Professional wrestling has seen some exciting developments recently, with fans buzzing over key events and announcements on both sides of the Pacific. From crownings of new champions to potential signings, the excitement is palpable.
At the Wrestle Dynasty event held at the iconic Tokyo Dome, Mercedes Mone not only defended her NJPW Strong Women’s title but also claimed the RevPro British Women’s Championship. Her victory over Mina Shirakawa marked her as the Undisputed Women’s Champion, and the response from the British wrestling scene has been overwhelmingly positive. According to reports from Fightful Select, higher-ups within RevPro expressed enthusiasm about the growth of their women’s division and look forward to Mone’s future title defenses across the UK.
One light on the situation is the feedback from various UK wrestlers who shared their excitement over Mone's title win. A RevPro wrestler remarked, “All eyes are on RevPro’s women’s division,” highlighting the influx of attention toward the promotion. The sentiment among other promoters is similar; they believe the visibility brought by Mone as champion could greatly benefit the entire UK wrestling scene.
Moving across the ocean, another significant development surfaced involving Baron Corbin. The wrestler formerly known as Baron Corbin, whose contract with WWE expired last month, is reportedly being courted by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). According to Fightful Select, NJPW has expressed interest, and discussions are underway. The extent of these talks is still unknown, but with Corbin having spent over ten years with WWE, this could signal the start of a new chapter.
While Corbin’s potential move to NJPW raises anticipation, it's also important to note the busy wrestling calendar. NJPW recently held its biggest event of the year on January 4 with Wrestle Kingdom 19, and followed up with Wrestle Dynasty, showcasing talents from both NJPW and AEW.
Back at home, WWE is gearing up for another significant live event with its first Monday Night Raw on Netflix, set to become part of the streaming giant this January. The loaded card set for the show includes some familiar names and high-stakes matches, particularly Roman Reigns defending his title against Solo Sikoa in what is touted as a Tribal Combat match.
WWE's return of mega-stars like The Rock, John Cena, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins is poised to bring substantial viewership to Netflix. The excitement surrounding Cena’s farewell run and the appearances set for Raw signify an energetic continuation of storylines and fan favorites. Notably, the inclusion of Travis Scott performing the new Raw theme song adds to the pop culture significance, catering not only to wrestling fans but also to mainstream audiences.
Another exciting segment of programming this week includes NXT’s upcoming matches, featuring Roxanne Perez defending the NXT Women’s Championship against Giulia, as well as Trick Williams competing for the NXT Championship. Each match is part of the New Year’s Evil theme, which has become synonymous with high-stakes drama and thrilling showdowns.
The week of wrestling concludes with Friday’s Smackdown, where Shinsuke Nakamura will go head to head with LA Knight for the U.S. Championship. This match holds potential significance for both wrestlers as they navigate their paths toward championship glory.
While recent developments like Mone's championship win and possible signings reflect the dynamic nature of professional wrestling, they also signal shifts within promotions as they adapt to audience interests and market opportunities. The British wrestling scene is riding high on Mone's victory, and there's palpable excitement surrounding the prospective paths of wrestlers like Corbin as they eye new opportunities overseas.
With WWE stepping onto Netflix, it opens up new avenues for the promotion to reach broader audiences, potentially altering the wrestling viewing experience as we know it. Each of these developments highlights the cyclical nature of wrestling, where the stories are ever-evolving, and the anticipation keeps fans engaged and yearning for more.
Overall, the professional wrestling world is ablaze with excitement—from title wins and potential signings to new partnerships and blockbuster matches set to capture the audience's attention. Fans are left eagerly anticipating the next chapter, wondering who might rise, who might fall, and how the industry will continue to adapt and thrive.