WWE is still locking in its long-term plans for the first few months of 2023 and that includes which matches will serve as the main event of both nights of WrestleMania 39 in April.
It’s been noted in various reports that WWE wants to have its WrestleMania plans for top matches locked down by mid-January. That includes commitments from top stars such as John Cena, The Rock, and Steve Austin regarding whether they plan to be part of the year’s biggest event.
Cena is committed and just needs to finalize his schedule, as he will be filming a movie in February and March.
The Big Match
Just over three months out from WWE’s biggest event of the year, the top matches hinge on The Rock’s availability. As of this writing, he’s still not committed.
WWE typically finalizes the WrestleMania main events in mid-January, so this will come down to the wire. According to our friends at WrestlingNews.co, here’s what we’re looking at:
WrestleMania Saturday: Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre or Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship.
WrestleMania Sunday: Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes or TBD for the Universal Championship
If The Rock does work WrestleMania, it will be Rollins vs. Rhodes headlining Saturday night and Rock vs. Reigns on last Sunday night.
If The Rock does not work WrestleMania, it will be Rollins vs. Rhodes at Night 1 and Reigns vs. an opponent TBD at Night 2.
As of this writing, it’s not clear how the company will split the WWE Championship and Universal Championship before WrestleMania 39, but WWE wants to have a top title for each brand heading into the summer.
WWE fans are looking forward to the Royal Rumble, as the event will take place on January 28, 2023, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
However, the most interesting part apart from the battle royale is the anticipation over a new and unique match type called the “Pitch Black” match. While details about the match remain scarce, a recently released commercial has only added to the excitement.
The 15-second ad for the Royal Rumble shows the arena going dark, accompanied by the tag line “When It’s The Pitch Black Match” and the promise that “Anything can happen.”
The mysterious stipulation match appears to be a cross-promotional tie-in with Mountain Dew and their Pitch Black soft drink.
WrestlingNews.co was first to report the details about creative pitching a ‘Pitch Black match’ for the Royal Rumble. One source within the company believed that the match could potentially be for Bray Wyatt. The company is taking care to not overexpose Bray Wyatt in the ring, as they want his appearances to feel extra special. This strategy has previously been employed by WWE in regard to Wyatt’s portrayal of the character The Fiend, as he wrestled on a limited schedule. WWE likely wants Wyatt to appear as a strong and formidable opponent via this strategy.
In addition to the Pitch Black match, Royal Rumble will also feature a Hell in a Cell match between “Demon” Finn Balor and “Brood” Edge, as well as the return of a fan-favourite persona.
Apart from that, WWE’s Royal Rumble event will also feature the traditional Royal Rumble matches for both male and female wrestlers. But that’s not all – the Royal Rumble will also feature a defence of the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship by Roman Reigns.
All Elite Wrestling has some of the most passionate wrestling fans in the world, but they may be a bit too devoted for Booker T’s liking.
AEW was founded in 2019 to serve as an alternative to WWE, though the promotion is home to several former WWE Superstars.
Given the promotion’s role as an alternative to WWE, the company has developed a large fanbase from an audience tired of what they’ve seen from the Stamford-based promotion.
Cult
AEW fans are extremely loyal to the promotion, but Booker T believes some go too far.
Speaking on the latest Hall of Fame podcast, Booker addressed tribalism in wrestling when one listener referred to AEW fans as like a ‘cult.’
“You know, I agree 100 percent. I wouldn’t say all of them, I’m not going to say all of them, but a lot of them. Sometimes they’re just looking for it. It’s like being in a relationship, you know where you got one of those girlfriends that’s just looking through your phone all the time, just looking for something … making up excuses to have a fight, stuff like that, that’s the way AEW fans are.”
“Making up excuses to have a fight, stuff like that, that’s the way AEW fans are.”
Booker T.
“You could be talking about something totally irrelevant to AEW and they’re like, ‘Wait a minute, he’s talking about AEW, did he say Kenny Omega?’ It’s that kind of stuff, it’s like they’re paranoid. Relax, no one’s thinking about AEW that much enough to where we’re going to try to talk in code about it.”
AEW recently held its Winter is Coming event, and next week’s Dynamite will see the launch of a new production design for Tony Khan’s first wrestling company.
Before he was All Elite, Kenny Omega was “The Cleaner.”
In late 2014, Omega joined New Japan Pro Wrestling, aligning himself with one of professional wrestling’s most dominant factions — the Bullet Club. Throughout his tenure, Omega racked up an impressive collection of titles, starting with the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, before leveling up to the company’s biggest prize.
Omega’s last appearance with the company came on January 4, 2019 at Wrestle Kingdom 13 where he lost his IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Hiroshi Tanahashi in a grueling 39-minute match. Later that month, Kenny Omega’s contract with NJPW ended, and he moved on to his next venture in the development of a startup promotion.
The former champion soon makes his long-awaited return to NJPW for a special appearance at Wrestle Kingdom 17 against a familiar foe, Will Ospreay. There, Omega will also vie for the IWGP United States Championship. In anticipation of his return, Kenny Omega spoke with NJPW about his 4-year absence from the company he once called home.
“We always hear like ‘you’re the best in the world,’ ‘greatest matches of all time’. But maybe somebody else is the best in the world to somebody else. But to me, to truly the best, you have to be the best in all styles,” he said. “And to me, I’d never truly challenged North American professional wrestling. Not whole heartedly. I thought ‘for all the people that think I’m the best now, all the people that think I’m talented now, just you wait, because I’m going to kill it in America.'”
“I’m going to show everyone exactly why they call me the Best Bout Machine. Going to show you exactly why I was able to take small promotions and make them global. I’m going to take an upstart promotion that nobody knows existed, and turn it into the greatest competition to the greatest pro-wrestling promotion that anyone has seen in America for the past 50, 60, 70 years.'”
The King Want His Keys Back
The upstart promotion — famously known as All Elite Wrestling — quickly turned into a major competition for the dominant global enterprise, WWE. Since singing with AEW in February 2019, Omega took on the dual roles as an Executive Vice President and in-ring performer. In the ring, Omega soared into success, racking up singles, tag team, and trios’ gold in the span of three years.
“I think I’ve already made a big enough statement,” Omega said. Now, “The Cleaner” returns home for a special occasion, with some grand ideas.
“My return to the Tokyo Dome is supposed to be astronomical. This is supposed to be a celebration, a real homecoming. For all of you fans, wrestlers that have struggled for so long through this difficult time. And I understand that you guys have struggled with this for years now.”
“I know what you’re thinking- that I mean the struggle with the pandemic, no, no, no. The struggle that I’m talking about is the struggle that you guys have had to incur without me running the ship! Without Kenny Omega running the show, there’s been an absolute lack of charisma, an absolute lack of magic, an absolute lack of eyeballs watching the product. We need people watching, talking, discussing. We need New Japan parties again, guys!”
Accordingly, Omega vowed to be the “resolution” for fans “after years of hardship” they experienced without him in the promotion. At the January 4th event, Omega believes his win against Ospreay will give the people “something to really, really look forward to.”
“There’s a shift coming,” Omega declared, “and unfortunately for you Will, we’re shifting away from this experimental project that was Will Ospreay. And you gave it your best shot, congratulations. I don’t know what else you want from me, I’ll give you a pat on the back, a fruit basket, you did great. But it just wasn’t good enough, and it was nothing compared to the real deal. I’m sorry, Will, but you’re going to have to move on.”
“The king is coming back for the keys to the castle,” Omega said.
Former AEW World Champion Kenny Omega’s long-awaited return to New Japan Pro Wrestling is almost here.
The former Bullet Club leader was one of the promotion’s top main event attractions from his G1 Climax 2016 win all the way up to his highly acclaimed Wrestle Kingdom 13 main event with Hiroshi Tanahashi. After months of online bickering and tag team showdowns in AEW, Omega will face Will Ospreay one-on-one for the IWGP US Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 17.
Omega was the inaugural IWGP US Champion. He is still widely argued to have had the finest reign in the title’s history. Will Ospreay, meanwhile, moved into the US title picture this year after failing to regain the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 16 in January.
For fans, Omega vs. Ospreay has been a dream match for years. Based on a recent interview with NJPW, however, Omega does not feel the same way. “The Best Bout Machine” was critical of Ospreay’s matches as well as New Japan’s decision to highlight “The Aerial Assassin” as one of their premier acts.
“But after seeing the way that Will has led the ship [NJPW], I started to become disgusted, And I didn’t understand why ‘why are you backing him, New Japan?’ And I get it. It’s just because you had no-one else. Until now.”
– Kenny Omega
“He Was Just Like Anybody Else”
(AEW)
Kenny Omega was then asked for his initial thoughts on Will Ospreay when the then-junior heavyweight star debuted in 2016.
“How did I feel about Will Ospreay when he first arrived in New Japan? He was just like anybody else,” Omega opined. “There are so many guys like him, who can do a bunch of flips and tricks. And it’s fun to watch them practice, and it’s fun to watch their matches. But did I ever feel anything from Will Ospreay? Hmm, not so much.”
Omega went on to essentially bury Ospreay’s work as a top star in NJPW. Omega widely dismissing it as a pale imitation of his own run on top in Japan’s premier wrestling promotion.
Considering the angle Omega and Ospreay have been running this year of trying to one-up each other, it’s likely that at least some of these comments are in kayfabe.
Considering Omega’s commendable drawing power in 2017 and 2018 in New Japan, there are likely plenty of Elite fans who agree with his considering himself the superior main event star in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Shelton Benjamin is known for his athleticism and is a wrestler who performs impressively every time he is in the ring. Today marks the 20-year anniversary of his WWE debut. His first television appearance took place on December 26, 2002.
The company released a video to commemorate this moment, featuring some of the biggest names in the industry talking about The Gold Standard’s career and impact.
“Shelton, I mean, I can remember him coming in the door. It doesn’t seem like that long ago,” WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels said in the video. “And now it’s 20 years.” Michaels even called his match with Benjamin from Raw in May 2005 “one of the best matches” of his career.
“20 years, that’s almost impossible,” said Kurt Angle about Benjamin’s debut. “I didn’t make it 20 years. Shelton Benjamin did, and I give him a lot of credit for that. He is a tough dude to be able to do what he does.”
“I used to watch Shelton when I wanted to be here,” said Kofi Kingston. “When I was growing up, Shelton Benjamin was the guy that was like, ‘Man, look at all these athletic moves, look at all these manoeuvres, man.’ I think I can do maybe some of those.” Kingston added that it was Benjamin that made him believe that it was possible for him to be in WWE and bring his athleticism to the ring in a similar way.
Shelton Benjamin debuted in WWE in 2002, after signing a contract in 2000 and getting placed in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). His first televised match on the SmackDown brand took place in 2003.
Benjamin made a name for himself as soon as he started performing in WWE. His skills as an athlete and performer were quickly recognised, and he became known for his sharp moveset in the ring.
Benjamin joined forces with Charlie Haas to be known together as “The World’s Greatest Tag Team.” They won the WWE Tag Team Championship on two occasions and put on some of the most entertaining tag team matches in WWE.
Benjamin also shined as a solo act, as he won the Intercontinental Championship thrice and was a mainstay in the upper midcard for many years. He was also the 24/7 Championship three times and the United States Championship once. Benjamin returned to the tag team division and won the Raw Tag Team Championship with Cedric Alexander.
“The Gold Standard” has put on some great matches in the WWE, and it doesn’t look like there’s any stopping him. Benjamin has clearly left a significant impact on the wrestling industry as one of the all-time greats, thanks in large part to his natural talent, dedication to improving his craft, and willingness to mentor and assist fellow wrestlers.
You can check out the video commemorating Shelton Benjamin’s career below:
On December 14, Mandy Rose received her release from WWE, less than 24 hours after her 413-day reign as NXT Women’s Champion came to an end.
Rose reportedly breeched a clause in her contract that set boundaries on the type of content she could create online. In this case, the explicit content on her FanTime page — a third party, exclusive subscription site — went outside those parameters.
Now, a WWE Hall of Famer has weighed in on the shocking release of the former NXT Women’s Champion. “I’m not saying what she chose to do was wrong for Mandy, but perhaps maybe wrong for the contract,” Madusa told the Wrestling Perspective Podcast. “If you know you’re going into the contract and signing with a company with these rules and regulations of what you can do and what you can’t do, then you should know the rules, right?”
A Double Standard?
“On the other hand, with her own fan page. I think it’s great to have side hustles,” Madusa continued. However, if you’re under a contract that owns your likeness, even though you’re using a different name, and you’re being presented in that way where it has effects on what you’re doing, a company has every right to have a standoff meeting and probably communicate with you once or twice, and then do what they need to do, or is it a double standard?”
The former WWE Women’s Champion pointed out that men in professional wrestling typically receive second chances when faced with similar, if not worse, circumstances. So, if Mandy Rose was given no prior warning, then Madusa believes it is a double standard. “Guys get warnings in this business, and they’re still employed there, which is unfortunate,” she said.
With the specific details of Rose’s release still unclear, Madusa offered up her insight into another possibility. “If she got a warning, then she still continued to do it, and then she got fired, then shame on her,” she said. “If you’re under contract, business is business. You know what you’re getting into period. Unless she wanted to f it up, take her hiatus and go somewhere else, then that was her choice.”
Christmas is a time to gather with family and spread holiday cheer, but let’s be honest: presents are a big part of it.
WWE Superstar Xavier Woods showed off his Christmas 2022 gift on social media and you’d be hard pressed to find a better gift than what he received.
Woods is one half of the reigning NXT tag team champions, along with Kofi Kingston, as part of the New Day. He’s also a huge gamer. His wildly popular UpUpDownDown digital series boasts over 2.3 million subscribers on YouTube.
Woods Scores the Motherload
On Sunday afternoon, Woods revealed that he scored a monster haul of vintage video games.
More specifically, he was gifted the full North American N64 collection – containing every single game that was released (in North America) for the classic Nintendo 64 console. We’re talking Super Mario 64, WWF No Mercy, Golden Eye 007, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Star Fox 64 and a couple hundred others.
This collection is currently available for purchase on eBay, with the bundle of 296 (previously-played) games selling for a cool $29,999.99.
Woods promises to show off his new collection on an upcoming episode of UpUpDownDown. Whatever you got for the holidays this year, we can all agree that Woods made out like a champ.
HOPE YALL HAD A GOOD CHRISTMAS! I got a full North American N64 collection! And yes Mischief Makers is still ???
What do you see? I’ll go through all of it with y’all later on @UpUpDwnDwn
ESPN First Take commentator and sports personality Stephen A. Smith recently tweeted his thoughts on comments recently made by Paul Heyman about him.
Paul Heyman, often regarded as the great wrestling manager since Bobby Heenan, took issue with a complementary tweet comparing him to Stephen A. Smith. US Democrat Party strategist and LA Times journalist Kurt Bardella suggested a “mic battle” between Smith and Heyman would be “the greatest manager promo” ever.
In response, Paul Heyman dismissed both the manager title for himself, and the notion of Stephen A. Smith being on his level.
2 – @stephenasmith is not in my league. He's a screaming voice crying out for attention from the Ocean of Obscurity. I, on the other hand, reside on the Island of Relevancy! https://t.co/rJElzVdjm0
Stephen A. Smith took the time to tweet out an amusing response to Paul Heyman last night. Most interesting of all was his implied interest in potentially doing work with WWE in the future.
(WWE)
“I Am Coming One Of These Days” – Stephen A. Smith On Paul Heyman Tweet
Stephen A. Smith was unimpressed by Paul Heyman’s tweet, taking particular issue with the former ECW and WWE booker’s “land of obscurity” jibe. After threatening to show up Heyman’s acclaimed work as Special Counsel to Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Smith eased the mood by confirming he was merely kidding around.
What? What did you say @HeymanHustle. Land of obscurity! You’re very lucky I’m busy otherwise I’d have to come take your job, and show the fellas what REAL representation should look like in the @WWE. Haa!!!. Only kidding buddy. Love your work. But I AM coming one of these days?
Stephen A. Smith’s closing comment could prove to be of significant interest in the near future. The longtime ESPN personality is best known for his commentary and analysis on the NBA and the NFL.
Rumors have recently swirled of him potentially doing something with the WWE in 2023. If so, it’s not implausible that this recent back-and-forth on social media with Paul Heyman could be used in a storyline or segment when Stephen A. Smith shows up. He has discussed his WWE fandom in the past and has even tweeted about The Rock being his favorite wrestler in the past and admiring Vince McMahon.
I heard I was referenced on WWE Smackdown. For the record, I'm not bothered. I'm a fan of Vince McMahon — and THE ROCK! I'm Good! (Haaaa!!)
Kurt Angle has worked with some of the most influential people in wrestling history. However, there’s one person who stands out to him as having the highest wrestling IQ.
Angle spoke about this topic and much more on the latest ‘Ask Kurt Anything’ edition of his Kurt Angle Show podcast.
Throughout his runs in WWE and TNA, the Olympic gold medalist collaborated with the likes of Vince McMahon, Paul Heyman, Stephanie McMahon, Steve Austin, The Rock, The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Bruce Pritchard, Pat Patterson, Dixie Carter, Vince Russo and countless others.
They’ve all made immeasurable contributions to the industry, Angle is convinced one name surpasses them all.
Triple H’s Wrestling IQ
Kurt Angle says Triple H has a grasp on the wrestling business better than anybody he’s ever worked with. The Game is an all-time-great in-ring performer, but also understands the psychology, creative and business aspects of wrestling as well.
“For me, personally, Triple H. He’s always had it. He’s not just from a wrestling standpoint, but from a creative standpoint, from a psychology standpoint, from a promo standpoint. Triple H is one guy that is so well educated. He loves pro wrestling like it’s his wife, okay? He cherishes it. He’s really good at it. He has a great mind for it.”
– Kurt Angle
Angle says he previously may have named someone like Hulk Hogan, who was a master at drawing business and holding crowds in the palm of his hand.
He went out of his way to praise Hogan, who helped blast wrestling’s popularity into the stratosphere during the 1980’s expansion period. Nobody would argue against the fact that Hogan was a bigger star than Triple H as an active competitor and pop culture phenomenon.
However, the topic at hand is ‘highest wrestling IQ’ and best mind for the business, and Angle says Triple h is number one.
Control Your Narrative banned multiple prominent moves when they were founded earlier this year, but there was a method to EC3’s supposed madness.
After his 2020 release from WWE, EC3 hosted multiple cinematic matches and announced Control Your Narrative as a promotion in February of this year.
In addition to Control Your Narrative, EC3 competed for Impact at Bound for Glory 2020, and signed with Ring of Honor in 2021, but was released when the company announced they would be closing their doors.
Banned Moves
After Control Yor Narrative was announced, EC3 announced the rules on social media, which earned ridicule from fans.
Those on social media mocked rules including rule 1 (You are in control) and rule 2 (YOU ARE IN CONTROL.)
Rule 5 of Control Your Narrative announced that Superkicks, Tope Suicidas, and Canadian Destroyers are banned in the company.
“Part of my reality towards wrestling is how these amazing athletic moves are thrown away by overuse. They have no effectiveness. They have no reason. They have no rhyme, and these are some of the coolest ‘quote’ moves, physical feats that wrestling has to offer, and they’re just they’re thrown away.
“So by banning them, I therefore made them far more effective than they have ever been. They mean more, and there have been super kicks on CYN Shows. Every time that’s happened, maybe the Ref’s back was turned, maybe someone got disqualified, but every time somebody got kicked in the face, they were hurt.”
The Future of CYN
Fans won’t be seeing many (if any) of these banned moves at CYN events, but they may not be seeing any moves from Control Your Narrative.
Right now, the promotion is on a hiatus, and was forced to cancel plans for a tour that was scheduled for late 2022.
The news of the tour’s cancellation came days after Braun Strowman (a CYN co-founder) returned to WWE in September of this year.
Sami Callihan’s time with Impact Wrestling is seemingly coming to an end with his contract set to expire.
Callihan signed with Impact in 2017 and captured the Impact World Championship in 2019 during Impact’s debut on AXS TV.
Prior to arriving in Impact, Callihan wrestled for Ring of Honor, CZW, Evolve and Dragon Gate, as well as having a three-year stint in WWE as Solomon Crowe.
Leaving Impact
Callihan signed a two-year contract extension in early 2021, which means his deal with the promotion will expire within the next few months.
Sources who spoke to Fightful Select said that the former World Champion hasn’t been given any clarity about his status.
Callihan’s contract situation has caught the interest of “outside promoters” but no specific companies were named in Fightful’s report.
Callihan has remained an integral figure with Impact, main-eventing several Pay-Per-Views.
In addition to working for Impact, Callihan is a successful promoter himself with Pro Wrestling REVOLVER being one of the top indie companies on the planet.
Callihan in Impact
After debuting in 2017, Callihan aligned with Dave and Jake Crist of ‘Ohio Versus Everything,’ and would later unsuccessfully challenge for the X-Division Championship.
In 2018, Callihan would feud with Eddie Edwards and in one of the most gruesome moments of the year, Edwards would suffer a broken nose and broken orbital bone thanks to an errant shot with a baseball bat.
In addition to his reign as Impact World Champion, Callihan is a five-time Impact End of Year award winner, including having 2019’s match of the year against Tessa Blanchard.
All Elite Wrestling is set for a major change next year, with a new look coming to Television very soon.
Last week, it was reported that AEW TV will have a new look, starting with their January 4, episode of Dynamite.
During last week’s AEW Rampage, fans got their first glimpse of the new production for the show.
Tony Khan Comments
Speaking to Grapsody (and reported by Fightful Select) Tony Khan confirmed that the changes to AEW Dynamite won’t just be from a production standpoint.
Khan added that changes to the set are coming, and visual and production changes that will be made and will stick around
Addressing the changes, the AEW President assured fans that they’ll still get their fix of regular AEW action no matter what.
“The wrestling is going to be the same great wrestlers and the same great fans, but it’s in a new city, Seattle, and the look, the changes to the set, and the presentation are going to be changes that we’re going to keep. I’m really looking forward to the new look for the show.
“I’m really looking forward to the new look for the show.”
Tony Khan.
“I find, in wrestling, when you overpromise, you can disappoint people. It’s a set and a presentation. At the end of the day, the most important thing is what the fans bring, what the wrestlers and the staff of AEW and the crew bring every week, but the look of the show is important too and it’s going to look really cool.”
It has been announced that Ricky Starks will face Chris Jericho on the January 4, Dynamite.
Tony Khan may present himself as a much different boss than Vince McMahon, but like the former WWE CEO, he believes that not everybody can be happy.
2022 has arguably been AEW’s most difficult year, with multiple injuries to top talent and the fallout from All Out being huge parts of the year.
Throughout 2022, there have been reports of talent being unhappy within AEW, which led to meetings backstage with the roster earlier this year.
Can’t Please Everyone
Unhappy names on any roster in wrestling is nothing new, and the AEW President realizes he can’t please everyone.
In an interview with Fightful Select, Khan said that you’re never going to keep every single person on your roster happen.
The AEW President added that he takes every bit of criticism from talent with a smile.
A “series of circumstances” has led to people not being on Television in a regular role, but no details of those ‘circumstances’ were given.
Unhappy Talent
With such a huge roster (one that is too big in the opinion of some fans) it is not surprising that many names do not make it to TV.
Former TNT Champion Miro has been open with his disapproval of his booking in AEW, and liked a tweet suggesting he would do better if he returned to WWE.
Ricky Starks finished 2022 strong and looks forward to keeping the momentum going in the new year. The 32-year-old from New Orleans has been feuding with Maxwell Jacob Friedman, AEW’s reigning world champion. Starks won a tournament to earn a shot at MJF at Winter is Coming. Friedman retained the title, but Starks has more than held is own on the mic and in the ring during this program.
‘Absolute’ recently spoke to Casual Conversations and discussed his goals for 2023. The main thing he’s looking for is overall satisfaction and fulfillment.
“My main goal for this year is to really carve out my own type of… I want to be so fulfilled in myself,” he said. “What I mean is, I want to be fulfilled creatively, I want to be fulfilled in the ring, on the mic.”
Starks continued by saying he wants to be spoken about in the same way as AEW’s main event players.
“I want to be fulfilled as a person, on this television show, that has stepped up and is now on another level and he should be talked with those other people on that level.”
Championship Dreams
(AEW)
As a former member of Team Taz, Starks previously held the FTW Championship. He just challenged for the AEW World Championship, but he’s yet to hold a sanctioned championship in the promotion. He wants to get back in the hunt for the TNT Championship currently held by Samoa Joe. “I would love to win the TNT Championship, if I don’t get to the AEW Championship first. Those are things I want to do.”
He also expressed an interest in an acting career, a path taken by many other pro wrestlers. Starks wants to be star in the entertainment world and won’t let anything get in his way.
“Stepping out of the wrestling stuff, I want to star in a TV show, I want to star in a movie,” he said. “These are things that I want, that I’m going to get, because I deserve it. I’m going to make sure that I get it. Regardless, nothing is going to stop me.”
Ricochet teamed up with Braun Strowman to compete in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight against Imperium during the December 23rd edition of WWE SmackDown.
The main event featured cameos from a ballerina as well as The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods both of which emerged from a gift.
The ending of the bout saw Strowman reviving Ricochet with a kiss from his real life girlfriend Samantha Irwin. The duo then defeated Imperium after Ricochet hit a crossbody off Strowman’s shoulders.
Ricochet Shows Graphic Injury
While the high-flying star did win the match it was revealed later that he suffered an injury. The former IC champion’s head was split open during the bout. While he was able to finish the match, the officials checked on him afterward.
The SmackDown star provided an update on his health on Twitter after the pre-taped show. He shared some graphic photos of the injury and revealed that he received six stitches from the cut:
Ricochet has been involved in a feud with Gunther over the IC title recently. He won the SmackDown World Cup to earn a shot at the championship. Though he was unable to capture the title when he faced the Ring General earlier this month.
AEW’s W. Morrisey and Lexy Nair are celebrating after the two went public with their engagement.
On Twitter, Nair shared an image of her engagement ring, confirming her upcoming nuptials to the former WWE Superstar saying that “Mr. and Mrs. Morrisey coming soon.”
Well, today’s the big day. After weeks of counting down, Christmas Day is finally upon us.
This day will see countless people around the world open presents, and as we all know, WWE is no stranger to embracing the Holiday spirit
Here are five of the best Holiday moments to curl up in a warm blanket and watch this festive season.
5: A Christmas Carol starring ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper
We all have our favorite renditions of Charles Dickens’ classic tale ‘A Christmas Carol’ which tells the story of a wicked man who turns good when he learns about the meaning of Christmas.
Some people see the Muppets Christmas Carol as the best, while others like my father herald Alastair Sim’s 1951 portrayal of Ebeneezer Scrooge as the best telling of the story.
Well on December 20th, 1985, the WWF gave their own rendition of A Christmas Carol, this one starring none other than ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper.
Unquestionably the biggest heel of the year, that week’s episode of Tuesday Night Titans saw Piper visited by three spirits, eager to teach the Hot Rod to change his wicked ways.
Unlike Scrooge though, Piper learned no lessons, and would instead vow to be more wicked after his ghostly visitations.
It would be another two years before Piper turned face and become one of the most beloved good guys of all time, and by 1989, he’d be the one defending Christmas from Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan.
4: A Very Merry D-X-Mas
DX showed Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter exactly what they thought of him during an episode of Raw in 1997.
Forming in 1997, D-Generation X would establish themselves as a counterculture, anti-authority group, much to the chagrin of WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter.
After making an ass out of the company, Triple H and Shawn Michaels would go one step further, exposing their buttocks to spell out a festive message, all while Chyna was in the ring with them.
To counteract, Slaughter booked a gift of a main event: Shawn Michaels Vs. Triple H for HBK’s European title.
After teasing dissension for the rest of the show, the pair ‘fought’ in the ring, but to call this a match is a stretch.
Triple H “powered” Michaels to the mat out of collar and elbow tie-up, then comically ran the ropes before delivering a big splash that didn’t make contact.
One pinfall later and the Game was the new European Champion, while the two friends celebrated their very fake match.
Sure, it may have devalued the European title somewhat, but DX got one over on Commissioner Slaughter in an iconic festive moment.
3: The Arrival of Xanta Claus
ECW alum Balls Mahoney played Xanta Claus, an evil counterpart to Jolly ol’ Saint Nick who heralded from the South Pole.
We all know the story of Santa Claus: the rosy-cheeked, bearded legend who lives at the North Pole, and judges whether people have been naughty or nice.
Well after a career of humiliating others, Ted DiBiase was definitely on the naughty list, and proved just how bad he could be in 1995.
Interrupting a segment with Savio Vega and ‘Santa,’ DiBiase proved everybody has a price for him, as Mr. Claus attacked Vega.
With that, DiBiase introduced the wrestling world to Xanta Claus, the polar opposite (quite literally) of Jolly ol’ Saint Nick.
Xanta Claus (played by future ECW staple Balls Mahoney) would not last long, and while the angle is incredibly goofy, it goes to show that anything can happen in the WWE.
2: ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin Stuns Santa Claus
WWE has hosted plenty of festive shows over the years, but the December 22, 1997, episode of Raw remains arguably the best holiday edition of the red brand ever produced.
Airing from Worcester, Massachusetts, the show was dripping in festive cheer, but the most iconic moment came from good ol’ ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin.
After a fake Santa Claus mocked a young boy, Austin made the save, stomping to the ring in that way only the Bionic Redneck can.
Berating the evil Santa, Austin dropped the not-so-jolly Saint Nick in what has become an iconic Christmas moment.
For all of Austin’s badassery, the segment showed that Austin still had a heart, cementing why it was okay to cheer this foul-mouthed, beer-swilling S.O.B.
Stunning the fake Santa proved that you could never quite predict what the Rattlesnake was going to do, and this unpredictability would be just part of what would launch Austin into mega-stardom the following year.
1: Tribute to the Troops
Six years after stunning Santa Claus, Steve Austin donned the iconic red suit himself to drop then-WWE CEO Vince McMahon.
For most of us, the holidays are a time to be with family and loved ones, surrounded by presents, food, and warmth.
For those serving in the armed forces though, they don’t get to enjoy such luxuries, but WWE attempted to bring some festive cheer to those on duty.
In 2003, WWE introduced Tribute to Troops, an event that has become an annual display of support and appreciation for those who are risking their lives for their country.
The brainchild of John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield, the show still carries on to this day, though takes place back in the U.S. instead of being in the Middle East as it was originally.
Nevertheless, this small token of appreciation goes a long way, and with the show taking place every December, there are plenty of seasonal festivities to enjoy each year at Tribute to the Troops.
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle may be retired, but the Olympian is ready to make a return to the ring with the right opponent.
Angle returned to WWE in 2017 after a near-eleven-year absence and competed in a handful of matches in that time.
The Olympic Gold Medalist last competed at WrestleMania 35 in a loss to Baron Corbin.
One More Match
Despite it being years since Angle’s most recent match, the former WWE World Champion has never been shy about teasing a return.
Speaking on the most recent episode of The Kurt Angle Show, Angle said he would have to work with a younger talent to ‘carry’ him through a match at WrestleMania.
“I’m not that stupid. So I’m going to make sure it’s a young guy because I’m a little bit older. I lost a little bit of a step. I would have to say someone like AJ Styles or Ricochet, I really liked that kid. I think I would have an incredible match with him.”
Kurt Angle.
While Angle and Styles faced off several times in TNA/Impact Wrestling, the Olympian has yet to face off with the One and Only.
Braun Strowman
It wasn’t just Ricochet and Styles that Angle had praise for, as he also highlighted the career of Braun Strowman.
The Olympian also named the Monster Among Men as someone he’d love to wrestle again if he returned to the ring.
“He is so athletic for his size. He reminds me a lot of Brock Lesnar with his athleticism. He’s not as athletic as Brock, he’s pretty close.”
Kurt Angle.
Strowman was released from WWE in June of last year and returned to WWE TV this past September.
Drew McIntyre will only be allowed to step back in the ring when WWE are beyond certain that he is fully healed from his current injury.
The two-time former WWE Champion had been scheduled to compete at the upcoming Boxing Day live event inside Madison Square Garden.
The eight-man tag-team match McIntyre had been scheduled to be in has been replaced with a standard tag match pitting The Usos against Braun Strowman and Kevin Owens.
Injury
McIntyre has missed several events this month and was “medically disqualified” from an Undisputed Tag Title match on the December 9, SmackDown.
It has not been confirmed what injury McIntyre is dealing with, though many believe that he suffered a ruptured ear drum during the Men’s WarGames match at Survivor Series: WarGames.
McIntyre’s last match was almost a month ago at a WWE Live event on December 27, in which he competed in an eight-man tag-team match.
Fully Healed
Drew McIntyre may have been able to work the upcoming Boxing Day WWE Live event, PW Insider reports.
It is noted that WWE officials are being extra cautious with the Scottish Warrior, and want him to be “beyond 100%” before he’s cleared to compete.
There is no word on when McIntyre will be allowed to wrestle again.
It was noted that Mcintyre has been eager to wrestle, even trying to compete before he was medically disqualified, but WWE officials overruled him.
Visit WWE.com for ticket information if you’re interested in attending any of the shows on the 2022 Live Holiday Tour.
Becky Lynch is one of the top Superstars in WWE, but she’s already starting to feel the pull from Hollywood.
Lynch is coming up on a decade with WWE. She joined NXT is 2013 and has been a member of the main roster since 2015. With six Women’s Championship reigns, her WWE career really took off in 2018 when she evolved into The Man, a no-nonsense character that allowed her true personality to shine through.
She became a mother in December 2020 and married fellow WWE star Seth Rollins the following summer. More recently, Lynch has been branching out into the world of acting.
She got rave reviews for her role on NBC’s Young Rock sitcom, where she portrayed inevitable WWE Hall of Famer, Cyndi Lauper. According to Rollins, Lynch’s acting career may take them both in an entirely new direction.
Becky Lynch’s Acting Career
During a recent interview with Iowa’s WQAD News, Rollins discussed Lynch’s burgeoning acting career and stated, “that’s where she wants to go.”
He added that their family may have to move ‘out west’ if she continues to land projects in the entertainment business, whether it’s television or movies.
“Her acting career is starting to perk up a little bit and that’s where she wants to go. So, if we end up in that direction and that takes us out west, so be it. If not, then here we are.”
– Seth Rollins
Young Rock was not Lynch’s first taste of being on a set. According to IMDB, her acting credits include roles on the television show Billions (2020) and the movie Rumble (2021).
Lynch one of several WWE performers who is looking ahead to life after pro wrestling, with a strong interest in acting. Earlier this week, Liv Morgan named acting as part of her future plans.
Catch Seth Rollins’ full interview with Iowa ABC affiliate WQAD:
Jade Cargill is one of the most dominant competitors in All Elite Wrestling, but she’s in no rush to go after the AEW Women’s World Championship.
Cargill has been impressing wrestling fans since her in-ring debut on the March 3, 2021 edition of AEW Dynamite. She and basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal defeated Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet that night. She’s left a trail of bodies in her wake ever since.
As the reigning AEW TBS Champion, she’s got the gold to back up her pride. She talks about running out of worthy competitors, but wants to continue on the same track she’s on for now.
On Friday, Cargill fielded questions from her fans on Twitter. When asked when we can expect to see her go after AEW’s top prize for female wrestlers, Cargill showed a rare glimpse of humility.
“I have to get warm,” she said. “I think everyone should be HAPPY and GRATEFUL they seen me in MY FIRST match EVER!”
Some very talented women have held the AEW Women’s World Championship, including Britt Baker, Thunder Rosa and reigning champion, Jamie Hayter. Cargill says, “Most of the women who have carried the main title have hundreds of matches. I’ve literally had ONLY 45 and 1 off grid match.”
“Let me take my time. U all KNOW I’m going to be great”
– Jade Cargill
Jade Cargill has been AEW TBS Champion since January 5, 2022 (approximately 350 days). She defeated Ruby Soho in the finals of a tournament to crown the inaugural champion. She maintains an undefeated record of 45-0, with an additional victory in an unsanctioned match.
At only 30 years old, Cargill could have a long career still ahead of her. She’s confident that she’ll reach the top of the mountain in AEW, but is sticking with what’s working by getting more experience.
Learn more about Jade Cargill from her recent appearance on AEW’s Hey! (EW) digital series:
Kevin Sullivan, All Elite Wrestling’s Vice President, Post Production, has provided a sneak peek at the visual overhaul that’s coming to AEW Dynamite.
AEW President Tony Khan recently confirmed Dynamite will have an all-new look starting January 4, 2023. During a conversation with SEScoops correspondent Scott Fishman for TVInsider, Khan said, “This will affect the way people view AEW on Wednesdays and Fridays in terms of presentation with the set and the show with the same great action.”
On Saturday morning, Sullivan uploaded a video that gives us a first look of what to expect from the ‘new look’ of AEW’s flagship show.
In a message posted on Twitter, he says the AEW production team set out to create a new ‘brand identity’ for Dynamite. The new identity includes many elements, including a new stage (yet to be seen) and a new comprehensive set of ‘package elements.’
Dynamite and Rampage have kept a similar look since the shows premiered. In addition to the first week of January marking the new year, it’s also the one year anniversary of Dynamite’s move from TNT to TBS.
Sullivan says his team is thrilled to finally share their new, bold vision that he feels will help usher in a “new spirit” for the show.
He also revealed this project has been nine months in the making. He thanked Tony Khan, the team at Warner Bros. Discovery and AEW’s graphics team for making this vision a reality.
Time is ticking on WWE’s plans for the main events of WWE WrestleMania 39 as the company wants to have these plans locked in by mid-January. The company will need two headline attractions for the main event of each night.
They will need to also figure out the plans for the men’s and women’s world title matches by January 28th, as that is when the WWE Royal Rumble premium live event goes down.
The women’s roster will need two title challengers for its two world champions: Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair and SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey. On the men’s side, things are a little more complicated.
As previously reported, WWE is hoping to have Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns face The Rock at WrestleMania 39, but it comes down to The Rock’s busy Hollywood schedule.
WWE has targeted this show because it takes place in Hollywood and will get more mainstream attention. Reigns has been championing himself as the head of the Anoa’i family for his entire run as The Tribal Chief. The stars are aligning for a battle between the two stars, but the match has yet to be confirmed.
Where Things Stand
In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Reigns vs. Rock is neither “off the boards” nor “a lock” for WrestleMania. The uncertainty of the match means that there have to be “back-up plans put in place,” although it’s unclear if those plans have been made yet.
The report emphasizes that The Rock has to “make up his mind,” likely “just before the Rumble.” Should he not go forward with the match, fans have speculated Cody Rhodes is stepping up to challenge Reigns for the title at the show.
“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” a Netflix film with a limited theatrical run, has been released on the streaming service.
Dave Bautista is among the cast, including Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, and Kate Hudson. Here is the synopsis of the film:
“Tech billionaire Miles Bron invites his friends for a getaway on his private Greek island. When someone turns up dead, Detective Benoit Blanc is put on the case.”
The Moment
Rian Johnson wrote and directed it and produced the film alongside Ram Bergman.
As seen below, while the movie was being made, the former WWE star gave Johnson a World Heavyweight Title belt while entering the set to his WWE theme music, “I Walk Alone” by Saliva.
Dave Bautista entering the Glass Onion set to his theme and giving Rian Johnson the World Heavyweight title is the best thing I’ve ever seen pic.twitter.com/Q3q0yY1QGT
Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” started streaming last month on Disney+ featuring Bautista.
Bautista portrays Drax in the franchise. Also, part of the cast includes Kevin Bacon, Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord, Zoe Saldaña as Gamora, Vin Diesel as Groot, and Bradley Cooper as Rocket.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” hits theaters May 5, 2023. Bautista has indicated this movie could be the end of his run as the character.
