Fightful reports that WWE filed a trademark for the term \’NXT Deadline\’ on October 15.
The trademark reads as follows.
\”NXT DEADLINE trademark registration is intended to cover the categories of entertainment services, namely, a show about professional wrestling; entertainment services, namely, the production and exhibition of professional wrestling events rendered live and through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing wrestling news and information through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information.\”
WWE has not commented publicly on plans for NXT Deadline or how the show will differ from the main NXT two-hour weekly show.
The NXT Brand
There\’s no word on when NXT Deadline will arrive on our screens, but the project is just the latest endeavor of the NXT brand.
In 2017, WWE started its NXT UK brand, which ended in August to make way for NXT Europe.
\”During the day prior, I texted him, ‘Hey, are you going to be able to make it? Have you found out any answers yet?’ He said, ‘Yes, I’m in.’ I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s awesome.’ Literally, before I landed at home, I found out he was not in. I texted him back and he wasn’t happy.\”
While Gunn didn\’t appear and wasn\’t directly mentioned, Corey Graves references an absent member working with office supplies, a nod to Gunn\’s teaming with The Acclaimed and \’scissoring\’ with Anthony Bowens.
Not Happy
Gunn wasn\’t happy about not appearing, and neither was the remaining members of DX, according to James.
\”It broke my heart, and I believe it broke his too. In all actuality, Hunter was not happy about it either. Shawn and X-Pac weren’t either. We wanted the band, all that we could get back together.\”
DX appeared multiple times on the show, before having an in-ring segment with the four remaining members available to WWE.
The Miz didn\’t compete on this week\’s Monday Night Raw as previously advertised, but there is a very good reason for that.
On this week\’s Raw, the plan was for Miz to face Dexter Lumis, who would have earned a WWE contract had he defeated the A-Lister.
Had Miz defeated the former NXT Superstar, Lumis would have been banned from future appearances.
Instead, Miz attacked Lumis before the match began, and the bout never took place.
Working Hurt
WWE did not give an explanation for why the match did not take place, but it is reportedly due to an injury.
Speaking on the Ekeler’s Edge podcast, Miz told co-hosts Matt Harmon and Los Angeles Chargers Running Back Austin Ekeler about his condition (via POST Wrestling.)
\”I have a bursa sac that I burst that just keeps blowing up. I don’t know if you’ve ever blown that. It takes so long and then it’ll go away and then I don’t know if you can see it. Literally, it just keeps coming back. Fluid comes in, it goes away, comes in, goes away.\”
A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that acts like a cushion between tendons and bones to prevent grinding.
The Miz added that he is also dealing with a hurt shoulder, saying that it was recently \”messed up.\”
Miz on SmackDown
While The Miz is a Monday Night Raw Superstar, he will be appearing for this week\’s SmackDown.
In the interview, the WWE Grand Slam Champion explained that he\’ll be competing in a dark match, but no opponent was named.
This Friday\’s SmackDown will take place at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.
Candice LeRae has only been back in WWE for a matter of weeks, but the former NXT Women\’s Tag Team Champion has big plans.
LeRae, the wife of fellow-WWE returnee Johnny Gargano, debuted on Raw on the September 26, episode with a victory over Nikki A.S.H.
Candice had been quietly released in May this year after spending time away due to her pregnancy.
LeRae\’s return to WWE took fans by surprise, but fans should get used to seeing the \’Poison Pixie.\’
WrestleMania
Like countless wrestlers, LeRae hopes to one-day see herself at WWE\’s biggest annual event: WrestleMania.
Speaking on the Out of Character podcast, LeRae acknowledged her WrestleMania 35 Women\’s Battle Royal appearance but wants more.
\”While I have done WrestleMania technically, it was a battle royal. I would love to actually be part of a singles match or something.\”
LeRae quickly changed her mind from a singles match to a mixed-tag team match featuring Gargano.
\”In a perfect world. I would love for me and Johnny to wrestle a mixed tag match at WrestleMania. That would be super awesome for me. Especially if it\’s against Beth [Phoenix] and Edge. Just put that out there in the universe and hope it happens.\”
\”I would love for me and Johnny to wrestle a mixed tag match at WrestleMania…Especially if it\’s against Beth [Phoenix] and Edge.\”
Candice LeRae.
Edge and the Glamazon have appeared together over the past year, including at the recent Extreme Rules Premium Live Event.
Settling a Score
In NXT and on WWE\’s main roster, LeRae has done plenty, but one thing she hasn\’t accomplished is to beat IYO SKY.
In the interview, the Poison Pixie called beating the Damage CTRL member high on her list of priorities.
\”[That\’s] unfinished business for me. I don\’t know how [that hasn\’t happened]. I did have a few times during pregnancy watching her wrestle where I was like \’Man I just cannot beat this girl.\’ I\’ve just never beaten her.\”
LeRae\’s one and only reign as NXT Women\’s Tag Team Champions was with Indi Hartwell, and was ended by SKY (then Io Shirai) and Zoey Stark in July 2021.
Bobby Lashley is known as the All Mighty in WWE for a reason, but he may have never made it in professional wrestling if not for a life-changing ordeal.
Lashley debuted on WWE TV in 2005 and would return to the promotion in 2018 where he remains today.
During his second return, Lashley has held the U.S. and Intercontinental Championships and is a two-time WWE Champion.
The Robbery
Before Lashley made it to WWE, he competed in amateur wrestling, including during his time with the United States Armed Forces.
Lashley was successful enough to be considered a prospect for the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics before a robbery ended those dreams.
\”During that time when I was still training getting ready for the Olympics. I was in a bank. Guys came in shooting up, I took a dive down to the ground, split my knee open. That ended my amateur wrestling career.\”
The All Mighty added that with his Olympic dreams over, it wasn\’t long before WWE gave him a call.
\”Gerald Brisco called me up during that time when I\’m sitting with the leg brace on. He was like, \’Hey, I know that you said that you wanted to wait until after the Olympics to talk to us, but we\’d like for you to come a little bit sooner.\’ [I] didn\’t tell him about the leg brace.
\”So I trained and rehabbed for a little while and then came on. So it was like one door closed and another door opened.\”
In September 2005, Lashley would debut, defeating Simon Dean, who\’d he defeat the following month at No Mercy: Lashley\’s Pay Per View debut.
Lashley Vs. Lesnar
Lashley is an accomplished amateur wrestler, but he\’s not the only one in WWE.
This year, Lashley has feuded with Brock Lesnar, who the former U.S. Champion has been hungry to feud with for years.
At the Royal Rumble 2022 Premium Live Event, Lashley defeated Lesnar to win the WWE Championship, albeit thanks to an assist from Roman Reigns.
\”I’m actually a contestant on the show [Barmageddon on USA Network] and if anyone knows how to play beer-drinking games — well more than beer-drinking, it’s just bar-drinking games. Brie Mode is definitely the one and I take on Sasha Banks so it’s pretty amazing.\”
Barmageddon will see celebrities face off in bar drinking games and will be hosted by Blake Shelton, Carson Daly, and Brie\’s sister Nikki Bella.
Banks and WWE
While Brie and Nikki Bella have been retired for years, Sasha Banks is a current WWE Superstar, but hasn\’t competed in May.
The Boss continues to serve out her suspension, after walking out of the May 16, 2022, Raw over a creative dispute.
Despite reports that Banks is expected to return to WWE, there have been no sightings of the former Champion at arenas.
Banks was mentioned during Extreme Rules 2022, the first reference to her since the suspension.
Chris Jericho will be sticking with All Elite Wrestling after signing a new three-year contract with the promotion.
Jericho was one of the first names to sign with Tony Khan in January 2019, and became the first AEW World Champion that same year.
Earlier this year, Jericho captured the Ring of Honor World Championship, his first title associated with the ROH brand.
Chris Jericho\’s Best Gimmicks Ranked
New Contract
Jericho\’s new contract will keep him with AEW until December 2025, Variety reports.
Not just a wrestler, the new deal will see the wrestling veteran take on increased responsibilities behind the scenes.
Jericho will serve as a producer and creative advisor in addition to continuing his current role as a mentor to young talent.
In a statement, Tony Khan expressed his delight to continue working with one of the \”greatest professional wrestlers of all time.\”
\”Chris has discovered a fountain of youth this year, and he’s having some of the very best matches of his legendary career against some of the top names in wrestling. In expanding his responsibilities, he’ll continue to serve as a valuable leader with our roster.\”
Backstage Leader
With three decades and counting in wrestling, it isn\’t difficult to see why Jericho is considered a locker-room leader within AEW.
After the controversy at All Out 2022, it was reported that Jericho has \’stepped up\’ backstage to help out following months of unfavorable reports about the promotion.
Bryan Danielson and reigning AEW World Champion Jon Moxley are also said to have earned props backstage for stepping up at arguably the company\’s most difficult time to date.
Bray Wyatt is once again a fully-fledged WWE Superstar, despite countless fans hoping he\’d join AEW instead.
At Extreme Rules 2022, Wyatt returned to WWE in the closing moments of the show, 15 months after his controversial exit from the promotion.
Wyatt\’s high-figure contract and creative differences with Vince McMahon are said to have been factors in his release.
Not an Option
While many felt like AEW would be the perfect place for Wyatt\’s creative side, he did not join Tony Khan\’s popular promotion.
Speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross questioned whether Wyatt ever saw AEW as an option (via 411Mania.)
\”I don’t know if he ever interviewed with Tony Khan or not. It wouldn’t surprise me if he did, I don’t know. Bray may have had this plan all along. Take some time off, try to go back to the nest.
\”He wanted to go back to WWE, and I don’t know what amount of money Tony [Khan] could’ve offered that was gonna supplant his career in WWE.\”
\”My take is, there was never any major interest [in Wyatt joining AEW.]\”
Jim Ross.
Wyatt\’s first appearance back on TV came during last week\’s SmackDown, when he thanked fans for their support.
The Wyatt 6
Bray Wyatt is back with WWE, but plans for his future are unclear.
One popular theory is that Wyatt is starting a new stable, where Superstars will portray characters from the Firefly Fun House.
These characters were portrayed as part of Wyatt\’s return at Extreme Rules.
Grayson Waller, Joe Gacy, Alexa Bliss and Liv Morgan have all been rumored to be names considered for the group.
Is Dominik Mysterio this generation\’s The Rock? Perhaps not, but WWE could book him like the Hollywood A-Lister.
Dominik had his in-ring WWE debut at Summerslam 2020, and has worked with his father Rey Mysterio since then.
At Clash at the Castle, Dominik turned on his father and Edge, and is now aligned with the Judgment Day.
Booking like The Rock
Dominik has certainly gained a ton of heat since turning heel, but he\’s hardly the only cocky young heel in WWE history.
After debuting as a babyface in 1996, a hostile response from the crowd would force WWE to turn Rocky Maivia heel and he became The Rock the following year.
Speaking on the latest episode of the DDP Snake Pit podcast, Diamond Dallas Page said WWE should antagonize fans as they did with the Brahma Bull.
\”If I was booking, I would have Dominik beat anyone that he gets in front of. Because if you push him like that, they [the fans] are going to hate him even more. A la The Rock. Remember when they gave him that big push as Rocky Maivia? People hated him! [Now] Rock is the most beloved human being on the planet right now. He\’s not the People\’s Champion, he\’s the World\’s Champion.
\”When you\’re pushing someone in wrestling that fans don\’t think should be pushed, it gets that other level of heat… He doesn\’t need to say anything and they go crazy.\”
Speaking about Rey Mysterio, Page speculated that the three-time WWE World Champion must feel conflicted feuding with his son.
\”Dominik doesn\’t have to say anything. They want Rey to beat his a**!
\”\”I\’m sure this is something that Rey is loving doing and also hurting [him] at the same time. Because it\’s his kid… He\’s so proud of his son.\”
Diamond Dallas Page.
On last week\’s SmackDown, Rey threatened to quit WWE rather than fight his son, and an agreement was made to move the older Mysterio to the blue brand.
The Judgment Day
Mysterio is the latest addition to the Judgment Day, which also consists of Finn Balor, Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley.
When asked about the group, Page said that Balor has benefitted greatly from the stable.
\”They\’ve given Finn a lot of spots, championships. But they never really gave him the real push. Now he\’s getting that. Every one of them. They\’re talented. They look good and they can deliver in the ring. Finn of all of them, is the master. Finn can do anything.\”
The Judgment Day is set to compete at Crown Jewel on November 5, where they\’ll face AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
Triple H
Dominik\’s heel turn, like much of the Judgment Day\’s booking, was the decision of WWE\’s Head of Creative Triple H.
Speaking about the Game, Page said he knew from the start that things would change for the better.
\”I knew when Hunter [WWE Head of Talent Relations & Creative Triple H] got a hold of the booking of it, it was going to change and be more wrestling-oriented. Hence less matches, more time, because that\’s where stories really get told.\”
Triple H is currently away from WWE after testing positive for Covid-19.
Karl Anderson may be weeks away from making history by competing for WWE and New Japan Pro Wrestling on the very same night.
Last week, Anderson, alongside Luke Gallows, returned to WWE, coming to the aid of AJ Styles for his feud with The Judgment Day.
Gallows and Anderson, who are former WWE Raw Tag Team Champions, were released in April 2020 with their final appearances being during WrestleMania 36\’s Boneyard match.
History Maker?
Anderson returned to WWE, despite being the NJPW NEVER Openweight Champion.
After his return, New Japan uploaded an updated card for their Battle Autumn event next month, confirming that Anderson is still on the card.
Anderson will defend his championship against Hikuleo and is expected to drop the title in Osaka Jo-Hall in Japan on November 5.
During this week\’s Raw, it was announced that Styles, Gallows, and Anderson will face the Judgment Day\’s Finn Balor, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio at Crown Jewel.
Crown Jewel will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, also on November 5.
If he works both events, Anderson will become the first wrestler to work for WWE and New Japan on the same night.
More Appearances?
Anderson is set to appear for New Japan Pro Wrestling, despite being a WWE Superstar, but his work with the former promotion won\’t be a one-off.
According to reports, New Japan is hopeful that both Anderson and Luke Gallows will be able to work events up until the company\’s biggest annual show, Wrestle Kingdom 17 in January 2023.
There is no confirmation as to whether WWE will agree for the duo to make multiple appearances for the other promotion.
Contracting Covid also means that Triple H will miss tonight\’s episode of WWE NXT, which will go head-to-head with a special Tuesday edition of AEW Dynamite.
Raw Without the Game
Even without Triple H around, Raw went on ahead, with \’Road Dogg\’ Jesse James running the show backstage.
PW Insider reports that James oversaw production, and made the majority of the big calls for the show.
At last Friday night’s WWE SmackDown TV tapings, Road Dogg was working alongside his D-Generation X stablemate.
Road Dogg
While best known for his work in DX and the New Age Outlaws, \’Road Dogg\’ Jesse James has held various roles behind the scenes in WWE.
In 2011, James returned to the promotion as a producer, and in 2016 became a writer for SmackDown, where he would also produce matches.
After WrestleMania 35 in April 2019, it was reported that James had resigned as head writer of SmackDown, but would remain with WWE as a \”utility\” player.
From 2019 to 2022, James worked with Triple H in NXT, teaching classes on in-ring development and promo skills before his release in January.
The WWE Hall of Famer was appointed the Senior Vice President of Live Events in August this year, replacing Jeff Jarrett.
All Elite Wrestling may have had its share of problems backstage, but their relationship with Warner Bros. Discovery is stronger than ever. The media giant operates both TBS, the home of AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights, and TNT the home of AEW Rampage on Fridays.
A new documentary show is in the works that focus on the behind-the-scenes lives of AEW stars, according to a report by Fightful. AEW talent and staff were informed this past week about the project. Talent have been informed that participation in the docuseries is voluntary and that they have the option not to be involved.
Filming is set to start in November at the Baltimore AEW Dynamite and run six weeks through the AEW tapings in Garland, Texas on December 14.
Producers
Fightful\’s report added that Tony Khan will serve as Executive Producer of the documentary show, with Sam Berns, Executive Producer of Shed Media helping out.
The show will be in association with both Warner Media and Shed Media, who according to their website, provide \”unscripted and alternative television.\”
Sources who spoke to Fightful said the plan is for the documentary series to begin airing next year.
AEW Behind the Scenes
While a documentary series like this is a first for AEW, it will hardly be the first time fans see the inner workings of the company.
Thanks to \’Being the Elite\’ audiences have seen several behind-the-scenes skits featuring their favorite AEW wrestlers.
The show is on hiatus for the time being, due to the Elite (Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks) being suspended from AEW due to the ongoing investigation into the All Out backstage fight.
Prior to their exit, Cody and Brandi Rhodes also gave a behind-the-scenes look at AEW with their show \’Rhodes to the Top.\’
Dynamite has been moved from its traditional Wednesday timeslot due to the MLB\’s American League Championship.
Triple H\’s status for this Friday\’s SmackDown on FOX is unknown at this time.
WWE and Covid
Like all businesses, WWE had to face the Covid-19 pandemic when cases began to surge in the United States in early 2020.
While WWE was allowed to continue operating, shows went ahead without fans for the first time in the promotion\’s history.
In August 2020, WWE introduced their \’Thunderdome\’ a virtual fan environment which allowed virtual audiences.
Unlike AEW, WWE did not want talent to announce positive Covid tests, though many tests would be made public.
Triple H joins Drew McIntyre, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, who have all tested positive for Covid-19 in the past.
Triple H\’s Rise to the Throne
While considered for a long-time the heir to WWE, Triple H\’s rise through the company\’s hierarchy took a detour last year.
In September 2021, the Game lost control over NXT to his father-in-law, who rebranded the show as WWE NXT 2.0.
Following McMahon\’s retirement in July, Triple H would be appointed Head of Creative, replacing McMahon as well as Head of Talent, replacing John Laurinaitis.
Triple H has made several changes since then, including bringing back released talent, which has gone down well with fans.
Former WWE Superstar Chris Masters has gone on to have a lengthy career in wrestling but is ready for a rematch with Bobby Lashley.
Masters, who signed with WWE in 2003, was just 20 when he inked his developmental contract, making him one of WWE\’s youngest-ever signings.
After being released in 2007, the Masterpiece would return in 2009 before his second release in 2011.
Lock Vs. Lock
During his tenure, Masters would have a regular \’Master Lock\’ challenge, in which contestants would try and break his version of the iconic Full Nelson submission.
After over two years, Bobby Lashley would break the lock on the March 19, 2007 episode of Raw, shocking Masters.
Speaking with SEScoops correspondent Steve Fall, Masters spoke about a possible WWE return and said he tried to get one in time for the 2022 Royal Rumble.
\”I\’ve seen MVP come back. I\’ve seen Shelton [Benjamin] come back. I\’ve seen Carlito come back and I kind of felt like \’sure.\’ It\’s been ten years, and it feels like a good time. It\’s been so long that it\’s like who else can they bring back that\’ll be a big surprise at this point?\”
Masters hoped for a return to have a face-off with Lashley in the Men\’s Rumble match before it was announced that the All Mighty would be challenging then-WWE Champion Brock Lesnar.
Despite not getting the Rumble face-off he hoped for, Masters remains optimistic about facing Lashley.
\”I still hope, cross my fingers, that we can make that moment happen.\”
Chris Masters on a possible face-off with Bobby Lashley.
\”Bobby and I obviously know each other really well. I just felt like it would be a cool moment and I still hope, cross my fingers, that we can make that moment happen. I mean, it would obviously be cool for me but I think it would be cool for all of you, all the fans.\”
Lashley would defeat Lesnar at the Premium Live Events, thanks to interference from Roman Reigns.
Addiction
Masters\’ nickname \’The Masterpiece\’ came not only as a play-on-words on his name but also because of his impressive physique.
With his jacked muscles, Masters would often face accusations of using steroids or other performance-enhancing substances.
In the interview, Masters admitted to failing a drugs test in 2006 but clarified that he was fighting an addiction to prescription pills at the time.
\”I failed a drug test but the bigger issue was… I was at a point where I developed an addiction to these prescription pills. I was very young and it was just it was one of those things where you never thought it would be your type of thing and I didn\’t even know I was in it. So I had to go away and deal with that issue.\”
\”You never thought it would be your type of thing.\”
Chris Masters on developing an addiction to pills.
\”They told me either you\’re going to go in for treatment or basically you\’re not gonna have a job.\”
Masters would return to WWE in August 2006, with commentators describing him as \”leaner and meaner\” making reference to his changed physique.
The Worse Debut
After weeks of promotional vignettes, Masters made his in-ring debut on the February 21, 2005, Raw, defeating Stevie Richards.
This match wasn\’t an easy start for the Masterpiece, who broke Richards\’ nose with the Polish Hammer, which he adopted as his finisher.
Speaking about his debut, Masters admitted that he had heat backstage after his very first televised match.
\”Stevie was very upset and rightfully so. He\’s yelling and stuff and there was some heat on me. When you break somebody\’s face like that, their nose and their orbitable bone, it\’s hard to just come back and be like \’oh you know accidents happen.\’
\”When you watch it back there\’s no good explanation for it. I can at least say this to my credit, it\’s the only time in my whole career that now spans 20 years that I\’ve ever injured somebody.\”
After being \”relegated\” to Sunday Night Heat for a month, Masters was brought back to Raw, having been told that the Polish Hammer could only be used on the chest.
Being \’Over\’ with the Boss
Though Masters\’ debut earned him heat backstage, that didn\’t seem to deter then-WWE CEO and Chairman Vince McMahon.
In early 2006, Masters would appear regularly on-screen with McMahon, including using the Master Lock on Marty Jannetty during McMahon\’s feud with Shawn Michaels.
Speaking about the now-former Chairman, Masters said he enjoyed working with McMahon, but that the boss\’ opinion could quickly change.
\”You can be over with Vince like I was. I was over with Vince but also Vince can go \’hold on you.\’ It\’s happened to many guys and the challenge then is how do you turn Vince hot on you again.\”
After the Michaels-McMahon storyline, Masters wouldn\’t be used again as part of a McMahon storyline and would quickly slip down the card.
For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.
Bray Wyatt is back with WWE, 15 months after his controversial release from the company, but what\’s next for him?
Wyatt returned to WWE during the closing moments of Extreme Rules 2022, earning a thunderous response from the fans in Philadelphia.
During last Friday\’s SmackDown, Wyatt cut a passionate promo about his departure and return, which has racked up more than 5 million YouTube views in the first 12 hours.
Unfinished Plans
There has been a ton of buzz about Wyatt and what the future holds for him, and fans are unsure what will come next.
According to Dave Meltzer, those within WWE aren\’t too sure either, with many being kept in the dark.
\”I\’ve certainly heard names for a faction but then I heard other people say those aren\’t the names. And someone even told me it\’s not even all worked out exactly how it\’s all gonna go down.\”
Dave Meltzer.
The Wyatt-6
Rumors of a faction for Wyatt began at Extreme Rules, as his return featured several other performers.
For his return, individuals dressed as members of the Firefly Fun House, including Huskus the Pig Boy, Rambling Rabbit, Abby the Witch, Mercy the Buzzard, and the Fiend.
Names rumored for the group include Grayson Waller, who is believed to have played Mercy the Buzzard at Extreme Rules.
During a recent video on Twitter, Waller teased involvement, as a Bray Wyatt Head-Lantern was in the background of the video.
Liv Morgan and Alexa Bliss have both been rumored to play Abby the Witch.
John \’Bradshaw\’ Layfield\’s return to WWE may be a matter of hours away as the company has plans to use the former WWE Champion.
Bradshaw was a staple of WWE programming from the mid-90s to 2009, when he retired from in-ring competition at WrestleMania 25.
In 2021, JBL was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the 2020 class, which had been delayed due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
JBL Returns
It\’s been over a decade since JBL last competed for WWE, but his return to programming is said to be imminent.
PW Insider reports that during last week\’s SmackDown tapings, there were talk backstage about the former World Champion.
It\’s reported that people were discussing that JBL will be at the next several episodes of Monday Night Raw in some capacity.
It is unclear what exactly WWE has planned for the Texan legend.
Manager?
WWE has not publicly confirmed JBL\’s appearance, but the former wrestler may be back as a manager.
After losing to Shinsuke Nakamura on the August 27, 2022, SmackDown, Happy Corbin was approached by someone in a white limousine.
While the passenger\’s face was not seen, the voice was distinctly that of JBL and many believe that the Hall of Famer will be Corbin\’s manager going forward.
Speaking in February this year, JBL said he would love to manage Corbin if given the chance.
\”I Love Baron Corbin. I think Baron Corbin is a really smart guy, and I think Baron Corbin is a guy I would like to manage.\”
\”I just can’t see anything in the wrestling business that he has a hand in that’s not going to be successful. And I’m obviously biased and partial to the man, but I would go to war for him seven days a week.”
Since being appointed Head of Talent, Triple H has brought several prominent stars back, including Johnny Gargano, Karrion Kross, Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt.
Fans of Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns should enjoy his TV appearances while they can, as he won\’t appear much more in 2022.
Earlier this year, Reigns signed a new contract with WWE that has seen him appear far less.
Despite being the promotion\’s top champion, Reigns does not consistently appear on TV or at WWE\’s Premium Live Events.
Reigns\’ Bookings
According to PW Insider, Reigns has just two Premium Live Event bookings left in 2022, the first of which being Crown Jewel, where he will face Logan Paul.
The other Premium Live Event will be WWE Survivor Series 2022 where many believe Reigns and the Bloodline will compete in a WarGames match.
On WWE TV, Reigns will be on the October 28, SmackDown in St. Louis, which will be a double-taping.
The November 4, SmackDown will also be taped, as the WWE roster will be busy in Saudi Arabia on that date ahead of Crown Jewel on November 5.
Reigns\’ one and only remaining Raw appearance is booked for October 31 in Dallas, Texas.
The Tribal Chief\’s final appearances booked for this year will be on the November 11 SmackDown in Indianapolis and the November 18, show in Hartford.
WWE\’s Big Problem
Despite his appearances being more sporadic, WWE remains all-in on Reigns as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
This has created a dilemma though, as according to reports, there is a desire for two World Championship matches at WrestleMania 39.
WWE reportedly does not want Reigns to take a loss between now and WrestleMania, which has left those working backstage in the dilemma.
The most popular theories online are that Reigns will face either Cody Rhodes or The Rock at WrestleMania 39.
Styles has been feuding with the Judgment Day fr months, as the group continues to try and recruit the two-time former WWE World Champion.
Good Brothers
Despite being WWE Superstars, Gallows and Anderson are still expected to compete for New Japan.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Anderson, the reigning NJPW NEVER Openweight Champion, will compete at Battle Autumn on November 5.
Fightful Select reports that the duo have been working for New Japan without contracts, and have plans to use the two in the coming months.
It was also reported that New Japan officials were aware that Gallows and Anderson were returning to WWE despite dates committed through to the end of this year.
Officials at NJPW are hopeful that WWE will allow Gallows and Anderson to work Wrestle Kingdom in January 2023, but that has not been confirmed at this time.
Return to WWE
Gallows and Anderson are back with WWE, two years after they were released by the promotion.
Fightful\’s report adds that Gallows and Anderson were sent feelers from WWE during their recent run in Impact Wrestling.
It was said that neither man kept WWE\’s interest in them a secret behind the scenes in Impact.
Both men\’s contracts were originally set to end in July, but extended for a month, meaning their Impact deals ended in late August.
Gallows and Anderson\’s first match back will come on tomorrow\’s Raw when they will face Alpha Academy.
Joining AAA in 1992, Mysterio spent much of his time in the promotion feuding with fellow cruiserweight Juventud Guerrera.
In March 2015, days after being released from WWE, Rey returned to AAA for the first time in nearly twenty years at the Rey de Reyes (King of Kings) event.
The match Rey competed in is infamous for the death of wrestler El Hijo del Perro Aguayo, who suffered a cardiac arrest during the match.
At that year\’s TripleMania XXIII event, Mysterio defeated Myzteziz (WWE\’s Sin Cara) in what was billed as a dream match.
In June 2018, Rey made another return to AAA, competing in a three-way match for the AAA Mega Championship against Jeff Jarrett and Rey Wegner, which Jarrett would win.
Fans of Raw Superstar Angelo Dawkins can expect to see more of him as he is impressing the right people backstage.
Dawkins signed with WWE in 2016 and is one of a handful of people to hold the Raw, SmackDown, and NXT Tag Team Championships as part of the Street Profits with Montez Ford.
Impressing Backstage
Despite being primarily a tag team wrestler, Dawkins has competed in several singles matches in recent weeks.
Fightful Select reports that Dawkins has been impressing behind the scenes with his recent string of singles matches.
One source within WWE said that Dawkins has improved all-round, including in his fitness, in-ring work, and the style that he works.
Another source said that it is no coincidence that Dawkins has been working more and more singles matches as of late.
Dawkins has competed in more singles matches since June 2022 as he did between Wrestlemania 37 to Wrestlemania 38.
Fightful was told to expect Dawkins to keep getting put into singles matches at a rate that exceeded what we saw before the Summer.
A wrestler for AEW told Fightful that Dawkins has always had the potential to be the bigger star of the Street Profits if given the chance.
An Illegitimate Injury?
Dawkins\’ singles push has come at a time when Montez Ford has been \’injured.\’
Naomi\’s return to WWE TV may still be a long way away as talks between herself and the promotion have reportedly stalled.
In May, Naomi and Sasha Banks walked out of a Raw taping over a creative dispute.
In response, WWE stripped the pair of the WWE Women\’s Tag Team Champions, suspended both women, and branded them \”unprofessional.\”
Stalled
While fans of Naomi will want her back soon, that is unlikely to happen.
In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it is said that certain “deal points” in a new contract haven\’t been finalized.
Naomi\’s most recent contract with WWE was close to expiring at the time of the walk-out, and it is believed that the promotion may have frozen her deal.
If so, it means the former SmackDown Women\’s Champion will not be able to negotiate with any other promotions until the deal expires.
While talks between WWE and Naomi have slowed down, the two sides are reported to still be in communication.
Sasha Banks
While Naomi walked out of WWE during the May 16, 2022 Raw, she didn\’t go alone, as Sasha Banks left with her.
For a time, it was believed that both women were finished with WWE, though that isn\’t believed to be the case anymore.
At Extreme Rules 2022, Banks\’ name was uttered on commentary during the Raw Women\’s Championship match between Bianca Belair and Bayley.
This marked the first time Banks had been mentioned since the walk-out and a sign to some that her return is getting closer.
Ronda Rousey is the reigning, defending SmackDown Women\’s Champion, but would rather be called simply the SmackDown Champion moving forward.
At Extreme Rules, Rousey captured the SmackDown Women\’s Championship from Liv Morgan, making the woman who dethroned her at Money in the Bank pass out.
Rousey is a two-time SmackDown Women\’s Champion and held the Raw Women\’s Championship from August 2018 to April 2019.
What\’s in a Name?
Rousey is arguably the biggest name in WWE\’s women\’s division but believes that the women\’s term is redundant.
Speaking during her most recent vlog, Rousey made her feelings clear about calling titles for females the \’Women\’s\’ championship (via WrestlingNews.)
\”I don\’t want to say \’women\’ in title anymore. And I think they are kind of resistant to taking it out. So then I was like, \’Can I just not have to say it?\’ So then that\’s kind of where it\’s at.\”
While WWE refers to titles from that division as the women\’s Championship, no male champions have their sex referenced in their titles.
Changing the Term
Rousey hopes for a day when WWE no longer uses the term \’Women\’ for their championships, but this has happened before.
In January 2020, WWE drop the \’Women\’ term from the NXT Women\’s Championship, which at the time was held by Rhea Ripley.
Instead, Ripley was referred to as the NXT Champion, the same term used for NXT Champion Adam Cole.
Not long after though, the idea was scrapped, and by WrestleMania 36, Ripley defended the NXT Women\’s Championship against Charlotte Flair.
Roxanne Perez appeared on this week\’s WWE SmackDown on FOX, in her first appearance on the blue brand.
During the show, Perez hand-picked Raquel Rodriguez to face Cora Jade on next week\’s WWE NXT.
Next Tuesday\’s show (which will go head-to-head with AEW Dynamite) will see Perez and Jade face opponents the other has chosen.
Backstage Reaction
In addition to choosing Rodriguez as Jade\’s opponent, Pere also competed in a six-woman tag, teaming with Rodriguez and Shotzi in a losing effort to Damage CTRL.
PW Insider reports that WWE was \”really happy\” with Perez\’s work on SmackDown, and believes she fit right in with the roster.
There have already been discussions about Perez being used on SmackDown again.
These talks come days after reports that WWE is planning on more crossover between Raw, SmackDown, and Perez\’s home brand WWE NXT.
Jade Vs. Perez
In July, Cora Jade and Roxanne Perez captured the NXT Women\’s Tag Team Championships, though their reign was short-lived.
Mere weeks later, Jade would turn on Perez, accusing her tag partner of costing her a shot at the NXT Women\’s Championship.
After Jade threw her championship title in the trash, Perez was forced to vacate her title, which was later won by Kayden Carter and Katana Chance.
The former friends will face off at the upcoming NXT Halloween Havoc 2022 event in a \’Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal: Weapons Wild Match.\’
WWE NXT Halloween Havoc 2022 will take place at the Performance Center on October 22.