Welcome back to the Mop-Up! It’s hard to believe that Labor Day is already here, marking the unofficial end of summer and the start of the fall season. We’ve had a thrilling first two months in the 7th Era of Professional Wrestling, packed with some unforgettable moments. So, let’s get to it!
ULW:
As AEW took the week off after Aftershock, ULW and WWE found themselves in the closest ratings battle since 2004, with fewer than 700 fans separating the two shows. WWE has been gaining momentum, rekindling the mystique and intrigue of the 6th Era. It seems like only a matter of time before WWE catches up, as they’ve been closing the gap to the point where Monday night’s ratings were practically a statistical tie.
And that’s not to say ULW isn’t bringing their best, because Monday was a great example of what the company is doing well in its infancy.
The show kicked off with Dr. Evil addressing the Establishment, Benny Mouse’s longtime sidekicks. Evil reminded them that they’re still under contract and promised to treat them better than Benny ever did—an easy task considering Benny’s treatment of them was notoriously bad. Evil is particularly upset about the Dark Order’s involvement with Bray Wyatt and other recent events, and he tasked the Establishment with keeping them in check. This is a fun storyline, but my one critique is that much of the progression has occurred off-screen and during Live Events. While it’s great that ULW has found a role for the Dark Order after they spent most of the year on the sidelines under their AEW contract, if they’re involved in a side program with your world champion, more of it needs to be showcased on TV! I suspect that criticism will be remedied soon, as the company expands its programming in September.
Bron Breakker continues to be a standout on ULW programming, dominating Granddaddy Duxen in a glorified squash match that effectively kept Breakker’s momentum rolling. This kid is a true asset for ULW and was one of the company’s biggest acquisitions in the draft earlier this summer. I wouldn’t be surprised if he spends the next few months taking down legends (yes, please!) before eventually finding himself in a title program.
We got our second installment of That Time of the Month with the Ladies Man, who finds himself tucked away in a backstage corner, venting his frustrations about the state of his career. Among his grievances are being mistaken for a lady by the Crock and Owen Hart revealing his true identity as Chet Hart. The Ladies Man is adamant about not being deadnamed and places much of the blame on Ricky Starks. ULW has an unexpected gem in the Ladies Man, who’s experiencing a career resurgence not seen since the early 2000s. However, I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed with this segment. It would have been fine as a fifth installment, but we’re still in the early stages of defining what That Time of the Month is and could be. We were promised a full set for the show, and while it did what it needed to in terms of advancing the Ladies Man’s arc, it lacked the grandeur I was hoping for. As the spiritual successor to The Crock Show, this segment deserves more spectacle, please!
Another fun, unexpected gem from ULW this summer is the resurfacing of Owen Hart! For all intents and purposes, Owen Hart was dead—er, I mean, his career was dead… we hadn’t seen him since the late ’90s/early 2000s. But this month, Owen Hart has been a scene-stealing performer, bringing a much-needed breath of fresh air to the company’s undercard. He even picked up a win against poor Sean Olsen, who has undoubtedly seen better days in his career. Good shit.
We got a backstage confrontation between Seth Rollins and Eddie Guerrero, who had some thoughts on Rollins’ recent match against his former friend Jon Moxley. Rollins claimed that putting Moxley on the shelf was regrettable but necessary. Guerrero then challenged Rollins to a match for the Extreme Championship, and Rollins agreed, saying he doesn’t want to be the guy who denies others opportunities like he’s been denied. (Um, what? Rollins has had more random title shots than most upper mid-card guys, but sure, let’s go with that!) I’ve been saying that Rollins needs a proper singles feud to fully get over, so I’m willing to give this a chance, though it feels more like a random one-off than the start of a real feud.
Next, we were treated to Lenny Mouse as the special guest on Up to Date. Can I just say how much I miss Lenny’s coverage of the competition? That wiener Johnny Quest is hysterical half the time, and I really miss Lenny marking out for MJF. Anyway, Quest recapped last week’s board meeting and what it means now that ULW management is on a rotating schedule. Lenny himself was offered a position in the cabinet but turned it down, with John Brown stepping in instead. When asked what’s influencing Jackie Mouse, Lenny admitted that he blames himself for not being there for her after Mickey and Vinnie passed away. Lenny emphatically denied that Jackie is possessed by Mickey’s ghost, calling it a stunt orchestrated by Dr. Evil and Ted Dibiase to manipulate her.
Lenny is then asked what he plans to do about the situation, and he admits that there’s not much he can do without unanimous support from the board. Quest points out that half of the board are Dibiase loyalists, making it an uphill battle. When asked about the future of the company, Lenny reflects on how he should have stepped in sooner but has been sidelined by grief—one brother institutionalized, and his other two brothers killed on Memorial Day. Despite these tragedies, Lenny remains confident in the company and believes that the safeguards against the abuse of power are strong. He’s certain that, even under these dire circumstances, ULW is headed in the right direction.
When questioned about Benny Mouse’s escape from the mental institution, Lenny reveals that he hasn’t reached out to Benny’s doctors because Sami Zayn and Megan have forbidden any communication with the rest of the family. He explains that while his relationship with Benny has always been decent, their bond was strongest in childhood, and they’ve drifted apart since then. However, Lenny warns that Megan and Sami need to watch their backs, reminding everyone that the Mouse family has a long history of pursuing vengeance.
Finally, Lenny is asked to comment on the recent ratings victories and losses. He downplays their significance, stating that the margins have been thin and emphasizing that there’s a new dynamic in the 7th Era. He compliments WWE, acknowledging that their improvements are a clear signal that the competition is serious. Lenny assures viewers that he’ll be in touch with the hosts soon, noting that he’s the most accessible member of the administration. Overall, it was a fun segment that managed to touch on a variety of topics without getting bogged down on any one issue for too long, allowing for a comprehensive discussion that didn’t overstay its welcome.
We were treated to a fun tag match featuring AOP, the Rascalz, and the Lucha Brothers, with the Lucha Brothers emerging victorious. This match also advanced the ongoing program between the Acolytes and AOP. It’s worth noting that the tag divisions across the industry are perhaps stronger than they’ve ever been, which is impressive considering ULW’s focus on AEW’s tag division during the draft.
Stacy Keibler made an appearance, promising that the women will deliver in the upcoming battle royal. While her segment wasn’t entirely necessary, it was a good way to integrate her role as commissioner and emphasize its importance. The battle royal itself was engaging, with the revelation that Nikki Cross was behind the attacks on the women during live shows. The match concluded with Cora Jade earning a shot at Jade Cargill. Notable moments included Rousey’s dominance until Bliss managed an unexpected elimination, which led to Allie eliminating Bliss as Rousey and Bliss brawled around ringside. This battle royal effectively advanced multiple storylines while showcasing the depth of the women’s roster. No complaints here!
WWE:
WWE delivered their best effort of the 7th Era on Monday, largely driven by the ongoing storyline between Jeff Murrey and his possible offspring, Pete the Referee! After failing to snag a strand of Murrey’s hair last week, Pete upped the ante by breaking into Murrey’s home to crack the case. In a hilarious moment, Pete managed to grab Murrey’s bar of soap but dropped it, causing Murrey to open the shower door and find Pete on his knees in front of him.
In his panic, Pete grabbed the soap and made a hasty exit, hilariously slipping on the tile as he fled. Murrey didn’t look too pleased, but I’ve got to say, THIS is what I watch WWE for. Not the sight of a naked CEO Murrey, but the kind of outrageous and hilarious moments that no other promoter—past or present—would dare to concoct. I genuinely can’t wait to see where this storyline goes next, and I’m fully strapped in and ready for the ride!
We also saw a great scene between Flex Fuller and Shinsuke Nakamura, where Flex thumbed through a photo album, reminiscing about better days with his friend and manager, Doc Brown. Nakamura urged Fuller to pull himself together, and Fuller promised he’d win the US title at Bash in Berlin and then take the Good Doctor to Italy to add more photos to the album. He even mentioned that Brown would create a new elixir to help him feel better. Is it wrong that I’m wholeheartedly rooting for Flex Fuller? I just hate to see him so down and out! Let’s start a prayer chain—Fuller deserves that Italy vacation more than anyone else!
We then enjoyed a fantastic match between Drew McIntyre and Johnny Gargano. I have to agree with that skid mark Johnny Quest on one point: I fully expect McIntyre to make his way back to the main event scene after his program with Ciampa. With the introduction of the World Heavyweight Championship, there are now twice the opportunities for main event talent, especially with The Rock and the Bloodline currently dominating the WWE title picture.
Speaking of the World Heavyweight Championship, Finn Balor and the champ AJ Styles ended Raw with a dramatic parking lot brawl. Balor promised to send Styles back to “All Empty Arena,” though it would have been more fitting to say “All Empty Wrestling” to properly play on the acronym. But hey, Balor isn’t exactly known for his brains! The show concluded with Balor leveling Styles with a pipe. Normally, I’d say the last laugh booking theory suggests AJ will retain the title since Balor ended the go-home show on a high. But this is WWE, and they’ve never been ones to stick to conventional booking norms!
That’s all for me this week, hopefully I’ll be back next week with Bash in Berlin results and a full week of shows to cover! If you see that dork Johnny Quest, kick him in the balls for me and tell him he’s a Temu Chris Hyatte.
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 