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Drew McIntyre Tests Positive For COVID-19

Chris Stephens
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WWE Champion Drew McIntyre has tested positive for COVID-19. The company announced the news Monday morning. A statement at WWE.com reads:

“Drew McIntyre has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been placed in quarantine.”

SEScoops has learned that Drew McIntyre will address the WWE Universe tonight on Raw. The master of the Claymore Kick was advertised to face Randy Orton in a non-title on the show, that will obviously won’t be happening.

Looking ahead, McIntyre is scheduled defend the WWE Championship against Bill Goldberg in less than three weeks at the Royal Rumble.

McIntyre retained the WWE Championship against Keith Lee last week on RAW. After the match, Bill Goldberg came out to challenge him to a match at the Royal Rumble.

Drew McIntyre has been the top babyface on the RAW brand for the last year. He won the 2020 men’s Royal Rumble en route to defeating Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 36.

He held the title for 213 days before dropping it to Randy Orton at Hell in a Cell last October. He then regained the title from Orton on the November 16th, 2020 edition of RAW.

SEScoops wishes Drew Mcintyre a full and speedy recovery from COVID-19.

Jeff Hardy Comments On Matt Hardy’s Fall At All Out

Chris Stephens
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Jeff Hardy recently commented on what was going through his head when he saw his brother Matt get knocked out at AEW All Out in September. He spoke to Metro UK recently about what happened.

”Terrifying! When he tried to get up and then he fell down – when you hit your head hard, that’s scary stuff,” Jeff Hardy said. “That was scary, man, with Matt – flesh on concrete, it was scary when he couldn’t walk. Gosh, man – thank God he’s OK, but that’s part of the game.”

Jeff himself took a nasty bump not long ago. He was wrestling Elias in a Symphony of Destruction match on RAW when he appeared to hit his head hard on the ring steps.

“Even in that Symphony of Destruction match with Elias, people thought my head was messed up from the stairs but it was easy, my head is fine,’ Jeff continued. “When I did the Whisper in the Wind and he hit me in the butt with the guitar, my back is still messed up from that.”

Hardy defeated Elias in the Symphony of Destruction match on November 30th, 2020. He dropped a match to Randy Orton on last week’s edition of WWE RAW.

The full interview with Jeff Hardy can be read here.

Mustafa Ali and Sgt. Slaughter Trade Shots On Twitter

Chris Stephens
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Mustafa Ali was not pleased that his Retribution stable had to make room for several legends to appear on RAW last week. He aired his grievances with the show on an episode of RAW Talk recently.

Former WWE Champion, Sgt. Slaughter, recently responded to Mustafa Ali online in response to comments made by a fan on Twitter.

Mustafa Ali responded by reminding Sgt. Slaughter of the time he turned his back on America and became an Iraqi sympathizer.

Mustafa Ali ripped WWE legends night during his recent appearance on RAW Talk.

“I am agitated, I’m angry but most of all I’m confused,” Ali said on the show. “We dedicated a 3-hour show to old has-beens. You want to call them legends, call them whatever, they’ve had their time. A night like tonight is exactly what is wrong with this company. 3 hours to guys that can barely walk?” Ali said.

“I know exactly that the generation before me paved the way but when the hell are you going to let me walk on that path? Guys like Drew Gulak, Akira Tozawa, myself, all of Retribution not on the show, why? Because we need to hear ‘whatcha gonna do brother?’ again for the seventh million time.”

Eric Bischoff On Why WWE’s NWO Angle Failed In 2002

Chris Stephens
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After the Invasion angle flopped in 2001, WWE turned to the New World Order in an attempt to turn things around. Vignettes for the NWO featured Vince McMahon stating he was bringing the group in to “destroy his creation.” The faction would debut at No Way Out that February.

Former WCW President Eric Bischoff spoke about the WWE incarnation of the NWO on the latest episode of his 83 Weeks podcast. Bischoff believes the angle got off to a bad start with Vince McMahon’s involvement. “I wouldn’t have had Vince McMahon turn around and reveal himself in the chair as the evil genius that was going to bring back the nWo to destroy his own company.”

He continued, “That was such a non-starter from a creative perspective. I don’t care how big of a fan of WWE you were at the time, you couldn’t possibly buy that, it was just so nonsensical.”

Bischoff on the NWO in WWE

The NWO angle changed direction when fans cheered Hollywood Hogan at WrestleMania X-8. Scott Hall would later leave the company. Shawn Michaels and Booker T would each have short stints with the faction as well.

“If you start out a story with one foot on a banana peel and the other in a bucket of cement, where are you going? That’s how the story started, there’s no way it was going to get better from there,” Bischoff continued.

The NWO was set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame last year. The induction ceremony was postponed due to the pandemic, however. Bischoff spoke about plans to induct the faction on a previous episode of his podcast.

“The nWo is the storyline, the angle, the moment that storyline was conceived and as it became executed, was probably one of the most important periods in professional wrestling, in this industry, in the last 30 years,” Bischoff said.

H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcribed quotes

Mil Muertes To Debut On MLW Fusion This Week

Michael Reichlin
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Mexican wrestling star Mil Muertes is set to debut for Major League Wrestling this week on MLW Fusion.

The “Man of 1,000 Deaths” has been summoned to MLW by Salina De La Renta, who will serve as Executive Producer of MLW Fusion for the next few weeks.

Mil Muertes was previously known as Ricky Banderas when he wrestled in Puerto Rico. He was a 5-time IWA Heavyweight Champion. In Mexico City he was known as El Mesias, where he held the AAA Heavyweight Championship 4 times.

Mil Muertes reigned supreme in Lucha Underground. His death grip loomed over all… until his temple fell. Since then, he has wandered the earth with an unquenchable desire for revenge. The “seemingly invincible” Mil Muertes now looks to build a shrine of death with the bodies of the men he’s conquered and careers destroyed.

Mil Muertes Arrives in MLW

Wednesday’s episode of MLW Fusion will feature:

  • MLW World Tag Team Champions The Von Erichs vs. Los Parks: Tornado Match with “Filthy” Tom Lawlor serving as special guest referee
  • Mil Muertes will debut. There is an ‘open contract’ for whoever chooses to fight him.

MLW Fusion premieres this Wednesday, January 13 at 7PM (Eastern) on MLW’s YouTube Channel, Fubo Sports, DAZN and Roku.

Catch up on the latest MLW News and check our takeaways from last week’s Kings of Colosseum special:

Karl Anderson Talks The Good Brothers’ AEW Dynamite Invasion

Jake Skudder
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IMPACT Wrestling stars Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows recently joined forces on-screen with AEW Champion Kenny Omega and ‘The Invisible Hand’ Don Callis.

The group aligned during an episode of IMPACT Wrestling back in December; since then fans have been wondering when The Good Brothers would eventually make their way over to AEW Dynamite.

Kenny Omega and Don Callis were the catalyst for the AEW/IMPACT storyline beginning, at least on-screen, and last week saw The Good Brothers invade Dynamite and attack Jon Moxley. Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson appeared following the main event which saw Kenny Omega defeat Rey Fenix for the AEW Championship.

The 4 men would then unite with The Young Bucks on screen; revealing that the ‘Bullet Club’ (not named as such on camera) had reunited outside of New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Karl Anderson discussed the invasion during this week’s episode of Talk’n Shop. Co-host and NJPW star Rocky Romero would ask Anderson if ‘the boys’ backstage did not know they were going to appear.

Karl Anderson On ‘Bullet Club’ Invasion

“No, no, no [they knew]” Karl Anderson would begin on the podcast. “I guess that’s the difference of the time right? Because there was a couple…I guess there was a couple marks at the hotel here and there?”

Anderson would then discuss how the invasion wasn’t leaked online. “We came in and there might have only been one or two in the hotel? I don’t know how they didn’t see us? Maybe they just are a part of the game, and didn’t want to leak it? I almost think it was probably expected at some point, but where we are in the world right now? It’s just easy to surprise I guess.”

If you use any quotes from this article, please provide a H/T to SEScoops

Raven On Why Vince McMahon Didn’t Like Him

Chris Stephens
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Former ECW, WCW, WWE, and TNA alumni Raven recently spoke about why he had heat with Vince McMahon. Raven was on the Scheduled for 2 Falls podcast, when he commented on the situation.

“Me and Shane used to be really tight but we drifted apart. He’d go out with me every night. Big heat with Linda and Vince. The boys thought I was kissing ass for my career but it actually killed my career, giving me heat.”

Raven actually went into greater detail about this during a Talk is Jericho appearance in 2015.

“They used to call me Johnny Port Chester Polo because Stamford, they rolled the sidewalks up at one o’clock, but Port Chester was open till five in the morning. It 5 miles away. My downfall was I’d bring Shane out with me, Shane McMahon. And the boys are like, ‘ah, you’re sucking up to him’ and I’m like, ‘no, I’m not! I’m burying myself’ because he’d call his dad, and on commentary, I’d call his dad ‘Vic’ instead of ‘Vince’, so he’d go, ‘hey, Vic,’ which is just horrible! He’d say, ‘hey, Vic, it’s,’ and it would be, like, four in the morning, ‘I’m just going to sleep at Johnny Polo’s tonight’ and so I just buried myself.”

Jim Ross spent some time talking about Raven on Grillin JR recently.

“The thing about Raven, it was never a talent issue. He had talent. He was a good talker, smart guy, high IQ. Probably could have been a good road agent at some point later on. He could have contributed in a lot of ways.”

Jim Cornette: WWE Should’ve Done More With Rhea Ripley By Now

Jake Skudder
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Former NWA commentator and outspoken pro wrestling personality Jim Cornette recently discussed Rhea Ripley and her current stature in WWE.

It was recently reported that Ripley is due to join the ‘main roster’ imminently, with Monday Night RAW the likely destination. Jim Cornette has stated in the past that he is a huge fan of the Australian Superstar, and he questioned on the most recent episode of The Jim Cornette Experience why WWE hasn’t done ‘more’ with her character by now.

“The match that Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair had at WrestleMania? It was the highlight of the show, it was the best thing on the show” Cornette began. “Because everybody else was still trying to figure out how to do the empty arena thing and it was a bunch of garbage matches.”

Jim Cornette on Rhea Ripley

“It was people that couldn’t ‘get’ it. The girls? They nailed it and had an athletic contest” Cornette continued. “And then shortly afterwards Charlotte leaves to have surgery.”

Jim Cornette would finish by slamming WWE for not utilizing Rhea Ripley more in the months that Charlotte Flair was off of television. Cornette firmly believes that Ripley has the potential to be the top female star in pro wrestling.

“If anybody had had any forethought, because it’s not like somebody can’t see that Rhea Ripley should be a movie star, a female action movie star? She’s probably, I would say, more qualified than anybody else in wrestling to be the number one female box office attraction. Charlotte would be right there, if Rhea Ripley is not available. Why didn’t they (WWE) spend the time establishing Rhea Ripley as the top girl in any of the WWE divisions? Why?”

Do you agree with Jim Cornette? Do you think that Rhea Ripley will become the biggest box office attraction in WWE? Let us know in the comments

Linda McMahon Run Organization Critisized For Ties To Capitol Hill Riot

Chris Stephens
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Linda McMahon’s America First Policies organization is being criticized in the media for its ties to the Capitol Hill riot last week. America First Policies is what some call a “Dark Money Group”. This means they do not have to disclose their donors or other financial information.

A recent article by CNBC’s Brian Schwartz, however, has uncovered ties between the McMahon-run organization and the organizers of last week’s events at the Capitol building.

https://twitter.com/schwartzbCNBC/status/1347937990417543173

“America First Policies, which is also a 501(c)(4) that does not disclose its donors, is chaired by Linda McMahon, a longtime Trump ally and former head of the Small Business Administration. The 2019 filing shows America First Policies ended up raising over $30 million,” Schwartz wrote.

“Previous donors to Women for America First include America First Policies, a nonprofit chaired by Linda McMahon,” Schwartz also said.

https://twitter.com/hunterw/status/1348105447048413188

America First Priorities are not required to disclose donation information. They did publicize in 2019, however, that they donated $25,000 to “Women for America First”. Schwartz notes this organization was largely responsible for organizing the events on Capitol Hill last week.

“The rally, officially known as the ‘March to Save America,’ was largely organized by a 501(c)(4) group known as Women for America First,” he wrote.

Women For America First Statement

The Women for America First website now points to a statement on the violence last week.

“We unequivocally denounce violence of any type and under any circumstances.”

“Unfortunately, for months the left and the mainstream media told the American people that violence was an acceptable political tool. They were wrong. It is not.”

Meanwhile, America First Priorities has not released a statement.

Bayley Reveals Her Mount Rushmore Of Women’s Wrestling

Steve Russell
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Former SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley has listed who would adorn her personal Mount Rushmore of female wrestlers during an appearance on “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions.

According to Bayley, her hypothetical mountainside would contain Sasha Banks, Lita, Chyna, and…herself.

When asked by Austin, Bayley confessed it was a hard question to answer:

“Gosh, it’s hard…can I put myself in there? Okay, first of all, we’ll put me in there. Next to me, and a little bit behind me, we’ll do Sasha Banks for the obvious reasons, y’know. I’ll be ahead of her though, she can be, like, in the back corner.”

She then named WWE Hall of Famer Lita. Bayley confessed Lita’s inclusion was because of how Lita “made me realize I could do it.” She then noted how there is a plethora of deserving female talent she could name.

“I wanna say Chyna because, y’know, she was so different and brought so much more to the table, and then—y’know, kind of…yeah. Yeah. I don’t know, I could say so many. I’m going to go with that.”

Bayley will be a participant in the upcoming 30 Women’s Royal Rumble match. She will compete against 29 other female Superstars for the opportunity at a Championship matchup.

WWE’s Royal Rumble event occurs from the WWE ThunderDome on January 31 from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL.

If you use any quotes from this article, please provide a H/T to SEScoops.

Finn Balor Explains Why Returning To NXT Was The Right Choice

Steve Russell
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0

NXT Champion Finn Balor returned to the black-and-gold brand back in late 2019 following a main roster run. In a recent interview with Digital Spy, Balor revealed how it’s a decision he doesn’t regret.

According to Balor, the sheer wealth of talented Superstars he’s been able to compete against is justification enough for his choice.

“You can make a lot of decisions in this business that you regret, but I feel like the thing that affirms that I made the right decision is the different talent I’ve gotten to work with since I’ve been in NXT, people I’ve never worked with before in the past.”

He pointed to notable NXT Superstars such as Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Damien Priest, and current Raw Superstar, Riddle.

Balor also revealed how returning to NXT helped push himself “to the limit.” According to him, his NXT return forced him out of the “comfort zone” he found himself in during his time on Raw and SmackDown.

Couple this with the wealth of fresh feuds and matchups he’s enjoyed since his NXT return, Balor has no doubt he made the right decision.

Finn Balor recently competed against Undisputed Era’s Kyle O’Reilly at NXT New Year’s Evil. Like their first vicious encounter, which left Balor with a broken jaw, the two faced off in another hard-hitting affair. Balor would defeat O’Reilly, retaining his NXT Championship in the process.

Sonya Deville Discusses Her WWE Return, New On-Screen Role

Steve Russell
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0

Sonya Deville returned to WWE programming during the New Year’s Day episode of Friday Night SmackDown. Deville has since discussed her return to television during an appearance on Talking Smack. She also addressed her new role as Adam Pearce’s assistant.

Deville explained how she’s “never felt better” now that she’s finally back on the blue brand. She shared how her return felt as though it was “never going to happen.”

“A long 4 months off, but you know what, 2021 is going to be the year of Sonya Deville, but also the year of SmackDown. I’m excited about so many things to come for the show and I’m excited to show you guys.”

Regarding her new on-screen role, Deville revealed how anyone who knows her would admit the role is a “natural fit” for her. She noted how she and Adam Pearce make a “great kind of duo” before sharing her 2021 SmackDown goals.

“I want to make SmackDown a good place to work, and I want the women to get opportunities,” Deville said. “I have a lot of things in store, and I think it’s all going to be positive, moving in the upward direction, and that’s all I’m going to tell you.”

Sonya Deville initially left WWE programming after being beaten by Mandy Rose. She lost a “Loser Leaves WWE” matchup to Rose at SummerSlam 2020.

Daniel Bryan Names 5 WWE Superstars He Wants To Work With

Steve Russell
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Despite having faced some of WWE‘s top Superstars, there’s still plenty of wrestlers SmackDown’s Daniel Bryan is interested in competing against. Speaking with WWE on BT Sport, Bryan shared which Superstars he’d love to share the ring with.

“One person that I’d like—just because he can do so many incredible things that I’d like to wrestle [him]—is Ricochet. Same thing with, like, Apollo Crews…I think Apollo Crews is infinitely talented.”

He continued, “One of the guys who’d I’d really like to have a like real like…something where we can stuck in with, that I’ve never had the opportunity to do, is Shinsuke Nakamura.”

Bryan added how, alongside more established Superstars, he’s excited to embrace the challenge of competing against new, young talent.

He then turned his attention to Seth Rollins. Bryan discussed how, although they have competed in WWE, they haven’t had a long-running feud that’s “built into a big match.”

Bryan concluded by sharing his interest in also competing against Rey Mysterio, noting how Rey is a personal hero of his. He also added he would be open to wrestling against Dominik Mysterio if the opportunity presented itself.

Daniel Bryan has reportedly been pushing for younger talent to be brought up from NXT to SmackDown. His attempts were apparently met with some opposition, however.

He recently faced off against Shinsuke Nakamura as part of a Gauntlet match on SmackDown. Nakamura eliminated him from the match.

If you use any quotes from this article, please provide a H/T to SEScoops.

Adam Pearce On His Royal Rumble Title Shot: “Sleep On Me, I Beg You”

Michael Reichlin
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0

Adam Pearce admits he’s not in the prime of his career, but he’s ready to challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble.

Pearce earned the title shot on Friday’s SmackDown. He was the last man standing in a Gauntlet Match that also included Shinsuke Nakamura, Daniel Bryan, Sami Zayn, King Corbin and Rey Mysterio.

The 42-year-old WWE producer now has a date with destiny. On Sunday, Adam Pearce tweeted video of a match he believes shows off the fighting spirit he will bring to the Rumble.

He wrote, “Of course I’m not in my wrestling ‘prime’ – I haven’t had a match in 6+ years! But I didn’t ASK for this. With no choice but to fight, I’ve got to do whatever I can to make Roman feel EXACTLY like I did at the end of this match many years ago.”

The match, seen below, is Adam Pearce defending the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Brent Albright from August 2008.

Pearce continued, “And yes, I lost that match. Lost a championship that meant a lot to me. Lost a piece of myself. But in the process I learned a lot. A lot about me. A lot about the agony of defeat. A lot about how to avoid it. Again, I NEVER wanted this. But sleep on me, I beg you.”

Adam Pearce faces WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble on Sunday, January 31st. The event airs live on the WWE Network.

Nick Jackson Reveals He Was Bed-Ridden With COVID-19

Chris Stephens
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Nick Jackson of the Young Bucks recently noted on his Instagram stories that he was sick with COVID-19 for several weeks back in September.

“Crazy to think there’s still COVID deniers out there in the world,” he wrote. “I had a pretty bad case of COVID in early September that kept me bed ridden for nearly 3 weeks. I couldn’t taste or smell for 2 and a half months. At one point my whole body had hives on it and my doctor said that it was definitely from COVID.”

“Matt had to do the majority of the work in matches once I returned safely because I couldn’t catch my breath. My cardio is finally back but it took months to finally feel like myself again. Let’s protect each other and wear a mask.”

Nick Jackson went from September 5th to October 21st, 2020 without wrestling any matches in AEW.

Nick Jackson also suffered a leg contusion on AEW Dynamite this week. He was teaming with his brother and SCU against the Acclaimed and the Hybrid2 when the injury occurred. He is not expected to miss any time, however.

The Young Bucks are scheduled to team with Kenny Omega in trios action. Their opponents have yet to be named.

Screen Shot 2021 01 10 at 9.29.48 AM

Finn Balor Talks Working With Triple H & Shawn Michaels in NXT

Jake Skudder
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WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor was recently interviewed by Vicente Beltran of the ViBe & Wrestling podcast. The Irish Superstar would discuss a number of topics during his time on the show, including working with Triple H and Shawn Michaels in the ‘developmental’ brand.

“For me? I feel very fortunate that I’ve gotten to work very closely with some of my heroes in the wrestling business” Finn Balor began. “Shawn Michaels and Triple H being two. Obviously, I’ve worked very closely with Triple H for many years since I began at NXT. And of course William Regal.”

“Then more recently in the second run with NXT? Shawn Michaels is heavily involved behind the scenes” Finn Balor then continued. “So, getting to know him and learn from him and pick his brain on what he feels is a good direction to take the business? I’ve learned so much from.”

Balor finished by talking about how surreal it has been to work work with some of the wrestling legends he grew up idolizing.

“It’s always very surreal to be working with these guys that you idolized or you grew up watching and had their t-shirts or had their action figures. Now you’re having a discussion or debate on what you think is a good direction to go. I feel very fortunate to have that kind of environment in NXT.”

Listen to audio of the full interview with Finn Balor in the player embedded below:

H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcribed quotes

Cody Rhodes: “If The Younger Audience Aren’t Watching Your Show? You Should Be Terrified”

Jake Skudder
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0

AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes recently appeared on Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast.

Cody discussed a number of topics during the interview, including the first year of AEW programming. He emphasized the importance of the 18-49 demographic, saying how he and other members of AEW’s management are consistently checking the top 50 shows to see where they rank.

AEW has consistently outperformed NXT amongst the younger audience since the two shows began going head-to-head in October 2019. NXT tends to trend with an older audience, who are likely to have already been ‘loyal’ to WWE over the decades Rhodes revealed a certain WCW legend convinced him to focus on engaging the younger audience.

“Konnan of all people,” he said. “I don’t speak to Konnan a lot, but he had told me his secret to success. I asked him for any advice. His secret to success? It was always being around young people. Like ‘hey, I’m gonna listen to hip hop, I’m gonna listen to modern music. Even if I don’t like it? I’m gonna listen to it. I want to know what they’re talking about.'”

Cody Rhodes on Demographics

Rhodes continued, “That to me is the brightest part of the AEW roster. The youth that is on the roster and the youth that is in the creative, the direction. With Tony [Khan] in that lead spot, the direction of the show, the artistic vision of the show, the talent on the show.”

Cody Rhodes would then discuss the demographics of the show specifically. “We joke about the demo, but it’s not a joke. Seriously there’s a potential that if you, and this is for any show, if you don’t look at that? You’re going to age out. One of the reasons I’ve turned my act around into a bit of a squeaky clean act? It is because it’s really…I want to engage a young fanbase. Not just the young, affluent, and cool. I want to engage kids, because the show has a lot of violence, a lot of adult content.”

Rhodes finished by discussing the importance of attracting the younger demographic. This holds true not just with pro wresetling, but with all television shows.

“Anyone who’s not scared, and I’m not talking about our competitor, I’m talking about any show. If you’re not in with the youth in terms of, they’re not watching your show? You should absolutely be terrified. 50 plus means you’re losing your audience. Again this is about TV in general, not about WWE and not about AEW, but because we see all top 50 shows every week.”

Do you agree with Cody Rhodes? Do you think that AEW are doing a good job of bringing a younger audience to pro wrestling?

Dalton Castle Free Agency News

Chris Stephens
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Dalton Castle is reportedly a free agent at the moment. ROH contracts often finish up at the end of the calendar year after the Final Battle PPV. According to a report from Wrestling Inc, Castle has received a strong offer from Ring of Honor to remain with the promotion. He is said to be considering the deal but also looking to see what else is out there.

Castle dropped a match to Rey Horus at Final Battle last month. He’s been with the promotion since 2013. Castle defeated Cody Rhodes for the ROH World Championship at Final Battle 2017. He held it until June 30th, 2018, before dropping it to Jay Lethal. Castle also held the promotion’s 6-man tag-team titles along with the Boys in the summer of 2017.

In 2019, Castle spoke to WWL Radio about why he enjoys being in Ring of Honor.

“They let me grow on my own,” Castle shared. “There’s a good group of men and women in the locker room. I seem to get along with just about every one of them. I feel comfortable there. And it’s the size of the promotion that allows me to connect really one-on-one with every individual fan. If they choose to come to the meet-and-greets before the show, there’s a moment for me to touch base with them there. I’m attainable. All the wrestlers in Ring of Honor are attainable and are just as big of fans of this as anybody sitting in the seats.”

Cody Rhodes Talks The First Year of AEW Programming

Jake Skudder
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0

AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes recently appeared on Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast. Cody would discuss a number of topics during the interview, including the first year of AEW programming.

“Somebody asked me to grade it [AEW’s first year]” Cody Rhodes began on the podcast. “And of course, as part of the company I can’t give it a bad grade! But I said like ‘an A, and there’s room for an A+.'”

“We know where we need to grow” Rhodes would continue. “Even if AEW only went one year? It’s still been the greatest year of my life. I learned a lot of lessons, and learned some hard lessons about the burdens of management. If you were not popular before? You’re definitely not going to be popular as you enter that space.”

Cody Rhodes on Company Metrics

Cody would then discuss the ratings success of the promotion. “I still think like, it is surreal, like the numbers? That’s why I love the data. I love when (Chris) Harrington shows me this spreadsheet, talks about our international deals. We’re having these calls…like I was on the phone with Microsoft the other day!”

Rhodes would finish by saying how he laid out how he wanted his involvement to work with AEW President Tony Khan on day one. “I told Tony, I said do not give me this job unless you want me to really do the job. Which would mean really embrace it, which would probably include pissing you [Khan] off from time to time. But he’s never been pissed at me.”

Chris Jericho Talks Working With Younger Talent in AEW

Jake Skudder
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AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes recently appeared on Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast. Cody would discuss a number of topics during the interview, including the younger talent who are currently working in the promotion.

Chris Jericho would specifically discuss the young tag team Private Party. Jericho faced Isiah Kassidy in a match on the September 25th 2019 episode of AEW Dynamite.

Chris Jericho on Private Party

“The thing with this those guys? They’re like 19 and 21” Jericho would begin on the podcast. “They’re never had to do a promo in their life, at least not on national TV. When I worked with Isaiah Cassidy? It was his second ever singles match on live TV. Like for us we’ve been doing it for so long, but these are kids and they need advice and are probably super happy to get it.”

“But they must also be a little scared you know? Like ‘oh these guys never say anything, they don’t talk, they don’t ask questions.’ I’d be terrified if I was those two guys at 19 and 21!”

Jericho would finish by saying how it’s the older talent’s responsibility to look after the younger stars. “It’s kind of our responsibility, but these are just really young guys.”

Chris Jericho has of course been working with his own stable of younger talent over the past year. The creation of the Inner Circle has given ‘Le Champion’ the ability to help fresh stars like Sammy Guevara, Pride & Powerful, MJF and Wardlow advance their careers and stature on AEW programming.

Cody Rhodes on Brodie Lee – “I Hated That I Was His Last Match”

Jake Skudder
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0

AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes recently appeared on Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast. Cody would discuss a number of topics during the interview, including the fact that he was Brodie Lee’s final match in professional wrestling.

Cody of course faced Brodie Lee in a Dog Collar Match on AEW Dynamite; this was Cody’s return bout after being defeated handily by Lee on the show a month prior. The angle was set up so that Cody could go and record the ‘Go Big Show,’ making sure that the production was adhering to COVID-19 protocols.

“I hated the fact that I was his last match” Cody Rhodes would begin on the podcast. “Like, I loved it, and I love that feeling. But, I also hated it, because god, we were all denied all these other great matches.” Interestingly, Cody Rhodes actually defeated Brodie Lee/Luke Harper in his first ever television loss in WWE; so Brodie’s first and last televised losses came at the hands of Cody Rhodes.

Cody Rhodes on Brodie Lee

“I wasn’t confident in that…obviously he could have continued and been better and done more stuff and I could have [gone on] to be better” Cody continued, lamenting how far he and Brodie Lee could’ve gone together in their feud and AEW in general. “I hate it, but love that I shared that moment with him.”

Cody Rhodes would finish by stating how bittersweet it was to have the main event match against Brodie Lee on that Dynamite; something that Brodie Lee had worked his whole career for and the reason he left WWE, to get to the main event. “Now I look at it [the match] more with a reverence and love. Just because, he got to go out…the thing he wanted the most? He got to go out on top. Which is great.”

You can check out some of the highlights from Brodie Lee vs Cody Rhodes in the Dog Collar match below:

WWE SmackDown Results (1/8): Roman Reigns & Adam Pearce, New Champions Crowned

Robert Lentini
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WWE SmackDown aired live from the ThunderDome in Tropicana Field. Rey Mysterio, Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, King Corbin, Daniel Bryan, and Adam Pearce competed in a Gauntlet match tonight to determine who will face Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at Royal Rumble 2021.

SmackDown Results (1/8)

  1. Big E def. Apollo Crews to retain the Intercontinental Championship
  2. Roode & Ziggler def. Street Profits to become the new SmackDown Tag Team Champion
  3. Adam Pearce def. Shinsuke Nakamura, Daniel Bryan, Sami Zayn, King Corbin, and Rey Mysterio in a Gauntlet match to earn a shot at the Universal Title at Royal Rumble

Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:

Roman Reigns Threatened Adam Pearce

Universal Champion Roman Reigns came down to the ring with Jey Uso and Paul Heyman. Reigns said that he liked Kevin Owens and he is sorry for what happened last week. Roman said that he wasn’t to blame for what happened and blamed WWE official Adam Pearce for everything. Heyman demanded that Adam Pearce come down to the ring to explain himself.

Pearce eventually made his way down to the ring and asked Roman what can he do for him. Roman rolled a video package of Pearce giving Owens a match against Jey Uso last week. Uso and Reigns attacked Owens after the match and threw him off the ThunderDome and through a table.

Reigns told Pearce that he was done with Owens and wanted to move forward. However, Pearce is friends with Owens and was unable to make the right choice for him. Roman claimed that Owens not being able to provide for his family and that was Pearce’s fault.

Roman bitched about Pearce making a Gauntlet match tonight to determine his next opponent. Pearce stated that he was only trying to put the best challengers in front of Reigns. Roman said that it was starting to sound like Pearce thinks he is stupid and that means he is insulting him. Reigns added that if Pearce doesn’t respect him that means he doesn’t respect his family and there are consequences for that.

Reigns grabbed Pearce’s jacket but Heyman calmed the Universal Champion down. Roman said “my mistake” and that maybe nobody in this ring is stupid and that right now Adam is perfectly safe. Reigns smiled and nodded his head at Pearce to end the segment.

Big E Retained The IC Title

Big E defended the Intercontinental Championship against Apollo Crews in the first match of the night. Crews caught Big E with a boot to the face right away and went for the cover but the Intercontinental Champion kicked out at two.

Big E dodged a Splash and connected with an elbow to Crews’ face. Crews battled back and planted Big E with three German Suplexes for a near fall. Apollo followed it up with a Superplex and both superstars seemed to go for the cover and the referee called for the bell as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, the referee told Crews and Big E that both superstars’ shoulders were down and the match was a draw. Crews demanded that Big E give him the IC title and slapped him in the face. Big E hit a couple Belly to Belly Suplexes and followed it up with a Splash.

Crews connected with a knee to the face and then hit a Frog Splash off the top rope for a two count. Big E went for the Big Ending but Crews escaped. Big E connected with a massive Uranage and followed it up with the Big Ending for the pinfall victory. Big E is still the Intercontinental Champion.

Adam Pearce Will Be In The Gauntlet Match

Sonya Deville approached Adam Pearce backstage and said she is not proud of the things she has done but wants to put the past behind her. Sonya claimed that she wasn’t bitter about Mandy Rose going to RAW and forming a new tag team. Deville said she was here to help Adam Pearce and wants to learn from him.

Paul Heyman approached Adam Pearce backstage and said that he respects Adam. Heyman told Pearce that his career in the ring would have been different if he was managed by Paul E. Dangerously back in the day. Heyman informed Adam Pearce that he was in the Gauntlet match tonight to determine who will face Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble.

Roode & Ziggler Are The New Tag Team Champs

Street Profits defended their SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Robert Roode & Dolph Ziggler tonight. Dawkins leveled Ziggler with a Dropkick and went for the cover but Dolph was able to kick out at two.

Montez Ford tagged in and flipped onto Dolph for another two count. Roode tagged in and bounced Ford’s face off the turnbuckle. Montez send Roode and Ziggler out of the ring and flipped onto them as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Dawkins planted Roode with a Suplex. Ziggler tagged in and leveled Angelo with a Dropkick for a two count. Dawkins was eventually able to escape to the corner and tagged in Montez.

Ford hit Ziggler with a Clothesline and then planted Roode with a Back Body Drop. Ford delivered another Clothesline to Ziggler for a near fall. Ziggler blasted Dawkins off the ring apron so Ford couldn’t tag out. Dolph hit Ford with a shot to his injured leg and tagged in Roode.

Roode connected with a Fisherman’s Suplex and went for the cover but Montez was able to kick out. Roode went for the Glorious DDT but Ford countered into an Enziguri. Ziggler and Roode then planted Montez Ford with a Spinebuster/ Zig Zag combo for the pinfall victory. Roode and Ziggler are the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions.

Carmella Mocked Sasha Banks

Carmella sat backstage with Reginald and sipped on some champagne. Carmella congratulated Sasha Banks on winning Sports Illustrated’s wrestler of the year. Carmella joked that she only won it because she took a vacation this year and that she has more natural talent than Sasha.

Adam Pearce Will Face Roman Reigns At Royal Rumble

Sami Zayn and Rey Mysterio started off the Gauntlet match. Zayn had a camera crew following him and continued to claim that there was a conspiracy going on that took the IC Title from him. Sami told Rey Mysterio that he was going to beat him and everyone else in this match. Rey immediately hit Zayn with the 619 and then the Frog Splash to eliminate Sami.

Rey Mysterio faced Shinsuke Nakamura next in the Gauntlet match. Nakamura and Rey battled to the outside and Shinsuke connected with a knee to the face. Back in the ring, Nakamura went for the cover but Rey was able to kick out at the last moment.

Nakamura perched Rey up on the top turnbuckle and went for a Superplex but Mysterio was able to block it. Rey hit a couple headbutts that knocked Nakamura to the canvas. Mysterio hit Nakamura with a Senton and rolled him up for a two count. Nakamura booted Mysterio in the face but Rey connected with another headbutt. Shinsuke went for a Powerbomb but Rey escaped and hit the 619. Rey climbed to the top rope and went for the Frog Splash but Shinsuke got his knees up. Nakamura applied an Armbar and Mysterio quickly tapped out.

King Corbin attacked Dominik Mysterio from behind and sent him into the steel steps. Corbin Chokeslammed Rey a couple of times as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, King Corbin was in control and connected with a slam for a two count.

Corbin beat Nakamura down in the corner but eventually Shinsuke was able to fight back. Nakamura dropped Corbin with a kick to the face but Corbin shrugged it off and slammed Shinsuke into the ring post. Nakamura hopped up to the second rope and hit Corbin with a Dropkick for a two count.

Shinsuke went for the Kinshasa but Corbin countered into Deep Six for a near fall. Corbin followed it up with a Powerbomb and went for a Clothesline but Nakamura caught him with the Kinshasa for the pinfall victory. Daniel Bryan was next in the Gauntlet match and went right after Nakamura.

Bryan sent Shinsuke out of the ring and hit him with a Suicide Dive. Shinsuke battled back and went for the Kinshasa but Daniel countered into a Half Crab in the middle of the ring. Bryan transitioned into an Armbar of his own and then into the Yes Lock in the middle of the ring. Nakamura fought through the pain and was able to reach the bottom rope to break up the hold.

Nakamura and Bryan traded kicks and punches in the middle of the ring. Bryan brought Nakamura to the corner and hit him with a series of strikes. Daniel hit two Dropkicks but Nakamura exploded out of the corner with a Kinshasa for the pinfall. Bryan shook Nakamura’s hand as Roman Reigns’ theme hit.

Reigns, Heyman, and Jey Uso made their way to the entrance ramp as SmackDown went to a commercial break. Reigns and Jey Uso beat Nakamura down in the middle of the ring before Adam Pearce entered. Jey hit Adam with a Superkick and dragged him on top of Nakamura for the victory. Adam Pearce will face Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble for the Universal Championship.

Opinion: I’m expecting this to change over the next few weeks. I cannot imagine Pearce will actually face Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble. It seems likely that Kevin Owens or another superstar will replace him or at the very least be added to the match before the PPV. I want to see Daniel Bryan face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania so I was glad Bryan didn’t win tonight. Shinsuke Nakamura looked awesome tonight and hopefully that actually leads to something for him. Overall, this week’s episode of SmackDown was an entertaining show and the build towards Royal Rumble should be interesting over the next several weeks.

Dolph Ziggler And Robert Roode Win WWE SmackDown Tag Team Titles

Andrew Ravens
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WWE decided to do a title change on the Friday’s episode of SmackDown. 

As seen on this week’s episode, The Street Profits defended the SmackDown Tag Team Titles against Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode. 

Ziggler and Roode dethroned Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins to win the straps. This is the first blue brand title reign for Roode and Ziggler. 

During this year’s Draft in October, The New Day was drafted to Raw while The Street Profits were drafted to SmackDown. At the time, WWE official Adam Pearce had the two teams trade championships.

As a result, there was never an official title change, but rather the titles were renamed and the champions followed suit. The Street Profits had been champions since winning the titles from Murphy and Seth Rollins on the March 2nd episode of Monday Night Raw. 

The Hurt Business (Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin) dethroned The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) to win the Raw Tag Team Titles last month at the WWE TLC pay-per-view event.

Historically, WWE doesn’t have tag team champions defend their titles at the Royal Rumble, which is the next pay-per-view event on tap for the company as it takes place later this month. 

Roman Reigns Receives Unexpected WWE Royal Rumble Opponent

Andrew Ravens
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With just weeks until WWE’s next big pay-per-view event, the company has decided who Roman Reigns will face at the Royal Rumble. 

The company announced heading into Friday’s episode of SmackDown on FOX that the reveal of this contender would be determined. 

WWE held a Gauntlet Match on this show that featured Daniel Bryan, King Corbin, Shinsuke Nakamura, Sami Zayn, and Rey Mysterio. It featured Mysterio and Zayn starting things off with Mysterio going over.

Nakamura then eliminated Rey, Corbin, and Bryan. It was later revealed that WWE agent Adam Pearce would be the final competitor after Paul Heyman pulled some strings. Uso and Reigns beat down Nakamura. Uso superkicked Pearce then pulled him onto Nakamura and the referee counted the three. 

Pearce was victorious, which means he earned the right to challenge Reigns for the WWE Universal Title at the upcoming event. It will be interesting to see if WWE pulls Pearce, who hasn’t worked a match in years, from the bout. 

WWE presents the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event on January 31, 2021 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida that will air on the WWE Network. 

It was reported a few months ago that WWE had plans for Bryan to challenge Reigns for the title at either TLC, which didn’t happen, or Royal Rumble. However, plans were later changed with “The Big Dog” entering a program with Owens.

Matt & Reby Hardy Expecting Their Fourth Child: It’s A Girl!

Andrew Ravens
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Congratulations are in order for AEW star Matt Hardy and wife Reby. On Friday evening, the couple announced they are expecting their fourth child together. It will be their first daughter.

The couple got married in 2013 and had their first child, a son, Maxel in June 2015 before having their second son, Wolfgang Xander in June 2017. Their third child, Bartholomew “Bartie” Kit, was born in December 2019. 

You can see their “gender reveal” video here:

Hardy returned to WWE with his brother, Jeff, in 2017 at WrestleMania 33 after being away for several years. However, he had a run with WWE that wasn’t what he had envisioned, and thus, he decided to let his contract expire with WWE.

This was at a time where he wasn’t being used on television in a way that he wanted his brother went down with an injury that resulted in him getting surgery and being on the sidelines for several months. Hardy joined All Elite Wrestling earlier this year.

Hardy uploaded a new video on his YouTube channel earlier this week that saw him talk about where The Hardy Boyz ranks among the greatest tag teams of all-time. He even poked fun at Vince McMahon decided to put Jeff in a tag team with Matt Riddle as the Hardy Bros.

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