This Week in Wrestling: The Bloodline Storyline Still Has Heat, Women’s U.S. Title Tournament Begins

So, a few news items happened this week that I wanted to share my thoughts on, so I decided to put everything into one column.

1. AEW Cancels Collision Tapings at Nationwide Arena for a Show at GalaxyCon Columbus

This move looks bad for AEW, no matter how you spin it. They booked the arena in Columbus months ago for TV tapings, but based on numbers I saw from WrestleTix, they struggled to sell 1,000 tickets—even with a 40% off promotion. Cancelling the booking for a “better opportunity” just weeks before the show doesn’t improve the optics.

The “great opportunity” they referenced is a show in conjunction with a third-tier comic convention, GalaxyCon. While GalaxyCon is likely paying AEW well to associate with them, this doesn’t help AEW’s image as a major promotion. It’s the kind of move you’d expect from a smaller company like TNA back in the day.

Additionally, fans who had tickets for the arena show will likely attend the convention show instead, but many convention-goers in the audience won’t be hardcore wrestling fans. From experience, mixed audiences at conventions don’t always create the best atmosphere, especially after a full day of events.

While this is an interesting decision for AEW, I struggle to see the upside, particularly with such short notice.

2. Tyson vs. Paul

This isn’t technically wrestling, but I included it because of the marketing lessons it offers. Let’s be honest: this wasn’t a great fight. In fact, it was one of the worst boxing matches in history. But nobody will care because it was also one of the best-marketed fights in recent memory. Thanks to Netflix, it reached a massive audience, whether live or on replay, and that’s a critical lesson for AEW and other wrestling promotions outside WWE’s league.

It doesn’t matter how good your product is—if you don’t market it well, no one will watch. Without star power and strong promotion, your product won’t grow.

Tyson is a shadow of his former self, and Paul is a mediocre boxer riding on his social media fame. Logan Paul, his brother, is clearly the better athlete. Still, the fight made both men a ton of money and brought Netflix plenty of new subscribers. That’s how you get eyes on your product, no matter its quality.

3. TNA Running Bigger Arenas

This week’s TNA Impact really impressed me with the size of the arena they ran. While it wasn’t on the scale of WWE or AEW, it was noticeably larger than their usual venues, and it gave the show a bigger feel. It feels like a product genuinely trying to grow its audience and spark conversations.

With TNA booking larger arenas and rumors of them seeking a better TV deal to leave AXS TV, it seems like they’re aiming for the #2 spot currently held by AEW. If AEW isn’t careful, TNA might overtake them in a few years. The growth of TNA is an exciting story that I’ll be keeping an eye on.

4. Women’s U.S. Title Tournament Begins

Last week, Nick Aldis announced the introduction of a new women’s title, generating mixed reactions. We didn’t know how the champion would be crowned or if it would be brand-exclusive. This week, it was revealed that the title would be SmackDown-exclusive, and a tournament was announced, with the first match airing last night.

While I’m happy the women’s division has another title to compete for—and optimistic that success here might lead to a women’s Intercontinental title on Raw—I’m not thrilled about the tournament bracket or the first match’s result. This title should elevate underused talent who need more TV time. Instead, it seems likely Bayley will win another championship.

I have nothing against Bayley, but this could have been a fantastic opportunity for someone like Chelsea Green or Blair Davenport to get a push. Hopefully, something unpredictable happens, but I doubt it.

5. The Bloodline Storyline Still Has Heat

I’ll admit I thought the Bloodline story would lose steam once Reigns dropped the title. Over the summer, my interest started to wane. But since Roman returned, the storyline has become more intriguing. Solo Sikoa has proven he belongs at the top, holding his own alongside Reigns both in the ring and on the mic.

With Survivor Series two weeks away, this remains the most compelling story in wrestling. Whoever’s writing this has created a masterpiece. I suspect Paul Heyman’s eventual return will bring a massive pop, but I can’t shake the feeling that he might turn on Roman and reveal himself as the mastermind behind Solo’s rise. If that happens, it would be one of WWE’s biggest moments.

6. The Kevin Owens Storyline

Finally, I want to touch on Kevin Owens’ current storyline on SmackDown. Aside from the Bloodline, this has been the best thing in wrestling recently. I was skeptical of his heel turn after October’s PLE, but it’s been fantastic. Owens has nailed his delusional character, believing everyone has wronged him.

Last week’s “injury” to Randy Orton made Owens feel even more dangerous and unpredictable. I could see him getting a short title run, only for Orton to return and take the belt from him. This story has been incredibly engaging, and I’m excited to see where it goes next.

So, those are my thoughts on some of the major happenings in wrestling this week. Let me know what you think!