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Shawn Michaels Addresses Rumors of Real-Life Heat With The Rock

Andrew Ravens
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Shawn Michaels and The Rock never worked a singles match together in their wrestling careers. The only time that they shared the ring was when Michaels served as a special guest referee for two of The Rock’s matches.

Over the years, there have been rumors that Michaels’ attitude in the 90s towards The Rock caused Rock to never want to work with him. In 2017, Rocky Johnson, the father of the Rock, shared that Rock was upset that Michaels caught him too hard with the Sweet Chin Music, leading to a confrontation between the two.

Before Rock became a top star, Michaels retired in 1998 but made sporadic appearances in the following years. He returned full-time in 2002 at WWE SummerSlam against Triple H. 

While speaking to Logan Paul on ImPAULsive, Michaels was asked where things stood with The Rock and noted that it wasn’t as bad as people thought. 

Shawn Michaels on The Rock

Shawn Michaels NXT
(WWE)

“I’ve never worked with him. His daughter [Simon Johnson] is here [in NXT]. The times I’ve seen him, we’ve always gotten along okay. I don’t think it was as bad as everyone made it out to be. I know I gave everybody a hard time back when I was younger. When I came back, I made sure I went up to everybody and was at least like, ‘Sorry.’ That’s the best that I could do. When I came back in 2002, I knew there was going to be, ‘We’ll see.’ It was important to me to go around and make amends and at least tell everyone, ‘Sorry about the way I was. I have no excuse. I’m willing to earn back whatever. If you never talk to me again, I’m cool with that too.” 

Michaels is currently the Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative at WWE, while The Rock is arguably the biggest movie star in the world,

H/T to Fightful for the transcription

Britt Baker Details Advice She Received From Charlotte Flair

Andrew Ravens
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0

Former AEW Women’s Champion Britt Baker has opened up on some advice she received from former WWE NXT/Raw/SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair.

Baker has been pushed as a top star for AEW since the start of the promotion in 2019 and had a reign as the Women’s Champion for over a year after winning the title from Hikaru Shida back at Double or Nothing in 2021. She dropped it to Thunder Rosa back at St Patrick’s Day Slam.

While speaking to Swerve Strickland and Monteasy on Swerve City, Baker had the following to say about comparisons made between herself and the Queen.

“I do get compared to Charlotte all the time on Twitter. For me, okay cool, one of the best women’s wrestlers of all time. You’re so mean for calling me that. People don’t understand the constant pressure that comes with all the hate that you get. We are people.”

Britt Baker on Charlotte

Britt Baker
(via AEW)

She said being the face of a division means you’re under a microscope no matter what you do. She said that you can’t let the negative comments get to you or it will drive you insane.  Baker continued by revealing some words of advice Flair gave her.

“Back to Charlotte, her and I have chatted, and she has given me so much great advice just to get through this. She’s given me solid advice to just stay true to what you know is true. Don’t worry about the narratives that fans are creating or what they want to be true because you know what’s going on and what you’re working with. She’s been fantastic to me.”

Baker most recently teamed with Jamie Hayter in a losing effort against Hikaru Shida and Toni Storm on the October 12 edition of AEW Dynamite.

Transcription courtesy of Fightful.

Backstage News on the Next WWE Saudi Arabia Event

Andrew Ravens
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0

With WWE gearing up for its return to Saudi Arabia in just over a week and the announcement on Monday of what the company has planned for the Elimination Chamber event, there has been speculation as to when WWE will hold its first Saudi Arabia in 2023. 

On November 5th, WWE will present its Crown Jewel premium live event headlined by Roman Reigns defending the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Logan Paul from Saudi Arabia. 

On February 18, 2023, the Elimination Chamber event will be held from the Bell Centre in Montreal, marking a change from this year, where they held the Chamber event from Saudi and had a main event that saw Brock Lesnar regain the WWE Championship in an Elimination Chamber match.

For November, WWE will have two premium live events with Crown Jewel and then hold the Survivor Series event later in the month. WWE won’t be doing this in February, a typical month that WWE holds Saudi shows. 

WWE’s Return

WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia
WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia

According to Pwinsider.com, there will not be a Saudi Arabia event in February as is planning to hold the next Saudi Arabia show in the Spring, although an official date has yet been locked down. 

WWE and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority have a long-term partnership through 2027. That contract states that WWE is obligated to hold two events annually in the country.

Tessa Blanchard Gives Update on her Life and Wrestling Career

Thomas Lowson
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0

Tessa Blanchard is in no hurry to get back in the ring at this time and is instead focussing on what makes her happy.

Blanchard, once considered one of the best female wrestlers at the time, has wrestled just one match in the past two years, competing for Hurricane Pro Wrestling in July 2022.

Shortly before her Impact World Championship victory in January 2020, Blanchard was accused of using racist language among other accusations of bullying.

Life Outside the Ring

Blanchard’s in-ring career is uncertain at this time, but the former Impact World Champion is building her skills outside of the ring.

Speaking to Bill Apter for Sportskeeda, Blanchard said that her focus right now is her education (via Fightful.)

“Right now, I’m in school, which is my main focus. That’s my main focus right now. I try to do one or two of the wrestling get-togethers or matches a month. Honestly, not too much more than that at the moment.”

Blanchard is studying at the University of Texas in San Antonio and is doing a course on International Affairs.

Wrestling Future

Blanchard was able to hold her own against both male and female wrestlers, but hasn’t stepped in the ring full-time in years.

Addressing her future in the ring, Blanchard did not rule out wrestling again, but made it clear that it is not a priority at this time.

“Doing whatever makes me feel happy, that’s really my main focus right now. My happiness. I don’t want to compromise my happiness for anything. Not for money, not for popularity, not for followers, not for any of that.”

Tessa is the daughter of wrestling legend Tully Blanchard, who is signed to AEW and is working with the company’s sister promotion Ring of Honor.

Tessa Blanchard Seemingly Responds To Reports Of Tension With WOW

Dana Brooke Fires Back At Seth Rollins For RAW Comment

Jon Fuentes
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Dana Brooke has fired back at Seth Rollins for his comment about her on Monday Night RAW this week.

During the show last night, while on commentary, Rollins addressed the possibility of Austin Theory cashing in his Money In The Bank briefcase on him for the United States Championship.

Rollins said that Theory “has a better chance cashing in on Dana Brooke!” Brooke definitely caught wind of this, and was seemingly not happy about it. She took to Twitter to fire back at Rollins, saying the following.

“Talk is CHEAP!! I work my a** off every single day & will not tolerate this sh*t anymore! I can promise you I am the hardest working WOMAN around, never have I taken off work, always worked through injuries, proved multiple times I can fit any position given & DO IT W/ A SMILE!”

Brooke, who is no stranger to being poked fun at on live TV by her peers, has been with WWE since 2013, having worked on both RAW and SmackDown Live. Throughout that time, Brooke has yet to win a championship title outside of the 24/7 Championship.

Dana Brooke RAW
Photo Credit: WWE.com

As of this writing, Brooke is a 13-time WWE 24/7 Champion, and currently holds the title, which is what Rollins was referencing in his comment last night.

Alexa Bliss Opens Up On ‘Disheartening’ Targeting From WWE Fans

Jon Fuentes
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Alexa Bliss has opened up on the criticism that she and other WWE stars receive from fans, and how “disheartening’ it can be.

Bliss was recently interviewed by The UK Metro, where she discussed what it’s like to be in the spotlight and receive so much criticism from the likes of WWE fans. The former RAW Women’s Champion believes everyone has a right to their own opinion.

However, when the line is crossed and fans are not criticizing their storylines or characters – but rather themselves as people – it’s a “disheartening” experience.

“I feel like a lot of people don’t really understand – nine times out of 10 when you see us performing, we are going on no sleep, we are going on beat up bodies because we do travel four, five, six days a week.

“We are emotionally exhausted, we are mentally exhausted, we are physically exhausted but we are doing it to entertain everyone else. I agree that everyone should have the right to speak their opinion.

“But when you talk about us as human beings, people, and not our characters, that’s where the line stops, and I don’t feel like that’s OK. But we do it because we love what we do, we love entertaining people. It’s really disheartening and heartbreaking when we are putting our all out there.”

Alexa Bliss
(WWE)

Alexa Bliss recently made her return to WWE TV after a lengthy layoff in which she got married. Now, Bliss has separated herself from her former supernatural persona alongside Bray Wyatt, who has also since returned to WWE.

Now, Bliss is back on Monday Night RAW, looking to get back in the World Title picture that is currently lead by champion Bianca Belair.

Report: AEW’s Investigation Into All Out Backstage Fight Ending Soon

Thomas Lowson
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AEW’s investigation into the All Out backstage fight is reportedly nearing its end.

On the All Out post-show media scrum, CM Punk had explosive comments for several AEW wrestlers, including Kenny Omega, the Young Bucks, Colt Cabana, and ‘Hangman’ Adam Page.

During the media scrum, a fight broke out backstage between Punk, Ace Steel, and the Elite resulting in all being suspended.

Time’s Up?

Last week, it was reported that AEW higher-ups are against bringing Punk back and are seeking to buy out his contract.

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that a conclusion to the investigation should be soon.

“This thing feels like it’s wrapping up, it feels like the Young Bucks and Omega are coming back somewhat soon.”

Dave Meltzer.

Last week, Punk’s trainer Ace Steel was fired from AEW, presumably due to his role in the fight.

Not an Angle

After the backstage fight, many fans believed that what happened was an angle setting up a storyline.

Even after the suspensions, some believed that this could be turned into an angle, but that no longer seems to be the case.

On his show, Meltzer stated why this hasn’t become an angle.

“So many people have brought up to me the idea of turning this into an angle, which certainly UFC would have turned this into an angle if the guys were in the same weight class and promoted the hell out of it and been happy to do so. And WWE probably would have as well.

“In this situation, they [AEW] felt that they just needed to [not turn this into an angle] and I know a lot of the talent felt that.”

Latest Update on AEW Stars Involved In All Out Backstage Altercation

William Regal Explains Why WWE Didn’t Hire MJF

Jon Fuentes
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0

William Regal has explained why WWE didn’t hire MJF when he was 19-years-old.

One of the hottest topics going around at the moment in professional wrestling is MJF’s promo with William Regal on AEW Dynamite, addressing why Regal didn’t hire MJF back when he was with WWE.

MJF was only 19-years-old at the time, which was a big reason for Regal’s decision not to hire the current AEW star. Speaking on his Gentleman Villain podcast, Regal further explained WWE’s decision not to hire MJF when he initially tried out.

“NXT was a big part of the Network. Some people have said, ‘you just took people for here and there.’ Yeah, they were the ones the Adam Coles, Kevin Steens, Sami Zayns, Kyle O’Reillys, Fergal Devitts, made a name for themselves and they are more valuable.

“One thing that everyone understands is, if they already have a fanbase, and that fanbase joins them and they are on the Network and NXT and bring in 1,000 people, that’s $10,000 a month. This is business sense. At 19, you haven’t got a following.

“Fortunately for him, this is another thing, whatever nonsense he’s done with AEW, he should be kissing the feet of Tony Khan and anybody who started. Chris Jericho, the Bucks, Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes, he should be down showering them with praise night and day.

“They started a company that he got hired in straight away because of what he’s been doing in another company. If [AEW] hadn’t started up, he probably still wouldn’t have gotten hired in WWE straight away, it would have been a year or two and he wouldn’t be in this position now.

“Perhaps he’s just an asshole. No matter how talented he is, has he got the mental capacity to handle all of it? We’ve seen how he reacts over an email.”

MJF in All Elite Wrestling
(AEW)

Things certainly seemed to have worked out for MJF since. He’s currently, arguably, the biggest star in AEW, and certainly one of the biggest in professional wrestling period.

He’s slated to become a free agent in 2024, leaving WWE the potential opportunity to make a big bid for the young star. It will be interesting to see if MJF does, in fact, end up in WWE when it’s all said and done.

Former WWE Champion Very Impressed with Logan Paul

Robert Lentini
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0

Former WWE Champion Kofi Kingston is very impressed with Logan Paul’s in-ring performances thus far, and thinks Paul will fare well in his upcoming title match.

Roman Reigns is scheduled to defend the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Paul next month at WWE Crown Jewel.

The Tribal Chief most recently defeated Drew McIntyre at WWE Clash at the Castle in September to retain the title. Logan Paul enters the match as a heavy underdog as the popular YouTuber has only had two matches in his career.

He teamed with The Miz at WrestleMania to defeat The Mysterios and then defeated The A-Lister in a singles match at SummerSlam. Logan Paul was recently spotted training with a WWE Hall of Famer and Roman reacted to the photos.

Roman Reigns Reacts to Logan Paul Training with WWE Legend: “Hopefully He’s Training with God Next Week”

Kofi Kingston Picks The Winner Of The Title Match At Crown Jewel

Kingston recently spoke with Steve Fall for NBC Boston’s The Ten Count. Kingston is looking forward to Reigns vs, Paul and gave his pick for who will leave Crown Jewel as champion.

Look man, I know I’ve said on a lot of different interviews that I’m very impressed with the way that Logan Paul’s been able to like naturally be so good.

Not even good, but like kind of amazing in the ring these past couple of matches that he’s had.

You’re not supposed to be that good. You’re not supposed to be able to pick it up that fast, from promos, all the way to in-ring work, moves, and like attitude. Making things look realistic and believing it, you’re not supposed to be that good.

I love the way he’s brought just amazing energy to the WWE like you can’t take your eyes off him. It’s amazing. Having said that, I’ve got to go with Roman Reigns.

I mean, you’re not the Undisputed WWE World Heavyweight Champion for almost two years now without being very good.

His progression has been phenomenal. Seeing him develop in terms of character all the way from The Shield to what he is now, it’s remarkable, and just carrying the industry right now.

Realistically, I feel like Roman should kind of wipe the floor with him. But, Logan Paul, he’s surprised me the past couple of matches. So, I’m going to watch like everybody else and see what’s what.

WWE Crown Jewel takes place Saturday, November 5 at 12pm ET / 9am PT from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event streams live exclusively on Peacock in the U.S. and on WWE Network internationally.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit NBC Ten Count with a H/T to SEScoops for the transcription.

Vince McMahon Hated WWE Attitude Era Wrestler’s Name

Ella Jay
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According to former WWE head-writer Brian Gewirtz, Vince McMahon once declared a WWE Superstar had picked the “worst name” he had ever heard. McMahon made his disdain for former Superstar Al Snow known during a conversation with Gewirtz many years ago.

First arriving to WWE in 1998, Al Snow widely made himself known for carrying around a mannequin head named “Head.” Amidst his run, Snow notably captured the European Championship, and acquired six Hardcore Championship reigns. In addition, he created a strong bond with writer, Brian Gewirtz — who went on to develop multiple creative pitches for Snow’s on-screen character.

Then WWE Chairmen Vince McMahon was not a fan of those repeated pitches, as Gewirtz recently revealed on Notsam Wrestling. Gewirtz said he fell into a common “trap” of “becoming friends with wrestlers too quickly,” that ultimately lead an outburst by Vince McMahon.

“There’s no name in professional wrestling worse than Al Snow.”

Vince McMahon

“In my case, I’m buddying up with Al Snow. I hit it off with him when we were shooting these vignettes with him and Steve Blackman back in the day. Al’s a great guy and he’s very funny and personable. I would push Al and Al Snow matches to the point of being very detrimental to Al himself because it’s like, ‘Oh, this fucking guy and his Al Snow obsession’ to the point where it was just like, ‘would you please stop pitching Al Snow?’

“I think the fact that I was pitching Al Snow so much probably, somewhere in Vince’s head as we were making a drive in the Carolinas, I think was like, ‘what is this guy’s obsession with Al Snow? Al Snow, [it’s a] stupid name anyway.’ Then just blurting out loud after the conversation about Al that ended 20 minutes ago, [he said] ‘there’s no name in professional wrestling worse than Al Snow.’”

I was like boy, ‘I have done a disservice to this person I’m trying to help,'” Gewirtz recalled.

Creative Pitches

Al Snow with Head

Gewirtz continued on to discuss some of the ideas he initially pitched for Snow when he came on board as a writer:

“Al Snow, basically, he still had the ‘What Does Everybody Want?’ theme music and everything. But when I started, ‘Head’ was still part of his gimmick, but we were trying to do other things with him. That’s why the stuff with Steve Blackman, Head Cheese [happened]. I pitched the idea of him coming out in a different European outfit every time he was defending the [WWE] European title.

“Again, just to make it entertaining, it’s like a cold match between Al Snow and Viscera, let’s say, on SmackDown. ‘Well, what can we do?’Well, what if Al is celebrating Luxembourg because he is European Champion, All right. Then we like, ‘let’s get all these props and magic and let’s have them come out in lederhosen one day’ and all this type of thing. And Al always played it to the hill perfectly. In the midst of accidentally torpedoing his ending with Vince, that we could actually sneak in some good stuff along the way.”

Brian Gewirtz’s new book There’s Just One Problem…: True Tales from the Former, One-Time, 7th Most Powerful Person in WWE is available now.

AEW’s FTR Added to NJPW Battle Autumn Event

Thomas Lowson
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0

All Elite Wrestling’s FTR will be stepping through the Forbidden Door to appear at the upcoming NJPW Battle Autumn event.

FTR debuted for AEW in 2020 and captured the company’s World Tag Team Titles at that year’s All Out.

The team of Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler, FTR also currently hold the ROH, AAA, and IWGP World Tag Team Championships.

Battle Autumn

On the official NJPW Twitter, FTR confirmed that they will be at Battle Autumn in Osaka, Japan.

The duo begged New Japan to send their best wrestlers to the show and teased that their match in Japan will be for the IWGP Tag Team Titles.

No opponents have been announced for FTR at this time.

NJPW Battle Autumn will take place on November 5, at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, in Osaka, Japan.

Karl Anderson: Will he or Won’t he?

FTR has been announced for NJPW Battle Autumn but Karl Anderson’s position with the show is far muddier.

Before returning to WWE earlier this month, it was announced that Anderson would be defending his NJPW Never Openweight Championship at Battle Autumn against Hikuleo.

Even after returning on Raw, an updated card from NJPW still featured the title match, leading many to believe an agreement had been reached.

After being announced for WWE Crown Jewel (also on November 5,) Anderson uploaded a video saying he will not be at Battle Autumn.

NJPW President Takami Ohbari is said to be ‘furious’ over Anderson choosing WWE over his show, and has said he expects all promoted talent, especially champions, to be at Battle Autumn.

Possible Reason FTR Was Cut from AEW: Fight Forever Video Game

Jeff Jarrett Praises Wrestling Legend as the “John Cena of the Territories”

Thomas Lowson
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0

Jeff Jarrett has expressed his respect for wrestling legend ‘Bullet’ Bob Armstrong, calling the WWE Hall of Famer the John Cena of his era.

Armstrong broke into the wrestling industry in 1960 and would compete for over half a century before his final match in 2019.

Armstrong would capture dozens of championships throughout his career, including over a dozen reigns as a Heavyweight Champion.

Less than a year after his final match, Armstrong passed away in August 2020 due to complications with bone cancer.

Bullet Bob Armstrong

In 2002, Armstrong began working with the up-start promotion TNA Wrestling, known today as Impact Wrestling.

Working with TNA put Armstrong together with company founder Jeff Jarrett, a long-time fan of Armstrong.

Speaking on his ‘My World’ podcast, Jarrett praised Bullet Bob as one of the greatest of all time.

“Bob was a regional, a territory superstar, but he was like a megastar. He was a Hulk Hogan. He was a Stone Cold [Steve Austin.] He was a John Cena of the territories. He was so good at his trade, at his craft.

“He could talk them into the building like none other. He looked great. He worked out, daily into his late, late, late, late years. Until he got really sick, he was in the gym. He took care of his body. He worked his a** off. He was just a megastar.”

“He was a Hulk Hogan. He was a Stone Cold [Steve Austin.] He was a John Cena of the territories.”

Jeff Jarrett on ‘Bullet’ Bob Armstrong.

Speaking about Armstrong’s 2011 induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, Jarrett said there were very few more deserving of the honor.

“His place in the WWE Hall of Fame is big-time rightfully deserved in so many ways.”

Jeff Jarrett.

“He was box office, and at the end of the day, that is what the industry is about. You can be a good in-ring performer, you can have a great promo skill. You can do this and that. In this era, you can have all kind of five-star accolades. Bullet drew money, and that’s the most important thing at the end of the day. Bullet put butts in seats.”

Bullet’s Legacy

While Bob Armstrong was an accomplished wrestler in his own-right, he would also be the father to four sons who broke into the industry.

Armstrong was the father to Bob, Scott, Steve and Brian Armstrong, the latter of whom fans known as ‘Road Dogg’ Jesse James.

Speaking about the family, Jarrett had even more praise.

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Scott, Brad, Steve, Brian. They’re all phenomenal workers… Brian by far has the best verbal skill but in-ring skills, they can all tell stories.”

Jeff Jarrett.

All four Armstrong sons would compete in the ring, and Scott Armstrong would go on to become a WWE referee.

Update on Plans for Jeff Jarrett after WWE Release

Laredo Kid Undergoes Emergency Surgery – AAA Issue Statement

Thomas Lowson
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0

Impact Wrestling and AAA star Laredo Kid is out indefinitely after having to undergo emergency surgery this week.

Laredo Kid (real name unknown) made his Impact debut in 2017 and returned to the promotion last year.

In 2019, he also made a one-off appearance for AEW, replacing PAC and teaming with the Lucha Bros. to face The Elite.

On the March 24, 2021, episode of AEW Dynamite, Kid returned to AEW, again teaming with the Lucha Bros.

The Injury

On Instagram, a statement on Kid’s account confirmed that he had to undergo “emergency surgery” following a show in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.

The statement did not specify what kind of surgery Kid required, but that “due to the severity of what happened the recovery time is not yet known.”

The full statement, translated into English, is as follows.

“I don’t know how or where to start with this news — Yesterday unfortunately @laredokidpro had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital after finishing the fight for the championship in Monterrey. He had to undergo early morning emergency surgery. GAD a little while ago was aware and aware of his situation to alert family + closest friends.

Hopefully in the next few hours, days your situation improves and becomes stable —- Fans, promoters, friends, family and colleagues of Laredo, I will try to keep up with messages and be able to reply to most. * Promoters / events * with dates scheduled in the following months — due to the severity of what happened the recovery time is not yet known, any questions or comments I will be answering msgs, emails, for the time being avoid calls.

Thank you very much to Taurus, Roberto, Abraham, Jorge and AAA for being there all morning and to my closest people thank you for the support — Send your good vibes, prayers and energy so that I can soon get out of this.”

AAA Statement

Kid worked for AAA for years, before departing in 2011 to work on the Mexican independent scene.

In a statement of their own (translated by PW Insider) AAA said that Kid had been suffering from abdominal pain.

At the end of our event Campeonato Showcenter on October 23, 2022, Laredo Kid was attended to by medical personnel upon presenting severe abdominal pain. He was taken to a nearby hospital to be looked at and to find a diagnosis.

After midnight on Monday, October 24, he underwent surgery with positive results.

He is currently stable and under medical supervision.

We will continue to provide updated information as we receive it from his doctors.”

We here at SEScoops wish Laredo Kid a full and speedy recovery.

Watch: Repackaged WWE Superstar Interferes in RAW Main Event

Robert Lentini
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0

It appears that Nikki A.S.H. is no more and Nikki Cross is back in WWE.

Bayley squared off against Bianca Belair in the main event of tonight’s episode of WWE RAW. The EST defeated The Role Model in a Ladder match to retain the RAW Women’s Championship at Extreme Rules and tonight’s bout was a non-title match.

Women’s Tag Team Champions Dakota Kai and IYO SKY were ringside for the match to root on the leader of Damage CTRL. Bayley knocked the RAW Women’s Champion out of the ring and distracted the referee as Dakota and IYO beat Bianca down.

A mystery woman then flew off of the top turnbuckle and leveled the referee, Kai, and SKY with a Crossbody. Back in the ring, Belair connected with the KOD but there was no referee for the cover.

Nikki Cross then got into the ring and planted Belair with a Fisherman’s Neckbreaker. Bayley capitalized on the attack and covered Belair for the pinfall victory. After the bell, Nikki Cross attacked Bayley and stood tall in the ring as the crowd booed to close the show.

When was the last time Nikki was on WWE TV?

Nikki A.S.H. teased a character change on September 26th following her loss to Candice LeRae on RAW. She was scheduled to battle her former tag team partner, Doudrop, but Candice was revealed as a surprise opponent. Candice picked up the victory in her debut match on the main roster and Nikki took off her mask in frustration after the match.

She won the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder match last year and cashed in on Charlotte Flair to win the RAW Women’s Championship. Nikki has also been in tag teams with Alexa Bliss and Rhea Ripley on the main roster. She debuted on the November 6, 2018, episode of SmackDown against Becky Lynch. The former NXT faction SAniTY accompanied her to the entrance ramp.

8 Takeaways From WWE RAW (10/24): Bianca Belair vs. Bayley, JBL & Baron Corbin, The Judgment Day

“False Advertising!” – WWE Star Takes Shot at Braun Strowman Ahead of Crown Jewel

Robert Lentini
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0

Omos demolished four enhancement talents tonight on WWE RAW in dominant fashion.

The Nigerian Giant is scheduled to battle Braun Strowman in a couple of weeks at WWE Crown Jewel. The Premium Live Event will air from Mrsool Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Braun recently returned to WWE after being released by the company last year. He briefly spent some time in EC3’s Control Your Narrative promotion before re-signing with the company following Triple H’s rise in power. Strowman refers to himself as The Monster of All Monsters but is visibly several inches shorter than Omos.

  • WWE Crown Jewel 2022 Preview

MVP Mocks Braun Strowman

Ahead of their matchup at Crown Jewel, WWE’s official Twitter account sent out an advertisement for the matchup between Braun Strowman and Omos at the Premium Live Event.

MVP is currently the manager of Omos and continues to hype the Nigerian Giant as a challenge that Braun Strowman has never dealt with before.

The 48-year-old took to Twitter and mocked Braun Strowman ahead of the Premium Live Event. MVP noted that the image has Strowman and Omos as the same height when Braun is clearly shorter.

This is FALSE ADVERTISING!!! Braun is MUCH shorter!

The Monster of All Monsters and The Nigerian Giant have been battling at WWE Live Events ahead of the big match on November 5th at Crown Jewel. A fan uploaded a confrontation between the two superstars at a house show on October 22nd and the video has already accumulated over 1.2 million views.

Omos and MVP attacked R-Truth after their match and Strowman made the save. Braun confronted the Nigerian Giant and knocked him out of the ring with a thunderous Clothesline. You can check out the full confrontation in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CurGsJ0n2Wk
8 Takeaways From WWE RAW (10/24): Bianca Belair vs. Bayley, JBL & Baron Corbin, The Judgment Day

Former WWE Superstar Reacts to AJ Styles Name Dropping Him on RAW

Robert Lentini
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0

The Judgment Day kicked off this week’s episode of WWE RAW and cut a promo on The OC ahead of their match at Crown Jewel next month.

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson recently returned to the company after two years away. Finn Balor had been trying to recruit AJ Styles to The Judgment Day but The Phenomenal One declined.

The Judgment Day attacked Styles but Gallows and Anderson made the save. WWE has announced that The OC will battle The Judgment Day in a 6-man tag team match at WWE Crown Jewel.

James Ellsworth Reacts to AJ Styles Referencing Him on WWE RAW

During The Judgment Day’s promo, Dominik Mysterio claimed that he was this generation’s Eddie Guerrero. Dominik picked up a victory over AJ Styles last week after Rhea Ripley interfered.

After the comment by Dominik, The OC interrupted and made their way to the entrance ramp. AJ Styles joked that Dominik is more like this generation’s James Ellsworth. Styles and Ellsworth had a humorous rivalry along with Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) several years ago.

James Ellsworth took to Twitter to upload a video of him spitting out a beer after AJ referenced him on RAW. Ellsworth defeated AJ Styles multiple times on SmackDown in 2016 thanks to interference by Dean Ambrose. He was released from WWE in November 2017.

Karl Anderson went on to battle Finn Balor in a singles match to begin RAW. Balor picked up the victory after Rhea interfered in the match again. Rhea also hit Luke Gallows with a Body Slam during the match in an awesome moment.

8 Takeaways From WWE RAW (10/24): Bianca Belair vs. Bayley, JBL & Baron Corbin, The Judgment Day

Robert Lentini
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WWE RAW aired live this week from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bianca Belair battled Bayley in a non-title match in this week’s main event.

RAW Results

  • Finn Balor def. Karl Anderson
  • R-Truth def. The Miz
  • Austin Theory def. Mustafa Ali
  • Omos def. four enhancement talent
  • Elias def. Chad Gable
  • Baron Corbin def. Johnny Gargano
  • Bayley def. Bianca Belair in a non-title match

Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:

Rhea Ripley Helped Finn Balor Pick Up A Win

The Judgment Day kicked off this week’s episode of WWE RAW. Rhea Ripley insulted the crowd and claimed that Judgment Day runs Monday Night RAW. Ripley claimed that Dominik Mysterio is all man and Balor boasted about Dominik’s victory over AJ Styles last week.

Damian Priest claimed that Dominik Mysterio is the greatest luchador on the planet. The crowd booed as Dominik grabbed the microphone. Dom claimed that he proved all his haters wrong last week when he beat AJ Styles.

The OC (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson) interrupted and made their way to the entrance ramp. Styles compared Dominik to James Ellsworth before The OC got into the ring. The two teams stared at each other before Finn Balor spoke up. Finn claimed that AJ Styles is hiding in “The Club (Bulletclub)” that he built. Karl Anderson and Finn Balor then battled in a singles match.

Balor and Anderson locked up to start off the action. Finn connected with a shoulder tackle but Anderson battled back. Karl hit a Dropkick and Finn retreated out of the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Anderson connected with a Dropkick and focused his attack on Balor’s knee. Finn battled back and unloaded some punches in the corner of the ring. Anderson escaped and planted Balor with a Powerbomb for a near fall. Karl connected with a leaping Neckbreaker and went for the cover but Balor kicked out at two.

Finn Balor climbed to the top rope but Anderson tripped him up. Karl planted Balor with a Superplex but Dominik hopped on the ring apron for a distraction. AJ Styles tripped Dominik up but Damian launched The Phenomenal One over the barricade. Gallows leveled Damian Priest but Rhea shoved him into the ring post.

Ripley then planted Gallows with a Body Slam. Back in the ring, Rhea hit Anderson with a low blow and Balor covered Anderson for the pinfall victory. The OC will battle The Judgment Day at WWE Crown Jewel in a 6-man tag team match. Luke Gallows later said that he has a solution for fighting Rhea Ripley in a backstage segment.

  • WWE Crown Jewel 2022 Preview

Johnny Gargano Tricked The Miz

The Miz spoke about Dexter Lumis stalking him on WWE RAW as the crowd chanted “what!”. Miz claimed that Dexter Lumis was jealous that he chose Tommaso Ciampa as his protege, which is why he is bothering him. The A-Lister held up a missing poster for Tommaso Ciampa.

Johnny Gargano interrupted and said that The Miz knows Ciampa is injured. Gargano brought a whistle to the ring and threatened to blow it if Miz lies again. R-Truth joined the party and The Miz flipped out. R-Truth challenged Miz to a match and The A-Lister accepted.

The Miz started off the match in control and stomped on Truth in the corner. R-Truth hit an Atomic Drop but Miz responded with a big boot. A masked man showed up behind the barricade and distracted The Miz. R-Truth capitalized and rolled Miz up for the pinfall victory. It was then revealed to be Johnny Gargano and he mocked Miz from the crowd.

Damage CTRL Confronted Candice LeRae

Cathy Kelley interviewed Candice LeRae this week on RAW. Candice noted it has been crazy lately and that she has so much support from Alexa Bliss, Bianca Belair, and Asuka. Damage CTRL interrupted and Bayley boasted about putting Alexa Bliss, Asuka, and Becky Lynch on the shelf. LeRae said IYO is still untrustworthy, Dakota is still spiteful, and Bayley is still not RAW Women’s Champion. Bayley shoved the camera over and Damage CTRL attacked.

Theory def. Mustafa Ali, Seth Rollins Attacked

Austin Theory battled Mustafa Ali tonight on WWE RAW. United States Champion Seth Rollins joined commentary for the match. Austin Theory shoved Mustafa down to the canvas to start off the action. Theory connected with a shoulder tackle and taunted Ali before the two locked up again in the middle of the ring. Austin controlled the action early and sent Ali to the outside as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Austin Theory took a selfie and it backfired. Mustafa hit him with a Dropkick and followed it up with a Senton. Ali connected with a Neckbreaker and went for the cover but Theory kicked out at two.

Ali connected with a Codebreaker and climbed to the top turnbuckle. Seth Rollins hopped in the ring for a distraction and Theory tripped Ali up. Austin connected with the A-Town Down for the pinfall victory. Seth Rollins posed with Austin after the match before attacking Mustafa Ali.

Baron Corbin def. Johnny Gargano

Johnny Gargano bumped into Baron Corbin and JBL. John told Gargano to introduce himself and he did so. Gargano poked fun at JBL and called him “MC Hammer pants”. Johnny added that Corbin is boring and it led to a singles match later on the show.

JBL hyped up Corbin before the match and mocked the crowd. Gargano knocked Corbin out of the ring and hit him with a dive through the ropes. Corbin battled back and leveled Johnny with right hand before bashing him into the ring post. Johnny went for a Crossbody but Corbin caught him. Baron connected with a slam on top of the announce table and gave JBL a high five as RAW went to a commercial break.

Gargano connected with a Running Bulldog and fired up the crowd. Corbin responded with an elbow to the face but Johnny shrugged it off and hit a Slingshot Spear for a near fall. Gargano went for a Crossbody but Corbin caught him. Baron hit a Fallaway Slam and taunted Gargano.

Corbin followed it up with Deep Six and went for the cover but Gargano kicked out at two. Baron perched Gargano up on the top turnbuckle and punched him in the face. Corbin cleared off the announce table but wound up running himself into the steel steps. Gargano took JBL’s cowboy hat and brought it into the ring. JBL tripped Gargano up and Corbin capitalized with the End of Days for the pinfall victory.

Omos Dominated

Omos defeated four enhancement talent tonight on RAW in dominant fashion. Omos will battle Braun Strowman at WWE Crown Jewel on November 5th.

Elias def. Chad Gable

Elias battled Chad Gable tonight. Otis was ringside for the match. Gable and Elias went back and forth to start off the match. Elias went for a Suplex but Gable countered into a roll-up for a near fall. Gable knocked Elias out of the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Gable connected with a Suplex and then a Flying Headbutt for a near fall. Elias delivered a Clothesline and followed it up with a Splash in the corner. Otis distracted Elias and Gable capitalized with an Ankle Lock.

Gable escaped and connected with a slam for a two count. Gable went for a Moonsault but Elias countered with a knee strike for a two count. Elias sent Otis into the ring post and then hit Drift Away for the pinfall victory. After the match, Otis attacked Elias from behind and Alpha Academy beat him down. Matt Riddle rushed to the ring on his scooter and knocked Alpha Academy out of the ring. Riddle hit them both with a Moonsault before checking on Elias in the ring.

Nikki Cross Interfered In The Main Event

RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair battled Bayley tonight in the main event in a non-title match. Women’s Tag Team Champions Dakota Kai & IYO SKY of Damage CTRL accompanied Bayley to the ring for the match.

Bayley controlled the action early but Belair battled back with a Body Slam in the middle of the ring. The two stars locked up and Bianca connected with a shoulder tackle. Bianca flipped across the ring but The Role Model was ready and leveled The EST with a forearm strike for a two count.

Belair hit a Suplex and went for another one but Bayley blocked it. Bayley applied a Crossface in the middle of the ring but the champ countered into a Sidewalk Slam. Bianca knocked Bayley out of the ring and hit a Crossbody as RAW went to a commercial break.

The Role Model leveled Belair with a Clothesline for a two count when the red brand returned. Bayley taunted the crowd while unloading punches. The EST escaped and lifted Bayley up for the KOD but the challenger escaped.

Bayley targeted the champion’s arm and slammed her to the mat. Belair dodged an Elbow Drop and sent Bayley tumbling out of the ring. Back in the ring, Bianca connected with a Brainbuster and followed it up with a series of shoulder tackles. Belair unloaded some punches in the corner and then hit a Body Slam. The champ went for a Moonsault but Bayley got her knees up.

Belair escaped the Bayley to Belly and rolled The Role Model up for a near count. Bayley went for an Elbow Drop again but Bianca got her knees up. Belair hit the Moonsault but Bayley kicked out at two.

Bayley rolled out of the ring and Bianca chased after her. Bayley slammed Bianca into the barricade and planted her with a DDT on the floor as RAW went to the final commercial break of the night.

When RAW returned, Bayley went for the KOD but Belair escaped. Bianca then connected with the Bayley to Belly for a two count. Bayley dragged Belair out of the ring and launched her into the barricade.

Belair sent Bayley into the steel steps before the action returned to the ring. The two superstars traded strikes in the middle of the ring. Belair hit a Spinebuster and went for the cover but Bayley kicked out at two.

Bianca climbed to the top rope but IYO hopped on the apron for a distraction. Bayley capitalized with a Bayley to Belly off the middle turnbuckle for a near fall. Damage CTRL cleared off the announce table but Bianca battled back. Belair hit Bayley with a Powerbomb onto the table, the ring post, and the ring apron. IYO tackled Bianca into the table and Dakota followed it up with a kick to the face.

The referee saw that something had transpired and got out of the ring. Someone then hit them all with a Crossbody. Belair hit the KOD but the referee was knocked out. Nikki ASH/ Cross was revealed to the star that hit the Crossbody. She hit Belair with a Neckbreaker and Bayley capitalized with a cover for the pinfall victory. After the match, Nikki attacked Bayley as well as RAW went off the air.

Xavier Woods Teasing “Da Party” Reunion

Samantha Schipman
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DA PARTY IS REUNITING!

Xavier Woods tweeted a 20 second video of Tyler Breeze, Claudio Castagnoli, and Adam Cole. The video ends with “R U Ready?”

All four men tweeted the video with Woods posting it four minutes after the others.

The teaser doesn’t have a date or anything else that gives viewers an idea of what they should be ready for or where it’s happening.

“Da Party” ended when Cole went to AEW

Xavier Woods Da Party

“Prince Pretty” (Breeze), “Mr. OP” (Cesaro), and “Chugs” (Cole) would regularly play Uno together on Woods’s UpUpDownDown YouTube channel. It was dubbed “Da Party Day”. For many viewers, it was a way to cope during the pandemic.

When Cole signed with AEW, “Da Party” as fans knew it was over. They posted a heart-wrenching farewell to “Chugs”.

https://twitter.com/AustinCreedWins/status/1438186845922336774?s=20&t=r-mUjG-bin8qvUdyq4QXxw

Last November, they teased a reunion. Fans assumed that it would be on Woods’s G4 show. Unfortunately, G4 has shut down just months after it was relaunched.

It seems as though the stars have finally aligned and the “Da Party” reunion will finally take place soon.

Triple H Returns From COVID-19 Hiatus at Monday’s WWE Raw

Andrew Ravens
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Triple H had been away from WWE events for a week after testing positive for COVID-19 but was said to be doing well. The good news is that The Game is back in the saddle.

Triple H was backstage at this week’s WWE Monday Night Raw from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC, according to Sean Ross Sapp via Fightful Select. He was there to run things and appeared to be feeling okay. 

Triple H is Back

Triple H
(BT Sport)

The report adds:

“We’re told he was feeling okay and just frustrated he had to miss the event. Road Dogg filled in during his absence, and most of the show was written by the day before, as was SmackDown.”

Triple H’s return comes at a good time as it will give the crew a morale boost ahead of the building to its next premium live event. 

WWE will have a double SmackDown taping this Friday before having a live Monday Night Raw next week ahead of them flying over to Saudi Arabia for the November 5th Crown Jewel event, which will be headlined by Roman Reigns defending the Undisputed WWE Universal Title against Logan Paul.

Kofi Kingston on How Winning The WWE Championship Established a “Sense of Hope” for Young Fans

Robert Lentini
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Kofi Kingston captured the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35 by defeating Daniel Bryan, now known in All Elite Wrestling as Bryan Danielson.

Kingston hit Bryan with the Trouble in Paradise for the pinfall victory. The veteran celebrated with the New Day in the ring as the crowd erupted. A video went viral featuring MVP and the tragically passed Shad Gaspard getting emotional following Kingston’s victory.

Speaking with Steve Fall of NBC Ten Count, a question was sent in by students for Kofi Kingston. He was asked if he felt his WWE character has impacted young African-American children and if he finds it a responsibility of his every time he’s in front of the camera. Kingston responded with

Absolutely. Being the first African-born WWE Champion impacted a lot of African-American children in ways, and really all children, but particularly African-American children because you didn’t really see African-born Superstars in championship roles.

And I mean main championship roles. It is something you didn’t see, and it is one thing to say like anything is possible because, in theory, anything is possible.

If you believe in yourself, you can be the one who breaks the ground and you can be the first person to do something.

But it is a whole other thing to say that anything is possible because it actually happened.

– Kofi Kingston

Kingston said that he was blown away by all the videos of him on social media after winning the WWE Championship. He still gets messages about it to this day.

“So we were in New Orleans, like me and my son walking in, and one of the security guards stopped me and talked to me about how impactful that moment was to him watching it as an adult.

You have all these videos of people watching it with their kids and it just really establishes a sense of hope, and belief that you can do whatever you want to do.”

Not the Typical WWE Champion

“By all standards, I shouldn’t be here. I’m not 6’8”, I’m not 300 pounds, and I don’t have a strapping chest.

As a matter of fact, I have pretty much all sternum. No muscle here. My legs are very skinny, I’m not as big as the other people on the roster.

When I was a kid and I told people that I wanted to be a WWE Superstar they laughed at me because I didn’t look the part.

Now, you fast forward all these years later, I’ve been able to have so many incredible accolades, so many awesome moments, I’ve had 22 different title reigns. This is all from a guy that wasn’t supposed to be here.”

Watch Kofi Kingston WWE Championship Celebration:

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit NBC Ten Count with a H/T to SEScoops for the transcription.

“I Need to Beat You Tonight” – Bayley Sends Warning to Bianca Belair Ahead of Grudge Match on WWE RAW

Robert Lentini
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Bianca Belair and Bayley have been involved in a rivalry in WWE since last year.

Bayley was training for her match against Bianca Belair at Money in the Bank 2021 when she tore her ACL. The Role Model returned at SummerSlam alongside IYO SKY and Dakota Kai. The trio is now known to WWE fans as Damage CTRL.

Dakota and IYO recently captured the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Bayley battled Bianca in a Ladder match at Extreme Rules but The EST was able to retain the RAW Women’s Championship. Their rivalry continues tonight on RAW in a non-title match.

Bayley & Bianca Belair Trade Words Ahead of Tonight’s Match on WWE RAW

The RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair and Bayley are set to battle tonight once again in a singles match. Bayley has not defeated Bianca in a singles match since 2020. The Role Model did get the pin on The Est during the 6-woman tag team match at Clash at the Castle last month.

Bayley posted on Instagram that tonight is the beginning of the end for the RAW Women’s Champion.

TONIGHT We’ve been through a lot together in these last couple of years and it’s been a journey. It’s been fun, annoying, tiresome, distracting, motivating, and some more annoying.

I’ve watched you grow from this young hopeful into a main eventer in what seemed almost over night.

But I know that wasn’t easy, because the lifestyle of a pro wrestler is far from easy. I’ve seen how dedicated you are to this company, I’ve seen you go out of your way for fans.

I’ve seen you not go home for weeks just to make the shows, I’ve seen you all over the country making appearances to make sure @wwe is represented the right way.

And for that, I thank you. But just know that all of those things are the EXACT reason I need to beat you tonight.

Nobody loves this company or business more than I do and I should be the one waving that WWE flag around the world, not you!!! This sh*t runs through my blood and I guarantee you have no idea what that feels like or how it fuels me.

So tonight when I beat you Bianca, it is the beginning of the end for you.
#raw

Belair took to Twitter and wondered if it was actually going to be a singles match or if Damage CTRL were going to interfere once again.

Soooo… is it Me vs. 1 of them?… or all 3 of them?… this time. Asking for a friend…

Recent WWE On-Air Signee Had Talks With AEW

Andrew Ravens
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Renee Paquette wasn’t the only on-air talent to have talks with AEW, who had a past in WWE, as Cathy Kelley did. 

The battle to sign talent between WWE and AEW doesn’t just mean in-ring performers but outside of the talent. It was reported that WWE had reached out to Paquette before signing with the rival promotion to see if she would be interested in returning to the company where she did commentary, hosting, and interviewing work. 

Another broadcaster went the opposite direction, according to Fightful Select. 

Earlier this month, WWE announced big commentary changes and on-air shakeups. Michael Cole and Wade Barrett are the main commentators for SmackDown. Samantha Irvin serves as the ring announcer, with Kayla Braxton and Megan Morant as backstage interviewers. Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves are on the commentary team for Raw. Mike Rome is the ring announcer, while Cathy Kelley and Byron Saxton conduct onscreen interviews. 

Cathy Kelley Was Nearly All Elite

Cathy Kelley
Cathy Kelley

Sources told Fightful earlier this year that Cathy had conversations with AEW, including speaking to Tony Khan directly at some point about the possibility of working there, and that things looked promising. It didn’t happen, and there’s no word yet on what happened to make the deal not be reached. 

Kelley and AEW were on solid terms before she headed back to WWE. Kelley returned to WWE after leaving the company in 2020.

DDP and Jake Roberts Discuss the Career of Sting

Bruce Lee Hazelwood
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On the most recent edition of the DDP Snake Pit podcast, Jon Alba hosted as “Diamond” Dallas Page and Jake “The Snake” Roberts reminisced on the career of “The Icon” Sting.

Sting’s early career as a professional wrestler

Sting WCW

Sting’s beginnings in professional wrestling, now almost recited by many fans as if reading from his Wikipedia entry, were mentioned by the three and how a California promoter named Rick Bassman saw Steve Borden (Sting) and the then Jim Hellwig (The Ultimate Warrior) in a gym and suggested they become professional wrestlers.

Roberts and Page then discussed the anomaly of both wrestlers in a tag team not only becoming huge singles stars, but in separate companies with Warrior in WWF and Sting in WCW. It didn’t always seem that way as The Blade Runner tag team with the two wasn’t an instant success. Alba mentioned Sting’s article from The Players’ Tribune where he said he was ready to quit in the early years, but persevered.

Roberts added that Bill Watts put Sting through hell, but, “Sting was very fortunate to go there because that place, you learn more than any other place on the planet. Bill Watts made you learn,” in Mid-South Wrestling. Roberts mentioned how Watts would never put two green wrestlers together using himself tagging with The Barbarian “to help The Barbarian.”

They moved to Clash of the Champions I, which had a main event of Ric Flair and Sting ending in a 45-minute time-limit draw. Page said he doesn’t think there could be a greater compliment than “The Nature Boy” going 45 minutes with you and then to a 60-minute broadway. He likened it to the then Cody doing something similar for Darby Allin in AEW.

Alba asked if Flair made Sting and the two Hall of Famers were unequivocal in affirming the question that yes, Flair made Sting. They said he had the look, the size, the entrance, the charisma, and even if he was a little green, those matches with Flair made Sting into “they guy.” Roberts said Sting ran with it once he had the position, and Page added that Sting still has it even in his 60s.

Page credited a match with Sting on WCW Monday Nitro on January 8, 1996 for changing his career trajectory. He was effusive is his praise for Sting letting Page lay out most of the match, which led to a funny phone interaction with Michael Hayes.

The birth of “Crow” Sting

sting wcw old school

They then discussed Sting’s transition to his most iconic character, “Crow” Sting. Page said it was the smartest thing for Sting to do with the n.W.o. running rampant and obliterating babyface “Surfer” Sting. Page added that it was actually the late Scott Hall who suggested to Sting to make the change. Page said that Sting sitting in the rafters for a year while other babyfaces were being beaten down opened up the doors for him to become a top babyface in the company opposite the faction.

Alba mentioned that this version of Sting also helped Nitro do big numbers, but Page and Roberts said that Hall and Kevin Nash were the catalysts. However, they did credit the patience to keep Sting from wrestling for a year as “the people want what they can’t have, but you can’t let them have it too soon.” Page said the biggest pay-per-view in WCW was Starrcade ’97 between Sting and “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, which was built over the entire year.

Page discussed a hilarious moment where Sting was supposed to rappel down, hook up Page, and then rappel back up together. Page said Sting was supposed to come down, no one was supposed to touch them, and they would leave easily. He brought up Roberts discussing the chaos in the ring earlier with his snake and mentioned how with eight guys in the ring, they all want to do their own thing. Page said he wasn’t scared until he heard Sting yelling at the others that they weren’t supposed to touch them.

Sting post-WCW

sting

They touched on the final Nitro match and how apropos it was to have Flair vs. Sting, the two men most synonymous with WCW. From there, they moved to Page’s first post-WWE match, which Alba said was July 2004 for HCW Battle Hawaii where Page teamed with Satoshi Kojima to take on Sting and The Great Muta. Page said he just wanted to show people that he could still go in the ring, and working with Sting, Kojima, and Muta was a dream.

Alba moved to Sting’s hesitancy to sign with WWE because of how WCW wrestlers were portrayed until relenting and signing in 2014, debuting at Survivor Series, then facing Triple H at WrestleMania 31 in a losing, but memorable effort. Roberts said he was “shocked” that Sting signed with WWE as he never envisioned Sting signing with the company. Page said in his opinion, “they pushed the hell out of him” and even if he lost to Seth Rollins in Sting’s final WWE match, it was Rollins who was receiving the rub from Sting.

They ended by asserting that Sting has redefined and rewrote what it means to utilize legends in this business. Roberts said it’s about utilizing them the right way and just having respect for what they’ve done. Page added that there isn’t anyone in the AEW locker room who doesn’t want to take the Scorpion Death Lock.

Tune into the DDP Snake Pit podcast every week as part of AdFreeShows.

Please credit DDP Snake Pit and SEScoops if using any part of this article.

Former WWE Writer Recalls Pitching The Rock to Impersonate Triple H

Ella Jay
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Former WWE writer Brian Gewirtz has offered some insight into an on-screen segment that saw The Rock impersonate then WWF Champion Triple H.

In mid- February of 2000, Triple H and D-Generation X targeted the likes of Kane and Mick Foley, forcibly shoving them into their DX-Express travel bus on an episode of RAW. Later in the evening, the New Age Outlaws defended their WWF World Tag Team Championships against The Rock and The Big Show. However, The Rock ended up challenging for the titles alone.

Before the bout could conclude, The Big Show appeared to confront The Rock before the two traded punches. Billy Gunn and Road Dogg (The New Age Outlaws) would then join the Big Show in fending off The Rock. Soon after, “The World’s Largest Athlete” took hold of Rock, dragging and throwing him into the baggage compartment of the DX-Express. The Rock would eventually escape, surprising The Big Show with a slate of wood to the back of his head.

The following week, DX, along with Stephanie McMahon, gathered in the ring to brag about leaving Foley and Kane stranded. The Rock, however, was unamused with their celebration. In cutting off Triple H, “The People’s Champ” emerged to cut a promo, mocking the way “The Game” spoke.

Pitching The Idea

Brian Gewirtz

In speaking on NotSam Wrestling, former WWE head-writer Brian Gewirtz recently opened up about the meeting for the idea, which saw him in the same room with Triple H during the pitch.

“I think that was in 2000, and the stage being set for that with us coming up with the idea for the promo, me pitching to him doing the Triple H voice and then pitching it to Vince, which normally would be easy. But when we went into Vince’s office, which at the time this is pretty incredible to consider, the writing team was so small that the writers shared an office with Vince. The writers didn’t get their own little office until 2002.”

“We would share our office with Vince, so we would go in and at that time Triple H and all of DX and Stephanie [McMahon] were all there, and Rock was setting up the promo and he’s like, ‘Oh, you’re going to love it, Hunter.’ I go in and [Rock says], ‘You know, Triple H, every time you open your mouth, you sound exactly like this.’ Then he stops and goes, ‘Brian, go ahead, do the voice.’”

As he was put on the spot with eight people, including the match producers, in the room, Gewirtz tried to avoid mimicking Triple H. “‘Well, you have to do it in TV. We should hear how you do it,'” he told The Rock. “He’s like, ‘But I’m learning from you when you do it.’”

WWE Chairmen Vince McMahon then proceeded to interject, saying ‘Damn it, Bryan, do the damn voice.'”

Former WWE Writer Shares Tales From ‘Guest Host Era’ Of RAW

Ella Jay
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WWE has excelled through many eras in its history. From the famous Attitude Era, to Ruthless Aggression, to the New Era, World Wrestling Entertainment has garnered favorable success. Perhaps one of the more polarizing eras though, ran just over a year amidst the family-friendly format of the company: the Guest Host Era.

From June 29, 2009 until June 14, 2010, Monday Night RAW featured a special celebrity guest host each week. Ranging from backstage segments, to in-ring confrontations, to even booking Superstar matches, the guest host element would become a key feature to the weekly editions of RAW with the likes of Shaquille O’Neil, Betty White, and Bob Barker.

Despite the addition of some high-profile celebrities, former head writer Brian Gewirtz admitted his shock at how long the era actually survived. During a recent interview with Sam Roberts for his NotSam Wrestling podcast, Gewirtz opened up about this unique period in WWE history.

“It’s amazing that it lasted for over a full year, which is crazy to think about,” he began.

“I think everyone is kind of in agreement on the best shows from that era. Most people liked the Bob Barker episode a great deal. They liked Hugh Jackman. They liked Mike Tyson. Shaquille O’Neal was really good. Ozzy Osborne people liked, even Seth Green, when he kicked it off — that went really well.”

“It never should have been an era to begin with, but it did, and somehow we all survived.”

Brian Gewirtz continued on to reveal the original idea behind the era:

“The whole idea was born out of, how could we just take a break from the heel GM character? That segued into what if it was a different legend every week who was the GM? That’s when to what if it was a different celebrity every week? And then that turned into what if we’re just like Saturday Night Live only better?”

Memorable Guest Hosts

keon jeong jeremy piven john cena

In naming some of the memorable guest hosts from the era, Gewirtz recalled meeting stand-up comedian Ken Jeong after he had tossed over the top rope by John Cena.

“I got to meet and become friends with Dr. Ken Jeong from the Jeremy Piven episode, who very bravely agreed to get himself thrown out of the ring from John Cena and was assured by everyone that he would be caught safely,” he said.” He was caught, but I don’t think he landed safely as his head smacked against the steel entrance way and he had to stitch himself up. hYat’s the thing, like the pacing, like waiting for Dr. Ken to come out, waiting for Ken to come out and going, ‘Oh my God, is he going to be pissed? I thought I had this brand new friend. Now he’s going to hate me. What’s going to happen? Is he going to badmouth WWE to everyone he knows in Hollywood, or is our reputation going to be sunk?’

Then he comes out and is just like so full of adrenaline and positive energy. He was like, ‘that was awesome,’ and apologizing to me like, ‘I’m so sorry I didn’t take that bump right.’ Like, again? No, I mean, personally, we’re glad you’re not suing all of us, but also glad that you’re okay and are happy about this.”

The Hoff Arrives To RAW

On April 12th, 2010, actor David Hasselhoff arrived in the United Kingdom to host RAW, later instructing David Otunga to face then WWE Champion John Cena. There, Brian Gewirtz explained how the Hasselhoff episode ultimately led to guest hosts no longer being allowed to book matches.

“When David Hasselhoff in the UK, when he had all these–Hasselhoff is great. At this point Dave Kapoor is one of the former writers, WWE, the former Ranjin Singh of the Great Khali fame. He’d come up to me because David is, as you know, the friendliest, most affable person, and he’s not faking it, he just is.”

“[Ranjin] come up to me and like, ‘Hey, Brian. Yeah, man. So Hasselhoff wants a group of people to be hanging out in the parking lot, chanting, Hoff, Hoff, Hoff! Then he gets out of his big truck and they follow him into the arena all the way in the ring, and they’re chanting Hoff!’ I’m like, ‘okay’ and then he’s got to somehow make the Intercontinental title match at SummerSlam. None of this makes sense anymore.”

The Hasselhoff show was when Vince [McMahon] finally said, okay, these guest hosts no longer have the power to make matches. They’re just going to be there, andthat’s when you saw like a turning point. That’s when it all started to wane a little bit, where it’s like they’d have their one segment, but it wouldn’t be like we’d go into their guest host office and then people would be arguing and they’d make a match and that kind of thing, because it was just a very, very unfair position to put them in, especially the non-wrestling fans who had to now learn all this exposition and ‘but it’s going to be a no disqualification match, but you got to remember it’s going to be taking place this Sunday night live on pay per view right now on the WWE Network’ and all that kind of thing.

“It’s like, I just want to come in and have fun. What am I doing here? I have so much information to give that ultimately, it kind of fizzled and then changed. And then it’s like, ‘Hey, if a celebrity happens to be on the show this week, great.’ But now they don’t have the onus of having to book matches and be in charge, and remember a lot of things, which is the way it should have been in the first place.”

Brian Gewirtz’s new book There’s Just One Problem…: True Tales from the Former, One-Time, 7th Most Powerful Person in WWE is out now.

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