Kitchener fans go in-Zayn for Sami
For WWE fans today, Sami Zayn can seemingly do no wrong. Even when he mistakenly thanks the name of a different city, as he did during a post-match promo at the Road to WrestleMania house show in Kitchener, Ontario on Sunday night. But even after he heard the...
Road to WrestleMania Toronto: Roman has Sami’s number
Sami Zayn would be your new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion but Lady Luck just wasn't on his side. At the Road to WrestleMania tour's stop at Toronto's Coca-Cola Coliseum Zayn would pin Roman clean but there was no official to make the count. This main event was far...
Mat Matters: My first WWE show in 28 years
WWE - now for over 70 years the revolutionary force in sports entertainment -- is back in touring mode, with the Thunderdome Era, thankfully now in the distant past. Last week, WWE rolled into the Magic City for a doubleheader of events at Miami's FTX Arena. Being...
Rollins, Lynch share special moment at Toronto WWE Live Holiday show
2023 may have been more than a day away but real-life husband and wife Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch had lots to celebrate at the WWE Live Holiday Tour at Toronto's Coca-Cola Coliseum. Lynch came to Rollins' rescue during his steel cage match against the Judgment Day's...
Hungry Vancouver crowd eats up WWE action
VANCOUVER, BC - The WWE brand flexed its muscles big time in Vancouver on Saturday, September 24, with a Saturday Night’s Main Event card at the Pacific Coliseum. According to Wrestletix, with close to 8,000 tickets sold the show was essentially a sellout for the...
Angle toasts milk, women highlight Raw in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH - Much had been made about Kurt Angle's triumphant return to Monday Night RAW. The one-time Olympic Champion and WWE Hall of Famer most recently had been seen throwing out the first pitch at an Altoona Curve baseball game before the independent group there...
Smackdown taping spoilers: McIntyre gets his revenge
WWE heads overseas to Cardiff, Wales next week for Clash at the Castle and in turn the final two episodes of Smackdown were taped consecutively in Detroit, Michigan on August 26th. Building towards WWE’s September 3 premium live event, Little Caesars Arena harbored...
What You Didn’t See on Raw: Edge talks retirement
When Raw went off the air from the Scotiabank Arena, Edge addressed the fans in attendance and his career in WWE. "I am getting too old for this!" he joked to the crowd after defeating Damian Priest of Judgment Day. "I am kidding. I am still kicking ass!" he laughed....
WWE in Ottawa a welcome return
OTTAWA – The last time I attended a pro wrestling event was four years ago. The venue was a run-down Knights of Columbus hall. The headliner was Teddy Hart who was making his umpteenth comeback from personal trouble. Obviously, a lot of s@@t has gone down in those...
WWE Toronto house show fun for kids of all ages
TORONTO - As someone who writes about wrestling on the internet, it can be really easy at times to be negative. Whether it’s knocking the creative direction of a storyline, nitpicking every little mistake in a match, or questioning who is or isn’t getting a push,...
Mat Matters: NXT live now checked off my bucket list
Winter here in Detroit, Michigan is one cold and depressing affair, which customarily causes us Michiganders to migrate south to Florida during the holiday season. Now, any sane person chooses Disney World or Universal Studios as their Orlando, Florida destination...
WWE postpones Toronto show
WWE's Holiday Live house show that was to take place this Wednesday, December 29th, has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 27th, 2022. The announcement was made on the Coca-Cola Coliseum's website earlier today. WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus was scheduled to host the...
Live SummerSlam an ‘abject failure’
LAS VEGAS — Traveling for professional wrestling shows is somewhat of a hobby for me. This marks nine straight WWE stadium shows I’ve attended, dating back to WrestleMania 32. Even through all those marathon Manias, through the good, the bad and the ugly, none have...
SmackDown Live in Buffalo: A story of Buffalove and a father’s love
There were a couple of interesting stories for me to follow at The Keybank Centre in Buffalo as SmackDown Live rolled in to town -- and I speak of neither the Saudi Arabian flight delay nor the NXT invasion. Instead, this was a night of feel-good stories, in that...
Live, Raw shake-up leaves plenty in wonder
MONTREAL - The night started like any other Monday Night Raw, the crowd going wild in preparation for a night of the unknown. Everyone knew there was going to be some changes made to the roster, and they were ready. Signs reading "We want Kofi" or "AJ Styles come to...
WWE puts on a sweet show in Hershey, PA
Hershey, Pennsylvania bills itself as "The Sweetest Place on Earth" and it is, unless you are WWE superstar Elias. Hershey may have left a bitter taste in his mouth Sunday night, as WWE stopped in Chocolatetown, USA for a house show. Elias was interrupted several...
WWE Buffalo: The Man and Kofi’s pancake mayhem
BUFFALO, NY - Kofi Kingston appeared on the entrance ramp and the crowd went ballistic. The ultra-popular Kingston held a tray of pancakes aloft. If there is anything I have learned from watching the New Day at live events is that someone always gets hurt when they...
Top 5 Moments at WWE Smackdown in Detroit
Just 24 hours before WWE Fastlane, WWE Live made a pit stop on the Road to Wrestlemania in Detroit, Michigan. Headlined by a blockbuster main event - AJ Styles vs Randy Orton - the Motown crowd was treated to an exciting Smackdown Live house show event. They ran wild...
Top 5 Moments at NXT Detroit
ROYAL OAK, Mich. -- On Sunday afternoon, the NXT Universe packed the sold out Royal Oak Music Theatre, in suburban Detroit, for NXT Live. The audience witnessed what is probably the final NXT appearance of future main roster stars Ricochet and Aleister Black, along...
Live, Phoenix fans all about Lynch at Raw
PHOENIX -- Just like Sunday's Royal Rumble, Monday Night Raw turned into the Becky Lynch Show. Lynch's surprise appearance on Raw set the stage for what should be a big run as she officially challenged Raw women's champion Ronda Rousey for the title at WrestleMania...
WWE Buffalo house show filled with young, excited fans
BUFFALO, NY - The WWE rolled into Buffalo on Sunday night and it put on a great show. Over the last five years, I have found that Buffalo is a great barometer of how WWE is connecting with the fans and, from what I can tell, they are attracting the young fans. The Key...
Festive New Year for Pittsburgh as Smackdown tells stories
PITTSBURGH - The buzz around the December 29 taping for next Tuesday night's Smackdown Live was quite different than when the WWE was in town for its last PPV. The crowd was late-coming, but the first two Universal Title replica belts around waists were spotted mere...
Five things I learned from NXT in Detroit
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - NXT Live concluded its road trip through New York state, Ohio and Michigan, with NXT Detroit. The Royal Oak Music Theatre was packed once again for another sold out show, with the brand's third event in this venue. The raucous crowd was treated with...
Five things I learned at Smackdown in Detroit
DETROIT - Smackdown Live returned to Detroit on Tuesday night. This episode showcased the heated Miz and Daniel Bryan feud throughout the night, building up to their mixed tag team match at Hell In A Cell. Although the size of Smackdown's crowd in Detroit was...
Photos from WWE Smackdown Live in Brooklyn
Here are some select shots taken by our ace photographer George Tahinos at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn from WWE Smackdown Live on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. Enjoy the gallery! The Miz and Mayrse The Miz and Maryse Daniel Bryan Brie Bella Brie Bella and Daniel Bryan...
Photos from WWE Monday Night Raw in Brooklyn
Here are some select shots taken by our ace photographer George Tahinos at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn from WWE Monday Night Raw on August 20, 2018. Enjoy the gallery! Roman Reigns Roman Reigns Roman Reigns and Finn Balor Roman Reigns and Finn Balor Bayley...
‘Phantom Clock’ steals Extreme Rules main event, fans disappointed, no Hogan
PITTSBURGH - All fans of sports entertainment in Pittsburgh were abuzz Sunday when it became apparent that Hulk Hogan was on the verge of making a return to the WWE. It started with social media posts of the 2005 Hall of Famer riding a plane to Cleveland with no...
Kitchener WWE house show prompts new respect
KITCHENER, ON -- Attending a WWE show in the front row for the first time gave me a new appreciation for the WWE live experience that I was unable to get when I sat further back at other WWE events. I have been a big WWE fan since childhood and would attend WWE live...
Five things I learned live at Raw
WWE returned to Detroit, at the recently-opened Little Caesars Arena, as the buildup to WrestleMania 34 continues. From my seat on the floor, with my dad popping up to take photos, I made some notes and came up with five things that I learned. 5 - Brock Lesnar...
Father-son bond strengthened through NXT in St. Catharines
ST. CATHARINES, ON - Wrestling has a way of bringing generations together. I have witnessed grandparents and grandchildren enjoying wrestling. Parents and their children enjoying wrestling together have been seen many times in front of my eyes. Friday night, I...
NXT in Mississauga pretty standard fare
MISSISSAUGA, ON - My, what a difference a year makes. Back in late 2016, an NXT show was a must-see event, featuring some of the brightest and best talents in the company, names like Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode, Asuka, and Shinsuke Nakamura. Stars that could be called up...
Philly fans embrace Gargano & underdogs
PHILADELPHIA -- Say what you will about Philadelphia fans, but they love to embrace the underdog. Whether it be fictional Rocky Balboa or this year's Super Bowl bound Eagles led by back-up quarterback, Nick Foles. Tonight, in the Wells Fargo Center, you can add NXT's...
Raw fans at Manhattan Centre rewarded for their patience
NEW YORK, NY - The 25th episode of Monday Night RAW promised to be one of the most star-studded, action-packed, and must-attend shows of all time. For those fans who attended the event at the Manhattan Centre -- the site of the debut episode -- and not Brooklyn's...
WWE blood policy ends Toronto main event early
It was deja vu for Samoa Joe. As it did during his match against Finn Balor at NXT TakeOver Dallas in 2016, an accidental cut has caused controversy and frustrated Samoan Submission Machine. Just minutes into his main event, Intercontinental Title match against...
WWE brings holiday joy to Detroit’s new arena
DETROIT - WWE Holiday Live Tour arrived Detroit on Wednesday night with the Smackdown crew offering a little post-Christmas joy at the recently-opened Little Caesar's Arena. The new venue, home to the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Pistons, hosted its second...
A dog, a cat, a bird, ROH Buffalo, oh my!
BUFFALO, NY - A bird of prey, a bulldog and a cat dominate my memories of Ring of Honor's Global Wars tour stop in Buffalo, New York. This show featured many of the stars of New Japan Pro Wrestling and the mix of Canadian, American, European and Japanese athletes made...
Hometown stars shine at NXT Live Toronto
Canucks stole the show at NXT Live's stopover in Toronto. At the Mattamy Athletic Centre in downtown Toronto, hometown stars Eric Young, Aliyah, Bobby Roode and Tye Dillinger were given a grand hometown reception. For Bobby Roode, it was bittersweet homecoming. With...
NXT in St. Catharines all about the hometown boy Dillinger
ST. CATHARINES, ON - The number 10 was shouted over and over again by the vocal crowd at St. Catharines Meridian Centre on Friday night as NXT came to town. It was the perfect evening for the "Perfect 10" and hometown hero Ty Dillinger. All night long the NXT action...
Raw live: A love fest for Strowman
TORONTO - If preshow is any indication, Roman Reigns is going to have problems tonight. Little kids starting a "let's go Cena" chant and getting crushed by the "Cena sucks" crowd. Merch lines were ridiculously long at 6:45pm. Fairly full crowd. Main Event tapings:...
Owens and Zayn together again in finale at Montreal house show
MONTREAL - Whether it’s Hulk Hogan teaming with Randy Savage or Dino Bravo teaming with Rick Martel, the union of two superstars to fight evil together has always been a good storyline. It still works today, and Kevin Owens coming to the rescue of Sami Zayn and Pat...
Luke Harper’s big night in Rochester
ROCHESTER, NY - It was a special night on Tuesday for WWE superstar Luke Harper at Blue Cross Arena at Community War Memorial in his hometown -- he actually won. Harper, who is from the western New York city, where he was known as Jon Huber, has wrestled in town...
Zayn has his ‘WrestleMania Moment’ at Montreal house show — and Owens cries!
MONTREAL - Friday night in Montreal, Sami Zayn has his “WrestleMania moment,” defeating Kevin Owens in a violent and emotional Street Fight that will be remembered for a long time to come. The fans in attendance will remember this moment for a long time, with Zayn and...
Toronto makes Jericho’s list on Raw house show
WWE brought its Road to WrestleMania tour into Toronto on Saturday night at Ricoh Coliseum with its Raw roster, bolstered by the presence of Triple H in the main event. Here's what happened. A video of Mick Foley aired, welcoming the crowd to the event. Byron Saxton...
Lesnar, HHH make the most of a rare house show appearance in Buffalo
BUFFALO, NY - In the 1980s it seemed that wrestling magazines were always showcasing dream matches between top wrestlers in rival promotions. In Buffalo, NY, the WWE provided its own version of the dream card. Where else could you see a main event that featured two...
Buffalo crowd hot and into the heroes
BUFFALO, NY - Monday Night Raw in Buffalo was an event that has taken a few years to create. Having attended quite a few WWE cards, including another Raw, in the Queen City, I had not seen the arena packed to capacity. Tonight it was full. What was the change? Could...
Lessons to consider from a 7-year-old fan at Smackdown
BUFFALO - The Smackdown show in Buffalo on Tuesday evening was a fun affair that was helped by a raucous crowd. One fan in particular was enjoying his first taste of live WWE action, seven-year-old Phynn. I talked with the youngster throughout the show and his...
Late-arriving Toronto crowd savours Cesaro-Styles classic
TORONTO - There are times when WWE is very aware of the world around it, as in its Tribute to the Troops or campaigns against breast cancer. Then there are nights like Saturday in Toronto, when it was oblivious to the chaos outside the doors of the Ricoh Coliseum....
WWE in Buffalo a traditional kind of night
BUFFALO, NY - The WWE continued its Road to Wrestlemania tour with a stop in Buffalo at the First Niagara Center last night. To put it mildly, the crowd was hot for all things WWE. The event was what wrestling should be like. Families were able to enjoy the sport,...
Owens and Zayn main attraction in Montreal
MONTREAL – Forget Brock Lesnar's return to Montreal Friday night. The people in attendance only wanted to see one match: Kevin Owens versus Sami Zayn versus Dean Ambrose. It wasn't Owens' first show in Montreal for the WWE. He debuted here last September. It wasn't...
Cleveland crowd loud and raucous at Fastlane
CLEVELAND - This writer owes the city of Cleveland an apology. For years, I have been less than complimentary to the city -- in fact, I've used the terms "cesspool" and "hell-hole" more than once, thinking that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was the only good thing...
