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
WWE had to nix a planned angle after the controversial moment in a rival promotion, AEW.
MJF retained the World Heavyweight Championship over Bryan Danielson in a 60-minute iron man match on Sunday night at the AEW Revolution pay-per-view event. During it, MJF grabbed a cup from a mother and threw her water on her young son as they sat at ringside. MJF then jumped over the barricade to get back into the ring.
MJF thought it was water, which turned out to be tequila. Amanda Huber and others came out to check on the fan, leading to them bringing back the mother and son to the backstage area, where they were given merchandise and will be attending Wednesday’s Dynamite in Sacramento.
AEW President Tony Khan confirmed during the post-event press conference that he had a serious conversation with MJF about the incident.
The Angle
Fightful Select reports there was originally a segment in which a wrestler would throw a drink in another’s face during a match on Raw. It was said throughout the day that some people at the show had “heard of the plans and thought that it was a shot at AEW or a reference to MJF throwing a drink on a child at AEW Revolution.”
The report stated that WWE had already come up with the plans that were sent to many people in WWE before Sunday’s AEW event, as much of the creative structure was done by that show.
Obviously, the segment didn’t take place, but it was included in some of the outlined plans as of Monday afternoon and evening. “One WWE talent theorized that the segment likely was nixed as a result of the AEW/MJF spot.”
2K Games is bringing back the MyGM Mode for WWE 2K23 after the mode returned in WWE 2K22.
It will be further expanded this year. On Tuesday, a video with Xavier Woods and Tyler Breeze posted on the UpUpDownDown YouTube channel shared details on the movements made to the game.
Fightful provided a rundown of all the new features added to the mode, which allows fans to take control of a brand and be the authority.
The Details
This year’s mode will have 4-player gameplay and more while brands can now have a mid-card title on their brands including SmackDown with the WWE Intercontinental Championship, Raw with the WWE United States Championship, the Hardcore Championship for WCW and North American Titles for NXT.
2K is also introducing new match types are included in the MyGM mode as well as Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way, Steel Cage, Backstage Brawl, Falls Count Anywhere, Submission, Iron Man, Last Man Standing, and Tornado Tag matches are all selectable in the mode.
Stephanie McMahon, Shane McMahon, Adam Pearce, and the option for an edited MyGM will be available. Xavier Woods, Tyler Breeze, Kurt Angle, Eric Bischoff, and Mick Foley are selectable GMs.
The mode also features seasons, allowing players to continue playing beyond WrestleMania while trying to reach the WWE Hall of Fame.
The standard edition of WWE 2K23 will be out on Friday, March 17, 2023, on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series XS, Xbox One, and PC. Those who get the Deluxe or Icon editions will have access to the game on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
WWE WrestleMania 39 will be extra special for Logan Paul as the event will be taking place on his birthday. WWE is continuing the tradition of holding the show over the course of two nights – April 1st and April 2nd.
The YouTuber/boxer set up his match at this event on Monday’s episode of Raw against Seth Rollins. During it, Paul caught Rollins with a punch that knocked him out.
The Date
While speaking on his IMPAULSIVE podcast, Logan stated that the match is happening on April 1st, night one of WrestleMania.
“Yeah, me versus Seth Rollins at WrestleMania, it’s going down. It’s official. It’s going down, I got confirmation. Me versus Seth Rollins… He’s been beefing with me… WrestleMania, April 1st, in Los Angeles on my birthday. He’s very good at what he does, he’s very good at what he does. He’s probably top three in the business right now, and for that reason, it’d be an honor to take him on at WrestleMania. I’m really happy with this matchup.”
Paul also stated that he didn’t know who Rollins was before he got into pro wrestling. Aside from Paul vs. Rollins, the card has yet to be sorted out, but here is the current lineup:
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes
WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley
WWE Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair vs. Asuka
Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
John Cena vs. Austin Theory
Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch & Lita vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY)
Independent wrestlers Hale Collins and Vik Dalishus are accusing WWE of infringing on their copyright for the term “The Now.” WWE uses this for United States Champion Austin Theory.
According to a report by The Hudson Valley Post, the two wrestlers wrestled on the indie circuit as The Now. Vik Dalishus has claimed they have sent cease and desist orders to the company on the use of the term as they trademarked the name in 2006.
The Claim
Dalishustalked to the media outlet about WWE’s alleged infringement of their trademark.
“My initial reaction was shock, because of the fact that we have had it copyrighted since 2006, and there’s many people in WWE who know Hale and I, know our names, and know we own it.”
Dalishus noted that WWE acknowledged one of the letters they sent and claimed they would look into it, but the company has continued to use the nickname on television.
Dalishus continued, “Our next step is a lawsuit for trademark infringement and creating confusion in the marketplace.”
We have sent two Cease and Desist letters to the @wwe and @_Theory1 continues to be referred to as “The Now” by @WWEGraves on commentary, as well as our logo displayed on The Theory Characters ring worn gear & creating confusion in the marketplace. Its pretty simple. #theNOWpic.twitter.com/TlxThxlx19
WWE is asking around for names to be inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame, according to the Wrestling Observer.
Since 1996, WWE has inducted individuals into the Hall of Fame in recognition of their contributions to wrestling.
WWE also has the Warrior Award for individuals in wrestling who have made a significant, off-screen contribution as well as their Celebrity wing for achievement in the world of entertainment.
2023 Hall of Fame
At this time, nobody has been confirmed for this year’s class of inductees, which has come as a surprise.
Typically, WWE will have confirmed multiple inductees this close to their biggest event of the year.
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer explained that while nobody is confirmed “people are being asked for the Hall of Fame.”
Meltzer speculated that Triple H’s idea is for everyone to be announced in the last week, and stressed that WWE is “running low on time.”
While the Game has called legends in the past for the Hall of Fame, this year’s ceremony will be his first as Head of Creative and Head of Talent Relations.
Who Makes the Cut?
While nobody has been publicly confirmed by WWE, there’s no shortage of names rumored to be going into the Hall of Fame this year.
It has been reported that former World Champion Dave Batista will be headlining this year’s class, after withdrawing from the 2020 class.
Last month, Ric Flair shared his belief that the Midnight Express should be inducted, calling them a “great team.”
Trish Stratus (a 2013 inductee) said last month that Victoria and Impact Wrestling Knockouts World Champion Mickie James both deserve the nod.
Why exactly was WWE’s Executive Chairman Vince McMahon backstage during this week’s Raw?
After returning to WWE in January, fans (and the roster) were concerned that McMahon would resume a position of power in the company’s creative team.
Instead, McMahon has kept his distance from WWE programming and has reportedly remained focused on finding a buyer for WWE.
Backstage Visit
This week, McMahon ended his exile from WWE programming by being backstage during Raw.
It has been reported that McMahon was visiting John Cena, who made his return during the show and confronted Austin Theory.
While many have stated that McMahon’s only purpose on the show, some have speculated that the Chairman had an ulterior motive.
During the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer explained that McMahon and WWE are doing “more than they’re letting on.”
Meltzer insisted that Triple H remained “in control,” as he has been since being appointed Head of Talent and Head of Creative last July.
When asked about whether McMahon had big plans backstage, or was there to simply say hi, Meltzer said “the truth is in the middle.”
McMahon Back on TV?
Vince McMahon has made his return to the backstage of WWE programming, but is a return in front of the camera next?
Immediately after his return to the company in January, there were concerns by fans and talent that the Mr. McMahon character’s return to TV was inevitable.
Any return to programming would earn WWE significant backlash given the seriousness of the allegations against McMahon and the scandal that led to his retirement.
Speaking on Bill Simmons’ podcast in January, WWE CEO Nick Khan said there are no plans for McMahon to be on TV, although he admitted that it could change “in a few months.”
McMahon appeared at both WrestleMania 37 (where he welcomed fans back amid the Thunderdome era) and at WrestleMania 38 (where he defeated Pat McAfee.)
Vince McMahon reportedly made his presence felt backstage at this week’s edition of Monday Night RAW and we’ve got an update on what he was doing there.
McMahon made his return to WWE as the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors in January. The party line is that McMahon was back solely to help WWE explore the possibility of a sale and help with the negotiations of the next TV rights deal.
However, many believe that it’s only a matter of time before McMahon becomes increasingly involved in the company’s creative process.
Why Vince McMahon was at RAW
WWE hosted Monday’s RAW from Boston’s TD Garden arena. In the hours leading up to bell time, news broke online that McMahon was backstage. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful tweeted:
“Everything that I’ve heard thus far indicates that people at WWE Raw believe Vince McMahon was at the show to visit John Cena. He’s visited Cena multiple times outside of WWE over the last year.”
PWInsider provided additional clarity, noting that WWE’s head honcho was “not there to take over creative or to even run the taping”, but “primarily” to visit with Cena. Even with Vince McMahon in the house, the production of Monday’s Raw was no different than usual.
Meanwhile, the 16-time World Champion John Cena made his awaited return on RAW. He roasted the WWE United States Champion Austin Theory during a promo segment. It was later announced that the two stars will clash for the title at WrestleMania 39.
In the aftermath of the incident, AEW owner Tony Khan addressed the media at a post-PPV scrum, where MJF also made some bold statements about his status as the best wrestler in the world. While many wanted to hear Khan’s response to the incident, MJF basically brushed it off with a joke, claiming that he threw the drink because “the kid looked thirsty.”
However, Khan clarified that the incident was taken seriously and that he had spoken to the young fan, identified as Titus. Despite MJF’s dismissive attitude, Khan acknowledged that throwing a drink at a child was not acceptable behavior, especially from a champion who is supposed to set an example for others.
While Titus may have been a “real champ” about the incident, many argue that it was not fair to put him in that position in the first place.
i just don't buy the narrative that the kid deserved to be assaulted for watching a wrestling show because it's part of a wrestler's heel work and that child should be glad mjf included him on the show. that's crazy. get help. seek actual human interactions outisde your screens?? https://t.co/S1sPV7qJu9
The reactions from that incident with MJF shows me yall will let anybody do whatever to your kid as long as you’re being entertained. Thats a damn shame. And he did it to a black child. Nah Im not rocking with that.
The incident has also raised broader questions about the culture of professional wrestling and the role that performers play in shaping that culture. MJF is known for his heel work and pushing the limits when it comes to playing his villainous character, but some don’t agree that acting like this with a child is acceptable.
In this case, MJF’s behavior is being criticized as disrespectful and potentially harmful to the young fan involved. While it is ultimately up to AEW to decide how to handle the situation, it is clear that fans and critics alike will be closely watching to see what actions are taken to address the incident and if MJF will tone down his persona when interacting with fans.
WWE Hall of Famer Alundra ‘Madusa’ Blayze has opened up about her complex relationship with professional wrestling.
Blayze competed in the WWF as part of the New Generation, before leaving for WCW to work as Madusa in 1995.
Blayze infamously dumped the WWF Women’s Championship in the trash on Monday Nitro, a creative call by Eric Bischoff that Blayze was against at the time.
While Bischoff would be welcomed to WWE in 2002, Blayze would be blacklisted for 20 years after the title incident, before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
The Lost Generation
During her tenure in the WWF, Alundra Blayze worked with some impressive women, though in a time when women’s wrestling wasn’t a huge attraction.
Speaking on The Sessions, Blayze dubbed her locker room the lost generation, neither being remembered for their skills nor for the titillation fans would see in the Attitude Era.
I was jaded for a long time in pro wrestling. I was good to pro wrestling. Pro wrestling wasn’t good to me. It was because of that. So you had your June Byers. You had your [Fabulous] Moolahs and your Mae [Young.] That wonderful great start of women, sixty or seventy years ago. But if it wasn’t for those women, there wouldn’t have been the next era, which was a little jump. Your Wendi Richters, your Sherri Martels, your Jumping Bomb Angels, and your Glamor Girls.
“I was good to pro wrestling. Pro wrestling wasn’t good to me.”
Alundra Blayze.
“We had that whole wonderful thing when Wendi Richter was in the first WrestleMania. My God! And then you had a little bit of a stint on the second, and third, maybe. And then really, we didn’t have a woman’s wrestling WrestleMania match until WrestleMania 10, which is mine against Leilani Kai.”
Social Media
Not only were Blayze and other women at the time not being given much of an opportunity to shine, but their issues extended outside of the ring.
In the interview, Blayze said that getting interviewed did little to help them, as writers would edit or even make-up quotes for their own agendas.
“Our social media at the time was people, writing for magazines, and they were writing their story, how they thought, and would put our interviews in their voice, which we basically never said. So we had no control.
“Thank God for social media [today.] Because people are able to go back at history and look at everything that was there and the people that were there before.”
“There’s always everything we see from the Attitude Era forward, which is fantastic. If we keep pushing that, then that’s all they [the fans] know. But if we educate something, a little bit before [the Attitude Era] then they’re going to want to do some history, want to kick it up and knowledge themselves.”
WWE Relationship
It wouldn’t be until 2015 that Alundra Blayze was welcomed back to WWE, and has made sporadic appearances for the company.
Blayze told Renee Paquette that she is pleased for what she has now, and considers herself a representative of the ‘lost generation.’
“I’m thankful for what I do and have with WWE, intermittently when they do give you a call. Because I feel that it’s not just helping me. It’s helping to represent the women before the Attitude Era. And I see that as a whole now.”
Alundra Blayze.
Stepping Out
While WWE was in no hurry to bring Blayze back into the fold once WCW folded, the former WCW Cruiserweight Champion was in no hurry to return either.
As someone who takes great pride in her wrestling ability, Blayze explained that she considered herself done with wrestling after WCW went under.
“Man, I had to step out of wrestling in 2001 when I retired. I was like ‘I’m out of here, I’m out of this s**t show.’ I didn’t like the way the direction of the women was going. I hated how they were writing women, even in WCW at that time.
“I was like ‘I’m out of here, I’m out of this s**t show.'”
Alundra Blayze on retiring from wrestling in 2001.
“I didn’t want to do bra and panties, I didn’t want to do barbeque matches and tear off your nightgown. Kudos to the women who stuck it out during the Attitude Era, because hell, they didn’t have another choice. You had to do what you had to do. It was their contract. But again, we have choices. You can say yes or you can say no.”
Blayze’s new memoir ‘The Woman Who Would be King‘ is set to hit bookshelves later this month.
Zelina Vega’s love of anime is hardly a secret, but the Superstar struggled to explain one of the most popular series ever to Vince McMahon.
Vega’s time in WWE has been somewhat mixed and in late 2020, she was fired from the company minutes after expressing support for unionization.
Rehired in the summer of 2021, Vega would win that year’s Queen’s Crown Tournament and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
Crunchyroll? Is That Sushi?
Vega has been able to incorporate her love anime and Japanese culture into her WWE character, and can often be found cosplaying on social media.
Recently, Vega discussed how she was able to have an entrance inspired by Naruto’s Madara Uchiha for the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble match.
Vega told I Hear Voices hosts Will Friedle (Batman Beyond) and Christy Clark Romano (Kim Possible) that explaining the concept to Vince McMahon proved to be quite the task.
“I told him ‘I want Neil Kaplan [English voice of Madara] to do my entrance for the Royal Rumble.’ Vince was like, ‘why? Well, he is the voice of Madara Uchiha. ‘Who’s that?‘ I was like, OK. Do you know what Crunchyroll is? He’s like ‘it’s sushi, yes.'”
Zelina Vega
Vega realized that for McMahon to understand her ideas, she would need to speak his language.
“[I said] Crunchyroll is like the Netflix of anime. He’s like ‘okay, I get that.‘ So Naruto is like the WWE of anime. He’s like ‘okay, I like Naruto. This is good.‘ Madara is kind of like what Paul Heyman is to Roman! He was like ‘okay, we need it.'”
Zelina Vega.
Zelina would get her Naruto-inspired entrance and would last over 17 minutes in the match, scoring one elimination (Sasha Banks) before being tossed out by Rhea Ripley.
Mick Foley may be something of a cuddly teddy bear these days, but the three-time former WWE Champion is ready to raise some hell as part of The Judgment Day.
This April will mark one year since the group debuted, and initially consisted of Edge and Damian Priest.
At WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2022, Rhea Ripley was added to the group, and Finn Balor’s entry not long after would see Edge be ousted as leader.
It was at September’s Clash at the Castle Premium Live Event that Dominik Mysterio joined the group, after betraying Edge and his father Rey Mysterio.
Foley’s Judgment
Mick Foley’s days in the ring are long behind him, but the WWE Hall of Famer has expressed a (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) interest in joining the faction.
On YouTube, Foley donned a distinct purple and black flannel to seek “gainful employment” as a member and referenced his decades of experience in the industry.
Foley also acknowledged his moniker as ‘King of the Death Match’ and mentioned reaching the New York Times bestseller list twice.
While praising the group’s various skills (including the abs of Finn Balor,) Foley requested his son Dewey to draw more tear ‘tattoos’ on his face.
Dewey instead wrote the word ‘Help Me’ on his father’s forehead (a not to Al Snow) and a more ‘phallic’ piece of ink on his other cheek.
Judgment Day at WrestleMania
The Judgment Day is yet to publicly respond to Foley’s resume, but with or without the Hardcore legend, they’ll be kept pretty busy at WrestleMania.
After becoming the first woman to win a Royal Rumble match from #1, Rhea Ripley will challenge SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair this April.
On next week’s Raw, Edge and Finn Balor will have a confrontation, and it has been rumored that a Hell in a Cell match between the two will take place at WrestleMania.
There have been rumors that Dominik Mysterio will face his father Rey next month in the father and son’s home state of California.
The dream team of WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Becky Lynch and Lita, and Trish Stratus, are looking to shut Damage CTRL up for good at WrestleMania 39.
Last month, Lita made her return to WWE to aid Lynch in a steel cage match against Bayley, which had originally been scheduled for the Raw is XXX event.
On last week’s Raw, Lynch and Lita dethroned Dakota Kai and IYO SKY to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, the first title for Lita since 2006.
While Bayley tried to interfere in that match, the returning Trish Stratus (who had been scheduled for the previous week’s Raw but didn’t appear) neutralized the Role Model.
WrestleMania 39
On this week’s Raw, the new champions and Stratus celebrated the victory but were quickly interrupted by Damage CTRL
Stratus then challenged Damage CTRL to a six-woman-tag team match and made it clear that she wanted to shut Bayley up once and for all.
Bayley accepted the challenge on behalf of her team.
The WrestleMania match will mark Stratus’ first match since SummerSlam 2019, when she lost to Charlotte Flair in Canada.
Surprisingly, this will mark the second in-ring WrestleMania appearance for Lita, after she challenged for the WWF Women’s Championship at WrestleMania X8.
Double-Booked?
The announcement of Lynch, Lita and Stratus against Damage CTRL at WrestleMania is an interesting one, given that this isn’t the match many expected.
It has been reported that WWE’s plan initially was for Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at the two-night event in April.
Despite Rousey aggravating an injury (which is why she was in a sling on last Friday’s SmackDown,) she is expected to be fully healed in time for WrestleMania.
There is the possibility that the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions could compete on both nights, a feat Tamina Snuka and Natalya achieved at WrestleMania 37 in 2021.
WWE will be adding some new royalty to their history books with the crowning of a new King and Queen of the Ring later this year.
It has been confirmed that the King and Queen of the Ring event will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, May 27.
WWE’s most recent coronation also happened in Saudi Arabia, at the Crown Jewel 2021 event.
At that show, Xavier Woods (who had rallied for the return of the KOTR tournament) was crowned King.
Zelina Vega, mere months after her return to WWE, bested Doudrop to win the ‘Queen’s Crown Tournament’ as WWE opted against calling her Queen of the Ring.
Unhappy
For the video package aired on Raw, WWE featured several Superstars, but two notable exceptions were Vega and Woods.
On Twitter, Vega expressed her displeasure at the fact that the most recent King and Queen of WWE were nowhere to be seen.
Love that the last and FIRST Queen Of The Ring wasn’t shown in that clip but ok ??
The first King of the Ring tournament took place back in 1985, when Don ‘The Rock’ Muraco captured the crown, besting the Iron Sheik in the finals.
In the following years, Harley Race, Randy Savage, Ted DiBiase, Tito Santana, and Bret Hart would all be crowned King.
In 1993, WWE introduced the King of the Ring event to Television, with Bret once again winning, becoming the only two-time King of the Ring winner in history.
