Headlines — sports desk top stories
Ed: “Let’s kick things off with three stories that have been hanging over the whole wrestling landscape this week.”
- Ilja Dragunov’s next move After his WWE exit, Ilja has been weighing options and talking with multiple promotions. Reports say AEW has shown interest, but he’s also been linked to international companies that value hard‑hitting, tournament‑style wrestling. He’s made it clear he wants creative freedom and opponents who can match his intensity, wherever he lands.
- AEW Collision ratings The latest Collision numbers show a modest dip from the previous week but still a solid hold in the core demo. The show remains steady rather than explosive—strong enough to justify its slot, but not yet a breakout ratings force. The takeaway is that AEW has a reliable Saturday anchor, even if it’s not surging.
- AEW Continental Classic date AEW announced the 2026 Continental Classic will kick off on November 18 in Denver, Colorado. The round‑robin format returns, and early chatter suggests another stacked field of heavy hitters and workhorses, making it one of the company’s tent‑pole projects for the winter.
Gordon: “Future moves, current numbers, and a tournament date circled on the calendar—that’s the backdrop for everything else we’re about to walk through at the sports desk.”
Ring of Honor (ROH)
Ed: “Let’s start with ROH, where Honor Club continues to be the home base for long‑form wrestling and layered cards.”
⭐ ROH HonorClub #183
(Aired September 10, 2026)
The episode opened on a somber note with a tribute graphic honoring the late Andy “The Butcher” Williams. After the moment of remembrance, the show moved straight into the ring.
Action Andretti (c) vs. Adam Priest — ROH World TV Championship
Winner: Action Andretti (retains)
Andretti tried to steal one right out of the handshake with a quick roll‑up, but Priest wasn’t having it. The match became a tug‑of‑war between Andretti’s flashy bursts and Priest’s grounded power. Priest nearly swung momentum his way with an avalanche rana and a string of dragon screws into a half‑crab, but Andretti reversed an O’Connor Roll and grabbed the ropes to secure the three‑count.
A crafty, borderline‑questionable win for the champion.
Lacey Lane & Janai Kai vs. Maya World & Hyan
Winners: Maya World & Hyan
Kai opened the match with rapid‑fire kicks that dropped Hyan early. Lane and World followed with slick counters and pin attempts before the match broke down into fast tags and double‑team sequences.
Kai’s judo throws and suplexes gave her team a strong stretch, but a miscommunication sent Lane crashing into Kai, allowing World and Hyan to hit their elevated complete shot for the victory.
Backstage — Deonna Purrazzo & Emi Sakura
Emi Sakura approached Purrazzo with respect for her technical style and proposed teaming together. Purrazzo agreed, forming a new pairing built around pure wrestling.
Il Cartello Grillo vs. Serpentico & The Colons
Winners: Serpentico & The Colons
Serpentico’s speed gave his team the early edge, and the Colons rotated in with crisp tandem offense. Il Cartello Grillo briefly took control with heavy strikes and a spinning back suplex, but once Orlando Colon got the hot tag, the pace shifted.
After a flurry of dives and rapid exchanges, Orlando and Eddie Colon sealed the win with a superplex followed by a splash.
MxM Collection Interview
Mansoor and Mason Madden derailed the segment immediately, praising Ian Riccaboni’s commentary while teasing Caprice Coleman. The duo posed, joked, and generally turned the interview into comedic chaos. Caprice tried to keep things professional — unsuccessfully.
Rocky Romero vs. Ortiz
Winner: Rocky Romero
Romero tried to slow Ortiz down with cheap shots and arm work, but Ortiz kept firing back with chops, slams, and a suicide dive. The match turned when Trent Beretta blindsided Ortiz with a chair while the referee was distracted.
Rocky capitalized, hitting a running Shiranui to steal the win.
AR Fox & Soleil vs. Jacked Josh & Body Bundy
Winners: AR Fox & Soleil
Fox and Soleil blitzed their opponents from the opening bell with synchronized offense. Josh and Bundy briefly halted the momentum with a double‑team uranage, but Fox re‑entered with high‑octane counters.
A double back‑handspring wheelbarrow cutter ended the match decisively. Fox and Soleil were later announced to face Bandido & Komander next week.
Backstage — Action Andretti Promo
Andretti bragged about beating one of the best technical wrestlers in the world “with honor,” calling himself the most dangerous man in ROH and inviting challengers.
Jacked Jameson vs. Matt Menard
Winner: Matt Menard
Jameson ignored the handshake and spent the early minutes showing off strength rather than pressing offense. Menard weathered the power moves, countered a missed senton, and hit a Russian legsweep followed by a DDT for the win.
Next Week Announcement
Red Velvet will defend the ROH Women’s World TV Title against Remi Reade.
The Infantry vs. Alex Zayne & Mance Warner (“PsychoSauce”)
Winners: The Infantry
Warner and Zayne worked surprisingly well together, mixing brawling and aerial offense. Zayne’s springboard corkscrew moonsault nearly turned the tide, but The Infantry’s teamwork proved too sharp.
A double‑team Go2Sleep followed by “Two to the Head” put Zayne down for the three‑count.
Backstage — The Kingdom & Sparta AI
The Kingdom blamed Top Flight for costing them the tag titles at Death Before Dishonor. Their solution: hire Bryan Keith as a “bounty hunter” to help take down SkyFlight.
Steph De Lander vs. Zayda Steel
Winner: Zayda Steel
De Lander dominated early with size and strength, tossing Steel around ringside and hitting a fallaway slam. Steel fought back with strikes, a tornado DDT, and a tilt‑a‑whirl counter.
De Lander nearly won with a spear, but Steel slipped out of a fireman’s carry and rolled her up for a surprise victory.
Bang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson & The Gunns) vs. The Premier Athletes (Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari & BEEF)
Winners: Bang Bang Gang
The match swung between comedy and chaos — roaring contests, fast tags, and plenty of taunting. The Premier Athletes isolated Juice for a long stretch, but once Austin Gunn got the tag, the pace exploded.
After a barrage of finishers from both sides, Colten Gunn hit 3:10 to Yuma on BEEF to close the show.
Show Notes
- Total runtime: 1 hour, 49 minutes
- Total ring time: 1 hour, 12 minutes
- Average match length: ~8 minutes
- Next week: ROH World Champion in action, Women’s TV Title match, and more build toward Final Battle.
Gordon: “Honor Club’s rhythm is consistent: a blend of title implications, faction business, and technical showcases.”
Stardom
RESULTS
Credit: Cagematch.net
(12.09.2026) Stardom To The World 2026 – Online Stream @ Yokohama Budokan in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Pre-Show Tag Team: God’s Eye (Kiyoka Kotatsu & Lady C) defeat STARS (Matoi Hamabe & Saya Iida) (8:07)
Three Way Nine Man Tag Team: HANAKO, Utami Hayashishita & Waka Tsukiyama defeat HATE (Fukigen Death, Konami & Ruaka) and Mi Vida Loca (Itsuki Aoki & Rina Yamashita) & Saori Anou (8:00)
Fuwa-chan & FWC (Hazuki & Koguma) defeat Kikyo Furusawa, Maki Ito & Rian (8:30)
Bea Priestley defeats Anne Kanaya (7:20)
God’s Eye (Hina & Syuri) defeat HATE (Azusa Inaba & Rina) (8:38)
Future Of Stardom Title: Ranna Yagami (c) defeats Akira Kurogane (12:56)
Artist Of Stardom Title: Triangle Of Madness (Julia Hart, Skye Blue & Thekla) (c) defeat Cosmic Angels (Aya Sakura, Natsupoi & Yuna Mizumori) (13:32)
Goddesses Of Stardom Title: Neo Genesis (AZM & Miyu Amasaki) (c) defeat HATE (Momo Watanabe & Saya Kamitani) (22:45)
Wonder Of Stardom Title: Hanan (c) defeats Ami Sourei (16:52)
World Of Stardom Title No Disqualification: Suzu Suzuki (c) defeats Natsuko Tora (22:52)
Ed: “Over in Japan, Stardom’s calendar has been packed with tournament blocks, title defenses, and faction reshuffles.”
Gordon: “Stardom’s week has been about keeping its championships tight and its factions busy—lots of moving pieces, but all in service of long‑term arcs.”
wXw — since September 7, 2026
Ed: “Now to Germany, where wXw has been juggling news and in‑ring action.”
NEWS
Credit: wxw-wrestling.com
- Tim Bosby coming to wXw: The promotion announced Bosby’s arrival, positioning him as a fresh face for upcoming cards.
- Killer Kelly vs. Steph De Lander at Extreme Wrestling Party: A marquee match announced for a special event, promising a hard‑hitting clash between two physically imposing wrestlers.
- Mett TV / Pro Wrestling Grand Prix news: wXw promoted the premiere of a Grand Prix‑style project, hinting at a tournament or series that will spotlight multiple talents over several episodes.
Gordon: “wXw’s week has been about announcements and structure—new faces, special attractions, and a Grand Prix concept that fits their love of tournaments.”
Pro Wrestling NOAH
Ed: “NOAH continues to lean into its identity: big strikes, veteran presence, and a mix of classic and modern styles.”
RESULTS
Credit: Cagematch.net
(12.09.2026) NOAH N-1 Victory 2026 – Tag 1 – Online Stream @ Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan
N-1 Victory 2026 Block A: Yoshiki Inamura [2] defeats Yuki Iino [0] (10:42)
N-1 Victory 2026 Block B: Masa Kitamiya [2] defeats Tetsuya Endo [0] (6:48)
N-1 Victory 2026 Block A: Shane Haste [2] defeats Kazuyuki Fujita [0] (10:48)
N-1 Victory 2026 Block B: Manabu Soya [2] defeats KENTA [0] (11:21)
N-1 Victory 2026 Block A: CHEN [2] defeats Takashi Sugiura [0] (10:30)
N-1 Victory 2026 Block B: Titus Alexander [2] defeats Kenoh [0] (14:49)
N-1 Victory 2026 Block A: Kaito Kiyomiya [2] defeats Alpha Wolf [0] (12:16)
N-1 Victory 2026 Block B: OZAWA [2] defeats Kouga [0] (19:36)
Gordon: “NOAH’s week is less about surprises and more about consistency—delivering the kind of wrestling its fanbase expects, with enough twists to keep the main event scene interesting.”
All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW)
Ed: “AJPW has been quietly steady, running cards that mix nostalgia with current‑day workhorses.”
RESULTS
Credit: Cagematch.net
(13.09.2026) AJPW Oudou Tournament 2026 – Tag 3 – Online Stream @ Kissei Bunka Hall Medium Hall in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
Timothy Thatcher defeats Shota Kofuji (6:57)
Daisuke Sekimoto, Kuma Arashi & Ryuki Honda defeat Hideki Suzuki, Hokuto Omori & Ryuji Hijikata (8:29)
MUSASHI & Seiki Yoshioka defeat Dan Tamura & Yasutaka Yano (15:09)
HAVOC (Oddyssey, Shotaro Ashino & Xyon) defeat Kento Miyahara, Ren Ayabe & Rising HAYATO (13:32)
Oudou Tournament 2026 First Round: Yuma Anzai defeats Rei Saito (11:23)
Oudou Tournament 2026 First Round: Yuma Aoyagi defeats Jun Saito (20:20)
(12.09.2026) AJPW Oudou Tournament 2026 – Tag 2 – Online Stream @ Kurobe City General Gymnasium Main Arena in Kurobe, Toyama, Japan
Hokuto Omori & Ren Ayabe defeat Toyama Black Ramen Man No. 1 & Toyama Black Ramen Man No. 2 (6:54)
Hideki Suzuki, Timothy Thatcher & Yasutaka Yano defeat Kento Miyahara, Rising HAYATO & Shota Kofuji (12:52)
Saito Brothers (Jun Saito & Rei Saito) & Seiki Yoshioka defeat Dan Tamura, Yuma Anzai & Yuma Aoyagi (13:45)
Oudou Tournament 2026 First Round: Daisuke Sekimoto defeats Shotaro Ashino (13:18)
Oudou Tournament 2026 First Round: Xyon defeats Oddyssey (11:18)
Oudou Tournament 2026 First Round: Ryuki Honda defeats Kuma Arashi (21:57)
(09.09.2026) AJPW Oudou Tournament 2026 – Tag 1 – Online Stream @ Shinagawa Prince Hotel Stellar Ball in Tokyo, Japan
Dan Tamura, Hokuto Omori & Seigo Tachibana defeat Daisuke Sekimoto, MUSASHI & Yuya Aoki (9:44)
HAVOC (Oddyssey, Shotaro Ashino & Xyon) defeat Kuma Arashi, Ryuki Honda & Yasutaka Yano (8:43)
Shota Kofuji, Yuma Anzai & Yuma Aoyagi defeat Saito Brothers (Jun Saito & Rei Saito) & Rising HAYATO (10:48)
Oudou Tournament 2026 First Round: Timothy Thatcher defeats Hideki Suzuki (15:24)
Oudou Tournament 2026 First Round: Kento Miyahara defeats Hyo Ogawa (10:54)
Oudou Tournament 2026 First Round: Go Shiozaki defeats Ren Ayabe (22:27)
Gordon: “AJPW’s week has been about maintaining its lane: solid cards, veteran presence, and a slow burn toward bigger title matches.”
News & rumors across ROH, Stardom, wXw, NOAH, AJPW
Ed: “Let’s hit the broader chatter tying these promotions together.”
- ROH: Ongoing questions about how much AEW talent will cycle through Honor Club tapings, and whether ROH will get another standalone major event before year’s end.
- Stardom: Speculation about future cross‑promotional matches and whether certain champions might appear abroad once current tournaments wrap.
- wXw: Buzz around Killer Kelly vs. Steph De Lander and curiosity about how the Grand Prix project will be structured.
- NOAH: Talk about potential international tours and which heavyweights might be positioned as crossover attractions.
- AJPW: Rumors of more collaboration with other Japanese promotions to bolster cards and share talent.
Gordon: “Everyone’s looking at the same horizon: tournaments, crossovers, and how to keep their rosters fresh without losing their identity.”
Power Rankings
- Ema Maishima, Maika & Mei Seira 3-0 CMLL
- Okumura & Shoma Kato 2-0 CMLL
- The Hard Way (Dalton McKenzie & Jack Vaughn) (NWA Chicago & United States Tag Team Champions) 2-0 NWA Chicago, NWA
- Timothy Thatcher 2-0 AJPW
- Tyler Franks 2-0 NWA Kross Fire
- Aaron Wolf (NEVER Openweight Champion), Taichi & Yuya Uemura 2-0 NJPW
- HAVOC (Oddyssey, Shotaro Ashino & Xyon) 2-0 AJPW
- House of Torture (Dick Togo, DOUKI & SHO) 2-0 NJPW
- Jay Three 2-0 OVW
- Lovely Miss Larkin 2-0 OVW
- Mistico (CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion, NJPW World Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, ROH World Tag Team Champion, CMLL World Trios Champion) 1-0 CMLL
- Los Divinos Laguneros (Blue Panther, Blue Panther Jr., Dark Panther & Hijo de Blue Panther) 1-0 CMLL
- Templario (CMLL & MLW World Middleweight Champion) 1-0 CMLL
- Mistico (CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion, NJPW World Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, ROH World Tag Team Champion, CMLL World Trios Champion), Star Jr. & Templario (CMLL & MLW World Middleweight Champion) 1-0 CMLL
- Euforia, Soberano Jr. & Titan (CMLL World Welterweight Champion) 1-0 CMLL
- Mascara Dorada (World Historic Welterweight Champion, CMLL World Trios Champion & ROH World Tag Team Champion) & Titan (CMLL World Welterweight Champion) 1-0 CMLL
- Barbaro Cavernario, Soberano Jr. & Yutani 1-0 CMLL
- Los Hermanos Chavez (Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja) (CMLL World Tag Team Champions, NJPW STRONG Tag Team Champions) 1-0 CMLL
- Los Villanos (El Hijo del Villano III & Villano III Jr.) & Volador Jr. 1-0 CMLL
- La Fuerza Tapatia (Esfinge, Fugaz, Gallo Jr. & Star Black) 1-0 CMLL
- Draego, Dulce Gardenia & Neon (CMLL World Trios Champion) 1-0 CMLL
- Maika & Mei Seira 1-0 CMLL
- Los Bestia Del Diablo (Akuma, Gemelo Diablo I & Gemelo Diablo II) 1-0 CMLL
- Meyer & Tiger Boy (CMLL Arena Puebla Tag Team Champions) 1-0 CMLL
- Ema Maishima 1-0 CMLL
Closing — sports desk sign‑off
Ed: “And that brings us to the end of another whirlwind week across the wrestling world — from ROH’s technical showcases to Stardom’s faction battles, wXw’s tournament announcements, NOAH’s heavyweight grit, and All Japan’s steady march toward its next big title shake‑up. Every promotion moved a piece on the board, every roster added a wrinkle, and every match told its own story.”
Gordon: “What stands out is how different these companies are, yet how clearly each one knows its identity. ROH leans into precision, Stardom thrives on speed and structure, wXw keeps building its tournament backbone, NOAH stays anchored in impact, and AJPW continues blending its past with its present. Five lanes, five philosophies — all pushing forward at once.”