The middle of the summer usually does not give viewers a whole lot of sports viewing options but this weekend Boxing, UFC, WWE and AEW have outdone itself with a plethora of viewing options this weekend.
Starting on Friday, boxing fans will get the trilogy that they have been waiting for as Katie Taylor takes on Amanda Serrano for the third time and the second time in New York’s Madison Square Garden. The first two fights saw Taylor win the fight although many believed Serrano earned one of those decisions. The third one will take place on Netflix Friday night and will likely be the most exciting of all events this weekend.
Serrano is still the betting favorite per most outlets despite losing the first two events. But, another loss would close the door on one of the best (if not the all-time) rivalries in women’s boxing. A Taylor loss could open the door for another fight considering she still holds two victories over Serrano. Obviously, Serrano’s outspoken promoter, Jake Paul, will have some say in this.
Regardless, both women have made an impression into women’s boxing. Their fights have been exciting slugfests that have grown audiences to the point that they will headline a Netflix card (again Paul may have a hand in that as well).
All Elite Wrestling, the de facto number 2 in professional wrestling, will be having their biggest event this year with All In taking place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The build for this event has been one year in the making and will culminate with Jon Moxley defending his world title against “Hangman” Adam Page in a Texas Death Match. As per usual in Moxley contests, blood and gore will accompany this match. In addition, Kenny Omega will take on Kazuchika Okada in a “turn back the clock” match from their New Japan Wrestling days. The two have had a lot of tread on the tires from those days of 60 minute matches, but they could likely provide an enjoyable one in 20.
In addition, Mercedes Mone will face Toni Storm in the top women’s match on the card. A lot of hype has gone on around the former Sasha Banks and Storm has reinvented herself into one of the best characters in pro wrestling today.
This weekend in Texas is a big one for the company as it announced it has sold 20,000 tickets for Saturday afternoon with the opportunity to sell more. It has held its Dynamite and Collision telecasts in Garland, Texas in means of drumming up promotion. The afternoon start time will help with East Coast viewers although it may hurt West Coast fans who will have to turn in Saturday at noon to catch the event. It will be the first time that the telecast will be held exclusively on Prime Video in the U.S. as AEW and Amazon partner up once again.
Not to be outdone, the WWE will be holding two events this weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. The first being Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC. The reason why AEW is avoiding a head-to-head with WWE by starting earlier, the event takes place in prime time on the East Coast. To be honest, WWE has been in a holding pattern with its storylines at the top and progressing more of its upper-tier talent. The big event for this card will be Bill Goldberg’s retirement match in his hometown of Atlanta against Gunther. Don’t expect a win by big Bill although he will be put over strong by Gunther.
The day after, WWE will be holding its second women’s only event, Evolution. It will be the first time that the promotion will have run an all-women’s event since October 2018. The event will feature both WWE and NXT women’s talent. It will culminate with Rhea Ripley versus Iyo Sky for Sky’s WWE World Championship.
Finally, the UFC returns from a week off after its big International Fight Week card with a Fight Night card from Nashville, Tennessee. The main event will feature Derrick Lewis against Tallison Teixeira in what should be a jumping off point for Teixeira. Of course, Lewis is a heavy-hitter that can stop anyone with one punch. Also, regional favorite Stephen Thompson will take on Gabrial Bonfim in the semi-main event. To be honest, this is a ho-hum card for the organization after UFC 317 in Vegas. Still, the UFC interest is not with the fighters, but the brand. Something will dive into soon.
Enjoy your weekend.
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