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WWE Wrestlepalooza: Brock Lesnar Decimates John Cena, Punk and Lee Victorious in Mixed Tag, Stephanie Vaquer is New Women’s World Champion

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: WWE

WWE’s first premium live event in its new streaming home ESPN gave new viewers a taste of just what makes professional wrestling, sports entertainment. Wrestlepalooza delivered a safe card with some enjoyable moments but without many surprises for longtime wrestling aficionados that they have become accustomed to as the WWE continues its growth globally and domestically.

Emanating from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, home of the Indiana Pacers, the show kicked-off with a well-donsegment of how ESPN and then WWWF were the upstart companies back in the late 70’s and early 80s and illustrated why they are the perfect partners, with ESPN legitimatizing pro wrestling as something pure sports fans also will want to know and talk about it.

The opening match was the highly-anticipated bout between John Cena, on the last leg of his retirement tour, facing off with his longtime rival, “The Beast Incarnate” Brock Lesnar. When Lesnar made his entrance at 48-years old, he looked more massive than ever, stunning the audience.

Photo: WWE

When Cena arrived, he didn’t come alone! This was the first time that he came from the entrance ramp with a gaggle of small children, all Cena fans and all excited to be there with their favorite hero.  However, those happy faces would soon turn to sad ones.

LESNAR LEAVES KIDS IN AN OCEAN OF TEARS

First, Paul Heyman, Lesnar’s former manager showed up at ringside, to announce Lesnar before the match, signifying either a one-time walk down memory lane or perhaps something greater! Could Heyman be revealed to be back with Lesnar for this current run as well as running “The Vision” with Seth Rollins? Stay tuned.

Photo: WWE

Now the match: Other than a few moments where it looked like Cena would turn the tables, this was a beatdown in the biggest way possible by Lesnar. He delivered six straight F5s to the GOAT after he countered the Cena “Five Knuckle Shuffle.” Even Cena’s patented “Attitude Adjustment” had little to no effect ultimately on Lesnar.  All of this was too much for the 17-time champion and Lesnar’s onslaught ended when he pinned Cena, much to the shock, dismay, and heartbreak of the children and even Pacers star, Tyrese Halliburton who was stunned in the audience.

Photo: WWE

With this major setback for John Cena’s retirement tour and only five dates/appearances left before he says farewell, will he ultimately slay the ‘beast in return match?

MY WIFE IS BETTER THAN YOURS

All eyes were on AJ Lee making her triumphant return to the WWE and in-ring action in over ten years. At least for her first match back, she was doing it alongside hubby, CM Punk in a mixed tag-team match against arch enemies, Seth “Freakin” Rollins and his wife “The Man” Becky Lynch.

Photo: WWE

It was apparent Lee had some ring rust, which was to be expected, especially with her slaps that looked a bit awkward, but she still had the moves, and she along with Punk, Rollins and Lynch made this such a fun match and extremely entertaining. There were plenty of clever mash-ups of how sometimes the man and the woman would be at each other or get the other in a hold, while not making it to astray from how a mixed tags work where the men go against each other and the women wrestle each other.

Photo: WWE

If anyone was the scene-stealer in this (and each did great in-ring work) we have to give it to Becky Lynch, playing the heel to perfection. But, it was Lee as was fitting, who got the win, when she actually countered Lynch’s Manhandle Slam with her Black Widow Submission to hold and Lynch tapped out. Now on Sunday, Becky is denying ever taping out!

LA PRIMERA

The match of the night belonged to the women – when Iyo Sky battled Stephanie Vaquer for the vacant WWE Women’s World Championship belt, previously held by Naomi. As the WWE Universe knows, Naomi had to relinquish the title after she became pregnant setting the stage for this high-flying pivotal match-up.

Photo: WWE

In the end, Vaquer was able to capitalize on Sky’s injured knee, delivering a picture-perfect Spinal Tag corkscrew from the top rope for the win. Stephanie’s victory was the emotional moment of the night. This would be Vaquer’s, who is of Chilean descent, first major title in the WWE and to punctuate the moment, her father was present in the audience all the way from Chile.

Photo: WWE

The father/daughter hugged it out and cried tears of joy. This was the right move by WWE creative to let Vaquer have the chance to be the one all the women in the locker room will be chasing, even though Iyo Sky remains, in our opinion, the best female wrestler in the world right now. However, Vaquer certainly made a statement. She has arrived!

Taking to X after the match, Vaquer shared, “They call us dreamers, but we’re the ones who don’t sleep” I dreamed of this my whole life. Today I become the WWE World Champion, the first Latin American woman to achieve it. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me.”

OTHER MATCH-UPS

Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntye – the main event for the WWE Undisputed Championship. While it’s great to see Drew and Cody do their thing, it really only seemed to be on the card to remind everyone that Rhodes is QB1, ad the final image you see on ESPN, is a victorious Cody with the belt before the show went off the air. Surprisingly, there were no last minute runs-in or surprises to stop Cody’s celebration. However, during the post-show, Cody was interrupted by Seth Rollins and the two had a stare down each trying to one up the other, while holding their title belts in the air. Coming up, Rhodes vs Rollins is slated for Crown Jewel in Australia in October.

Courtesy/WWE

The Usos vs. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed – Reuniting for the first time in a tag match in over two years, Jey and Jimmy looked to be the potential feel-good favorite, especially after “Yeeting” with the crowd for an extended period of time.

Photo: WWE

However, The Brons ultimately took them down when the match had to end early. Special referee L.A. Knight had to call an audible, after Jey Uso split his own head open after he delivered a chair shot to Breakker and the chair bounced and hit him in the head. On Sunday, Jey reports he is fine, even though he was rumored to be in concussion protocol.

NOTEWORTHY MOMENT

The Undertaker arrived inside the arena on a motorcycle, and sat next to a bejeweled (that necklace!) Stephanie McMahon at her seat near ringside. Once there he surprised her by revealing that she had been selected as the first person that will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

OVERALL GRADE: B – 

For the first out of the gate premium live event in its new streaming home, this one seemed lackluster with a few bright spots sprinkled in along the way.

Most Shocking: Cena’s beatdown by Lesar after entering the match surrounded by children.

Most Fun: AJ Lee and CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch

Most Disappointing: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntrye

Most Emotional: Stephanie Vaquer and her dad

So, what did you think of WWE Wrestlepalooza? Did you enjoy the first premium live event on ESPN? What did you think of Brock’s beatdown of Cena? Vaqueer being the new Women’s champ? How do you feel AJ Lee performed in her first match in over 10 years? Comment below, but first check out the highlight video with moments from the matche

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16

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General Hospital’s 16,000th episode was packed with little reminders through points in today’s script that the ABC daytime drama series has set another milestone and it paved the way for the return of fan favorite and newly nominated Daytime Emmy Lead Actor nominee Steve Burton (Jason Morgan). The 16,000th episode also introduced viewers to the new surgeon in Port Charles Dr. Tristan Roberts played by Dean Geyer. 

Here are the key takeaways and what went down on the July 13 episode: Tristan and Jason are seated next to each other on a plane heading to Port Charles. Throughout the flight, a beaten up Jason has flashbacks to being thrown into, and being held captive in a cell and tortured. It appears Jason is suffering from some form of PTSD from what he was put through after being dragged out of Port Charles by the WSB months ago.

As the plane prepares to land, Tristan tells Jason there would be a car waiting for him once they land and to enjoy the rest of his life. Later, Tristan arrives at the nurses and doctors hub at GH and approaches Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst). He tells her his name and that he is the new surgeon on staff.

Photo: ABC

A REUNION PLUS A HEAD NURSE DEFENDS SONNY

Meanwhile, at the end of the episode, Jason is outside the Quartermaine boathouse looking bewildered when he runs into Danny (Asher Antonyzyn), who is so thrilled to see his father, and the two hugs each other as tears are shed.

Elsewhere, Elizabeth tells Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he thinks its a great idea for him to get the 16th seat on the hospital board, but when it comes times to convince Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) of that, things go awry when Tracy, Laura and Sonny try to work things out. After Tracy launches into Sonny about killing Alan and Monica’s son AJ, Sonny walks away dejected.

Next, Sonny runs into Elizabeth, where he informs her what happened with Tracy. So what’s a head nurse to do? Elizabeth marches into the conference room and reminds Tracy of all the different donations and ways Sonny has contributed to the hospital from the Stone Cates AIDS wing, to the Michael Corinthos Center for Pediatric Head Injuries as well as his constant support each year for the GH Nurses’ Ball.

Courtesy/ABC

WSB WAR SCARS

Then, in one of the best parts for longtime fans of the series, Elizabeth talks about her legendary grandparents, Audrey and Steve Hardy and she tells Tracy they would have wanted Sonny to have a seat on the board for all the good that he has done for the hospital. After Elizabeth states Sonny’s case, things took a turn and Tracy and Sonny wound up shaking hands as Sonny is board member #16.

In the how great was it to see Anna (Finola Hughes) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) together scenes department, the pick-up of last Friday’s cliffhanger is played out as the two former lovers fill each other in on what has gone down in their lives in the last several months including Valentin admitting he had been living in Carly’s attic, and Anna realizing she was kidnapped by Cullum, Sidwell and Cassius Faison. During their conversation, Anna sees the hallucination of Peter August (Wes Ramsey) right while Valentin is standing there.

Courtesy/ABC

Later Anna was on her way to saying goodbye to Valentin, when the two share an emotional hug. After Valentin made his exit, Peter reappeared and warned Anna to not let Valentin distract her because she has important work to do. Anna answers, “I know.”

So, what did you think of General Hospital’s 16,000 episode? What do you think is wrong with Jason? What is the important “work” that Anna has to do? Were you glad to see Sonny get a seat on the hospital board, or not so much. Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out the scenes on Jason and Tristan’s long flight to Port Charles.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Jason Returns, Anna and Valentin Reunite

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This week on General Hospital begins with the ABC soap opera’s 16,000th episode which brings Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) back to Port Charles after being released by the WSB; all thanks to the deal made between Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) and Z (John Oliver).

On the same episode, the upshot of Anna (Finola Hughes) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) coming face to face, and seeing each other for the first time in months plays itself out, and it may not be how you think. Josslyn hopes sending Valentin to the side of Anna, will break up his burgeoning relationship with her mother, Carly Spencer (Laura Wright), but will it?

It appears Valentin has a warning for Anna. In the GH video preview for the episode, Anna is seen saying “How do you know that?” What does Valentin know, and will he be the person that will catch on that she is being haunted by the ghost of Peter August (Wes Ramsey)?

Courtesy/ABC

In addition, look for the debut of Dean Geyer in his role of Dr. Tristan Roberts (named after the beloved late Tristan Rogers (Robert Scorpio), as he and Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) may have a tense exchange or two.

Then, in the aftermath of their argument, Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) asks Chase (Josh Swickard)Did I push you towards Willow (Katelyn MacMullen)?” Is Chase going to admit his fixation with his ex-wife, or reassure his current wife that he is not interested in Willow? Stay tuned.

Finally, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) is seen talking to someone saying that the idea of this person filling the 16th seat on the hospital board is a great idea. Who is she talking to?

Check out the official GH spoilers for the week of July 13-17 below.

MONDAY, JULY 13
Milestone 16000th episode! Jason returns to Port Charles. Anna receives a warning. Laura’s choice appalls Tracy. Britt makes an accusation. Carly is caught off-guard.

TUESDAY, JULY 14
Jason explains his actions. Kai becomes privy to shocking information. Jordan strikes out. Elizabeth stands her ground. Valentin is suspicious.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15
Anna seeks answers. Josslyn reveals a secret. Nina and Brennan plot their next move. Curtis voices his gratitude. Gio and Trina get big news.

THURSDAY, JULY 16
Emma and Gio discuss their future. Obrecht lashes out. Anna interrogates Britt. Isaiah interrupts Portia and Curtis. Cody delivers difficult news.

FRIDAY, JULY 17
Carly draws a boundary with Sonny. Valentin makes his feelings clear. Trina and Josslyn clear the air. Lulu cautions Ethan. Nina opens up to Brennan.

So, excited for Steve Burton’s return on tomorrow’s GH as Jason comes home? Are you rooting for Anna and Valentin to get back together, or are you hoping that Carly and Valentin continue their relationship, much to the chagrin of Josslyn? And, what should Brook Lynn do about her husband, Chase, who continually fights for Willow? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section, but first check out the preview teaser from GH for the Monday, July 13 episode below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sidwell Offers Jordan a Way to Get Surgery On Her Face; Will She Cave and Comply with His Demands?

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On General Hospital, Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and Jordan (Tanisha Harper) finally had it out at the PCPD. The scenes played out on the Thursday, July 9 episode of the ABC daytime drama series.

In story, Sidwell requested a meeting with Jordan. Angered, he wanted to know why she’d given the police the location of his safe house. After months of being undercover, Jordan finally admitted the truth!

Jordan reveals the entire time she was gaining his trust, she was working on the inside at SRE Worldwide, to find evidence against him and bring him down. Snidely, Jenz admitted he’d been suspicious initially of Jordan. However, she eventually won him over, and he saw the value in her being the pretty, public face of his criminal organization to throw everyone off.

Photo: ABC

Trying to make a deal to save his own skin, Sidwell offers to pay for restorative plastic surgery for Jordan’s face, and at the same renowned German clinic that had treated Michael (Rory Gibson) for his severe burns.

Sidwell tells Jordan if she would go to Zurich and empty some bank accounts for him, he will help her jump ahead of the long waiting list to get into the clinic. Defiant and standing up to him, Jordan turns down his offer.

Next, Sidwell threatens her intently, that he’ll find a way to pay Jordan back by making her life miserable. He tells her she will suffer and regret turning him down.

Once she exits the PCPD interrogation room, Jordan takes a deep breath, but brings her hands to the scars on her face from the car crash that injured her.

Is Jordan actually contemplating Sidwell deal to get her into the German clinic? If so, will she be the person to set him free into the world with loads of cash from his overseas bank accounts? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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