AEW Co-Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes made some very interesting comments while doing an interview with 11Alive to promote Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite in Atlanta.
Cody was asked where he sees AEW in five years. This is where he talked about having an interest in moving the show to a different night. In fact, he would like to compete against a different WWE brand.
Cody Rhodes Has Confidence In AEW
“I would like the company, in five years, to be on a different night and competing in the same fashion they are.”
Rhodes continued by stating that it’s not that he doesn’t love Wednesday nights, but he understands by looking at the data that they have, AEW has real players. He noted they’re not lying about the revolution anymore because it’s very supported.
“I would love to see how it does on another night of the week. In five years, who knows. If we had a random storm situation or something popped up and we had to put Dynamite on a Monday night, if that was to happen in this current threshold, I’d still be very confident in what we can do. And I’d be confident that our guys would be up for the challenge.”
This comes after it was announced AEW and TNT reached an extension for the weekly program, Dynamite, to continue to air on the network through 2023. It’s also been confirmed that a second AEW program will be added to the Turner Media family in the near future.
It should be noted that there are no further details on this second show – name, premiere date, and length.
When the news was announced that AEW had reached an agreement with TNT for a prime time TV show, WWE decided to counter-program them with NXT by moving it to the USA Network. Since October, AEW has won the majority of the ratings war up to this point.
Monday’s edition of WWE RAW averaged 2.437 million viewers in Everett, WA at the Angel of the Winds Arena on the USA Network, which is up from the 2.337 million viewers the previous week. This was the highest-rated episode thus far this year.
RAW Viewership
Here is the hourly viewership breakdown, courtesy of ShowbuzzDaily:
Hour 1: 2.671 million – Last Week: 2.411
Hour 2: 2.559 million – Last Week: 2.396
Hour 3: 2.082 million – Last Week: 2.204
The episode was expected to increase in its viewership from last week. WWE will attempt to increase its viewership for Monday Night RAW next week due to it serving as the go-home show of Raw for Super ShowDown.
Here is the hourly 18-49 demos breakdown:
Hour 1: 0.87 – Last Week: 0.81
Hour 2: 0.82 – Last Week: 0.81
Hour 3: 0.68 – Last Week: 0.77
Some of the matches that took place include Aleister Black vs. Erick Rowan, Drew McIntyre vs. MVP, Angel Garza and Bobby Lashley (w/Zelina Vega, Lana) vs. Humberto Carrillo and Rusev, Natalya vs. Kairi Sane (w/Asuka), Ricochet vs. Karl Anderson, and Kevin Owens and “The Viking Raiders” Erik and Ivar vs. Murphy and “AOP” Akam and Rezar
There was also a segment with Randy Orton attacking Matt Hardy again as well as Seth Rollins giving a sermon.
In case you missed the show, you can check out the five takeaways here.
IMPACT star Rob Van Dam had some enlightening points regarding concussions and CTE. The former ECW Champion has recently released a documentary (Headstrong) that focuses on his symptoms and difficulties relating to his ongoing brain injuries. “I’ve had hundreds, seriously, hundreds, of concussions” RVD revealed on this week’s episode of the Steve Austin Show podcast.
RVD was one of the main figures of the ECW promotion back in the late nineties/early 2000’s. Van Dam would help to establish the ‘extreme’ brand with his mixture of high-flying, hardcore and hard hitting in-ring action. Concussions and CTE are such a major talking point in sports, now more than ever. WWE’s current stringent policy on head injuries wasn’t something that was implemented back in the 90s, especially in the likes of the indies/ECW.
Rob Van Dam and Chair Shots
RVD would also discuss the immediate effects of hits directly to the head with Austin. “(ECW performer) Balls Mahoney would hit me with a chair. Then ‘crack’ it would be like everything’s in slow motion,” Van Dam began. “Sometimes the sound ‘goes out,’ sometimes you know everything’s spinning.”
Concussions and CTE
Concussions and CTE aren’t something that RVD was aware of early in his career. The idea that you had to take shots to the head unprotected was what was expected of ECW performers. RVD would mention to Austin that he didn’t think that the effects would be long lasting. He thought that the instantaneous ‘woozyness’ was all that he would feel early in his career. “I had double vision, but I just couldn’t shake it off and I kept thinking well. You know, it’ll be gone tomorrow, so I’m not gonna let anybody know. The show must go on.”
IMPACT
Rob Van Dam currently wrestles for IMPACT, he made his return to the company back in April last year and has been a featured part of the show since. RVD would tell Austin that he preferred the lighter schedule of working for the Canadian based promotion, due to his age and the aforementioned issues relating to concussion related injuries. RVD did however reveal that he can still do “90%” of the moves he would previously perform earlier in his career.
Impact Wrestling 2/18/20 was taped from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas. This week’s episode was the first to air from the recent tapings. The show was also the last before Saturday’s Sacrifice event on Impact Plus from Louisville, Kentucky.
Impact Wrestling 2/18/20 Quick Results:
TJP defeated Josh Alexander
Willie Mack defeated Johnny Swinger
Madison Rayne defeated Mazzerati
Best of 5 Series Eddie Edwards defeated Michael Elgin (Elgin leads 2-1)
Here are 9 takeaways from Impact Wrestling 2/18/20:
Ace Austin Wins Big Heading Into Sacrifice
With Sacrifice and an Impact Wrestling World Championship title shot waiting for him on Saturday, Ace Austin scored a victory in this week’s main event. Ace Austin kicked the ring ropes as Trey was entering the ring from the outside, causing a low-blow and allowing the X-Division champion to hit the Fold for the victory.
Austin celebrated with Reno Scum on the outside as Josh Matthews commented that if Austin can hit the Fold on Saturday against Blanchard at Sacrifice, we could have a new world champion.
Eddie Edwards Avoids Sweep In Best of 5 Series
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_vB1DS37SY
Michael Elgin entered into this match with Eddie Edwards with a chance to win a clean sweep in their best-of-5-series. Elgin was up 2-0 in the series and looked to have this match wrapped up as well. Elgin gave Edwards a power-bomb from the top and looked to go for the Elgin bomb but Edwards countered into a small package for the win. Callis commented after the match that Elgin should have gone for the pin after the powerbomb from the top instead of going for his finisher to put an exclamation point on the match. Match 4 in the series will take place next week.
Do TJP & Fallah Bah Have The North’s Number?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t4cEySNb_c
Fallah Bah defeated Ethan Page when Impact Wrestling was in Mexico last month and TJP kicked off this week’s episode with a win over Josh Alexander. The North has had a lengthy and dominant reign atop Impact Wrestling’s tag division but it appears that TJP & Fallah Bah may have the duo’s number. A 2-on-2 match would likely favor the North, however.
TJP picked up the win after countering a sleeper into a pinning combination.
Impact Wrestling announced this week that they have signed Chris Bey. The 23-year-old is from the Las Vegas area where Impact’s most recent set of tapings took place. He is a 3-year pro and has wrestled with the Future Stars of Wrestling promotion in Vegas where he is a former FSW World Champion, FSW No Limits Champion, and also once held the promotion’s tag titles as well.
Willie Mack Is Not Johnny Swinger’s Tag Team Partner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9XqMvSv2vA
Johnny Swinger believes that he and Willie Mack make up a tag team known as “The Pack and Mack Connection.” Mack, on the other hand, does not believe the two are a tag team. Swinger told Mack in the back this week that they need to get more reps in the ring. Mack agreed, though Mack wanted to face Swinger in a single’s match and Swinger assumed they were wrestling a tag match against another team.
Mack did not seem to respond to Swinger’s request for him to “slow down” during the match. He picked up the win with a Stunner followed by a 6-Star Frog Splash.
Swinger will take on Joey Ryan Saturday night at Sacrifice. Mack is scheduled to take on OVW’s Jay Bradley.
Madison Rayne Victorious In Open Challenge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8Qzf16ODT4
Madison Rayne is not pleased that Jordynne Grace was given a Knockouts title shot she feels should have gone to her. She announced the beginning of the Madison Rayne “Golden Opportunity Open Challenge” this week. Las Vegas-based wrestler Mazzerati answered the call.
Callis would continue his ongoing embellished commentary for Rayne. This week he noted that she was taught the liver punch by Stu Hart. Josh Matthews noted that he didn’t think Rayne had ever met Stu Hart but Callis didn’t seem swayed by this.
Rayne would pick up the victory with a Cross Rayne. She then walked around the ring raising her own hand to close the segment.
Rhino and Moose Get Ready For Sacrifice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AnPLTtIWQ8
Rhino and Moose will meet once again Saturday night at Sacrifice. The two have been in an ongoing feud that also briefly involved AAA’s Taurus while the promotion was in Mexico last month. Moose was on commentary for this match. Rhino defeated Dave Crist with a Gore while Moose watched. Moose would note on commentary that the same thing won’t happen to him at Sacrifice.
Impact presents Sacrifice this Saturday. The event will stream live for subscribers to Impact Plus. Four matches have been confirmed thus far for the event:
Impact World Championship Tessa Blanchard (c) vs Ace Austin
Impact Women’s Championship Jordynne Grace (c) vs Havok
Impact Tag Team Championships The North (c) vs The Rascalz
Rhino vs Moose
Johnny Swinger vs Joey Ryan
Daga vs Jake Crist
Willie Mack vs Jay Bradley
Madman Fulton & Dave Crist vs Larry D & Acey Romero
AEW updates its rankings for each division every Wednesday. Tonight’s episode of Dynamite will take place in Atlanta and feature the first-ever steel cage match in the promotion when Cody faces Wardlow.
Here are this week’s AEW rankings:
AEW Men’s Rankings
Le Champion: Chris Jericho (0-0)
Jon Moxley (5-0)
Cody Rhodes (2-0)
PAC (1-1)
Kenny Omega (0-0)
Maxwell Jacob Friedman (2-0) (previously unranked)
The only movement in the men’s single’s rankings this week saw MJF re-enter the rankings. MJF defeated Jungle Boy this week to go to 2-0 in 2020. Kip Sabian drops out of the rankings this week. Sabian did not wrestle on Dynamite or Dark this week.
Jon Moxley defeated Santana and Kenny Omega wrestled in a tag title match with Page this week. Cody, Jericho, and PAC all had the week off from in-ring competition.
AEW Women’s Rankings
Women’s Champion: Nyla Rose (3-1)
Riho (3-1) (-1)
Kris Statlander (1-1) (+1)
Hikaru Shida (2-1) (-1)
Yuka Sakazaki (1-0)
Britt Baker (1-2)
The biggest change in the rankings this week takes place at the top of the women’s division. Nyla Rose defeated Riho to become the new AEW Women’s Champion this week. Former champion Riho drops to the #1 position.
Kris Statlander moves up one spot this week after defeating Diamante on Dark. She moves past Hikaru Shida for the #2 spot after Shida had the week off from in-ring competition. Britt Baker didn’t wrestle this week, opting instead to insult Tony Schiavone. Yuka Sakazaki was not on the show this week after having a tooth knocked out by Baker last week.
AEW Men’s Tag Team Rankings
Tag Team Champions: Kenny Omega & Adam “Hangman” Page
The Young Bucks (2-1) (+1)
SCU (2-2) (-1)
The Dark Order (2-0)
Proud and Powerful (0-1)
The Lucha Bros (0-1)
SCU drops one spot this week after losing to the tag champs Kenny Omega and Hangman Page in a title match to kick off Dynamite. The Young Bucks were victorious over Peter Avalon and QT Marshall on Dark.
The Best Friends defeated the Hybrid2 on Dark but it was not enough to put them back in the rankings this week. The Dark Order, Proud and Powerful, and the Lucha Bros all had the week off from in-ring competition.
Matt Hardy has been attacked by Randy Orton two weeks straight on WWE RAW. With Hardy’s contract with WWE expected to expire shortly, one of these attacks is bound to be Hardy’s last segment in WWE, at least for quite some time.
Hardy took to Twitter to comment on the angle from Monday:
Against Every Warning, with serious head/neck injuries, I showed up on #RAW to face & fight RKO.
I was brutally beaten & suffered multiple injuries. But I’m alive. I’m not sure what’s next. If this was my @WWE goodbye, I didn’t get what I deserved-But maybe I got what I needed. pic.twitter.com/Bzh1Ot4fcU
“After tweeting from a medical facility in the wake of a vicious attack he suffered at the hands of Randy Orton on Monday Night Raw, Matt Hardy was discharged and returned home earlier today, WWE.com has learned,” WWE’s report on Hardy reads.
Hardy has also been releasing several “Broken” themed videos on his YouTube channel as of late:
Following Orton’s initial attack on Hardy last week, Hardy tweeted out a message that only read “Goodbye.” This led many to assume the angle was a way to write Hardy off the show since he will be leaving when his contract expires.
Hardy was then scheduled to face Orton in a No Holds Barred match on this week’s show. The match never took place, however, but Orton did attack Hardy again in the show’s opening segment.
WWE NXT is back for another episode and the fallout from the latest special for the brand, NXT TakeOver: Portland, will be on tap.
The biggest thing to come out of NXT TakeOver: Portland was NXT Champion Adam Cole making his latest title defense over Tommaso Ciampa in the headliner. He did so when Johnny Gargano turned heel by hitting Ciampa in the face with the title.
How Ciampa will respond to this and who’s next in line for Cole will be something to follow.
The company is building up this show up around a few different matches including NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin defending against Lio Rush.
WWE holds this show in Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University. WWE is advertising the following items for tonight’s broadcast:
The Velveteen Dream vs. Roderick Strong – Singles Match
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin defends against Lio Rush
Kayden Carter vs. Chelsea Green – Singles Match
NXT TakeOver: Portland fallout
WWE will also be creating new programs and building on the hype for existing feuds.
As usual, fans should expect more matches and segments to be revealed this afternoon for NXT.
Join us here later tonight for WWE NXT Results and our post-show NXT Takeaways feature.
Colonel Parker is returning to Major League Wrestling. The famed-manager hasn’t been seen in the promotion since 2018 when his Stud Stable came up short in that year’s Battle Riot event. Parker will be at MLW’s Intimidation Games from Chicago’s Cicero Stadium on April 18th, 2020.
“Having managed the likes of Steve Austin, Big Van Vader and Harlem Heat as well as promoting wrestling throughout the south, Colonel Parker has a stellar track record for success in the sport,” an MLW press release for Colonel Parker’s return reads.
MLW Signs Zachary Cooper
MLW has also recently announced the signing of Zachary Cooper:
The National Wrestling Alliance announced earlier this year that the Crockett Cup would return in April. An exact date or venue for the show was not immediately revealed, however. Already scheduled for the card is a rematch from the 2019 Crockett Cup event between Nick Aldis and Marty Scurll.
The NWA revealed to its email subscribers yesterday that the 2020 version of the Crockett Cup will take place on April 19th, 2020 from the Gateway Arena in College Park, Georgia. The venue is the home arena for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. The arena is also roughly a 30-minute drive from the GPB Studios that the promotion tapes NWA Powerrr in.
Last year’s winners of the tournament were PCO & Brody King.
Marty Scurll and Nick Aldis will once again square off for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at the Crockett Cup this year. There is a new stipulation added to their match this year, however. If Scurll should lose and is not able to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, he will have to cut Aldis a cheque for $500,000.
Aldis originally wanted Scurll to pay to refund the cost of tickets for everyone who attends the event. Scurll later offered the stipulation that he would cut Aldis a cheque for $500,000 instead.
The NXT Champion Adam Cole recently had an interview with Steel Chair magazine where he talked about things like the difference between working taped vs. live shows and more.
Discussing Shawn Michaels’ influence on his career, Cole recalled how Michaels was an inspiration for him growing up and how working with him in NXT is a dream come true.
He was then asked a very interesting question when the interviewer asked him about potentially facing and retiring his mentor and the Godfather of NXT Triple H. Replying to which, Adam Cole said that it’s something he would love do:
“Anybody on our roster would agree. We all idolized Triple H or Shawn Michaels as kids, and now we’ve grown up” said Adam Cole. “we’re working together with them.
We’re really getting to see their minds and not only how smart they are, but how much they absolutely love this job. I wouldn’t pass that up for the world, that absolutely is something that I would love to do. I know many NXT talents feel the same way, and I definitely know a bunch of fans would love it.”
Later in the interview, Adam Cole talked about being at the Royal Rumble PPV and getting the chance to witness Edge’s return live during the show.
Cole said that it’s stuff that you dream about when you are
a performer and as a fan, getting to see the former World Champion return to
the ring was absolutely incredible.
Apart from this, Adam Cole also discussed his WrestleMania dream match, the evolution of his character and making the transition from the independent circuit to WWE.
WWE has announced that Finn Balor will take part in the NXT UK tapings scheduled for Coventry SkyDome Arena in Coventry, England on the 6th and 7th of March. Balor’s scheduled appearance for the NXT UK brand comes on the heels of the promotion announcing NXT UK TakeOver: Dublin will take place on April 26th, 2020 from the 3Arena.
WWE announced Balor’s special appearance on both nights of the tapings on social media:
“The stage has been set for another epic event across the pond as NXT UK TakeOver: Dublin is slated for April 26 at 3Arena and on the award-winning WWE Network,” a WWE press release for the event reads.
Jordan Devlin On Friendship With Finn Balor
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin is likely looking forward to competing on the Dublin event from his home country of Ireland. He spoke to TV Insider recently about his friendship with Balor.
“He was the best wrestler in Ireland then and probably now,” Devlin shared.” He was the person I most aspired to be like. He was always the guy I wanted to measure up to and up with. He went from Ireland to Japan to train, as did I. He went to New Japan Pro Wrestling. I went to Zero-One. He went to the States and WWE. I was a couple of years behind him when WWE signed me. We’ve been running the same path for a long time.”
RAW Superstar Shelton Benjamin has opened up about his long-time friendship with WWE Champion Brock Lesnar. Joining Lilian Garcia on her podcast Chasing Glory, he detailed how he first met Lesnar and how the two became friends and training partners.
Reflecting on his senior year, Benjamin recalled seeing Lesnar at an amateur wrestling tournament. Whereas Benjamin ended up losing his match, taking third place, Lesnar wound up winning the tournament. He remembered his first impression on seeing “The Beast Incarnate,” sharing “when you see Brock it’s like, ‘holy cow.’ [University of] Minnesota coaches swarmed him…”
“I was a heavyweight. Even though I was a small heavyweight, I was a heavyweight all through high school and college, so basically me and Brock were in the same weight class,” Benjamin explained.
“So basically, when Brock finally transferred in, I had stayed on as a coach/I still had another year of my scholarship so I was a coach/sparring partner – so there were only two guys that could give Brock a match in practice, but there was only one full-time guy. So for about, anywhere from three to four hours a day, like with practice, me and Brock would just go at it.”
Shelton Benjamin’s Finer Points
Benjamin then recalled their training routine, noting how the first time they wrestled, he went to grab onto Lesnar’s leg. Lesnar would react by thrusting his hip and sending Benjamin flying “halfway across the room.”
Benjamin knew at that point that he would have to help Lesnar refine his technique and teach him the “finer points.” Thankfully, Lesnar was ready to learn. Benjamin shared how he was like a sponge from day one. He stressed how some days he would be able to wrestle and wouldn’t be able to do anything to Lesnar. Other days Lesnar wouldn’t be able to successfully wrestle him. He then noted how there were occasions where, for two and a half hours, they were “two bulls locking horns, but that was my life and I loved it.”
WWE recently referenced their long-term friendship during January’s Royal Rumble event. Shelton Benjamin would be eliminated by Brock Lesnar.
Another week, another stacked episode of AEW’s weekly television show, Dynamite.
With bell time just hours away. It’s time to look ahead to tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite on TNT. The promotion has announced four big matches thus far.
The show is expected to start with AEW World Team Champions Kenny Omega and Hangman Page vs. Luca Bros. Although not confirmed, the belief is that Cody Rhodes vs. Wardlow in a Steel Cage Match will serve as the headliner. If Cody wins this match then he’ll face MJF at the AEW Revolution event.
AEW holds this show in Atlanta, GA at the State Farm Arena on TNT at 8 p.m. ET. AEW is advertising the following items for tonight’s broadcast:
Cody Rhodes vs. Wardlow in the first-ever Steel Cage Match in AEW history. As per Arn Anderson, this match will be “No Escape” with only pinfall or submission to determine the winner.
Jeff Cobb vs. Jon Moxley
AEW World Team Champions Kenny Omega and Hangman Page vs. The Luca Bros.
#1 Contenders’ Tag Team Battle Royal: The Young Bucks vs. SCU vs. Private Party vs. Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus vs. Best Friends vs. Santana & Ortiz vs. The Butcher & The Blade vs. Jack Evans & Angelico vs. Alex Reynolds & John Silver vs. Cima & Michael Nakazawa
AEW will also be creating new programs and building on the hype for existing feuds as the promotion gets closer to their next pay-per-view event, Revolution, that takes place next weekend.
Join us here later tonight for AEW Dynamite Results and our post-show Takeaways feature.
TJP has opened up about how important New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Super J-Cup tournament is to him, calling it his own “WrestleMania moment.” He also reflected on his time in NJPW’s training dojo, and praised their resident “Ace”, Hiroshi Tanahashi, who he believes is the Babe Ruth of the promotion.
“The Junior division is why I started wrestling in the first place. The J-Cup, that was my WrestleMania moment,” he confessed during an interview with WrestleZone. “I joke with people, but I’m being serious, I never had a Mania moment. Like when I went to WWE, I never cared when I would see ‘Oh, I’m not on the card this year.’ That was fine, I never cared about a Mania moment but I always thought, ‘Man! I’ll never get the J-Cup. There’s only been like five of them in history,’ so when that came up this year and they were like, ‘We’d like you to be part of it,’ it’s like, ‘Man, this does not come up every year.’”
TJP explained how being in contention for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship has always been a goal of his. He juxtaposed it to WWE’s Intercontinental Championship, explaining how it’s the “[…] most important title for like ‘wrestlers’ wrestlers.’”
TJP On Hiroshi Tanahashi
TJP then spoke about Tanahashi, a man he clearly has a lot of respect for. He noted how, when he was training with the promotion as a young boy, Tanahashi was just ahead of him as a Young Lion. To him, Tanahashi is akin to John Cena and Babe Ruth.
“He was the class right ahead of me when I was a young boy so he was a Young Lion graduating when I came in the dojo. It’s really cool now at this stage to be back a part of the organization,” TJP said, “and he’s been like their John Cena for so long. He’s been the Babe Ruth over there and arguably the greatest babyface of all time.”
TJP competed during last year’s Super J-Cup. He advanced through to the second round. He was eliminated by El Phantasmo.
Charlotte Flair and NXT Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley are set to compete for the gold at WrestleMania 36. Following Flair’s recent promo on Monday Night RAW, Ripley responded to “The Queen” via Twitter, with their feud spilling over onto social media. During their exchange, Ripley revealed how she had considered quitting pro wrestling several times before finally finding success.
“I didn’t scratch, claw, and fall down as many times as you did to gain respect?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!” Ripley wrote on her account. “I’ve made my name from absolutely nothing. I didn’t get my WWE contract handed to me on a golden platter because of my last name!”
Flair responded, dismissing her argument and calling her delusional: “Sweetie, that’s your problem. You’re delusional enough to believe that you’ve ‘made your name’.”
“So… What you’re saying is that a no named so and so went toe to toe with yourself and Sasha Banks, pinned the self proclaimed “Queen” of WWE for a victory, and then went on to win the women’s Survivor Series match,” Ripley wrote, before adding, “Says a lot about you then…”
Her WrestleMania challenger replied, saying how her attempts stand toe-to-toe with her “looks an awful lot like rolling up a crucifix from behind while the grownups were wrestling. But yeah, sure. Congrats on that…”
“Stood toe to toe” looks an awful lot like rolling up a crucifix from behind while the grownups were wrestling.
Being humble isn’t the problem, I am humble, but I also know how dam good I am and what respect I and @WWENXT deserve! Come #WrestleMania36 I have no problem reminding you of where you came from. ?
Rhea Ripley then opened up about how she nearly quit multiple times over the years. She stressed how she’s not a quitter before highlighting it’s taken her seven and a half years to earn her opportunity. Now that she has, she refuses to “stand down to anyone.”
The winner of the 2020 Men’s Royal Rumble match is set to face off against WWE Champion Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36. However, in a recent interview with Adi Kft & EGO Total from Israel, Drew McIntyre revealed which other Superstar he would love to have a one-on-one match with: “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles.
When asked whom he’d like to compete against, Drew McIntyre admitted there were several Superstars he’d love to clash with. For him, however, it’s AJ Styles. He noted how, for some reason, they’ve been like ships passing in the night.
“[…] but the number one guy who I keep missing over the years – we are like ships crossing each other over the night – we missed the chance on IMPACT and the independent scene. Promoters are trying to book this match for a long time, but for some reason or another I couldn’t make it, he couldn’t make it.”
McIntyre continued, “When I came back to Raw he was on SmackDown. Now we are both on Raw, and that would be AJ Styles. I don’t think, I know we could have great matches and do a lot of cool things together. It’s been years coming so I am looking forward for it.”
Drew McIntyre challenges Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 36. The event takes place on April 5th from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Pro wrestling continues to once again become more integrated into the general tapestry of pop culture. WWE was at one time pretty much the only promotion to be referenced by most mainstream shows. That’s no longer the case. Turns out that New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) has fans amongst the writers of ABC’s comedy sitcom Black-ish.
The show uploaded a clip yesterday to promote last night’s episode. In it, the scene features a nod to The Shawshank Redemption. It also directly references New Japan’s premiere event, Wrestle Kingdom. It even name-drops two of the promotion’s top stars: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada.
After throwing his video game controller at the wall in frustration, Andre Johnson Sr. approaches the wall. He then tears away at a poster that had been hiding a hole. Understandably, he demands an explanation. He’s then informed how Junior and his brother were trying to recreate “the classic Wrestle Kingdom Okada-Tanahashi match.”
After attempting a Rain Maker, Junior accidentally threw his brother into the wall. The result was the unfortunate damage.
It didn’t take long for Okada to see the clip. He retweeted it, thanking the show for the “shout out.”
The promotion’s Twitter account, NJPW Global, also shared the clip, writing “Can’t be helped” alongside a shrugging emoji.
NXT Superstar Tommaso Ciampa has revealed he is taking a hiatus from social media. The former NXT Champion shared his intentions via his Instagram account alongside a black-and-white image from last Sunday’s NXT TakeOver: Portland event. The photo showcases Ciampa staring at his former DIY tag team partner, Johnny Gargano. They both grasp at the NXT Championship during a pivotal moment during Ciampa’s matchup against Adam Cole.
Opening up about his decision, Ciampa explained his decision. Although grateful for the support from the WWE Universe during his surgery and rehab, he admitted that it was time to “block out the noise.”
“Time to block out the noise. I will be taking a hiatus from social media for the time being. Thank you all for your support during surgery and rehab, and for the incredible reception during my return and throughout the journey to Portland. #WeAreNXT“
Following their grappling for the title, Gargano would end up turning on his friend, striking Ciampa with the belt. Gargano’s actions ended up costing Tommaso Ciampa his chance at finally reclaiming his beloved “Goldie.”
This came after Cole’s stalemates from the Undisputed Era had also impacted the match, attempting to help their leader hold onto his championship gold.
Survivor Series was the first official introduction of Keith Lee for the casual WWE fans and it’s safe to say that the NXT star left a lasting impression on the fans with his performance during the night.
Lee was the special guest for this week’s episode of WWE Backstage. During the episode, the current Champion talked about a number of things and also reflected on his big moment at the PPV last year.
The NXT North American Champion also talked about coming face to face with Roman Reigns during the last segment of the elimination match they were competing in and Keith revealed what The Big Dog told him after the bout:
“He speared me out of my boots on to my neck but after that, that moment right there set a tone for me” recalled Keith Lee. “And after that was over with he then told me straight up ‘I want a one on one match with you.'”
Keith Lee also revealed his dream match during the episode
and said that since Kurt Angle is retired now, his #1 dream opponent at the
moment is the former US Champion Cesaro.
Apart from this, Keith Lee talked about his encounter with Brock Lesnar during the Royal Rumble PPV and responded to CM Punk’s praise for him.
It appears that WWE is planning to use former World Champion The Big Show a bit more extensively in the coming weeks as he is booked for a number of upcoming WWE events.
Per reports from PWinsider, the Monster Sized Athlete was backstage for this week’s episode of Raw but he wasn’t used on the show. He is now booked for the following episodes of Red Branded Show:
February 24 from Winnipeg
March 2 from Brooklyn
March 9 from Washington, DC
March 16 from Pittsburgh
The Big Show is also expected to be backstage for the
upcoming Super Showdown event from Saudi Arabia on February 27 but it’s not
known what he will be doing at the event.
The former World Champion returned to WWE programming after
a two-year hiatus last month and he got involved in the feud between Kevin
Owens and Seth Rollins.
Show competed in the first-ever Fist Fight during the January 13 episode of Monday Night Raw. He was once again taken off of the WWE programming after this but Kevin Owens had announced that the Attitude Era star will return eventually.
Big Show is currently being advertised to face Seth Rollins
at the mentioned shows so while there is no update on the plans for his future,
it’s likely that he will continue his rivalry with the Architect and his crew
when he returns to WWE TV.
WWE Champion ‘The Beast’ Brock Lesnar and his advocate Paul Heyman have been confirmed for appearances at the upcoming two episodes of Monday Night Raw.
Both the MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Barclays Center
in Brooklyn, New York which are the venues for February 24 and March 2 episode
of Raw have recently announced Lesnar for the respective events.
The February 24 episode will be the go-home show for the Super Showdown event where the WWE Champion is set to defend his title against Ricochet in a one on one match.
So it’s likely that he will have a confrontation with the One and Only before their championship match in the Middle Eastern country on Thursday, February 27.
On the other hand, the March 2 episode will be the ideal place to start hyping his WrestleMania match and it would make sense for Brock Lesnar to have a showdown with his WrestleMania opponent Drew McIntyre during the episode.
The arena in Winnipeg is also advertising Drew McIntyre vs.
Randy Orton and Big Show vs. Raw Tag Team Champion Seth Rollins for the
upcoming episode of the Red Branded Show.
Though it’s most likely that one of these matches will end
up being the dark main event for the show with the other one being changed to
fit the script of the episode.
After it was confirmed that the Hart Foundation member Davey Boy Smith will be going into Hall Of Fame, a new report has revealed another interesting name for this year’s class.
Former World Champion John “Bradshaw” Layfield or JBL is set to be inducted into Hall Of Fame during the WrestleMania weekend this year, according to WrestlingInc.
The former WWE Champion started his career way back in
September 1992. He wrestled for NWA and toured the world to compete in
countries like Mexico and Japan before joining WWE in January 1996.
The company ended up being his home for the rest of his
career. Layfield stayed active in the promotion for almost 14 years and won
over half a dozen championships during his tenure as an active wrestler.
While JBL went through many character tweaks during his
career, his run with Faarooq as a tag team known as Acolytes Protection Agency
or APA is one of the periods most fondly remembered by the fans.
John announced his retirement from active competition after losing an Intercontinental Championship match to Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania XXV and he has been making sporadic appearances for the company ever since.
If these reports are true then JBL will be joining Batista,
nWo, The Bella Twins, Jushin “Thunder” Liger and The British Bulldog
in the Hall Of Fame class of 2020.
A new match has been revealed for the upcoming WWE WrestleMania 36 PPV.
It was noted by Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live that the current plan is for SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley to defend the title against Naomi at the biggest event of the year for WWE.
WWE has already announced Carmella vs. Naomi for Friday’s episode of SmackDown on FOX. The winner of this contest will then challenge Bayley for the strap at the Super ShowDown show in Saudi Arabia on February 27.
As of this writing, there’s no word yet on whether this currently planned match at WrestleMania will have an impact on Bayley’s title defense at Super ShowDown.
There’s no word yet on if they plan to do Carmella vs. Bayley in Saudi Arabia, and then Naomi vs. Bayley at WrestleMania.
WWE presents the WrestleMania 36 pay-per-view event on Sunday, April 5, 2020 in Tampa, Florida at the Raymond James Stadium that will air on the WWE Network. WWE will be announcing more matches for this show in the coming weeks.
Updated WWE WrestleMania 36 Card
WWE Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Drew McIntyre
WWE NXT Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair
What are your thoughts on this match being added to the card? Sound off in the comment section.
The viewership numbers are in for Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown on FOX from Vancouver, CA at the Rogers Arena.
SmackDown averaged 2.464 million viewers, according to ShowbuzzDaily. This is down from the 2.538 viewers that the show did for last week’s episode of SmackDown on FOX.
The show averaged 2.482 million viewers in the fast nationals, which was down from the 2.547 million viewers a week ago. This number measured the top metered markets.
WWE SmackDown Viewership
The first hour drew 2.521 million viewers while the second hour did 2.442 million viewers. For comparison, the first show of last week’s show did 2.555 million viewers while the second hour did 2.539 million viewers.
SmackDown pulled in a 0.70 rating in the 18-49 demos, down from the 0.80 rating as last week’s show.
This episode was expected to see its viewership stay steady and it did so due to it featuring an appearance by WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan to do a segment with Universal Champion Bray Wyatt.
Matches
Matches that took place on this show included SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley vs. Carmella, Sheamus defeats Apollo Crews & Shorty G in a Two On One Handicap Match and Daniel Bryan & Roman Reigns vs. John Morrison & The Miz in a tag team match that served as the main event.
WWE is expecting to see an increase in viewership for the following episode this coming Friday night as the show will be setting up feuds for the Super ShowDown event in a few weeks.
Watch: Top 10 Moments from Friday Night SmackDown (2.14.20)
Eve Torres was discovered by WWE in the 2007 Diva Search. After winning the competition, she became a member of the smackdown brand in 2008. In 2009, Torres was at a WWE event taking pictures when she says she was forcefully grabbed by Donald Trump.
Torres took to Instagram to post a lengthy statement on the matter along with photos from the event.
“Happy Presidents Day. I look forward to having a president who doesn’t grope or objectify women. I have taken pictures with thousands of men at military bases, at WWE events, and signings, and very few have grabbed me and pulled me in as forcefully as he did without knowing me. Of course, at the time I believed it was my job to be eye candy in a photo for this supposed billionaire, and play along. It is actually hard for me to see that photo because it reminds me of my beliefs about my worth at the time. Swipe to see what I mean. Swipe again for a brush up on Creepy Hug Defenses including the Inappropriate Photo Squeeze. PS The pregnancy announcement is old so no I’m not pregnant again. Also, this was scary for me to post but it’s been on my mind. We haven’t forgotten about your p+$$y grabbing, Mr. President.”
“This is so helpful, thankful,” wrote Sasha Banks.
“So sorry you had to endure that,” wrote Terry Crews.
“Thank you for saying this,” wrote Gail Kim.
“Wow! Crazy! Sorry you had to go through that crap. Funny, that trumpers will still defend & support him,” wrote Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Eves Torres & The Divas Championship
Torres is a former three-time WWE Divas champion. Only AJ Lee had won the Divas Championship as many times as Torres did throughout her career. Torres ranks fourth on the list of total days spent with the Divas championship with 260.
WWE Divas Championship Stats:
AJ Lee (3x) 406 combined days spent as champion.
Nikki Bella (2x) 307 combined days spent as champion.
Maryse (2x) 265 combined days spent as champion.
Eves Torres (3x) 260 combined days spent as champion.
Michelle McCool (2x) 218 combined days spent as champion.
Beth Phoenix (1x) 204 combined days spent as champion.
Charlotte Flair (1x) 196 combined days spent as champion.
Kaitlyn (1x) 153 combined days spent as champion.
Layla (1x) 140 combined days spent as champion.
Paige (2x) 119 combined days spent as champion.
Melina (2x) 119 combined days spent as champion.
Kelly Kelly (1x) 104 combined days spent as champion.
