It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo! 

Welcome back to Wrestling Tonight, your weekly look at everything happening across WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA, and beyond. This week’s episode covers one of the most loaded slates of the year as the summer calendar reaches a boiling point.

We begin with a full preview of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, where the world’s biggest promotions collide once again on one of wrestling’s most anticipated stages. Headlining the card, AEW World Champion Hangman Page defends against MJF in a long-awaited rematch, while AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada puts his title on the line against Swerve Strickland. The show also features the reunion of Adam Copeland and Christian Cage as they team for the first time in over 14 years, Toni Storm defending the AEW Women’s World Championship against Athena, and Zack Sabre Jr. meeting Nigel McGuinness for the IWGP World Championship. Kyle Fletcher defends the TNT title against Hiromu Takahashi, Mercedes Moné faces Persephone, Alex Windsor, and a Stardom representative in a TBS Championship Four-Way, and a stacked lights-out steel cage match pits Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Darby Allin, and Hiroshi Tanahashi in his London farewell against Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Gabe Kidd, and The Young Bucks.

From there, we turn to WWE’s future with NXT Heatwave. Oba Femi is set to defend the NXT Championship against either Trick Williams or Je’Von Evans, while Hank Walker and Tank Ledger put the NXT Tag Team titles on the line against DarkState. Jacy Jayne defends the TNA Knockouts World Championship in a triple threat against Masha Slamovich and Ash by Elegance, and Jordynne Grace collides with Blake Monroe. A number one contender’s match for the NXT Women’s Championship will also take place featuring Jaida Parker, Kelani Jordan, and Lola Vice.

Over in TNA, Emergence 2025 delivered a card full of major results. Trick Williams retained the World Championship against Moose in a match that had the Baltimore crowd split but firmly cemented Williams as TNA’s top babyface. The Hardys retained the World Tag Team titles against The Rascalz in one of the night’s highlights, Leon Slater held onto the X-Division Championship against Cedric Alexander, and Mike Santana defeated Sami Callihan in a Baltimore Street Fight that may have marked Callihan’s farewell. While technical issues marred the preshow, the main event and key title bouts gave TNA momentum heading into Bound for Glory.

In Mexico, Triplemanía marked the official beginning of WWE and AAA’s working relationship. Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and Nick Khan stood alongside AAA leadership to emphasize collaboration. On the card, Omos won the Copa Bardahl, El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. claimed the Latin American title, and Psycho Clown and Pagano captured the AAA Tag Team Championship. Judgment Day scored a win in trios action, Flammer retained the Reina de Reinas Championship, and in the main event, El Hijo del Vikingo retained the AAA Mega Championship in a four-way over Dominik Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and El Grande Americano, with AJ Styles making a shocking run-in to help seal the finish. The event had the production, presentation, and pacing of a WWE show, sparking debate about AAA’s evolving identity under this partnership.

On the business side, TKO announced that UFC will end its traditional pay-per-view model beginning in January 2026 under a $7.7 billion, seven-year deal with Paramount Plus and CBS. WWE also secured a five-year, $1.6 billion agreement with ESPN, moving Premium Live Events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble to ESPN’s new streaming service. At the same time, reports revealed WWE holds an option to purchase TNA and a right of first refusal should the company seek another buyer, further linking the two promotions’ futures.

Finally, NJPW’s G1 Climax 35 has reached its conclusion. Konosuke Takeshita defeated EVIL in the final at Ariake Arena, fighting through an injured knee and overcoming House of Torture interference to secure his first G1 victory. Along the way, Takeshita shocked Zack Sabre Jr. in the semifinals, setting the stage for their Wrestle Kingdom clash, where he will challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. With this win, Takeshita declared himself “The Alpha,” signaling his rise as NJPW’s new international ace.

Make sure to visit patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs, from exclusive content to extended coverage that keeps the conversation going beyond the broadcast. Until the following Monday, when we wine and dine with you kings and queens, stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. God luck and good speed.

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from One Bad Chad and "Ol Reliable" Hoch! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo! 

Welcome to Wrestling Tonight: your weekly deep dive into WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA, and everything in between. This is Episode 137, and it’s one of the most significant weeks for wrestling’s future we’ve covered all year.

WWE has officially signed a landmark five-year, $1.6 billion agreement to bring all U.S. premium live events to ESPN starting in 2026. It’s a media move on par with the original WWE Network launch, but with major implications for what it will cost fans to follow the product year-round. We’ll break down exactly how this changes the wrestling landscape, from pay-per-view access to mainstream visibility.

This week, we also set the stage for a huge weekend ahead: TNA Emergence, TripleMania’s first card since WWE acquired AAA, and the latest twists in NJPW’s G1 Climax 35 playoff chase. From title matches to crossover moments, the next seven days could reshape the late-summer calendar.

We break it all down: – WWE’s ESPN deal explained: cost, accessibility, and its ripple effect on the industry – TNA Emergence Preview: Trick Williams defends the TNA World Championship against Moose in a card stacked with high-stakes matches – TripleMania in Mexico City: Dominik Mysterio challenges for the AAA Mega Championship, Natalya chases Reina de Reinas gold, and The Judgment Day steps into the AAA ring – NJPW’s G1 Climax 35 update: the playoff picture tightens, standout matches emerge, and the road to the semifinals heats up – Eddie Kingston provides an update on his recovery and return plans – Brooke Hogan speaks candidly on her father’s passing and their relationship – Jonathan Gresham reveals a frightening health scare after suffering two strokes – Paul Heyman weighs in on Brock Lesnar’s return, WWE’s future headliners, and the fallout from the Travis Scott angle – Karrion Kross addresses his WWE contract status and his SummerSlam experience

Also this week: 🔥 AEW post–All In updates: injury news, roster moves, and what’s next heading into the fall stretch 💥 A full look ahead at WWE, AEW, NJPW, and TNA programming for the coming week

Wrestling is making billion-dollar moves, building toward huge events, and delivering stories on every front and Wrestling Tonight is here to cover every angle.

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo! 

This week on Wrestling Tonight, we break down a landmark weekend in pro wrestling.

WWE’s first-ever two-night SummerSlam at MetLife Stadium featured two massive world title changes, a shocking return from Brock Lesnar, and the naming of The Vision. CM Punk’s long-awaited championship win over Gunther was immediately erased by Rollins’ Money in the Bank cash-in, while Cody Rhodes closed out Night Two by defeating John Cena… only to watch Lesnar drop Cena with a post-match F5.

We recap the full SummerSlam card, including Naomi’s crafty title defense, the Wyatt Sicks’ chaotic TLC win, a debut performance from Jelly Roll and Rayne Leverkusen's stand out try out. Plus, WWE crowns its first-ever ID Champions, and Triple H joins the U.S. President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.

Over in AEW, Cody Rhodes speaks candidly about his 2022 departure, saying he felt “disrespected” by the company he helped build. Meanwhile, AEW returns to Chicago for Worlds End 2025, as MJF captures the CMLL Light Heavyweight Championship and sets up a collision course with AEW World Champion Hangman Page.

We also update the G1 Climax 35 standings as Yuya Uemura continues his rise, Zack Sabre Jr. surges in B Block, and contenders like Boltin Oleg, Drilla Moloney, and Takeshita shape the race for the semifinals.

Plus: – TNA builds toward Emergence with Trick Williams vs. Moose – AEW Tag Title Eliminator Tournament heats up – Vince McMahon cited for reckless driving after a July 24 accident – Weekly preview for RAW, Dynamite, NXT, Impact, and Collision – Upcoming events: Forbidden Door, Clash in Paris, Victory Road, and more

🎧 Episode 136 is available now. 🧷 Support us at patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern 📱 Follow @TurnbuckleTavern on all platforms for updates and bonus content.

Until next week — stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. God luck and good speed.

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from One Bad Chad and "Ol Reliable" Hoch! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!