Fans tuning in lately have had no shortage of pro wrestling action. WWE’s recent taped shows on Monday nights, the push toward Raw airing on Netflix in 2025, and a future three-hour SmackDown have been the talk of the community. Meanwhile, AEW’s Continental Classic has turned Wednesday nights into must-see TV, with international stars like Will Ospreay battling top competitors. Below is a look at the key developments from the spirited chat on Ringside Report’s Wrestling Uncensored.
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Table of Contents
WWE’s Current Scene and Three-Hour SmackDown in 2025
WWE landed on taped episodes for the holiday stretch, but the real buzz points to 2025, when Raw moves to Netflix, and SmackDown expands to three hours. Host Dave Simon said:
“SmackDown, three hours starting January 3rd. Boo, I hate it, I’m upset.”
Co-host Johnny North chimed in:
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“I enjoyed SmackDown more because it was two hours compared to Raw being three hours.”
They joked about how a later SmackDown would affect their show’s start time. At one point, Dave even mentioned:
“10 o’clock it is, John… This is a good time for me.”
Their plan might include watching the last hour of SmackDown live on the show, giving fans a watch-along style format. By 2025, there will be a big shift as Raw leaves traditional TV and lands on Netflix, ramping up the platform’s streaming ambitions. Dave said:
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“Raw January 6th on Netflix… I hope Netflix can handle the traffic.”
Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes, and the WWE Title Scene
One of WWE’s main stories involves Kevin Owens ambushing Cody Rhodes, taking Cody’s Winged Eagle title belt, and continuing a path toward a possible showdown at Royal Rumble. Johnny said:
“Kevin’s keeping the Winged Eagle title and he will be defending that title going forward until Cody comes back.”
Dave recalled how Kevin hit a huge Package Piledriver off-air:
“Kevin Owens… he’s never hit that move… that was his finishing move as Kevin Steen.”
There’s uncertainty over Cody’s health, but the group agreed we might see them fight at the Royal Rumble or beyond.
SmackDown’s Current Feeling
With SmackDown taped in advance, fans saw more of Drew McIntyre’s quest for payback against The Bloodline. Drew is locking horns with Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso, and anyone connected to Roman Reigns. Meanwhile, the taped format muted some of the excitement, but next year’s shift to Netflix for Raw and a three-hour SmackDown might shake everything up. That’s the ongoing debate: Will SmackDown lose its tight pacing at three hours, or can it hold fan interest?
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Will Ospreay vs Darby Allin Hailed as a Great Match
AEW Dynamite and the Continental Classic
AEW Dynamite has delivered strong bouts, especially in the Continental Classic. Dave repeatedly praised the event, calling it a “very good tournament” with multiple wrestlers tied near the top.
“We saw a Continental Classic match this week that was phenomenal… Darby Allin vs. Will Ospreay.”
That match stole the show with daring moves, including a missed Coffin Drop onto the ring apron by Darby, a Styles Clash variation off the apron by Ospreay, and a final sequence leading to Darby’s surprise pin. Dave was in awe:
“How is his back in one piece? How does he do this stuff?”
Johnny echoed that amazement:
“He’s a bump machine… but there’s a lot more to him than just the bumps.”
They agree that Darby Allin and Will Ospreay are among wrestling’s top talents. Ospreay’s physical style, Darby’s reckless courage, and their athletic counters had the crowd roaring.
Points and Brackets: Who Will Win?
With a G1-style point system, the Gold League and Blue League are both wide open. In the Gold League, Will Ospreay, Darby Allin, Claudio Castagnoli, “Ricochet,” and Brody King are jostling for the top. In the Blue League, Kazuchika Okada, Shelton Benjamin, Kyle Fletcher, Mark Briscoe, and a few others remain contenders. Possible draws, tiebreakers, and last-minute upsets make the entire bracket unpredictable, leading Dave Simon to say:
“I love the math… the possibilities. It’s been well booked.”
Rampage Canceled in 2025, Collision Shifts Online in Canada
Significant changes loom for AEW programming, too. As of January 2025, Rampage will be canceled on Fridays. Collision is moving to an online-only format in Canada through Bell Media’s rebranded Discovery Channel, now USA Network Canada. Johnny said:
“I believe Rampage next week, that’ll be the last episode ever of Rampage.”
With so many scheduling moves, fans wonder how AEW will juggle pay-per-views, Collision, and Dynamite. However, interest is still riding high on must-see moments such as CM Punk’s run-in with Seth Rollins in WWE, and there is also the possibility that Kevin Owens might eventually cross paths with Punk. Nothing is certain, but speculation drives attention each week.
Future Direction: Cody, Roman, CM Punk, and AEW’s Stars
Roman Reigns and WrestleMania Possibilities
The panel touched on WrestleMania, focusing on matches featuring Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, and The Rock. Dave said:
“If Punk does main event WrestleMania, like, closes the show, it’s against who? Roman Reigns?”
Johnny argued that Roman may be busy with The Rock or Cody, which adds a puzzle:
“You have Cody and The Rock, and potentially a women’s match. Then maybe even Cena and Gunther. You’re gonna put Punk and Roman on top of those?”
This stacks up to a star-filled lineup, with Randy Orton also in the wings.
CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins: Tension on Raw
CM Punk’s return to WWE is buzzing in the wrestling world, especially with a heated storyline brewing with Seth Rollins. There was a mention of a big match on Netflix on January 6th, Raw: Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk.
“This is like almost WrestleMania level main events given away on a Monday Night Raw.”
A pull-apart brawl and Punk’s verbal jabs about Seth’s outfits and mannerisms set the stage for a possible trilogy. Johnny wasn’t fully impressed by the physical brawl but enjoyed the war of words. Punk’s comedic timing and Seth’s quick comebacks gave a taste of what’s coming. Meanwhile, Kevin Owens is off in his own story with Cody, leaving Punk to tangle with Seth. Observers predict run-ins, no clean finishes, and a bigger match somewhere down the line.
The Role of Drew McIntyre and Potential Title Shots
Over on SmackDown, Drew McIntyre appears to sit between heel and babyface, feuding with Jey Uso and Sami Zayn and even taking shots at Seth. He’s one of several wrestlers who might get a big WrestleMania moment. Dave joked:
“He’s another guy that’s going to have a spot for WrestleMania.”
That’s becoming a running theme, as the panel listed Randy Orton, CM Punk, Cody, Seth, and Roman. All need meaningful matches, so it’s a question of who pairs off with whom.
AEW’s Build to “World’s End”
AEW’s next pay-per-view, “World’s End,” arrives soon, with a main event featuring MJF defending the AEW World Championship against Adam Cole. Dave recapped MJF’s verbal assault on Cole:
“He obliterated Adam Cole. Talking about how small, skinny, yellow with that weird fake tan.”
Cole responded on the screen, claiming his friends from The Kingdom would be around the ring, which felt odd from a babyface perspective. The panel suspects more twists, possibly a betrayal or a big angle. There’s also speculation that Kenny Omega might appear, as a video package hinted at his return. Dave said:
“Kenny Omega video package telling us he is coming back to AEW soon.”
Fans might see Kenny confront Jon Moxley or revisit old rivalries.
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WWE’s 2025 TV Moves: Raw switches to Netflix, while SmackDown goes three hours on broadcast. Fans debate whether three hours is too long for SmackDown, given its crisp two-hour format.
AEW’s Shifting Schedule: Rampage is set to end in 2025, and Collision moves to an online broadcast in Canada. Dynamite remains the core weekly show, bolstered by the Continental Classic.
Major Storylines: Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens, CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns’ uncertain opponent for WrestleMania top WWE chatter. AEW focuses on the Continental Classic, with Darby Allin, Will Ospreay, and others delivering show-stealing matches.
Intrigue in Both Promotions: Kevin Owens using the Package Piledriver for the first time in WWE, Ospreay’s amazing performances in AEW, and the potential main events for WrestleMania add layers of excitement for the coming months.
Conclusion
Pro wrestling right now is a mix of taped holiday episodes, transitional scheduling, and big news about 2025 changes. WWE’s plan to move Raw onto Netflix and expand SmackDown has sparked conversations among longtime fans who prefer shorter shows. Meanwhile, AEW continues to surprise with a tournament with fans guessing the winners to the last bracket. From Kevin Owens stealing Cody’s cherished belt to Darby Allin’s fearless style against Will Ospreay, these storylines have plenty of momentum heading into the new year.
For an even closer look and more detailed commentary from Dave Simon and Johnny North, watch the full replay on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, or Kick, or check out the audio podcast on all platforms. The hosts’ energy and the live audience’s opinions make each session a lively experience.
