Weekly Wrestling Viewing Guide: Oct 1 - 7, 2017

There’s a ton of wrestling content nowadays and unless you’re a hardcore pro-graps fan, you have to decide what to watch when and what to consider leaving out. That’s where we come in to help.

Every week, we are going to run down the big in-ring happenings for the easily accessible US wrestling. This won’t cover your indie needs, but ReverendKain always has you covered in his weekly Sermon on the Mat for that.

Bear in mind, matches could be added after this posts that would definitely change how worth a show is to watch.

Monday

Monday Night Raw (USA Network)

Raw has a bit of time to fill prior to their next pay-per-view (PPV) TLC. Because of that, we don’t have any matches for that show actually announced yet. Hell, we don’t know if the Universal title is even going to be defended at this show. (My guess is no.) The only match that looks like it’ll obviously happen is Mickie James vs. Alexa Bliss, but that’s not been announced.

The one major thing to pay attention is the likely Shield reunion for that show where they will may very well face the epic, unstoppable trio of the Miztourage. (That was steeped in sarcasm.) Seth Rollins will be facing Braun Strowman (who defeated Dean Ambrose last week) on Monday. We’ll see if that plays into the eventual reunion.

Verdict: With little announced, there’s plenty to look out for. And with a Shield reunion on the horizon, not matter how lame the competition, it’s worth seeing how that comes together.

Tuesday

SmackDown Live (USA Network)

This is the go-home show for Hell in a Cell and that card has some great matches such as Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens in the Cell and New Day vs. the Usos, also in the Cell.

While I don’t think you’d miss much if you just watched Hell in a Cell in a week, Kevin Owens has been doing his best work in WWE and watching him become a star (or more of one) is fun.

Oh and the Fashion Files are back!

Verdict: You could probably skip it, but KO has been doing incredible work.

205 Live (WWE Network)

Enzo Amore is a heel now and attacked Neville with a crutch on 205 Live last week. We also still don’t have a contender for his title. Zo holding the division and its title hostage has been quite interesting though.

Verdict: If you like the cruisers or certified g’s, check it out.

Wednesday

NXT (WWE Network)

Drew McIntyre defends his NXT title for the first time against Roderick Strong on Wednesday. While it’s very unlikely for the title to change hands on TV (I honestly don’t remember the last time the NXT title did), it will still be a fun match. Plus, we don’t know if there’s going to be anything between Roderick and his former ROH colleagues the Undisputed.

Plus, we will hopefully more about the matches that will decide who the other competitors are for the Women’s title Houston.

Verdict: A title match between Strong and McIntrye is worth tuning in for.

Lucha Underground (El Rey Network)

It’s night 2 of 4 of Ultrima Lucha Tres.

Tonight, Ivelisse will face Catrina in a match that you probably forgot was booked because Ivelisse missed most of the season due to injury. However, there’s enough history there that I’m looking forward to this one.

There will also be an over the top battle royal for one of Dario Cueto’s Unique Opportunities. Those are often things that don’t work out for the winner.

But the big match is probably the Ultima Lucha match I’m looking forward to the most: Fenix vs Marty the Moth in a mask vs. hair match. This has been a great story. Fenix has a romantic thing going on with ring announce Melissa Santos. Melissa happens to be the obsession of the creepy bastard Marty. This has led Marty to ramping up his cruelty and trying to rip off the mask of Fenix. This feels like a blood feud and should be great.

Verdict: If you’re following Lucha Underground, watch the last three episode of the season. But I wouldn’t call it a jumping on point. If you want to jump on, hit up Netflix or iTunes and check out season one.

Thursday

Impact Wrestling (Pop TV)

Impact is coming off their Victory Road special and Eli Drake is still champion. After he defeated Johnny Impact (with a lot of cheating), he and buddy Chris Adonis assault some referees.

This week, enemies turned reluctant allies EC3 and James Storm will unite to battle the forces of Triple A in El Hijo de Fantasma and Texano. There is also a 3 on 3 X Division match.

Verdict: This doesn’t feel like a big one.

If I could only watch one thing this week, it’d be:

NXT

It was close and unfortunately, it was close with the show that airs at the exact same time: Lucha Underground.

I really am into the Marty the Moth Martinez vs. Fenix match that will be the main event next week. However, Drew vs. Roddy for the title (despite the ending having little doubt) just edges it out. I’ll probably end up watching them back to back though.

There’s a ton of other wrestling out there and we can’t cover it all on here. So if there’s something you’re particularly excited for this week, let your fellow wrestling fans know in the comments.

See ya next week!