Scrypt\’s arrival on WWE NXT is far different than the traditional introduction, and whoever they are, they may have Bray Wyatt to thank.
Wyatt returned to WWE at Extreme Rules 2022, 15 months after his controversial release under the previous regime.
Prior to Wyatt\’s return, WWE used cryptic videos fans found by scanning QR codes that were produced by recent WWE hiring Rob Fee.
The videos, as well as Wyatt\’s return, proved to be a hit with fans, and PW Insider reports that WWE is interested in using similar unique promotional methods.
Their report added that WWE Head of Creative and Talent Relations Triple H is far more open to unique marketing ideas than his predecessor Vince McMahon.
Debut or Return?
While the Scrypts character is debuting, it is possible that this is someone fans have seen before.
Some fans have pointed out that the voice for Scrypts has been modulated, which may mean WWE are deliberately trying to disguise a familiar voice.
Could Solo Sikoa one day turn his back on The Bloodline and face off with his cousin and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns? Don\’t bet on it.
Sikoa joined WWE last year as part of NXT 2.0, and was called up to the main roster in September 2022.
A former North American Champion, Sikoa made his main-roster debut by aiding his cousin during the WWE Clash at the Castle Premium Live Event against Drew McIntyre.
Reigns Vs. Sikoa
Since being called up, Sikoa has served as the enforcer of the Bloodline and regularly appears with Reigns on-screen.
Speaking with Sportskeeda, Sikoa addressed the Royal Rumble, and has no plan on winning the 30-Man match (via Fightful.)
\”I might not win the Royal Rumble. I might eliminate myself. I don’t know, you never know. If that opportunity presents itself, Maybe. But I know my role as the enforcer and that it’s to protect — anybody that tries to step up to Roman Reigns, gets knocked down.\”
The 2023 Royal Rumble will take place on January 28, 2023, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Rumble Favorites
While Sikoa does not have WrestleMania main event ambitions (at least not against Roman Reigns) countless Superstars would love to win.
Right now, the current favorite among fans to win is Cody Rhodes, who has been out since June with a torn pectoral.
Rhodes is also a favorite among fans to dethrone Reigns and end his tenure as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
The Rock, a fellow member of Reigns\’ family is also being considered by some, with rumors of a Rock-Reigns match at WrestleMania 39.
Shortly after the crash, investigators believed that Bagwell was impaired by prescription medication at the time of the accident.
Losing his Leg
The August 2020 accident left Bagwell in a bad way, suffering from broken ribs, a broken right hip, a broken left socket bone, a broken nose, a torn right groin muscle, and heavy bruising.
Even now, two years later, Bagwell is dealing with his injuries and could risk losing his leg.
\”The actual injury is my patella tendon exploded; it\’s not there. So, they cut you down your calf, and they bring a piece of your calf muscle to your knee, and they rebuild your patella tendon. It\’s called a gastrocnemius flap.
\”Amputation is on the table. It\’s on the table.\”
Buff Bagwell.
\”Well, as I went to the doctor that day, the flap isn\’t even there anymore. Now, there are all kinds of stuff, chips, and arthritis. All kinds of stuff is going on, and it\’s bad news. Amputation is on the table. It\’s on the table. Not that they want to do that, but it\’s on the table.\”
What\’s Next?
Bagwell, of course, wants to avoid amputation and is leaving no stone unturned to avoid the procedure.
In the interview, the former WCW World Tag Champion explained the course of action he and his medical team have devised.
\”The deal is we\’re gonna keep it clean, keep the wounds good and clean, and we\’re getting blood tests every four weeks.\”
Buff added that only when his blood and wounds are fully clean and free of the risk of infection, they can take amputation off the table.
Bagwell went on to say that AEW star Sting has been regularly checking in on him.
Tessa Blanchard is in no hurry to get back in the ring at this time and is instead focussing on what makes her happy.
Blanchard, once considered one of the best female wrestlers at the time, has wrestled just one match in the past two years, competing for Hurricane Pro Wrestling in July 2022.
Shortly before her Impact World Championship victory in January 2020, Blanchard was accused of using racist language among other accusations of bullying.
Life Outside the Ring
Blanchard\’s in-ring career is uncertain at this time, but the former Impact World Champion is building her skills outside of the ring.
\”Right now, I\’m in school, which is my main focus. That\’s my main focus right now. I try to do one or two of the wrestling get-togethers or matches a month. Honestly, not too much more than that at the moment.\”
Blanchard is studying at the University of Texas in San Antonio and is doing a course on International Affairs.
Wrestling Future
Blanchard was able to hold her own against both male and female wrestlers, but hasn\’t stepped in the ring full-time in years.
Addressing her future in the ring, Blanchard did not rule out wrestling again, but made it clear that it is not a priority at this time.
\”Doing whatever makes me feel happy, that\’s really my main focus right now. My happiness. I don\’t want to compromise my happiness for anything. Not for money, not for popularity, not for followers, not for any of that.\”
Tessa is the daughter of wrestling legend Tully Blanchard, who is signed to AEW and is working with the company\’s sister promotion Ring of Honor.
AEW\’s investigation into the All Out backstage fight is reportedly nearing its end.
On the All Out post-show media scrum, CM Punk had explosive comments for several AEW wrestlers, including Kenny Omega, the Young Bucks, Colt Cabana, and \’Hangman\’ Adam Page.
During the media scrum, a fight broke out backstage between Punk, Ace Steel, and the Elite resulting in all being suspended.
Time\’s Up?
Last week, it was reported that AEW higher-ups are against bringing Punk back and are seeking to buy out his contract.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that a conclusion to the investigation should be soon.
\”This thing feels like it’s wrapping up, it feels like the Young Bucks and Omega are coming back somewhat soon.\”
Dave Meltzer.
Last week, Punk\’s trainer Ace Steel was fired from AEW, presumably due to his role in the fight.
Not an Angle
After the backstage fight, many fans believed that what happened was an angle setting up a storyline.
Even after the suspensions, some believed that this could be turned into an angle, but that no longer seems to be the case.
On his show, Meltzer stated why this hasn\’t become an angle.
\”So many people have brought up to me the idea of turning this into an angle, which certainly UFC would have turned this into an angle if the guys were in the same weight class and promoted the hell out of it and been happy to do so. And WWE probably would have as well.
\”In this situation, they [AEW] felt that they just needed to [not turn this into an angle] and I know a lot of the talent felt that.\”
FTR has been announced for NJPW Battle Autumn but Karl Anderson\’s position with the show is far muddier.
Before returning to WWE earlier this month, it was announced that Anderson would be defending his NJPW Never Openweight Championship at Battle Autumn against Hikuleo.
Even after returning on Raw, an updated card from NJPW still featured the title match, leading many to believe an agreement had been reached.
After being announced for WWE Crown Jewel (also on November 5,) Anderson uploaded a video saying he will not be at Battle Autumn.
NJPW President Takami Ohbari is said to be \’furious\’ over Anderson choosing WWE over his show, and has said he expects all promoted talent, especially champions, to be at Battle Autumn.
Jeff Jarrett has expressed his respect for wrestling legend \’Bullet\’ Bob Armstrong, calling the WWE Hall of Famer the John Cena of his era.
Armstrong broke into the wrestling industry in 1960 and would compete for over half a century before his final match in 2019.
Armstrong would capture dozens of championships throughout his career, including over a dozen reigns as a Heavyweight Champion.
Less than a year after his final match, Armstrong passed away in August 2020 due to complications with bone cancer.
Bullet Bob Armstrong
In 2002, Armstrong began working with the up-start promotion TNA Wrestling, known today as Impact Wrestling.
Working with TNA put Armstrong together with company founder Jeff Jarrett, a long-time fan of Armstrong.
Speaking on his \’My World\’ podcast, Jarrett praised Bullet Bob as one of the greatest of all time.
\”Bob was a regional, a territory superstar, but he was like a megastar. He was a Hulk Hogan. He was a Stone Cold [Steve Austin.] He was a John Cena of the territories. He was so good at his trade, at his craft.
\”He could talk them into the building like none other. He looked great. He worked out, daily into his late, late, late, late years. Until he got really sick, he was in the gym. He took care of his body. He worked his a** off. He was just a megastar.\”
\”He was a Hulk Hogan. He was a Stone Cold [Steve Austin.] He was a John Cena of the territories.\”
Jeff Jarrett on \’Bullet\’ Bob Armstrong.
Speaking about Armstrong\’s 2011 induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, Jarrett said there were very few more deserving of the honor.
\”His place in the WWE Hall of Fame is big-time rightfully deserved in so many ways.\”
Jeff Jarrett.
\”He was box office, and at the end of the day, that is what the industry is about. You can be a good in-ring performer, you can have a great promo skill. You can do this and that. In this era, you can have all kind of five-star accolades. Bullet drew money, and that\’s the most important thing at the end of the day. Bullet put butts in seats.\”
Bullet\’s Legacy
While Bob Armstrong was an accomplished wrestler in his own-right, he would also be the father to four sons who broke into the industry.
Armstrong was the father to Bob, Scott, Steve and Brian Armstrong, the latter of whom fans known as \’Road Dogg\’ Jesse James.
Speaking about the family, Jarrett had even more praise.
\”The apple doesn\’t fall far from the tree. Scott, Brad, Steve, Brian. They\’re all phenomenal workers… Brian by far has the best verbal skill but in-ring skills, they can all tell stories.\”
Jeff Jarrett.
All four Armstrong sons would compete in the ring, and Scott Armstrong would go on to become a WWE referee.
Impact Wrestling and AAA star Laredo Kid is out indefinitely after having to undergo emergency surgery this week.
Laredo Kid (real name unknown) made his Impact debut in 2017 and returned to the promotion last year.
In 2019, he also made a one-off appearance for AEW, replacing PAC and teaming with the Lucha Bros. to face The Elite.
On the March 24, 2021, episode of AEW Dynamite, Kid returned to AEW, again teaming with the Lucha Bros.
The Injury
On Instagram, a statement on Kid\’s account confirmed that he had to undergo \”emergency surgery\” following a show in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.
The statement did not specify what kind of surgery Kid required, but that \”due to the severity of what happened the recovery time is not yet known.\”
The full statement, translated into English, is as follows.
“I don’t know how or where to start with this news — Yesterday unfortunately @laredokidpro had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital after finishing the fight for the championship in Monterrey. He had to undergo early morning emergency surgery. GAD a little while ago was aware and aware of his situation to alert family + closest friends.
Hopefully in the next few hours, days your situation improves and becomes stable —- Fans, promoters, friends, family and colleagues of Laredo, I will try to keep up with messages and be able to reply to most. * Promoters / events * with dates scheduled in the following months — due to the severity of what happened the recovery time is not yet known, any questions or comments I will be answering msgs, emails, for the time being avoid calls.
Thank you very much to Taurus, Roberto, Abraham, Jorge and AAA for being there all morning and to my closest people thank you for the support — Send your good vibes, prayers and energy so that I can soon get out of this.\”
AAA Statement
Kid worked for AAA for years, before departing in 2011 to work on the Mexican independent scene.
In a statement of their own (translated by PW Insider) AAA said that Kid had been suffering from abdominal pain.
At the end of our event Campeonato Showcenter on October 23, 2022, Laredo Kid was attended to by medical personnel upon presenting severe abdominal pain. He was taken to a nearby hospital to be looked at and to find a diagnosis.
After midnight on Monday, October 24, he underwent surgery with positive results.
He is currently stable and under medical supervision.
We will continue to provide updated information as we receive it from his doctors.”
“I had my last match back in 97. When the doctor said ‘quit wrestling, quit walking’.”
Arn Anderson.
When asked if fans may seen one more Spinebuster, a move Anderson used for decades, Arn didn\’t rule out the idea with his comical response.
\”How about I spinebuster myself so I can see what everyone has been complaining about all these years.”
Arn Anderson.
Anderson finished wrestling full-time in 1997 due to neck and back issues, but would have two more matches in WCW, with his final ever match being on the May 17, 2000, episode of WCW Thunder.
Anderson Today
In December 2019, after a handful of appearances, Anderson signed a contract with AEW, and signed a new multi-year deal in May the following year.
In late 2021, Anderson would drop Cody Rhodes as a client and cut his infamous \’Glock\’ promo, but would later resume managing the American Nightmare.
Arn\’s son Brock Anderson also works for AEW as a wrestler.
CJ Perry was not punished by WWE for her husband Miro joining All Elite Wrestling, despite what some have claimed.
In 2020, months after his April 15, release, Miro joined AEW where he is a one-time TNT Champion.
Perry herself was released from WWE in June 2021, with her high-dollar contract reportedly a factor in WWE\’s decision.
Not Punished
Not long after Miro\’s AEW debut, Perry (known as Lana in WWE) was involved in a storyline that saw her put through tables each week.
Some speculated that WWE\’s storyline was a form of punishment for Perry, who denied the claim in a talk with Fightful Select.
Not only was this not a punishment, Perry made it clear that she pitched for the angle to happen, adding that she had to fight Liv Morgan for the \’honor.\’
Perry explained how the tables spot was supposed to get Nia Jax over as a babyface, as Lana was a heel at the time.
Ultimately, fans would ultimately side with Perry for her resilience each week, culminating in a babyface turn.
Miro and AEW
Perry hasn\’t appeared for All Elite Wrestling, but Miro has made references to his \”hot wife\” multiple times.
Speaking about the Bulgarian wrestler, Perry said that Miro never gives her a heads-up before referencing her on TV.
Addressing possibly joining AEW, the former Total Divas star said that there have not been \”extended talks\” with the company, but is open to a role.
Perry said that even though she loved wrestling, she would prefer to focus on outside-the-ring roles such as a manager or valet.
WOW Women of Wrestling has faced another setback as their champion The Beast is out with an injury.
The Beast has held the title since May 2019 after defeating Tessa Blanchard.
The Beast\’s Injury
Fightful Select reports that The Beast sustained a leg injury early into the first set of tapings of the show, resulting in \”significant creative changes.\”
The Beast, one of the few stars of the original Women of Wrestling, is said to be a personal favorite of WOW promoter David McLane.
One talent told Fightful that the injury is \”unfortunate\” and insinuated that talent were deceived when told that a taping was delayed due to Covid-19 precautions.
This talent believes that the taping was actually delayed to give The Beast more time to recover.
The Beast\’s 1256+ day reign is the second-longest reign as WOW Women of Wrestling Champion, behind Jungle Grrrl at 1,300.
Another Setback
This is the most recent setback for WOW Women of Wrestling, which has had issues stemming from its relationship with Tessa Blanchard.
Blanchard, the first and only female Impact Wrestling World Champion, joined WOW but had significant heat within the company.
Prior to her Impact World title win, accusations were made of Blanchard using racist language and causing problems with other female wrestlers.
Dave Meltzer reported in May this year that the \”two sides [Blanchard and WOW] had different ideas and were constantly butting heads.\”
The controversial wrestler had been WOW\’s lead trainer, which caused further resentment backstage, but was released from the company earlier this year.
Is CM Punk going to return to WWE? Not if those close to Head of Talent Relations Triple H can help it.
After walking out of WWE in January 2014, Punk joined AEW in August 2021 but is currently suspended for his role in the AEW All Out 2022 post-show backstage fight.
It is reported that AEW\’s higher-ups and the locker room do not want him back and are in talks to buy out the remainder of his contract.
Voting No
If Punk is fired from AEW as many predict, then the only possible promotion able to afford his services is WWE.
Despite the very critical comments both sides have had over the years, there is a belief that Triple H would be interested in making a move to bring Punk back.
During a recent PWTorch.com audio show, Wade Keller addressed a possible Punk return, and that those close to the Game are against the idea (via Wrestling News.)
\”Somebody who’s currently in WWE, and is within the sphere of influence of Paul Levesque’s decision-making would be a hard ‘No’ as of me asking this person today. A hard ‘No’ on endorsing the return of CM Punk, even if it would help business.\”
Keller has previously reported that Triple H is more inclined to bring Punk back than his father-in-law Vince McMahon, who retired from WWE in July this year.
Not Wanted Back
Given Punk\’s past issues with WWE, he may not be willing to return to the company who handed him his firing papers on his wedding day (mere coincidence WWE claims.)
In his report, Keller added that if WWE says no, then AEW may not be willing to bring him back either.
\”I talked to three people of significant stature in AEW in the last couple of days…I asked how would a vote go in the AEW locker room if they were asked if they wanted Punk to return? One person said he wouldn’t fare very well. Another person said he thinks he might not get a single vote.\”
AEW\’s roster is said to be vehemently anti-Punk at this time, believing his comments during the All Out media scrum damaged the company.
Punk was heavily critical of \’Hangman\’ Adam Page, who has been one of AEW\’s biggest stars since the company\’s launch in 2019.
Was CM Punk destined to have an underwhelming run in AEW? That\’s certainly what those close to the former World Champion believe.
Punk joined AEW in August 2021 after a seven-year hiatus from professional wrestling, and is a two-time World Champion with the company.
The Chicago-Made wrestler is currently out with an injury and has been suspended for his role in the AEW All Out 2022 post-show backstage fight.
This week, it was reported that AEW intends to buy out the remainder of Punk\’s contract and fire him.
Destined To Be
Punk\’s days with AEW are seemingly numbered, and some close to him believed this would always happen
During a recent PW Torch Elite Audio stream, Wade Keller reported that when he spoke to sources close to Punk before his AEW debut, they predicted his run would not go well.
Those same sources also said that Punk\’s run with AEW \”wouldn\’t last,\” which appears to be the case now.
Punk\’s personality and history of discontent were cited as reasons why his run with AEW would end poorly.
Returning to WWE
If Punk is fired from AEW, the only place he could realistically wrestle next is WWE.
If so, then a deal will need to be struck with WWE\’s Head of Talent Relations Triple H, who Punk has been highly critical of in the past.
In his report, Keller stated that Triple H is more likely to bring Punk back than Vince McMahon, who \”never fully got behind\” the AEW star.
It was also noted that Triple H may attempt to bring him back, to move metrics such as viewership and prove that WWE has not missed a beat post-Vince McMahon.
The Future of AEW
AEW made a huge deal of CM Punk\’s arrival in August last year on Rampage: The First Dance, but the company will be okay without him.
Keller reported that while Punk would be a \”net plus\” in bringing in ticket sales and moving merchandise, he is far from \’needed\’ in AEW.
Keller pointed to the many established main event talent and rising mid-card talent, and is more than capable of growing without Punk.
It was said that any growth in AEW\’s viewership due to Punk being on the show has happened at this point.
CM Punk\’s arrival in AEW, over seven years away from the wrestling world, was a huge win for the company and met with excitement from fans.
In the 14 months since then, fans have soured on Punk, especially after his actions at All Out.
On Twitter, a fan noted how Punk had \”one of the most triumphant comebacks ever\” and has since become \”so toxic that you\’re not worth having around.\”
The tweet gathered over 2,000 likes, including one from Chris Jericho.
Jericho has been a locker-room leader without Punk and the Elite around, alongside Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley.
In backstage meetings, Jericho has stressed the importance of keeping private matters private and not letting issues behind the scenes get leaked.
Punk in WWE?
AEW reportedly wants to be rid of CM Punk, but there is a fear that he could jump to WWE.
Punk walked out of WWE in January 2014, and received his termination papers in June on his wedding date, timing Vince McMahon insisted was coincidental.
While Punk has not spoken directly with WWE, he does speak with friends in the company including Adam Pearce and Paul Heyman.
Dominik Dijakovic is likely on his way back to WWE NXT according to a vignette played at last night\’s Halloween Havoc.
Dijakovic was part of the gold brand from 2017 to 2020 where he unsuccessfully challenged for both the NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship.
In 2020, Dijakovic was called-up to WWE\’s main roster as \’T-Bar,\’ part of the \’Retribution\’ stable.
The stable had limited success and was dismantled in early 2021.
Back to NXT?
During last night\’s WWE NXT Halloween Havoc event, a vignette aired of a mask being burned in a fire.
Upon closer inspection, it appears to be T-Bar\’s mask that was burned, which fans have taken as sign of the character being scrapped.
The fact that the segment aired during Halloween Havoc has also led fans to believe Dijakovic is returning to the gold brand.
Earlier this month, T-Bar wiped all images from his Twitter account, and his profile picture is just black.
After the Halloween Havoc vignette, T-Bar shared a quote from 1995 thriller \’Se7en.\’
Retribution were booked strongly at the start, interfering in several matches, but quickly slipped down the card when they were given names and masks fans ridiculed.
Shane Thorne, who portrayed Slapjack, was repackaged as a Crocodile Dundee-esque character shortly before his release in November 2021.
Reckoning, aka Mia Yim, was also released last November, and has since joined Impact Wrestling, but left the promotion recently.
Mace has kept his name following the end of Retribution but is now part of the Maximum Male Models.
Mustafa Ali, the group\’s leader, recently turned face and has teased involvement in the United States Championship scene.
On Instagram, Steel insinuated that what some have said about him is not entirely accurate.
In his post, Steel used an image of Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage having issues backstage, with the text reading \”false accusations running wild.\”
Steel did not clarify who made the claims he believes to be \’false accusations.\’
CM Punk Next?
Steel\’s time with AEW has come to an end, and CM Punk may soon be joining him.
This week, it was reported that AEW\’s higher-ups do not want to bring Punk back to TV and are in talks about buying out his contract.
There is a concern that Punk could join WWE should he be fired by AEW.
While Punk and WWE have had negative things to say about each other, Triple H is reportedly dead-set on creating \”compelling programming.\”
Punk walked out of WWE after the 2014 Royal Rumble and was sent his termination papers on his wedding day, something that then-WWE CEO told Steve Austin on his podcast was pure coincidence.
A member of WWE\’s roster could join the likes of \’Stone Cold\’ Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, and Booker T as King of the Ring next year.
The King of the Ring tournament began in 1985 with Don Muraco becoming the first King, with the first televised event seeing Bret Hart claim the crown in 1993.
WWE\’s most recent King is Xavier Woods, who defeated Finn Balor at Crown Jewel 2021.
Good to be the King
In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that WWE is considering bringing back the iconic tournament in 2023.
Rather than in recent years, when only the finals would be on a Premium Live Event, the reported plan is for there to be an official King of the Ring event.
WWE canceled the KOTR Pay-Per-View after 2002\’s event reportedly due to drawing weak numbers.
Nowadays, Pay-Per-View buys are no longer the metric WWE uses to gauge a show\’s success, as money is guaranteed by Peacock, allowing for more unique shows.
A Throne Fit for a Queen
In the report, it is also noted that WWE is looking to bring in a Queen of the Ring tournament as well.
In 2021, WWE held its first \’Queen\’s Crown Tournament,\’ but avoided using the term \’Queen of the Ring.\’
At Crown Jewel that year, Zelina Vega, who\’d returned to WWE months prior, defeated Doudrop to become the first Queen.
Vega defeated current AEW Interim Women\’s World Champion Toni Storm in the quarter-finals and future tag-team partner Carmella in the semis to advance.
WWE may be looking for talent outside of their own company to follow the buzzards into Bray Wyatt\’s rumored stable.
Wyatt returned to WWE at Extreme Rules 2022, 15 months after his controversial release under the previous regime.
At the time it was reported that Wyatt\’s contract, estimated to be $3 million per year, and creative differences with then-CEO Vince McMahon, led to his release.
New Members
During his Extreme Rules return, characters from the Firefly Fun House appeared, portrayed by real people.
This has led to speculation of a stable, which has been dubbed by fans the \’Wyatt-6,\’ a nod to his Twitter handle \’@Windham6.\’
In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it is reported that former Ring of Honor talent Vincent and Dutch have been considered to play two of the Wyatt characters.
Vincent, a record-setting four-time ROH World Six-Man Tag Champion, was with the promotion from 2012 to 2019.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and 336lbs, Dutch is an imposing figure, and also a former ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion.
Both men were backstage during this week\’s episode of Monday Night Raw.
Other Members
Vincent and Dutch may soon be part of the Wyatt-6 but other names have been rumored.
After being in a \’dark place\’ following her SmackDown Women\’s Championship loss at Extreme Rules, Liv Morgan has been rumored to join.
Alexa Bliss is also rumored to join, playing into her past with Wyatt.
Bo Dallas is reported to be returning to WWE, and many expect him to align with his brother.
It is believed that Grayson Waller portrayed Mercy the Buzzard at Extreme Rules, while Joe Gacy has also teased involvement.
WWE did not offer any money and AEW did not request any money for the WWE Hall of Famer to appear.
Instead, Tony Khan requested that WWE make reference to AEW on the show, similar to acknowledging Impact Wrestling during Mickie James\’ return in January this year.
James appeared in the WWE Women\’s Royal Rumble despite being with Impact and the promotion\’s Knockouts World Champion at the time.
After agreeing and disagreeing on whether to have Gunn appear, the Newsletter reports that a \”last-minute\” call was made for Gunn not to appear.
Gunn did not appear but Corey Graves referenced a DX member who now works in office supplies.
Graves\’ reference was a nod to Gunn who has been scissoring with AEW World Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed this year.
Payback?
Billy Gunn didn\’t appear for WWE during the DX reunion, but he has made a WWE appearance while with AEW.
In 2019, Gunn, mere months into his role as an AEW coach, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of DX.
During the event, Gunn joked that he couldn\’t be fired from WWE, and Triple H responded that then-CEO Vince McMahon could buy the \”p*ss-ant\” AEW.
In the report, Dave Meltzer writes that he is surprised that WWE and AEW had any discussions about bringing Gunn in, given the frosty relationship between the two companies at this time.
CM Punk\’s days with AEW are seemingly coming to an end as the promotion is against the idea of bringing him back.
Punk, who debuted for AEW last year after a seven-year hiatus from wrestling, was suspended after the AEW All Out 2022 post-show backstage fight. The Chicago-Made wrestler was also stripped of the AEW World Championship and is believed to have thrown the first punch.
After All Out 2022, AEW President Tony Khan approved a third-party investigation into the fight and any possible legal ramifications.
In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it is reported that AEW are in talks to buy out the remainder of Punk\’s contract for an undisclosed sum. Dave Meltzer writes that this suggests that Khan and other higher-ups do not intend to bring Punk back to TV.
Sentiment within AEW is said to be very anti-Punk, and sympathetic to Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks.
CM Punk is Probably Not Returning to AEW
A WWE Return?
If Punk is fired from AEW, then a return to WWE is possible, despite leaving on bad terms in January 2014.
Meltzer reports that there is an issue with the non-compete clause in Punk\’s contract and AEW fear Punk joining WWE, likely the only promotion that can afford him.
WWE has been very negative about Punk in the past and did not sign the former World Champion when FOX pushed them to strike a deal.The belief is that signing Punk, even while he\’s injured and won\’t be able to wrestle for several months, would be a major coup for WWE.
Punk has been heavily critical of WWE and has not had any direct contact with the promotion. However, he is said to be good friends with Adam Pearce and Paul Heyman, both WWE employees. Neither Punk nor AEW responded to a request for comment.
Karl Anderson\’s decision to choose WWE Crown Jewel 2022 over NJPW Battle Autumn has infuriated NJPW President Takami Ohbari.
Anderson, the reigning NJPW NEVER Openweight Champion, returned to WWE earlier this month alongside Luke Gallows.
The duo will team up with AJ Styles to face the Judgment Day at Crown Jewel on November 5.
Double Booking
After his return to WWE, it was reported that Anderson was still booked for Battle Autumn, where he was set to defend against Hikuleo.
In an updated card, published after the Good Brothers returned to Raw, the match was still on the schedule, with many believing NJPW and WWE had reached a deal.
After his match at Crown Jewel was announced, Anderson took to Twitter, where he and Gallows said they will not be competing at Battle Autumn.
The show is also scheduled for November 5 and is will take place in Osaka, Japan, over 5,200 miles away from Crown Jewel\’s host city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Furious
Anderson and by proxy, Gallows, are off the Battle Autumn card, which hasn\’t gone down well with New Japan\’s higher ups.
In a recent interview with Tokyo Sports, company President Takami Ohbari stated that he was \”furious,\” but declined to comment further on the matter.
The report also noted that in early 2006, Brock Lesnar was forced to pull out a NJPW event, though in his case it was due to Visa issues.
Anderson\’s decision to skip Battle Autum in favor of WWE Crown Jewel is the first instance of a \”foreign fighter blatantly refusing to participate\” at a pre-advertised show.
Bill Goldberg\’s rise to the top of WWE after joining in 2003 was incredibly quick, but that wasn\’t exactly what the promotion wanted.
After WCW folded in March 2001, Goldberg, one of the company\’s few home-grown stars, would join WWE in March 2003.
Goldberg would interrupt The Rock, fresh off his WrestleMania XIX win over \’Stone Cold\’ Steve Austin, culminating in a match at Backlash which Goldberg would win.
Not World Champion
In September 2003, Goldberg captured the World Heavyweight Championship, ending Triple H\’s nine-month reign.
The match at Unforgiven saw Goldberg put his career on the line, and the title would change hands if Triple H was disqualified or counted out.
“I think at WCW I was the world champion for a while. WWE, I don’t think they ever wanted me to be the champion for more than like 10 minutes. Although I’m still in a contract, sorry guys.”
After retaining at that year\’s Survivor Series against Triple H, Goldberg lost the title back to the Game at Armageddon, in a match that included Kane.
Goldberg Today
Goldberg returned to WWE in 2016, and has had two brief reigns as Universal Champion.
In 2017, Goldberg flattened Kevin Owens, before losing the title to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 33.
In 2020, Goldberg defeated \’The Fiend\’ Bray Wyatt in a controversial title-change many criticised WWE over.
Like before, Goldberg\’s reign would be short-lived as he\’d lose the title at WrestleMania 36 to Braun Strowman, who replaced Roman Reigns.
Kane may have spent decades terrifying countless WWE fans, but it is an iconic dance move that keeps the Devil\’s Favorite Demon up at night.
After multiple previous gimmicks including \’Fake Diesel\’ and Isaac Yankem D.D.S, Jacobs debuted as the hellish Kane during the In Your House: 1997 Bad Blood Pay-Per-View.
Attacking his \’brother\’ The Undertaker, Kane cost the Phenom the very first Hell in a Cell match against Shawn Michaels.
The Kanearoonie
By 2002, Kane\’s monstrous personality had somewhat simmered, and he was a babyface adored by fans on Raw.
In one of the character\’s most infamous moments, Kane used Booker T\’s \’Spinaroonie,\’ dubbed by fans as the \’Kanearoonie.\’
Speaking on the latest episode of WWE\’s The Bump, Jacobs recalled the segment, calling it the scariest moment of his career.
\”The most horrifying was the Kaneroonie, I\’ll tell you that. I had to get some lessons from Booker T on how to do the Kaneroonie. It turns out it\’s all about momentum, getting your lower body and your legs going first. Booker was kind enough to show me how to do that.\”
Repackaging
While many Superstars would be opposed to performing the dance move, Jacobs was open to the idea.
The WWE Hall of Famer explained in the interview that he wasn\’t against doing the move, as he was working on changing the Kane character.
\”We did want it to be a more lighthearted Kane and a more entertaining Kane as opposed to the dark brooding character that I had been initially. So I didn\’t really had to be talked into it.
\”After I saw it, I kind of wished that I\’d never gotten talked into it.\”
Kane would remain as a babyface until losing a mask vs. title match against then-World Heavyweight Champion Triple H in June 2003.
AEW star Darby Allin is a risk-taker in and out of the ring, but thought he wasn\’t going to make it through a match with Jeff Hardy.
During the May 11, 2022, edition of AEW Dynamite, the two popular wrestlers faced off in what was billed as an \’Anything Goes\’ Match.
The match, which Hardy would eventually win, saw both men use weapons in one of the most extreme matches AEW has ever produced.
Meet my Doom
Arguably the biggest spot of the match (at least from a literal sense) came when Allin dove off a ladder in the ring, onto Jeff outside the ring.
The pair landed on ten steel chairs, earning \’Holy Sh*t\’ chants from the crowd in attendance.
Speaking on the latest episode of \’The Sessions\’ Allin told new AEW signing Renee Paquette about the trepidation going into the match.
\”Earlier in the day, I climbed that ladder and I looked down and I was like \’yeah, I\’m for sure going to the hospital tonight.\’ There\’s no way around it.\”
Despite how dangerous the spot seemed and looked to fans, Allin said he found it a mostly pleasant experience.
\”Everybody asks me \’dude how\’d that feel?\’ And honestly, it didn\’t feel like anything, it was so safe. You can see me if you watch the video back, I kinda go to Jeff\’s ear \’that sh*t was so fun!\”
\”AEW-wise, that was the craziest thing. I thought for sure I was going to meet my doom.\”
Darby Allin on Anything Goes match with Jeff Hardy.
The match would be one of Jeff\’s most recent matches with AEW, as he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence the following month.
Wrestling Myself
With his face paint, daredevil attitude, and unique personality, Darby Allin has often been compared to Jeff Hardy.
Speaking about working with the former WWE World Champion, Allin said it was like working with himself.
\”It felt like I was putting a match together with myself…It was like I was talking to myself. It was fun. A week before, it was just supposed to be a normal match. Just a straight-up match. And I went up to Tony [Khan] and I said \’hey, nobody wants to see us exchange wrist locks.\’\”
Allin\’s only regret is that the match was under the watchful eye of New York\’s State Athletic Commission, which kept some of his most extreme ideas off of the show.
\”It was in New York where there\’s a state commission, and I was like \’why couldn\’t we wait a week when we\’re in Texas when no-one gives a sh*t?\”
Darby Allin
Out of the Ring
Allin considers the Jeff Hardy match a personal highlight of his risk-taking life, which isn\’t just for the cameras.
In the interview, Allin explained how even when he\’s got time to \’relax\’ his version of chilling out includes more risk-taking.
\”Every time I\’m off for the week, it\’s like \’alright, Darby is going to take the week off and chill out and whatever.\’ [But really,] I go harder outside of work than I do in the realm of AEW. I\’m never really stopping. It\’s fun though because I never know when I\’m going to get hit by a bus or something.\”
Allin has taken to social media to show off some of his stunts, including driving a jeep over his own home.
For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.
AEW felt the need to check that both Athena and Jody Threat were okay after their hard-hitting match on Dark: Elevation.
The match, which aired this week, saw Athena portray the heel role while Threat was the babyface in her hometown of Toronto, Canada.
The match has become notable for the stiff, hard-hitting strikes which have led some to believe that there are genuine issues between the two.
Backstage
Athena got the win in the hard-hitting match, but a lot took place backstage after the match.
Fightful Select reports that during a planned spot in the match, Threat slipped while attempting a comeback sequence.
Threat, thrown off by the error, asked Athena what was the next spot and the two got more physical afterward.
A source who spoke to Fightful said that the aggressiveness shouldn’t have happened and things should’ve instead been made more clear.
Another source criticized Athena, the veteran in the match, saying she should have led by example rather than let the match get more physical than planned.
Both women were reportedly approached by management after the match to make sure things were okay between them.
Some close to Athena added that this hard-hitting style was always her plan to play up her heel role in front of Threat\’s hometown crowd.
Avoiding Drama
This match has quickly become what many fans know Jody Threat for, but she hopes that isn\’t the case for long.
Fightful\’s report adds that there have been no reports so far on heat for either woman.
Threat is described as someone who attempts to avoid attention and doesn’t like to get involved in wrestling politics.
She is reportedly hopeful that this is not a career-defining match.
![\"\"](\"https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2022/10/image-8-379x675.png\")