PWI Weekly for August 5, 2024
PWI Weekly for August 5, 2024
Roxy, Tony, Hendry, And More(y)
IN MOST EDITIONS OF the PWI Weekly, we try to tie the included entries into a particular theme. It keeps things fun for us … and hopefully you, as well.
Some weeks need no theme. That is the case today: Talking wrestling is the only theme we need. We hope you enjoy.
WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
After another successful defense of her NXT Women’s championship at the Great American Bash, Roxanne Perez continues to state her case for being one of the top women in the business. After downing Thea Hail last week, Perez now stretches her NXT title run into its fifth calendar month. Of course, she has her sights set on taking it even further.
With the annual PWI “Women’s 250” issue just around the corner, our recent magazine cover star is giving our ranking committee plenty to consider before it decides who should be #1.
For more on Perez, pick up the October 2024 issue over at PWI-online.com; and check out our extended interview with “The Prodigy” on the latest PWI Podcast.
A QUICK WORD ABOUT …
With the ongoing chatter about AEW’s future television rights deal, many have pondered where, if anywhere, Ring of Honor might end up as part of such a deal. Tony Khan recently added more intrigue to discussions when he spoke about the possibility of ROH becoming an AEW-branded property, rather than a standalone one.
“I think ROH holds an important place,” Khan said at the Death Before Dishonor media scrum. “I recognize that AEW is at the very top of pro wrestling. The ROH brand could, frankly, benefit from even more association.”
He continued: “I don’t think it’s out of the question to say—and I don’t think it’s sacrilegious to say—that it would only help grow the ROH brand if I were to license it … sublicense it. If it were AEW: ROH.”
We’d like to know your thoughts, readers. Should ROH become akin to WWE’s NXT and exist as AEW: Ring of Honor? Or should the promotion retain its separate branding and identity? Give us a follow on X and let us know over at @officialpwi
SPOTLIGHT ON …
If the words to his popular entrance song are accurate, then the mere mention of the man’s name conjures him, not unlike the cinematic Beetlejuice or Candyman. No wonder, then, that Joe Hendry seems to be appearing everywhere—because a whole lot of people are talking about the Scotsman.
Whether through his blockbuster matches, viral music performances, or appearances on IMPACT and NXT, the multi-talented Hendry has been building momentum that seems poised to skyrocket him to superstardom. Even NFL running back Jamaal Williams has gotten on the Hendry bandwagon, singing the “I Believe In Joe Hendry” song during New Orleans Saints training camp.
Much as LA Knight’s groundswell of support lifted him to new heights in 2023, Joe Hendry appears to have a similar trajectory in 2024. And whether it’s in TNA or WWE, don’t be shocked if Hendry’s singable name is soon preceded by the moniker of “World Champion.”
FROM THE VAULT
In this throwback photo from the New Japan press archives, Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito find themselves in positions that would make Olympic gymnastic teams proud. The long-time New Japan Pro-Wrestling rivals spent many years wowing audiences with athleticism like this. Today, Okada is making it rain in the United States as part of the AEW roster, while Naito remains in Japan and is in the midst of his most recent reign as IWGP World champion.
Although they may be apart for now, we reckon we haven’t seen the last clash between these two. Here’s hoping, at least.