WWE has been discussing the formation of a new Nation of Domination, the late 90’s faction comprised of African American wrestlers that launched Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson into the stratosphere.
WWE Hall of Famer Ron Simmons returned to television on Monday’s Raw. According to Wrestling Observer Radio, original plans for Raw involved Simmons jumpstarting a revamped version of The Nation.
“There was an idea, I don’t know if it was dropped,” said Dave Meltzer. “Originally it was going to be on the show for a revamping of the Nation of Domination and Ron Simmons was going to be apart of that angle But they dropped that angle for this show.”
Meltzer continued, They may be building to it later, they may have dropped it completely but they had brought him in for this angle, so, therefore, that’s why he was on television.”
Ron Simmons appeared in a backstage segment and delivered some encouraging words to Bobby Lashley and MVP. Benjamin teamed with Lashley & MVP later in the show. The group is going by the name, The Hurt Business.
Nation Of Domination History
The Nation of Domination debuted in WWE in late 1996. Faarooq was the leader of the faction and was originally joined by Clarence Mason, Crush, and the members of PG-13. Other members such as Savio Vega would soon join.
In the summer of 96, Faarooq fired Crush and Savio Vega from the faction. Kama Mustafa, D’Lo Brown, and briefly Ahmed Johnson would then comprise the group. Mark Henry would also join in 97.
The Rock took over leadership of the group in 1998. He kicked out Faarooq and added Owen Hart to the mix. The faction would fall from prominence as the Rock began to turn babyface that year only to later join up with Vince McMahon’s Corporation following Survivor Series 98.
Tessa Blanchard was stripped of the Impact World Championship before Slammiversary last weekend. Her contract with Impact Wrestling had run out and she had not wrestled for the promotion since March. According to posts from “Belt Fan Dan” on Twitter, who has provided credible information in the past related to title belts, Blanchard was asking for a lot of money to drop the belt at Slammiversary. Another compounding issue is that Blanchard had the actual belt still.
Impact got a new set of belts.
Tessa reported wanted $150,000 to return the old one.
The promotional reportedly got a new belt to replace the one that Tessa Blanchard is in possession of. Eddie Edwards won the title in a 5-way match at Slammiversary.
Moose is also claiming to be the TNA World Heavyweight Champion at the moment. As it turns out, the belt he has been carrying around isn’t even the real one.
And the TNA belt Moose is using is a eBay counterfeit made in Pakistan.
The title belts in Impact underwent a design change last year when they debuted on AXS TV. Anthem Sports and Entertainment owns both AXS TV and Impact Wrestling now.
Impact World Championship Statistics
Eddie Edwards won the Impact World Championship for the second time in his career at Slammiversary. He previously held the title from October 3rd, 2016 to January 8th, 2017. Edwards won the title from Lashley and then dropped it back to him a few months later.
There have been 27 wrestlers who have held the Impact World Title. Kurt Angle’s 6 title reigns and 608 days as champion leads in both categories. Lashley is second in terms of combined days with the belt at 403 and is tied with Sting for second in terms of number of reigns with 4.
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle has reflected on preparing for his first-ever WWE promo with Vince McMahon’s help. He shared the story during an interview with the BASCHAMANIA podcast. Angle revealed how he had initially been under the impression he would be used solely as a wrestler. He hadn’t anticipated having to speak a lot and the importance of cutting promos himself. Angle shared how he thought he would be assigned a manager to be his mouthpiece.
Angle then recalled the night of his debut. He shared how Vince McMahon had him rehearse a “preconceived promo at my hometown of Pittsburgh.”
According to Angle, Vince McMahon instructed him on what to say but didn’t write anything down.
When his debut match against finally rolled around, Angle confessed he arrived at the arena and had forgotten his lines. He revealed how “Vince was pissed at me and said, ‘Ok, here are the lines again but you better not forget again.'”
Having defeated Shawn Stasiak, Angle then delivered the promo. He declared himself a role model and introduced the WWE Universe to the Three I’s: Intensity, Integrity and Intelligence. He divulged how during his first promo, he only delivered “about 70 percent” of his lines.
Despite only remembering 70 percent, his delivery impressed Vince McMahon. Vince believed that Angle’s ability to cut a promo and improvise if need be was something to “build off.”
Kurt Angle On WWE’s Current Promo Training Methods
Kurt Angle juxtaposed how he learned to deliver promos with WWE’s current training methods. He shared how in the past “everything was spontaneous.”
Angle explained how Superstars would travel from arena to arena, taking bumps and learning on the job. He stressed they never had time to work on promos. Angle argued how today, NXT Superstars get to “work extensively on their promos, matches, and pre-takes,” which he believes creates “very polished” Superstars.
Seth Rollins has addressed the fallout of his “Eye for an Eye” matchup against Rey Mysterio. The two clashed in the first-ever bout this past Sunday at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules. The match stipulation stated a victor could only be announced once they had removed an eye from their opponent’s skull. Having ultimately won the match, Rollins would proceed to be sick at ringside.
Speaking on Raw Talk following his involvement in this week’s episode of Raw, Seth Rollins explained how he was the victim in this situation, not Mysterio. He noted how Mysterio was a “hero to us all” before adding how “no one seems to understand that I am the victim in all of this. I didn’t make the stipulation, Rey did.”
Seth Rollins explained how he wasn’t prepared for the “visual aspect” of removing Mysterio’s eyeball. Once it dawned on him, it made him sick to his stomach. Despite this reaction, Rollins stressed that he had a match to win, “which is my job to do at all costs.”
He was asked if he regretted what he had done at Extreme Rules. Seth Rollins, however, refused to shoulder any accountability. Instead, he pointed blame at the WWE Universe.
“Why is everyone trying to blame me? Let me ask the WWE Universe a question: Did they regret what they did to me? If you can say absolutely yes, then maybe I can shed some regret as well,” Seth Rollins said. “But you if don’t want to share the responsibility with me, then what is my responsibility to Rey Mysterio?”
WWE released a storyline update on Mysterio’s medical condition following Extreme Rules. At the time of writing, Mysterio will reportedly continue to appear on WWE programming despite allegedly not yet having signed a new contract.
Former WWE Superstars Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis-Bennett have opened up about their initial push being cut short upon their debut in 2017. The two recently joined ROHStrong Podcast where they addressed their Money in the Bank experience. They shared how they had so much initial excitement at portraying a heel couple on screen.
Maria revealed how once they had signed their contracts, WWE simply didn’t utilize them. Instead, the couple “sat at home from March until June.”
She explained how WWE didn’t contact them until June, which caused her to become suspicious:
“We had no contact until June. I already felt like something was fishy because if you were that excited about us ,why didn’t you bring us out at Wrestlemania?”
Mike Bennett & Maria Kanellis At Money In The Bank 2017
Upon their appearance at Money in the Bank, the couple were confident in their new characters and direction. According to them, they got a “great reaction” when they stepped out from behind the curtain. However, despite the immediate heel heat, their momentum would be almost immediately stopped.
Bennett shared how Vince McMahon apparently didn’t see the reaction they received. This led to their push being “pretty much all but dropped.”
The couple added how they were meant to be on the next episode of SmackDown. Bennett recalled how they were written into the show only to be cut entirely. It was at this point that he reveals they both went felt how “that’s it, we’re done.”
Mike Bennett stressed how the three years with WWE was a “waste of time and a mess.” However, he acknowledged the lessons and personal growth he achieved are things he wouldn’t ever trade.
The couple recently shared insight into their negative experiences in WWE. Mike Bennett revealed how WWE never supported him or paid for his addiction recovery. Instead, he credited Maria with helping him through to sobriety. Maria, meanwhile, gave fans alleged information over what WWE said and promised them as they deliberated over re-signing with the company.
The couple joined several other Superstars to be released earlier this year as a cost-cutting decision. WWE attributed its decision to the coronavirus pandemic having impacted upon business.
This week’s RAW aired from the Performance Center and was the first episode following WWE Extreme Rules. Big Show battled Randy Orton in an Unsanctioned Match during tonight’s show. Stephanie McMahon also addressed the controversy regarding the RAW Women’s Championship.
RAW Results (7/20)
Seth Rollins def. Aleister Black
Shelton Benjamin def. R-Truth to become the new 24/7 Champion
Mustafa Ali, Ricochet, Cedric Alexander def. MVP, Lashley, Shelton Benjamin
Ruby Riott def. Peyton Royce
Street Profits def. Andrade & Angel Garza
Kairi Sane def. Bayley
Randy Orton def. Big Show in an Unsanctioned Match
Here are 6 takeaways from this week’s show:
Seth Rollins Blamed The WWE Universe & Brutally Attacked Aleister Black
Seth Rollins came down to the ring with Murphy to kick off this week’s RAW. Tom Phillips stated that the “optic nerve was not severed” in Rey Mysterio’s eye and he may be able to maintain his vision. Rollins noted that Mysterio’s eye came out of it’s socket last night and that he had to do that to win the Eye for an Eye Match.
Rollins claimed that what happened last night will stay with him for the rest of his life and the crowd started chanting “shame!”. Seth added that it was disgusting, barbaric, more than he expected, and made him sick to stomach. Seth asked the WWE Universe if they regret what they have done to him and they were the ones who made him the Monday Night Messiah.
Seth pointed out that Mysterio asked for the Eye for an Eye stipulation and actions have consequences. Rollins chuckled and said that we cannot afford to dwell in the past and the beauty of all of this is now Mysterio is out of sight. Rollins claimed that there is nobody left to stand in the way of the greater good before Aleister Black interrupted.
Aleister told Rollins that all of the blame is on Seth and he is here to rectify this. Black took off his jacket and booted Murphy in the face on the entrance ramp. Black rolled in the ring but Murphy dragged him back outside. Aleister launched Murphy over the announce desk and got in the ring but Rollins retreated to the outside. Rollins and Aleister Black then competed in a singles match as Murphy was ringside.
Match Recap: Seth controlled the action early and stomped Black down in the corner of the ring. Aleister battled back with a knee to the midsection and a shoulder tackle. Seth connected with a Slingblade and went for the cover but Black kicked out at two. Rollins targeted Aleister’s right arm as the crowd banged on the plexiglass to fire Aleister up. Rollins planted Aleister with a Suplex for another near fall.
Aleister Black battled back and knocked Seth to the canvas. Murphy hopped on the apron and Black booted him to the floor. Aleister hit Rollins with Black Mass but Murphy hopped back into the ring. Aleister connected with Black Mass on Murphy as RAW went to a break. When RAW returned, Black hit another kick that knocked Rollins back to the mat.
Seth stumbled to his feet but was quickly knocked back down with a kick to the midsection. Aleister went for Black Mass but Rollins dodged it and connected with a Superkick. Rollins hit Aleister with the Stomp for the pinfall victory. After the match, Seth instructed Murphy to beat Aleister down once again. Rollins then bashed Aleister’s arm into the ring post and slammed it on the floor. Rollins slammed Black’s arm onto the announce table several times before stomping on it.
“United States Champion” MVP came down to the ring with new 24/7 Champion Shelton Benjamin and Lashley. Benjamin had just attacked R-Truth from behind to win the title backstage. MVP claimed that Apollo Crews chose to stay home and nurse his wounds instead of showing up at Extreme Rules.
MVP added that it didn’t matter if Apollo Crews showed up or not because he was going to win no matter what. Ricochet and Cedric Alexander interrupted and called MVP a coward holding a title he didn’t earn. MVP called Ricochet and Alexander little kids that should still be sitting in catering. Ricochet and Alexander said that they did have a tag partner and announced it was Mustafa Ali. Ricochet, Ali, and Cedric battled MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Lashley in a 6-man tag match.
Match Recap: MVP, Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin dominated the action early before Mustafa Ali finally tagged in. Ali turned things around as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, Benjamin and Ricochet were battling in the ring. Shelton hit a Back Body Drop and went for the cover but Ricochet kicked out at two. The action spilled out of the ring and Lashley got launched over the announce table from a ridiculous Suicide Dive from Ali. Ricochet hit Shelton Benjamin with a Moonsault as MVP and Mustafa Ali battled in the ring. Ali hit a Neckbreaker and made his way to the top rope. Ali hit MVP with the 450 Splash for the pinfall victory.
RAW Tag Team Champions Street Profits battled Angel Garza and Andrade in a non-title match tonight on RAW.
Match Recap: Garza and Andrade controlled the action early and had Angelo Dawkins isolated in the ring. Montez Ford tagged in and launched Andrade out of the ring. Ford then flipped onto him, got back into the ring and shook the top rope as RAW went to a commercial break.
Angelo tagged in and leveled Andrade with a Clothesline before applying an Armbar in the middle of the ring. Ford quickly tagged back in and leveled Andrade with a Dropkick to the face. Andrade finally battled back and was able to get to the corner to tag in Garza. Angel hit Montez with a Superkick before Andrade tagged back in.
Andrade planted Ford with a Suplex and went for the cover but Montez was able to kick out at two. Andrade locked Ford in the Abdominal Stretch but Montez countered into a slam that sent both superstars to the canvas. Dawkins pleaded for a tag and Ford leaped across the ring. Angelo tagged in and decked Andrade with an elbow to the face.
Dawkins hit Andrade with a Bulldog and went for the cover but Garza broke it up at two. Montez tagged in and made his way to the top rope. Andrade shoved Dawkins into the ropes and Ford fell onto the turnbuckle. Garza went for a Superplex but Montez blocked it. Ford hit Garza with a right hand and followed it up with a beautiful Frog Splash for the pinfall victory.
Kairi Sane Defeated Bayley, Stephanie McMahon Announces RAW Women’s Championship Match For Next Week
“RAW Women’s Champion” Sasha Banks and SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley came down to the ring to begin the third hour of she show. Banks said she fought for her championship, unlike Asuka who has handed the title by Becky Lynch. Sasha added that Asuka almost blinded the referee with the green mist and Bayley simply borrowed the referee’s shirt because someone had to do it.
Bayley stated that she had to do the right thing and make the count because she is a role model. Asuka interrupted with Kairi Sane and said that Banks was not ready for her. Asuka called Sasha a thief and that Banks is holding her title. Stephanie McMahon showed up on the jumbotron and told Sasha Banks that she didn’t win last night at Extreme Rules. Stephanie McMahon announced that next week they will have a RAW Women’s Championship next week and she will lose if Bayley gets involved. Bayley then battled Kairi Sane as Banks and Asuka were ringside.
Match Recap: Bayley stomped on Sane’s foot and whipped her down to the canvas to start the match off. Sane knocked Bayley out of the ring and followed it up with a Hip Attack when the SmackDown Women’s Champion hopped back up on the apron. Bayley took back control and hit Sane with a Clothesline followed by a flurry of right hands to the face. Bayley hit a Suplex and went for the cover but Kairi kicked out at two. Shayna Baszler was interviewed backstage in the middle of the match and complained about not having a match tonight. Shayna said she is watching the match like a shark watching prey in the water.
Kairi Sane made her way to the top rope but Bayley caught her with a punch to the face. Bayley then applied and an Armbreaker over the ropes but Sane was able to trip the champion up. Sane climbed back to the top rope and hit Bayley with a Double Stomp for a two count. Kairi hit the Insane Elbow but grabbed her arm in pain. Kairi covered Bayley but she got her foot on the bottom rope at the last moment. Bayley hit Sane with a Belly to Back Suplex and followed it up with an Elbow Drop for a two count. Bayley went for the Bayley to Belly but Sane countered into a roll-up for the pinfall victory.
McIntyre Will Pick The Stipulation This Time In A Rematch Against Ziggler
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre gave Ziggler a credit for almost beating him but added that almost doing things is the story of Dolph’s career. Drew stated that SummerSlam is up next and he wants a worthy opponent. Dolph interrupted and claimed that he saw fear in McIntyre’s eyes last night at Extreme Rules.
Ziggler said he was this close to having his moment last night and Drew interrupted. McIntyre said he just beat Dolph 24 hours ago and told him to “bugger off”. Drew told Ziggler that he will save him the embarrassment and was just going to leave. Ziggler grabbed McIntyre’s shoulder and Drew headbutted him.
Dolph told McIntyre to give him one more match and Drew can name the stipulation. McIntyre told Ziggler that he has changed his mind and accepted the offer. Ziggler asked what the stipulation was and McIntyre said he will tell Dolph what it is right before the bell rings.
Big Show battled Randy Orton in an Unsanctioned Match in the main event of this week’s episode of RAW.
Match Recap: Big Show went right after Orton and beat the hell out of him in the corner of the ring. Big Show hit Orton with a Spear and Randy rolled out of the ring to regroup. Big E slid a table into the ring and delivered a chop to Orton’s chest. Andrade and Garza attacked Big Show from behind and sent him into the ring post.
The Viking Raiders joined the party and brawled with Garza and Andrade as RAW went to a break. When RAW returned, Orton had Big Show in a Headlock. Big Show broke free and leveled Orton with a headbutt. Orton hit Big Show in the knee with a Dropkick and set up for the Punt. Big Show was ready for it and planted Randy with a Chokeslam for a near fall.
Big Show set up for the KO Punch but Randy rolled out of the ring. Big Show set up a table in the ring as Orton regrouped. Big Show threw Orton back into the ring and set him up on the table. Big Show went for a Splash off the middle rope but Orton got out of the way and Big Show crashed through the table.
Orton planted Big Show with the RKO and went for the cover but Big Show kicked out at two. Randy brought a chair into the ring and hit Big Show across the back several times. Orton draped Big Show over the top rope and planted him with a DDT. Orton geared up in the corner and hit another RKO for the pinfall victory. After the match, Orton delivered the Punt to Big Show’s head. Randy said one more legend down” to Big Show as RAW went off the air.
Opinion: Randy Orton continues to be one of the best parts of the show every week. Overall, I thought tonight’s RAW was a good show. Kairi Sane picked up a win in what could have been her final match in WWE, Mustafa Ali returned, and Montez Ford hit one of the best Frog Splashes I’ve seen in a long time. There were far more entertaining moments tonight than at Extreme Rules.
Earlier in the show, a backstage segment aired involving WWE Hall of Famer Ron Simmons giving encouraging words to Bobby Lashley and MVP. This led to R-Truth appearing, who turned down the chance to walk to the ring with them.
R-Truth turned around and Shelton Benjamin laid him out to cover him. As a result, he became the new WWE 24/7 Champion. Benjamin accepted the same invite and came out with the two WWE stars to the ring.
Lashley, MVP, and Benjamin, who is now going by the group name “The Hurt Business,” was in the ring where MVP taunted Apollo Crews in addition to taking shots at Cedric Alexander and Ricochet.
This was all done to set up a six-man tag team match with Ali joining Ricochet and Alexander as a surprise partner. The babyfaces went over when Ali hit the 450 on MVP for the pin.
Mustafa Ali returns to WWE
This comes after Ali had been off WWE TV since early December 2019 (he worked dark matches in January and February). It was recently reported that WWE sent Ali to the RAW roster after not doing anything for the majority of the year on SmackDown.
Ric Flair’s wife Wendy Barlow has tested positive for COVID-19. Flair confirmed the news to the New York Post.
The 71-year-old wrestling legend has drawn widespread concern. Flair has battled life-threatening health complications in recent years. He has been attending WWE TV tapings at the Performance Center in Orlando, where many WWE performers and employees have tested positive.
The New York Post also reported that an anonymous source told them Ric Flair has COVID-19. Flair denies the claim and says he is ‘socially distancing’ from his wife in their 5,000 square-foot home.
“That is absolutely incorrect,” Flair said about testing positive for COVID-19. “My wife does [have the virus]… we live in a 5,000 square foot home. I live in the basement. She lives upstairs on the third floor and she got sick.”
According to the report, Flair hung up the phone while talking with them before they could ask any more questions which included his trip to Starbucks. He stated in a text message that his “health is excellent.”
It was added by a source that Wendy is very ill and Flair is mostly asymptomatic aside from some coughing.
Mustafa Ali is currently backstage for the WWE RAW TV tapings in Orlando.
Ali’s return to WWE television has not been confirmed, but PWInsider reports that he is at the Performance Center for today’s RAW tapings, which will air tonight and next Monday night.
Ali is currently a member of the SmackDown roster, but it was reported several weeks ago that WWE had plans to move him to the RAW roster, and bring him back to TV as a RAW Superstar.
There had been rumors on Ali being the mystery hacker for the recent SmackDown storyline, but all signs point to WWE dropping that angle. Ali has not wrestled on TV since the SmackDown episode on December 13th, 2019. That show featured Ali and Shorty G losing to The Revival, who are no longer with the company. Ali then wrestled and won 6 dark matches in January and February, but has not been seen since.
2-time WWE Hall of Famer and arguably the greatest ever Ric Flair has continued to defend WWE’s testing policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Flair originally commented on the testing situation in an interview with WrestlingINC Radio earlier this month. Flair said “I would scrutinize anybody that said otherwise at the highest level. I was tired of hearing the bullsh*t. Carrano, Ace, Vince himself, I could go down the list of people that are making sure that everybody’s life is at the best possible place while they’re there for the event.”
Ric Flair on Busted Open Radio
The ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair recently appeared on Sirius XM’s Busted Open Radio to celebrate host Dave LaGreca’s birthday. During his short time on the programme Flair addressed his recent time on television as part of the Randy Orton/Edge angle. “I’m making him [Orton] have fun!” Flair proclaimed.
“I’m just getting to the level where I’m comfortable ” Ric Flair would continue. “Just talking generically [for interviews]? It is killing me! You get overwhelmed because you’re trying to remember the points of the promo you have to make you know? In terms of the Pay Per View and the people and all that work. I’ve always struggled with that, but it’s so much fun to me.”
Ric Flair would then discuss WWE’s ongoing testing for COVID-19 at the Performance Center. “They’re doing everything possible to make sure that the kids are being tested; and everybody’s wearing a mask. It’s a difference, you know? It’s kind of a stressful thing but I just have fun with it all. I won’t let them [other talent] get ‘down’ around me, and they don’t. I’m not implying that they do, I think they all have a positive attitude. But you know it’s a different time and it’s very…you’re in a real confined area.”
AEW has announced that former NXT wrestler Tino Sabbatelli (Sabatino Piscitelli) will make his debut on Tuesday’s Dark episode.
Tino, using the name “Sabby” now, will team with Brady Pierce to face The Best Friends in tag team action.
This will be Tino’s first appearance since being released from NXT in mid-April along with other employees due to the negative impact of COVID-19. A former NFL player, Tino was signed by WWE in the fall of 2014. He teamed with Riddick Moss at times in NXT, but his run was interrupted by various injuries.
AEW has not announced that Tino has signed a contract, but wrestlers used on Dark often are not under contract yet.
AEW Dark airs each Tuesday night at 7PM ET on the AEW YouTube channel. The following matches were announced for this week:
– Kilynn King vs. Diamante
– Sabby and Brady Pierce vs. Best Friends
– Aaron Solow vs. Scorpio Sky
– Rache Chanel vs. Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida
– Peter Avalon and Brandon Cutler vs. The Butcher and The Blade
Vince McMahon reportedly changed the finish to the Raw Women’s Championship match between Asuka and Sasha Banks at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules on Sunday.
The original plan for the match had Asuka defeating Banks to retain the title. However, Vince McMahon made a late call and changed the finish at the last minute, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.
There was no reason given for why Vince made the change.
Banks vs. Asuka ended in controversy as the referee took errant green mist from Asuka, blinding him while Bayley counted the pin for Banks. Bayley then intimidated the timekeeper into ringing the bell to end the match. Banks’ theme music then played as Bayley presented her with the Raw Women’s Championship.
Banks and Bayley later promised to explain what happened during tonight’s Raw on the USA Network, where they will also celebrate their wins at Extreme Rules. Below is post-PPV footage of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions making their escape with the gold:
It should be noted that WWE still lists Asuka as the Raw Women’s Champion.
Banks tweeted after Extreme Rules and commented on how The Golden Role Models are taking over.
“Officially taking over the whole company! Jajajajjajajajajajajajjajajajajajja #2beltzbanks #ExtremeRule,” she wrote.
Kayla Braxton has twice tested positive for COVID-19. Once back in March and again recently. Unfortunately, Braxton said she has been sent numerous negative messages online regarding her health. She released a statement on the matter through her social media channels.
“I tested positive for covid late March. I notified my company and I left and self quarantined for 4 weeks,” Braxton begins her statement.
“I then was retested and tested negative. I still wore a mask and took all necessary precautions but then once again, I tested positive a couple of months later. This time I had no symptoms but still, I left work and self quarantined for 14 days. Last night, you all were tweeting super insensitive things regarding my health.”
Kayla Braxton Addresses Online Negativity
Braxton continued to elaborate on some of the negative messages she’s received.
“A couple of you even said you thought I had died and maybe that woulda been for the best. Guys. This isn’t okay. When I said don’t be stupid like me I meant, don’t make the mistake of thinking you can’t test positive twice. I did everything I could. And this can happen to you. Moral of the story is: stop bullying people online, especially for something that concerns health. It’s so gross and you should be embarrassed.”
Pro-wrestling experienced real tragedy earlier this year as a result of online bullying and harassment.
Braxton continued, “Let’s all be better. This is a hard time for everyone and we’re all experiencing a state of the world we’ve never experienced before. Build each other up. Help people. Just be good to people. And to all of you who have lent your support, I’ve seen you. And thank you. We need more people like you.”
After appearing at Impact’s Slammiversary PPV on Saturday, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows made an appearance on Being the Elite this week. The episode begins with the Young Bucks looking back on a meeting they had with Anderson and Gallows back in 2016.
Anderson, Gallows, and The Young Bucks are shown talking about how great their Bullet Club run is going. The Bucks then mentioned to Anderson and Gallows that they think they can start their own wrestling company. At first, Anderson and Gallows seem excited by the idea. After the Bucks left the room, Anderson and Gallows expressed some skepticism.
“You know this Bullet Club thing is getting us to New York, right?” Gallows whispered to Anderson.
“Those little marks not realize it’s a work?” Anderson asked.
“Do you think TNT wants wrestling after what happened last time? No,” Gallows asked.
“Vanilla little people is what it is,” Anderson said.
“We’re going to tag with Hunter one day, trust me,” Gallows continued.
“I love the fact that you want to team with Triple H,” Anderson added.
Anderson and Gallows don’t appear again in the episode. They will likely be on Impact Wrestling Tuesday night, however.
In recent weeks, multiple reports have stated that Kairi Sane will be leaving WWE shortly. A story in Tokyo Sports reported that Sane is likely returning to Japan by the end of the summer. A recent report from PW Insider, however, is now stating that this upcoming set of tapings from the Performance Center will be her last with the company.
WWE is scheduled to tape tonight’s RAW and next week’s episode today from the Performance Center. Sane then will likely not be on any further programming past the July 27th edition of RAW.
The report continues to say that Sane is leaving on good terms and will remain part of WWE’s extended family to some degree. There had been talk at one point of her serving in an ambassador’s role with a potential NXT Japan brand. Plans for a developmental territory in the country seem to have been shelved, however.
Sane was married earlier this year and WWE has been aware of her plans to return to Japan since at least May.
Sane signed with WWE in 2016. She won the Mae Young Classic the following year. She is also a former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion along with Asuka and a former NXT Women’s Champion.
MJF is accusing AEW World Champion Jon Moxley of holding him back.
MJF, who recently celebrated his 1 year anniversary with AEW, responded to a fan on Twitter who expressed frustration over how he’s not in the world championship chase and hasn’t been on TV every week. MJF tweeted back and called Moxley out, teasing that things may be changing soon.
“It’s almost as if there’s a certain individual in the company who doesn’t want me to be spotlighted. There may be a ‘paradigm shift’ in how things are run around here #notmychampion,” MJF wrote.
Update: MJF continues to take digs at Moxley on social media. On Monday afternoon, MJF wrote the following and tagged the tweet, #NotMyChampion:
You’ve been brainwashed into believing pro wrestling is meant to be done like a car crash.
It is believed that MJF is a strong contender to challenge Moxley for the AEW World title at All Out on Saturday, September 5th.
MJF recently spent some time at the top of the weekly men’s division rankings, but he was bumped from that #1 spot last week by Brian Cage, on the day of Cage’s championship match with Moxley on the Fight for the Fallen edition of AEW Dynamite. Cage lost that match, and it’s been rumored that Moxley’s next feud would be with MJF.
MJF will be in action this Wednesday on AEW Dynamite Wardlow will be in his corner. With Fyter Fest and Fight for the Fallen in the books, don’t be surprised if we see MJF continue his campaign against AEW Champion Jon Moxley.
The Horror Show at Extreme Rules featured a rather unique match stipulation for Seth Rollins vs Rey Mysterio. The match could only end after one competitor had extracted the eyeball of the other. Mysterio had his eye badly damaged but WWE would later report that doctors felt there was a chance they could save his vision.
According to a report on Wrestling Observer Radio, this was done in case Mysterio ends up re-signing with the promotion. His injury allows WWE to write him out of storylines for now but then bring him back if he signs a new contract.
“That finish was because he had not signed,” said Dave Meltzer. “As I mentioned, if he doesn’t sign, the obvious finish is he has to lose. If he does sign, the obvious finish is that he has to win.”
“The reason they gave that open-ended thing that we may save his eye is in case he does sign, that’s their out.”
A user on Twitter posted some photos that show an extracted eyeball was visible during the post-match scene:
Meltzer would also note that what took place was not the original plan for the match.
“They did a different plan than the original plan which was a taped match and this CGI thing where you would see him lose the eye even though it wasn’t real.”
Apollo Crews was scheduled to face MVP for the United States championship at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules last night. The match didn’t happen, however. Instead, MVP just declared himself the new champion.
According to a report from Wrestling Observer Radio, Crews was removed from the show due to COVID-19 related concerns. Comments on the show seemed to imply Crews has tested positive for the virus but did not outright say that is the case.
“Apollo Crews was COVID-19,” Meltzer said regarding Crews’ absence from the show. “People have been suspecting it and it was.”
Crews would later post to social media regarding MVP’s title claims.
“MVP is the new United States Champion — at least, according to himself,” reads a WWE.com report about the situation. “He declared himself as such at The Horror Show at WWE Extreme Rules when Apollo Crews wasn’t cleared to compete in their scheduled match due to a bulging disc.”
The United States championship is the first title Crews has held since debuting on the main roster in 2016. MVP’s 419 days spent with the title across 2 reigns is good for 5th all-time in that category. Only Lex Luger, Ric Flair, Greg Valentine, and Blackjack Mulligan have held the title for more days.
IMPACT Wrestling held their Slammiversary PPV event this past weekend. The show saw a number of talents make their return, such as the Motor City Machine Guns, Eric Young and Gallows & Anderson.
One of the unexpected twists from the event saw Deonna Purrazzo defeat Jordynne Grace by submission to become the new IMPACT Knockouts Champion.
Deonna Purrazzo has been appearing for the company without an actual contract in place, per Fightful. This led many to believe that Purrazzo would not be winning this weekend, as why would IMPACT put their top Women’s Championship on a performer working without a full-time deal set in stone?
Even after winning the title, Purrazzo is still reportedly working on a ‘per-appearance’ basis. This with no full-time deal in place. This could mean that she is free to appear for any other company whilst holding one of IMPACT’s top titles.
Big Swole wrote and published a letter recently on issues impacting Black athletes in pro-wrestling. The title of her letter is “We Just Want To Be Heard.” It asks questions regarding why more Black athletes aren’t at the top of the wrestling industry.
“Imagine being told ‘I already have enough Blacks on my roster.’ This is what it is like being a Black professional wrestler. The keys to Black wrestlers’ success have been dangled up high but just close enough to give hope,” Swole wrote.
“Why is it that Black people dominate and excel in other participated sports except for wrestling? What is it about this profession that is different from the inner workings of other professional sports? One of the main issues is there are people in this business who actively try to deter the careers of Black wrestlers,” she continued.
Swole posted to Twitter that she is using writing as a form of release, leading to the publication of the letter. The below Tweet links to a Google file with the full letter.
Big Swole is currently suspended from AEW for kidnapping Britt Baker. The two have been involved in quite the feud as of late. Baker will not be cleared to compete until September, however. Swole was only informed of her suspension after she made the drive to Daily’s Place and arrived at 9 PM.
Former WWE Superstars Mike Bennett and his wife Maria Kanellis-Bennett have opened up to fans about their experiences with WWE prior to being released.
Bennett revealed via Twitter that, despite its drug testing policy and insistence that it puts talents health and wellbeing first and foremost, WWE never paid or supported his recovery journey.
He explained how he never went to rehab and instead “My wife was my rehab.” Bennett noted how he recovered on the road while adhering to WWE’s travel schedule. According to him, WWE “never paid for my rehab” and “never reached out” to him during his recovery from addiction.
Bennett shared how “Not a single person in management ever contacted me to see if I needed help or if I was doing ok in my recovery.All credit goes to my wife”
Bennett stressed how he isn’t saying WWE had an obligation to reach out to him. However, when people claim his rehab was paid for, it undermines and takes away all the hard work and support Maria provided. Those false claims are something that will “never be ok” with him.
Maria Kanellis-Bennett also opened up on Twitter. She shared what she and Mike were allegedly told and promised by WWE. Maria has previously called out WWE over its decision to release her and Mike amidst a global pandemic so soon after her giving birth.
Her series of Tweets seem to indicate what they were told by WWE as they contemplated re-signing with the company. Both Maria and Mike would sign multi-year contracts in 2019.
Fans speculated that the pair signed with WWE knowing Maria was pregnant. This would have allowed them to make money while at home after their baby was born. This was not the case, however, as Maria was not aware she was pregnant until after signing her new WWE contract.
According to Maria, she was told and promised the following:
“Think about your family. – @wwe”
“We want to make sure your family is taken care of. -@wwe”
“Look at the position (she) put you in by naming you. – @wwe”
“Don’t you think you’d remember something like that. – @WWE”
“(He) still wants to sign you to this. -@WWE”
“We used to get away with a lot, we can’t get away with (that) anymore. -@WWE”
— MariaKanellisBennett (@MariaLKanellis) July 18, 2020
We want to make sure your family is taken care of. –@wwe
— MariaKanellisBennett (@MariaLKanellis) July 18, 2020
Maria explained how she’s not “spilling tea” or spreading gossip with her series of tweets. Instead, she wanted to give fans insight into what she and Mike were told and experienced.
The couple joined several other Superstars to be released earlier this year as a cost-cutting decision. WWE attributed its decision to the coronavirus pandemic having impacted upon business.
Bobby Fulton is currently in hospital and a surgery scheduled for this morning has been postponed. The 59-year-old revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer back in December. His Twitter account has been updating fans on his condition.
This is Dillon Hines. I’m sadly informing you today that my father has been admitted to the hospital. He’s in poor condition. Please send positive thoughts and prayers for him. Thanks! pic.twitter.com/hDIHfymcJw
Dad's surgery that was scheduled for 8am EST has been postponed to 1pm EST. This surgery is very serious as it is to take care of an artery that he is internally bleeding from. One wrong move in this surgery could cause a stroke. Prayers, please.
In December, Fulton’s Twitter account posted the following:
“Good Evening! It’s Friday December 6th at 11 pm. As you know or most know, I had a very important Doctors Appointment today. The News wasn’t what I wanted to hear. God My Heavenly Father has never done me wrong ever! I serve a mighty God. A risen Savior in my Lord Jesus Christ. I want no sympathy! I’m just informing you, that I have cancer in my throat. That’s gonna be treated the game plan is being put together on this coming Tuesday. I want your continued prayers. ALL THINGS work together for good for those that love God. That are CALLED according to his PURPOSE. No sympathy just prayers. Thanks.”
Montez Ford recently spoke with Inside the Ropeswhere he talked about working with Paul Heyman and his WrestleMania 36 experience.
According to the WWE RAW Tag Team Champion, he owes Paul Heyman his life. Ford noted how he and his partner, Angelo Dawkins, are practically indebted to Heyman. He stressed how Heyman was supportive of the team “since day one.”
Montez Ford shared how the first time The Street Profits met Heyman, he took the time to give them a “wealth of knowledge” upon their RAW debut.
“[…] he was the first person that came and found us and talked to us and pretty much just took us under his wing and there’s so much I can say and describe but he’s given us a whole bunch of stuff and he’s pretty much been there the whole way and given us a lot of motivation, man and insight and you guys know, getting any type of insight, anything from Paul Heyman man is golden so just in short terms I can say that, man I’m just privileged to know and have worked with him in the time period that we did, you know?”
Montez Ford On Competing At WrestleMania 36 With A Broken Back
The Street Profits made their WrestleMania debut at this year’s event back in April. Montez Ford actually broke his back prior to the event, but would still compete at the show. He and Dawkins would successfully defend their championships against Angel Garza and Austin Theory. They competed on the second night of WrestleMania’s two-day show.
Reflecting on his decision to compete despite his injury, Montez said “I broke my back, man, okay? You know what I’m saying?Who do you know broke they [sic] back and still made it to WrestleMania? Who do you know man, just tell me one person. I’ll wait. Exactly. It’s alright, you’re talking to him right now, man. Who do you know?”
Despite competing at WrestleMania 36 in front of zero fans and with a broken back, Ford stressed the experience was a “blessing.” He noted how with the coronavirus pandemic forcing so many changes worldwide, his WrestleMania memories will be “forever cemented” for him and remains grateful that they were able to have their moment.
Former WCW star Konnan has shared his belief that All Elite Wrestling’s Kenny Omega has “failed” on American television.
Speaking on his podcast Keepin’ It 100 with Konnan, Konnan acknowledged how Omega had managed to get “majorly over” in both Mexico and Japan. However, he doesn’t believe Omega has been able to connect with American audiences in the same way.
Konnan attributed this to Omega’s promos, pointing out how they aren’t on the same level as other top wrestlers. He also highlighted how Omega “has not been pushed as a star, but just another guy who can work.”
He noted how there is plenty of other talent who know how to work. Because of this, “Omega doesn’t stand out in any way.”
He juxtaposed Omega’s AEW presence to how he was used in Mexico. According to Konnan, Mexican fans loved Omega as an aura had been built around him. This led to fans going crazy every time he entered an arena, something Konnan believes “has not happened in AEW.”
Kenny Omega “Doesn’t Cut A Good Promo”
Konnan’s co-host, Disco Inferno, added his thoughts on the matter. He explained how wrestling weekly on American television is totally different from being an independent wrestler or performing in Japan. He added how talent needs to not only have matches but deliver promos, sell facial expressions, and build up a plethora of skills every week.
When it comes to Omega’s mic work, Disco Inferno stated “Omega doesn’t cut a good promo.”
He added, “This is why it has become difficult for him to elevate himself to the level of Jericho and Moxley because his mic skills are not close to those guys. Also, he doesn’t understand the psychology of what you have to do in the ring and mic on American TV.”
Disco noted how it’s not a good look if a wrestler’s character “can’t even get over in squash matches.” He stressed how a wrestler shouldn’t focus on making their opponent look good, but should instead focus on getting over as a superstar. It’s something he believes AEW has yet to do with Kenny Omega.
During the event, MVP would come out with Bobby Lashley. MVP claimed how, because Crews was unable to defend his championship, he was now the WWE United States Champion via forfeit. MVP then grabbed the recently revealed re-designed US Championship belt from ringside.
WWE did not announce MVP as the new champion or seemingly acknowledge or recognize MVP’s declaration. At the time of writing, WWE.com still lists Crews as the current WWE United States Champion.
“@The305MVP is trippin thinking he can claim himself the #USChampion. I was looking forward to shutting you BOTH up once and for all tonight at #ExtremeRules but once I’m cleared .. #ImComingforwhatsmine”
Apollo Crews was set to defend his WWE United States Champion at Extreme Rules against MVP. However, Crews would suffer a storyline back injury courtesy of MVP’s associate Bobby Lashley. This injury forced the match to be canceled.
It was noted during the show that Crews was in attendance at the WWE Performance Center for the show, but was unable to pass the physical to allow him to wrestle. There has been speculation that Crews’ removal from WWE programming could be due to coronavirus concerns, but this has not yet been confirmed.
