WWE NXT 2.0 may be over, but the goal of the paint-splattered show to focus on younger, newer stars continues to live on.
NXT 2.0 was launched in September 2021 and saw some extreme changes made to the established brand.
Many Superstars associated with the original NXT were released or moved to other brands ahead of the change last year.
Younger Talent
Arguably the biggest change made with the implementation of NXT 2.0 was a shift of focus, with more attention being spent on newer, younger stars.
NXT 2.0\’s arrival saw the debuts of Superstars including Bron Breakker, Von Waner, Joe Gacy, Grayson Waller, Nikkita Lyons, and others.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that NXT will still focus on new stars despite ditching the NXT 2.0 branding (via eWrestlingNews.)
\”No more 2.0, it’s just NXT again. They’re going back to the old colors. But the same philosophy in the sense of mostly younger guys coming in, and younger women coming in and everything.”
Dave Meltzer
Prior to the 2021 relaunch, the show had been treated as a third brand, equivalent to Raw and SmackDown.
NXT
Originally a reality show where wrestlers would compete for a chance for a WWE contract, NXT was revamped for the first time in 2012.
The change was made for NXT to become a developmental brand, replacing Florida Championship Wrestling, which had been producing talent for the main roster for years.
In 2019, NXT was moved to the USA Network and competed head-to-head with AEW Dynamite.
At that time, the decision was made for NXT to be its own third brand and competed against Raw and SmackDown at that year\’s Survivor Series.
WWE has commissioned several sets of new championship belts in what is being seen as the latest big change to the company in the post-Vince McMahon era.
Since the ex-CEO\’s departure in July, several changes have been made to WWE\’s roster, with talent released in recent years being brought back. WWE has also made changes on a larger scale, ending the NXT UK brand in favor of the NXT Europe show expected to launch next year.
WWE is host to plenty of titles across Raw, SmackDown and NXT, and some of those titles are set to receive a new look. WWE has had newly designed championships for weeks, with at least three new sets of title belts fully finished, according to Fightful.
WWE Superstars who spoke to Fightful off-the-record are said to welcome the new titles. It\’s also believed that Triple H\’s rise to power following McMahon\’s retirement sped up the process to introduce new title designs.
New Tag Gold
Championship belt creator Belt Fan Dan recently noted on Twitter that new tag team championship belts have been created and are ready to roll out.
The WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships have been represented by the Raw and SmackDown tag-team titles since the championships were unified in May.
There are also never used tag team titles, which look like the designs used on the WWE Women\’s tag titles on colored straps, but it is unclear if they will be used.
Velcro vs. Snaps
One change already made to WWE\’s championships is the use of velcro on the titles.
Though WWE once used snap pins to hold titles around the waist of talent, velcro is now used, with the snap pins being used for aesthetic appeal.
WWE talent who spoke to Fightful said that they appreciate how velcro allows them to fasten and unfasten titles quickly, but it cosmetically looks bad.
More Changes
WWE\’s championships are set to get a redesign, and the promotion has plans to change things across all three brands.
We recently saw WWE introduce a new logo for NXT and drop the \”2.0\” branding that was introduced last year. Aside from new championship belts on the main roster, there are said to be other cosmetic changes in store for the Raw and SmackDown brands.
Triple H has feuded with a lot of top names in wrestling, but the Game regrets never having a prolonged feud with Rey Mysterio.
When Mysterio joined WWE in 2002, he was put on SmackDown, while Triple H was the top star on Raw.
While Triple H would eventually be drafted to SmackDown in 2008, Rey would be drafted to Raw that same year.
The following year, Triple H was drafted back to Raw and Mysterio was moved back to SmackDown.
The Missed Feud
Speaking to LadBible, the Game spoke about the possibility of working with Mysterio and how the opportunity never arose.
\”I always wanted to work with Rey Mysterio. I think I\’ve been in the ring with him twice [in] my entire career. There\’s certain guys like that… We just never ended up in the same place in the same storylines.
\”I always wanted to work with Rey Mysterio.\”
Triple H.
\”I\’ve thrown it out there a lot over the years of like, \’Hey, what if Rey and I did something,\’ But he was always on SmackDown [while] I was on Raw or vice versa. It just never panned out but he\’s always a guy that I always thought \’Man, I would have loved to have gone and done something big with him.\’\”
Rey Mysterio Vs. Triple H
While Rey and Triple H never feuded, the two did share the ring on occasion
Triple H and Mysterio were the #1 and #2 entrants in the 2006 Royal Rumble, which was later won by Rey.
Rey and Triple H would be on the same team as part of Survivor Series 2007, aligning with Jeff Hardy and Kane.
Buddy Matthews and Malakai Black will be staying with AEW for the foreseeable future despite previous statements teasing their departures.
After taking a bow at the AEW All Out 2022 Pay Per View, it was reported that Black had asked for his release, which the Dutch wrestler confirmed in a statement.
\”I did indeed ask for my release.\”
Malakai Black.
Last week, Buddy Matthews spoke at an indie event where he also teased an indefinite break from wrestling.
This led to belief among fans that both men were done with the company, with reports that they were hoping on a return to WWE now with Triple H running creative.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer explained that nobody is set to depart AEW following the recent statements from Black and Matthews.
Nobody\’s getting released. That\’s the doctrine Tony Khan made that very clear I guess in the last couple of days. So now it\’s just, he [Malakai Black] is not being released. Buddy Matthews isn\’t being released. They may be back sooner than before or whatever but that\’s the situation you know.
\”You know what the situation is. They were wanting to go and trying to get a way out. I mean which we talked about last night and that was the decision that was made. It\’s not to say it\’s hard and fast and there would be no way that he [AEW President Tony Khan] will never give anybody a release but I think it\’s pretty much the deal.\”
Speaking about WWE, Meltzer said this wouldn\’t happen in the McMahon-Nick Khan promotion.
\”If this happened in the other company [WWE] would those people get releases? The answer is no.\”
Dave Meltzer.
WWE has reportedly shown interest in rehiring several former Superstars who have since joined AEW.
Swerve Strickland reportedly referred to WWE to his legal representatives when approached, but is not introduced in a return and Hit Row reunion.
Options
With Black and Matthews seemingly staying with AEW, it remains to be seen when they will return.
Black has said he could be back within a matter of weeks but has given no confirmed timeframe for how long he or Matthews will be gone.
Meltzer sid that Khan could extend the contracts of either man, something seen in the past by WWE.
\”Now their option is to sit at home and then he [Khan] can extend the contract if they sit at home, or wrestle. So now they\’re going to wrestle. Yeah, kind of a weird thing how that all turned out you know he [Black] waved goodbye and now he\’s coming back. You know now he\’s gonna blame me [and] you know but that\’s what happened. No release.\”
For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.
Trish is keeping tight-lipped on what this project could be, but another match is a possibility for the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame inductee.
Stratus\’ most recent appearance for WWE came on the August 22, 2022, Monday Night Raw, which took place in her native Toronto, and where she teased having one more match.
Her promo was interrupted by Damage CTRL, leading to speculation among fans of a Bayley-Stratus match.
Stratus\’ most recent match, which was billed as her retirement match, saw her lose to Charlotte Flair at Summerslam 2019, also in Toronto.
Stratus after Retirement
Despite leaving WWE in 2006, Stratus has made several appearances since then, and had several matches.
In 2008, Trish wrestled her first match in over two years, teaming with John Cena to defeat Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix.
Stratus also returned in 2018, having a series of matches around the time of WWE Evolution: the promotion\’s first all-female Pay Per View.
Outside of wrestling, Stratus appeared in a 2013 music video for Mickie James\’ song \’Somebody\’s Gonna Pay,\’ and had a minor role for the TV movie \’Christmas in the Rockies\’ in 2020.
In March this year, she appeared as a judge on \’Canada\’s Got Talent.\’
Roman Reigns could be in store for a phenomenal feud with AJ Styles for the Tribal Chief\’s Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
Styles, a two-time former WWE Champion, last held world title gold in 2018, losing the championship to Daniel Bryan (now AEW\’s Bryan Danielson.)
Reigns has dominated as Universal Champion since August 2020, and unified the title with the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 38.
At recent WWE Live events, Reigns has been facing Styles in the main event of the evening.
Cageside Seats reports that there is belief that the two will soon be feuding on WWE programming.
WWE has used untelevised events to test possible feuds for Television.
Styles has been feuding with The Judgment Day in recent weeks but does not have a match at the upcoming Extreme Rules Premium Live Event
Get in Line
In AJ Styles could soon be challenging for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, he\’s not the only one who wants a shot at the Head of the Table.
Roman Reigns is scheduled to defend his Championship against Logan Paul at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia next month.
It has also been reported that WWE is considering Reigns Vs. Karrion Kross at November\’s WWE Survivor Series: WarGames.
Braun Strowman is also expected to face Roman Reigns in the near future.
After returning to WWE earlier this month, it was reported that Strowman will be the top face on the SmackDown brand, making a feud with Reigns likely.
Reigns Vs. Styles
Roman Reigns and AJ Styles last feuded in 2016, mere months after the latter\’s WWE debut.
The babyface Reigns, then the WWE World Champion, defeated Styles at that month\’s Payback, and later defeated him at Extreme Rules.
This week\’s AEW Dynamite could see a much smaller roster than usual thanks to the effects of Hurricane Ian.
Hurricane Ian is currently approaching Florida, and will pass through the Sunshine State this week.
On Twitter, AEW President Tony Khan announced that anyone involved in the show who cannot safely make it to Dynamite is allowed to miss the event for their safety.
For everyone in @AEW, in case you missed our email, anyone worried about Hurricane Ian affecting your travel or home or your family life, it’s voluntary to come to tv this week. Anyone affected by the hurricane can take care of business at home, & we hope to see you all next week
All Elite Wrestling will be cleaning up some of the language used on programming, according to commentator Jim Ross.
Since launching in 2019, AEW has been rated TV-14 and has tried to differentiate itself from WWE and its PG-rated product.
It has been reported in the past that TNT and TBS have not had an issue with AEW\’s choice of colorful language, as the promotion has proven to be a consistent ratings hit.
Cleaning up the Language
TNT and TBS may not have a problem with AEW\’s language, but Ross is insisting that changes are coming.
Speaking during a Q&A with AdFreeShows.com, Ross said that some language will be cleaned up.
\”We had a string in AEW where there was a lot of controversial language. I think you’ll see less of that.\”
Jim Ross on AEW using less coarse language.
Ross gave his own view that using foul language is often a crutch for wrestling promotions who can\’t find a better way to engage audiences.
\”It’s unnecessary and shows a lack of creativity if you can’t come up with an adjective or adverb that is better than something a little coarse. The times are going to dictate that.\”
Jim Ross on why AEW doesn\’t need foul language.
The WWE Hall of Famer did not state any specific words which will no longer be used on AEW programming.
No confirmation has been made by Tony Khan at this time regarding whether AEW plans to clean up some of its more colorful language.
Drew McIntyre was pleased to celebrate his WWE Championship victory at WrestleMania 36, despite being confident part of his celebration would be cut.
McIntyre\’s win over Brock Lesnar marked the Scottish Warrior\’s first of two WWE Championship wins, with his second coming in late 2020 over Randy Orton.
His win also came over a decade after being declared \’The Chosen One\’ by Vince McMahon, and nearly six years after his release from the promotion.
Cutting it Short
McIntyre\’s monumentous title win was a long time coming but played out in front of zero fans due to COVID-19 protocols at the time.
Speaking to SEScoops correspondent Steve Fall, McIntyre spoke about his post-match moment, when he reached out to the camera.
\”I was so grateful for that moment and wanted to let them [the fans] know \’hey you might not be here but you\’re here with me and it was an organic moment.\”
McIntyre was thrilled to see his moment with the fans make it to the broadcast, as he first believed it would be cut by WWE.
\”WrestleMania was pre-taped the week prior. I assumed that moment would be edited out because generally we don\’t look down the camera lens and break the fourth wall, but it just felt like the right thing to do with nobody there because I couldn\’t look out to the crowd and make that connection because there was nobody there.
\”I assumed that moment would be edited out because generally we don\’t look down the camera lens and break the fourth wall.\”
Drew McIntyre on reaching out to fans after his WrestleMania 36 win.
\”So I just looked right into the camera lens had that moment assumed they would never see the light of day, and it was cool to see it during WrestleMania and people to have such a positive response.\”
The Pandemic Champion
Drew would carry WWE as the World Champion throughout the majority of the Pandemic, defending his title to absolute silence several times.
It wouldn\’t be until Summerslam 2020 that WWE would introduce the \’Thunderdome\’ allowing a fan-like atmosphere without live audiences
Addressing what was an unprecedented time, McIntyre acknowledged his work as the face of the company, but called it a team effort.
\”I appreciate when people give me credit for stepping up during that period but I always say everybody stepped up during that period. Our entire rosters across Raw, Smackdown and NXT when every other entertainment and sports company shut down, we pushed ahead.
\”Everybody [in WWE] said \’okay if we\’re gonna be the only place around to take people\’s minds off what\’s going on in the world, we\’re going to give it our all.\’ And for me personally as champion, I get to lead by example.\”
WWE would bring back fans for WrestleMania 37 in April 2021, before allowing audiences to return full-time in July that same year.
3MB
Years before McIntyre became WWE Champion, he was part of 3MB, the comedy trio of wannabe musicians comprising of himself, Jinder Mahal and Heath Slater.
While McIntyre has said in the past that the group felt like a downgrade from the lofty heights once expected of him, he acknowledges how the group has remained popular.
\”I think Nostalgia is a hell of a thing because I don\’t know if a lot of people who were watching 3MB as kids maybe and got a little older or just people remember it different than actually was but the way that people talk to me about 3MB now you would think over the shield. So I\’m like \’okay you remember a little different than me I\’m gonna go with that.\’\”
McIntyre and Mahal would be released from WWE in 2014, with both returning and becoming WWE Champion.
Slater was released by WWE in 2020 and has since gone on to work in Impact Wrestling.
For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.
WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash\’s days in the ring are long behind him, but don\’t ever expect Big Daddy Cool to hit, or sell, a German Suplex.
The variation on the traditional Suplex, the German sees a wrestler grab an opponent\’s waist from behind, and throw them overhead.
Speaking about the move during the latest episode of Kliq This, Nash said that the risk factor is often not worth it.
\”Nobody got hurt until the German. Nobody ever broke their neck when I first broke in. But then all of a sudden that German Suplex comes in, phew!\”
Kevin Nash on the dangers of the German Suplex.
The German Suplex results in wrestlers landing on their back and neck and has resulted in injuries.
The Knife Edge Chop
The Suplex wasn\’t the only move on Nash\’s list, as he also took aim at the knife edge chop.
The chop, while most synonymous with two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has since been adopted by many wrestlers, and now used on a regular basis.
Nash explained that the move, and how wrestlers will trade it back and forth, spoils the suspension of disbelief for fans.
\”Jericho and Danielson had that match in AEW, where I lost count. I just don\’t get it. I lost count. Why is it \’I give you one. You sell it. You give me one. I sell it?\’\”
\”Why is it \’I give you one. You sell it. You give me one. I sell it?\’\”
Kevin Nash on the use of the knife edge chop trade offs.
Although Nash doesn\’t care for the move, he admitted that he did like the unique twist Ricky Steamboat gave the chop.
\”I used to like when Ricky The Dragon Steamboat would send them off [the rope] and drop to one knee and do like a Steven Seagal-ish chop.\”
Before Nash entered the world of pro-wrestling, the future Hall of Famer worked as a bouncer.
Addressing his time in the role, Nash said that staff were warned to not use a real chop, due to the damage the attack could do in proximity to a person\’s heart.
\”Our management just immediately outlawed that [the knife edge chop.] When you chop somebody [for real] that\’s right below using a handgun. The list goes \’Firearm, knife edge chop.\’\”
Nash did later discuss the chops he received from Ric Flair, and why they worked when others don\’t.
\”Ric would chop me, but Ric would always follow it up with a punch. Chop. Punch. So the chop could give him a chance to fire his f punch. But they\’re not doing that [anymore.] There\’s psychology for why it would or wouldn\’t work.\”
The Piledriver
Piledrivers have become a rarity in more modern-day wrestling, especially in WWE, due to the risk of neck injury.
Nash also noted that the move is too dangerous, and that it is simply not needed to have a good match.
\”Piledrivers are another one. I mean that almost paralyzed Steve [Austin.] I\’ve never given one. I don\’t take backdrops and I don\’t give backdrops. There are certain things you have to do in order to f***** have a pro-wrestling match. Like running the ropes is one of them.\”
Nash\’s comment is in reference to the Summerslam 1997 match between Steve Austin and Owen Hart, where Hart\’s sit-out tombstone piledriver would break the Rattlesnake\’s neck.
For use of any quotes from this article please give a h/t to SEScoops.
Drew McIntyre won\’t be competing for the time being after contracting food poisoning last week.
PW Insider\’s Mike Johnson reports that WWE made the decision to pull McIntyre from the Saturday Night\’s Main Event show in Stockton, California.
Before being pulled, the two-time former WWE Champion was scheduled to team with the New Day\’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods against The Usos and Solo Sikoa.
In his place, Braun Strowman teamed with the New Day in a winning effort, which also marked Strowman\’s first WWE Live event since returning to the promotion earlier this month.
SmackDown
McIntyre didn\’t make it to the weekend WWE Live events, but he did appear on SmackDown on FOX.
In his report, Johnson added that under the weather during the SmackDown taping, and required IV treatment in order to help him get through the show.
SmackDown saw McIntyre be attacked by Karrion Kross, as part of the build towards their Strap match at WWE Extreme Rules.
WWE Extreme Rules 2022 will take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 8.
McIntyre Vs. Kross
There has been no comment on whether McIntyre Vs. Kross will be delayed due to this recent food poisoning.
The two have been feuding since Kross\’ return to the promotion in July, following his releases from the company in November 2021.
Kross was also ringside for McIntyre\’s Clash at the Castle match earlier this month, where the Scottish Warrior came up short against Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
Buddy Matthews is the latest prominent name who won\’t be competing on AEW programming anymore, as confirmed by the Australian wrestler.
Matthews joined AEW in February 2022 and immediately aligned himself with Malakai Black and Brody King of The House of Black.
Shortly after AEW President Tony Khan made his signing official on social media.
Leaving AEW
During the most recent Fight Life Pro Wrestling event, Matthews cut a promo following his match and confirmed his departure from AEW
\”Tonight, I\’m going to be the bearer of some unfortunate news. As everyone knows, the House of Black has had some issues lately. As all the members of the house, I\’m speaking for them all, we want to thank you all for being members of the house.
\”Unfortunately, I, like some of the other members, need to go away for a while. I need to recalibrate. I need to figure out some things. As my brother Malakai once said, this isn\’t goodbye, this is see you later.\”
Matthews did not make reference to his contract with AEW, or if his hiatus will result in his departure from the promotion.
The Fall of the House of Black
Matthews is the latest prominent name to finish up work with AEW, after Malakai Black announced his departure earlier this month.
Black had his initial requested release refused, but was later granted a \”conditional release\” by Tony Khan.
Despite reports that Black was seeking a lengthy, possibly permanent break from wrestling, it has since been reported that he has expressed interest in a return to WWE.
It is not known at this time if Matthews is also interested in a return to the promotion, which has seen several returns since Vince McMahon\’s retirement.
WWE\’s Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns has shared some strong words for wrestlers who aren\’t pleased with celebrities taking spots on the card.
Celebrity involvement in wrestling matches is nothing new, with WWE, AEW, WCW and other promotions bringing in big names to attract mainstream attention.
At Crown Jewel, Reigns will defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Logan Paul, who while technically a signed WWE Superstar, is best known for his career outside the ring.
Be So Good
Celebrity matches have often been criticized by wrestling fans and those in the industry alike. With so many stars trying to appear on a wrestling card and only a select few places, many feel these celebrities are taking away from a more deserving talent.
Speaking to Seconds Out, Reigns addressed this complaint and said that its up to a wrestler to make themselves irreplaceable.
\”Be so good that nobody can take your spot. I don\’t care who they bring in, you can bring in anyone, and they ain\’t going to take the Tribal Chief\’s spot.\”
Roman Reigns on celebrity involvement in matches.
Reigns certainly doesn\’t face the risk of being replaced, as he has become WWE\’s biggest star in years, with today marking day 756 of his reign.
Logan Paul
Paul may still be seen as a celebrity first and a wrestler second, but his matches have impressed fans.
The YouTuber\’s in-ring debut came at WrestleMania 38, where he teamed with The Miz to defeat the Mysterios.
At Summerslam, Paul defeated The Miz, who had turned on him following the WrestleMania victory.
All Elite Wrestling has some of the most talented wrestlers in the world today, but Ricky Starks has no intention to be a \’pillar\’ of Tony Khan\’s promotion.
The concept of AEW having four pillars was first coined by MJF in an interview and references four home-grown AEW talent he believes will be headlining for the promotion one day.
AEW\’s four pillars consist of MJF, Darby Allin, Sammy Guevara and Jungle Boy.
The promotion has even released a shirt, confirming the four as the \’pillars\’ and future main-eventers of All Elite Wrestling.
I Stand Alone
Ricky Starks wasn\’t named by MJF as a pillar of AEW, but that\’s okay with the longest-reigning FTW Champion.
When a fan addressed the concept of pillars in AEW, stating that Starks\’ name should be on the list, the wrestler said that he stands alone and those terms should be left to wrestlers \”enclosed by those definitions.
Sorry, I don’t wish to be involved in any pillar talk. We’re way past that convo. You can leave it to those guys to be enclosed by those definitions
Starks isn\’t interested in being a pillar of AEW, and has already been working his way up the promotion\’s ranks.
In a separate tweet, the former FTW Champion pointed out that he headlined this week\’s AEW Rampage: Grand Slam, after not being booked for the event the prior year.
Last year I wasn’t on Grand Slam and this year I was the main event. For those who stayed all night, thank you. If you couldn’t stay and still supported from your homes, thank you.
For three seasons, VICE\’s Dark Side of the Ring has focussed on the controversies associated with professional wrestling.
No topic has been off-limits from the show\’s investigative practices, with the Chris Benoit tragedy, the death of Owen Hart, and the WWF steroids scandal all being covered.
The show has faced criticism from some in the industry, with Jim Ross claiming the show has \”misrepresented\” him and others with their choice of editing.
Ross also claimed during an April 2022 episode of his \’Grilling Jr\’ podcast that he doubts he\’ll be on the show again.
Definitely, Hopefully
With criticism over the show\’s production, the future of Dark Side of the Ring has been uncertain for some time.
Addressing the future of the show, DSOTR co-creator Jason Eisner told Comic Book that he remains optimistic.
\”It’s not something I can quite answer yet, but it’s not … We’re definitely thinking about more Dark Side of the Ring.\”
\”It’s definitely something that will, hopefully, be in the cards in the future.\”
Jason Eisner on the future of Dark Side of the Ring.
\”But right now, we’re gearing up for Tales From The Territories to come out … But yeah, there’s going to be plenty more wrestling documentaries that are going to come out from me.”
Tales from the Territories
With Dark Side of the Ring on hiatus indefinitely, VICE has a new wrestling series in the works, Tales from the Territories.
Announced back in August, TFTT be produced by Eisner\’s team from Dark Side of the Ring as well as Dwayne Johnson\’s Seven Bucks Productions.
A trailer for the show, featuring a voice-over from Johnson, can be seen here:
The series will debut on Tuesday, October 4, at 10 p.m. ET.
Allin\’s recent dive off of the stage is hardly the first time the AEW wrestler has put his body on the line.
In May, Allin faced Jeff Hardy, and hit the latter\’s Swanton Bomb off a ladder in the ring, onto Hardy, who was laid across several steel chairs outside of the ring.
Darby\’s high-flying antics aren\’t reserved to just AEW, as he also performs stunts at various events not associated with wrestling.
Last month, Allin drove a jeep over his house in an insane 96-foot jump, which he called the \”sketchiest\” stunt he\’s done.
Muta would feud with Sting during his WCW tenure in 1989, capturing the NWA World Television Championship from the Icon in September that year.
In 1991, the pair rekindled their rivalry at the WCW-NJPW cross-promotion Starrcade event in the Tokyo Dome, where Muta would again defeat Sting.
The following year, the pair would team together in the Tokyo Dome to defeat the Steiner Brothers at WCW/NJPW Supershow II.
After capturing the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in August 1992, one of Muta\’s first title defenses would come against the Stinger that November.
When appearing for WCW, Muta would often be on the losing end to Sting, coming up short against the WWE Hall of Famer at live events.
After runs in ECW, WCW and WWE, Raven joined Impact (then TNA Wrestling) on January 22, 2003, two days following his WWE release.
In June 2005, Raven would capture the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at that year\’s Slammiversary.
After losing the World Championship to Jeff Jarrett, Raven would form the group Seratonin, consisting of himself, Frankie Kazarian, Johnny Devine and Matt Bentley.
Following a 2008 release from the company, Raven returned after over a year away in May 2009, working alongside fellow ECW alum Dr. Stevie (Steven Richards), and Daffney.
Raven\’s final match for TNA/Impact came in November 2010, defeating then-TNA television Champion AJ Styles in a non-title match at a Live event.
Hall of Fame
Raven is the latest big name to join Impact\’s Hall of Fame, which was founded in 2012 with the induction of Sting.
The Icon is one of three men to be both Impact and WWE Hall of Famers, alongside Kurt Angle and Jeff Jarrett.
The group also contains long-time Impact referee Earl Hebner, first-ever Knockouts Champion Gail Kim, and first World Champion in the promotion Ken Shamrock.
Team 3-D are the only tag-team to be inducted in the Hall of Fame, which also includes Impact veterans Abyss and Awesome Kong.
It was pointed out how nobody touched Saraya during her appearance, which implies that she is still not medically cleared.
It was also reported that while in WWE, not only could the then-Paige not wrestle, but she was also not allowed to be touched or get physical in any capacity.
Saraya was not cleared to wrestle in a very recent evaluation of her, though her condition may have improved since then.
Outside of AEW
It remains to be seen if Saraya will get physical in AEW, but the former Superstar is getting back in the ring in her native England.
It has been confirmed that the first-ever NXT Women\’s Champion will be a special guest referee at the upcoming Frightmare event for World Association of Wrestling.
Saraya will officiate the match between her brothers Roy Knight and Zak Zodiac on October 15.
World Association of Wrestling is based in Norwich, England, and run by Saraya\’s family the Knights.
WWE Superstar Sheamus has said that becoming World Champion or winning the Royal Rumble can\’t compare to his match with Gunther at Clash at the Castle.
At the event earlier this month in Cardiff, Wales, Sheamus challenged the Austrian for the Intercontinental Championship in a losing effort.
The match has been praised by fans and those in the industry alike, earning five stars by Dave Meltzer.
The Biggest Moment
Sheamus\’ match in Cardiff came during something of a career renaissance for the Irish Superstar.
Speaking on the latest After the Bell, Sheamus explained the importance of the match, after a 13-year career on the main roster.
\”Going into that match, I knew there was a lot of hype about it. I knew that people really wanted to see it… First of all, the reception when I went out. I didn\’t know what way it was going to go. Gunther obviously has a cult following from being NXT UK Champion for so many years. I didn\’t really know what to expect. It\’s a moment I\’ll never forget. It\’s probably the biggest moment I\’ve had up until this point in WWE.\”
Speaking about Gunther who retained against Sheamus, the Celtic Warrior had nothing but praise.
Gunther. Great wrestler. Very aggressive. Knows his role. A great heel and a great opponent
Sheamus\’ praise for the reigning Intercontinental Champion.
Outshining Drew
While Gunther and Sheamus had the arguable match of the night, the show\’s main event saw Drew McIntyre face Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
Speaking about McIntyre, his real-life best friend, Sheamus said how he had no problem outshining the Scottish Warrior.
\”That\’s the goal for everybody. If that\’s not your goal in this business then what the hell are you doing here? Listen, me and Drew are best mates but I was going out there to bleeding steal the show no matter what. That was the goal from day one. Once I knew that this match was going to happen, I\’m like \’I\’m stealing the show here.\’ There\’s no doubt about it.
\”Give me 15-20 minutes in that ring against a formidable opponent and I will give you a match of the night every single time.\”
Sheamus made it clear he still plans on becoming Intercontinental Champion, the only men\’s main-roster title he\’s yet to capture.
For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.
Shawn Michaels wowed fans for decades with his in-ring ability, but was a better heel than a babyface, according to Jim Ross.
Michaels played both roles until 1998, when a back injury would force the multi-time World Champion into retirement.
After four years away and personal development, Michaels would return in 2002, and other than one brief stint in 2005, would spend the rest of his career as a babyface.
Better Heel
Jim Ross worked closely with Shawn Michaels throughout both men\’s tenures in WWE, and called some of the Showstopper\’s most iconic matches.
Speaking on the most recent episode of his \’Grilling JR\’ podcast, Ross and co-host Conrad Thompson recalled Michaels\’ heel work from 1997 and the formation of DX.
\”[He\’s better as a] Heel. Absolutely. He felt more natural and more organic in his own skin being a heel. It fit him. It did not seem like he was trying to be a bad guy. He was a pr*ck. His character was a pr*ck. He was cocky and undersized in the eyes of some, but his skill set was [incredible.]\”
\”Shawn was a natural heel. He\’s best suited for that role… he enjoyed his booking.\”
Jim Ross on Shawn Michaels being a heel in 1997.
\”When you\’re an athlete like Shawn Michaels and you\’re constantly compared to one guy, Ric Flair, you\’ve done a pretty good body of work. Shawn was a natural heel. He\’s best suited for that role, and I think like any other talent. he enjoyed his booking.
\”Him being a babyface, was a little stretch, because people didn\’t trust him. He had been so unpredictable and so forth. But as a heel, that fit him perfectly.\”
D-Generation X
Part of Michaels\’ 1997 heel run came as the leader of D-Generation X, which initially consisted of himself, Triple H, Chyna, and Rick Rude.
Speaking about Rude, who would leave the group for WCW not long after, Ross questioned the defunct promotion\’s decision to bring him in.
\”When Rick left, walk-out in the middle of the night kind deal, and showed up on Nitro, I thought it was creative booking. I thought it was bold. But I also thought it was a \’one-take Jake.\’
\”How much mileage can you get out of a guy who can\’t take bumps? How can you have a top heel, manager, bodyguard, whatever, who can\’t take bumps? I haven\’t figured that out yet. 25 years later and I still don\’t get it.\”
Rude had previously told the WWF that he was unable to take bumps, citing a back injury.
For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.
John Cena has become a leading man in Hollywood, but that has come at the expense of his WWE schedule.
In 2016, Cena transitioned into a part-time role for the promotion, after a decade of being the company\’s top star and 14 years on the main roster.
Since transitioning into a part-time role, Cena has worked with blockbuster franchises including Fast and Furious and The Suicide Squad, with his Peacemaker character from the latter having their own HBO Max series.
Breaking the Streak
It\’s been over a year since John Cena\’s last match, where he competed against Roman Reigns at Summerslam 2021. The 16-time WWE World Champion was unable to dethrone the Tribal Chief last year, and hasn\’t competed since.
Unless he competes some time in the next three months, then 2022 will have come and gone without a John Cena wrestling a match. If so, it\’ll be the first time since 2000 that Cena has not had a sanctioned match for WWE.
While he would not debut on the main roster until 2022, he had matches for the company in 2001 as part of Ohio Valley Wrestling.
(Credit to Sean Ross Sapp for noticing this incredible statistic.)
What\’s next for John Cena?
John Cena hasn\’t wrestled this year, despite belief that he was set for a match at Summerslam.
In June, Cena celebrated the 20th anniversary of his main roster debut, which came after weeks of Austin Theory taking shots at the former WWE Champion online.
Some have speculated that Cena could face Theory at WrestleMania 39 in April 2023.
Jim Ross signed plenty of big names to WWE during his tenure as the promotion\’s Head of Talent Relations, but not everyone was to Vince McMahon\’s liking.
JR was appointed Head of Talent in 1997, with a Wrestling Observer Newsletter report at the time calling him the most powerful man in the then-WWF not named McMahon.
Signing the Legend Killer
It was during JR\’s tenure as Head of Talent that Randy Orton was signed, the second-ever third-generation WWE Superstar (after The Rock.)
Speaking on this week\’s \’Grillin\’ JR\’ podcast, Ross spoke about the future World Champion, and how Vince McMahon opposed the idea.
\”When Vince found out that Randy Orton was court-martialled, he didn\’t want me to hire him. I resisted with good reasons. I said \’look Vince, everybody deserves a second chance. How many chances have you gotten?\’ I\’ve gotten plenty and I\’m thankful for them.\”
\” I said \’look Vince, everybody deserves a second chance. How many chances have you gotten?\’\”
Jim Ross on defending the hiring of Randy Orton.
Orton would be signed in 2001 and would debut on WWE SmackDown the following year.
The OVW Class
Orton was just part of the esteemed Ohio Valley Wrestling class, which included John Cena, Batista and Brock Lesnar.
Speaking about Cena, arguably the most successful man in the group, JR said that he gave the future Hollywood megastar a chance despite McMahon having no interest in him.
\”I hired so many guys that Vince [McMahon] had never heard of. Never seen. He didn\’t know who the hell John Cena was.
\”He [Cena] wasn\’t on the mainstream working in Hollywood. He was working two or three jobs and he was learning to wrestle.\”
JR reflected on his tenure as Head of Talent, and highlighted the huge names he would sign to WWE.
\”It was a fun job, and we left our mark. Our administration left our mark on the company that\’s still being felt today.\”
Head of Talent Relations
In 2001, Jim Ross would be replaced as WWE\’s Head of Talent Relations by John Laurinaitis, who was fired by WWE earlier this year.
In his absence, WWE has appointed Triple H to the role, in addition to appointing him Head of WWE Creative.
Speaking about the Game, Jim Ross had high praise for the man who once terrorized him on-screen.
\”We didn\’t have the staff that they utilize now. And I think that\’s important for those guys, that you\’ve got a leader that understands the business thoroughly in Triple H. And that\’s what you\’ve got to have.\”
\”You\’ve got a leader that understands the business thoroughly in Triple H.\”
Jim Ross on WWE\’s new Head of Talent Relations.
\”The lead decision maker has got to have product knowledge. I still think and this may be naive, but I believe that you still need to be a fan.\”
For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.
WWE\’s recruits will be on the clock to improve or face being released, a Senior Vice President of the promotion has confirmed.
The promotion has drastically changed their hiring process in recent years, once scouting established stars from other promotions such as AJ Styles.
After that, WWE sought the top names from the independent scene, before introducing their Next in Line program last year.
Up or Out
WWE SVP James Kimball recently spoke with Wrestle Rant about the company’s process of recruiting talent (via Wrestling Inc.)
Kimball explained how new recruits are expected to \’survive\’ at least two years, after which they\’re moved upwards to the next level in WWE, or let go.
\”It literally is six-month intervals, two-year mark, you’re up or out. Obviously, there’s constant evaluation down the Performance Center in Orlando.
\”Coaching staff, our staff, on-site, all the time constantly evaluating, but formal, deliberate evaluations occur in six-month periods.
\”At that time, and again these all kind of flow in and around the same kind of entry points, we’ll do a tryout, and then we’ll do a set of releases.\”
Kimball added that the policy was introduced unofficially around the time of the Next In Line program was announced last year.
He also noted that this policy affects recruits who are expected to move up to NXT as well as NXT superstars expected to move to the main roster.
Next in Line
WWE introduced the Next in Line program in 2021 with the signing of Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson.
WWE\’s focus is now on signing collegiate athletes and training them in their own style of wrestling.
Despite being the face of the NIL program, Steveson hasn\’t been the hit WWE had hoped, with reports that his main roster call-up has been delayed for not showing significant in-ring improvement in training.
William Regal isn\’t interested in a Blackpool Combat Club heel turn but isn\’t against the idea either.
The group came together earlier this year, with the name being the brain-child of Jon Moxley, not Regal as many believe.
The BCC consists of AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta with Regal serving as manager.
Couldn\’t Give a Jot
William Regal is no stranger to being a heel, but isn\’t fully on board with returning to his darker routes.
Speaking on the appropriately titled \’Gentleman Villain\’ podcast, Regal said that the group isn\’t looking for cheers or boos from fans.
\”None of us [in the Blackpool Combat Club] could care less, a mere jot, whether we\’re booed or cheered. If people cheer us, great. If they boo us, great. We\’ll lean into that.
William Regal.
Speaking about the group being booed at All Out, where Moxley faced home-town hero CM Punk, Regal enjoyed the experience.
\”Going out with Jon Moxley the other week and getting booed out of the building in Chicago, like music to my ears. I haven\’t had that for a long time, since I was 41 or 42 [Regal is now 54 years old.]
\”Like Music to my Ears.\”
William Regal on being booed at AEW All Out 2022.
\”It was wonderful because that\’s what I thrive on. The word on the tin. Villain. I like getting it. I went out of my ways to get boos and I haven\’t. Because after a while in WWE when I was still wrestling, people were cheering me because I think they were just happy I was still alive [laughs.] I wasn\’t dead!\”
A Future Heel Turn?
Regal spent years of his career as a villain, hence the title of his podcast, but believes his days as being a character are behind him.
When asked by co-host Matt Koon if he could be a villain again, Regal said he could, but hopes to avoid the turn, believing it would take the focus off others.
\”You have no idea. If I ever have to do that again [I am ready.] This is going to be a weird thing to say, but I hope it doesn\’t.
\”The only reason I hope it doesn\’t is not because of me. I hope it\’s the person I\’m walking out with who\’s getting the boos if they want them, and it\’s not about me.\”
On this week\’s AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam, Moxley defeated fellow BCC member Bryan Danielson to win his fourth AEW World Championship.
For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.
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