Various: Black Saturday, Rusev on WWE Championship Match, Indies

This Week’s WWE Network Hidden Gem to be 1984’s Black Saturday Incident

This week’s Hidden Gem addition to the WWE Network is 1984’s Black Saturday incident, according to WWE Network News.

The infamous July 14, 1984 episode of World Championship Wrestling hosted by Vince McMahon is the first episode of World Championship Wrestling prior to November 1985 to be added to the Network.

This episode is notable in wrestling history for being Vince McMahon’s attempt to wrangle the Southern television market away from Georgia Championship Wrestling during WWF’s national expansion in the 1980s. While terms of the television deal with TBS stipulated WWF would provide weekly original wrestling content, McMahon quickly broke the terms and used GCW’s former Saturday time slot mainly as a WWF recap show featuring previously aired content. Due to viewership outrage and failing ratings, Vince eventually sold the time slot to Jim Crockett Promotions in March 1985.

This infamous incident is usually seen as the start of the distrust between Vince McMahon and Ted Turner resulting in the Monday Night Wars of the 1990s.

Rusev Comments on His Upcoming WWE Championship Match at Extreme Rules

ESPN held a recent interview with Rusev discussing his thoughts on his upcoming WWE Championship match against AJ Styles at this Sunday’s Extreme Rules event.

“Becoming heavyweight champion and holding the top title is on my bucket list. That spot is always getting tighter and tighter, but why not? A man can always dream.

I’ve been focused and I’m in the zone. I’ve been training harder than any other day.

It’s great. Finally being able to climb up all the way to the top. I’ve worked hard enough and done everything I’ve needed to do. It just feels good that I have this opportunity, and I’m not going to waste it.”

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Major League Wrestling announced two new matches for their MLW Fusion television tapings later tonight in Orlando, Florida. These were revealed to be a singles match of Hughes versus Leon Scott and a Simon Gotch Prize Fight Challenge match.

ROH announced Kay Lee Ray will be making her official debut for the company at their August 16th Honor Re-United event in Edinburgh, Scotland. Besides Ray, Viper was also announced to be making her official ROH debut at this event.

Newest episode of the Being The Elite Youtube series features the fallout from last weekend’s NJPW G1 Special event and a special appearance by Chris Jericho.