There are multiple news items concerning NXT’s Velveteen Dream at the moment. Dream’s last official match in WWE came at the NXT: In Your House show where he lost a title match to Adam Cole. According to various reports, it may turn out to have been Dream’s last match in the company.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful and the Mat Men Pro Wrestling Podcast both stated on Twitter that they have heard from sources that Dream’s days in WWE could be numbered.
I've been hearing this, as well as some not so wonderful news about him that doesn't have to do with any of the allegations. https://t.co/34168lwI5l
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 26, 2020
He was also reportedly recently involved in a car accident.
WWE has confirmed to me that Velveteen Dream was in a car accident today, and has been released from the hospital.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 27, 2020
I’ve been debating releasing this information for months now, but with everyone #SpeakingOut, I finally feel comfortable in doing it. Part of me is still terrified for disclosing this.
Patrick Clark is a groomer and a child predator. I’ll post more proof below this tweet. pic.twitter.com/yhJKufwVpz
Patrick “Velveteen Dream” Clark signed a developmental deal with WWE in 2015. He had previously competed on the 6th season of the Tough Enough reality show competition. Clark debuted the Velveteen Dream persona in NXT in May of 2017.
In 2018, his Prince-inspired persona was voted “Best Gimmick” by the readers of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. He is a former NXT North American Champion, having held the title from January 2019 to September 2019. After losing to Cole at IYH, Dream can no longer challenge for the title while he is champion.
As a result of several people within WWE testing positive for COVID-19, the first half of this week’s episode of SmackDown was a tribute to The Undertaker and featured the cable debut of the Boneyard Match against AJ Styles from WrestleMania 36. The show opened up with several SmackDown superstars standing on the entrance ramp and chanting “thank you Taker!” before the Boneyard Match aired.
Nikki Cross def. Alexa Bliss, Dana Brooke, Lacey Evans to earn a shot at the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Extreme Rules
New Day & Lucha House Party def. Miz & Morrison, Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura
Jeff Hardy def. King Corbin
Here are 4 takeaways from this week’s show:
King Corbin Got Taught A Lesson In Respect
King Corbin cut a promo after the Boneyard Match aired and claimed that The Undertaker is just a bag of bones at this point. Corbin claimed that Taker spent several years of his career kissing McMahon’s ass. Corbin added that Undertaker has been stealing money from WWE for years and is a selfish son of a bitch because he has been holding superior athletes, like himself, down. Corbin looked directly into the camera and said The Undertaker sucks. Jeff Hardy attacked Corbin from behind as SmackDown went to a break.
Jeff Hardy was then interviewed backstage. Jeff said Undertaker has been a mentor to him and the Mount Rushmore of WWE should be Taker’s face four times. Hardy vowed to teach Corbin a lesson of respect later tonight. Corbin was later interviewed and said he was going to teach Jeff a lesson in reality and that Hardy will finally rest in peace after tonight. Jeff Hardy and King Corbin battled in the main event of this week’s show.
Match Recap: Corbin dominated early and sent Hardy out of the ring. Jeff battled back and threw Corbin over the announce table. Back in the ring, Jeff beat Corbin down in the corner. Corbin battled back and sent Hardy out of the ring once again. Corbin then mocked The Undertaker by posing in the ring as SmackDown went a break.
When SmackDown returned, Corbin was still in control as members of the SmackDown locker room surrounded the ring to support Jeff Hardy’s efforts to honor Undertaker in the match. Dana Brooke started up a “Corbin sucks!” chant as Hardy was leveled with a Clothesline by King Corbin. Corbin brought Hardy back to the outside and shoved his face against the plexiglass.
The action returned to the ring and Corbin went for the cover but Jeff kicked out at two. Jeff finally battled back and hit two Jawbreakers before unloading several right hands to Corbin’s face. Hardy hit an inverted Atomic Drop and then a Dropkick for a near fall. Corbin connected with Deep Six and went for the cover but Hardy kicked out at the last moment. Corbin charged at Jeff but he got out of the way and Corbin smashed into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Hardy hit the Swanton Bomb for the pinfall victory.
After the match, King Corbin attacked Jeff but turned around into a Big Ending from Big E. Jeff asked Strowman to get into the ring and the Universal Champion obliged. Strowman planted Corbin with a Powerslam before Matt Riddle hopped in the ring. Riddle climbed to the top rope and connected with the Floating Bro as an image of The Undertaker appeared on the jumbotron to close the show.
Nikki Cross Earned A Shot At The SmackDown Women’s Championship At Extreme Rules
Women’s Tag Team Champions Bayley and Sasha Banks joined commentary for Fatal 4-Way match between Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, Dana Brooke, and Lacey Evans. The winner of the match will face Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Extreme Rules: The Horror Show in three weeks.
Match Recap: Dana Brooke and Lacey Evans beat Bliss and Cross down to start the match off. Bliss and Cross battled back and hit a couple Splashes in the corners of the ring. They then shared a hug and Nikki tried to roll Alexa up. Bliss kicked out and Nikki told her that she still loved her but this is about the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Cross and Bliss locked up and Alexa rolled up Nikki for a near fall. Bliss applied a Headlock but Nikki broke free and Lacey dragged Alexa out of the ring. Evans launched Bliss into the barricade as Brooke hit a Splash on Nikki in the ring. Lacey broke up the cover and started arguing with Dana. They then teamed up and launched Cross into the turnbuckle.
Lacey leveled Dana with a Clothesline and then delivered a Bronco Buster to Nikki. Dana hit Lacey with an elbow to the face and followed it up with a Body Slam. Brooke climbed to the top rope and connected with a Senton. Nikki broke up the pinfall attempt and got fired up in the ring. Alexa crawled back into the ring as Brooke planted Nikki with a Body Slam.
Alexa shoved Dana to the canvas and made her way to the top rope. Bliss went for Twisted Bliss but Brooke got her knees up. Nikki leveled Dana with a Dropkick that sent her tumbling out of the ring. Evans hit Cross with an Elbow Drop and then the Woman’s Right to Dana Brooke. Nikki Cross then rolled up Lacey Evans for the pinfall victory. Nikki Cross will face Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Extreme Rules.
SmackDown Tag Team Champions New Day teamed up with Lucha House Party to face Miz & Morrison and Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro in an 8-man tag team match.
Match Recap: Big E and Miz started the action off. Big E connected with an elbow to the face and then brought Miz to the apron. Big E hit a massive Splash on the apron and the action returned to the ring. Lince Dorado tagged in and hit Miz with another Splash for a two count. Cesaro tagged in and walked into a couple chops from Dorado. Lince rolled up Cesaro for a two count and followed it up with another chop.
Gran Metalik tagged in and hit a Splash off of Dorado’s shoulders for a two count. Kofi and Morrison tagged in and Kingston hit a Dropkick for a one count. Morrison perched Kofi up on the top turnbuckle and kicked him in the face. Nakamura launched Kofi into the plexiglass as the referee was distracted.
Back in the ring, a brawl broke out as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Kofi was isolated in the corner and Miz had him in a Headlock. Kingston battled back with a Tornado DDT and went for a tag but Nakamura prevented it. Cesaro and Shinsuke took Big E out ringside before Nakamura got back into the ring. Kingston hit Shinsuke with a Double Stomp before Morrison and Metalik tagged in.
Metalik hit Morrison with a Crossbody and followed it up with a springboard Hurricanrana. Metalik hit Miz and Cesaro with a couple of Dropkicks and then a Sunset Flip Powerbomb to Morrison for a near fall. Lince tagged in and hit Morrison with a Shooting Star Press off the top rope but Cesaro broke up the cover. Chaos broke out as Kofi, Shinsuke, Big E, and Cesaro battled up the entrance ramp.
The Miz tagged in and attacked Dorado but Metalik had tagged in. Lince hit Miz with a Stunner and then hit Morrison with a Hurricanrana off the apron. Gran Metalik hit Miz with an Elbow Drop off the top rope for the pinfall victory.
This 8-Man Tag Team Match is not just about scoring a win… these teams want to establish tag team ?????????! #SmackDownpic.twitter.com/HImw7yeoKP
Strowman Challenged Bray To A Match At The Wyatt Family Compound
Universal Champion Braun Strowman marched down to the ring to address Bray Wyatt. Strowman had a smile on his face as he got into the ring. Strowman stated that when he first met Bray Wyatt he felt the type of fear that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Braun said that they sitting at the edge of the disgusting swamp one night when a water moccasin slithered out of the swamp to Bray’s lantern.
Strowman was going to stomp it but Bray said it was his friend. The snake bit Bray in the face and all Wyatt did was laugh. Strowman added that Wyatt continued to laugh as the snake bit him over and over, and that is when he knew he was in the presence of evil. Braun claimed that Wyatt was the devil himself and he was enamored at this feat he just witnessed. Strowman said that he started doing the devil’s work and loved every second of it.
Braun said that he has done everything in his power to leave that part of his life behind but it still calls for him. He then suggested that they go back to the swamp and he is either going to come out of this as the most evil son of bitch that this earth has ever seen, or the satisfaction of throwing Wyatt in the swamp so the alligators finish him. Strowman added “one more time Bray, lets go home”. Wyatt’s laughter then echoed throughout the Performance Center as Braun cackled into the microphone to end the promo.
A new match has been announced for the upcoming WWE Extreme Rules PPV.
During Friday’s episode of SmackDown on FOX, WWE held a match that would determine who is next in line for a title shot at the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
A Fatal 4-Way Match that saw Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Cross vs. Lacey Evans vs. Dana Brooke took place with the winner becoming the next challenger to the title.
It was a decent match that saw Cross be victorious, earning the right to challenge Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Title.
WWE presents the Extreme Rules pay-per-view event on Sunday, July 19, 2020 in Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center that will air on the WWE Network. WWE will be announcing more matches for this show in the coming weeks. Here is the updated card:
Updated WWE Extreme Rules Card
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre vs. Dolph Ziggler
WWE RAW Women’s Champion Asuka vs. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Sasha Banks
WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley vs. Nikki Cross
What are your thoughts on this match being added to the card? Sound off in the comment section.
Although only a few people in WWE have publicly announced that they have tested positive for COVID-19, the belief is there are more cases to be revealed.
So far, Renee Young, Adam Pearce, Jamie Noble and Kayla Braxton are among the names to announce the news.
However, it’s been reported that there are more than 2 dozen across the board in WWE who have already tested positive for the virus with more cases to come. Many are staying quiet regarding whether they have tested positive and that’s by design.
Bryan Alvarez reported on Wrestling Observer Live that WWE doesn’t want anyone to go public about their positive test. He stated that he has heard other names that have tested positive that have not tweeted about it.
Alvarez added that in-ring talent and staff are not the only people who have tested positive but also some friends and family.
The expectation is that more news will likely get out in the next couple of days. That belief was only backed up further when WWE postponed Friday’s Raw TV taping until Saturday.
The reason for that was due some COVID-19 tests coming back and WWE officials not being happy with the results.
It’s been well documented that Randy Orton had a social media exchange with Tommaso Ciampa, but the possibility of that match happening could come true.
WrestleTalk reports that the former WWE Champion wants a run with some of the WWE NXT Superstars. Per the report, Orton is said to be hoping to work with some of the NXT roster in the coming months.
Orton has pitched the idea of working with some of the NXT Superstars including Ciampa and current NXT Champion Adam Cole. While Cole is on the list, Ciampa is one of the people he would be keen on working with.
The feud would not necessarily take place on RAW as WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has reportedly been unhappy with NXT ratings. As seen in the past with other stars, it’s possible that WWE sends Orton down to NXT to help boost ratings.
At the time of Orton and Ciampa going back and forth on social media, it was reported that WWE had no plans to do Orton vs. Ciampa. That could change.
This would also fall in line with Ciampa being against moving to the main roster full-time due to its brutal travel schedule. Per the report, Ciampa is now more open to doing a one-off program with Orton on RAW because shows are being taped at one location – WWE Performance Center in Orlando – due to the coronavirus pandemic.
WWE is planning to do another cinematic match at its next pay-per-view event, Extreme Rules.
Braun Strowman will defend the Universal Championship against Bray Wyatt at this show. This is a rematch from the Money in the Bank pay-per-view event, which saw Strowman successfully retain the title over Wyatt.
Wrestling Inc. reports the plan is to have various spots and storytelling of their past to the present. Per the report, Wyatt is said to be heavily involved in creating this match.
Jeremy Borash and Triple H in addition to a few others will also be involved in putting the match together although the ideas for it are remaining close to the vest. Michael P.S. Hayes, who has worked on past matches like this, won’t be involved as he is having hip surgery.
Locations are being scouted for filming as this will be another overnight shoot. The article mentioned how the contest was described as a cross between a Terminator and a horror movie.
The idea is for the match to be more action-packed than Wyatt’s Firefly Funhouse match against John Cena at WrestleMania 36, which was essentially a bunch of segments thrown together with little wrestling.
WWE presents the Extreme Rules pay-per-view event on Sunday, July 19, 2020 in Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center that will air on the WWE Network.
It is being reported that Travis Banks and Ligero are gone from WWE. Both NXT UK wrestlers are alleged to have committed offenses as part of the #SpeakingOut movement. WWE has not commented publicly on the matter. News of Ligero’s release was first reported by PW Insider.
Can confirm through sources that both Ligero (Simon Musk) and Travis Banks have been released by WWE.
Travis Banks’ case as part of the #SpeakingOut movement received much attention. He is alleged to have been involved in a relationship with Millie McKenzie when she was only 17 years old and he was her trainer. Banks is 13 years older than McKenzie is. She would turn down a contract offer to be apart of the NXT UK brand in 2019.
Finding a hotel I’m staying in, finding my room number and knocking on my door for hours, continuously messing me when I ask you to leave is NOT OKAY. pic.twitter.com/SKGnQjFhYj
Banks released the following statement in the wake of the allegations:
“Millie was a trainee of mine at Fight Club: Pro. She was also a close personal friend. We would be at shows together, attend the same social events, travel together and hang out at the wrestlers house where I was living.”
The relationship broke down between both parties and it ended. After it ended we agreed to talk it out. We apologized to each other for any individual actions behind the relationship breakdown. After seeing these comments, I can only repeat my apology.”
As per recent communication from Trent Seven's legal representation, I have deleted my tweets from June 24th and 25th. I'm sorry they have apparently caused him serious professional harm and emotional distress. Please direct any questions to Nath Solicitors +44 0203 670 5540
Impact Wrestling made an announcement today regarding the future of Michael Elgin. The company announced Elgin was being suspended earlier this week in the wake of allegations made against him as part of the #SpeakingOut movement.
Impact stated they were suspending Elgin as they sought to investigate the claims against him further. The promotion has now announced that he will not be appearing on any future Impact shows. A statement at the company website reads:
“IMPACT Wrestling has announced that Michael Elgin will not be appearing in any further IMPACT Wrestling programming.”
It is notable that Impact has not announced Elgin has been released. The company has simply stated he will not be appearing on any further programming. He was not featured in any meaningful way on Tuesday’s show beyond possibly having been in some highlight packages.
Elgin had been scheduled to participate in the 5-way match at Slammiversary for the Impact World Championship. That match has now had two participants removed as the company announced Tessa Blanchard’s contract had been terminated yesterday. Impact has also terminated the contracts of Dave Crist and Joey Ryan recently in the wake of allegations against both.
Elgin debuted for Impact at the Rebellion PPV from Toronto on April 28th, 2019. He also performs with Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan. His last match for the promotion was their January 5th, 2020 show from Korakuen Hall.
WWE producer and former wrestler, Jamie Noble, announced on his social media that he has tested positive for COVID-19. He joins Kayla Braxton, Renee Young, and Adam Pearce as WWE employees who have publicly announced having contracted the virus.
“Not how we expect this month to go! Covid-19 has hit home. Prayers for me and my family will be greatly appreciated!” Noble wrote on Instagram.
Noble’s Instagram page has since gone private. Kayla Braxton also took her social media offline shortly after she announced she had contracted the virus a second time. Young and Pearce’s social media posts about testing positive are still public, however.
WWE has since announced they plan to test everyone for COVID-19 before filming shows for the foreseeable future. They also reportedly said friends and family will not be permitted into the Performance Center for upcoming tapings as they had been in recent weeks.
WWE is back taping inside the Performance Center today and tomorrow. In spite of the positive coronavirus tests, WWE will be taping Smackdown and RAW beginning at 12 PM est. today. The company will also be back in the Performance Center tomorrow for more tapings.
WWE employees continue to come out publicly and announce they have tested positive for COVID-19. Despite this, the company still plans on pushing forward with tapings scheduled for today and tomorrow.
According to a report from PW Insider, WWE plans to tape tonight’s episode of Smackdown this afternoon. WWE will also tape Monday’s edition of RAW today. The company also plans to continue taping episodes tomorrow from the WWE Performance Center. The report continues to say that there are people at all levels of WWE concerned about the recent positive tests. Some employees are said to be in disbelief at others who are attending bars and social gatherings in the area despite the positive tests within the company.
Tonight’s episode of Smackdown may have been changed. Drew Gulak was at one point scheduled to challenge AJ Styles for the Intercontinental Championship on the show. That match is no longer being advertised on WWE.com, however. Additionally, WWE has announced that part of tonight’s Smackdown will air the Boneyard match from WrestleMania between AJ Styles and the Undertaker.
Sheamus and Jeff Hardy were also scheduled for a segment on tonight’s Smackdown. It is not clear if that segment is still happening tonight, however.
“WWE will continue COVID-19 testing of its talent, production crew and employees in advance of TV productions for the foreseeable future,” reads a WWE statement sent to media on the matter.
All Elite Wrestling President Tony Khan was the latest guest on a special edition of the AEW Unrestricted podcast. Khan opened up about the promotion working with a limited roster thanks to COVID-19. He also reflected on the coronavirus pandemic and the creative decisions AEW had to employ.
Khan explained how several of their female talents live outside of the United States. With travel bans and limitations in place, it meant losing some talent they may have had plans for. However, Tony Khan admitted AEW was “fortunate that a lot of the top women ranked in the division at the time were here.”
Tony Khan added how they had 20 percent of the AEW roster available to them in Atlanta, Georgia as the coronavirus pandemic restricted movement and travel. Although this would have forced changes to planned storylines, Khan is happy with how AEW was able to pivot and change accordingly. This number also meant they had enough wrestlers available to put on the TNT Championship tournament:
“We were able to do this great tournament and tell some great stories,” said Tony Khan. “We were able to do some really good shows and I was proud of some numbers we did on the back end of those shows, especially as we went later in the month on the taped shows. The numbers were going up which proved the stories were compelling.”
This Friday night’s episode of SmackDown Live will now be a special Tribute to The Undertaker episode. This news comes in the wake of multiple confirmed COVID-19 cases within the WWE Performance Center. These cases prompted WWE to re-write this week’s SmackDown, turning it into an impromptu tribute show.
The decision to dedicate the show to The Undertaker follows the success of the WWE Network documentary series, Undertaker: The Last Ride.
This tribute show was not the original plan for this week’s episode of WWE’s blue brand. Instead, it was a late decision based on the positive tests impacting on Superstar availability. The tribute show will see WWE air the popular Boneyard Match from this year’s WrestleMania 36 event.
The pre-recorded match saw The Undertaker take on “The Phenomenal One” AJ Styles. It is the first time the match will be aired on regular television.
WWE’s initial plans were to tape tonight’s show last week. However, its COVID-19 tests reportedly arrived late, and so the company was forced to change its plans. An unnamed NXT developmental talent also tested positive for COVID-19 last week prior to the new confirmed cases.
Undertaker: The Last Ride is currently available to stream in its entirety on the WWE Network.
AEW TNT Champion Cody Rhodes has reacted to WWE’s recent announcement that NXT is reviving the Great American Bash to counter-program AEW Fyter Fest.
When a fan stated via Twitter that WWE should be giving Cody Rhodes’ mother a check for using the event name, Cody responded with a crying laughter emoji. The champ wrote, “it’s all good friend.”
Cody shared that he appreciated where the fan was coming from and noted that The Great American Bash means a lot to himself and his sister. That being said, he explained how he doesn’t own the IP and isn’t “holding much of a grudge on it.”
Instead, Cody Rhodes’ focus remains on AEW and their roster. He shared how he wants to continue “Making it fun, making it violent, making it memorable.”
Like AEW’s upcoming Fyter Fest, NXT’s Great American Bash is scheduled to be a two-week event. It takes place on 7/1 and 7/8. Both shows will be going head-to-head when they air on Wednesday night.
Cody Rhodes is scheduled to compete against Inner Circle member Jake Hager during Night One of Fyter Fest. Accompanied by Arn Anderson, Cody will attempt to defend his recently won AEW TNT Championship.
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) President Tony Khan joined Tony Schiavone and Aubrey Edwards on this week’s episode of the AEW Unrestricted podcast. The episode acted as a preview for AEW’s upcoming two-week special, Fyter Fest, which kicks off on July 1.
During their conversation, Khan stressed how Fyter Fest will see every single AEW championship defended. He noted how several AEW storylines will be “coming to a head” across those two weeks. Khan also explained how every match will provide a “huge moment” that will see further development to their current stories. Looking to the format of Fyter Fest’s presentation, Tony Khan admitted that “It is the kind of environment we typically have on PPV quarterly.”
As he hyped the event, Tony Khan confirmed that fans can expect the return of Chris Jericho to the commentary table. Speaking on the Private Party versus Santana and Ortiz tag match, Khan shared that “Le Champion” will be providing vocal duties for that episode of Fyter Fest. He juxtaposed Jericho’s ringside presence with Matt Hardy, who will be joining Private Party.
“[…] both teams are being advised by all time legends. Not just all time legends in the wrestling business, but two of the great tag team wrestlers of all time,” Tony Khan stated. “All the great tag teams Chris Jericho has been and Matt Hardy is a Mount Rushmore tag team wrestler. I think it’s going to be an awesome match. Those are two top teams. There has been a rivalry going on for a while between Private Party and Santana/Ortiz that goes way back.”
Although Jericho may be providing commentary on July 1, he is scheduled to compete on July 8. He will be facing off against Best Friends’ Orange Cassidy.
Charlotte Flair has been a polarising figure since her debut in WWE. Many fans believe that she is given more opportunities than others due to her last name and WWE star Sonya Deville recently revealed her thoughts on the matter.
The former NXT star recently had an interview with the Sun where she talked about things like the coronavirus pandemic, adjusting to shows without an audience and more.
During the interview, the female star was asked about the perception that Flair receives more opportunities because of her heritage, and Deville said that whether it may be true or not, she delivers every time:
“Yeah, I mean, it’s a two-fold question because it’s like, does she get opportunities because of who she is? “Maybe, but does she deliver every single time? For sure.”
Though Sonya Deville continued by explaining that a lot of women in the WWE locker room would step up and work hard if given the same opportunities, citing herself as an example:
“I’m the same way where anything you throw at me, I’m going to deliver. You could throw anything at me. If I’m given the same opportunities as Charlotte Flair, I will be as big if not bigger than Charlotte.”
Sonya Deville was signed by WWE in 2015. However, despite being called up to the main roster in November 2017, the former NXT star is yet to hold a title in the company.
Do you think Charlotte Flair receives more opportunities in WWE because of her last name? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
There have been conflicting reports about Charlotte Flair’s return after it was revealed that she needs surgery but the Queen herself has now confirmed her status.
The former Women’s Champion recently had an interview with Sport Hiatus where she talked about things like the coronavirus pandemic, the health of her father and more.
During the interview, Charlotte also confirmed the reports of her surgery and claimed that she will only be gone for a few weeks, opposing the reports which suggested that she could be out until Royal Rumble 2021:
“Yes, I’ll only be gone for a few weeks, they can still play things on the WWE Network [to keep fans thinking about me], but utilizing my social media will be most important while I’m gone… No one is going to miss me. They’re still going to feel like I’m there is basically what I’m saying. I’m gone but I’m not really gone.”
Charlotte Flair competed in a match against Raw Women’s Champion Asuka on this week’s episode of the Red Branded Show. She was also involved in a backstage fight with Nia Jax which effectively wrote her off TV for near future.
While the exact date for her return is not known, it believed that Flair will challenge Asuka for her title at SummerSlam and after her confirmation; it would be interesting to see if she returns in time for this feud.
A lot of people expected former NXT star Deonna Purrazzo to end up in AEW after her recent release from WWE but she ended up joining Impact Wrestling instead.
The female star recently had an interview with Chris Van Vliet where she talked about her decision to join Impact and revealed if she had any talks with the upstart promotion.
Purrazzo revealed that some people from All Elite Wrestling had reached out to her but there was no definite offer while Impact officials offered her security:
“I mean like, some people had reached out, but it was all kind of like fleeting, there was no like, ‘You’re gonna have a meeting’ or, ‘We’re gonna sit down and do this.’
Luckily, I had been to Impact before, I know the people there and it was right away like, ‘We’d like to have you, let’s talk about it when we can.’ It was just more of a secure thing.”
Deonna Purrazzo later explained that the decision is for herself as well because she wants to find happiness in wrestling again and work on things she lacked as a performer in NXT before joining a mainstream company like AEW.
Though she didn’t deny the possibility of going to AEW in future mentioning how there are many girls in the roster of the company she hasn’t gotten the chance to work with.
Deonna Purrazzo made her debut on Impact Wrestling this week. The former NXT star is now scheduled to challenge Impact Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace for her title at the upcoming Slammiversary PPV on July 18.
Impact Wrestling has terminated the contract of the former Impact World Champion Tessa Blanchard.
The company confirmed the news via a statement to media outlets, announcing that they are stripping Blanchard of the Impact title and ending their relationship with her:
“Impact Wrestling confirmed that it has terminated its relationship with Tessa Blanchard and stripped her of the Impact Wrestling World Championship.”
Blanchard had not competed for the promotion in a while due to COVID-19 situation, but was scheduled to return for Slammiversary on July 18.
Her deal with Impact going to expire before the PPV. Impact officials optimistic Tessa Blanchard would return for a final appearance at the show. It was not meant to be.
However, the situation between the two parties became increasingly icy after the female star did not record and send content for the June 1 episode of Impact which forced the company to make major edits to the script.
These events made it increasingly obvious that Blanchard will not return to the promotion and so the company decided to cut bait and move forward.
There is no word yet on what the future holds for the 24-year-old second generation star. Her father, Tully Blanchard, works as an on-air talent All Elite Wrestling. It will be interesting to see if AEW is willing to do business with her, despite her reputation for being very difficult to deal with.
Viewership data is in for this week’s battle in the WWE NXT vs. AEW Dynamite Wednesday Night War.
NXT won the night in total viewers, but not in the key 18-49 demo. Here is the breakdown of the live and same-night DVR viewership, courtesy of ShowbuzzDaily:
WWE NXT Viewership
NXT on the USA Network averaged 786,000 viewers, up last week’s 746,000 In the 18-49 demo, they drew a 0.19 rating, down from 0.20 last week.
The episode featured Karrion Kross vs. Bronson Reed, Cameron Grimes vs. Damien Priest, and NXT North American Champion Keith Lee vs. Finn Balor vs. Johnny Gargano with the winner advancing to the Winner Take All Match against Adam Cole on July 8th.
AEW Dynamite on TNT was watched by 633,000 viewers, down from the 772,000 viewers last week. In the 18-49 demo, Dynamite pulled in a 0.22 rating, down from the 0.28 rating that the show did last week.
AEW Dynamite featured bouts such as Santana vs. Matt Hardy, Brodie Lee, and Colt Cabana vs. Sonny Kiss and Joey Janela, Wardlow vs. Luchasaurus, Brian Cage in action, a faceoff between Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy, and FTR vs. SCU.
Former WWE Superstar and NWA Commentator Stu Bennett recently appeared on Ryback’s Conversation With The Big Guy podcast. The former Bad News Barrett discussed a number of topics during the interview; including his recent discussions with WWE and a potential Nexus reunion that was recently rumored.
Ryback confirmed on the show that he was not contacted by WWE. Either for the potential Nexus reunion or any other reason. The Big Guy was part of the group after appearing as Skip Sheffield in the first ‘season’ of NXT.
Ryback on Nexus Reunion
“I did not get a call and I don’t think I will be the with my trademark deal coming up in August” Ryback confirmed on the podcast.
The Big Guy tweeted his anger at WWE keeping the ‘Ryback’ trademark ‘unnecessarily’ back in February of this year. “Publicly asking @WWE @VinceMcMahon @TripleH to let the Ryback trademark go” Ryback tweeted. “It wasn’t created by them and trying to make someone spend nearly $200,000 to keep their legal name and brand is petty and unnecessary. Please move on and erase me from your history and programming.”
Ryback elaborated further on the podcast, saying “I had to send our little boy Mark Carrano a message, ‘I need you guys to respond to the attorney, if I have to go through with it? It’s going to cost upwards of $200,000.’ Which I might not even need to do. There’s ways around it.”
Do you think that we’ll see Ryback appear in another promotion at some point? Maybe AEW, IMPACT or NJPW? Let us know in the comments
Former WWE Superstar and NWA Commentator Stu Bennett recently appeared on Ryback’s Conversation With The Big Guy podcast. The former Bad News Barrett discussed a number of topics during the interview, including his recent discussions with WWE and when he plans on getting back into the ring to wrestle.
Ryback addressed the recent Nexus rumors on the show. Darren Young recently claimed that the group was slated to return for an appearance at WrestleMania this year; these plans were changed supposedly because of the COVID-19 pandemic changing the venue for the show.
Stu Bennett and Ryback
Ryback would joke with Bennett and say that he turned down appearing with the Nexus because Ryback himself wasn’t going to be involved. “That’s definitely not the case at all! I was completely down for doing it without Skip Sheffield! Let me be clear!” Stu Bennett joked to begin the interview.
“I think Darren [Young] put out his podcast that he got a call?” Stu Bennett continued. I did get a call [from WWE], I wasn’t really going to speak about it, but I’ve been asked enough times, and I’ve said this already. It wasn’t a good offer, it wasn’t a good idea.”
Stu Bennett would then confirm that whilst he would be open to returning that the idea has to be right for him. “For me to go back to do something like that? It was a non starter and I shut it down very quickly. I was asked a question on an interview yesterday about my interest in returning to WWE or any other wrestling company and I answered honestly. I’m an open book, if people want to contact me with ideas like they [WWE] did? I will listen to it and if it makes sense for me, if it’s a good idea? if it’s something I really enjoy? Then maybe I’ll do it.”
Would you like to see Stu Bennett/Wade Barrett return to WWE at some point? Let us know in the comments
Ring of Honor has announced they are launching an investigation immediately into allegations made against some of their contracted roster members.
ROH released a statement today in regard to the matter:
“At Ring of Honor, we pride ourselves on the respectful and inclusive environment we have built, one that ensures all employees can work in a place where they feel safe and respected.
We take these matters extremely seriously and have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to this type of behaviro.
Ring of Honor has launched an immediate investigation into the claims made against its currently contracted wrestlers. We will update you on our investigation once it concludes.”
— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) June 25, 2020
Marty Scurll Releases Statement In Regards To Allegations
Marty Scurll has now released two statements in regard to claims made about him as part of the #SpeakingOut movement.
“Although I truly believe that our encounter that evening was consensual, and the fact that the encounter was legal; is almost not the point. I understand that she now views our encounter as part of a bigger problem within the wrestling community,” part of Scurll’s statement reads.
In the wake of news coming out that multiple WWE employees have tested positive for the coronavirus, Kayla Braxton has revealed she has tested positive for the virus for a second time. Braxton revealed on Twitter recently that she tested positive for the virus in early March and can now confirm it is possible to get the virus more than once.
“Was keeping it quiet but since everyone else is sharing, I feel like it is my responsibility to share this PSA: YOU CAN GET COVID-19 MORE THAN ONCE! I had it back in early March and then thought I was invincible after I recovered. Not true. Dont be dumb like me,” Braxton Tweeted.
Studies have recently shown that the antibodies produced by those who have recovered from COVID-19 may only last a few months. Braxton’s diagnosis’ appears to be roughly 3.5 months apart.
Was keeping it quiet but since everyone else is sharing, I feel like it is my responsibility to share this PSA: YOU CAN GET COVID-19 MORE THAN ONCE! I had it back in early March and then thought I was invincible after I recovered. Not true. Dont be dumb like me.
Reports came out yesterday that multiple people in WWE had contracted COVID-19. So far, Kayla Braxton, Renee Young, and WWE producer Adam Pearce have stated they have tested positive.
Renee Young was reportedly bed-ridden with the virus but her condition is said to have improved.
“She was pretty sick, that’s why she got tested,” said Dave Meltzer. “I mean, she’s doing fairly well now, she’s doing a lot better than she was doing or better than she was doing yesterday. I was told they are pretty confident that the worst is over.”
— Lexi (Kaufman) Cabrera (@AlexaBliss_WWE) June 25, 2020
Pearce seemingly confirming he has tested positive for the virus comes on the heels of reports that several in WWE have. Renee Young was the first to admit publicly to having tested positive for the virus. According to recent reports, she is feeling better today after having been bed-ridden with the virus. Young’s husband, Jon Moxley, has tested negative for the virus but could still have it. There is a delay between contracting the virus and when it can be detected.
“She was pretty sick, that’s why she got tested,” said Dave Meltzer. “I mean, she’s doing fairly well now, she’s doing a lot better than she was doing or better than she was doing yesterday. I was told they are pretty confident that the worst is over.”
Adam Pearce In Wrestling
The 41-year-old held the NWA World Championship 5x between 2007 and 2012. He is also a former PWG Champion. Pearce first started with WWE as a guest trainer in 2013 and eventually signed on full-time in 2015. He was with Ring of Honor from 2005 until 2010. Pearce also was the head booker for Championship Wrestling from Hollywood.
Popular independent promotion Chikara is finished. Promoter for the company, Mike Quackenbush and others from the company have been the subject of allegations as part of the #SpeakingOut movement. Quackenbush was also the head trainer at the Wrestle Factory school.
“I have been made aware of recent allegations about myself, and people in my employ.
I take all allegations seriously – whether they are about me, or members my team.
Addressing these with openness and transparency is of the utmost importance to me. So these matters can be given the proper time and attention, I am discontinuing CHIKARA and resigning as head trainer at the Wrestle Factory.
I’ll make a full statement on these matters in the near future.”
A friend reached out to me after I posted my experience. They would like to remain anonymous for the time being so I'm posting on their behalf. #SpeakingOutpic.twitter.com/5doIHv9tWV
Multiple members of CHIKARA’s roster has resigned in the wake of the allegations. Hallowicked posted the following:
Effective Immediatley I am resigning from CHIKARA and The Wrestle Factory. While I do not believe any of the allegations levied are against me personally, I can not in good conscience continue my association with the group.
“Effective Immediately I am resigning from CHIKARA. I gave everything I had to the company, and while I do not believe any of the allegations levied are against me personally. I can not in good conscience continue with this company. Thank you for the years of support, wrote Frightmare on Twitter.
“I can barely make it off the couch/floor. My heart is broken. So many are hurting. I wish I could take all the pain away from everyone who is down. I wish I could make things better,” wrote Gentleman Jervis.
Lince Dorado from the Lucha House Party has also been critical of the promotion.
Or collecting money for my bills or tuition rather than my well being. Never visited me in the hospital. Just a follow up email stating what I just said. https://t.co/S7ej7yM6Bo
— “Lucha Lit” Lince Dorado (@LuchadorLD) June 24, 2020
