Author: Ian Abugov
Another week is in the books. We are definitely in that swinging Summer mode. Vacation mode for many, and we celebrate the anniversaries of Canada and the United States’ respective births. This is the perfect occasion to share a toast. Here’s to your health, I say cheers. This is Smackdown Synopsis for 7/3/20. During Smackdown, Sheamus is going to offer a toast to Jeff Hardy. The Charismatic Enigma did wonders to uphold the Undertaker’s reputation one short week ago by knocking off King Corbin. The heel, as mentioned earlier, besmirched the career and legacy of the Phenom. Don’t expect Sheamus’toast…
We enjoy professional wrestling or sports entertainment as an alternate reality. The art form is an excellent diversion from the stressful and troubling aspects of the real world. This week though, has been hellacious in the wrestling universe. Multiple complainants came forward denouncing acts of indecency, illegality, and impropriety. Several performers were either suspended pending therapy or outrightly fired. These disconcerting events involve many federations spreading over several continents. Adding to the wrestling world’s woes is that at least four people working for the WWE and present at the Performance Center regularly for Smackdown tapings have tested positive for the…
IMPACT Wrestling’s management has announced the termination of the contracts of two talents while suspending another. While the reason as to why they were released will only lead to further speculation. IMPACT Wrestling terminates the contracts of Dave Crist and Joey Ryan. At the same time, it has suspended Michael Elgin, pending an investigation. To read the entire official statement, please visit here IMPACT Wrestling confirms that it has terminated its contracts with Dave Crist and Joey Ryan, effective immediately. In addition, it has suspended Michael Elgin pending further review of allegations of misconduct. All three were staples on the IMPACT…
With allegations and concrete examples of highly inappropriate actions companies have needed to take action. Over the last day, excerpts of a podcast featuring Sammy Guevara went public. Recorded some four years ago during a try out for an extra’s role at the Performance Center, the then 22-year-old Guevara made a horrific declaration about how he felt about Sasha Banks. Guevara took to social media today to publicly apologize for his actions while also issuing a mea culpa to the current co-holder of the Women’s tag team championship. He seemed to own up to his misdeeds without sugar-coating them or…
As we are are all too aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the wrestling world to a standstill. ROH falls into this category and hasn’t held a live event since February. Important events like their 18th-anniversary gala, as well as the Crockett Cup, having been shelved with no makeup dates provided nor planned. These events all could change very soon. Perhaps even as early as next month. Deconfinement is becoming more prevalent, notwithstanding very mixed opinions from the public health authorities and some offputting statistical data. In light of the above, this week’s Wrestling Observer publication quotes Ring Of Honor CEO Joe…
Backlash is in the rearview mirror, and little has changed in the SD landscape. No titles changed hands, and few storylines were definitively resolved—the exception perhaps, Braun Strowman’s program versus MC MIZ. And the Mayor of Slamtown. That program was most likely put in place to be a one and done affair. This premise is underscored now that the Forgotten Sons have been pulled from WWE TV for at least the next few weeks owing to social media posts by Jaxson Ryker. The SD tag team division lacks depth and requires an all hands on deck approach. This is the…
Our patience will be rewarded tonight. After two weeks of waiting and a healthy dose of turmoil, the Inter-Continental championship will be awarded tonight. A.J. Styles is slated to meet Daniel Bryan, both very worthy of the gold. Bryan has vowed to be a fighting champion, defending the title weekly and offering opportunities to all. Very Cody-esque in his attitude. Styles, on the other hand, would be more selective. Momentum is not on his side. Last week, he lost to Drew Gulak after taking the mat technician from Philadelphia way too lightly. Expect A.J. to kick things up a notch…
Last week’s show was a whirlwind of action. We are only nine days away from Backlash and tonight’s show will most likely whet our appetites for the second PPV after Wrestlemania. This is the WWE Smackdown Synopsis for 6/5/20. Tonight, MC M.I.Z. and Johnny Drip-Drip will attempt to torment Universal champion Braun Strowman. The colorful pair is of course slated to challenge the Monster Among Men for his title at the Backlash show. Remember that Braun lost his I-C title to Sami Zayn in a one on three handicap match at the Elimination Chamber PPV. We are curious to see…
A new wave of energy ripples through the familiar Performance Center. WWE has added a slew of trainees to create an audience, to do some cheerleading and brandish WWE merch. We await the emergence of new stars, someone who can stir up the hot sauce like the Gunn Club or even Pineapple Pete. We are told everybody has been tested and that social distancing will be respected. This is the WWE Smackdown Synopsis for 5/29/20. Tonight, we begin though with some shocking developments, breaking news! After weeks of very good but conventional programming, Smackdown kicks off with a major and…
Our neighbors to the South are celebrating Memorial Day weekend. This holiday usually signifies the start of the Summer. Beaches open and guess what, it’s even ok to wear white again! We usher in another edition of the Smackdown Synopsis for 5/22/20. Smackdown is in a celebratory mode with an array of matches that are PPV worthy. The Intercontinental championship tournament continues with a pair of hookups. Former champion Shinsuke Nakamura will face the Phenomenal AJ Styles. We will also see Jeff Hardy go one on one with the very angry Sheamus. In mixed tag team action, Otis and his…