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Heath Slater Addresses His WWE Release

Chris Stephens
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Heath Slater was released from WWE along with many others last month. He had been with the promotion since 2006. From the Nexus angle to 3MB to having kids, Slater’s career in the company lasted almost 14 years. He recently spoke to Chris Van Vliet about his release from the company.

“I was there for 14 years and a pandemic had to take me out,” Slater said. “14 years is a good run. 10 years on the main roster. I have no ill words to say. It’s just one of those things, hell, they gave me everything I’ve got.”

Slater was 22 when he was signed to the company and reported to Deep South Wrestling shortly after.

“The only thing I have to say is ‘thank you,'” he continued. “But now I’m 36, I still feel like I’m active, young and I can still go out there and do some things. I just want to do things that I never was able to. I’ve never been to another federation! I’ve been in WWE the whole time.”

“It gives me a chance to spread my wings and fly like I never have,” Slater continued. “Like a new baby bird leaving the nest.”

Did Heath Slater See His Release Coming?

Slater also addressed if he saw his release coming.

“I saw the writing on the wall for a couple of years,” he said. “The only reason I say that is I was never really into anything after me and Terry/Rhyno.”

The full interview with Slater can be viewed in the player below:

Roman Reigns Wants to Get Back To Work, But Needs To Protect His Family (Video)

Chris Stephens
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Roman Reigns has been absent from WWE since before WrestleMania. Braun Strowman replaced Reigns in the Universal Championship match against Goldberg.

Reigns spoke with TMZ Sports about his decision not to take part in WWE tapings and shows during the ongoing pandemic.

Reigns told TMZ that the decision to take a hiatus from WWE was all about protecting his family, including his newborn twin boys. The boys are his second set of twins with wife Gavina. They have five children together in total.

Some fans speculated that his battle with leukemia was a factor, but Reigns denies that notion. “A lot of people … they think that it was based off of my heath and the history of my fight against leukemia. Talking to my doctors and stuff, I actually am fine and my immune system is good.”

He added that his immune system is not compromised by any medications he is taking. “The drugs that I take to fight the leukemia, they don’t attack your immune system.”

Reigns continued to talk about wanting to return to the ring but right now being safe for his family is his top priority.

“I wanna be out there, I wanna get back to work, I wanna get back to normal but I just feel like I have an obligation not only to my family and myself but to my community.”

Roman Reigns’ comments about skipping WrestleMania and taking time off from WWE can be heard in the player below:

NJPW Reportedly Considering Empty Arena Shows

Steve Russell
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Having been forced to cancel several events due to the coronavirus pandemic, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) is now reportedly considering running empty arena shows.

According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio, New Japan was reluctant to cancel further shows. This extended to the postponement of their highly-anticipated Madison Square Garden show Wrestle Dynasty.

The feeling in NJPW was that Wrestle Dynasty would have been its number two event of the year. The only show ahead of Wrestle Dynasty would be its annual Wrestle Kingdom show.

It was noted that they would have to wait until the Japanese government eases off their lockdown before NJPW could consider or implement any plans. Japan is operating under a state of emergency until at least May 31.

NJPW Wrestle Dynasty & Best Of Super Juniors Tournament

NJPW recently officially announced that Wrestle Dynasty was postponed to 2021.

In a statement, the promotion explained:

“In response to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, and its continued effect on social gatherings all over the world, NJPW has arrived at the decision to postpone Wrestle Dynasty, which was scheduled to take place on August 22 2020, to a date in 2021 to be announced.”

As well as postponing Wrestle Dynasty, NJPW recently announced that their annual Best of Super Juniors Tournament would also not be taking place.

Nia Jax On If Punching Becky Lynch Helped Her Become “The Man” (Video)

Steve Russell
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WWE Superstar Nia Jax recently joined Kayla Braxton on her show Braxton Beat on WWE’s official Instagram account. During their conversation, Jax addressed the now infamous punch she delivered to RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch back in November 2018. 

When Braxton asked Nia Jax if she feels somewhat responsible for helping turn Lynch into “The Man,” Jax deferred, instead praising Lynch and her accomplishments. She stressed that she wouldn’t “take anything away” from Lynch, joking how she’s so boastful of herself anyway. 

“She worked hard and granted, that night, however it happened, will go down in infamy, and I’m not gonna say I helped create her,” Nia Jax said. “I think that it was an opportunity that happened that night and she became an icon.”

Nia Jax will compete in this Sunday’s Women’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match. She will face off against Shayna Baszler, Asuka, Dana Brooke, Lacey Evans and Carmella for the briefcase that contains a championship opportunity.

The matchup will take place concurrently with the Men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match and has been pre-recorded in a cinematic style, much like WrestleMania’s Boneyard and Firefly Fun House matchups.

Money In The Bank takes place this Sunday from WWE Global Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. 

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B_5JXkTBdPl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

Darby Allin Thinks Young Talents Need To Stop Sucking Up To Veterans

Steve Russell
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All Elite Wrestling’s Darby Allin has stressed how he isn’t happy to just be a part of wrestling and AEW. Extrapolating his point, he explained how if he’s going to wrestle for a living, “I’m just going to give it my all.”

Speaking with WrestleZone, Darby Allin highlighted how he doesn’t want to be a guy who goes around saying he’s just happy to be backstage with pro wrestling legends in the locker room. “That was never the case for me. I never wanted to be just a guy who was just happy to be there.”

He also shared his belief that young talent needs to stop sucking up to more experienced veterans. Darby Allin stressed how “There comes a time where you have to fu–ing not be an ass-kisser and do business and have those people you look up to end up being peers that if you don’t ever take that step you’re going to end up being a little b–ch in a way.”

Darby Allin recently competed in the TNT Championship Tournament on Dynamite. He was able to advance to the semi-finals after beating Sammy Guevara. Allin would subsequently lose to Cody Rhodes, who now goes on to meet Lance Archer in the finals.

Their match to determine the first-ever TNT Champion takes place at AEW’s next pay-per-view, Double or Nothing, on May 23.

Kazuchika Okada Contributes To Nippon Foundation’s Coronavirus Relief

Steve Russell
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New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Kazuchika Okada has donated 5 million Yen ($47,010) to the Nippon Foundation’s special coronavirus relief fund. NJPW1972.com reports that his contribution will help doctors, nurses and volunteers currently working in the fronts lines as they combat the coronavirus pandemic in Japan.

Kazuchika Okada has previously founded the Rainmaker Foundation. This foundation and its efforts are dedicated to supporting those afflicted by childhood cancer.

In an official statement, the CHAOS leader expressed his gratitude to New Japan’s fanbase and their support. He noted how he hopes to soon be able to hear the cheers of sold-out crowds again.

He added how “It’s usually me receiving the support and power of the people, but now I feel it’s my turn to lend support to medical staff fighting this disease.”

The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion then urged fans to stay and home and stay healthy. Kazuchika Okada then explained that this will help NJPW get back to putting on shows sooner rather than later.

NJPW Cancellations

New Japan Pro-Wrestling has been forced to cancel a number of events due to the coronavirus pandemic. Several planned tours have been affected by the outbreak.

The amount of rescheduling and cancellations led NJPW President Harold Meij to pen an open letter to their fanbase addressing their decisions.

Jon Moxley Discusses AEW’s Locker Room Atmosphere

Steve Russell
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All Elite Wrestling World Champion Jon Moxley was recently asked about what AEW’s locker room atmosphere is like compared to WWE. According to Moxley, the culture that AEW has cultivated has been great, and has allowed talent to come together and feel like a family.

Moxley told the WINC Daily Podcast how everyone is having fun despite things being different due to the coronavirus pandemic. He confessed there are different challenges that they each face, especially as a new company. Jon Moxley shared how he’s not a business expert. Despite this confession, he is aware from conversations with people that their “situation is not ideal to say the least.”

That being said, he stressed how they are still doing all they can to not only entertain but keep their talent safe.

Jon Moxley On AEW’s Backstage Atmosphere

Moxley highlighted how AEW is comprised of an “amazing group of creative, young, energetic people.”

He believes that the main thing that AEW is providing them is the opportunity to be themselves. This has helped breed organic positivity backstage. He explained how everybody is getting to express themselves creatively without overt censorship.

Jon Moxley then compared AEW’s locker room with an indie locker room. He noted how “Everyone is there on purpose as if they weren’t in AEW, then they would be somewhere else in pro wrestling. It’s the type of people who would do pro wrestling for free.”

Jon Moxley is set to defend his AEW World Championship at the company’s next pay-per-view, Double or Nothing. He will compete against The Dark Order’s Exalted One, Brodie Lee. The match was made after Moxely was assaulted and challenged by Lee and his group this past Wednesday night on Dynamite.

Seth Rollins Wants To Face Edge, Believes They Have “Unfinished Business”

Steve Russell
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Seth Rollins has shared his interest in a potential matchup against WWE Hall of Famer Edge. Speaking with talkSPORT’s Alex McCarthy, Rollins revealed he actively wants to face the returning Rated R Superstar.

Rollins stressed how there is “unfinished business” between the two of them stemming from this year’s Royal Rumble. He also recalled how he “threatened” Edge on Monday Night RAW in the past. Seth Rollins believes that these two encounters could provide a good foundation for a storyline between them if WWE decided to pursue the opportunity. 

Edge famously returned from a career-ending injury this year to face off against Randy Orton. The former Rated RKO partners clashed at WrestleMania 36 in a Last Man Standing matchup. Edge would eventually emerge victorious. Seth Rollins also competed at WrestleMania, losing his matchup to Kevin Owens. 

WWE has been advertising Edge’s return to television next week on Monday Night RAW. He returns to RAW with Randy Orton. Despite the apparent conclusion to their feud taking place at ‘Mania, WWE has alluded to a potential continuation of their feud. 

Seth Rollins, however, has his eyes set on his upcoming championship opportunity. He faces Drew McIntyre this Sunday at WWE’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view for the WWE Championship. 

AJ Styles Addresses Fan Criticisms Over WWE Return: “I’m With You”

Steve Russell
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AJ Styles has addressed the critical reception to his return to WWE programming. Prior to his inclusion on Monday Night RAW this week, Styles was last seen being buried by The Undertaker during their Boneyard match at WrestleMania 36.

Acknowledging the criticisms over his comeback, Styles agreed that his return “could’ve been more” than what it was.

Styles addressed the topic during a recent MIXER stream. He confessed he had seen people talking about it and how they felt WWE ‘wasted’ their opportunity to bring him back in a more interesting way, whether that was as a different character, mood, or even a different look. AJ Styles agrees. He stated, “I’m with you.”

Also Read: AJ Styles Was Reportedly Expected To Stay Out Of Action Longer

AJ Styles Underwhelmed

He noted how the current coronavirus pandemic may have had a lot to do with WWE’s decision to bring him back.

AJ Styles came back as a surprise entrant in a Gauntlet Match. The competitors were vying for a spot in this Sunday’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Styles would ultimately win the match.

It was a comeback he felt was somewhat lacking, both in terms of return impact and competitors.

“[…] the circumstances, the match… maybe we needed some more star power in the match. Maybe that’s what that was,” AJ Styles said. “I don’t know, I’m not tooting my own horn here, but, I wish we could’ve waited and had times been different, that could’ve been something that we would’ve went [with].”

AJ Styles takes on Daniel Bryan, Rey Mysterio, Aleister Black, King Corbin and Otis this Sunday at WWE’s Money In The Bank pay-per-view.

Money in the Bank

Drew McIntyre Shares What Big Show Told Him Following Their Post-WrestleMania Match

Steve Russell
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WWE Superstar The Big Show was the first man to face Drew McIntyre after he won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 36. McIntyre defeated Big Show in a match that was featured on the post-WrestleMania Monday Night RAW. In an interview with Sportskeeda, the WWE Champion revealed what Big Show told him following their matchup.

McIntyre highlighted how Big Show had watched him grow up since he first came to America when he was 22 years old. He shared how Big Show was proud of what Drew McIntyre had accomplished during his first run with the company. He noted how he is proud of where he has managed to get to “as a performer and as a man.”

Drew McIntyre acknowledged how The Big Show wanted to “test” him in the ring after his win. He noted how Big Show could see he was ready for the opportunity at be WWE Champion. Feeling it, however, was different to simply seeing the potential. 

McIntyre then recalled how Big Show told him that he has “the potential to become one of the greatest champions of all time, which meant the world to me, because he is been in (the ring) with the greatest of all time.”

Drew McIntyre is set to defend his WWE Championship this Sunday. He faces Seth Rollins at WWE’s Money In The Bank pay-per-view.

New Details On WWE Mentioning Or Featuring Roman Reigns

Steve Russell
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WWE has been sporadically editing out Roman Reigns from recent footage on its shows. The company featured Reigns defeating Triple H during SmackDown’s 25th Anniversary show for “The Game.” They then edited Reigns out of replay footage from WrestleMania 31 on RAW.

Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase during that event, claiming the WWE Championship from Brock Lesnar. However, it was Roman Reigns that would be pinned. Footage of this title change was edited on Monday Night RAW, removing Reigns from the match entirely.

According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE isn’t necessarily operating under a rule to erase Reigns from its programming. The situation on how WWE is approaching Roman Reigns allegedly “changes on a daily basis, depending on which way the wind is blowing.” This accounts for his inclusion on SmackDown but obvious removal on RAW.

It was recently revealed that WWE had an edict that stated commentators were not to mention Reigns’ name on TV. There was apparently nothing said regarding the use of footage.

It was pointed out how WWE highlighted its work with Make-A-Wish but included no clips of Roman Reigns or the work he has done with the charity. Vince McMahon also avoided mentioning Reigns during a recent investment conference call.

Despite this, FS1 then broadcast a one hour special on the WWE Superstar, leading to confusion and uncertainty over whether Reigns may be being punished.

Roman Reigns’ WrestleMania Choice

Roman Reigns made the decision to not compete at this year’s WrestleMania 36 due to coronavirus concerns. He has previously battled leukemia twice and is immunocompromised.

WWE has previously stated that talent are within their rights to approach them over concerns working during the coronavirus pandemic. The company stressed there would be no repercussions for any Superstars who felt uncomfortable working.

Gerald Brisco Believed Ryback Could’ve Ended Undertaker’s WrestleMania Streak

Jake Skudder
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WWE Superstar Ryback recently made some extraordinary claims on a recent episode of the Shooting Blanks Wrestling Report podcast.

Ryback and co-host Raj Giri were discussing the recent furloughing of WWE’s Gerald Brisco. The former on-screen ‘stooge’ for Vince McMahon has been a fixture in the company for a number of years, having been one of the more prolific ‘scouts’ for the company. Brisco is credited as discovering Brock Lesnar, among others.

Ryback on Gerry Brisco

“He’s done so much for WWE, and for Vince [McMahon]” Ryback would begin, talking about the recently furloughed Brisco. “He’s one of those guys. But we’ve seen Vince cut ties with people that have been a part of that company from the beginning. [People who were] with him building all of this.”

Ryback would then discuss his time in FCW with Gerry’s son Wes Brisco. “I came up with Wes Brisco, his son, in developmental. Wes was always a great guy and Gerry was always so fantastic with me.”

‘The Big Guy’ would then reveal a fascinating story from his time in FCW. Gerald Brisco told the then ‘Terminator’ character that he would be a big star in WWE; and, that there was potential for Ryback to be the person to beat the then undefeated Undertaker at WrestleMania and break the historic streak.

The Streak

“He [Brisco] came up to me when I was in FCW as the ‘Ryback The Terminator’ character. I’d had a match, and I was new to the system. I never got a lot of positive reinforcement from anyone, like as far as anyone from the office. He [Brisco] was still in the position there at the time [helping and building talent]. And he just said ‘you’re going to be a major star in this company.’ He even said ‘I could see you breaking the Undertaker’s streak.’ He was dead serious. I remember thinking like, ‘holy sh*t like he sees something in me.’ I’ll never forget that.”

When Ryback first hit on the main roster at WWE he was being groomed for a major push and had a lot of potential heading into his first WWE Championship match against CM Punk. The circumstances of the situation meant that Ryback would not win the title, as Punk was on the road to his 434 day reign as Champion and a match against The Rock at the Royal Rumble.

Having said that, beating The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak? Do you think Ryback could’ve been the guy to do so? Let us know in the comments.

Also Check Out:

AEW Dynamite Beats NXT In Viewership, Both Shows Increase (5/6)

Andrew Ravens
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Viewership data is in for this week’s battle in the WWE NXT vs. AEW Dynamite Wednesday Night War. AEW won the night in total viewers and in the key 18-49 demo, but both shows were up. Here is the breakdown of the live and same-night DVR viewership, courtesy of ShowbuzzDaily:

WWE NXT Viewership

NXT on the USA Network averaged 663,000 viewers, up from last week’s 637,000 In the 18-49 demo, they drew a 0.18 rating, up from 0.16 last week.

The episode featured the in-ring debut of Karrion Kross, NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair vs. Io Shirai, The Velveteen Dream vs. NXT Champion Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano vs. Dominik Dijakovic, and the return of Finn Balor. 

AEW Dynamite Viewership

AEW Dynamite on TNT was watched by 732,000 viewers, up from the 693,000 viewers last week. In the 18-49 demo, Dynamite pulled in a 0.28 rating, up from the 0.27 rating that the show did last week. 

AEW Dynamite featured bouts such as AEW World Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley vs. Frankie Kazarian in a non-title match, Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara vs. Kenny Omega and Matt Hardy, Cody vs. Joey Janela, and QT Marshall vs. Lance Archer.

Mick Foley Comments On The UWF & Herb Abrams

Chris Stephens
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The most recent edition of the Dark Side of the Ring focussed on the UWF and its charismatic and eccentric owner, Herb Abrams. Mick Foley wrestled in the short-lived promotion in the early 90s. Foley was interviewed in the documentary and talked about his time with the promotion.

The UWF had a television deal in the early 90s but after struggling, live events became more sporadic. Abrams would later die of a heart attack brought on by cocaine use in 1996, though accounts of the exact circumstances surrounding his death vary.

“I see him so clearly in my mind like it was yesterday and I cannot talk about Herb without smiling,” Foley said on the show. “Herb was the little guy with a big personality. His enthusiasm was contagious.”

Foley wrestled as Cactus Jack in the promotion. He wrestled “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka to a double-DQ on the last UWF event in 1996. The event drew a sparse crowd inside Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

“He had the enthusiasm and I think the courage to try and live out his dream,” Foley said about Herb Abrams. “I have to believe this is the way Herb would want it. Maybe he got in death what he didn’t have in life and that is he became a legend.”

Foley was then asked what Abrams would be doing if he was still alive today.

“Time,” Foley responded with a laugh. “Yeah, there’s no way Herb is going to keep his taxes. I just think he’d be behind bars. He would have hurt no one except himself. I’d be visiting him and we’d be toasting with a glass of milk and Herbie cookies.”

Foley later posted more comments about the episode through social media:

“I was smiling the whole time and then at the end I really got very sentimental, a little teary-eyed,” Foley said about watching the episode. “Thank you to the Dark Side of the Ring for closing on my line. My wife adored Herb. I think the most surprising thing to me was how choked up people were. That he really didn’t just make people laugh and smile and tell crazy stories but he did touch people’s lives.”

Foley then began talking about how when he was reading his wife the details of Herb’s death, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“I started reading the details of his death and I couldn’t make it through without laughing. The cocaine, the call-girls, the baby oil and I don’t think it was disrespectful. I theorized in that book (Have A Nice Day), that’s the way he would have wanted it. He’s above us now, got to be, he was a good guy, he didn’t hurt anybody except himself.”

“I think he would be very happy to be immortalized on Dark Side of the Ring.”

https://twitter.com/RealMickFoley/status/1257869558439972864

The Revolt Discuss Asking WWE For Their Release

Chris Stephens
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Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, formerly known as Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder, were guests recently on Talk is Jericho. During the discussion, the team now known as the Revolt discussed asking WWE for their release from the company.

“It was somewhere around mid-January of 2019 that we initially had talked to some of the office and asked for our release,” Wheeler said. “At the time, we were under the impression, we were told we were going to get it, things obviously changed.”

Wheeler continued to say they asked for their release after defeating the Lucha House Party on RAW.

“Dax and I, we’d been debating for months if we wanted to stay or not,” he continued.

“We had said, after this loop, let’s wait until we’re on the upswing so it doesn’t look like we’re only upset because we’re losing. Let’s wait until it’s on the upswing and then ask. That way people know it’s not just about us, it’s about the tag-team division as a whole.”

He continued to say that there is not enough attention paid to the tag-team division in WWE.

“(Braun Strowman) had steamrolled the entire tag-team division and then a 10-year-old won the tag titles at WrestleMania and then no tag-teams were featured on SummerSlam until the last minute they added the women’s tag titles,” he continued.

“We wanted to make a point, the tag-team division doesn’t get respect, it doesn’t get the time that we think a lot of these teams deserve and we want to take chances on ourselves. So, that’s why we asked when we asked.”

Dax Harwood On When It Came Out They Had Asked For Their Release

Harwood continued to talk about how it seemed everyone knew they had asked for their release after they had done so.

“I’m not kidding you, as soon as we walked out of that talent relations office, everyone knew. I don’t know how but everyone knew that we had asked for it.”

“Right after that is whenever people started saying we were complaining. We were getting tagged a lot on Twitter that we were just complaining and being crybabies but I dare you to ask any of our coworkers if they ever heard us complain.”

EC3 Sends Out A Warning: Fear The Revolt (Video)

Michael Reichlin
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EC3 appears to be aligning himself with The Revolt.

All three men were released by WWE in April. EC3 immediately released a video declaring a new direction for himself. Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler shed their former personas and put other tag teams on notice that they should #FearTheRevolt.

Their paths have now converged.

EC3 released his latest video Wednesday night. He posed questions to define work horses, team work and tag team.

“Boots, trunks, fists (no flips). The classics never die.”

He touted Dax & Cash as, “Masters of a lost art applying complicated formulas, executed to precision.” A team with the respect of their peers who paint ‘in-ring masterpieces’ only to the ire and resentment of others.

“Top Guys. Fear The Revolt. You’ve been warned.”

You can check out EC3’s promo hyping The Revolt in the video player embedded below:

The video prompted replies from The Revolt and longtime EC3 ally Drake Maverick (Rockstar Spud).

Dax Harwood tweeted, “I have a wine buzz (thanks MJF), so I can’t come up with something cool to say, but there was A LOT of money left on the table with this guy. #FTR”

Cash wheeler replied, “This man is a psycho. In the best sense of the word. Untouchable at his game. A revolution is coming.”

Maverick chimed in with an “FTR.”

EC3 on Cameo

EC3 has also created an account on Cameo, a website where people can purchase personalized video clips from celebrities. However, it appears he is using the platform for a different purpose. The bio on EC3’s Cameo page reads, “This is not a cameo. This is your indoctrination into The Narrative.”

EC3 is using the page to further his new persona. Typically, customers providing the celebrities with a friendly message to deliver, such as happy birthday wishes. Instead, he sends you a video providing “homework” to help liberate you from your past and free yourself for the future. He uses the hashtag, #ControlYourNarrative.

Click here to see an example of the messages EC3 is selling on Cameo.

Britt Baker Discusses Her Busted Up Nose During Match On Dynamite

Chris Stephens
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Dr. Britt Baker DMD faced Hikaru Shida on the April 8th, 2020 edition of AEW Dynamite. During the match, Baker’s nose got busted open and poured blood for the remainder of the bout. Shida would go on to claim the victory and maintain her #1 ranking in the division. The image of Baker’s face covered in blood was later turned into a top-selling t-shirt.

Baker recently took part in an interview with the Asbury Park Press and discussed the match and nose injury. She was asked about the iconic imagery now associated with her blood-covered face.

“I didn’t know it (was iconic) at the time because my nose was just pouring blood,” Baker said. “I mean, my nose did not stop bleeding for hours. It was an all-day affair with me and Doc (Michael) Sampson (AEW physician) sticking cotton rolls up my nose because it literally would not stop bleeding.”

Baker continued to say that people approached her backstage about the match and imagery of her face. They told her it was a career-defining moment for her.

“(They) came by like, ‘Britt, oh my God. Wait until you see this, this is career-making for you,’ ” Baker said. “It’s hard to envision that until you actually see it because you want to get excited but you’re also like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to get my hopes up.’”

Britt Baker On Her Busted Open Nose From Match With Hikaru Shida

Baker also described what it was like to watch the match after. She noted it was enjoyable to hear Chris Jericho and her “good friend” Tony Schiavone on commentary calling the bout.

“When I actually got to watch the show back and hear Chris Jericho doing commentary along with my good friend Tony Schiavone, it kind of gave me goosebumps. I was like, ‘This is cool. This is one of my favorite wrestlers talking about me.’ “

On Dynamite this week, Baker was announced for a fatal 4-way to take place next week. She’ll face Hikaru Shida, Kris Statlander, and Penelope Ford in the match. Baker also got involved during the Lance Archer vs QT Marshall last night. She jumped the rail and attacked Brandi Rhodes leading to the post-match antics from Jake Roberts and Lance Archer.

The full interview with Britt Baker can be read here.

Lance Archer On Why He Signed With AEW

Anutosh Bajpai
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Lance Archer ended his eight-year-long relationship with NJPW when he chose to leave the promotion and sign with AEW from the many opportunities he had at the time. During a recent interview with TalkSport, the former IWGP US Champion talked about his decision to join the upstart promotion and revealed the reason behind it.

Archer admitted that there was lots of stuff on his table and claimed that his decision was not a quick one. He explained that it was a long thinking process for him and according to the former NJPW star; it ultimately came down to the fact that the people in AEW were much more attentive:

“It ultimately came down to the people in AEW were much more attentive to having me apart of AEW. The numbers were adding up in the right way. As I said, the prayers I was doing were leading me towards AEW and just everything was leading me towards it.

The opportunity to be a part of something that is growing, help that and help AEW become even greater than it already is, that challenge was just too enticing.” said Lance Archer. “Nothing was quick about the process. It took it’s time and I made some tough decisions, but ultimately the right decision in my opinion. That’s what led me to AEW and now we’re here, I’m ready to kick some ass.”

The former TNA star signed a deal with AEW in February earlier this year and he made his debut for the promotion in March when Jake “The Snake” Roberts introduced him as his new client. Archer has been given a push in AEW and he is currently scheduled to face Cody Rhodes in the finals of the TNT Championship Tournament at the upcoming Double Or Nothing PPV on May 23.

Kenny Omega Wants To Be A Force To Introduce New Stars

Chris Stephens
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When AEW started last year, many assumed Kenny Omega would be a staple in the main event picture. Then he lost a single’s match to Chris Jericho at last year’s Double or Nothing. Jericho moved on to defeat Hangman Page and won the inaugural AEW World Championship and Omega moved into storylines with the Young Bucks. He hasn’t been near the world title picture since.

Omega recently discussed his last year in AEW during an interview with SI.com. During the discussion, he mentioned that he currently prefers to help create new stars.

“To me, I would rather take more unknown names, guys that don’t have that big reputation yet, and show there is something special about them,” Omega said. “I want to be a force to help introduce new stars to the world and magnify the work of those around me.”

Omega also mentioned that many AEW fans might not be familiar with his work in Japan. He continued to say that he wants to become an all-round performer. This involves having matches in different styles with different opponents and teammates.

“I want to be a true, all-around, real ‘best in the world’ performer,” Omega continued. “That means singles matches, tag matches, mixed tags, battle royals, you have to be able to do it all. With AEW, I’ve been allowed the creative freedom to develop myself as more of an all-around performer.”

Kenny Omega Still Best In The World?

Fans hoping that Omega will eventually return to the world title picture should not lose hope, however. Omega continued to say that the time is nearing for him to remind everyone that he is the best in the world.

“When it’s time, which is sooner than people think, I’ll remind people why I’m the best in the world,” said Omega. “And it’s coming. It’s not a matter of if it’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of when.”

Omega is currently 1/2 of the AEW World Tag Team Champions along with Adam “Hangman” Page. The team won the titles aboard the Jericho cruise. They have since defended the belts successfully against SCU, the Lucha Bros, and the Young Bucks.

The full interview with Kenny Omega can be read here.

The Street Profits On The Advice They Got From Paul Heyman

Anutosh Bajpai
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The Street Profits have received a push since their arrival in the main roster and reports have suggested that the Raw Executive Director Paul Heyman is behind the success of the former NXT stars.

During a recent interview with TalkSport, the current Raw Tag Team Champions talked about their interactions with the ECW founder and revealed the advice they received from the advocate of Brock Lesnar.

According to the duo, Paul talked to them as soon as they got to the main roster and his advice for the former NXT stars was to be themselves and do what they usually did:

“As soon as we got up there, he was like ‘ay, ya’ll be ya’ll. We brought you up here for a reason, ya’ll be ya’ll. Don’t do anything else, just be the Street Profits. Do what the Street Profits would usually do. This is just like NXT for you’. And we’re like ‘alright, cool!’ He gave us the keys and we ran with it.

Any time we began to teeter and not really be like the Street Profits a little bit, he’d be like ‘woah, woah, woah! Remember, you’re the Street Profits, keep that same energy’.”

The former NXT Tag Team Champions also talked about their WrestleMania 36 match and Montez Ford discussed how he got to work with his wife Bianca Belair in the bout.

The Street Profits started making appearances on Raw back in July last year. They have been given a push since officially being called up to the main roster and they won the Raw Tag Team Championships in March earlier this year.

Ryback Talks Jinder Mahal Never Being In The ‘Inner Circle’ of WWE

Jake Skudder
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Former WWE Superstar Ryback recently commented on the WWE Championship situation on his Conversation With The Big Guy podcast. The ‘Big Guy’ would praise Drew McIntyre; discussing how he went from perennial jobber for life to become one of the most promising prospects of the next decade.

Another Superstar that Ryback would comment on was Jinder Mahal. The former 3MB member of course teamed with McIntyre for a big chunk of his WWE career alongside the now released Heath Slater. Both Mahal and McIntyre have held WWE main event gold; however while the seemingly ‘shocking’ WWE Championship win of Mahal seemed to be an anomaly? McIntyre looks set to remain in the main event picture.

Jinder Mahal Returns

Ryback would discuss how Jinder Mahal is a potential opponent for McIntyre down the line, seeing as both have parallels in their career paths and their history in the 3 Man Band stable. “He [Jinder Mahal] was off TV I think for like nine or 10 months? For a pretty significant period of time” Ryback would begin. “They [WWE] just assume that everyone forgets everything.”

Ryback would then talk about how WWE fans have a good memory when it comes to the perception of talent, with Jinder having previously played a lower-card comedy character. The subsequent rise of Mahal to the WWE Championship originally was such that unlike McIntyre, fans didn’t really seem to latch on to the ‘Modern Day Maharaja’ as a main event character.

In The ‘Circle’

“This is one of those things, I don’t think Jinder is in the ‘circle'” Ryback would continue. “I don’t think he ever was in the ‘circle.’ I think that he served a purpose for them by putting the title on him, because of the rumours of that whole thing with India? Whatever the reason was.”

The ‘Big Guy’ would then finish by talking about how Jinder was dropped down the pecking order by WWE after he lost the WWE Title. Ryback would also claim that talents in that coveted ‘circle’ do not get demoted after they lose a title. “You see the guys that are in the circle? They will stay [in the main event] well after. Jinder didn’t, and he was relegated back to no entrance, which is the worst thing for any wrestler. When you’re getting put out there with no entrance? That sh*ts not good.”

Scottish Psychopath vs Modern Day Maharaja?

Ryback finished by saying that he believes Jinder will get a shot at the title, but it will be a short program with McIntyre. “I think he’ll be used for a matchup for Drew. They’re [WWE] gonna make Jinder look like he was this former champion, build them up and to serve the purpose of getting a one off probably. My personal opinion? I hope it’s more for Jinder. But, just based on how they have used him throughout? He’s never, never been in the circle.”

Do you think that Jinder Mahal will get a match for the WWE Championship? Let us know in the comments

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Charlotte Flair Trying To Not Think About Competition From AEW

Anutosh Bajpai
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Charlotte Flair has taken an interesting route in her career in recent months and after winning the Royal Rumble, she decided to challenge for the NXT Championship instead of the Women’s Champion from Raw or SmackDown.

She won the title by beating Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 36 and The Queen is now in a unique position where she wrestles at both Raw and NXT at the same time.

The current NXT Champion was recently interviewed by Sports Illustrated and when asked if she worries about the competition on Wednesday nights, Charlotte said that she tries not to get caught up in the business side of the things:

“I try not to get caught up in the business side. When I have that opportunity to highlight my opponent and myself, that’s what we’re here to do. Going into this match, we’re trying to raise the bar.”

The interview was done before this week’s episode of NXT where Charlotte Flair defended her title against Io Shirai in a one on one match. The bout ended in a disqualification after the reigning champion introduced a kendo stick into the match.

She continued attacking her opponent after the match but Rhea Ripley made her return to WWE programming for the first time since her WrestleMania loss. She made the save and it appears that the two will be reigniting their rivalry in the coming times.

Jon Moxley Talks About Wrestling In Front Of No Audience:

Triple H Sells WWE Stocks Worth Over $1 Million, Adam Cole Says NXT Title Should Be Retired

Anutosh Bajpai
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A new SEC filing has revealed that WWE Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development Triple H has unloaded WWE stocks worth more than $1 million recently.

The WWE Hall Of Famer sold a total of 23,255 shares of Class A Common Stock on Monday, May 4. The shares were valued at $43.80 per share, totalling at approximate $1,018,569.

Triple H and others had unloaded a large number of shares last year as well and the sale included Vince McMahon selling away over $250 million worth of WWE shares to fund XFL. The filing reveals that The Game still has 144,646 shares of Class A Common Stock left.

Adam Cole Says NXT Title Should Be Retired

This week’s episode of NXT saw the current champion Adam Cole retaining his title over Velveteen Dream in a one on one match with help from his Undisputed Era teammates.

The stable was interviewed backstage after the successful title defense from Cole where the reigning NXT Champion talked about his victory during the latest episode of the Black And Yellow brand.

During the interview, Adam Cole said that he has defeated everybody in NXT and the title should now be retired in his name. You can check out the post-show interview below:

Tony Khan On Possibly Releasing Talents Due To Coronavirus Pandemic

Anutosh Bajpai
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The coronavirus pandemic has affected all businesses and even though wrestling companies have found a way to continue their programming, the promotions are losing money on cancelled events and live audiences. During his recent appearance on AEW Unrestricted podcast, president Tony Khan talked about this loss in revenue and discussed the possibility of releasing talents due to it.

Khan first discussed how they were on schedule to do shows with some of the largest audience in the company’s history between Revolution and Double or Nothing. He then admitted that they have lost millions of dollars in live event revenue and there might come a day when they have to let some people go, but he claimed that now is not the time:

“We’ve lost millions and millions of dollars in live events. I don’t take it lightly, but I can’t take it out on the people that work here because it’s not their fault.” said Tony Khan. “We’ve really not let anybody go here as a company, and look, I’m gonna be honest, there’s gonna come a day where somebody, we’re gonna have to, but now is not the time.

This is a hard time for everybody. It’s a hard time for us, but I have to look at the bigger picture. In the big picture, we’re in such good shape. We’re the second healthiest wrestling company in the world, and that’s a really great place to be. And we haven’t let a single person go to do it.”

Tony went on to explain how eventually they are going to have the audience back at the shows but the revenue they have lost in between will not be coming back. Apart from this, he also talked about putting together the recent AEW tapings, being excited for the upcoming Double Or Nothing PPV, and more.

The Bella Twins On What It’s Like Dealing With Vince McMahon

Anutosh Bajpai
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The Bella Twins recently appeared on Busted Open Radio to promote their new book Incomparable and during their appearance; they revealed how it’s like to deal with Vince McMahon in real life.

Brie was the first to speak. She said that the Boss is “definitely intimidating.” Agreeing to her comments, Nikki said that you do get scared when you go to meet Vince in his office.

Though Brie continued by saying that Mr McMahon does appreciate when you come up with ideas and she then claimed that their conversation with him were always gentle:

“Every time we sat down with Vince it was always a gentle conversation. I mean, he definitely yelled at us a couple of times in ‘Gorilla [Position]’ and that was scary,

But to actually sit down and we always walked out of there either understanding our story or the bigger picture or just changing something in a way that we all were kind of like, ‘Oh, you’re right. Maybe it should go this way.'”

Nikki then jumped in to say that Vince McMahon is straight up with talent and you would know exactly which direction your character will be going to after talking to him:

“When you would talk to him, it’s kind of like, you couldn’t be disappointed on what was going to happen or what direction you’re going in, because you knew it,”

The Bellas also talked about how many talents do not build a relationship with Vince McMahon and always look at him as the ‘scary Vince’. You can check out the duo’s comments in the clip below:

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