Then Now Forever

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton: Hubbard’s look at key moments from 2011, 2013, and 2025 with video links

October 22, 2026

One of the current main-event storylines on WWE programming is “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes versus “The Viper” Randy Orton. Whether you consider this a continuation of their WrestleMania headlining feud – or perhaps a […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – Triple Threat Matches: The Rock vs. Undertaker vs. Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena vs. Seth Rollins, more

October 19, 2026

Because of their frequency in contemporary pro wrestling, it’s hard to imagine that once upon a time, a triple threat match, triangle match, or three-way dance was a special attraction that happened very rarely. I […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – Women’s Wrestling in WWE: Hubbard’s look at three key matches including Trish vs. Lita in 2004, Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch un 2021

October 5, 2026

In my 35-plus years as a wrestling fan, I have witnessed many changes in professional wrestling. Some of these changes have been temporary, while others have become permanent. Some have been for the better, while […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – NXT: Hubbard’s look at NXT Arrival’s Sami Zayn vs. Cesaro and two other key matches in the brand’s history

September 25, 2026

In September 2019, NXT debuted on cable television as a two-hour live broadcast every Wednesday night. The change in day, format, and platform was designed in large part to curtail the momentum of the upstart […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER: Hubbard’s look at three historically significant title matches on television (with embedded links!)

September 18, 2026

Recently, WWE has presented an unusually high number of major title matches on television. In fact, in September alone we will have at least three major titles defended on television. One of which resulted in […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – LUCHA LIBRE IN THE USA: Rey Mysterio vs. Juventud Guerrera, Los Gringos Locos vs. Octagon & El Hijo del Santo from When Worlds Collide, more

September 5, 2026

Theme: Lucha Libre in the USA Professional wrestling is an international art form that transcends geographical boundaries. I believe this is possible because wrestling is primarily a visual medium that does not require words—or even […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – 27 YEARS OF SMACKDOWN: Triple H vs. The Rock from 1999, AJ Styles vs. Bryan Danielson from 2020, Eddie Guerrero vs. Edge from 2002

August 28, 2026

WWF SmackDown premiered as a weekly wrestling program on August 26, 1999. Twenty-seven years and more than 1,400 episodes later, the blue brand remains a weekly fixture of WWE programming, making it the second-longest-running weekly […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – WWE SUMMER SEASON STANDOUTS: Lex Luger vs. Hollywood Hogan, 123 Kid vs. Bret Hart, Finn Balor vs. Roman Reigns

August 21, 2026

As we enter mid August, the dog days of summer are upon us. No matter where you are in the United States—and in much of the world—the days are hot, often uncomfortably so. When the […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – BROCK LESNAR: Hubbard’s look at three key matches in Lesnar’s history and why they best showcase what made him special

August 11, 2026

It was at SummerSlam 2002, just five months after his WWE debut, that “The Next Big Thing” Brock Lesnar defeated The Rock to become the undisputed WWE Champion. At the time, it felt like a […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – SUMMERSLAM SHOWSTEALERS: Three matches from three eras including Triple H, Cody Rhodes, The Rock, John Cena, Shawn Michaels

August 3, 2026

The 39th SummerSlam is now in the books. Before every major WWE premium live event, fans debate which match has the potential to steal the show. Once the final bell rings, the conversation shifts to […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – THE SHIELD: A look at three Summerslam sleeper matches from the history of this annual event including Christian, Hart Foundation, Samoa Joe

July 28, 2026

Theme: Summerslam Sleepers August 1 and 2 will mark the 39th edition of WWE SummerSlam. Throughout its history, some of the most memorable matches and defining moments in WWE have taken place at the “Biggest […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – THE SHIELD: A look at three past encounters with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins with historical context and links to the matches

July 22, 2026

Summerslam may host the final chapter in the rivalry between Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. The length, complexity, and history between these two former members of The Shield is unmatched in modern WWE. Their story […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – WWE at MSG: Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage, Hunter Hearst Hemlsley vs. Cactus Jack, Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk all iconic MSG matches

July 15, 2026

Theme: WWE at MSG On July 18, WWE will present another edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event. While it is another installment of the revived series, this one should feel different. This edition emanates from […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – The Great American Bash: Rey Mysterio vs. Dean Malenko in Rey’s WCW debut 30 years ago, Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes, Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk

June 29, 2026

NXT continued its summertime tradition with The Great American Bash on Sunday, June 28. While I am too young to remember the event during its heyday as the National Wrestling Alliance’s premier summer spectacular, I […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – Memories of ECW: The influence and impact of Sabu, Taz, “The Franchise” Shane Douglas, The Dudleys, Jerry Lynn, RVD, and the ECW brand itself

June 23, 2026

This June marks 20 years since the second ECW One Night Stand and 21 years since the original ECW One Night Stand in 2005. For me, ECW will always hit the nostalgia button. I was […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – Non-Televised Live Events: Breaking down the organic simplicity that works when it’s about the live crowd and not TV constraints with Austin-Triple H, Bret-Bulldog, more

June 18, 2026

Since the pandemic, WWE has significantly reduced the number of live events on its schedule. As many wrestlers, writers, and members of management have discussed, the lighter touring schedule comes with both benefits and drawbacks. […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – King & Queen of the Ring: Bret Hart’s first journey to becoming KOTR, plus a look back at King Booker and Queen Nia

June 9, 2026

The King and Queen of the Ring tournaments are kicking off once again, and the history of King of the Ring serves as a reminder that nostalgia often creates selective memory. There is a prevailing […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – Rematches: Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte, Steve Austin vs. Dude Love, Baylor vs. Sasha Banks

June 2, 2026

Three of the five matches at Sunday’s Clash in Italy PLE were rematches, a reminder that running a match back has always been a central part of professional wrestling. The reasoning behind rematches is easy […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER – WWE in Europe: A look at three iconic matches from WWE’s journeys overseas over the decades

May 28, 2026

Theme: WWE in Europe In the coming weeks, WWE will once again embark on what has become an increasingly frequent tour of Europe. WWE’s relationship with European touring has evolved considerably over the last 30-plus […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER: Face vs. Face match-ups over the years and the pros and cons of the different contexts including Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart vs. British Bulldog

May 20, 2026

Theme: Face vs. Face A constant source of debate and complaint in wrestling media over the last few months has been the growing number of matches and feuds involving two fan favorites verbally and physically […]

THEN, NOW, FOREVER: Examining Stars on the Rise in history including Sting, Becky Lynch, and Brock Lesnar with vintage video clips

May 13, 2026

THEME: STARS ON THE RISE One of the most compelling aspects of following professional wrestling is witnessing the development and journey of a rising talent. More specifically, there’s something uniquely satisfying about watching a wrestler […]

THEN, NOW, TOGETHER: A Backlash-themed WWE watchlist including a look back at 2000’s Triple H vs. Rock, 2007’s Cena vs. Michaels vs. Orton vs. Edge, and 2023’s Cody vs. Brock

May 4, 2026

Theme: Backlash This Sunday, WWE presents the 21st edition of the Backlash PLE. With one exception, Backlash has traditionally served as the follow-up to WrestleMania. Because of its placement on the calendar, the event often […]