Two days after losing to Daniel Bryan cleanly at the Money In The Bank (MITB) pay-per-view (PPV), Big Cass was released from the WWE citing behavioral issues. It was initially reported last year by Dave Meltzer that Cass was getting heat backstage for vocalizing his support of President Donald Trump.
In a recent episode of WWE Hall Of Famer Booker T’s podcast, Heated Conversations, the former WCW World Heavyweight Champion talked about the rumors:
“There are so many rumors flying around as far as his release,” Booker T said. “The story is bigger than Big Cass. For instance, back in the day, you didn’t tell anyone who you voted for, you know what I mean? It was a secret. You don’t bring that stuff up together because we have to be friends. That is something that you have to deal with inside yourself.
“I’m not homophobic or anything like that, but when gay people come out it’s like, you didn’t have to tell me that because I’m still going to still give you a hug. It’s not my business so when people do certain things they literally become vulnerable and not keep their eyes on the prize as far as what is really at stake here… my livelihood.”
Booker then dove into the dangers of social media, specifically Twitter, and discussed how Twitter can ruin someone’s life:
“At the end of the day, it is about taking care of your family. Going out and doing the job like Stevie Ray would say, to the best of your ability until something better comes along. I say that because it’s very simple; we are all in the entertainment business. If you want to be running a publication get another job, but Twitter can ruin one’s life. Going on Twitter and saying something.
“I personally liked the guy. I didn’t know about his personal beliefs about voting for Donald Trump. Maybe that was part of it, but my thing is this; I’ve been one of the boys, I had to work in that locker room, I may have had heat with some of the boys in certain times throughout my career but if I went out and performed in the ring all of that overshadowed and trumped everything, which is with your performance.
“If you are on time; if you are ready to go as far as people needing you for a promo set and not looking all throughout the building for you. Everything comes into play as far as being around or not. Being a General or being a Private. I want to be a General so I am always going to be on time and had my shoes spit shined. All of my medals are going to be straight. The bed, everything is tucked. If you don’t take care of your business this is what is going to happen to you.”
Booker T says the lesson is the same thing he tries to teach his students over at Reality Of Wrestling – If everyone does what they’re supposed to do then we can all put on a great show:
“The thing is, it can be a bunch of things. My point is this; when it gets to that point, it isn’t something that everybody else is doing, it is something that you are doing. I have been in the business for many years, I knew as long as I went out and performed and thought about that — look here, being married to Sharmell was in the twilight of my career.
“I was around 40. Sharmell was the first woman that I thought about talking to, and if you listen to Sharmell she thought I hated her the first time we met because I was always all business. When I was in my twenties and in my thirties I was thinking about making my mark and I have to do it now. I couldn’t think about getting married to slow me down, especially with the women I work with.
“I knew where it was going to lead. I was always thinking about going out there and performing and that only. I think these young guys it is easy to get caught up. It is easy access. When you lose focus and your train of thought.
“When you take those blinders off anything can happen. When you start thinking it is a party instead of putting your suit and tie on and getting your job done and handling your business, you are thinking about the wrong thing. Big ups to Big Cass. Hopefully he finds something. There is a lot of work out there on the independent scene and in Japan. Whatever he did he definitely lost out on this deal because I thought he was going to be one of the next greatest big men in the sport.”
You can listen to Booker T on Heated Conversations by clicking this link here.
New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star and IWGP United States Champion Juice Robinson was recently a guest on Sean Waltman’s podcast, X-Pac 12360, to talk about several professional wrestling topics. He first talked about WWE Hall Of Fame commentator Jim Ross getting injured during his match at the G1 Special in San Francisco on Saturday:
“I thought it was squashed after the show. Obviously, it wasn’t our intention to hurt JR. I think he knew that, because why would we want to take the attention off the match? Nobody wants to hurt anybody, especially a 70-year-old guy.
“We apologized because it’s just a bummer that it happened. We’re in the wrong at the end of the day. I thought the guardrails were gonna be locked, I went out there earlier in the day because I knew we were gonna be hitting the fences pretty hard so I wanted to make sure they were interlocked. The guys on the floor at 4pm told me they were going to be so I thought it would be okay.”
He then offered his thoughts on the injury that Hiromu Takahashi’s sustained at the G1 Special as well:
“When you hear broken neck people, you think [paralyzed], but that’s not with every broken neck. Hopefully his broken neck is just time off. Even though, that still sucks but that beats the alternative. After seeing it, this is probably the best case scenario because that looked like it could’ve been the last bump he ever took.”
Robinson then compared the differences between training in the WWE Performance Center and the NJPW dojo:
“The Dojo was more bumping – you have to remember that there were a lot of guys that are really just starting out to even take like backdrops and hip tosses. When I was at the Performance Center, I was in one of the higher classes where obviously we already knew that stuff. In the Dojo, for me, I was just going through the drills, just the basic drills, stuff you can do in your sleep but you get a workout out of it.
“The Performance Center, it turned more into a mental thing… you know a lot tape study, a lot of studying psychology, applying the finer things of the business. The Dojo just kinda got back to the basics.”
You can listen to Juice Robinson’s interview on the X-Pac 12360 podcast by clicking this link here.
Randy Orton Comments On Tommaso Ciampa Using His Move On NXT
On last night’s (Wed. July 11, 2018) episode of NXT, Tommaso Ciampa hit Aleister Black with an elevated DDT backstage. It looked very similar to the same elevated DDT Randy Orton frequently uses inside the ring. Longtime WWE veteran Goldust took to Twitter to bring this to “The Viper’s” attention:
OH MY GOD. @ProjectCiampa just STRUCK AGAIN, and this time it's #WWENXT Champion @WWEAleister on the receiving end! pic.twitter.com/ecCMga1BQD
The Rock & Stephen Colbert Have An Eyebrow Showdown (Video)
Former WWE Champion The Rock was recently a guest on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. During the interview, Rock and Colbert did shots of tequila and actually had an eyebrow showdown with each other. You can check out the video here:
They talked about several other topics, including his Samoan heritage and as well as if he actually plans to run for President Of The United States one day. “The People’s Champ” had this to say about the interview on Twitter:
New Japan Pro Wrestling’s annual G1 Climax is widely regarded as the greatest tournament in pro wrestling today. Two blocks of competitors will compete in a round robin format to determine the number 1 contender to Kenny Omega’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship at January 4th’s Wrestle Kingdom.
SEScoops staff writers Ian Carey and Jake Jeremy made their predictions for Night 1 of the tournament, which takes place this Saturday, July 14th.
Here are their thoughts:
Jake Jeremy – Ok so we’re talking Night 1 of the G1 Climax, we’ve got some sleeper matches in here but let’s talk winners and losers, here’s the full card:
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Minoru Suzuki
Togi Makabe vs YOSHI-HASHI
Michael Elgin vs EVIL
Kazuchika Okada vs Jay White
Bad Luck Fale vs Hangman Page
Ian Carey – Definitely not going to win is Yoshi-Hashi. My Prediction to win it all is Kazuchika Okada as I really feel he is going to face Kenny Omega at the Tokyo Dome next year. I think that he’ll face Tetsuya Naito in the finals.
Jake Jeremy: Wow really? I don’t think that Okada is winning, I’ve got Kota Ibushi down as my favourite to face Kenny at Wrestle Kingdom.
Ian Carey – I mean I don’t know but to me Okada seems like the safest pick. I’d love to see Kota win but I feel Okada is a stronger possibility. I also think that Tama Tonga beats Omega in the round-robin and gets the title shot in Long Beach on September 30th
Jake Jeremy – That makes sense for Tama to win with the Firing Squad building momentum, but hey Kenny could win the G1.
Ian Carey – It’s a really important tournament for Tama Tonga. This is where he becomes a main event guy. Ok so my predictions for Night 1 are:
Bad Luck Fale beats Hangman Page – Which is really the first Elite vs Firing Squad match and the Firing Squad need to build more momentum
Kazuchika Okada beats Jay White – Although I could easily see them giving White a win here since he just lost to Juice
Togi Makabe beats Yoshi-Hashi – in a match I won’t watch
EVIL beats Michael Elgin – again, a match I probably won’t watch
Jake Jeremy – Here’s my predictions for Night 1:
Bad Luck Fale beats Hangman Page – I completely agree, this is the first Bullet Club ‘Civil War’ bout and I see Fale getting the win
Jay White beats Kazuchika Okada – Night 1 of the G1 tends to have a shock or two so I’m guessing that White gets the win here. He might even get damn close to winning the block
Yoshi-Hashi beats Togi Makabe – I will watch this match because I hate myself. I’m going for YOSHI-HASHI because why the hell not?
Michael Elgin beats EVIL – I’m going Elgin because EVIL isn’t going anywhere in this tournament sadly.
Ian Carey – But if Okada is going to go all the way a win here seems important. Though, as you said, he might not be going all the way
Jake Jeremy – I really don’t see Okada doing it, I think he might even be put in the IC Title picture to rebuild it but that’s not highly likely though
Ian Carey – Did you know Okada has had 10 matches that Meltzer has ranked as 5 stars or better?
Jake Jeremy – That doesn’t shock me, 4.5 is average at best anyway according to Omega.
Ian Carey – Tanahashi vs Suzuki is a tough one to call. I think I’m going to take Suzuki though. I feel like a possible route they go is Suzuki injuring one of Tanahashi’s limbs or something which gives Tanahashi an excuse to lose a bunch of matches this summer
Jake Jeremy – Has anyone ever been ‘taken out’ of a G1? Could Minoru just straight out destroy Tanahashi so that he can’t compete in later bouts?
Ian Carey – I don’t know if they’ve ever planned it but wrestlers have had to pull out
they just lose all their remaining matches by default. Alex Shelley had to do it once in the BOSJ
Jake Jeremy – Maybe that’s Suzuki’s strategy…injure everyone and have a shorter run to the final
Ian Carey – Ah ok, so on the final night of A Block its Tanahashi vs Okada. That leads me to believe it could be the two of them in the running on the last day cause nobody else has a big match
Jake Jeremy – Maybe they could go to a Draw like last time?
Ian Carey – In the A Block it has to be Okada coming out…I take it back, I now think Tanahashi beats Suzuki on the first night
Jake Jeremy – I’m going with Minoru
Ian Carey – Somebody will go to a dramatic draw this tournament. Could be Omega and Ibushi on the last day. I find it hard to pick against Minoru Suzuki, possibly because I’m worried he’ll find out…but i think A Block will just be the Tanahashi vs Okada show.
So here’s the full predictions:
Ian Carey
Bad Luck Fale beats Hangman Page
Kazuchika Okada beats Jay White
Togi Makabe beats Yoshi-Hashi
EVIL beats Michael Elgin
Hiroshi Tanahashi beats Minoru Suzuki
Jake Jeremy
Bad Luck Fale beats Hangman Page
Jay White beats Kazuchika Okada
Yoshi-Hashi beats Togi Makabe
Michael Elgin beats EVIL
Minoru Suzuki beats Hiroshi Tanahashi
What are your predictions for Night 1? Let us know in the comments.
Former WWE Superstar Lanny Poffo recently did an interview with WrestleZone to talk about several professional wrestling topics. Poffo first discussed his involvement in the “350 Days” documentary:
“I’ve been very dear friends with [producer] Evan Ginzburg for about 35 years, and he asked me if I would do it. Anytime he asks me a question like that I always say yes. He was the Associate Producer of The Wrestler—I actually auditioned for that part with Darren Aronofsky, and he said ‘Lanny, that was good, but you look like a game show host.
“You don’t have enough sin on your face.’ So I said ‘maybe you should hire Jake The Snake Roberts, he’s got enough sin for everybody. I’m a little different than the rest of these guys, and that’s what so great about this movie. They’ve got a point of view from people like Superstar Billy Graham, Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart, Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka, who is no longer with us.
“I’m going to tell you my opinion, and I enjoyed every minute of it, all 21 years I spent on the road. I traveled all over the world, and it didn’t cost me a dime, and I appreciated it. The only downside is I had to hang around with wrestlers, and that was like National Lampoon’s Animal House.”
He then talked about once getting busted open by WWE Hall Of Famer Andre The Giant during a Battle Royal on Saturday Night’s Main Event, and getting a call from a lawyer asking him to join a class-action concussion lawsuit against WWE:
“Oh yes, in fact I got a call a couple of years ago from a lawyer about if I wanted to join a class-action lawsuit against the WWE for concussions. And I said ‘absolutely not, I’ve never had a concussion’ and they said it doesn’t matter, you can get rich. I said ‘wait a minute… I’ve read John Grisham’s novel King Of Tort, and no one gets rich off of class-action lawsuits except for the lawyers.
“Who do you think you’re talking to here? I used to be The Genius.’ What they did was, they needed—this was for NBC—and Gorilla Monsoon came up to me and said ‘come here, Lanny, I want to talk to you. I just recommended you, I hope you don’t make a monkey out of me.’ I said ‘I would never make a monkey out of a gorilla, what do you mean?’ God bless him, [Gorilla] was always nice to me.
“So, he says have you ever done a blade job before? You know, take the razor and give yourself a self-inflicted wound to the head—they cover that in the movie The Wrestler. To tell you the truth, I feel that that is immoral, you know, to self inflict—I don’t even have tattoos or piercings—so why would I do that? But, the thing is, if I’m [going to be] a prostitute, let me be a highly paid one, this is NBC.
“They needed Andre The Giant, who was the top babyface in the world, they put him with Bobby Heenan but they wanted to give him a serious, mean heat. They needed the sacrificial lamb to help him out, so I did a very good job of it—I’ve got plenty [of scars]. So he headbutts me and I go over the top rope, and I land in a pool of blood, and I got removed from the scene.”
You can watch Poffo’s interview with WrestleZone by clicking this link here.
Nick Aldis is one of the best wrestlers in the world that is not under contract with the WWE but rather doing it his way.
The NWA World Heavyweight Champion, who first made his name known as Magnus while in TNA, was recently interviewed by Interactive Wrestling Radio where he talked about various topics including the reason that he’s not currently in the WWE. “If I had a dollar for every time I was asked why I’m not in the WWE, I’d never have to wrestle again. For different bulls–t political reasons and for different personal reasons, they won’t give me an opportunity there.”
Aldis is slated to face Cody Rhodes on September 1, 2018 at the Sears Centre in Chicago, Illinois for the All In event. When asked about, he noted that it’s so crazy where everything has gone as he brought up the point that he’s under contract with the NWA and is showing up and working ROH events.
He noted that ROH, NJPW, and NWA are all working together and it’s great because he believes that there have been so many missed opportunities where greedy promoters in the past didn’t have the foresight to make a money match.
Aldis would later go onto say, “My generation said, ‘No, it can happen and we’re going to make it happen.’ The beauty of guys like Cody, the Bucks, Marty Scurll, myself… All these guys like Pentagon all over the world who’s brands are making their own opportunities. Also, the promoters and producers that have the progressive mindset that is what needs to happen to move the business forward but also aren’t crippled by their egos where they couldn’t bare to admit that it wasn’t their idea.”
What are your thoughts on Aldis’ comments? Sound off in the comment section.
Sami Callihan will face Pentagon Jr in a Mask vs Hair match at Slammiversary on July 22nd, 2018. He was this week’s guest on the Impact Wrestling teleconference media call.
Callihan is currently a featured wrestler for 3 different promotions. Impact Wrestling, Lucha Underground, and MLW all have Callihan on their roster. He believes this fact is proof that he is the most revolutionary wrestler going right now.
“I’m making history right now, I’m one of the first people, if not the first person, to work for 3 national television programs at the same time,” Callihan said. “I’m on TV every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Who else in professional wrestling history could ever say that?”
Out of everything he is currently doing, however, there is nothing more important to him than taking Pentagon’s mask at Slammiversary.
“I’m starting a revolution, I’m changing wrestling from the inside out.” – Sami Callihan
Mask vs Hair Match
Sami Callihan vs Pentagon Jr.
Slammiversary
July 22nd, 2018
Callihan didn’t mince words when talking about his plans for Slammiversary. “Slammiversary I’m going to take Pentagon’s mask once and for all,” Callihan said. “A lot of people outside of Impact’s world don’t realize that me, Pentagon, Fenix, Dave & Jake (Crist, oVe) we’ve been doing this for years all over the world. Now, we get a chance to do it on national television, on live pay-per-view and there’s nothing that’s going to stop me from taking his mask once and for all.”
“(Pentagon) may have the rest of the wrestling world fooled that he’s some undead Mexican Zombie but I know his secret. He is just a really good professional wrestler that wears a mask. I’m going to take that ask from him and he’s not going to be special anymore.”
Should Callihan lose at Slammiversary, however, he’ll have his head shaved bald. In the past, having their heads shaved has caused many wrestlers to spiral into madness. We asked Sami if he was worried that this could be his fate at Slammiversary.
“Well, I’m not going to have my head shaved, that’s the point,” Callihan said. “I’m going to beat Pentagon, I’m going to take his mask. Then I’m going to parade all around the world wearing it. Maybe I’ll become Pentagon. I don’t know if you saw TV a couple of weeks ago (it was last week), I wore his entire outfit and at this point, I’m pretty sure I make a better Pentagon than he does.”
A big match has a been announced for next week’s episode of NXT on the WWE Network that will see Candice LeRae, Kairi Sane, Nikki Cross and Bianca Belair collide in a Fatal 4-Way Match with a future opportunity to challenge Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women’s Title.
Although this has yet to be announced by the company, it’s likely that the winner of this match will face Baszler for the strap at the upcoming NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4 event that takes place on Saturday, August 18, 2018 in Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center and will air on WWE’s streaming service.
AJ Styles Hypes
WWE Champion AJ Styles is slated to make his next title defense against Rusev at the upcoming Extreme Rules pay-per-view event on Sunday, July 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the PPG Paints Arena that will air on the WWE Network. Styles went out the following to hype the title match:
“Don’t waste your money on streamers and noise makers. #RusevDay is just another day for me…another day to defend the #WWEChampionship and proclaim #IAmPhenomenal. #ExtremeRules #AndStill @WWENetwork.”
New Japan Pro Wrestling’s annual G1 Climax is widely regarded as the greatest tournament in pro wrestling today. Two blocks of competitors will compete in a round robin format to determine the number 1 contender to Kenny Omega’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship at January 4th’s Wrestle Kingdom.
Here are the tournament bouts announced for Night 1 were A Block takes the spotlight:
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Minoru Suzuki
Togi Makabe vs YOSHI-HASHI
Michael Elgin vs EVIL
Kazuchika Okada vs Jay White
Bad Luck Fale vs Hangman Page
The real headline grabbing bout for Night 1 appears to be between CHAOS stablemates Kazuchika Okada and Jay White.
Jay White is one of the more intriguing elements of this year’s G1 tournament, the ‘Switchblade’ recently lost his IWGP United States Championship to Juice Robinson and this has lead many to believe that he might actually win A Block. New Japan are clearly excited about the talented New Zealander’s prospects and a win here against Okada is certainly not out of the question. Okada himself is now in arguably the strangest position of his recent NJPW career, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion isn’t currently considered a favourite to win the G1 and it will be interesting to see his path between now and January 4th…could he be in line for a bout against the likes of Chris Jericho?
Who is your favourite for the G1? Let us know in the comments.
John Cena has given his take on Daniel Bryan being medically allowed to return to the ring under the WWE banner.
Cena recently spoke with Sports Illustrated for a new interview and during the interview, he discussed WWE clearing the former World Heavyweight Champion after being on the sidelines for two years due to his history with concussions.
Cena stated that from a co-worker’s standpoint, it’s great to have him back because Bryan is very good at what he does. Switching to a company-standpoint, he noted that it’s also great because audiences will show up to see him.
“Speaking from a personal standpoint on what I know about Bryan Danielson, I know that he is dedicated to wrestling and loves wrestling. He was so heartbroken when it was taken away from him before it was his decision to give it up. I can’t tell you how happy I am for him to go out there again and live his dream. He gives wrestling his all, and it’s great that he now has the outlet again where it can give something back to him.”
The sports entertainment company is not advertising Cena for any upcoming events. He was last seen when he beat Triple H in the opening match on the main card of the Greatest Royal Rumble pay-per-view event in April.
What are your thoughts on Cena’s comments? Sound off in the comment section.
There was an interesting bump involving Jim Ross that took place during NJPW’s G1 Special at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California on Saturday night (July 7, 2018) that aired on AXS TV.
At the show, Jay White slammed Juice Robinson into the barricade during their US Title match, which unfortunately sent the WWE Hall of Famer and legendary pro wrestling announcer, who was calling the event alongside former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett, to the floor.
As a reaction to this bump, Barnett could be heard on commentary saying, “you done f*cked up now!” to White and chasing him into the ring. Nothing came about it between Barnett and White.
Ross addressed the bump and spoke about the injury he suffered at the event on the latest episode of The Ross Report podcast. The WWE Hall of Famer noted that suffered bruised ribs on his left side, a bruised left lung and a sternum injury. He would add that his doctors have told him that they fear he could catch pneumonia due to the issues with his lungs. Also, Ross noted that this temporary health setback caused him to miss some appearances this week that he had scheduled. Barnett gave his side of the story during this podcast by stating that everything happened so fast and as soon as the table spot happened, Ross was down.
He brought up the fact that there was someone in the crowd who told made some comments about him going after White which led to him responding that how he is supposed to catch him. Barnett added that they were being disrespected and that was it.
At the end of the day, it was an unfortunate situation and we send our best wishes JR for a speedy recovery.
On the other hand, Netflix’s original GLOW series did get nominated for a few Emmy categories. The show was nominated for the “Best Comedy” category. Betty Gilpin of GLOW was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy. Finally, Jesse Peretz was nominated for Best Directing Of A Comedy Series For GLOW’s pilot episode.
PROGRESS has announced the full card for their upcoming Chapter 73 event ‘Fourth Shade of Green’ which will be taking place this Sunday July 15th from the O2 Academy in Birmingham, England.
Here’s the lineup for this Sunday:
PROGRESS Championship Match – Travis Banks v Tyler Bate
Jimmy Havoc v Drew Parker
Pete Dunne & Trent Seven v Kings Of The North
Sexy Starr v Haskins & Webster
Toni Storm vs Killer Kelly
TK Cooper vs Rob Lynch
Eddie Dennis vs Jones
Mark Andrews vs El Phantasmo
One of the biggest bouts sees Travis Banks defend his PROGRESS World Championship against fellow NXT UK colleague Tyler Bate. The ‘Kiwi Buzzsaw’ Banks has been a dominant reigning World Champion since his win over WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne in September 2017 having avenged losses to Keith Lee and Matt Riddle whilst Champion. Banks also featured in arguably the best PROGRESS bout of 2017 when he defeated Will Ospreay as part of the Unboxing Live show in December, again to retain his title.
Tyler Bate is of course a name that fans of the WWE United Kingdom specials will know well. The inaugural UK Champion has seen his stock rise exponentially over the past year with performances on WWE’s 205 Live and NXT Takeover where he had arguably the match of the year against Pete Dunne; having said that the momentum that PROGRESS has found since ‘turning’ Banks against the fans (he would say that they turned against him) has been nothing short of phenomenal and when he finally drops the title it will be a huge moment and a chance to coronate a new champion and usher in a new era for the UK based company.
Sunday's #Birmingham card is low-key stacked: Jimmy Havoc v Drew Parker Travis Banks v Tyler Bate Pete Dunne & Trent Seven v Kings Of The North Sexy Starr v Haskins & Webster Storm vs Killer Cooper vs Lynch Dennis vs Jones Andrews vs El Phantasmo
— PROGRESS Wrestling (@ThisIs_Progress) July 12, 2018
The Mae Young Classic is the biggest topic as it will begin next month. Already confirmed for the Classic is returning former Divas Champ Kaitlyn. More on that here.
Could former Diva of The Year, Maria Kanellis, be next on a list for returns for the Classic?
Mike and Maria had their child back in April and it seems Maria is ready to get back in the ring as soon as August. The same month the Classic takes place which is also in Florida. All hints point to an in-ring return.
As stated earlier, Maria most known accomplishment was being Diva Of The Year in 2009. Her wrestling ability would be more prominent in her ROH days as she was best known as a valet in her WWE career. It will be interesting to see if Maria still has the fortitude to work in the ring if she does return.
Sound Off In The Comments Below, Do You Want To See Maria In The Mae Young Classic?
Bret Hart has been openly critical of his brother Owen’s widow, Martha. According to the Hitman, Martha Hart’s continued efforts to prevent WWE from using Owen’s image has been detrimental to his legacy.
“I think Martha, Owen’s widow, she’s a very obtuse, square-headed person,” Hart said recently. “I think she’s done more to erase my brother Owen’s memory than she ever did to remember him.”
Martha Hart Responds To Bret Hart
Marth Hart published her response to Bret’s comments on the Owen Hart Foundation website.
“The suggestion by Bret Hart that I am “erasing” the memory of my late husband, Owen Hart, is reckless, irresponsible, and clearly untrue,” Martha’s statement begins.
“Bret’s comments are rooted in the fact that I have steadfastly refused to work with the WWE to exploit Owen’s image for commercial gain. Owen was an incredible entertainer and I know that his many fans around the world enjoyed his wrestling career immensely. I encourage them to continue to do so. But I am firm in my belief that the WWE was responsible for Owen’s death. As a result, I cannot and will not support any efforts by the WWE to profit from Owen’s memory.”
After giving the above statement regarding why Martha refuses to work with WWE, she then spoke on the work the Owen Hart Foundation has done and how that work honors Owen’s memory.
The Owen Hart Foundation
“Instead, I, my son Oje and daughter Athena have worked tirelessly to honor Owen through the good works of The Owen Hart Foundation, which has exceeded $4 million in gift giving and contributions toward scholarships, home owner bursaries, and other special projects that have greatly improved the lives of so many in Canada and around the world. We have always believed that this is the most fitting public tribute to a man of profound integrity; a wonderful human being who just happened to wrestle. I know that Owen would be very proud of the tremendous accomplishments the Foundation has achieved in his name.”
Severed Ties Between Bret Hart and Martha Hart
According to Bret’s book, Bret and Martha were very close in the days following Owen’s death. Over the years, however, the topic of WWE using Owen’s likeness has driven a significant wedge between them.
“Bret Hart’s comments are disrespectful and cruel. It is disappointing that so many in the media have chosen to report them without seeking my perspective. Whatever Bret may believe, the fact is that, far from “erasing” Owen’s memory, I have devoted the last 20 years to celebrating his life in a very public way. I can think of very few people who have been remembered so glowingly by their spouse.”
Impact Wrestling is back tonight with an episode taped from Windsor, ON, Canada. It will be the second last show before Slammiversary on July 22nd, 2018.
The OGZ (King, Homicide & Hernandez) Kick Off Impact
The first segment for this week is scheduled to be King, Homicide, and Hernandez.
Last week’s episode concluded with LAX in tatters due to a civil war. King admitted being behind the hit on Konnan. He attempted to recruit Santana and Ortiz but when that didn’t work, Homicide and Hernandez took them out.
We still don’t have an Impact tag-team championship match at Slammiversary. Perhaps we could see King’s OGZ challenge Konnan’s LAX for the straps.
Austin Aries Speaks The Truth
In the build-up to Austin Aries vs Moose at Slammiversary, it’s been a war of words.
Aries went on vacation shortly after winning the title back from Pentagon but tonight he will have a chance to say whatever he wants to his upcoming challenger.
Aries has been criticizing Moose for being a failed football player trying a second career.
Moose, on the other hand, says he left the NFL for pro-wrestling and is here to chase a dream.
DeAngelo Williams Returns To Impact
DeAngelo Williams will return to Impact Wrestling tonight. He’s been helping Moose train for his World Title match and will likely have plenty to say regarding his chances against Austin Aries.
Allie In Single’s Action
Allie is back and she’ll be involved in a single’s match tonight against an as of yet unnamed opponent.
This is a new version of Allie, however, one that is a little darker and not quite as bubbly as before. She’ll need that new attitude too as she has a potential new rival waiting in the wings.
Last week, Tessa Blanchard interfered in Allie’s match in which she was teaming with Madison Rayne and facing Su Yung and one of her undead brides. Blanchard wanted at Rayne because of the two straight upset losses Rayne has handed her lately. Perhaps Allie and Blanchard are on a collision course.
Madison Rayne Sit-Down Interview
In just 10 days, Madison Rayne will go one-on-one with Su Yung. Tonight, she takes part in a sit-down interview to discuss her career, Slammiversary, and, of course, her opponent on that night, Su Yung.
Pentagon, Fenix, and Rich Swann vs Sami Callihan and oVe
Callihan has promised that during this match not only will he take Pentagon and Fenix’s masks but he plans to rip off Rich Swann’s face!
We will get a build-up to the Mask vs Hair match between Pentagon and Callihan here.
While Fenix and Rich Swann are on the same side in this match, they will be opponents at Slammiversary. They are two of the four competitors (along with Taiji Ishimori and Johnny Impact) involved in the fatal 4-way match.
Major League Wrestling returns to GILT Nightclub in Orlando, FL tonight for the latest round of TV tapings for the weekly MLW Fusion show on beIN SPORTS.
As usual, it’s a stacked card with the top stars of MLW in action, including MLW’s World and Tag Team Champions, Jimmy Havoc, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, Joey Janela, John Hennigan, Jake Hager and many more.
Here’s the final card for tonight’s MLW Fusion tapings:
$60,000 Bounty Match: MLW World Champion Shane Strickland vs. Low Ki
MLW Tag Team Champions Pentagon Jr. & Rey Fenix vs. ACH and Rich Swann
Grudge Match: Jimmy Havoc vs. “Filthy” Tom Lawlor
John Hennigan vs. Teddy Hart.
Falls Count Anywhere: Joey Janela vs. MJF
Jake Hager vs. Fred Yehi
Jimmy Yuta vs. Jason Cade.
Barrington Hughes vs. Leon Scott.
Simon Gotch’s latest Prize Fight Challenge.
Check back here later tonight for results from these tapings.
Below, you can check out the latest full episode of MLW FUSION:
The weekend is drawing close, and with it comes WWE’s latest joint-brand pay-per-view offering. This Sunday, Extreme Rules emanates from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania at the PPG Paints Arena – the 10th installment of the Extreme event.
Top attractions from RAW include Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley, a 30-minute Iron Man match for the Intercontinental championship and Alexa Bliss defending the RAW Women’s Championship against Nia Jax with Ronda Rousey sitting ringside.
On the SmackDown side, we’ve got WWE Champion AJ Styles defending against Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura challenging Jeff Hardy for the United States Championship.
Several esteemed members of the SEScoops writing team have assembled for this ’roundtable predictions’ feature. Below, Ian Carey, Jeff Moss Andrew Ravens provide expert analysis and predictions WWE Extreme Rules 2018.
Hit up the comments section to let us know what you think of our staff predictions and share your own.
WWE Extreme Rules 2018 Card
A.J. Styles vs. Rusev (WWE Title)
Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley
Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax (RAW Women’s Title)
Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt vs. The B-Team (RAW Tag Titles)
Carmella vs. Asuka (SD! Live Women’s Title)
The Bludgeon Brothers vs. Team Hell No (SD! Live Tag Titles)
Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins (WWE I-C Title)
Jeff Hardy vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (WWE U.S. Title)
Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens (Steel Cage)
Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin
WWE EXTREME RULES 2018 STAFF PREDICTIONS
WWE Championship A.J. Styles (C) vs. Rusev
Jeff Moss: Please, oh, please let this be RUSEV DAY! I have nothing against AJ Styles, he’s one of the best in the world. But I have to say, his time as champ has been dry turkey with no gravy. He’s a perfectly cromulent champion, but it’s time for some new blood. Rusev has made something from nothing with Rusev Day and if we can put the belt on Bray Wyatt for no reason, then Rusev surely deserves some time at the top. Rusev wins and goes on to feud with Big E so that I can hear him say “PHOOEY” to pancakes every week. (Prediction: Rusev)
Andrew Ravens: This might be the easiest and clear-cut pick on this entire card. There’s no reason to have Styles drop the strap at this event especially to Rusev, despite him being a fan favorite. Styles’ run as WWE Champion has been incredible and eventually he’ll lose it but if he didn’t lose it to a top guy like Shinsuke Nakamura over the last few months, it doesn’t make sense to put the strap on Rusev, who has only been pushed as a top star as of late and for such a short amount of time. Also, with SummerSlam right around the corner, it would make more sense for Styles to drop it next month instead of a B-show. Styles retains. (Prediction: A.J. Styles)
Ian Carey: As much as I’d love to say Sunday could be the day Rusev wins his first world championship, I don’t see it happening. They will have a great match, perhaps one capable of showing Vince McMahon Rusev should be a world champion someday but Styles will win. The real question is who Styles will defend against at SummerSlam. Samoa Joe strikes me as someone who could fill that role. (Prediction: A.J. Styles)
CONSENSUS: A.J. Styles (2-1)
Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley
Jeff Moss: I’m going to go out on a limb and say the wet, muscley guy with little-to-no personality is going to win this match. (Flips Coin) So, Booby Lashley. Seriously though, since this match has absolutely no stakes to it, I say Lashey takes it. It’ll build him up a bit and make him look strong to the audience who doesn’t remember 10 years ago. What’s the worst that could happen to Roman by losing? People boo him? (Prediction: Bobby Lashley)
Andrew Ravens: Reigns is the likely favorite to win this match. Obviously, he still the top guy for them right now. It doesn’t make much sense to have Lashley go over in this match considering that SummerSlam is right around the corner. If Brock Lesnar is going to wrestle next month, then common sense would tell you that Reigns would be his opponent for the Universal Title. Unless plans have changed, Reigns goes over and faces Lesnar at SummerSlam. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Ian Carey: Reigns is evidently still being built for Lesnar. This is the case despite the fact that Reigns has now dropped 2 straight matches to him. Unless WWE randomly decides they want to build Bobby Lashley to be a monster, I don’t see them having him beat Roman. I also don’t think WWE sees much in Lashley, at least that is what their booking of him says. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
CONSENSUS: Roman Reigns (2-1)
RAW Women’s Championship (Ronda Rousey At Ringside) Alexa Bliss (C) vs. Nia Jax
Jeff Moss: Alexa Bliss is time and time again one of the best Heels on RAW. She lies, she cheats, she makes you love to hate her and she does whatever she can to hold onto that title. I’d expect her to retain here, possibly by DQ when Ronda Rousey remembers she works for WWE and jumps the barrier to lay waste to Bliss, Mickie James, Jax, Nattie and just for the heck of it, Liv Morgan. (Prediction: Alexa Bliss)
Andrew Ravens: This is a bridge gap between now and SummerSlam as the WWE continues to build towards a match with Bliss and Ronda Rousey that will likely go down at SummerSlam. Jax had a nice run with the title, but now the focus has shifted towards Bliss once again. Bliss retains. (Prediction: Alexa Bliss)
Ian Carey: I have to imagine Alexa Bliss is winning this match leading to a match with Ronda Rousey at SummerSlam. With Rousey sitting ringside, the winner of this match is her likely next opponent. WWE has already done Rousey vs Jax (which was great!) and Bliss has more natural heat than Jax does, so she’s the logical pick to face Rousey at SummerSlam. (Prediction: Alexa Bliss)
CONSENSUS: Alexa Bliss (3-0)
RAW Tag-Team Championships Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt (C) vs. The B-Team
Jeff Moss: The Deleters of Worlds started off hot as hell via the madness of The Ultimate Deletion. They’ve cooled considerably since, especially given Bray Wyatt’s recent driving troubles. The B-Team takes the belts here to complete their improbable rise to the middle, and then they are called to the Hardy compound for a rematch. WONDERFUL!! (Prediction: The B-Team)
Andrew Ravens: There’s no question who goes over in this match considering that Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel have been presented as comedy players in this feud. It appears that WWE is setting up a program that will see Hardy and Wyatt feud with The Revival at SummerSlam. Thus, this match at Extreme Rules is a one-off. Wyatt and Hardy retain. (Prediction: Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt)
Ian Carey: I imagine this match will likely lead into the next Final Deletion style event. It’s not outside the realm of possibility that the B-Team win the titles here so that Hardy and Wyatt can take them back either at SummerSlam or at the Hardy Family Compound. Still, I think Hardy and Wyatt are a safer pick. (Prediction: Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt)
CONSENSUS: Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt (2-1)
SmackDown Live Women’s Championship Carmella (C) vs. Asuka
Jeff Moss: In a perfect world, Auska would climb into the ring, kick James Ellsworth in the face so hard his balls become a new chin and then make some kind of decorative hat out of what’s left of Carmella. That said, this feels like a strange time to put the title on Auska when we know how dominant she can be. So I’d expect some more tomfoolery with Ellsworth will allow Carmella to slink away with the title and we’ll have one more match at Summerslam (Prediction: Carmella)
Andrew Ravens: An interesting match that could see either star win and it would make sense. Asuka has gotten the better of Carmella on television, which historically would have Carmella go over on the PPV. However, if WWE wants this feud to continue, then they would need Carmella to chase Asuka. I don’t see a title change here but rather at SummerSlam. Carmella retains. (Prediction: Carmella)
Ian Carey: James Ellsworth will be hanging above the ring in a shark cage for this match. While this should seemingly prevent him from interfering in the match, the opposite is usually the case. Asuka should win and take the title here but she won’t. She’s not Vince’s top-female in the division, that honor goes to Charlotte Flair. I’m predicting Carmella wins again due to help from Ellsworth and then moves on to face Charlotte at SummerSlam. (Prediction: Carmella)
CONSENSUS: Carmella (3-0)
SmackDown Live Tag-Team Championships The Bludgeon Brothers (C) vs. Team Hell No
Jeff Moss: Are Team Hell No going to win these titles? YES! YES! YES! Is every blogger in the wrestlesphere going to make that joke in some way, shape, or form? YES! YES! YES! Truly though, you want to make it seem like Daniel Bryan’s return was more than just a couple of video packages and a feel-good story? Then let’s have him be involved in a story that matters (IE Championships!) The Bludgies have just about run their course and I can’t see them becoming super-interesting in the coming months. So why not let us enjoy two men arguing over which one of them (singular) is the tag team champions (plural)? (Prediction: Team Hell No)
Andrew Ravens: All signs point to Kane turning on Bryan, and that’s unfortunate. It makes no sense for Harper and Rowan to drop the straps here considering the build-up that WWE has invested in them up to this point. Bryan could face Kane at SummerSlam instead of the rumored match with Miz. It also doesn’t make much sense for Bryan and Kane to have a title run for a short amount of time due to the fact that Kane is running for Mayor. Harper and Rowan retain. (Prediction: The Bludgeon Brothers)
Ian Carey: Team Hell No should take the titles here. While Harper and Rowen have gotten a big push with their gimmick makeover, they aren’t the stars Daniel Bryan and Kane are. Putting the tag belts on Team Hell No puts them in a position to have a bigger match with another pair of guys at SummerSlam. It also helps keep Daniel Bryan out of the WWE title picture for awhile and they likely want him chasing the belt when it is held by a heel. (Prediction: Team Hell No)
CONSENSUS: Team Hell No (2-1)
WWE Intercontinental Championship (30-Minute Iron Man Match) Dolph Ziggler (C) vs. Seth Rollins
Jeff Moss: I think Ziggler will win, then win again, then Seth will win, then Ziggler again, then Seth, then Seth with a quick rollup as time expires, leading to extra time where Seth will ultimately get beat up by Drew McIntyre, leading to Ziggler retaining the title. If done right though, this could be the match of the night. It’s all a matter of which versions of these two guys show up. They both have a habit of being red hot or stone cold (no pun intended). (Prediction: Dolph Ziggler)
Andrew Ravens: This will be a classic match and could steal the show. They have already wrestled twice within the last month, and one would think that Rollins gets the title back due to Ziggler going over as of late. However, I could see them extending this program one more month as its been one of the top feuds on RAW. Ziggler goes over with some help from Drew McIntyre. (Prediction: Dolph Ziggler)
Ian Carey: That there has been no stipulation added to prevent Drew McIntyre from interfering seems significant. The likely conclusion to this match then has McIntyre helping Ziggler score the winning fall or somehow holding onto his title. My prediction is it will be a tie or a draw/no contest of some kind, with Ziggler retaining. (Prediction: Dolph Ziggler)
CONSENSUS: Dolph Ziggler (3-0)
WWE United States Championship Jeff Hardy (C) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Jeff Moss: There’s two things I want from Jeff Hardy: 1.) To be as weird as Matt. 2.) Not to die. It’s been long rumoured that Hardy is working hurt and at 562 years of age, that’s not shocking. Nakamura needs something right now besides rap-metal and being a loveable foreign prankster, so the US title could be a good way to take him to the next level so he can become that jerk we all loved in Japan and we can get a REAL AJ/Nak feud. Also it gives Hardy enough time to heal, rise up and usurp Bray Wyatt as BROTHER NERO! (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
Andrew Ravens: WWE has a few options here with Hardy retaining or Nakamura getting his first title reign on the main roster. I have Nakamura winning due to him needing a big win after several losses to AJ Styles over the past few months. They could always set up a rematch at SummerSlam. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
Ian Carey: Nakamura failed several times in a row to take the WWE title from Jinder Mahal in 2017. Then he failed multiple times to win the WWE title from AJ Styles this year. If Nakamura doesn’t beat Jeff Hardy to win the US title then they might as well give him back to NJPW so others can enjoy his work. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
CONSENSUS: Shinsuke Nakamura (3-0)
Steel Cage Match Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens
Jeff Moss: This is the one I’m looking forward to the most. Who wouldn’t want to watch Braun Strowman ragdoll someone around a steel cage? I’m kind of sad that it has to be Kevin Owens getting ragdolled, but then again, no one gets beat up by Braun Strowman like Kevin Owens. As long as the match doesn’t end in another toilet, I’ll be happy. (Prediction: Braun Strowman)
Andrew Ravens: The build-up to this match has focused on Strowman getting the better of Owens. By looking at how the WWE has booked programs in the past, Owens should get the win in this match. However, Vince McMahon is obviously a big fan of Strowman. Just look at how he has been booked. Strowman goes over in a crushing and dominating victory. (Prediction: Braun Strowman)
Ian Carey: Whatever WWE has planned for Braun Strowman, it’s big. He’s the “Monster in the Bank” and that briefcase will guarantee him a match against either Brock or Roman. He will be built up as unstoppable until then. Kevin Owens has re-signed with the company under a long-term deal. His role is to get people like Strowman over. (Prediction: Braun Strowman)
CONSENSUS: Braun Strowman (3-0)
Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin
Jeff Moss: Oh geez… Finn… buddy. What happened? I think this made-for-the-kickoff-show encounter will leave us all asking one vital question: Who are these people and what are they doing here? Finn has gone from killer demon cosplayer to smiley-dude-who-has-a-cool shirt, and Baron Corbin has gone from Baron Corbin… to Baron Corbin, but in a vest and (somehow) less hair. Truly there are no winners in this match, but for the sake of this article, the winner will be Finn. (Prediction: Finn Balor)
Andrew Ravens: Either one of these stars could go over, and I don’t think fans are as invested in this feud as WWE officials are at this point. Corbin goes over with a cheap win to keep the feud alive. (Prediction: Baron Corbin)
Ian Carey: It is entirely possible that Corbin wins this match. Vince McMahon has always like Corbin on account of he’s tall. That he is now in a position of authority on Raw might indicate Vince has rekindled his love for him. Vince likes Finn too but has failed to give him a big push since coming back from the injury that cost him the Universal Championship. Still, it seems as though Finn is a much bigger star and heading into SummerSlam that means something. (Prediction: Finn Balor)
CONSENSUS: Finn Balor (2-1)
What do you think of our WWE Backlash 2018 predictions? Let us know by sounding off in the Comments section.
WWE has announced the name of the second confirmed wrestler for the 2018 Mae Young Classic. Yesterday, the company announced that former Divas Champion, Kaitlyn, was the first to officially enter the tournament.
Today, WWE unveiled Australia’s Rhea Ripley will be back in the tournament this year. The 21-year-old got her start wrestling in Melbourne’s Riot City Wrestling from 2013 to 2017. After a solid performance at last year’s tournament, WWE signed Ripley and sent her to the Performance Center in Orlando.
Rhea Ripley
In last year’s tournament, Ripley defeated Miranda Salinas in the first round before losing to Dakota Kai in the next.
Since signing with WWE last year, Ripley has been active on the NXT house show circuit. She has only competed once on NXT television, however, participating in a battle royal on the October 4th, 2017 edition of the show.
“The hard-hitting Ripley, who began wrestling as a teenager and competed in Japan before joining NXT, is considered one of the strongest women in the WWE PC weight room” WWE’s press release states. “In addition to a wide arsenal of power moves, Ripley boasts wicked striking ability, which can be traced back her extensive background in soccer.”
2018 Mae Young Classic
This year’s version of the Mae Young Classic will take place on August 8th and 9th from Full Sail University. As was the case with last year’s tournament, the finals will take place at a later date and likely air live on the WWE Network.
Last year’s winner, Kairi Sane, competes in NXT. The other finalist from last year, Shayna Baszler, is now the NXT Women’s Champion.
Abbey Laith (Kimber Lee), Sage Beckett, and Zeda were signed after last year’s tournament but have since been released.
Candice LeRae, Kavita Devi, and Shayna Baszler all signed shortly after the tournament. Serena Deeb would also sign with WWE but as a trainer assigned to the WWE Performance Center.
On Monday night, WWE presented Raw from Boston. Despite Brock Lesnar’s newsworthy appearance at UFC 226 with Daniel Cormier over the weekend, no mention was ever made of Lesnar on the show.
According to a recent report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Vince McMahon gave the direction for him not to be mentioned.
“At the production meeting before Raw, McMahon told everyone that the show in Boston is to focus completely on building Extreme Rules, a show Lesnar isn’t on, so his name wasn’t to be mentioned,” the report reads.
As for when Brock will be mentioned on WWE programming again, McMahon said: “When he’s being offered to our audience and we can capitalize on it.”
Brock Lesnar and WWE
WWE is continuing the angle where Brock is seen as the part-time outsider who doesn’t really care about WWE. Roman Reigns is portraying the company savior, the one who shows up every week. The idea, once again, is to get people to cheer Roman.
Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns have been in 5 matches together not including the 2015 and 2017 Royal Rumbles.
WrestleMania 31 WWE World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat
Seth Rollins defeated Brock Lesnar (c) and Roman Reigns
Fastlane 2016 #1 Contenders Match Triple Threat
Roman Reigns defeated Dean Ambrose and Brock Lesnar
SummerSlam 2017 WWE Universal Championship Fatal 4-way
Brock Lesnar (c) defeated Braun Strowman, Roman Reigns, and Samo Joe
WrestleMania 34 WWE Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar (c) defeated Roman Reigns
Greatest Royal Rumble WWE Universal Championship Steel Cage
Brock Lesnar (c) defeated Roman Reigns
Brock Lesnar is 3-1-1 against Roman Reigns. Reigns is 1-3-1 against Brock.
Following his main event NXT title match with Aleister Black at Takeover, WWE announced Lars Sullivan had suffered a broken jaw. The promotion event sent out an X-Ray of Sullivan’s injury through their social media accounts.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter had originally reported the injury as legit. They have now released a correction, however, stating that Sullivan’s broken jaw is just a part of his storyline. He did not actually suffer an injury at Takeover but that is the story WWE wants to tell.
It is not known when NXT will bring back Sullivan. The injury was likely a way to protect Sullivan while still having him lose to Black as it gives his character an excuse as to why he lost.
Sullivan’s loss to Aleister Black was his first loss in a single’s match on NXT programming.
Triple H on Lars Sullivan
Following Takeover: Chicago II, Triple H spoke with Cathy Kelley. He spoke in regards to how Sullivan’s loss to Aleister Black will likely make him stronger.
“Here’s the thing, size, and strength but how long has (Lars) been doing this?” Triple H asked. “That’s really the unknown factor of how good can he become.”
“Lars Sullivan has been here for a cup of coffee, been in the ring for a cup of coffee,” Triple H said on Sullivan’s experience level. “Not someone who has spent years and years doing this.”
Triple H then talked about Lars’ performance in the main event that night.
“I don’t think there was a moment in there where he looked like he didn’t belong,” Triple H said. “To me, that is the ultimate victory. That Lars Sullivan, at this point in his career, was able to go toe-to-toe with Aleister Black.”
“He could be the most dangerous person here and this loss might actually be a blessing for him.”
Rey Mysterio and WWE are continuing to engage in contract negotiations but there are a few sticking points which might delay the luchador’s return to the company. Namely, Mysterio has commitments outside of WWE he would like to keep. One of those commitments is Cody and the Young Bucks’ “All-In”.
A recent report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is stating that the two sides have come close to a deal but Mysterio’s commitments are all that is left to be worked out.
“While Rey Mysterio has not signed with WWE, the discussions are close enough that they’ve talked about what commitments he has and doesn’t have left,” the report reads. “All-In is obviously a key thing.”
The report continues to say WWE would rather Mysterio not work the event.
Mysterio was announced as being All-In back in May. He appeared on Jim Ross’ podcast last month and spoke about the Chicago-based event on September 1st. Ross asked him who he thinks his opponent will be on the show.
“I don’t have a clue yet,” said Mysterio. “I’m sure they have something good cooked up because they’ve been doing this very methodical and just the way they announced the show, the way they’ve announced talent little by little. It’s a good strategy, so I’m sure they have a good show lined up.”
Rey added that he’s been in touch with Cody and The Young Bucks, who are giving him input regarding who he works with at the show.
Rey Mysterio speaks thanks the counsel for making June 19th Rey Mysterio Day. He also eludes that he maybe going back to WWE soon. pic.twitter.com/OWvjIv6LU3
On June 19th (6/19) the city of San Diego declared a holiday to celebrate one of their most famous residents. Media at the event asked Mysterio what his status with WWE is.
“I’m actually getting ready to go back to possibly a WWE contract, so – we’re talking about another three years if my body hangs tight and holds on.”
On Saturday night from the Cow Palace, the Tongan members of Bullet Club attacked members of the Elite. Bullet Club’s “Firing Squad” is comprised of Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Haku, HIKULEO, and Bad Luck Fale. They insist their faction has no leader.
Following the attack, Tonga sat down with Sports Illustrated. He was asked what led to the attack in the closing moments of the G1 Special in San Francisco.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Tonga. “Kenny Omega started a subgroup, ‘The Elite,’ within Bullet Club. No one is the head of Bullet Club, no one ever has been, and we had a self-proclaimed leader focusing on his own ‘Super Kliq’ or whatever else nerd ass name it’s called. This war was sparked the moment ‘The Elite’ was formed.”
“Fale is the one who made the call,” continued Tonga. “You’ll all find that out soon.”
Fale was shown on the Guerillas of Destiny YouTube channel recently phoning other members of the group and saying it was time.
Tama Tonga on Differences Between NJPW Bullet Club vs ROH Bullet Club
“Rank is how Japan is run, and that’s how Bullet Club—true Bullet Club—is run. Not egotistical clowns running around, shouting ‘Look at me!’ True Bullet Club is discipline and order.”
Some NJPW Bullet Club fans have expressed the sentiment that the version of Bullet Club which exists outside of Japan is a little silly. These fans have been calling for a return of the old Bullet Club and Tama Tonga is the guy they place their faith in.
“The ones putting in the work day in and day out in Japan, we were cast away,” said Tonga. “We tried, over time, to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it kept getting worse. The ideals of Bullet Club working together, being a team, and watching each other’s backs was no longer what we stood for. We were a divided club. It was just too much to ignore.”
Tama Tonga on The Firing Squad
“I am not the leader of Bullet Club,” Tonga explained. “Fale, me, and Loa, we are the leaders of Bullet Club and anyone that’s with us. We are not ‘Firing Squad,’ we are Bullet Club, the Bullet Club. ‘Firing Squad’ only arrives when there is bulls— and betrayal.”
Tama Tonga and Kenny Omega are in the same Block in this year’s G1. They will meet in 9 days on Saturday, July 21st, 2018.
While the talks of a Women’s Tag Team titles being introduced are still hot, it appears that WWE might be planning another big surprise for the fans of Women’s Wrestling.
According Pro Wrestling Sheet, the company officials are seriously discussing the idea of holding a special event featuring all women for later this year.
This women’s event which is being eyed for sometime in late September or early October could not only include talent from NXT roster but some indie stars as well.
This show is apparently being planned to make up for the lack of female stars at the Greatest Royal Rumble so it’s very much possible that it will be a Network Special similar to the show at Saudi Arabia.
Though since the event is not set in stone yet it’s also possible that it could be just a mega Live Event similar to the recent MSG show or even a full-fledged PPV.
The Greatest Royal Rumble event did not feature any female stars due to the cultural restrictions of Saudi Arabia and the lack of woman wrestlers on the show was highly criticised by fans.
We’ll keep you posted as more details become available.
Are you interested in WWE presenting a special event featuring only women?
