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WWE has dropped the Invasion name for the upcoming event between NXT and TNA next month.

Invasion, the original title of the WWE/WCW pay-per-view back in 2001, was set to be resurrected next month for a Tuesday night special of NXT that would see the brand go head-to-head with TNA Wrestling.

However, complaints emerged regarding the title of the show and the date it was taking place on October 7. Thus, WWE decided it was best to change course and rename the event.

WrestleVotes took to social media prior to tonightâ€s episode of WWE NXT to reveal the new name, tweeting out:

“The NXT vs TNA ‘Invasion†show is getting a new name. Itâ€s now titled ‘Showdown,’†WrestleVotes said in a post.

On tonightâ€s episode of WWE NXT, Ava and Santino Marella announced the menâ€s and womenâ€s Survivor Series teams for this event.

Those teams are as follows:

NXT Menâ€s Survivor Series Team:

• Ricky Saints
• Jeâ€Von Evans
• Trick Williams
• Myles Borne

TNA Menâ€s Survivor Series Team:

• Mike Santana
• Frankie Kazarian
• Moose
• Leon Slater

NXT Womenâ€s Survivor Series Team:

• Jacy Jayne
• Lola Vice
• Sol Ruca
• Jaida Parker

TNA Womenâ€s Survivor Series Team:

• Kelani Jordan
• Jessie McKay
• Cassie Lee
• Mara Sade

The NXT vs. TNA Showdown event will go head-to-head with AEW Dynamite: Title Tuesday as the company is forced to move to Tuesday one night a year due to the MLB Playoffs.

What else is set for Showdown?

In addition to the two NXT vs. TNA Survivor Series team matches, other matches currently announced for this show include:

• Winner Take All for the NXT and TNA Tag Team Titles: DarkState (c) vs. The Hardy Boyz
• NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Mustafa Ali

Stay tuned to WrestleZone for more information as it becomes available.

READ MORE: NXT Star Says They Are Leaving WWE

What do you make of the name change from Invasion to Showdown? Which brand has the stronger teams heading into this event? Let us know your overall thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.

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WWE is backing off the “Invasion†name for its upcoming NXT vs TNA special after international backlash forced their hand.

According to WrestleVotes, the controversial event title is officially being changed. The cross-brand showdown—originally announced as “Invasionâ€â€”will now be called “Showdown.â€

“The NXT vs TNA ‘Invasion†show is getting a new name. Itâ€s now titled ‘Showdown.â€â€

This move comes after Sky News Arabia reported that Israeli officials expressed outrage over the original event name and date. WWEâ€s NXT special was set for October 7—coinciding with the anniversary of the 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. Critics called the “Invasion†branding tone-deaf and deeply insensitive.

The special was first announced by Ava during No Mercy, with WWE promoting a full night of interpromotional chaos on the CW Network—including two Survivor Series-style elimination matches for both men and women.

WWE has not released an official statement on the name change yet, but this quiet switch seems to be their way of moving past the controversy without stoking further fire.

Despite the rebrand, the NXT and TNA crossover continues to pick up steam with fans and insiders expecting major storyline developments during Showdown. But itâ€s clear WWE wants the focus back on the wrestling—not global headlines.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.

Was WWE right to change the name of the NXT vs TNA special? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

September 30, 2025 6:40 pm

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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

CMLL “92ND ANNIVERSARY SHOW” REPORT
SEPTEMBER 19, 2025
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO AT ARENA MEXICO
REPORT BY ZACH BARBER, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Do not adjust your screens. This isnâ€t my normal beat, but CMLL presented itâ€s 92nd Anniversario show, its equivalent of WrestleMania. For the first time ever they presented the show with an English commentary team so I decided to check it out. Here are my thoughts.

Production:

As I mentioned, this event marked the first time in its history that CMLL offered English commentary for one of its shows. The speculation per Luchablog is that it was a Triller call which is makes sense given tha=t the English commentary was only available on the Triller feed and not on CMLL’s regular YouTube subscription channel which also carried the show.

From the moment the show started, it was apparent that from a technical standpoint the commentary was thrown together. The show began with the commentators (Veda Scott, Samuray del Sol fka Kalisto, and Miguel Castro) literally testing their mics on air. There were audio blackouts that marred the first 15 or so minutes of the show and happened sporadically throughout. I think this was a function of the commentary having to be patched over the actual audio feed of the show.

Initially I thought the ring was mic’d poorly but that may actually have been an issue caused by this weird audio mix. The other major production issue I noticed – also possibly caused by the audio issues – was that the viewing audience couldnâ€t hear the announcer make ring introduction. Samuray del Sol had to do the intros himself.

Commentary:

Veda Scott continues to be the most underrated announcer in the game. The fact that a major promotion hasnâ€t snapped her up is crazy. She worked her ass off as the glue that held this commentary team together. It was evident from the start that this team came in at a deficit having never worked together before. Veda did her homework and competently conveyed the background of each match to the audience. Samuray del Sol was able to add some color about Lucha and the Luchadors. Miguel definitely felt like a third wheel most of the time but he shined in the Mistico-MJF match.

Arena/Vibe:

Arena Mexico is such a unique and cool-looking venue. The crowd was loud and boisterous for everything including military band/mariachi performance in between the second and third matches. It was wild how much more over “Cielito Lindo” was at this show than a lot of the musical performances on WWE shows.

Matches:

Lluvia & La Jarochita vs Reyna Isis & Persephone

This match opened the show. In addition to the aforementioned audio issues, this match simply wasnâ€t very good. The women didnâ€t have much chemistry and even though Lucha rules are looser, having all four women in the match most of the time was a little much. All of that said, the sold-out crowd in Arena Mexico ate this up. They booed vociferously when Lluvia & La Jarochita got the win. Still, I wish the show had started hotter and I definitely wish the Womenâ€s Division had been given an opportunity to redeem itself.

Villaino III Jr & Hijo del Villiano III vs Angel del Oro & Niebla Roja

An improvement on the first match, for sure. These two teams did battle for the CMLL World Tag Team titles. The use of the Lucha tag rules in this one wasnâ€t as obnoxious as in the first match. The action was solid with both teams flying around the ring and the faces repeatedly going for submissions until they were able to lock on simultaneous swinging surfboards to retain their titles. Interestingly, the crowd was much more on the side of the heel Villiano brothers and actually booed the outcome.

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

Check out the latest episode of the “All Elite Conversation Club” with Joel Dehnel and Gregg Kanner, part of the PWTorch Dailycast line-up: CLICK HERE to stream (or search “pwtorch†on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)

Atlantis Jr. & Neón, & Mascara Dorada vs. Hechicero & Volador Jr, & Zankodan Jr. – Two out of Three Falls

This was the chaotic spotfest that youâ€d expect from these six. Mascara Dorada is a tremendous talent. He was executing high-flying moves with such fluidity and ease. Dorada scored the first fall on Zankodan Jr. before getting triple-teamed by all three heels and pinned by Hechicero. Dorada got even though, scoring the decisive fall for his team with his beautiful shooting star press on Hechicero.

Difunto & Barboza vs. Títan & Templario – Copa Independencia final

Difunto officially has my new favorite lucha mask. Itâ€s this really cool pirate skeleton thing. That said, this match was good although not as good as the one before it. The commentators were starting to gel more at this point and did a good job telling the story of Títan and Templario going from rivals to partners. This match featured another double pin, which must be a staple of lucha wrestling. The faces going over makes sense given that it seems like CMLL is trying build up this unlikely partnership.

El Felino vs. Rey Bucanero (Hair vs. Hair)

This was the legends match on the card (Felino is 61, Bucanero is 51). Once I realized these were older luchadors, I wasnâ€t expecting much, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Felino was still pretty spry for his age, even hitting a top rope huracanrana at one point. It was still the slowest match on the card though, which it made it stick out, although it wasnâ€t bad by any means.

The finish was both historic yet unsatisfying. Each man kicked the other low in full view of the referee resulting in a double disqualification and, for the first time ever, both combatants getting their heads shaved. Itâ€s just nice to know that bad finishes arenâ€t just limited to American promotions. I did like the added touch of having a professional barber on hand to do the hair cutting, though.

Mìstico vs. MJF – Mask vs Title

As well-worked and incredible as “Hangman” Page vs. Kyle Fletcher, I have to give the slight edge to Místico and MJF for match of the weekend. This was everything you want in pro wrestling. From the moment “Mi Muero” hit, Místico may as well have been a deity. All of Arena Mexico was behind him. MJF was the perfect foil as the nationalistic American heel.

MJF attacked Místico before the bell. He ripped a hole in Místicoâ€s mask and slammed him face first into the ringpost which split him wide open. From that point on, Místico fought from underneath bleeding like a stuck pig the entire time. The crowd would will him to rally and MJF would quickly quash it. MJF reversed an attempt at La Mistica into a tombstone. He hit a package piledriver on the apron and then demanded the ref count only for Místico to narrowly make it back into the ring.

Místico rallied one last time hitting a crazy standing top rope huracanrana and successfully put MJF in La Mistica. MJF attempted to reach the rope, but Místico rolled through and re-applied the hold. This time he cranked it and forced MJF to tap much to the thundering adoration of the crowd. CMLL owner Salvador Lutteroth came out with his son to present Místico with the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Title. This was incredible. Excellent work from both men and the atmosphere just put over the top. A match of the year contender in my book.

Drágon Rojo & Barbaro Cavernario vs. Esfinge & El Valiente vs. Último Guerrero & Averno

The rules to this main event were unique. Essentially it was two matches in one. In the first match, three teams of rivals competed in a triple threat elimination tag match. The action was fast and furious. It also gave Último Guerrero and Averno, who are on the older side the luxury of not having to carry a match themselves.

Each wrestler had a chance to shine before Esfinge eliminated Cavernario and Rojo by pinning Cavernario after a 540 Kick. Rojo then fought Cavernario up the ramp to the back. Último Guerrero and Averno were the next go following a double pin off of a simultaneous lung blower and top rope splash.

That left Esfinge and Valiente to battle in a mask vs. mask match. They went around 20 minutes. Valiente worked over Esfingeâ€s arm early. Esfinge mounted a comeback and hit a 540 kick which Valiente kicked out of. He also kicked out of a top rope splash. Esfinge finally got win with a painful looking twisting figure-four into a bridging pin. The show closed with Valiente unmasking.

Overall Thoughts:

I thought this was a very fun show that didnâ€t overstay its welcome. The show got better after the clunky opener and peaked with the incredible Místico-MJF match, although the main event was more than solid. Given the relationship between CMLL and AEW, the exposure of the CMLL talent to an American audience. I think it would behoove CMLL to consider making English commentary a regular feature of their programming so that theyâ€re show is more accessible to a non-Spanish speaking audience.

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AEW

During Sting’s final match at AEW Revolution 2024, his sons, Garrett and Steven, both made their way down to the ring, donning his “Surfer Sting” Great American Bash 1990 attire and his red Wolfpac “Crow” Sting attire respectively. As previously reported, Sting’s younger son, Steven, is training to follow in his father’s footsteps and his first match has been announced.

According to a press release for the upcoming 52W Hardway show in New York City has revealed that Borden will be performing a live match alongside Darby Allin and former WWE talent Killer Kross. Additionally, the show will include others like AR Fox, Sid Ellington, Kiran Grey, Timothy Thatcher, and surprise musical performances. The aforementioned show is further described as an art exhibition, which will feature drawings by Raymond Pettibon and his lifelong love for pro wrestling, and that all the bouts for the show have been organized by Allin to spotlight all the wrestlers involved.

During a podcast appearance late last year, Allin commented on Borden’s progress in training and noted that neither party intended to rush him. Based on this, it seems that they intend to have second-generation wrestler try his hand in front of a smaller audience before likely debuting elsewhere. So far, it’s unclear whether he’ll don face paint like his father, or instead create his own character. In the past, Borden chose football over pro wrestling, despite having good things to say about Sting’s legacy in pro wrestling, but his participation in his father’s final match has seemingly swayed him to try to follow in his father’s footsteps.

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The next ROH World title defense is in a matter of days.

CMLL has revealed the card for their upcoming show in Mexico City this Friday in Arena Mexico. In the semifinal, Bandido will defend the ROH World Championship against Hechicero. This will be a rematch from Death Before Dishonor in August that saw Bandido retain the championship in a match of the year contender.

Since returning from injury, Bandido has kept a busy schedule, wrestling not only for AEW and ROH but also CMLL, where he has become a regular. Alongside Brody King, Brodido successfully defended the AEW Tag Team titles against Difunto and Zandokan Jr. on September 12. A few days later, they also successfully defended the titles in a four-way ladder match at All Out.

This Fridayâ€s Arena Mexico show will be headlined by a womenâ€s trios match that will see Olympia team up with India Sioux and La Catalina to take on Lluvia, Princesa Sugehit, and Candela.

CMLL for Friday, October 3

• Olympia, India Sioux, and La Catalina vs. Lluvia, Princesa Sugehit, and Candela
• ROH World Championship: Bandido defends against Hechicero
• Atlantis, Templario, and Atlantis Jr. vs. Ultimo Guerrero, Difunto, and Okumura
• La Jarochita, Skadi, and Tabata vs. Zeuxis, Persephone, and Sanely
• Rey Cometa, Fuego, and Espiritu Negro vs. Raider, Espanto Jr., and El Gallero

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Steven Borden, son of WWE Hall of Famer Sting, will make his professional wrestling debut in October at “52W HARDWAY: LIVE WRESTLING NIGHTS” in New York City. The event, presented in partnership with artist Raymond Pettibon, Darby Allin, and AEW’s Charlie Ramone, combines live wrestling with contemporary art across two nights on October 3 and 10.

Borden brings a strong athletic foundation to wrestling, having played tight end for the University of Kentucky and briefly signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015 as an NFL prospect. He has been training extensively with Darby Allin, Adam Copeland (formerly Edge), and the tag team FTR in preparation for his in-ring debut.

He made a memorable appearance at AEW Revolution earlier in 2025 following his father’s retirement match, where he paid tribute by wearing Sting’s iconic nWo Wolfpac attire. His debut comes just months after Sting’s emotional farewell from professional wrestling.

The wrestling lineup features established and emerging talent including Darby Allin, Killer Kross, AR Fox, Sid Ellington, Kiran Grey, and Timothy Thatcher alongside Borden. The 52W HARDWAY exhibit represents a unique fusion of professional wrestling and fine art, creating an interdisciplinary event for both wrestling fans and art enthusiasts in New York City.

For more information, visit 52Walker.com.

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Canadian table tennis is preparing for an inspiring celebration of sport and inclusion. On September 27–28, 2025, Mississauga will host the Canadian Para Championships, bringing together athletes from across the country in a showcase of talent, determination, and accessibility.

A Diverse and Inclusive Program

The championships will feature multiple categories, welcoming both classified and non-classified athletes. This inclusive format ensures that every participant has the chance to compete and demonstrate their passion for the sport.

In addition, the event will host a seminar for national classifiers — a key initiative to maintain professional standards and strengthen the development of para table tennis in Canada. By investing in classification expertise, the championships not only support athletes today but also build a stronger foundation for the future.

More than Competition

Beyond medals and results, the Canadian Para Championships embody the spirit of resilience and community. They provide athletes with a platform to push boundaries, inspire others, and show what is possible when sport is truly accessible.

For fans and the wider table tennis community, it is a unique opportunity to celebrate both excellence and inclusivity, supporting athletes who redefine limits every time they step up to the table.

Sources:

Ontario Table Tennis — Canadian Para Championships September 27–28, 2025

TTCAN — Information, Registration and Results (previous edition)

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WWE

Ricky Saints stopped Oba Femi to win the NXT Championship at NXT No Mercy, ending the reign of “The Ruler” after 264 days and his 11th defense.Â

Saints was challenging Femi at No Mercy after beating Josh Briggs on “WWE NXT” to earn the opportunity, and he was looking to follow in the champion’s footsteps as someone to have held the NXT and North American Championships. Femi was in action just days after a match between him and the former NXT Champion, reigning TNA World Champion Trick Williams, for both the titles ended in a no-contest on “NXT.”Â

The match itself saw the pair firing off at one another from the starting bell, with the action continuing back-and-forth for much of the early goings, each man taking their turn to get offense in. Femi sent Saints through the ropes onto the entrance ramp after a stiff forearm, with Saints beating the count and following up with a stunner and a sling blade, followed by the Samoan drop for a near-fall.Â

Saints attempted to pin the champion with roll-ups, but truly found his mark after hitting a DDT onto the announcer’s desk, followed by a Tornado DDT off of it and onto the floor. Femi had one last fight back, landing a lariat to Saints on the apron, and then delivering the powerbomb for a near-fall, but his reign ended with yet another Tornado DDT in the ring, followed by the three-count.

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WWE just dropped a major announcement during NXT No Mercy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida—and itâ€s about to shake the entire wrestling landscape. After weeks of growing tension between NXT and TNA Wrestling, Ava officially confirmed what fans have only dreamed about: an Invasion is coming.

The drama escalated after last weekâ€s title vs. title match between Trick Williams and Oba Femi got wrecked by an unexpected TNA invasion. That chaos didnâ€t just end when the cameras stopped rolling. Ava revealed that she and TNAâ€s Santino Marella had intense talks to figure out a solution—and now, the result is one of the most explosive cross-brand events in WWE history.

“The relationship between NXT and TNA has become extremely fractured. Last week, during Trick and Obaâ€s title for title match, TNA Wrestling invaded NXT, which then led to the chaos that you all saw when we went off air,†Ava said. “After this happened, Santino and I talked for hours, trying to come up with a solution, and we finally did.â€

That solution? A full-blown brand war. Ava confirmed that Invasion will take place on Tuesday, October 7th, live on the CW Network. The card already includes two Survivor Series-style elimination matches—one for the men, one for the women—with teams to be announced this Tuesday after Ava and Santino make their picks.

Thatâ€s not all. The NXT Tag Team Champions Dark State will collide with The Hardy Boys, who hold the TNA Tag Team Titles. Itâ€s title for title, winner take all—no politics, just pure tag team warfare.

Also confirmed is a rematch between Trick Williams and Oba Femi for their respective singles titles. But this time, no one will be allowed at ringside. “There has to be a winner,†Ava said. “Everyone will be barred from ringside, so there will be no interruptions.â€

In the middle of all this, it was also confirmed that Jeâ€Von Evans is heading to Bound for Glory to challenge for the X-Division Championship, further proving that this NXT–TNA alliance is anything but ordinary.

The wrestling world thought it would never happen, but now itâ€s real: Invasion is on, and both brands are going to war.

What’s your take on this big announcement from Ava? Are you looking forward to the event? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

September 27, 2025 8:23 pm

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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

This was a bizarre episode of Smackdown, full of unintended surprises, great wrestling, and a Crimson Mask! Smackdownâ€s inconsistency, though, shows again, and I wonder if each episode is written and structured by completely different teams. Compared to Raw, Smackdown feels formulaic and tired, with infrequent flashes of energy and excitement. Letâ€s get to it, friends! As always, Iâ€m Chris Adams, and you can reach me at cadamsowj@gmail.com if you think Iâ€ve Missed!

PAUL HEYMAN, CODY RHODES, AND THE BRONS: HIT

My initial reaction to this promo and the whole segment was one of admiration and praise. In particular, it was Cody Rhodes calling out Paul Heyman that made this segment a hit. Running down Heymanâ€s history of going into business for himself cast doubt in the minds of Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker, both of whom came out looking less than menacing. Randy Ortonâ€s run-in created an opportunity for him to eye the prize that is the WWE Championship. All in all, a fine yet fun way to open the show.

STREET PROFITS VS. MELO DONâ€T MIZ: HIT

This match was decent, not outstanding. Nothing was outright bad, but nothing really stood out as a truly memorable sequence. What will be remembered is the face of Carmelo Hayes†face as he watched the Miz take a pinfall. Like a cold-hearted killer, he watched his partner get pinned and suffer defeat without a hint of emotion. I was initially critical of the pairing of Hayes and the Miz, but the tension they’ve been playing with has been surprisingly rich. Unfortunately, Iâ€ve come around to liking their pairing just as it seems they’re about to split. If they split before the Street Profits, then their partnership simply wonâ€t get the recognition it deserves. Regarding the Profits, Iâ€m excited to see singles runs from both, but hope it happens without an actual breakup. Let Angelo Dawkins be the corner man for Montez Ford, and vice versa. Teammates donâ€t have to hate each other to move beyond the tag division. A little positivity, please!

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

Check out the latest episode of “The Nicky’s Club” with Nick Barbati, part of the PWTorch Dailycast line-up: CLICK HERE to stream (or search “pwtorch†on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)

GIULIA, JAMES, B-FAB, AND MICHIN: HIT

All four of these performers deserved more crowd reaction. At least there was more than crickets by the end of the match. Itâ€s Michin I feel the worst for, as I really enjoy her work, but I must admit that she has yet to establish a strong connection with the crowd. She has it all though: skill, attitude, and natural charisma. There is much to develop in B-Fab, yet she is promising in every aspect. She needs to prove her mettle quickly though, as she could fall to the bottom of the card faster than Hit Row imploded. Giulia and Kiana James seem like odd bedfellows, and if the purpose of pairing them was to give Giulia a mouthpiece, theyâ€re failing. Neither of them has commanded the mic. Props to Kiana James for her selling, though, appearing as if she was unconscious like a true rag doll. This match was a hit, but just barely.

DREW MCINTYRE PROMO: HIT

Seeing Drew McIntyre in an orthopedic boot was worth the price of admission alone. His dour face walking down the aisle gave way to a sullen, self-pitying promo, his specialty of late. He is great in this role, as his own worst enemy. A new feud was thrown into focus with the arrival of Jacob Fatu in the ring, which bodes well for Friday nights. Their chemistry, especially the aggressive back-and-forth exchange of the microphone, was comedy gold. Babyface Fatu FTW!

SAMI ZAYN AND JEâ€VON EVANS: HIT

The match of the night. Sami Zaynâ€s Open Challenge for the United States Championship has delivered some incredible matches, but this one reigns supreme. Jeâ€Von Evans shined in the spotlight, and Sami was as generous as anyone could be. He sold Evans†moves, allowed him literally fly, and showed him respect in the end. In fact, this match felt like it could have gone the other way, with Evans taking the title. When you can inject that kind of tension into the conflict, making it feel natural and organic, youâ€ve succeeded in making professional wrestling more than just pantomimed fighting. They made it real. Amazing!

NIA JAX, JADE CARGILL, AND TIFFANY STRATTON: MISS

What an unfortunate series of events! The match had a fairly good flow, although it often felt like a typical one-on-one with alternating opponents. It fell apart badly after Jade Cargill was busted open and joined the club of the Crimson Mask. Reviewing the footage, it seems both Stratton and Jax were waiting for Cargill to break open the pin. She didn’t, and we got a botched finish that made the referee seem responsible when it was a trainwreck all around with no one person to blame.

Nia Jaxâ€s attitude, including flipping off the referee, was good heel behavior but strange for SmackDown. She likely knows her bloodline keeps her safer than others. Overall, something good turned into something bad, but thatâ€s okay. All three wrestlers made sacrifices for us, and I appreciate it. I just canâ€t call it a hit.

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