions to be crowned at All Out. Could we see the Pinnacle reformed? And what about adding a fourth member again? With MJF gone, I’m not doubting a certain returning champion bringing these three out with him to stand off against Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Wheeler Yuta and Claudio….just saying…..
HOOK
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling
HOOK will be defending the FTW tile vs. “The Reality” Zack Clayton …. so that’s happening. …
Photo Credit: Circle 6 Wrestling
Credit: National Wrestling Alliance
Last bit of news: It was announced that the NWA is taming up with Vet Tix to offer complimentary tickets for NWA 74 on August 27th and 28th to active Military members, Veterans and the immediate family members of those killed in duty. This is an incredible action for the NWA to do and they should be applauded for this. For more information on the NWA, click here.
That’s all the pro wrestling talk for this week. Hit me up on Twitter and let me know what pro wrestling you’re checking out! Thanks for reading!