The Miz is one of those WWE superstars that doesn’t just stay confined to the wrestling business. He was a reality star even before stepping foot in WWE. The former world champion has continued to make a name outside of the wrestling business even after becoming a WWE superstar and bringing new eyes to the product with different ventures. One such venture where he has found great success is his acting career and it appears that some advice from The Rock helped him with it.
The A Lister recently appeared on Off The Beat with Brian Baumgartner. He talked about things such as his time before WWE, how he got started in wrestling and more. Discussing his start in the movie business, The Miz recalled how he asked The Rock for advice right before his very first shoot:
“I texted him and said, ‘Hey man, I’m about to start my first movie, getting ready to do my first scene. Is there any advice you can give me'” recalled The Miz, “He called me.
He was like, ‘Dude, the best thing that I could tell you and help you out with is just be natural, and it’s gonna sound so easy and so weird, but once you get there, there’s gonna be three or four cameras, you’re gonna have to hit a spot that you can’t look at, you can’t look at the spot. You have to be normal and natural. It’s action and you have to just make it feel [real].’ It was great advice. Because sometimes you see in acting, you’ll see a robotic kind of portrayal. I didn’t want to do that.”
Ricochet’s pushes may have been stop-and-start, but there’s no denying the high-flyer’s ability in the ring.
After establishing himself on the independents, Ricochet signed with WWE in January 2018 and debuted for NXT as part of the front-row at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia that same month.
The One and Only is the first (and to date, only) person to hold the NXT North American Championship, Raw’s United States Championship and SmackDown’s Intercontinental Championship.
Complete
While Ricochet has had the occasional push in WWE, he is part of a stacked roster, and often finds himself being overlooked for other stars.
Speaking on the latest episode of WWE After the Bell, Ricochet wasn’t afraid to tout his accomplishments and called himself the most complete name on the roster.
“You look at your Austin Theorys and you look at all these guys who look the part as the complete all-around package. But when you get me in there, there is really no one as complete as me.
“there is really no one as complete as me.”
Ricochet.
“I know I’m not as strong as Bobby Lashley, but I can still squat 400-plus pounds. I’m probably not as fast as some of these guys, but I’m just as fast if not faster than almost everybody else. If you’re looking for a complete package, especially in that ring. Don’t look any further than Ricochet.”
Mental Games
Because he is often overlooked, Ricochet can go weeks, or even months, sat backstage in catering.
Speaking about waiting to be used, Ricochet explained how getting in your own head can often prove to be as difficult as anything in the ring.
“There’s always a physical game that you have to play, and then there’s a mental game you have to play. That’s with any business, with any high-class thing you’re trying to do. Going out there and doing the actual matches and all the physical parts of it, of course, that’s going to be work.
“But a lot of it is backstage. It’s biding the right time, it’s waiting for your moment, your opportunity. Or in some cases, creating your moment. Creating your opportunity. Asking the right people. That’s also work, because it’s taxing on your mind, because you get to thinking about your past, and your future. It’s a lot of mental exhaustion sometimes.”
Ricochet recently won the WWE SmackDown World Cup Tournament, defeating Mustafa Ali and Braun Strowman before beating Santos Escobar in the finals.
The One and Only will challenge Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER, who won the title from Ricochet in June, on tonight’s SmackDown.
The Miz has had a career in WWE that few wrestlers could only dream of, but that was never the original plan.
Debuting as part of 2004’s Tough Enough, the future two-time WWE Grand Slam winner would come second, losing out to Daniel Puder.
In 2006, The Miz was introduced as the host of WWE Friday Night SmackDown but would quickly transition into a wrestling role.
Commentary
One of Miz’s talents that has made him such a versatile asset to WWE is his ability to cut a promo.
Speaking to Off the Beat, Miz explained that WWE recognized his talents on the microphone, but initially had no plans for him to wrestle.
“They were like, ‘You impressed us so much that maybe there is something for you here.’ They brought me up to Connecticut to commentate. Joey Styles brought me up with Todd Grisham and Michael Cole, they brought me up and I had to do a take of commentating. They told me, ‘we might bring you in as a commentator or interviewer.'”
“‘We might bring you in as a commentator or interviewer.'”
WWE’s reaction to The Miz impressing them in 2004.
The A-Lister added that after pleading his case, saying he wanted to be bigger than The Rock and Hulk Hogan, WWE allowed him a developmental deal.
Decisions
Now under a developmental deal, Miz reported to Deep South Wrestling, the promotion’s training facility at the time.
Speaking about his experience in DSW, the WWE Superstar said that he quickly realized that being under contract was no guarantee of being successful.
“They didn’t think I was going to be much of anything, to be honest, you could kind of tell, ‘let’s see what we got here.’ They gave me this developmental contract and I was like, ‘I’m making more than this doing Real World and The Challenge. I’m not taking a pay cut to do this.’ I had to think about that.”
Miz added that he would eventually realize the importance of taking one step back in order to take two steps forward.
The A-Lister would become the first DSW Heavyweight Champion under WWE, winning a tournament and besting Mike Knox in the finals.
Ricky Starks had some harsh words for AEW World Champion MJF this week, but these weren’t planned in advance.
During AEW Dynamite, the two had a back and forth, with MJF borrowing from The Rock to call Starks a “roody poo candy a**.”
In response, Starks vowed to become the new AEW World Champion with some choice dialogue.
“I’m slapping that mole off your neck, I’m stomping an a**hole into you, and I’m taking that title.”
Ricky Starks.
Off Script
Starks certainly got the attention of fans with his promo this week, but it wasn’t what was originally planned.
During Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez noted that Starks did have a promo written down which was not used.
“I heard from multiple people yesterday that, apparently, he had a whole thing written down. It wasn’t like scripted or anything, but he had a thing written down that he was gonna do. And then he got out there and he just went off [Script.] He just went with it, and he went wild.”
Bryan Alvarez.
MJF and Starks will battle for the AEW World Championship on next week’s Winter is Coming edition of Dynamite.
The match will also be for MJF’s $150,000 Dynamite Diamond Ring.
Winter is Coming
This huge main event is just part of a stacked show that will take place next week.
The show will also feature the fourth match in the best-of-seven series between The Elite and AEW World Trios Champions Death Triangle.
The Champions currently lead over the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega by 2-1.
The House of Black will also be in action next week against opponents yet to be announced.
It was reported earlier today that Sasha Banks is heading to New Japan Pro Wrestling’s biggest show of the year.
Mike Johnson of PW Insider reported that Mercedes Varnado (Banks) is reportedly set to appear at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4th at the Tokyo Dome.
“While it is unknown whether Varnado will be appearing before the live crowd, we are told that NJPW is bringing Varnado in to the event.”
According to a new report from Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, AEW talent is excited about the possibility of The Boss coming to All Elite Wrestling.
AEW aired a segment on Rampage to set up a tag team match between Britt Baker & AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter versus Saraya & a mystery tag team partner for the January 11th episode of Dynamite in Los Angeles.
Sasha Banks has been rumored to be the mystery superstar a couple of times now. Many fans hoped that she would be the final superstar on Team Bianca at Survivor Series WarGames in her hometown but it was Becky Lynch instead. Now some fans and AEW talent are hoping that she’s Saraya’s partner on January 11th.
Fightful spoke with several AEW talent after the news earlier today about Mercedes reportedly appearing at Wrestle Kingdom. One source told Fightul that Sasha Banks joining AEW would be huge and referred to her as a potential anchor of the women’s division. The source added that Sasha Banks joining AEW would kickstart interest in the company and help viewership “significantly”.
The Boss will be appearing on an upcoming episode of Barmegeddon on January 2nd, 2023. The celebrity game show airs after WWE Raw on the USA Network.
Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of WWE during the May 16th edition of Raw. Sasha recently teased that the date she has been waiting for is coming and “something crazy” is going to happen.
NXT star Apollo Crews recently shared his thoughts on the possibility of CM Punk returning to WWE after his time in All Elite Wrestling appears to be coming to an end.
5 Best Moments of CM Punk’s AEW Career
Former AEW Champion CM Punk is reportedly “ready to move on” but the hold-up is on AEW’s side. CM Punk recently posted an image from his WWE days on Instagram to fuel rumors he is returning to the promotion he has routinely disparaged after his exit in 2014.
Speaking with Nick Hausman of Wrestling Inc., Apollo shared his thoughts on CM Punk potentially returning to WWE in the future.
It’s not that I wouldn’t be happy or I wouldn’t be upset — I don’t know if I’d really feel any kind of way, honestly. It’s nothing against him personally or anything, but I don’t know…I think I’d just kind of be neutral with it. But again, extremely talented individual and only time will tell, right?
Apollo Crews will challenge Bron Breakker for the NXT Championship this Saturday night at NXT Deadline. During the interview, Crews vowed to defeat Breakker at the premium live event and become the new NXT Champion.
Saturday, “NXT” Champion. You’re looking at the new one! Saturday, Deadline 8:00 PM on Peacock. You can stream it live. Hey, I’m telling you, you guys, it’s not a game. Apollo Crews, new “NXT” Champion. Bron Breakker, like I said, I have nothing but love for you, and yeah, I’ll see you Saturday.
Apollo returned to NXT in June and claimed that he left too soon in 2016 and was back to correct history. He teamed with The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa to defeat former NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes and Grayson Waller in his first match back in NXT on June 7th.
Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels recently spoke during a media call to promote NXT Deadline this Saturday night.
During the call, Michaels said he was open to having Sean Waltman (X-Pac) wrestle in NXT in the future. The Heartbreak Kid complimented Waltman on being in the best shape he has been in a long time.
I know he has been getting back in there here and there and I got to tell you he’s like in the best shape he’s been in a long, long time. He looks fantastic. Obviously, that would be something I had to, run up the flag pole and everything.
Shawn added that the younger talent would benefit greatly from getting inside the squared circle with Waltman.
Look, the talent would benefit from that so much. I know he has a blast. So that’s an option that we’re allowed to explore, I jump all over it.
But I will. It’s amazing, we’re all buddies and all that stuff like it, but it pales to you guys, but he won’t say anything to me about it. I’ll say we’re all busy trying to work.
We can’t just pick it up and doing it off the cuff like we use to. When we did the panel and everything, he was really focus on helping us out and getting that done.
I got to tell you, that would be awesome. The talent would benefit from that so much, and clearly, we do as a program. If we have Kid do anything with us, that’s a huge plus for NXT.
Shawn Michaels Announces New Match Type for NXT Deadline
NXT Deadline will air this Saturday night from the Capitol Wrestling Center (WWE PC) in Orlando.
The premium live event will be headlined by Bron Breakker versus Apollo Crews for the NXT Championship. There will also be men’s and women’s Iron Survivor Challenge matches at the show.
Shawn Michaels appeared on a recent edition of NXT to explain the rules for the new match type.
Five superstars will compete in the 25-minute match
Two superstars will start the match, a new superstar will enter every five minutes
The superstar with the most falls after 25 minutes wins
Falls can be won via pinfall, submission or DQ
One fall is worth one point
When a superstar loses a fall, they must get out of the ring and sit in a penalty box for 90 seconds
The superstar who wins the match will become the #1 contender for the men’s or women’s NXT Championship
In September 2021, Satnam Singh signed with AEW. When he made his television debut in April 2022, he attacked Samoa Joe and aligned himself with Sonjay Dutt and Jay Lethal. Singh has had a few tag team matches, but had yet to have a singles match.
Dutt gets to speak Punjabi every week with Singh. “Obviously, his English is good. He’s been here since ’13 or ’14 he’s been here experiencing the NBA and whatnot. But, I understand –I kind of empathize with him in that he’s still in a strange place. He’s still surrounded by people that he — his sister finally got her visa and finally got to move to Canada, so she’s a little closer. It was great. He was telling me and he was crying. It was an emotional moment for both of us. I felt for him. But most of the time, we strictly speak Punjabi.”
“It’s a connection me and Satnam have. And you know, hopefully he can feel a little more at home when he’s around me at work.”
Sonjay Dutt on His Connection with Satnam Singh
Dutt has really enjoyed getting to know and work with Singh. He and Paqutte discussed Singh’s warmth and his presence. “I love him as a person. Me and him obviously have this bond where we’re both from the same place with the same background. We speak the same language and there’s not many of us in professional wrestling. That connection kind of brings us together right off the bat. We have this connection and he wants to excel at this.”
“And Lethal and I have kind of taken a hand in kind of cultivating his in-ring stuff whenever we can. Anytime there’s tag matches with he and Lethal — he hasn’t had a singles match so we’re getting to that point. I think we’re getting real close. Anything we show him, anything we tell him, he soaks it up. He utilizes stuff that we tell him to utilize; ‘hey, do this differently.’ And I didn’t think that would be the case. I’ve worked with other Indian giants and that was not the case at all.”
“So, you know experiences with him is cool because I always tell people yes, he’s seven-foot-four. Yes, he’s giant or whatever you want to call somebody of that stature. He’s got size 20 feet, but he’s an athlete. That’s the difference between him and anyone else of his size that’s gotten in professional wrestling. He’s a legitimate athlete, so anything we show him or tell him, bam! He pulls it off.”
“And I love that and he’s got such a bright future in wrestling. He’s 26, Renee. Let’s not forget that. He is a kid. So, I always kind of keep that in the back of my mind every week when we’re kind of talking to him, that ‘hey, he’s still a kid.’ He’s 26 and he’s working in this new world that he probably had no clue about before he stepped in it. So for him to excel this quick in something he probably never even watched as a child, that says a lot about his character and his athletic prowess.”
Paul Wight Mentoring Satnam Singh
Paul Wight (Photo: AEW)
“Paul Wight has taken a lot of interest in Satnam and they kind of hit it off. So when it comes to tape study and stuff, I tell Satnam, ‘whatever Paul tells you, just listen and do that.’ And I appreciate Paul taking that time, effort, and energy that he spends with Satnam because there’s just some days where Lethal and I don’t have time get in the ring with him, but Paul does.”
“I’ve kind of told Satnam, ‘Paul will be your ticket to success if you just listen to what he’s telling you to do. He is experienced.’ If there’s anyone in AEW that can empathize and sympathize with Satnam’s issues and problems and kind of excelling at something like this, it’s Paul.”
“So that’s why I tell Satnam a lot of times, ‘look, Lethal and I will tell you our perspective, but our perspective is going to be way different than his. His perspective and his insight will be more centered and gear to you. So, whenever he wants to sit with you, just sit down and listen and soak it all in.'”
AEW World Champion MJF confronted Ricky Starks after he won the Dynamite Diamond Battle Royale last night on AEW Dynamite.
Maxwell accused Starks of ripping off The Rock and called him a “Dollar Store Dwayne”. MJF continued with the insults and referred to Ricky as “The Pebble” and vowed to skip him back to “Billy Corgan’s NWA so he can wrestle on YouTube where he belongs”.
Ricky Starks responded with the promo of his life and insulted everything about MJF from his spray tan to his attitude. Starks became a star last night and has a chance to become the face of AEW when he battles MJF for the AEW World Championship next week at Dynamite: Winter is Coming.
MJF Blames Ricky Starks for Low Dynamite Rating
According to Brandon Thurston of WrestleNomics, AEW Dynamite brought 840,000 viewers with a 0.29 in the key 18-49 year old demographic. Last night’s show ranked #3 in the demo behind the NBA on ESPN.
Dynamite ranked #3 in P18-49 among cable originals for the day, according to Showbuzz Daily. #14 incl broadcast primetime.
The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer noted that Spectrum cable had issues with TBS and TNT last night during the Dynamite broadcast and that negatively impacted the rating.
5 Opponents for AEW World Champion MJF
MJF suggested that Ricky Starks is to blame for the low rating because he was the one that took out the spectrum boxes after their segment so he could look like a star.
I have inside information Ricky Starks took out all the spectrum boxes after our scuffle to ensure he seemed like a ratings draw in comparison to the rest of the show. This man is selfish and yet you love him?!? Sad.
I have inside information Ricky Starks took out all the spectrum boxes after our scuffle to ensure he seemed like a ratings draw in comparison to the rest of the show.
The final betting odds have been released for the WWE NXT Deadline.
The card for the show that takes place this Sunday appears to be finalized as only five matches have been announced.
So far, two normal NXT titles are on the line, but none are expected to change hands. Some of the more notable odds include Carmelo Hayes expected to win the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match, while Cora Jade is favored to win the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match.
Winners of these matches will receive a title match for the NXT women’s and Men’s top titles that are currently held by Mandy Rose and Bron Breakker.
WWE NXT Deadline Odds
As a reminder, we will be providing coverage of the show this Sunday. The favorites to win are listed as – while the underdogs are listed with +. Here are the final betting odds, courtesy of BetOnline:
NXT Champion Bron Breakker -1250 vs. Apollo Crews +550
Carmelo Hayes -150 vs. JD McDonagh +250 vs. Grayson Waller+500 vs. Joe Gacy +300 vs. Axiom +900 – Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match
Zoey Stark +300 vs. Cora Jade +200 vs. Kiana James +1400 vs. Roxanne Perez -140 vs. Indi Hartwell +500 – Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match
NXT Tag Team Champions Pretty Deadly -250 vs. The New Day +170
WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H met former 24/7 Champion Bad Bunny for lunch today in Los Angeles.
Bad Bunny first appeared in WWE at Royal Rumble 2021 and performed his song “Booker T”, while the two-time Hall of Famer was standing on the entrance ramp with him.
He formed a tag team with Damian Priest and they defeated The Miz and John Morrison at Night 1 of WrestleMania 37. Bad Bunny captured the WWE 24/7 Championship from Akira Tozawa on the February 15th edition of the red brand.
He relinquished the title to R-Truth 28 days later in exchange for Stone Cold memorabilia. The 24/7 Championship has since been thrown in the trash by Nikki Cross and officially retired. Bad Bunny was impressive in the ring during his short time with the company and it will be interesting to see if he returns down the line.
The Game took to Twitter today and shared a photo with the popular musician. Triple H noted that Bad Bunny is so famous that he can just fly in for a lunch and leave.
@sanbenito is such a big star that when he drops in to have lunch… he just lands his plane in downtown L.A., eats and then takes off… #RockStarLife
Speaking at the Clash at the Castle press conference following the premium live event, Triple H noted that he was going to have a conversation with Bad Bunny very soon.
A little bit of a spoiler. He and I are gonna have a conversation very, very soon. It’s already scheduled. We’re gonna go and see what’s available. [He’s The] biggest music star in the world. So let’s go.
Over the past few years, there has been a trademark dispute between WWE and Ric Flair over The Man’ nickname as Becky Lynch has used it on television.
Flair stated that he owns the trademark ‘To Be the Man’ as he filed for it in 2019 and was not in agreement with ‘The Man’ being trademarked for Lynch by WWE.
Flair spoke highly of Seth Rollins on Busted Open Radio when his name was mentioned. He did note that he thinks Rollins is mad at him over the trademark situation.
Flair revealed that Rollins ignored him at a recent signing with The Undertaker as Rollins walked past him and did not speak. He agrees that Rollins should take Lynch’s side in the situation.
On The Situation
“And Seth Rollins is a damn good worker. He’s mad at me because I’ve been up and down with his wife but I don’t really care. He ain’t me [Flair laughed]. I can say that. He’s good but he ain’t me. I got no problem with saying that. He walked right by me at an autograph session. I thought, you gotta be kidding me. Because of you and Becky [Lynch] and this ‘Man’ trademark, you’re gonna ignore me pal? Wow. I went, ‘Okay.’ I’m sitting by Taker, I said, ‘I guess I’m on timeout.’ I’m not mad at him. Everybody should take their wife’s side in any debate there is… It’s not worth it. You’re gonna take their side and I totally understand that and as long as that’s come and gone but that was a sensitive point for me.”
Flair stated that he has been saying the term since 1981, but it doesn’t matter to him anymore because he’s too happy to be upset with anybody else.
Flair also commented on Rollins’ program with Cody Rhodes and credited him for being unselfish.
WWE Superstar Sasha Banks is reportedly headed to New Japan Pro Wrestling’s biggest event of the year, Wrestle Kingdom.
The Legit Boss is reportedly headed to Wrestle Kingdom 17, which takes place Wednesday, January 4 from the Tokyo Dome. The news was first reported by Mike Johnson of PWInsider and is based on several sources close to the situation.
“While it is unknown whether Varnado will be appearing before the live crowd, we are told that NJPW is bringing Varnado in to the event.”
Banks, real name Mercedes Varnado, has been playing something of a will-they/won’t-they with WWE ever since she and Naomi (Trinity Fatu) walked out of WWE, leaving the WWE Women Tag Team Titles on a desk (or, in the trash, if WWE hyberbole is to be believed).
Recently, Varnado has filed a number of trademarks related to her given and former name, including ‘Mercedes Mone’, Mone’ talks, Bank Mone’, and Statement Maker.
Back on October 16, Varnado whet wrestling fans’ appetites by teasing a match with Kairi Sane, the reigning (and inaugural) IWGP Women’s Champion.
The Statements Don’t Lie
Varnado is a multi-time WWE Women’s Champion, winning the WWE Raw Women’s Championship, the WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship, the NXT Women’s Championship, and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship (which, if WWE is to be believed, she ate a spaghetti dinner off of and then threw it off a mountain).
It’s unknown how, in fact, Varnado was actually able to walk out of her contract without any penalties or fines. It’s also unknown if she’ll actually be wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom, or simply making an appearance. Either way Varnado in any company is sure to make an impact (please dear God don’t let it be IMPACT).
Stay tuned to SEScoops as we provide updates on this developing story.
Since making the announcement, the former World Champion admits that his phone has been ringing nonstop with offers to wrestle. He even revealed that WWE has made offers themselves, but the circumstances just weren’t right at the time.
He did, however, note that he could be interested in doing a match for one of WWE’s Saudi Arabia shows. In regards to potentially competing in January’s Royal Rumble match, Booker T seems very interested, and is simply waiting on the call.
“I will be checking the mail everyday all the way up until that day, because if I get an invitation I’m definitely going to execute it, I’m definitely going to be there and I’m going to be prepared to be in the middle of the ring if that happens.
“But no, nobody’s talked to me or anything like that about being in the Rumble. I don’t have any itches to scratch or anything like that, but hey man, I’m always down.”
This year’s Royal Rumble event will take place from San Antonio, Texas, Booker’s home state. His presence would certainly be an electric one, as the Texas native is a six-time World Champion.
Vince McMahon may have once had big plans for Veer Mahaan, but right now, WWE is just trying to keep him from being injured.
After months of video vignettes, Mahaan made his Monday Night Raw debut on the post-WrestleMania 38 episode, attacking Rey and Dominik Mysterio.
Despite McMahon once believing he could be WWE’s next top monster heel, it has been months since Mahaan competed on the red brand.
Injury
In the wake of the change of management, Mahaan has been moved to WWE NXT, but hasn’t competed in weeks.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer confirmed that Veer is currently dealing with a minor injury.
“Veer is injured, a very minor injury, but they’re still not letting him wrestle… Anybody else in this world would wrestle with this kind of injury. It’s like a broken finger or something, which people do work through all the time.”
Dave Meltzer.
The India show
This week, PW Insider reported that WWE will be hosting an event in India next month, marking the promotion’s return to the sub-continent in six years.
Meltzer explained that WWE doesn’t want to risk Veer or his tag-team partner getting injured, as they will play a huge role in the show’s appeal.
“They’re trying to protect him because Veer and Sanga have to be healthy for that India show that’s built all around them in mid-January and a lot of money is involved. So, they can’t risk him being hurt to miss that show.”
Dave Meltzer.
Despite both Veer and Sanga competing in NXT, the show will reportedly be a SmackDown branded event.
So far, no matches or talent have been confirmed for the show by WWE themselves.
Becky Lynch made her return to the ring at WWE Survivor Series, competing in the WarGames match, which marked her first bout since WWE SummerSlam when she suffered a separated shoulder against Bianca Belair.
At Survivor Series, Lynch scored the pinfall for her team (Belair, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, & Mia Yim) against Bayley, Dakota Kai, IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, & Nikki Cross. The finish saw her jump off the top of the cage and hit a leg drop onto SKY & Kai through a table.
Just because Lynch is back doesn’t mean she’s 100%. While speaking with The Verge, Lynch discussed her return to the ring.
Wrestling Through It
“Truth be told, my shoulder still isn’t feeling right. So to say I was nervous is probably a bit of an understatement. But once you get out there, once you get in front of the crowd and you feel that energy, then you forget everything else. There’s not another feeling like it.”
Lynch admitted the table spot was terrifying and painful, but she wanted something that fans could remember from the match.
“If I come back then I’ve got to put my body on the line and I can’t half-ass it because then I’m not The Man and I’m not the Becky Lynch that people paid to see. I had in my head that I wanted to flatten somebody, flatten some fools with the leg drop through the table. When the opportunity came up and it was time to go, well, then there’s nothing left to do but do it.”
Lynch wrestled earlier this week on Monday’s WWE Raw by competing in a triple threat match against Bliss and Cross.
Matt Riddle won’t be working some upcoming WWE events.
On this week’s episode of WWE Raw, Riddle was supposed to team with Elias to take on Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos. In an angle to open the show, Elias was taken out by The Bloodline backstage.
Riddle teamed with Kevin Owens instead on the show, but the babyface tag team came up short in challenging the champions. After the match, Solo Sikoa hit Riddle with the Asiatic spike and the Samoan Bulldozer (hip attack) in the corner of the ring.
These two moves were made famous by the late great Umaga. Solo performing them was a tribute to the former WWE star as it happened after what would have been Umaga’s 49th birthday.
Written Off
Riddle had a neck brace put on and was taken out on a stretcher, seemingly writing him off television.
Pwinsider.com reported today that Riddle has been pulled from working this weekend’s live events. There’s no word yet on why Riddle is off the road. It could be due to him dealing with an injury, asking for time off, or simply selling the storyline injuries from the attack.
WWE has not commented on Riddle’s status, and Riddle has not made any public comments since the Raw match.
William Regal is bidding farewell to the Blackpool Combat Club once and for all. Regal appeared on this week’s AEW Dynamite in a backstage segment that will serve as his final appearance for All Elite Wrestling.
With BCC members Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta standing in the ring, Regal said it’s time for him to move on. He gave the group one final ‘lesson’ on his way out.
He urged Moxley, Castagnoli, Yuta and Bryan Danielson to “always stay one step ahead and make sure you have eyes in the back of your head.”
To the members of the BCC. My favourite song by my favourite band who somehow knew when I was a child to write the story that is my life. It’s been a pleasure fellas. We’ll meet again…..
– William Regal
He included a link to the song “Far Far Away” by the band Slade:
The confusion over William Regal’s status with AEW and future in the wrestling world has been the trending topic among fans. AEW star Saraya claims that his decision to leave the promotion is about how he feels.
The former Diva’s Champion recently had an interview with Metro. Among other things, she also commented on the situation with the former NXT GM.
Saraya mentioned how everyone seems to have an opinion on Regal’s decision to leave AEW. According to her, it’s doesn’t have to do with anything that happened backstage:
“Everyone has an opinion on that. The reality is, it doesn’t have anything to do with anything backstage, it’s to do with how he feels. Us behind the scenes know why, and we’re happy for him!”
It’s expected that William Regal would return to WWE once he is free of his AEW contract. While Saraya didn’t confirm these reports, she mentioned that Regal should be able to do whatever he wants:
“Whether he’s going there or whatever, it doesn’t matter. We’re just happy with whatever he wants to do with his life.
He’s at the age where he can do whatever he wants to without the internet deep diving into it, or everyone saying this, that and the other about him. Who cares? Let him be happy!”
How do you feel about William Regal potentially returning to WWE in near future? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
All Elite Wrestling’s Saraya will be back in the ring next month as part of a tag-team match.
Saraya joined AEW in September of this year, months after her contract with WWE expired.
At AEW Full Gear, Saraya competed in her first match since December 2017, defeating Britt Baker.
Second Match
On this week’s AEW Dynamite Baker congratulated Saraya on her victory at last month’s Pay-Per-View, and promised that she would not beat her again.
It was later announced that Baker and AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter will team with Saraya, a mystery partner, in the English star’s second AEW match.
Britt offered Saraya tickets to the January 11 episode of AEW Dynamite at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, where the match will take place.
The show is also set to feature the final match in the best-of-seven series between the Elite and Death Triangle, should it be necessary.
Mystery Partner
There’s no word yet on who Saraya’s partner could be, but there are plenty of options available.
Toni Storm seems a likely candidate, given that she lost her AEW Women’s World Championship to Hayter at Full Gear.
On social media, some fans speculated on her partner being Thunder Rosa, who has feuded with Baker and Hayter in the past and reportedly had heat earlier this year with both women.
Others suggested that it could be Sasha Banks, who recently trademarked her real name Mercedes Varnado for entertainment purposes.
Note: This article contains SPOILERS for this week’s AEW Rampage! If you want to go in completely blind, we suggest clicking on one of our other articles.
A former WWE NXT Tag Team Champion is set to make their debut this week for AEW as part of Rampage.
After this week’s AEW Dynamite went off the air, the promotion filmed its Rampage tapings, which saw the debut of Trent Seven.
Seven made his AEW debut by challenging AEW All-Atlantic Champion Orange Cassidy, and was hand-picked by Kip Sabian.
Unfortunately for Seven, he was unsuccessful in dethroning Freshly Squeezed, and there has been no word on whether there are plans for future appearances.
This match marked Cassidy’s seventh title defense since becoming champion on the October 12, 2022 episode of AEW Dynamite.
Trent Seven in WWE
After establishing himself on the independents, Seven signed with WWE in 2016, and was considered a favorite of many to win the tournament to crown the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Champion.
Seven was eliminated in the quarter-finals, but would often find himself challenging for the title, but never won.
In June 2018, Seven and Tyler Bate won the NXT Tag Team Championships from the Undisputed Era, but lost the titles back to the faction days later.
In December of last year, the two would capture the NXT UK Tag Titles and would hold the gold until June 2022, losing to Ashton Smith and Oliver Carter.
Seven would turn heel on Bate not long after, but would be released on August 18, 2022.
FTR finally got their shot at the AEW Tag Team Championships tonight in the main event of AEW Dynamite.
Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler gave it everything they had but it was not meant to be. The Acclaimed retained after it appeared that Cash had the match in control.
Wheeler delivered a Powerbomb and was about to go for a cover but Max Caster countered into an inside cradle for the pinfall victory.
After the match, The Acclaimed and FTR showed each other respect and “scissored” in the ring. Gunn Club showed up on the jumbotron and most assumed they were going to challenge FTR to a match for the ROH Tag Team Championships.
Gunn Club did issue a challenge but on behalf of The Briscoes. FTR will have to shake off their loss to The Acclaimed tonight quickly as they will be defending the ROH Tag Team Championships against The Briscoes this Saturday at Final Battle in a Dog Collar match.
ROH Final Battle 2022 Preview
Dax Harwood took to Twitter and summed up his thoughts after FTR lost their opportunity to capture the AEW Tag Team Championships for the second time.
6-Man Tag Team Match added to ROH Final Battle 2022
The ROH Tag Title Dog Collar match wasn’t the only title match added to the Final Battle card during this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
Dalton Castle & The Boys are set to defend the ROH 6-Man Tag Team Championships against Gates of Agony and Brian Cage. During tonight’s Dynamite Diamond Battle Royale, The Machine Brian Cage eliminated Dalton Castle by hurling him over the top rope and onto The Boys below. Cage was eliminated by Jungle Boy moments later.
Miro has not appeared on AEW TV since teaming up with Sting and Darby Allin on September 4th.
They defeated the House of Black in a Trios Match at the PPV. House of Black went on to disappear from television as well but for different reasons.
Wrestling fans have been wondering where The Redeemer has been and some have grown concerned that he is dealing with an unknown injury. As it turns out, Miro is not injured, he is just not being booked.
According to a new report from Fightful Select, Miro hasn’t been featured on television because creative “simply hasn’t been presented to him.” There were also plans in place for creative discussions to be held but, those haven’t taken place as of this writing.
The Redeemer has competed in just four matches in 2022, despite signing an extension with the promotion earlier this year. Miro’s current contract with All Elite Wrestling has him locked up until 2026.
Orange Cassidy Set to Defend the All-Atlantic Championship this Friday on Rampage
During this week’s edition of Dynamite, All-Atlantic Champion Orange Cassidy and Kip Sabian had a backstage segment. Sabian had competed in the Dynamite Diamond Ring Battle Royale to begin the show but was eliminated early.
Cassidy told Sabian that he can have a title match if he wants it but Kip claimed he was hurt. The champ suggested that he should find someone else and Kip seemed to have someone in line to accept the challenge.
Miro debuted in All Elite Wrestling as Kip Sabian’s “Best Man”. The gimmick fizzled out but perhaps he will be Kip’s selection as an opponent for Cassidy this Friday night on AEW Rampage.
Championship belts (and documents marked ‘classified’) were among the items turned up in a search of four locations linked to WWE Hall of Famer and former US President Donald Trump.
The Justice Department is investigating the former president’s handling of classified documents. In August, The FBI discovered more than 300 classified documents that were removed from the White House and in Trump’s possession.
The Washington Post has reported that two items marked as classified have been discovered in a storage facility holding pallets linked to Donald Trump. The storage facility had a wide variety of items, including wrestling belts that were turned in to the FBI. It was not revealed which championships were held in the storage facility.
A source told the Washington Post the following:
“It was suits and swords and wrestling belts and all sorts of things. To my knowledge, he has never even been to that storage unit. I don’t think anyone in Trump world could tell you what’s in that storage unit.”
Donald Trump has Vince McMahon belt from “World Wrestling Federation” in his Manhattan office. #WWFpic.twitter.com/PMLcjrIRSK
Bobby Lashley battled Umaga at WrestleMania 23 in a match billed as “The Battle of the Billionaires” in 2007.
Donald Trump was in Lashley’s corner for the match while former CEO Vince McMahon was backing Umaga. The All Mighty picked up the victory and Trump shaved Vince’s head after the match. Shane McMahon served as the special referee but Stone Cold Steve Austin interfered and made his boss’ life a living hell once again.
It was reported by The Wall Street Journal that Trump had it written into his contract that his head was not allowed to be shaved regardless of what happened in the match. This information came to light after WWE’s Board found that Vince McMahon paid $5 million to Trump’s charity in 2007 and 2009.
Ring of Honor Final Battle 2022 will air live this Saturday at 4 PM from College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
ROH Final Battle 2022 Preview
Two title matches were announced for the PPV this Saturday on this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
Dalton Castle competed in the Dynamite Diamond Ring Battle Royale but came up short. The match was eventually won by Ricky Starks, who will face MJF for the AEW World Championship and the Dynamite Diamond Ring next week at Dynamite: Winter is Coming.
Dalton Castle and The Boys will be in action this Saturday at Final Battle. They will defend the ROH 6-Man Tag Team Championships against Brian Cage and Gates of Agony.
FTR battled The Acclaimed for the AEW Tag Team Championships in the main event of tonight’s main event. The Acclaimed escaped with a hard-fought victory and the two teams showed respect to each other after the match. Gunn Club interrupted on the jumbotron with a Christmas card from The Briscoes. They announced that The Briscoes are challenging FTR to a double Dog Collar match for the ROH Tag Team Championships at Final Battle this Saturday.
