WWE Superstar Big E has reacted to a WWE article that argued that his stable, The New Day, is the “greatest faction in WWE history.” Joining WWE show The Bump, Big E shared his thoughts on the article, admitting he didn’t know how to take it.
Big E admitted that the honor being bestowed is undeniably cool. He added how his job is to go out and perform and the best he can be, whether that’s in the ring or on the mic. He added how it’s the job of the fans and the media to determine who the best faction of all time is.
“Part of me thinks that this is flattering because I can think of many great factions,” Big E said. “I will say though, we’re not done yet, there are no other active factions – maybe Undisputed Era, I guess you could say because you don’t know what their reigns will look like or titles that they’ll win – but, this is not a conversation for me to decide. I’ll let people like you [The Bump panel] decide the greatest faction.”
He then reflected on the current coronavirus pandemic. Big E confessed it has been difficult for him and Kofi Kingston to keep their spirits up. This is especially true as they are competing in front of zero fans and receiving no live reactions. It’s something he misses as they love their fans.
Big E credited the fans with helping to establish the New Day. He stressed how if it wasn’t for their genuine reactions, they wouldn’t have been able to adjust their performances.
Ethan Page is 1/2 of the Impact tag team champions along with Josh Alexander. The team was unable to attend the recent tapings, however, due to travel restrictions. Page recently spoke to the WINCLY podcast about how Impact management has been treating talent during the ongoing pandemic.
“Personally, I have nothing but good things to say during this entire thing,” Page said on the show. “We had three events cancelled that we got paid for and we didn’t even have to leave the house. In my contract, it says if I don’t perform, I don’t get paid. But I didn’t perform and they still paid me. That just shows a different character than most companies in this situation and I’ll be happy to pay that forward, maybe even just telling you how good they’re treating us might be able to help them out.”
Last week on Impact Wrestling, Page and Alexander noted that they will defend their tag titles against a top Canadian team this week. Who this team is and where and when the match was filmed is not currently known, however.
The North recently became the first team in Impact/TNA history to hold the tag titles for longer than 300 days (303 days as of this writing). Earlier this year, Taya Valkyrie became the first Knockout to hold the title for longer than a calendar year as well. The North sits 4th all-time in total days spent with the tag titles behind the Wolves, Beer Money, and LAX.
Major League Wrestling announced a new project this week. MLW’s Court Bauer noted on Twitter that cameras are rolling on the league’s first virtual production. Details regarding the show aren’t currently known but MLW is touting it as a way to produce new content during the ongoing pandemic.
“While details remain under wraps, the project is the latest in recent initiatives by the league to produce unique content during a period of unexpected disruption due to the on-going pandemic,” reads an MLW update on the new initiative.
MLW has also announced a new “Anthology” series set to debut on Saturday, May 16th. The project will feature the history of the promotion from 2002-04 during its first initial run as well as the greatest rivalries and matches from its current incarnation.
The original run for MLW formed out of a wrestling business that had recently seen both WCW and ECW go out of business. It featured notable names such as Satoshi Kojima, Terry Funk, CM Punk, LA Park, Dusty Rhodes, Steve Corino, and “Dr. Death” Steve Williams. Joey Styles served as commentator for the promotion as well. MLW from 2002-04 also featured notable stables such as Steve Corino’s “Extreme Horseman” and a Hart Foundation stable consisting of Davey Boy Smith Jr, Jack Evans, and Teddy Hart.
Major League Wrestling presented another episode of Fusion this week on BeIN Sports and YouTube. The show featured members of Injustice challenging for the AAA Trios Championships.
The full episode can be viewed in the player below:
MLW Fusion 5/2/20 Quick Results:
Poder De Norte (Mocho Cota Jr., Tito Santana & Carta Brava Jr.) defeated Black Destiny, Rayo Starr & Fantastick
AAA Trios Championship El Hijo del Vikingo, Myzteziz & Octagon Jr. (c) defeated Injustice (Myron Reed, Kotta Brazil & Jordan Oliver)
Injustice Attacks Brian Pillman Jr./Attempt To Cut Off His Mullet
Injustice attacked Brian Pillman Jr. backstage in Tijuana this week. The trio have made multiple attempts to take the 2-time rookie of the year out of action but this time they attempted to cut off his mullet as well.
Cameras caught up with Pillman later in the show who challenged Jordan Oliver to a hair vs hair match. It wouldn’t be the last time Pillman would have a message for the members of Injustice this week, however.
Brian Pillman Prevents Injustice From Winning Trios Titles
Injustice was granted a shot for the AAA Trios title against Vikingo, Myzteziz & Octagon Jr. due to a backstage altercation with Konnan recently.
Brian Pillman Jr. came out during the match and prevented Kotto Brazil from using a chair and also spit beer in his face. Vikingo would then hit a 630 Denton on Kotto for the win. The rivalry between Injustice and Pillman just got taken up a notch as Pillman prevented the trio from winning gold here.
Richard Holiday Purchased Savio Vega’s Childhood Home
A short Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic took place this week. Richard Holliday and Alexander Hammerstone were shown outside a yellow house. Holliday informed Hammerstone that this is Savio Vega’s childhood home but that the bank foreclosed on Savio’s mother. This allowed Holliday to purchase it. Holliday said he plans to turn it into an Air BnB. Now that Holliday has stolen the Caribbean title and the title to his childhood home from Savio Vega, Holliday is referring to himself as “Richie Two Titles.”
The Dynasty will have to look over their shoulders, however. Both Mance Warner and Savio Vega are coming for them.
Last week, a planned press conference featuring Team Filthy and American Top Team was scheduled. It never took place, however, as Low-Ki interrupted and attacked ATT coach Dan Lambert. This week, it was revealed that American Top Team have filed legal action against Low-Ki for the attack.
Dinner With Los Parks
LA Park, LA Park Jr. and El Hijo de LA Park took part in a cooking show this week. The family cooked pulled pork in honor of Psycho Clown’s father Super Porky.
The Parks make it clear they are with MLW and will battle all of the little clowns AAA sends up north. This includes Pagano, who has been making himself known in MLW as of late as well. They will take on Psycho Clown’s team in trios action next week.
Next week on MLW, Los Parks will take on Psycho Clown, Psychosis, and Nino Hamberguesa in trios action. Los Parks will have to back up all the trash-talking they did from their kitchen when these two sides face off from Tijuana next week.
WWE Hall of Famers Triple H and Shawn Michaels addressed social media’s impact on WWE during an interview with Inside the Ropes. The WWE Legends acknowledged how social media has impacted upon not only WWE’s creative process but how fans interact with the product and Superstars.
Triple H spoke about how everybody has an opinion. He pointed to how some characters are positioned to be a heel but end up being cheered. Conversely, they will position someone to be a babyface, only to have a large chunk of the crowd dislike them. He admitted how it’s tougher than it ever has been to create a character that is universally liked or disliked.
He stressed that this isn’t just isolated to pro wrestling, pointing to the music industry as a comparison. Triple H noted how artists will put out an album and how social media will display extreme opinions on both sides.
Using Triple H’s album analogy, Shawn Michaels added how “After you purchase the album we’re good. You know what I mean? Whatever decision you want to come up with after that, knock your socks off.”
Triple H & Shawn Michaels On Encouraging The WWE Universe
Triple H expressed how he loves the passion from the WWE Universe, regardless of whether it’s positive or negative. He called it “funny” how some people believe WWE manipulate crowd noise to try and convince them to cheer or boo a Superstar. It’s something he staunchly denies, adding how “It’s just what’s happening.”
“But they’re so passionate about it, but the fact that, we love the fact that they can express their opinion. We love the fact that they can go out there and say, ‘This is great,’ ‘This isn’t great,’ ‘This guy’s a good guy,’ ‘That person’s a bad guy,’ whatever that is, right, and yet, if they also, if they tell us they dislike something, if we’re smart, we listen to that. Might take a while but we can fix it.”
Michaels added how he believes it’s better to have fan engagement rather than total ambivalence. If nobody had an opinion on what they were doing, that would be the time he’d be concerned. “[…] what’s gonna really suck is the day when nobody cares, when nobody wants a picture, when nobody wants an autograph. So, no matter how much, better to have that ‘hassle’ than no hassle at all, and I think that’s how all of us in this line of work look at it.”
WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler has reflected on his momentous Money in the Bank victory back in 2012. Speaking on WWE show The Bump, Ziggler looked back on his victory and his experience competing in the ladder match.
Ziggler shared how it was “amazing” to be in there, especially when he was a “pretty young up-and-coming go-getter.”
He pointed out how it was such a learning experience to be in there with Christian, stating how he learned so much both mentally and physically from him. He then spotlighted Tyson Kidd, sharing how he is still such a huge fan of his.
“The Showoff” added how he doesn’t know of anybody else that has continually set the bar over 15 years in the way he has. Ziggler stressed how he keeps “setting the bar, knocking it down and stealing the show.”
Dolph Ziggler Cashes In
Dolph Ziggler would cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase on the Monday Night RAW following WrestleMania 29. It was a successful cash in as he defeated Alberto Del Rio. This victory saw him claim the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. It was a win he credited to the fans. He believes their faith in him convinced WWE’s top brass to pull the trigger with him.
“It wasn’t me cashing it, it was an entire fanbase getting behind someone who they could tell had it. Who they could tell could put the time in, and who they could tell was getting the shaft left and right backstage and continues too.”
He recalled how he wanted to be 100% business. However, when his music hit and he stepped out, the moment him like “10,000 bees stinging me.” He referred to his match with Del Rio as a “thing of beauty” and stressed how, no matter your experience with pro wrestling, “you watch those four minutes, you live and die three different times.”
Dolph Ziggler isn’t sure if that could happen for anybody else but remains thankful to the fans for helping allow it for him.
All Elite Wrestling’s resident Dentist, Britt Baker, has revealed how she and NXT Champion Adam Cole first began dating. Speaking with Chris Van Vliet, Baker explained how they didn’t actually meet at a show or through friends. Instead, the two met thanks to a dating app called Bumble.
Baker shared how she was in Hersey, PA for a dental school conference when she came across his Bumble profile. According to Britt Baker, he didn’t look like Adam Cole as he had his hair back and was wearing normal clothes in his profile. Every time she’d seen him in the past, Cole was in a wrestling ring with soaking wet hair and only wrestling gear on. Additionally, the profile listed his name as Austin.
She recalled how “this guy looks so familiar but I don’t know Austin and then it finally clicked and we started talking from there, and then it took us a while to go on a date.” Baker admitted she was hesitant at first as he’s not the “most likable character on TV and is kind of evil.” Eventually, however, she agreed.
Britt Baker recalled how they went on a date after he had returned from New Japan Pro-Wrestling during the time when Cole won the Ring of Honour Championship. The couple now lives in Orlando, Florida together. They are signed to different companies, with Baker competing for AEW and Cole on WWE’s NXT brand.
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre has opened up about the anger he felt after discovering WrestleMania 36 would take place in front of zero fans. He revealed his feelings on the subject during an interview with Lilian Garcia on her Chasing Glorypodcast.
McIntyre admitted he was “obviously upset” when he was first told of the situation. He added how he was “very angry” at first, noting how he didn’t realize the magnitude of the situation until he got back home.
At the time, Drew McIntyre was understandably caught up in his frustrations. He reflected on how hard he’d worked to get into this position, only for it to take place in front of no fans. It was a surreal situation he struggled to accept.
“Then I started watching the news and realized what was going on and the WWE was pushing forward with WrestleMania and give everybody an escape,” Drew McIntyre explained. “The fact that I was going to fight Brock in the main event, that was bigger than my selfish reasons and I started thinking this was a positive. We are going to give everybody an escape. I can give them a happy ending if they are invested in my story and finally get that happy ending at WrestleMania.”
Drew McIntyre then recalled how he hid the championship in his house. He didn’t take it out until after he had relived his victory live with the rest of the world, “reacting to every move” as it took place on TV.
All Elite Wrestling’s Cody Rhodes has opened up about why the TNT Championship belt is so important to him. Speaking with AEW announcer Tony Schiavone, Cody also broached the topic of retirement and what he wants to accomplish with his future in pro wrestling.
Having successfully made his way to the finals of the TNT Championship Tournament, Cody Rhodes is set to face off for the belt against Lance Archer. He stressed how his personal standards are “pretty lofty,” especially when juxtaposing his accomplishments with his father, Dusty Rhodes. He added how being a second or third-generation wrestler immediately sets a high standard that is based on what was “laid before you.” It’s an expectation that could be met with a championship victory.
“I mean, he [Dusty] really had a significant chunk of wrestling’s total legacy,” Cody Rhodes said. “I don’t do this to be anything other than the greatest. Anything other than the absolute best. That sounds ridiculous, but I really still believe in dreams. And you get better every day. Every day since I started, which is really 15 years old since I started, I’ve tried to be a better wrestler the next day.”
Cody Rhodes’ Retirement Plans
Regarding his future in the business, Cody Rhodes confessed how he intended to only wrestle until he turned 40. He turns 36 this June. He admitted that he no longer knows if that initial retirement date will hold true. Cody stressed how he wants to make sure that two people never have to work: his wife and his mother.
He acknowledged how his wife, Brandi, will choose to work every day as that’s who she is. According to Cody, his mother, “refuses to acknowledge that I’m still trying to do everything I can to take care of her.” To him, however, it’s important that they both know that he not only did it, but he did it in wrestling.
Cody Rhodes will face Lance Archer for the TNT Championship at AEW’s next pay-per-view, Double or Nothing, on Saturday, May 23.
Founding member of Bullet Club, Tama Tonga, was recently interviewed by SI.com. During the discussion, Tonga noted the differences between Japanese and American wrestling companies during the pandemic. According to Tonga, there is more unity in Japan and concern for the safety of fans and wrestlers.
“There is a different sense of unity in Japan,” said Tonga. “Here in America, the show must go on. Money needs to come in, so the wrestlers are still wrestling. New Japan stopped holding shows. That’s not just for the safety of the fans, but it’s also for the health of the wrestlers.”
Tonga continued to talk about how New Japan Pro Wrestling has assured staff and wrestlers that nobody will be let go. He noted that the company is more of a family.
“It’s a different culture in Japan, a lot different from ‘the show must go on’ mindset,” said Tonga. “The majority of our income comes from live shows, which has been cut out, but the company has held onto the staff and reassured us that no one will be let go. The company is more of a family in Japan.”
Tama Tonga is one of the most decorated tag team wrestlers in NJPW history. The Guerrillas of Destiny rank 5th all-time in IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team title defenses with 9. Their 6 reigns with the titles is tied for 1st all-time with Tencozy. They rank 4th all-time with 607 combined days with the belts. The team also made it to the finals of World Tag League 3x in a row from 2016-2018. They’ve never won the tournament, however.
Kevin Owens defeated Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 36 but hasn’t been part of WWE programming since. As it turns out, Owens suffered an ankle injury during the match that has sidelined him ever since. Meanwhile, the wrestler Owens beat at WrestleMania now has a WWE Championship match against Drew McIntyre at Money in the Bank.
Owens confirmed his ankle injury during an interview with RDS.
“It’s special that we were considered essential in the state of Florida, but maybe it’s a mentality where they think people need such distraction,” a translated quote from Owens reads.
“The great thing about WWE is that it doesn’t require us to be there if we don’t want to. That’s why in the last two weeks I have not been there because I preferred to be at home with my family,” Owens continued.
Owens doesn’t seem to be doing too bad during this time, however.
WrestleMania 36 with Owens’ 4th time wrestling at the event. He was involved in a 7-way ladder match for the IC title at WM32 (won by Zack Ryder.) At WrestleMania 33, he defeated Chris Jericho for the United States title. At WM34, he teamed with Sami Zayn and lost to Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan.
Jimmy Uso has suffered a knee injury and will be out of action for 6-9 months. According to a report from Ringside News, Uso needs surgery after suffering an injury during the ladder match at WrestleMania 36. The exact nature of Uso’s knee injury or the type of surgery he’ll need is currently unknown.
John Morrison won a 3-way ladder match against Kofi Kingston and Jimmy Uso at WrestleMania. Big E would later win the titles for New Day in a triple threat match against Jey Uso and the Miz on Smackdown.
WWE recently announced that the New Day vs Forgotten Sons vs Lucha House Party vs Miz & Morrison will compete for the Smackdown tag team titles at Money in the Bank.
The Usos in WWE
Jimmy & Jay Uso are one of the most decorated tag-teams in WWE history. The 34-year-old brothers debuted on the WWE main roster in 2010. During that time, they’ve won tag-team gold in the promotion times.
The Usos have held the Smackdown tag titles 4x for 380 days spent with the belts. They rank 1st in total days spent with the Smackdown titles and second in reigns. The New Day have held the belts 6x for a combined 300 days spent as champions.
WWE presents the Money in the Bank pay-per-view event on Sunday, May 10, 2020. Here is the updated card:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins
WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt
Daniel Bryan vs. Baron Corbin vs. Otis vs. Aleister Black vs. vs. Rey Mysterio vs. TBA (to be held in Stamford, CT at the WWE headquarters) – Men’s Money In the Bank Ladder Match (held at WWE headquarters)
Nia Jax vs. Asuka vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Dana Brooke vs. Lacey Evans vs. Carmella – Women’s Money In the Bank Ladder Match (held at WWE headquarters)
WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley vs. Tamina
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day vs. The Miz & John Morrison vs. The Forgotten Sons vs. Lucha House Party – Title Fatal 4-Way Match
What are your thoughts on this match being added to the card? Sound off in the comment section.
The main event of WrestleMania 9 was Yokozuna vs Bret Hart yet somehow, Hulk Hogan ended up the winner. Jim Ross recently addressed arguably the most confusing WrestleMania main of all time on an episode of his Grilling JR podcast.
“I knew that the plans were for Hogan to leave the show as the champion,” JR said on the podcast. “But he wasn’t even in a match. So, to tell you I knew what was going to happen would be a lie. I didn’t know what was going to happen.”
JR continued, I knew in general terms that by the end of the night when the sunset on WrestleMania 9 that Hogan would be leaving as the champion but I didn’t know the fortuitous route that we were going to take to get there.”
Hogan came out at the end of Hart vs Yokozuna and challenged the new champion. According to JR, Hart and Yokozuna’s match on the show was better than what was expected.
“Thanks to Bret and Yoko, they made chicken salad out of some chicksh*t,” JR said about their match. “It was a respite that we needed and I give credit to Bret Hart and Yokozuna for that. They always had amazing chemistry. I could watch them work all day long. Bret knew exactly how to work with Yoko to amplify and eventuate Yoko’s size and strength advantage.”
Before Cain Velasquez signed with WWE last year, he worked two matches in Mexico for AAA Lucha Libre. Konnan recently commented on WWE releasing Velasquez on an episode of his “Keepin it 100” podcast recently.
“How weird is that bro? They use the guy one time, that’s it,” Konnan said on the show regarding the former UFC Heavyweight Champion’s release.
Disco Inferno then chimed in and said that WWE didn’t need him.
“Well, you say they don’t need him but I think there was money in him and Lashley,” Konnan said. Konnan then listed some other names that Cain could likely draw money with but Disco was talking over him at the time.
Velasquez lost to Brock Lesnar in a WWE Championship match in Saudi Arabia last year. Velasquez would later team with Humberto Carrillo on a WWE live event from Mexico as well. They defeated the team of Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.
Konnan’s comments about Cain’s release can be heard in the player below:
Velasquez has been doing some video game live-streaming recently. He also posted the following link about luchadors sewing masks to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Becky Lynch is said to be drawing interest in the entertainment world for her ability to connect with fans.
During a recent chat with TMZ, the WWE RAW Women’s Champion revealed The Rock and John Cena are mentoring her for a potential career in Hollywood.
Lynch appeared in the season 5 premiere of the hit show Billions on Sunday night. Series co-creator Brian Koppelman said last year that Lynch had a standing offer to appear on the show.
“You never know if people are gonna come through with these things, but he did and they did. I’m on the season premiere,” Lynch told TMZ Sports about Koppelman’s offer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q0JLH-OhsY
Becky Lynch Mentored by The Rock & John Cena
Lynch continued to talk about how both the Rock and John Cena have been offering her advice.
“[The Rock has] actually he’s been very helpful in guiding me,” Lynch said. “He’s just being very giving and I think they all are because they’ve all been there and they’re all ready to look after the next generation.”
“Cena’s also been so great to me and so generous with his time and his advice, checks up on me on what I’m doing now. I think everybody wants to see the next generation move to where they’ve been, ya know?!”
Lynch would later confirm during the interview that she has no plans to leave WWE for Hollywood, however.
“Look, I just love performing. I love being able to get it out there, but I also love a crowd. So, as long as I can wrestle, then I’m going to be doing that.”
Lynch has a degree in acting from the Dublin Institute of Technology.
AJ Styles hasn’t been seen on WWE programming since WrestleMania 36 but now latest reports have revealed that the former World Champion would be returning to TV soon.
According to reports from Post Wrestling, The Phenomenal One is scheduled to make his return during the upcoming Money In The Bank go-home episode of Monday Night Raw.
The site also reports that AJ is expected to get involved in the men’s Money In The Bank match at the namesake PPV taking place from the WWE HQ next Sunday on May 10.
There is no news on what he will be doing at the show but there is obvious speculation of the former Champion’s participation in the last chance gauntlet match on Raw.
The last chance gauntlet match was announced because Apollo Crews was removed from MITB due to an injury. The company has not revealed the participants for the match so far and AJ Styles could be one of the persons to compete in the bout.
The former TNA World Champion was last seen on WWE programming at WrestleMania 36 where he competed against The Undertaker in a highly praised boneyard match.
Taker defeated Styles in the bout and it was reported later on that the company will be keeping him off television for a while to sell the loss.
Jeff Hardy appeared on this week’s episode of WWE’s After The Bell podcast. The Charismatic Enigma spoke to Corey Graves about returning to SmackDown and his desire to work a ‘cinematic’ match against “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt.
“I just want to have one more good run man and maybe become the World Champion, the Universal Champion” Jeff Hardy began. “I would love to do something with The Fiend Bray Wyatt, I got some crazy cool ideas.”
Jeff Hardy Enters The Twilight Zone
Hardy would then go into detail with ideas for the potential ‘cinematic’ match with Wyatt. “I was like ‘what if there was something like The Twilight Zone?’ Because back when we did the Hardy Show that we had this thing called the WhyLight Zone. So now what if we, I don’t know…like Wyatt beat me and took me under the ring? Then all of a sudden I’m in the Funhouse by a black and white TV and it’s like the Twilight Zone?”
With the recent COVID-19 pandemic situation WWE have had to be creative when it comes to filming certain bouts/segments. WrestleMania 36 was unprecedented for a variety of reasons, two of them being the Boneyard match and the Firefly Fun House match.
It’s fair to comment that the ‘Deletion’ matches that Matt (predominately) and Jeff Hardy spearheaded have had a huge influence on these types of bouts. With WWE now able to add a world class production style to the cinematic bouts they can take a life of their own.
“I’m just excited about crazy creativity like that that you can pitch, throwing it out there, see if it sticks.”
– Jeff Hardy
Jeff would elaborate further on what he would suggest for a Wyatt match; saying “we do like ‘you’re trying to get out of the black and white TV?’ I’m just excited about crazy creativity like that that you can pitch, throwing it out there, see if it sticks. I’m just not be afraid to be open minded and creative.”
Discussion: Do you want to see Hardy vs. The Fiend in a ‘cinematic’ match?
Mandy Rose had been involved in a storyline with Otis in the last few months and their angle concluded with the two finally getting together at WrestleMania 36 where Rose helped the former NXT star in winning his match against Dolph Ziggler.
The duo then shared another moment backstage when they were interviewed after the show and during a recent interview, the Golden Goddess revealed that the segment was actually unscripted.
Mandy recently spoke to Sports Illustrated where she talked about a number of things and revealed that her post WrestleMania segment with Otis was completely unscripted:
“That was just us, off-script, being ourselves. I was shocked it got so many views. We’re really thankful that people are enjoying this. This was something we thought was really funny, and we both thought it could be a great story.
Though I never thought it would resonate with people this much. But it’s relatable, and it’s really cool that we’ve been able to involve so many people.”
The segment in question has garnered a lot of attention from fans and as of this writing it has more than 3.5 million views on WWE’s official YouTube channel.
Apart from this, Mandy Rose also talked about the start of this storyline and revealed who pitched the idea for it. You can check out her comments about the same here.
Nia Jax stands out in the WWE roster due to her size difference and the former Women’s Champion has been doing so from the first day of her WWE career.
The Irresistible Force recently appeared on WWE’s The Bump where she talked about things like her recent injury, her time away from the company and more.
Talking about her start in the promotion, Jax recalled how she stood out even in her tryouts and revealed what Joey Mercury told her after her first match:
“I will never forget my tryout, there was an obvious difference between me and the other girls. They were fitness models and bodybuilders. I walked in with no makeup, hair up in a ponytail, ready to sweat, and these girls had their hair and makeup done.
“I never thought in a million years that I would ever get this job.” said Nia Jax “I remember after my first match one of the coaches, Joey Mercury, came up to me and said, “Just so you know, you’re my first-round pick. I said, ‘What,’ and he said, ‘Your body, your size, you’re unique and you will be incredible.’ It was so cool.”
The former NXT star underwent surgery for a knee injury in April last year and she had been out of action ever since. She returned during the WrestleMania 36 follow up episode of Raw where she defeated Deonna Purrazzo in a squash match.
Apart from this, Nia Jax also talked about Simone Johnson joining WWE, what the Rock told her during her time away and more. You can check out her interview in the video below:
The cinematic matches at WrestleMania this year received high praise and fans are open to seeing more such content. Now it appears that Becky Lynch is open to the concept as well, including the possibility of creating her own version of the boneyard match.
The Raw Women’s Champion recently had an interview with TVInsider to promote her cameo in Billions where she talked about things like the upcoming Money In The Bank PPV, how she landed the role and more.
Talking about the cinematic matches and the possibility of WWE producing more such content in future, Lynch said that they can keep going along the lines:
“The thing is, it’s a crazy time. You have to see what works and what doesn’t. The fact that we have the ability to make more cinematic matches, I think it’s a testament to how we can adjust and move forward.
I think we have to keep going along those lines.” said Becky Lynch. “Not necessarily every match has to be a cinematic match, but just [exploring] different ways of dialogue and how we adjust our storytelling to this new reality we’re in now.”
When asked if she can picture herself outside of a traditional match Lynch revealed that she has pitched some ideas for it “I’ve pitched plenty of things. We’ll see what happens. Sometimes your pitches go through, sometimes they don’t. We’ll see what happens. “
Apart from this, Becky Lynch talked about things like adjusting to the quarantine lifestyle, new faces getting a chance in WWE and more. You can check out her interview at this link.
The Money In The Bank will be taking place from the WWE headquarters and latest update reveal that the ladder matches this year will be unique in more than one way.
WWE announced on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown that both male and female Money In The Bank matches this year will be taking place at the same time:
The company previously revealed that the ladder matches will start from the ground floor of the WWE Headquarters and the competitors will have to ‘climb the corporate ladder’ and reach the top floor to win the bout.
Now this new announcement means that the male and female participants will be competing simultaneously and we might even see some interaction between them.
The Money In The Bank PPV was originally scheduled to take place from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, MD but it was moved due to the coronavirus restrictions.
The event will now air live from the WWE Headquarters on May 10, with some of the content such as the ladder matches announced for the show airing with tape delay.
A total of five matches have been confirmed for the show so far and you can check out an updated match card for the upcoming event at this link.
WWE has finalized the competitors for the upcoming Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match at the upcoming Money in the Bank pay-per-view event.
On Friday’s episode of SmackDown, WWE booked Carmella vs. Mandy Rose in a qualifying match to determine who would be the final star in the ladder match. As seen on the show, Carmella went over to advance.
She now joins Nia Jax, Asuka, Shayna Baszler, Dana Brooke, and Lacey Evans as stars competing in the contest. The winner of this match will earn a contract that states they’re guaranteed a future title shot at either the RAW or SmackDown Women’s Titles.
WWE presents the Money in the Bank pay-per-view event on Sunday, May 10, 2020 that will air on the WWE Network.
Updated WWE Money in the Bank Card
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins
WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt
Daniel Bryan vs. Baron Corbin vs. TBA vs. Aleister Black vs. Rey Mysterio (to be held in Stamford, CT at the WWE headquarters) – Men’s Money In the Bank Ladder Match (held at WWE headquarters)
Nia Jax vs. Asuka vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Dana Brooke vs. Lacey Evans vs. Carmella – Women’s Money In the Bank Ladder Match (held at WWE headquarters)
The May 1st episode of SmackDown aired from WWE’s Performance Center. Two more superstars qualified for the MITB Ladder matches on tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Results (5/1)
Daniel Bryan def. King Corbin via DQ
Sheamus def. Leon Ruff
Carmella def. Sonya Deville to qualify for the MITB Ladder match
Forgotten Sons def. New Day
Otis def. Dolph Ziggler to qualify for the MITB Ladder match
Here are 5 takeaways from tonight’s show:
King Corbin Beat Daniel Bryan Down
King Corbin
Daniel Bryan squared off against King Corbin tonight. Before the match, Bryan cut a promo hyping up the Money in the Bank match. Bryan said that winning the MITB Ladder match proved to everyone that he belonged here with the very best. Daniel stated that he was hoping that Drew Gulak would get to compete with him but King Corbin and his cronies ruined that.
King Corbin bragged about defeating Gulak last week and rolled highlights from the match. Bryan asked Corbin if he was squander his opportunity once again if he wins the MITB Ladder match. Corbin stated that he is stronger and smarter and is going to show that to Bryan right now.
Match Recap: Bryan controlled the action early and targeted Corbin’s knee. King Corbin battled back for a moment but Bryan sent him back to the canvas and locked in a Heel Hook. Corbin broke free and beat Bryan down as SmackDown went to a break. When SmackDown returned, Bryan hit Corbin with a Dropkick off the top rope. Daniel knocked Corbin out of the ring and went for a Suicide Dive but Corbin caught him. Bryan booted Corbin in the knee before Corbin grabbed a ladder. King Corbin hit Bryan with the ladder and the match ended in a DQ.
After the match, Corbin slid the ladder in the ring and went for End of Days but Bryan escaped. Daniel applied the Yes Lock on the ladder but Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro broke it up. Cesaro leveled Bryan with the ladder and Daniel rolled out of the ring. King Corbin launched Bryan off the entrance ramp and into the ladders next to the stage.
Universal Champion Braun Strowman came down to the ring to cut a promo on Bray Wyatt. He was immediately interrupted by an episode of the Firefly Fun House.
Wyatt was sitting in a rocking chair and was wearing some glasses. Bray revealed that it was storytime and read from a book entitled “The Black Sheep”. The story was about a shepherd that raised the Black Sheep and taught him well. In return, the Black Sheep protected him but then one day the selfish Black Sheep left. The shepherd lost his entire farm and it was a sad ending.
Wyatt suggested a happier ending, one where the shepherd finds the Black Sheep and takes away what makes him happiest. Strowman challenged Bray to come to the ring but Wyatt simply waved goodbye to end the segment.
Sonya Deville Cost Mandy Rose Her Qualifying Match
Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. Image Credit: WWE.com
Mandy Rose battled Carmella in a Money in the Bank Qualifying match.
Match Recap: Carmella avoided Mandy to start things off and moonwalked across the ring. Mandy Rose battled back before Sonya Deville interrupted. Sonya said she gave Mandy Rose her MITB spot last year and tried to hand her the match last year but Mandy still lost.
Deville said that she was sick of standing up here and shouted “karma is a bitch, bitch”. Sonya started making her way down the entrance ramp and Rose got distracted. Carmella capitalized with a Superkick to Rose for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Sonya Deville rushed the ring and attacked Mandy Rose. Deville bashed Mandy into the ring post and followed it up by throwing her into the steel steps. Sonya hit Rose with a running knee to the back of Mandy’s head before finally leaving.
The Forgotten Sons made their debut on SmackDown. Image Credit: WWE.com
New Day faced The Forgotten Sons tonight on SmackDown. The Miz and John Morrison joined commentary for the match.
Match Recap: New Day controlled the action early as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Kofi hit Cutler with a Splash and Big E went for the cover but Steve kicked out at two. Blake leveled Big E with a Suicide Dive and brought him back in the ring.
Forgotten Sons planted Big E with a Powerbomb for a near fall. Cutler and Kofi tagged in and Kingston connected with a Clothesline. Jaxson Ryker sent Big E into the ring post while the referee was distracted. Forgotten Sons then slammed Kofi to the canvas for the victory. After the match, Miz and Morrison chanted “you deserve it!” at New Day.
Dolph Ziggler faced Otis in a MITB Qualifying match tonight on SmackDown. It was the main event of this week’s show. Before the match, Dolph Ziggler vowed to win MITB and win the title again.
Match Recap: Otis absolutely leveled Ziggler with a shoulder tackle and knocked him out of the ring. Ziggler got back in the ring and Otis sent him flying again. Otis held up Dolph for a bit and dropped him with a Suplex for a near fall. Otis launched Ziggler into the turnbuckle and Dolph rolled out of the ring to try and regroup.
Otis brought him back inside and planted him with a slam for a near fall. Dolph battled back and sent Otis into the barricade outside the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Ziggler was in control and had Otis in a Headlock. Otis broke free and hit Ziggler with a Clothesline. Dolph connected with a Zig Zag for a near fall. Otis hit a Powerslam and followed it up with Caterpillar Elbow for the victory.
Opinion: RAW and SmackDown were both disappointing shows this week in my opinion. It just felt like the shows were mailed in and nothing remotely interesting happened. I’m looking forward to Jeff Hardy returning next week and his confrontation with Sheamus. Hopefully that feud will inject some life into this show. The mystery surrounding the hacker and the feud between Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville are really the only entertaining parts of SmackDown right now. I liked idea of qualifying matches for Money in the Bank but the matches actually have to be entertaining for it to work. It was cool to see Otis get the win tonight but the match itself was completely forgettable.
Becky Lynch could be the next WWE star to branch out of the pro wrestling business and into the entertainment industry.
Dave Meltzer reported in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the RAW Women’s Champion is slated to be featured in a major national women’s magazine soon. The feature is being prepared now. As of this writing, there’s no word yet on the full details of the profile.
It was added that there are other people in the entertainment world who are interested in Lynch. The reason for that is due to her ability to connect with crowds.
This comes days after it was revealed that Lynch is slated to be featured on the season 5 premiere of Showtime’s “Billions” series. that airs at 9pm ET this Sunday on Showtime.
Regarding her WWE status, she hasn’t been seen in the ring wrestling since successfully retaining the title over Shayna Baszler at WrestleMania 36 – Night 1 in Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center last month.
Lynch did appear on Monday Night RAW a few weeks back where she sent a warning to potentially her next opponent. She did so during a promo talking about the WWE Money In the Bank pay-per-view that will feature the six-woman MITB Ladder Match.
Dana Brooke, Lacey Evans, Asuka, Nia Jax, Baszler, and one more competitor are slated to wrestle in the contest. The winner will earn a future title shot from either Lynch or WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley.
As of this writing, there’s no word yet on if she will appear on next Monday’s episode of RAW or the Money in the Bank PPV event.
