Awkward RAW Finish Explained, Big Names Passes On Joining AEW

If you caught the September 14 RAW, you saw Mickie James and Asuka fight to a weird end. Now, the awkward RAW finish is explained.

Also, Jeff Cobb passes on AEW in a bit of a surprising move.

Awkward RAW Finish Explained

Watching RAW this past Monday, one match may have left fans a bit puzzled. Now, that awkward RAW finish gets explained.

Specifically, the awkward finish came at the end of the match between Asuka and Mickie James.

Anyone watching likely noticed how quickly and oddly that match concluded.

Some speculated on an injury, possibly to Mickie James.

Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez confirmed, however, that Mickie James was in fact fine.

Mickie James is fine, the ref screwed up.

— Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) September 15, 2020

While not as high profile a ref screw up as say, when the women main evented WrestleMania…it’s still concerning.

Mickie James looked confused and annoyed by the ending. With WWE quickly shuffling Zelina Vega out, folks wondered if that had anything to do with it.

As much as Mickie James has accomplished, she certainly deserved a better ending to that match, even if she was booked to lose.

Especially since WWE did quickly pivot away from that awkward finish, I don’t expect it will get revisited. The official will likely have some disciplinary measures coming their way though.

Now, if it had been the same official from the ‘Mania match…at least then WWE could have tried to go somewhere with it.

Instead, at least based on initial reports, it seems this one can be chalked up to a major referee faux pax.

Big Names Passes On Joining AEW

A few months back, Jeff Cobb made some headlines by showing up in AEW. Now, it seems as though Jeff Cobb is passing on AEW, in favor of New Japan.

In spite of (or perhaps because of?) his AEW appearance, he still had interest from WWE as well.

Cobb is a hard hitting, athletic big man. It would have been intriguing to see him work more in AEW, but he should do well in New Japan.

According to a report by Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer, Jeff Cobb has indeed passed on an AEW contract offer. 

He has instead signed on with NJPW. Per the report, for Cobb, a New Japan contract was always his goal.

While to some fans, that might seem strange, if NJPW was indeed his goal then congrats to him for landing where he wanted to be.

Based on other reports, Cobb had his choice of deal. He clearly had interest from WWE, and we know he showed up in AEW.

Basically, he could have gone anywhere he wanted to. Now, terms aren’t known, but whether he just preferred New Japan over the others, or the deal was more favorable, we may never know.

While this doesn’t mean we won’t ever see Jeff Cobb in an American promotion, a deal with New Japan does seem to indicate that, at least for now, he’s going to be a focal point in the Japanese promotion.