NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
It was a big week in pro wrestling.
WWE Raw and SmackDown are both gearing up for their next storyline after WrestleMania 42, seeing some calls come through and nearing some official matches for Backlash, which is set for May 9th.
All Elite Wrestling continued to run towards their Double or Nothing pay-per-view, which will take place on May 24th. Darby Allin was in action as some championships were up for grabs throughout the week.
If you missed anything, read the clip notes below.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
==
Darby Allin defends the AEW World Championship for the first time
Darby Allin competes in the ring during AEW Collision on October 3, 2024 at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. (Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)
Darby Allin stunned the professional wrestling world nearly two weeks ago when he defeated Maxwell Jacob Friedman to win the AEW World Championship. There were only a few days to celebrate before Allin had to defend his title on “AEW Dynamite” on Wednesday.
Allin faced Tommaso Ciampa for the title. It was a brutal match that saw Ciampa get busted open and deliver a hard-hitting drop to Allin from the middle rope to the floor. Allin used several submission maneuvers to eventually get Ciampa to escape.
“Last night I ran into my wrestling soulmate,” Ciampa wrote on Instagram Thursday. “I have a hunch we’ll be doing this many more times over the next decade.
“Mark my words: it might not be this month … it might not be this year … hell, it might not even be 2027 … but there will come a time when I have that AEW World Title.”
Allin didn’t have much time to celebrate as another challenge arose – Brody King.
King said he got it approved by AEW co-founder Tony Khan and if it was ok with him, he would like to be the next man up. Allin accepted and the two will battle for the championship on this week’s edition of “Dynamite.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Jacob Fatu takes up the challenge.
Coming off a win over Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 42, Jacob Fatu was the first person to go up against World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns on “Monday Night Raw.” The show, in that place, is used to creating new stories or shocking comebacks, and Fatu helped the cause.
Reigns, flanked by Jey and Jimmy Uso, said Fatu would think about the challenge as he didn’t think Fatu was necessarily ready to take him on. Fatu did more than enough to prove himself on “Friday Night SmackDown” as he defeated Solo Sikoa and handled the MFT faction himself.
Fatu’s efforts left the Usos stunned as they watched him tear Tama Tonga, JC Mateo and Tonga Loa apart.
If Reigns accepts Fatu’s challenge, the World Heavyweight Championship will be on the line at Backlash in a few weeks.
Cody Rhodes destroys ‘outer forces’ in sharp promo
WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes speaks during SmackDown at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on April 24, 2026. (Michael Marques/WWE)
Cody Rhodes’ promos amid Pat McAfee’s insertion into his WrestleMania feud with Randy Orton blurred the line between what was real and what was kayfabe.
Over the last three WrestleManias, Rhodes has had to deal with The Rock, Travis Scott and McAfee as he tried to either win the Undisputed WWE Championship or retain it. He was able to get through Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42, but he wasn’t done sending harsh messages.
He said Friday on SmackDown that he would “send a message” at WrestleMania.
“And the most important message that I wanted to send is to the outside forces that kept interceding and kept interfering with my WrestleMania plans, that want to get involved in this nightmare family party, I’m going to make it simple, you guys are 0-3. Send your best or count your money and mind your own damn business,” he said.
It is unclear who will step up to Rhodes’ title. But CM Punk apparently had his eyes on the belt on Monday.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Other notes from the week in wrestling
Tiffany Stratton celebrates her victory as the new WWE Women’s United States Champion during SmackDown at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on April 24, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE)
Tiffany Stratton defeated Giulia to win the Women’s United States Championship. It is Stratton’s first US title reign. Giulia held the belt for 111 days. Stratton is the sixth American title winner since the championship made its debut in December 2024.
WWE NXT stars have been getting the call over the past week. Ethan Page, Sol Ruca, Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid appeared on the main roster last week. Ricky Saints, Joe Hendry and Blake Monroe were teased this week.
Several WWE stars announced their departure this week.
Damian Priest and R-Truth retained their tag team titles on “SmackDown.” They topped JC Mateo and Tama Tonga.
Seth Rollins made a surprise appearance at AAW Wrestling’s final show at the historic Berwyn Eagles Club in Illinois.
WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner’s son signed with the Tennessee Titans after going undrafted.
Kevin Knight defends the AEW TNT Championship on Wednesday against MJF. With MJF still upset about losing the AEW World Championship, Knight and MJF traded barbs and the match was made for this week at “Dynamite.”
Two title defenses were made at “Collision”. Jack Perry defeated El Clon to retain the AEW National Championship, while Kyle O’Reilly, Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong retained the AEW Trios Championship over Andrade El Idolo, Hechicero and Lance Archer.
FTR raised the stakes for Cope and Christian Cage’s challenge. Cope and Cage said they would challenge FTR for the AEW World Tag Team Championship at Double or Nothing in a New York Street Fight, and if they lost, they would split as a team forever. FTR said on Collision that they would only do it if they accepted an I Quit match. The ball is now in Cope and Cage’s court.
In TNA, Mike Santana and Rich Swaan put on a show for the TNA World Championship. Santana hit Swaan with the Spin the Block and pinned him for the win. The two shook hands after the match.
Sayaka Kurara shocked pro wrestling fans on Sunday when she defeated Saya Kamitani for the World of Stardom Championship at the All Star Grand Queendom. Kamitani’s reign lasted 483 days and she made nine title defenses.
Pro Wrestling REVOLVER held its first show on YouTube after breaking away from Triller TV. At Revolver STRONG, Mance defeated Warner Krule to become the new World Champion.
AAA announced that a new general manager will be announced next month.
“WWE Legends and Future Greats” Season 3 premiered Sunday night. WWE Hall of Famer Booker T previewed what’s to come on the show with Pakinomist Digital.
