Wrestling Tonight: MLP NORTHERN RISING PREVIEW | PAC TRIBUTE DYNAMITE, NAOMI RETURN & WWE BLEACHER REPORT DEAL | 219

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com.

This week, Wrestling Tonight previews MLP Northern Rising 2026, as Scott D'Amore's Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling returns to Toronto this Saturday for a sold out show at the Mattamy Athletic Centre at Maple Leaf Gardens. Two years after the historic Maple Leaf name was revived, MLP heads into one of its biggest events yet with weekly television on TSN, worldwide streaming through MyAEW and growing relationships with AEW and CMLL.

We break down the full Northern Rising card and what this show represents for MLP's continued growth, headlined by Adam Copeland returning home to Toronto to face Steve Maclin. Josh Alexander also returns to settle the MLP Canadian Championship situation with interim champion Stu Grayson, while Andrade El Idolo defends the AEW National Championship against Rohan Raja and Priscilla Kelly puts the MLP Canadian Women's Championship on the line against Nikki Storm. We also get into the history behind D'Amore's revival of the Maple Leaf Wrestling name and whether MLP is beginning to establish an identity that can stand on its own beyond the outside stars and promotional partnerships.

We also continue remembering PAC and Benjamin Satterley, as WWE, ROH and wrestlers across the industry paid tribute following his passing at just 40 years old. Tony Khan delivered an emotional tribute during Monday's ROH tapings, and AEW will dedicate Wednesday's Dynamite in Pittsburgh to PAC's life and career, fittingly returning to a city where he once headlined Dynamite against Jon Moxley.

Then we get into a busy week of WWE news, including Jaida Parker making her Raw arrival by aligning with The 946 and running over Jacob Fatu, plus Oba Femi vs. Bronson Reed being added to Money in the Bank. We also discuss reports that Naomi could be nearing her WWE return after more than a year away following her pregnancy.

Finally, we break down WWE's new highlights agreement with Bleacher Report and why the Warner Bros. Discovery connection immediately raised questions about AEW. Despite WWE content now coming to Bleacher Report, House of Highlights and B/R Wrestling, a WBD source reportedly believes the deal could actually benefit AEW by putting more resources behind wrestling content, with AEW's current television agreement running through 2027 and a WBD option for 2028.

Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at PATREON.COM/THETURNBUCKLETAVERN for exclusive content, and follow @turnbuckletavern across social media for all the latest updates.

Until the following week, when we wine and dine with you kings and queens, stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. God luck and good speed.