Bray Wyatt’s passing hit the pro wrestling like a ton of bricks. It still doesn’t feel real for many, as he is still missed to this day. Now, WWE is undertaking a new project to tell his story.
WWE’s New Bray Wyatt Project
WWE has embarked ona new Bray Wyatt project, but we don’t have a ton of details about it yet. PW Insider reports that this new project started within the past week, and Bo Dallas sat down for an interview.
Dallas, who was present in Pittsburgh for the filming, was reportedly joined by Jason Baker of Callosum Studio as well. Baker is well-recognized for crafting Wyatt’s Fiend mask.
Although this project could air on Peacock or A&E, currently, there is no confirmation on the project’s platform. We can only assume that wherever it lands, fans will tune in to see it.
What WWE Is Doing For Bray Wyatt’s Family
WWE has ensured comprehensive support for Bray Wyatt’s family following his passing. JoJo Offerman is receiving the entirety of the proceeds from all merchandise sales associated with him. The company made this commitment shortly after the news of his untimely departure became public.
Bo Dallas remains under WWE contract, and it appears that he will play a role in this project celebrating his brother’s life. We have no word about any possibility of Uncle Howdy’s television return, and I have asked around, but there have never been any talks about that happening.
AEW veteran commentator Jim Ross recently expressed his desire to call ‘The Icon’ Sting’s final match at AEW Revolution in March.
Good Ol’ JR has been a familiar voice in the world of pro wrestling and has lent his voice to several iconic matches over the years. He wants to be a part of the history when Sting graces the squared circle one final time.
During the main event of AEW Dynamite ‘Homecoming’, Jim Ross made his return to the commentary booth and joined the regular team of Tony Schiavone and Excalibur. They called the match which featured the team of Sting and Darby Allin taking on Konosuke Takeshita and Powerhouse Hobbs.
Jim Ross wants to be part of the history
Speaking on Grilling J.R podcast, the veteran commentator shared his thoughts on the match which he called on Dynamite. Ross went on to state that he’d like to be a part of the commentary team call with Tony Schiavone for Sting’s final match at AEW Revolution. He revealed that he mentioned it to AEW President Tony Khan to which Khan agreed that it makes sense for that to happen. Here is what he said:
“Me too, me too (I’m hoping to be on the call with Tony Schiavone for Sting’s final match). I mentioned that to Tony Khan last night. He agreed. It’s only right, it makes sense. I said, you know, ‘God dang, mother nature’s gonna tag in somewhere along the way with two old timers like Schiavone and I.’ We’re both feeling good. I’m feeling better today than I’ve felt in a long time. I still got the wound on my ankle. I’m seeing my doctor on Friday to go over an M.R.I., just to double check I didn’t have any bone disease on my tibia. So, I have a doctor’s appointment on Friday morning to go over all that deal and so, I just had a great night. It was one of those really feel good nights.”
Sting in AEW
Sting decided to join AEW back in 2020 and ‘The Icon’ has since participated at several high-profile events. The final run of his career has been nothing short of a fairytale for him.
Rollins and Punk have never been short on words about each other, and this week, Punk tried to delve into what makes Rollins tick. Speaking to The Jackie Redmond Show, Punk said he believes Rollins sees himself as inferior to himself.
“We’re very similar. The difference is, I can talk about my career & not have to mention him. He can’t talk about his career without mentioning me. I understand where he’s coming from, you know, I understand, I think he’s always felt like he was the little brother. I’ve never tried to treat him that way, I’ve always tried to treat him like a peer but some people you just can’t reach. He hates me. He hates me, like Colorado Avalanche & Red Wings.”
CM PUNK ON SETH ROLLINS:
“The difference is, I can talk about my career without mentioning him, but he can’t talk about his career without mentioning me.” ??
CM Punk will compete in the Men’s Royal Rumble match, in what will be his first televised match for WWE since the 2014 Royal Rumble match. Punk has made it no secret that if he wins, he will challenge Rollins.
For Punk to challenge Rollins at WrestleMania 40, not only does he need to win the Men’s Rumble match, but Seth will need to remain World Heavyweight Champion. Rollins will defend his title on next week’s Raw against Jinder Mahal in a match that has gotten under the skin of AEW President Tony Khan.
WWE has a loaded schedule of events for 2024, but Roman Reigns is still enjoying a part-time schedule. That means he doesn’t have to make certain trips, and the company’s journey to Australia is one that he will get to skip.
Debunking WWE Elimination Chamber Rumor
The Rock shocked pro wrestling fans on January 1st when he returned to WWE television. After Dwayne Johnson shut down Jinder Mahal, he then threw a direct reference to Roman Reigns’ “Head of the Table” moniker. Although The Rock’s may return for another match, it will not happen at Elimination Chamber.
The 2024 Elimination Chamber is set to take place at Optus Stadium in Burswood, Perth, Western Australia, on February 24, 2024. Despite the event’s magnitude, a significant rumored match won’t be part of the lineup.
Speculation arose about The Rock returning to wrestle at Elimination Chamber in Australia, fueled by his unexpected appearance at Day 1. It turns out that Roman vs Rock isn’t going to happen in February, because the Tribal Chief isn’t even booked for the show.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter clarified that The Rock vs. Roman Reigns is not scheduled for the Elimination Chamber match in Australia. The idea that WWE may do something with Rock at WrestleMania is still not dead.
Regarding the Reigns vs. Rock match, while I presume it’s WrestleMania (and could possibly be a three-way with Rhodes but I don’t think that will come out until many weeks from now), what we did have confirmed is the Australia rumors aren’t accurate. Reigns is not even scheduled for the show. He’s never been advertised and there are no plans for him for that date right now
WWE’s Possible Plan for The Rock & Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns made it through 2023 by only wrestling 11 matches. That was a huge drop from the 52 matches he worked in for 2022.
Roman Reigns is slated to defend the Undisputed Universal Title against Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight in a fatal four-way match at the Royal Rumble on January 27th. It might not be too much to expect that The Rock may appear at Tropicana Field if a WrestleMania main event match is in his future.
Dirty Dango isn’t quite dancing with the devil at TNA Hard To Kill, but he will be squaring off against someone who is “Not Human.”
On January 13, the TNA brand officially returns with their Hard To Kill PLE and Dango will be one of the featured fights as he squares off against PCO in singles action.
When asked who has been great at balancing their athleticism with their in-ring persona. The first person he thought of was Steve Maclin, who Dango first worked with in NXT.
“Talking about a guy who kind of got brushed aside and, you know, maybe overlooked in the past, and he totally reinvented himself, came up with a really cool character. His promos are on really on par and his work I feel is way better than it was.”
Will Ospreay & TNA
However, another name Dango brought up is Will Ospreay, who will be competing this weekend in Las Vegas at the TNA Snake Eyes tapings.
“The thing I like about Ospreay is he can do the high flying, but his ground game and aggressiveness is really, really, really good.He lays his s*** in which I really like and I appreciate he doesn’t throw things away just to get to the high spot, right?
“In my book, probably the best out there right now. So it’s cool to have him around and he’s bringing out the best of the TNA locker room for sure.”
Ospreay has signed a long-term deal with AEW, but TNA expressed major interest in inking him to a contract before that.
Ospreay’s talent is obvious and Dango saw his influence first-hand behind the curtain and in the ring.
“Guys like Will Ospreay that bring that level up and so it’s cool. It’s cool to see. It’s fun to watch. I don’t get excited watching a lot of wrestling now, but his matches do make me sit down and watch. So it’s good.”
Other topics covered in our interview with Dirty Dango include Arn Anderson’s influence on his career, what pro wrestling can learn from baseball and so much more.
Watch WILL OSPREAY vs. MIKE BAYLEY from Bound For Glory 2023 | Impact Wrestling’s Match of the YEar
SmackDown Superstar Bayley has her sights set on winning her first Women’s Royal Rumble match unless a certain former Superstar makes a return.
The 2024 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event will take place on January 27, from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The show will be the 37th annual Royal Rumble event and the seventh to feature both a Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble match.
Bayley Hoping For a Return
The Royal Rumble match is synonymous with surprise entrants and Bayley hopes this year’s match is no different. While speaking on Gabby AF, Bayley was asked about who she’d like to see in the Women’s Rumble.
“Whoever wants to do a surprise entrance, just get ready to get thrown out by me. Mickie James is always awesome, I would love to see her again. Her music hits hard.
“Trish and Lita are always so fun to get those reactions, although they were just around not too long ago, still a good reaction.”
While Bayley would be fine throwing out Mickie, Trish, or Lita, a returning AJ Lee could prove to be too much for the Damage CTRL member.
“In an interview I just had, they brought up AJ Lee since CM Punk is here. I wouldn’t mind that.
I might actually let her throw me over the top rope if she came back. That’s how much I respect her.”
The 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Bayley was the first Superstar to be declared for the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. She is joined by Nia Jax and former Rumble winners Becky Lynch (2019 winner) and Bianca Belair (2021 winner.)
Some surprise entrants won’t entirely be a surprise…
Black Taurus is ready to take the wrestling world by storm as a free agent after recently finishing his time with AAA.
Taking to Twitter, Black Taurus shared that his time with AAA has come to an end and that he is now a free agent. Taurus made it clear that he will continue to work in the United States as well as Mexico and teased working for AAA’s chief rival at CMLL.
Esta foto es vieja pero es la que encontré en estos momentos . Just to thank AAA and that from now on I will be an independent agent. black taurus continues his career in the USA and Mexico as a free agent and why not maybe see cmll?? pic.twitter.com/pHikthcmKJ
During his time with AAA, Taurus held the AAA Latin American Champion for 413 days and the AAA World Trios Title for 301 days. One of his final matches for AAA was against El Hijo del Vikingo, who recently broke the record for the longest reign as AAA Mega Champion
What’s Next for Black Taurus?
Taurus is now a free agent, but he may not be for much longer. Taurus recently competed for both AEW and Ring of Honor Wrestling. Taurus lost to Vikingo at ROH Final Battle and then on the December 22, 2023, episode of AEW Rampage.
Taurus’ future may also be as part of the soon-to-be revamped TNA Wrestling. Taurus has wrestled over 70 matches. for the promotion and made his debut for the company in 2019. He was part of the Decay stable alongside Rosemary, Havok, and Crazzy Steve. His most recent match for the promotion was in November of last year when he lost to Laredo Kidd and Tommy Dreamer.
Black Taurus isn’t the only notable free agent on the market right now…
During an appearance on Signed by Superstars, Matt Riddle discussed WWE’s intentions for him and Randy Orton before his departure. Without providing extensive details, considering the potential for a WWE comeback, the King of Bros mentioned the existence of plans for a storyline featuring a heel turn for one of the RK-Bro team members.
”Plan was — well we were hoping it… I don’t wanna really say how, because if I do return and then we do the story — yeah, I would say eventually all teams eventually turn on each other. I don’t wanna give the spoiler of who was gonna turn on who.”
Riddle and Orton lost the RAW Tag Team Titles to the Usos in a title unification match on May 20th, 2022. Then The Viper needed to take his hiatus for back fusion surgery.
Exclusive Insight Into RKO-Bro’s Breakup Plan
I asked around about this plan for RK-Bro, and I was told that this was actually true. It was always WWE’s intention to break up the team, but they never got to run that angle due to Orton’s back injury.
A tenured member of the creative team told me that, “There was always the plan for Orton to turn on Riddle.” So, the plan was going to see The Apex Predator turn heel on the Original Bro.
Matt Riddle and Randy Orton’s tag team was not intended to be a long-term angle. They were supposed to split after a very short time, as the King of Bros was supposed to eat an RKO outta nowhere and that would be the end of their team. However, they took off in popularity, and Vince McMahon never broke them up for good on television.
I was told several times in the months leading to Randy Orton’s return to the company that an RK-Bro reunion was never discussed. Then, Riddle was released in September, two months prior to Orton’s Survivor Series return on November 25th.
What’s Next For Randy Orton & Matt Riddle
You can never say never about a WWE return for Matt Riddle. CM Punk proved that anyone can come back. Still, Riddle left WWE with a lot of issues, as he had burned all of his chances with upper management who previously stood up for him.
Riddle is now working for MLW and NJPW. He is also taking indie dates, so he will be busy. Of course,
Randy Orton is back in WWE, and in a fatal four-way for the Undisputed Universal Title against Roman Reigns, LA Knight, and AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble on January 27th. The King of Bros may not be at the Royal Rumble event, but odds are he will be cheering on for Randy from home.
WWE SmackDown Superstar Grayson Waller only recently found out that Nebraska is real and was far from impressed by the state.
Taking to Twitter, Waller shared his shock that Nebraska is, in fact, a real place. Waller admitted he thought Nebraska was where one’s destination when you “go through the wardrobe” when that is the fictional land of Narnia. The Australian Superstar was unhappy that the temperature was -12 Fahrenheit (though he insisted on pointing out that it was 9 degrees Celsius.)
Waller added that Nebraska is “hands down” the worst place he’s visited in the United States. He went on to say that while Chicago was bad, the city has some history while Nebraska (according to Waller) has no positives. The Superstar ended with a plea to WWE to allow him to return to Australia, saying it was “criminal” for the company to keep him in Nebraska.
While Waller has a less-than-savory view of Nebraska, the Cornhusker State does have ties to the world of professional wrestling. In 1996, WWE held its In Your House 7: Good Friends, Better Enemies event at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. The main event saw Shawn Michaels defeat former friend Diesel to retain the WWF Championship in a No Golds Barred match. 12 years later, Judgment Day 2008 took place from the Qwest Center in Omaha. Triple H defeated Randy Orton in the main event to retain the WWE Championship.
Nebraska is also the home state of several wrestlers including WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase Sr. The Million Dollar Man is a former WWE Champion and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010.
Kevin Owens’ attacks have had a profound effect on the Aussie Superstar…
On this week’s AEW Dynamite: Homecoming, Anna Jay wore a shirt in tribute to Brodie Lee, who passed away in December of 2020. Speaking after competing on the show, Jay addressed her time working with the Dark Order leader.
“He’s really what started me here in AEW. He was here from the beginning when I was signed at 21, he kind of took me under his wing. I was in the Dark Order to begin with and he’s somebody who kind of showed me what was right… Now not having him is obviously really difficult, but tonight really sparked something in me that I haven’t had since then.”
EXCLUSIVE! @AnnaJay___ reflects on her match honoring The Exalted One, Mr. Brodie Lee and how he influences her to this day. pic.twitter.com/R1utqSM75Z
Last year, it was reported that the NWA had reached a deal with the CW, though the promotion has yet to air on TV. This week, the NWA confirmed that all-new NWA programming will be on the CW App starting February 6.
We are thrilled to announce that all-new NWA programming will appear on @TheCwApp starting February 6th!
The app is available in all AppStores, streaming devices and viewable in your browser!
Pop sensation Taylor Swift’s relationship with San Francisco 49’er Travis Kelce has dominated the headlines as of late, with even Grayson Waller getting in on the fun. Recently, Kelce’s mom visited the Performance Center and snapped a photo with Shawn Michaels. The USA Network made it clear they hope to see more Kelces and Kelce-affiliated people at the PC.
Awesome! Maybe more Kelce’s and Kelce-adjacent people would also like to show up to the Performance Center ?
Dragon Lee has been impressive on the main roster and has been winning over fans with his generosity at WWE live events. This week, WWE filed a trademark on the name of the former NXT North American Champion. The trademark covers the use of his name on merchandise and at wrestling events.
Recently, Anthony Smith made headlines when he spoke about a fight between UFC fighter Jim Miller and Lesnar, and said that the match would be 50-50. With that said Smith added that he’d give Miller the advantage if he faced Brock on the street. At a pre-fight news conference for UFC Fight Night 234, Miller was asked whether he agreed with Smith.
“I’ve trained with plenty of heavyweights through the years. My team now is a little bit smaller than me. Training is training, and I’m not a fan of keeping score, but I’ve trained with plenty of heavyweight world champ grapplers and stuff like that and I’ve subbed ’em out. So I know that if I can isolate something, I could kimura Brock Lesnar.
“I know that I could because I can lift enough. I can deadlift over 500 pounds. I can straighten the guy’s arm. He can’t single-arm curl 500 pounds. So it’s about isolating and stuff like that. It’s going to suck. I don’t want to be underneath him, but I appreciate the push. We’ll take it: 50/50.”
Jim Miller reacts to Anthony Smith saying he has a 50/50 chance against Brock Lesnar pic.twitter.com/WZVAFtCAsF
With Dunn gone, Lee Fitting will be making the big calls regarding WWE production, but his work with WWE won’t result in an Emmy nomination. A report from The Athletic reveals that ESPN (where Fitting had worked) has been inserting fake names in Emmy entries, taking the awards won by some of those imaginary individuals, and having them re-engraved before giving them to on-air personalities.
ESPN changed the names of several of the hosts and labeled them as affiliated producers, according to The Athletic, with Kirk Herbstreit being referred to as “Kirk Henry” and Lee Corso as “Lee Clark,” among other made-up names. This tactic helped those working on College GameDay to be recognized, despite not being eligible for inclusion in a credit list until last year.
When contacted by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, ESPN admitted to using fictitious names. Fitting, among others, has been deemed ineligible for future Emmy participation as part of the punishment handed out for the scheme.
Lee Fitting’s arrival in WWE has left many in the company resentful…
Tony Khan’s outburst all began in response to a tweet from the USA Network that did not refer to Khan or AEW. The tweet in question was a response to Raj Giri, who brought up the fact that Mahal and Rollins faced off in 2012 over the NXT Championship. The USA Network asked about the Cagematch rating for the match which Khan took as a dig at him.
Now, the USA Network is back to getting involved with WWE’s storylines. This week, Zelina Vega tweeted about not getting opportunities on SmackDown, and told Nick Aldis that RAW General Manager Adam Pearce never had any trouble believing in her. This earned a response from Raw’s broadcast partners at the USA Network, who made it clear they’ve always been impressed by Vega’s work.
You’ve already proven it to us and the @WWE Universe. Should be the easiest decision SmackDown makes. You deserve this opportunity
Ohio Valley Wrestling will benefit from the expertise of Mickie James now that the veteran has signed with the company.
In a press release, OVW confirmed that James will serve as Creative Director and Head of Female Talent, as well as Executive Producer for all OVW wrestling shows. Lead OVW Commentator and Producer Bryan Kennison said the following:
“Mickie James is a name synonymous with excellence in the wrestling industry, and we are incredibly excited to be working with her. Her experience, talent, and vision will be invaluable in elevating our programming and our women’s division to new heights.”
OVW CEO Al Snow had a similar sentiment to James being brought in. He said:
“We are not just working with a superstar, we are embracing a vision for the future. Mickie’s influence will transcend the ring. inspiring a new generation of wrestlers and fans alike.”
On Twitter, Matt Jones, the co-owner of OVW Wrestling, shared his excitement about the news.
I am very excited to announce that Mickie James @MickieJames is joint us as a new Creative Director and the head of Female Talent!
Mickie is a legend in the industry and will join Al Snow in continuing to make OVW the fastest growing spot in Pro Wrestling
Mickie James is no stranger to Ohio Valley Wrestling as after signing with WWE in 2003, she was sent to OVW which was the promotion’s developmental territory at the time. Highlights of James’ tenure with OVW include winning a Halloween costume contest in October 2004 and defeating Jillian Hall in a $1,000 match the following month.
In 2005, James was part of a tournament to crown an OVW Television Champion after the title had been vacated. The only woman in the tournament, James defeated Mike Mondo in the first round before losing to ‘Blaster’ Lashley in the second. She was called up to the main roster that same year.
Mickie James is set to work with OVW, but the legend is also set to do big things down under…
WWE Hall of Famer Sean ‘X-Pac’ Waltman won’t be competing in the upcoming Men’s Royal Rumble match, according to the man himself.
The 2024 Royal Rumble will take place on January 27, from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The venue was once home to WWE’s Thunderdome. The show will be the 37th Royal Rumble event and the seventh to feature both a Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble match.
Waltman Denies Royal Rumble Rumors
Earlier this month, it was rumored that Waltman would be competing in the Men’s Royal Rumble match. If so, the match will be Waltman’s first match in a WWE ring since a May 2002 edition of Monday Night Raw. On Twitter, however, the Hall of Famer downplayed the idea that he’ll be competing.
I can still go at the drop of hat, at least for a few minutes. I can do all my kicks, except the one in the corner & I can do that again with a few weeks training. I'm at least month away from taking my shirt off in public, so zero chance I'll be in the Rumble.
Waltman has competed in three Royal Rumble matches, with two being as X-Pac and one as the 1-2-3 Kid. Over these three appearances, Waltman has spent a total of 24:56 in the Royal Rumble match. His sole elimination came in the 2000 match where X-Pac, the #30 entrant, eliminated his former tag-team partner Kane.
Waltman (as X-Pac) also competed in a special Corporation Vs. DX Royal Rumble on Raw in 1999. He lasted 4:10 before being eliminated by the Big Boss Man.
Who’s In?
While Waltman is denying involvement with this year’s Men’s Royal Rumble match, several names have been announced. Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Lashley, and Drew McIntyre have been announced for the Men’s match. Bayley, Nia Jax, Becky Lynch, and Bianca Belair have declared for the Women’s Royal Rumble match.
Waltman has been rumored to make a return in the Men’s Royal Rumble match, but he’s not the only one…
Snoop Dogg’s Gold WWE Title is in the hands of a new individual, and he might have a tag team partner waiting for him as well. As WrestleMania 40 approaches, it appears that his prized WWE Title has found its way into the hands of Gritty, the Philadelphia Flyers mascot.
The Gold WWE Title Is In Gritty’s Hands
Snoop Dogg let the Philadelphia Eagles hold onto his Gold WWE Title. Now, it appears that Gritty acquired that gold, but we’re not sure of the measures that Gritty went through to achieve his goal.
WWE took to Twitter, sharing a video featuring Gritty, proudly wielding Snoop Dogg’s coveted WWE Championship. In the video, Gritty playfully called out Snoop Dogg, asserting that he has no intentions of returning the Championship.
What’s up Snoop, it’s Gritty. I got the Gold WWE Title from the Eagles and I ain’t giving it back. Come and get it.
Back in August 2022, the rapper was presented with the golden WWE Championship by Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch at the WrestleMania Launch Party at SoFi Stadium. Snoop Dogg took the title on his Holidaze of Blaze Tour to share its awesomeness with fans, but it was unfortunately pilfered.
Late last year, the iconic rapper entrusted his golden WWE Championship to the Philadelphia Eagles. Photos surfaced of Jason Kelce and others posing with the title, safeguarding it in the process.
Who is Gritty?
Gritty has distinctive orange fur, googly eyes, and vibrant personality; he is a perfect fit for the Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot. While embodying the spirit of Philadelphia sports. The mascot has been a fixture at Flyers’ home games, community events, and various promotional activities, contributing to the overall fan experience.
Given his charisma and unique look, Gritty broke into pop culture, and he is mentioned among many staples in pro sports. Now, he is holding onto Snoop Dogg’s Gold WWE Title. Let’s see what he does to it, and if Snoop will want it back afterward.
Sting has had a “major say” in his final match, Fightful Select reports. Sting has said in the past that he didn’t want to wrestle a singles match and would prefer to work a tag-team match. As of a few weeks ago, the plan was for Sting and Allin to face the Bucks and the Icon was “on board” with the idea.
Tony Khan & Sting
Tony Khan sees Sting’s retirement as very important and wants to make sure it’s done correctly and is a fitting send-off for the legendary wrestler. Whatever Sting wants for his last match and the build to it, AEW has been willing to do.
Whatever Sting wants to do, it likely won’t involve Ric Flair stepping back in the ring. While Flair got physical on this week’s Dynamite, he hasn’t been considered for any actual matches. Flair has been pushing to do more physical things, including the chops and poke to the eye we saw on Dynamite.
The Hurt Business consisted of Bobby Lashley, MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Cedric Alexander. That faction made money, traveled the world, and they brought a level of excellence to their promos. Now, Lashley is onto his next venture, and he has a new standing beside him. That new faction reportedly has a name.
Bobby Lashley & The Street Profit’s New Stable
After several months of Bobby Lashley teaming up with The Street Profits on WWE television, a faction name has been chosen. This comes after months of them appearing on television as an unnamed trio.
According to WrestleVotes, the intended name for the faction is “The Pride.” The name reveal was postponed for reasons unknown, but it was supposed to happen on last week’s episode of SmackDown. There may also be a shift in the group’s direction as well.
“There were plans in place to name the Bobby Lashley / Street Profits faction on last weeks SmackDown, which got axed at the last second for unknown reasons. I’m told those plans are still tentative as the direction of the trio could be shifting. The planned name for the group is “The Pride.”
There were plans in place to name the Bobby Lashley / Street Profits faction on last weeks SmackDown, which got axed at the last second for unknown reasons. I’m told those plans are still tentative as the direction of the trio could be shifting. The planned name for the group is…
The Street Profits turned heel when joining forces with Lashley, forming a new faction on SmackDown. They are currently involved in a storyline with AOP and Killer Kross.
There were talks within WWE about potentially adding Odyssey Jones to the group, but no developments have really progressed, and it appears they dropped the idea. Jones hasn’t made any television appearances since his main roster call-up during the 2023 WWE Draft.
Fans have caught their first glimpse of the new TNA Knockouts World Championship which will be defended by Trinity at the upcoming Hard to Kill event.
Trinity has held the IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts World Championship since Slammiversary 2023, where she dethroned Deonna Purrazzo. Trinity currently has four successful title defenses to her name.
New TNA Knockouts World Championship
In a video shared on Twitter, TNA President Scott D’Amore spoke about Trinity being an amazing representative of the Knockouts Division. D’Amore then presented Trinity with the new TNA Knockouts World Champion. Trinity was delighted with the new title and called the title “beautiful.”
The new title features a white strap, which is seemingly a nod to the original TNA Knockouts Championship introduced in 2007. The title also features the new TNA Wrestling logo which will be used on branding going forward.
What’s Next for Trinity?
Trinity will defend the new TNA Knockouts World Championship at Hard to Kill against former champion Jordynne Grace. A title change could be in the works as it’s been reported that Trinity will be finishing her tenure with IMPACT/TNA at the next tapings.
CM Punk and Jack Perry’s backstage altercation at All In London garnered attention in the pro wrestling world. It inspired a slew of memes and commentary due to how AEW handled the aftermath as well. Now, one man who was there is talking about how it all went down.
What DJ Woo Kid Saw At AEW All In London
DJ Whoo Kid, who was present at the All In London event because he was part of Swerve Strickland’s entrance, shared backstage insights during the Jim and Sam show on SiriusXM. He saw a lot, but we already know what happened. Punk and Jungle Boy had it out backstage, and chaos broke loose.
“You already know what happened in the back,” he started before saying it was “straight brawl city.” He then made a quip about how he’s not talking about all the “blood and killing and death” before laughing.
The famous rapper said that he was, “right there. We were next. They put us to be ready to go.” It seems that the situation made everyone alert on site and ready for anything to pop off.
“It was like the moment for AEW and I guess he [Punk] tried to sabotage that moment. He wasn’t trying to go out there. I’m in the middle. You know me, I’m the fly on the wall… It was very intense. I always thought it was fake and sh*t. It’s more real…the sh*t that’s crazy is there was a yelling moment where he was like “yo, f*ck this sh*t this is our moment, everybody get the f*ck out there and do your sh*t. It was very intense. I always respect wrestling after I saw that.”
“There was a yelling moment where he [Joe] was like ‘f*ck this sh*t, this is our moment, everybody get the f*ck out there and do your sh*t.’ I was like, I don’t wrestle, but I was about to go out there. It was very intense. I will always respect wrestling after I saw that.”
He continued and said that Samoa Joe, who he called a big guy “Hawaiian looking dude,” had to talk some sense into CM Punk. After all, Joe and Punk were set to open the Wembley Stadium event with their “Real” World Title match, a contest that CM Punk won.
CM Punk famously declared that he was quitting AEW after his fight with Jungle Boy, but Joe was able to talk him down. In the end, it was a bloody affair backstage.
“The big guy. The Hawaiian-looking [dude]. It was the guy going ham and I was like, ‘Oh sh*t.’ Then blood was everywhere from the fight before that. They came in and they were bleeding. I was like, ‘what is going on around here?’ This was intense.”
What Happened After AEW Brawl In
CM Punk was fired for that altercation with Jack Perry at All In. It did not take very long for Punk to defy all reports, odds, and expectations by returning to WWE at Survivor Series just a few months later.
Samoa Joe became the AEW World Champion after beating MJF at AEW Worlds End. He also debuted a snazzy new title belt during the January 10th AEW Dynamite Homecoming episode.
Jack Perry was suspended for his part in Brawl In. Although there were rumors that he may have been The Devil, Perry has not been seen on AEW television since All In London. He was also not revealed to be The Devil, as that role went to an injured Adam Cole.
Steveson’s performance at the latest SmackDown received mixed reviews from those in attendance, with the consensus matching what we’ve heard from sources in the Performance Center. The general gist is that Steveson has a long way to go and is not picking things up as quickly as others with similar amateur credentials. He also has a notable lack of charisma.
Despite this, fans can expect to see Gable Steveson at upcoming episodes of SmackDown. The Olympic Gold Medalist is booked for the next few TV events, according to PW Insider. There is no word on him being used during the broadcast, and it is likely his role at these tapings will be in dark matches.
What’s Next for Gable Steveson?
Outside of these SmackDown appearances, Steveson is not factored into any upcoming creative plans. There’s always the possibility that he could be a part of the upcoming Men’s Royal Rumble match, where he would have the chance to be showcased while also protected. We should stress that this is not something we’ve specifically heard from WWE.
Dark Side Of The Ring is reportedly making its comeback for another season.
The show captures the dark chapters of professional wrestling and it has become quite a popular show for Vice TV since it was created in April 2019. Dark Side Of The Ring has documented stories of wrestlers such as Chris Benoit, Owen Hart, New Jack, and The Road Warriors, while also capturing topics such as Brawl For All, The Plane Ride From Hell, The Collision in Korea, and Bash at the Beach 2000.
Dark Side of The Ring is back
Vice TV has renewed the show for a fifth season. The current plan is to bring back the show in March 2024.
Season four of the show premiered last year and consisted of 10 episodes and debuted on May 30. AEW’s Chris Jericho narrated the season while Evan Husney and Jason Eisener returned as the executive directors.
Topics covered on the season included Chris Candido & Tammy Sytch, Magnum T.A, Adrian Adonis, Doink The Clown, Junkyard Dog, Marty Jannetty, Bam Bam Bigelow, Abdullah The Butcher, Bash at the Beach 2000, and The Graham Family.
Dark Side of the Ring got a good reception from wrestling fans, but several concerns had been raised regarding its future. Some wrestling veterans including former WWE commentator Jim Ross had said they will no longer be featured on the show due to alleged examples of selective editing.
The date of its return is yet to be revealed as pro wrestling fans eagerly wait for yet another jam-packed season.
Chris Jericho’s name captures attention whenever he makes a headline. In recent memory, some stories have come out about Chris Jericho that he may have wished stayed under the rug. This is likely one of those times he wishes an NDA was signed.
Chris Jericho Was Allegedly KO’ed On His Own Cruise Ship
Brian Last shared a tale during an episode of the Cornette’s Drive Thru podcast, recounting an incident where Jericho was knocked out on his own cruise. Sadly, he couldn’t go into a ton of details at the time, but Last promised listeners that he had a great story to tell.
“Man, there is a story I would love to tell, but i didn’t get permission, but him getting knocked out on his own cruise ship by someone he mouthed off to. It’s the most incredible f*cking story, but I can’t talk about that today.“
Now, we have a lot more information about what happened, including who allegedly knocked Chris Jericho out.
Chris Jericho leads a rock star lifestyle, and it’s not just a gimmick. It appears that, according to Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net, it was MVP who put Chris Jericho down for the count on his own cruise in 2020.
The incident took place during Chris Jericho’s Rock N’ Wrestling Rager At Sea – Part Deux: Second Wave, back in January 2020. During the cruise there was an altercation between Jericho and former WWE US and Tag Champion MVP, where heated words were exchanged that resulted in MVP knocking out Chris Jericho.
Another incident was reportedly confirmed by sources a year or two after the cruise. This time, the situation unfolded in a hotel lobby. During a heated exchange, Jericho quickly headed to the elevator, closing the door with a remark, “I don’t fight jobbers.”
The story that was told to me was that the two once again engaged in a heated exchange, which lead to Jericho “hurrying to the elevator, and as the door closed saying “I don’t fight jobbers.””
Nick Hausman stated on his Rumor and Innuendo podcast that Jericho, who spoke out against NDAs regarding the Brawl Out fiasco, may have skeletons in his own closet.
“There are issues with Chris behind the scenes, where I know a lot of people who were hurt by Chris and his actions. You know, it’s very uncomfortable to me to see him lauded like he is and only having the focus on that, because I do think there are a lot of questionable stories about Chris that will find their way out over time when people are ready to tell those stories, that will cast him in a very different light.”
“I mean, Harvey Weinstein won a lot of Oscars, Harvey Weinstein produced a lot of very popular films. Harvey Weinstein is now in jail … I’m not saying that is happening to Chris, but the narrative can quickly turn if you’re hiding a lot of skeletons in your closet.
Nick Hausman compared Chris Jericho to Harvey Weinstein
Later on, an online allegation surfaced about Jericho’s conduct with Kylie Rae. This behavior allegedly led to her requesting a release from AEW. Rae reacted to that accusatory post with a heart emoji.
Following the spread of the Nick Hausman clip, an X account revisited an overlooked tweet from an earlier time. The resurfaced tweet suggested a potential connection between Kylie Rae’s departure from AEW and Chris Jericho.
“So here’s the deal, you don’t quit the hottest fed going today (AEW) without reason. I have it from people in the know that Kylie was asked to go to Chris Jericho’s room. With the understanding that others would be there. When she got there it was just him. He made a pass at her (no other details are given) and she freaked out.”
Chris Jericho’s Future in AEW
Despite these allegations about Chris Jericho, he is still featured on AEW programming. He wrestled at Worlds End, although “NDA” and “Kylie Rae” chants were audible during the pay-per-view.
To remedy any chance of negative fan chants during the January 10th AEW Dynamite Homecoming episode in Daily’s Place, they let Fozzy’s “Judas” song play for the entire time Jericho was on camera.
Jericho and Sammy Guevara are set to battle Big Bill and Ricky Starks for the AEW World Tag Team Titles at AEW Battle of the Belts on January 13th.
UPDATE: MVP Responds
MVP has posted on X in response to this story about him knocking out Chris Jericho surfaced. He did not deny a single thing, as he only asked fans if they heard any good rumors lately.
Wednesday was a big night for AEW. They celebrated five years as a company at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida. Daily’s Place was AEW’s home during the pandemic era of wrestling.
Dynamite was filled with AEW Originals. The show kicked off with a former member of The Elite, Hangman Adam Page. What’s a homecoming show without an actual homecoming?
In the main event, Sting and Darby Allin defeated Powerhouse Hobbs and Konosuke Takeshita. Following their win, Tony Schiavone asked Sting who his final match would be against. Before he could answer, the familiar sound of the Young Bucks music hit.
Sporting mustaches and long jackets, the Bucks made stood on the stage and stared down “The Icon” and Allin. Allin seemed to welcome the challenge, motioning them to come down to the ring.
Are the Young Bucks calling their shot against Sting and Darby Allin?
Since Full Gear, Brandon Cutler has been posting on social media on behalf of the Jacksons. Immediately following Dynamite, he posted that the return of the Young Bucks has increased backstage morale tremendously.
Sting’s Final Match
Nothing has been signed as of press time, but the events that transpired on Dynamite indicate that Sting’s final match will be a tag contest, teaming with Darby Allin against The Young Bucks.
Whoever is standing across the ring from him that evening, it’s going to be a memorial occasion. AEW Revolution will takes place from the historic Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina on Saturday, March 3, 2024.
Brodie Lee Honored
The AEW Dynamite Homecoming was also a celebration of the late, great Mr. Brodie Lee. Lee’s time in AEW was brief, but made a lasting impression. Many fans associate the venue with Lee. All of his AEW matches took place there, save for the tapings at the Nightmare Factory early on during the pandemic.
To honor Lee’s memory, his two handpicked wrestlers, Preston Vance (“10”) and Anna Jay (“99”) each competed in an 8-person match. They picked up the wins for their respective teams.
Vance wore the ring jacket that Lee gifted him along with an armband with his mentor’s name. Jay wore a Lee shirt. Adam Copeland was part of the team that faced Vance’s. He donned a Jon Huber Toronto Maple Leafs themed shirt and hat.
Steph De Lander is excited for what’s to come in the coming year and has big plans for herself and Matt Cardona.
The 26-year-old wrestler has become a force to be reckoned on the independent scene following her release from WWE NXT in 2021. Currently, she holds the Premier Women’s World Championship and has been dubbed the Women’s Internet Champion by Matt Cardona.
Steph De Lander on Working with Matt Cardona
De Lander and Cardona are often a double act on the independents and can often be found aiding the other in matches. Speaking on the Insight podcast, De Lander revealed how she and Cardona came to be working together.
“We were on a tour in Australia, I think in March of this year, for World Series Wrestling and he came up to me. We’d met each other once before but it was a hi and bye. But he came up to me and said ‘Hey, I have a question to ask you.’ And instantly, I’m going I’ve done something wrong. I’ve s***-talked someone, I’ve buried myself somehow. I’m about to get yelled at. Instantly it was like, this is negative.
“And he goes ‘Do you want to work with me on the indies? Do you want to be my heater?’ Are you serious? [Chelsea Green had recently re-signed with WWE] and he’s going what’s next? Actually, before he said that, he asks ‘Question, are you signed anywhere?’ I said no and he said ‘Perfect.'”
Cardona was willing to give De Lander time to think it over, but the Australian wrestler wasted no time in answering.
“[I tell him] Yes, 1000% yes. He goes ‘You can take some time to think it over.’ There’s nothing to think about. What are you talking about?”
What’s Next for Steph De Lander?
After a banner 2023, which saw De Lander become the first independent act to grace PWI’s cover in decades, the young wrestler is excited for what’s next. On the show, De Lander explained how she and Cardona aren’t planning on resting on their current success.
“Winding down the year and going into the next year, it’s common for everyone to get kind of reflective. We’ve both been sitting here going ‘Wow, we had such an amazing year. What are we doing next year?’ Because if you’re not going up you start going down. So we’re already brainstorming. Certain places we want to go that we haven’t wrestled at yet. Different countries we want to go to. What can we add to our act? What can we maximize for our social media? What can we be doing more of?
“Him and I are always thinking of what’s next and what we can be doing more of and we’re never getting complacent. I think that’s why this pairing has worked so well. It’s not one person steering the ship and dragging the other person along. It is a very equal [partnership]. We’re both super motivated.”
De Lander’s most recent match saw her work an MLW Reload taping, where she defeated Good Brother #3 (Mance Warner.)
For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.
