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This week, the world of professional wrestling is in for a treat. NXT, WWE’s developmental brand, kicked off its “Gold Rush” week featuring high-profile matches against champions and veteran WWE Superstars. AEW teamed up with NJPW for a fantastic paid event called “Forbidden Gate” that featured some of the best wrestling I’ve seen in weeks. Unfortunately, during that fight, Brian Danielson fractured his right forearm, which could mean he won’t be able to wrestle for the next 6-8 weeks.
On the bright side, I did personally attend this week’s WWE Friday Night Smackdown and had a great time. The energy that the wrestling fans bring to the event is unlike any other sporting event I’ve been to and I recommend seeing the live show to anyone, even if they’re not a wrestling fan.
Here are the hottest pro wrestling matches of the past week:
Kenny Omega vs. Will Osprey (AEW Lockdown, June 25)
Two of the best wrestlers in the world proved why they stand above many others in the ring in this matchup last week. These wrestling veterans had to pull out all the stops, and it seemed that every time one of them gained momentum, the other reversed. Osprey’s lunge at Omega outside the ring was a highlight, before he threw Omega onto the steel steps and bounced his face off a ring post before sending him back into the ring. But the Omega has matched that intensity, too, from using a flying knee link to the Osprey’s head against a barricade outside the ring to hitting a DDT on a steel step. Ospray emerged victorious, taking the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship from Omega.
Solo Sikoa vs. Sheamus (WWE Friday Night Smackdown, June 23)
After Solo Sikoa attacked one of Sheamus’ best friends, Rich Holland, Sheamus challenged him to a match. The main event of the night did not disappoint, even though it ended in a no-show. For part of the fight, Sheamus looked in control as he pulled off his signature moves, like a devastating back-snap and a brutal chest thump to Sikoa. But that all changed when Sikoya hit Sheamus out of the ring and started beating him up for real. He slams Sheamus onto the announcer’s desk, drags him to sit in front of the barricade, and runs at full speed, colliding with Sheamus into the barricade, breaking it. The referee had no choice but to declare the game over.
Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker (WWE NXT, June 20)
Returning to NXT is current WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freak” Rollins. He faced off against one of NXT’s most successful stars of the era, Bron Breakker, putting the Championship in jeopardy. Although Rollins’ ribs were strained from the brutality of the previous fight, he was as good as ever. Rollins hit a frog splash outside the ring at Blake, who was sitting on the announcer’s table. Due to Rollins’ splash and impact, the table cracked and Blake fell to the floor. But that’s not the end of Breakker. When Rollins tried to hit another frog in the ring, Blake avoided it and clung to Rollins. In the end, Rollins stomped Breakker for the win.
Joe Hendry vs. Yuya Uemura (Impact, June 22)
This fast-paced match was the highlight of last week’s Impact Wrestling. Joe Hendry is a naturally gifted athlete who puts on a show every time he takes to the court. From neck breaks to super moves, Hendry can run a clinic to perfect them all. The slightly quicker Yuya Uemura overtook Hendry for part of the game and hit a perfect kick that shook Hendry to the mat. Uemura matched Hendry in strength, but jumped off the top rope before Hendry was tired enough. Hendry caught Uemura and hit his finisher, the Hendry Slam, for the victory, leading to the end of Uemura’s first title chance in impact wrestling.
Overall, it’s been a great week for professional wrestling. AEW’s Forbidden Door is tough to beat, but WWE has some great storylines and matches in store for its next premium event, Money In the Bank, on July 1.
“Sports Entertainment Solidified,” Maddy Myer’s professional wrestling column, airs every Monday.
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