The Turnbuckle Debate #235

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

Episode 131 of Wrestling Tonight dives into one of the most consequential weeks in professional wrestling, where spectacle met scandal and history was made on multiple fronts. At the center of it all was WWE’s Night of Champions, an event clouded in geopolitical controversy and marked by dramatic in-ring developments. Headlining the show was John Cena, who emerged from his clash with CM Punk still Undisputed WWE Champion after a chaotic main event that seemed designed to frustrate rather than resolve. Punk’s return to Saudi Arabia, after years of public criticism of the regime, added a complex emotional layer to the match—only to be further muddled by a murky finish and post-match taunting from Seth Rollins, who now looms large as a wild card with the Money in the Bank briefcase and Paul Heyman at his side. Elsewhere on the card, Cody Rhodes captured the King of the Ring crown in a ceremonial victory over Randy Orton, a bout more notable for its symbolism than its drama. Jade Cargill’s Queen of the Ring triumph over Asuka was a visual spectacle but highlighted the steep learning curve she still faces. Sami Zayn, returning to Saudi Arabia for only the second time, scored an emotional victory over Karrion Kross in a moment that resonated deeply with the live crowd. The U.S. Title scene saw more chaos than clarity, with Solo Sikoa toppling Jacob Fatu in a match heavy on interference and light on clean resolution. WWE rounded out the event with a formal announcement: the 2026 Royal Rumble will be held in Riyadh, solidifying its long-term partnership with the Kingdom in a move that continues to stir debate about the company's global priorities and moral compass. Across the wrestling landscape, AEW is preparing for a record-setting night of its own as All In: Texas—set for July 12 at Globe Life Field—has already surpassed $2.5 million in gate revenue with over 19,000 paid tickets sold, becoming the most-attended non-WWE wrestling event in North American history. The event has begun to take shape with Mark Briscoe and Kris Statlander securing the first slots in their respective Casino Gauntlet matches, while JetSpeed—Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight—earned a title shot against The Hurt Syndicate after a fiery win on Dynamite. Their celebration was short-lived, as Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin, flanked by MVP and MJF, launched a brutal assault that left both challengers laid out, punctuating their dominance with a table-shattering finale. Back in NXT, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo claimed the Heritage Cup in dramatic and controversial fashion, as interference from Luca Crusifino backfired, fracturing the D’Angelo Family and casting doubt over loyalties. Injuries continue to plague WWE's roster, with Liv Morgan undergoing shoulder surgery and Chad Gable reportedly sidelined following an on-screen arm-break angle with Penta. Gable is set for surgery in early July and may miss several months of action. Meanwhile, Keith Lee took to social media to reassure fans his prolonged AEW absence is not health-related but rather out of his hands, a quiet critique of creative stasis. ROH and CMLL’s Global Wars event delivered one of the year’s most stirring cards, headlined by Bandido’s successful ROH World Title defense over Mascara Dorada in a lucha clinic that further cemented his reign. The night also featured the emotional submission victory of Blue Panther over Lee Moriarty, which led to a surprise appearance from Bryan Danielson. Days later, Danielson again shocked fans by returning after AEW Collision in a surprise segment with Max Caster, submitting him in seconds with the LeBell Lock after an assist from Adam Cole. For the night, Danielson aligned with Kyle O’Reilly as “Kyle Danielson,” delighting the Washington crowd with a heartfelt rendition of “The Final Countdown.” Elsewhere in the news, the legal pressure continues to mount for WWE as Janel Grant’s legal team filed a sweeping discovery request seeking emails, board minutes, NDA drafts, and internal communications involving Vince McMahon, WWE HR, Linda McMahon, and Dr. Carlton Colker. The move is intended to challenge WWE’s push for arbitration, arguing that Grant’s allegations of coercion deserve to be scrutinized in open court. MLW found itself in AEW’s crosshairs as MJF appeared unannounced at an MLW taping to attack Mistico, further fueling speculation of a storyline—or power play—between the companies. NJPW’s G1 tournament suffered a personal setback as Bad Luck Fale withdrew following a loss in the family, opening the door for Satoshi Kojima to face Ryohei Oiwa in the play-in. Meanwhile, Bobby Lashley not only continues his dominance in AEW but has also been announced for a French indie show following Forbidden Door, while teasing a potential MMA return after appearing at a recent BKFC event. In the world of broadcast media, SiriusXM has announced the launch of Pro Wrestling Nation, a 24/7 channel devoted entirely to pro wrestling that will replace Fight Nation. The new station will feature expanded programming including Busted Open Radio, Off the Ropes with Jonathan Coachman, and shows hosted by Natalya and Denise Salcedo. And just across from Madison Square Garden, a new Hulk Hogan-themed bar called Slam is preparing to open its doors, promising fans memorabilia, MSG nostalgia, and a full-circle tribute to one of wrestling’s most controversial icons. From Saudi stadiums to Texas megashows, courtroom battles to backstage power moves, Wrestling Tonight continues to bring you the full spectrum of professional wrestling in all its triumphs, contradictions, and unfinished stories. Be sure to subscribe to Wrestling Tonight on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts—and follow @TurnbuckleTavern for weekly insights across WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA, ROH, and the independent scene.

Our guests for this week are Seth and Jordan from The Goal Line Podcast! Join us as we ask with Karrion Kross getting a rare match on Night of Champions, does he deserve a push to the top, or should he test free agency; is AEW muddying up the booking of Omega vs Okada at ALL IN; and in light of recent geopolitical events, who would be the best wrestler to work a 1991 Sgt. Slaughter-style gimmick as an Iranian sympathizer? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

On Episode 130 of Wrestling Tonight, we trace the line between spectacle and volatility as WWE prepares to stage Night of Champions in one of the most geopolitically tense environments the company has ever operated in. The event, set for June 28 in Riyadh, features John Cena vs. CM Punk for the WWE Championship—a match built on personal history, philosophical tension, and, now, moral ambiguity. Punk, once the most outspoken critic of WWE’s Saudi partnership, now finds himself at the center of it. And while the match is poised to be a classic, the backdrop is far from fiction. Just days ago, the U.S. launched Operation Midnight Hammer, a bombing campaign on Iranian nuclear sites. Iran responded by vowing “everlasting consequences,” placing a target—symbolic or otherwise—on every American in the region. The UK government has issued active travel advisories, commercial flights have diverted around Iranian airspace, and yet, WWE is undeterred. The official statement is measured: “monitoring the situation.” But the unofficial stance is louder: we’re going. With the 2026 Royal Rumble scheduled for Saudi Arabia, and WWE’s billion-dollar deal with the Kingdom intact, there’s little room for second thoughts. We explore the Formula 1 precedent, where missile fire near the circuit didn’t stop the show, and how this moment once again pits corporate confidence against real-world caution. Meanwhile, Cena added fuel to the fire with a SmackDown promo that didn’t just build the match—it dismantled Punk. Echoing Punk’s own iconic Pipe Bomb from 2011, Cena turned the mirror around, calling Punk a hypocrite, “Mr. TKO,” and a man who peaked "seven minutes, fourteen years ago." It was biting, meta, and signaled that this isn’t just a title defense—it’s an ideological showdown. The rest of the Night of Champions card offers serious implications: Jacob Fatu defends the U.S. Championship against Solo Sikoa in a grudge match born from Bloodline fractures Dominik Mysterio puts the Intercontinental Title on the line against AJ Styles in a collision of lineage and legacy Randy Orton awaits Cody Rhodes or Jey Uso in the King of the Ring Final, with a SummerSlam title shot hanging in the balance Asuka stands tall in the Queen of the Ring Final, but will face either Jade Cargill or Roxanne Perez to earn her crown Beyond the Kingdom, WWE also confirmed a long-rumored farewell: Goldberg’s final match will take place July 12 in Atlanta, facing Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship. After years of unfinished business and polarizing returns, Goldberg finally goes out on his own terms—with his son Gage by his side. We break down why this match matters, and why it may be the right curtain call. Over in TNA, the Order 4 civil war escalates as Cedric Alexander makes his surprise debut, confronting Mustafa Ali and drawing battle lines inside the most unstable faction in the company. With Jason Hotch re-signing and Skyler caught in the crossfire, TNA quietly continues to tell one of the strongest faction stories in wrestling today. Also in this episode: Stephanie McMahon calls Vince “his own biggest nemesis”, as lawsuits and new ventures define his post-WWE chapter SmackDown returns to two hours starting July 4, ending a brief and polarizing experiment Los Garza win AAA Tag Team gold at Triplemania Regia in their hometown of Monterrey Mercedes Moné wins the CMLL Women’s Championship but is ambushed by Toni Storm as their All In collision looms Jon Moxley & AEW sued over an unscripted incident from a 2023 Dynamite taping Tony Khan weighs in on AEW’s future amid Warner Bros. Discovery’s corporate split Hook confirms his concussion, but says a return is near From Riyadh to Atlanta, TNA’s tapings in Pittsburgh to AEW’s shifting alliances, this week in wrestling isn’t just about matches—it’s about how much risk this industry is willing to shoulder in the name of business, legacy, and control. Subscribe to Wrestling Tonight on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, and follow @TurnbuckleTavern for weekly coverage of WWE, AEW, TNA, NJPW, GCW, and more.  

Our guests this week are Tanner from Kicking Out Podcast and Travis from Wicked Bitter! Join us as we ask did WWE take the title off Jey Uso too soon and will he ever be champion again; with the major story lines building towards All Yn, is Forbidden Door lost in the sauce this year; and if Jon Moxley beats Hangman at All In, who should ultimately take the belt off of him? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so make sure you don't miss anything and go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from One of The Bad Chads, Snead, and Ol Reliable Hoch! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo!

On Episode 129 of Wrestling Tonight, we examine a wrestling landscape defined by momentum, contradiction, and long-overdue reckonings. Gunther has once again ascended to the top of WWE’s mountain, reclaiming the World Heavyweight Championship with a decisive victory over Jey Uso on Raw. After a legendary Intercontinental reign and a prior world title run, this latest chapter only reaffirms what many already knew—Gunther represents stability, precision, and quiet dominance in an era often ruled by noise. But if Gunther embodies discipline, CM Punk continues to wrestle with dualities—especially his own. Punk is now officially headed to Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, where he’ll face John Cena in a high-profile rematch years in the making. The match is compelling on paper, but the context is impossible to ignore. For much of his career, Punk positioned himself as a vocal critic of WWE’s Saudi partnership. His participation now marks a sharp pivot—and raises fair questions about where principle ends and pragmatism begins. Across the globe, AEW prepares for a milestone event with Grand Slam: Mexico, a historic collaboration with CMLL at Arena México. The card brings together AEW’s signature stars and Mexico’s rich lucha tradition: MJF vs. Mistico, Mercedes Moné defending the CMLL Women’s Championship, Ricochet returning to his roots in a four-way spectacle, and a lineup of elite trios competition featuring Okada, Ospreay, FTR, and more. It’s not just a supercard—it’s a cultural statement about what AEW wants to be. In Japan, NJPW’s Dominion delivered a slate of meaningful outcomes and subtle shifts. Hirooki Goto retained the IWGP World Heavyweight Title after a grueling defense against Shingo Takagi, Konosuke Takeshita continues to cement his position ahead of the G1 despite his loss to Oleg Boltin, and EVIL's vicious dog collar match win over David Finlay paired with the Bullet Club’s unraveling. With questions lingering around Hiroshi Tanahashi’s G1 future, Dominion felt less like a culmination and more like a prologue to what’s ahead. From Toronto to Tokyo, Mexico City to Riyadh, professional wrestling continues to evolve—sometimes with purpose, sometimes with contradiction, and always with stories that reflect more than what happens in the ring. Subscribe to Wrestling Tonight on Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, and follow @TurnbuckleTavern for weekly insight across WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA, GCW, and beyond.

Our guests for this week are The Tavern's own, Ace and Colton! Join us as we ask was R-Truth’s release a work or a shoot; what championship reign was more of a slap in the face: Kofi’s or Jey Uso’s; and are WWE fans accepting of AEW in-ring style when it is presented in a WWE ring? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!