How To Watch The WWE In A Focused, Fun Manner Whether You're New Or A Longtime Fan, 21: TV Timeout

This is a really fun season that includes very few WWE episodes. While WWE was the fastest off the blocks during the pandemic, their storytelling was erratic and their matches were super repetitive. Apart from the Bloodline, the feuds were dull, and some of their best talent moved to AEW. 

This gave AEW and Impact some time to shine, and we even got some hopeful glimmers of Ring Of Honor before it folded due to bankruptcy (don't get too sad, it gets relaunched as a sort of minor league AEW pretty quickly next season).

Our big ending last season was Stiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing! The sixty-something year old hero from the WCW days, and the grizzled veteran champ from the early 2000s and 2010s TNA/Impact era was back on TV as a wrestler in AEW. While he wasn't The Big Star that he was in WCW, he was an absolute madman wrestling some incredible daredevil matches this season. He wasn't upper card but he was definitely the highlight of the mid-card.

What are the season long stories to pay attention to? Kenny Omega bringing AEW to Impact, and then bringing Impact back to AEW, the nostalgia factor of Sting in AEW Mickie James in Impact and The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase in NXT, the Bloodline story doesn't dominate this season as it will in the near future but it percolates away in the background.​

Season 21

​Starring:
Kenny Omega, Becky Lynch, Roman Reigns, Darby Allin, Bianca Belair, Young Bucks, Iyo Sky, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Mickie James, Hangman Page, Nick Aldis, Trevor Murdoch, Charlotte Flair, Gunther, Good Brothers, Deanna Parazzo, Bandido

2101. Winter Is Here

The pandemic era is still running wild in AEW, which is a shame because these matches deserved a bigger audience. We're on the cusp of Kenny Omega's double title run, The Young Bucks hold the tag gold, and Japanese wrestlers kick down The Forbidden Door and start to become regular performers in Tony Khan's Live Action Fantasy Wrestling Federation. 

Announcers: Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, Taz, Excalibur, Justin Roberts

1. Kenny Omega & Kenta vs Dean Ambrose (as Jon Moxley) & Lance Archer in a Hardcore Match
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2. Hikaru Shida, Mei Suruga, & Rin Kadokura vs Veny, Maki Itoh, & Emi Sakura
3. Young Bucks (AEW Tag Champs) vs Inner Circle
4. Hikaru Shida (AEW Womens Champ) vs Ryo Mizunami
5. The Young Bucks (AEW Tag Champs) vs Death Triangle
6. Team Taz vs Darby Allin & Sting in a Street Fight​

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2102. Dusty Cups

MSK and the Grizzled Young Vets are front and center in this tag team heavy episode which also shows the last couple of matches in Iyo Sky (as Io Shirai)'s fantastic run as NXT Womens Champ.

Announcers: Wade Barrett, Beth Phoenix, Vic Joseph, Alicia Taylor

1. MSK vs Grizzled Young Veterans
2. Dakota Kai & Raquel Rodriguez (as Raquel González) vs Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart

3. Johnny Gargano (NXT US Champ) vs Kushida
4. Iyo Sky (as Io Shirai) (NXT Womens Champ) vs Toni Storm vs Mercedes Martinez
5. MSK vs Grizzled Young Veterans vs Legado Del Fantasmo
6. Iyo Sky (as Io Shirai) (NXT Womens Champ) vs Raquel Rodriguez (as Raquel Gonzales)

7. Finn Balor (NXT Champ) vs Pete Dunne

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2103. Hard Times Again,  2021

NWA returns after being relegated to a few fun but not inspiring Youtube episodes during the Covid-19 pandemic. There's a ton of future and past WWE and AEW talent that goes through Billy Corgan's version of the company that spawned WCW, ECW, and Impact. We also get a glimpse of LA Knight here (as Eli Drake) but he doesn't get into the ring, he just gives an unforgettable promo.

Announcers: Wade Barret (as Stu Barret), Joe Galli, Tim Storm, Taryn Tarelle, Kyle Davis

1. Allisyn Kay (NWA Womens Champ) vs Thunder Rosa
2. Kamille vs Thunder Rosa
3. Trevor Murdoch (NWA National Champ) vs Chris Masters (as Chris Adonis)
4. Nick Aldis (NWA Champ) vs Damien Sandow (as Aaron Stevens)
5. La Rebelión Amarilla vs Marshe Rockett & Slice Boogie vs Sal Rinauro & Sam Rudo vs The End

6. Damien Sandow (as Aaron Stevens) & Kratos (NWA Tag Team Champs) vs The War Kings vs Strictly Business
​7. Nick Aldis (NWA Champ) vs Trevor Murdoch

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2104. Return Of Honor, 2021

Oh, hey, look! ROH is back, too! While it was permanently hobbled by the pandemic, we do get a couple of episodes of ROH proper before it ends up being swallowed up by AEW and turned into their version of NXT.

Announcers: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman, Rocky Romero, Bobby Cruise

1. Jonathan Gresham (ROH Pure Champion) vs Flip Gordon
2. Bandido vs Flamita vs Rey Horus
3. Bandido vs Flamita (4/30/2021)
4. Jonathan Gresham (ROH Pure Champ)  vs Mike Bennett
5. Tony Deppen (ROH TV Champ) vs Dragon Lee
6. Rush (ROH Champ) vs Bandido

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2105. Too Sweet?, 2021

Crowds returning to The Impact Zone isn't the big story in this episode. No, it's the unification of the AEW and Impact Championship and what that would mean. In fact, before the crowds were allowed back, Omega faced Rich Swann for the unified title and the audience consisted mainly of Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone.

Announcers: Matt Striker, D-Lo Brown, Don Callis,  David Penzer

1. Ace Austin vs Matt Cardona
2. TJP (as Manik) (Impact X Champ) vs Chris Bey vs Rohit Raju
3. The Good Brothers (Impact Tag Team Champs) vs FinJuice
4. Kenny Omega (ROH Champ) vs Rich Swann (Impact Champ)
5. Josh Alexander (Impact X Champ) vs Trey Miguel vs Rohit Raju vs Ace Austin vs Chris Bey

6. Deonna Purrazzo (Impact Knockout Champ) vs Thunder Rosa
7. Kenny Omega (AEW Champ, Impact Champ) vs Sami Callahan

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2106. Justice For Sami, 2021

Our first mainstream WWE episode of the season continues last season's stories as Sami Zayn and Kevin Owen, and Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair try to settle their differences. We also see The Hurt Business in action, and a killer Hell In A Cell match.

Announcers: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves, Pat McAfee, Adnan Virk, Jimmy Smith, Greg Hamilton, Mike Rome

1. Bobby Lashley (WWE Champ) vs Braun Stroman vs Drew McIntyre
2. Bianca Belair (WWE Smackdown Womens Champ) vs Bayley in Hell In A Cell
3. Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens
​4. Sheamus (WWE US Champ) vs Damien Priest
5. Rhea Ripley (WWE Raw Womens Champ) vs Charlotte Flair
6. AJ Styles & Omos (WWE Raw Tag Team Champs) vs RKBro
7. Roman Reigns (WWE Universal Champ) vs Edge

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2107. Elite Pillars

This is an All Very Elite wrestling card as we see two title defenses from Kenny Omega, two title defenses by The Young Bucks, and three title defenses by Darby Allin in this all-killer, no-filler episode.

Announcers: Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, Excalibur, Justin Roberts

1. Kenny Omega (AEW Champ, Impact Champ) vs Matt Sydal
2. Darby Allin vs Matt Hardy in a Hardcore Match
3. Young Bucks (AEW Tag Team Champs) vs SoCalU
4. Darby Allin vs Jack Perry (as Jungle Boy)
5. Young Bucks (AEW Tag Team Champs) vs Varsity Blonds
6. Darby Allin vs Rusev (as Miro)
7. Kenny Omega (AEW Champ, Impact Champ) vs Pac vs Orange Cassidy

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2108. A Bad Night For The Wiseman, 2021

Despite neither having titles, Seth Rollins and Edge were both in show-stealing condition for the few WWE episodes of this season. The Intercontinental title had fizzled out of importance some time ago, so we get one in a series of multi-men matchups that were more about storylines than the title. Also, Otis and the Alpha Academy join the RKBro-style comedy portion of the show, and both teams excel in humor in a way that WWE hasn't succeeded at since the Jericho/Owens feud.

Announcers: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves, Pat McAfee,  Jimmy Smith, Greg Hamilton, Mike Rome

​1. Mens Money In The Bank Ladder Match
​Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura, Big E, Riddle, Ricochet, John Morrison

2. Edge vs Seth Rollins
3. The Mysterios (WWE Smackdown Tag Champs) vs The Usos
4. Charlotte Flair (WWE Smackdown Womens Champ) vs Alexa Bliss
5. Apollo Crews (WWE Intercontinental Champ) vs Big E vs Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn
6. Otis vs Angelo Dawkins
7. Roman Reigns (WWE Universal Champ) vs John Cena

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​2109. The Pinnacle

The Pinnacle is MJF's faction that he created when leaving Chris Jericho's Inner Circle, and they're powerful but not as powerful as MJF would be when he went solo. This is, once again, an Elite heavy episode.

Announcers: Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, Taz, Excalibur, Justin Roberts

1. Serena Deeb (NWA Womens Champ) vs Riho
2. Young Bucks (AEW Tag Team Champs) vs Dean Ambrose (as Jon Moxley) & Eddie Kingston

3. Hangman Page vs Brian Cage
​4. Young Bucks vs Death Triangle
5. Kenny Omega (AEW Champ, Impact Champ) vs Jack Perry (as Jungle Boy)​
6. The Inner Circle vs The Pinnacle in a Stadium Match
Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, Sammy Guevara, Proud & Powerful vs MJF, FTR, Shawn Spears & Wardlow

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2110. The Million Dollar Return

I don't think anyone figured on Ted Dibiase becoming a major character in WWE again but he's a nice addition to the Cameron Grimes/LA Knight story. Grimes himself has a decent storyline but he overacts to the point that I have a hard time caring about his character, so it was good that they brought Dibiase in. Other than that, forget the storylines and check out the top tier wrestling.

Announcers: Wade Barret, Beth Phoenix, Vic Joseph, Alicia Taylor

1. Cameron Grimes vs Jake Atlas
2. Pete Dunne vs Kushida
3. Gunther (as Walter) (NXT UK Champ) vs Tomasso Ciampa
4. Adam Cole vs Kyle O'Reilly in an Unsanctioned Match
5. Raquel Rodriguez (as Raquel Gonzalez (NXT Womens Champ) vs Ember Moon
6. Cameron Grimes vs La Knight in a Ladder Match for The Million Dollar Championship

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2111. No Blood, No Guts

The AEW Blood & Guts Event of 2021 was famously awful. Capped off by an Exploding Barbed Wire match that was more of a Slightly Carbonated Water Cardboard Match, it left a lot to be desired. Luckily AEW was up to the task, as there were plenty of violent and bloody stipulation matches during the following weeks.

Announcers: Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, Taz, Excalibur, Justin Roberts

1. Hangman Page & Ten vs Will Hobbs & Brian Cage
2. Young Bucks (AEW Champs) vs Eddie Kingston & Penta El Zero
3. MJF vs Sammy Guevara
4. Ethan Page vs Darby Allin in a Casket Match
5. Young Bucks (AEW Champs) vs Eddie Kingston & Penta El Zero in a Hardcore Match
6. Dean Ambrose (as Jon Moxley) vs Lance Archer in a Texas Death Match

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2112. Empowerr

NWA's version of The Womens' Revolution highlights some of the hardworkers in NWA and Impact who weren't getting enough screen time. This is an unedited version of the event curated and produced by Mickie James.

Announcers: Alundra Blayze, Velvet Sky, Joe Galli, Brent Tarring, May Valentine, Angela Sharpe 

1. Kylie Rae vs Chik Tormenta vs Diamante
2. The Hex vs Hell On Heels
3. Red Velvet & Killyn King vs FreeBabes
4. Deana Purrazzo (Impact Knockout Champ) vs Melina Perez
5. The Hex vs Red Velvet & Killyn King for the NWA Womens Tag Team Championship
6. Kamille (NWA Womens Champ) vs Leyla Hirsch
7. NWA Womens Invitational Cup
Kiera Hogan, Chelsea Green, Bianca Carrelli, Debbie Malenko, Lady Frost, Jamie Sengal, Jennacide, Masha Slamovich, Thunder Kitty & Tootie Lynn

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2113. Fight For The Fallen

This is a fun multi-company episode as we begin with our final AEW matches for this season, which includes an Impact championship match, and then we transition into a few Impact title matches from their own company. Also, Mark Henry is now a backstage personality for AEW in some suits so stylish, you'd swear he was about to doublecross John Cena.

Announcers: Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, Excalibur, Chris Jericho, Mark Henry, Justin Roberts

1. The Elite vs Dante Martin, Matt & Mike Sydal
2. Shawn Spears vs Sammy Guevera
3. Kenny Omega (AEW Champ & Impact Champ) vs Christian for Impact Championship
4. Young Bucks (AEW Champ) vs Jurassic Express
5. Josh Alexander (Impact X Champ) vs Jake Something
6. Deonna Purrazzo (Impact Knockouts Champ & AAA Womens Champ) vs Masha Slamovich

7. Christian (Impact Champ) vs Brian Meyers

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​2114. Knockout Your Shot

2021 was really just a good year for fans of Impact Wrestling, as the storylines got a little better but the wrestling never suffered. About half of this episode is from the 2021 Knockouts Knockdown, one of TNA's best events of the year.

Announcers: Ian Riccaboni, Matt Striker, D-Lo Brown, Mickie James, David Penzer, Veda Scott, Tom Hannifan, Bobby Cruise, Melissa Santos

1. The Good Brothers (Impact Tag Champs) vs Violent By Design vs Rich Swann & Willie Mack
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2. Josh Alexander (Impact X Champ) vs Chris Sabin
3. Deona Purrazzo (Impact Knockouts Champ & AAA Heavyweight Champ) vs Masha Slamovich in a Non-Title Mtch
3. Mercedes Martinez vs Rachel Ellering
4. Christian (Impact Champ) vs Ace Austin
5. Alisha Edwards vs Jordynne Grace vs Kimber Lee vs Savannah Evans in a Monster's Ball Match

6. Trey Miguel vs El Phantasmo vs Steve Maclin for the Impact X Championship
7. Christian Cage (Impact Champ) vs Josh Alexander

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2115. Hitting The Links

We wrap up the LA Knight vs Wrestling's Worst Actor storyline, and we see all I imagine we're ever going to see of Karrion Kross in this snapshot of the last days of NXT before it became, *shudder*, NXT 2.0. We also see one of NXT UK's best matches ever, and probably the best match of the season if you're a fan of people beating the heck out of each other.

​Announcers: Wade Barret, Beth Phoenix, Vic Joseph, Alicia Taylor

1. Kushida (NXT Cruiserweight Champ) vs Santos Escobar in a 2/3 Falls Match
2. Karrion Kross (NXT Champ) vs Adam Cole vs Johnny Gargano vs Kyle O'Reilly vs Pete Dunne

3. LA Knight (WWE Million Dollar Champ) vs Cameron Grimes
4. Karrion Kross (NXT Champ) vs Samoa Joe
5. Gunther (as Walter) (NXT UK Champ) vs Ilja Dragunov

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2116. When Our Shadows Fall

Three NWA episodes in one season? Truly, it's their Golden Age. This episode sees them dust off Ric Flair to get in the ring and talk for a bit.

Announcers: Joe Galli, Tim Storm, and Velvet Sky

1. Tim Storm vs Thom Latimer Latimer vs Crimson in an Extreme Rules Match 
2. Mickie James vs Kylie Rae
3. Ric Flair says Thank You
4. Kamille (NWA Womens Champ) vs Chelsea Green
5. Damien Sandow (as Aron Stevens) & JR Kratos (NWA Tag Champs) vs La Rebelion
6. Nick Aldis (NWA Champ) vs Tervor Murdoch in a Title Vs Career Match

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2117. Streaming Exclusively On Peacock, 2021

It's the end of the Black and Gold era for NXT, as the next generation of stars begins to take over and the old guard moves to either the main WWE roster or AEW. 

Announcers: Wade Barett, Beth Phoenix, Vic Joseph, Alicia Taylor

​1. Adam Cole vs Kyle O'Reilly in a 2/3 Falls Match
2. War Games Match
Iyo Sky (as Io Shirai), Raquel Rodriguez (as Raquael Gonzalez), Cora Jade, Kay Lee Ray vs Dakota Kai & Toxic Attraction

3. Imperium (NXT Tag Champs) vs Kyle O'Reilly & Von Wagner
4. Roderick Strong (WWE Cruiserweight Champ) vs Joe Gacy
5. War Games Match
Bronn Breaker, Grayson Waller, Tony D'Angelo & Carmelo Hayes vs Johnny Gargano, Tomasso Ciampa, LA Knight, Pete Dunne

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2118. Crown Jewel, 2021

The Saudi Arabian shows tended not to be great but they slowly improve here with an amazing Hell in A Cell match. Becky Lynch also completely takes over the Womens Division spotlight.

Announcers: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves, Pat McAfeee, Jimmy Smith, Greg Hamilton, Mike Rome

1. Becky Lynch (WWE Raw Champ) vs Bianca Belair
2. Edge vs Seth Rollins in Hell in A Cell
3. Becky Lynch (WWE Raw Womens Champ) vs Bianca Belair & Sasha Banks
4. Bobby Lashley (WWE Champ) vs Randy Orton
5. Becky Lynch (WWE Raw Womens Champ) vs Charlotte Flair (WWE Smackdown Womens Champ)
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6. Roman Reigns (WWE Universal Champ) vs Sami Zayn

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2119. Countdown To Glory, 2021, 2022

Our final Impact episode of the season will steer us out of the AEW Invasion storyline and start shining the spotlight on their homegrown talent, as well as the legendary Mickie James.

Announcers: Ian Riccaboni, Matt Striker, D-Lo Brown, David Penzer, Tom Hannifan, Bobby Cruise

1. John Skyler vs Vicky Dice
2. Hernandez vs Crrazy Steve
3. Mickie James (Impact Knockout Champ) vs Mercedes Martinez 
4. Fallah vs Sam Beale
5. Johnny Swinger vs Jordynne Grace
6. Moose (Impact Champ) vs Eddie Edwards in a TLC Match
7. Madison Rayne vs Chelsea Greene
8. Tenille Dashwood vs Alisha Tyler
9. Jonathan Gresham (ROH Puro Champ) vs Chris Sabin
10. Mickie James (Impact Knockout Champ) vs Deanna Purrazzo in a Texas Death Match

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2120. The End Of Honor

The final episode of Ring Of Honor before it was bought out by AEW features double doses of the stars who really held up ROH in its dying days: Bandido and The Briscoes.

Announcers: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman, Rocky Romero, Bobby Cruise

​1. Bandido (ROH Champ) vs Flamito vs EC3 vs Brody King
2. The Briscoes (ROH Tag Team Champs) vs OGK
3. The Briscoes (ROH Tag Team Champs) vs FTR
​4. Bandido (ROH Champ) vs Jonathan Gresham (ROH Champ)