Opening Bell: AEW hits Vegas, Cody Rhodes in the spotlight on Raw

Get ready for the week of May 23 in WWE and AEW with previews for Raw, SmackDown, Dynamite and Rampage.

Welcome to the Opening Bell, where we round up what’s been announced for WWE (Raw and SmackDown) and AEW (Dynamite and Rampage) programming for the week ahead.

WWE Raw preview – Ford Center, Evansville, IN

There’s a big confrontation being advertised for this week’s Raw, and by that we mean large in terms of how it’s being positioned and the physical size of the men involved. Bobby Lashley, who managed to beat Omos in a Steel Cage match even though he was thrown through the cage, has another challenge for the Nigerian Giant that he’ll apparently lay out Monday night.

And Cody Rhodes, who is increasingly being shown off as one of WWE’s biggest fan favorites, will be in action as well, taking on The Miz. But the real question is whether there will be another “Countdown to Cody” timer.

Also on tap for this week:

AEW Dynamite preview – Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas

There could be worse things than being in Las Vegas all week for a full week of AEW leading up to Double or Nothing on Sunday night. The slate begins with Dynamite on Wednesday, and even with the pay-per-view just days away, the card is pretty loaded. It’s headlined by a Steel Cage match between Wardlow and Shawn Spears, which the big man must win if he wants to get his hands on MJF (spoiler: he does want that, very much).

From a pure in-ring action standpoint, the bout of the night could (should be?) the Jungle Boy vs. Swerve Strickland vs. Ricky Starks three-way dance. Hard to imagine that one won’t be a lot of fun.

Also announce by AEW for this week’s Dynamite:

AEW Rampage preview – Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas

When will AEW Rampage air this week? It’s an open question as of the time of this post, due to the uncertainty of the NBA and NHL playoff schedules and what time games might air on TNT. It’s possible it could be headed for the 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT time slot that got the show its lowest ratings ever a few weeks ago.

Be that as it may, Rampage is set to be live this week as part of the full Las Vegas AEW experience, and we’ll update with more on the matches as they are announced.

WWE SmackDown preview – Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock, AR

Though it feels like the New Day has been feuding forever with the group now officially know as the Brawling Brutes, it was only this past week that Xavier Woods said out loud what we all knew: his side is outnumbered.

That being the case, he and Kofi Kingston are recruiting a mystery partner to their cause for a six-man tag team match this Friday. Who will it be, and can Woods pull off the Backwoods in a bout with so many people in it? We’ll find out on SmackDown.

AEW Rampage results: Hookhausen trains, Blackpool Combat Club wins again

Check out full AEW Rampage results for the May 20, 2022 episode (taped on May 18) from Houston.

We’re not quite in the home stretch for Double or Nothing, but tonight’s episode of AEW Rampage from Houston is pretty darn close. Before we head to Las Vegas for all of AEW”s shows next week, there’s some business to attend to in the form of the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament. Kris Statlander, a late entry to the bracket, takes on Red Velvet for the right to face Ruby Soho in one semifinal.

AEW has also promised the latest from the duo the fans have dubbed Hookhausen: Hook and Danhausen. This odd couple (and to be fair, it’s mostly Danhausen who’s odd) has formed to combat Tony Nese and his meddling manager, Smart Mark Sterling. Though Sterling is hurt, Danhausen is Danhausen, so this could be a somewhat even fight during the Double or Nothing pre-show.

And for some reason, Matt Sydal and Dante Martin challenged the Blackpool Combat Club to a match. That’s likely to end in a BCC win, but we shall see.

Quick AEW Rampage results are below, but keep scrolling if you’d like more details on any match or significant segment.

AEW Rampage results in 30 seconds:

House of Black def. Evil Uno, Pres10 Vance and Fuego Del Sol by pinfall

Fuego has ongoing beef with House of Black, but Dark Order has been feuding with them as well, so this is more than a marriage of convenience. Malakai Black tries for a leg lock that makes 10 pound his way out of it, and Fuego tags himself in.

Buddy Matthews mocks Penta’s cero miedo hand sign as he gets in to work for the first time, and Brody King is quickly in as well. Uno escapes a power move from King, but Fuego gets knocked off the apron to the floor.

After some picture in picture goodness, Fuego makes the hot tag to 10, who even manages to send King to the floor. Uno hits a nice cannonball senton to the floor as his Dark Order teammate gets a near fall.

Black gets 10 in a kneebar but Uno is able to get a quick save. 10 connects on a discus lariat on Black, but his now injured knee is a problem. That leaves Uno and King to face off, but King backdrops out of a powerbomb attempt. As all heck is breaking loose with the other combatants, King hits a big clothesline and his powerbomb finisher to score the pinfall.

Death Triangle comes to the ramp, where Penta Oscuro reveals a tombstone with the House of Black’s name on it and a Double or Nothing placard. Ominous.

Shawn Spears def. “A Giant” by pinfall

The announcer sell this as Spears’ opportunity to show he can handle Wardlow, but … this isn’t much of a giant. It’s Big Damo, formerly known as Killian Dain. He actually handles Spears jus fine in the opening minutes, but one knee and a C4 wraps things up.

Kris Statlander def. Red Velvet by pinfall – Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Quarterfinal

Since she will face the winner, Ruby Soho is a logical and interested observer on guest commentator. Statlander does an overhead press with Velvet and switches to a single hand, and Soho notes this is a brand new Statlander.

Velvet traps Statlander in the apron skirt as Chris Jericho awards her the Sports Entertainer of the Week award. After a commercial break, Velvet hits the Final Slice but Statlander surprises everyone at the announce table when she kicks out.

When Statlander goes for her finisher, Velvet counters but is countered herself and gets the three count. Kiera Hogan attacks Statlander after the bell, Soho is in there as well, but Jade Cargill makes it three on two. Anna Jay ends up as the equalizer, stealing Mark Sterling’s crutch for use as a weapon to drive off the heels.

Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley def. Matt Sydal and Dante Martin by pinfall

Excalibur notes how he’s stuck between Taz, Chris Jericho and William Regal at the announce table, which sounds tense but fun. Sydal is hanging in pretty well against Moxley, using kicks and some flashier moves to keep him on the defensive.

Martin has a run of offense while the action is side by side with ads, but Danielson hits him with a double underhook superplex and transitions right into the Lebell Lock. Martin nearly makes the ropes, and gets his foot there when Danielson pulls back his arm. Regal is impressed.

Moxley gets double teamed by his opponents, and Sydal goes up top but decides to give Danielson a meteora on the apron. Martin hits the Nose Dive on Moxley and Danielson needs to make a save.

Looks like it’s Mox and Martin to the finish here, and Moxley nearly wins it with a piledriver after he counters a top rope maneuver. A Paradigm Shift seals the deal a moment later, though Moxley is bleeding from the mouth. Regal and Jericho have some words as the former leaves the announce table.

But Jericho isn’t leaving without the final word, and the assembled Jericho Appreciation Society is out on the ramp, followed by Eddie Kingston, Santana and Ortiz.

Bryan Danielson reportedly OK after Rampage incident

Bryan Danielson is reportedly uninjured after getting his leg stuck between the ring and the ramp at this week’s AEW Rampage taping in Houston.

Bryan Danielson appears to be fine despite getting his leg stuck between the ring and the ramp at the AEW Rampage taping in Houston on Wednesday night.

While the episode of Rampage, which was taped after the live AEW Dynamite, won’t air until Friday, numerous attendees posted video of Danielson on social media, showing him apparently trapped with staff members working for several minutes to get him free.

Danielson was able to walk to the back without help afterward.

The incident naturally caused concern among those who witnessed it, but Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Radio reports that Danielson should be fine, and may have even intentionally played the situation up.

“I’m strongly given the impression this was all a work from start to finish,” Alvarez said. “So I suppose if we hear otherwise, we’ll let you guys know tomorrow. But I think he just came up with a wacky idea and thought it would be funny.

Alvarez added that Jon Moxley and others were with Danielson and laughing about the predicament with him.

“I think one way or another, we can tell you that he does not appear to be seriously injured, and I think the whole thing was a work.”

That will come as a relief to AEW fans, as Danielson’s health is something that is always top of mind when it come to the 40-year-old’s pro wrestling career. Danielson retired from pro wrestling in 2016 due to concussion-related injuries and the discovery of a brain lesion, though he was medically cleared to resume in-ring activities two years later.

It will be interesting to see if and how Danielson’s situation is presented on Rampage, where he and Moxley team in the main event to take on Dante Martin and Matt Sydal. Rampage airs at a special start time of 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT on TNT.

Opening Bell: Steel cage match on Raw, jokers revealed on Dynamite

Get ready for the week in WWE and AEW with previews for Raw, SmackDown, Dynamite and Rampage.

Welcome to the Opening Bell, where we round up what’s been announced for WWE (Raw and SmackDown) and AEW (Dynamite and Rampage) programming for the week ahead.

WWE Raw preview – Norfolk Scope Arena, Norfolk, Va. (live)

With Bobby Lashley and Omos tied at one win apiece in their feud, it’s time for the two powerhouses to settle things inside a steel cage.

If Lashley loses, he can’t complain since it was his idea to lay out this particular challenge last Monday. The idea, of course, is that MVP can’t interfere, something that directly contributed to Omos’ win at WrestleMania Backlash. But this particular storyline feels like one that might continue into Hell in a Cell, so don’t be shocked if there’s no definitive winner Monday night even though the stipulation suggests there should be.

AEW Dynamite preview – Fertitta Center, Houston (live)

AEW is billing this week’s Dynamite as “Wild Card Wednesday,” which fits their gambling-related theming for the upcoming Double or Nothing PPV, but is also a reference to the jokers being revealed for both Owen Hart Foundation tournaments. Whoever the mystery wrestlers are, they’ll have their hands full in quarterfinal matchups with Samoa Joe and Dr. Britt Baker.

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Also on tap for this week’s Dynamite:

AEW Rampage preview – Fertitta Center, Houston (taped)

The most interesting question for Rampage each week at this point is when it will air on TNT thanks to NBA and NH playoff games. The answer for this Friday, May 20 is 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT.

As for the card, the one match we know for sure is going down is an Owen Hart Foundation women’s quarterfinal between Red Velvet and Kris Statlander. Statlander is taking the place of Velvet’s originally announced opponent, Hikaru Shida.

WWE SmackDown preview – Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Mich. (live)

This is it, finally. The tag team titles have been teased for a unification match since prior to WrestleMania Backlash, with The Usos trying to fulfill a directive from Roman Reigns to obtain both sets of titles and RK-Bro understandably figuring it would be cool to grab them for themselves.

This Friday, the two teams will settle things once and for all to decide which tag team reigns supreme. Probably. If Reigns doesn’t interfere, and the Street Profits, who have been on the periphery of this story throughout, don’t decide to do something. Just saying, Hell in a Cell isn’t that far away …

AEW announces early start times for May 13, May 20 Rampage broadcasts

Tony Khan revealed earlier start times for the May 13 and May 20 episodes of AEW Rampage.

As soon as Turner Sports announced a deal to begin broadcasting NHL games this season, to go along with its NBA broadcast rights, it was inevitable that AEW programming would be affected. The first shoe to drop was Dynamite switching from TNT to TBS, and now Rampage is feeling the effects of both leagues’ postseasons as well.

With its normal 10 p.m. ET time slot prime territory for playoff games, Rampage switched to a much earlier 5:30 p.m. ET slot for its May 6 show. Today, Tony Khan announced on Busted Open that the next two episodes of Rampage will be moving up as well:

  • The May 13 episode of Rampage will start the same time as the previous week at 5:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. CT, due to NHL playoff games in prime time.
  • The May 20 episode of Rampage will air at 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT — though in this case it’s the NBA Playoffs necessitating the move.

Though it’s the ultimate small sample size, early returns suggest that the 5:30 ET spot is not good for Rampage, which makes sense it’s barely at the end of a stereotypical work day in the east. Last week’s Rampage drew all-time lows in both total viewers and the vitally important 18-49 demographic, and there’s no reason to think it might not challenge those depths again this Friday.

The NBA has been especially tough competition for wrestling shows across the board this spring, with viewers tuning in to see postseason basketball in numbers not seen in a decade or more. There’s not a whole lot AEW can do except weather the storm until the summer, and it’s fortunate Dynamite has a secure Wednesday night slot on TBS. The number of conflicts will also decrease as the NBA and NHL get closer to their championships and the total number of games to air in each round is less, but until then, expect Rampage to keep getting shuffled around from week to week.

Opening Bell: WrestleMania Backlash … er, backlash, Owen Hart tourneys kick off

Check out previews for Raw, SmackDown, Dynamite and Rampage, including the fallout from WrestleMania Backlash and the kickoff of the Owen Hart Foundation tournaments.

Welcome to the Opening Bell, where we round up what’s been announced for WWE (Raw and SmackDown) and AEW (Dynamite and Rampage) programming for the week ahead.

WWE Raw – XL Center, Hartford, CT (live)

WWE hasn’t released its official Raw preview yet, perhaps allowing WrestleMania Backlash to soak in just a bit more. But the fallout from the event should be front and center, particularly what’s next for the Raw Tag Team Champions, RK-Bro. Is a tag team unification bout still on the horizon?

Seth Rollins won’t be happy following his second straight loss to Cody Rhodes, particularly the way it came about. The Visionary should have something to say about that Monday night, and could give us a hint as to whether he’s seeking a third match with Rhodes or moving on to something else.

And plenty of recent Raw storylines didn’t play a part in Backlash, so those are worth watching for as well. Particularly intriguing is the Kevin Owens situation, as he continues to turn what would otherwise be just another midcard subplot into gold with his quest to prove Ezekiel isn’t who he claims to be.

AEW Dynamite – UBS Arena, Long Island (live)

The Owen Hart Foundation tournaments get underway this Wednesday on TBS. The men’s tourney will see Darby Allin take on Jeff Hardy, as well as Dax Harwood vs. Adam Cole, while the women’s tourney features Jamie Hayter vs. Toni Storm. And since the “Most Magical Place in the World” is his hometown, MJF is sure to have something special cooked up for his contract signing with Wardlow.

Also announced for Dynamite this week:

WWE SmackDown – Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes Barre, PA (live)

The big match announced for SmackDown this week is one that fans may have rightfully expected to see at WrestleMania Backlash: the Women’s Tag Team Championship match. Sasha Banks and Naomi will look to retain their titles as they face Shayna Baszler and Natalya.

AEW Rampage – UBS Arena, Long Island (taped)

There’s a title on the line this week on Rampage, as Scorpio Sky lived up to his promise to give former SCU teammate Frankie Kazarian the first crack at his TNT Championship.

Also revealed for this Friday:

  • Ruby Soho battles Riho in another Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament quarterfinal bout

Watch CM Punk’s long-awaited return to the ring to a wild AEW Rampage crowd

“I’m back.”

After seven long years of waiting, CM Punk is back!

Wrestling fans finally have gotten everything they have asked for and more, as on Friday night during AEW Rampage in Chicago, Punk made his return to the ring in glorious, emotional fashion. It’s been over seven years since Punk and WWE split quite unceremoniously, but now the 42-year-old is back in the ring, and with his former company’s biggest competitor to boot.

Even before AEW Rampage got underway, fans in Chicago were already anticipating Punk’s return with cheers and chants. Once the opening notes of “Cult of Personality” — Punk’s entrance song — rang out through the arena, however, fans went absolutely NUTS.

Just listen to this crowd!

What a reaction from the fans! Then from Punk himself too as he takes in the awe-inspiring moment on stage. I’m not a wrestling fan in the slightest but I know a cool sports moment when I see it.

Oh, and Punk’s official press release signifying his return is all kinds of awesome too.

“I’m back” indeed!

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