Although Kane has not wrestled in a few years, he’s not retired.
The former WWE Champion last wrestled when he was part of the 2021 Men’s Royal Rumble match. Regarding a normal match, he hasn’t wrestled a singles or tag team bout since Crown Jewel in 2018, when he teamed with the Undertaker against Shawn Michaels and Triple H.
Kane was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021. His career will be covered on A&E Biography: WWE Legends on Sunday, March 12.
One More Match?
While speaking to PWMania, Kane was asked about the possibility of wrestling one more match.
“I’ll always leave that door open. In WWE we never say never. I don’t know what will happen. I do some stuff here and there in the WWE. That’s a part of me and it’s something I enjoy and want to do for the rest of my life. If it’s something in the ring, I don’t know. Maybe you have to ask Kane that question,” he said.
Kane did make an appearance at last year’s SummerSlam in Nashville, Tennessee, to announce the attendance for the show. While away from WWE, he continues to be the Mayor of Knox County in Tennessee.
WWE’s efforts to legalize gambling on its matches continue as the company has registered with another state in addition to the previously reported Colorado and Michigan.
As previously reported by CNBC on Wednesday, the company has met with regulators in Colorado and Michigan regarding wagering on “high profile” WWE matches. On Thursday, the same media outlet updated its report to confirm that the company registered with the Indiana Gaming Commission.
Consideration?
The Colorado Division of Gaming told CNBC that it is currently not even considering the idea of legalized wagering on WWE matches. The Colorado Division of Gaming also noted that the state has a statute that prohibits gambling on predetermined contests such as awards shows or, in this case, pro wrestling.
Should the Michigan Gaming Control Board approve legalized wagering on WWE matches, that information will be made public on the organization’s Sports Wagering Catalog.
To get this pushed through, WWE has partnered with the accounting firm Ernest & Young to secure match results and demonstrate to regulators that gambling on predetermined contests can be done safely.
It was a logical partnership as the firm already works to secure results for predetermined contests, including the Academy Awards.
WWE has proposed that to get this through, they will have match results locked in months ahead of the bouts taking place as a way to prevent the results from being leaked to the public, leading to wrestlers involved in the matches not knowing until right before the match takes place.
Lachlan Murdoch, CEO of FOX, is ready to engage in talks with WWE regarding their partnership together.
On Thursday, Morgan Stanley TMT held a media and telecom conference where Murdoch spoke and was asked about the evolution of the partnership with the wrestling promotion.
That partnership sees FOX air SmackDown every Friday night. It initially included the WWE Backstage show that aired on FS1, but it was canceled.
The Partnership
Murdoch would not describe it as an ‘evolution’ of the partnership but praised WWE for being great partners.
Regarding the potential sale of WWE, he noted that he hopes the new buyers keep the current management team together because they’ve done a great job from his point of view.
“So, I don’t think it’s an evolution of the partnership (between FOX & WWE). I think they’ve been great partners. They’ve been great partners throughout our partnership, our relationship. If they ultimately sell the business, I hope the acquirer, I’m sure they’ll be as good a partner as they’ve been. I hope the management team stays intact because they’ve done a tremendous job. From a rights point of view, we’re focused on their rights renewal. We’re ready. We haven’t engaged with them on the rights yet. We’re ready to engage with them when they ask, when they’re ready. But ultimately, our appetite for a renewal depends on what happens with the rest of our sports portfolio.”
FOX’s deal for SmackDown expires next year, but negotiations are expected to start later this year.
Triple H is doing a great job in the role of WWE Chief Content Officer since taking over the position last year. Fans have certainly loved his work and are eager as to what ‘The Game’ has in store for them.
While the card for this year’s WrestleMania 39 event is all stacked up, Triple H is reportedly chalking out plans for WrestleMania 40. The show is set to take place in Philadelphia, and The WWE Executive already appears to have big plans for the event.
“Next year they’re going to pack and stack the hell out of the card, because of the anniversary. It means something to Triple H.”
In addition to this, WrestleVotes noted that the ‘door is open’ for two major names to work next year’s event who rejected appearing at this year’s show.
These names include The Rock, who told WWE he wouldn’t be able to get in ring shape for a match with Roman Reigns in time for the show, and WWE Hall of Famer ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin. The Texas Rattlesnake had also rejected numerous pitches for this year’s event, including matches with Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns.
The show is over a year away and it is quite certain that several changes in plans will occur. It is needless to say that the company will try to make the most of this one year, once WrestleMania 39 goes into the history books.
Gable Steveson’s career in WWE will likely face another delay given the young Superstar’s plans to return to the Olympics.
In 2021, weeks after winning Gold in Tokyo, Steveson signed with WWE putting rumors to bed that he could join the NFL, UFC, or even AEW.
That same year, Steveson was drafted to Monday Night Raw, making him the first person in history to be drafted before having a professional match.
The Olympics
Steveson has been with WWE for close to two years, but he is yet to wrestle a match for the promotion.
In an interview with MMAFighting.com, Steveson said that he plans on competing at the Summer Games in Paris, France next year.
“I’m 22 and next year I’ll be 23 at the Olympic games. It’s definitely a blessing to be able to call yourself an Olympic gold medalist and to be able to have the WWE fans recognize you with that, but in my eyes, there’s always a next and there’s always a bigger show to accomplish. WWE is another show to accomplish, but being a two-time Olympic gold medalist is also on the top of my list.”
Gable Steveson.
It has been reported that WWE intended to ‘fast track’ Steveson to the main roster, but he has not shown the level of progress in training that was expected of him.
Steveson’s one and only offensive maneuver in WWE came at WrestleMania 38, when he suplexed (fellow Olympian) Chad Gable.
Debut
If Steveson goes ahead with plans to wrestle in Paris, then it’s unlikely he will be wrestling for WWE before then, and risk an injury.
That doesn’t mean that Steveson could not show up on WWE TV, and in the interview, said he feels he is close to being on programming.
“It will be coming really, really soon. And when I mean really, really soon, probably after [WrestleMania] or just a little bit after that.”
Gable Steveson.
There are currently no reports that reveal if WWE has plans for Steveson to be used on-screen in any capacity anytime soon.
Former Impact Wrestling star Angelina Love and Fodder are tying the knot as man and wife.
Love took to her Twitter account to announce the news as she shared photos of herself sporting an engagement ring alongside the fellow wrestler.
The two have been wrestling on the independent scene and in the NWA. Fodder has only wrestled for two years while Love has been in the wrestling business for 22 years where she has competed in promotions such as TNA Wrestling, Ring Of Honor, Game Changer Wrestling, SHINE Wrestling, and AAA. They signed with the NWA last year.
The Announcement
Love, who is a former six-time TNA Knockout’s Champion, captioned the post that had photos with the following:
“It was so easy to say YES! to this man ? My King, my best friend, my soulmate and David’s Big Cheese ? love you always and forever @LoKeys910.”
Congrats to the happy couple!
Love most recently wrestled on NWA Powerrr on February 12th when she lost to La Rosa Negra. Fodder’s last match happened on this same episode when he beat VHS.
It was so easy to say YES! to this man ? My King, my best friend, my soulmate and David’s Big Cheese ? love you always and forever @LoKeys910 ?? pic.twitter.com/HyvcCBcnOy
WWE is taking a huge risk with their new gambling proposals which would allow fans to make more and bigger bets on the matches.
Despite being scripted entertainment, WWE does allow some small bets on matches, and has teamed with popular services including DraftKings and FanDuel.
While fans do not know the results of matches for certain until they see the bout itself, there are people within WWE who know the results well ahead of time.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer explained that WWE could be risking it all if the match results leak under their proposed gambling initiative.
“If they do this, legitimately, they can’t tell anyone. It’s not like you’re going to sneak around the system. There’s going to be safeguards and everything. The minute they tell people [the results] and it gets out… they’d be in an incredible amount of trouble for gaming violations. That’s nothing to mess with. They literally can’t do that. So the talent will not be able to know their finishes at least in the stuff that’s being gambled on.”
“The minute they tell people [the results] and it gets out… they’d be in an incredible amount of trouble for gaming violations.”
Dave Meltzer.
Meltzer confirmed rumors that WWE Superstars would not be told the results of their own matches until the last minute, which could cause serious problems backstage.
“I think it is limited to only the biggest matches, which actually makes it even funnier. Because let’s just say you’re planning a title change. You’re not going to tell the champion, or the challenger about the title change until about an hour or two before the match starts.”
Dave Meltzer.
Bryan Alvarez jokingly wished WWE good luck the next time they want Brock Lesnar to wrestle without telling him the result of his own match until the last minute.
Surprise
WWE’s gambling plans have taken fans by surprise, as well as those in the company.
Ironically, these plans were kept a closely guarded secret in WWE, but have since leaked to the public. Meltzer explained:
“This surprised a lot of people, including the company. Because this wasn’t something that people knew WWE was doing, trying to get this stuff done. But what I’m guessing, more than guessing, is that Draft Kings wants to sponsor them. And Draft Kings does sponsor WWE, and they do sponsor AEW as well. And if WWE gets this, would AEW then follow?”
Meltzer chalked up these big plans to WWE’s CEO Nick Khan.
“This is Nick Khan’s baby. He’s a sports guy. And there’s a lot of money in sports gambling.”
Ric Flair is one of the most recognized professional wrestlers in history, but he will take photos when it is right for him.
In 2005, Flair won the Intercontinental Championship from Carlito at that year’s Unforgiven Pay-Per-View, marking Flair’s one and only reign with the gold.
This win would also be Flair’s first taste of singles gold in WWE in 13 years after previously holding the WWE Championship twice in 1992.
Being Fined
Ric Flair was on WWE’s roster for years, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that the ‘Dirtiest Player in the Game’ got in trouble backstage at times.
Speaking on the latest episode of his To Be the Man podcast, Ric recalled being fined for failing the Wellness Policy.
“I got popped for a steroid test. [John] Lauriniaitis. I said I said ‘I got a prescription.’ He said ‘the doctor said it doesn’t work on a guy your age.’ I said ‘I’m 55 years old wrestling 25-year-old kids!’ And he said ‘you’re fined 40 grand but you’re not going home. Be at work every day I’m just not going to pay you for a month.'”
Ric Flair.
Five-Grand Fine
Being fined for his Wellness Policy violation was hardly the only time Flair would get in trouble with WWE.
During the show, Flair recalled his Intercontinental Championship win, and being fined almost immediately after his victory.
“They still don’t have a [studio] picture of me with the Intercontinental belt. It drives them crazy, right? I said ‘I’m not taking a picture with the Intercontinental belt’ and so they fined me five thousand dollars. And I told them. ‘When you guys are so starved for talent, that you’ve got to fine a 55-year-old guy for not taking a picture with the Intercontinental belt, you’ve got a developmental problem with talent.
“I said ‘I’m not taking a picture with the Intercontinental belt’ and so they fined me five thousand dollars.”
Ric Flair.
When co-host Conrad Thompson asked whether the 16-time World Champion felt the IC title was a step-down, Flair refuted the idea.
“No no no. It wasn’t that. I just didn’t want to take off my shirt any more than I had to. I’m talking about vanity. It wasn’t the belt, I mean that was awesome having the belt. That’s a misconception. I just didn’t want to take off my shirt any more than I had to. Man, I was ducking and diving. Paying Kevin Dunn off to shoot me at different angles.”
“I just didn’t want to take off my shirt any more than I had to.”
Ric Flair.
Flair’s 155-day reign would end in February 2006 when he dropped the title to Shelton Benjamin on Monday Night Raw.
Brian Cage’s time with All Elite Wrestling will seemingly be coming to an end soon enough, despite the promotion’s best efforts.
In January, a report from Fightful Select noted that Cage’s AEW contract is set to expire in a matter of weeks, but that there was the possibility it could be extended.
Cage originally signed his AEW contract in 2020 with a two-year deal, but his option year was picked up by the promotion.
Running Out of Time
In its update, Fightful Select reports that AEW was hoping to extend Cage’s current deal due to the time he was injured, which would have made his deal last until the end of June.
Some of the time that was supposed added to Cage’s contract is actually because Cage was signed while injured after leaving Impact Wrestling.
Cage, a former Impact Wrestling World Champion, “pushed back” on that idea, and said he was “interested in exploring free agency.”
Fightful was told that Cage has had some “heavy hitters” within AEW in his corner of late, and that Chris Jericho has been putting over his work.
The head of the Jericho Appreciation Society has spoken publicly about his desire that Cage re-signs with AEW.
In 2021, Cage reportedly had heat backstage in AEW after his wife Melissa bashed the promotion on social media and said her husband should be used more.
WWE Interest
In January, it was reported that “feelers” from WWE had tried to gauge if Cage would have any interest in signing with the promotion.
Fightful Select has been told that WWE has maintained an interest in Cage in the event he becomes a free agent, and is open to having conversations.
AEW and Cage have agreed to work together through the end of March, specifically the ROH Supercard of Honor Pay-Per-View.
Ric Flair may have spent much of his wrestling career as a dastardly heel, but even he knows when a line has been crossed.
At AEW Revolution 2023, MJF retained his AEW World Championship against Bryan Danielson, winning the first Iron Man match in AEW history.
During the match, MJF took a beverage (believed to be Tequila) from a fan and threw it on a child sitting in the crowd.
Many have called this a step too far for MJF who has earned praise in the past for his dedication to his heel-wrestling persona.
Totally Against
Ric Flair may be no angel (as fans learned from VICE’s Dark Side of the Ring) but he believes that MJF’s actions at Revolution were not warranted.
On his To Be The Man podcast, co-host Conrad Thompson asked Flair for his thoughts on MJF’s actions.
“It’s cheap heat. You want to do something to get heat and get the people excited that won’t hurt anybody? You cut yourself so deep that when you swing your hair, you throw blood all over them. I used to do it all the time when I had long hair. Then they feel like they’re part of the action.”
Ric Flair.
While Flair did seem to say that last part in jest, he made his stance perfectly clear.
“I’m totally against throwing anything on a kid.”
Ric Flair.
The two-time WWE Hall of Famer said that this sort of behavior would not fly in WWE, the promotion MJF has teased joining next year.
AEW’s Response
What happened at Revolution was not an intended part of the show, and both the young fan and their guardian were incredibly upset.
The fan, Titus, was given AEW merchandise, tickets to this week’s Dynamite, and was able to go backstage at Revolution to meet the wrestlers.
At the Revolution post-show press conference, AEW President Tony Khan said that he and MJF had a serious talk about the champion’s actions.
The future of the Ring of Honor World Tag Team Championships has been made clear after the tragic passing of Jay Briscoe earlier this year.
In January, Jay died in a car accident minutes from his home in Laurel, Delaware at the age of 38.
The accident resulted in the death of the driver of the other vehicle, and Jay’s daughters Jayleigh and Grace have both had to undergo surgery.
ROH World Tag Team Championships
Since Jay’s passing, Mark Briscoe has continued to be promoted as an ROH World Tag Team Champion during his appearances on AEW and ROH programming.
During this week’s taping of AEW Rampage (which is set to air on March 10,) Mark announced that a ‘Reach for the Sky’ Ladder match will decide the next champions.
The match is set to occur at Ring of Honor’s upcoming pay-per-view, Supercard of Honor on Friday, March 31, 2023.
It was also confirmed that former AEW World Tag Team Champions the Lucha Bros. will be part of this match.
The Briscoes
Considered to be the greatest tag team in the history of Ring of Honor, the Briscoes wowed fans for years with their no-nonsense style.
Together, Mark and Jay became 13-time ROH World Tag Team Champions, with their most recent win coming at Final Battle last December.
The pair also held the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships at one time with Bully Ray, and are seven-time ROH Year-End award winners.
In addition to Jay’s two reigns as ROH World Champion, the brothers were inducted into the ROH Hall of Fame in 2022.
Sarray’s tenure with WWE as part of the NXT brand has come to an end, according to the latest report from Tokyo Sports.
Sarray signed with WWE in 2020, but her debut was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and she would not debut until March 2021.
When NXT became NXT 2.0, she was given a gimmick where she would transform from a pigtailed schoolgirl to a more glamorous appearance thanks to a medallion.
The Japanese Superstar’s most recent match came in August of last year, when she lost to then-NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose.
Leaving WWE
Sarray will hold a press conference on March 13, to announce the resumption of her wrestling career in Japan
Her return match will take place at a ‘Sareee-ISM’ event on May 16 at Shinjuku Face.
The Sarreee part of the show’s name comes from Sarray’s pre-WWE ring name.
Saraeee Before WWE
Training under the tutelage of Kyoko Inoue, Sareee would make her wrestling debut in April 2011 aged 15, as part of the World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana promotion.
After six years with the promotion, Sareee left to join Seadlinnng in February 2017, but would leave the promotion later that year.
Immediately after leaving Seadlinnng, Sareee announced her return to Diana, and make her in-ring return that October, losing to Kaoru Ito.
Despite a clavicle injury suffered in the match that should have seen her out for a year, Sareee made a John-Cena-esque recovery and was back after three months.
Sareee is a one-time WWPWD Tag Team Champion (with Jaguar Yokota) and two-time WWPWD World Champion.
New AEW TNT Champion Powerhouse Hobbs had some choice words for the fans after this week’s episode of Dynamite went off the air.
In the main event of the show, Hobbs dethroned Wardlow to capture the TNT title, marking Hobbs’ first championship as part of AEW.
The Powerhouse had earned an opportunity at the gold the previous week by winning the Face of the Revolution Ladder match.
After Dynamite
Hobbs defeated Wardlow in a Falls Count Anywhere match, albeit thanks to the assist of QT Marshall.
Marshall attacked Wardlow with a steel chair and a low blow, and he and Hobbs would double power-bomb the former champion to end the match.
After the show, Marshall told the Sacramento crowd that he and Hobbs were going to go celebrate in a real city, before handing the mic to the Champion.
Hobbs shared the sentiment, saying that he was going to get out of Sacramento and head back to Oakland.
The new AEW TNT Champion called his win new chapter of the Book of Hobbs and told the crowd to kiss his “black a**” before leaving.
TNT Championship
This may be Hobbs’ first reign as TNT Champion, but the title belt he won wasn’t the one Wardlow had been holding.
On Dynamite, Tony Khan made yet another important announcement. After retaining the AEW All-Atlantic Championship, Orange Cassidy was attacked from behind by Jeff Jarrett.
In honor of the release of SHAZAM!, Khan is honoring Orange Cassidy’s request to face Jeff Jarrett.
Khan stated that the match will “represent an important milestone for our company. (…) This match marks the fifth and final defense of the AEW All-Atlantic Championship on international soil. It’s the only AEW title to change hands on international soil. And next week, in partnership with Warner Brothers Discovery, to support Shazam! Fury of the Gods, in Winnipeg, it’ll be Orange Cassidy vs. “Double J” Jeff Jarrett for the International Championship. Next week in Winnipeg, we will level up the championship. It will be a huge match and a huge milestone for AEW.”
The AEW All-Atlantic Championship has only been around since last June. There was a tournament to crown the first champion at Forbidden Door. The title was created to spotlight international talent in AEW.
PAC was the first wrestler to win the All-Atlantic Championship. He defended the title in England and Ireland. The matches were later aired on Dark. Orange Cassidy won the title in Toronto back in October. While he hasn’t defended it on international soil yet, Cassidy did face Katsuyori Shibata on Rampagelast November.
AEW‘s latest edition of Dynamite went down (3/8/23) from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California! Just days removed from AEW Revolution, Powerhouse Hobbs became the new TNT Champion after defeated Wardlow in a Falls Count Anywhere Match! All Elite Wrestling President Tony Khan announced that the AEW All-Atlantic Championship has been officially rebranded to the AEW International Championship!
Live Coverage
Orange Cassidy (C) def. Jay Lethal — AEW All-Atlantic Championship
Ricky Starks then makes his way down to the ring. Starks puts over his victory over Chris Jericho from this past weekend’s Revolution pay-per-view and ponders what’s next for himself. Juice Robinson’s music hits and Juice pops up behind Starks and attacks him.
We then see AEW TNT Champion Wardlow, who’s backstage with Tony Schiavone. Wardlow proposes to Powerhouse Hobbs that they up the ante and make their title match a Falls Count Anywhere Match and tells Hobbs that he’s going to demolish him tonight.
After the match, Willow Nightingale comes down to the ring and tells Ruby that she isn’t acting like herself. Ruby attacks Willow, as does Toni Storm and Saraya.
We then see ‘Hangman’ Adam Page with Renee Paquette backstage. Page directs his attention to Jon Moxley and delivers one final message to his longtime foe. Page tells Moxley, and anyone else that wants to test him in the future that if you come at him, you’ll be taken to hell.
"If you want to try me, if you want to push me- I'll take you to hell."#HangmanAdamPage has a final message for @JonMoxley.
Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood of FTR make their way down to the ring where Tony Schiavone is awaiting. Cash and Dax tell Tony that they’re here to make their intentions perfectly clear…they’re coming for the Gunn Club and the AEW World Tag Team Titles.
We then see AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill and Leila Grey backstage with Renee Paquette. Renee asks Jade if there’s anyone who can challenge her 53-0 record. Jade says she’s ran through all All Elite Wrestling has to offer and says she’s looking forward to going to Canada next week because she’s defeated everyone that’s been put in front of her in the United States.
After the match, Chris Jericho grabs a microphone and challenges House of Black to an AEW Trios World Championship match next week in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Kenny Omega, Matt, and Nick Jackson of The Elite, alongside Don Callis interrupt. Callis says nobody should get a title shot before The Elite get their rematch. The lights go out and House of Black appear on the ramp with their titles and it looks like we may have a three way trios title match next week.
We then see AEW President Tony Khan backstage. Tony says the AEW All-Atlantic Championship has been officially rebranded to the AEW International Championship. Tony says Orange Cassidy will remain the champion and defend his title against Jeff Jarrett next week on Dynamite.
We see an exclusive look at Bryan Danielson’s comments after his hard fought loss against MJF in his bid for the AEW World Championship from this past weekend at Revolution. Danielson simply said it’s ‘time to go home’.
We then see Anthony Bowens and Max Caster of The Acclaimed alongside Billy Gunn backstage. Matt Menard and Angelo Parker interrupt and offer Bowens, Caster, and Gunn a spot in the Jericho Appreciation Society. The Acclaimed and Gunn laugh off the offer and a match between The Acclaimed and Menard and Parker is set up for this Friday’s episode of Rampage.
WWE is looking to work with gambling regulators as a way to allow fans to legally bet on matches.
Alex Sherman of CNBC reported today that WWE has had talks with regulators in the states of Colorado and Michigan about legalized betting on “high-profile matches.”
The report added that WWE is working with EY (Ernst & Young) to secure the secrecy of match results to show the regulators that betting would not be impacted by results leaking before the bouts take place.
Other Possibilities
The report noted that should WWE be able to get this legalized then it could open the door for “legalized betting on other guarded, secret scripted events, such as future character deaths in TV series.”
The story added, “Allowing gambling on certain WWE matches would alter how matches are produced – and how storylines are created. In discussions about how gambling on wrestling could work, WWE executives have proposed that scripted results of matches be locked in months ahead of time, according to people familiar with the matter. The wrestlers themselves wouldn’t know whether they were winning or losing until shortly before a match takes place, said the people.”
WWE entered into an agreement with DraftKings in 2021 by naming them as their official gaming partner, which allows for free-to-play pools with DraftKings.
After Komander made his AEW debut recently, he not only has interest from the promotion, but also from WWE.
On the March 1st episode of AEW dynamite, he was part of the Face of the Revolution ladder match. During the bout, he hit a rope walk into a springboard dive to the floor to take out everyone. It’s one of his signature moves.
After the match, it was reported that both companies were interested in signing him, something that he is honored to hear.
Reaction
“It’s very humbling to hear that people want to know where I’m going next,” says Komander. “That is a huge honor, to be spoken of in such a manner. I came from nothing. I had absolutely nothing. I did this because it is what I love to do. I understand that my career could be just like my rope walk—it could be a great success, or it could be a failure. No matter what happens, I’m always going to get back up. I never did this for the fame. I do it out of love. Whatever comes next is a blessing,” Komander told Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated.
Regarding the rope walk, he noted that he’s been doing it since he was 12 and wanted to make it part of the lucha libre.
Komander most recently worked the NWA vs. AAA The World Is A Vampire event on March 4th, where he teamed with Octagon Jr to defeat Cyon & Homicide.
Saraya may not have been with AEW as long as others on the roster, but she has big plans for new championship gold to be introduced.
Later this month, the former WWE Divas Champion will reach her six-month anniversary with AEW, after debuting on last year’s Grand Slam: Dynamite.
In that time, Saraya has returned to in-ring competition, turned heel, and challenged for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
New Championships
It was at last weekend’s Revolution event that Saraya came up short in her pursuit of the AEW Women’s World title match, her first championship match since the Summer of 2016.
In addition to being the first-ever WWE NXT Women’s Champion, the former Paige is a two-time WWE Divas Champion and plans on adding AEW Women’s Tag Gold to her collection.
When AEW celebrated International Women’s Day on Twitter, Saraya said the perfect celebration would be to introduce Women’s Tag Team Championships.
In recent weeks, Saraya has been aligned with Toni Storm, and added Ruby Soho to their clique at Revolution 2023.
Tag Team Titles
AEW Women’s Tag Team Titles haven’t been introduced yet, but it is something that has been on the mind of Tony Khan.
Speaking on the AEW Double or Nothing 2022 media call, Khan was asked by AJ Awesome about the possibility of AEW Women’s Tag Team Titles.
“Yeah, I have (thought about them). We have a lot of great wrestlers in AEW and a lot of great women’s and men’s wrestlers in AEW. I have thought about doing those and as we continue to expand the roster and hopefully get more teams and get some people who have been injury and on the shelf, back, that would be something I would love to do in the future.”
Tony Khan.
Neither Khan nor the AEW account has responded to Saraya’s tweet at this time.
WWE announced today that Bad Bunny will host Backlash on Saturday, May 6, live from the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Bad Bunny, who hails from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, expressed his excitement about the event, stating, “In 2005 when I was a kid, I wasn’t able to attend New Year’s Revolution at el Coliseo. Finally, 18 years later WWE returns to the island with a massive event and this time I won’t miss it.”
On May 6, WWE returns to Puerto Rico with a Premium Live Event for the first time in 18 years. @sanbenito’s ready. San Juan’s ready. …Are you ready? #WWEBacklashhttps://t.co/8eRlXBQZ4H
WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque also expressed his excitement about bringing the event to San Juan, saying, “We’re excited to bring Backlash to San Juan as the demand for WWE premium live events outside of the continental United States continues to grow. Bad Bunny is one of the world’s most-popular entertainers and nowhere is that more evident than in his native Puerto Rico.”
Bad Bunny first appeared in WWE in January 2021 at the Royal Rumble. He later had his biggest match at WrestleMania 37 in April, where he teamed up with Damian Priest to defeat The Miz and John Morrison in a tag team match. Bunny also returned to the 2022 Royal Rumble, where he participated in the men’s Royal Rumble.
The Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where WWE Backlash will take place.
Backlash is the first WWE premium live event to take place in Puerto Rico since January 2005. This was New Year’s Revolution, which took place at the same arena where Backlash is scheduled to take place. It was also WWE’s first PPV event in Puerto Rico and Latin America.
The wrestling giant is also going to hold its King & Queen of the Ring in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on May 27, with London, England serving as the location for July 1’s Money in the Bank event.
Vince McMahon’s return to backstage during this week’s Raw did not sit well with some members of the WWE roster, it has been claimed.
During this week’s Raw, McMahon was backstage at the event, marking his first appearance behind the scenes since his July 2022 retirement.
Upon his return to WWE in January, McMahon and the promotion assured talent that he was back to facilitate a sale, and was not looking to regain control over creative.
Testing the Waters
McMahon’s appearance backstage came as a surprise to the vast majority of people working at this week’s Raw in Boston, as his return had not been announced.
Fightful Select reports that one anonymous WWE higher-up “felt personally” that McMahon was “testing the waters” by showing up this week.
It is believed that now that McMahon’s return hasn’t sparked a massive backlash from the roster, that he could be showing up more in the coming months.
The report added that after making his return backstage, “many expect him to be seen at other upcoming events.”
Fightful reached out to WWE in an official capacity but did not get a statement on Vince’s appearance at the show.
Intentionally Avoided
When McMahon’s return to WWE was confirmed in January, the roster were far from pleased, with morale taking a serious tumble.
Fightful’s report added that a few talents “intentionally avoided associating” with McMahon during his return at Raw.
While they didn’t want to see him on this occasion, these talents were of the belief that they will likely have to deal with McMahon in the future.
Reigning AEW TNT Champion Wardlow has been the victim of a robbery which has resulted in his championship title and other belongings being stolen.
Wardlow captured the AEW TNT Championship from Samoa Joe at last weekend’s Revolution Pay-Per-View, kicking off the second reign for the powerhouse.
Joe had dethroned Wardlow to win the title at Full Gear last November, after the former enforcer for MJF first won the gold in July 2022.
Robbed
Taking to Twitter, Wardlow shared video footage of his rental car, showing the smashed glass window.
The TNT Champion explained that all his possessions in the vehicle have been taken, stating:
“Well, thanks to the person who broke into my rental car and took absolutely everything from me. My TNT Title, my gear, my boots, my whole life, were in those bags. I don’t if this means I’m going to have to beat the sh*t out of Hobbs in these clothes I’m wearing right now, but one way or another I’m going to make my way to Sacramento and we’re going to get this sh*t done. Whoever did do this better thank God I didn’t catch you in the act because your jaw would be as shattered as this glass is.”
Might have new gear tomorrow. Will also have an abundance of frustration to take out to say the very least…. Damn pic.twitter.com/07un3lfhd9
MVP has been working for some time to try and reunite the Hurt Business, but the veteran Superstar could soon be introducing a new faction.
Upon his return to WWE in 2020, it wasn’t long until MVP rallied his own group of Superstars, including Bobby Lashley, Cedric Alexander, and Shelton Benjamin.
MVP would manage every member of the group to championship gold, with the Hurt Business having won the WWE Championship, United States Championship, Raw Tag Team Titles, and 24/7 Championship.
New Faction
While MVP has been able to win over Alexander and Benjamin with a Hurt Business reunion, Lashley has proven to be unresponsive, given that MVP betrayed him on the Raw after WrestleMania 38.
Taking to Instagram this week, MVP teased that he has been speaking business with some names backstage, including his current client Omos, and the Street Profits, and NXT’s Carmelo Hayes.
Of all the names in the photo above, perhaps the most interesting is Hayes, who is yet to be called up to WWE’s main roster.
That’s not for lack of trying, as Hayes has in the past suggested that his time with NXT is coming to an end, and he is said to be well-liked by WWE management.
Hayes was at RAW last night for a match against Akira Tozawa during the pre-Raw WWE Main Event tapings.
NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez defended her title against Meiko Satomura.
After Satomura and Perez defeated Katana Chance and Kayden Carter, Satomura grabbed the microphone where she told Perez that since she did something for Perez, then she could do something for her. She wanted the NXT Women’s Championship before Perez said it would be an honor. This was the set up.
The match served as the main event. Meiko controlled most of it as Perez couldn’t mount any offense for a while. Perez rolled her up for the win. Post-match, Meiko raised her hand, but Perez collapsed. She was checked on by the medical staff and was stretchered out. This closed the show.
Indus Sher & Jinder Mahal vs. The Creed Brothers & Bron Breakker in a six-man tag team match was booked.
The heels have been feuding with The Creed Brothers for several weeks now. The Creeds tried to get Damon Kemp, their former Diamond Mine teammate, to be their partner despite the bad blood between them, but he heeled it up. Breakker walked up and offered to team with them and it was made.
The match took place in the first hour. The babyfaces had matching attire and got the upperhand heading into the commercial break where they all hit outside dives. Once back from break, the heels took over. The Creeds pinned Sangh with their finisher.
Later in the broadcast, Breakker came out to say that he was saving this for next week, but figured he would do it now. He thinks the biggest match should happen at the biggest stage. There are no more roadblocks. He called out Carmelo Hayes, who came out and said it’s time for their paths to finally cross. Hayes said everyone wants it. Breakker said he’s been waiting for this match and anytime he would face anyone else, he was disappointed that it wasn’t Hayes. Carmelo said he has kept tabs on Bron this whole time. Bron recalled having a meeting with Triple H and Shawn Michaels about how they saw them two as guys who could take over NXT. Bron said there is nowhere else to go. Hayes told him that he would see him for the NXT Title at Stand & Deliver.
Gigi Dolan vs. Jacy Jayne in a grudge match took place.
Jayne turned on her a few weeks ago during a segment with Bayley after they lost a triple threat match at Vengeance Day while wrestling NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez. Two weeks ago, Dolan returned to attack Jayne before doing a promo last week about how she would make Jayne pay for the pain she went through.
The match was kept short with Jayne getting most of the offense. Dolin went over with her finisher. Post-match, Jayne attacked her.
The Grayson Waller Effect with special guest Shawn Michaels was booked.
Waller has been poking Michaels for weeks after losing to NXT Champion Bron Breakker in a steel cage match at Vengeance Day a few weeks ago as he interrupted Michaels during the post-event media scrum. Waller has since been wreaking havoc in NXT for Michaels.
Michaels said that they used to be cool and wanted to know what changed. Waller said that Michaels is treating him the same way that Vince McMahon used to treat him and holding him back. Michaels pushed back and proved him wrong. Michaels is the new Vince, according to Waller. Grayson wanted to know why. Michaels said Waller is not the guy because he lost to NXT Champion Bron Breakker at Vengeance Day. He said that Waller took his shot at being the guy and missed. Michaels said that Waller needs to look in the mirror. Waller said the only reason Michaels is in his spot is due to his good friend Hunter having a heart attack. Michaels said that he happily helped out a friend.
Michaels said that he’s in charge of the show now. Waller said that Michaels is sending the brand into an iceberg and he wouldn’t be surprised if he’s cut after WrestleMania because Michaels isn’t using him. Michaels said the brand has always been built around a group of guys, not one guy. Waller said he’s tired of being in NXT because he’s tired of Michaels not seeing his talent. Michaels told him to never run the brand into the ground. Waller wanted him to do something about it. Waller challenged him to a match at Stand & Deliver. Michaels said that people have asked him for a decade to come back. Michaels said it happened before and it will happen again, but the reality is there is someone who wants to whip him more than Michaels. Michaels said that Waller won’t face him, but his Stand and Deliver opponent will be Johnny Gargano. A brawl broke out with Gargano standing tall.
It’s time for Bron Breakker and Carmelo Hayes to share the squared circle. It will be a match that takes place in the main event of NXT’s next Peacock special, Stand & Deliver.
During Tuesday’s NXT episode, it was confirmed that Breakker will defend the NXT Title against Hayes at this show.
The Challenge
Breakker came out for a promo where he said that he thinks the biggest match should happen at the biggest stage because there are no more roadblocks in the way of it happening. He called out Hayes, who said it’s time for their paths to finally cross because everyone wants it.
Breakker said that whenever he would face anyone else, he was disappointed that it wasn’t Hayes. They said they had been keeping tabs on each other this whole time.
Breakker told a story about having a meeting with Triple H and Shawn Michaels in 2021 about how they saw them two as guys who could take over NXT. Bron said there is nowhere else to go and Hayes agreed before telling him that he would see him for the NXT Title at Stand & Deliver.
The event will take place on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California
Johnny Gargano made his return to WWE NXT on Tuesday’s Roadblock special and set up his match at NXT’s next special.
There was a Grayson Waller Effect segment with special guest Shawn Michaels where Michaels was trying to figure out why Waller had targeted him after losing to NXT Champion Bron Breakker in a steel cage match at Vengeance Day a few weeks ago.
The Segment
They traded words where Waller accused Michaels of holding him back and not seeing how he is NXT’s biggest star. Michaels pushed back and proved him wrong. Waller said Michaels was the new “Vince” [McMahon] and how Michaels only had his spot in WWE because his best friend had a health issue, referring to Triple H’s heart issues.
Michaels said Waller is not the guy because he lost to Breakker and he took his shot at being the guy and missed. After Waller said Michaels is sending the brand into an iceberg, it fired up Michaels. He demanded to know what Waller wanted. That was a match at Stand & Deliver.
Michaels said that people have asked him for a decade to come back, but he knows that people will just keep asking every year. Michaels introduced Gargano, leading a brawl with Gargano standing tall.
The event will take place on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California
