Sami Zayn targets Cody Rhodes as Gunther demands a rematch for the WWE title

There’s a ton of news and notes coming out of the professional wrestling world over the past week as this reporter spent some time offline.

WWE went through its first few matches in the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, while All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) Owen Hart Foundation Men’s and Women’s Tournaments rang the bell on some of their first matches.

Meanwhile, Steve Maclin and Deonna Purrazzo held Battle for the Brave, rapper Fetty Wap appeared on Game Changer Wrestling and a new champion was crowned on Major League Wrestling’s (MLW) “MLW Fusion.”

So let’s get into it.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

==

Sami Zayn inserts himself into the title shot

Still tormented by WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn interrupted a segment between Rhodes and Gunther during “Friday Night SmackDown.” Gunther wanted a title rematch right away and Rhodes was about to give it to him until Zayn came out.

“You said you were the one to beat Gunther and teach me a lesson,” Zayn reminded Rhodes. “Well, you beat Gunther. When are you going to teach me that lesson?”

That’s when Gunther snuck up on Rhodes and attacked him from behind. Rhodes ran into Zayn who rolled out of the ring. Zayn got back into it and took out Gunther as he was about to choke out Rhodes. Gunther tossed Zayn out of the ring once more before Rhodes went on the offensive and began his takedown of Gunther.

Zayn pulled Gunther out of the ring to continue the match. Rhodes went for a suicide dive through the ropes and accidentally hit Zayn as Gunther pushed Zayn into danger. Zayn wouldn’t accept Rhodes’ help to get back on his feet.

At least it looked like a rematch for the Undisputed WWE Championship is on the horizon.

Gunther has a condition for the rematch, which SmackDown GM Nick Aldis revealed later in the show. However, Gunther’s “legal team” did not want to reveal the condition until next week’s show.

==

Chad Gable Apology Tour

In the aftermath of losing his mask vs. mask match to El Grande Americano at AAA’s Noche de Los Grandes last weekend, Gable appeared on “Friday Night SmackDown” in a suit. He started his evening with a meeting with Aldis.

Gable started with AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix. Gable said the two had a great match at WrestleMania 41 last year, but he did it “under false pretenses.” He said he learned going through his journey in Mexico that Lucha Libre was no joke.

Gable said he asked for forgiveness and he got it from Fenix.

Where Gable goes next is everyone’s question. There are plenty of people Gable needs to apologize to, including Alpha Academy.

==

King and Queen of the Rings tournaments

“Friday Night SmackDown” featured a King of the Ring tournament match and a Queen of the Ring tournament match with some surprising results.

Raquel Rodriguez, Bayley, Jacy Jayne and Kiana James made it in the four-way Queen of the Ring tournament. It was Rodriguez who went over and got James to advance in the tournament. James became frustrated with Giulia in the aftermath of the match, clearly signaling a split between the duo.

Rodriguez will face Iyo Sky in the semi-finals.

Dominik Mysterio picked up a surprise victory over Bron Breaker, Damian Priest and Trick Williams. The AAA mega champion was helped by doomsday colleagues JD McDonagh and Liv Morgan. The Women’s Champion hit a low blow on Priest, allowing Mysterio to hit a 619 and a Frog Splash on Priest to pick up the win.

Mysterio will face Oba Femi in the semi-finals.

There are still two quarter-final matches left on either side of the tournament.

==

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist

Owen Hart Foundation Tournaments

Mercedes Moné made a triumphant return to AEW on Wednesday’s “Dynamite” as she was the wild card to replace Willow Nightingale in the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament. Moné took on and defeated Alex Windsor to advance and get closer to a shot at the AEW Women’s World Championship.

Moné also appeared on “Collision” Saturday after Hazuki’s victory over Persephone. Moné lost her CMLL Women’s Championship belt to Persephone a few months ago, and Moné seemed to be out for revenge. She attacked Persephone after Hazuki won the match. Hazuki got back in the ring and chased Moné. But when Moné had her back turned, Hazuki dived through the ropes and launched her own attack.

It was a wild finish to “Collision” for the second week in a row.

On the men’s side, Will Ospreay continued his tear over the men’s roster, advancing to the Owen Hart Tournament Finals with a victory over AEW National Champion Mark Davis.

Ospreay now has his ticket booked at the Forbidden Door at the end of the month and will face the winner of the Swerve Strickland and Claudio Castagnoli match. The winner of each Owen Hart tournament will receive a title shot at All In in August.

==

MLW title change

Shotzi came out of the gate on fire when she appeared on “MLW Fusion” last week. She defeated Priscilla Kelly and challenged Shoko Nakajima for the MLW Featherweight Championship.

Shotzi’s blistering pace at MLW continued on Saturday as she defeated Nakajima to become the new featherweight champion. It was her first title with the company and the challengers are already lined up.

Lady Frost told professional wrestling fans that she was on her way, signaling that she had Shotzi in her crosshairs.

==

Battle for the Brave a resounding success

Steve Maclin and Deonna Purrazzo mostly traded their gear for a promoter hat and hosted Battle for the Brave to benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

By all accounts from pro wrestling fans on social media, the event in Rahway, New Jersey was very successful. The card featured Maclin himself, Matt and Jeff Hardy, The Rascalz, Richard Holliday, Shotzi, Priscilla Kelly, Kris Statlander and plenty of others.

Holliday was the winner of the Battle for the Brave 12-man gauntlet match. He received the Battle for the Brave Cup for his victory.

Fans seemed extremely happy with the event and expressed as much on social media.

==

Fetty Wap’s GCW performance

You never know who’s going to show up in a pro wrestling ring and what they’re going to do.

Fetty Wap appeared at Game Changer Wrestling’s (GCW) Tournament of Survival in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Little did anyone know, he would be involved in an angle.

Nick Gage gave Fetty some fluorescent lights, and the New Jersey-born rapper used the weapon on Tony Deppen. The crowd that packed the house at the Showboat Resort went wild.

==

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP

More notes from a week in professional wrestling:

• MJF defeated Rush to retain the AEW World Championship.
• Kevin Knight defeated Mike Bailey to retain the AEW TNT Championship.
• Lana Kross and Megan Bayne defeated Anna Jay and Tay Melo to retain the AEW Women’s Tag Team Championship.
• Kyle O’Reilly, Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong def. Drarlistico, Rush and Sammy Guevara to retain the AEW World Trios Championship.
• Tony D’Angelo defeated Kam Hendrix to retain the NXT Championship.
• Lexis King defeated Romero Moreno to retain the NXT Speed ​​Championship.
• Steve Maclin and Myla Grace left TNA Wrestling.