WB Weekly Report (Feb 26, 2023): Mercedes Mone wins NJPW Title, Jay White done with NJPW, Josh Alexander, Bray Wyatt and many more.
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It’s that time again when the team reviews professional wrestling’s top 5 news stories.
Here’s a quick preview: NJPW maintains significant momentum outside their home base. Acquisitions like Mercedes Mone give the organization more reach into multiple markets like North America. Impact Wrestling is getting people’s attention extensively, even with fans only viewing WWE & AEW. Stars Josh Alexander & Mickie James help elevate Impact & they demand respect from the wrestling masses.
A wrestling pioneer Keiji Muto finishes a storybook career. His legacy & career influences more youthful generations will proceed. Several try to duplicate Muto’s innovation & longevity. There is only one legend. Thank you, Keiji Muto, for giving back to your supporters. What a triumphant career!
New programming for Tony Khan & AEW! Congratulations are in order.
Bray Wyatt remains mysterious in WWE.
Introducing the Top 5 Headlines:
1. New Japan highlights/ new IWGP Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone, Jay White finished with NJPW, & CM Punk attends
Wrestling enthusiasts gathered to view NJ PW’s premier event, “ Battle in the Valley, “ live from San Jose, Ca, last Saturday night -February 18th. Mercedes Mone created additional history following one magnificent championship encounter with the IWGP Women’s Champion, Kairi Sane. She emerged victorious by thrilling her new audience. Mone can add IWGP Women’s Champion to an impressive list of accomplishments.
An era ended when the former champion & stalwart Jay White ended his momentous run concerning New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Also, relating to the Battle in the Valley, Switchblade was defeated by AEW’s Eddie Kingston in a ‘Loser Leaves NJPW bout.’ Afterward, Dave Finlay would attack White during a promo.
Do we see Jay White in WWE or AEW? Possibly somewhere else.
CM Punk attended Battle in the Valley! The ex-WWE & AEW Champion had social media alongside wrestling publications talking after photos showed him at this grand spectacle. Punk knows how to excite people even if he’s not competing. Remember, CM Punk is still under contract for AEW.
2. Two Impact Wrestling Champions retain
Everyone converses regarding WWE and All-Elite Wrestling. Let’s not overlook what Impact is recently achieving. Their loyal fanbase would assert you should include us in that dialogue. Over the few years, this promotion desired respect.
At No Surrender, it continued with two fantastic headliners.
This week, Josh Alexander survived to retain the Impact World Championship against Rich Swann. He’s a weaponized technical machine. Swann brings extraordinary innovation. Mickie James reminded her formidable opponent Masha Slamovich about the legendary Hardcore Country fighting attitude. James remarkably conquered. Still Knockouts Women’s Champion-Mickie James!!!
3. Keiji Muto retires
Internationally spectators became amazed by his creative wrestling style. Keiji Muto inspired generations of professional wrestlers beyond Japan. Most audiences recall his epic portrayal as “ The Great Muta! “ in Japan, North America, & elsewhere.
This past Tuesday, Feb. 21st, represented a thirty-eight-year career finishing inside the Tokyo Dome for when Pro Wrestling Noah presents Keiji Muto-Grand Final/Pro -Wrestling’ Last Love’ event. He took a loss from the opposition he selected in Tetsuya Naito. Muto shocked fans and invited long-time rival Masahiro Chono to an impromptu matchup. He suffered another loss.
His accolades: 4-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion & Tag Team Champion. NWA World Title & TV Title holder. Four-times All Japan Pro Wrestling World Tag-Team Champ.
We have so much respect for Muto.
4. AEW Announcement & WON Awards
Tony Khan on AEW Dynamite introduced AEW star Adam Cole to inform viewers of a new unscripted All-Access series that debuts next month on TBS. Also, Cole makes his in-ring return on the same night the new program premieres. Its focus highlights AEW talent from week to week.
The 2022 Wrestling Observer News Awards.
Wrestler of the Year: Jon Moxley
Tag Team of the Year: FTR
Promotion of the Year: AEW
Match of the Year: Okada vs. Ospreay
Women’s Wrestling MVP: Syuri
Feud of the Year: FTR vs. The Briscoes
Most Underrated: Konosuke Takeshita
5. What is Bray Wyatt doing?
Bray Wyatt understands the horror-themed story-telling presentation. Many traditionally founded populace feel ole’ Bray is embarrassing professional wrestling. Others express bizarre joy whenever Wyatt appears on their tv screens. He’s found his niche with WWE presenting a more sports-entertainment-oriented product that allows these over-the-top characters to experiment with unique ideas & they’re not always popular. Just ask contemporary wrestling fans as well.
Friday Night SmackDown saw Bray Wyatt’s Firefly Funhouse return. You couldn’t turn away. Let me say depending on who one asks. Fans may respond positively or negatively to what the WWE Universe witnessed.
Suddenly, his funhouse went from happy to dark featuring hard-rock music. I believe Bray’s voice said, Lie for me. He mentioned that The Beast is Rising. The TV gets invaded by Uncle Howdy then a puppeteer plays with two undertaker figures. Bray acts silly while watching his promo from last week’s SmackDown, where he challenged the winner of Bobby Lashley & Brock Lesnar via Elimination Chamber & it was Lashley. Bray warned them they should run. We see Lashley’s promo on Raw. The Almighty mentions Wyatt.
News anchor Bray Wyatt with Ramblin’ Rabbitt introduces Funhouse News. Uncle Howdy is forecasting the weather. Bray hosts a game show titled Can You Keep A Secret. He’s wearing a blonde hairpiece. Women from ’50s or ’60s television are screaming as Wyatt morphed into Elvis or The Beatles. We hear this creepy voice showing scary images & Howdy’s face appears & some frightened lady’s voice is in the background. Bray’s in a mask & states, “ If I told you a story, could you keep a secret? “
I’m hallucinating just watching this segment.
I don’t know what Bray Wyatt is up to &! It’s weirdly bizarre. Could Alexa Bliss be the woman whose voice we heard? Maybe more members will identify themselves, or is this another strange Wyatt personality?
I’ll keep my opinions to myself about Bray Wyatt.
It concludes our Weekly Report & thanks for stopping by.
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Stay tuned next week as more news transpires involving wrestling.