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Penn State freshman Gavin McKenna is one of 27 players to get an A rating from NHL Central Scouting in the preliminary players to watch list for next year’s draft.

The list, released Monday, gives an A rating to players considered first-round candidates.

McKenna, who moved to the NCAA from the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers this season after a rule change by the U.S. college sports governing body, has one goal and five assists in six games for Penn State to start the season.

The Whitehorse native is playing against older competition than in the CHL, where he led the Tigers to the Memorial Cup final last season and was named the top player in the country.

Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino had McKenna ranked No. 1 in his October rankings for the draft.

All players in Cosentino’s top five also got A ratings — Frolunda winger Ivar Stenberg, North Dakota defenceman Keaton Verhoeff, Windsor Spitfires winger Ethan Belchetz and Niagara IceDogs centre Ryan Roobroeck.

Other notable players to get A grades include WHL scoring leader JP Hurlbert of the Kamloops Blazers, QMJHL defence scoring leader Xavier Villeneuve of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armanda and WHL defence scoring leader Ryan Lin of the Vancouver Giants.

The OHL leads the way with eight A prospects.

Here’s a list of all players to receive an A grade:

LW Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires, OHL)
D Carson Carels (Prince George Cougars, WHL)
C Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia Sting, OHL)
D Malte Gustafsson (HV71 Jr., Sweden)
LW Oscar Hemming (Espoo, Finland)
RW Elton Hermansson (Modo, Sweden)
LW JP Hurlbert (Kamloops Blazers, WHL)
RW Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit, OHL)
C Tynan Lawrence (Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL)
D Ryan Lin (Vancouver Giants, WHL)
C Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs, OHL)
LW Gavin McKenna (Penn State, NCAA)
LW Marcus Nordmark (Djurgarden, Sweden)
LW Adam Novotny (Peterborough Petes, OHL)
D Juho Piiparinen (Tappara, Finland)
RW Mathis Preston (Spokane Chiefs, WHL)
D Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds, OHL)
C Brooks Rogowski (Oshawa Generals, OHL)
LW Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs, OHL)
D Daxon Rudolph (Prince Albert Raiders, WHL)
D Luke Schairer (U.S. national development team, USHL)
C Egor Shilov (Victoriaville Tigres, QMJHL)
D Alberts Smits (Jukurit, Finland)
LW Ivar Stenberg (Frolunda, Sweden)
C Oliver Suvanto (Tappara, Finland)
D Keaton Verhoeff (North Dakota, NCAA)
D Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL)

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By: Ed Weaver  /  October 14, 2025

The Wellsboro Junior High Volleyball team split their final two regular season games, falling to Troy on Saturday and sweeping rival North Penn-Liberty Monday.

“Our offense finally got comfortable with their new rotation, and our defense and serving were on point,” head coach Valery Weaver said. “The girls were scrappy and hustled the whole game. We forced extra points in the second set, and came out with the sweep! It was a fantastic way to end the regular season, as NPL is a worthy opponent and well-coached. I’m so proud of the growth of the players this year on A and B teams, and I can say without hesitation, the future of Wellsboro volleyball is bright!”

The young Lady Hornets edged the Lady Mounties 25-23 to win the 1st set and 27-25 to win the 2nd.

Rachel Weaver scored 12 points (4 aces) and made 6 digs and 2 assists to lead Wellsboro. Alexis Dunning scored 7 points (4 aces) to go along with 5 digs, 1 assist and a kill. Nora Mickey scored 6 points (1 ace) and had 6 digs and a kill.

Reese Eckart added 4 digs, Alayna Richards had 3 digs and Lila Morey added a kill.

Against Troy over the weekend Wellsboro lost both sets: 25-10 and 25-21.

Dunning scored 6 points (4 aces) and had 2 kills while Weaver scored 4 points (1 ace) and had 3 assists and 2 digs. Morey scored 3 points (1 ace) and had a kill. Mickey added a kill and Eckart added a dig.

Wellsboro finishes the regular season 9-7. The A team will be back in action Saturday at the Williamson Junior High Tournament.

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VANCOUVER — Once every 35 years, whether the team needs help or not, an 18-year-old centre comes along and forces his way on to the Vancouver Canucks.

Thatâ€s how rare Braeden Cootes is, the teenager from Edmonton who was drafted 15th in June but headlines the impressive youth movement that is part of the season-opening roster the Canucks named Monday.

The last 18-year-old draft pick to make the National Hockey League team in his first training camp was Petr Nedved, who was chosen second overall in 1990.

No one expected this of Cootes — except perhaps him.

“Obviously, you have that confidence in the back of your head that you can make it,†he told us a couple of weeks ago. “Anytime you go into a camp, you’re not just going there to get experience. That’s not my mindset. I’m a competitive person. Anytime I go to a tryout or anything like that, I want to make the team.â€

Against heavy odds, the captain of the Seattle Thunderbirds has done it.

And so have five other prospects who spent most of last season in the American Hockey League, where the Abbotsford Canucks won the NHL organizationâ€s first Calder Cup.

The 14 forwards, seven defencemen and two goalies named to Vancouverâ€s roster ahead of Thursdayâ€s season-opener against the Calgary Flames include defenceman Elias Pettersson (Junior) and forwards Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Arshdeep Bains, Linus Karlsson and Aatu Raty.

With the summer trade of Dakota Joshua to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Canucks deliberately left room for competition in the bottom half of their roster. The opportunity increased with the pre-season ankle injury and surgery to middle-six winger Nils Hoglander.

The Canucks also have a need at centre, as the club has been unable so far to acquire an experienced pivot after top centre J.T. Miller was traded in January and Pius Suter left as a free agent in July.

So there was an organizational will and ways for the young players to make it. But nobody expected when training camp opened on Sept. 18 that Cootes would be leading a stampede of six prospects on to the roster.

“No, probably not,†general manager Patrik Allvin told Sportsnet on Monday afternoon.

Asked how this transpired, Allvin said he scouted Cootes at the Under-18 world championship in May, where the speedy centre captained Canadaâ€s gold-medal team, and was amazed at the progress heâ€d made by July when the Canucks staged their rookie development camp.

Seeing that, Allvin said he knew Cootes would be even stronger by training camp in September.

“Obviously, he prepared himself really well this summer,†the GM said. “And we were aware of his character and his drive and all the off-ice side stuff with him as a player, but I think he just dedicated himself. He just seemed to absorb (information) and kept getting better — learning how to practise and playing with pace, understanding how we want to play. And the coaches have been really impressed with his coachability. He definitely earned this.â€

Karlsson, 25, Bains, 24, and Raty, 22, graduates of the Canucks†player-development program, would have required waivers to be sent back to the AHL after spending most of the last three seasons in the minors.

But Lekkerimaki and Pettersson, both 21, have played their way on to the Canucks at the start of just their second seasons in North America. Cootes is still young enough to play another two years of junior hockey.

“I can’t believe how good Cootes is,†veteran Canuck Conor Garland marvelled after the Canucks†final pre-season game on Friday. “To get him in the middle of the first round, you don’t see many guys that can come in and (make the team) with a first camp like that.â€

The challenge now for all the newly-promoted prospects, and especially Cootes, is to stay in the NHL. Remember, itâ€s a hard league to make, but itâ€s harder to stick.

The auditioning forwards were helped by the youth of the Canucks†other excellent defence prospects. Victor Mancini and Tom Willander, who did not require waivers to be assigned to the AHL, were the final cuts on Sunday.

With fourth-line centre Teddy Blueger (lower body) and defencemen Pierre-Olivier Joseph (groin) and Derek Forbort (undisclosed) nursing injuries, the Canucks could shift someone to injured reserve and recall one of their players before Thursday.

The successful push by Cootes and Raty does not alter the organizationâ€s stated goal of adding another NHL centre, although their pre-season performances eased the pressure on Allvin to make a move for opening night.

“We’re not sitting here saying we’re desperate,†Allvin explained. “I think that itâ€s, again, an area that we have recognized that we want to improve. Sometimes these deals take a little bit longer than you want. But that being said, I believe in the group we have here.â€

The new wave of young players on the Canucks is a win for hockey operations. Allvin credited Todd Harvey and his amateur scouting staff, minor-league coach Manny Malhotra and his assistants in Abbotsford, and the player-development department that includes Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Mikael Samuelsson and Mike Komisarek.

Apparently, it takes a village.

“Everybody has a different path,†Allvin said of the NHL journey. “It’s up to us to put them in a position to succeed, and this is not a sprint to get there for some of them. Sometimes they need more seasoning in the American Hockey League. What I will say is that we have a lot of good people in the organization and great resources to help those young players to get where they want to be.â€

Cootes is just making the journey faster than any Canuck in the last 35 years.

“Bigger picture, what’s the best path for Braeden here?†Allvin said. “I think that’s no different than what weâ€ve been talking about. (Two weeks ago) we were talking about him just getting in the first pre-season game in Seattle. From there, he just continued to earn another opportunity.â€

After Thursdayâ€s game at Rogers Arena, the Canucks visit the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night, return home to face the St. Louis Blues on Monday, then open a five-game road trip with back-to-back contests in Dallas and Chicago, starting next Thursday.

Theyâ€re going to need all of their players.

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WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling may be bracing for a ‘Showdown’ on October 7, but that didn’t stop Joe Hendry from headlining a recent live event. The October 4, event took place from the MLK Center in Gainesville, Florida and saw Hendry defeat Cutler James in the closing match of the show.

Hendry’s appearance at the show comes amid the ongoing storyline between WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling. The two sides will collide at the ‘Showdown’ on October 7, which will see multiple interpromotional matches. Hendry hasn’t been announced for a match, but it has been confirmed that he will be making an appearance.

The former TNA World Champion has appeared multiple times for WWE NXT as part of the crossover between the two brands. It has been reported that Hendry is being prepped for a full-time move to WWE, bringing an end to his TNA run. TNA President Carlos Silva has shared that Hendry is still with TNA, despite his many appearances for WWE in 2025.

Outside WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling, Hendry has appeared on WWE’s main roster. The TNA talent was part of the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match. He also appeared at WrestleMania 41 as the surprise opponent of Randy Orton.

Caught between WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling, it remains to be seen what Hendry’s future holds. For now, the Scottish star remains a key part of both brands ahead of what will be a stacked Showdown event.

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The one American owner present at Cae Ras was Birmingham’s Tom Wagner, bobble-hatted in the Blues away end having also been spotted at the adjacent Turf Inn pub before the game sharing pints with both sets of supporters.

He lead a rallying cry at half-time with a video posted on social media admitting the energy on the pitch “wasn’t great” and urging more noise from the fans.

What manager Chris Davies could do with is a little less noise about his own position.

Remarkably given the way they stylishly stormed to promotion last year, there have been supporter grumblings about the start to the season with one win in five league games going into this fixture.

He and his side were late out of the dressing rooms at half-time, although he said it was due to giving “direction” rather than “shouting and screaming”.

Regardless, it felt like a key moment and his team responded as such with the goal coming within 20 seconds and as the result of an upping of intensity.

Although lacking the killer edge as they finished the better side, it still represents steady progress for a manager who made a point of reminding after the game that ambition is one thing – and Birmingham have plenty under Wagner and Brady – but it doesn’t have to be rushed.

“The idea that we were going to cruise the Championship would be a deluded mindset for me,” said Davies. “We knew from the off it would be a very, very hard season and you have to earn anything you get.

“But now I’ve seen how we’ve competed, we’ve got quality, we can enjoy the challenge, and I’m more optimistic now than at the start of the season.”

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Bobby Roode (art credit Grant Gould © PWTorch)

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

The following report originally published 10 years ago this week here at PWTorch.com…

TNA Impact Wrestling TV Results
August 26, 2015
Taped in Orlando, Fla.
Report by Mike McMahon, PWTorch contributor

Impact Wrestling opens with a video package highlighting last week’s show and the events of the last several weeks, including Jeff Jarrett being in control and Drew Galloway getting attacked backstage.

In-arena: The Hardys’s music plays and Matt and Jeff Hardy make their way to the ring as Josh Mathews introduces the broadcast. Mathews says that Matt Hardy wants another shot at the TNA World Title. Also on commentary, The Pope says that Matt Hardy has made it his mission to get another shot at the TNA Title.

Jeff Hardy begins the promo by apologizing for breaking his leg in a dirt bike accident, telling the crowd, “I’ll make it up to you.”

Hardy said no one gave the Hardys a chance to succeed in pro wrestling but “the creatures” believed. Jeff said that Matt needs one more shot at Ethan Carter III. Jeff said if Matt got one more shot, there was no doubt in his mind that Matt would become the next TNA World Champion.

Matt said that was music to his ears. Matt said that it’s been over a year since Impact Wrestling welcomed him back, and the support has been overwhelming. Matt said the last time he faced ECIII, it was an extraordinary match, and it could have gone either way. He said he truly feels he’s the man to carry Impact Wrestling into the future. He told ECIII he’s coming for the World Title.

That brought out ECIII and Tyrus. They were on the ramp and ECIII had a microphone. ECIII said that in 1999, when he was just a kid, he was there live for a match that changed his life. He said it involved ladders and the Hardys. So to have the opportunity to share the ring with two legends he couldn’t be more … disappointed.

He called the Hardys the “groveler and the gimp.” ECIII said he did what he does best, and he was victorious. The fans started chanting, “Hardy! Hardy! Hardy!” and ECIII said the people wanted another match, but they’re not getting it. He went to leave, but Jeff stopped him and asked him to explain to the people why he was a “jackass.” ECIII said he was a franchise and hood ornament of the company, as well as the World Champion.

ECIII said he’s a top guy, and it’s a spot Jeff should have, but he’s a daredevil who couldn’t stick a landing. Jeff said he wasn’t cleared to wrestle, but if someone would toss him a steel chair and beat the hell out of ECIII and Tyrus.

ECIII whispered to Tyrus, then said he was a giver of opportunities, and if the people wanted Hardy to have a re-match, he’d get one right now. But he said it comes with a caveat. ECIII said if Hardy wins, he gets the World Title. But, if ECIII wins, Jeff must become his personal assistant. ECIII then left the ring.

Announce studio: Mathews and Pope wondered if Matt and Jeff would accept that challenge. Mathews said Jeff needs to bet on his brother. Mathews also said that Jeff Jarrett is here and wondered if Dixie Carter would give him total control of Impact Wrestling.

Mathews then threw to a video highlighting the feud between Eric Young and Chris Melendez.

Backstage: Eric Young said that he won’t be responsible for what happens tonight. He said Chris Melendez made a fatal mistake asking for another match, and Young said right now, he’s taking his “fake leg.”

[Commercial Break at 9:14]

[Q2] Back from the break, Jeff Jarrett is entering the arena. He said nothing is definitive yet on if Dixie would name him in charge of the show.

In-arena: Christy Hemme introduced Eric Young and Chris Melendez.

1 — ERIC YOUNG vs. CHRIS MELENDEZ — if Eric Young wins, he gets Melendez’s prosthetic leg (seriously)

Young takes control early with some clotheslines, and Young puts the boots to Melendez while he’s down, following up with elbows. In the corner, Young is now dragging Melendez’s face on the ropes and fires off right hands in the corner.

On his knees, Melendez starts to fight back, but Young cuts him off with a knee. Young applies a rear chinlock and cranks on it. Melendez lands a modified stunner out of the rear chinlock and starts to get some offense. Young rakes the eyes and takes momentum right back but misses on a charge in the corner and Melendez gets a two count on a roll-up attempt.

After some wrestling near the ropes, Young schoolboys Melendez and puts both legs on the second rope to get the pin.

WINNER: Eric Young at 3:07.

Post-match, Melendez looks defeated as Young grabs a mic and screams at the fans to shut up before demanding Melendez’s leg. Melendez took off his leg and went to hand it to Young, who backed up and told him to “come closer,” as Melendez struggled to maintain his balance. He then tossed it to Young, who said it was going on his mantle. Young’s music played as he left the arena holding Melendez’s leg high above his head like a trophy.

[Reax: That was uncomfortable. The live crowd seemed to eat it up, though, and Young had really good heat. It didn’t sound like it was manufactured in post-production, either. There were some visual shots of the crowd and they looked genuinely heated. … Wrestling can be goofy at times but it shouldn’t cross over into an area where, as an adult fan, you’d be embarrassed to have the show on while your non-fan friends are in the room. That’s what this segment was, though. Personally, if I had a non-wrestling-fan friend in the room and this came on, I’d turn it off to save the “you watch this stuff?” lecture.]

[Commercial Break at 9:26]

[Q3] Back from the break, Mathews recaps what we just saw from Eric Young and Chris Melendez.

2 — X Division champion TIGRE UNO vs. D.J. ZEMA vs. SONJAY DUTT — three-way X Division Title match

A lot of quick footwork to start the match from all three men before D.J. Z dropkicks Uno to the outside. After some chain wrestling, Sonjay lifts Zema over the top rope and he lands on Uno on the outside.

Still on the outside, Uno brings Zema back into the ring and finds himself in control. Uno hits a springboard moonsault off the second rope for a two count and then misses a springboard corkscrew, which gives Zema the opening to take control. Dutt is still on the outside.

After a superkick and a double clothesline, all three men are down. Zema and Dutt are up and Sonjay got caught by Zema attempting a springboard. Tigre Uno hits a German Suplex and then a frog splash for the win.

WINNER: Tigre Uno retains the X Division Title at 4:46.

[Reax: The crowd was really quiet for this match, despite the good athleticism. Good match for what it was. They didn’t have time to do much, but Sonjay Dutt continues to look good.]

Backstage: James Storm is with The Revolution. He said tonight, it’s all about them. They aren’t going to get the “company” hold them down because they are the face of the company.

[Commercial Break at 9:39]

Back from the break, TNA aired a highlight from earlier tonight on the promo between Matt Hardy and ECIII.

Backstage: Matt and Jeff Hardy are shown talking backstage but we can’t hear them.

3 — TNA Tag Team Champions THE WOLVES (Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards) vs. THE REVOLUTION (Manik & Abyss) — TNA Tag Team Title match

[Q4] Abyss and Richards will start this match. They lock up and Abyss shoves Richards to the mat. He gets up and tags in Edwards, who suffers the same fate. Meanwhile, Mathews said: “Bully Ray is not coming back, the law is gone,” but he obviously didn’t mention Bully Ray’s signing with WWE earlier this week since this was pre-taped.

The match continues as Edwards hits rapid chops on Manik. Manik goes to the second rope but Edwards catches him and hits a cool-looking leaping stunner. With Abyss down in the corner, the Wolves a double dropkick. Edwards lifts Manik for a powerbomb and Richards comes flying to make it a Force of Nature for the win.

WINNERS: The Wolves retained the Tag Titles.

[Commercial Break at 9:54]

Video Package: Christy Hemme recaps the Knockouts calendar photo shoot.

In-arena: The Hardys are out on the stage for Jeff Hardy to answer ECIII. Jeff said ECIII is always using money to save his problem and making the people feel numb. Jeff said he’s accepting the challenge because Matt can’t lose. That match will happen next week.

[Reax: The first Hardy-ECIII match was great and this re-match feels like one of the more anticipated TNA matches in a while.]

Video Package: The (brief) history between TNA and Global Force Wrestling is highlighted, including Jeff Jarrett running Impact the last few weeks.

[Q5] Backstage: Dixie Carter is shown on the telephone.

4 — Knockouts champion BROOKE vs. VELVET SKY — TNA Knockouts Title match

Sky leads off with a side headlock and he hits a tackle very early into the match. Sky is in control for most of the match with little intermittent periods where Brooke had more offense. Sky and Brooke then trade right hands in the middle of the ring.

Both are down and getting back to their feet at the same time. Brooke hits a kick to the midsection and tosses Sky to the outside. They brawl around the ringside area and Brooke tosses Sky back into the ring. That’s when Jade and Marti Bell hit the ring and attack Brooke before turning their attention to Sky.

WINNER: The match ended in a No Contest due to interference; Brooke retained the KO Title.

Post-match, Sky tries to fight off Jade and Marti, then Rebel ran down to the ring. It looked like she was going to help Sky, but instead she kicked Sky and beat her down. Taryn Terrell then addressed Sky and Brooke on-screen, saying the ring was her house. Velvet Sky sold being out cold in the ring while Rebel, Jade, and Marti yelled and screamed in the middle of the ring, then celebrated.

Backstage: Bobby Roode was asked why he deserves to be in the #1 contender match to the King of the Mountain Title. He said tonight he’s going to prove to everyone why he’s the “it factor.”

[Commercial Break at 10:12]

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)

[Q6] Back from the break, Mr. Anderson was shown backstage saying that tonight four of the best are competing for a shot at the King of the Mountain Title. Anderson said he could tell everyone how he’s the best, but his actions speak louder than words.

After he finished, the camera zoomed in on Drew Galloway, who looked mad while talking on the phone. He stormed off.

5 — MR. ANDERSON vs. JAMES STORM vs. BOBBY ROODE vs. BOBBY LASHLEY — Four-way match — Winner becomes No. 1 contender for the TNA/GFW King of the Mountain Title

Lashley and Anderson are sort of teaming up to take on Storm at the start of the match. Now that he’s on the outside, Anderson and Lashley go through a quick sequence of moves, all missing, and then stopping in a stand-off.

[Commercial Break at 10:24]

Back from the break, Storm and Roode are in control, beating down Lashley and Anderson in the ring. Roode tosses Lashley to the outside as Beer Money, Inc. briefly look to the crowd, who cheer for a reunion, but then Storm and Roode immediately come to blows.

Storm goes for a cover, but Roode kicks out at two. Roode hits a flying neckbreaker off the top on Storm and goes for a pin, but Anderson breaks it up. Anderson is in there with Storm, but Lashley clotheslines him out of the ring.

Lashley hits a splash on Storm and follows that with right hands to the head. Lashley is on the top rope and goes for a superplex on Storm from the top rope, but Roode hits the ring and turns it into an electric chair powerbomb. Anderson and Roode then fight on the top rope, but Anderson misses a swanton as Roode moves out of the way.

[Q7] Storm sets his sights on Anderson, hitting a clothesline and then follows him to the outside. In the ring, Roode hammers away on Lashley. Roode gets the upper hand on Lashley in the ring, but Lashley regains control with a clothesline. Lashley then goes for a standing vertical suplex, but Roode hits a knee while hanging in the air.

Roode has Lashley on his shoulders, but Storm breaks that up. He’s thanked by a Lashley powerslam. Anderson then flies back in the ring and hits a neckbreaker on Lashley for a two count.

Anderson hits the Mic Check on Roode and goes for a cover, but Storm breaks it up. Anderson catches Storm on top and powerbombs him. Storm and Roode then work together on Anderson. Storm tries to kick Roode, but Roode blocks it and hits the Roode Bomb, which is good for the three count.

WINNER: Bobby Roode at 14:23.

[Reax: Really good match that had an electric pace to it at times. They told a good story here as well, with Roode angling for this opportunity over the last several weeks and finally earning it here. The live crowd also ate up the teased Beer Money reunion, with Storm and Roode working together in the beginning of the match.]

In-studio: Mathews and Pope announce that Brooke, Gail Kim, and Velvet Sky will all be on the cover of the Knockout calendar.

[Commercial Break at 10:36]

Back from the break, TNA replayed Hardy accepting ECIII’s condition for Matt Hardy’s TNA Title re-match next week. Mathews runs down the card for next week’s show, including the Hardy-ECIII title match.

Backstage: ECIII says he wants Hardy to be at his best. ECIII says he’ll beat him, fair and square, and then Jeff gets to be on Team ECIII.

In-arena: Dixie Carter makes her way to the ring to announce whether or not she’ll allow Jeff Jarrett to run the day-to-day operations of Impact Wrestling.

Dixie said she has learned that when someone sincerely offers their help, you listen. You don’t let stubbornness get in the way of making a good decision. Dixie said successful companies have leadership that works as a team.

Dixie said that when Jeff Jarrett came back to TNA this summer, it was great. She said she knew the opportunity was there, but she was just as shocked as everyone when it happened. She said she was the happiest person when it did. She said she owed Jeff an important decision on their future, and asked that he join her in the ring.

Out came Jeff Jarrett, who was wearing a GFW t-shirt and was not accompanied by his wife, Karen. Mathews re-iterated that Bully Ray is not returning.

Jarrett said that he appreciated Dixie’s kind words. He said the new chapter in their relationship was out of the blue. Jeff said he founded the company, but it was the days, weeks, and years that came after that which made TNA so special, and it was his home for over 10 years.

[Q8] Jarrett said he knew that Dixie needed help and he’s glad she realizes that. He said TNA and GFW working together is a win-win-win. It’s a win for TNA, for GFW, and for the wrestling fan. But with that said, the momentum is going but he believed it needs to keep growing.

Dixie said the last few weeks have exceeded her expectations. She said that when Dixie and Jeff work together, they’re unstoppable. Dixie said the show needs a leader, she was talking to her team and they were all in agreement. Drew Galloway then interrupted her from the stage. He said he had something he needed to tell her right now. The show then suddenly crashed to a break.

[Commercial Break at 10:48]

Back from the break, Drew said he wouldn’t interrupt unless it was necessary. He said the TNA-GFW relationship has been awesome. Galloway he respects Jarrett, he’s a legend, and the father of TNA.

Galloway said that Bully Ray was attacked and then he was, and up until 20 minutes ago he wouldn’t be out there until he found this out. Galloway said someone must have seen something. Then he put his criminology degree to work for the first time in his life and he found something in the security footage. He said you don’t see faces, but you see the getaway car.

Galloway said there were two attacks, two rental cars and one name on both rentals – Jeff Jarrett. Galloway said he feels like an idiot for not figuring it out. Drew said he had everything to gain. He could gain power with Drew gone and one of his guys could win the KOTM Title with Drew out of the picture.

Jarrett swore that he had nothing to do with it. Jarrett got in Galloway’s face and said if he’s lying, he’d drop him where he stands. Galloway said if it wasn’t him, who was it? Karen then emerges from backstage and says it was her. Karen said she did it for Jeff. She said she did it for their family and for GFW.

Jeff yelled at Karen that he didn’t ask her to do this, but Karen said he deserves it. She said TNA is his company and he deserves it. Karen said one spark can cause a giant inferno. Jarrett then low-blowed Galloway. GFW’s roster hit the ring and beat down Galloway as Dixie ran from the ring.

Rockstar Spud ran down to help Galloway, but he was alone and he also took a beat down. The Wolves then ran down to help out, but they were immediately swallowed up by GFW’s roster. After the beat down, all of the TNA wrestlers were left lying in the ring while the GFW roster stood tall as the show went off the air.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Much better show than last week’s, which fell flat despite the Turning Point theme. They finally paid off the GFW-TNA rivalry with what looks like an actual invasion angle. The question is whether or not it’s too late. It’s almost hard to believe that Jarrett has been back on TNA television for two months. What has he done in that time? Won the KOTM Title? Perhaps it’s because he came back in the middle of a television taping, but it feels like they wasted several weeks where the iron could have been a little hotter. They’re going to have to do a good job building up the names involved with GFW, because no one has any investment in the brand itself. The angle could work, but it needs to be more than just a wrestling company without any television exposure – aside from Impact – invading Impact.

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Joni Mitchell was mostly right when she sang, “You donâ€t know what you got till itâ€s gone.†But in the case of the Vancouver Canucks, everyone knows what theyâ€ve got in Quinn Hughes — and heâ€s still here.

No matter how this season unfurls for the Canucks, there will be angst on the West Coast about the future of Hughes, who will make a decision next summer whether to negotiate a long-term extension in Vancouver or seek to join his brothers in the National Hockey League in New Jersey.

This uncertainty only heightens the appreciation for what Hughes does on nights like Wednesday (and most nights), when the Canucks†all-world defenceman beautifully set up the first two goals for his team and then later deftly scored one himself as Vancouver dismantled the Calgary Flames 8-1 in their penultimate pre-season game.

Hughes was easily the best player on the ice in Calgary, although there were a lot of strong Vancouver performances.

With their captain headlining what will be close to the Canucks†opening-night lineup against the Flames next Thursday, the team further cranked up its intensity and urgency and checked a pile of boxes for what new head coach Adam Foote wants.

The Canucks played fast and aggressively. They got their defencemen up on the rush consistently, and were outstanding on special teams. Top winger Brock Boeser sniped the first goal on a breakaway from Hughes†brilliant stretch pass, and top centre Elias Pettersson continued his strong pre-season and made it look like 2023 when he lasered in a one-timer on a power-play that went 2-for-4.

Vancouver penalty killing went 6-for-6 and generated a pair of shorthanded goals. Would-be NHL centres Aatu Raty and Max Sasson scored to put exclamation marks on their auditions, and the defence looks close to set, although Derek Forbort played only one shift in the third period and may need to be replaced.

Now 3-2 in the pre-season and building momentum, the Canucks play their final tuneup Friday at home against the Edmonton Oilers before embarking on their 82-game redemption tour next week.

Foote generated some chatter back home in Vancouver when he left out promising forwards Braeden Cootes and Jonathan Lekkerimaki, along with veteran winger Evander Kane, from what was otherwise the Canucks†full, NHL lineup.

But the Kane-Cootes-Lekkerimaki line that practised Tuesday in Vancouver is expected to play together Friday against Edmonton in a last chance (at least for the pre-season) to show that they belong on the season-opening roster that will be set Monday.

Young, promising defencemen Elias Pettersson (Junior) and Tom Willander could also get last looks. At least one of them will play if Forbort canâ€t. The Canucks could also choose to rest veteran Tyler Myers, who looked good in 19:17 of ice time Wednesday after nursing a minor injury for a few days during the pre-season.

It sure looks like Victor Mancini, the prospect component of the package of assets the Canucks received from the New York Rangers last season in the trade of J.T. Miller, has made the team. The defenceman led Vancouver skaters with 22:28 of ice time, which included 5:41 on the penalty kill and 2:54 of power play. Mancini also blocked three shots.

At six-foot-four and 229 pounds, with offensive tools and outstanding mobility, the 23-year-old seems perfectly suited for Footeâ€s demands that defencemen aggressively close down opponents and get up the ice on the attack.

“Personally, I really enjoy it,†Mancini said of the game plan. “As someone who wants to use their skating as much as they can, be aggressive and attack pucks, but also on the other side, breaking pucks out and joining that second layer (on the rush) … I think it’s really important, and it’s been fun.â€

“He’s a specimen,†Canucks assistant general manager Ryan Johnson said during an intermission interview on Sportsnet. “He’s 6-4, he can skate, he’s strong, he’s a beast (on) the ice and in the gym, and I still think his game is evolving. We saw a lot of great things in the Calder Cup run for him (in the AHL last spring). But I still think his ceiling … we still haven’t seen it yet. So we’re obviously very excited about somebody that may have been a forgotten piece in a very big trade for the organization.â€

Itâ€s also the pre-season for referees and linesmen who are adjusting again to NHL speed and reaction time. So itâ€s understandable that some calls get missed, like Nazem Kadri being at least a foot offside on the Flames†only goal. But missing serial offender Martin Pospisilâ€s slew foot on Boeser in open ice in the second period was harder to understand.

The Canucks didnâ€t miss it, though. A few minutes later, as a post-whistle scrum in the Vancouver zone coalesced around Mancini and Blake Coleman, Forbort grabbed Pospisil and threw him to the ice. Pospisil left the game immediately, and Forbort played only six more shifts.

The worst result of any pre-season game is injury and, unfortunately, both Pospisil and Forbort seemed to suffer them.Â

One of four Canucks who cleared waivers on Tuesday, a day after the team cleaved its pre-season roster by 17, 32-year-old journeyman Joe LaBate was back on Vancouverâ€s fourth line in Calgary. The six-foot-five Minnesotan, originally a Vancouver draft pick 14 years ago, registered two shots and one hit during 9:32 of ice time and again displayed some net-front presence.

So, what gives? Well, now that he has cleared waivers, LaBate can spend up to 10 games or 30 days with the Canucks without requiring waivers a second time. Itâ€s possible Foote and GM Patrik Allvin like the idea of LaBate as a depth forward on their season-opening roster, and believe the organization had a better chance to retain him by hiding him in the tsunami of players being waived this week rather than exposing him on waivers a couple of weeks into the regular season. Just a thought.

Boeser to reporters in Calgary: “I thought we worked really hard tonight. We had a good game plan going into it, and we talked about our effort level and reloading hard and being aggressive. And I thought we did that well tonight. It should give us a lot of confidence. I think it shows that when we put the effort in, and determination, I think it really shows what we can do and the chances we can create.â€

DeBrusk-Pettersson-Boeser; Oâ€Connor-Blueger-Garland; LaBate-Raty-Sherwood; Bains-Sasson-Karlsson.

Hughes-Hronek; M. Pettersson-Myers; Forbort-Mancini

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Sabu (photo credit Wade Keller © PWTorch)

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

The following report originally published 20 years ago this week here at PWTorch.com…

TNA Impact Review
September 9, 2005
Taped August 16, 2005 in Orlando, FL at Universal Studios
Aired on TNAWrestling.com
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch.com Columnist

– Mike Tenay and Don West publicized the X Division and NWA Title matches at Unbreakable coming up on Sunday. Tenay set up the Chris Candido Memorial Cup tournament finale between Chris Sabin and Shocker against Sean Waltman and Alex Shelley.

(1) Sean Waltman & Alex Shelley beat Shocker & Chris Sabin at 7:20 in the Chris Candido Memorial Cup finals. Waltman and Shelley resembled a legit tag team walking to the ring together. It would be a great move to unite the two together for a permanent tandem. Sabin and Shelley started things off with Shelley taking Sabin down with a headlock before screaming out, ‘This is wrestling, people!” Shelley dropped Sabin to his stomach then stretched Sabin’s back while holding onto the hair for extra illegal leverage.

[Promo Break]

Shelley continued to work on Sabin with mat wrestling submission holds. Waltman threw some crotch chops at the crowd from the apron. Sabin slipped out of a submission hold and scored with a series of deep arm drags. Shocker tagged in and Shelley begged off before slapping Shocker as if he was slapping a fly with a flyswatter. Shelley quickly scampered to his corner and tagged in Waltman. Waltman walked into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker off the ropes then scampered to his corner for a tag to Shelley. Shelley ran into a drop kick from Shocker then Sabin tagged in.

Shelley begged off and even kissed Sabin’s foot. Sabin responded with a double foot smash to the chest. Sabin connected with a second, but Shelley responded with a stiffer double foot kick a second later after playing a no-selling opossum. The action spilled to the outside with Waltman scoring a somersault splash on Sabin and Shocker after Shelley moved out of the way. Waltman showed some fire then came back into the ring to work on Sabin. Waltman and Shelley exchanged quick in and out tags to work on Sabin with Shelley showing some nice heel facials. Sabin fought out with an enziguiri kick then tagged in Shocker.

Shocker came in hot and ran over everyone with kicks to the face then dropped Shelley with a release German Suplex. Sabin flew off the top turnbuckle with an attempted drop kick on Shelley, only to find a chest-full of Shocker as Shelley ducked out of the way. Sabin checked on Shocker before turning around to find a stiff superkick from Shelley straight to the jaw. Sabin instantly grabbed his jaw as he rolled out of the ring. There’s your broken jaw. Shocker mounted Waltman in the ring and Waltman escaped with a low blow while the referee was attending to matters outside of the ring. Waltman dropped Shocker with the X-Factor then pinned Shocker to win the Candido Memorial Cup.

– After the match, Waltman hoisted the Candido Cup as he celebrated with Shelley. The fans chanted, “Chris Candido.” Back in the ring, Sabin – broken jaw and all – walked into the ring and tried to reconcile with Shocker. The two hugged then Shocker attacked Sabin from behind as Sabin began to leave. Shocker stomped on Sabin as Sabin held his jaw in obvious pain. The fans showered boos on Shocker as he kissed his biceps.

Match View: Just a standard tag match, but effective in telling the story of Waltman and Shelley doing whatever it takes to win while Shocker and Sabin continued to have differences that finally caused Shocker to go off. Shelley’s jaw-busting superkick on Sabin was absolutely sick. This wasn’t a Shawn Michaels catching 5 feet of air on Hulk Hogan type of superkick. Waltman and Shelley have impressed as a legit tag team since their first round match in the tournament. I’m hoping for a Waltman & Shelley victory at Unbreakable to give the tag division a fresh team to build around.

– Backstage, Shane Douglas was with Monty Brown to explain his actions from last week when he severely injured Sonny Siaki. Earlier in the show, Mike Tenay said Siaki’s throat and windpipe area was severely injured after Monty Brown slammed Siaki’s throat inside a steel chair. Douglas told Brown, ‘You have cut a wide and impressive path of destruction.” Douglas said Brown will be teaming with Kip James against Apolo and Lance Hoyt at Unbreakable.

Brown said his attack on Siaki explains how the Serengeti is getting more dangerous everyday and Lance Hoyt is a rising star in the eyes of everyone except for himself; Hoyt is nothing more than a buffoon of a giraffe who’s just waiting to get Pounced. Brown said he and Kip will dominate and destroy Hoyt and Apolo. “While everyone is chanting, Hoyt, Hoyt, Hoyt,” Brown said to Lance Hoyt, “you will be getting hurt, hurt, hurt!” Brown closed with his “Pounce. Period.” line in a quiet tone after screaming through the previous portion of the interview.

[Promo Break]

– Shane Douglas was backstage with X Division Champion Christopher Daniels. Daniels said this is the most important time in TNA’s history as the seconds tick away until TNA’s unveiling on Spike TV. Daniels said people need to know and see who will step up and be a leader in TNA. Daniels rhetorically asked if it will be Jeff Jarrett, Monty Brown, Rhino, or Raven. Daniels said it will be none of the above for it will be himself and only himself. Daniels said, “More than ever, I am Mr. TNA and my heart has six sides and it beats Spike TV.” Daniels said Spike TV is banking on Daniels. Daniels rhetorically asked if A.J. Styles or Samoa Joe is the man to break his spirit and desire to carry the TNA flagship. Daniels said, “That will never happen.” Daniels said he will not be denied or deterred from showing each fan that his desire, will, and spirit is unbreakable. JC Note: All Daniels needs is a podium and a 100-person choir and he’s set on the preacher gimmick. Great promo.

(2) Samoa Joe defeated Shark Boy at 1:32. Joe stalked Shark Boy after the opening bell before missing with a clothesline. Shark Boy scored a few right hands before running into an inverted atomic drop. Joe ran over Sharkie with a kick to the head then made a cover for a nearfall. Joe headbutted Shark Boy in the corner then washed Sharkie’s face before running in with an attempted running kick, only to have Shark Boy block the kick to the face. Shark Boy bit Joe’s foot then landed ten punches in the corner. That pissed Joe off as Joe scored with a sick powerslam off the ropes. Joe took Sharkie to the corner and scored with the Muscle Buster before locking in the Kokina Clutch, which Sharkie tapped out to.

Match View: With Shark Boy scoring a victory over Christopher Daniels on last week’s show, I can see where TNA wants to give Shark Boy a push, but him being the first person to block Samoa Joe’s charging kick in the corner was a mistake. The first time someone actually resists that kick should be in a major match, not in an Impact squash match. Otherwise, good match to further establish Joe’s dominance. An appearance by Styles or Daniels on commentary or watching ringside would have helped. Even having Styles or Daniels ringside to distract Joe as he ran into the corner for his charging kick would have softened the blow of Shark Boy blocking the kick.

[Promo Break]

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

Check out the latest episode of “PWTorch ’90s Pastcast” with Patrick Moynahan and Alex McDonald, part of the PWTorch Dailycast line-up: CLICK HERE to stream (or search “wade keller†on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)

(3) Chris Harris (w/James Storm) defeated Eric Young (w/A-1 Ralphz) and Andy Douglas (w/Chase Stevens & Jimmy Hart) at 5:32. Douglas and Harris exchanged words in the ring before the match while Eric Young stood in the corner with a look of amusement on his face. Young tried to intervene and both opponents double-teamed Young on instincts. Douglas threw Young over the top rope to the floor then Douglas stomped and punched Harris in the corner. Douglas walked into an inverted atomic drop then Harris followed up with a stiff clothesline. Young re-entered the ring and was instantly tossed over the top rope by Chris Harris. James Storm and Chase Stevens began brawling ringside as A-1 Ralphz tried to get involved as a careful observer. The referee threw all non-wrestling participants out of the match as more referees came to the ring to escort the external participants to the back. Meanwhile, Sean Waltman and Alex Shelley were carefully watching a backstage monitor to scout their opponents for Unbreakable.

Once order was restored, Eric Young dropped Andy Douglas with a clothesline. Young picked up Harris and dropped him with a modified Death Valley Driver. Young argued with the referee then dropped Harris with a side kick followed by a scoop slam. Young knocked Douglas to the outside then went up top and dropped an elbow on Harris. Young made a nonchalant cover and scored a two count. Douglas re-entered the ring and punched Young before turning around to find no-sell Harris land a clothesline from the top turnbuckle. Harris dropped Douglas with a high vertical suplex then made a cover for a nearfall. Harris took Young up top for a suplex attempt but Young threw Harris off the top. Young set up for a missile drop kick on Harris, but Harris moved out of the way and Douglas took the drop kick square in the chest. Harris grabbed Young and dropped him with the Catatonic then pinned Young for the victory.

– After the match, Harris and Douglas nearly scuffled again as Waltman and Shelley watched the proceedings from a backstage monitor.

Match View: Very good set up for the eight-man NWA Tag Title match at the PPV. Nothing fancy, just build the conflict and let the story unfold to build heat on all involved parties. TNA put The Naturals in a major underdog situation with Chris Harris winning the match, Waltman and Shelley looking very confident backstage watching the match, and Eric Young sitting back and laughing at the AMW-Naturals feud. This feud has received more attention than any other leading into Unbreakable. Direct correlation to Scott D’Amore at the head of the booking committee? You betcha. That’s not a bad thing, though, because they’ve gone a nice job building heat the last four weeks.

[Promo Break]

(4) Prime Time Elix Skipper (w/Simon Diamond) defeated Sonjay Dutt at 3:34. Skipper attacked Dutt before the bell under instruction from Simon Diamond. Skipper dropped Dutt with a sit down slam before making a quick roll up for a nearfall. Skipper threw Dutt to the outside then followed up with a whip into the corner ringpost. Skipper took Dutt back into the ring where Dutt fired back with a whip to the ropes followed by an enziguiri kick. Dutt’s offense was quickly silenced as Skipper landed a belly-to-belly overhead suplex. Skipper clotheslined Dutt in the corner then took his time walking around the ring allowing Dutt to fly off the top rope with a springboard drop kick.

Dutt kicked Skipper in the face then snapped off a huricanrana. Dutt scored with a back flip moonsault then went up top. Skipper grabbed the referee and pulled him close allowing Diamond to shove Dutt off the top rope to the mat. From the opposite side of the ring, David Young ran inside the ring and dropped Dutt with a spinebuster. Skipper hoisted Dutt into position for the Sudden Death neck drop and connected with his finisher. Skipper made the cover for the victory much to the approval of Diamond and Young.

Match View: If you would have told me nine months ago that David Young would be helping Prime Time Elix Skipper win a match, I would have told you that you’re crazy. Nine months ago, Skipper and Christopher Daniels were at the top of the TNA mountain as they were involved in one of the best TNA PPV matches ever when they wrestled the six sides of steel match at Turning Point. Now, Daniels is TNA’s longest reigning X Division champion and Skipper has to win matches via Simon Diamond and David Young’s assistance. What a difference nine months makes.

[Promo Break]

– Backstage, Shane Douglas was with Jeff Jarrett. Douglas said he was shocked, but Jarrett interrupted before Douglas could say what he was shocked about. Jarrett said Douglas shouldn’t be shocked about the politics of this company. Jarrett said no one is going to be around after TNA cleans out the roster in favor of new talent for the Spike TV debut. Jarrett said TNA is still all about Jeff Jarrett and he declared he will get his belt back at Unbreakable. Jarrett dared anyone to stop him.

[Promo Break]

(5) NWA Champion Raven & Sabu defeated Rhino & Abyss (w/James Mitchell) at 8:09. Rhino delivered an opening shot on Raven while Abyss pounded on Sabu, taking him down to one knee. Sabu ducked a clothesline and kicked the air next to Abyss’s feet causing Abyss to fall on his face. Outside of the ring, Abyss sent Raven crashing into the guardrail then turned around to find Sabu crashing down on him with a somersault dive. Raven took Rhino into the ring and pulled out his snot rag. Raven drove his nasal cleanser to Rhino’s face then slammed him.

Sabu tagged in and landed a springboard somersault leg drop before locking in a Camel Clutch. James Mitchell distracted the referee allowing Abyss and Rhino to take the momentary advantage. Rhino choked Raven in the corner with a boot to the throat as Tenay and West discussed the psychology of wrestlers arguing with the referee following a nearfall. Abyss pounded on Raven in the corner as Sabu asked for a tag. Abyss tagged in Rhino as a slap in the face to Sabu. Rhino went for a suplex but Raven countered with a snap suplex of his own.

Raven tried to reach his corner but Rhino cut him off (1) and drop kicked him to the outside. Rhino sent Raven back into the ring then spit on Sabu. Rhino taunted the audience and Raven took advantage by driving Rhino into the corner. Raven crawled to his corner but Rhino cut him off again. (2) Raven delivered a front face jawbreaker and crawled to his corner, but Rhino cut him off (3) and tagged in Abyss. Abyss sent Raven headfirst into the corner turnbuckle then charged the corner and missed a splash. Raven crawled to his corner and Abyss cut him off. (4) Abyss locked in a neck wrench submission as Mitchell shouted instructions from outside of the ring. Abyss slammed Raven down then tagged in Rhino. Rhino dropped a leg across the throat then delivered a series of kicks to the back and front. Abyss tagged in and went to the top turnbuckle. Abyss went for a leg drop, but Raven rolled out of the way and tagged in Sabu.

Sabu clocked both Rhino and Abyss with chair shots then clotheslined Abyss over the top rope to the outside. Sabu flew off the seat of his chair with a springboard clothesline on Abyss. Abyss went back into the ring and took a gore from Rhino as Raven moved out of the way. Sabu climbed up top and flew off the top turnbuckle with a magic carpet facebuster on Abyss. Sabu made the pin for the win.

– After the match, Rhino gored Sabu. Raven tried to attack Rhino but Abyss answered with a stiff clothesline on Raven. Rhino took Sabu’s chair and smashed Raven with the chair repeatedly. Rhino held up the chair as Raven writhed in pain outside of the ring. Mitchell held up Abyss and Rhino’s arms as the show closed.

Match View: Solid tag match. Good set up for both feature singles matches at Unbreakable with the tag match resembling the type of chaotic mess than can be expected Sunday night. The heels cutting off Raven from making the hot tag four times was a nice variation on how 95% of TNA tag matches play out. As usual, the Impact main event-before-the-PPV ended in a wash with the babyfaces and heels each scoring a measure of revenge through either a victory or post-match beatdown. Even Steven going into the PPV will suffice.

Chris Candido Memorial Cup Tournament Bracket

Simon Diamond & Mikey Batts
—————————————-> Shocker & Sabin
Shocker & Chris Sabin
—————————————————————-> Shocker & Sabin
B.G. James & Cassidy Riley
—————————————-> Killings & Dutt
Ron Killings & Sonjay Dutt
———————————————————————————> Waltman & Shelley
Sean Waltman & Alex Shelley
—————————————-> Waltman & Shelley
Abyss & Shark Boy
—————————————————————-> Waltman & Shelley
Kip James & Petey Williams
—————————————-> Konnan & Hoyt
Konnan & Lance Hoyt

Matches announced for September 11 Unbreakable PPV

– Raven vs. Rhino for the NWA Title
– Christopher Daniels vs. Samoa Joe vs. A.J. Styles for the X Division Title
– The Naturals vs. AMW vs. Team Canada vs. Sean Waltman & Alex Shelley for NWA Tag Titles
– Bobby Roode vs. Jeff Hardy
– Sabu vs. Abyss
– Chris Sabin vs. Petey Williams (originally Sabin vs. Shocker, but Shocker can’t make it to the PPV)
– Monty Brown & Kip James vs. Apolo & Lance Hoyt
– Roderick Strong vs. Austin Aries (announced on TNA’s website)
– Diamonds in the Rough vs. 3 Live Kru (announced on TNA’s website)

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The Undertaker (art credit Travis Beaven © PWTorch)

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

The following report originally published 30 years ago this week in the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter paper copy…

KELLERâ€S WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW REPORT
SEPTEMBER 25, 1995
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE PRO WRESTLING TORCH NEWSLETTER (ISSUE #355)

-The program opened with hype for the British Bulldog vs. Undertaker main event…

-Highlights aired from In Your House the previous night. Footage aired of Jim Cornette with a black Clarence Thomas look-a-like lawyer protesting Gorilla Monsoon allowing Owen’s pin to result in a title change…

-Raw’s open then aired…

-Vince McMahon welcomed Marty “Nine Lives” Jannetty back to the WWF.

(1) Marty Jannetty pinned Skip (w/Sunny) in a strong opening match. Jannetty won with his finisher, the top rope fistdrop. He came to the ring to the Rocker’s old music. A barely readable fan sign said something about Raw facing Nitro…

-The full Cornette/lawyer protest aired along with the announcement that Owen & Yokozuna were still tag champs, but they would have to defend the titles that night against The Smoking Gunns…

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

Check out the latest episode of “PWTorch ’90s Pastcast” with Patrick Moynahan and Alex McDonald, part of the PWTorch Dailycast line-up: CLICK HERE to stream (or search “wade keller†on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)

(2) The Smoking Gunns defeated Yokozuna & Owen Hart to capture the WWF Tag Team Titles. This was another strong match. After Bart was taking a beating, Yoko missed an elbowdrop. Bart then got a hot tag. A four way brawl erupted leading to the finish where Yoko accidentally splashed Owen. Michaels & Diesel joined the Gunns in a mid-ring celebration, supposedly to make fans feel like if Michaels & Diesel didn’t feel ripped off, then they shouldn’t…

-They plugged Kid vs. Ramon and Bret vs. LaFitte for next week’s Raw…

-Dok Hendrix then interviewed Monsoon who announced IYH4 would feature Undertaker vs. Mabel, Michaels vs. Douglas, Golddust’s debut, and Diesel defending against Bulldog where the winner defends against Bret Hart at Survivor Series…

(3) Undertaker beat British Bulldog via DQ when Mabel interfered. Not a bad match. Afterward, The Gunns, Michaels, and Diesel made the save. Undertaker sold the Mabel/Bulldog attack. Michaels danced as the show went off the air…

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Hello and welcome to the final installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2025 MLB season.I have been…