PWI Weekly for January 19, 2026
Big Things Are Happening: McIntyre, Mone, Maki, & More
THE NEW YEAR IS well and truly underway. And, in 2026, wrestling action is coming at us thick and fast. We’re already seeing exciting developments throughout Japan, Mexico, the United States, and Europe. In this edition, we’ve selected a few newsworthy items catching our attention as of late.
WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
In a seismic shift of the WWE landscape, Drew McIntyre finally reclaimed the Undisputed championship on January 9. “The Scottish Warrior” bested Cody Rhodes in the Three Stages of Hell main event of that evening’s Smackdown from Berlin, Germany. Although McIntyre took the overall match two falls to one, neither was without controversy.
His initial advantage was secured thanks to a low-blow on Rhodes behind the referee’s back, in the midst of what was meant to be a traditional wrestling bout. Then, after Rhodes had evened the score in a Falls Count Anywhere row, McIntyre took the third fall—contested inside a steel cage—in especially cheap fashion. Candidly, the new champ owes Jacob Fatu a debt of gratitude. “The Samoan Werewolf’s” chaotic interference enabled the challenger to escape the cage as the new champion.
As much as we might disagree with his tactics, it’s hard not to be at least a little happy for McIntyre. This, his third WWE title victory, actually occurred in front of a live crowd—unlike his first two WWE championship wins in 2020. And, speaking of crowds, the fans in Berlin were very much behind McIntyre in his latest triumph. Was this simply a sign of European solidarity behind the Scot, or the harbinger of a turning tide against Rhodes? Watch this space.
A QUICK WORD ABOUT …
After being awarded the #1 spot on our “Women’s 250” last year, Mercedes Mone has undertaken somewhat of a downward spiral in AEW. Indeed, “Ultimo Mone” has been losing gold almost as quickly as she once stacked it up. The results, understandably, have left her visibly shaken.
The January 7 edition of Dynamite saw Mone dress in “mourning” attire and crash a celebration for the woman who defeated her for the TBS title, Willow Nightingale. The interruption did not go well for the former champ, who once again ended up with a face full of cake. It seems things can, in fact, always get worse … if you’re Mercedes Mone, anyway.
SPOTLIGHT ON …
In a move that shocked many joshi wrestling enthusiasts, longtime TJPW wrestler Maki Itoh is now an official member of the World Wonder Ring Stardom roster. Itoh was introduced to Stardom viewers through a series of mysterious vignettes, which increasingly suggested that the popular free agent would soon be arriving in the premier women’s wrestling promotion.
During a press conference with Stardom President Taro Okada, Itoh was candid about her motivations for joining the company—to win championships and become an even bigger star. It remains to be seen how she will fare in the talent-rich waters of Stardom. But rest assured: Itoh will bring her own particular brand of entertainment and fighting spirit with her everywhere she goes.
TERRITORIAL DISSINGS
With the Royal Rumble nearly upon us, we found ourselves going down a rabbit hole of old-school Rumble promos. Trust us, this video is time well spent; or, as The Bushwhackers might say, “a bloody beaut, mate.”