New Japan Pro Wrestling has released the main 5 matches for the Power Struggle event scheduled for Osaka on November 3rd. As previously reported, one of those matches involves Chris Jericho defending his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against EVIL.
NJPW recently revealed 4 more matches for the event in addition to the Super Junior Tag Tournament finals and Jericho vs EVIL.
NJPW Power Struggle
November 3rd, 2018
Osaka, Japan
The Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi) (Bullet Club Elite) vs Hiroshi Tanahashi and David Finlay
IWGP Intercontinental Championship
Chris Jericho (c) vs EVIL (LIJ)
NEVER Openweight Championship
Taichi (Suzuki-Gun) (c) vs Will Ospreay (CHAOS)
Tetsuya Naito (LIJ) vs Zack Sabre Jr. (Suzuki-Gun)
Kazuchika Okada and Beretta (CHAOS) vs Bad Luck Fale and Jay White (BCOG)
Finals of the Super Junior Tag Tournament
The teams announced for the Super Junior tournament include:
BUSHI & Shingo Takagi
Jyushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask
KUSHIDA & Chris Sabin
Super 69 (ACH & Ryusuke Taguchi)
Volador Jr. & Soberano Jr.
Roppongi 3K (SHO & YOH)
Taiji Ishimori & Robbie Eagles
Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado
The Super Junior tournament which concludes at Power Struggle will take place on the tour leading up to the event. Not all of the shows will air on New Japan World but the ones on the 16th, 17th and again on the 26th and 27th will.
The Super Junior tag tournament in NJPW this year will follow a different format. Instead of being a single-elimination tournament as has been the case previously, this year’s tournament will follow the G1/World Tag League format.
2018 NJPW Super Junior Tag Tournament Teams
The teams entered into this year’s tournament are:
BUSHI & Shingo Takagi
Takagi was announced as the newest member of Los InGobernables De Japon at King of Pro Wrestling yesterday.
Jyushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask
KUSHIDA & Chris Sabin
Super 69 (ACH & Ryusuke Taguchi)
Volador Jr. & Soberano Jr.
Roppongi 3K (SHO & YOH)
Taiji Ishimori & Robbie Eagles
Eagles joins up as the newest member of the Bullet Club OG faction.
Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado
The team’s ranked 1st and 2nd from the 8-team round-robin will meet in the finals on November 3rd at NJPW Power Struggle in Osaka Japan. Unless current champions, Kanemaru and Desperado, win the tournament, the winning team will earn a shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.
The tournament will begin on October 16th on the Road to Power Struggle show in Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Kevin Owens requires knee surgery and will be out indefinitely. This injury was made part of storyline last night on Monday Night Raw. Owens lost to Bobby Lashley and his knee was a focal point during the match.
There is no timetable for Owens’ return at this moment. He also missed time in 2015 and again in 2017 due to requiring knee surgery. The surgery he currently requires is being described as minor, however.
Kevin Owens Babyface Turn?
Some are saying Owens was wrestling more of a babyface style against Lashley in Chicago last night. Lashley’s new hype man, Lio Rush, was irritating fans and Owens at ringside during the match, causing Owens to lose focus on Lashley and go after him. Despite having teamed with John Cena at Super Show-Down, it appears Lashley now falls on the heel side of things with Lio Rush by his side. Rush later appeared to challenge Finn Balor to a future match with his client.
Owens has won 7 titles since signing with the company. He’s a former NXT Champion, Universal Champion, 2x Intercontinental Champion, and former 3x United States Champion. Before arriving in WWE, Owens was a former ROH World Champion and 3x former PWG Champion. He was elected into the Quebec Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2017.
Matt Hardy released a video on his personal YouTube account today. The video seems to be a teaser for the Broken Universe special expected to air on the WWE Network later this month.
Hardy explained to Senor Benjamin that there are dark forces gathering and he needs him to prepare the battlefield for massacre. He was then distracted by two of his pets sparring. Hardy revealed earlier this month that filming was taking place at the Hardy compound.
Matt Hardy From Wrestler To Producer
Although he never specifically used the word retirement, Hardy indicated last month he is stepping away from in-ring wrestling.
“Thank you for letting me live my dream for 26 years, wrestling fans,” Hardy wrote on his YouTube channel. “I don’t necessarily wish it was this way, but it’s time to go home. Time to go home and be a father. Time to go home and be a husband. I did so much more than I ever imagined I would do. Thanks for making this incredible journey with me, ladies and gentlemen. I love you all.”
Matt Hardy’s in-ring career might be over but his career behind the camera might just be beginning. The ever creative Hardy brother has moved into a producers role with the company and the Broken Universe special is to serve as a pilot for a potential reoccuring series.
SmackDown General Manager Paige was the latest guest on Lilian Garcia’s Chasing Glory podcast. She spoke about a wide variety of topics, including former fiancee Alberto El Patron recently trashing her on social media. Here are some highlights from the appearance:
Women’s Evolution
“I’m happy, but, you know, it’s kind of a bittersweet thing,” Paige said, when Lilian noted that her in-ring career ended just as WWE’s heavily branded Women’s Evolution kicked into high gear. “I can’t get back in the ring, but why do I have to dwell on it? Why do I have to be sad constantly?” she added.
Garcia pressed Paige on how difficult it must be to give up her dream career, likening it to an athlete or musician being forced to retire. Paige said that she dealt with the end of her wrestling career by focusing on what she could do next. “Like, I can’t just sit here and be sad,” she said.
Paige’s Neck Injury
She was also quick to deflect any blame that a vocal minority of the fanbase sent Sasha Banks’s way. Banks was in the ring with Paige and delivered the move that ended her career.
“I got the kick. It wasn’t Sasha’s fault. My neck just wasn’t as strong as it was before,” she said. “I’m not gonna hold Sasha accountable for what happened to me.”
She noted that she saw Dr. Joseph Maroon, the noted physician who oversees WWE’s medical program, who also operated on Bruno Sammartino and John Cena when they suffered broken necks. Maroon noted that Paige was fortunate not to be permanently paralyzed, as there was no spinal fluid surrounding the injured area.
She also said that the decision to delay her retirement promo on television was a joint decision, made with WWE. The company wanted to delay the announcement for creative reasons, as well as to make sure that she wouldn’t be cleared medically. Paige said that she also didn’t want word getting out before she could make the announcement herself.
Smackdown GM
Paige said that she loves her new role as Smackdown General Manager. “It’s great. I get to work with the girls, I get to work with the guys. That’s what the challenge is, to be mixed in with everybody,” she said.
Paige And Alberto Del Rio
As the interview wound down, Garcia brought up Alberto Del Rio’s recent social media post, where fans commented on the appearance of the woman he was photographed with, how they thought she was prettier than Paige, and how Del Rio egged them on with his own comments.
Paige gave a measured response, noting that she chose not to lash out with an immediate response. “I chose not to respond at that moment,” she said. “It hurt my feelings, but I didn’t want him to know that it hurt my feelings.”
“You’re making fun of someone who had mental health issues,” she said of Del Rio’s comments. “Who does that? I’m glad that he’s moved on and found someone. I love that. I want his family to be happy,” she said. Finally, Paige said she just wants him to leave her alone.
Paige also announced that she has a new makeup line on the way, and is also releasing a makeup line for Hot Topic, which will launch in January.
Note: If you use these transcribed quotes, please credit SEScoops.com
New York Comic Con is a wrap, but the city that never sleeps is now gearing up for Ringfest 2018.The annual convention hosted by Ringside Collectables will is being held at Carolines on Broadway in Times Square NYC on Saturday, October 27th, 2018.
Featured WWE Superstars
This year Ringfest is advertising several WWE Superstars and talent. All four members of The Undisputed Era, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong, Bobby Fish, and Adam Cole. Olympic Gold Medalist and current vacationing GM Kurt Angle (aka the Conquistador) along with Matt Hardy (who recently retired and is a backstage producer for WWE).
Here is the schedule:
Undisputed Era will be appearing from 9:00 A.m. – 12:00 P.M.
Kurt Angle and Matt Hardy will be appearing from 1:00 P.M.-4:00 P.M.
Tickets are required for autographs and photo opportunities. Availability is limited.
Talents Current Role
A lot of the talent appearing at Ringfest are currently involved in storylines or in a backstage role.
Matt Hardy is currently a backstage producer for WWE. Due to career longing injury that has pulled him from in-ring competition.
Kurt Angle has been put on “vacation” until further notice from his GM position. Many reports are stating that Angle is preparing for another run in the WWE ring. More on that here.
For Undisputed Era, Bobby Fish is currently out with an injury. Kyle O’Riley and Roderick Strong are still the NXT tag team champions and Adam Cole is feuding with Ricochet for the NXT Nort American Championship.
The Sky King, Will Ospreay, has made his intentions clear after leading his CHAOS stablemates to victory yesterday over the Suzuki-Gun team of Minoru Suzuki, Taichi, and Takashi Iizuka. Ospreay would hit his signature move, The Stormbreaker, onto current NEVER Openweight Champion, Taichi, before securing the win.
Speaking backstage post-match, Taichi was dismissive over the loss and, in particular, the man who gave it to him.
“We don’t have to fight again. I beat you twice. We are done” Taichi said. “So don’t get carried away. You aren’t on my list.”
Ospreay was later interviewed and could barely contain his excitement over what he had just achieved, his attention firmly towards the future.
“I Want To Take That Championship And I Want To Take It Forward”
“You guys see that? I just pinned the Never Openweight champion. That makes me the challenger, right?”
The Aerial Assassin pressed on, demonstrating a knowledge of not only New Japan history but also of the belt he held aloft at the end of the match.
“Every single one of those letters in NEVER means something, but the ’N’ is the most important. The ’N’ means New Blood. And that’s what that title was built upon. It was built on the next generation, the guys that will carry the company forward.”
“But imagine what we could do with that now, imagine what that championship could be like in the hands of me,” he proclaimed. “[…] I want the best. I want to take that championship and I want to take it forward. They say a Junior Heavyweight can’t last with a Heavyweight – I just picked a Heavyweight up and gave him the Stormbreaker and pinned his shoulders one, two, three.”
“[…] Right now I’m 91 kilos. I’m still a Junior Heavyweight right now,” he stressed. “But in time I will progress, progress, progress, evolve and I will do my best to carry that championship to newer heights. To make it what it really is, and that is an Openweight champion.”
Bulking Up
It’s worth noting that it is still a rarity for Junior Heavyweights to be able to come out on top over their Heavyweight opponents, despite Taichi only recently making the switch in weight classes.
That being said, Ospreay has noticeably bulked up over the past few months, and looks prepped to eventually leave the Junior Heavyweight division. Winning the NEVER Openweight championship may be the first step in that journey – a journey that previous Juniors like Kenny Omega have already taken.
After brutally assaulting EVIL in a surprise attack during The King of Darkness’ entrance yesterday, Chris Jericho officially laid out a challenge backstage of Ryogoku Sumo Hall.
Jericho’s ambush led to the scheduled match between EVIL and Zack Sabre Jr. to be declared a no contest, with EVIL unable to compete due to the severity of the beating at Jericho’s hands.
“EVIL gets his s*** in my business, he has to get involved, he has to call me out?” Jericho said, whilst pacing the halls of Sumo Hall. “This is what happens.”
He then officially laid out the challenge, saying, “You know what, EVIL, how about November 3rd? In Osaka. Edion Arena. Jericho versus EVIL, IWGP Intercontinental Championship.”
“You wanted to have a big name. You wanted to become a big star, EVIL. Congratulations, I just made you famous. Because just being in the ring with Chris Jericho puts you on a level you’ve never even seen before. I’m not even talking about Okada, or Kenny Omega, Naito, or Tanahashi…this is Chris Jericho, man! Future first-ballot Hall of Famer. One of the most decorated champions of all time, the greatest of all time.”
Chris Jericho finished his verbal tirade with an emphatic statement:
“November 3rd, Osaka. EVIL. Dead.”
Later, he would take to Instagram in order to upload the following:
When the camera’s cut to EVIL, the King Of Darkness was unable to comment as he struggled to make his way down the hall before entering a room to get away from the press.
Y2J has previously insulted EVIL, especially after he ran out to save LIJ leader, Naito, from a previous Jericho attack. Jericho stated that EVIL needed to “mind his own f******g business,” and promised that he held “grudges very deeply. I don’t forget. And I don’t live and let die.”
King Of Pro Wrestling saw those prophetic words come true, and we’re now set for an IWGP Intercontinental title defence next month at Power Struggle.
The October 8th, 2018 episode of WWE RAW aired live from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, IL. In addition to the takeaways below, Kurt Angle qualified for the WWE World Cup at Crown Jewel by eliminating Baron Corbin in a Battle Royal.
Here are 7 takeaways from this week’s show:
Shawn Michaels Will Return To The Ring At WWE Crown Jewel
Triple H and Shawn Michaels kicked off this week’s episode of RAW. Triple H said that he and Shawn should be standing on top of the world right now after he defeated The Undertaker at Super Show-Down. They then rolled footage of Kane and The Undertaker attacking them after the match was over.
Triple H brought up Shawn Michaels sticking to his word and not coming out of retirement and said that is respect. Shawn grabbed the microphone and said that sometimes you respect someone for what they used to represent. Michaels said that he had a long time to think about the beatdown from Super Show-Down and to think about the last 8 and a half years.
Shawn said that he has honored his word to The Undertaker out of respect but now realized that it never existed. Triple H asked Michaels “are you ready?!” and then challenged the Brothers of Destruction to a tag match at WWE Crown Jewel. Michaels then shouted Degeneration X is ready as the crowd cheered. Shawn then added “if you are not down with that, we got two words for ya” before posing with Triple H to end the segment.
Bobby Lashley faced Kevin Owens tonight on RAW. Lashley shoved Owens to the canvas to start off the match. Owens rolled out of the ring to try to regroup as Lio Rush hopped on the microphone and taunted Owens.
Owens got back inside the ring and Bobby greeted him with a shoulder tackle. Lio Rush continued to hype up Lashley on the microphone throughout the match. Owens then threw Lashley out of the ring and once again got distracted by Lio Rush. Lashley capitalized and hit Owens with a Clothesline before rolling him back into the ring.
Owens launched Lashley out of the ring and Owens hit him with an awesome Cannonball. Lashley and Owens then traded shots outside the ring. Lashley charged at Owens but Kevin got out of the way and Lashley crashed into the barricade as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Owens hit Lashley with an elbow to the face as Lio Rush continued to talk trash on the microphone. Owens got pissed off and chased Rush around the ring. Lashley once again capitalized on the distraction and slammed Owens into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Lashley planted Owens with a massive Spinebuster and then posed in the ring. Lashley followed it up with a Suplex for a near fall. Bobby applied a Full Nelson as Lio shouted “make him suffer!” into the microphone.
Owens broke free and connected with a Stunner for a two count. Owens made his way up the turnbuckle and Lio Rush once again was able to distract Owens. Kevin Owens trapped his knee on the top rope and Lashley stomped on it. Lashley then slammed Owens face first to the canvas for the pinfall victory.
Elias played a tune on his guitar before asking the crowd if they wanted to Walk With Elias. Elias then performed a song about Super Show-Down and poked fun at John Cena’s hair. Elias joked about the Cubs getting eliminated from the playoffs and the crowd booed him out of the building once again. RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey interrupted and made her way down the ring. Rousey & The Bellas then faced The Riott Squad in a Super Show-Down rematch.
Liv Morgan and Brie Bella started off the match. Liv blasted Brie in the face to start off the match. Brie went for the Yes Kicks once again but Morgan ducked under and started brawling with Bella. The action spilled out of the ring before both teams regrouped and hopped back up on the ring apron.
Sarah Logan and Rousey then tagged into the match. Rousey immediately slammed Logan to the mat and then started trash talking with Ruby and Liv. The Riott Squad then retreated to the outside of the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Ruby Riott and Brie Bella were in the ring. The Riott Squad took turns beating down Brie in the corner and then Sarah Logan applied a Headlock in the middle of the ring. Liv tagged in and delivered a kick to Brie’s face for a near fall. Ruby got back in and booted Brie in the ribs for another two count.
Brie battled back and hit Ruby with a Dropkick off the second rope as Rousey pleaded for a tag. Ronda tagged in and leveled Ruby with a Clothesline. Ruby went for a roll-up but Ronda kicked out at two. Rousey hit Riott with a few jabs in the corner of the ring and followed it up with a Samoan Drop. Rousey locked in the Arm Bar as The Bellas prevented Liv and Sarah from getting into the ring. Riott quickly tapped out to end the match.
After the match, Nikki and Brie attacked Rousey from behind and beat her down in the corner of the ring. Rousey battled back and knocked Brie out of the ring. Ronda then slammed Nikki to the canvas and then chased her out of the ring. Nikki and Brie launched Ronda into the steel ring post and then stomped on her against the apron. Ronda once again tried to fight back but the Bellas launched her into the steel steps. They then brought Rousey back inside the ring and stood over as the crowd chanted “you suck!”.
Nia Jax squared off against Ember Moon tonight on WWE RAW. Nia connected with a Clothesline to start off the match. Ember shrugged it off and hit Nia with an Enziguri but Jax stayed on her feet.
Nia launched Moon to the corner of the ring and connected with a Splash. Jax then tossed Moon across the ring with ease but Ember got right up and applied a Sleeper Hold. Nia broke the hold by slamming Moon to the canvas.
Ember battled back again and hit Jax with a Hurricanrana. Moon followed it up with a Dropkick that sent Nia tumbling out of the ring. Ember hit a Suicide Dive but Jax didn’t go down. Moon was going to go for another one but Nia caught her and slammed her on the floor outside the ring.
Nia charged at Moon but Ember dove out of the way and Nia slammed into the LED ring apron. Moon then got back into the ring at the last second and Nia Jax was counted out. After the match, Nia raised Ember Moon’s hand.
Lita Will Team Up With Trish Stratus At WWE Evolution
Trish Stratus came down to the ring to hype up WWE Evolution and discuss her match against Alexa Bliss at the event.
Alexa Bliss immediately interrupted and came down to the entrance ramp with Mickie James. Bliss said that nobody cares about what Stratus has to say and Trish responded with a joke about Alexa being short.
Bliss said that she watched Trish growing up and it is an honor to be out here with her. Alexa then completely changed her attitude and claimed that Trish sucked and that she is lucky that she wasn’t around back then.
Trish dared Bliss to come down to the ring and Bliss obliged. Mickie then joined them in the ring and said that the Chicago crowd doesn’t deserve it. Trish added that Bliss is going to find out what a Hall of Fate beatdown feels like.
Mickie then suggested that she team up with Alexa at WWE Evolution. Trish said she has to find a partner and then immediately announced that Lita will be her partner. Bliss and Mickie tried to attack Trish and Lita from behind but it didn’t go too well. Lita made her way to the top rope but Bliss dragged Mickie out of the ring just in time.
The Ascension faced Bobby Roode and Chad Gable in a tag match tonight on RAW. The Ascension started off the match in control and isolated Chad Gable in the corner of the ring.
Viktor slammed Gable to the canvas for a two count. Gable finally was able to battle back and then tagged Roode into the match. Roode hit Viktor with a few chops in the corner and followed it up with a Blockbuster off the second rope.
Roode got back up to the second rope once again but Gable tagged himself in and hit Viktor with a German Suplex for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Authors of Pain sprinted down to the ring and beat the hell out of everyone. Akam and Rezar planted Gable and Viktor and then posed in the ring.
Paul Heyman came down to the entrance ramp and said that he was here to see a fight. Heyman said that he finds it ironic that 72 hours ago that Roman Reigns & Strowman beat the hell out of each other in Australia and then had to fly 20 hours to Chicago just to beat the hell out of each other once again.
Heyman noted that his client, Brock Lesnar, is sleeping in his own bed this evening and then tomorrow will continue his training. Heyman said that Lesnar will enter WWE Crown Jewel with the goal of capturing the Universal Championship and then he will win the UFC Championship.
Heyman blasted Reigns and Strowman for being a part of a stable and how Lesnar only has to worry about himself. Paul then said that Lesnar will win the Universal Championship at Crown Jewel before The Shield’s music interrupted. The Shield then made their way down to the ring through the crowd.
The Shield then battled Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre in a Super Show-Down rematch. Rollins and McIntyre started off the match and Drew quickly slammed Seth to the canvas.
Strowman and Ambrose then tagged in and Braun launched Dean to the corner of the ring. Dean escaped and tagged Roman Reigns into the match. Reigns and Strowman circled each other before locking up in the middle of the ring.
Reigns connected with a big right hand and then tried to lift Strowman up for a Samoan Drop. Strowman blocked it and decked Reigns with a ridiculous shoulder tackle. Dolph Ziggler tagged in and bounced Reigns’ face off the top rope.
Ambrose and Rollins got into the ring and Clotheslined McIntyre and Ziggler to the outside. Braun Strowman got pissed off and shouted at them to get “their crap together” as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Braun charged at Reigns in the corner but Roman got out of the way and Strowman crashed into the ring post. Reigns then showed off his power and planted Strowman with a Samoan Drop.
Ziggler and Rollins tagged into the match. Rollins hit McIntyre with a Suicide Dive and then hit Rollins with a flying Clothesline in the ring for a two count. Rollins delivered Buckle Bomb to Ziggler and went for the cover but McIntyre broke it up.
Reigns hit Strowman with a Superman Punch and then Rollins hit him with a Superkick that sent Braun out of the ring. Rollins and Ambrose hit Ziggler and McIntyre with dueling Suicide Dives. Reigns followed it up with a flip onto everyone as RAW went to another commercial break.
When RAW returned, McIntyre connected with a boot to Rollins’ face for a two count. Ziggler tagged in and Seth immediately catapulted him into the turnbuckle. McIntyre tagged in and Rollins greeted him with a few chops to his chest. Seth then hit an Enziguri and crawled towards the corner of the ring.
Braun Strowman sprinted across the ring and knocked Ambrose and Reigns off the apron before Rollins could make a tag. Braun then launched Reigns into the steel steps and then shouted at McIntyre and Ziggler. Dolph and Drew had heard enough and got in Strowman’s face. Rollins shoved McIntyre from behind and Drew fell into Strowman, which sent Braun tumbling out of the ring.
Dean Ambrose tagged in and hit McIntyre and Strowman with a Suicide Dive. Ambrose then leveled McIntyre with a couple of Clotheslines and then rolled him up for a two count. Ambrose followed it up with a Neckbreaker for another near fall. McIntyre planted Ambrose with a Spinebuster and went for a cover but Seth broke it up.
Rollins and Ziggler then brawled outside the ring as McIntyre and Ambrose traded shots. Dean and Drew took each other out with a Clothesline as Reigns went for a Superman Punch to Braun outside the ring. Strowman was ready and slammed Reigns into the steel post. Ambrose went for a Suicide Dive but Braun caught him.
Strowman was going to slam Ambrose into the ring post but Dean countered into a DDT. Reigns then Speared Strowman as Dean made his way back into the ring. McIntyre hit Ambrose with a Claymore kick for the pinfall victory. After the match, Dean Ambrose left Rollins and Reigns behind in the ring.
A new match involving Ronda Rousey has been announced for the upcoming Evolution PPV. As seen on this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW in Rosemont, IL at the Allstate Arena on the USA Network, The Bella Twins and Rousey beat The Riott Squad in a six-woman tag team match. After the match, Nikki and Brie attacked Rousey. WWE has announced that Rousey will defend her RAW Women’s Title against Nikki Bella at Evolution.
The Evolution pay-per-view event takes place on Sunday, October 28, 2018 in Long Island, New York at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and will air on the WWE Network. The show will also feature the finals of the 2018 Mae Young Classic Tournament as well as Championship bouts for the RAW, Smackdown and the NXT UK Women’s Championships. WWE will be announcing more matches for this show in the coming weeks. WWE is hyping that there will be over 50 women from WWE’s past and present competing in the first-ever WWE Women’s pay-per-view broadcast.
WWE has announced big changes to two matches that were planned for the upcoming Evolution PPV. WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus was supposed to wrestle former RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss while fellow WWE Hall of Famer Lita was supposed to face Mickie James. However, that has changed.
As seen on this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW in Rosemont, IL at the Allstate Arena on the USA Network, Stratus revealed that instead of competing separately, she would team up with Lita to take on James and Bliss in a tag team match at this show.
The Evolution pay-per-view event takes place on Sunday, October 28, 2018 in Long Island, New York at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and will air on the WWE Network.
The show will also feature the finals of the 2018 Mae Young Classic Tournament as well as Championship bouts for the RAW, Smackdown and the NXT UK Women’s Championships. WWE will be announcing more matches for this show in the coming weeks.
WWE is hyping that there will be over 50 women from WWE’s past and present competing in the first-ever WWE Women’s pay-per-view broadcast.
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle has made his return to WWE. Angle returned on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw in Rosemont, IL at the Allstate Arena on the USA Network. There was a battle royal that served as a qualifying match for the World Cup tournament that takes place at WWE Crown Jewel that featured several jobbers and Baron Corbin.
Angle dressed up as one of the jobbers and eliminated Corbin to win the match. As a result, Angle qualified for the tournament.
Angle has been off of TV for a few months. If you recall, back in August, Stephanie McMahon announced that she would send Angle on “vacation” before announcing that Baron Corbin would be acting general manager in Angle’s absence.
There have been rumors that once Angle would return to TV, it could lead to a match between Corbin and Angle. It appears that could take place at Survivor Series.
WWE presents the Crown Jewel pay-per-view event on November 2nd, 2018 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the King Saud University Stadium and will air on the WWE Network. WWE will be announcing more matches for this show in the coming weeks.
What are your thoughts on Angle’s return? Sound off in the comment section.
WWE has officially announced the next match for former WWE Champion John Cena.
During this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW in Rosemont, IL at the Allstate Arena on the USA Network, Michael Cole revealed that Cena would be featured in the World Cup tournament match at the upcoming Crown Jewel event next month. It was noted that Cena would not have to qualify to be part in this tournament. Instead, he will be featured in the bracket of matches that takes place at this event.
It was also noted that 8 superstars – 4 stars from Raw and 4 from SmackDown Live – would be part of this tournament. WWE has already announced that Big Show vs. Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy vs. Samoa Joe in qualifying matches will take place on SmackDown Live this week.
Cena was most recently active under the WWE banner when he wrestled at Saturday’s (October 6, 2018) WWE Super Show-Down pay-per-view event at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne, Australia on the WWE Network that saw him team up with Bobby Lashley to beat Elias and Kevin Owens in a tag team match.
WWE presents the Crown Jewel pay-per-view event on November 2nd, 2018 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the King Saud University Stadium and will air on the WWE Network. WWE will be announcing more matches for this show in the coming weeks.
It doesn’t work out in the WWE for everybody. Just ask former WWE Mae Young Classic competitor Zeda Zhang. Zhang participated in the first-ever Mae Young Classic tournament in 2017. She was recruited by WWE and trained in their Performance Center while making appearances on NXT.
Zhang is an extremely talented athlete. As a former mixed martial artist, she’s trained in disciplines such as boxing, jiu-jitsu, judo, muay thai, and more. She’s also a former model and singer, giving her a ton to work with when it comes to developing a character in WWE. However, Zhang found it very difficult to develop a gimmick while with the company. She explained the situation during her appearance on the “Women’s Wrestling Weekly” podcast:
“I don’t have the freedom of what kind of character I want to be. I can’t really test it out. They tell you when you wrestle and when you get to try things out, and they just tell you, “be yourself”. But the thing is everything that makes me is my background – my modelling, singing, dancing, music and MMA – and me just being Chinese in general.
“That’s what I am but when I was there, I can’t do the MMA thing because someone else has it, I can’t do the singing thing because someone else has it, can’t do the dancing thing cause someone else has it, can’t do the modelling thing because someone else has it, so I’m left with nothing.
“I can’t be Chinese either, they told me, I wasn’t allowed to be billed from China because it’s not true so because of that I was left with this heart gimmick.”
David Arquette is back in the fold of the professional wrestling world. Arquette is a former WCW World Heavyweight Champion. He was brought in by WCW to participate in storylines in 2000, following his role in the “Ready To Rumble” film. Arquette’s title win was seen as a huge slap in the face to the professional wrestling industry. The embarrassment is still joked about today by the likes of WWE Hall Of Famer Bully Ray.
Shortly after Arquette’s title reign, WCW went out of business and was shut down after being bought by WWE. Now, almost 20 years later, Arquette has been wrestling indy shows and establishing himself within the business. Arquette hopes to soften the blow his WCW Title reign had on his career by legitimizing himself.
While doing that, Arquette’s fame outside wrestling could earn him some big opportunities. Perhaps even a run with WWE? Arquette was asked about this during an interview on “The WINCLY.” Arquette said he’s a huge fan of WWE, but doesn’t want to ruffle any feathers there by doing anything he doesn’t deserve:
“I’m a huge fan of WWE and I have the utmost respect for what they’ve done in the business over there. I love NXT, what they’re doing is incredible,” he said. “I don’t know, if anything made sense, I also don’t want to ruffle any feathers in that world – I don’t want to do anything I don’t deserve. You know what I’m saying?”
What do you think about Arquette possibly getting an opportunity in WWE?
Two weeks ago on Monday Night RAW, Liv Morgan suffered a nasty injury on live WWE TV. During a match between The Bella Twins & Natalya against The Riott Squadd, Morgan was knocked unconscious. Brie Bella hit Morgan in the face with a “YES! Kick” and Morgan crumbled over and knocked out.
Morgan was dragged to her corner and tagged out of the match. She jumped back in and participated in a Triple Suplex before being taken to the back and undergoing medical attention. SmackDown Live General Manager Paige took to former WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia’s podcast, Chasing Glory, to offer her thoughts. The former Divas Champion doesn’t think Brie would ever intentionally hurt anyone:
“I feel so bad for Brie,” Paige said. “She’s never hurt anyone, it’s the first time she hurt some and she gets blamed for it? Come on dude, it’s an accident. Liv doesn’t blame her. The thing I didn’t like about it is the fact her teammates brought her back in the ring to do a suplex when everyone knew she was knocked out. That’s the thing I don’t like.”
Paige then criticized The Riott Squad for not taking care of their partner better:
“Ruby and Sarah, take care of your teammate. You see that she got hurt, don’t let her back in the ring again. Referee, don’t let her back in the ring again.”
Liv Morgan then took to Twitter, seemingly responding to Paige’s podcast comments and firing back at her:
The reports came true regarding a huge match being booked at the upcoming WWE Crown Jewel event. As seen on this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW in Rosemont, IL at the Allstate Arena on the USA Network, Triple H and WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels opened the show to talk about Super Show-Down that saw “The Game” beat The Undertaker in a No DQ match with Kane his in his corner. Following this match, Taker and Kane attacked Triple H and Michaels.
On RAW, Triple H and Michaels issued a challenge for a tag team match against the Brothers of Destruction at WWE Crown Jewel. WWE has since confirmed that the match will take place. This will mark the first time that Michaels has wrestled a match since losing a retirement match to Taker at WrestleMania 26 in 2010.
WWE presents the Crown Jewel pay-per-view event on November 2nd, 2018 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the King Saud University Stadium and 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 Crown Jewel Card
WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman – Triple Threat Match
WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Daniel Bryan
Triple H & Shawn Michaels vs. Kane & The Undertaker
The October 8th, 2018 edition of WWE RAW took place at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, IL.
– Triple H comes out to kick off tonight’s show right off the bat. As soon as Triple H steps in the ring, Shawn Michaels’ music hits and HBK follows him out to the ring. They’ve got microphones. Triple H talks about reaching the summit at the Super Show Down and the introduces a video package looking at what went down with them and the Brothers of Destruction. Triple H talks about how this business is supposed to be about respect, and he talks about Shawn taking him under his wing and how they fought against the world. Shawn speaks up and talks about how respect is no longer a two-way road for them. Shawn talks about the last 8 and a half years since his retirement, and calls them long years sitting there honoring his word to be retired. Shawn says he stayed retired out of respect, but that respect isn’t being returned. Shawn talks about hearing those three words again, “Are you ready.” Triple H and Shawn ask if the Brothers of Destruction are ready for Crown Jewel, because D-Generation-X is ready. Michaels says he has something to say to Kane and Taker, with absolutely no respect at all — if you’re not down with their challenge, they got two words for you, suck it. The DX music hits and HHH and HBK do their classic poses in the ring.
– Still to come: The Shield vs. Strowman, Ziggler & McIntyre; The Riott Squad vs. Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins; and Trish Stratus is in the house.
– Coming up: Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens
– Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens: Lio Rush is at ringside talking trash to Owens on a mic in the opening moments of this one. Lashley starts this one off strong until Owens dodges a shot and dumps Lashley to the outside. Lashley leaps from the floor up to the apron, but Owens kicks him back down and then brawls with him around ringside. Owens gets back in the ring and runs the ropes and hits a suicide dive on Lashley. Back in the ring, Lashley turns things around as Rush continues to talk trash on the mic at ringside. Owens rolls outside to get in Rush’s face, which leads to Lashley dropping Owens at ringside. The crowd seems to be turning on Rush or Lashley, or both. Back in the ring, Lashley beats on Owens in the corner as Rush shouts instructions. Owens starts to fight back, but Lashley shuts him down with a spinebuster. Owens fights back and hits a Stunner for a two count. Owens climbs up to the top rope, but Lashley bumps Owens down and Owens gets tangled up in the ropes. Lashley puts the boots to Owens and kicks out his knee. Lashley hits the dominator for the three count.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
– After the match, Rush celebrates with Lashley. Lashley starts to leave, but then he turns around and hits the ring again. Lashley beats down Owens, and then repeatedly slams Owens’ knee around the ring post. Lashley chases off the referees and starts slamming Owens’ other knee on the ring post. It looks like Lashley has turned heel. Lashley jumps from the floor up to the apron like Lesnar and poses, then he leaves.
– The broadcast team shows us a video package looking at John Cena, who will be taking part in the World Cup Tournament at the Crown Jewel pay-per-view.
– Finn Balor and Bayley are backstage for an interview about their rematch tonight with Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox. Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush interrupt, and Lio starts hyping up Lashley. Lio and Bobby think this should be Lashley’s interview time.
– Elias is in the ring with his guitar. Elias starts singing and trashing Chicago, but then Ronda Rousey comes out to interrupt, and her match is up next.
– The Riott Squad vs. Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins: Nikki gets some offense in on Ruby early on, but some interference from the Riott Squad at ringside leads to Ruby dropping Nikki at ringside. Nikki tries to tag in Ronda but the Riott Squad double teams her and shuts her down. Nikki finally fights them off and hits a missile dropkick off the middle rope on Ruby. Ronda finally gets the tag and she cleans house. Ronda drops Ruby and goes for the arm bar. The Riott Squad tries to interfere, but the Bellas stop them. Ronda applies the arm bar for the win.
Winners: Ronda Rouse & The Bella Twins
– After the match, Nikki and Bella turn on Ronda and attack her. The Bella Twins beat down Ronda, but Rona fights back. Ronda drops Brie, and then she throws Nikki down. The fight spills out to ringside where the Bella throw Ronda in to the ring post to turn things around. They put the boots to Ronda as refs try to haul them off. The Bellas throw Ronda against the ring steps and fan barricade before leaving.
– Bayley & Finn Balor vs. Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox: Jinder starts off strong and keeps him grounded with a side headlock. Alicia and Bayley come in now and Alicia drops her then stomps on her. Alicia and Bayley grab each other by the hair, and Bayley dumps her outside. Balor gets the tag and Jinder comes in. Balor and Mahal trade kicks and they fight in to the corner. Finn hits the Sling Blade and pins, but Alicia breaks it up. Bayley comes in and deals with Alicia, then drops Sunil Singh. Balor drops Jinder and hits the Coup De Grace for the three count.
Winners: Finn Balor & Bayley
– We go backstage to Braun, Dolph and Drew’s locker room. Drew and Dolph argue until Braun tells them to shut up and focus on watching his back.
– Heath Slater approaches Baron Corbin in the back and asks to be part of the battle royal for Crown Jewel. Corbin tells Slater there’s one problem – Slater is not any good. Corbin walks off.
– Baron Corbin comes out after the commercial break, and the ring is full of wrestlers for a battle royal. The ring appears to be full of enhancement talent whove never been seen before. Corbin says he didn’t just want to put himself in the World Cup at Crown Jewel, so he’s going to prove himself in this battle royal tonight. Corbin says his opponents in this battle royal are the most talent ever seen in one place, but to the viewers they appear to be jobbers.
– Battle Royal: The opening bell sounds and the jobbers surround Corbin. They swarm Corbin and try to eliminate him. Corbin finally starts fighting them off, and we see one masked jobber sitting outside who hasn’t been eliminated. The last jobber in the ring puts The Claw on Corbin, but Corbin fights him off and eliminates him too. Corbin thinks he’s won, but he has forgotten about the last masked jobber who was waiting outside. The jobber rolls in the ring as Corbin rolls outside to grab him. Corbin rolls back in the ring, but the masked man grabs him and hits a series of German suplexes as the crowd pops. The masked man, going under the name The Conquistador, then hits the Olympic Slam on Corbin and the crowd goes wild. The Conquistador pins for the three count.
Winner: The Conquistador / Kurt Angle
– After the match, Corbin recovers at ringside as The Conquistador celebrates and does flips in the ring. The Conquistador pulls his mask off to reveal that it’s Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle. Kurt’s music hits as Corbin looks shocked from ringside.
– After the break, Kurt Angle is backstage for an interview. Kurt says technically he’s still on vacation, and walks off.
– Ember Moon vs. Nia Jax: The opening bell sounds and Nia controls this one off the jump. Nia throws Ember across the ring and then goes to pick her up, but Ember latches on to Nia with a sleeper attempt. Nia throws her down, and they trade strikes now. Ember hits a hurricanrana on Nia and then kicks her out to ringside. Ember hits a suicide dive but Nia doesn’t go down. Nia charges at Ember, but Ember moves and Nia crashes in to the ring apron by herself. Ember rolls back in to the ring, and the ref counts out Nia.
Winner: Ember Moon
– After the match, Nia gets in the ring and has a stare down with Ember. They end up hugging and leaving.
– Trish Stratus makes her way out to the ring next. Trish gets in the ring with a mic and talks about wanting to enlighten Alexa Bliss with some Stratusfaction. Alexa and Mickie James interrupt, and they trade some insults with Trish. Trish calls out Alexa to come get in the ring right now. Mickie insults Trish, and Mickie suggests a tag match, if Trish can find a partner. Trish says that sounds good, and then she introduces Lita. Lita hits the ring, and the two sides start brawling. Lita and Trish clear the ring and Alexa and Mickie retreat up the ramp.
– The Shield does a pre-taped promo in the back saying they are a brotherhood and they don’t break. Rollins and Ambrose say that they are the bad guys, not Braun and his friends.
– Bobby Roode & Chad Gable vs. Viktor & Konnor: The Ascension cuts a brief promo before the match. Konnor and Viktor take turns working over Gable in the opening moments, using frequent tags to control the page. Roode finally gets the tag and cleans house. Roode hits an inverted atomic drop on Viktor and then a blockbuster off the middle rope. Gable takes Konnor outside, then Roode goes for a glorious DDT but Viktor escapes. Roode drops Viktor, and then Gable tags himself in. Gable hits the German suplex for the three count, but Roode looks confused about Gable tagging himself in to get the finish.
Winners: Bobby Roode & Chad Gable
– It looks like Roode and Gable are about to argue, but then the Authors of Pain run in to attack them. The Authors drop Roode and Gable, and then they double team them and The Ascension.
– We go to a replay of The Bellas beating down Ronda Rousey earlier.
– The broadcast team shows us a promotional video for D-X vs. The Brothers of Destruction at Crown Jewel.
– Paul Heyman comes out to the stage and says he’s here for the same reason as everyone else – he’s here to see a fight. He wants to see what happens when The Shield goes against Braun, Drew and Dolph — but he finds it ironic that 72 hours ago Reigns and Strowman beat the crap out of each other. Heyman talks about wrestlers flying around the world and beating the hell out of each other to put smiles on the faces of the WWE Universe. Heyman says his client Lesnar is home sleeping so he can go to his own gym tomorrow 1 mile away from his house. Heyman says Lesnar will enter Crown Jewel and he is the only one who will leave with the Universal Title. As Heyman finishes up his promo, The Shield’s music interrupts, and they come through the crowd to the ring.
– The Shield vs. Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre: Drew starts off strong against Ambrose, and then Strowman tags in. Strowman continues the offense until Reigns tags in. Reigns and Strowman trade strikes and have some tests of strength. Reigns and The Shield end up clearing the ring, and Strowman yells at Drew and Dolph at ringside to get it together. Back in the ring, Braun chokeslams Reigns on the apron to turn things around. Ziggler tags in and continues the offense on The Big Dog. Braun tags back in and misses a spear in the corner. Reigns comes back with a Samoan Drop, and both men are down. Rollins and Ziggler get the tags and Rollins cleans house. Rollins hits a suicide dive on Drew at ringside, and then back in the ring he hits a springboard clothesline off the top on Ziggler for a two count. Rollins follows up with a kick on Ziggler and looks for the curb stomp, but Ziggler dodges it. They both reverse some shots until Rollins hits the turnbuckle powerbomb. Braun comes in and looks for a double chokeslam on Ambrose and Rollins, but Reigns comes in and they triple team Braun. Ambrose and Rollins hits suicide dives in tandem on Drew and Dolph at ringside. Braun picks up Ambrose and Rollins, but then Reigns comes flying out of the ring with a dive on Braun. Back in the ring, Rollins and Braun go at it now, and Braun drops him then applies a chin lock. Drew comes in now and continues the offense on Rollins, but Rollins drops him with a boot to the head. Braun tags in and drops everyone, but then Braun start arguing with Dolph. This leads to Ambrose coming in and decking Braun. It’s down to Ambrose and McIntyre. They fight up to the turnbuckle and Drew headbutts Ambrose down. An interference from Dolph leads to Drew hitting a suplex on Ambrose. Everyone runs in now which leads to Rollins taking Ziggler outside. Ambrose and Drew go at it now, and they hit a double clothesline and both men are down. Meanwhile at ringside, Braun and Reigns go at it, until Ambrose goes flying out of the ring with a shot on Braun. Back in the ring, Drew hits the Claymore on Ambrose for the three count.
WWE has released a new article looking at the top 15 Superstars in the history of SmackDown. This is the latest piece of promotional material to hype the upcoming SmackDown 1000 episode on October 16th at the Capital One Arena in Washington DC. WWE has confirmed that Batista will make his return as part of an Evolution reunion along with Triple H, Randy Orton and WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair on this show.
Also, the arena is advertising Charlotte Flair, Asuka and Naomi vs. Becky Lynch and The IIconics and AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan The Miz and Samoa Joe. Here’s the list:
15. Michelle McCool
14. JBL
13. John Cena
12. Randy Orton
11. Current SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch
10. Rey Mysterio
9. Current SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day
8. The Usos
7. WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle
6. Batista
5. WWE Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero
4. WWE Hall of Famer Edge
3. Current WWE Champion AJ Styles
2. The Undertaker
1. The Rock
John Cena To Co-Host “Today” Show
John Cena is slated to appear on NBC’s “Today” show on Tuesday morning, October 9 to serve as a co-host in the fourth hour.
As seen at Saturday’s (October 6, 2018) WWE Super Show-Down pay-per-view event at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne, Australia on the WWE Network, Cena and Bobby Lashley beat Kevin Owens and Elias in a tag team match. Cena is not booked for any shows under the WWE banner at this time.
Two WWE Hall of Famers is currently backstage for tonight’s WWE RAW in Rosemont, IL at the Allstate Arena, which will air later on the USA Network. Pwinsider.com is reporting that WWE Hall of Famers Kurt Angle and Lita are those stars. As of this writing, there’s no word yet on if either star will be appearing on the show.
It should be noted that it’s possible Lita appears in order to promote her match against Mickie James at the Evolution pay-per-view event on Sunday, October 28, 2018, in Long Island, New York at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on the WWE Network. Regarding Angle, he has been rumored to return to the ring at WWE Survivor Series in November for the feud with Acting RAW General Manager Baron Corbin.
WWE is looking to rebound after two straight weeks of lowest viewership numbers in the modern era of the show. Thus, they have already announced three big names that will be appearing.
Those stars include Triple H and WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, who will talk about the Super Show-Down attack from Kane and The Undertaker, as well as Hall of Famer Trish Stratus to promote her match against Alexa Bliss at Evolution.
It’s well known that last month WWE and Impact Wrestling officials had a meeting at WWE headquarters in Connecticut. It was reported that the meeting had members of Triple H’s team there as well as Scott D’Amore and Ed Nordholm from Impact where both sides had a general discussion.
Over the last few years, both promotions have been building a relationship. WWE is allowing footage of Impact to be shown on their streaming service. WWE has paid for material from Impact’s video library to use as content on the WWE Network.
Impact Vice President Scott D’Amore recently appeared on Wrestling Perspective podcast with hosts Petey Williams and Dennis Farrell where he talked about a wide range of topics including this meeting. In this podcast, he noted that there was “no agenda” as he made it known that the meeting was just to establish a better relationship between both promotions going forward.
D’Amore stated that since the start of 2018, they’ve done three content deals with WWE and he thinks the WWE is looking at Impact Wrestling in a different way now as it’s a different day and age in wrestling. He added (transcript courtesy of Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet), “There was a meeting, we got together, we talked. It was kinda like ‘Hey, it’s kinda nice to be face-to-face and say hello. Just say that it’s 2018, it’s a whole different world, and there’s no reason why people shouldn’t communicate.’”
D’Amore made it known that there was no agenda as he thinks that is how the business is now, which he thinks is tremendous. You can hear his comments about this meeting around the 33: 00-minute mark here.
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus spoke with Natalya as part of the latest edition of the Calgary Sun column to talk about various topics.
Facing Alexa Bliss
Stratus will make her in-ring return at the upcoming Evolution pay-per-view event on Sunday, October 28, 2018 in Long Island, New York at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum where she’ll face former WWE RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss.
Stratus stated that she has a lot of emotions going into this match as she is proud, honored, and nervous about it. She brought up how a decade or even a few years ago, they could never imagine they would be where they are today. ” It’s amazing, as back then we felt accomplished just getting a match on a pay-per-view event, and here we are with an entire event devoted to us!”
Today’s Female Stars
Although Stratus is no longer a full-time star, she does keep an eye on the stars of today as she noted that she’s proud to know that the blood, sweat, and tears they shed have helped pave the path. She stated that it’s the work of the women of today that have carved a viable and credible place for women in WWE. She brought up how she’s honored and humbled to have been asked back to participate at this event.
“I think pairing me with Alexa Bliss – a woman who in a very short time has accomplished so much – is great as there is a definite parallel to our careers. I think seeing the generational faceoff is intriguing to fans. We’re bringing together the past and present – conceptually it is exciting.”
More names that are expected to be backstage at the upcoming WWE Evolution pay-per-view event have been revealed.
PWInsider is reporting that they have been able to confirm that NXT stars Bianca Belair, Io Shirai, Jessamyn Duke, Candice LaRae, Dakota Kai, and Marina Shafir will be at the show. As of this writing, there’s no word yet on their roles at this show but it’s possible that WWE books a battle royal to have as many stars working the show.
The Evolution pay-per-view event takes place on Sunday, October 28, 2018 in Long Island, New York at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and will air on the WWE Network.
WWE will be announcing more matches for this show in the coming weeks. WWE is hyping that there will be over 50 women from WWE’s past and present competing in the first-ever WWE Women’s pay-per-view broadcast.
Michelle McCool, WWE RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey, Sasha Banks, WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, Carmella, Asuka, Nia Jax, The Bellas and WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix are all advertised for the PPV.
The Evolution PPV will also feature the finals of the 2018 Mae Young Classic Tournament as well as Championship bouts for the Raw, Smackdown and the NXT UK Women’s Championships.
Updated WWE Evolution Card
Singles Match: Trish Stratus vs. Alexa Bliss
Singles Match: Mickie James vs. Lita
NXT Women’s Champion Kairi Sane vs. Shayna Baszler
Mickie James spoke with Landon Buford of The Hype Magazine to discuss various topics including her next big match.
WWE has already announced that James will take on WWE Hall of Famer Lita at the Evolution pay-per-view event that takes place on Sunday, October 28, 2018 in Long Island, New York at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
James brought up how Lita has been a big influence on her career even before she signed with the WWE as they met while she was working the independent scene in North Carolina. James talked about Lita helping her out and gave her advance about what to do and what not to do in the ring “Lita has so much knowledge she really paved the way both in the ring and how she’s made money. She was able to separate herself. Before Lita, women weren’t doing moonsaults, hurricanrana, and other highflying maneuvers. I think she really changed the game in the women’s division. I’m excited to work with her and to maybe give these young girls a little competition.”
Charlotte Flair’s Progression
The former WWE Women’s Champion also spoke about Flair where she noted that Flair is incredible especially being that this wasn’t her dream and that she was totally content with the life she was living at the time before her brother, Reid, passed away. James brought up how that was what pushed Flair to go full force and pursue a career in wrestling after his passing. “Obviously, Ric flair’s shoes are such big shoes to fill…. She recognizes that she’s going to be constantly compared to her father and she wants to be at least perceived somewhat on that same level. Obviously, she’s done well for herself thus far.”
The Big Show is slated to make his in-ring return on WWE television as he’ll face Randy Orton in a World Cup Qualifying Match on this week’s episode of SmackDown Live in Indianapolis, IN at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The former WWE Champion was in attendance for Sunday’s New York Jets game where WWE.com caught up with him. In this video that they released on social media, Big Show sent a warning to Orton. For those who may not know, this match will mark the first time that they have gone one-on-one in a match in three years.
Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville, who is now going under the name PAC on the independent scene, has made a few changes to his character now that he’s outside of the WWE bubble. One of those changes is the name of his finisher. PAC’s Red Arrow finisher will now be known as the Black Arrow. This was revealed at Sunday’s Gate of Victory show at Hakata Star Lane.
In The Hobbit, the black arrow is what Bard the Bowman used to kill Smaug the dragon. PAC is back in Dragon Gate to "obliterate your favorite wrestlers." Fantastic name change. https://t.co/bHVRFAkT3z
PAC will face Flamita in an International Dream Match at the November 4th Gate Of Destiny show. Also booked for this show is Bandido challenging for the Open The Brave Gate Championship against Dragon Kid.
