WWE has announced The Undertaker is bringing his ‘1 deadMAN SHOW’ to Royal Rumble weekend.
The show will take place on Sunday, January 28 from Bilheimer Capitol Theatre in Clearwater, Florida, the day after the Royal Rumble at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
About The Show
The Undertaker’s 1 deadMAN Show
UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW features the WWE Hall of Famer in an intimate setting, sharing never-before-heard stories and answering questions from the audience.
The show has sold out venues in Nashville, Philadelphia, Boston, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Antonio and London since debuting.
Tickets
If you’re in town for the Royal Rumble, this could be a great way to cap off your weekend. Tickets will be available to purchase next Friday, December 15 at RutheckerdHall.com.
An exclusive pre-sale will begin at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, December 14. A limited number of VIP tickets, which includes premier seating and a meet-and-greet with The Undertaker, will also be available.
There’s no secret as to how Billy Gunn can compete at the level he currently displays, according to the AEW Trios Champion.
At 60 years old, Gunn is the oldest champion in AEW, and likely the oldest star on the roster. Despite this, the tag team specialist continues to wow fans with a performance you’d expect to see from talent decades younger than the former King of the Ring. Speaking to the A2TheK Wrestling show, Gunn was asked what his secret is.
“I wish I had one, I wish I had a secret I can tell. It’s just, the last [year] I just focus more on me staying healthy. I’ve never, luckily for me, I’ve nd Dr done any sort of crazy stunts. Other than bumping a lot which, yeah it has it’s wear and tear, but I just really focus a lot on my training and my food and all that. I have great people around me so it’s just as long as I’m going to do this, I want to make sure I can perform at the level that makes me happy. Because if I don’t, then I just want to walk away. Though my kids and wife will say different, I’m walking away.”
When asked if he has a retirement date in mind, Gunn made it clear he doesn’t intend to plan that far in advance.
“I don’t really look at things like that. It’ll just be when it’s right. When it’s done, it’s done. There’s no time schedule, I can’t go ‘Hey, All In in London next year will be [my last match]. My brain doesn’t function like that. My brain and me tell my body I can wrestle until I want to. Which I know is not really a thing… But me not doing something doesn’t really enter my mind.”
Gunn’s most recent match took place on the November 4, episode of AEW Collision and saw the Acclaimed retain the AEW Trios Championships against Dalton Castle and his boys.
For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.
Wyatt was considered one of the most creative minds in pro wrestling and had unparalleled mic skills. Over the years his gimmicks evolved. ‘The Eater of Worlds’ introduced the Firefly Funhouse in 2019 when he portrayed a character similar to Mr. Rogers and presented himself as a children’s television presenter. However, the character had a dark secret, later revealed as The Fiend.
‘The Monster of All Monsters’ was part of the Wyatt Family led by Bray Wyatt back in the day. Later on they went on to have epic battles as rivals as well.
Speaking to Bill Apter for Sportskeeda, Braun Strowman stated why he believes Bray was one of the best on the mic. Here is what he said:
“Bray Wyatt was, in my opinion, the epitome of talking on a microphone with his character work, being able to go in and out of all these multiple characters, see his facial expressions change, hear his voice change.
I don’t know anyone who’s done it, other than Paul Heyman, who’s just been timeless with what he does as a manager and stuff like that. But he still doesn’t have the range and abilities to go through these multiple different characters that Bray had inside of his head. So in my opinion, it’s Bray Wyatt.
Strowman has been on the shelf since the Summer after undergoing neck fusion surgery. He is hoping to return at next year’s Royal Rumble match. You can check out his comments below:
Ethan Page is forever grateful to Matt Hardy for everything he has done.
The AEW star grew up watching The Hardy Boys do all sorts of crazy stunts. It was a dream come true for him when he got to work with the duo during his run with The Firm in late 2022 and early 2023.
The Canadian star recently appeared on Chris Van Vliet’s Insight podcast. Ethan Page first discussed how his outlook on The Hardy Boyz has changed over the years:
“Back to my convo with Matt last night. He recently put up this clip of…it’s like Broken Matt in his bed and he’s reacting to old things that happened to him in his career. It was all these wild falls and bumps and crashes and just insane things that he put his body through. I’m watching this at 34, almost 20 years into my wrestling career and the thoughts going through my mind compared to when I was a kid watching.
When I’m a kid watching I’m thinking, ‘This is amazing. I want to do that. This looks so fun. Do you see he jumped off the ladder?’ and all this stuff. Now I’m 34, all these years in and I’m like, ‘How is this man alive? How is he walking?'”
Ethan Page On Working With Matt Hardy
Ethan Page then talked about working with Matt Hardy on AEW Dark: Elevation among other shows. He mentioned that Matt always made sure that he benefited from those matches, and explained that both of these veterans deserve their flowers:
“The things that Matt and Jeff have put their bodies through physically. I’ll never comprehend just because of how I feel now and how I have done nothing as close to them and I never will. I promise you. I never will. Both of those guys deserve their flowers forever just for what they’ve done and the fact that they’re still willing to give.
I was just giving Matt praise to somebody in the car yesterday because I feel like there are people in wrestling that, they might be nice and they’re very friendly and cordial. But when it comes down to the business part of things most people are very selfish. Whereas I feel like with Matt, he cares more about delivering a good story, instead of benefiting himself.
I got to work with him for over a year. [We were] very heavily featured on Elevation which gave us a lot of creative freedom, which I’m obviously going to defer to the legend in professional wrestling and he would always look out for me. He would always make sure that I benefited in anything that we did. That’s kind of rare in wrestling. So I will appreciate that from Matt for the remainder of my career and I’ll love that dude forever.”
You can check out Ethan Page’s full interview below:
Kazuchika Okada will soon make his first appearance for TNA Wrestling since 2011.
Impact Wrestling will become TNA Wrestling once again next month. Various aspects of the company are already reverting to the TNA branding and the first pay-per-view of the new era is TNA Hard To Kill on Saturday, January 13 from The Palms in Las Vegas.
The following night, TNA is running another show from the same venue, Snake Eyes. Impact/TNA recently announced the blockbuster news that NJPW/AEW star Will Ospreay will get his wish and wrestle in a TNA ring at Snake Eyes. It turns out, Ospreay won’t be coming alone.
Okada wrestled for TNA a few times in 2010 and 2011. Associating with Samoa Joe, he played a character named Okato, who was similar to Green Hornet’s sidekick Kato. Years later, Okada shared strong negative feelings about the experience. The connection between NJPW and IMPACT was harmed by this role. However, neither company, nor Okada himself, are the same as they were over a decade ago.
Okada currently holds one-third of the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii. This marks his first time he has held the title.
Okada will be a free agent at the end of January and recent reports suggest that a new deal with NJPW “would typically be underway”, but the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion is “seriously entertaining the possibility of wrestling for a different promotion.”
It’s been over two decades since the WWE Universe was introduced to John Cena on the June 27, 2002, episode of SmackDown. This week, Cena looked back at his debut match against Kurt Angle and poked fun at the unfortunate ring attire he wore for his first match on TV.
Randy Orton is back in WWE and is ready to take out every member of the Bloodline. The Viper will have the chance to do just tonight on SmackDown when he teams with LA Knight to face Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa.
Last week, WWE filed trademarks for a series of new names and now some have been appointed to NXT talent. PW Insider reports that Andrzej Hughes-Murray, a former LA Rams linebacker, will now compete as Dion Lennox. Kevin Robertson, a former Temple University defensive tackle will now be working as Kanu Carver.
Latest on WWE NXT Europe
WWE announced NXT Europe in 2022, but despite initial hopes for the brand to be up and running in 2023, that hasn’t been the case at all. Speaking on the pre-NXT Deadline media call, Shawn Michaels said that WWE remains committed to NXT Europe. WWE’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative pointed at upcoming shows in Europe such as Bash in Berlin and WWE Backlash: France as a sign WWE has big plans for the continent.
A Women’s Royal Rumble Favorite
Next month, WWE will host its seventh-annual Women’s Royal Rumble match, with the winner earning a title shot at WrestleMania 40. In odds shared by Sky Bet, Bayley is the favorite to win next month’s match with 10/11 odds. Behind the Role Model is Jade Cargill (2/1), Becky Lynch (10/1), Raquel Rodriguez (10/1), and Charlotte Flair (12/1.) WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY and WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley share 16/1 odds.
While the Judgment Day have made it clear they’re not interested in Truth’s services, that’s not how the former 24/7 Champion sees things. Speaking on The Bump, Truth shared how he was able to get into the faction’s base.
“Door was unlocked. They’re a very trusting group, and they’re more humble than you think. I’m trying to hook it up, you know what I’m saying? I’m that close from being in the group. I’m that close.”
As part of his application, Truth pointed out that he goes way back with reigning NXT North American Champion ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio.
”I actually knew lil’ Dom when he was little, ‘Dirty Dom’ is what they call him — I’ve known him since he was little. [He and Lil Jimmy] they hung around each other all the time. It makes sense. And you know, JD [McDonagh], we’ve got to work with JD. His attitude, his temper, it’s not becoming.”
R-Truth isn’t the only wrestler interested in joining the Judgment Day. Click here to find out which WWE Hall of Famer sees himself as a future member.
For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.
Lex Luger wanted to prove every one of his doubters in the World Wrestling Federation wrong when he jumped ship to WCW.
After three years with the WWF, Luger returned to WCW in 1995 and appeared during the debut episode of WCW Monday Nitro. Not only did Luger appear on Nitro, but due to the pre-taped nature of Raw, he also appeared on the WWF flagship show that was aired that same night.
Proving His Doubters Wrong
Luger’s arrival in Nitro was a shocking way for WCW to introduce their new show, and was deeply personal for Lex himself. Speaking in a WWE YouTube video about the best matches and moments of his career, Luger reflected on his Nitro debut being a closely guarded secret backstage.
“Nobody in WCW other than Hogan, Sting, only a handful of people knew I was going to be coming out at that match. And I walked into the position [backstage] and guys were like ‘What are you doing here? Aren’t you still wrestling for WWE?’ Not anymore. I wanted to make it all the way to the top, still I wanted to prove to all the naysayers in WWE.
“My contract was coming up. I had planned on resigning up until a couple of weeks before that with WWE. It would’ve been a new two or three-year contract. And then they [WCW] invited me to come under contract back home in WCW and debut in that show as a surprise. That was like lightning how that went down.
The White Shirt
For many, the most iconic moment of Luger’s appearance on Nitro isn’t what he did in the ring, but rather his puffy white shirt. Speaking about his choice of attire, Luger was just as perplexed as to why he was wearing the oversized shirt.
“It was a custom-made shirt for an NBA guy in Atlanta. Kevin Willis, played 23 years in the NBA, he made my suits and everything. People ask me about that moment, that shirt, all the time. Because I was always the guy with his shirt off so everybody’s expecting me to come down and no matter what, I was going to take my shirt off right? But the shirt stayed on. I’m honestly not sure why I kept the shirt on but I did.
“It’s unbelievable how people talk about that and want to see it in action figures and everything, the big white shirt, it’s crazy. I gave it to a young man I’m mentoring, who could be the next Total Package.”
Concluding, Luger appreciated the response fans gave him at the debut Nitro, which would set him up for a role as a headliner for WCW for years to come.
“Quite the response from the crowd at the Mall of America. I was like, man. I felt like if there was any wavering confidence at WWE at the time of where my direction of my character and career were going, when I got in that ring, it felt right.”
For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.
Will Bray Wyatt’s first WrestleMania since his return to WWE go ahead without the former Universal Champion?
Wyatt was controversially released from WWE in July 2021, with his final match being his WrestleMania 37 loss to Randy Orton.
The Eater of Worlds returned to WWE at last October’s Extreme Rules event in the climax of the ‘White Rabbit’ storyline.
WrestleMania Doubts
Ever since Elimination Chamber 2023, WWE has been teasing a WrestleMania match between Wyatt and Bobby Lashley.
Last Sunday, Wyatt did not appear as advertised for a WWE live event in Madison Square Garden, and it has been reported that he has been dealing with a physical issue.
During the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer answered questions about Wyatt’s status for WrestleMania.
“From what I understand, the match is still on for WrestleMania, and he should be back very soon. So we’ll see. But that’s pretty much all I can say, I mean there is something to it but I’m not at liberty to discuss it, but it’s not, as far as I know everything that I’ve been told is that it’s not a creative issue or anything like that.”
Dave Meltzer.
Lashley’s Match
Should Wyatt be forced to miss WrestleMania, that will leave Lashley without a dance partner, which does not sit well for the All-Mighty.
On Twitter, the two-time former WWE Champion has seemingly distanced himself from the Bray feud and has said he’ll fight anyone at WrestleMania.
I’ve worked too hard to be denied.
I will be ready to fight on the biggest stage of them all, #WrestleMania.
John Cena has opened up on the sexual misconduct allegations made against Vince McMahon for the first time public while speaking with the AP.
The former WWE CEO retired from this position and Chairman amid the sexual misconduct scandal last July. However, after thinking he got bad advice, he returned to the company at the top of the Board of Directors this past January.
The Relationship
Regarding whether it was tough to reconcile his feelings for McMahon after the allegations were made, Cena stated that everyone makes mistakes, and he still loves his longtime boss.
“No. I mean, everyone has the right to have their perspective. I have the right to have mine. When you love somebody, you take them as imperfectly perfect as they are. We all make mistakes, we all have poor decisions. Lord knows I’ve made my collection of poor choices. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to love somebody. There’s no way I can go on record and say I don’t love Vince McMahon.”
WWE Sale
One of the reasons that McMahon returned to WWE was due to him wanting to explore a potential company sale. Cena was asked about it, but noted that he didn’t know what was going on.
“That’s way above my paygrade. I just don’t know what’s going on with that. I love Vince McMahon. He’s everything you could want in a great friend, business partner, father, mentor. I love the man. But his business dealings are his business and what he shares with me, that’s between us. But I don’t know what’s going on with the corporate structure in the WWE or the creative direction of the WWE. But when I’m there as a performer, it’s (WWE champion) Roman Reigns’ show. In my mind, he needs to be in the conversation, and in my mind, he’s the greatest of all time.”
Cena was spotted at McMahon’s 77th birthday party last August. McMahon made his first appearance at a WWE event since returning last Monday at Raw when Cena made his return to WWE.
Dutch Mantell may be a “miserable old wrestler” according to Ric Flair, but the Nature Boy has now been branded an “ungrateful a**.”
Last July, Flair competed in what was promoted as his last match, which was heavily criticized by fans and those in the industry.
After Mantell recently criticized the match when speaking to Sportskeeda, Flair took to Twitter to fire back at the former Zeb Coulter.
Thank God They Used The Word Veteran & Didn’t Call You A Legend. Just A Miserable Old Wrestler Trying To Make A Buck. And BTW, You Never Had A Legacy To Begin With. WOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/48uzk2gqas
Taking to Facebook, Mantell responded with the following open letter to the Nature Boy.
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NATURE BOY
Ric…I have great respect and admiration for your contribution to the wrestling profession. I never meant to ruffle your feathers on my podcast but I was just speaking the truth about your last match.
That was almost 10 months ago but you’re still touchy about it? But I wasn’t the only one who mentioned it was subpar. All the dirt sheet writers said it…in print and on their podcasts. Did you say anything to them? To set the record straight, very few fans got upset over my critique of your match. Truthfully, they agreed with me.
If I had just said the match is sucked, that would’ve been an upgrade. But Ric…you came out of nowhere to attack me personally. Why? Telling the TRUTH? It was a bad showing. Period. Everybody damn near universally agreed that it was an abortion.
What I want to know is who agented that match if anyone? You were in there with one of the top wrestlers in the world, Jeff Jarrett. If you can’t look good with him, then the issue is you.
How hard is to lay out…RIC FLAIR’S LAST MATCH. All you had to do was do a strut, yell some WHOOS in the air and slap on the Figure 4 for the finish…hit the bell, music, confetti, fans cheer and that’s it. My 12-year-old granddaughter could follow that formula. But, I heard Ric laid it out then I heard he faked a heart attack because he thought the match was ending too soon?? WTF?? It should’ve ended 10 minutes sooner than it did.
But Ric you said that I’m just an old wrestler trying to make a buck. I don’t disagree with that. Yes I am an old bastage and yes, I do try to make a buck. Just because I’m not involved in the wrestling game anymore doesn’t forego my bills. I have to pay money out every month just like everybody else in the world does. But that has absolutely nothing to do with your seriously flawed match.
Another thing Ric, is that “faking a heart attack was believable because fans thought you were having one. Did you go over that with Jeff before the match by “saying hey Jeff, I might fake a heart attack out there somewhere”? It was so believable that I even thought you were in trouble.
But, of course, you said you’d been drinking, partying, had no sleep and you looked like hell. And that’s being generous.
Nobody wants to see their hero on a stage where they’re concerned about their health or possible death. But then, you made yourself look worse, if that’s possible by telling your own fans to go get F’ed if they didn’t believe you made 300K. That was total disrespect.
You can disrespect me, hell that’s happened a lot in my career but why disrespect the fans who love our sport? Those fans are the ones who make this country work, who get up every day to go to work, raise families, pay bills and taxes and keep this country running and buy tickets and PPV’s to see your ungrateful ass.
Nobody wants to see us settle this in a public forum such as Twitter or here. But for now Ric…I’m in total agreement. We’ll end this. But I’ll still speak of you Ric because you’ve created an audience for it. We don’t set the rules…fans do. They’re the reason either one of us is here. If they ask, I’m going to reply. Without them Ric, we both might be driving trucks or Ubers making $300 Grand a day. What a country we live in, huh? Have a great day sir.
Comments below: No Ric…you’re not allowed to comment. Tell your social media manager to STFU.
The question as to which match will headline WrestleMania 39: Night One has been on the mind of fans for some time.
This year will mark WWE’s fourth two-night WrestleMania: a concept that the company adopted in 2020 in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The two-night format has allowed more Superstars to have a WrestleMania main event to their name, including AJ Styles, Bianca Belair, and Kevin Owens.
WrestleMania 39: Night One
With WrestleMania 39 going Hollywood (given its LA setting) WWE has been releasing parody trailers for popular films and TV shows featuring the Superstars.
This week, WWE featured Rhea Ripley in a Stranger Things parody, with the Judgment Day member playing Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven.
In the video, an unseen (but very recognizable) voice all but announced that Ripley will be headlining Night One, stating:
“Feeling that pressure, huh? Of being the main event of WrestleMania? Is it triggering you right now, Rhea? You want some? Then, go get some!”
At WWE WrestleMania 39, Ripley (the winner of the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble match) will face SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair.
This will make Flair the first and only woman in WWE history to headline two WrestleManias (after previously closing out WrestleMania 35 in 2019.)
It had previously been reported that this match was the favorite to headline Night One, with Night Two being headlined by Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns Vs. Cody Rhodes.
While not confirmed by WWE yet, Logan Paul told listeners of his popular ImPaulsive podcast that his match with Seth Rollins will be on Night One.
That show will take place on April 1, which will mark Paul’s 28th birthday.
Jade Cargill’s reign as AEW TBS Champion could be in grave jeopardy if she steps into the ring with one of women’s wrestling’s most decorated champions.
This week, AEW Dynamite will make its debut in Winnipeg, Canada, and Tony Khan wants to make a great first impression in the city.
It has been announced that Cargill will put her title and her undefeated streak on the line against a Canadian wrestler.
Cargill Vs. Taya?
One name being thrown around as a possible contender for Cargill is Taya Valkyrie, who recently finished up her time with Impact Wrestling.
Many have seen this as a sign that the former Franky Monet is AEW-bound, and this isn’t the only clue.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer provided another clue that Valkyrie may be the Canadian set to face Cargill.
“She [Valkyrie] was scheduled to be on a World Series Wrestling tour of Australia that’s taking place right now, and she’s not there. That leads me to believe… I actually thought that she’s the mystery Canadian that Jade Cargill is going to wrestle on Wednesday, and the fact that she has a tour scheduled, and she’s not there, she did give notice.
“She’s done with Impact, and she’s leaving MLW, and she isn’t on this tour. We know she’s either going to WWE or AEW, but the point is, they talked about a mystery Canadian, and she’s Canadian and it’s starting to add up that it could be. So, unless she’s debuting on Raw, SmackDown, or NXT this Tuesday, she didn’t have to leave that tour.”
Dave Meltzer.
Valkyrie is no stranger to championship matches, being a former Reina de Reinas Champion, Knockouts Tag Champion, and the longest-reigning Impact Knockouts World Champion.
AEW is Winnipeg
Whether Valkyrie is Cargill’s mystery opponent or not, this week’s Dynamite debut in Winnipeg will be one to remember.
The stacked card includes new AEW Trios Champions the House of Black defending their gold against The Elite and Jericho Appreciation Society.
The Blackpool Combat Club will face the Dark Order (including the returning Stu Grayson.)
AEW All-Atlantic Champion Orange Cassidy will take on Jeff Jarrett to determine the first AEW International Champion.
Former TNA Wrestling star Anthony Mayweather, better known to fans as Crimson, has been arrested for violation of a protection order.
Mayweather, 38, made several calls to his juvenile son’s phone and sent several text messages to his wife, Heather Mayweather, despite the protection order against him prohibiting this.
The former TNA wrestler made these calls and sent these texts, even while police were present, according to Clarksvilletoday.com.
After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Mayweather was detained and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on March 8, and charged with contempt.
A judicial commissioner set his bond at $1,000, and Mayweather was previously arrested for headbutting his wife in 2016.
Crimson in TNA Wrestling
During his second tour of Iraq, Mayweather decided to pursue a career in professional wrestling and would train at the NWA Main Event school in Clarksville, TN.
In 2010, Mayweather competed in a series of dark matches for TNA, which resulted in him being signed and would debut as ‘Little Red,’ the brother of Amazing Red, that December.
Mayweather was reintroduced as ‘Crimson’ the following month and would go on a winning streak, which would include becoming World Tag Team Champions with Matt Morgan.
When the pair lost the titles (with Morgan being pinned) TNA stated that Crimson was still undefeated, and the newly-turned heel feuded with Morgan.
After a 470-day streak, Crimson’s undefeated streak was definitely broken by James Storm, who defeated him at Slammiversary 2012.
Crimson was moved to OVW for further conditioning shortly after, and would make appearances in 2015 and 2017 for TNA/Impact Wrestling.
All Elite Wrestling may have some impressive viewing figures (albeit figures not as high as this time last year) but two wrestling legends aren’t tuning in.
It’s no secret that AEW’s ratings have fallen dramatically in recent months, with many attributing that to the absence of CM Punk.
There has been some good news recently for AEW, with last Friday’s AEW Rampage drawing the show’s highest ratings since January.
The Pact
AEW has a passionate fanbase of people both in and out of the wrestling industry but two names not watching (for now) are Kevin Nash and Steve Austin.
During the latest episode of Kliq This, Big Daddy Cool explained why he and the Rattlesnake are changing channels whenever AEW is on their TVs.
“I just want to go on record today, I have not watched AEW in months. It goes back to Steve Austin and I got a pact that he’s not watching it therefore I’m not watching it and what I can tell by Twitter is [Undertaker] is now not watching it.”
“Steve Austin and I got a pact that he’s not watching it therefore I’m not watching it.”
Kevin Nash.
“It’s nothing against any of the talent over there, anybody that does anything over there. It’s just something that we decided. It’s like lent, you have to give things up so we did that. It doesn’t change the fact that Kenny Omega is my favorite wrestler. Doesn’t change that at all.”
Nash’s comments about The Undertaker stem from a Twitter exchange, in which Nash joked that Bret Hart doesn’t watch AEW.
In response, the Phenom said that Nash’s comments got a “huge pop” from him.
Big Daddy Cool’s comment about Kenny Omega being his favorite wrestler come after Nash made the claim during Omega’s feud with Will Ospreay.
Could IWGP Women’s Champion Mercedes Moné one day make her return to WWE?
After she (and Naomi) walked out of the May 16, 2022, episode of Monday Night Raw, questions circulated around Moné’s future with the company, and she went unused for months.
Despite reports that she and Naomi had made peace with WWE, Moné would debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 17 this past January.
The Return?
It was last month that Moné captured the IWGP Women’s Championship from KAIRI in the former’s first match since departing WWE.
Like Moné, Alundra ‘Madusa’ Blayze knows what it is like to draw the ire of WWE, as she was blacklisted for two decades for throwing the WWF Women’s Championship in the trash on WCW programming.
Appearing on Under The Ring to talk about her career and her new book “The Woman Who Would Be King: The MADUSA Story,” Blayze spoke about Moné’s future.
“I think Mercedes has actually during a time when she was still champion, I believe tag team championship, whatever she was feeling, she felt like whatever and she handed the titles in and she walked out because she wanted to fulfill something, her dream, something she always wanted to do. I mean, God bless her on that, you know, somebody following what they want to do.”
“Hopefully, she will go back to WWE someday if she wants to.”
Alundra Blayze.
“Hopefully, she will go back to WWE someday if she wants to. Right now she’s just fulfilling it. Let’s hope and continue that everything is great over there with her and Stardom. Maybe she’s paving the way that women can do what they want to do. I may have waited until my contract expired and then did it, but you know, everyone has their own reason and choice and I don’t know what that was, so I can’t say on hers.”
Could A Return Happen?
While Moné is out of WWE right now, that doesn’t mean we may not see Sasha Banks walk down the aisle once more.
After all, Blayze was blacklisted for twenty years but was eventually brought back, and other names fans thought they’d never see again (Bret Hart, Ultimate Warrior, etc.) have returned over the years.
It has been reported that some in WWE believe that once Moné gets NJPW ‘out of her system’ she will return to the Stamford-based promotion.
El Generico was a huge fixture of the indie scene for years. Around 2012, he reportedly went to Mexico where he may or may not have been killed by the cartels. There’s allegedly an orphanage named after him.
There are reports that WWE’s Sami Zayn was close to El Generico. While the masked man spent many years in Ring of Honor before going to Mexico, he did take his talents to IMPACT Wrestling shortly before his alleged death.
“Lost” El Generico Matches
El Generico
On their latest episode, DEADLOCK Podcast host, Johnny, called on IMPACT Wrestling to release the unaired matches.
IMPACT Wrestling tweeted that “two never before seen El Generico matches from 2011 against Amazing Red and TJP are available now for the first time ever on IMPACT Plus!”
Two never before seen El Generico matches from 2011 against Amazing Red and TJP are available now for the first time ever on IMPACT Plus!
WWE confirmed the WrestleMania 39 match between Edge and Finn Balor during Monday Night Raw.
Edge came out for a promo segment where he talked about how he wanted to finish his feud with Balor tonight/ The Judgment Day came out to the stage but wouldn’t get any further. Edge knew why, and he knew if he chased after them, they would just jump him.
He said he would give Balor what he wanted, a WrestleMania match. Edge said he’s tired of wasting his time, which is running out, on them for the last year and a half. He said every week, he has left him laying and even made him say that he quit.
Memory Lane
He recalled Beth Phoenix being hit with a chair. Edge thinks there is one way for it to end, and that’s Hell in a Cell at WrestleMania. Balor said he’s been to hell, and it spit out a demon. This led to a brawl.
As previously reported, WWE had plans to do Edge vs. Balor at the Royal Rumble in the Hell in a Cell match where Balor would portray his demon character, but it was nixed due to Edge filming a Hollywood project.
WWE‘s latest edition of Monday Night RAW went down on (3/13/23) from the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island! Solo Sikoa and The Usos took out Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes knocked off LA Knight, and Damage CTRL sent a message to Trish Stratus!
Live Coverage
The show begins and WWE Hall of Famer Edge makes his way down to the ring. Before Edge can say much, The Judgment Day interrupts. Edge says he knows Finn Balor will just sick Rhea Ripley, Damian Priest, and DominikMysterio on him if he tries to attack them, so if Finn wants his WrestleMania match he’s got it. Edge says he’s wasted enough time on The Judgment Day and he needs to finish Finn off once and for all before he retires because he doesn’t have much time left. Edge says the way he sees it, there’s only one way the feud between he and Finn can end…Edge vs. Finn Balor at WrestleMania 39…inside Hell in a Cell! The Providence, Rhode Island crowd is in a frenzy and Finn says hell can’t handle his demons and accepts…but until then, and the rest of The Judgment Day rush the ring and it’s a three-on-one attack against the WWE Hall of Famer. The Judgment Day’s opponents for tonight, Johnny Gargano and Dexter Lumis, alongside Candice LeRae rush the ring and make the save! The brawl continues and our commentary team of Corey Graves and Kevin Patrick announce that The Judgment Day will face Lumis and Gargano after the break.
A clip is shown from earlier tonight where Cathy Kelley was interviewing The Miz but Damage CTRL was attacking Trish Stratus in the backstage area and the interview was cut short.
We then see Omos and MVP making their way down to the ring and we’ll hear from the pair after the break.
Back from the break and Omos and MVP are in the ring. MVP says Brock Lesnar is a terrific athlete but he’s not a great deal broker…and Brock wastes no time and makes his way down to the ring. Brock goes right up to Omos and comes face-to-face with his WrestleMania 39 opponent. The Providence, Rhode Island crowd in attendance are thunderous with the ‘holy sh*t!’ chants as Omos puts his fist up to Brock’s face and Brock laughs at how big Omos’ hand is while the crowd now pours in the ‘Suplex City!’ chants. Lesnar and Omos shake hands but Brock stomps on Omos’ foot and Omos dumps Brock out of the ring. Brock laughs Omos off while a bunch of WWE officials rush down to the ring but Brock backs off and heads backstage.
We then see the clip from last week’s show where Jey Uso turned on Sami Zayn and realigned himself with The Bloodline. Cody Rhodes’ and Sami Zayn’s confrontation with The Usos from this past Friday’s episode of SmackDown was then shown.
Cody Rhodes then makes his way down to the ring and ‘he’ll ‘The American Nightmare’ will face LA Knight after the break!
After the match, Cody grabs a microphone and wants to address his WrestleMania 39 opponent…the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Cody says Paul Heyman told him not to make it personal against Reigns at WrestleMania but with him, it’s always been personal. Cody says the reason he wears a tailored suit every day isn’t because he thinks he’s anybody…it’s because he wants to be somebody. Cody says he acknowledges Roman Reigns but it’s time that Roman acknowledges him and while he’s (Cody) not perfect, his record since coming back to WWE is since he’s undefeated. Cody says on April 2 when the sun goes down in Hollywood, it’s going down on Roman Reigns’ generational title run.
We then see a clip from Seth Rollins and Logan Paul’s confrontation on last week’s show during Miz TV. Byron Saxton is then shown backstage with Seth Rollins. Byron asks Seth about Logan attacking him last week and Seth says Logan celebrated like he won the lottery last week but that’s because he did win the lottery…he gets to face Seth Rollins at WrestleMania. Seth says everyone knows you can’t keep him down but The Miz interrupts. Miz says Seth is jealous of Logan and if you ask him (Miz), it looks like Seth has lost control. Miz says next week, Logan Paul will host IMPAULSIVE on Monday night RAW. Baron Corbin interrupts and tells The Miz that he wants to be on Logan’s show next week. Miz says Logan is booked full and Baron asks to be Miz’s co-host for WrestleMania 39. Miz says he doesn’t have enough pull to make that happen so Baron asks Seth to be his trainer for his match against Logan but Seth says he doesn’t need Baron’s help. Baron says he’s trying everything he can and tells Seth that he’s lucky they don’t fight because if they did, he’d (Baron) knock Seth out cold and take his spot at WrestleMania. Seth challenges to Baron for a match tonight and exits. Miz tells Baron that if he beats Seth, he’ll face Logan Paul at WrestleMania instead of Seth.
It’s then announced that Bronson Reed will face Elias after the break.
Bronson Reed def. Elias (with Rick Boogs)
After the match, Cathy Kelley is shown backstage and she catches up with Kevin Owens. Kevin says it shouldn’t be hard to understand why he doesn’t want to team up with Sami Zayn against The Bloodline. Kevin says he wishes Sami the best and directs his attention to Cody Rhodes. Kevin says he appreciates Cody helping Sami but he doesn’t want Cody to help him tonight against Solo Sikoa because he wants Cody to fully focus on Roman Reigns at WrestleMania.
We then see United States Champion Austin Theory backstage, where he approaches Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins of the Street Profits. Theory says Dawkins has more fire and desire than Ford and says every time Ford gets an opportunity, he falls flat on his face. Theory says Ford and Dawkins always talk about the smoke but Ford doesn’t ever do anything once the smoke arrives. Dawkins steps in and tells Theory that he’s got some smoke for the US Champion and theory accepts the challenge.
It’s then announced that the next member of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2023 will be announced by WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair this Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. EDT/10:00 a.m. PDT on The Bump.
BREAKING: The next inductee into the #WWEHOF Class of 2023 will be revealed this Wednesday on @WWETheBump!
The first inductee in this year’s WWE Hall of Fame, Rey Mysterio then makes his way down to the ring. Rey says he’s honored to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and says his induction isn’t only for him, it’s for his family and the fans. Rey’s son Dominik Mysterio interrupts and says he’s actually proud of his father and says that Rey deserves his Hall of Fame induction. Dominik says Rey was so dedicated to his craft that he forgot about his family, especially him (Dominik). Dominik says he remembers his 16th birthday party where all of his (Dominik’s) friends showed up in Mercedes and Rey only got him a BMW. Dominik challenges Rey to a match at WrestleMania 39 but Rey shakes his head and walks off in disappointment. Dominik screams to his father from the ring and says the only thing Rey taught him was who NOT to be.
We then see Otis doing a photoshoot with Maxine Dupri, Mace, and Mansoor of Maximum Male Models. Chad Gable interrupts and tells Otis that he’s been looking for him the entire night but Otis tells Gable that this is his calling.
After the match, Carmella and Chelsea Green attack Bianca but Asuka rushes down to make the save. Asuka picks up Bianca’s RAW Women’s Championship but pretends she’s going to spit her patented mist in Bianca’s face before dropping the title down in the ring and laughing her way to the back.
Solo Sikoa (with Jimmy & Jey Uso) def. Kevin Owens
When WWE finally was able to convince Steve Austin to come out of retirement last year for a match at WrestleMania 38 – Night 1 against Kevin Owens, he left the door open to do another match.
WWE has taken him at his word and tried to get him to agree to step into the ring again, this time at this year’s WrestleMania 39.
Fightful Select reports that multiple pitches have been made to Steve Austin since last year and those in WWE believe he’s open-minded to wrestling again should the right situation and money come his way. However, the offers so far haven’t seemed like either of those.
No Response
As previously reported, WWE pitched him on the idea of doing a match with Brock Lesnar last summer or in the fall, but the money wasn’t right. Later, Austin was offered more money to possibly face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, and “we’re just told he didn’t get back to WWE on it.”
Austin, who has gotten into great shape, was pitched additional ideas to be on the WrestleMania 39 card, but not for marquee matches.
One name rumored online to have been pitched was LA Knight, and Fightful was able to confirm that match was pitched, but it’s unclear whether Austin is interested in it. Austin is slated to do some WWE-related promotional work for WWE 2K soon.
Bray Wyatt missed Sunday’s WWE live event at Madison Square Garden where he was supposed to take on LA Knight in a match.
After the former WWE Champion missed the show, it led to fan concern regarding his status. He has also been absent from WWE television as of late, with his last appearance coming in the way of a muscle man video.
Fightful Select reports that after talking with those who have worked with Wyatt, he is currently sidelined with a “physical issue,” and they’re not sure about when he could return.
Rumors
There had been rumors that Wyatt walked out because of issues with creative, but as of this writing, the media outlet was unable to confirm that with anyone in the company.
Wyatt was slated to appear at other house shows and SmackDown episodes, but was pulled from those due to the issue. Although he has been sidelined, WWE has continued with the feud between Wyatt and Bobby Lashley.
At one point this weekend, Lashley wasn’t scheduled for Monday’s Raw. It should be noted that Wyatt and Uncle Howdy’s materials have not been sent to the site of SmackDown in the last two weeks. Also, Wyatt hasn’t been planned for those shows and is not scheduled for Raw.
WWE has started to announce inductees into this year’s Hall of Fame class just weeks before the ceremony takes place. On Friday’s SmackDown, WWE confirmed Rey Mysterio as the first person to be part of the class.
It’s been reported that Konnan will do the honors for Mysterio. The Great Muta is also expected to be announced soon for the class.
It looks like Stacy Keibler will be going into the WWE Hall of Fame as Pwinsider.com reports that the WWE is “very close” to finalizing a deal to announce Keibler. She would be the first female member of the class to be announced.
Stacy Keibler in the WWE Hall of Fame
The report added that Keibler and WWE have been in talks for a few weeks now, with an ope source stating the deal was “99% done.” Another source said they expect the induction to be likely, although it wasn’t a done deal as of last Friday.
Keibler broke into the wrestling business by working for WCW in 1999, and after the company was sold, she went to WWE in 2001, where she stayed with the company until mid-2006. She decided to depart from the company to focus on other opportunities.
The ceremony will take place on Friday, March 31, from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Coming out of the pandemic restrictions and reopening of the world came a reboot for Chris Adonis. The wrestler former known as “The Masterpiece” Chris Masters still had a passion for performing and a nice career under his belt starting at a young age. However, the veteran felt there was more he could show.
“I had to look at my past and realize I was never my best self,” the NWA star said, checking in from Mexico City where he would join others on the roster for the AAA vs. NWA The World is a Vampire show.
Without any of what he called past B.S. or baggage boggling him down, the 40-year-old believes he can now be the best pro wrestler he can be. There are fellow former colleagues of WWE who have taken advantage of the platform NWA has given them and found tremendous success. Names include Matt Cardona, JTG, Trevor Murdoch, and the man currently at the top of the mountain in Tyrus.
After WWE in particular signed a lot of us, we never really got the full chance to develop,” Adonis explained. “Back in the day, you had guys working territories and all these places. Then they go to WWF and halfway have it figured out.
“What you’re seeing from guys like myself and others coming into our own. We might have come into our own sooner if we had a longer run in WWE. But we have done it ourselves on the independent scene. That comes by virtue of first wanting to get better and still caring. Through the natural course of developing and evolving as a character. Trying to find your final form so to speak.”
The master of The Master Look took WWE by storm 20 years ago and it didn’t take long before he was working with the likes of Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, and John Cena. A second stint with the company never really reached the heights he would have liked.
“I came into WWE I was the body guy, the muscle guy,” Adonis said. “It’s not like I’m not completely that anymore. That was my ticket in, but I wasn’t the performer I wanted to be. I didn’t want to be the one-dimensional big guy.”
He aims for a more athletic presentation today in his matches. After landing in the NWA, he joined up with Strictly Business, the top faction made up of the likes of Thom Latimer and champ and recent opponent Nick Aldis. Sacrificing the National Championship for a crack at Murdoch and the heavyweight gold didn’t lead to a positive result. He hopes things end differently as Adonis gears up to challenge Tyrus for the “Ten Pounds of Gold” at the NWA 312 pay-per-view on April 7.
“He is a polarizing figure for a number of reasons,” Adonis said of his opponent. “First off, when you work at Fox News, that is going to be part of the deal anyway. One thing I will say about the IWC is one thing they don’t know is the true love Tyrus actually has for pro wrestling….The love he has for professional wrestling is not fake. He sits around and watches old Dusty Rhodes matches on his TV at home. He is legit about that. That doesn’t change the fact when it comes to Tyrus and myself, I’ve made it pretty clear he may be the NWA champion, but I am the better wrestler. That is what it all comes down to on 312 pay-per-view.”
Adonis will come into Chicago for the big show with a chip on his shoulder. For the driven competitor, it’s the biggest match of his career and the ultimate proving ground.
“I was slated for the Intercontinental title, the tag titles, potentially the youngest WWE champion of all time,” he said. “But to me, this shot at the world title is my shot at redemption. To me, what matters is what I leave behind in these last few years. If I can look back and say I put forward my best body of work and became the NWA champion world champion, the most prestigious championship in all of wrestling. At the very least, that is going to be a feel-good story for me. It matters to me. It’s important I close my career out right.”
NWA/Hiban Huerta
Beyond Tyrus, he believes 2023 is going to be a big year for him. And if this latest run might be his last, he still has goals to attain and opponents to cross off his list. They range from Moose, Harry Smith, and Aldis to Jon Moxley, Hangman Page, and Drew McIntyre. Yes, there are some that are forbidden door opponents and outside the NWA, but he is still putting it out there.
“There is no part of me that thinks he is going back to WWE full-time or am I campaigning for that,” Adonis added. “But what I have campaigned for the last two years is coming back for the Royal Rumble spot. It means a lot to me to get in front of that audience one more time to show them what I can do now and the worker I became…I know if I was put in the Royal Rumble, and even if I was in there for two minutes I would shine. It would be pretty cool.”
When looking at the WWE roster today, he is impressed with emerging talent like Austin Theory. There are some similarities between the young gun and “The Masterpiece,” who came onto the scene right out of his teens. Adonis likens “A-Town Down” to a little brother.
“Austin Theory, Killer Kross, and LA Knight are my guys on the roster. I root for those guys’ success and believe in them,” Adonis said. “I think when I watch Austin Theory, I don’t have to give him advice…As long as he keeps his head on straight, he’ll be able to do all the things I wasn’t able to do because, at his age, I made a lot of mistakes. I was impressionable.
“A lot of what I know about Austin Theory from hanging out with him and talking to him, this guy has no interest in getting involved in extracurricular activities. The business isn’t really like that anymore thank God…He is going to do great as long as he keeps his nose clean. He’ll be able to do what I wasn’t able to do on my first run.”
Watch NWA 312 on April 7 at 8 p.m. ET on FITE TV. Catch NWA Powerrr on Tuesdays at 6:05 p.m. and NWA USA on Saturdays at Noon on YouTube.
Many fans erupted in excitement when Johnny Gargano returned to WWE last summer. Upon his resurgence, Gargano also received a promotion to the main roster, assigned to the RAW brand.
Since his return, “Johnny Wrestling” has found himself generally floating between opponents, with his only substantial feud stemming from a storyline involving Dexter Lumis and The Miz. In February, Gargano punched his ticket to the Elimination Chamber, securing himself a shot at the United States Championship. Unfortunately, Gargano championship aspirations would be squandered as he was eliminated second from the six-man Chamber match.
Gargano soon bounced back with wins over Otis and Finn Balor, before making a surprise visit to WWE NXT to resolve some unfinished business with Grayson Waller. As Gargano now prepares for his match at NXT Stand & Deliver, he is poised to maintain his appearances on RAW as well.
The Future Of Johnny Wrestling
(via WWE)
During an interview on Busted Open Radio, Johnny Gargano spoke candidly about his time on the main roster so far. While some fans may have hoped for more out of his run, Gargano remains optimistic toward his future on RAW.
“You know how things go, man, you make the most out of the time you’re given. You make the most out of your opportunities. I feel like I had a huge opportunity in the Elimination Chamber match, and I feel like I showed out in that one. I feel like I was able to get there with a guy that I feel is probably the standard bearer on our industry right now. Seth Rollins, I think he is the tippy top of the mountain. He’s where I want to be, and I hung toe to toe with him. I showed the world that I can hang with him. So it’s one of those things where it’s all about time. It’s all about patience,” he said.
“I know a lot of people don’t want to be patient. They want it now. They want me to go out there and have 30-minute matches, 25-minute matches, do my ‘Takeover’ thing. It takes time, it takes equity. It takes getting this other audience that maybe doesn’t know about me — these random casual fans we talk about all the time in these buildings that quite frankly, I haven’t been in before.”
“A lot of these markets I’ve never wrestled in and they’re seeing me for the very first time. This whole past, I’d say six months, I’ve wrestled in so many markets I’ve never been in before because NXT did the main markets, they did the main hardcore wrestling towns and like tonight we’re in Providence, Rhode Island, which is Rhode Island’s a great town. We had a couple indies here as well, but I do feel like it’s just time. It’s equity, as you know. It’s putting your time in making the most out of the time you’re given, and that’s all you can do.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit with an h/t toSEScoops for the transcription.
