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Acefield Retro and Chad are back for Wrestling Tonight, and Episode 150 lands during one of the biggest weeks of the year. AEW is heading to Greensboro next Wednesday for Blood and Guts, live on TBS and HBO Max, with an expanded two-and-a-half-hour broadcast that feels closer to a pay-per-view than a weekly show. Hangman Page does battle against Powerhouse Hobbs in a Falls Count Anywhere match, the fifth men's Blood and Guts takes place, and for the first time ever, the women get their turn inside the cage. Greensboro isn't just another stop—it's the birthplace of WarGames, and AEW is honoring that legacy with a lineup that blends history, chaos, and spectacle.
While AEW doubles down on its roots, WWE is rewriting its global playbook. Beginning in 2026, the company will run three Premium Live Events in Saudi Arabia, starting with Royal Rumble: Riyadh. The strategy is paying off in a big way. WWE officially surpassed UFC in both revenue and profit this quarter, powered by massive site fees and fewer but bigger shows. Nick Khan calls it "strategic scarcity," and the numbers prove him right. Fewer events, fuller arenas, higher prices, and bigger energy. Triple H continues to steer creative toward long-term storytelling, trading shock moments for layered narratives. The road to WrestleMania 43 runs through Montreal, Riyadh, and San Diego, with each stop feeling like a blockbuster on its own.
Chelsea Green might be the story of the week. She reclaimed the Women's United States Championship on SmackDown, just days after winning the AAA Mixed Tag Titles with Ethan Page. Her rise from comic relief to crossover champion shows how WWE's new era is connecting international stories with mainline programming. AEW stirred its own headlines by unveiling the National Championship, sparking backlash from the NWA, who claim Tony Khan hijacked their legacy. Legal battles, brand pride, and a healthy dose of ego are turning a simple belt unveiling into one of the year's most intriguing real-world rivalries.
Behind the scenes, AEW quietly moved its training and storage hub from Florida to Nashville, signaling a shift in infrastructure. Darby Allin celebrated a personal milestone as his long-awaited skatepark project with Tony Hawk was approved in Georgia, turning his offbeat persona into a real community legacy. In WWE, Drew McIntyre's meltdown and suspension following his attack on Cody Rhodes showed how fragile redemption arcs can be, while Ridge Holland's early release after his injury highlighted the harsh business side of the sport.
And in Japan, the biggest emotional announcement of the year became official. Kazuchika Okada will face Hiroshi Tanahashi in Tanahashi's retirement match at Wrestle Kingdom 20. It's the final chapter in one of wrestling's greatest rivalries, a torch-passing moment that connects generations and promotions across the world.
Outside the ring, the sports world is battling its own integrity crisis. The UFC is under FBI investigation for another betting scandal, and NBA figures like Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier were charged in a federal gambling probe. These headlines cast a long shadow over sports entertainment as TKO navigates its dual ownership of WWE and UFC. As gambling expands across platforms, the line between competition and speculation grows thinner. Protecting legitimacy will matter just as much as growing profit.
Episode 150 captures wrestling at a crossroads. AEW is refining its identity, WWE is globalizing its empire, and TKO is turning the entire industry into a corporate powerhouse. The business is bigger than ever, but it's still driven by the same thing that always made it work—real stories, human stakes, and the pull of seeing what happens next.
Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL, the clean energy that keeps you locked in for late-night shows and long nights on the mic. Save 20 percent with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. And don't forget the ultimate prank gift—the official Dick Lazer—available now at DickLazers.com, also 20 percent off with code TAVERN. Support independent wrestling media, join the conversation, and as always, keep it Tavern.
By Turnbuckle Tavern4.9
5252 ratings
Acefield Retro and Chad are back for Wrestling Tonight, and Episode 150 lands during one of the biggest weeks of the year. AEW is heading to Greensboro next Wednesday for Blood and Guts, live on TBS and HBO Max, with an expanded two-and-a-half-hour broadcast that feels closer to a pay-per-view than a weekly show. Hangman Page does battle against Powerhouse Hobbs in a Falls Count Anywhere match, the fifth men's Blood and Guts takes place, and for the first time ever, the women get their turn inside the cage. Greensboro isn't just another stop—it's the birthplace of WarGames, and AEW is honoring that legacy with a lineup that blends history, chaos, and spectacle.
While AEW doubles down on its roots, WWE is rewriting its global playbook. Beginning in 2026, the company will run three Premium Live Events in Saudi Arabia, starting with Royal Rumble: Riyadh. The strategy is paying off in a big way. WWE officially surpassed UFC in both revenue and profit this quarter, powered by massive site fees and fewer but bigger shows. Nick Khan calls it "strategic scarcity," and the numbers prove him right. Fewer events, fuller arenas, higher prices, and bigger energy. Triple H continues to steer creative toward long-term storytelling, trading shock moments for layered narratives. The road to WrestleMania 43 runs through Montreal, Riyadh, and San Diego, with each stop feeling like a blockbuster on its own.
Chelsea Green might be the story of the week. She reclaimed the Women's United States Championship on SmackDown, just days after winning the AAA Mixed Tag Titles with Ethan Page. Her rise from comic relief to crossover champion shows how WWE's new era is connecting international stories with mainline programming. AEW stirred its own headlines by unveiling the National Championship, sparking backlash from the NWA, who claim Tony Khan hijacked their legacy. Legal battles, brand pride, and a healthy dose of ego are turning a simple belt unveiling into one of the year's most intriguing real-world rivalries.
Behind the scenes, AEW quietly moved its training and storage hub from Florida to Nashville, signaling a shift in infrastructure. Darby Allin celebrated a personal milestone as his long-awaited skatepark project with Tony Hawk was approved in Georgia, turning his offbeat persona into a real community legacy. In WWE, Drew McIntyre's meltdown and suspension following his attack on Cody Rhodes showed how fragile redemption arcs can be, while Ridge Holland's early release after his injury highlighted the harsh business side of the sport.
And in Japan, the biggest emotional announcement of the year became official. Kazuchika Okada will face Hiroshi Tanahashi in Tanahashi's retirement match at Wrestle Kingdom 20. It's the final chapter in one of wrestling's greatest rivalries, a torch-passing moment that connects generations and promotions across the world.
Outside the ring, the sports world is battling its own integrity crisis. The UFC is under FBI investigation for another betting scandal, and NBA figures like Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier were charged in a federal gambling probe. These headlines cast a long shadow over sports entertainment as TKO navigates its dual ownership of WWE and UFC. As gambling expands across platforms, the line between competition and speculation grows thinner. Protecting legitimacy will matter just as much as growing profit.
Episode 150 captures wrestling at a crossroads. AEW is refining its identity, WWE is globalizing its empire, and TKO is turning the entire industry into a corporate powerhouse. The business is bigger than ever, but it's still driven by the same thing that always made it work—real stories, human stakes, and the pull of seeing what happens next.
Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL, the clean energy that keeps you locked in for late-night shows and long nights on the mic. Save 20 percent with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. And don't forget the ultimate prank gift—the official Dick Lazer—available now at DickLazers.com, also 20 percent off with code TAVERN. Support independent wrestling media, join the conversation, and as always, keep it Tavern.

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