Evan Lee Salim
The professional wrestling landscape is currently experiencing a period of intense creative experimentation. For fans who look beyond the industry titans, the week of July 19–25, 2026, provided a masterclass in how mid-sized promotions are utilizing diverse storytelling formats—from cinematic horror to high-octane technical exhibitions—to carve out their unique niches.
In this edition of Wrestling with the Rest, we dissect a jam-packed week of action. Ring of Honor (ROH) blurred the lines between its digital and premium offerings, TNA Wrestling leaned heavily into its legacy of “Deletion” chaos, and Major League Wrestling (MLW) showcased a high-water mark for in-ring quality that has the entire independent circuit talking.
Main Facts: A Week of Divergent Visions
This week served as a definitive case study in modern wrestling booking. ROH, operating under the broader AEW umbrella, continues to leverage its access to a deep roster to provide fans with "hidden gems." TNA, meanwhile, is betting big on nostalgia mixed with surrealism, celebrating the ten-year anniversary of the Final Deletion by doubling down on the supernatural.
Perhaps most surprisingly, MLW has shifted from a promotion focused on pure grit to one that is now prioritizing star-studded showcases. By bringing back high-profile talent who have been largely absent from the Fusion tapings, the promotion successfully shifted the momentum toward its upcoming Blood and Thunder event.
Chronological Breakdown: July 19–25, 2026
ROH: The Beantown Beatdown and Beyond
ROH’s strategy this week involved a two-pronged approach. Following the AEW Collision taping in Boston, the promotion released the "Beantown Beatdown" special on YouTube. This move allowed fans to witness top-tier talent like the Outrunners and The Premier Athletes without the barrier of a subscription.
The subsequent Thursday night Honor Club episode featured a surprising shift in character dynamics. Most notably, Satnam Singh delivered a performance that defied expectations, showcasing an agility rarely seen from a competitor of his stature—highlighted by a shocking "RKO out of nowhere." The standout feature of the week, however, was the burgeoning rivalry between Adam Brooks and Nathan Cruz.
TNA: The Righteous Deletion
TNA IMPACT returned to the Hardy Compound for "The Righteous Deletion." Ten years after the original Final Deletion changed the wrestling world, the Hardys and the Righteous (Vincent and Dutch) engaged in a 20-minute cinematic spectacle. The match pushed the boundaries of suspension of disbelief, featuring teleportation, time manipulation, and the surreal return of Jeff Hardy’s "Antichrist" persona.
MLW: Fusion’s High-Water Mark
The July 25 episode of Fusion was characterized by the return of heavyweight main-eventers. Killer Kross and Matt Riddle, both absent for significant stretches of the summer, dominated the opening segment as the promotion finalized the contract for the upcoming clash with Satoshi Kojima.
Supporting Data: In-Ring Excellence
Match of the Week: ROH – Adam Brooks vs. Nathan Cruz
The bout between Brooks and Cruz was a masterclass in psychological wrestling. Brooks’s narrative—a wrestler signed in 2020 whose momentum was halted by the global pandemic—offered a deep sense of pathos. Cruz, conversely, played the role of the jaded, elite veteran to perfection. Their exchange of technical holds, specifically the desperate, grounded fighting over a simple headlock, highlighted a level of mat-work that is increasingly rare in modern televised wrestling.
Match of the Week: TNA – Nic Nemeth vs. KC Navarro
While the cinematic match took the headlines, the TNA World Championship match between Nic Nemeth and KC Navarro proved that classic wrestling still draws the most emotional investment. Navarro’s homage to the classic "Dolph Ziggler" aesthetic signaled a narrative arc of student-versus-teacher, culminating in a match that pushed the champion to his absolute limit.
Match of the Week: MLW – Andrew Everett vs. Labron Kozone
This match is widely considered the best contest in the current era of MLW. The narrative weight—Kozone being an undefeated force versus the high-flying veteran Everett—created a palpable tension. The inclusion of a springboard Spiral Tap and a top-rope chokeslam elevated the match into the conversation for indie match of the year.
Official Perspectives and Talent Spotlights
Wrestler of the Week: Komander (ROH)
Komander’s ascent has been one of the most exciting stories in professional wrestling. Initially pigeonholed as a "rope-walk specialist," he has evolved into a versatile, high-impact performer. His ability to hit a 450-splash directly off the ropes during his match with Dynamite Kid demonstrated a level of precision that few wrestlers on the planet can match.
Wrestler of the Week: Jason Hotch (TNA)
Hotch’s performance this week was characterized by subtle character work rather than in-ring action. His portrayal of a man torn between his professional obligation to Mustafa Ali and his personal values (demonstrated via a poignant phone call with his wife) has added a humanizing layer to the Order 4 storyline.
Wrestler of the Week: Priscilla Kelly (MLW)
Despite a loss to the unstoppable ZAMAYA, Kelly’s performance was a highlight of the week. Her ability to command the ring and deliver a series of high-impact strikes before falling to a Death Valley Driver showcased her resilience. Her pre-match promo, asserting that she would not be "someone else’s accomplishment," remains one of the most compelling character statements of the month.
Implications: The Road to the Fall Pay-Per-Views
The wrestling industry is clearly preparing for a major transition in the autumn.
- ROH’s Path to Death Before Dishonor: The promotion is clearly using these multi-taping weeks to solidify mid-card feuds, ensuring that the undercard for their next major PPV will be as technically sound as the main event.
- TNA’s Lockdown Outlook: The "Righteous Deletion" has essentially closed the chapter on one of the most bizarre feuds of the year. With that settled, TNA is pivoting toward the Lockdown event, with the Nemeth/Navarro arc providing a solid foundation for the World Title picture.
- MLW’s Blood and Thunder: By reintroducing heavyweights like Killer Kross and Matt Riddle, MLW is signaling that their next event will be a shift toward a more aggressive, high-stakes aesthetic. The fact that the promotion can bridge the gap between their technical mid-carders (Everett/Kozone) and their world-title stars suggests a healthy, well-rounded roster.
Final Thoughts
As we take a brief hiatus, the landscape of independent wrestling looks more vibrant than it has in years. Whether you prefer the cinematic absurdity of TNA, the technical purity of ROH, or the sudden, high-octane growth of MLW, the current offerings are catering to every taste.
We will return in two weeks to provide a comprehensive look at the fallout from these events as the promotions sprint toward their late-summer and early-fall milestones. Stay tuned for our next installment, where we will cover the final build-up to the most anticipated matches of the season.
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Dwi Wanna
