Browsing: praise

C.M. Punk (artist Grant Gould © PWTorch)

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At WWE Crown Jewel we had what many are calling – and Iâ€m on their side – the Match of the Year, at least in WWE. It was the face of a previous version of WWE in John Cena against the same from TNA in A.J. Styles.

These were “The Guys†the company, including any storylines, merchandise, or media presence. Both have grown to become classy acts who are confident in who they are as characters and were able to deliver a crowd-pleasing match that paid tribute to both careers that are winding down.

Many other characters have left WWE to “Cross the Line†to TNA, or made the switch from the smaller company to the true big league. There were matches we saw that we never thought weâ€d get, especially after A.J.â€s debut. There were some matches that were left on the table, though, that we havenâ€t yet seen, or will not get the opportunity to, but it was fun to come up with five dream matches roughly from 2001-2014 era TNA vs WWE.

The Motor City Machine Guns vs. The Usos

The best home-grown TNA tag team vs. who I think is the greatest tag team of all time. The energy of the performers, the fans in the area, and the moves within the match alone could be off the charts in front of the right audience.

The story: Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley have been around as a tag team longer, and have succeeded in every promotion theyâ€ve been involved with, and still have the athleticism to wow an audience. As for the Usos, while Jimmy and Jey have not been a tag team as long, or had titles outside of WWE, theyâ€ve defended for years against the best of the best at a high level. Who is the better team?

Outcome: Usoâ€s in a match of the year contender

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Kurt Angle vs Dolph Ziggler / Nic Nemeth

While we technically had this match, we also had previously seen John Cena vs. A.J. Styles. Itâ€s about the build this match, as Nemeth is a world class mat wrestler with an incredible list of accolades, but in pro wrestling, heâ€s a guy who was known for selling and having tremendous matches through his amazing talents in telling a physical story.

There was a wrestling machine inside of the former Dolph Zigglar that could have come out. Kurt was able to turn that wrestling machine to a new dial when in TNA, and became an incredible well-rounded performer. I would have loved to see an entire program between these two, bringing that out of Nemeth.

Story: Kurt, returning to WWE, takes shots at Dolph about needing to tighten up and not be so involved with silly nonsense. Challenge him to a wrestling match and ask if Dolph can find the serious side of himself again.

Outcome: after losing the first two matches, the second an even more narrow loss than the first, Zigglar works himself up to one more match where he is able to get a clean win over Kurt, legitimizing Dolph for a new title run.

Samoa Joe vs. C.M. Punk

We did get this match in AEW, but it was tainted with backstage drama. These two made each other IWC famous. It was harder to learn about independent wrestling in the early 2000s. You had to know what sites and forums to go to online or you could read the newsstand wrestling magazines or an insider newsletter such as PWTorch.

Anyone who was involved in that scene knew a couple of names before ever getting a television debut, and those were Samoa Joe and C.M. Punk. The ROH trilogy between them sold a lot of DVDs for a small independent wrestling company. Wrestling fans of that generation were not used to seeing a one-hour Broadway, let alone two in a row for these performers.

They were showing they had the raw skills to hang with the established television stars, and it was going to be a matter of time before each would end up amongst them. They each chose different paths, as C.M. Punk, who had previously had a run in TNA, decided to try to make it in the larger and more “big show atmosphere†of WWE, where he was going to have to work his way up through the developmental program.

Samoa Joe, however, become a featured player on TNA television right away. While I watched Impact as often as I could in that era, I was hooked and started spending on a few PPVs at a time where that was tough to justify. Both became respective world champions, but to see them clash with the lights and storytelling ability WWE could provide or a Punk and Joe TNA reunion, much like the Hardys and Dudleys just had could blow the roof off.

Story: I kind of like the TNA return route. Joe could make an appearance about how successful his run was and list legendary opponents; Punk could come out to say that he was only as successful as he was because Punk decided to go to the big leagues and he let Joe run TNA. Major heel heat for Punk on this match.

Outcome: Joe wins clean as a babyface. Punk had the better career and can afford a loss to his friend.

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

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Abyss vs. Cactus Jack

We got Mick Foley in TNA, but this was far from what Foley was known for. Itâ€s unfortunate that this man who gave us fans too much of himself doesnâ€t get to have the big comeback matches. He had a couple, but seeing wrestlers learn how to have good matches into their 50s and even 60s shows the difference in how Foley sacrificed himself.

Abyss was obviously influenced as a character, but also as a performer by Cactus Jackâ€s work. The master of the death match from two different eras clashing at peak was the dream I wish Foley had been healthy for and would love to have seen this match happen in a WWE ring. Not enough people got to enjoy Abyss.

Story: Mick Foley comes back for a special appearance and is attacked by a deranged Abyss (essentially what they did to get Bray Wyattâ€s Fiend character over). Triple H tries to get ahold of Foley to apologize, but hears nothing back. After a couple of weeks with no word, Triple H only hears from kids and wife that theyâ€ve never seen him like this and he wonâ€t even verbalize himself to his family. Then, when Abyss is about to win a match in an underhanded way, Cactus Jack arrives to interfere, and set up a match between the two.

Outcome: Cactus wins as a conquering hero.

Sting vs. Undertaker

Itâ€s the match we all wanted, and the biggest dream match left on the table from the hot ’90s era – unless youâ€d make the Hulk Hogan vs Steven Austin argument. For a fan who watches the product in a similar way that I read comic books, these are the obvious two. Dark and brooding, but many times the conciseness of the promotions they were in.

The WCW years created an aura, and when Sting said he would rather go to the underdog brand than WWE, it added to it. To have finally seen Sting and Undertaker at a WrestleMania is what we wanted, but instead we got heartbreak.

Story: Icon vs Icon, baby! All we need would be a face off, one to point at a sign, and the other to nod.

Outcome: Undertaker keeps the streak I wish heâ€d never lost.

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Orange Cassidy is all about giving credit where itâ€s due.

All Elite Wrestling‘s Orange Cassidy was a recent guest on Off The Ropes. When asked if he would be open to a coaching or producer role when his time as an active wrestler is done, Cassidy reveals he was backstage at many shows while he was sidelined, helping out in any way he could.

“When I was hurt this past time… I donâ€t sit home,†Orange Cassidy said. “I show up and I annoy people. And I stand around the ring and I get involved with things I shouldnâ€t just to try to help. Just because I like it. I like helping, and I like pro wrestling. Itâ€s weird, and I just wanna be involved. So whatever is next for me, Iâ€ll be involved in pro wrestling any way I possibly can.â€

Orange Cassidy believes Chuck Taylor is producing awesome matches for AEW

Cassidy also took this as an opportunity to put over his former Best Friends stablemate, Chuck Taylor, who has been doing coaching and producing behind the scenes for the company.

“Somebody whoâ€s been pretty significant now. Chuck Taylor used to be my tag partner and now heâ€s kind of transitioned into that… in that role,†Orange Cassidy continued. “If you watched a really awesome match recently, with some main events, he was producing and coaching that, whatever you wanna call it.

“So itâ€s awesome that now we have AEW homegrown talent, I guess we could say, now being in the producer, coach role, which is nice, right? Because Iâ€m pretty positive most of the people on the roster have wrestled Chuck Taylor before. And Chuck Taylor knows who they are. Itâ€s an easier transition, so hopefully I could do this for another 50 years, and then I could think about the other stuff.†[H/T: Fightful]

READ MORE: Orange Cassidy Admits He Feels Pressure Coming Back From Injury

What do you make of Orange Cassidyâ€s comments? Do you think Cassidy could become another great producer for AEW, like Chuck Taylor has? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.

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The Los Angeles Lakers’ recent team-building activity at the Porsche Driving Experience, which was set up by Luka DonÄić, received positive reviews from multiple members of the organization.

“You don’t become a team overnight,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick told reporters Wednesday. “It’s a long season. The more guys can do that off the court, I think the better team we’ll be.”

“I think it’s great,” he added.

“I truly appreciate Luka for that,” Center Deandre Ayton also told the media. “I’ve never done that before, where the star players really look out for the team like that. Some of that is actually crazy, I’ve never heard of it or been in a Porsche before. So it was my first time. I didn’t know Luka was into cars like that.”

Lakers guard Gabe Vincent also revealed that he previously arranged a team bonding activity at Manhattan Beach.

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that DonÄić organized an activity after Tuesday’s practice in which each Lakers player was able to choose three different cars to test out on the tracks at the Porsche Driving Experience.

Los Angeles will be implementing several new faces into its rotation during the 2025-26 season including Ayton, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia.

The Lakers are hoping to get off to a stronger start this year compared to their 2024-25 campaign. While they ultimately finished with a 50-32 record, they only sat at 13-12 through their first 25 games.

Los Angeles will open the 2025-26 regular season against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21.

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Jon Moxley is one of Tony Khan’s favorite people that he’s ever worked with in any line of business.

During an interview with 3NT Wrestling, Khan spoke incredibly highly of Moxley’s work in the ring and as a locker room leader. Moxley debuted on the first-ever AEW show in 2019 — and Khan believes Moxley has been the most consistent presence in AEW through its first six years.

“Jon Moxley, since day one, has been one of the most important stars in AEW. But backstage, Jon Moxley’s also — as you’ve correctly assessed — one of the most important people backstage in AEW,” Khan said. “Everybody in AEW has so much respect for Jon Moxley. He arrived in AEW as a huge star. And since we started AEW, he’s been the most consistent presence on the show week in, week out on all of our shows.

“Jon Moxley works so hard. He’s a phenomenal wrestler. He’s a phenomenal leader. He’s a genius about pro wrestling. And Jon Moxley’s one of my favorite people I’ve ever gotten to work with. And I’m really, really proud that Jon Moxley is in AEW. I think he was a fantastic World Champion time after time after time in AEW. Everything he’s done in this company has been to the benefit of AEW. And Jon Moxley’s a phenomenal, phenomenal wrestler.”

Moxley has had four reigns as AEW World Champion. The most recent of those occurred from October 2024 to July 2025, when current champ Hangman Page dethroned him for the belt. Moxley is the leader of the Death Riders, a faction that now consists of Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Marina Shafir, PAC, and the recently added Daniel Garcia.

A singles match between Moxley and Tomohiro Ishii is part of the lineup for tonight’s Title Tuesday edition of Dynamite in Jacksonville, Florida.

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There are no moral victories in the NFL, but the Cleveland Browns can at least take solace knowing Dillon Gabriel looked solid in his first career start.

Still, it won’t take the sting out of Sunday’s 21-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Cleveland is now 1-4 on the season, while Minnesota improved to 3-2 by bouncing back from last week’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Ireland.

Carson Wentz directed a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive in the final minutes, which he finished with a 12-yard strike to Jordan Addison for the game-winning touchdown.

Wentz overcame an injured offensive line and typically stingy Browns defense to throw for 236 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions.

As for Gabriel, he went 19-of-33 for 190 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions in a praiseworthy debut that drew plenty of reaction from social media:

This was a battle between two teams playing quarterbacks who started the season as backups with Wentz once again filling in for an injured J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and Gabriel taking over for a struggling Joe Flacco.

The Cleveland quarterback situation was the primary storyline coming in considering Shedeur Sanders draws far more attention than a typical third-string signal-caller. Still, the AFC North team decided to go with Gabriel before Sanders in the battle of rookies, and the Oregon product struck first against Minnesota with a touchdown pass to Harold Fannin Jr. in the opening quarter.

However, Minnesota answered right back with a trick play when running back Cam Akers threw a touchdown pass to Josh Oliver.

Those were the only touchdowns in the first half, although Cleveland didn’t provide a lot of early help for Gabriel. A long Quinshon Judkins touchdown run was overturned by a holding penalty, and Jerry Jeudy dropped a pass on what would have been an impressive third-down conversion.

Minnesota seemed to have bigger issues when Wentz took a hard hit and went to the blue injury tent right before halftime, although he remained in the game and directed a 71-yard touchdown drive to open the second half that Jordan Mason capped off in the end zone.

That forced Gabriel to operate from behind on the scoreboard for the first time, but he responded with a touchdown pass to David Njoku after a lengthy drive that featured Judkins. It was quite the composed answer for the rookie who wasn’t being asked to do too much while keeping the offense ahead of the sticks and away from game-turning mistakes.

Yet Cleveland was unable to take advantage of key Vikings mistakes from there with no points after a Zavier Scott lost fumble and Will Reichard missed field goal. That left the door wide open for the NFC North team, and Wentz kicked it right down on the team’s final drive.

Minnesota now has momentum heading into its bye week, while Gabriel will look to build on his performance with a road game against the rival Steelers.

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The No. 17 Alabama Crimson Tide knocked off No. 5 Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, 24-21, improving to 3–1 on the season, snapping the Bulldogs 33-game home win-streak in the process.

Senior quarterback Ty Simpson completed 24-of-38 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns, adding a rushing score of his own. He connected with Germie Bernard for one touchdown, while Isaiah Horton hauled in five receptions for 65 yards and a score. Jam Miller led the ground game with 46 yards on 16 carries.

Georgia’s Gunner Stockton completed 13-of-20 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown, connecting with Colbie Young for the score. Running back Chauncey Bowens led the ground game with 119 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown, while Josh McCray also ran one in.

The SEC matchup gave Alabama its first conference win of the season, bringing them to 3–1 (1–0 SEC). Georgia dropped to 4–1 overall and 1–1 in league play after entering the game undefeated.

Fans praised Kalen DeBoer and Bama after the gutsy road win on Saturday.

Alabama jumped out to a surprising 14-0 lead as Simpson connected with Bernard and Horton for touchdown passes on the Crimson Tide’s first two possessions. Georgia responded early in the second quarter, with Stockton finding Young for a score to cut the deficit in half.

A costly fumble by the Bulldogs set up a Crimson Tide field goal, extending the lead to 17-7. Georgia’s Bowens answered with a rushing touchdown, but Simpson capped an offense-heavy first half with a rushing score of his own. Alabama took a 24-14 lead into the break.

Simpson set up kicker Conor Talty for a 43-yard field goal early in the second half, but the attempt missed. Georgia responded with a touchdown run from McCray, cutting the deficit to three. The score held at 24-21 heading into the fourth quarter.

Georgia’s offense was kept out of scoring position in the final quarter, and Alabama cruised to a 24‑21 win.

Alabama will face  No. 18 ranked Vanderbilt at home next Saturday.

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Triple H receives full support from a displeased superstar.

WWE’s run under Triple H has had its ups and downs. With the amount of new deals from networks and the rise of mainstream involvement and popularity, there’s no doubt that the Stamford-based promotion’s financial status is on the rise. However, one of the main problems under his regime has been the bookings and creative decisions.

A main example of the latter point is John Cena’s Farewell Tour. A lot of fans have expressed disappointment over the superstars The Cenation Leader has faced, as many of them were just rematches, and it also didn’t help that he instantly lost to Brock Lesnar last week.

It has gotten to the point that John had to demand a match against AJ Styles for Crown Jewel next month, calling out Triple H on social media in the process. The match was later confirmed, making a lot of fans delighted. However, one WWE star who didn’t share the same positive attitude was The Miz, who said that he should be facing John instead after defeating him at WrestleMania 27.

Although The A-List superstar expressed his displeasure over John Cena’s booking for Crown Jewel, which Triple H has a final say on, The Miz was nothing but praise for The King of Kings.

The Miz (c) vs John Cena

WrestleMania 27

WWE Championship pic.twitter.com/yJodPT8YWW

— Vick (@Vick_8122) March 23, 2025

The Miz Fully Supports Triple H’s WWE Decisions

In an interview with The Schmo, The Miz praised Triple H’s performance as WWE’s head of creative, stating that the proof is in the sold-out shows and partnerships, like ESPN. The A-Lister added that the company is thriving with its storylines and fully backs The Game in his decisions.

Triple H has been doing a phenomenal job as the head of creative for WWE, and the proof is in the pudding. Thereâ€s a reason why every show is sold out. The fact that we are on not just Netflix or USA, but now we also have a partnership with ESPN, with all our PLEs. This company is hot; itâ€s thriving, and the storylines are second to none. So whatever Triple H has planned, I am fully backing it. Because honestly, he has one of the best minds in the business that Iâ€ve ever seen.“

In other news: Real reason Brock Lesnar squashed John Cena.

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This past weekend, a new WWE Womenâ€s World Champion was crowned. It was at WWEâ€s ESPN debut, the Wrestlepalooza Premium Live Event. The Dark Angel, Stephanie Vaquer, defeated IYO SKY to become the new Womenâ€s World Champion. Following her win, Vaquerâ€s real-life boyfriend, NXT star Myles Borne, shared his thoughts on the match and his girlfriendâ€s triumph.

Myles Borne took to Instagram to share how proud he is of Stephanie Vaquer. He then went on to mention that he always knew she would become the top champion and that he never doubted her for a second.

“Iâ€m so proud of you. You are so special and amazing in and out of the ring. Never doubted you for a moment, keep reaching for the stars mi amor. Congratulations mi campeóna, I love you,†Myles Borne posted.

The Dark Angel also replied to Borneâ€s kind words by sharing how much she loves the NXT star. Stephanie Vaquer also mentioned that she was sick for three weeks prior to her WWE Womenâ€s World Title match at Wrestlepalooza.

“You are an amazing man who always takes care of me like no one else. I love you, and this victory is also yours, not only because you took care of me during the three weeks before this match when I was very sick, but also because youâ€ve supported me every single day since the moment we met. I love youâ¤ï¸,†Stephanie Vaquer replied.

The next major match for Stephanie Vaquer will take place in about two weeks in Perth, Australia, at the Crown Jewel PLE. She will be wrestling the WWE Womenâ€s champion to determine the new Womenâ€s Crown Jewel champion.

Share your thoughts on Stephanie Vaquerâ€s title win.

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MADRID — Xabi Alonso praised Vinícius Júnior’s performance after the Real Madrid forward celebrated his return to the team by…

Tony Khan delivered heartfelt praise for Chris Jericho during the pre-ROH Death before Dishonor media call, addressing speculation about the…