The Triple Threader - Jul. 31, 2023
Welcome to the Triple Threader, covering the three stories from the world of professional wrestling.
Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa standing over a prone Jey Uso. (Courtesy: WWE)
Mental Edge on Main Event
What started as a feel-good night for “Main Event” Jey Uso ended with the former tag team champion laid out on his back, courtesy of the Enforcer Solo Sikoa and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, coming after Jey’s match where he defeated Grayson Waller. Jey Uso and Roman Reigns are set to square off in “Tribal Combat” this Saturday at SummerSlam, with said title and Roman’s Tribal Chiefdom on the line.
“This is me not being nice anymore...” - CM Punk (Courtesy: All Elite Wrestling/TNT)
X Marks the Punk
This past Saturday on AEW Collision, CM Punk revealed the contents of the red bag that he had been carrying since the show’s debut. It was none other than the AEW World Championship, which he had been stripped of following the post-All Out incident nearly a year ago. Punk states “...the truth doesn’t care if you’re right or wrong, but in this case, I’m right, [and] I am the real world’s champion.” The former ROH champion doubles down on that claim by taking out a can of black spray paint and drawing an X on the title, an homage of straight-edge moniker. He will defend his “real” world championship against Ricky Starks on this week’s edition of Collision. (For legal purposes, the actual AEW World Champion is MJF.)
Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov squaring off. (Courtesy: WWE)
Bash Bums
This year’s NXT Great American Bash had a special feel in the state of Texas as it paid tribute to the event’s late, great creator, the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. The stars of NXT did indeed “shoot for the sky,” with all titles of the gold brand up for grabs. Results include Tony D’Angelo and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo besting Gallus for the Tag Team Titles, Tiffany Stratton outlasting Thea Hail in a submission match to retain her NXT Women’s Title, “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio escaping with his North American Championship, and Carmelo Hayes ousting Ilja Dragunov to successfully defend the NXT Championship.
