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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: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair

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Sonny, Dante, Michael, Brook Lynn General Hospital

On the Thursday, October 1 episode of General Hospital, both Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) had some things to say and what they had to say didn’t go over well with whom they were talking to!

Sonny had a confrontation with his son, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), while Michael leveled with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) over Chase (Josh Swickard).

GH is setting up a scenario where everyone is going to make it look like Sonny was responsible for having Sidwell (Carlo Rota) beat up in Pentonville; while viewers already know Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) were behind it.

Sonny and Dante

Courtesy/ABC

A VISIT WITH DAD

Now, Dante comes to Sonny’s house. He wants to know straight up from his dad if he ordered the attack at Pentonville. Sonny flatly denies any culpability or responsibility, but Dante refuses to believe him.

Dante informs Sonny he has video footage of Sully and Vito at the prison. Sonny explains to Dante he doesn’t know why Sully beat up both Curtis and Dante. Things escalated when Sonny was deeply hurt that Dante refused to believe him. Dante says he was disappointed that his father didn’t respect him enough to be truthful with him!

Sonny asks Dante to consider that he was being set up. He says all he did was to tell Vito to instruct Sully to keep a watchful eye on Sidwell, not to harm him. No matter what Sonny said, Dante continued hammering him with how he knew deep down, even though he said he left the mob, he had to finish off Sidwell for himself.

Next, Sonny explains everything he has ever done was to provide for and to protect his family. Dante fired back that he doesn’t want to deal anymore with Sonny’s half-baked truths. As the two men argue, Gio (Giovanni Mazza) shows up at Sonny’s front door and overhears Sonny losing his temper and shouting at Dante, “Get out of my house! I don’t want a son like you!”  The scenes featured an excellent performance by Maurice Benard.

Michael and Brook Lynn

Courtesy/ABC

MICHAEL THE MANIPULATOR

While this is going down, outside the Quartermaine boathouse, Brook Lynn opens up to Michael about living at the Q’s with Chase being there, since he only came back due to legal advice from his lawyer, Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard).

Brook Lynn questioned whether they should get legally separate. Michael insisted that would be a big mistake. When she asks why, Michael tells Brook Lynn to bide her time until Chase and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) have an affair; then she’d have full custody of Phoebe.

An angered Brook Lynn pushed Michael into the water and accuses him of moving Willow back into the gatehouse with intent on putting Chase and Willow in closer proximity and sacrificing Brook Lynn’s family in the process.  As the two cousins bicker, Chase shows up asking Brook Lynn if she is OK. Michael punctuates their talk with “You know, I’m right.”

CURTIS FIGURES OUT A WAY TO GET OUT OF THE SLAMMER

At GH, Willow visits Curtis (Donnell Turner) in his hospital room. Curtis wants Willow to get him pardoned and keep him out of jail, and in return, he will help her nail Sonny.

Next, Willow tells Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) she wants Curtis held for observation for three more days. He agrees to do so under one condition, that she understands that he may need to call in a favor from a congresswoman.

So, what did you think of how Dante accused his father and refused to believe Sonny’s answers? Is this the end of their father and son relationship for good? Is Michael the most manipulative person of all, except for Willow? Do the two deserve each other? Do you want Chase and Willow to have an affair? And what of Curtis? Does he have many redeeming qualities left? Share your thoughts via the comment section,  but first check out the talk Michael had with Brook Lynn.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown

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Drew and Ava

If you thought that the person responsible for the Pentonville brawl that saw Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and Curtis (Donnell Turner) taken to General Hospital was Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) or even Sidwell himself, you were dead wrong! On the Wednesday, September 30 episode of GH, it turned out that the culprits were actually Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison).

In story, Drew apparently bankrolled the attack on Sidwell and framing Sonny. He told Ava their planned worked (she came up with it!) but was horrified when Drew informed her that Curtis got caught in the crosshairs. Ava is visibly upset because of her longtime friendship with Curtis’ daughter, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali). Drew tried to make Ava see the bright side. Curtis was witness to it and his presence will cast doubt on Sonny’s claims to that he had gotten out of the mob and gone legit.

Later, Vito shows up at Drew’s. They informed him that his guy on the inside of the slammer made a big mistake by hurting their friend and ordered him to leave town.

Maura West

Courtesy/ABC

BOATHOUSE BRAWL

In other major developments, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) and Rocco (Finn Carr) have a blow out fight as Danny blames his “brother” for the reason Charlotte was sent off to boarding school.

Rocco told off Danny for Charlotte’s (Bluesy Burke) reckless behavior and he explains he had to protect his sister. He went in on Danny saying that his mother Lulu (Alexa Havins) has been right to send Charlotte to boarding school and far away from Danny.

However, Rocco went a bit too far when he shouted, “And if your mom was alive, she would send you away too!” Next, Danny punched out Rocco, leading to a terrible brawl. An angered Danny yells at Rocco to, “Stay away from me and everyone in my family. And don’t you ever mention my mom again!” Danny storms off.

Rocco

Courtesy/ABC

Now alone outside the boathouse, Rocco flashes back to his first kiss with Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarksi), hoping that his fight with Danny will not escalate and ruin their budding romance. Meanwhile, a bloodied-mouth Danny heads over to Sonny’s and Jason (Steve Burton) is there at the same time. He then admits that he has a bad fight with Rocco and they are both beaten up.

WILL SCOUT WISE UP?

At the end of the episode, Scout, who had a fight with Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) over Drew, and who keeps telling everyone how good a man her dad truly is, comes upon a suspicious scene.

Scout hides behind the wall outside Drew’s. She sees her dad, Ava and Vito talking. Next, Scout seems to overhear Vito assuring Drew and Ava that their business dealings are done, and he’ll be leaving Port Charles for good.

So, what did you think of the reveal that Ava and Drew were behind framing Sonny for the prison beatdown of Sidwell (and Curtis)? Do you think Danny and Rocco’s relationship can be repaired, or do you think the teenagers will continue to be at each other’s throats? Finally, do you hope Scout gets a clue and stops thinking her dad walks on air? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out how Ava and Drew conspired below.

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AEW

‘AEW Dynamite’ Pays Tribute to PAC Following the Death of Benjamin Satterley in Emotional, Moving, Pitch-Perfect Episode

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AEW Tribute to PAC

AEW delivered what would turn out to be an tear-filled, exceptionally done tribute to one of their own, Benjamin Satterley. better known as PAC. on the Wednesday night September 30 edition of their signature show, AEW Dynamite.

When the world learned of Satterley’s sudden passing on Sunday, September 27, it came just one day after what would be his final match at AEW All Out the night before. Now, for the first time his death, the AEW locker room, the men and the women who knew him best, gathered together to give “Ben” as they knew him, the send-off he deserved.

The special episode which emanated from the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was filled with emotional speeches, video packages, and matches dedicated to the wrestling favorite, who was one of the greatest to ever do it, and whose life was cut short at just 40-years-old.

TEARS IN HEAVEN

What was so impressive about how AEW produced this episode was they literally broke the fourth wall and allowed their performers to eulogize Satterley and tape them at the arena earlier in the day, sitting in front of the camera and speaking from their hearts.

The same carried through to the matches on the card. Each held significance, and instead of it being babyfaces vs heels, everyone came together to perform for PAC, for Ben, for this special night.

This unity illustrated how close for the most part the brotherhood and sisterhood among professional wrestlers truly is, in the field of sport entertainment, that is often misunderstood for it’s deeper meaning and what these athletes and performers do night after night by putting their bodies on the line.

The show began with a formal dedication from the commentary team led by Excalibur and Tony Schiavone. Next, they tossed to an unbelievable poignant video package featuring Jon Moxley with the Death Riders and PAC by his side (for what would be for the last time) speaking to the camera after his loss for the AEW World Title at AEW All Out. Moxley’s speech spoke to what it means to be a professional wrestler, and to “do things with purpose and give a shit,” which was a reference to PAC’s own philosophy.

PAC’S FAMILY SEND SPECIAL MESSAGE

A ten-bell Salute followed for Ben as the entire AEW locker room and company took to the stage alongside an empty chair representing PAC. As the cameras panned, tears were being shed by many of the wrestlers and referee Bryce Remsburg was visibly upset.

Later in the night, Renee Paquette struggled through reading a statement from PAC’s family back in the U.K. Paquette was emotional as she shared the words of thanks from the family to all those who showed Benjamin Satterley the love since his passing and what he meant to them.

MATCHES FILLED WITH HUGS AND MOMENTS HONORING ONE OF THEIR OWN

As the wrestlers made their way to the ring for their matches, many times they had tears in their eyes. Each wore an armband with the name PAC on it, and often came to the ring in PAC t-shirts, which AEW is selling online to help out Satterley’s family.

Jon Moxley faced Orange Cassidy in the opening bout, with Cassidy visibly upset. In the end, Moxley retained his Continental Championship. However, after the match, Bryan Danielson, who Moxley also most choked out with a plastic bag, splintering their relationship for what seemed like for good, was greeted in the ring by his former friend, who was in tears. The two hugged it out an emotional moment.

Hangman Adam Page was shown next in a video package just overcome with grief over the loss of Satterley. Next, he along with the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega reunited as “The Elite” took on members of the Don Callis Family, defeating them in a four on four tag match.

Cash Wheeler and Jay White each remembered PAC in two more video packages with both becoming overwhelmed with sadness and emotion. Swerve Strickland and his stablemates The New Level came out with the Trios Titles, something very connected to the legacy of Ben, and laid a PAC tribute towel over them in the center of the ring.

Next, in one of the more heartbreaking moments, Ricochet recalled how he and Pac shared a small room with bunk beds early in their careers as young wrestlers and how much he loved Satterley.

That was followed by a non-title bout between Ricochet and AEW World Champion, Will Ospreay. Before the match, the two hugged and in its aftermath. In tribute to Pac, Ospreay delivered his signature move off the top rope to secure the pin. This was an incredible match by two of the best wrestlers in the world.

MORE MEMORIES OF BEN

The match was followed by Will Ospreay’s tribute to PAC, including memories and the lasting impact Pac had on Ospreay from a young age. Later, Swerve Strickland and Darby Allin spoke to the cameras, In addition, Marina Shafir as the sole woman “Death Rider” shared her memories, before the women’s four way tag-match in which she appeared.

The main event featured The Death Riders with Bryan Danielson joining them to honor their fallen member, PAC against more members of the Don Callis family which included the return of Wardlow.

The show concluded with a video package honoring PAC, and closed out with empty chair placed under a spotlight in the ring as the wrestlers surrounded it, while the audience chanted “Thank you, PAC!”

What did you think of last night’s AEW Dynamite and how the wrestlers and the company came together to deliver this poignant episode dedicated to Benjamin “PAC” Satterley? Let us know via the comment section, but first check out the final video package in honor of the late pro wrestling favorite below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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