Big E is about to go on a singles run on Smackdown that has many fans excited. He recently spoke to SI.com about New Day, the group possibly breaking up, and just want Xavier Woods has meant to the act.
“There’s no New Day without him. If Woods doesn’t come up to me in 2014 and say, ‘Hey, I have an idea for a group. You want to join me?’ If that doesn’t happen, who knows where my career is right now, who knows if I’m even still employed here. He changed our lives. And the fact that he got the trombone over in wrestling? That’s incredible,” Big E said about Woods.
“I think it’s cool that our story is about men that care about each other,” Big E continued. “That’s different. We’re each unique, but we make sense together. And there is so much to be excited about in our future.”
Big E also spoke about how him going on a singles run doesn’t mean the group will break up. He also said he doesn’t plan on changing who he is for a potential run at a world title.
“I’m not going to let down the people that support me,” Big E said. “This run is about being authentic to myself and who I am. I still want to make people laugh and entertain them, and there is also this underlying determination. I’m excited to make the most of it.”
46-year-old WWE Superstar Hassan Hamin Assad, better known to wrestling fans as MVP, has signed a new deal with the company. He announced on social media recently that he has signed a new multi-year agreement with WWE.
“Tonight, I’m drinking “the good stuff”. Yamazaki 18 from @suntorywhisky is the spirit of choice. I have come to terms with @wwe on a multi year deal. MVP is in #thehurtbusiness for the foreseeable future! Kampai!” he wrote on Instagram.
MVP was a surprise entrant in this year’s Royal Rumble. He then lost a match to Rey Mysterio on RAW the next night. He would send a thank you message to fans that night on social media in a post that seemed to imply he was retiring. MVP kept hanging around, however, and now his Hurt Business stable has become one of the featured acts on WWE RAW.
Most recently on RAW, MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin appeared to take over RAW Underground. Fans will likely find out more about the stable’s relationship with the new RAW segment next week.
MVP is a 2x United States champion. He ranks 5th all-time in terms of days spent with the title (419) and most among active competitors. MVP and Matt Hardy are also former tag champions.
As expected, a new faction has made its debut on WWE television and its RETRIBUTION.
On Friday’s SmackDown, their presence was first felt during a backstage pull-apart between Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville by turning out the lights.
The group appeared by taking the ring with various weapons before running off the camera crew then attacking some WWE developmental talent in the crowd.
They also spray-painted things and took a chainsaw to the ring ropes. It happened at the end of the broadcast.
WWE’s official website had teased earlier on Monday that there were “rumblings” around the Performance Center that the group was set to “cause chaos” and “shake up the organizations structure.”
During Monday’s broadcast on the USA Network, we saw a group of people wearing hoodies outside throwing what appears to be a Molotov cocktail at a generator.
It was first reported by Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet that the group is not intended to be political but rather specific to WWE. At the time, there was no word on who would’ve been part of the group as those involved in the faction are being kept close to the vest by upper management.
WWE SmackDown aired from the Performance Center in Orlando. Stephanie McMahon spoke to Sasha Banks and Bayley tonight and announced a Triple Brand Battle Royal for next week and the winner will face Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam. RETRIBUTION invaded SmackDown at the close of the show.
SmackDown Results (8/7)
Matt Riddle def. Sheamus via DQ
Cesaro def. Lince Dorado
Jeff Hardy def. King Corbin via DQ
Sheamus def. King Corbin
Heavy Machinery vs. Miz & Morrison ended in a DQ
Here are 6 takeaways from this week’s show:
Shorty G Attacked Matt Riddle Again
Matt Riddle squared off against Sheamus in the first match of the night. Shorty G attacked Matt Riddle last week to collect on the King’s Ransom issued by Corbin.
Match Recap: Riddle went for a Sleeper Hold but Sheamus quickly made it to the ropes to break the hold. Sheamus got Riddle in a Headlock and took him down to the canvas. Sheamus stomped on Riddle’s midsection as the crowd tried to fire Matt up.
Riddle battled to his feet and applied an Arm Bar in the middle of the ring. When SmackDown returned from a break, Sheamus was back in control and hit Riddle with three Irish Curse Backbreakers in a row.
Riddle connected with a running kick to Sheamus’ face and followed it up with a Broton for a near fall. Matt climbed to the top rope and went for the Floating Bro but Sheamus got out of the way. Sheamus hit White Noise and went for the cover but Riddle was somehow able to kick out at two.
Matt planted Sheamus with a German Suplex for a near fall. Sheamus hit another Backbreaker and charged at Riddle in the corner. Matt got out of the way and Sheamus crashed into the ring post.
Shorty G attacked Matt Riddle from behind and the match ended in a DQ. Riddle hit Shorty G with a forearm to the face and bounced his head off the announce table several times. Riddle was announced the winner by DQ and Sheamus got pissed off. Sheamus brought Shorty G into the ring and leveled him with a Brogue Kick.
Sheamus demanded a microphone and shouted that Shorty G took a win away from him. Sheamus leveled Shorty G with another Brogue Kick before making his way backstage.
Sheamus confronted Corbin backstage and warned him not to cost him another match. Sheamus told Corbin that if he ever tries something like that again he will shove the crowd up his royal arse.
Sonya Deville joined The Dirt Sheet tonight on SmackDown. Sonya Deville attacked Mandy last week and cut off some of her hair. The Miz and John Morrison’s mic kept cutting up and John joked that the new stable “Retribution” isn’t scheduled tonight.
Miz and Morrison welcomed Mandy Rose’s hair and a wig with googly eyes was shown on the screen. The Miz and Morrison voiced Mandy’s hair and joked around for a couple minutes. Finally and mercifully, The Miz and John Morrison stopped and welcomed Sonya Deville to the ring.
Deville stated that she is going to Mandy’s outside as ugly as her inside and that she enjoyed cutting her hair off last week. Sonya said she would apologize but she doesn’t feel bad because Mandy is pathetic and weak. Deville dared Mandy to come down to the ring but she didn’t show up.
Sonya claimed that Mandy Rose got to the WWE by winning bikini contests and mocked her for winning a Bumpy Award for making out with Otis. Heavy Machinery interrupted and brawled with Miz and Morrison as SmackDown went to break.
Opinion: Sonya Deville’s promo tonight was very good and she did a great job overcoming that horrible Mandy’s hair skit by Miz and Morrison.
Strowman Challenged The FiendTo A Match At SummerSlam
The lights in the Performance Center went out and The Fiend arrived on the entrance ramp. The Fiend tried to give the Mandible Claw to
again but she grabbed his hand. Bliss rubbed The Fiend’s face and he backed away.
Braun Strowman showed up on the jumbotron and said he doesn’t give a damn about Alexa Bliss, all he cares about is destroying The Fiend. Strowman said he is the most evil son of a bitch in the world and that he is fulfilling his destiny.
Strowman said that he is more than a man, he is the thing that nightmares are made of. Braun told The Fiend to face The Monster at SummerSlam.
King Corbin faced Jeff Hardy tonight on SmackDown.
Match Recap: Jeff dominated the action early and connected with a Dropkick and a Splash for a near fall. Hardy went for Twist of Fate but Corbin countered with a massive Clothesline for a two count.
The action spilled out of the ring and King Corbin unloaded several right hands to Jeff’s face. Corbin brought Jeff back into the ring and went for the cover but Jeff kicked out at two. Jeff knocked Corbin out of the ring and hit him with a Dropkick that sent him flying into the barricade.
Back in the ring, Corbin planted Jeff with Deep Six for a near fall. Sheamus ran down the entrance ramp and hit Jeff Hardy with a Brogue Kick. It was announced that Jeff won the match via DQ and Corbin lost his mind. Corbin and Sheamus then shouted at each other as the referees kept them separated.
Sheamus and King Corbin then battled in a singles match. Sheamus stomped Corbin to the canvas and then kneed him in the face. Corbin battled back and leveled Sheamus with a Clothesline outside the ring. Sheamus bounced Corbin’s face off the announce table several times before throwing him into the ring post.
Corbin hit Sheamus with a Side Slam and went for the cover but Sheamus kicked out at two. King Corbin sent Sheamus into the ring post and beat him down before the referee broke it up. Matt Riddle distracted King Corbin and Sheamus hit Corbin with a Brogue Kick for the pinfall victory.
Sasha Banks and Bayley came down to the ring for a video conference with Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie thanked them for taking the time to join her and congratulated them on their achievements.
Banks and Bayley thanked Stephanie and said that her positive feedback means the world because all they are trying to do is be role models. Stephanie said they made a mockery of the stipulation she made by attacking Kairi Sane. McMahon added that she is not sure that they are role models but they have certainly captured her attention.
Stephanie said she is not one to hold a grudge and she is not going to punish them. McMahon told Sasha that she will be defending the RAW Women’s Championship at SummerSlam and that there will be a Triple Brand Battle Royal next week with the winner facing Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam.
Match Recap: Heavy Machinery dominated the action early and isolated John Morrison in the corner of the ring. The lights started flickering again and Corey Graves wondered if Retribution was responsible. The Miz tagged in and hit Otis with a chop to the chest.
Otis got fired up and leveled Miz with a shoulder tackle. Tucker hit Miz and Morrison with a Cannonball off the ring apron as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Miz and Morrison were in control and had Tucker trapped in the ring.
Otis tagged in and launched Morrison across the ring. Otis hit Morrison with a Splash and John fell to the canvas. Otis followed it up with the Caterpillar Elbow Drop and went for the cover but Miz broke it up. Miz then sent Otis into the steel steps outside the ring.
Mandy Rose attacked Sonya Deville and the match was thrown out. Rose tacked Sonya Deville to the canvas before they were separated by Miz, Morrison, and Heavy Machinery. SmackDown went to a commercial break and returned with everyone still brawling backstage.
Retribution then entered the ring with baseball bats and pipes. Corey Graves and Michael Cole then sprinted backstage as Retribution posed in the ring. A masked man grabbed the camera and said this is our house now. They then chased the production crew backstage. Retribution hopped behind the plexiglass and attacked the trainees. Retribution flipped over the SmackDown announce table before spray painting the plexiglass and the ring. One of the members grabbed a chainsaw and cut the ropes as SmackDown went off the air.
Opinion: I’m hoping this leads to something good but Retribution is off to a very lame start. They do not look imposing at all but time will tell if the stable is actually interesting. Overall, this week’s SmackDown wasn’t a good show at all and one can only hope that Monday’s episode of RAW will be better.
WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt has been announced for the upcoming WWE SummerSlam PPV.
WWE confirmed the match on Friday’s episode of SmackDown. This came just one week after Wyatt had attacked Alexa Bliss, who had been portrayed in the Wyatt Swamp Fight back at Extreme Rules.
During SmackDown, Wyatt, who was dressed as The Fiend came down to the ring then when the show came back we saw Alexa Bliss down on the mat as The Fiend circled her and stared down at her. Bliss slowly grabbed his arm and face.
He stared at her but quickly backed off. Strowman appeared on the big screen in order for him to do a promo about how the evil is now coming out of him.
Strowman stated that he has decided The Fiend can have whatever he wants at SummerSlam and advised Wyatt to face his fears and face The Monster.
Updated WWE SummerSlam Card
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton
WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt
WWE RAW Tag Team Champions The Street Profits vs. Andrade & Angel Garza
News broke earlier this month that WWE is planning a draft for this year, but the date has changed several times.
Dave Meltzer reported in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the current plan is to hold the Draft in October, which had been previously reported about.
There would be two dates with one Draft show for RAW and another for SmackDown.
As noted, there was a plan to do it in August because WWE officials felt a change was needed because of declining ratings. However, if they did it then it would mess up plans for SummerSlam.
As of last week, WWE wanted to do the draft in late August after SummerSlam, but that got nixed once WWE planned to do a second pay-per-view a week after SummerSlam so then it was moved to September.
That of course was changed and the plan is for the Draft to happen in October. As seen above, things in WWE change all of the time due to Vince McMahon.
Draft shows typically do better in the ratings for that week, but if the RAW Underground idea works and helps build viewership then WWE is less likely to move up the date for the Draft.
Kenny Omega did an interview with Venn and during the chat, he addressed the status of the fabled AEW video game.
Omega confirmed that the game is production and put over those who are currently working on the game.
“Oof, probably officially not, but at the risk of getting myself in trouble, yes, we are in production of a video game. We have a lot of creative minds at work at the new video game right now. I think people are going to like it, and I think that what the fans are hoping for is, in fact, going to come to fruition.”
Omega stated that he’s hoping it will be like the WWE No Mercy game and WrestleMania 2000.
“I’m hoping that it really is sort of a brand new take on something that’s like the No Mercy game of old. So, if you liked WrestleMania 2000, No Mercy, VPW – we are very much hoping to recreate the same feel, the same fun-factor, the same pick-up-and-play ability of those games in the past. So, look forward to that. We are working diligently to give you guys something in the near future.”
The discussion of a possible video game for the promotion dates back to Cody Rhodes talking about it in March 2019 and then late July 2019 when Matt Jackson gave further updates.
Ever since word got out about the game, Omega, has made it known that his personal mission is to bring back the classic game engine used for famous wrestling games, which was AKI.
Fans could be in store to see the first interpromotional match between two tag teams in AEW and Impact Wrestling.
FTR and The North have gone public through social media about how they want to wrestle each other. Although FTR is under contract with AEW and The North is with Impact wrestling, Impact EVP Scott D’Amore says he’s down to make it happen.
This possibility all started when Dax Harwood quote tweeted a video of their match from Dynamite this week.
He stated, “Real quick; this is what makes us a great tag team. Not fancy double teams. Not 30-second sequences. Keeping the freshman in, using your partner, knowing where each other is at all times, feeding him & he executes. That’s all. Back to the ice!”
This led to Ethan Page responding to the tweet where he mentioned how they needed to work together right away, which Harwood agreed to the belief.
D’Amore then chimed in with a suggestion with, “Well Dax, you know I have mad respect for you & [Cash Wheeler]. I can assure you that [Impact Wrestling] supports making it happen,” he tweeted. “How about a home & home series between FTR and #TheNorth?”
It should be noted that D’Amore also tagged Chris Jericho about how they can make this happen. AEW President Tony Khan has yet to comment or any other AEW executives.
Real quick; this is what makes us a great tag team. Not fancy double teams. Not 30 second sequences. Keeping the fresh man in, using your partner, knowing where each other is at all times, feeding him & he executes.
WWE is reportedly allowing Sareee to wrestle for other promotions while she waits to move to the United States.
The top Japanese women’s wrestler signed with WWE in February of this year after impressing Triple H and other officials. She was scheduled to relocate to Orlando in March to begin training at the WWE Performance Center, but the COVID-19 pandemic but a hold on those plans.
Now Tokyo Sports reports that Sareee told WWE officials that she wanted to get back into the ring and wrestle as she’s been unable to due to the pandemic, and they have granted her permission to wrestle for other promotions and take on any opponent if she wants to.
Sareee reportedly said she was given permission to work elsewhere while she waits to start with WWE here in the US. While they have given her the OK to work for other promotions, it’s highly unlikely that she is able to work for a top company such as New Japan Pro Wrestling.
The 24 year old Sareee was signed to the Diana women’s promotion in Japan until inking a deal with WWE in February of this year. She is a two-time Diana World Champion and a one-time Diana Tag Team Champion. She has also held the Sendai Girls World Title, among others.
AEW has lost a major supporter at WarnerMedia as Kevin Reilly is gone from the company.
The Hollywood Reporter reported today that his departure is due to a major restructuring under newly-installed CEO Jason Kilar. Per the report, the series of moves will prioritize HBO Max and streamline Warner’s content operations.
Kilar has decided to combine content studios and programming across Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, TruTV, HBO, and HBO Max under one banner, which is the newly-created Studios & Networks Group.
The group will oversee all WarnerMedia TV series and film development, production and programming.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter on Twitter wrote, “This news is gigantic. Can’t express how big. Reilly was the one who greenlit AEW, really was the guy who was a large part of why there is an AEW.”
Reilly was a big factor in AEW getting their TNT TV deal. Before his departure, he had worked as the Content Chief at WarnerMedia, and as the President of TNT, TBS and TruTV.
AEW had been set to introduce a third hour of programming to WarnerMedia, but hasn’t happened yet and there’s no word yet on how Reilly’s dismissal might impact AEW on the network.
AEW President & CEO Tony Khan has gone on record in the past that the idea of bringing back wrestling to the company started when he and Reilly meeting at a party in Los Angeles where Khan pitched the idea.
Vince McMahon reportedly praised Bayley, Peyton Royce and Bianca Belair during a recent WWE creative meeting, according to the Wrestling Observer.
Vince held a creative meeting on Wednesday, July 29th that was described as brutal. Vince reportedly approved none of the ideas presented in that meeting, which was held the day before the 2020 Second Quarter earnings report & call with investors.
A second meeting was held on Friday, July 31st, the day after the Q2 report and investors call. That meeting lasted four hours, and it was said that Vince talked forever about how much he loves Bayley and her new persona. Vince also reportedly praised Belair and Royce, noting that he sees them as singles stars.
Bayley has been a top star on both RAW and SmackDown for a while now, with main event appearances on the WWE NXT brand as well. She is the current WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion with Sasha Banks, and has held the SmackDown Women’s Championship for more than 300 days now. She’s rumored to defend against Naomi, Lacey Evans or Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam later this month.
Royce is currently working on the RAW brand with Billie Kay as The IIconics. The tag team has had some success since returning to RAW earlier this summer, and Royce has worked a few singles matches. She defeated Ruby Riott on the June 29th RAW show, but lost to Belair on the July 3rd RAW, and then lost to Riott on the July 20th show.
Belair’s WWE status has been a hot topic of discussion on social media as of late. She was brought up from NXT the night after WrestleMania 36, and made just a few appearances with her husband, Montez Ford of RAW Tag Team Champions The Street Profits. She disappeared from RAW after defeating Santana Garrett on the April 20th sow, and then worked nothing but WWE Main Event matches for the next six weeks, picking up 6 straight wins over Catalina, Riott, and Kay. Belair returned to RAW on July 3rd, teaming with Riott to defeat The IIconics. She hasn’t appeared on RAW since then, but has picked up two Main Event wins over Royce and Jessi Kamea in July.
AEW’s Chief Brand Officer Brandi Rhodes has deactivated her Twitter account. Comments on her Instagram account have also been limited. While Brandi has not made any statement as to why she has left Twitter and limited comments on Instagram, many are speculating it has to do with the reaction to her AEW Heels fan club initiative.
Some fans were upset with the $50 price tag attached to the club. Many of these fans voiced their negative opinion on Twitter.
. @AEW_Heels LAUNCHES DYNAMIC MEMBERSHIP PLATFORM FOR FEMALE WRESTLING FANS
Brandi’s initiative was motivated by her desire to create a safe space online for female wrestling fans. The negative reaction she received for this may have resulted in her leaving social media, at least temporarily. She spoke to SI.com about what led her to want to create a fan club for women.
“The idea came from me watching people interact on social media,” said Brandi. “I saw women getting bashed for having an opinion just because they were a woman having an opinion. That inspired me to create a place where female fans can voice their opinions.”
“Don’t let someone take your opinion away from you. Don’t let that ever shut you down, talk about what you love. This platform is a place where women can be themselves as wrestling fans, create friendships, and learn. We can create a movement,” she continued.
Brandi joins the Young Bucks and several other wrestlers to abandon the app in recent months. Mauro Ranallo also left Twitter following criticism lobbied against him by Corey Graves.
Vickie Guerrero is officially a member of the AEW roster. She was recently announced as the new manager for former AEW Women’s Champion, Nyla Rose. Guerrero spoke to Fansided on her deal with the company.
“I retired from WWE in 2014. My focus was not to return to them. We just had a lot of just difference of opinions and things going on. If it wasn’t going to be for AEW, I don’t think I would be anywhere else, but when AEW presented that there was some opportunity, I gave 100%, just my whole being. I said, ‘I’m here for you and I can’t wait to be a team player with the company.’”
She would continue to say that she has a lot of friends in AEW and that is what kick-started negotiations between the two sides.
“I have a lot of great friends that I’ve known from past years, Cody Rhodes, and Dean Malenko, gosh, just me collaborating and being at different appearances. There’s been conversation back and forth.”
Guerrero accompanied Nyla Rose to the ring recently on the debut episode of the AEW Women’s Tag Team Cup on YouTube. Her daughter, Shaul Guerrero also made her AEW debut as a ring announcer on the show. Longtime independent wrestler Veda Scott also made her AEW debut on the show in the commentary booth with Tony Schiavone.
Impact Wrestling on AXS TV’s audience is skewing older than the audiences of other wrestling companies at the moment. Average monthly ratings for the promotion were recently published in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Impact Wrestling Average Monthly Viewership:
* Key demo is people aged 18-49
January 2020: Averaged 169,000 viewers per show (0.04 in the key demo)
February 2020: Averaged 181,000 viewers per show (0.04 in the key demo)
March 2020: Averaged 161,000 viewers per show (0.03 in key demo)
April 2020: Averaged 144,000 viewers per show (0.02 in key demo)
May 2020: Averaged 153,000 viewers per show (0.03 in key demo)
June 2020: Averaged 141,000 viewers per show (0.02 in key demo)
July 2020: Averaged 153,000 viewers per show (0.03 in key demo)
What is notable is that the percentage of Impact’s fans that fall into the key demo is lower than for AEW or WWE shows. Impact’s key demo was just 28.8% of its audience for July. In comparison, 38.2% of RAW’s audience is from the key demo, 32.7% for NXT, and 34% for Smackdown. More than half of AEW’s audience is in the key demo at 51%.
Impact is also reportedly the most-watched show on AXS TV. Anthem Sports and Entertainment purchased the station last September.
Brian Pillman Jr. is hoping to be released from his MLW contract. The 26-year-old holds no ill-will to the promotion but as MLW isn’t holding any shows right now, Pillman is hoping they can reach a deal for his release. Pillman spoke to the WINCLY podcast regarding the situation.
“I’ve been actively trying to request my release and free myself of the obligations of MLW,” he said. “Again, no hard feelings but they have obligations towards me too. They have to have so many shows take place in order for my end of the contract to be valid too. So, I think that would also free them up of some responsibility. I think it would be a win-win situation if they released me.”
Pillman’s contract with MLW only restricts him from working shows for WWE or NXT. He was adamant during the interview that he loves MLW but the situation is what it is.
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s not any guarantee on any shows happening. I understand it’s a pandemic and it’s just business. There’s no hard feelings and I absolutely love that company and wrestling has been nothing but good to me for my whole career.”
MLW has not run any shows since March. Court Bauer has stated that they will not until they are certain it is safe to do so.
Pillman has recently been performing on episodes of AEW Dark. This week on the show, he teamed with Griff Garrison in a match against FTR. He’s also wrestled Shawn Spears and Brian Cage in AEW. Additionally, Pillman has been wrestling for Al Snow’s OVW promotion. Earlier this week he participated in TV tapings from Jefferson, Indiana for the company.
Rey Mysterio Jr. has been negotiating with WWE and AEW in recent weeks, with both organizations making strong offers to retain his servies.
The 45-year-old free agent recently “lost an eye” at WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view. The angle gave WWE a chance to write Mysterio out of storylines if he did not re-sign with the company. As it turns out, Mysterio is expected to remain in WWE.
Mysterio has yet to put pen to paper, but him remaining with the company is said to be a done deal.
“It’s as close to official without confirmation of it being official, and obviously Dominik is a big part of that deal,” wrote Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
“AEW made an offer that equaled the WWE’s per-match offer, but the WWE offer was higher because it was for more dates.”
There are no firm details available regarding the length of deal Mysterio is looking at signing. It is expected to be more than 18 months but less than 5 years, however.
Mysterio’s son Dominik is scheduled to face Seth Rollins at SummerSlam this month. It will be his first professional match.
Rey Mysterio Expected To Stay In WWE
Wrestlers from both AEW and WWE have commented on Mysterio during his free agency period.
“I just watch him, the kind of person he is, and I learn because that’s the kind of legacy I want to leave behind in wrestling,” Kevin Owens said to ESPN about Mysterio. “His son is now getting involved and it’s been great to see his son around. He’s everything a wrestling veteran should be.”
AEW announcer Excalibur has been absent from the last two broadcasts of Dynamite. The reason for his absence has been speculated as stemming from a controversial wrestling angle from over 15 years ago. Excalibur used racially insensitive language in a promo for the angle. Footage of Excalibur using such language recently surfaced. Others involved in the angle say Excalibur was pressured into making the comments he did, however.
According to a recent update from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Excalibur is expected to rejoin the AEW broadcast team for next week’s episode of Dynamite.
“Regarding Excalibur, he will be back. Nobody has officially said anything but we were told he was flying to Jacksonville for next week’s television and unless things change would be back on the first show taped that airs on 8/12,” wrote Dave Meltzer.
It had previously been reported that both Excalibur and Kevin Steen were pressured into giving racially charged promos.
“In that angle, Human Tornado, who was kind of being pushed as a top babyface,” wrote Dave Meltzer previously. “He would often ask for guys to do heavily-racial promos on him and he asked them to use the word.”
Human Tornado sent the following Tweet out in support of Excalibur and Kevin Steen:
Vince McMahon has reportedly lost interest in RAW Superstar Mustafa Ali despite plans to push the Superstar only months ago.
Ali was rumored to be revealed as the abandoned hacker storyline prior to appearing on Monday Night RAW. He returned to in-ring competition with a six-man tag team victory giving him some momentum upon his comeback.
Following that win, however, Ali would lose to Hurt Business member Bobby Lashley. Although Ali was not featured on RAW this week, he did participate in a losing effort against Riddick Moss on WWE Main Event.
Mustafa Ali’s WWE Frustrations
Mustafa Ali recently appeared on WWE show The Bump. He stressed how he tried to stay in a state of readiness for any opportunity to come his way.
Ali openly addressed some of his current frustrations within WWE, noting how he is in his prime and “ready to go.” He joked how he wanted someone in WWE to take his chains off.
“As far as adaptation, it’s hard because you can’t adapt without opportunity, right? If you don’t have the opportunity, if you’re not given a platform, if you’re not included in the discussion, it’s hard. You could be the best in the world, but if you’re sitting in a dark room and no one sees you, no one sees you.”
Ali explained during the interview that his words come from a place of frustrated passion for pro wrestling.
One NXT Superstar believes she is a “perfect fit” for RAW’s faux-MMA segment, RAW Underground. Taking to Twitter, the black-and-gold brand’s Xia Li shared how she feels she’d be a great addition to the action.
Xia Li joined WWE’s developmental system in 2017. She competed in the inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament.
Li lost a first-round matchup to the Robert Stone Brand’s recent acquisition, Mercedes Martinez. She has since become a more regular fixture on NXT and has even been a participant in 2019 and 2020’s Women’s Royal Rumble matchups.
RAW Underground
RAW Underground debuted during this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW. It was introduced by a returning Shane McMahon.
The segment featured several WWE Superstars participating in “shoot-style” matchups. Bouts took place on a ring with no ropes surrounding it. Dabbo-Kato, the Viking Raider’s Erik, and Dolph Ziggler all participated in winning clashes.
MVP’s Hurt Business stable eventually crashed the proceedings and proclaimed they would be taking over RAW Underground.
Although the segment would receive a mixed reaction amongst the WWE Universe, there have been some prolific supporters, including CM Punk. Punk recently expressed his love for RAW Underground, noting how he would love to see women, including Nix Jax, become involved.
All Elite Wrestling’s Chris Jericho has reflected on Double or Nothing’s Stadium Stampede matchup. The match saw his Inner Circle stable clash with The Elite and Matt Hardy.
Speaking with The SDR Show, Jericho shared how he believes the Stadium Stampede matchup was one of the “best things” he’s done throughout his career.
He explained how the entire process of putting the match together was universally collaborative. However, there was one element the NFL didn’t want them to do. According to Jericho, the NFL didn’t want the Jacksonville Jaguar mascot to get knocked out.
“That was just 10 guys with different ideas, banging it out, not having to worry about ‘so and so approved this’. The only thing I had to get approved was knocking out the Jacksonville Jaguars mascot.”
Jericho stressed how the only reason he needed approval was because the NFL didn’t want them to do it. That being said, he explained how “Tony Khan said do it anyway.”
He reiterated how the Stadium Stampede’s creative process was “free form,” adding how “It’s just how creative do you want to be and how successful do you want to make the segment you’re in.”
Matt Cardona, formerly WWE Superstar Zack Ryder, recently appeared on Busted Open Radio. During their conversation, Cardona shared who amongst AEW’s locker room has stood out to him and grabbed his attention.
Cardona admitted that his answer is somewhat generic as he replied, “I’ll be honest. Like, there’s so many people. I would say everybody on the roster. I know it’s a generic answer, but if you want me to pick out a couple of guys, like, Darby Allin. Of course you look at this guy and you just see a star, you know?”
Cardona explained how there’s something undeniably “different” about Darby Allin. He pointed to the matches Allin has had and his willingness to do “unorthodox” things that help him stand out.
Allin isn’t the only talent to have caught Cardona’s attention, however.
“And somebody like Joey Janella – he’s crazy with that hardcore stuff that he does. I would love to get in there and do stuff like that because I’ve never really done it before and, you know, I feel like in AEW I can show a different side of me.”
Matt Cardona teamed up with Cody Rhodes on this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite. They successfully defeated Dark Order members, Alex Reynolds and John Silver.
Inner Circle member Sammy Guevara reportedly received heat backstage within AEW following this week’s episode of Dynamite after a steel chair spot went awry. Guevara accidentally busted Matt Hardy open during their segment. Hardy would subsequently need 13 stitches to close the wound.
According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, two chairs were placed at ringside. The spot was meant to see Guevara hurl a traditional folding chair. Hardy would have then blocked it with his hands.
Unfortunately, Guevara was allegedly unable to find the folding chair. So, in the moment, he grabbed a heavier chair nearby before throwing it at Hardy, busting him open.
This situation led Guevara to reportedly receive backstage heat as a lot of people within AEW were upset with Hardy’s injury. The Inner Circle member was said to have been given a “very stern talking to” when he went backstage.
Hardy acknowledged the injury via social media, thanking Dr. Sampson and AEW’s medical team for their swift assistance to fix the “gaping hole” on his face. He also promised Guevara that a “receipt” is coming his way.
Sammy Guevara recently returned to AEW Dynamite after serving a suspension for previous comments regarding WWE Superstar Sasha Banks.
While AEW is not a company to shy away from brutal and hardcore spots in matches where they are necessary, there are many spots which aren’t planned by the company.
Cody Rhodes getting busted open with a chair shot to the head from Shawn Spears was one such infamous spot and latest reports reveal that this week’s episode of Dynamite featured another such moment.
The latest Dynamite episode saw Sammy Guevara brawling with Matt Hardy and the segment ended with the former throwing a chair at the wrestling veteran.
The Broken One ended up getting busted open due to the chair shot and according to reports from Mike Johnson of Pwinsider, Hardy’s bludgeoning was not pre-planned.
The former WWE star had to get 13 stitches to close the wounds but reports suggest that the former World Champion was fine after being treated by the medical staff.
Matt Hardy has been feuding with the Inner Circle since his arrival in AEW in March this year and Sammy Guevara has been a regular opponent for him.
During the Stadium Stampede match at Double Or Nothing, Santana and Ortiz dunked Hardy in a version of the Lake Of Reincarnation, allowing the former champion to shuffle between his multiple gimmicks at his will.
Kofi Kingston’s monumental WWE Championship win at WrestleMania 35 last year made him part of an elite line up of stars who have won a world championship in the company.
However, many people also started considering him to be the first African American WWE champion in history, despite The Rock’s claim on the mantle.
Kofi recently talked about this sentiment from people during his interview on the Table Talk podcast, and he said that it’s silly that people try not to count The Great One in the category:
“I think it’s sometimes kind of silly that people try to not count The Rock in that category because, regardless of what you look like, you are what you are, you know what I’m saying? Like, he’s black. Whether he is half-black or black, he’s black.”
Continuing on the topic, Kingston said that while winning championships is cool, what’s important for him is to be somebody who inspires other people to go out there and do great things.
Apart from this, Kofi Kingston also talked about his Kofimania run leading to the WWE title win, how it happened naturally and how he got support from all kinds of fans before his championship victory.
We have seen miraculous returns of Daniel Bryan and Edge in the last few years and now a new video has sparked similar speculation for the future of another retired star in Tyson Kidd.
His wife Natalya recently posted a video of Kidd on her Instagram account in which the former wrestler is seen training in the ring for the first time in 5 years:
Tyson Kidd signed with WWE in November 2006 and went back and forth between the main roster and the various development territories during his early years in the company.
He was finally starting to get reorganization from fans after forming a tag team with Cesaro in 2014 but a career-ending neck injury suffered during a dark match with Samoa Joe on Raw in June 2015 cut this run short.
Tyson was hired as a full-time producer by WWE in June 2017. The company moved his profile to the alumni section of their website during the same period, thus officially marking the end of his career.
However, there have been a lot of rumblings since the monumental return of Edge earlier this year and now this new video is making fans wonder if the former Hart Dynasty member could be on his way back as well.
