The first event for the Brandi Rhodes led all-female fan club initiative, AEW Heels, took place on Friday night. The event featured a Q&A session with Aubrey Edwards and a Respect, Inclusion, and Empowerment in the workplace session with Keisha-Ann Gray.
Brandi took to Instagram to declare the first event in the initiative a success.
“AEW Heels was a massive success last night. We exceeded the number of membership sign ups necessary to continue to move the fan club onward and upward,” Brandi wrote.
“The biggest takeaway is that people were happy. Countless posts have been created letting the world know they felt they got more than their money’s worth. That is the whole point. Heels promised a positive space to be yourself, share more, make connections, enjoy exclusive offerings, partake in exclusive events and connect with AEW women from the roster to the executive team…and it delivered.”
In an interview with SI.com, Brandi explained why she created the AEW Heels Fan Club:
“The idea came from me watching people interact on social media,” said Brandi. “I saw women getting bashed for having an opinion just because they were a woman having an opinion. That inspired me to create a place where female fans can voice their opinions.”
“Don’t let someone take your opinion away from you. Don’t let that ever shut you down, talk about what you love. This platform is a place where women can be themselves as wrestling fans, create friendships, and learn. We can create a movement,” she continued.
. @AEW_Heels LAUNCHES DYNAMIC MEMBERSHIP PLATFORM FOR FEMALE WRESTLING FANS
Booker T recently offered his opinion that Big E might be well-advised to change up some of the comedic elements of his character to be taken more seriously as top-tier Superstar. Big E recently spoke to the Bleacher Report about Booker’s comments.
“This is not a shot at Booker at all. I am so thoroughly entertained by his career, but this man had a world title around his waist as King Booker doing a faux English accent. You know I mean? Let’s put things in perspective here,” Big E said.
Recently on Smackdown, Kofi Kingston encouraged Big E to go on a singles run. This came after it was revealed Kofi would be out of action for 6 weeks. Big E defeated Miz in singles action the following week.
“I know Booker is a supporter, so this is not supposed to be a shot at him,” Big E continued. “We’ve had conversations too where he’s said some really nice things to me to my face, so I’m not here to take shots at him. I learned a lot from watching him, he’s a guy I loved watching as a kid. He meant so much to so many of us as someone who was a great talent and a great entertainer, but for me, it’s going to be about telling a story that makes sense. It doesn’t make sense to me to suddenly be serious.”
“Big E still trying to be the New Day is not going to work for him as far as him working at the top of the card. I’m talking about being the main attraction. I’m talking about being the guy that the company has put in position to be the guy,” Booker says in the below video.
The full interview from the Bleacher Report can be read here.
Today, NJPW held one event of their ongoing Summer Struggle tour, at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Today’s event was main-evented by the conclusion of the tournament to crown the new NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions. This was held as a result of EVIL defecting from the Los Ingobernables de Japon unit to Bullet Club, breaking up the trio that were then-champions.
The eight-team, three-day tournament ended with a match involving two trios from the same faction CHAOS: Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano and SHO against Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, and YOSHI-HASHI. After 24 minutes and 18 seconds, Tomohiro Ishii pinned SHO after a vertical brainbuster to win the match for his team. At the time, YOSHI-HASHI was holding Okada back from being able to break up the pin.
Following the match, Goto, Ishii, and YOSHI-HASHI were presented their new Championships. Kazuchika Okada made it a point to present YOSHI-HASHI his Championship belt, since this is the first Championship YOSHI-HASHI has won in his 12-year career.
YOSHI-HASHI: But it isn't just me. Maybe all of you are going through some stuff, but tomorrow, the next moment, the next instant, everything can change for the better. I'm living proof. Keep standing up. It all changes in an instant! LIVE: https://t.co/bYrUBBfsyc#njpw#njsst
All Elite Wrestling has announced a stipulation to the Chris Jericho vs Orange Cassidy match on the upcoming Dynamite. Previously, it had already been announced that if Jericho wins, Orange will have to pay $7,000 for damaging Jericho’s jacket. AEW has now added the stipulation that The Best Friends and the Inner Circle will be banned from ringside.
AEW posted out news of the added stipulation recently:
This Wednesday on Dynamite – It's a rematch as @IAmJericho takes on @orangecassidy in a $7,000 obligation match and as an extra added stipulation, the Inner Circle & Best Friends are BANNED from ringside!
Jericho defeated Orange Cassidy at Fyter Fest. It was the 3rd singles match Orange Cassidy has dropped in AEW. His singles record in the promotion is 5-3. Orange has defeated Jimmy Havoc, Jason Cade, Peter Avalon, Will Hobbs, and Serpentico. His 3 losses were to PAC, Fenix, and Chris Jericho.
Jericho is 8-1-1 in AEW singles matches. His victories have come over Kenny Omega, Hangman Page, Darby Allin, Cody, Scorpio Sky, Pineapple Pete, Colt Cabana, and Orange Cassidy. His loss came to Jon Moxley and he also went to a time-limit draw with Jungle Boy.
Zelina Vega was streaming on Twitch recently when she was attacked by Bianca Belair. During the stream, Zelina can be heard asking her cousin to get the door. She then can be heard saying “what the hell are you doing in my house?”
At this point, Bianca Belair attacked her and the two tumbled off screen. Belair can be heard yelling “You know what you did!”
Belair’s husband Montez Ford recently collapsed on RAW. It was later revealed that he had been poisoned. With the Street Profits scheduled to face Andrade & Angel Garza at SummerSlam, one might assume Zelina had something to do with the poisoning.
Footage of Belair attacking Zelina during the Twitch stream can be viewed in the Tweet below:
Bianca Belair is 10-0 on the main roster so far. She’s 7-0 on Main Event, and 3-0 on RAW.
She made her RAW debut on the April 6th, 2020 episode, teaming with the Street Profits to beat Angel Garza, Austin Theory, and Zelina Vega. She also defeated Santana Garrett on RAW in singles action on April 20th. On July 3rd, she teamed with Ruby Riott and defeated the Iiconics.
On Main Event, she’s defeated Catalina, Ruby Riott (3x), Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, and Jessi Kamea.
Cody Rhodes has given his first public thoughts about AEW losing a major supporter at WarnerMedia in Kevin Reilly.
News broke on Friday that Reilly is gone from the company. AEW President & CEO Tony Khan previously told the story about how he pitched the idea of bringing back wrestling to the TNT network when he and Reilly had a meeting at a party in Los Angeles.
Reilly was a big factor in AEW getting their TNT TV deal as he had worked as the Content Chief at WarnerMedia, and as the President of TNT, TBS and TruTV.
On Twitter, a fan asked Cody Rhodes if fans should be worried about the future of AEW since the recent shakeup.
He responded with, “No. We have been blessed to have had so many viewers(even opposed), thus the 3+ year extension. It’s a great partnership!”
Rhodes will be in action on this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite in Jacksonville, Florida at Daily’s Place on TNT. The live episode will see him defend the TNT Championship against Scorpio Sky.
AEW has still to name his opponent at the All Out pay-per-view event next month.
No. We have been blessed to have had so many viewers(even opposed), thus the 3+ year extension. It’s a great partnership!
Drew McIntyre has been WWE Champion since WrestleMania 36 where he dethroned Brock Lesnar but has also faced challenges during his reign.
He did an interview with TV Insider to talk about various topics including this year’s SummerSlam and his reign as WWE Champion.
His time as the top champion has come under fire for not being a drawing champion with television ratings although WWE is in the COVID-19 era.
“It would certainly be unique, which is what it’s all about right now. We’re trying to catch people’s attention with something different. The environment at the Performance Center is what it is. But a boat would certainly catch my attention.”
“The audience that has stuck around are getting to learn about the characters on a deeper level. I think that because of this, when we get back into the arenas, the viewership will grow. I think we will reach new heights to be honest because we’re going to have so many compelling characters.”
The WWE Champion is slated to defend the title against Randy Orton in one of the top matches on the card for the SummerSlam pay-per-view event.
WWE has yet to name the main event for the show, but this is certainly a contest that is worthy of that spot.
Seth Rollins is one of the first WWE stars to give his take on the latest concept created by Vince McMahon, which is RAW Underground.
During this week’s episode of RAW, Shane McMahon introduced RAW Underground, which is in a room with dimmed lighting and a ring with no ropes surrounded by Performance Center talent. It has elements of an MMA fight, with competitors wearing gloves.
Rollins made an appearance on The Gorilla Podcast for a new interview and during the chat was asked about it.
“It is something out-of-the-box, and our audiences are always begging for something fresh and different. My verdict is TBD, let us what happens. It might end up being ridiculous in a good or bad way. Who knows?”
The concept was created as a way to improve the decline in WWE Monday Night RAW’s viewership numbers.
“Obviously, it worked in the first week since we saw a bump in viewership. Now, can we keep the ball rolling? Let’s see. I had no idea what to expect when I first saw it (Raw Underground) mentioned on the sheet.”
Rollins stated that when he watched it he wasn’t entirely offended by it, especially since it’s a brand new idea.
Instead, he wants to see what it turns into down the road. He pointed out how it’s 2020 and anything can happen, but they’re hoping for the best.
The Big Show is making the media rounds to help promote Netflix’s Game On: A Comedy Crossover, and his series, The Big Show Show.
The future WWE Hall of Famer did an interview with TV Guide and during the interview, he was asked about wrestling without a live audience
“Well, that’s the thing. You have to adjust,” Big Show said. “We take our responsibility pretty seriously, being an outlet and an escape for people. The feeling that I’m getting from talking to the other talent is everybody’s improving. At first, it was really awkward but now you’re focusing more on what you’re doing between the ropes and honing those skills.”
Big Show said that he thinks when they get that luxury of performing in front of the fans back then it’s going to make it all sweeter. He thinks it’s a good thing sometimes to have that taken away because it makes you more appreciative when it happens again.
He stated that he can’t wait to walk down the ramp in front of 20,000; 50,000; 100,000 people again.”
WWE has held shows at the Performance Center without fans for a few months due to COVID-19. As of late, WWE has had mostly NXT / PC talent in the crowd.
Former WWE Agent Arn Anderson recently discussed WWE’s penchant for shorter television matches in the modern era. Whilst Anderson did talk about the lengthier bouts that go over two segments on the ARN podcast; Anderson also revealed exactly why WWE tries to keep a big proportion of their televised matches as short as possible.
“Whoever did their research, and I put that in parentheses” Arn Anderson began on the show. “Whoever took their polls and did all that behind the scenes stuff that they need 100 people working for the company to come up with? They figured out a six minute time span. That’s about all the audience’s good for, then they’re ready to switch channels.”
Arn Anderson on Six Minutes
“Well, that that six minute thing? Well that looks good, until you take entrances out of that six minutes. And then you take exit time, aftermath, posing in the ring…that’s another minute. So if I did my math right that six minutes now became what? Three minutes, right? We’re back to that time, that three minute deal.”
Anderson would then talk about why a three minute match is detrimental to the talent themselves. “And the thing about it is, when you give every match six minutes because that’s the brilliant thing that you came up through all your research? When you have every match go six minutes? Then it starts to look pretty uniform, and it’s a bunch of matches that don’t have enough time, except ding ding ding hurry hurry hurry. Then run through a couple spots and get your finish. There’s no story there.”
Arn would finish by saying how even the longer matches on the show are devalued because the talent are being overexposed on RAW and SmackDown. “And some of those guys that are getting the two segment matches later on in the show? When those guys have already been seen twice during the show, and then you give them the two segments, it’s probably too much exposure.”
Do you agree with The Enforcer Arn Anderson? Let us know in the comments
Pro wrestling personality and former TNA backstage employee Jim Cornette recently discussed Dixie Carter and her influence on the TNA product. Cornette was responding to recent comments from WWE Superstar AJ Styles on his Drive Thru podcast.
AJ Styles stated “Do I believe Dixie ruined IMPACT? Well, it was TNA back then, and 100%. IMPACT, there was a time when it was really gaining ground. The problem was, Dixie wanted to be WWE-lite and that’s not what people wanted. They wanted to see something else. All she had to do was let us do what we do, it was really that simple. Had she left it to the writers, I think TNA would still be around and be bigger than what they are, but not knowing what’s best for business? She hurt TNA”
Jim Cornette on Dixie Carter
“Dixie had talent she liked” Jim Cornette began on the Drive Thru. “And I’m not saying that in an inappropriate way. She thought that Hernandez, and she was correct in this, should be a Latino Mexican superstar at one point. I fully agreed with that.”
Cornette would then elaborate further on this, blaming Vince Russo for ‘destroying’ the potential they had with LAX member Hernandez. “Unfortunately for Hernandez? She’d [Dixie] picked an idiot to write her show [Vince Russo] who didn’t know how to get that guy over. And when I left? That was the end of that [Hernandez’s run], because he [Russo] didn’t understand it.”
Jim Cornette would then blame Dixie Carter for bringing in Vince Russo to oversee the writing of the product, thus somewhat agreeing with AJ Styles. “Dixie was responsible for creative in terms of who she hired to be in charge of it. And Jeff Jarrett to his credit, while he was there was able to balance most of the bullsh*t out with actual sh*t that made sense. OR, wouldn’t harm talent when you presented him with a better way to do it.”
“Dixie may have sat in on a few production meetings, not that many” Jim Cornette would continue. “Sometimes she wasn’t there at television and other times she would get there right before taping started. She’d be flying in from somewhere, she’d get there just in time to get her makeup done to go out in front of the fans and take post pictures holding the TNA title belt. But if you had a creative question, or if I did? I went to Jeff Jarrett.”
Do you agree with Cornette’s assessment? Let us know in the comments
Pat McAfee recently appeared on ESPN’s Get Up and spoke about his upcoming match at TakeOver XXX against Adam Cole.
“2 weeks away, SummerSlam weekend, NXT TakeOver XXX Saturday night,” McAfee said. “I got 2 weeks to prepare for this guy who has been wrestling for 12 years.”
McAfee punted Adam Cole in the head on last week’s NXT. The former NXT Champion appeared to have been knocked out by the blow.
“Getting to do this is going to be awesome,” he continued. “It’s going to be a dream come true.”
McAfee then continued to talk about having had some wrestling training. He has a wrestling ring up at his house and has trained with Rip Rogers.
“One night when I was a little bit intoxicated I bought a wrestling ring, a full-sized wrestling ring and I put it in my barn. It showed up at my house a couple of months later, I’d forgot that I bought it. I sent that thing up and I’ve ran the ropes a couple of times, I’ve taken a couple of bumps. I’ve trained with a guy named Rip Rogers.”
“I have to not look like an idiot like the Saturday Night Live guys that have gotten in there before.”
Big E is about to go on a singles run on Smackdown that has many fans excited. He recently spoke to SI.com about New Day, the group possibly breaking up, and just want Xavier Woods has meant to the act.
“There’s no New Day without him. If Woods doesn’t come up to me in 2014 and say, ‘Hey, I have an idea for a group. You want to join me?’ If that doesn’t happen, who knows where my career is right now, who knows if I’m even still employed here. He changed our lives. And the fact that he got the trombone over in wrestling? That’s incredible,” Big E said about Woods.
“I think it’s cool that our story is about men that care about each other,” Big E continued. “That’s different. We’re each unique, but we make sense together. And there is so much to be excited about in our future.”
Big E also spoke about how him going on a singles run doesn’t mean the group will break up. He also said he doesn’t plan on changing who he is for a potential run at a world title.
“I’m not going to let down the people that support me,” Big E said. “This run is about being authentic to myself and who I am. I still want to make people laugh and entertain them, and there is also this underlying determination. I’m excited to make the most of it.”
46-year-old WWE Superstar Hassan Hamin Assad, better known to wrestling fans as MVP, has signed a new deal with the company. He announced on social media recently that he has signed a new multi-year agreement with WWE.
“Tonight, I’m drinking “the good stuff”. Yamazaki 18 from @suntorywhisky is the spirit of choice. I have come to terms with @wwe on a multi year deal. MVP is in #thehurtbusiness for the foreseeable future! Kampai!” he wrote on Instagram.
MVP was a surprise entrant in this year’s Royal Rumble. He then lost a match to Rey Mysterio on RAW the next night. He would send a thank you message to fans that night on social media in a post that seemed to imply he was retiring. MVP kept hanging around, however, and now his Hurt Business stable has become one of the featured acts on WWE RAW.
Most recently on RAW, MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin appeared to take over RAW Underground. Fans will likely find out more about the stable’s relationship with the new RAW segment next week.
MVP is a 2x United States champion. He ranks 5th all-time in terms of days spent with the title (419) and most among active competitors. MVP and Matt Hardy are also former tag champions.
As expected, a new faction has made its debut on WWE television and its RETRIBUTION.
On Friday’s SmackDown, their presence was first felt during a backstage pull-apart between Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville by turning out the lights.
The group appeared by taking the ring with various weapons before running off the camera crew then attacking some WWE developmental talent in the crowd.
They also spray-painted things and took a chainsaw to the ring ropes. It happened at the end of the broadcast.
WWE’s official website had teased earlier on Monday that there were “rumblings” around the Performance Center that the group was set to “cause chaos” and “shake up the organizations structure.”
During Monday’s broadcast on the USA Network, we saw a group of people wearing hoodies outside throwing what appears to be a Molotov cocktail at a generator.
It was first reported by Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet that the group is not intended to be political but rather specific to WWE. At the time, there was no word on who would’ve been part of the group as those involved in the faction are being kept close to the vest by upper management.
WWE SmackDown aired from the Performance Center in Orlando. Stephanie McMahon spoke to Sasha Banks and Bayley tonight and announced a Triple Brand Battle Royal for next week and the winner will face Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam. RETRIBUTION invaded SmackDown at the close of the show.
SmackDown Results (8/7)
Matt Riddle def. Sheamus via DQ
Cesaro def. Lince Dorado
Jeff Hardy def. King Corbin via DQ
Sheamus def. King Corbin
Heavy Machinery vs. Miz & Morrison ended in a DQ
Here are 6 takeaways from this week’s show:
Shorty G Attacked Matt Riddle Again
Matt Riddle squared off against Sheamus in the first match of the night. Shorty G attacked Matt Riddle last week to collect on the King’s Ransom issued by Corbin.
Match Recap: Riddle went for a Sleeper Hold but Sheamus quickly made it to the ropes to break the hold. Sheamus got Riddle in a Headlock and took him down to the canvas. Sheamus stomped on Riddle’s midsection as the crowd tried to fire Matt up.
Riddle battled to his feet and applied an Arm Bar in the middle of the ring. When SmackDown returned from a break, Sheamus was back in control and hit Riddle with three Irish Curse Backbreakers in a row.
Riddle connected with a running kick to Sheamus’ face and followed it up with a Broton for a near fall. Matt climbed to the top rope and went for the Floating Bro but Sheamus got out of the way. Sheamus hit White Noise and went for the cover but Riddle was somehow able to kick out at two.
Matt planted Sheamus with a German Suplex for a near fall. Sheamus hit another Backbreaker and charged at Riddle in the corner. Matt got out of the way and Sheamus crashed into the ring post.
Shorty G attacked Matt Riddle from behind and the match ended in a DQ. Riddle hit Shorty G with a forearm to the face and bounced his head off the announce table several times. Riddle was announced the winner by DQ and Sheamus got pissed off. Sheamus brought Shorty G into the ring and leveled him with a Brogue Kick.
Sheamus demanded a microphone and shouted that Shorty G took a win away from him. Sheamus leveled Shorty G with another Brogue Kick before making his way backstage.
Sheamus confronted Corbin backstage and warned him not to cost him another match. Sheamus told Corbin that if he ever tries something like that again he will shove the crowd up his royal arse.
Sonya Deville joined The Dirt Sheet tonight on SmackDown. Sonya Deville attacked Mandy last week and cut off some of her hair. The Miz and John Morrison’s mic kept cutting up and John joked that the new stable “Retribution” isn’t scheduled tonight.
Miz and Morrison welcomed Mandy Rose’s hair and a wig with googly eyes was shown on the screen. The Miz and Morrison voiced Mandy’s hair and joked around for a couple minutes. Finally and mercifully, The Miz and John Morrison stopped and welcomed Sonya Deville to the ring.
Deville stated that she is going to Mandy’s outside as ugly as her inside and that she enjoyed cutting her hair off last week. Sonya said she would apologize but she doesn’t feel bad because Mandy is pathetic and weak. Deville dared Mandy to come down to the ring but she didn’t show up.
Sonya claimed that Mandy Rose got to the WWE by winning bikini contests and mocked her for winning a Bumpy Award for making out with Otis. Heavy Machinery interrupted and brawled with Miz and Morrison as SmackDown went to break.
Opinion: Sonya Deville’s promo tonight was very good and she did a great job overcoming that horrible Mandy’s hair skit by Miz and Morrison.
Strowman Challenged The FiendTo A Match At SummerSlam
The lights in the Performance Center went out and The Fiend arrived on the entrance ramp. The Fiend tried to give the Mandible Claw to
again but she grabbed his hand. Bliss rubbed The Fiend’s face and he backed away.
Braun Strowman showed up on the jumbotron and said he doesn’t give a damn about Alexa Bliss, all he cares about is destroying The Fiend. Strowman said he is the most evil son of a bitch in the world and that he is fulfilling his destiny.
Strowman said that he is more than a man, he is the thing that nightmares are made of. Braun told The Fiend to face The Monster at SummerSlam.
King Corbin faced Jeff Hardy tonight on SmackDown.
Match Recap: Jeff dominated the action early and connected with a Dropkick and a Splash for a near fall. Hardy went for Twist of Fate but Corbin countered with a massive Clothesline for a two count.
The action spilled out of the ring and King Corbin unloaded several right hands to Jeff’s face. Corbin brought Jeff back into the ring and went for the cover but Jeff kicked out at two. Jeff knocked Corbin out of the ring and hit him with a Dropkick that sent him flying into the barricade.
Back in the ring, Corbin planted Jeff with Deep Six for a near fall. Sheamus ran down the entrance ramp and hit Jeff Hardy with a Brogue Kick. It was announced that Jeff won the match via DQ and Corbin lost his mind. Corbin and Sheamus then shouted at each other as the referees kept them separated.
Sheamus and King Corbin then battled in a singles match. Sheamus stomped Corbin to the canvas and then kneed him in the face. Corbin battled back and leveled Sheamus with a Clothesline outside the ring. Sheamus bounced Corbin’s face off the announce table several times before throwing him into the ring post.
Corbin hit Sheamus with a Side Slam and went for the cover but Sheamus kicked out at two. King Corbin sent Sheamus into the ring post and beat him down before the referee broke it up. Matt Riddle distracted King Corbin and Sheamus hit Corbin with a Brogue Kick for the pinfall victory.
Sasha Banks and Bayley came down to the ring for a video conference with Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie thanked them for taking the time to join her and congratulated them on their achievements.
Banks and Bayley thanked Stephanie and said that her positive feedback means the world because all they are trying to do is be role models. Stephanie said they made a mockery of the stipulation she made by attacking Kairi Sane. McMahon added that she is not sure that they are role models but they have certainly captured her attention.
Stephanie said she is not one to hold a grudge and she is not going to punish them. McMahon told Sasha that she will be defending the RAW Women’s Championship at SummerSlam and that there will be a Triple Brand Battle Royal next week with the winner facing Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam.
Match Recap: Heavy Machinery dominated the action early and isolated John Morrison in the corner of the ring. The lights started flickering again and Corey Graves wondered if Retribution was responsible. The Miz tagged in and hit Otis with a chop to the chest.
Otis got fired up and leveled Miz with a shoulder tackle. Tucker hit Miz and Morrison with a Cannonball off the ring apron as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Miz and Morrison were in control and had Tucker trapped in the ring.
Otis tagged in and launched Morrison across the ring. Otis hit Morrison with a Splash and John fell to the canvas. Otis followed it up with the Caterpillar Elbow Drop and went for the cover but Miz broke it up. Miz then sent Otis into the steel steps outside the ring.
Mandy Rose attacked Sonya Deville and the match was thrown out. Rose tacked Sonya Deville to the canvas before they were separated by Miz, Morrison, and Heavy Machinery. SmackDown went to a commercial break and returned with everyone still brawling backstage.
Retribution then entered the ring with baseball bats and pipes. Corey Graves and Michael Cole then sprinted backstage as Retribution posed in the ring. A masked man grabbed the camera and said this is our house now. They then chased the production crew backstage. Retribution hopped behind the plexiglass and attacked the trainees. Retribution flipped over the SmackDown announce table before spray painting the plexiglass and the ring. One of the members grabbed a chainsaw and cut the ropes as SmackDown went off the air.
Opinion: I’m hoping this leads to something good but Retribution is off to a very lame start. They do not look imposing at all but time will tell if the stable is actually interesting. Overall, this week’s SmackDown wasn’t a good show at all and one can only hope that Monday’s episode of RAW will be better.
WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt has been announced for the upcoming WWE SummerSlam PPV.
WWE confirmed the match on Friday’s episode of SmackDown. This came just one week after Wyatt had attacked Alexa Bliss, who had been portrayed in the Wyatt Swamp Fight back at Extreme Rules.
During SmackDown, Wyatt, who was dressed as The Fiend came down to the ring then when the show came back we saw Alexa Bliss down on the mat as The Fiend circled her and stared down at her. Bliss slowly grabbed his arm and face.
He stared at her but quickly backed off. Strowman appeared on the big screen in order for him to do a promo about how the evil is now coming out of him.
Strowman stated that he has decided The Fiend can have whatever he wants at SummerSlam and advised Wyatt to face his fears and face The Monster.
Updated WWE SummerSlam Card
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton
WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt
WWE RAW Tag Team Champions The Street Profits vs. Andrade & Angel Garza
News broke earlier this month that WWE is planning a draft for this year, but the date has changed several times.
Dave Meltzer reported in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the current plan is to hold the Draft in October, which had been previously reported about.
There would be two dates with one Draft show for RAW and another for SmackDown.
As noted, there was a plan to do it in August because WWE officials felt a change was needed because of declining ratings. However, if they did it then it would mess up plans for SummerSlam.
As of last week, WWE wanted to do the draft in late August after SummerSlam, but that got nixed once WWE planned to do a second pay-per-view a week after SummerSlam so then it was moved to September.
That of course was changed and the plan is for the Draft to happen in October. As seen above, things in WWE change all of the time due to Vince McMahon.
Draft shows typically do better in the ratings for that week, but if the RAW Underground idea works and helps build viewership then WWE is less likely to move up the date for the Draft.
Kenny Omega did an interview with Venn and during the chat, he addressed the status of the fabled AEW video game.
Omega confirmed that the game is production and put over those who are currently working on the game.
“Oof, probably officially not, but at the risk of getting myself in trouble, yes, we are in production of a video game. We have a lot of creative minds at work at the new video game right now. I think people are going to like it, and I think that what the fans are hoping for is, in fact, going to come to fruition.”
Omega stated that he’s hoping it will be like the WWE No Mercy game and WrestleMania 2000.
“I’m hoping that it really is sort of a brand new take on something that’s like the No Mercy game of old. So, if you liked WrestleMania 2000, No Mercy, VPW – we are very much hoping to recreate the same feel, the same fun-factor, the same pick-up-and-play ability of those games in the past. So, look forward to that. We are working diligently to give you guys something in the near future.”
The discussion of a possible video game for the promotion dates back to Cody Rhodes talking about it in March 2019 and then late July 2019 when Matt Jackson gave further updates.
Ever since word got out about the game, Omega, has made it known that his personal mission is to bring back the classic game engine used for famous wrestling games, which was AKI.
Fans could be in store to see the first interpromotional match between two tag teams in AEW and Impact Wrestling.
FTR and The North have gone public through social media about how they want to wrestle each other. Although FTR is under contract with AEW and The North is with Impact wrestling, Impact EVP Scott D’Amore says he’s down to make it happen.
This possibility all started when Dax Harwood quote tweeted a video of their match from Dynamite this week.
He stated, “Real quick; this is what makes us a great tag team. Not fancy double teams. Not 30-second sequences. Keeping the freshman in, using your partner, knowing where each other is at all times, feeding him & he executes. That’s all. Back to the ice!”
This led to Ethan Page responding to the tweet where he mentioned how they needed to work together right away, which Harwood agreed to the belief.
D’Amore then chimed in with a suggestion with, “Well Dax, you know I have mad respect for you & [Cash Wheeler]. I can assure you that [Impact Wrestling] supports making it happen,” he tweeted. “How about a home & home series between FTR and #TheNorth?”
It should be noted that D’Amore also tagged Chris Jericho about how they can make this happen. AEW President Tony Khan has yet to comment or any other AEW executives.
Real quick; this is what makes us a great tag team. Not fancy double teams. Not 30 second sequences. Keeping the fresh man in, using your partner, knowing where each other is at all times, feeding him & he executes.
WWE is reportedly allowing Sareee to wrestle for other promotions while she waits to move to the United States.
The top Japanese women’s wrestler signed with WWE in February of this year after impressing Triple H and other officials. She was scheduled to relocate to Orlando in March to begin training at the WWE Performance Center, but the COVID-19 pandemic but a hold on those plans.
Now Tokyo Sports reports that Sareee told WWE officials that she wanted to get back into the ring and wrestle as she’s been unable to due to the pandemic, and they have granted her permission to wrestle for other promotions and take on any opponent if she wants to.
Sareee reportedly said she was given permission to work elsewhere while she waits to start with WWE here in the US. While they have given her the OK to work for other promotions, it’s highly unlikely that she is able to work for a top company such as New Japan Pro Wrestling.
The 24 year old Sareee was signed to the Diana women’s promotion in Japan until inking a deal with WWE in February of this year. She is a two-time Diana World Champion and a one-time Diana Tag Team Champion. She has also held the Sendai Girls World Title, among others.
AEW has lost a major supporter at WarnerMedia as Kevin Reilly is gone from the company.
The Hollywood Reporter reported today that his departure is due to a major restructuring under newly-installed CEO Jason Kilar. Per the report, the series of moves will prioritize HBO Max and streamline Warner’s content operations.
Kilar has decided to combine content studios and programming across Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, TruTV, HBO, and HBO Max under one banner, which is the newly-created Studios & Networks Group.
The group will oversee all WarnerMedia TV series and film development, production and programming.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter on Twitter wrote, “This news is gigantic. Can’t express how big. Reilly was the one who greenlit AEW, really was the guy who was a large part of why there is an AEW.”
Reilly was a big factor in AEW getting their TNT TV deal. Before his departure, he had worked as the Content Chief at WarnerMedia, and as the President of TNT, TBS and TruTV.
AEW had been set to introduce a third hour of programming to WarnerMedia, but hasn’t happened yet and there’s no word yet on how Reilly’s dismissal might impact AEW on the network.
AEW President & CEO Tony Khan has gone on record in the past that the idea of bringing back wrestling to the company started when he and Reilly meeting at a party in Los Angeles where Khan pitched the idea.
Vince McMahon reportedly praised Bayley, Peyton Royce and Bianca Belair during a recent WWE creative meeting, according to the Wrestling Observer.
Vince held a creative meeting on Wednesday, July 29th that was described as brutal. Vince reportedly approved none of the ideas presented in that meeting, which was held the day before the 2020 Second Quarter earnings report & call with investors.
A second meeting was held on Friday, July 31st, the day after the Q2 report and investors call. That meeting lasted four hours, and it was said that Vince talked forever about how much he loves Bayley and her new persona. Vince also reportedly praised Belair and Royce, noting that he sees them as singles stars.
Bayley has been a top star on both RAW and SmackDown for a while now, with main event appearances on the WWE NXT brand as well. She is the current WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion with Sasha Banks, and has held the SmackDown Women’s Championship for more than 300 days now. She’s rumored to defend against Naomi, Lacey Evans or Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam later this month.
Royce is currently working on the RAW brand with Billie Kay as The IIconics. The tag team has had some success since returning to RAW earlier this summer, and Royce has worked a few singles matches. She defeated Ruby Riott on the June 29th RAW show, but lost to Belair on the July 3rd RAW, and then lost to Riott on the July 20th show.
Belair’s WWE status has been a hot topic of discussion on social media as of late. She was brought up from NXT the night after WrestleMania 36, and made just a few appearances with her husband, Montez Ford of RAW Tag Team Champions The Street Profits. She disappeared from RAW after defeating Santana Garrett on the April 20th sow, and then worked nothing but WWE Main Event matches for the next six weeks, picking up 6 straight wins over Catalina, Riott, and Kay. Belair returned to RAW on July 3rd, teaming with Riott to defeat The IIconics. She hasn’t appeared on RAW since then, but has picked up two Main Event wins over Royce and Jessi Kamea in July.
AEW’s Chief Brand Officer Brandi Rhodes has deactivated her Twitter account. Comments on her Instagram account have also been limited. While Brandi has not made any statement as to why she has left Twitter and limited comments on Instagram, many are speculating it has to do with the reaction to her AEW Heels fan club initiative.
Some fans were upset with the $50 price tag attached to the club. Many of these fans voiced their negative opinion on Twitter.
. @AEW_Heels LAUNCHES DYNAMIC MEMBERSHIP PLATFORM FOR FEMALE WRESTLING FANS
Brandi’s initiative was motivated by her desire to create a safe space online for female wrestling fans. The negative reaction she received for this may have resulted in her leaving social media, at least temporarily. She spoke to SI.com about what led her to want to create a fan club for women.
“The idea came from me watching people interact on social media,” said Brandi. “I saw women getting bashed for having an opinion just because they were a woman having an opinion. That inspired me to create a place where female fans can voice their opinions.”
“Don’t let someone take your opinion away from you. Don’t let that ever shut you down, talk about what you love. This platform is a place where women can be themselves as wrestling fans, create friendships, and learn. We can create a movement,” she continued.
Brandi joins the Young Bucks and several other wrestlers to abandon the app in recent months. Mauro Ranallo also left Twitter following criticism lobbied against him by Corey Graves.
Vickie Guerrero is officially a member of the AEW roster. She was recently announced as the new manager for former AEW Women’s Champion, Nyla Rose. Guerrero spoke to Fansided on her deal with the company.
“I retired from WWE in 2014. My focus was not to return to them. We just had a lot of just difference of opinions and things going on. If it wasn’t going to be for AEW, I don’t think I would be anywhere else, but when AEW presented that there was some opportunity, I gave 100%, just my whole being. I said, ‘I’m here for you and I can’t wait to be a team player with the company.’”
She would continue to say that she has a lot of friends in AEW and that is what kick-started negotiations between the two sides.
“I have a lot of great friends that I’ve known from past years, Cody Rhodes, and Dean Malenko, gosh, just me collaborating and being at different appearances. There’s been conversation back and forth.”
Guerrero accompanied Nyla Rose to the ring recently on the debut episode of the AEW Women’s Tag Team Cup on YouTube. Her daughter, Shaul Guerrero also made her AEW debut as a ring announcer on the show. Longtime independent wrestler Veda Scott also made her AEW debut on the show in the commentary booth with Tony Schiavone.
