NXT Superstar Cora Jade has reunited with CM Punk, years after the pair met for the first time back when Jade was just a fan.
Punk helped kick off last night\’s NXT Deadline event with an in-ring segment with NXT head Shawn Michaels. Punk grabbed a selfie with the Showstopper and teased signing with NXT instead of Raw or SmackDown on the main roster.
Cora Jade and CM Punk Reunite
WWE NXT Deadline also saw the return of Cora Jade, who appeared during the show to attack reigning NXT Women\’s Champion Lyra Valkyria. Recently, a video went viral of a young Jade, years before she joined WWE, being overcome with emotion at meeting CM Punk. During a backstage interview with Jade, Punk made sure that the former NXT Women\’s Tag Team Champion knows he is proud of how far she has come.
While Punk didn\’t mention Jade by name during his WWE NXT Deadline appearance, the former AEW & WWE World Champion did say that there had been some wrestlers backstage who spoke about growing up watching Punk in the ring.
What\’s Next?
Based on what happened at Deadline, it\’s clear that Jade has her sights set on Lyra Valkyria and the NXT Women\’s Championship. With that said Blair Davenport has a guaranteed shot at the champion due to winning the Women\’s Iron Survivor Challenge. As for CM Punk, he will announce on next week\’s Raw which brand he will be signing with.
What did those backstage make to CM Punk being at WWE NXT Deadline? Click here to find out.
\’Dirty\’ Dominik Mysterio was far from pleased with the lack of The Judgment Day\’s help at last night\’s NXT Deadline event.
At last night\’s event, Mysterio lost the NXT North American Championship to Dragon Lee while Dominik\’s father Rey was on commentary. This match gives Lee his first taste of WWE championship gold, and he and Rey celebrated after the match.
Dominik Reacts to His Title Loss
In a rarity, Dominik was by his lonesome at last night\’s Deadline show and had none of his Judgment Day allies. Speaking in an NXT Digital Exclusive after the match, Mysterio questioned why he had no help at ringside.
\”You all saw what happened to me out there. I am the greatest NXT North American Champion that\’s ever been. Dragon Lee. My deadbeat dad. Where\’s Judgment Day? Where\’s Finn? Where\’s Damian? JD? Mami? You know what? I\’m going to go home to Mami because Judgment Day runs all and this shouldn\’t be happening!\”
This loss presumably marks the end of Dominik Mysterio\’s time as part of WWE NXT. Mysterio leaves the gold brand a two-time North American Champion with a combined 141 days with the title. Lee is one of three men to have held the title more than once, the others being two-time Champion Carmelo Hayes and three-time Champion Johnny Gargano. During his run in NXT, Mysterio made history by headlining Raw, SmackDown, and NXT in the same week.
Wes Lee was supposed to challenge Dominik Mysterio at NXT Deadline, but that didn\’t happen. Click here to find out why.
Michaels kicked off Deadline with a DX-esque promo, before Punk interrupted the NXT creative head. Punk asked Michaels if he was going to say \’Suck It\’ and Punk later asked if that was something he could no longer say.
This interaction between the two has raised questions as to whether WWE can use those words for D-Generation X members moving forward. Haus of Wrestling reports that Michaels is allowed to say \’Suck It\’ on WWE TV, but it likely just did not fit the moment. It was also pointed out that \’Suck It\’ is usually kept for the end of a DX promo and that Punk and Michaels were just getting started.
CM Punk\’s Backstage Reaction
Punk was at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, CT for most of the day and was described as being \”great around everyone\”. Triple H was also at the event and the pair had \”legit\” very good reactions. Sources have indicated that Punk has continued to talk about how happy he is and that he\’s looking to keep riding this wave he\’s on. Punk\’s appearance on the show caught many off guard. Despite him teasing an appearance at Deadline in the hours before the show, it seems like his presence at the event was not well-known by some at Deadline before they saw him backstage.
Could CM Punk make an appearance at tonight\’s WWE NXT Deadline event? It\’s possible according to the Best in the World.
WWE NXT Deadline will take place at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, CT, and will be NXT\’s final major event of the year. This will be the second-annual NXT Deadline event and like last year\’s show, will feature the Iron Survivor Challenge.
CM Punk at WWE NXT Deadline?
WWE NXT Deadline is set to feature some of the very top talent from the gold brand, and could also feature CM Punk. On Instagram, Punk said that a missed flight meant he\’s currently in Bridgeport and asked if fans have any idea what he should do. To hammer the point home, WWE\’s free agent posed in front of a giant Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Punk\’s last appearance at an NXT event came following an episode of the gold brand in August 2012. In a dark match, Punk (the WWE Champion at the time) teamed with then-NXT Champion Seth Rollins to defeat Antonio Cesaro and Kassius Ohno, who teamed for years prior to WWE as the Kings of Wrestling. You can check out Punk\’s most recent NXT appearance below.
WWE NXT Deadline
Here is the card for WWE NXT Deadline as it currently stands:
Axiom vs. Nathan Frazer (Kick-Off Show)
Dijak vs. Trick Williams vs. Josh Briggs vs. Bron Breakker vs. Tyler Bate (Men\’s Iron Survivor Challenge)
Tiffany Stratton vs. Lash Legend vs. Blair Davenport vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Fallon Henley (Women\’s Iron Survivor Challenge)
\”Dirty\” Dominik Mysterio (c) (with Rhea Ripley) vs. Dragon Lee (with Rey Mysterio) (WWE NXT North American Championship)
Roxanne Perez vs. Kiana James
Carmelo Hayes vs. Lexis King
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Baron Corbin (WWE NXT Championship)
Wes Lee was supposed to compete at NXT Deadline, but that is no longer the case. Click here to find out why.
Fans were overjoyed this week to learn that WWE Superstar LA Knight recently tied the knot. In a tweet, Knight made it clear that he didn\’t get married this week despite what\’s being shared online.
If anybody finds pictures from the wedding I’m hearing I was part of this week, I’m excited to see them! I must have blacked out, because i don’t remember any of it. Please send.
Knight is married to fitness instructor Michelle Yavulla and has been since 2018.
JBL Reacts to SmackDown
This week\’s episode of SmackDown was the annual Tribute to the Troops show, so it was fitting that JBL was present at the show. It was the former WWE Champion who came up with the idea in 2003. In a tweet, JBL shared his appreciation for being back on SmackDown for one night. W
Seth Rollins has faced plenty of WWE Superstars as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion but hasn\’t shown interest in Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Speaking on the SI Media podcast, Rollins explained why he hasn\’t had the Tribal Chief in his sights.
\”He’s been so absent, I don’t think it’s been a topic of conversation amongst fans, let alone the locker room. I think it’s one of those things where it’s an opportunity, but it’s such a glass-ceiling opportunity. It feels like one of those things where it may never happen.\”
Reigns\’ next match is expected to happen at the WWE Royal Rumble PLE on January 27.
AEW World Champion MJF has continued to make his name outside of the ring by providing the intro for Smoke DZA\’s \’Beyond Spiritual\’.
In the intro, MJF puts over Smoke for having better flows, rhymes, clothes, and weed than you. MJF also makes it clear that Smoke\’s joints are better than a certain part of your mother\’s body.
MJF\’s role with this track isn\’t the first time that the AEW World Champion has stretched his entertainment muscles outside of the ring. MJF is set to appear as Lance Von Erich in the upcoming The Iron Claw biopic, detailing the lives, careers, and tragedies of the famed family of wrestlers. While MJF is in the new film, fans may struggle to see him, as Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer explained this week.
\”From what we understand, the way the \”Iron Claw\” movie was edited, the MJF role of playing Lance Von Erich based on people who have seen the latest version was pretty much dropped. The latest version has maybe 10 seconds and they never go into the Lance story and he has no speaking lines and unless you were looking for him, you\’d never know he was in it.\”
Jamie Hawn, the woman allegedly attacked by former AEW producer BJ Whitmer, has spoken about the challenges she and other victims have faced.
In June, Whitmer was arrested over a reported case of domestic violence. He was charged with one count of strangulation in the first degree and one count of burglary in the second degree. AEW quickly terminated its contract with Whitmer and offered support to those impacted by this situation.
Jamie Hawn Speaks
Sitting down with FOX 19, Hawn spoke about the alleged incident with Whitmer, who was her boyfriend at the time.
\”He approached me and began strangling me and threatened my life.\”
Hawn also understands why so many survivors stay silent.
“It’s physically altering when you’re having to make sure that your voice is being heard and if you don’t attend (court) and you put yourself in this vulnerable environment, it’s very possible that things won’t get mentioned to get that justice.\”
She added that while she is cooperating fully, it has been challenging to have her character questioned in legal proceedings.
“Whether I feel safe or not – the ability to move forward from this? I can’t move forward because now I’m going backward about things that have nothing to do with what happened that day.\”
Whitmer appeared in Boone County Court this week, where his pre-trial date was scheduled for January 3. There are multiple resources available for survivors of domestic violence. They include:
Ion Center for Violence Prevention, 859-491-3335, ioncenter.org
While Jey and Solo Sikoa are no longer allies, Uso has been impressed by his younger brother. Speaking with Mail Sport\’s Alex McCarthy, Jey mentioned Sikoa when asked who could bring an end to Roman Reigns.
\”I\’d like to keep it in the family. I think Solo could be the next tribal chief but he\’s got a little growing to do.\”
Later in the interview, Uso shared some words of wisdom for Sikoa and once again praised the former NXT North American Champion.
\”I say it to Solo sometimes, when you go out there just embrace what\’s going on. I mean, being in Maddison Square Garden with everyone throwing the one\’s up – I appreciate it, man.
\”Solo is a top performer. He\’s like a sponge, he gets it. All you got to do is tell him one time, it clicks with him. He\’s going to go real far in the business, like I said he\’s got a little growing to do though.\”
Sikoa have faced off against each other on three separate occasions in WWE with their first encounter being as part of the Bloodline Civil War at Money in the Bank 2023. At this time, Main Event Jey is 3-0 against his younger brother.
Jey Uso isn\’t the only one who sees big things in Sikoa\’s future. In August, it was reported that WWE sees Solo and WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER as potential main event heels for the next decade.
When the decision was made to cancel the film, there was considerable backlash online. It was later reported that Warner Bros. was willing to shop the project around to another distributor. Deadline reports that Coyote Vs. Acme is having no problem finding a new distributor with several major parties interested in the film.
Netflix has already made a bid for the film, while representatives from Paramount, Apple, and Amazon have also seen the movie. Of those, Paramount has made a bid and despite already having a streaming service, a theatrical release remains a possibility.
Amazon is yet to make a formal bid but is said to be \”mulling\” the idea over. Deadline\’s report noted that it takes longer for Amazon to conduct business and get decisions made through the proper channels. Marketing execs are trying to decide whether the film can be profitable for Amazon.
Warner Bos. wants the buyer to cover the $70 million production and then some. Coyote Vs. Acme is the latest major project canceled by Warner Bros. late in the game. In August 2022, Warner Bros. announced that despite entering post-production, they had canceled the Batgirl movie The move was widely described as \”unprecedented\” in Hollywood history for a big-budget film production.
The ongoing AEW Continental Classic will allow Bryan Danielson the chance to face some of the promotion\’s top stars, but not Kenny Omega.
Danielson is part of the Blue League in the round-robin tournament, meaning everyone from each league faces everyone in their league. Danielson has already faced Eddie Kingston, Andrade El Idolo, and Daniel Garcia and has accumulated six points so far. He has yet to face Brody King and his Blackpool Combat Club ally Claudio Castagnoli.
Danielson Wanted Omega in the Continental Classic
A dozen of AEW\’s most exciting Superstars are part of the AEW Continental Classic, but Kenny Omega isn\’t among them. Speaking with Mail Sport\’s Alex McCarthy, Danielson spoke about wanting to face the Cleaner.
\’I really wanted Kenya Omega in it and I don\’t know. People think I do a lot more than I do. I don\’t know what happened or why he\’s not in the tournament.\”
Danielson added that the idea of being in the tournament was presented to Omega, and gave a reason for why the former AEW World Champion isn\’t competing.
\”I know it was at least brought up to him and I don\’t know if he didn\’t want to do it or I know that he and Chris Jericho are the number one contenders for the Tag team championship. So maybe that\’s why, you know.\”
Danielson is one of three wrestlers in the Blue League to be on six points, with Brody King and Andrade El Idolo sharing the same score. Claudio Castagnoli and Eddie Kingston have three points, while Daniel Garcia has been eliminated without scoring a single point.
Bryan Danielson had an injury scare during his match with Andrade which will air tonight. Click here to find out the latest update.
More has come to light about Charlotte Flair\’s situation and potential injury during this week\’s episode on SmackDown.
This week\’s show was WWE\’s annual Tribute to the Troops show and saw some of WWE\’s top Superstar appear on the broadcast. Raw\’s Cody Rhodes thanked the troops in attendance and around the world while CM Punk made reference to his AEW firing in an explosive promo. In the main event of the show, Randy Orton teamed with LA Knight to defeat The Bloodline\’s Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa.
Update on Charlotte Flair
During the latter part of her match with Asuka, Flair was obviously hurt and was seen being tended to by WWE\’s medical crew after the match. PW Insider reports that Flair was setting up for a move but slipped and got caught on the ropes, wrenching her knee and striking her head. The move was not shown on TV as it took place during a commercial break. When WWE returned to the live broadcast, the commentary team said that Asuka had taken Flair out.
While the incident was not broadcast, fans at the show in Providence, RI caught the incident, which you can see above.
Flair was walked out by officials after the match and was seen telling senior WWE referee Charles Robinson about her knee. It\’s been reported that \”there was absolutely some concern among others talents about her knee specifically.\” At this time, WWE has not given an update on Flair\’s situation and it is unclear if she will miss any time.
The tournament brackets have been revealed to determine the next challenger for United States Champion Logan Paul.
On last week\’s episode of WWE SmackDown, Paul announced the tournament to determine his first challenger. The Maverick said that while he would love to give Rey Mysterio a rematch but is unable to due to Mysterio\’s injury. Paul captured the title from the WWE Hall of Famer at Crown Jewel 2023, giving the YouTuber his first taste of championship gold in WWE.
The U.S. Championship Tournament Brackets
On this week\’s SmackDown, WWE gave the first-round tournament brackets for the United States Championship Contenders Tournament. The brackets are as follows:
Santos Escobar Vs. Dragon Lee
Bobby Lashley Vs. Karrion Kross
Austin Theory Vs. Kevin Owens
Grayson Waller Vs. An NXT Superstar to be announced
Two of the first-round matches took place on this week\’s episode of WWE SmackDown. Bobby Lashley defeated Karrion Kross to advance to the semi-finals, while Santos Escobar defeated Dragon Lee. Lashley and Escobar will face off in the next round.
IMPACT Wrestling (soon to be TNA Wrestling) is set to team with Endeavor to deliver its TNA+ on-demand streaming service.
IMPACT will make the move to TNA Wrestling official next month with their TNA Hard to Kill 2024 pay-per-view. The change was announced in the closing moments of Bound for Glory 2023 this past October. IMPACT World Champion Alex Shelley recently told SE Scoops in an exclusive interview that the reaction to the name change has exceeded the expectations of those in IMPACT/TNA.
In a statement, IMPACT Wrestling announced that Endeavor Streaming will power the new TNA+ app which will deliver \”an enhanced user experience to all fans across the top streaming platforms.\” The TNA+ service will come into effect on Friday, January 5, just eight days before TNA Hard to Kill 2024. The TNA+ app will feature a new look, expanded options and \”increased functionality.\”
The TNA+ app will feature TNA\’s full archive of content, in addition to exclusive original content and wrestler-created series. Users will even have the chance to interact with some of TNA’s top stars.
The New TNA+
IMPACT/TNA Wrestling President Scott D\’Amore gave the following statement:
“This is truly an incredible opportunity for us as we forge into an exciting new chapter of the TNA legacy. We are proud to partner with Endeavor Streaming on this initiative, and we look forward to continuing to provide our fans with the absolute best in new, classic and exclusive professional wrestling content, available to them anywhere, anytime, on their favorite devices, when TNA+ launches on January 5.”
Pete Bellamy, Chief Commercial Officer at Endeavor Streaming, added:
“Wrestling fans are some of the most passionate in the world of sports and entertainment and TNA+ is the perfect ‘always-on’ personalised OTT service to help TNA build a deeper relationship with its global audience. We’re looking forward to working with TNA to deliver the best streaming experience for wrestling fans.”
Further details and subscription information for the new service can be found at TNAwrestling.com.
Endeavor is no stranger to the world of professional wrestling. In April of this year, the company reached a deal with WWE to acquire the Sports Entertainment juggernaut for $9.3 billion. This acquisition was finalized in September with the launch of TKO Group Holdings.
NXT Superstar Tyler Bate could be a main roster Superstar soon enough as a call-up could be in the works.
Bate has been with WWE for some time now, and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that he could soon be on the main roster. There has been \’talk\’ of calling up the British Superstar, and the report adds that his size isn\’t considered as big a deal now with Vince McMahon no longer running WWE\’s creative department. It is stated that WWE CCO Paul \’Triple H\’ Levesque is far more open-minded as to who can be a top star.
Based on recent programming, Bate could be a SmackDown Superstar if he is called up to the main roster, as that is the current home of Butch. The pair have been both allies and enemies in WWE, and Bate was made an honorary Brawling Brute not too long ago. Butch is certainly in need of an ally right now, as he was recently abandoned by Ridge Holland and was attacked by Pretty Deadly on last week\’s SmackDown.
Bate has accomplished plenty in WWE already despite not making it to the main roster. In 2017, Bate became the first WWE United Kingdom Champion (later rechristened the NXT UK Championship). Bate was also the final holder of the title when the title was unified with the WWE NXT Championship at Worlds Collide 2022.
Bate was also the only triple-crown champion in WWE NXT UK, having held the main championship, the NXT UK Tag Team Championships and the NXT UK Heritage Cup. In WWE NXT, he is a former NXT Tag Team Champion.
The Superstars of Monday Night Raw will be able to spend Christmas Day with their loved ones rather than compete on the three-hour show.
With Christmas Day falling on a Monday this year, there have been questions as to what this means for the red brand. In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it was pointed out that no show is being taped for the December 25, episode of the red brand. Instead, the plan is for a \’Best Of 2023\’ show to fill the three hours instead. While WWE hasn\’t publicly confirmed this plan, one executive told the Observer that to the best of his knowledge, the reports of a \’Best Of\’ show are accurate.
WWE & Christmas Day
This news will come as a relief to the Raw roster, who would much rather spend the special day with friends and family than at work. In 2017, WWE hosted a live Christmas Day episode of Raw, meaning the 25+ Superstars who appeared on the show, in addition to the numerous crew members, had to be away from their families on Christmas Day. The practice earned WWE considerable backlash from fans at the time.
That show saw some of WWE\’s top Superstars appear across the three hours. In the opener, John Cena defeated Elias, while later in the show, Samoa Joe defeated Roman Reigns by disqualification. In the main event, Jason Jordan and Seth Rollins captured the Raw Tag Team Championships from The Bar.
Get into the festive spirit with these five epic Holiday-themed moments. Click here to see what made the list.
There\’s no secret as to how Billy Gunn can compete at the level he currently displays, according to the AEW Trios Champion.
At 60 years old, Gunn is the oldest champion in AEW, and likely the oldest star on the roster. Despite this, the tag team specialist continues to wow fans with a performance you\’d expect to see from talent decades younger than the former King of the Ring. Speaking to the A2TheK Wrestling show, Gunn was asked what his secret is.
\”I wish I had one, I wish I had a secret I can tell. It\’s just, the last [year] I just focus more on me staying healthy. I\’ve never, luckily for me, I\’ve nd Dr done any sort of crazy stunts. Other than bumping a lot which, yeah it has it\’s wear and tear, but I just really focus a lot on my training and my food and all that. I have great people around me so it\’s just as long as I\’m going to do this, I want to make sure I can perform at the level that makes me happy. Because if I don\’t, then I just want to walk away. Though my kids and wife will say different, I\’m walking away.\”
When asked if he has a retirement date in mind, Gunn made it clear he doesn\’t intend to plan that far in advance.
\”I don\’t really look at things like that. It\’ll just be when it\’s right. When it\’s done, it\’s done. There\’s no time schedule, I can\’t go \’Hey, All In in London next year will be [my last match]. My brain doesn\’t function like that. My brain and me tell my body I can wrestle until I want to. Which I know is not really a thing… But me not doing something doesn\’t really enter my mind.\”
Gunn\’s most recent match took place on the November 4, episode of AEW Collision and saw the Acclaimed retain the AEW Trios Championships against Dalton Castle and his boys.
For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.
It\’s been over two decades since the WWE Universe was introduced to John Cena on the June 27, 2002, episode of SmackDown. This week, Cena looked back at his debut match against Kurt Angle and poked fun at the unfortunate ring attire he wore for his first match on TV.
Randy Orton is back in WWE and is ready to take out every member of the Bloodline. The Viper will have the chance to do just tonight on SmackDown when he teams with LA Knight to face Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa.
Last week, WWE filed trademarks for a series of new names and now some have been appointed to NXT talent. PW Insider reports that Andrzej Hughes-Murray, a former LA Rams linebacker, will now compete as Dion Lennox. Kevin Robertson, a former Temple University defensive tackle will now be working as Kanu Carver.
Latest on WWE NXT Europe
WWE announced NXT Europe in 2022, but despite initial hopes for the brand to be up and running in 2023, that hasn\’t been the case at all. Speaking on the pre-NXT Deadline media call, Shawn Michaels said that WWE remains committed to NXT Europe. WWE\’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative pointed at upcoming shows in Europe such as Bash in Berlin and WWE Backlash: France as a sign WWE has big plans for the continent.
A Women\’s Royal Rumble Favorite
Next month, WWE will host its seventh-annual Women\’s Royal Rumble match, with the winner earning a title shot at WrestleMania 40. In odds shared by Sky Bet, Bayley is the favorite to win next month\’s match with 10/11 odds. Behind the Role Model is Jade Cargill (2/1), Becky Lynch (10/1), Raquel Rodriguez (10/1), and Charlotte Flair (12/1.) WWE Women\’s Champion IYO SKY and WWE Women\’s World Champion Rhea Ripley share 16/1 odds.
While the Judgment Day have made it clear they\’re not interested in Truth\’s services, that\’s not how the former 24/7 Champion sees things. Speaking on The Bump, Truth shared how he was able to get into the faction\’s base.
\”Door was unlocked. They’re a very trusting group, and they’re more humble than you think. I’m trying to hook it up, you know what I\’m saying? I’m that close from being in the group. I’m that close.”
As part of his application, Truth pointed out that he goes way back with reigning NXT North American Champion \’Dirty\’ Dominik Mysterio.
”I actually knew lil\’ Dom when he was little, ‘Dirty Dom’ is what they call him — I’ve known him since he was little. [He and Lil Jimmy] they hung around each other all the time. It makes sense. And you know, JD [McDonagh], we’ve got to work with JD. His attitude, his temper, it’s not becoming.”
R-Truth isn\’t the only wrestler interested in joining the Judgment Day. Click here to find out which WWE Hall of Famer sees himself as a future member.
For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.
Lex Luger wanted to prove every one of his doubters in the World Wrestling Federation wrong when he jumped ship to WCW.
After three years with the WWF, Luger returned to WCW in 1995 and appeared during the debut episode of WCW Monday Nitro. Not only did Luger appear on Nitro, but due to the pre-taped nature of Raw, he also appeared on the WWF flagship show that was aired that same night.
Proving His Doubters Wrong
Luger\’s arrival in Nitro was a shocking way for WCW to introduce their new show, and was deeply personal for Lex himself. Speaking in a WWE YouTube video about the best matches and moments of his career, Luger reflected on his Nitro debut being a closely guarded secret backstage.
\”Nobody in WCW other than Hogan, Sting, only a handful of people knew I was going to be coming out at that match. And I walked into the position [backstage] and guys were like \’What are you doing here? Aren\’t you still wrestling for WWE?\’ Not anymore. I wanted to make it all the way to the top, still I wanted to prove to all the naysayers in WWE.
\”My contract was coming up. I had planned on resigning up until a couple of weeks before that with WWE. It would\’ve been a new two or three-year contract. And then they [WCW] invited me to come under contract back home in WCW and debut in that show as a surprise. That was like lightning how that went down.
The White Shirt
For many, the most iconic moment of Luger\’s appearance on Nitro isn\’t what he did in the ring, but rather his puffy white shirt. Speaking about his choice of attire, Luger was just as perplexed as to why he was wearing the oversized shirt.
\”It was a custom-made shirt for an NBA guy in Atlanta. Kevin Willis, played 23 years in the NBA, he made my suits and everything. People ask me about that moment, that shirt, all the time. Because I was always the guy with his shirt off so everybody\’s expecting me to come down and no matter what, I was going to take my shirt off right? But the shirt stayed on. I\’m honestly not sure why I kept the shirt on but I did.
\”It\’s unbelievable how people talk about that and want to see it in action figures and everything, the big white shirt, it\’s crazy. I gave it to a young man I\’m mentoring, who could be the next Total Package.\”
Concluding, Luger appreciated the response fans gave him at the debut Nitro, which would set him up for a role as a headliner for WCW for years to come.
\”Quite the response from the crowd at the Mall of America. I was like, man. I felt like if there was any wavering confidence at WWE at the time of where my direction of my character and career were going, when I got in that ring, it felt right.\”
For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.
Will Bray Wyatt\’s first WrestleMania since his return to WWE go ahead without the former Universal Champion?
Wyatt was controversially released from WWE in July 2021, with his final match being his WrestleMania 37 loss to Randy Orton.
The Eater of Worlds returned to WWE at last October\’s Extreme Rules event in the climax of the \’White Rabbit\’ storyline.
WrestleMania Doubts
Ever since Elimination Chamber 2023, WWE has been teasing a WrestleMania match between Wyatt and Bobby Lashley.
Last Sunday, Wyatt did not appear as advertised for a WWE live event in Madison Square Garden, and it has been reported that he has been dealing with a physical issue.
During the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer answered questions about Wyatt\’s status for WrestleMania.
\”From what I understand, the match is still on for WrestleMania, and he should be back very soon. So we\’ll see. But that\’s pretty much all I can say, I mean there is something to it but I\’m not at liberty to discuss it, but it\’s not, as far as I know everything that I\’ve been told is that it\’s not a creative issue or anything like that.\”
Dave Meltzer.
Lashley\’s Match
Should Wyatt be forced to miss WrestleMania, that will leave Lashley without a dance partner, which does not sit well for the All-Mighty.
On Twitter, the two-time former WWE Champion has seemingly distanced himself from the Bray feud and has said he\’ll fight anyone at WrestleMania.
I’ve worked too hard to be denied.
I will be ready to fight on the biggest stage of them all, #WrestleMania.
Dutch Mantell may be a \”miserable old wrestler\” according to Ric Flair, but the Nature Boy has now been branded an \”ungrateful a**.\”
Last July, Flair competed in what was promoted as his last match, which was heavily criticized by fans and those in the industry.
After Mantell recently criticized the match when speaking to Sportskeeda, Flair took to Twitter to fire back at the former Zeb Coulter.
Thank God They Used The Word Veteran & Didn’t Call You A Legend. Just A Miserable Old Wrestler Trying To Make A Buck. And BTW, You Never Had A Legacy To Begin With. WOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/48uzk2gqas
Taking to Facebook, Mantell responded with the following open letter to the Nature Boy.
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NATURE BOY
Ric…I have great respect and admiration for your contribution to the wrestling profession. I never meant to ruffle your feathers on my podcast but I was just speaking the truth about your last match.
That was almost 10 months ago but you’re still touchy about it? But I wasn’t the only one who mentioned it was subpar. All the dirt sheet writers said it…in print and on their podcasts. Did you say anything to them? To set the record straight, very few fans got upset over my critique of your match. Truthfully, they agreed with me.
If I had just said the match is sucked, that would’ve been an upgrade. But Ric…you came out of nowhere to attack me personally. Why? Telling the TRUTH? It was a bad showing. Period. Everybody damn near universally agreed that it was an abortion.
What I want to know is who agented that match if anyone? You were in there with one of the top wrestlers in the world, Jeff Jarrett. If you can’t look good with him, then the issue is you.
How hard is to lay out…RIC FLAIR’S LAST MATCH. All you had to do was do a strut, yell some WHOOS in the air and slap on the Figure 4 for the finish…hit the bell, music, confetti, fans cheer and that’s it. My 12-year-old granddaughter could follow that formula. But, I heard Ric laid it out then I heard he faked a heart attack because he thought the match was ending too soon?? WTF?? It should’ve ended 10 minutes sooner than it did.
But Ric you said that I’m just an old wrestler trying to make a buck. I don’t disagree with that. Yes I am an old bastage and yes, I do try to make a buck. Just because I’m not involved in the wrestling game anymore doesn’t forego my bills. I have to pay money out every month just like everybody else in the world does. But that has absolutely nothing to do with your seriously flawed match.
Another thing Ric, is that “faking a heart attack was believable because fans thought you were having one. Did you go over that with Jeff before the match by “saying hey Jeff, I might fake a heart attack out there somewhere”? It was so believable that I even thought you were in trouble.
But, of course, you said you’d been drinking, partying, had no sleep and you looked like hell. And that’s being generous.
Nobody wants to see their hero on a stage where they’re concerned about their health or possible death. But then, you made yourself look worse, if that’s possible by telling your own fans to go get F’ed if they didn’t believe you made 300K. That was total disrespect.
You can disrespect me, hell that’s happened a lot in my career but why disrespect the fans who love our sport? Those fans are the ones who make this country work, who get up every day to go to work, raise families, pay bills and taxes and keep this country running and buy tickets and PPV’s to see your ungrateful ass.
Nobody wants to see us settle this in a public forum such as Twitter or here. But for now Ric…I’m in total agreement. We’ll end this. But I’ll still speak of you Ric because you’ve created an audience for it. We don’t set the rules…fans do. They’re the reason either one of us is here. If they ask, I’m going to reply. Without them Ric, we both might be driving trucks or Ubers making $300 Grand a day. What a country we live in, huh? Have a great day sir.
Comments below: No Ric…you’re not allowed to comment. Tell your social media manager to STFU.
The question as to which match will headline WrestleMania 39: Night One has been on the mind of fans for some time.
This year will mark WWE\’s fourth two-night WrestleMania: a concept that the company adopted in 2020 in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The two-night format has allowed more Superstars to have a WrestleMania main event to their name, including AJ Styles, Bianca Belair, and Kevin Owens.
WrestleMania 39: Night One
With WrestleMania 39 going Hollywood (given its LA setting) WWE has been releasing parody trailers for popular films and TV shows featuring the Superstars.
This week, WWE featured Rhea Ripley in a Stranger Things parody, with the Judgment Day member playing Millie Bobby Brown\’s Eleven.
In the video, an unseen (but very recognizable) voice all but announced that Ripley will be headlining Night One, stating:
\”Feeling that pressure, huh? Of being the main event of WrestleMania? Is it triggering you right now, Rhea? You want some? Then, go get some!\”
At WWE WrestleMania 39, Ripley (the winner of the 2023 Women\’s Royal Rumble match) will face SmackDown Women\’s Champion Charlotte Flair.
This will make Flair the first and only woman in WWE history to headline two WrestleManias (after previously closing out WrestleMania 35 in 2019.)
It had previously been reported that this match was the favorite to headline Night One, with Night Two being headlined by Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns Vs. Cody Rhodes.
While not confirmed by WWE yet, Logan Paul told listeners of his popular ImPaulsive podcast that his match with Seth Rollins will be on Night One.
That show will take place on April 1, which will mark Paul\’s 28th birthday.
Jade Cargill\’s reign as AEW TBS Champion could be in grave jeopardy if she steps into the ring with one of women\’s wrestling\’s most decorated champions.
This week, AEW Dynamite will make its debut in Winnipeg, Canada, and Tony Khan wants to make a great first impression in the city.
It has been announced that Cargill will put her title and her undefeated streak on the line against a Canadian wrestler.
Cargill Vs. Taya?
One name being thrown around as a possible contender for Cargill is Taya Valkyrie, who recently finished up her time with Impact Wrestling.
Many have seen this as a sign that the former Franky Monet is AEW-bound, and this isn\’t the only clue.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer provided another clue that Valkyrie may be the Canadian set to face Cargill.
\”She [Valkyrie] was scheduled to be on a World Series Wrestling tour of Australia that’s taking place right now, and she’s not there. That leads me to believe… I actually thought that she’s the mystery Canadian that Jade Cargill is going to wrestle on Wednesday, and the fact that she has a tour scheduled, and she’s not there, she did give notice.
\”She’s done with Impact, and she’s leaving MLW, and she isn’t on this tour. We know she’s either going to WWE or AEW, but the point is, they talked about a mystery Canadian, and she’s Canadian and it’s starting to add up that it could be. So, unless she’s debuting on Raw, SmackDown, or NXT this Tuesday, she didn’t have to leave that tour.\”
Dave Meltzer.
Valkyrie is no stranger to championship matches, being a former Reina de Reinas Champion, Knockouts Tag Champion, and the longest-reigning Impact Knockouts World Champion.
AEW is Winnipeg
Whether Valkyrie is Cargill\’s mystery opponent or not, this week\’s Dynamite debut in Winnipeg will be one to remember.
The stacked card includes new AEW Trios Champions the House of Black defending their gold against The Elite and Jericho Appreciation Society.
The Blackpool Combat Club will face the Dark Order (including the returning Stu Grayson.)
AEW All-Atlantic Champion Orange Cassidy will take on Jeff Jarrett to determine the first AEW International Champion.
Former TNA Wrestling star Anthony Mayweather, better known to fans as Crimson, has been arrested for violation of a protection order.
Mayweather, 38, made several calls to his juvenile son’s phone and sent several text messages to his wife, Heather Mayweather, despite the protection order against him prohibiting this.
The former TNA wrestler made these calls and sent these texts, even while police were present, according to Clarksvilletoday.com.
After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Mayweather was detained and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on March 8, and charged with contempt.
A judicial commissioner set his bond at $1,000, and Mayweather was previously arrested for headbutting his wife in 2016.
Crimson in TNA Wrestling
During his second tour of Iraq, Mayweather decided to pursue a career in professional wrestling and would train at the NWA Main Event school in Clarksville, TN.
In 2010, Mayweather competed in a series of dark matches for TNA, which resulted in him being signed and would debut as \’Little Red,\’ the brother of Amazing Red, that December.
Mayweather was reintroduced as \’Crimson\’ the following month and would go on a winning streak, which would include becoming World Tag Team Champions with Matt Morgan.
When the pair lost the titles (with Morgan being pinned) TNA stated that Crimson was still undefeated, and the newly-turned heel feuded with Morgan.
After a 470-day streak, Crimson\’s undefeated streak was definitely broken by James Storm, who defeated him at Slammiversary 2012.
Crimson was moved to OVW for further conditioning shortly after, and would make appearances in 2015 and 2017 for TNA/Impact Wrestling.
All Elite Wrestling may have some impressive viewing figures (albeit figures not as high as this time last year) but two wrestling legends aren\’t tuning in.
It\’s no secret that AEW\’s ratings have fallen dramatically in recent months, with many attributing that to the absence of CM Punk.
There has been some good news recently for AEW, with last Friday\’s AEW Rampage drawing the show\’s highest ratings since January.
The Pact
AEW has a passionate fanbase of people both in and out of the wrestling industry but two names not watching (for now) are Kevin Nash and Steve Austin.
During the latest episode of Kliq This, Big Daddy Cool explained why he and the Rattlesnake are changing channels whenever AEW is on their TVs.
\”I just want to go on record today, I have not watched AEW in months. It goes back to Steve Austin and I got a pact that he\’s not watching it therefore I\’m not watching it and what I can tell by Twitter is [Undertaker] is now not watching it.\”
\”Steve Austin and I got a pact that he\’s not watching it therefore I\’m not watching it.\”
Kevin Nash.
\”It\’s nothing against any of the talent over there, anybody that does anything over there. It\’s just something that we decided. It\’s like lent, you have to give things up so we did that. It doesn\’t change the fact that Kenny Omega is my favorite wrestler. Doesn\’t change that at all.\”
Nash\’s comments about The Undertaker stem from a Twitter exchange, in which Nash joked that Bret Hart doesn\’t watch AEW.
In response, the Phenom said that Nash\’s comments got a \”huge pop\” from him.
Big Daddy Cool\’s comment about Kenny Omega being his favorite wrestler come after Nash made the claim during Omega\’s feud with Will Ospreay.