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Cody Rhodes Opens Up on His ‘Awful’ Physical Therapy

Andrew Ravens
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Cody Rhodes has opened up about how his physical therapy after an injury he suffered earlier this year is going. 

The top WWE star has been sidelined since this year’s Hell in a Cell premium live event, which took place on June 5 when he wrestled Seth Rollins in the main event of the show with a torn pectoral muscle. He suffered the injury while training for the match, which saw him go over in. 

The following night on WWE Raw, Rhodes was written off TV the following night after he was ambushed by Rollins, who had faked showing respect to him moments earlier. 

Cody Rhodes’ Recovery

everything you need to know about cody rhodes pectoral muscle injury 1200x675

In a post on Twitter, Rhodes gave some details of how his recovery from the injury is going on his Twitter account, where he said the following:

“How’s pt going?” It’s fn’ awful. Everyday we dig into the muscle, then I scream, half the time I spot a tear flowing. It’s a near impossible task getting a bodypart that had been shredded to 100%…or Hell even 90%. But on the worst of days I have the best reason to not tap out.”

He also shared pictures and a video of Rhodes’ daughter Liberty Runnels, dressed in a Halloween costume.

Former Impact Wrestling Star Claims Someone From WWE Blocked Royal Rumble Appearance

Andrew Ravens
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ODB had a long and successful career in TNA/Impact Wrestling as she is a four-time Women’s Knockouts Champion and former Knockouts Tag Team Champion. 

She has also worked in NWA and AEW in recent years before returning to Impact in 2021. These days, she is focused on her food truck business.

While speaking on The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling Podcast, ODB was asked whether there’s anywhere she wants to work that she hasn’t already, including WWE. This is where she revealed that she got a call for the WWE Royal Rumble, though it didn’t pan out. 

ODB Was Nearly in the Royal Rumble?

ODB
ODB

“I always wanted to go there. Maybe because you got the Rumble, you know. I did get a call for the Rumble, but it didn’t work out. But that would be cool. I always wanted to drive the food truck into the arena,” ODB said.

She was asked to elaborate. She also didn’t mention what year this would’ve been, but did note that someone high up in WWE blocked it from happening. She replied, “They wanted me, but of course, a person [in] upper… someone turned it down. But I did get a couple calls.”

ODB previously talked about how Triple H encouraged her to sign with TNA Wrestling. She named Awesome Kong, Gail Kim, and the Beautiful People as some of her favorite opponents in the promotion. 

H/T to Fightful for the transcription

WWE Superstar Getting His Old Name Back Soon

Michael Reichlin
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Another WWE Superstar is set to undergo a name change, but this is one that most fans will appreciate.

WWE has a penchant for shortening wrestler names, a practice that appears to be on its way out since Triple H took over as the head of creative. We’ve also seen countless NXT stars saddled with cringeworthy generic monikers that are straight out of the Superstar Name Generator 3000.

Over the past several weeks, WWE has run vignettes on NXT television depicting a shadowy figure burning a Retribution mask and letting fans know that his ‘second coming’ is imminent.

The Return of Donovan Dijak

T-Bar and Dijak

T-BAR of the defunct Retribution faction is now listed as Donovan Dijak on WWE’s internal roster, according to a report at PWInsider. Dijak used this name early in his wrestling career, including in Ring of Honor. He wrestled as Chris Dijak and Dominik Dijakovic in NXT before he was repackaged for the short-lived Retribution angle.

Triple H is said to be a strong proponent of Donovan Dijak, so he should fare well upon his return to WWE’s developmental brand. His most recent match for WWE took place on the September 5th edition of Main Event.

Dijak’s Superstar Profile at the WWE website still lists him as T-Bar, but expect to see that change in the coming weeks when he officially returns as his old persona.

WWE Releases 5 Wrestlers From NXT

Michael Reichlin
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WWE has released 5 wrestlers from the NXT developmental brand. The following people are no longer with the company as of Tuesday morning, according to PWInsider:

  • Bodhi Hayward
  • Sloane Jacobs
  • Erica Yan
  • Damaris Griffin
  • Ru Feng

Bodhi Hayward (Brady Booker) had recently been featured as part of the Chase U faction. Sloan Jacobs competed in the recent 2022 Women’s Breakout Tournament.

All of today’s released performers have appeared on recent episodes of the NXT Level Up digital series.

We will update this article if there are any more WWE releases.

FITE+ Confirmed as New Streaming Home for Game Changer Wrestling

Thomas Lowson
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Fans of Game Changer Wrestling will now have the chance to watch the promotion’s content exclusively on FITE+, the two parties have confirmed.

GCW, formerly Jersey Championship Wrestling, has operated since 1999, but was relaunched in 2013, and focuses on hardcore matches.

The Announcement

It was reported last weekend that GCW would make an announcement concerning streaming content, and some believed a deal had been struck with WWE.

That isn’t the case, as FITE COO Michael Weber and GCW Founder/CEO Brett Lauderdale made the announcement today of GCW content streaming on FITE+.

GCW and FITE will be offering a limited-time seven-day free trial of FITE+, with the regular price being $4.99 a month.

In the statement, Lauderdale said that the company’s growth helped make the deal possible.

“As our schedule becomes busier and our catalog continues to grow, we want to make it easier for all our fans to follow us on this journey. We are proud to continue our partnership with Fite and bring our entire library, along with all future live events to Fite.”

The first live event under the FITE+ deal will be the Nick Gage Invitational, and fans will have instant access to 240 prior GCW events.

The full statement can be read here.

FITE+

FITE+ is now the exclusive home of GCW content, but they host far more than Game Changer Wrestling.

FITE+ includes organizations like BKFC, NWA, GrappleFest, SlapFight Championship, Shamrock, Star Boxing, Top Rank, as well as many other promotions.

Fans are able to sign up for an annual subscription of $49.99, which grants them two months of free viewing.

Prominent Indie Wrestling Promotions Heading to FITE+

Sasha Banks Backstage at a WWE Live Event Over the Weekend (Report)

Michael Reichlin
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We have another indication that Sasha Banks is on her way back to WWE.

Banks (and Naomi) have been off television since May 2022, when the former Women’s Tag Team Champions walked out of a Raw TV taping due to mounting creative differences with the company. The team was suspended indefinitely due to their conduct.

Since then, there have been conflicting reports about Banks and Naomi’s contractual status. WWE name-dropped Banks on commentary during the recent WWE Extreme Rules premium live event, which many saw as a sign that tensions are easing between the two sides.

Banks attended Sunday’s WWE non-televised live event from Mexico City, Mexico on Sunday, October 30th, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio. The Boss was there as a special guest and reportedly met with WWE officials, but did not appear in front of the live crowd.

Mexican wrestler Mamba served as a ‘tour guide’ of sorts for Banks and Bayley in Mexico over the weekend, according to Superluchas. Here’s a photo of them together:

Sasha Banks’ Road Back to WWE

A lot has transpired in the 5 months since Banks’ last WWE TV appearance, most notably the dramatic departure of Vince McMahon. Since Triple H took over the reigns of WWE, we’ve heard nothing but great things from talent about backstage morale. We’ve also seen the returns of various popular wrestlers who were released by McMahon, including Bray Wyatt, Johnny Gargano, Braun Strowman, Karrion Kross and countless others.

All of these dynamics bode well for another dramatic WWE return from Sasha Banks. Especially with WrestleMania season right around the corner, the company will want all hands on deck after the upcoming holiday season.

Latest on Potential Legal Action Between CM Punk and AEW (Report)

Thomas Lowson
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AEW’s controversial former World Champion CM Punk has yet to file any legal action against the company, amid reports of a buyout.

Punk has been absent from programming since September’s All Out Pay Per View due to his actions after the show.

The two-time AEW World Champion had explosive comments on the All Out post-show, with a fight breaking out between himself and the Elite backstage afterward.

It has been suggested by some that Punk could sue AEW if he is released from the company, just over a year after his epic arrival at Rampage: The First Dance.

Others have suggested that AEW could sue Punk, possibly for defamation, after criticizing the company’s EVPs The Elite.

Punk infamously said that Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks, wouldn’t know”how to manage a target” and accused them of sharing false information about him.

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said that no lawsuits have been filed yet from Punk to AEW.

“As far as I know, there aren’t [any lawsuits yet] but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be. I suppose it’s possible on the other side, too, but I have not heard that. I mean the key to this is so much of the stuff has not come out and I don’t know that it ever will.”

Special guest Nick Hausman of Wrestlin Inc added that AEW has not filed any suits at Punk over his comments and behavior.

“I’m under the impression there’s no litigation against Punk at this moment.”

Nick Hausman.

Radio Silence

While fans have been clamoring for answers, Tony Khan has been noticeably silent on the matter and the investigation which has since concluded.

Speaking about AEW’s radio silence, Meltzer added that he doesn’t expect a public statement from Khan no matter what comes next.

“As far as what the investigation shows, I don’t think we’ll ever know that. I don’t think we’ll ever hear anything from AEW on this subject. I mean, maybe in years, we might, but I don’t expect to. Just from the fact that we haven’t [heard anything from AEW yet.]”

While Ace Steel is believed to have been fired from AEW last month, nobody from the company has publicly confirmed this.

Backstage Chaos Following CM Punk’s Explosive Comments at AEW All Out Media Scrum (Updated)

Jeff Jarrett: Logan Paul as WWE Champion Works “In Every Kind of Way”

Thomas Lowson
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Logan Paul would make an incredibly interesting Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, at least according to Jeff Jarrett.

Paul made his in-ring debut for WWE this year, competing at WrestleMania 38 in a tag match with The Miz to defeat Rey and Dominik.

After being betrayed by the A-Lister, Paul defeated The Miz at Summerslam, and will challenge Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel this Saturday.

In Every Kind of Way

Since Paul’s title match was announced, he has faced backlash from fans who believe he doesn’t deserve a title shot so quickly in his career.

Paul himself has said it is somewhat “ridiculous” that his third match in WWE will be against the company’s biggest star for the top prize.

Speaking on his My Way podcast, Jeff Jarrett explained how the social media presence Logan and his brother Jake have, could translate into championship success.

“The audience, in general, whether it’s my 16-year-old son or daughter or whoever it may be, they’re consuming their content on their phones. YouTube. Twitter… That’s what the Paul brothers [have mastered.] They weren’t on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ or ‘The Voice’ or some kind of athletic [show.] They got over on social media, and now they’re bringing that to a televised product.

“The Paul kid becoming champion, I think would work, in every kind of way. Do I think they’re going to do it? No. I just don’t think they’ll switch the title in Saudi [Arabia.] But look, online audiences are talking about it.”

Jarrett’s co-host Conrad Thompson defended Paul against claims of being similar to David Arquette, who infamously became WCW World Champion in 2000.

Thompson explained how Arquette was an actor who WCW forced into a title run to try and get publicity, while Paul has proven himself to be an athlete, even boxing Floyd Mayweather.

WrestleMania

Whether Paul wins or loses at Crown Jewel, this isn’t expected to be his final foray in the ring.

On his show, Jarrett discussed the plans for Paul after Crown Jewel, and what WWE could have for him on the biggest show of the year.

“The Paul brothers, they just dominate the conversation and I’m curious. I don’t think they’ll switch it [the title at Crown Jewel] but where does Logan fit in the WrestleMania picture? That’s going to be interesting.

When it was suggested that a Paul Vs. Cody Rhodes title match at WrestleMania could be possible, Jarrett reiterated his belief that a title change could work.

“As far as belts and storylines, Roman does not need the title right now. I mean, Sami Zayn is the star of that attraction right now. You pull him out of that? It’s a completely different dynamic.”

No matches have been confirmed for WrestleMania 39 yet, but a showdown between Reigns and The Rock has been rumored.

Former WWE Champion Very Impressed with Logan Paul

Bray Wyatt Appearance Announced for WWE Crown Jewel 2022

Thomas Lowson
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The enigmatic presence of Bray Wyatt will be felt at this Saturday’s WWE Crown Jewel Premium Live Event.

Wyatt returned to WWE at Extreme Rules 2022 after weeks of teaser videos, and his return has received rave reviews from fans so far.

During Raw, it was confirmed that Wyatt will be at the event, scheduled to take place this Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

It was not announced what Wyatt will be doing, though given that it was promoted as an appearance, a match seems unlikely.

Wyatt and Saudi Arabia

Wyatt has competed multiple times in the Middle Eastern kingdom but has had mixed results.

In 2019, Wyatt captured the Universal Championship from Seth Rollins at that year’s Crown Jewel, following their much-maligned Hell in a Cell match the prior month.

Wyatt’s reign would end at the 2020 Super Showdown event in Saudi Arabia, where his ‘The Fiend’ persona was crushed by Bill Goldberg.

The title change, mere weeks short of WrestleMania 36, received backlash from fans, who disagreed with WWE putting the then-53-year-old Goldberg over the popular Wyatt.

Not Coming Alone?

If Wyatt does not wrestle at Crown Jewel 2022, then it raises the question as to what will he do on the show.

It is possible that Uncle Howdy could also appear at Crown Jewel, after fans caught their first glimpse of the character last week.

On SmackDown, the character confronted Wyatt on the titantron, encouraging the former Universal Champion to embrace who he really is.

It is unclear if the character will be played by Wyatt, or if someone else will portray Uncle Howdy in person.

WWE Rebooting The Wyatt Family is Best For Business

WWE May Have Scrapped Another Vince McMahon-Era Rule

Thomas Lowson
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Another one of Vince McMahon’s rules has seemingly been scrapped, judging by what happened on last night’s Monday Night Raw.

McMahon retired from all roles with WWE in July, following allegations of misconduct with female employees.

The 77-year-old billionaire is alleged to have paid millions in non-disclosure agreements to multiple women who have worked for WWE.

Scrapping the Rule

During last night’s Raw, the main event saw Alexa Bliss and Asuka win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship from Damage CTRL.

Before the match begun, referee Shawn Bennett was mentioned by name, something that was banned under the previous regime.

McMahon infamously banned the use of referee names years before his retirement, after hearing a name he did not recognise during a WWE Live event.

Speaking on Talk is Jericho in 2020, former WWE official Mike Chioda explained how McMahon made his decision.

“He was like, ‘Who is this? Whose name is this?’ And they said, ‘Oh it’s the referee.’ He goes, ‘Goddammit, I am done hearing the referee’s name. I don’t want to hear the referee’s name no more.”

The win this week marks the third Women’s Tag Titles for Bliss and Asuka, albeit with different partners.

Asuka now holds the record for the most tag partners, having won the titles with Kairi Sane, Charlotte Flair, and now Bliss.

More Changes

WWE has undergone several changes since McMahon’s retirement, including ending some of his long-standing rules.

Not long after his departure, WWE began using the term Hospital again, while McMahon had preferred the vague ‘Local Medical Facility.’

In September, it was reported that WWE had reversed a rule banning tag-team partners from attacking when not the legal participant.

Alexa Bliss & Asuka React to Winning Women’s Tag Titles on WWE RAW

Alexa Bliss & Asuka React to Winning Women’s Tag Titles on WWE RAW

Robert Lentini
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RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair battled Nikki Cross tonight in a non-title match. Nikki returned last week with her old gimmick and interfered in the main event between Belair and Bayley.

Nikki attacked Belair and Bayley capitalized with a pinfall victory. Cross attacked Bayley after the match as well. Belair defeated Nikki Cross tonight on RAW but Damage CTRL attacked the champion after the match.

Asuka and Alexa Bliss returned and helped Belair fend off Damage CTRL. They then challenged Dakota Kai and IYO SKY to a match for the Women’s Tag Team Championships in this week’s main event. Bayley and Bianca Belair were ringside for the match and wound up brawling into the timekeeper’s area.

Bayley sent Bianca through a table with a Bayley to Belly as Alexa hit Twisted Bliss for the pinfall victory. Bliss and Asuka are the new Women’s Tag Team Champions.

https://twitter.com/WWEAsuka/status/1587301919269146625?s=20&t=bGg-5dxFsUAkcqWQSHIIVQ

Alexa Bliss & Asuka React to Winning the Women’s Tag Titles

Cathy Kelly caught up to the new champions backstage in a WWE Digital Exclusive interview. Bliss revealed that they are exhausted after winning the titles as Asuka celebrated and yelled “we are champions!”. Alexa added that they knew they could overcome Damage CTRL.

We knew we could dethrone Damage CTRL, that is exactly what we decided to do and we came out on top.

Bayley will look to bring gold back to Damage CTRL this Saturday at WWE Crown Jewel. The Role Model will once again battle Bianca Belair for the RAW Women’s Championship.

It will be a Last Woman Standing match this time at the premium live event this Saturday. The EST successfully defended her title against Bayley in a Ladder match at WWE Extreme Rules last month. Bianca will have to keep Bayley down for a ten count this Saturday to leave Crown Jewel as the champion.

  • WWE Crown Jewel 2022 Preview

Watch: Matt Riddle Tries to Use Flip Flop to Break up Brawl with Brock Lesnar on WWE RAW

Robert Lentini
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Bobby Lashley arrived at the arena tonight for RAW looking for Brock Lesnar. They are set to meet inside the squared circle this Saturday at WWE Crown Jewel.

Brock Lesnar recently returned to WWE on an episode of RAW and attacked Lashley before his scheduled title defense against Seth Rollins. Lesnar beat Lashley down and hit him with a couple of F5s.

Seth Rollins capitalized on the opportunity and was able to convince Bobby to accept the match despite the attack. The Visionary easily defeated The All Mighty to capture the United States Championship.

Lesnar and Lashley were set to have a split-screen interview but only The All Mighty showed up. The Beast’s music hit and Brock Lesnar made his way down to the ring.

Brock said he didn’t come to Texas for a sit down interview with Bobby Lashley, he came to RAW for a fight.

The All Mighty made his way toward the ring and Lesnar met him on the entrance ramp.

Several WWE Superstars and security rushed to the entrance ramp to break up the brawl. Brock and Lashley continued to trade words while they were being separated.

Matt Riddle was one of the WWE stars that tried to break up the brawl and he used an interesting technique to do so.

The Original Bro busted out his flip flop and threatened Brock Lesnar with it as seen below.

https://twitter.com/WrestlingSZN7/status/1587244252949618690?s=20&t=CZ3f-vKk8CQxKnuq3SrIHA

10 Takeaways From WWE RAW (10/31): Roman Reigns & Brock Lesnar Appear, New Champions

Robert Lentini
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WWE RAW aired live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. It was the final episode of RAW before Crown Jewel this Saturday night. In addition to the takeaways below, it was announced that Bray Wyatt will be appearing at the premium live event this weekend.

  • 5 Ways Triple H Can Improve WWE RAW

WWE RAW Results

  • Bianca Belair def. Nikki Cross
  • Seth Rollins def. Austin Theory
  • Karl Anderson def. Damian Priest
  • Riddle def. Otis in a Trick or Street Fight
  • Mustafa Ali def. The Miz
  • Alexa Bliss & Asuka def. Damage CTRL to become the new Women’s Tag Team Champions

Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:

Bianca Belair def. Nikki Cross, Alexa Bliss & Asuka Returned

RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair battled Nikki Cross in a non-title match to kick off the show. Nikki interviewed in the main event between Bayley and Bianca last week on RAW, leading to The Role Model getting the victory. Belair will put the RAW Women’s Championship on the line this Saturday against Bayley in a Last Woman Standing match at WWE Crown Jewel.

Cross got in some offense early and went for a Crossbody but the champ caught her. Bianca hit a Fallaway Slam and Nikki rolled out of the ring. Nikki tripped Belair up and bashed her knee on the ring apron several times. Cross trapped Belair in the ring skirt and beat her down some more as RAW went to a break.

When RAW returned, Belair hit several slams and followed it up with a Vertical Suplex in the middle of the ring. The action spilled out of the ring and both superstars were on the floor. Dakota Kai and IYO SKY distracted the referee as Bayley hopped over the barricade. Bayley sent Bianca into the ring post but Nikki shoved her down.

Cross then launched IYO into the barricade and hit a Crossbody on Dakota off the steel steps. Back in the ring, Belair hit the KOD for the pinfall victory. After the match, Damage CTRL attacked Belair. Asuka and Alexa Bliss returned to make the save. Belair hit Bayley with a Dropkick and then Asuka sent her out of the ring with a Hip Attack. Alexa followed it up with a Senton and the babyfaces posed in the ring.

Asuka and Alexa Bliss challenged Dakota Kai and IYO SKY to a Women’s Tag Team Championship match later tonight.

Bobby Lashley & Brock Lesnar Brawled

Bobby Lashley and Brock Lesnar were supposed to have a split screen interview but Lesnar wasn’t there. Bobby claimed Brock has been dodging him for 20-years and vowed to expose him as a “Bobby Lashley wannabe” at Crown Jewel.

  • WWE Crown Jewel 2022 Preview

The Beast Brock Lesnar then made his way to the ring as Bobby Lashley was still seated backstage. Lesnar greeted the Texas crowd and said he didn’t come to RAW for a sit down interview with Bobby Lashley. Brock stated that he wanted a fight and Lashley made his way to the ring. Lesnar met him on the entrance ramp and tackled him. WWE security and Triple H eventually broke it up.

Seth Rollins def. Austin Theory

Austin Theory dominated the action early but Seth battled back. Rollins connected with a Falcon Arrow and went for the cover but Theory kicked out at two. The crowd sang Seth’s theme as he went for the Stomp.

Theory dodged it but Seth caught him with a Superkick for a two-count. The Visionary went for the Pedigree but Theory escaped. The two superstars traded roll-ups before Theory hit a headbutt. Austin hit a Ushigoroshi and went for the cover but Seth powered out at two. Both superstars connected with strikes and fell to the mat. Austin went for the A-Town Down but Seth escaped and hit The Stomp for the pinfall victory.

Roman Reigns Knocked Out The Miz

Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns came to the ring with The Wiseman Paul Heyman. Paul noted that Logan Paul is training with Shawn Michaels but it doesn’t matter and he’s going to get smashed by The Tribal Chief at Crown Jewel.

The Miz interrupted and acknowledged The Tribal Chief. Miz stated that Logan’s right hand is real and all it takes is one punch. The A-Lister wanted to align with Roman Reigns but The Tribal Chief hit him with a Superman Punch instead. Reigns grabbed the microphone and vowed to knock Logan Paul out at the premium live event. Roman Reigns talked some more trash on his way backstage.

  • 5 Opponents for Roman Reigns after WWE Crown Jewel

The Judgment Day Sent A Message To The OC

Damian Priest battled Karl Anderson tonight on RAW. The Judgment Day and The OC were ringside for the match. The two teams will battle in a 6-man tag team match at Crown Jewel. The action went back and forth as RAW went to a break.

When RAW returned, Dominik hopped on the ring apron for a distraction and Damian capitalized with a Chokeslam for a two count. Anderson rolled up Damian for the pinfall victory. After the match, a brawl broke out and Rhea hit Gallows with a low blow. Ripley challenged Styles and Anderson to fight her but Judgment Day attacked from behind. Dominik climbed to the top rope and hit AJ Styles with a Frog Splash.

Baron Corbin Beat R-Truth Down

JBL came to the ring and complimented Texas and brought up legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin. John then called the crowd snowflakes and claimed that they have turned Texas into an embarrassment. JBL stated that nobody in the crowd should be allowed to call themselves a Texan and they disgust him. Corbin thanked the “poor” fans in the crowd for spending their money to see him.

R-Truth interrupted and poked fun at Corbin and JBL. R-Truth attacked Corbin but got distracted by JBL. Corbin capitalized with the End of Days in the middle of the ring.

Riddle def. Otis in a Trick or Street Fight

Alpha Academy recreated the Chip and Dales sketch from SNL with Patrick Swayze and Chris Farley tonight before Riddle battled Otis in a singles match. Otis started off in control as Elias and Gable were ringside.

Otis hit a Powerslam and followed it up with a Vader Bomb but Riddle kicked out at the last moment. Matt battled back and got a pumpkin on Otis’ head. Riddle hit an RKO through the pumpkin for the pinfall victory.

Mustafa Ali Picked up a Win, Dexter Lumis Appeared

The Miz started off the match in control and ripped off his shirt like he was Hulk Hogan. The Miz launched Mustafa Ali into the ring post as RAW went to a break. When RAW returned, The Miz connected with a Suplex and went for the cover but Ali kicked out at two.

Mustafa hit a Tornado DDT and Miz rolled out of the ring to regroup. Ali climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit him with a Crossbody. The A-Lister shoved Ali over the announce table. Dexter Lumis choked The Miz from behind and then was chased through the crowd by security. Ali capitalized on the distraction with a Superkick and then a 450 Splash for the pinfall victory.

Johnny Gargano Provided A Conspiracy Theory About The Miz & Dexter Lumis

WWE did a true crime parody featuring an interview with Johnny Gargano. Johnny said he overheard Miz and Dexter talking and recorded it on his phone the night he debuted. Gargano played an audio recording of The Miz telling Dexter Lumis to take the money and keep his mouth shut. Johnny claimed that The Miz was paying Lumis to stage a series of attacks on him. Gargano couldn’t explain the chair shots or Miz planting Dexter with the Skull Crushing Finale.

Alexa Bliss & Asuka Won the Women’s Tag Team Championships

Damage CTRL (IYO SKY & Dakota Kai) defended the Women’s Tag Team Championships against Alexa Bliss and Asuka in the main event of this week’s RAW. Bayley and RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair were ringside for the match.

Dakota dragged Asuka to the corner and tagged in IYO SKY. The two superstars traded strikes in the middle of the ring. IYO connected with a shoulder tackle but Asuka bounced off the ropes and hit a Clothesline. The action spilled out of the ring and IYO focused her attack on Asuka’s knee. SKY connected with a Dragon Screw as RAW went to the final break of the night.

When RAW returned, Asuka rolled up Kai for a near fall. The Empress of Tomorrow launched SKY and Kai out of the ring. Alexa tagged in and jumped on Kai. Alexa connected with a Dropkick and a Code Red for a near fall. Asuka tagged in and went for a submission hold on Kai but Iyo broke it up.

Sky connected with a Backbreaker on Bliss and booted her out of the ring. IYO tagged in and hit Asuka with Double Knees. Sky hit a springboard Dropkick and went for the cover but Asuka kicked out at two.

IYO climbed to the top turnbuckle but jumped right into a Codebreaker from Asuka. The Empress went for the cover but Sky kicked out at two. She locked in the Asuka Lock but Bayley distracted the referee. Bianca Belair tackled Bayley over the barricade as Kai hit Bliss with a headbutt.

Asuka hit Dakota with an Enziguri as Bayley and Bianca continued to brawl on a platform next to the timekeeper’s area. The Role Model planted Belair through a table with a Bayley to Belly as Damage CTRL isolated Asuka. Kai booted Asuka in the face but Alexa dragged her out of the ring.

Bliss sent Kai into the steel steps but turned around into a kick from SKY. IYO climbed to the top rope but Asuka got out of the way. Alexa tagged back in and hit Twisted Bliss on IYO Sky for the pinfall victory. Asuka and Alexa Bliss are the new Women’s Tag Team Champions.

Black Label Pro announces move to FITE+

Samantha Schipman
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Ahead of FITE+’s announcement of independent promotions coming to the network, Black Label Pro has confirmed that they’re on the move.

Last week, Fightful Select reported that several “prominent” indie promotions would be moving to FITE+ in November.

Black Label Pro tweeted that they were taking their talents to FITE+ with Slamilton being the first event. The show will air on November 12.

Other major promotions to join Black Label Pro

Last week, we speculated that GCW might be one of the indie promotions headed to FITE+. Over the weekend, Brett Lauderdale tweeted and asked if this was their last show on FiteTV.

On Monday night, GCW tweeted that “a major announcement regarding the future of GCW streaming/broadcasts” would be coming Tuesday at 9:30 AM. Lauderdale quote tweeted it and said the announcement was a “game changer for GCW and GCW fans.”

Beyond Wrestling has also hinted at joining Black Label Pro on FITE+. Monday morning, they tweeted about big news coming tomorrow. Owner Drew Codeiro quote tweeted the announcement with “the final puzzle piece.”

All three promotions would be huge for FITE+ and could attract an influx of new subscribers. The current price is $4.99 per month, but the price could be increasing with the new promotions being added.

Billie Starkz Gets Title Shot Against Yuka Sakazaki in TJPW

Billie Starkz Gets Title Shot Against Yuka Sakazaki in TJPW

Samantha Schipman
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TJPW made a huge announcement on Monday. Billie Starkz will be facing Yuka Sakazaki for the Princess of Princess Championship on November 27 in the historic Korakuen Hall.

This is Starkz’s first tour of Japan. This is a huge opportunity for the 17-year-old.

Sakazaki just won the Princess of Princess Championship on October 9 at Wrestle Princess III, but she has held the title three times. It is the biggest title in TJPW and has been around since 2016. Her match against Starkz at ALL RISE will be the first title defense of her latest reign.

Billie weighs in on this opportunity

The newly All Elite Willow Nightingale just made her TJPW debut last weekend and sent her support.

“Space Jesus” Billie Starkz

Starkz has been wrestling for four years. She is a fixture in Game Changer Wrestling. She’s also wrestled for promotions such as Black Label Pro, Wrestling Revolver, and Paradigm Pro Wrestling.

The high school senior wrestles on the weekends and trains during the week after school. She was ranked #52 in 2022 Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Women’s Top 150.

The match will air on Wrestle Universe.

Jimmy Uso Praises Ava Raine & Says She is Ready to Represent The Bloodline

Logan Paul: ‘I Acknowledge it’s Ridiculous I’m Going For The Undisputed WWE Universal Title in my Third Match’

Andrew Ravens
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Logan Paul is set to challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship this Saturday afternoon at WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia. 

This will mark his third time stepping into the squared circle for a match, with it being his only second singles match thus far in his wrestling career. 

He teamed with The Miz at WWE WrestleMania 38 to defeat The Mysterios (Rey & Dominik Mysterio), which marked his in-ring debut, and then defeated The Miz at WWE SummerSlam in July. 

Paul on the Match

Logan Paul

While appearing on TimboSugarShow with Tim Welch & Sean O’Malley, Paul was asked if there are people in the WWE who he doesn’t get along with. He noted that he stays to himself before admitting that it is ridiculous that he is getting this title opportunity so early on in his career. 

“Truthfully, I keep to myself. I imagine there are a few wrestlers who have a problem with me going for a title in my third match. That’s ridiculous and I acknowledge that, but I don’t acknowledge the Tribal Chief and I’m going to f**k him up in Saudi Arabia.”

Logan said he’ll be flying to Saudi on Tuesday for his Saturday match against Reigns. Reigns is set to be part of Monday’s WWE Raw before going to Saudi as WWE taped this Friday’s episode of SmackDown last week.

Best Wrestler Halloween Costumes Of 2022

Ella Jay
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Tis the (spooky) season!

Several professional wrestlers are getting into the spirit of Halloween this year. From creepy creatures, to comic book characters, to other wrestlers, check out some of the best costumes from this year’s Halloween celebrations! Leave a link in the comments section if you find any others!

On October 29, NXT hosted a Halloween-themed Battle Royale featuring several Superstars dressed in their favorite costumes. Accordingly, rivals Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade paid homage to two former champions in the company: Bayley and AJ Lee.

2022 Women’s Breakout Tournament Winner Roxanne Perez resurrected “The Hugger” era of former RAW Women’s Champion Bayley with her signature tassels, headband, and high ponytail. She even shared the love with fellow NXT Superstar Wendy Choo, who dressed up as a sumo wrestler.

The Generation Of Jade honored the previous generation of the “Black Widow” AJ Lee with the Divas Championship, Chuck Taylor shoes, and Lee’s signature “Love Bites” shirt.

Sloane Jacobs also joined the festivities as she resembled DC Comic character, Poison Ivy.

https://twitter.com/sloanejacobswwe/status/1586163341466120192?s=20&t=Ta48AsEh7cEDY9Hqnu5G7w

NXT Superstar Valentina Feroz is “ready to call the shots!”

Former Divas Champion Kelly Kelly (Barbie Blank) spread her wings as an angel this year.

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Former RAW Women’s Champion and Judgement Day’s Rhea Ripley continued her reign of darkness as a haunted clown this year.

Former Intercontinental Champion Ricochet and WWE announce Samanthan Irvine channeled Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf.

Toxic Attraction’s Gigi Dolin paid homage to horror villain Chucky for Halloween.

Finally, WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley dressed up as his longtime rival, The Undertaker.

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Triple H’s Plans for Top WWE Superstar Reportedly “Pushed Back” Due to Sami Zayn’s Popularity

Robert Lentini
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WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H reportedly had plans for former Universal Champion Kevin Owens but those plans have been put on hold for the time being.

  • 5 Ways Triple H Can Improve WWE RAW

The reason is a good one. It is because his old pal Sami Zayn has become so popular that plans for him to reunite with KO have been put on hold.

Owens and Sami had a brief interaction backstage on a recent edition of SmackDown. Kevin walked by Zayn wearing his Honorary Uce merch and told him that he needs a new shirt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXnZVPAg1WA

WrestleVotes spoke with Louis Dangoor of GiveMeSport in an interview posted today and revealed that Triple H has “paused” his plans to team Sami and KO due to how popular Zayn has become.

He was pegged to get involved with Sami and The Bloodline, but that’s white hot right now. Those plans from what I’ve been told are definitely pushed back, but they’re not off, because the plan is for Kevin Owens to be with Sami Zayn.

WrestleVotes added that the Honorary Uce’s involvement in The Bloodline was only supposed to last a few weeks but it is going so well that WWE has extended the storyline.

Whatever they had planned for Kevin Owens is totally on pause because this stuff with Sami doesn’t come around often. This was supposed to be a little three, four week comedy deal, and it’s getting big.

The tension between Sami Zayn and Jey Uso almost came to a boiling point on this past Friday’s episode of SmackDown. The Tribal Chief instructed the two Bloodline members to hash out their differences but Jey claimed that he didn’t care what Reigns said.

Roman was visibly pissed off but Zayn calmed everyone down. Sami pointed out that Jey hasn’t been himself lately and is not feeling very “Ucey”. Jey and Roman could not contain their laughter in one of the more entertaining segments in recent memory.

H/T: GiveMeSport

WWE Partners with Wheel of Fortune

Robert Lentini
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WWE and Wheel of Fortune have announced a partnership for early next year leading into WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles.

New Day’s Xavier Woods was a guest on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and won over $96k for the Gamers Outreach charity.

Woods then posted a video last night after his appearance on the show and announced that there will be a full week of Wheel of Fortune with WWE Superstars.

What’s going on? WWE Superstar Xavier Woods, aka Austin Creed, here. And y’all know that I love Wheel of Fortune.

I got a chance to be on the show, meet a bunch of the people. Pat Sajak, Vanna White. And I am here to announce that maybe you get the chance to be on Wheel of Fortune with your favorite WWE superstars because WWE and Wheel of Fortune are coming together to do a full week of WWE on Wheel of Fortune.

So hurry up and go to wheeloffortune.com right now to upload your contestant application and you might get the chance to spin the wheel while standing next to your favorite Superstar, which is obviously me. See you guys there.

H/T: 411Mania

Wrestling fans can also apply to be a guest on the show and pick which WWE Superstar they want to play Wheel of Fortune with. You can apply to be on the show here.

Wheel of Fortune also sent out a call for contestants. The episodes will be filmed in early 2023 and air in late March as WWE gears up for WrestleMania 39 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

In addition to being a WWE Superstar, Xavier Woods runs a very popular gaming channel on YouTube. He was a part of the G4 revival but the network was recently shut down by Comcast.

3 Reasons SmackDown is a Better TV Show than WWE RAW

Robert Lentini
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WWE SmackDown has been the superior show as of late and there are several reasons that is the case.

SmackDown flows better and features some of today’s biggest stars in professional wrestling. WWE RAW is overly long and lacks the star power to carry the three hours it asks of the viewer to stay engaged.

  • 5 Ways Triple H Can Improve WWE RAW

Here are three ways WWE SmackDown is a better TV Show than RAW:

The Titles

Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns rarely makes an appearance on RAW but WWE just announced that The Tribal Chief will be making a special appearance on tonight’s show.

The United States and the RAW Women’s Championships are currently the most important titles on the red brand. Bobby Lashley was an admirable US Champion before Seth, but the title hasn’t been built up enough to carry a brand.

Gunther and Sheamus have helped elevate the Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown to a new level with their excellent rivalry. The Celtic Warrior and The Ring General put on an instant classic at WWE Clash at the Castle and followed it up with a solid rematch on a recent episode of SmackDown.

There should be a mid-card and main title for superstars to fight for on the red brand. Instead, there a whole bunch of superstars with nothing else to do besides chase the 24/7 Champion around or wrestle in tag team matches with no prospect of a title match against The Usos.

Roman Reigns is approaching 800 days as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. The idea of one dominant champion sounds good on paper. However, Reigns isn’t a full-time superstar anymore and there isn’t enough star power on RAW to fill three hours.

It may be time to consider splitting the WWE and Universal Championships once again and make someone a star with a victory over The Tribal Chief.

Six Months On – Was Unifying WWE’s World Titles the Right Call?

The Stars

As stated above, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion and Undisputed Tag Team Champions rarely appear on RAW.

The Bloodline has become the most popular act in professional wrestling. Every time they are on screen on Friday nights, they must watch television.

The ongoing friction between Jey Uso and Sami Zayn is highly entertaining to watch and most fans can’t wait to see how the story plays out. They just simply don’t have to tune in on Monday nights to find out.

WWE has had members of The Bloodline appear on RAW occasionally but they aren’t doing it enough. It is hard to imagine any fans complaining about seeing more of the Honorary Uce or upcoming star Solo Sikoa on the red brand more often.

In addition to The Bloodline, Bray Wyatt is also on the SmackDown roster. The wildly successful ‘White Rabbit’ teaser campaign captured the WWE Universe’s imagination for weeks leading up to Bray’s return at Extreme Rules.

Now, the story is getting even more interesting on Friday nights. “Uncle Howdy” interrupted Bray and called him a liar to end this past week’s edition of SmackDown on an intriguing note. If Bray Wyatt piques your interest, you don’t have to watch RAW on Monday nights at the moment to stay up to date with the storyline.

The Time

Yes, WWE RAW remains an hour too long. It is unlikely to change any time soon, as the extra hour leads to extra revenue. However, the difference between how RAW and SmackDown flows as a television show is jarring.

There often is a point during every episode of RAW where it becomes a slog or a chore to watch for the viewer. It might be the weekly thirty-minute Baron Corbin match with JBL on commentary for some, or it might be an edition of Miz TV, a 24/7 Championship segment, etc.

It is a lot to ask for a viewer to sit through every week. A three-hour show on Monday, a two-hour show on Tuesday, and another two-hour show on Friday is a lot of content for WWE fans to consume on a weekly basis, and that isn’t even factoring in the premium live events.

RAW dropping an hour would instantly eliminate a lot of the filler that hampers the show. The backstage interview with a superstar that has already cut a promo in the ring earlier in the night that provides nothing of substance won’t be necessary anymore. The entire 24/7 Championship scene can be eliminated or banished to YouTube where it belongs.

Two hours on a Monday night would force the company to focus on the stars that are more important. There will be fewer multi-superstar matches that go multiple commercial breaks just to fill time.

WWE SmackDown features the same high-profile stars on a weekly basis. RAW is an hour too long and lacks the names to provide enough reason for a casual fan to stick around the duration of the show.

XFL Reveals Team Names & Logos for 2023 Return

Michael Reichlin
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The XFL football league will feature 8 teams when it returns in 2023. On Monday, the league announced the 8 team names, host cities, head coaches and home stadiums. They also revealed the official logos for each team.

The XFL Draft takes place next month, with kickoff scheduled for Feb. 18, 2023, the weekend after the NFL’s Super Bowl LVII.

“Countless hours of creative sessions and collaboration went into bringing these team brands to life,” the league’s chairwoman and owner, Dany Garcia, said in a statement.

“Each team’s identity represents the fabric of their local community while also embodying the XFL’s vision and ethos: they are authentic, dynamic, modern, and unapologetically bold.”

Here’s the full list of XFL teams, head coaches and home stadiums:

  • Arlington Renegades
    • Head Coach: Bob Stoops
    • Home Stadium: Choctaw Stadium
  • Houston Roughnecks
    • Head Coach: Wade Phillips
    • Home Stadium: TDECU Stadium
  • Orlando Guardians
    • Head Coach: Terrell Buckley
    • Home Stadium: Camping World Stadium
  • Vegas Vipers
    • Head Coach: Rod Woodson
    • Home Stadium: To be announced
  • San Antonio Brahmas
    • Head Coach: Hines Ward
    • Home Stadium: The Alamodome
  • Seattle Sea Dragons
    • Head Coach: Jim Haslett
    • Home Stadium: Lumen Field
  • St. Louis Battlehawks
    • Head Coach: Anthony Becht
    • Home Stadium: The Dome
  • D.C. Defenders
    • Head Coach Reggie Barlow
    • Home Stadium: Audi Field

XFL Team Logos

Shinsuke Nakamura Comments On Wrestling The Great Muta

Ella Jay
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The professional wrestling world awoke to great shock recently upon Pro Wrestling NOAH’s announcement of Shinsuke Nakamura wrestling the Great Muta at the start of next year.

On January 1st, 2023, Nakamura will battle the Great Muta, also known as Keiji Muto, at Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan, amidst Muta’s ongoing retirement tour. The journey to confirm this match, however, wasn’t easy, as Nakamura is still under contract with WWE. An article with Tokyo Sports explained how exactly the dream match came together.

Upon Muto’s announcement of his upcoming retirement, the NOAH organization originally pitched Nakamura as an opponent for him. “Despite initially disagreements, they persistently negotiated with the new structure after the retirement of Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon in July,” Tokyo Sports reported. Under the new leadership of WWE with the likes of Stephanie McMahon, Nick Khan, and Paul “Triple H” Levesque, all parties finally managed to reach an agreement on October 26th. Therefore, Shinsuke Nakamura has permission from WWE to appear at NOAH for this special occasion.

The former Intercontinental Champion himself revealed that the match itself is “a miracle” despite the “people in WWE who pushed me back.”

Nakamura continued on to express his excitement for the match, as the two meet for the first time in 14 years. “Of course, I wanted to do it. It opened a door that no one had ever stepped into, or a door that no one had been able to pry open. Ha ha ha…, it’s the real ‘F?rbidden D??r’ (Forbidden Door),” Nakamura said.

Details on Emma’s Future With WWE Following Surprise Return

Ella Jay
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A former Superstar made a surprise return to WWE this past Friday, and it looks like she’s here to stay.

The Australian veteran has officially signed with World Wrestling Entertainment, according to a report from Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio. No additional details were given on her contract, such as the length, but we do know Emma is slated to join the SmackDown roster.

Emma returned to WWE on SmackDown last week, accepting a Smackdown Women’s Championship open challenge from “The Baddest Woman On The Planet,” Ronda Rousey. The two would battle back and forth before Rousey forced Emma to tap out from the armbar.

This marks Emma’s first appearance in five years, since her release in October 2017. Since then, she performed under her real name of Tenille Dashwood, notably competing in Ring of Honor and IMPACT Wrestling. Dashwood would claim the Knockouts Tag Team Championships earlier this year alongside Madison Rayne, before dropping the titles in June. Dashwood’s contract with IMPACT expired this summer, before she announced her free agency.

Now, Dashwood returns to Friday nights as Emma.

WWE published this video of Emma backstage after he return on SmackDown. Despite a loss to Rousey, she believes she learned from the match and is confident as she embarks on this new chapter of his career.

NXT UK Superstar Makes NXT Debut at Live Event

Thomas Lowson
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The NXT UK brand may be a thing of the past, but one of the brand’s popular Superstars has now taken their first steps in WWE NXT.

In August, WWE announced the formation of NXT Europe, which is set to launch at some point next year.

In the same statement, WWE said that NXT UK will be on hiatus until the new brand is up and running.

A New Dawn

Immediately after the announcement of NXT Europe, WWE released the vast majority of their NXT UK talent.

Those who weren’t released, including Ilja Dragunov and Pretty Deadly, have since made their way to WWE NXT: the company’s U.S.-based developmental brand.

At a recent WWE NXT Live event, Isla Dawn made her debut for the white and gold brand, facing fellow NXT UK alum Alba Fyre.

The match, which took place at last weekend’s NXT Live event, say Fyre get the win.

https://twitter.com/rosendevilletm/status/1586545266819493888

Isla Dawn

Dawn’s career with WWE began in 2017 when she lost a November 6, Raw squash match to Asuka.

Competing in the 2018 Mae Young Classic, Dawn was eliminated in the first round, but would still be signed by WWE.

Competing for NXT UK, Dawn would be unsuccessful in the tournament to crown the first NXT UK Women’s Champion, being eliminated in the first-round by eventual winner Toni Storm.

In February 2022, Dawn would steal the title from then-Champion Meiko Satomura, and would return the gold in exchange for a title match that she’d lose.

Dawn would compete in a fatal four-way match on what would be the final episode of NXT UK, losing to Blair Davenport.

NXT UK Stars Talk WWE Network Show

Karl Anderson Off Battle Autumn Show – NJPW Cancels Title Match

Thomas Lowson
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NJPW Never Openweight Champion Karl Anderson is officially off the card for Battle Autumn, the promotion has confirmed.

Anderson had previously been booked for the show on November 5, where he was scheduled to defend his title against Hikuleo.

In a statement on their website, New Japan confirmed that despite “extensive efforts,” the match is now off.

New Japan apologized for Anderson not being on the show, adding that they hold their champions “to the highest standard of professionalism.”

Instead of the pre-announced title match, Hikuleo will now face Yujiro Takahashi in a non-title match.

The Openweight Championship

Anderson returned to WWE earlier this month as the NJPW Never Openweight Champion, and the match with Hikuleo had already been booked and announced.

It was in a social media video that Anderson claimed he would not be at Battle Autumn and instead compete at WWE Crown Jewel (also November 5.)

In a response, NJPW said that Anderson will be stripped of the title if he does not compete at Battle Autumn, but the title’s future was not addressed in the recent statement.

More than Meets the Eye

The conflict between Anderson, New Japan and WWE has been going on for weeks now, but this isn’t how things are behind the scenes.

A report last week notes that there have always been plans for Anderson to wrestle for New Japan despite his WWE return.

Sources close to the situation said that “things are fine” between Anderson and the two promotions.

Karl Anderson Addresses Being Booked on The Same Date by WWE and NJPW
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