SuperNova Wrestling (SNW) held its draft night and tapings of its Shock and Vortex shows this past weekend in Portland, Maine. Before the show, I chatted with some talent and gained insight into their careers and thoughts on SuperNova Wrestling. 

Freakin’ Flax

Going back to how SNW houses unique wrestlers, you can’t find anyone like Freakin’ Flax. He stands out with his goat mask and his high energy. Currently, he is partnered with the young Stevie Legend. 

If anyone knows what it is like to compete in SNW and their embodiment, it is Flax. He has been with the promotion since 2015, nearly since they begun in 2014. From speaking with him, part of what has kept him with the promotion for so long is the various talents that may come in. Many people were meeting one another for the first time on this night, so seeing the variety of talent in one spot from different parts of the world is very exciting.

With this different talent coming in, Flax sees SNW as another place where one can perfect their craft. Being with SNW for 10 years shows his dedication to the promotion.

Ares Peres and Nahir Robles 

These two, Ares Peres and Nahir Robles, bring their spice and Hispanic culture to the promotions they come to. Their tag team name is El Sazón Talentoso. The night of the SNW draft was only Robles’s second time in SNW, while precisely a year before draft nigth was Perez’s SNW debut. 

Being from Puerto Rico, what Robles had said brought her to SNW was that,

“I wanted to prove to everybody that I could make a name for myself; it doesn’t matter where I went. So last year, I began this little tour on the northeast, and somehow me and SuperNova got together.”

Robles is the Warrior Breed Wrestling Champion and successfully defended her championship against JC Black. She had also competed with Perez for the Gemini Tag Team Championships on Shock’s St. Patrick’s Day Special. She was the only female in the ring in a four-way tag team match for the championships. 

When looking at how SNW stands out from other promotions, Robles had to say,

“I feel SuperNova Wrestling emphasizes that the title shouldn’t have gender. And I think that sets them aside from many people, while many places have this title just for women and for men.”  

They look to win the Gemini Championships and defend them back in Puerto Rico. They would be the first Puerto Rican intergender tag team champions.

Mustapha Jordan 

Listening to Mustapha Jordan talk about his 11 years in-ring training; I was left speechless by the amount of skill he carries. He has wrestled in various countries and states, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, and Ireland. He is looking to wrestle worldwide, which is what brought him to SNW to make his Maine debut. 

Some of the best have trained Jordan, including training in the NJPW Dojo in New Zealand under Bad Luck Fale-San, at Snake Pit USA under coach Joel Bane, training with Torture Chamber Pro Wrestling Dojo, and many more. 

Through all of this experience training, Jordan is currently the AIWF World Shoot Fighting Champion, a precursor to MMA, meaning you can only win by submission or knockout, making these matches more intense than your typical match. 

He is looking for gold here at SNW and other promotions. Jordan had said, 

“If you’re not here to be the world champion or aspire to be the world champion, I don’t know why you’re here.” 

Johnny Pierce

For the past five and a half months, SNW has been represented by Johnny Pierce, the SNW Openweight Champion. Pierce quickly impacted the promotion, winning the championship only at his second show with SNW. Even though he had won the championship quickly, it is not a position he takes lightly.

“Being champion to me means everything, means validation for your efforts, hard work, sacrifice, long days, long nights.”

Pierce aims to keep the championship around his waist and his hand held high at the end of the night. He has been assigned to the Vortex brand and looks to bring them the championship and create a strong roster. 

When discussing SNW and how it differs from promotions, Pierce had to say,

“SuperNova is different because they are unconventional. They are willing to take risks, whereas other companies are not willing to take risks.” 

Drew Gulak

Former WWE wrestler Drew Gulak made his SNW debut the night of the draft, competing against Mustapha Jordan. Gulak came out on top, earning himself a chance at the AIFW World Shoot Fighting Championship. The match was highly technical, without a dull moment. 

Now that he also had his wrestling school, Catchpoint Wrestling, Gulak was looking forward to seeing student Billy Avery’s match on the card and Julius Draeger, whom he had trained with a few times and had a match with in late 2024. 

“This is what I love to do, and I love when people see it, and I help them kind of enjoy it as well. And maybe they have a passion for it, and I love that I can show them that you can do this also.”

Gulak was the final draft pick of the night, getting drafted to Vortex. Speaking on SNW and the draft, Gulak had said, 

“With them, they’re very much saying, ‘we are going to do something different as far as how our events feel and how our shows feel when you watch them back, and when the competitors have a chance to compete, they’re going to have different environments to compete in. To me, that says that they are very forward-thinking and progressive.” 

The replay of the event can be watched on the SNW TV YouTube Channel. Shock takes place Sunday nights at 11pm EST and Vortex on Wednesdays at 11pm EST on Youtube SNW TV.

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SuperNova Wrestling (SNW) returned for its 2025 Draft Night! This was a historic night for the promotion, as its wrestlers were divided between two brands: Shock and Vortex. It is also historic for independent wrestling, as it is uncommon for independent promotions to conduct a draft among their rosters. The WWE conducts the most commonly known wrestler draft.

The card for the night featured talents such as Johnny Pierce, Tony Clash, Nahir Robles, Mustapha Jordan, Billy Avery, Drew Gulak, and many more. 

Before diving into their incredible show, let me tell you more about SNW and how they stand out from other independent wrestling promotions.

What is SuperNova Wrestling

SuperNova Wrestling is an independent wrestling promotion. It houses hidden stars and what some may call the “misfits” of professional wrestling. The company promotes people’s creativity and passion for professional wrestling. 

This company is unique because it isn’t scared of change and introduces things to the independent wrestling scene that many may not have seen. For example, these drafts aren’t typical for independent promotions, as many wrestlers travel globally to compete in various promotions. They have also introduced new rules and stipulations into uncommon matches.

This unpredictability keeps the fans on their toes and gets them more involved.

Draft Rules 

Even though WWE does drafts of their wrestlers, the draft conducted by SNW have different rules. Not all wrestlers the night of the draft could get drafted, but 14 got placed to a brand, either Shock or Vortex. At the end of the draft, there was a final 15th pick, that was calculated by the winners of the matches. After Johnny Pierce defeated Shawn Knyte he won Vortex the 15th pick, bringing Drew Gulak to Vortex. 

A raffle was held among the VIP fans, and two winners each drafted someone to a brand. This is an excellent way for them to continue promoting fan involvement and allow fans to be directly involved in the show. 

Other talent drafted included JC Black, Nick Thompson, SNW World Openweight Champion Johnny Pierce, the tag teams of CIA and El Sazón Talentoso, and more! 

 

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Highlights/Outcomes 

The opening match was AIWF World Shoot Fighting Champion Mustapha Jordan vs Drew Gulak, which was a very intense and technical match. It was a great way to start the night and get the crowd’s energy up for the rest of the show. Gulak had come out on top, earning himself a chance at the AIWF Championship in the future. 

Nahir Robles was supposed to defend the WBW Women’s Championship against JC Black and Wild Child, but unfortunately, due to medical reasons, Wild Child was unable to compete, so it was a one-on-one match. Even though these were unforeseen circumstances, the ladies did not disappoint. Robles retained her championship with help from her tag team partner, Ares Perez. 

The main event was for the SNW World Openweight Championship, where Johnny Pierce defended his championship for the first time against Shawn Knyte. Their different fighting styles made for a great match. Pierce used his size and strength to his advantage, while Knyte used his speed and agility. It was an imposing back-and-forth match in which Johnny Pierce retained his championship. 

The replay of the event can be watched on the SNW TV YouTube Channel. Shock takes place Sunday nights at 11pm EST and Vortex on Wednesdays at 11pm EST on Youtube SNW TV.

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Header photo – SuperNova Wrestling (SNW) – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.

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In wrestling, we always try to predict the unpredictable; think John Cena’s heel turn. Regarding TNA Sacrifice, which took place last Friday and can still be watched on TNA+, we could have expected an attack from Elijah on Joe Hendry or Nic Nemeth trying to seek revenge on the man who “stole” his TNA iMPACT! World Championship.

The post TNA iMPACT! Preview (3/20/2025) – The Fallout From “Sacrifice” appeared first on Last Word on Pro Wrestling.

WWE Evolve is taped from the WWE PC in Orlando, Florida. From the looks of things, the show is most likely to continue doing its tapings at the Performance Center, as that is where most of the company’s earlier developmental territories take place.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy as the next generation of professional wrestling unfolds before your very eyes in Evolve! Tonight, Javier Bernal will take on Luca Crusifino as a follow-up to last week’s face-off.

Here are the full results for the third episode of WWE Evolve, which aired on March 19th, 2025.

Broadcast Details

• Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
• Time: 8.00 pm, Eastern Time (ET)
• Arena: WWE Performance Center
• Location: Orlando, FL.
• Show Type: Online Stream; Pre-taped
• Streaming: Live on Tubi in the US; available internationally on YouTube via live stream

WWE Evolve Results

Commentators for this show are Peter Rosenberg & Robert Stone.

Last week, we saw our first-ever face-off on Evolve between Luca Crusifino and Javier Bernal as they challenged each other to an official showdown right here in tonight’s main event. It’s the first “big feel” type match we got on this program, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes.

Brinley Reece vs. Masyn Holiday

Brinley Reece, a former cheerleader captain at Sacramento State, had worked in NXT before. At the same time, Masyn Holiday broke three records in her days at Howard University in the track and field event.

Holiday gets the early advantage until Holiday fights back with a couple of flurries. Masyn takes control again thanks to her size differences.

You can tell these two are not the most experienced as seen from some sloppy action. Reece makes a short comeback and finishes Holiday with a TKO she called “Reece’s Pieces” for a quick win (3:39). Reporter Chuley Martinez congratulates her after the match, and she is very happy with her first win.

In the VIP section tonight, we have Tyriek Igwe and Tyson Dupont. They are not here to watch everyone take their shot, and  say someone better watch out tonight.

The Coffey Brothers vs. Jordan Oasis & Sam Halloway

I know Joe and Mark Coffey from their days in the UK indies scene, and most notably, NXT UK. Jordan Oasis trained with Rikishi before starting his wrestling career. Sam Holloway, a former American football athlete, wasn’t as big as he is now, but once he grew to this tall, he shows everyone who has bullied him in the past what it feels like to be bullied.

Joe and Mark trade haymakers with the big Halloway early on until Oasis tags in. Oasis holds his own against Mark, trading forearms with him before Halloway tags himself in.

Jordan and Sam are still in control, but they can’t get on the same page, tagging each other in without informing their partner.

This gives Mark an opening to make the hot tag to his brother Joe, who runs wild on Oasis. A springboard moonsault gets two. Wolfgang, the third member of Gallus, comes out to confront Halloway, allowing Joe to clean Jordan’s clock with a lethal right hand that earns them the TKO win (5:51).

Chantel Monroe vs. Layla Diggs

Layla Diggs, nicknamed “The Debutant” is a former gymnast and track athlete, who was at WrestleMania 39 in Hollywood for a WWE tryout. Chantel Monroe is also a former gymnast, calling herself a “Showstopping Diva” who prioritizes fashion.

They get off to a fast pace right away, as both girls try to showcase their gymnastics background.

A standing moonsault gets two for Layla. Monroe starts going to work on Diggs’ leg, which is a smart move to prevent her agility. Layla tries to fight back, but Chantel counters her sunset flip by kneeling down for the win. (3:26)

Haze Jameson vs. Kali Armstrong

Haze Jameson, a captain of a volleyball team, is a party girl who is inspired by Ke$ha and Dennis Rodman, hence the name “The Wild Child”. Her introduction video is cut short by Kali Armstrong, who is taking this match now. 

For those who don’t remember, Kali appeared on the first episode of Evolve in a losing effort. She makes quick work of Haze before dismantling her with the Kali Connection, a full speed shoulder block, for a dominating statement win (0:58)

What’s Written in Wendy’s Note?

“Smiley” Kylie Rae is here to answer the question everybody has in mind: What did the note from Wendy Choo say? Kylie never met Wendy before, and she’s not sure if she wants to know more about her.

She has other talents to focus on, so she decides to throw Choo’s note away. Wendy’s music then plays, and Zara Zakher, who wrestled Rae last week, comes out to escort her back. Wendy did not come out, but what message is she sending here?

Drako Knox & Tate Wilder vs. Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont

Drako Knox grew up in a blue collar family. He works extremely hard to get here, from college football to the WWE PC to here at Evolve. Tate Wilder, a fifth generation cowboy, is a specialist in extreme sports, competing in rodeo and football, before earning his opportunity via the WWE NIL program. We saw Tyriek and Tyson from the VIP lounge earlier, and they are former NXT competitors.

Drako and Tate hold their own, despite teaming up together for the first time. Tyriek and Tyson eventually take over with their experience, putting Wilder in a tough spot, as we see Swipe Right, accompanied by Zayda Steel, making their way to the VIP seats at ringside.

Back in the ring, Tate slowly mounts a comeback. Knox gets a hot tag, but he couldn’t overcome these two big, burly bodies, falling prey to a belly-to-back double-team (4:10).

After the bout, we see a huge bodyguard who is standing over Swipe Right. Who could that be? We might find out next week.

Oro Mensah is shown as another member of the VIP section at ringside.

Luca Crusifino vs. Javier Bernal

It’s our first main event on this show with an actual build-up behind it. This is also Javier’s return bout after being away for six months due to a foot surgery. They start with a friendly back-and-forth affair before Bernal sends Luca outside. Things take a spill over there for a bit, and Crusifino plants Javier on the ring apron before dropping a big leg drop on him there.

Javier’s ring rust is slowly rearing its ugly head, giving Luca plenty of room to operate. Luca tries fighting back, and he gets some results out of it with a tornado DDT for two. A springboard attempt is countered into a Lawbreaker (aka, Chris Jericho’s Codebreaker), and the Case Closed, an X-plex on the knee, earns Luca the victory (4:42).

It was good action for the most part, but I’m left slightly disappointed given the build-up and all. I thought we were getting a longer match here, although they might be building something up in the long run.

Post-match, Keanu Carver and Harlem Lewis made their way down the entrance way, answering Luca’s call-out from the pilot episode. And the show heads off the air…

Next Week: Kendal Grey vs. Zara Zakher!

Final Thoughts

We are beginning to see some storyline progression on this program, which is what I like to see. Luca Crusifino is promoted as Evolve’s Final Boss-ish character, and it will be intriguing to see who is going to hand him his first defeat on Evolve.

All the matches tonight are very quick, which is not what we saw from the first two weeks. It is slowly reminding me of the early NXT TV series that was run by Triple H so far, and that is a darn good sign.

More From LWOS Pro Wrestling

Header photo – WWE – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on WWE Evolve and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.

You can check out WWE programming on Netflix (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), The CW (NXT), Tubi (WWE Evolve), A&E (WWE Superstar Sunday – Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments) and Peacock (WWE Main Event as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on YouTube, and catch fast-paced action on X (WWE Speed).

The post WWE Evolve Results (3/19/25) appeared first on Last Word on Pro Wrestling.

AEW Dynamite emanates live from the Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Omaha, Nebraska tonight. We’re on the road to AEW Dynasty, and not even Mother Nature can stop tonight’s explosive action!  On the show, we had TWO women’s matches and a four-way in the International Championship Eliminator Tournament, as well as a Street Fight rematch between Cope and AEW World Champion Jon Moxley! Here are AEW Dynamite results tonight from the AEW Dynamite card, featuring a series of matches, special appearances, and so much more.

AEW Dynamite Card Tonight:

• AEW MEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Jon Moxley (c) vs “The Rated R Superstar” Cope in a Street Fight
• INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATOR TOURNAMENT Orange Cassidy vs. Speedball Mike Bailey vs. The Don Callis Family’s Mark Davis vs. Ricochet
• Kris Statlander vs. Megan Bayne
• AEW TBS CHAMPIONSHIP Mercedes Mone (c) vs Billie Starkz
• Will Ospreay vs AR Fox
• and more!

Where is AEW Dynamite Tonight?

AEW Dynamite emanates live at the Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Omaha, NE.

What Time is AEW Dynamite Tonight?

Dynamite airs weekly at 8 PM EST on TBS Network and Max.

AEW Dynamite Results

Ricochet & Speedball Mike Bailey defeated Orange Cassidy and Mark Davis in a double-pin

Cassidy, Bailey, and Ricochet took Davis out of the ring immediately. Bailey got highly-anticipated interactions with Ricochet and Cassidy to a pop from the crowd. Davis broke up the momentum, powerbombing Cassidy on the outside and slamming Bailey on the ring apron. Ricochet made a retreat to commentary, while Davis spent his energy pummeling Bailey and Cassidy.

Focusing his attention on Bailey in the corner, Davis heard the crowd chanting for a pin Ricochet placed on Cassidy and broke it up.

avis cooperated with Cassidy and Bailey against Ricochet, with Davis clotheslining his former temporary allies. Bailey nearly ended Cassidy with a Shooting Star Press, but Davis broke it up, leading Ricochet to land on the still-prone Cassidy with one of his own. Davis eventually leveled the playing field with slams and bombs, last piledriving Cassidy.

Bailey reversed Davis’s moves; he rolled him over his shoulder for the pin. Ricochet capitalized on this, using his legs to pin Davis as well. After much deliberation by the referees, Ricochet and Bailey both won. They now move on to challenge Kenny Omega for the International Championship at AEW Dynasty, to Bailey’s chagrin.

Davis came off so well here as the base while Cassidy was the glue to it all. Ricochet’s tactics were so hateable, making his shenanigans over Bailey all the more bitter. Speaking of, Bailey showcased himself well, even better than his match with The Beast Mortos last week.

Hurt Syndicate promo package

Mercedes Mone (c) defeated Billie Starkz for the AEW TBS Championship

A short highlight reel introduced Starkz to unfamiliar audiences, showcasing her tenure in Ring of Honor (ROH).

Mone spared no expense in bullying her young challenger. Starkz mounted a comeback, capitalizing with a Tope and a Swanton Bomb from the top rope to the outside. Back in control, Mone held Starkz in a Statement Maker before transitioning to a headlock.  Surviving a Superplex, Starkz transitioned a Three Amigos with a Brainbuster.

Starkz hit Mone with a Gory Bomb, but Mone kicked her leg to the rope at the last second. Following a failed Swanton Bomb on the apron, Starkz reeled in agony. Mone snatched her, pulling her in for a Statement Maker to tap Billie out.

Mone’s ability to make stars and elevate wrestlers cannot be overlooked. All while increasing the value of each belt she defends. Starkz left a great impression on newer fans and those who don’t watch Ring of Honor. I want her to either show up on AEW more or win the ROH title from Athena soon. Very soon.

Outrunners promo package

MJF backstage promo

MJF reinforced his statement last week that he’s not done with Page, addressed MVP’s business card handed to him, and shifted his focus to Jon Moxley’s AEW World Championship trapped in that accursed briefcase.

Jon Moxley (c) defeated “The Rated R Superstar” Cope in a Street Fight for the AEW Men’s World Championship.

Cope ambushed Moxley during his entrance, assaulting him with various weaponry before kicking him into a garage door. Snarling, he withstood Moxley’s blows and caught him as he fled. Dragging his bald head to the ring, Cope struck unrelentingly. Moxley grabbed Cope by the neck, wresting control with each swing of a kendo stick he found.

The pair brawled into the audience before the Death Rider sent the Rated-R Superstar into the table with a Paradigm Shift (but the table refused to break, going into business for itself). After a fiery comeback, Cope retrieved his spiky weapon. He couldn’t use it, as Moxley hit him with a surprise cutter.

While Moxley set up a table on a nearby turnbuckle, Cope bashed him with Spike and sent him on it with a vertical suplex. Wheeler Yuta aimed to help remove it from Moxley’s back, but it nearly tore his skin off. Cope sent Yuta through a table while PAC and Claudio Castagnoli returned, teaming up on the Ultimate Opportunist.

FTR came to Cope’s aid, blasting the Death Riders. Dax Harwood dropped Moxley with a Piledriver. Cope speared Moxley through the table. Marina Shafir came to attack Cope, but Willow Nightingale equalized her. Nick Wayne and Kip Sabian interfered, taking Cope out. Moxley then squeezed the life out of Cope with a chokehold for the win.

Post-match, Cope tried to shake Harwood’s hand, but he rejected it, shoving Cash Wheeler away, and storming off. Wheeler and Nightingale checked on the downtrodden Cope.

This should have been the main event we had at Revolution. This was gnarly and disgusting and had the audience on their toes more than before. Call it action-packed, call it overbooked, but this was one of Cope’s best in AEW, maybe even Moxley’s.

Bandido backstage promo

Bandido angrily vowed vengeance upon Chris Jericho for attacking him and unmasking Gravity, making his mother cry. Johnny TV approached him, demanding a match for AEW Collision Slam Dunk Sunday.

Will Ospreay defeated AR Fox?

Ospreay and Fox locked up before striking one another with utmost agility; they even dodged the other’s Cutters. Eventually, Ospreay landed the Stundog Millionaire. Ospreay landed a Spanish Fly, succeeding it with a kick but failed a Hidden Blade.

Fox avoided Ospreay’s Cheeky Nando’s Kick and hit him with a Lo Mein Rain. Ospreay withstood it, toppling his opponent with a Hidden Blade for the win.

More AR Fox on my screen is a good thing. He meshed so well with Will Ospreay that they could run a whole series against one another, and I wouldn’t complain.

Hangman Page declared for the Owen Hart Tournament during a backstage interview.

Mercedes Mone backstage interview

Mone put over Billie Starkz’s in-ring skills from their earlier match before insulting whoever trained her. This may set up a feud between her and ROH Women’s Champion Athena in the future.

Kris Statlander vs. Megan Bayne

AEW Dynamite results continue with “Timeless” Toni Storm joined the commentary table as Bayne (accompanied by Penelope Ford) and Statlander made their entrances.

The goliaths tackled each other, unwilling to budge. Bayne sent Statlander over the top rope. Perched upon the top rope, Statlander met Bayne with her knees to the mat. Bayne fought her way out of Statlander’s dominance, landing a forearm to send her off the top rope (with help from Ford). She followed with a back suplex.

Bayne dropped Statlander with a Running Liger Bomb, but it wasn’t enough; Statlander landed her with a leg drop. Evoking Katsuyori Shibata, the women sat cross-legged while slapping each other before rising to their feet. Ford tripped up Statlander, leading referee Aubrey Edwards to order her out of the ring to a massive ovation. Statlander recovered momentum with an Inside Leg Hook Powerbomb.

Each woman exchanged German Suplexes like a big Black Friday purchase. Bayne soared with a Tope Suicida to Statlander on the outside, punctuating with a Falcon Arrow. On the outside, Bayne threw Statlander to Storm at the commentary table; she ordered the champion to watch the match. Bayne slammed Statlander with a Fate Descent.

Post-match, Storm ambushed Bayne in the ring, leading to a pull-apart by security. On the microphone, Storm called her out for a match at AEW Dynasty, filled with her classic innuendos.

Bayne and Statlander had a thrilling bout. The Megasus has consistently put on matches that believably position her as a threat to Storm. I’m immediately sold on this upcoming title match.

Closing thoughts

Dynamite is back on a hot streak after a relaxed episode last week after Revolution. The title scenes are hot. This is the 2021 AEW feeling I’d missed with a newer, cleaner direction. Any of these matches are worth watching. That’s for all the AEW Dynamite results for March 19th, 2025!

With the AEW Dynamite result all clear, what did you think of AEW’s flagship show this week?

More From LWOS Pro Wrestling

Header photo – AEW – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on AEW Dynamite and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.  You can catch AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content available on their YouTube

The post AEW Dynamite Results (3/19/25) – Cope vs Mox Rematch, TBS Championship Match appeared first on Last Word on Pro Wrestling.

For the past few weeks, the WWE Universe had to reckon with the unthinkable. For the first time in over two decades, John Cena turned heel. He attacked Cody Rhodes at Elimination Chamber: Toronto, joining forces with The Rock in an out-of-character meltdown.

For weeks, fans were eagerly anticipating his return to the ring, wanting to know what he had to say. On the March 17, 2025 episode of Monday Night Raw, fans in Brussels got to experience that speech firsthand. During his address, he blamed the fans for his heel turn, calling it a breakup and a dysfunctional relationship.

This was an entirely different John Cena than the one that people remember. Instead of being happy and jolly, he was angry and serious. Given his explanation, is it a valid one or is he directing his anger at the wrong people?

John Cena Should Take His Anger Out on the Fans

For twenty-three years, John Cena was a babyface, making people laugh and smile. His mantra of never giving up inspired a whole generation of fans to be like him. But what happened in Toronto was something no one ever saw coming.

He mentioned that he’s a human being and how he’s been booed ever since he started wrestling. When he won the majority of his championships, he was called Super Cena and relentlessly hated. He would’ve been a perfect heel during that time, but the fans didn’t want that.

They only wanted inspirational Cena, instead of what he was truly feeling at some points of his career. He should be mad at the fans for suppressing his true emotions and who he truly is. John Cena was forced to be a babyface because the fans didn’t want him to change anything about his character in the ring.

He is Afraid of Admitting the Truth about His WrestleMania Match

When John Cena announced that 2025 was his last year wrestling, he meant it. Attacking Cody Rhodes and aligning with The Rock, who could potentially help him win. It is just a smoke screen for his insecurity regarding the prospect of losing his match at WrestleMania 41.

If he doesn’t win the Undisputed WWE Championship, he will walk out as a loser. To make matters worse, he won’t win his record-setting 17th championship.

Sure, he could challenge Rhodes at SummerSlam or Survivor Series and win it. But to have an illustrious career and put on that performance, especially after winning Elimination Chamber, would be embarrassing.

Blaming the fans instead of addressing Rhodes is a distraction in order to not admit that he’s scared of what potentially could happen. John Cena wants to keep his legacy alive, and he’ll do whatever it takes to walk out a winner at WrestleMania.

John Cena Will Have a Tough Road to WrestleMania

Looking around the arena on Monday, you saw no friends of John Cena. Rhodes doesn’t like him, the commentators are disgusted by him, and the fans mercilessly booed him the entire time he was in the ring. The only person in his corner is The Rock, who might not even show up until WrestleMania.

This is a lose-lose situation for him. If he wins the Undisputed WWE Championship, there will definitely be controversy.

Either he wins clean, with fans despising him and his actions, or the Rock helps him in some way. If he loses, some fans who still like him will be disappointed by the outcome of the match.

There are a lot of people who don’t like or trust John Cena at this point in time. Given what is going on, the road to WrestleMania will be a tough one for him for many valid reasons.

More From LWOS Pro Wrestling

Header photo – WWE – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on John Cena, and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.

You can check out WWE programming on Netflix (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), The CW (NXT), Tubi (WWE Evolve), A&E (WWE Superstar Sunday – Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments) and Peacock (WWE Main Event as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on YouTube, and catch fast-paced action on X (WWE Speed).

The post Is John Cena Right for Blaming the Fans for His Heel Turn? appeared first on Last Word on Pro Wrestling.

The March 18 edition of WWE NXT emanates from the Capitol Wrestling Center in Orlando, Florida. With Roadblock done, NXT is now on the fast lane to NXT Stand & Deliver. The WWE NXT results for this week can be found here when the show goes live at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT on the CW Network.

Four matches have been confirmed for this week’s show, including one title match. Chelsea Green will be defending her WWE Women’s United States Championship against Sol Ruca. NXT Underground comes alive once more and, this time, it plays host to the hostile and intense rivalry between Trick Williams and Eddy Thorpe.

Ricky Saints returns to the NXT ring against Ridge Holland. A stacked six-person mixed tag team match between The Family’s Channing ‘Stacks’ Lorenzo, Adriana Rizzo & Luca Crusifino and the newly-named Culling’s Brooks Jensen, Izzi Dame & Niko Vance.

Here is all that went down on the March 18 edition of NXT.

WWE NXT Card (3/18/25)

• WWE Women’s United States Championship Match: Chelsea Green (c) vs. Sol Ruca
• NXT Underground Match: Trick Williams vs. Eddy Thorpe
• Singles Match: Ricky Saints vs. Ridge Holland
• Six-Person Mixed Tag Team Match: The Family (Channing Lorenzo, Adriana Rizzo & Luca Crusifino) vs. The Culling (Brooks Jensen, Izzi Dame & Niko Vance)

WWE NXT Results (3/18/25)

Chelsea Green (c) vs. Sol Ruca [WWE Women’s US Championship Match]

Chelsea Green’s defense of the WWE Women’s United States Championship match against Sol Ruca kicked off the show. Alba Fyre interfered, once again proving her allegiance to Green. Fyre was handled by Zaria.

Piper Niven, also flanking Green, tried to also get involved but Ruca managed to take her out. Once back in the ring, Green managed to handle it and subdue Rue. Green managed to successfully retain her title.

We got bodies flying EVERYWHERE!!! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/BFyADynjbO

— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2025

Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans Backstage Segment

Je’Von Evans was trying to chat with Trick Williams and form some sort of alliance against the four masked men. Williams once again let Evans know that they are not on the same level, and even went as far as to say the young OG will never be NXT Champion. Lexis King tried to insert himself, and he was made to pay dearly.

"You ain't champ, you ain't never gonna be champ."@_trickwilliams is STILL not trying to hear anything @WWEJeVonEvans has to say… #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/9jMptbLojl

— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2025

Stephanie Vaquer Addresses The NXT Audience

The newly-minted NXT Women’s Double Champion Stephanie Vaquer made her first appearance since Roadblock. She had a speech talking about her hopes and dreams for the division. Vaquer then made a challenge to the rest of the NXT women’s division.

"I wanted to make history, and make it in the best Women's Division on the planet."@Steph_Vaquer did exactly what she set out to do when coming to NXT #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/tmNaZjSwC3

— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2025

She was interrupted by Jordynne Grace, who was then attacked by Jaida Parker. The latter staked the claim for herself and, off of the back of attacking Grace, she slot herself into that main challenger position.

"I am standing ten toes down, looking you dead in your eyes."@Jaida_Parkerwwe isn't waiting for her shot, she's taking it! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/zRLYthX4tc

— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2025

Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura vs. Hank & Tank

A tag team showdown was set up between Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura and Hank Walker & Tank Ledger. Once again, Briggs and Inamura proved why they are an unstoppable force in the tag team division, and they worked in tandem. They ultimately picked up the victory.

.@noah_yoshiki and Josh Briggs are clicking on all cylinders! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/WR5VVyW78D

— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2025

The Family vs. The Culling [Six-Person Mixed Tag Team Match]

The six-person mixed tag team match between The Family and The Culling occurred next. The Family’s Channing ‘Stacks’ Lorenzo, Adriana Rizzo & Luca Crusifino went up against The Culling’s Brooks Jensen, Izzi Dame & Niko Vance. Tony D’Angelo was shown watching the match backstage, and he looked pleased with the way his team was performing.

The four masked men attacked D’Angelo backstage, and this inevitably caused a distraction to D’Angelo’s team in the ring. With that distraction, The Culling managed to pick up the victory, much to the joy of the new NXT North American Champion Shawn Spears.

What is going on?!? @TonyDangeloWWE just got attacked backstage, and The Culling steal the win! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/NbG7nferdg

— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2025

Ava and Stephanie Vaquer Backstage Segment

NXT General Manager Ava was backstage with Vaquer clarifying next week’s task. Ava confirmed that Vaquer will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Parker next week. Fallon Henley interrupted the conversation and, drawing the ire of the champion, she got herself an NXT Women’s North American Championship match next week too.

Two title matches in one night?!@Steph_Vaquer is going to have her hands full next week… #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/xg6to931Vi

— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2025

Karmen Petrovic vs. Jacy Jayne

Karmen Petrovic and Jacy Jayne had a singles match. Petrovi had Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis in her corner whilst Jayne had the rest of Fatal Influence flanking her. Adonis tried to slide Petrovic a steel chair during the match but, refusing to utilize it, Jayne managed to best her and pick up the victory.

@karmen_wwe didn't want to use the chair, and it cost her…@tehutimiles #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/zmb4BmcHi1

— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2025

Ricky Saints vs. Ridge Holland

Ricky Saints finally had his first singles match in NXT, and it was against Ridge Holland. Although Holland tried to fight back, this was all Saints. Following a tornado DDT, Saints picked up the pinfall victory.

What a gutsy performance from Ricky Saints! @starkmanjones #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/D1wTTRRy2W

— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2025

Darkstate Is Here

The four masked men had their first promo, and they let everyone know who exactly they were. The collective are to be known as Darkstate. It seems they aren’t quite done for the night…

"When Darkstate strike, ain't nobody safe!"

Attention to everyone in the locker room, Darkstate is here to create chaos… #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/Ryp74ASVhM

— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2025

The Culling Interrupts Ricky Saints Interview

Ricky Saints was backstage giving an interview when he got interrupted by The Culling. Saints was able to hold his own though, and they finally left him alone.

Ricky Saints isn't here for all The Culling's nonsense #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/vAEBBUypTR

— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2025

Trick Williams vs. Eddy Thorpe [NXT Underground Match]

Several NXT Superstars were ringside for this grudge match between Trick Williams and Eddy Thorpe, as they met in an NXT Underground match. As soon as the bell rang, Williams and Thorpe began viciously beating each other up. At some point, Williams was put through the announce desk.

TRICK THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE DESK!!! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/5vrYdJGT7v

— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2025

At the end of it, Williams had enough and began to pummel his adversary. The referee had no choice but to step in and call the TKO. Williams then called for NXT Champion Oba Femi to come out.

Femi quickly obliged, and he was ready for a war. Just as Femi and Williams had their staredown, Darkstate then made their presence felt. Je’Von Evans quickly made his way into the ring, and that broke down into full pandemonium.

OBA. TRICK. JE'VON.

THIS IS PANDEMONIUM!!!#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/7p8gUpyeB3

— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2025

More From LWOS Pro Wrestling

Header photo – WWE – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on WWE NXT, WWE NXT results, and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.

You can check out WWE programming on Netflix (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), The CW (NXT), Tubi (WWE Evolve), A&E (WWE Superstar Sunday – Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments) and Peacock (WWE Main Event as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on YouTube, and catch fast-paced action on X (WWE Speed).

The post WWE NXT Results (3/18/25) appeared first on Last Word on Pro Wrestling.

In terms of length, the New Generation Era did not blow anyone out of the water. It was a transitional time in WWE when they moved between two eras of unprecedented prosperity.

It was an era where WWE struggled to find its identity and produced some ridiculous gimmicks. The era became more comical than anything with a lot of its programming, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t any greatness going on.

Odd angles aside, WWE was still putting on fantastic matches during the New Generation Era. Their era was littered with some of the best wrestlers competing in matches so great that it made us forget about all the ridiculous that came along with the New Generation.

Below is a definitive list of these fantastic matches.

Bret Hart vs Owen Hart (SummerSlam 1994)

Steel Cage Match for the WWE Championship

It was a toss-up between this match and the brother-versus-brother showdown at WrestleMania 10. Both are classics in storytelling and in-ring work, but the steel cage gimmick added so much more to the contest that puts it slightly ahead of its predecessor.

Bret and Owen Hart were always going to put on a fantastic match. The sons of Stu Hart had the training to put together a great match. They trained to be wrestlers, and wrestling was what they were good at.

Put them together and there was always going to be magic. They had chemistry coming out of their ears and would turn even the worst gimmick into gold. Luckily, they weren’t saddled with a terrible gimmick for this match.

Working within the confines of the classic blue steel cage, the Hart brothers took everything to another level. The match was great, as usual, but the family drama made everything mean that much more. It was a tale of hatred between two siblings that was the highlight of 1994.

Shawn Michaels vs Mankind (In Your House: Mind Games)

WWE Championship Match

Shawn Michaels’ initial run as WWE Champion was filled with fantastic matches. The storylines were so-so, but it was a near guarantee that every match was going to be awesome. Strangely enough, though, the best of these matches came from a very unlikely opponent.

Mankind and HBK, on paper, were an odd-couple pairing, but they were perfect matches in the ring. They put on a very Attitude Era, forward contest that saw a vicious side to the character that was Shawn Michaels. He and Mankind took the fight all over the ring, with a particular highlight being their table spot as the match drew to a conclusion.

This match had all the wonky finishes that one would come to expect, but it was such a deviation from the norm that was the New Generation. It was the Attitude Era before the Attitude Era was a thing.

Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon (WrestleMania 10)

Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match

Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels were embroiled in a bitter feud over the Intercontinental Championship. Michaels was stripped of his title, for failure to defend it over 30 days, and Ramon won the ensuing battle royale to claim it.

When Michaels returned, they both laid a legitimate claim to the championship and there was only one way to settle that score. This was with a gimmick match that the WWE audience was not familiar with.

Michaels and Ramon’s ladder match still ranks as one of the best of all time. It featured two great performers in an unprecedented contest. One where they were able to utilize their creativity to produce spots that no one had laid eyes on before.

We have become desensitized to ladder match spots, but the ones in this match were brand new. They showed what could be done when two men were given a different framework to work in. It was one of the first and remains one of the best.

Bret Hart vs Bam Bam Bigelow (King of The Ring 1993)

King of the Ring Finals

The King of the Ring tournament is a long-standing tradition. It has been around for decades, and its winners have been propelled towards the top of the card.

It was a tournament everyone wanted to win and a show that produced some great matches. Bret Hart’s finals win in 1993 was one of the best.

Hart and Bigelow were at different ends of the spectrum but were able to combine their styles well. Hart was able to work Bigelow over while Bam Bam used his strength to control most of the match. It also helped that Bigelow was one of the best big men in the business.

His agility allowed him to work a faster-paced match with Hart that was one of the best of his career. The crowd was into it, the world was into it, and it was the perfect way to cap off the first King of the Ring PPV.

Bret Hart vs Steve Austin (WrestleMania 13)

Submission Match

There might not be a better wrestling feud than Bret Hart and Steve Austin. The latter broke into WWE knowing that he needed to make an impact, and he targeted the best there is.

Hart was the measuring stick and Austin was determined to end the career of the Excellence of Execution. It was a program of great match after great match, but all pale in comparison to their five-star clinic at Wrestlemania 13.

Hart and Austin had a good old-fashioned fight. It was not the mat classic of their previous encounters; it was two men who hated each other tearing into one another. They brawled all over the arena using anything that wasn’t tied down.

It was a match that resembled the old-school street fights of NWA, WCW, or even WWE. It harkened back to an age of realistic fights and of course, included one of the greatest double turns in wrestling history.

Bret Hart vs 1-2-3 Kid (Monday Night Raw, July 1994)

WWE Championship Match

Bret Hart was the definition of a fighting champion. There isn’t a wrestler on the roster that he would duck, during his run, and it gave us some fresh matchups.

Matchups that would elevate his opponent and shine a light on new stars. The best example of this was the fantastic WWE Championship match between Bret Hart and the 1-2-3 Kid on a random episode of Monday Night Raw.

We all knew that Hart was a master in the ring, but this match showed the potential of the Kid. He went toe-to-toe with Hart, matching his speed and technical skill. The match was crisp and contained some of the best chain wrestling during the New Generation.

Hart was never going to drop the championship to the 1-2-3 Kid but both men did a great job of making the crowd believe that it could happen. That’s how talented both of these men were. The match shows that Hart could go with anyone and that the 1-2-3 Kid was more than just a flash in the pan.

Shawn Michaels vs Marty Jannetty (Monday Night Raw, May 1993)

Intercontinental Championship Match

The split of the Rockers was a heartbreaking, pun intended, moment. It was inevitable that the team would split, but that didn’t make the event hurt that much less. However, the sadness that overcame the WWE audience was replaced with awe when Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty turned in one of the best matches of the New Generation.

With years of teaming up between them, there should be no doubt that the chemistry was there. Michaels and Jannetty were amazing performers, and this match showcased why.

It was fast-paced and a deviation from the big man matches of the era prior. It showed what can be done when two workhorses are given time to tell a compelling story. Of course, the icing on the cake was Jannetty getting the surprise win and capturing the IC strap.

The Hart Brothers vs The Steiner Brothers (Wrestling Challenge 1994)

The tag team division would not be described as deep during the New Generation era. It was not booked as well as it should have been, and the tag championships often took a backseat to most angles. It is hard to find a diamond in the rough of the tag division, but The Hart Brothers taking on The Steiners was that diamond.

This was a match told in stages. The first 10-15 minutes was a beautiful showcase of the amateur wrestling skill of each man. It may be deemed a slow start, but it was the methodical nature of the beginning stage that made the final flurry that much more exciting.

Everything boiled down into all-out chaos as the match ended. The Steiners used their suplexes expertly, while Bret and Owen chimed in with their high-impact moves. It was also interesting to see too huge babyface tandem resort to the slight bending of the rules.

Nothing egregious, mind you, but enough to show an edge to each team. Why this match was hidden away on the Wrestling Challenge will always be a mystery.

More From LWOS Pro Wrestling

Header photo – WWE – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on WWE, New Generation, and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.

You can check out WWE programming on Netflix (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), The CW (NXT), Tubi (WWE Evolve), A&E (WWE Superstar Sunday – Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments) and Peacock (WWE Main Event as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on YouTube, and catch fast-paced action on X (WWE Speed).

The post WWE Greatest Matches: New Generation Edition appeared first on Last Word on Pro Wrestling.

In light of Lex Luger’s recent inductee into the 2025 Hall of Fame announcement, WWE created another extended channel on their YouTube platform called “WCW”. As the name suggests, WCW on YouTube only posts WCW content, including full PPV events & TV shows, classic matchups,  and much more. In a classy move, the channel’s first post on their community tab was a congratulations message to the Total Package on his recent induction.

Back in WCW’s heyday, in the 1980s and late ‘90s, Lex Luger was one of the primary mainstays of the promotion. The Total Package captured the WCW World Heavyweight Championship twice, holds the single longest reign for the then-WCW United States Championship, as well as enjoying successes in WCW’s tag team and TV divisions. Luger’s epic battles with legends of the game, such as Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, and Sting, are still remembered today by fans of the past century.

With Luger’s Hall of Fame induction drawing near, we thought it would only be fitting that we give him his proper salute as well. In this post, we will take a look at the most amazing, must-see matches from Lex Luger’s WCW career.

Breakout Performance Against The Nature Boy

Starrcade 1988

When Lex Luger entered WCW (formerly, Jim Crockett Promotions) in 1987, he immediately associated himself with the legendary faction, the Four Horsemen. The Horsemen was at the helm of WCW in the 1980s, with their leader Ric Flair on top of the world.

However, in late 1987, after losing the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship to Dusty Rhodes, Luger was ridiculed as the stable’s weakling, subsequently leading to his exit from the Horsemen. It was around this time that Luger slowly established himself as an up-and-coming fan favorite, frequently taking on Four Horsemen members on television and house shows.

It eventually turned into a rivalry with NWA World Champion Ric Flair, leading to a marquee main event for the title at Starrcade 1988. Luger went all out in his first big break as a top star, taking the Nature Boy to the absolute limit in a thirty-minute World Title bout.

Flair pulled out all the tricks, going after Luger’s leg to weaken the powerhouse. In the end, the “Dirtiest Player in the Game” escaped with the win after pinning Lex with his feet on the rope. While Luger may have lost, this sole performance turned him into a WCW superstar forever.

Lex Luger and Ricky Steamboat Stole The Show At The Bash

The Great American Bash 1989

The Great American Bash 1989 is widely regarded as one of the best PPVs, not only in WCW history but of all time. Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk, Sting vs. The Great Muta, and the annual WarGames extravaganza are only some of the magic that this show had to offer. Nevertheless, there was one match in particular that managed to steal the show amid all those classics – an NWA United States Championship match between Lex Luger and Ricky Steamboat.

At Clash of the Champions VII in June of ‘89, Luger attacked Steamboat after the latter was victorious in the main event, officially becoming a heel again. The Total Package was in the midst of his record 522 days as the US champ, while the Dragon just came off a spectacular program with Flair, otherwise known as “Holy Trinity”.

These two were a wonderful matchup together, with Steamboat’s quickness and agility gelling well with Luger’s strength and power. At last, it was Luger who retained the belt, but only after the referee disqualified Ricky when he smashed Lex with a steel chair.

The New Face of WCW – The Lex Luger Era

The Great American Bash 1991

In 1991, WCW was struck with a disaster they couldn’t have foreseen. Reigning World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair began a dispute with Head Executive, Jim Herd. It was incredibly heated that it caused Flair to quit the company and, in the process, took the world championship belt with him.

A decision had to be made, which was to vacate the WCW World Heavyweight Championship until a new champion was crowned. It came down to the No. 1 and No. 2 contenders, Lex Luger and Barry Windham, respectively, with their match taking place inside the steel cage at The Great American Bash PPV in July.

Originally, Luger was supposed to take the title from Flair, but plans have changed, and Windham is now the man to beat instead. This main event was nearly sabotaged by the Baltimore crowd, as they blasted “We want Flair!” chants as the two competitors. But despite that, Luger and Windham would proceed to wrestle a highly professional, old-school-style cage match that brought the audience back to the show.

At last, WWE Hall of Famer Harley Race came down to ringside to assist Luger in becoming the new world champ. Thus, we began a new period in Lex’s career, as he turned to the dark side for only the second time in WCW.

Luger Shocks The World By Defeating Hulk Hogan

Nitro 1997

There were no wrestling fans in the ‘90s that did not know about the nWo. At Bash at the Beach 1996, Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall joined forces to form arguably the most dominant stable in history.

From that point on, the black-and-white faction kept expanding its following to become the largest group in pro wrestling. Soon, they took over WCW, and Hollywood Hulk Hogan became the WCW World Champion.

The company was in desperate need of a hero to fight the nWo after Sting declared himself as an anti-hero. Enter Lex Luger. The Total Package led the war against nWo for most of 1997, getting a title shot against their leader on the August 4 episode of Monday Nitro.

As expected, nWo members ran in to try hijacking the bout, but it didn’t work this time. Luger stood tall, withstand the interferences, and put Hogan in a Torture Rack to claim the WCW World Heavyweight Title in front of an electrifying atmosphere at the Palace of Auburn Hills. It was one of Luger’s greatest moments ever.

Winning His Record-Tying Fifth US Title

Nitro 1998

When people talk about the United States Championship, there must always be a mention of Lex Luger. Indeed, the Total Package is one of the greatest United States champions we have ever seen. He held the US Championship for a combined 945 days.

Although the late ‘90s was far from his peak with the strap, Luger still enjoyed brief success with the red, white, and blue belt. On the August 10th, 1998 edition of Nitro, Lex made history, tying the record for the number of US Championship reigns, with five times he had won the title.

This victory came against Bret Hart, his former rival in the WWE’s New Generation era. Hart and Luger were far from their best days, but both men still had something left in the tank to deliver a solid match.

These two worked well together, blending power and technical styles. Luger won his fifth US Championship as he put Hart into submission with a Torture Rack, much to the crowd’s massive ovation.

More From LWOS Pro Wrestling

Header photo – WWE – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on Lex Luger, and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.

You can check out WWE programming on Netflix (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), The CW (NXT), Tubi (WWE Evolve), A&E (WWE Superstar Sunday – Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments) and Peacock (WWE Main Event as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on YouTube, and catch fast-paced action on X (WWE Speed).

The post Must-Watch Lex Luger WCW Matches appeared first on Last Word on Pro Wrestling.

For almost three years, NXT Level Up was the place where WWE Performance Center recruits and NXT wrestlers honed their craft in front of a live audience. Many wrestlers graduated from the brand, moving up to NXT full-time. But in December 2024, the show was canceled, leaving PC trainees without a place to wrestle on TV. However, it was announced last month that WWE was reviving the Evolve promotion.

It had been on hiatus since WWE purchased the company in 2020. This time, it is a replacement for Level Up featuring both PC and WWE ID wrestlers. The show premiered on March 5, streaming exclusively on Tubi.

Though only two episodes have aired so far, there’s a lot of things people should be excited about. WWE Evolve is shaping up to be a show with great entertainment and wrestlers that definitely have a future with the company.

WWE Evolve Gives People an In Depth Look at Prospects

One of the drawbacks of Level Up was that it was basically just matches to showcase the PC trainees. We got some backstage interviews, but only a select few developed characters and followings. With WWE Evolve, the potential NXT wrestlers are getting a chance to show who they really are as people.

Before every match, we got vignettes of the wrestlers showcasing who they are and why they want to be in NXT. Developing characters is essential to succeed in WWE, with these introductions already getting people to form their own opinions. Even the WWE ID prospects are getting over with the commentary team’s help.

Peter Rosenberg and Robert Stone provided great analysis of the match and the people in them, getting people to care about everything going on. WWE Evolve has let the wrestlers speak for themselves, allowing people to get to know them in a rapid fashion.

Lesser Used NXT Wrestlers Get a Chance to Shine

Throughout the first two episodes, several NXT wrestlers have made their presence known to everyone. Some wrestled PC talent, while some developed their own storylines. By doing this, we get to see more of the people who have been on the sidelines for a while.

Javier Bernal, who was largely featured on Level Up, is coming back from a leg injury. Gallus hasn’t been seen in months, along with Oro Mensah and Wendy Choo. Riley Osborne’s future was in doubt since Chase U closed its doors.

All of them could’ve been on the chopping block since they hadn’t appeared in a while. With WWE Evolve, they get a second chance to show people what they’re capable of.

With a large roster, multiple people don’t wrestle on TV for weeks or months at a time. Having another brand to accommodate them is a great way to extend their NXT careers.

WWE Has Made Another Great Decision

In the two episodes that have aired, it is clear that WWE Evolve has something for everyone. Independent wrestlers are appearing on WWE programming. PC trainees get the necessary reps to get better and potentially move up to NXT.

Lesser used wrestlers have a way of getting more matches in and developing their characters with storylines. There are a lot of reasons why people are tuning in and staying fans of the brand. Just like WWE LFG, we are getting introduced to the next wave of NXT talent.

Instead of random matches like Level Up, fans are provided with complex vignettes and storylines that get them invested in certain wrestlers. The after-match promos and VIP section are also home run decisions, as they give off that live sports feel. WWE Evolve has been a major hit, with exciting wrestling and storylines that make the program worth watching for everyone.

More From LWOS Pro Wrestling

Header photo – WWE – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on WWE Evolve and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. Check out WWE programming on Netflix (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), The CW (NXT), and Peacock (archives and premium live event streaming). You can follow WWE on social media and relive top moments on YouTube.

The post WWE Evolve – A Program Worth Checking Out appeared first on Last Word on Pro Wrestling.