Welcome everyone back to WRESTLING WITH LENNY!!
It’s finally here, the 20th installment of everyone’s favorite wrestling column, and I am bringing back the top 10 for this week!
10. PWI overtakes WWE (and nearly catches AEW)
It may have taken 26 ratings battles in this era, but Mmouse Enterprises managed to score its first ratings victory over an opponent in almost 14 years. Yes, you read that right. PWI’s first ever ratings victory (there were no ratings battles in the Fifth Era, NEW and PWI were never on at the same time) came this year, but it wasn’t an outright victory. This was the first time that Mmouse Enterprises enjoyed any kind of success over an opponent since the UWA won in mid-2010.
Now, there is a big asterisk to this outcome. PWI still didn’t earn the first ranked slot, as AEW escaped with a close call in securing the number one spot for the second week in a row. PWI came in second just ahead of WWE (who fell from the second rank spot that they earned the previous week). Interestingly, AEW’s near-loss to PWI saw them beat PWI (with a little more than 7,000 viewers separating the two) by less than what PWI beat WWE (with a little more than 8,000 viewers separating the two). The entire ratings war for January 22nd, 2024 saw all three companies within the range of 16,000 viewers.
I told y’all a few weeks ago that PWI was closing the gap, and here we see further proof, and I am beginning to get that feeling that I did back when HCW was closing the gap with EWA in the first 3 weeks of ratings battles in the 4th Era. You know what I mean? The “brace for impact” feeling that we all got when HCW made history to win its first ever ratings battle. It feels like PWI’s first ratings victory is on the horizon! Exciting times!
9. AEW Chaos
For the past few weeks AEW has closed its broadcast on an image of chaos, with the latest being a war breaking out between the Inner Circle and Bloodline, but with a twist: Omega, Danielson (more on him in a second), and Page played a part in stopping the Inner Circle from escaping Roman’s band of Island Misfits. It has apparently been announced that we can expect a Crimson Car Match between the primary members of the Inner Circle and the group of three who stopped them from getting away at Genesis. Looking forward to that one, as the “love” Triangle continues to get better each week.
I’m predicting that the Bloodline plays spoiler in that one, as they aren’t involved directly due to the Usos defending their titles that same night. This coming Monday will be the go-home show for this event, and I am eagerly awaiting it!
8. Does Axel Have A Conscience?
For a number of weeks we have seen the once-boastful and now-former Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel showing some hesitation about joining in on the misbehavior of his fellow Misfits of Murrey. Hook seems to be the only guy smart enough to know an actor when he sees one, but Axel is either too cowardly or too compassionate to be a bully with his pals.
Color me intrigued, because I am invested in wherever it is that this is going. Will Curtis look to break away from Murrey despite being the first man with his stamp of approval since Mr. Perfect in the LWF? Or is this all about how Axel feels inadequate in this new stable? Tune in tonight to see more, I suppose!
7. AJ Styles Mentions Dragonfly
Earlier this week, I released an interview that I conducted with the PWI-HCW Undisputed Champion, Dragonfly. In that interview, Dragonfly mentioned a few stars he could see himself in the ring with if it were possible: namely the AEW Champion, AJ Styles.
While Dragonfly made a slightly-veiled insult about Styles – calling the frontman of AEW a “slower” version of himself -, the fact that he felt it necessary to underline AJ as a person of interest was notable as a sign of respect to a degree.
Styles, on the other hand, responded to Dragonfly’s comments in response to an interview question posed by my brother’s former mistress. Styles expressed gratitude for the show of respect and even paid homage to Dragonfly’s achievements, but he also made it a point to bitch-slap the Undisputed Champion with a remark about being the “3rd-Ranked Champion”. Ironic as this was said on the very night that Dragonfly’s brand placed second in a three way battle, it is definitely a comment to remember as we go forward.
While Dragonfly may not admit it, he has a fragile ego, and it would be worth our while to see if he chooses to respond at all this Monday.
6. Christopher Lloyd: The Mad Doctor
Christopher’s former co-star, Michael J. Fox, became the latest victim in the craze of WWE Celebrity Madness when Christopher’s “elixir” meant to “cure” Fox was forced upon him. I have to ask again what the hell is going on over in Murrey land? Is there some kind of horrible lead-poisoning going on? I’ve read about how lead poisoning may have plunged the Roman Empire into madness, and now I think we are watching the Sports Entertainment equivalent in real time. However, I don’t think this is an accident as it was in Rome. Instead, I think the insanity we see in WWE is absolutely intentional as caused by a man who spent entirely too much time under the influence of my older brother!
5. Lexis King
Mr. King is quickly becoming the star of 2024 in WWE. Winning the breakout tournament and securing his spot in the Royal Rumble today, King – the other man mentioned by Dragonfly – is poised to steal the show! The son of wrestling legend, Brian Pillman, King is stepping from under dad’s shadow and is week after week asserting himself in a way that Brian never did.
I see great things in the near future for Lexis. In fact, he may be the answer to the dilemma I mentioned last time about Drew’s lack of opponents. Just wait and see, as he will most certainly earn that label as the breakout star of WWE and beyond as this year plays out!
4. Sasha v. Ripley
This is going to be a good match, but I have my doubts about Sasha dropping the gold here. Sasha has been teased as the next Athena Star-level talent since the beginning of this era, and the early failures of EWA/AEW to get off the ground hurt that credibility a little after Sasha had such a great start in PWI (that feels like an eternity ago). In my opinion, her reign has not yet reached the point at which she can finally claim that she is everything that her biggest fans believe she is: the best.
She has been calling herself “The Boss” since 2019 (at least), but her defense against Rhea (another brute force who has actually had more success in the ring when you look at the bigger picture) will be her biggest test to date. Rhea’s star has been rising since she debuted in the mainstream a couple years ago, and Sasha will do everything in her power to stop Rhea from finally wearing the gold.
I’m excited for this one, and I could most definitely be wrong that Rhea isn’t going to win (as it would help set up for a match with Rousey for the title she never lost), but I am still placing my bet on a title retention at Genesis!
3. Beat the Clock Challenge (Danielson’s Gone!)
Just as I predicted, Danielson was doomed to be eliminated from the pseudo-tournament. Number One, he struggled to put away Guevara last week and took too much time to do so. He was in danger of having two minutes more than Kevin Owens, so that was easy to spot. Number Two, there was no way that AEW was going to have both finalists qualify in one week (which is tragically the one major flaw with such a concept, as cool as it may be). Number Three, it gives Danielson more time to play with the Inner Circle!
Even with the flaws, though, I really came around to enjoy this series. It’s a neat new take on a tournament in an era when tournaments have been commonplace as of late. I am really looking forward to seeing who wins between Ricky Starks and Kevin Owens as they are both intriguing prospective challengers for AJ Styles. I leaning towards Starks as of right now, as I know that management in AEW was very high on getting him from WWE (then again, they also clamored for Kevin in the draft). Definitely a reason to tune in Monday!
2. Save Ferris…er, Zabka
Just when I thought I could look away from William Zabka’s mental illness, this whole “scandal” with the Warrior completely recharged the confused celebrity. Ever since he donned the outfit of the Warrior and got mauled by the WWE Champion, Zabka has been seeking donations (only receiving $500 from Chris Hyatte) to pay for his recovery. We have now been seeing these weekly video packages, hashtags, and QR Codes devoted to Zabka, and it has been this stroke of genius that has kept WWE from getting blown out.
When he has complete creative control, Murrey is unmatched in his ability to entertain. There’s a reason that he is the father of modern wrestling. *Chef’s Kiss*
1. Royal Rumble Madness
Speaking of Murrey’s ability to entertain, his recent re-acquisition of the “Royal Rumble” from Mmouse Enterprises will pay dividends for him. This has always been the most exciting match type in the industry. I am curious to see how this installment of the Rumble can follow the incredible and high-rated (it garnered an incredible 7.38125 rating, and remains the highest rated program of all time) Revolution Rumble last year.
I suspect that this next couple of weeks are going to be the most exciting to date in this history with all three promotions hosting special events of some type, and that trend starts with the Rumble tonight! I am going to go ahead and make a prediction here as to who will win the biggest matches on the card (I am pretty sure that I am forgetting something here, but my search for a rundown of the Royal Rumble card bore no fruit):
LeRae will become the Women’s Champion
Drew will remain the World Champion (can’t remember if he has a match, honestly)
And Lexis King will win the Rumble!
Either way, I am excited to see what happens tonight (I need to start keeping notes as to the PPV matches that they have scheduled…lol)!
Ladies and Gentleman, that does it for this installment, stay tuned for a special entry tomorrow night!
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 