The Triple Threader - Jul. 29, 2024
Welcome to the Triple Threader, covering three select stories from the world of professional wrestling.
Dustin Rhodes (center) celebrates the big title with the Von Erichs. (AEW)
Honor and a Privilege
Even today, Ring of Honor continues to be an influence in wrestling. 5 new ROH champions were crowned on Death Before Dishonor and AEW Battle of the Belts XI. First on Death Before Dishonor, Red Velvet won the ROH Women’s World Television Title by defeating former champion Billie Starkz, and Lee Moriarty won the Pure Wrestling crown, turning away Wheeler Yuta in a thrilling bout. In the main event of Battle of the Belts the following night, Dustin Rhodes, Ross & Marshall Von Erich won the then-vacant ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, putting away the Undisputed Kingdom in the process. This is Dustin Rhodes’ first title win in 11 years, having previously won tag team gold in WWE alongside current WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. “Of all the titles that I’ve won,” said Dustin after the match, “this one feels the best.”
WWE Champ Cody Rhodes is surrounded by the Bloodline. (WWE)
Fire Burnin’
WWE’s 37th annual SummerSlam takes place this Saturday. Here are the matches set to take place in Cleveland, Ohio:
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Solo Sikoa
World Heavyweight Championship: Damian Priest (c) vs. Gunther*
CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre with Special Guest Referee Seth “Freakin’” Rollins
Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley (c) vs. Nia Jax*
WWE United States Championship: Logan Paul (c) vs. LA Knight
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Bron Breakker
*Gunther and Nia Jax won their respective King & Queen of the Ring matches, thus becoming next in line to contend for their respective aforementioned title matches.
Britt Baker and Mercedes Moné confront each other at Comic Con. (Christy Radecic/Invision/AP)
Comic-Confrontation
All Elite Wrestling took part in San Diego Comic Con over the weekend. Alongside a “Battle for the Booty” competition with Adult Swim, the promotion also held a panel in which Dr. Britt Baker, DMD took part. As she took questions, she was interrupted by NJPW Strong & TBS Champion Mercedes Moné and former NWA star Kamille, the latter of whom not-so-properly introduced herself to Baker last Wednesday on the Blood & Guts edition of Dynamite. Things were equally as heated this past weekend when all three ladies threw hands, security got involved, and Darby Allin – who was also on the panel – randomly said “let them fight!” AEW President & CEO Tony Khan would later make the match official: Britt Baker will challenge Mercedes Moné for the TBS Championship at All In on August 25 in Wembley Stadium in London, England.
