Ready to rumble? From WWE to AEW, our guide to all the pro wrestling body-slamming TV

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY

Like a sneak attack with a steel chair, pro wrestling is fighting foryour TV time more thanever.

For those devoted to the world of figure-four leg locks, body slams and cage matches, wrestling has long been a TV staple when you knew where to look for it: The mighty World Wrestling Entertainments Monday Night Raw has aired 1,375 weekly episodes on USA since 1993.

This month, WWEs expanding its reach, moving 20-year-old "SmackDown" from USA to Fox, its sixth home (and first major network), and in turngiving USA its NXT show, which has been streaming on the WWE Network service since 2014.The "Smackdown" switch is such a big deal that the Peoples Champ better known as Hollywood star Dwayne The Rock Johnson will make an appearance on Friday's Fox debut.

There'ssome serious competition, though. Upstart league All Elite Wrestling made its TNT debut this week, and longtime indie player Impact Wrestling has a new home on the small AXS TV cable network. You cant even turn the channel these days without being dropkicked in the face by a flurry of faces and heels. (Thats good guys and baddies, inwrestling parlance.)

Hardcore fans lap up all the extra screen time,but it might be a bit much for those wanting to dip their toes into this entertaining landscape of soap opera, fabulous fisticuffs, insane aerial moves, theater of the absurd and the occasional person being thrown through a table. Thats why were here to help with a handy guide to each show, and which one might be the right fit for you.

Kofi Kingston, going airborne on Daniel Bryan, is one of the high flyers of
Kofi Kingston, going airborne on Daniel Bryan, is one of the high flyers of

WWE SmackDown (Fox, Fridays, 8 EDT/PDT)

The show where youre apt to find WWEs most acrobatic wrestlers and technical phenoms will no doubt seea lot more star power under the network spotlight. The Rocks cousin Roman Reigns is one SmackDown stalwart,alongside formerly cheery and now slightly villainous womens champ Bayley. The biggest drawwill probably be whoever makes it out of Fridays David-vs.-Goliath title match between beastly Brock Lesnar and fan favorite Kofi Kingston.

Raw women's champion Becky Lynch answers to
Raw women's champion Becky Lynch answers to

WWE Raw (USA, Mondays 8 EDT/PDT)

For those more into over-the-top shenanigans, Raw is home to one Whos the father? mystery and another scenario involving a case of potential infidelity: They take lot of big swings over three hours, sometimes resultingin seriously fun moments. Real-life couple Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch (nicknamed The Man) are the main titleholders, though one mans taken the show by storm: Bray Wyatt, a twisted Mister Rogers-type character complete with sweater! who has a masked horror-villain alter ego, The Fiend.

Tessa Blanchard will take on all comers, men or women, as one of the stars of AXS TV's
Tessa Blanchard will take on all comers, men or women, as one of the stars of AXS TV's

Impact Wrestling (AXS TV, Tuesdays 8 EDT/5 PDT)

Until new episodes return Oct. 29, Impact airs greatest-hits matches and profilespersonalities to get newcomers up to speed. Old-school fans will recognize familiar faces Rob Van Dam and Tommy Dreamer, and their main heel faction has the cool name oVe (shorthand for Ohio Versus Everything). Like WWE, "Impact" has a deep roster of talented women, led bythird-generation star Tessa Blanchard, who wrestles male and female performers and is a contender for the leagues signature X Division title.

After being a top WWE star for years, Chris Jericho rules in All Elite Wrestling as the reigning champ.
After being a top WWE star for years, Chris Jericho rules in All Elite Wrestling as the reigning champ.

All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite (TNT, Wednesdays 8 EDT/PDT)

One of the most enjoyable things about pro wrestling is diving in and figuring out feud and storylineson the fly, but if you truly want to get in on the ground floor, follow the new cool kids. The nascent bunch features former WWE talent, including AEW champ and Dancing With the Stars alum Chris Jericho;Jon Moxley; and Cody Rhodes, one of the league's founders, alongside the high-flying Young Bucks and super-popular Kenny Omega. Its the only show where youll find Jungle Boy (aka Jack Perry, son of late 90210 star Luke)and his partner Luchasaurus, a guy in a dinosaur mask with a masters degree.

Matt Riddle, right, puts a knee in the face of Undisputed Era's Adam Cole on
Matt Riddle, right, puts a knee in the face of Undisputed Era's Adam Cole on

WWE NXT (USA, Wednesdays 8 EDT/PDT)

Once a developmental league and feeder system for Raw and SmackDown, "NXT" has become just as essential, especially for those who want to really feel like theyre at a live event. Theres a little something for everyone, whether you dig fiery underdog heroes (Johnny Gargano), a gang of guys you love to hate (The Undisputed Era, which holds every men's title); super-bros such as Matt Riddle, who wrestle in their bare feet;women not to be trifled with unless you want an arm ripped off (NXT womens champ and former MMA competitorShayna Baszler); and the wrestling equivalent of Prince (the ultra-flamboyant Velveteen Dream).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: From WWE to AEW, a pro wrestling rookie's guide to body-slamming TV