This week, the world of pro wrestling was in for a big treat. WWE’s developmental brand NXT started its “Gold Rush” week, featuring high-profile matches with champions and seasoned WWE superstars. AEW put on a phenomenal pay-per-view event with NJPW called Forbidden Door that featured some of the best wrestling I’ve seen in weeks. Unfortunately, that event came with Bryan Danielson suffering a fractured right forearm, which likely means he’ll be out of wrestling action for the next 6-8 weeks.
On the bright side, I did get to attend this week’s WWE Friday Night Smackdown in person and had a blast. The energy wrestling fans bring to an event is unlike any other sporting event I’ve attended, and going to a live show is something I recommend for anyone, even if they’re not a wrestling fan.
Here are the top pro wrestling matches from the past week:
Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay (AEW Forbidden Door, June 25)
Two of the best wrestlers in the world proved why they’re a tier above so many others in the ring with this match last week. These wrestling veterans had to pull out all the stops on each other, as it seemed each time one of them got momentum, the other would come back with a reversal. Ospreay’s dive to Omega outside the ring was a highlight that was soon followed by him slinging Omega into the steel steps and bouncing his face off the ring post before sending him back in the ring. But Omega matched this intensity as well, from connecting with a flying knee to Ospreay’s head against the barricade outside the ring to hitting a DDT on top of the steel steps. Ospreay took the victory and won the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship from Omega.
Solo Sikoa vs. Sheamus (WWE Friday Night Smackdown, June 23)
After Solo Sikoa attacked Ridge Holland, one of Sheamus’ best friends, Sheamus challenged him to a match. The main event of the night didn’t disappoint, even though the match ended in a no contest. For a portion of the match, Sheamus looked to be in control, as he was hitting his signature moves like his devastating backbreaker and brutal chest pounds on Sikoa. But that all changed when Sikoa hit Sheamus outside the ring and started a true beating against him. He slammed Sheamus on top of the announcer’s table, dragged him to sit in front of the barricade and ran at full speed to connect with Sheamus against the barricade and break it. The referee had no choice but to call the match.
Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker (WWE NXT, June 20)
Returning to NXT was the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth “Freakin” Rollins. He faced one of NXT’s most successful stars of this era, Bron Breakker, putting the title on the line. Even with his ribs taped up from the brutality of a previous match, Rollins delivered like he always does. Rollins hit a frog splash outside the ring onto Breakker, who was situated perfectly on the announcer’s table. From Rollins’ splash and impact, the table broke, with Breakker falling to the floor. But this wasn’t the end for Breakker; as Rollins tried to hit another frog splash inside the ring, Breakker avoided it and came back with a tight submission hold on Rollins. In the end, Rollins hit Breakker with the stomp to pick up the victory.
Joe Hendry vs. Yuya Uemura (Impact, June 22)
This fast-paced match was the highlight of Impact Wrestling last week. Joe Hendry is a naturally gifted athlete that puts on a show every time he’s in a ring. From neck breakers to suplexes, Hendry could put on a clinic for perfecting these moves. The slightly quicker Yuya Uemura outpaced Hendry for part of the match, hitting a picture-perfect dropkick that rocked Hendry to the mat. Uemura matched Hendry in power but made the mistake of jumping off the top rope at a point where Hendry wasn’t tired enough. Hendry caught Uemura and hit his finishing move, the Hendry Slam, for the victory, causing Uemura’s first title opportunity in Impact Wrestling to end with a loss.
Across the board, this was a great week for professional wrestling. AEW’s Forbidden Door will be hard to beat, but WWE has amazing storylines and matches in place for its next pay-per-view event, Money In the Bank, which takes place on July 1.
“Sports Entertainment Solidified” is a pro wrestling column by Maddy Myer that runs every Monday.