Fans, welcome back to the sports desk—where we track everything from national TV tapings to the indie heartbeat underneath it all.
Headlines
Dynamite viewership and ratings
Ed: “Let’s open with the numbers that show just how hard the wrestling world rallied this week.”
The September 30, 2026 episode of AEW Dynamite—the tribute show for PAC—averaged 899,000 viewers, a 24% jump from the previous week’s 723,000 and AEW’s highest TV audience in nearly three years. The 18–49 demo hit 0.22, up 38% from 0.16 and matching the best demo number since November 2024. The show finished second in prime‑time cable for the night, underscoring how strongly fans tuned in to see how AEW would honor PAC’s legacy.
Gordon: “From a metrics standpoint, that’s a clear signal—emotion, stakes, and a unified locker room can move the needle in a big way.”
Wrestlers that inspired Zayda Steel
AEW’s Zayda Steel recently talked about the wrestlers who shaped her as a fan. Growing up, she gravitated toward the WWE Divas and Women’s Champions—AJ Lee, the Four Horsewomen, Kelly Kelly—and on the men’s side, larger‑than‑life figures like The Undertaker and even The Boogeyman, whose character work she says still “traumatizes” her in the best way. That early fandom came full circle when she wrestled Mercedes Moné on AEW Collision this past August.
Gordon: “You can see that influence in her presentation—big personality, modern women’s wrestling pace, and a taste for characters that feel larger than the ring they’re in.”
Jim Ross on Tommy End
On his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross weighed in on Tommy End’s turbulent last few years—leaving AEW in early 2025, returning to WWE later that year, and being released again after WrestleMania 42. Ross praised End as “a hell of a hand” with a unique look who can work both babyface and heel, but added that End “needs to get off the drama train” and stop dwelling on past frustrations if he wants to stabilize his career. Ross also noted that End will find work and didn’t rule out a future landing spot like TNA, even if he doesn’t regularly watch their programming.
Ed: “In other words, the talent is there—the question is whether the focus can match it.”
MLW Fusion – October 1, 2026
Ed: “Now, partner, let’s slide over to Major League Wrestling, where Fusion delivered a compact card with some big implications.”
Killer Kross, Dijak, Bishop and Riddle – opening confrontation
The show opened at the Melrose Ballroom with MLW World Heavyweight Champion Killer Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux in the ring. Kross declared it “a beautiful day” to be champion, only to be interrupted by Donovan Dijak and Josh Bishop. Dijak dubbed himself “the captain” and Bishop “the kid,” which didn’t sit well with Bishop. Matt Riddle then hit the ring, and a four‑way brawl broke out. Kross grabbed the mic and demanded a New York City street fight, setting the tone for the heavyweight picture going forward.
Templario vs Soberano Jr.
Result: Templario defeated Soberano Jr.
The opener was a high‑end lucha showcase. They traded fast counters early, with Soberano repeatedly tugging at Templario’s mask to gain an edge. As the match escalated, they hit big spots—Canadian Destroyer, twisting press, and a barrage of near falls—before Templario finally put Soberano away with a modified backbreaker/lumbar‑check style finish.
Gordon: “That bout was a textbook example of modern lucha—mask psychology, athletic escalation, and a decisive finish that still leaves room for a rematch.”
MLW pay‑per‑view announcement
Commentary confirmed MLW’s return to pay‑per‑view with Saturday Night SuperFight on November 7 at Cicero Stadium in the Chicago area, a venue MLW has used before. The show is positioned as a major event, with street fights and title matches expected to anchor the card.
Contra and Masha Slamovich
A vignette aired confirming Masha Slamovich has officially joined CONTRA, adding a dangerous new piece to the faction and giving MLW’s women’s division a clear top‑tier threat aligned with one of the promotion’s most notorious groups.
Mark Coffey vs Beastman (Lightning Match)
Result: Mark Coffey defeated Beastman (with Kim Chee).
In a 10‑minute “lightning” match, Beastman dominated early with corner offense and a rolling cannonball. Interference from Wolfgang and Joe Coffey distracted Beastman, causing him to miss a Vader Bomb. Mark capitalized with a spin kick to the head for the tainted pin. Post‑match, he called out the Good Brothers, declaring that Gallus is coming for the MLW Tag Team Titles.
Gordon: “Classic tag‑division chess—use a singles match to send a message and set the table for a future title challenge.”
H.A.T.E (Rina & Saya Kamitani) vs Shotzi Blackheart & Lady Frost
Result: H.A.T.E (Rina & Saya Kamitani) defeated Shotzi Blackheart & Lady Frost.
The main event put Stardom’s Saya Kamitani and Rina—working under the H.A.T.E banner—against Shotzi Blackheart and Lady Frost. H.A.T.E scored the win, and the post‑match angle saw Frost and Shotzi brawling with each other, hinting at tension and possible dissolution of their alliance.
Ed: “You bring in international talent, you get international‑level fallout—partners turning on each other, factions staking their claim.”
MLW week: news and direction
- Production and taping cadence: Fusion continues to air episodes taped earlier in the year, but the production quality at Melrose Ballroom has drawn praise, giving MLW a consistent visual identity.
- Heavyweight scene: Kross vs Dijak vs Bishop vs Riddle is clearly the central heavyweight story, with the teased street fight likely to anchor an upcoming episode or PPV.
- Tag division: Gallus (Mark, Joe, Wolfgang) signaling their intent toward the Good Brothers’ titles adds a European flavor to MLW’s tag picture.
- Women’s division: Masha joining CONTRA and H.A.T.E’s win over Shotzi & Frost both point to a more defined women’s hierarchy, with faction warfare as the backbone.
Gordon: “Structurally, MLW is leaning on factions and international partnerships to differentiate itself—smart positioning in a crowded market.”
Women Of Wrestling (WOW) – latest episode and landscape
Ed: “From MLW’s hybrid style, we pivot to WOW—where the focus is squarely on superhero presentation and women’s wrestling as the main event, not the side dish.”
Latest WOW TV results (Superheroes #193–194 snapshot)
The most recent block of WOW Superheroes episodes leading into late summer reshaped the title scene:
- WOW Superheroes #193 – Power Shift (Aug 22, 2026)
- Gloria Glitter & Keta Rush defeated Top Tier (Coach Campanelli & Kandi Krush).
- Miami’s Sweet Heat (Laurie & Lindsey Carlson) defeated Animal Instinct (Goldie Collins & Katarina Jinx).
- WOW World Championship: Santana Garrett defeated Penelope Pink (with Lana Star) to become champion, marking a major title change.
- WOW Superheroes #194 – Trios, Triumphs & Tragedies (Aug 29, 2026)
- Top Tier (Coach Campanelli, Gloria Glitter & Kandi Krush) defeated Team Spirit (Ariel Sky, Pep Riley & Sasha Sparks).
- WOW Trios Title: Top Tier vs Monsters And Metal (Chainsaw, Daisy Lane & Fury) ended in a no contest.
- Full Metal Massacre – WOW Trios Title: Monsters And Metal defeated Top Tier to win the Trios Championships.
Since then, WOW has focused on building around Santana’s reign and the fallout from Top Tier’s internal drama.
Gordon: “You’ve got a new singles champion, trios belts in monster hands, and a tag division in flux—that’s a lot of moving parts for one promotion.”
Santana Garrett’s journey (Fox feature)
A recent feature highlighted Santana Garrett choosing pro wrestling over a more traditional teaching career path, emphasizing how WOW gave her a platform to become a top champion after stints in WWE, AEW, and TNA. The piece underscored her decision to commit fully to wrestling, her pride in representing WOW as world champion, and the role of Jeanie Buss in backing the promotion as a serious, women‑centered brand.
Ed: “That’s the kind of story that makes a belt feel bigger—when the champion’s journey is about risk, sacrifice, and a clear choice to bet on herself.”
WOW Official Podcast – recent episodes
The WOW podcast with Nigel Zane and David McLane has been busy:
- Episode 27: Kandi Krush Calls the Shots – Krush reacts to the slap heard around WOW, questions Coach Campanelli’s leadership of Top Tier, and hints at going solo.
- Episode 30: Loca Locks It Down – Loca revisits her history with Caged Heat and the early WOW tag scene, tying past eras to the current roster.
- Episode 31: Sophia Lopez Holds Court – Sophia breaks down her role as “The World’s Greatest Attorney,” revisiting her work with Caged Heat, Serpentine, Nikki Krampus, and others, reinforcing how managers and non‑wrestling characters shape WOW’s identity.
Gordon: “The podcast is doing the heavy lifting on lore—filling in backstory, explaining alliances, and giving fans a reason to care beyond bell‑to‑bell.”
MLW & WOW – week‑long themes
- Faction focus: CONTRA in MLW and groups like Monsters And Metal, The Enlightened, and Top Tier in WOW show both promotions leaning into units as storytelling engines.
- International flavor: MLW’s use of Templario, Soberano Jr., Saya Kamitani, and Rina, plus WOW’s mix of U.S. and international talent, keeps both rosters feeling global rather than regional.
- Women’s wrestling as centerpiece: WOW is built entirely around women, and MLW’s integration of women’s main events and Masha’s CONTRA role shows a broader trend toward women’s matches anchoring cards rather than filling them out.
Ed: “Taken together, you’ve got two promotions carving out distinct lanes—MLW as a hybrid, faction‑heavy battleground, WOW as a superhero‑driven women’s universe.”
Everything Indy Wrestling – Facebook group spotlight
Ed: “Before we close, let’s drop down from TV tapings to the social layer that keeps the indie world connected.”
The Everything Indy Wrestling Facebook group has been active with posts from:
- Jeff Rich – sharing results, photos, and commentary from various independent shows, often highlighting under‑the‑radar talent and regional cards.
- Midwest Wrestling Coalition – promoting events, talent announcements, and cross‑promotion efforts across the Midwest, giving smaller promotions a shared platform.
- Australian Indie Wrestling – posting about shows, tours, and standout performers from Australia’s scene, reminding fans that the indie conversation is truly global.
You can find the group here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1052875778065763
Closing from the sports desk
Ed: “So in one stretch of days, we’ve watched MLW roll out a Fusion built on Kross, Dijak, Bishop, Riddle, and a standout lucha bout; seen H.A.T.E and Saya Kamitani shake up the women’s scene; watched WOW settle into a new era with Santana Garrett on top and Monsters And Metal holding trios gold; heard Zayda Steel talk about the heroes who shaped her; and listened to Jim Ross challenge Tommy End to leave the drama behind.”
Gordon: “Layer that over Dynamite’s ratings surge and the chatter inside Everything Indy Wrestling, and you see the full picture: major promotions pushing stories on TV, women’s wrestling taking center stage, and indie communities keeping the pipeline alive from the Midwest to Australia.”
Ed: “From the sports desk, keep your eyes on MLW and WOW as their factions and champions define the next chapter—and don’t sleep on the indie posts that might be introducing you to tomorrow’s headliners. We’ll be right here to call the next round with you.”
