Author: Andrew Ravens

New matches have been announced for the upcoming WWE NXT TakeOver: Portland special. 

On Wednesday’s episode of NXT, it was revealed that Adam Cole would make his next title defense as NXT Champion against former champion Tommaso Ciampa at this event. There was a segment on the show where Ciampa attacked Cole in the ring where he put him through a table and signed a contract in his own blood. 

Also, The Grizzled Young Veterans took on Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle in Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic with the winners being Dunne and Riddle. As a result, they will challenge The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly) for the NXT Tag Team Titles at this event. 

WWE presents the NXT TakeOver: Portland event on Sunday, February 16, 2020 in Portland, Oregon at the Moda Center and will air on the WWE Network. WWE will be announcing more matches for this show in the coming weeks. Here is the updated card:

Updated WWE NXT TakeOver: Portland Card

NXT Champion Adam Cole vs. Tommaso Ciampa

NXT Tag Team Champions The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly) vs. Pete Dunne & Matt Riddle

Finn Balor vs. Johnny Gargano

NXT Women\’s Title Match: Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley (c)

What are your thoughts on these matches being added to the card? Sound off in the comment section.

WWE NXT is back for another episode with an interesting lineup, so let’s take a look at the preview for the show. 

The company will present the fallout from Saturday’s Worlds Collide show that only featured one title change, which was Angel Garza dropping the NXT Cruiserweight Championship to Jordan Devlin. It’s likely that Devlin will appear on the show and perhaps make his next title defense. 

The company is building up this show around the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic that will see The Grizzled Young Veterans take on Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle.

The winners of this contest will then challenge The Undisputed Era for the NXT Tag Team Titles at NXT TakeOver: Portland. 

WWE NXT Preview

WWE holds this show in Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University. WWE is advertising the following items for tonight’s broadcast:

• Adam Cole’s TakeOver: Portland challenger to be named
• The Grizzled Young Veterans taking on Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle in Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
• Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai to battle
• What’s next for new NXT North American Champion Keith Lee?

WWE will also be creating new programs and building on the hype for existing feuds. 

As usual, fans should expect more matches and segments to be revealed this afternoon for NXT. 

Join us here later tonight for WWE NXT Results and our post-show NXT Takeaways feature.

• Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic 2020 Finals Set

The WWE RAW viewership numbers are in. 

Monday’s edition of WWE RAW averaged 2.402 million viewers in San Antonio, TX at the AT&T Center on the USA Network, which is up from the 2.380 million viewers the previous week. 

RAW Viewership

Here is the hourly viewership breakdown, courtesy of ShowbuzzDaily:

• Hour 1: 2.541 million – Last Week: 2.548
• Hour 2: 2.441 million – Last Week: 2.492
• Hour 3: 2.224 million – Last Week: 2.101 

The episode was expected to increase in its viewership from last week. The reason for that is due to the lack of competition it faced as well as it serving as the post-show for RAW coming out of the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event this past Sunday. 

Here is the hourly 18-49 demos breakdown:

• Hour 1: 0.81 – Last Week: 0.90
• Hour 2: 0.76 – Last Week: 0.87 
• Hour 3: 0.72 – Last Week: 0.73

Some of the matches that took place include Drew McIntyre vs. The OC (Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows), Rey Mysterio vs. MVP, RAW Tag Team Champions Buddy Murphy & Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens & Samoa Joe, Humberto Carrillo vs. United States Champion Andrade, Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka, and Liv Morgan vs. Lana. 

There was also a segment with WWE Hall of Famer Edge talking about his return to WWE that led to an angle with Randy Orton. Also, Drew McIntyre declared which title he will challenge for at WrestleMania 36 in Tampa, Florida this April. 

After earning the right to do so by winning the Men\’s Royal Rumble Match, McIntyre will challenge Brock Lesnar, who made an appearance on this show, for the WWE Title at the biggest event of the year for the company. 

WWE will attempt to increase its viewership for Monday Night RAW next week due to no sports competition and the road to WrestleMania on its way. 

In case you missed the show, you can check out the eight takeaways here. 

Watch: Top 10 Moments from Monday’s RAW (1.27.20)

The viewership numbers are in for Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown on FOX from Dallas, TX at the American Airlines Center.

SmackDown averaged 2.448 million viewers, according to ShowbuzzDaily. This is down from the 2.562 viewers that the show did for last week’s episode of SmackDown on FOX. 

The show averaged 2.470 million viewers in the fast nationals, which was down from the 2.580 million viewers a week ago. This number measured the top metered markets. 

WWE SmackDown Viewership

The first hour drew 2.548 million viewers while the second hour did 2.391million viewers. For comparison, the first show of last week’s show did 2.616 million viewers while the second hour did 2.544 million viewers. 

SmackDown pulled in a 0.70 rating in the 18-49 demos, this is down from last week’s show that did 0.80. This episode was expected to see its viewership stay steady and it did so. 

Matches

Matches that took place on this show included Roman Reigns & The Usos (Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso) defeat Dolph Ziggler, King Corbin & Robert Roode in a six-man tag team match, Braun Strowman & Elias defeat Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura in a tag team match, and John Morrison (w/The Miz) defeats Kofi Kingston in the main event. There was also a contract signing between WWE Universal Champion Bray Wyatt and Daniel Bryan. 

In case you missed the show, you can check out the 5 takeaways from it here.

WWE is expecting to see an increase in viewership for the following episode this coming Friday night as the show will be the post-show of Smackdown for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event from this past weekend.

The next episode will also feature the fallout from the Royal Rumble pay-per-view show.

Watch: Top 10 Moments from Friday Night SmackDown (1.24.20)

The journey to the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event is over and with the show in the rearview, it’s time to look ahead starting with tonight’s episode of Monday Night RAW. 

With there being no title changes on Sunday’s show, the continuation of storylines that were going into the Royal Rumble will likely take place.

Drew McIntyre won the Men’s Royal Rumble Match while Charlotte Flair won the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. It should be noted that WWE Champion Brock Lesnar, who was eliminated by McIntyre, is advertised for this show. It’s likely that we will get a follow up to that program and potential WrestleMania announcement. 

RAW Preview

WWE holds this show in San Antonio, TX at the AT&T Center. WWE is advertising the following items for tonight’s broadcast:

• Liv Morgan battles Lana with Lashley and Rusev banned from ringside
• Royal Rumble fallout
• Which champion will Charlotte Flair select to challenge at WrestleMania 36? 
• The latest in the feud between Seth Rollins, AOP, & Buddy Murphy and Samoa Joe & Kevin Owens

WWE will also be creating new programs and building on the hype for existing feuds that will take place heading into the pay-per-view event in February from Saudi Arabia that has been announced. 

As usual, fans should expect more matches and segments to be revealed this afternoon for RAW. 

Join us here later tonight for WWE RAW Live Results and our post-show RAW Takeaways feature.

• Ronda Rousey Reacts To Speculation Over Her Making Surprise Royal Rumble Appearance

Former WWE RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey did not make her grand return to WWE.

Many fans thought she would do so at the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event in Houston, Texas at the Minute Maid Park. However, that wasn’t the case. 

Instead, she took to social media where she shared this photo to poke fun at fans who thought she was going to make a surprise appearance: 

This comes after Pwinsider.com reported on Saturday that there had been no talk of Rousey being there this weekend. It was noted that if the former WWE RAW Women’s Champion was working the show then it was being well hidden by management.

WWE’s shop website just added a new Rousey t-shirt this weekend for sale, which sparked speculation.

Rousey has been on hiatus from WWE as she was last seen at WrestleMania 35 following an incredible first-year run with the company.

At the time, the belief was that she would remain with the company going forward as an ambassador due to her still having years left on her current deal.

During her time away from WWE, she joined the cast of WWE’s reality series, Total Divas, that marked season 9 of the series. 

Natalya Thinks Ronda Rousey Will Make WWE Return To Handle Unfinished Business

The winner of this year’s men’s Royal Rumble match is Drew McIntyre. 

Now his road to WrestleMania 36 begins, which is the biggest pay-per-view event of the year for the WWE.

As a result of beating out 29 other stars, he has earned the right to be in one of the main events of Mania and will have his choice to go after one of the top titles in the company.

Time will tell which one he decides but it will either be the Universal Title, which is held by Bray Wyatt, who successfully retained the title over title contender Daniel Bryan or WWE Champion Brock Lesnar, who worked the Men\’s Royal Rumble Match on this show. It should be noted that McIntyre eliminated Lesnar in this match. 

McIntyre outlasted the likes of Drew McIntyre, Roman Reigns, and Edge in the Final Four at the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event in Houston, Texas.

Royal Rumble List of Entrants

Here’s a list of the entry of superstars who competed in this fan-favorite match:

1. Brock Lesnar 
2. Elias
3. Erick Rowan
4. Robert Roode
5. John Morrison
6. Kofi Kingston
7. Rey Mysterio
8. Big E
9. Cesaro
10. Shelton Benjamin
11. Shinsuke Nakamura
12. MVP
13. Keith Lee
14. Braun Strowman
15. Ricochet
16. Drew McIntyre
17. The Miz
18. AJ Styles 
19. Dolph Ziggler
20. Karl Anderson
21. Edge
22. Baron Corbin
23. Matt Riddle
24. Luke Gallows
25. Randy Orton 
26. Roman Reigns
27. Kevin Owens
28. Aleister Black
29. Samoa Joe
30. Seth Rollins

What are your thoughts on Drew McIntyre winning this match and being placed in the main event scene at WrestleMania 36? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Sound off in the comment section.

• WWE Worlds Collide Results & 5 Takeaways (1/25)

Becky Lynch is still the WWE RAW Women’s Champion as she went over Asuka to retain the championship. 

Lynch did so as she beat the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion at the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event from the Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.

They had been feuding as of late on WWE television including Lynch teaming up with Charlotte Flair that saw them suffer a defeat to Sane and Asuka at the WWE TLC pay-per-view event in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Target Center earlier this month. This was the first-ever Women’s TLC Tag Team Title Match. 

Asuka submitted Lynch to retain the title at the 2019 Royal Rumble pay-per-view event at Chase Field in Phoenix which took place in front of a capacity crowd of 48,193.

The feud in a one-on-one capacity kicked up when Lynch cut a recent promo about how she wanted to face Asuka, which also saw her bring up how there are some people who think Asuka has her number since she’s never beat her before.

WWE Worlds Collide Results & 5 Takeaways (1/25)

What are your thoughts on Becky Lynch retaining the WWE RAW Women’s Title? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Sound off in the comment section.

Bray Wyatt will remain the WWE Universal Champion as he has retained the championship in his latest title defense. 

He did so when he beat Daniel Bryan on Sunday night at the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event from the Minute Maid Park. 

Their first match came back in November when Wyatt beat Bryan in a championship match at the WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view event. Fast forward to December, Wyatt beat The Miz at the WWE TLC pay-per-view event to retain the title. 

Wyatt was expected to have a rematch with Bryan at this show. After the contest, Bryan showed off his new look and attacked Wyatt. Miz was originally slated to work with Wyatt at Survivor Series but plans changed with Bryan in that spot instead. 

Bryan became the new #1 contender for the title when he WWE held a match that would determine who is next line for a title shot on an episode of Friday Night SmackDown in late December in Detroit, Michigan at Little Caesars Arena on FOX. 

A Triple Threat Match between Daniel Bryan, Baron Corbin, and The Miz took place with the winner becoming the next challenger to Wyatt’s title. Bryan was victorious, earning the right to challenge Wyatt for the strap at the Royal Rumble. 

What are your thoughts on Bray Wyatt winning this title match at the show? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Sound off in the comment section.

WWE Worlds Collide Results & 5 Takeaways (1/25)

The winner of this year’s women’s Royal Rumble match has been revealed as its Charlotte Flair. 

Now, her journey to WrestleMania 36 begins, which is the biggest pay-per-view event of the year for WWE.

With her beating out 29 other stars, she has earned the right to be in one of the main events of Mania and will have her choice to go after one of the top titles in the company.

The decision for her comes down to the RAW Women’s Title, which is held by Becky Lynch, took on Women’s Tag Team Champion Asuka. The other option is challenging SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley, who also defended her championship against Lacey Evans on this show.

Flair outlasted the likes of Natalya, Shayna Baszler, and Beth Phoenix in the Final Four at the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event in Houston, Texas.

Royal Rumble List of Entrants

Here’s a list of the entry of superstars who competed in this fan-favorite match:

1. Alexa Bliss 
2. Bianca Belair
3. Molly Holly
4. Nikki Cross
5. Lana
6. Mercedes Martinez
7. Liv Morgan
8. Mandy Rose
9. Candice LeRae
10. Sonya Deville
11. Kairi Sane
12. Mia Yim.
13. Dana Brooke
14. Tamina
15. Dakota Kai
16. Chelsea Green
17. Charlotte Flair
18. Naomi 
19. Beth Phoenix
20. Toni Storm
21. Kelly Kelly 
22. Sarah Logan
23. Natalya 
24. Xia Li
25. Zelina Vega
26. Shotzi Blackheart
27. Carmella 
28. Tegan Knox
29. Santina Marella
30. Shayna Baszler

What are your thoughts on Charlotte Flair winning this match and being placed in the main event scene at WrestleMania 36? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Sound off in the comment section.

• WWE Worlds Collide Results & 5 Takeaways (1/25)

The final betting odds for all of the matches that will take place at the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event have been released.

The card for the show that takes place tonight (Sunday, January 26, 2020) has been finalized as only 8 matches have been announced.

WWE Royal Rumble Betting Odds

Make sure to joins us tonight for match recaps and our 6 takeaways from this latest pay-per-view event held by WWE. 

The favorites to win are listed as – while the underdogs are listed with +. Odds call for all three titles to change. Here are the final betting odds courtesy of BetOnline:

WWE Universal Champion Bray Wyatt -700 vs. Daniel Bryan +400 – Strap Match

Men’s Royal Rumble Match: 

• Roman Reigns -200
• Drew McIntyre +450
• Brock Lesnar +600
• CM Punk +600
• Kevin Owens +1000
• Cain Velasquez +1200
• Edge +1200
• Aleister Black +1600

Women’s Royal Rumble Match: 

• Shayna Baszler -250
• Charlotte Flair +300
• Ronda Rousey +400
• Rhea Ripley +1000
• Sasha Banks +1000
• Lacey Evans +1800
• Alexa Bliss +2200

WWE RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch (champion) -475 vs. Asuka +325

Baron Corbin +150 vs. Roman Reigns -200 – Falls Count Anywhere Match

WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley -190 vs. Lacey Evans +150

Sheamus -530 vs. Chad Gable +350

WWE United States Champion Andrade -250 vs. Humberto Carrillo +170

Big Name Among Other Stars In Town For WWE Royal Rumble

The card for tonight\’s (Sunday, January 26, 2020) WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event has been finalized.

The company hasn’t officially announced the main event of this event that takes place in Houston, Texas at the Minute Maid Park that will air on the WWE Network but it will most likely be the Men’s Royal Rumble Match. 

As a reminder, we will be providing live coverage of this special on Sunday evening starting at 7 PM EST. Here is the final card for the show:

Final WWE Royal Rumble Card

WWE Universal Champion Bray Wyatt vs. Daniel Bryan – Strap Match

Men’s Royal Rumble Match: Brock Lesnar in the #1 spot, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre, Ricochet, Rey Mysterio, AJ Styles, Erick Rowan, King Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, Otis, Tucker, Elias, Aleister Black, Rusev, Bobby Lashley, R-Truth, Braun Strowman, WWE Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, RAW Tag Team Champion Seth Rollins, RAW Tag Team Champion Buddy Murphy, Samoa Joe, Kevin Owens, SmackDown Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston, SmackDown Tag Team Champion Big E, John Morrison, The Miz, 3 Participants TBA

Women’s Royal Rumble Match: Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, Sarah Logan, Natalya, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, Dana Brooke, Carmella, 21 Participants TBA

WWE RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. Asuka

Baron Corbin vs. Roman Reigns – Falls Count Anywhere Match

WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley vs. Lacey Evans

Sheamus vs. Chad Gable

WWE United States Champion Andrade vs. Humberto Carrillo

The build-up to the Women’s Royal Rumble Match has been lacking talent announcements. 

So far, WWE has only announced a few names and leaving it with 21 open spots for the 30-woman match. Pwinsider.com has shed some light on some names that could make an appearance in the contest. 

It was noted in the report that fans can expect a lot of NXT talent to work the match including Mercedes Martinez, which will be the big PPV debut for the long-time independent star.

Also, former WWE star Molly Holly has been brought in as well as WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix to work the match as surprise entrants. Former WWE RAW Women’s Champion Sasha Banks is slated for the bout. 

It was also noted that there are no plans for Becky Lynch or Asuka in the Rumble match. At this same show, Lynch will defend the RAW Women’s Title against Asuka. 

Finally, for those wondering, there\’s been no talk of Ronda Rousey being there this weekend. It was noted that if the former WWE RAW Women’s Champion is working the show then it\’s being well hidden by management.

It should be noted that WWE’s shop website just added a new Rousey t-shirt this weekend for sale, which sparked speculation that she could fly in on the day of the show as a surprise. 

Matt Riddle Teases Showdown With Brock Lesnar At Royal Rumble

Rhea Ripley will remain as the WWE NXT Women’s Champion. 

As seen at Saturday’s (January 26, 2020) WWE Worlds Collide event from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on the WWE Network, Ripley beat NXT UK star Toni Storm in her latest title defense. 

WWE set up this contest during an episode of NXT earlier this month in Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University when Ripley was cutting a promo before being interrupted by Storm. 

This led to Storm challenging Ripley to a title match at the Worlds Collide, which Ripley accepted. This was an NXT star vs. NXT UK star match. It also came a few weeks after Storm’s first title match as she challenged NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray

Ray retained the title over Storm and Piper Niven in a Triple Threat Match at the NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool II event this Sunday in Blackpool, Lancashire, England at the Empress Ballroom. 

WWE presents the NXT TakeOver: Portland event on Sunday, February 16, 2020 in Portland, Oregon at the Moda Center. At this show, Ripley makes her next title defense against Bianca Belair. 

What are your thoughts on Rhea Ripley retaining the NXT UK Women’s Title? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Sound off in the comment section.

By going up against the odds, Angel Garza didn\’t do enough to remain as the NXT Cruiserweight Champion as he was dethroned by Jordan Devlin.

Devlin beat Garza, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, and Travis Banks in a Fatal 4-Way Match to win the title at the WWE Worlds Collide event from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on the WWE Network. 

Back on the January 15th episode of NXT on the USA Network in Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University, Scott took on Lio Rush and Tyler Breeze in NXT Cruiserweight Title Qualifying Triple Threat Match that advanced him to this contest. 

WWE held NXT UK TV tapings later that week from York, UK at the York Barbican. This is where it was revealed that Devlin and Banks would be joining the contest. 

Devlin defeated Ligero to qualify for the match. Banks then defeated Brian Kendrick to qualify. 

Garza won the NXT Cruiserweight Title back on the December 11th episode of NXT when he beat Lio Rush to win the strap.

On April 18, 2019, it was announced that Garza signed a contract with WWE. This contest came less than a month ago when Rush and Garza had their first match.

What are your thoughts on Jordan Devlin winning the NXT Cruiserweight Title? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Sound off in the comment section.

The WWE stars are out in Houston, Texas where WWE will hold its first pay-per-view event of the new year, Royal Rumble, at Minute Maid Park.

The Undertaker and Michelle McCool are in town as the two stars have been posting photos on their official Instagram accounts as seen here with Taker: 

As of this writing, there\’s no word yet on if they will be used in the WWE Royal Rumble matches.

Also, WWE Hall of Famers Pat Patterson, Ted DiBiase Sr, Mark Henry and WWE Backstage analyst Christian are also in town for the Rumble, according to PWInsider. 

Fans can expect to read about more former WWE stars to be in town for the show as the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event is considered one of the big four events of the year for WWE along with WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series. 

The Men’s Royal Rumble match only has three spots left while the company still needs to announce several spots in the Women’s Royal Rumble Match, which has 21 more spots available. 

Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, Sarah Logan, Natalya, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, Dana Brooke, and Carmella have all been announced for the Women\’s Royal Rumble Match. 

Speculation Over John Cena Potentially Appearing At WWE Royal Rumble

The card for tonight’s (Saturday, January 25, 2020) WWE Worlds Collide event has been finalized.

The company has officially announced the main event of this event that takes place in Houston, Texas at the Toyota Center and will air on the WWE Network.

That bout will see The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish) vs. Imperium (WALTER, Alexander Wolfe, Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner) in an eight-man tag team match. 

This show marks a cross special for the yellow brands as NXT will battle NXT UK which features a stacked lineup. There are a total of five matches booked for this show with two of them being championship matches.

As a reminder, we will be providing live play-by-play coverage of this special later tonight. Here’s the final card:

WWE Worlds Collide Card

The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish) vs. Imperium (WALTER, Alexander Wolfe, Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner) – Eight-Man Tag Team Match

NXT Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Toni Storm

Ilja Dragunov vs. Finn Balor

NXT Cruiserweight Champion Angel Garza vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott vs. Jordan Devlin vs. Travis Banks – Fatal 4-Way Match

DIY (Tomasso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) vs. Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) – Tag Team Match

Mia Yim vs. NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray – Non-Title Match (Pre-Show)

What are your thoughts on this card and the feuds that WWE is presenting to their fans? Sound off in the comment section.

Becky Lynch Clarifies Her Belief About WWE Getting Rid Of “Women’s” Label