The Triple Threader - Oct. 16, 2023
Welcome to the Triple Threader, covering the three stories from the world of professional wrestling.
Courtesy: WWE/Fox Sports
Knight Train
WWE had a wild series of nights this past week. Raw was packed with two championship matches, including a successful defense of the Undisputed Tag Titles held by Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes. NXT was arguably the most star-studded show in its decade-long history, with the aforementioned “American Nightmare” kicking off the show, Asuka taking on Roxanne Perez, and 16-time World Champion John Cena in the corner of Carmelo Hayes who took on Bron Breakker, who had Paul Heyman on his side in the main event, capping off with a “Badass” appearance from the Undertaker. Cena and Undisputed Champ Roman Reigns lit up SmackDown, with the latter now realizing he has an LA Knight problem in front of him.
Hikaru Shida celebrates her title win. (Courtesy: All Elite Wrestling)
A-E-Switcheroo
Two championships changed hands in All Elite Wrestling. On Dynamite’s Title Tuesday special, Orange Cassidy defeated Rey Fenix for his second AEW International Title, following Jon Moxley, who was originally scheduled to take on Fenix, being unable to compete due to injuries suffered at Grand Slam. On the same show, Hikaru Shida became a three-time AEW Women’s World Champion by virtue of her win against Saraya. Shida’s first victory came during the pandemic in 2020, and her second crown this year at Dynamite 200.
CM Punk signaling his “Go To Sleep” maneuver. (Courtesy: WWE)
Punk Talk
For weeks, rumors of CM Punk’s next move have run rampant as he and WWE were allegedly in talks to work out a deal. According to new reports from The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer and Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, both say that the company has rejected the former World Champion’s request to come back in time for Survivor Series, which would take place in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois on November 25. Punk is known for his time in WWE from 2005 to 2014, as well as in AEW from 2021 up until his firing this year.
