On last week\’s NXT Heatwave special, Santos Escobar lost to Tony D\’Angelo in a \’Loser Leaves NXT\’ match.
Given that Escobar had teased a call-up to the main roster during the WWE WrestleMania 39 tickets launch event, his lost to Escobar wasn\’t too surprising.
The Call-Up
It appears to be just a matter of time before Santos Escobar is called up to WWE\’s main roster, but it doesn\’t look like he will be going alone.
On last night\’s WWE NXT 2.0, Escobar pulled up in his SUV in the parking lot, where he was greeted by Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro and Elektra Lopez, members of Legado Del Fantasma.
Escobar asked the group if they really thought he\’d leave WWE NXT 2.0 without them, and teased the entire group\’s call-up.
\”You didn\’t think I was going to leave without you, did you? La Familia stays together. So, you ready to go?\”
Santos Escobar
All members of Legado Del Fantasma got in the SUV and drove away from WWE NXT 2.0, signifying the end of the group on the brand.
A Change of Plans
Legado Del Fantasma are seemingly coming to the main roster soon, but that wasn\’t always the plan.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said how there were plans in place for Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro to become part of Tony D\’Angelo\’s \’family.\’
The pair have been appearing as associates of D\’Angelo during this past week\’s NXT Live events in Florida.
Those plans have seemingly been scrapped based on last night\’s episode of WWE NXT 2.0.
In 2019, Chris Jericho joined AEW at the promotion\’s launch event and has consistently been one of the company\’s top stars.
Later that year, Jericho would become the first AEW World Champion, and his work as part of the Inner Circle and later the Jericho Appreciation Society has kept him a fixture on TV.
Returning to WWE
Jericho has been a fixture of AEW for over three years now, but there are still some fans who hope to see him in WWE again.
It was in WWE that Jericho became a nine-time Intercontinental Champion (a record that stands to this day) and the first-ever WWE Undisputed Champion.
On Twitter, a fan suggested to Jericho that a return to WWE would be good for him, and that matches pitting Jericho against AJ Styles or Kevin Owens would be \’fire.\’
In response, Jericho pointed out that these matches have happened, multiple times.
— Chris Jericho (Social Media Team Managed) (@IAmJericho) August 24, 2022
Jericho was the first major feud for Styles after the former TNA Wrestling star joined WWE in 2016.
Jericho Vs. Owens
Fans won\’t be seeing Chris Jericho face Kevin Owens in WWE, but this is a match fans have seen before.
In 2017, the former friends feuded after Jericho cost Owens the Universal Championship, payback for Owens attacking Y2J during the Festival of Friendship.
In an interview with TalkSport last year, Jericho said that there had been plans for him Vs. Owens for the Universal Championship as the main event of WrestleMania 33.
After realizing WWE did not care about the feud, which saw Owens beat Jericho for the U.S. Title at WrestleMania, the AEW star said he knew it was time to finish with WWE.
In 2002, Lisa Marie Varon appeared on WWE TV as Victoria, the bitter ex-friend of then-Women\’s Champion Trish Stratus.
As Victoria, Varon would become a two-time Women\’s Champion, holding the title in both 2002 and later from 2003-2004.
In 2009, Victoria left WWE, but could be on her way back to the promotion soon.
A Return to the Ring.
Since Victoria left WWE in 2009, a lot has changed in regards to the company\’s treatment of female talent.
At the 2021 Royal Rumble, Victoria had her first WWE match in almost 12 years, entering the Women\’s Rumble match at #10 and was the fifth woman eliminated.
While speaking with Alyx\’s World, Varon said she will not rule out a return to the company under the right circumstances (via Wrestling Inc.)
\”There\’s a lot to consider, like how much time do I have to get ready, because that would be make or break for me. \’We want you to come back in a week.\’ The fans are going to crap on me. I can\’t get ready in a week for a match. Not with the caliber of girls they have now. I would need some time to prepare. But you never say never, right?\”
\”Never say never, right?\”
Lisa Marie Varon on a possible WWE return.
\”The r-word is bad, retiring, because you never know. It\’s almost like \’I better not say this, because I know it\’s going to bite me in the butt.\’\”
There have been no reports as to if WWE has an interest in bringing Victoria back.
Varon After WWE
After leaving WWE in 2009, Varon joined TNA Wrestling in May that year working under the name Tara (short for Tarantula, a nod to her WWE days as a \’Black Widow.\’
That July, Tara won the TNA Knockouts Championship, a title she\’d hold on five occasions.
In March last year, Kayla Braxton came out as bisexual, saying that she chooses being over having to choose between men and women.
In response, Braxton received a ton of support from those both in the industry and from fans, who accepted who she is.
Not everyone was as supportive however, including someone who worked for WWE at the time.
The Ex-Superstar
Not long after her public coming out, Braxton deactivated her Twitter account, with many believing it was due to harassment.
It turns out that it wasn\’t just some fans who had an issue with her coming out, but an ex-Superstar decided that it was a point of ridicule.
Taking to Twitter this week, Braxton said that an ex-WWE employee, who is also gay, mocked her announcement and \”made jokes about my revelation.\”
Braxton would get the last laugh though, as she added that the ex-Superstar not only has been released but is \”the main character in my new fav movie airing on TMZ.\”
Braxton\’s tweet, which has since been deleted, read:
“A little over a year ago, I came out publicly about my sexuality. (For those who are just tuning in, I like both) Around the time I came out, a former coworker who’s also gay, made jokes about my revelation. Anyway – he’s now the main character in my new fav movie airing on TMZ.”
Jake Atlas
Braxton didn\’t name who she was referring to, but many people believe it is Jake Atlas.
In February 2018, Atlas came out as gay, and was released by WWE last year.
This week, TMZ shared footage from Atlas\’ arrest in May after an incident with his boyfriend that led to the ex-Superstar being charged with battery.
In May this year, former WWE SUperstar Jake Atlas was arrested and charged with assault following an incident with his boyfriend.
At the time, it was reported that Atlas had been drinking and his partner had arrived to collect him, and refused Atlas\’ offer to stay out and drink with him.
Atlas was also said to be enraged that his boyfriend has been showing \”half more attention\” to a mutual female friend of the couple.
The Arrest
This week, TMZ Sports released the police video from the time of Atlas\’ arrest.
In the video, the wrestler calls himself an \”international trained Superstar\” and that he has worked \”across the world.\”
Speaking about his boyfriend, Atlas said that he is a \”nobody,\” and that he is \”terrible at sex.\”
\”He is a nobody. He is a f***ing b**ch ass. A f***ing p**sy.\”
Jake Atlas.
Here is a snippet of the Jake Atlas arrest, very embarrassing behavior – say goodbye to your professional wrestling career on any main stage.
In WWE, title changes are usually reserved for Premium Live Events and TV shows but that\’s not always the case.
On rare occasions, WWE will have titles change hands at untelevised live events to give the fans in attendance an extra special moment.
Title Changes
At a WWE Live event in London, Ontario, Canada, the 24/7 Championship changed hands several times.
Dana Brooke walked into the event as Champion but lost the title to Tamina Snuka.
Snuka\’s reign, her fifth reign overall, ended in seconds when she was pinned by Nikki A.S.H, marking the Scottish wrestler\’s third reign as champion.
WWE referee Shawn Bennett had his own brief moment of glory, pinning Nikki to win the title, marking the first time an active referee had become champion in WWE.
Bennett\’s history-making victory was also short-lived, as he lost the title an estimated ten seconds later to Snuka.
Snuka\’s sixth reign ended shortly after, being pinned by Brooke, who left the show with the 24/7 Title, now an eight-time holder of the gold.
(for about 10 seconds – it started with @WWENikkiASH winning a triple threat. Nikki was pinned by ref Shawn Bennett, who was then beaten by @TaminaSnuka before @DanaBrookeWWE regained her title) pic.twitter.com/8knhqfl9SX
Introduced by Mick Foley in 2019, the 24/7 Championship is WWE\’s answer to the Hardcore Championship of the Attitude Era.
Unlike its predecessor, the 24/7 title focuses on comedy rather than violent wrestling.
While the title faced criticism from fans at first, thanks in part to its design, the championship would later win over audiences due who appreciated the comedic aspect of the title changes.
For the past two years, Alexa Bliss has been one of WWE\’s most prominently featured Superstars.
In mid-2020, Bliss became part of Bray Wyatt\’s \’The Fiend\’ storyline, which she kept going after the former Universal Champion\’s release in July 2021.
Before being involved with The Fiend, Bliss saw success in both singles and tag-team action.
The first woman to hold both the Raw and SmackDown Women\’s Championships, Bliss is a former Women\’s Tag Team Champion and captured the 24/7 Championship earlier this year.
Hall of Famer
With her memorable storylines and championship reigns, it\’s easy for Bliss to be considered a future WWE Hall of Famer.
Speaking on the MackMania podcast, Alexa was asked whether she thinks she deserves to join the likes of Chyna, Mae Young, Trish Stratus, and Lita (via Sportskeeda.)
\”I think on paper, yes. On paper, I could be a Hall of Famer, 100%. You know, I’ve been very fortunate with the opportunities I’ve had in WWE, especially in my first couple of years on the roster.”
Bliss gave no indication as to who could induct her when she becomes a WWE Hall of Famer.
An Entire Class
Alexa Bliss sees herself as a future WWE Hall of Famer, but she\’s not the only current Superstar worthy of the honor.
In that same interview, the former Women\’s Champion also praised WWE\’s current women\’s roster.
\”On paper our whole women’s division technically yes, could be Hall of Famers.”
Alexa Bliss on the current WWE\’s Women\’s division.
WWE boasts an impressive women\’s roster, including Charlotte Flair, who holds the record for the most Women\’s Title reigns ever, as well as Becky Lynch, the first (and to-date only) woman to hold the Raw and SmackDown Women\’s Championships simultaneously.
At the 2020 Royal Rumble Pay Per View, Edge made his in-ring return, almost nine years after his last match.
It was on the post-WrestleMania 27 Raw in 2011 that Edge announced his in-ring retirement due to neck issues, and it was believed he\’d never wrestle again.
Since returning, Edge has feuded with some of WWE\’s biggest stars including AJ Styles, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton and Seth Rollins.
The End is Near
Edge\’s return to wrestling is nothing short of a miracle, but the WWE Hall of Famer will one-day have to retire all over again.
Speaking with Bleacher Report for a new interview, Edge made it clear he\’s well aware that he is on borrowed time.
\”I am enjoying and soaking in every moment with the complete realization that it’s going to end soon. I know the end is in sight and I can see it, and because of that, it makes me enjoy it more.”
\”I know the end is in sight and I can see it.\”
Edge on his return to pro-wrestling.
What\’s Left for Edge?
Edge has accomplished plenty throughout his wrestling career, but there are some accolades left for the Rated-R Superstar to tick off his proverbial bucket list.
The WWE Hall of Famer has headlined WrestleMania twice (24 and 37) but is yet to win the final match on WWE\’s biggest event of the year.
Edge is also yet to become Universal Champion, something he tried to do in 2021.
More immediately, Edge will compete on tonight\’s Raw in his native Toronto, facing Damian Priest.
It is expected that he will compete at next month\’s Clash at the Castle.
Impact Wrestling has been around for over 20 years and boasts an impressive roster of wrestlers.
Despite some shaky years, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, Impact has emerged the other side a stronger company and has a loyfal fanbase, ready to support the wrestlers and the company.
Impact Wrestling has a stacked roster, but it will have to operate without Tenille Dashwood.
Tenille Dashwood Gone from Impact
Tenille Dashwood has departed Impact Wrestling. On Sunday, she confirmed her status as a free agent for the first time in 3 years.
Dashwood\’s most recent match for Impact was nearly two months ago, losing to Masha Slamovich in just over one minute at the July 2, tapings, which would air two weeks later.
Since her most recent appearance for IMPACT, Dashwood has competed in several matches in her native Australian for the WSW promotion.
On the tour with WSW, Dashwood picked up wins over Shazza McKenzie and Chelsea Green, but failed to capture the WSW Women\’s Championship from Taya Valkyrie.
Dashwood in Impact
In July 2019, Impact announced that Dashwood had signed a deal with the promotion, after previously competing for WWE and Ring of Honor.
One of Dashwood\’s first matches after signing however would be at AEW All Out 2019 Pay Per View, where she\’d be part of a 21-woman Casino Battle Royale on the pre-show.
In Impact, Dashwood would immediately become a challenger for the Knockout\’s World Championship, but lost to then-Champion Taya Valkyrie at Bound for Glory 2019.
It wouldn\’t be until March 5, 2022, four days after her 33rd birthday, that Dashwood would capture her first Championship.
That win saw Dashwood and Madison Rayne win the Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship by defeating The IInspiration.
On the post-Summerslam 2022 edition of SmackDown, Karrion Kross and Scarlett returned to WWE.
The pair had been released in November 2021 as part of \’budget cuts\’ mere months after WWE had promoted the two-time former NXT Champion to the main roster.
Kross made an impact upon his return to WWE, attacking Drew McIntyre and facing off with Roman Reigns.
Making Appearances
Prior to his return to WWE, Kross (under the name Killer Kross) appeared for several promotions, including Chikara, CYN, MLW and NJPW Strong.
On Twitter, Kross confirmed that from now on, he will only be competing in WWE rings and on WWE TV.
However, the company is allowing both Kross and Scarlett to appear at independent events that had already been booked prior to the duo\’s return to WWE.
Kross made it clear these appearances will be for meet-and-greets only and that fans should not expect either of them to wrestle.
The SmackDown Superstar added that he will only appear if the event does not overlap with his WWE schedule which takes precedence.
Hello Kross Cult,
Moving forward I will only be competing in ring for The WWE Universe. HOWEVER… Scar & I will fulfill the last couple dates for Meet & Greets •only• to see you all as long as it doesn’t conflict with our committed scheduling.
While Kross\’ first stint on WWE\’s main roster, his return has been an incredible sight to behold.
Upon returning, Kross has been thrust into the main event scene, involving himself in the storyline between WWE\’s arguable two biggest stars (Reigns and McIntyre.)
It is believed that Kross and McIntyre will feud after WWE Clash at the Castle next month.
There have been reports that WWE is planning for Reigns to face Kross at Survivor Series 2022 this coming November.
\”I wish I could sit here and tell you that I did it on purpose but if people need me to be that bad guy, I’ll be that bad guy. Things happen on screen. I would never go on a scripted television show and purposely do something on purpose…It was accidental.\”
\”If people need me to be that bad guy, I’ll be that bad guy.\”
Charlotte Flair denying that her title-belt dropping was deliberate.
Lynch would later lose the Raw Women\’s Championship to Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 38.
While Flair would retain her SmackDown Women\’s Championship at WrestleMania, she\’d lose the gold to Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania Backlash.
Triple H is putting the \”wrestling\” back in WWE.
When Vince McMahon retired from WWE in July, his son-in-law Paul \’Triple H\’ Levesque replaced the ex-Chairman as Head of Creative.
As both the Head of Creative and Head of Talent Creative, Triple H has implemented several changes, bringing back several Superstars released under the previous regime.
The change in WWE management has also had an impact on the in-ring action, as the wrestling in \’World Wrestling Entertainment\’ has become more prominent.
More Wrestling
Since the \”King of Kings\” took over as head of WWE\’s Creative department, there has been a notable uptake in the amount of wrestling, fans get to see.
Data from Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics reveals that in the four weeks of Raw\’s since Triple H took over, there has been an increase in the number of minutes dedicated to wrestling per hour.
Raw and Smackdown since Paul Levesque took over WWE creative 4 weeks ago have had more minutes of wrestling on them than almost any episodes in the months prior. pic.twitter.com/B0MZYoOSWk
The most action-packed Raw was the August 1, 2022, episode of the red brand, which saw 26 minutes of wrestling per hour, totaling one hour and 18 minutes of in-ring work over the three hours.
In the data, the show with the lowest amount of wrestling as the April 4, Raw, the night after WWE WrestleMania 38, which averaged 12 minutes of in-ring action per hour, or 36 minutes in total.
For SmackDown, the most action-packed episode was the July 29, 2022, show, the go-home event before Summerslam, which had 25 minutes of wrestling per hour, or 50 minutes in total.
The worst offender was the July 8 episode, the first SmackDown after Money in the Bank 2022, which saw seven minutes of wresting per hour, 14 minutes across the entire show.
WWE fans have been eager to see what this \”new era\” brings. With Triple H serving as the new head of talent relations, he\’s already brought back several performers including Dakota Kai, Io Sky, Hit Row, Karrion Kross and Scarlett. As the head of creative, it\’s encouraging that we\’re already seeing more in-ring wrestling per week.
In 2008, Ric Flair was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, marking the first-time an active Superstar had received the honor.
Flair retired (the first time) the next night, losing to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24, but wasn\’t finished being inducted.
Four years later, Flair was inducted yet again, this time as part of the Four Horsemen faction, becoming the first-ever two-time inductee into WWE\’s Hall of Fame.
Doesn\’t Belong
At this time, there are a total 234 entries into the WWE Hall of Fame, consisting of individual Superstars, Tag-Teams, Stables, Celebrity inductees, and Warrior Award recipients.
The Warrior Award is in honor of the Ultimate Warrior, who during his 2014 induction, addressed the idea of an award for the unsung heroes working within WWE.
On the latest edition of his ‘To Be The Man’ podcast, however, Flair addressed the Warrior\’s legacy, and why he feels he doesn\’t belong in the Hall of Fame (via WrestleTalk.)
\”You hold up the company, then you sue them – which he [The Ultimate Warrior] did, and then you end up in the Hall of Fame… There’s a lot of people in the Hall of Fame that are there for – I can’t figure out any rhyme or reason why they would be other than political stuff.\”
Suing the Company
Flair is referencing Warrior\’s lawsuits against WWE in 1996 and 1998, when the two sides fought for ownership of the Ultimate Warrior character.
The courts ruled that Warrior was legally entitled to use the gimmick, costuming, face paint designs, and mannerisms of the WWE character.
In January 2006, Warrior would again sue WWE, this time for libel following the release of the \’The Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior\’ DVD.
The documentary saw several Superstars have unflattering comments about Warrior, though his libel case was thrown out in September 2009.
During this week\’s episode of AEW Dynamite, CM Punk challenged \’Hangman\’ Adam Page to a title match, which was not accepted by the Cowboy.
It has since been reported that Punk\’s actions were not part of the plans for the show, and that the AEW World Champion knew that Page was not scheduled to appear on the show.
Seemingly going into business for himself, Punk\’s promo has sparked a discussion among fans about reported real-life beef between himself and the man he dethroned as AEW World Champion in May.
Backstage Drama
Punk and Page appear to have some issues, but they are not the only ones who are causing things to be tense behind the scenes.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that “a ton of backstage drama involving many of the top guys that has gotten much worse in recent weeks.”
Meltzer added that AEW President Tony Khan may have no other choice but to arrange a meeting with everyone to “air everything out” before things get any worse.
\”It feels like a number of people are close to their breaking point if things don’t get settled.”
Dave Meltzer on the tensions within AEW right now.
Unhappy Talent
Punk may have a problem with \’Hangman\’ Adam Page, but the reigning AEW World Champion isn\’t the only unhappy talent right now.
Earlier this month, Miro liked a tweet suggesting that he had it better in WWE, where he became a three-time United States Champion as \’Rusev.\’
A separate tweet, that argued that Miro was being wasted in AEW, and the same went for Andrade El Idolo, was liked by the former NXT Champion.
When CM Punk returned from injury on last week\’s AEW Dynamite, fans were excited for him to get back in the ring.
On this week\’s Dynamite, Punk confirmed that his first match back will be at AEW All Out 2022, where he and Jon Moxley will unify the Lineal and Interim World Championships.
Later in the show, however, Moxley convinced Punk that the match should happen on next week\’s episode of Dynamite instead.
With All Out\’s scheduled main event now happening next week instead, there are several possible routes AEW could go.
AEW World Champion CM Punk Vs. Interim AEW World Champion Jon Moxley
Just because Punk Vs. Moxley has been announced for next week\’s Dynamite, the two could still face off at All Out 2022.
It was confirmed on Dynamite that Punk and Moxley will face off to unify the two World Championships next week, but that doesn\’t mean it will happen.
There\’s no shortage of title matches ending in a no-contest, which usually means that the champion retains their title.
In this instance, both champions would retain, presumably after a mass brawl, featuring the Blackpool Combat Club and the Jericho Appreciation Society disrupting the match.
Not only does AEW get the expected viewership boost on next week\’s Dynamite, but they still get the unification match at All Out, possibly in some sort of stipulation to prevent interference.
AEW Undisputed World Champion CM Punk Vs. \’Hangman\’ Adam Page
CM Punk brand \’Hangman\’ Adam Page a \”coward\” during this week\’s edition of AEW Dynamite.
If AEW commits to crowning an Undisputed World Champion next week, odds are the winner will be CM Punk.
Moxley only became champion due to Punk\’s injury, and it\’s unlikely that Tony Khan, after paying a fortune to bring Punk in, wants his title reign to end on such a whimper.
On this week\’s Dynamite, Punk addressed Moxley, but he also had some serious beef with \’Hangman\’ Adam Page.
Punk challenged Page to a title match, aware that the Hangman wasn\’t in the building, and branded the former Champion a \”coward.\”
While it\’s been reported that Punk\’s comment wasn\’t part of the plan, it appears that AEW is setting up a rematch between Page and the AEW World Champion.
A rematch may have been the plan all along, but delayed due to Punk\’s injury, and the two could face off at All Out.
AEW Undisputed World Champion CM Punk Vs. MJF
Are we less than a week away from the return of MJF?
The same night that CM Punk got injured, MJF cut a scathing promo on AEW, culminating in begging Tony Khan to fire him.
MJF\’s promo, which was based on some real-life grievances, is that Khan spends too much money and attention on ex-WWE Superstars.
CM Punk is a prime example of that, as Khan has paid a ton to bring in the former WWE Champion, who has been pushed as AEW\’s top star since joining the company last year.
MJF hasn\’t been seen since his June 1, promo, but it may finally be time to bring him back.
The Salt of the Earth is also the only man in AEW to hold a victory over Punk, defeating the AEW World Champion on the February 2, 2022, Dynamite.
A post-match attack on Punk could be the perfect way to bring MJF back, setting up a very personal war for All Out.
WWE is the most recognizable brand of professional wrestling on the planet and is watched by millions of fans around the world.
Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic, WWE would regularly tour internationally and has returned to touring overseas over the past year.
Now, the company is looking to branch out even further than before.
NXT Europe
WWE is already the global force in professional wrestling, but will soon be expanding with the launch of NXT Europe.
The new brand, as the name suggests, will operate within the titular continent and has been confirmed to be launching at some point next year.
In a statement on WWE\’s Corporate website, WWE\’s Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels said he believes this is the right time for NXT Europe.
\”Given the success of NXT UK, we felt like it was time to expand beyond that.\”
Shawn Michaels on NXT Europe
The statement also highlighted some of the names who have started in WWE in NXT UK, including Rhea Ripley, Butch, and Intercontinental Champion Gunther.
The growth of #WWENXT to include all of Europe will not only bring diversity and opportunity to in-ring competition, but also recruitment and development of athletes from around the world. @WWE wants the best from around the globe!!! https://t.co/QInphcIVe8
Since AEW launched in 2019, the promotion has been at odds with WWE in a fight for viewers.
For over a year, AEW Dynamite went head-to-head with WWE NXT in the Wednesday Night Wars, which Tony Khan\’s promotion would ultimately win.
Now, the two companies are set to go head-to-head once more, on a bigger scale.
World\’s Collide
During this week\’s NXT Heatwave special edition of the show, several stars from NXT UK made their presence felt.
The first surprise appearance came by Gallus, who attacked the Diamond Mine but later attacked fellow NXT UK Superstars Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen.
Blair Davenport later appeared on the show in a segment with Indi Hartwell, while NXT UK Champion Tyler Bate confronted NXT Champion Bron Breakker after the latter\’s victory in the main event.
In a statement on WWE\’s Corporate website, the company confirmed that this crossover is for World\’s Collide, which will take place on September 4, the same day as AEW All Out.
WWE\’s statement comes after Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that the two shows will face off, and that Triple H will be overseeing things.
\”Hunter is all in on this.\”
Dave Meltzer on NXT World\’s Collide.
No matches have been confirmed for the NXT & NXT UK crossover event.
Possible Card
WWE has not confirmed the crossover event for September 4, so no matches have been confirmed either.
After this week\’s NXT 2.0, it\’s likely that Tyler Bate will face Bron Breakker are the show.
If WWE goes down the route of Champions Vs Champions (like Survivor Series) then certain matches are expected.
NXT Women\’s Champion Mandy Rose would face NXT UK Women\’s Champion Meiko Satomura unless either woman loses their titles in the coming weeks.
NXT Tag Team Champions The Creed Brothers are likely to face NXT UK Tag Team Champions Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen.
On last week\’s AEW Dynamite, CM Punk returned to TV after over two months away due to a foot injury.
This week, Punk said that he and Jon Moxley would unify the AEW World Championships at All Out, but Moxley later convinced Punk to have the match next week.
This will mark Punk\’s first match since the June 1, edition of AEW Dynamite when he and FTR defeated the Gunn Club and Max Caster
Kingston Hits Back
During his promo on this week\’s Dynamite, Punk made reference to WWE and also took aim at some of the AEW wrestlers.
One name Punk mentioned was Eddie Kingston, calling him the third best Eddie he\’s stepped in the ring with and the second best Kingston.
The first comment likely is in reference to Eddie Guerrero, who Punk faced early in his career, but it\’s unclear who the other Eddie is.
The second best Kingston line is presumably a nod to Kofi Kingston, who Punk teamed with in WWE in 2008.
Responding on Twitter, Eddie Kingston didn\’t hold back.
Kingston\’s comment stems from reported real-life beef that the \’Mad King\’ has with the reigning AEW World Champion.
Last November, it was reported that Kingston despised Punk from their days in IWA-Mid South, where Punk called Kingston and his tag-team partner at the time Blackjack Marciano, fat, lazy, and unsafe.
Marciano had injured Delirious during a match, and an irate Punk \”buried them nonstop\” according to a source who was with the promotion at the time.
In July, Vince McMahon resigned from all duties with WWE, due to the ongoing investigation against him.
McMahon is alleged to have paid millions of dollars to former WWE employees in Non-Disclosure Agreements to cover up alleged affairs.
The former Chairman\’s departure has seen Triple H grow in power behind the scenes, replacing McMahon as Head of Creative and replacing John Laurinaitis as Head of Talent Relations.
The Ban
In late 2020, WWE issued a new rule which stated that the company would be taking over talents’ third-party streaming accounts.
Several prominent Superstars were forced to either shut down or change their streaming channels, with AJ Styles, Xavier Woods, Adam Cole and others all being affected.
WWE\’s rule was met with a ton of backlash by Superstars, fans and those in the industry.
AEW poked fun at WWE\’s rule, with Kip Sabian promoting his Twitch channel during the All Out 2020 Pay Per View.
On Twitter this week, WWE Superstar Drew Gulak confirmed that he has returned to Twitch, and thanked \’Papa H\’ for the chance.
Last year, the National Wrestling Alliance hosted their Empowerr event, marking the first all-female show in the promotion\’s history.
The event didn\’t just showcase the female talent in the NWA but also stars from AEW and AAA in a three-way crossover of the companies.
The show was headlined by Chelsea Green going the distance in the NWA Women\’s Invitational Cup Gauntlet after entering from the #1 position.
Bringing Back Empowerrr
In the year since NWA Empowerrr, the promotion has not brought back the event, but that is reportedly the plan.
Speaking to SEScoops correspondent Steve Fall, NWA owner Billy Corgan discussed the all-female event\’s future.
\”It is in the cards. In fact, I saw a headline recently that said I don\’t plan on bringing back Empowerr and that is totally false… We will definitely run another Empowerrr Pay Per View. Absolutely. Hopefully next year, but it\’s just one of those things where it has to be the right time.\”
\”We will definitely run another Empowerrr Pay Per View.\”
Billy Corgan on the future of the NWA\’s all-female event.
Addressing not holding an NWA Empowerrr Pay Per View this year, Corgan said that there are currently not enough female free agents to justify doing the show.
\”Look at all the people under contract with AEW and look at all the people under contract with WWE. You recognize probably 80 to 90 percent of top talent on the female side is already under contract.
NWA 74
Next weekend will mark the NWA 74 Pay Per View, which will run from August 27 to August 28.
In the interview, Corgan promised that \”anything can happen\” and that \”history will definitely be made\” next weekend.
The Smashing Pumpkins star also spoke about the NWA reaching it\’s 75th year of operation, which he described as \”insane.\”
Later in the interview, Corgan called next week\’s two-day event as a blend of \”what was, is, and will be.\”
In March this year, Thunder Rosa captured the AEW Women\’s World Championship, ending the 290-day reign of Dr. Britt Baker DDS and doing so inside of a steel cage.
The win was made even more special as it happened in her adopted hometown of San Antonio, Texas.
Rosa has held on the title since then, defending against the likes of Toni Storm, Nyla Rose, Serena Deeb, Marina Shafir, and Miyu Yamashita.
The Challenge
Prior to signing full-time with AEW, Thunder Rosa competed for the NWA, where she is a former NWA Women\’s World Champion.
Rosa\’s 277-day reign as NWA Women\’s World Champion began in January 2020 and would end at the hands of Serena Deeb that October.
Speaking to Bullet Cast, Thunder Rosa explained how being the Champion of AEW has brought on more challenges than her time with the NWA (via Wrestling Inc.)
\”It\’s been really challenging because being a champion on a major platform is different than when I was the NWA Women\’s Champion. There\’s a lot more at stake, there\’s a lot more that you\’re representing, and also a little bit of pressure.
\”It\’s been really challenging… There\’s a lot more at stake.\”
Thunder Rosa on her reign as AEW Women\’s World Champion.
\”Every time you stand in front of the camera, you just want to make sure that you\’re perfect. The thing is, it\’s not about perfection, it\’s about making a difference and I hope that I have been making a difference in the women\’s division.\”
Rosa\’s most recent title defense saw her retain against Jamie Hayter on the August 5, Battle of the Belts III special taping.
This coming January, New Japan Pro Wrestling will host its annual Wrestle Kingdom event, highlighting the biggest stars of the promotion.
Wrestle Kingdom is NJPW\’s biggest event of the year, and next year\’s show will have an international flavor to it.
AEW at Wrestle Kingdom
Wrestle Kingdom 17 will showcase NJPW\’s biggest stars, but will reportedly include names from All Elite Wrestling.
Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio today that there are plans for some AEW wrestlers to compete at the event, but didn\’t name any specific stars.
This wouldn\’t be the first time AEW and NJPW had teamed up, as at Wrestle Kingdom 14, then-AEW World Champion Chris Jericho defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi.
The two-night event also saw Jon Moxley defeat Lance Archer for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship in a Texas Death Match.
AEW and New Japan
Wrestle Kingdom 17 will be just the latest team-up by the two massively popular promotions.
AEW star Wheeler YUTA competed in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament while Lance Archer is working the G1 Climax tournament.
The promotions also teamed together for the Forbidden Door Pay Per View in June which saw Jon Moxley defeat Hiroshi Tanahashi.
A Confirmed Match?
Wrestle Kingdom 17 is still months away, but one match may already be known.
AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door was rumored to have CM Punk face Hiroshi Tanahashi in the show\’s main event, but that did not take place due to the AEW World Champion\’s injury.
While speaking to Tokyo Sports in June, Tanahashi threw out the challenge for Punk to face him in the Tokyo Dome for Wrestle Kingdom.
In 2004, Theodore R. Long, who had previously worked as a manager and referee, was appointed the General Manager of SmackDown.
Long would become arguably the most iconic GM of the Blue brand thanks to his lengthy tenure on the show, and his various catchphrases and character quirks.
The WWE Hall of Famer could often be seen dancing to his own entrance theme, and never shied away from booking tag-team matches.
Going One on One…
For Long\’s entire run as SmackDown\’s General Manager, The Undertaker was a constant presence on the show, and \’Teddy\’ would often book \’the Phenom\’ in high-profile matches.
Many Superstars would be filled with dread when hearing the news from Long that they \”will go one on one, with The Undertaker!\”
Speaking to the MuscleManMalcolm YouTube channel, Long explained how a conversation with Vince McMahon inspired him to put some impact into announcing The Undertaker.
\”This is really the truth. One time I was sitting down and we was talking to Vince. Vince wasn\’t really talking to me. He was talking to somebody else and they went on and they introduced somebody. Vince stopped him and he said \’No, you have to make my stars mean something when you introduce him.\’ I heard that and that\’s all I did. The Undertaker and Vince liked it. So that came from me.\”
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