Wrestling Rundown: July 21, 2021

The following is top wrestling news for July 21, 2021:

WWE NXT draws 709,000 viewers in Tuesday’s show

This week’s episode of WWE NXT may not be anything special, but overnight viewership figures state otherwise.

According to Brandon Thurston at Wrestlenomics, the July 20 episode of NXT drew 709,000 viewers. This is an increase of 4,000 viewers in comparison to the 705,000 tuning in last week.

In the important 18-49 key demographic, the show received a 0.2 rating, up from 0.19 last week.

The second hour of NXT was head-to-head against the NBA Finals’ Game 6 between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks. The game drew an audience of just over 12.5 million.

During this show, Xia Li challenged Raquel Gonzalez for the NXT Women’s Championship.

Nick Gage debuts on AEW Dynamite

Nick Gage made a surprise debut during tonight’s AEW Fyter Fest: Night Two episode of Dynamite.

Following the opening match, MJF announced the “Second Labour of Jericho”, which announced that Jericho will face Gage next week in a no disqualification match.

Later in the show, Jericho reveals that he will be utilizing the Painmaker gimmick from New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Gage has been a topic of discussion as of late. Following an IMPACT World Championship match at the promotion’s Slammiversary PPV, manager Don Callis called champion Kenny Omega was tougher than Gage.

As reported by WrestleTalk Sunday, Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) took to Twitter on the remarks.

GCW, run by Brett Lauderdale, tweeted:

“Omega ‘tougher’ than Gage? @TheDonCallis what are you smoking pal? You and Kenny are welcome to come and prove it but you have to get in line & the line starts this Saturday at #GCWHomecoming Weekend in AC… Saturday: GAGE vs CARDONA Sunday: GAGE vs OMEGA??? See ya there???”

Gage defends the GCW World Championship against Matt Cardona Saturday.

The Jericho/Gage match will be on next week’s Dynamite in Charlotte, N.C.

Rumors: CM Punk to AEW?

CM Punk hasn’t been inside the squared circle since 2014, but there have been discussions about an in-ring return. This news comes forth via Fightful Select (subscription required).

Fightful reports that they learned last week that CM Punk (real name: Phillip Brooks) has been in talks for an in-ring return. Sources indicate that his most likely landing point would be All Elite Wrestling (AEW).

Should that become reality, it is uncertain how soon he could debut.

Three debuts in one night?

During tonight’s Dynamite, it did appear that the viewing audience went through multiple swerves.

During the broadcast, the previously mentioned Nick Gage appeared early. Chavo Guerrero made his debut during a segment with Andrade El Idolo. Near the end of the broadcast, Hikuleo entered the ring following Lance Archer winning the IWGP U.S. Championship off Jon Moxley in a Texas Death match.

NWA tickets for St. Louis shows

As reported earlier today, ticket sales went live for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) returning to St. Louis. This would mark the first time in nearly four decades since it was last active in the Gateway City.

There will be four star-studded events from August 28 through August 31, 2021. There will be pay-per-view shows on Saturday and Sunday, August 28 and 29, with NWA Powerrr tapings on Monday and Tuesday.

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Jake Leonard

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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