Reverse Hipster's Highlights
2. (Smackdown) John Cena Takes Jimmy to Promo School
Jimmy went head-to-head with John Cena in a promo battle, and he ripped him. He said John Cena is just like Roman Reigns because they are both takers. He elaborated that the only difference between Roman and Cena was that Cena does it with a smile. Jimmy even made fun of John Cena's clothes in a way Cena had to acknowledge.
However, when it was Cena's turn, he took Jimmy to Promo School in just a few words. John said that he had wanted to tell Jimmy for three years that the wrong Uso Quit. This could have so many meanings. On the surface, it just means Jey shouldn't have quit recently and that it should have been Jimmy. Or it could be in reference to Jey quitting in the I Quit match with Roman three years ago because Jimmy was getting choked out. Or it could be a reference to Jimmy Dui's. Jimmy's dejected reaction is either truly hurt by what Cena said or by outstanding acting, but either way, this moment made the promo battle.
1.(Raw& SmackDown ) Miz and LA Knight
Miz and Laknight are an awesome pairing for promos. LA Knight could run over a lot of people on the roster with fan cheers alone. WWE has been pairing LA Knight with some of the best talkers, and Miz has delivered. He has been on LA Knight and damn near destroyed LA Knight when he did the promo as LA and got the crowd to do all the same stuff, and then he ripped LA's Knights's gimmick as something anyone could do. He further destroyed LA by revealing that he was on a reality TV show, too, but he just wasn't successful. These promos have been rap battle-tier in their attacks, and I'm here for it.
Reverse Hipster's Lowlights
1. (Raw) Becky Lynch
Becky and Trish put on an excellent Falls Count Anywhere match on Raw. You may be wondering why I have marked it as a lowlight. The reason it's here is because it basically became a handicap match with Trish and Zoey attacking Becky with no possibility of DQ. However, Becky still won, and that's ridiculous. It makes Zoey and Trish look weak, and it makes even less sense when you consider WWE planned to have Becky beat Trish in the Cage match at Payback. Why not save that overcoming the odds moment for then?
Rob’s Highlights (AEW/Impact)
5. Chris Jericho/Sammy Guevara, AEW Dynamite
After AEW All In, it was interesting that Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara didn’t split. Now, I’m glad they didn’t. Jericho and Guevara were electric together on the mic, a testament to why they have been paired for so long. They ultimately hashed it out and decided to go for the tag team championships together, but what played out says there will be more to this story moving forward. This could be a great chance for Guevara to break out.
4. Orange Cassidy, AEW Dynamite
Much of the focus on AEW Dynamite was on the International Championship and Orange Cassidy, who will main event AEW All Out in Chicago. Jon Moxley has been targeting Cassidy and friends for a while now. Cassidy still had to defeat Penta El Cero Miedo to earn the right to defend the championship. Cassidy has had an incredible reign with so many defenses that it’s easy to forget who all he has faced. To end Dynamite, he cut an impassioned and hilarious (first-ever) promo that got me hyped to see him main event a PPV.
3. Jay White vs. Dax Harwood, AEW Collision
AEW Collision has been the go-to show for matches, and this week was no exception. Its best match saw Jay White and Dax Harwood square off in the main event. After a couple of months of floundering, White has hit his stride in AEW, and he is a bonafide star. The long-term story between FTR and Bullet Club Gold has paid off hugely. With Collision’s exclusive stars, they have become a true brand in AEW.
2. Tony Khan Announcement, AEW Collision
Regardless of how you feel about CM Punk, the Elite, Jack Perry, Tony Khan, and anyone else involved, the reality of the news is that Khan has made the decision to terminate Punk’s contract. At the very least, you have to give Khan credit as the boss for this move. He took a transparent approach and took accountability in front of a ravenous Chicago crowd. At the end of the day, he is the boss, and he showed it here. The show that followed proved to me that AEW is still here to stay until it loses more than just one of its top stars.
1. Bryan Danielson, AEW Collision
Speaking of top stars, Bryan Danielson is back and set to lead the AEW Collision locker room in CM Punk’s absence. Even Punk fans have to be happy with this choice. Danielson rushed back from injury and is again thrust into a big spot for AEW. Danielson is loved by fans, wrestlers, and management alike. He radiates positivity, passion, and love for pro wrestling. Everyone should be ecstatic to have him back, and injured or not, he will deliver against Ricky Starks in a strap match at All Out.
Rob’s Lowlights (AEW/Impact)
1. The Acclaimed, AEW Dynamite
I was already skeptical about the Acclaimed winning the trios championships. This week confirmed my biggest fear. They were paraded out in front of fans, spitting out the same catchphrases from almost a year ago. This highlight has been more important for Billy Gunn than it has been for the young stars, who should be challenging FTR for the tag titles this weekend instead of taking up TV time with meaningless celebration segments.
Rob’s Winner of the Week (AEW/Impact)
AEW Collision was the clear winner for me this week. While Dynamite was more of a hold, Collision had great matches, story development, and a hot Chicago crowd.
Reverse Hipster's Winner of the Week
SmackDown wins it for me. The return of Cena and Miz and LA Knight Fued brings it home for SmackDown, which has been separating from the pack of shows even without the Tribal Chief.