NXT’s newest “big thing”, Matt Riddle, has let fans know he’s interested in a potential match with Cesaro. He made the comments on ESPN West Palm’s The Main Event recently.

“In my opinion, if I was going to pick main roster guys, I’ve always had a hunch out for Cesaro,” Riddle said. “I just feel like if we were able to just go at it, make it a fight, I think it would be pretty sensational.”

Matt Riddle On Potential Opponents In WWE

Riddle also mentioned several names on the NXT roster he would also like to face.

“They’ve got so many talented individuals,” Riddle said. “I’ve worked with the majority of them. In NXT, I have probably worked with every top guy from Ricochet to Roderick (Strong), to Kyle (O’Reilly), Adam Cole. The only guys I haven’t really worked with are Velveteen Dream and Lars [Sullivan], some of the other guys that are homegrown.”

Riddle also mentioned the unique shorts he wore during his NXT debut recently. According to Riddle, the small and colorful shorts were actually his wife’s. His normal ring gear has sponsors logos and Riddle didn’t think WWE or NXT would approve.

“I have other gear I wore while I was on the indies and I have a couple sponsors on there and I didn’t want to wear the sponsors in matches,” Riddle continued. “Especially if WWE didn’t sign off on it and NXT didn’t sign off. I didn’t think it was fair for me to wear sponsored clothing while performing under their umbrella without their permission. I just decided to wear little shorts, which were actually my wife’s shorts.

Tonight’s episode of NXT will feature something WWE 2K19 is unable to boast: Tommaso Ciampa. The NXT Champion will be in single’s action tonight against Heavy Machinery’s, Otis Dozovic.

205 Live will feature two matches, including Noam Dar vs Lio Rush, which had originally been scheduled for last week.

NXT Preview 9/26
Full Sail University

Tommaso Ciampa vs Otiz Dozovic

Otis Dozovic took part in William Regal’s investigation into the attack on Aleister Black recently. In addition to admitting he broke the toilet in the Performance Center, Dozovic mentioned Ciampa’s name as a possible attacker. This resulted in the champ confronting Dozovic backstage and this match tonight.

William Regal To Address Aleister Black Attack Investigation?

William Regal has been questioning everyone on the NXT roster regarding the Aleister Black situation. WWE is hinting that NXT’s General Manager could address the situation tonight.

Street Profits vs the Mighty

The Street Profits got the win the last time these two teams met but recently the Mighty cost their rival team a match against the Forgotten Sons. Neither of these two teams will move up the rankings until they are able to best the other one.

Kairi Sane In Single’s Action

The Women’s NXT Champion will also be in action tonight as Kairi Sane will step into the ring. Her opponent has yet to be announced meaning it’s likely local talent.

Former NXT Women’s Champion, Shayna Baszler, will likely be watching this match close tonight.

Lars Sullivan In Single’s Action

Sullivan is 2-0 since returning from a broken jaw suffered at the hands of Aleister Black. He’ll be looking to make it 3 straight as he steps into the ring for single’s action tonight. No opponent has been named for him thus far, however.

205 Live Preview 9/26
Pepsi Center
Denver, CO

Lio Rush vs Noam Dar

This match was originally supposed to take place last week but Lio Rush informed Drake Maverick he was not able to fulfill his 205 Live duties because of his responsibilities to Bobby Lashley. Maverick informed Rush he will fulfill his responsibilities to the brand.

Dar and Rush have been going back and forth on social media promoting tonight’s match.

Mustafa Ali vs Hideo Itami

Mustafa Ali has been dealing with injuries suffered from his August clash with Hideo Itami. He returned from injury too soon, landing him back on the shelf as a result. Drake Maverick has been hesitant to put Ali back in action following this. Tonight, however, Maverick has given Ali what he wants most: a shot at revenge on the man who put him out of action, Hideo Itami.

AJ Styles is the current WWE Champion, proudly representing SmackDown Live ever since he bested Jinder Mahal for the belt back on November 7th, 2017.

‘The Phenomenal One’ has become a beloved superstar. Bringing his indie mentality and aesthetic, he translated them into a WWE style that catapulted him into the main event since debuting as a surprise entrant during the 2016 Royal Rumble.

Given how established he has become within the WWE – to the point that SmackDown is referred to as “The House That AJ Styles Build” – it’s hard to imagine that AJ Styles feared he would never be a part of the WWE at all.

“They Didn’t Need An AJ Styles”

Styles spoke with Daily Star Online during the WWE 2K19 press events that took place at the WWE Performance Centre in Orlando, Florida. During the interview, AJ admitted that he had assumed he and the WWE “just weren’t a fit” and that they would “never work together.”

“I learnt to live with it,” he said, before reflecting on how he felt at the time, “I just assumed they didn’t need an AJ Styles.”

“Thankfully I was wrong. It took me a while, but when I got here the timing was perfect.”

A Phenomenal Pre-WWE Career

AJ Styles had a storied career long before he was revealed as the third entrant into the Royal Rumble.

Finding success within TNA and a worldwide independent scene, AJ would develop his in-ring style and continuously hone his craft. This dedication saw him win numerous titles across the world, including a run representing Bullet Club as the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

It was at the height of his independent success that AJ Styles decided to come back Stateside and sign with the WWE.

Looking back, Styles contemplates the journey that led him to hold the title for 322 days (at the time of writing), “It’s been a rollercoaster ride, and you just have to ride that rollercoaster.”

Kazuchika Okada will team with his CHAOS stablemate, Tomohiro Ishii, on Sunday night at Fighting Spirit Unleashed in Long Beach. They will take on the team of IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kenny Omega, and his Golden Lovers’ teammate, Kota Ibushi.

Just days ahead of NJPW’s return to California, Okada spoke with NJPW1972.com about the promotion’s international expansion.

Kazuchika Okada On NJPW’s International Expansion

Okada was in the main event of NJPW’s first Long Beach show on July 1st, 2017.

“I felt like I had to show the people what New Japan Pro Wrestling was all about,” Okada said of his match that night. At the same time, I didn’t want to get caught up in catering to the American audience. I really wrestled that match as if it was in a Japanese venue.”

Okada wrestled Cody that night, who he offered up some heavy praise for.

“Like I expected, he was great,” Okada said of Cody. “I don’t know how much came from his dad and how much he developed by himself, but he’s obviously very charismatic, and more than that, he isn’t excessively flashy. Some fans see guys who do flashy moves and might think ‘this guys a great wrestler,’ or ‘that guys tough’, but without big showy moves, he’s able to get the fans to know he’s really tough. He’s so fundamentally sound, too. A really good wrestler.”

Despite dropping his recent match for the G1 Briefcase to Hiroshi Tanahashi, Okada stresses he is still the “face of NJPW.”

“I am the face of NJPW. I’m going to take that responsibility seriously, and I’m going to tear it up in the Walter Pyramid.”

The full interview can be read here.

Current PROGRESS World Champion, WALTER, has been surrounded by rumors recently regarding the WWE’s alleged interest in the 6’4” Austrian.

Sitting down with Mirror Sport, WALTER addressed the WWE speculation head-on. The interview would also see him fielding a plethora of questions about his wrestling style, the growing popularity of European wrestling, his upcoming championship match at Wembley, and his challenger, Tyler Bate.

“I don’t know if I mentioned this but being a part of the Raw or SmackDown roster is nothing I am interested in. I don’t want to live in the US,” the Austrian admitted.

Walter Praises NXT

His opinion on NXT, however, is vastly different compared to his dismissive thoughts on WWE’s main roster product.

“I really like NXT though, I think it’s a great product, filled with the best talent in the world and is focused on competition in the ring, which is something I enjoy,” he admitted, before cryptically adding, “I don’t want to say it will never happen because in wrestling things change so quick.”

Addressing his reputation and ever-growing fan awareness over who he is, his ability, and style, WALTER had this to say when asked about his worldwide main event success:

“I would say it’s timing and work ethic that I carry with me. I was always surrounded by hardworking and focused people. When I perform I don’t think selfishly, I think about the whole thing and trying to carry that forward. I do my best for company and the fans. It’s a big part of what brought me to where I am now.”

WALTER defends his PROGRESS World Championship against Tyler Bate this Sunday in an eagerly anticipated showdown. The match takes place at Wembley Arena, London.

Many fans consider Finn Balor vs Brock Lesnar to be a dream match that has yet to happen within the WWE. Turns out the Demon King himself also feels that way.

Speaking with Kenny McIntosh for ‘Inside The Ropes,’ Finn Balor had a lot to say when asked about a possible matchup between himself and ‘The Beast Incarnate’ Brock Lesnar.

“Well, I don’t make that decision. I’m just very low on the totem pole with regards to who makes the matches. But obviously, I would love that Brock Lesnar match more than anyone. I think it’s the classic David vs. Goliath match,” he explained.

“[Lesnar] Destroyed The Reputation Of The Title Belt”

Balor’s words became more critical towards Lesnar at this point, as he reflected on his time in New Japan Pro Wrestling – a time that saw the two in the same company, albeit for a short amount of time.

“I don’t think it’s very much like a match I’ve had before…or he has had before, maybe? You know, someone who had a very brief crossing of the paths within New Japan. When I was in Japan as a young boy, he was in Japan as a Champion. He was the New Japan Champion. And do you know what he did? He walked out on the company and destroyed the reputation of the title belt.”

Finn relates this experience with Lesnar’s recent Universal Championship run, observing that “He’s kinda doing the same thing again now [in the WWE].”

Big Fight Feel

Despite this, however, he can’t deny the big fight feel that Lesnar exudes every time his music hits and the Beast stalks towards the ring.

“Despite all this talk about ‘he’s not there every week,’ ‘he’s not the best.’ I know that when his music hits and he walks out, I’m invested and I’m intrigued to see what is gonna happen. There is certainly an aura that Brock carries that nobody else carries. That’s the title aura that I want to be in the ring with and I wanna feel and experience it.”

He explains that it’s the atmosphere, the electricity of the moment that he wants – something he has experienced before with Roman Reigns at Extreme Rules and wants to feel in a match against Lesnar.

“[…] That feeling that Brock gives you when he walks to the ring, and that aura that Roman has when he walks to the ring. They are the type of moments that this business is built on.”

What do you think? Is this a dream match you would want to see? If not, who would you prefer Finn wrestle against?

Following the end of last night’s SmackDown Live, Carmella provided an explanation as to why she recently changed her hair color.

Speaking with Kayla Braxon backstage, Carmella was asked by the interviewer, “Obviously there is a little bit of a change with you. What prompted this?”

The Princess of Staten Island replied, “[…] I just wanted to change. I mean, this is my natural hair color. I wanted to go back to my roots, no pun intended. I just wanted to change, so…I mean, it’s no surprise.”

Carmella then joked how everything she does causes people to talk about her and her actions, reminding viewers that she is still “Main Event ‘Mella” and that “‘Mella is Money,” after all.

“But in all seriousness,” she continued, “I guess it’s just the change. People are used to seeing me with blonde hair and so far the reactions have been pretty good, so I’ll take it. For right now, I’m going to say I’m going to stay dark, I’m going to stay brunette,” she declared.

“But you never know what happens. But I think, so far, brunettes have more fun.”

Carmella debuted the new look recently at a WWE Live Event in Tuscon, Arizona.

The September 25th, 2018 episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO. Here are 8 takeaways from this week’s episode of SmackDown:

Daniel Bryan Joined Truth TV

R-Truth and Carmella kicked off this week’s episode of SmackDown. R-Truth welcomed the crowd to “Truth TV”. Carmella then welcomed Daniel Bryan down to the ring as their guest.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1044736277021634566

R-Truth said that he has a lot of questions for Daniel and Carmella handed Truth his reading glasses. R-Truth asked Bryan how cathartic will it be to defeat The Miz at Super Show-Down and getting one step closer to a WWE Championship match.

Bryan was about to answer but Carmella interrupted and stated that it was time for a 7-second dance break. Carmella and R-Truth danced for a few seconds and Bryan said this show was infinitely better than Miz TV.

Daniel noted that he spent so much energy getting back to WWE and now that he is back, he wants to be WWE Champion. Bryan claimed that he has a lot of unfinished business with the WWE Championship and he also has a lot of unfinished business with The Miz. Bryan added that he wants to be WWE Champion to prove he is the best.

The Miz interrupted and a “Truth TV!” chant broke out. R-Truth boasted about beating The Miz two weeks ago and stealing his talk show. The Miz simply called R-Truth an idiot and then turned his attention to Daniel Bryan. The Miz told Bryan that he will win at all cost and will do whatever it takes to win.

The Miz vowed to defeat Bryan once again at WWE Super Show-Down. The Miz claimed that the only way Bryan can beat him is to compromise his moral code. The Miz added that if Bryan cheats to win he will forever tarnish the name, Daniel Bryan. R-Truth challenged The Miz to match to get his show back.

The Miz was about to respond but R-Truth and Carmella broke out in another dance break. The Miz then stormed backstage and ran into SmackDown GM Paige. The Miz demanded that Truth TV be canceled and Paige told him that if he wants Miz TV back, he is going to have to go out there and defeat R-Truth.

Hold that thought, @WWEDanielBryan.

Here on #TruthTV, we have mandatory DANCE BREAKS! @RonKillings @CarmellaWWE #SDLive pic.twitter.com/r48dRWnXx6

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1044742043250110465

The Miz Defeated R-Truth & Mocked Daniel Bryan

The Miz battled R-Truth tonight on SmackDown and Daniel Bryan joined commentary for the match. R-Truth started off the match in control and connected with a shoulder tackle. R-Truth went for a roll-up but Miz kicked out at two.

The Miz rolled out of the ring and started trash talking with Daniel Bryan. R-Truth greeted Miz with a Hip Toss when he got back into the ring. Carmella got up on the ring apron and moonwalked as The Miz made his way back to his feet.

R-Truth chased Miz around the ring and caught him with a right hand. R-Truth launched Miz into the barricade and then bounced his face off the ring apron. Back in the ring, Miz connected with a boot to the face and then mocked Bryan by doing the “yes!” chant. Miz hit a series of Yes Kicks but R-Truth countered into a roll-up for a near fall. The Miz battled back with a DDT for another near fall as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

The ? don't lie: MELLA IS ?! #SDLive @CarmellaWWE pic.twitter.com/52DBPt3piA

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 26, 2018

When SmackDown returned, R-Truth hit Miz with a Clothesline and followed it up with a Splash in the corner of the ring. R-Truth then hit Miz with a Jawbreaker and went for the cover but Miz kicked out at two. The Miz poked R-Truth in the eye while the referee wasn’t distracted and then planted R-Truth with the Skull Crushing Finale.

The Miz then looked at Bryan and said that he will do anything to win. The Miz hit R-Truth with Bryan’s running knee for the pinfall victory. Bryan got into the ring after the match and The Miz cowardly retreated up the entrance ramp.

To tell you the TRUTH… this match is pretty AWESOME!

The fates of #TruthTV and #MizTV hang in the balance as @RonKillings and @mikethemiz battle on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/mopoKDhu6g

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1044746278507294721

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1044746598889254912

Sheamus Defeated Big E

Sheamus faced Big E tonight on SmackDown. Cesaro, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods were ringside for the match. New Day will defend their SmackDown Tag Team Championships against The Bar at WWE Super Show-Down.

Big E launched Sheamus out of the ring and then hit him with a massive Splash on the ring apron as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Big E connected with a Suplex for a near fall. Big E went for another Splash but Sheamus got his knees up. Sheamus followed it up with a Powerslam for a two count.

Sheamus geared up for the Brogue Kick but Big E countered into a giant Powerbomb for a two count. Big E went for a Spear but Sheamus caught him with a knee to the face. Big E went for the Big Ending but Sheamus escaped and hit him with a Brogue Kick for the pinfall victory. After the match, Sheamus and Cesaro took a selfie in the ring.

Get in the ZONE, the CELTIC ZONE, @WWESheamus! #SDLive @WWECesaro pic.twitter.com/fEZsBk7Jpr

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 26, 2018

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1044751599745331201

A little preview of #WWESuperShowDown #TheBar #SDLive pic.twitter.com/DwmmyqtrKd

— Swiss (@ClaudioCSRO) September 26, 2018

Something Happened In Milwaukee

Aiden English attacked Rusev last week on SmackDown. On this week’s episode, Rusev and Lana marched down to the ring to demand answers from English.

UP NEXT: @RusevBUL & @LanaWWE demand answers from @WWEDramaKing! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/AaFPRC36fs

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

Rusev noted that Aiden betrayed him last week on Rusev Day. Rusev then demanded that Aiden come down to the ring to explain his actions. Aiden English came down to the entrance ramp and said that Rusev has every right to be angry.

Aiden claimed that Rusev lacked direction before he joined him. English took credit for making Rusev the most beloved Superstar in WWE. Aiden then rolled a montage of highlights from their tag matches together.

The crowd chanted “Rusev Day!” once the montage ended and English brought up 70,000 people chanting for them at WrestleMania. English then blamed Lana for the team falling apart and then rolled another montage of Lana costing Rusev matches.

English claimed that things were better when it was just the two of them. Lana brought up helping Rusev crush people before Aiden came along. Lana accused Aiden of trying to make a name for himself by using Rusev.

Aiden asked Lana is she told Rusev about that one night in Milwaukee. English then dropped the microphone and walked backstage. The crowd chanted “holy sh*t!” and then transitioned into a “Milwaukee!” chant as the segment ended.

"Are you going to tell him about that one night… in MILWAUKEE!"

WHAT IS @WWEDramaKing TALKING ABOUT?!?!? #SDLive @RusevBUL @LanaWWE pic.twitter.com/P9MqOP8PlY

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

#LanaIsTheBest! #LanaNumber1! ??

But is @LanaWWE neglecting to tell @RusevBUL about… that one night in Milwaukee?

@WWEDramaKing just had a mic drop for the ages on #SDLive. pic.twitter.com/R0Z93nsGF2

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

Lana and Rusev were then shown having a conversation backstage. Becky Lynch interrupted and threatened Lana out of nowhere. Lynch then walked away as Rusev continued to ponder what the hell Aiden English was talking about.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1044757275548758019

What happens in Milwaukee…#SDLive #AidenDay

— Matthew Rehwoldt (@DramaKingMatt) September 26, 2018

Asuka & Naomi Dominated

Naomi and Asuka faced Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose tonight on SmackDown.

#TheEmpress is FIRED UP! @WWEAsuka & @NaomiWWE will join forces to take on @WWE_MandyRose & @SonyaDevilleWWE NEXT on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/pibTjXHSfC

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

Before the match, The IIconics were in the ring and were about to cut a promo but were immediately interrupted by Naomi’s entrance music. The IIconics will face Naomi & Asuka at WWE Super Show-Down. Billie Kay and Peyton Royce joined commentary for the match tonight.

#TheIIconics return home when @BillieKayWWE & @PeytonRoyceWWE face @WWE_Asuka & @NaomiWWE at #WWESSD in Australia! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/R2X7IgcuKb

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

The #SDLive commentary table just became IICONIC as @PeytonRoyceWWE & @BillieKayWWE get a front row seat for this #WomensTag! pic.twitter.com/PmvEmfzLCD

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville took turns beating up Asuka to start off the match. Asuka finally was able to battle back and tag in Naomi. Mandy tagged in at the same time and Naomi greeted her with a Hurricanrana.

Naomi followed it up with a Leg Drop for a near fall. Deville attacked Naomi but Naomi launched her out of the ring. Mandy booted Naomi in the face and tagged Sonya back into the match.

Deville connected with a knee to the face and went for a cover but Asuka broke it up. Asuka hit Mandy with a Hip Attack that sent her flying out of the ring. Naomi booted Deville in the face and tagged Asuka back into the match. Asuka and Naomi then booted Sonya in the face for the pinfall victory.

New BFF alert!

@NaomiWWE & @WWEAsuka pick up the win heading into #WWESSD in Australia! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/dTmHSYzCna

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

#TheEmpress & #TheGlow put their tag team skills to the test against @WWE_MandyRose & @SonyaDevilleWWE on #SDLive!

@NaomiWWE @WWEAsuka pic.twitter.com/JdKI6T1A7Z

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura Beatdown Tye Dillinger

United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura faced Tye Dillinger tonight on SmackDown. Dillinger went right after Nakamura to start off the match and hit him with a few chops in the corner of the ring.

Tye followed it up with a Clothesline and then dared Nakamura to come at him. Shinsuke obliged and promptly beat the hell out of Dillinger in the corner. Nakamura draped Tye across the top rope and then kneed him in the midsection.

Nakamura then geared up in the corner as Tye made his way to his feet. Nakamura went for the Kinshasa but Dillinger escaped and hit him with a Superkick. Tye followed it up with a Frog Splash off the top rope and went for the cover but Shinsuke kicked out at two.

Dillinger hit Shinsuke with a few punches but Randy Orton came out of nowhere and attacked him from behind. The match ended in a DQ as Orton slammed Dillinger into the ring post. Orton bashed Dillinger’s face off the steel steps and then launched him over the announce table.

Orton dropped Dillinger back-first on the table before bringing him back inside the ring. Randy stomped on Tye’s hand a few times and then dropped him across the top rope. Orton dragged Dillinger to the ring apron and planted him with a DDT on the floor outside the ring. Randy then mocked Dillinger’s perfect ten pose before making his way backstage. Nakamura then hit a Kinshasa on Dillinger against the LED board on the ring.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1044761731350888449

What's #TheViper @RandyOrton doing out here… and WHY is he targeting @WWEDillinger?!?! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/EgkRs9FeRT

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1044762655632879616

Orton was then interviewed backstage and was asked about his attack on Dillinger. Randy said that Dillinger’s “perfect ten crap” just pisses him off.

Becky Lynch Tapped Out Lana

SmackDown GM Paige announced that Becky Lynch will face Lana after their confrontation backstage. Before the match, Rusev and Lana had another brief conversation. Lana was pissed off that Rusev was still wondering about what Aiden English said earlier in the night.

Earlier in the day, Becky Lynch attacked Charlotte Flair during a photo shoot at the Pepsi Center. It was announced during the show that Paige sent Charlotte home after the attack in order to recover from her injuries.

The champ wants her photo taken, at ALL COSTS! Got it? #SDLive @BeckyLynchWWE @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/2tYEP6jZ4r

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

Becky started off the match in control and got Lana in a Headlock. Lana broke free and the two Superstars circled each other. Lynch slammed Lana face first on the canvas and Lana responded with a slap to the face.

Lana took down Becky and connected with a few strikes. Lana followed it up with a Bulldog for a two count. Lynch rolled out of the ring to regroup and Lana followed her. Becky booted Lana in the ribs and then slammed her into the barricade.

Lynch brought Lana back into the ring but Lana went for a roll-up right away. Becky kicked out but Lana connected with a Superkick for another near fall. Lana climbed up to the second rope but Becky quickly got up and slammed Lana to the mat. Becky planted Lana with an Exploder Suplex and then locked in the Dis-Arm-Her for the easy submission victory.

After the match, Aiden English was asked to elaborate on his comments earlier. English vowed to show the video evidence of what happened in Milwaukee on next week’s episode of SmackDown.

After what transpired tonight with @WWEDramaKing, @LanaWWE has A LOT of frustration to take out on @BeckyLynchWWE…

…but is it enough to take down the champ? #SDLive pic.twitter.com/cHuhoo7fWd

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

.@WWEDramaKing has VIDEO FOOTAGE of what happened in Milwaukee, and he'll show it NEXT WEEK! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/b8iZYVOHSU

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

Samoa Joe Went To AJ Styles’ House

WWE Champion AJ Styles and Samoa Joe had a contract signing tonight for their championship match at WWE Super Show-Down. SmackDown GM Paige came down to the ring and introduced both Superstars.

UP NEXT: #WWEChampion @AJStylesOrg & @SamoaJoe will sign their contract for their No Disqualification, No Count-out Match at #WWESSD! #SDLive @RealPaigeWWE pic.twitter.com/jz5Uoc8LFt

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

AJ Styles came down to the ring but Samoa Joe didn’t show up right away. AJ joked that Joe was likely to attack him from behind because Joe is a coward. Styles hyped the title match at Super Show-Down and noted that there are no rules in that match.

Samoa Joe then appeared on the jumbotron and showed that he was at AJ’s house. Styles shouted that he was going to rip Joe’s head off as Joe leaned up against AJ’s fence. Joe asked if Styles was feeling helpless because he realizes that there is nothing he can do right now.

Joe then took a seat on AJ’s step right by his front door and told Styles to get his phone out and call Wendy. Joe chuckled and stated that AJ doesn’t bring his phone down to the ring. Joe then showed a doll and claimed it was a gift for Styles’ daughter.

Styles begged Joe to stay away from his family as Joe approached his front door. Joe asked if AJ was paralyzed by fear and told him to remember that feeling because that is exactly how he will feel when he beats him at Super Show-Down.

Joe added that Styles stole the WWE Championship from him and that demanded consequences. Joe then rang the doorbell and said “daddy’s home” as SmackDown went off the air.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1044768077144096774

Uhhhhhhhhhhh, why is @SamoaJoe at @AJStylesOrg's house? #SDLive pic.twitter.com/mUFLkP8pY7

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 26, 2018

"Daddy's home."@SamoaJoe just went inside @AJStylesOrg's house. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/MZADB6SgSp

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

#SDLive may be the house that @AJStylesOrg built…

…but there's another house that needs the champ's attention, and it's all thanks to @SamoaJoe. pic.twitter.com/L4q3WFPVYB

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2018

Tommy Dreamer Defends Brie Bella Over Liv Morgan Incident

It’s been well documented that Liv Morgan had a scary moment during a contest that happened on this week’s episode of WWE Monday Night RAW in Denver, CO when she teamed up with Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan to take on Nikki & Brie Bella, and Natalya in a six-woman tag team match that saw Brie appear to knock out Morgan after landing two accidental kicks to the face.

Former ECW/WWE/TNA star Tommy Dreamer has come to the defense of Brie Bella from the criticism of her spot with Morgan as he stated during an appearance on Busted Open Radio that the incident/spot as not “botched” or Bella’s fault.

“For anyone who said it’s a ‘botched spot’ or that Brie was at fault, they are 100% incorrect. No one EVER goes in there with intent to injure their opponent. It was nobody’s fault, it was a mis-timed thing.”

"For anyone who said it's a 'botched spot' or that Brie was at fault, they are 100% incorrect. No one EVER goes in there with intent to injure their opponent. It was nobodies fault, it was a mis-timed thing." – @THETOMMYDREAMER on Brie @BellaTwins kicks to @YaOnlyLivvOnce on #RAW pic.twitter.com/OoOJdIkHFh

— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) September 25, 2018

CM Punk Interacts With Kofi Kingston

It was revealed on Tuesday that WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston reached an impressive milestone with the company as he holds the record for the most collective days as a Tag Team Champion. Kingston would later comment on the moment by taking to his official Twitter account and gave some recognition to his former tag team partners including CM Punk. This led to a response by the former WWE Champion.

“What a strange accomplishment, lol. Nonetheless, I’m thankful and grateful for all the teammates I’ve had along this crazy journey. ?? Salute!”

What a strange accomplishment, lol. Nonetheless, I’m thankful and grateful for all the teammates I’ve had along this crazy journey. ?? Salute! @CMPunk @RonKillings @findevan @WWEBigE @XavierWoodsPhD https://t.co/CYi42HOetR

— Kofi Kingston (@TrueKofi) September 25, 2018

? pic.twitter.com/qd1fTYsTFM

— player/coach (@CMPunk) September 25, 2018

TNA Original Abyss will be celebrated and honored for his contributions to Impact Wrestling next month. It was announced last week that Impact Wrestling has chosen Abyss to be this year’s Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee.

The ceremony will take place on October 13th in New York City at McHale’s Pub. He’s a former World Champion, X-Division Champion, and World Tag Team Champion.

Abyss made an appearance on Busted Open Radio on Tuesday to talk about a wide range of topics including his induction. He stated that the company is and was always home for him as it’s where he started and spent the majority of his adult life there. He stated that he has been in the pro wrestling business for 50 percent of his life. He stated that the promotion took a gamble on him when he was a nobody coming out of Puerto Rico with a decent name, but nothing to where he was known in the United States. He stated that they gave him a chance when nobody else was biting at the time.

Abyss would bring up how to see the growth of the company and be a part of it, was one of the reasons that he didn’t leave because he had been there since the beginning and was part of the ground floor of the promotion. He reflected on working Wednesday night pay-per-views in ’02-03 where they didn’t know if there would be another event but kept coming each week. He recalled people telling them that they were going to close up the doors in six months and has said that for twelve years.

He is proud of what the company has done as there has been a lot of ups and downs but it’s a great company. He added that although they struggled and plowed through some obstacles along the way, it’s been his home and something that he can see himself leaving.

"They took a gamble on me when I was a nobody. It was and it is my home."@IMPACTWRESTLING Hall of Fame inductee @TherealAbyss on spending most of his adult life with the same company.@davidlagreca1 @THETOMMYDREAMER #IMPACTonPop pic.twitter.com/lyiUmJdm3j

— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) September 25, 2018

Monday’s edition of WWE RAW from Denver averaged 2.35 million viewers, down from 2.672 million the previous week. As a result, this marked the lowest viewed episode of the flagship show of the company in the modern era. The previous low was back on July 9th with 2.46 million viewers. Here is the hourly viewership breakdown, courtesy of ShowbuzzDaily:

• Hour 1: 2.49 million viewers
• Hour 2: 2.28 million viewers
• Hour 3:  2.28 million viewers

RAW had some notable moments including an appearance by Triple H & Stephanie McMahon, a six-man tag team match that served as the main event between The Shield and Authors of Pain & Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre successfully retaining the RAW Tag Team Titles over the Revival as well as The Bella Twins (Brie & Nikki Bella) working a six-woman tag team match. In case you missed the show, you can check out the results here.

Despite WWE putting some together some intriguing segments for the show, this episode faced some heavy competition. The show had to go up against ESPN which was averaging 12.011 million viewers for the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game as well as Big Bang Theory on CBS in hour one.

WWE will attempt to rebound next week as they have already announced that WWE RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey would be in action as well as an appearance by WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels to hype the upcoming singles match that will see Triple H battle The Undertaker at WWE Super Show-Down where Kane will be the in the corner of “The Deadman” while WWE Hall of Famer would be in the corner of “The Game.”

Watch: Top 10 Moments from Monday’s RAW (9.24.18)

AJ Styles has some issues with the player rankings in WWE 2K19. Styles is the cover athlete for this year’s game, following in the footsteps of Seth Rollins, The Rock, John Cena, and more. Styles was given a 91 overall ranking in this year’s 2K game. It turns out, four Superstars are ranked higher than him.

Those four Superstars being The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Brock Lesnar, and Roman Reigns. Here are their respective rankings:

• Brock Lesnar – 93
• The Rock – 93
• Roman Reigns – 92
• Stone Cold Steve Austin – 92

Styles recently did an interview with GiveMeSport’s Alex McCarthy to promote the video game. He was alerted of the four men who were ranked higher than him. Here’s how he reacted:

“Four?!,” Styled exclaimed. When alerted of Lesnar’s rating Styles simply said “shocker,” before saying “maybe I’d be a 93 you know – whenever I decided to – you know? And I’m not mad at Brock, so go figure.” Styles was then alerted that The Rock was a 93 overall. “What the freak!? He tore an ab the last time he wrestled! Come on man! I’m not saying he’s not jacked, but you gotta be in ring shape! What Rock are we going with here? Are we going with Hollywood Rock?”

As for Roman Reigns’ rating of 92, Styles said “I don’t know, I’ve been champion for a while now. Shouldn’t that count for anything? I guess – at least I’m a 91, right?” Finally, Styles was told of Austin’s 92 overall rating. “What the freak?! Come on man! What’s wrong with these guys? Listen, everybody respects Austin, but come on! Jeez man. At least I’m a 91.”

https://twitter.com/AlMac_GMS/status/1044584767105073156

What do you think of Styles’ ranking on WWE 2K19?

The September 25th, 2018 edition of WWE SmackDown Live took place at the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO.

– SmackDown immediately kicks off with the Miz TV set in the ring, and the Miz’s music playing. However, The Miz is nowhere to be seen. Instead, R-Truth and Carmella are in the ring, and they appear to be hosting Miz TV. The crowd chants for R-Truth as he asks what’s up and then introduces his mixed-match tag partner Carmella. R-Truth introduces his first guest as host of Miz TV – Daniel Bryan. Bryan comes out and its down next to Truth and Carmella, and the crowd is hot for Bryan. It looks like the show name has been changed to “Truth TV.” R-Truth switches from sunglasses to reading glasses so he can read his interview questions for Bryan. Truth asks Bryan about Miz and Maryse, and refers to Maryse as “other Carmella.” Bryan starts talking about his plans to beat Miz at Super Show Down, but Truth and Carmella interrupt him for the regular Truth TV “7 second dance break.” The lights and music go on, and Truth and Carmella start dancing, which confuses Bryan. The music turns off, and Bryan goes back to answering, saying that this show is already way better than Miz TV. Truth says he has an animal segment coming up later with people from the Denver Zoo.

Bryan starts talking about his feud with Miz again. Bryan says he wants the WWE Title to prove he’s still the best, while Miz doesn’t really even want the WWE Title, he just wants fame. The Miz now comes out to the stage with a mic. The first thing Miz takes issue with, is R-Truth taking his talk show. The crowd chants “Truth TV” as Truth explains to Miz that since he beat him a couple weeks ago, he’s taking his talk show. Miz calls Truth an idiot, and then he addresses Daniel Bryan. Miz says he’s the one coming for the WWE Title, and he will do anything it takes, but Bryan won’t do anything it takes. Miz says Bryan won’t cheat to win like Miz will. R-Truth interrupts and yells something unintelligible at Miz, and tells him to stop talking trash about his guest Bryan. Truth says with all of The Miz’s talking, he ate up the time for his animal segment. Miz yells at Truth saying this isn’t his show. Truth says if Miz wants his show back, he’ll fight him for it right now. The Miz protests, but Truth interrupts and calls for a dance break, and the music hits. The Miz looks furious now, and he heads to the back.

While Truth and Carmella dance in the ring, we see The Miz approach SmackDown GM Paige at the Gorilla position. He yells at Paige to cancel Truth TV, but Paige tells him if he wants it he should go out and fight R-Truth for it. The Miz begrudgingly heads back out down the ramp, and it looks like we have a match.

– Still to come: Rusev demands answers from Aiden English; Samoa Joe and WWE Champion AJ Styles will sign their contracts for Super Show Down.

– The Miz vs. R-Truth: Daniel Bryan is on commentary for this one. The Miz applies a side headlock early on, but Truth fights away and The Mi gets frustrated. Miz rolls outside for a breather and he taunts Daniel Bryan. The Miz gets back in the ring briefly before the fight spills out to ringside. They run around the ring until Truth catches Miz with a right hand and then throws him into the fan barricade. R-Truth takes Miz back in the ring and pummels on him in the corner. The Miz fights back and throws down Truth, then hits the Yes Kicks on him. R-Truth dodges a kick and rolls up Miz for a two count. Miz comes back with a DDT for a two count of his own. Truth and Miz have a test of strength as they get to their feet, until Truth hits him with a right hand. Truth runs the ropes and Miz fires back with a boot to the face, then he follows up with some running knees to the face. R-Truth dodges some shots from The Miz and then drops him with a spinning heel kick. R-Truth hits a splash in the corner, and then a vertical suplex into a jawbreaker for a two count. R-Truth follows up with a running forearm shot to the face for a two count. The Miz gets tangled up in the ropes and the ref pulls back R-Truth, and The Miz hits a thumb to the eye of R-Truth behind the ref’s back. The Miz immediately follows up with a Skull Crushing Finale, and then he taunts Daniel Bryan at ringside. The Miz follows up with the running knee to the face to Truth for the three count.

Winner: The Miz

– Daniel Bryan hits the ring after the match, and The Miz runs up the ramp. Bryan helps R-Truth to her feet.

– We see footage shot earlier today at a photo shoot with Charlotte. Becky runs in out of nowhere and attacks Charlotte from Behind, and then beats her down. Becky poses for some photos with the Women’s Title belt before leafing. The broadcast team tells us that Charlotte has been sent home and isn’t in the building any more.

– Big E vs. Sheamus: The New Day cuts a promo on The Bar before the match. Sheamus interrupts and says they just walk to talk and tell the same old crappy jokes. Sheamus says all The Bar wants to do is fight. Cesaro and The New Day are at ringside for this one. The opening bell sounds as the crowd chants “we wants pancakes.” Sheamus starts of strong with a series of strikes on Big E before the fight spills out to ringside. Big E turns things around on the floor and drops Sheamus. Big E lays Sheamus on the ring apron and hits a running splash on him. Back in the ring, Sheamus fights off Big E as Cesaro cheers him on. Sheamus drops Big E and then looks for the big boot, but Big E catches Sheamus with a powerbomb out of nowhere for a two count. Sheamus rolls out to the apron, and Big E looks for a spear but Sheamus blocks it with a knee to the face through the ropes. Back in the ring, Big E looks for the Big Ending, but Sheamus escapes and hits the big boot for the three count.

Winner: Sheamus

– Big E rolls outside to recover with The New Day, as Cesaro and Sheamus celebrate in the ring.

– Paige is backstage asking AJ Styles not to cause any damage when he’s out for his contract signing with Samoa Joe later. AJ says he’s just here to sign his contract, and he walks off.

– Lana knocks on Rusev’s locker room door, and Rusev comes out to head to the Gorilla position.

– Rusev comes out to the ring with Lana, and he’s got a mic. Rusev talks about Aiden English betraying him last week, and calls him out for being a traitor. Rusev says before he crushes Aiden, he wants him to answer why he betrayed him. Aiden comes out to the stage to explain himself. Aiden says this isn’t his fault, and he always had Rusev’s best interests in mind. Aiden says Rusev was always a super-athlete, but people weren’t noticing him until Aiden English joined him as his sidekick. English shows a video package of him singing about Rusev and helping him. The crowd chants “Rusev Day,” and Aiden says they were amazing together. Aiden says they were destined to be legends, but Lana got in the way and ruined things. Rusev then shows a video package showing some of Rusev’s losses, and seeming to blame Lana for Rusev’s failures. Aiden says things were better when it was just him and Rusev. Lana says before Aiden, she helped Rusev be an unstoppable force. She says Aiden does a great job, but he’s just trying to get famous off Rusev’s talent. Aiden says Lana is dedicated to her husband and honest with him, but if she’s really honest, is she going to tell Rusev about that one night in Milwaukee. Aiden doesn’t explain, and he walks off. Lana yells at Rusev that she doesn’t know what Aiden is talking about.

– Naomi and Asuka are shown backstage in their locker room warming up. They’re up next.

– Rusev and Lana talk backstage about Aiden’s comments. Becky Lynch walks over and says Becky is going to take her out because she runs the women’s division and Lana is trying to compete in it now. Becky walks off and Rusev questions Lana about Aiden’s comments now. Lana gets frustrated and walks off.

– Naomi & Asuka vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville: The Iiconics are on commentary for this one. We see footage from earlier today of Mandy and Sonya harassing Naomi and Asuka backstage. The opening bell sounds and Mandy and Asuka start things off. Sonya quickly tags in, and Sonya and Mandy exchange frequent tags now to control the pace against Asuka. Mandy stomps on Asuka in the corner, and then Sonya tags back in for a double team kick on Asuka. Asuka blocks a kick and comes back with a German suplex on Sonya. Mandy and Naomi tag in, and Naomi hits a clothesline and then a hurricanrana. Naomi slaps Mandy across the face and then knees her. Naomi hits a leg drop for a two count. Sonya causes a distraction from the apron, which leads to Mandy dropping Naomi. Sonya tags in for the double team, and Asuka comes in to throw Mandy out. Asuka tags in and they hit a double team kick on Sonya for the three count.

Winners: Naomi & Asuka

– Still to come: Becky Lynch vs. Lana

– Shinsuka Nakamura is backstage with the U.S. Title belt, and he’s getting ready to come out next.

– Shinsuka Nakamura vs. Tye Dillinger: This one is a non-Title match. Tye starts off strong with a series of chops to the chest of Nakamura, and then he drops him. Tye wastes some time taunting Nakamura, and Nakamura fires back with kicks and stomps. Nakamura looks for the Kinshasa, but Tye dodges it and superkicks Nakamura down. Tye follows up with a frog splash off the top for a two count. Tye mounts Nakamura in the corner and pummels on him, until Randy Orton comes out of nowhere and attacks Tye.

Winner via DQ: Tye Dillinger

– After the bell, Orton continues to beat down Tye. He throws him in to the ring post, and then takes him outside and slams his head on the ring steps. He throws Dillinger over the announce table, and then suplexes him on top of it. Back in the ring, Orton stomps on Tye, then he takes him back outside for a DDT on the floor. Orton leaves, and then Nakamura starts to leave, but he turns back. Nakamura knees Tye in the face while he’s down, then the U.S. Champion leaves.

– Rusev gives a pep talk to Lana backstage for her upcoming match. Rusev assures her that he doesn’t believe anything Aiden said.

– There’s a new Cricket Wireless commercial with Sheamus.

– Randy Orton does a brief interview backstage where he says that Tye is not his next victim. Orton says what it boils down to is just that the “Perfect 10” crap just pisses him off.

– Becky Lynch vs. Lana: This one is a non-Title match. Becky controls the opening moments of this one and slams Lana around. Lana comes back with a slap across the face and a spear. Lana pummels on Becky and then hits a running facebuster. The fight spills outside and Becky beats down Lana on the floor. Back in the ring, Lana comes back with a kick to the head for a two count. Lana climbs the turnbuckle, but Becky throws her down. Becky hits the t-bone suplex and then applies the Disarm-her for the the win via submission.

Winner: Becky Lynch

– After the match, we go to an interview with Aiden English backstage. Aiden says next week he’ll have video proof of this unknown incident with Lana in Milwaukee.

– We see another promo video for the Mixed Match Challenge, with comments from Miz & Asuka, and Carmella & R-Truth.

– The ring is set up with a table and chairs in it, and Paige comes out to host the contract signing with WWE Champion AJ Styles and Samoa Joe for Super Show Down. Paige says we all know how these contract signings usually end, but then introduces the Champion. Paige introduces Samoa Joe next, but Joe doesn’t appear to be coming out. Paige says she thought Joe was here, and then AJ says he knew Joe didn’t have the courage to face him. AJ says he’s expecting Joe to attack him from behind, because that’s more of his style. AJ says Joe might not be here right now, but he knows where Joe is going to be, at Super Show Down, with no count-outs and no rules. As AJ talks, Joe appears on the big screen. It appears that Joe is on his cell phone in selfie mode. Joe reveals himself to be at AJ Styles’ house in Georgia. Joe comments on how nice AJ’s house is as he approaches the front door. AJ yells at Joe and asks what he wants, but it appears Joe can’t hear him. Joe says he knows AJ feels helpless right now because there’s nothing he can do. Joe seems to make some threats to AJ, and says he brought a gift for AJ’s kid. AJ yells for Joe to back up and not go in his house. Joe continues to taunt AJ via video, and says this is how AJ is going to feel when he loses at Super Show Down. Joe rings the doorbell and says “daddy’s home,” and then SmackDown cuts to black.

The latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio provided an Alexa Bliss injury update. Although short on specifics, Dave Meltzer provided a notable report on Bliss’s current status.

“She’s cleared for minimal contact” Meltzer said on the Tuesday morning edition of Observer Radio (subscription required). “But she’s not cleared to fully wrestle.”

Bliss has not wrestled since the Hell in a Cell show on September 16. Her absence from the ring is linked to her reportedly suffering from numbness in her left arm.

That injury is just one of several that have plagued the Raw women’s roster of late. Sasha Banks is currently out due to undisclosed medical reasons.

Liv Morgan was also injured during a match on Raw Monday after eating a pair of kicks to the face.

Mickie James also missed time in July and August, reportedly due to an undisclosed injury. Ruby Riott also missed time this summer with a knee injury.

After seemingly ending her program with Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey, Bliss looked on from ringside on Monday Night Raw as Nia Jax took on Alicia Fox.

Bliss is still slated to take on WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus at the WWE Evolution show, set for October 28.

Who should Bliss face after her match with Trish? Do you take this Alexa Bliss injury update as good news?

The latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio provided a Sasha Banks injury update. After being pulled from the Mixed Match Challenge and this past weekend’s live events, fans were left to speculate on the current status of The Boss. Banks was also notably absent from Raw this week.

Although details remain murky, Dave Meltzer provided more insight. “I don’t have a specific injury. She’s off for medical reasons,” Meltzer said on the Tuesday morning edition of Observer Radio (subscription required).

Meltzer went on to speculate on what the lack of specific details given from those within WWE on the injury might mean.

“Whatever reason, I don’t know why they wouldn’t say. Usually when they don’t say, there’s a story as to why,” he said. “So, you end up getting more suspicious.”

For Banks, this medical issue comes at an inopportune time. With the all-women’s Evolution show scheduled for October 28, Banks would likely be featured on that card, if healthy.

This is notable considering that she has wrestled just once on a pay-per-view event since Wrestlemania 34. Banks is a 4-time Raw Women’s Champion, a record she shares with Charlotte Flair.

Do you think Sasha Banks will be back in time for Evolution?

Fresh off her recent Smackdown Women’s Championship win, Becky Lynch appeared as a guest on Chasing Glory With Lilian Garcia to discuss her heel turn. Lynch discussed how the audience hasn’t taken to the turn as it was originally conceived. Garcia said that heel turns typically involve putting down the crowd, and insulting them.

“Well, we tried that,” Lynch said, “And the crowd were like, ‘c’mon now, Becky, you know that we were there with you the whole time.’ And I’m like, yeah, I know, I’m going through some stuff. I’m trying to figure it out, lads.”

“It just doesn’t make sense that I would talk about how bad and how wrong they are, because they’ve obviously made their voices heard and supported me the whole time.”

Lilian asked about the origin of the decision to turn her heel. “That was Creative. And I can’t say I’m mad at them,” Lynch said. “Vince wanted a different side of me.”

She also revealed that she has some input into her promos. “Everything’s said in my own words… The main thing is to make sure that Becky Lynch is real.”

Lynch also discussed her first title run, and how she didn’t feel worthy of holding the belt. Some of that had to do with her own insecurity, she said. But she also mentioned that some of that came from her positioning as a champion who wasn’t even the captain of her Survivor Series team in 2016.

Lynch also said that she entered the company with a desire to be a blank canvas, but that she took that too far. “I got so in my head that I couldn’t even do a schoolboy.”

“I don’t think I’d be here if it wasn’t for Dusty Rhodes,” she continued. She mentioned that Rhodes liked working with unpolished wrestlers, and enjoyed the process of helping to mold people with a bit of brokenness. “And I think, at the time, that I was particularly broken.”

Other show topics included Lynch working with Shawn Michaels on The Marine 6, a bad breakup, and Lynch’s desire to keep her personal and professional lives separate.

You can find the full episode of Chasing Glory here:

Dustin “Goldust” Runnells made his professional wrestling debut for Championship Wrestling From Florida in 1988. He would debut on WWE programming in 1990 during his father’s feud with Ted Dibiase.

According to the nearly 30-year professional, it’s almost time to hang up his boots. Goldust was a guest recently on the Sports Guys Talking Wrestling program and insinuated his career is just about done.

“I’ve wrestled just about everybody there is to wrestle, done just about every character reincarnation that I can come up with,” the Bizarre One said. “What’s next? I’m at the end of my career here and about to be 50 in April. What else is there to do? I don’t know.”

He also mentioned he had double-knee surgery recently as well.

Goldust At All In 2?

Previously, Goldust mentioned the WWE office didn’t want him to attend his younger brother’s All In event. Cody previously made the comments on the same Sports Guys Talking Wrestling podcast. He also said he hopes to be at All In 2.

“It reminded me of when Cody and I won the tag team titles because it was a real thing. The storyline was so real with dad and the family against The Shield.”

“It had all the elements you needed to draw a billion dollar house and he laid it out there and he hit a home run with it. I can not wait until “All In 2.” You can bet your ass I will be at that one.”

You can listen to the full interview here.

After one post by an interesting name surfaced on Twitter, there has been a lot of speculation regarding the next appearance for Hulk Hogan at a WWE event. The Chairman of the General Sports Authority in Saudi Arabia (Al-Sheikh) sent out a photo on his official Twitter account of Hogan.

This led to many fans believing that this was a hint that Hogan will be appearing at the WWE Crown Jewel event. If you recall, there have been rumors that Saudi Arabia requested a ton of wrestling stars from the 1990’s for the Greatest Royal Rumble event earlier this year including Hogan, The Undertaker, and Jim Ross among others. Thus, with Hogan being back on good terms with WWE, it’s possible that they would want to be involved for the next show.

https://twitter.com/Turki_alalshikh/status/1044260394733383682

Hogan was backstage at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view event where he held a backstage meeting with Superstars to talk to them about privacy as a celebrity and the incident that got him shunned from WWE for years. He has also been reinstated into the WWE Hal of Fame. 

Hogan was fired from WWE in the summer of 2015 after racially charged comments from a sex tape came to light. Gawker alleged that Hogan only filed a lawsuit against them to prevent the racial statements from being released.

The WWE Crown Jewel pay-per-view event takes place on November 2nd, 2018 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the King Fahd International Stadium and will air on the WWE Network. Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman for the WWE Universal Title is the only match thus far confirmed the show.

Two interesting names were backstage at this week’s WWE Monday Night RAW TV event in Denver, CO at the Pepsi Center. Those stars were The Undertaker and SmackDown General Manager Paige.

Pwinsider.com is reporting that the reason Taker was backstage at the show was to be involved in a photo shoot. It should be noted that although not confirmed by WWE, Undertaker is currently scheduled to appear on next week’s episode, which marks the go-home show for WWE Super Show-Down.

WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels has already been confirmed for the episode. Taker is slated to have Kane in his corner when he takes on Triple H, who will have Michaels in his corner, at Super Show-Down that takes place next weekend at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne, Australia and will air on the WWE Network.

Regarding Paige, she was said to be working on some material related to the upcoming Survivor Series PPV. It’s possible that acting RAW General Manager Baron Corbin was included in this footage but that has yet to be confirmed. 

Finally, it was noted that NXT Superstars Shayna Baszler and Dakota Kai were backstage for the show. As of this writing, there’s no word yet on why they were flown in for the event.

The Shield took part in some comedy after this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW in Denver, CO at the Pepsi Center went off the air on the USA Network. On the broadcast in the main event, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns beat Baron Corbin and The Authors of Pain in a six-man tag team match.

Once the cameras stopped rolling, there a comedy bit with The Shield, the Acting General Manager of WWE RAW, Braun Strowman, and RAW Tag Team Champions and Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre.

The Shield forced Corbin to sing “I’m a Little Tea Pot” before beating him up. This led to Ziggler and McIntyre running down to get into a brawl with the Shield. Once Rollins, Reigns, and Ambrose cleared the ring of them, more comedy continued. The show ended with The Shield putting Corbin through a table then forced Corbin to sing “I’m a Little Tea Pot” for the second time.

Everyone except for Corbin will be featured at the next big WWE show. The WWE Super Show-Down pay-per-view event takes place on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne, Australia and will air on the WWE Network.

At this event, Reigns teams with Ambrose and Rollins will take on Ziggler, McIntyre, and Strowman in a six-man tag team match. 

Shaul Guerrero has signed with the Women of Wrestling promotion. The former WWE developmental Superstar and eldest daughter of Vickie and Eddie Guerrero will serve as the promotion’s new ring announcer. WOW has signed a broadcast deal with AXS and will begin airing shows in early 2019 on the channel.

Earlier this month, WOW announced the signing of Tessa Blanchard, who will also serve as a trainer for the other wrestlers.

“Guerrero’s duties will begin on October 10^TH at the WOW – Women Of Wrestling live event in Los Angeles,” a WOW press release reads. Guerrero will take over the ring announcing duties from GLOW creator David McLane, who is part owner of the project along with Jeanie Buss, owner of the LA Lakers.

David McLane Discovers Shaul Guerrero At Lucha Underground Tapings

McLane was with the cast of GLOW at some of the Lucha Underground tapings earlier this year.

“While attending this past summer’s Lucha Underground tapings, I was standing near the back of the arena and heard a powerful, dynamic voice in the ring,” said GLOW creator David McLane. “I had no clue at the time that it was Shaul Guerrero. I just knew whoever it was needed to be the new ring announcer of WOW.”

Nobody has held a WWE tag-team championship title for more combined days than Kofi Kingston. The 954 combined days Kingston has spent as a member of a WWE Tag-Team Championship team just surpassed the 953 days that Billy Gunn spent as tag champ throughout his career.

The number 3 ranked wrestler in this category is the WWE Hall of Famer, Mr. Fuji. Between reigns with Pat Tanaka and Mr. Saito, Fuji held a tag title for a combined 932 days.

Kofi Kingston – Most Days Spent As Tag Champion In WWE History

Kofi is one of the most decorated Superstars in WWE history to never win a world championship. He’s a 4x former Intercontinental Champion, 3x United States Champion, and an 8x WWE Tag-Team Champion. He also won a Slammy in 2012 for his Royal Rumble spot that year. Kingston received the award in the prestigious “Tell Me I Didn’t Just See That” category.

In addition to holding the tag titles with Xavier Woods and Big E of New Day, Kingston has had several other partners during his WWE tenure. CM Punk, Evan Bourne, and R-Truth have all won tag-team gold along with Kingston in the past.

Coming up at Super Show-Down in Australia, Kingston, and his New Day teammates will defend their titles against the Bar. Big E is scheduled to face Sheamus tonight on Smackdown.

#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/djUKJZc9G7

— Kofi Kingston (@TrueKofi) September 18, 2018

Former Impact Wrestling World Champion James Storm recently made an appearance this week on Busted Open Radio on Sirius to talk with Bully Ray and Dave LaGreca about various topics including his brief time with WWE.

First Run With NXT

Storm debuted in NXT during the October 2015 tapings where he defeated Danny Burch and later appeared on the December 2 episode by defeating Adam Rose. Then signed a contract to return to Impact Wrestling. The former TNA star stated that he went down to NXT to talk with Triple H and had another match. However, Impact was interested in signing him as well as WWE.

He reflected on how Triple H offered him a contract and knew that Impact was offering him some big money. He made it clear that the truth wasn’t even about the money but rather he and his wife was trying to have another kid, which was a problem with the brutal WWE schedule. Storm would add that Triple H was telling him that they had planned to run 100-125 dates with NXT and he had to explain his personal life. “He basically told me ‘look, go get your life straight and then get yourself in the best shape you can. In two years let’s see if when can do business again.”

Potential WWE Return

Storm also talked about a potential WWE run where he brought up how that “I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in in my entire career” and it comes down to basically wanting to prove it to himself as well.

"I'm in the best shape I've ever been in in my entire career." @JamesStormBrand tells @davidlagreca1 & @bullyray5150 about his short run in #WWENXT and if going to the #WWE is his ultimate goal. pic.twitter.com/9TsFwxYFUb

— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) September 25, 2018

Matt Riddle is just starting out his career with WWE but fans have high hopes for him in their developmental system NXT. It was revealed in August at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn 4 that he had signed with the WWE as he was sitting front row at the show. He has yet to make his television debut for NXT but is preparing for it while training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

He made his NXT in-ring debut at a live event last weekend in Sanford, FL at the Sanford Civic Center by beating Fabian Aichner in a back-and-forth match. The finish of the match saw him a hit powerbomb where he followed up by hitting a knee strike.

During a recent interview on a radio show called “The Main Event,” he talked about a wide range of topics including why he didn’t wear the MMA-style trunks at the NXT show that he wore on the indies. He brought up how he wore multi-colored trunks which he borrowed from his wife. He is waiting on WWE to sign off on wearing his old trunks with sponsors on it but it should be noted that when he made his entrance, he was wearing a jacket that featured the logo of his sponsor SPLX.  

He also talked about who he’s eager to square off against in WWE and someone who he would consider a dream opponent, which he named Cesaro. The reason for it is due to him thinking that they could have a “sensational” match against one another in the ring.

Finally, Riddle made it known that he is confident in his WWE future and expressed it by stating that, “I feel with the right opportunity I can go as far as I want.”

Smackdown tonight will be in the Pepsi Center in Denver, the same city and venue which hosted Raw last night.

Smackdown Preview 9/25

AJ Styles and Samoa Joe Contract Signing

Smackdown General Manager, Paige, has announced that Joe and Styles will sign their contract for Super Show-Down tonight. The match will be contested under No DQ, no count-out, and must-be-a-winner rules.

Big E vs Sheamus

New Day and the Bar will face each other at Super Show-Down on October 6th. Big E and Sheamus will go one-on-one tonight as each team looks to build momentum before they head to Australia. Last week, Cesaro defeated Kofi Kingston so the Bar will be looking to keep their winning streak going tonight.

Rusev Wants Answers From Aiden English

Last week on Smackdown, Aiden English turned on Rusev and cost the Bulgarian his chance at Shinsuke Nakamura’s United States Championship.

This week, Rusev wants answers from his former tag-team partner.

Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair Segment

While nothing has been announced for the Becky Lynch/Charlotte Flair rivalry for tonight, there will likely be some type of segment to preview their match at Super Show-Down. Last week, Charlotte came out during Lynch’s Championship celebration and let the champ know she’ll be receiving her rematch in Australia.

Daniel Bryan and Miz Segment

Nothing has been announced for tonight between Daniel Bryan and the Miz but the stakes have risen quite a bit for their clash in Australia. The winner of the single’s match between Bryan and Miz will earn a WWE Championship.

Asuka/Naomi and Iiconics Segment

WWE hasn’t announced anything for tonight but Naomi and Asuka are scheduled to team up at Super Show-Down against the Iiconics. Asuka defeated Billie Kay last week but the week prior Billie was victorious over Naomi. Royce and Naomi went 1-1 against each other in matches dating back to the August 21st Smackdown.