Welcome to Weekly Primer, our early-in-the-week feature that lays out what’s on tap for the week ahead in the world of professional wrestling. Get caught-up on what’s trending and what to expect from the world’s top wrestling promotions.
Here are some of the top stories in wrestling we’re tracking as we start the week:
WWE/AEW Television Contract Maneuvering
The biggest story right now in wrestling behind the scenes continues to be the future for WWE Monday Night Raw and AEW’s portfolio of shows.
Last week, word came out that WWE has reportedly had some talks with Warner Bros. Discovery about moving Raw to TNT or TBS, the current home of AEW. Nobody is to be sure how much interest WBD has in paying out for WWE content, or the kind of ramifications this would have on AEW. From all indications, WBD has been very happy with AEW’s performance on the networks (typically finishing in the top five on cable television).
Nobody outside of a handful of executives likely knows just how serious the WWE/WBD discussions really are. That being said, the latest episode of Top Rope Nation covered what is known right now, and you can view that show at this link over on the SEScoops YouTube channel.
AEW Continental Classic Continues To Dominate
AEW’s Continental Classic continues to be the highlight of television for Tony Khan’s promotion. Last week’s Dynamite and Collision episodes were must-see television for anyone who likes good pro wrestling, and that should continue with this week’s shows with another great slate of tournament matches (full list on the weekly schedule below).
We are getting down to the closing rounds of the tournament, with the semi-finals scheduled to take place next week before the finals occur at the Worlds End PPV event on December 30.
AJ Styles Is Back
AJ Styles made his anticipated return to WWE on last Friday’s edition of SmackDown, and he has Roman Reigns in his sights. Styles saved Randy Orton and LA Knight from The Bloodline, then took out Knight himself and walked off, seemingly turning heel in the process.
This week on SmackDown, Styles will take on Solo Sikoa, but both Orton and Knight seem to be in the mix for a title shot at Reigns. Will we have a multi-man match against Reigns at the Royal Rumble in January, or will one of these match rise above the rest? We should find out soon.
CM Punk’s First WWE Match Looms
CM Punk will finally step between the ropes in a match for WWE again very soon. Punk has been announced for two matches now, both against Dominik Mysterio.
Punk will wrestle Mysterio at the WWE live event at Madison Square Garden next week, on December 26. He’ll follow that up with another match against Mysterio on December 30 in Los Angeles at another non-televised live event.
SEScoops Live Shows This Week
The SEScoops Podcast, hosted by SEScoops Managing Editor Zack Heydorn and Tyler Sage, airs live Tuesday night on YouTube. Join the show live or catch it via your favorite podcasting platform afterward.
Top Rope Nation, hosted by SEScoops Site Manager Ryan Droste, Justin Joynt, and Jesse Velasquez airs most weeks on Thursday night at 9:30 pm Eastern on YouTube. This week’s show will be a Patreon special bonus show on Tuesday night.
Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google News to stay up to date.
Monday Primer for December 11 – December 16
Monday (December 18)
WWE Raw: WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championship Match: The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Damian Priest) defend against The Creed Brothers. WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Chelsea Green and Piper Niven defend against Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. WWE International Championship Match: Gunther defends against The Miz (if Miz loses, he will not be able to challenge for the title as long as Gunther is champion). Seth Rollins will address Drew McIntyre
Tuesday (December 19)
NXT: Fallon Henley vs. Tiffany Stratton. Men’s Breakout Tournament: Lexis King vs. Dion Lennox. Izzi Dame & Kiana James vs. Jacy Jayne & Thea Hail. NXT North American Championship: Dragon Lee vs. Charlie Dempsey and Joe Coffey. Men’s Breakout Tournament: Tavion Heights vs. Luca Crusifino. Nikkita Lyons vs. Tatum Paxley. Gallus (Wolfgang & Mark Coffey) vs. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger. Ridge Holland vs. Ilja Dragunov.
The SEScoops Podcast airs live on the SEScoops YouTube channel at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
Top Rope Nation airs at a special time this week as it is their monthly Patreon ‘Classics’ bonus show. This month’s, they will review World Class Championship Wrestling Christmas Star Wars 1982 on their Patreon channel. They’ll return to the SEScoops YouTube channel next week.
Wednesday (December 20)
AEW Dynamite (Holiday Bash): Jon Moxley vs. Jay White (Continental Classic, Gold League). Swerve Strickland vs. Rush (Continental Classic, Gold League). Jay Lethal vs. Mark Briscoe (Continental Classic, Gold League). Roderick Strong vs. Komander. Saraya vs. Riho. Samoa Joe and MJF will speak.
Thursday (December 21)
Impact Wrestling: The Best of Impact Wrestling 2023, Part 1.
MLW Fusion: Airs on the MLW YouTube Channel.
Friday (December 22)
WWE SmackDown: Santos Escobar vs. Bobby Lashley (US Title Shot Tournament). Dragon Lee vs. Butch. AJ Styles promo. Bianca Belair, Zelina Vegas, Michin vs. Damage CTRL. Kevin Owens vs. Carmelo Hays (US Title Shot Tournament). AJ Styles vs. Solo Sikoa.
AEW Rampage: Nothing announced as of press time.
Saturday (December 23)
AEW Collision: Andrade El Idolo vs. Eddie Kingston (Continental Classic, Blue League). Brody King vs. Daniel Garcia (Continental Classic, Blue League). Claudio Castagnoli vs. Bryan Danielson (Continental Classic, Blue League). AEW World Trios Championship: The Acclaimed defend against Top Flight and Action Andretti. Julia Hart and Skye Blue vs. Abadon and Thunder Rosa.