Ricky Starks does not mind the comparisons to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

While speaking with The Ringer’s Cameron Hawkins, he was asked about fans comparing him to the former WWE Champion.

Starks said some fans have even suggested he is The Great One himself but thinks the comparisons are a huge compliment. He also noted that he was a big fan of The Undertaker growing up.

Ricky Starks on The Rock

“I really don’t [hate the comparison]. In fact, it’s a huge compliment to have,” Starks said. “I think there’s a misconception that I hate the comparison; I actually don’t. What I hate about the comparison sometimes is people say, ‘You steal the Rock. You try to be just like …’ And it’s like, I actually don’t.”

He continued, “The Rock was never … the Rock was no. 3 on my list of favorite wrestlers; Undertaker was no. 1. So when people try to discredit my talents because they think I’m trying to be someone else, that’s when I have an issue with it. Yesterday, I went to this event and people are like, ‘You remind me of …’ They always have to put an era of Rock on it for some reason, like ‘the Nation of Domination Rock’ or something like that. But then I get people who say, ‘You just remind me of a young Rock.’ And I go, ‘That’s really nice. That’s really cool,’ because at least that’s a connection that you have.”

Starks will face his former tag team partner Powerhouse Hobbs on Friday’s Grand Slam edition of AEW Rampage.

Ric Flair has given his take on Ricky Steamboat’s return to wrestling.

It was announced last week that the pro wrestling legend would be stepping back into the ring on November 27 for Big Time Wrestling, although his opponent has yet to be confirmed. 

Steamboat turned down the offer to compete in Ric Flair’s final match at Starrcast V in July. Flair teamed with son-in-law Andrade instead against Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal. 

Ric Flair on Ricky Steamboat Making a Comeback

While speaking on To Be The Man on AdFreeShows, Flair praised one of his greatest rivals: 

“He’s going to be in a match soon. I’m happy for him. It’s great. Steve Perkins is a great promoter. I wish them all well, whoever is involved. I don’t know the situation, but it’s great. It’s one of those deals where nobody is ever going to be Ricky Steamboat so they might as well watch them while they can and enjoy the opportunity. There will never be another Ricky Steamboat. At any level, he’s better than 50% of the guys in the business today. He wouldn’t get in the ring if he wasn’t. He holds himself to a very high standard. I imagine he’ll probably look better than the guys he is in the ring with. He’s always in great shape,” he said.

The last time Steamboat competed in professional wrestling was in a tag team bout in 2010 against Caylen Croft and Trent Barreta of The Dudebusters. 

At WrestleMania 25 in 2009, Steamboat made his first appearance in the ring in 15 years. He competed against Chris Jericho in a three-on-one handicap elimination match with Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka. Later that month, he also worked a singles bout against Jericho at the Backlash pay-per-view. Due to a back problem, Steamboat had already retired in 1994.

H/T to Fightful for the transcription

WWE has given us a new mystery.

For the last few weeks the company has been playing Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” at house shows and during commercial breaks of television tapings. This has prompted fans to turn on their cell-phone flashlights similar to how they use to for former WWE superstar Bray Wyatt, with many believing that the song is signaling the Eater of Worlds inevitable return. A recent fan theory added more fuel to this speculation, but now a bigger tease has been released online, one that may indicate what is to come.

Artist Kyle A. Scarborough, who has had his work showcased in WWE, AEW, NJPW, IMPACT, NOAH, and non-wrestling related markets, took to his personal Twitter today and shared an original image of what appears to be…a White Rabbit. Hidden under Scarborough’s code reads the words “Feed Your Head,” which is the final line in the Jefferson Airplane song. WWE Fans in particular remember Scarborough as he designed the mask for Wyatt’s alter ego, The Fiend.

F??????????????????????????????è??????????????d??????????????? ????????ÿ??????????????????????????u?????????????r???????????? ??????????????H????????????????????e?????????a???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/z6hUskTw2P

— Kyle A. Scarborough (@ScarboroughTWTC) September 18, 2022

Wyatt was released by WWE back in July of 2021, one of the more shocking cuts the company made considering Wyatt’s popularity and ability to move merchandise. He had been paired with Alexa Bliss at that time, who herself, dropped a White Rabbit hint on Monday’s edition of Raw. You can read about that here.

For more, visit our main thread taking a deep dive into WWE’s White Rabbit mystery.

It looks like fans will soon see a different side of the Alexa Bliss character on WWE television. 

During Monday Night Raw, Bayley did a promo segment where she ripped Bliss for being a shell of herself before defeating Bliss during the main event. In the match, the announcers were pointing out that Bliss was not putting everything she had into the match with the idea that she had lost a step into the ring. The lights went out briefly during the main event.

A Change Coming for Alexa Bliss?

Bliss dropped the supernatural aspects of her gimmick earlier this year after portraying a similar gimmick to Bray Wyatt’s character. WWE has been doing a storyline with Bliss where she has been floundering on Raw. 

Bliss said in the promo segment that Bayley was acting “like you’re 10 Feet Tall.” In the White Rabbit song, there is a lytic that states, “Go ask Alice, When she’s ten feet tall.”

I didn't even catch that @AlexaBliss_WWE referenced White Rabbit during the segment. #WWERaw

“Like you’re 10 Feet Tall” ? pic.twitter.com/J7eBNEzuww

— Exposing the IWC (@ExposingIWC) September 20, 2022

"Go ask Alice, When she's ten feet tall"

Lyric from the "White Rabbit" – Jefferson Airplane they've been mysteriously playing.https://t.co/J1QUZkHGTf

— Exposing the IWC (@ExposingIWC) September 20, 2022

As previously noted, WWE showed a QR code during a backstage segment with Austin Theory. The company did another White Rabbit tease during a Raw commercial break, dimming the lights in the arena. 

Many fans believe the song could be used for Karrion Kross or Bray Wyatt because Wyatt recently had talks with WWE about a possible return, and Kross was known as The White Rabbit when he was in Lucha Underground.

Some fans take that Bliss line as an indication that Wyatt is returning and aligning himself with Bliss.

For more, visit our main thread taking a deep dive into WWE’s White Rabbit mystery.

AEW star Wardlow is riding high right now as the reigning TNT Champion, but that isn’t quite the highlight of his career with the company.

Wardlow joined All Elite Wrestling in 2019, initially as the bodyguard of MJF, before splitting with the Salt of the Earth earlier this year.

Face of the Revolution

Speaking on the Dynamite Diamond Podcast, Wardlow said that the Casino Ladder Match at AEW Revolution 2022 will go down as his favorite moment to date.

“The ladder match at Revolution. That was the best moment of my life that night. Winning that ladder match. Holy sh*t. Standing up there with that ring and the reaction from that crowd, especially after murdering Ricky Starks.

Wardlow added that while the fan reaction wasn’t as he predicted, that made the moment with Starks even better.

“It was supposed to be I powerbomb him, the place goes wild, [I] grab the thing, They go even more wild. Instead, it was powerbomb, place goes f***ing silent, because I just murdered him. Then I was like ‘F**k you’ and as soon I did that, the place came f***ing back up. Then I grabbed the thing and it was all good.

As if winning the match wasn’t enough, Wardlow also enjoyed the crowd reaction after the bell.

“The eruption from the crowd as I turned around and walked up that ramp was [amazing]. The eruption from that crowd. That is the best feeling in the whole world. It really is, hands down. There is nothing in the world that can compare.”

Turning Face

Later in the show, Wardlow would turn on MJF, establishing himself as a face and beginning a feud with his former employer.

When Wardlow cashed in his shot at the AEW TNT Championship, MJF cost him the match against then-Champion Scorpio Sky.

At AEW Double or Nothing 2022 in May, Wardlow would defeat MJF, earning his freedom from the latter’s contract, and would capture the TNT Title in July.

WWE & AEW Stars Team Up for Fashion Runway

WWE is facing a new mystery, and it’s not even appeared on TV yet.

For the past week, a mysterious tease for what’s been dubbed ‘the White Rabbit’ has been part of WWE Live events and now as part of the TV programming.

Wrestling is no stranger to mysteries, and now one amateur sleuth may have the answer.

The White Rabbit

WWE has been playing the song White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane and has provided no explanation for the track.

At a WWE Live event and during a commercial break on last Friday’s SmackDown, the promotion also used ominous red lighting, with fans believing that this could mark the end of Bray Wyatt.

At the two events, fans also held up their camera phone lights, referencing the ‘fireflies’ from Wyatt’s tenure with the company.

During this week’s Raw, a QR code could be spotted that took fans to an eerie video, teasing that more will be revealed during this Friday’s SmackDown.

Mystery Solved?

WWE has kept quiet about this White Rabbit mystery, but a fan on Reddit may have found the answer. The Reddit user noted how on July 4, this year, Wyatt shared a tweet, asking if anyone knows about ‘The Devil’s Hole’ in Self, Arkansas.

After our intrepid Reddit user did some Googling, they found that Self, Arkansas isn’t even a town but instead an “unincorporated community.”

Looking up The Devil’s Hole in Self, Arkansas took the Reddit user to a 2004 forum about the area and creepy things that have happened. The Reddit user noted how the moderator of the forum had the interesting name – White Rabbit.

Did You Catch Alexa Bliss’ White Rabbit Reference on WWE Raw?

Using an 18-year-old non-WWE forum may seem like long-term storytelling too long for the promotion, but its hardly the first time Wyatt has waited. In 2019, Wyatt revealed that he had used eight backstage promos from 2015 to make a secret message which nobody found.

Fun game time!

Bet you didn’t know that in 2015 I did 8 consecutive (backstage) promos where one sentence didn’t belong in each of them. But together they make up a secret message, no one ever found it. ?

You guys never look hard enough.

First one to get it wins a prize!

— WYATT 6 (@Windham6) May 4, 2019

For more, visit our main thread taking a deep dive into WWE’s White Rabbit mystery.

Whether it was in the pro wrestling or monster truck arena, Madusa has always been about breaking through barriers. The Hall of Famer is now looking to do her part to help along others do the same. It’s why she has gotten more involved with the Cauliflower Alley Club. A nonprofit organization that has helped so many within the industry in need. The 56th Annual CAC Reunion takes place September 26-28. Madusa, also known as Alundra Blayze, will be co-hosting the award’s dinner with John Arezzi. 

“I found myself in a different transition in my life. I wanted to get into some charity work. What better way to get back into charity work than look to our business and give back,” she said. “Especially 40 years in the entertainment business and understanding what our colleagues go through, tragedies to triumph.” 

Madusa hopes to lend her outspoken voice to the board of the CAC. Taking a seat at the proverbial table is just the beginning the former women’s champ envisions. 

“The organization has helped with a million dollars of charitable funds dedicated to helping people,” she said. “I would like to get the word out more.” 

Dream Opponent She Never Worked With

Along with hosting duties, Madusa is planning to help recognize Jacqueline Moore as the 2022 Women’s Wrestling Honoree. The legendary performer recalls almost crying when asked to participate. 

“Here is a woman basically parallel through my whole career,” Madusa said. “Same age started at the same time. We were in the same organization at the same time. Do you realize she and I never wrestled each other? What the hell?” 

Madusa loves throwing it out there that she still has the WWF women’s championship. You know the one where she helped ignite the “Monday Night War” by throwing the title in the trash can. A similar scene took place earlier this year when Cora Jade canned the NXT women’s tag titles. 

“When I saw that, I said, ‘Damn, at least that b—tch got to keep her job.’ Good for her,” she quipped.

The veteran superstar actually appeared on an episode of NXT. She has also remained active in helping the next generation of the NWA. An opportunity Madusa cherishes. As for a retirement match, it’s the old never say never.  

“I would love to have a retirement match,” Madusa said. “That may have gone and sailed. Maybe not. Maybe it’s Jacqueline?  We’ll finish it off. That would be unexpected and great. It would have to be someone that would have great chemistry and that could carry my ass in a way that if I bumped my head and didn’t know what was going on, they could carry the match.” 

Upcoming Autobiography

Last match or not, Madusa no doubt has a story to tell. And she finally will with an anticipated autobiography coming out in 2023 with James C. Melby Historian Award winner Greg Oliver.  

“I’ve been writing this book for 30 years. It first started in WWF. I was sitting down with Vince Russo when he was working there. I said I would like to write a book. He and I would intermittently sit down and talk. He would record me on those little cassette thingies,” Madusa recalled. “I would say eight years ago he said, ‘Deuce, I still have those tapes. Would you like them back?’ I’m like, ‘Sure!’ He sent me all the tapes.”

Encouragement from others including Arezzi led to the project continuing on with Madusa inspired. She is excited for everyone to read the finished product. 

“I will tell you this book is so well-written. So me.… The title of the book is ‘The Woman Who Would Be King.’ I’ve been queen my whole life. I’ve been ‘Queen of Carnage,’ ‘Queen of the Ring,” Madusa said. “I was talking to Paul Heyman, a very dear friend of mine to this day. I’ll text and bounce ideas. I said, ‘I’m about done with the book. I’ve got to two or three titles. I don’t know.’ 

“He said, “The Woman Who Would Be King. Deuce that’s you. That was all Paul Heyman. He did write the forward of the book. I’m so honored. This book is not a tattle tale book. It doesn’t throw anyone under the bus. It’s not about that crap. It’s about a woman and her story, surviving in two male-dominated businesses. The stories will make you happy, cry, piss you off and overcome. It’s a great story.” 

Visit the CAC site for more information on the organization and to attend the CAC Reunion. 

The AEW rankings system has been a double-edged sword for All Elite Wrestling’s matchmaking and storylines. When AEW launched in 2019, Tony Khan and his Executive Vice Presidents emphasized that “wins and losses matter,” unlike other promotions that have been hampered by directionless ’50/50 booking.’

AEW tracks the win/loss records of everybody on the roster, but it’s the Men’s, Women’s and Tag Team divisions that have generally been published each week. The records and rankings can be a useful tool when determining the challengers to AEW’s top championships. However, there have been instances where wrestlers who are not highly-ranked receive title shots, which muddies the waters.

Over the past several weeks, we’ve seen AEW announce and reference the rankings less frequently. At the AEW website, the most recent ‘weekly rankings’ available are from August 31, 2022.

The company still shows wrestlers’ W/L records on-screen during match entrances, but there has been a noticeable pull-back on this initiative. Dave Meltzer mentioned on Wrestling Observer Radio, “There was a decision not to emphasize them as much on television.”

Of course, this could be a temporary measure and AEW could always give a renewed push to the rankings system. We know the rankings will play a big part in the storyline mode in the upcoming AEW Fight Forever video game.

The AEW rankings system has been a bold challenge to execute. The rankings are currently being de-emphasized. For the foreseeable future, we expect AEW to utilize rankings when it makes sense, without the challenges that come from regular weekly reporting.

AEW should carry on blending the worlds of professional wrestling and music according to one-half of the World Tag Team Champions Swerve Strickland.

In February this year, AEW announced an album featuring Hip Hop & R ‘n B artists for Black History month, including performers such as Jon Connor, Mega Ran, Brinson, Omega Sparx, Monteasy, and Josiah Williams.

Earlier this month, Daniel Garcia’s ring entrance was performed by Westside Gunn, ahead of the ‘Dragon Slayer’s’ ROH Pure Championship win over Wheeler Yuta.

Hip Hop star Action Bronson has been training ahead of an appearance at this week’s AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam.

AEW and Music

AEW has seen plenty of Hip Hop artists already, and that trend is set to continue if Strickland has his way.

Speaking on the latest episode of ‘The Sessions’ Strickland told host Renee Paquette how he thinks that pro-wrestling and entertainment crossovers just make sense.

“I’ve always been a big advocate of the crossover. Sports and media and entertainment, now we’re seeing Dwayne Johnson announce the Superbowl and things like that. There’s those same types of parallels that are transferring over and I’ve always been a big proponent for it.”

Bringing it Back

While Strickland said that AEW was crossing over with music prior to his arrival in March this year, he felt that the company’s interest in Hip Hop had wained in that time.

“I had a connection make the Kevin Gates thing that we did happen, and I was like ‘man I feel like we can bring that back to life and provide something that has been missing for quite some time on the show.

“Especially for hip-hop culture and African American culture and stuff like that. I think that may influence, and ripple through the industry. Even when we did LA. right after Double or Nothing I brought in Jeff Hamilton to do a little one-minute backstage with me. Hip-Hop heads, true hip-hop heads through the music industry and fashion were like ‘yo! What is he doing here on AEW Wrestling?'”

Responding to Critics

AEW has a huge fan base, but it is impossible to please everyone.

Speaking about recent crossovers, Strickland admitted that not everyone is on board with seeing musical artists take up time on AEW programming.

The AEW World Tag Team Champion countered that seeing artists is likely to win over people who want to watch wrestling, but don’t quite know how to start.

“There were some critiques about it like ‘what was this for? It was like a minute. What was that put on TV for?’ Some wrestling fans were like ‘I don’t understand what the purpose of that was.’

“You guys are already watching, it wasn’t for you as fans. It was for these people who want to like wrestling, but they’re so hesitant because they don’t see representation on certain shows.

“It was for these people who want to like wrestling, but they’re so hesitant.”

Swerve Strickland on AEW’s crossover with music winning over new fans.

“So now just having that ‘oh Jeff Hamilton he just did the NBA 75 jackets for Lebron James and Steph Curry and all these guys. What is he doing in AEW? Oh, they’re in the forum!’

“That’s a pop culture thing that goes all the way through You don’t have to be a wrestling fan to appreciate those connections. And that’s why I try to find.”

The Future

AEW has shown no signs of easing up on their involvement with music now that Strickland is around, and he has big plans for the future.

When asked what he hopes to be the next step, Strickland said that with Hip Hop artists coming to AEW, it’s time for AEW to enter their domain.

“I want to see us transfer over there to that side a little bit more. Because when you look at a lot of wrestling that gets involved with rap and music or doing it, it always feel like its very charicature, where it’s a parody of the music.”

For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.

Swerve Strickland Drops “Lifeline” Music Video feat. Anthiny King

Triple H should be keeping his eye on Nick Aldis, according to WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page.

In July, the former WWE World Champion was appointed WWE’s Head of Talent Relations replacing John Laurinaitis.

Since his appointment, The Game has brought back several released Superstars, including Karrion Kross, Dexter Lumis, Hit Row, Johnny Gargano and others.

On the Radar

WWE is bringing back several names from their past, with Bray Wyatt also rumored to return, but Nick Aldis has never worked for the promotion before.

That should change according to DDP, who during the latest Snake Pit podcast, praised the former two-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion (via eWrestlingNews.)

“He’s got the friggin’ look, he’s got the work, he’s got the promo. I mean, all this time, he is a hidden, he is a hidden diamond. He isn’t a diamond in the rough, he’s a diamond. Like, he’s ready to go.”

When asked if WWE is aware of Aldis and are considering bringing him in, Page remained coy.

“I would think [so]. And if not right now, at some point later. He [Triple H] has got enough to do right now.”

Diamnd Dallas Page on whether Nick Aldis is on Triple H’s radar.

Nick Aldis

Beginning his wrestling career in 2003, Aldis rose to prominence in TNA/Impact Wrestling, working under the name Magnus.

A former TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Aldis remained with the company 2015, and had a brief return in 2017.

That same year Aldis joined the National Wrestling Alliance, where he is a two-time World Champion.

Nick Aldis: I Did More For The NWA Title Than Anybody In Recent History

Scotty 2 Hotty took a lot of moves throughout his WWE career, but there’s one that he only took once, thanks to Linda McMahon.

Scotty, real-name Scott Garland, signed with WWE in 1997 and was with the company until resigning as a trainer in 2021.

The Move

Appearing this week on the Wrestling with Johnners podcast, Scotty was asked about his match with Dean Malenko at the Backlash 2000 Pay Per View.

The match for the Light Heavyweight Championship ended with Malenko countering Scotty’s attempted Superplex from the top-rope into a Cradle-DDT that spiked Scotty’s head into the mat.

The finish earned a loud response from fans, but it wasn’t Scotty’s idea, as he explained on the podcast (via Wrestling Inc.)

“It was Dean’s idea. He told me had done it with (Chris) Jericho; I recently just saw it with Jericho taking it a month ago for the first time and I was like ‘oh, that’s what I was supposed to do.’

“I was supposed to jump out further so I would land more on my stomach and I didn’t jump out. I just kind of spiked myself right into the mat from the top-rope.”

Scotty went on to say that it was “very dangerous” and he could have easily broken his neck.

Linda McMahon

The move, if done incorrectly, could have resulted in severe neck problems for Scotty, with the match taking place less than a year after Darren Drosdov had been paralysed during a match.

Speaking about the reaction backstage, Scotty recalled being confronted by then-WWE CEO Linda McMahon.

“don’t ever do that again!”

Linda McMahon’s words of warning to Scotty 2 Hotty

Scotty told Linda that she didn’t need to worry about him taking the move again, as he wasn’t planning on it.

Scotty 2 Hotty Says Vince McMahon Told Coaches To Cut Their Hair & “Look Younger”

MJF returned to All Elite Wrestling at All Out on September 4th. Stokely Hathaway and The Firm attacked during the Casino Ladder match and a man in a devil’s mask entered as The Joker. The masked man grabbed the chip to ensure a future shot at the AEW Championship.

Following CM Punk capturing the AEW Championship from Jon Moxley in the main event, MJF appeared on the entrance ramp. Maxwell and CM Punk had a stare-down as All Out went off the air. Punk and MJF had an incredible rivalry and AEW fans were looking forward to revisiting it with the AEW Championship on the line.

Unfortunately, CM Punk was injured during the match and also was involved in a brawl with The Elite following his rant at the media scrum. MJF has traded words with Jon Moxley in recent weeks. Jon will battle Bryan Danielson this Wednesday night at Dynamite Grand Slam to determine the new AEW Champion.

MJF On The Media Scrum Brawl, His Rivalry With CM Punk

Speaking with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, Maxwell noted that he cannot comment on the press conference but said that the company is in a great place right now and backed it up with numbers.

“It doesn’t apply to me, it doesn’t concern me. I’ll tell you why and I’m going to use numbers. Because numbers don’t lie, numbers are facts and facts don’t care about feelings. When MJF goes out there, I pop a huge number. We just killed it in the ratings for the second week in a row. And again, if people leave, come, go, stay, people are going to step up to the plate.

We’ve got massive stars in our company, so I am not concerned in the least. I’m not going to comment on what was said because it doesn’t apply to me. But what I will say is our company, numbers don’t lie, our company is great right now. We’re about to have an incredible show at Arthur Ashe.”

Ariel then asked if All Elite Wrestling needs CM Punk and MJF decline to comment MJF added that his feud with CM Punk will go down as one of the greatest of all time.

“No comment. What I will say is that me and CM Punk had the greatest feud in the history of the company. And I do honestly think it will go down as one of the greatest feuds of all time.” [07:09 – 07:20]

MJF on his rivalry with CM Punk

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit MMA Hour with a H/T to SEScoops for the transcription.

• CM Punk is Probably Not Returning to AEW

Maxwell Jacob Friedman, known as MJF in AEW, joined Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour today.

He discussed several topics, including getting paid more money by Tony Khan without having to sign an extension. MJF was asked about The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes and his departure from All Elite Wrestling earlier this year. Cody was one of the original EVPs of the company but jumped to WWE at WrestleMania 38.

The American Nightmare was revealed to be Seth Rollins opponent at WrestleMania and went on to defeat him three times before tearing his pectoral muscle before WWE Hell in a Cell.

Max said that Cody Rhodes is a businessman just like himself and did what he had to do. The 26-year-old called the tribalism within fans nowadays “cute” before bringing up Terry Funk. He said that Terry traveled from territory to territory throughout his career because he was a draw like MJF.

Ariel asked MJF about how the AEW locker room responded to Cody exiting the company and he said that Cody leaving gave opportunities to other stars on the roster.

“I think honesty favorably, not favorably in the sense like ‘yay Cody’s gone!’ but favorable in the sense that we are all professional wrestlers and what happens when somebody leaves is it opens room for opportunity for another person to step up to the plate. And you know, that is wrestling.

Wrestling is cyclical, it is like a wheel. As somebody who has the highest wrestling IQ in the history of this business, I can tell you when big names leave big names step up. That is just how this business works and that is a fact.

So again, I think people who were friends with Cody were sad to see him go on a personal level. But this is a very competitive sport. People want that spotlight and people stepped up to the plate.” [11:52 – 12:37]

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit MMA Hour and give a H/T to SEScoops for the transcription.

Sammy Guevara is set to battle Eddie Kingston this Friday night on AEW Rampage Grand Slam. This Friday’s episode of Rampage will be a special two-hour edition of the show from Arthur Ashe stadium.

The two recently had personal issues that resulted in Eddie Kingston receiving a two-week suspension for confronting Sammy backstage. They were originally supposed to face each other at All Out but the match had to be canceled due to the confrontation. There happened to be a much worse confrontation between CM Punk & The Elite after All Out which resulted in more suspensions for the company.

Sammy Guevara issued a statement on the matter and called Eddie unprofessional. The Mad King apologized for his actions and admitted that he was wrong. Both men claim that the issue is behind them now.

Eddie and Sammy both wound up competing on the kickoff show at All Out. Kingston defeated Tomohiro Ishii and Sammy & Tay Melo retained the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championships against Ortiz & Ruby Soho.

The heated rivalry comes to a head when @MadKing1981 collides with #JerichoAppreciationSociety’s @sammyguevara this FRIDAY at #AEWRampage #GrandSlam for a 2-hour special at 10pm ET/9pm CT on @TNTdrama pic.twitter.com/9g5oMfRywj

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 18, 2022

Sammy Guevara Sends Cryptic Message

Sammy Guevara has posted a cryptic message on Twitter and changed his profile images to the night sky. The 29-year-old said that things are coming to an end and will reveal more tomorrow on his vlog.

Thank you to the ones who’ve paid attention. Things are coming to an end. More tomorrow on the Vlog…

Thank you to the ones who’ve paid attention. Things are coming to an end. More tomorrow on the Vlog…

— Sammy Guevara (@sammyguevara) September 20, 2022

Some fans responded to the Tweet and claimed that Sammy is just attempting to get more views. Another asked Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful if he had any information about Guevara’s post and SRS stated that he has no clue.

Nope! Don't have a clue

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) September 20, 2022

A QR showed up on the screen during tonight’s episode of WWE RAW and has provided some more clues about the ‘White Rabbit’ mystery.

The code appeared during Austin Theory’s entrance for his match against Kevin Owens tonight on RAW. When the code is scanned, it sends fans to a WWE website that reveals more clues.

A game of Hang Man appears and the question is “Who killed the world?” and the answer is revealed as “YOU DID”. A white rabbit then hops around an alarm clock that reads 9:23. There is also an hour glass icon/logo spinning at the bottom right of the screen, which has led some fans to believe this is related to Karrion Kross.

Other wrestling fans have pointed out that the font resembles some of Bray Wyatt’s old merchandise. It appears that we will find out what this all means this Friday on the September 23rd edition of WWE SmackDown. You can check out the enitre video below.

https://twitter.com/WrestlingNewsCo/status/1572027833102520321?s=20&t=TV38Lvv9x5YFnPBhqu02hw

WWE has been playing ‘White Rabbit’ recently during live events and at last Friday’s edition of SmackDown during a commercial break. The song played with red lights on at house shows in Bakersfield and Oakland over the weekend, and once again tonight during a commercial break.

“White Rabbit” strikes again. #WWERaw ? pic.twitter.com/ZrK1znOL0z

— Busby ? (@MrBusby4o8) September 20, 2022

For more, visit our main thread taking a deep dive into WWE’s White Rabbit mystery.

WWE RAW aired live from the SAP Center in San Jose, California. Bobby Lashley defended the United States Championship against Seth Rollins to kick off the show. Bayley battled Alexa Bliss in tonight’s main event.

RAW Results (9/19)

• Bobby Lashley def. Seth Rollins to retain the United States Championship
• Kevin Owens def. Austin Theory
• Brawling Brutes def. Street Profits
• Judgment Day def. Rey Mysterio & Finn Balor
• Bayley def. Alexa Bliss

Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:

Matt Riddle Helped Bobby Lashley Retain The US Title

Bobby Lashley defended the United States Championship to begin this week’s WWE RAW. The crowd sang along with Seth Rollins theme music during the beginning of the match. Bobby slammed Rollins to the mat and Seth rolled out of the ring. Bobby chased him and Seth caught him with a Dropkick. Rollins went for a Suicide Dive but Bobby caught him. Seth escaped and shoved Bobby into the ring post.

Back in the ring, Bobby went for the Hurt Lock but Seth was able to escape. Rollins delivered a couple of Superkicks to the face and went for the Stomp but Bobby wouldn’t go down. Lashley shoved Rollins to the ropes and Clotheslined him out of the ring. Bobby leveled Seth with another Clothesline outside the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Seth was in control and focused his attack on the champion’s arm. Seth applied a Triangle but Lashley countered into a powerful slam. Bobby got in some more offense before the action spilled out of the ring. The Visionary shoved the US Champion’s injured arm into the ring post and Bobby fell to the floor as RAW went to another break.

Lashley was in control when RAW returned and beat Seth down in the corner. Lashley connected with a Neckbreaker and went for the cover but the challenger kicked out at two. Bobby went for a Spear but Rollins countered with a knee to the face. Seth went for the Pedigree but Lashley countered with a Back Body Drop. Lashley followed it up with a Powerslam and geared up in the corner.

Bobby went for a Spear but Seth was ready for it and countered into a Pedigree. Seth went for the cover but Lashley somehow kicked out at two and the match continued. Rollins went for the Stomp but Lashley dodged it and applied the Hurt Lock. Seth pushed off the turnbuckle into a cover but Bobby kicked out.

Rollins hit Lashley with a low blow while the referee was knocked down. Seth set up for the Stomp but Matt Riddle’s theme hit. Matt ran down to the ring but stopped at the apron. Bobby capitalized on the distraction and hit Rollins with a Spear for the pinfall victory.

Can @WWERollins solve this RIDDLE?@SuperKingofBros #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/eekagyTHd0

— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2022

Alexa Bliss, Asuka, and Bianca Belair Interrupted Damage CTRL

Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, IYO SKY) drove to the ring in a golf cart and got a massive pyro. IYO and Dakota celebrated with the Women’s Tag Team Championships as Bayley drove around the ring. Bayley got a great reaction from her hometown crowd and she immediately insulted them. The Role Model hyped up Dakota and IYO while making fun of the San Jose Sharks hockey team. IYO stated “we are in control now” and Dakota boasted about their victory over Bianca Belair, Asuka, and Alexa Bliss. Kai claimed that they are the new faces of the women’s division in WWE. The RAW Women’s Champion interrupted with Bliss and Asuka. This led to a brawl and Alexa Bliss caught Bayley with a punch to the face and Damage CTRL retreated to end the segment.

"Get in champs, we're going to #WWERaw!"

What an entrance from #DamageCTRL! pic.twitter.com/A7Xs3G4K59

— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2022

Kevin Owens def. Austin Theory, White Rabbit QR Code

Kevin Owens squared off against Money in the Bank winner Austin Theory tonight on RAW. Austin attacked KO during his entrance and launched him into the barricade. Owens hobbled into the ring and the match officially began. KO unloaded some strikes in the corner but Austin quickly battled back. Theory stomped KO down to the mat and choked him against the ropes. Owens battled back and went for a Frog Splash off the apron. Theory tripped him up and hit a Neckbreaker on the floor as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, the action was back in the ring and Owens sent Theory to the corner. Owens went for a Cannonball but Austin got out of the way and Kevin crashed into the turnbuckle. Theory controlled the next few minutes of the match and hit an Ushigoroshi for a near fall. Austin got frustrated and tried to pin KO several times but he kept kicking out at two. Theory went to use his MITB briefcase as a weapon but Johnny Gargano showed up and ripped it away.

That's what you get, @_Theory1!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/JeXrPOJ4ty

— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2022

Owens hit a Superkick and knocked Theory to the corner. KO connected with the Cannonball as Johnny Gargano celebrated ringside. Owens followed it up with the Pop-Up Powerbomb for the pinfall victory. After the match, Johnny Gargano dropped the briefcase on Theory for a low blow.

Before the match, a QR code appeared on the screen, bringing viewers to the video below. Alpha Academy vs. Kevin Owens & Johnny Gargano was announced for next week’s RAW.

https://twitter.com/WrestlingNewsCo/status/1572027833102520321?s=20&t=7PmLt5ScNx8FOXVvQHUqPg

DING. ?@JohnnyGargano #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/6OzZuaSApT

— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2022

Sounds like we've got some HOMETOWN DILEMMA! Now hold on a minute……@FightOwensFight @JohnnyGargano #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/XKcuWv5AXN

— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2022

Brawling Brutes def. Street Profits

#1 contenders The Brawling Brutes (Ridge Holland & Butch) appeared on RAW tonight and cut a promo ahead of their title match against The Usos this Friday on SmackDown. Street Profits interrupted and it led to a tag team match. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins isolated Butch in the ring to start off the action.

Ridge eventually got the tag but Dawkins greeted him with a massive shoulder tackle. Angelo followed it up with a Splash and a Samoan Drop for a near fall. Street Profits isolated Butch again in the ring and connected with a Blockbuster for a two count as the crowd chanted “this is awesome!”. Brawling Brutes connected with a Powerslam/kick combo on Dawkins for the pinfall victory.

This must make @WWESheamus REAL proud right now!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/DGRlCr8d1Y

— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2022

Judgment Day Picked Up A Win & Tried To Recruit AJ Styles

Judgment Day cut a promo and Rhea Ripley claimed that they have already proven that they run RAW. She claimed that nobody will be able to stop them now that Dominik Mysterio is on their side. The crowd booed as Dominik claimed that he couldn’t be prouder to be standing here with his new family.

PAPI. #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/GekAR77iXc

— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2022

Matt Riddle and Rey Mysterio squared off against Finn Balor and Damian Priest of Judgment Day in a tag team match. Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio were ringside for the match. Rey controlled the action early but got distracted by his son. Finn Balor capitalized and got Rey in a Headlock in the middle of the ring.

Rey battled back and connected with a Suplex as Riddle pleaded for a tag. Mysterio hit an Enziguri and jumped to the corner to tag in Matt. Riddle leveled Balor with a kick and delivered some strikes to Damian Priest as well. Matt knocked Damian out of the ring and hit him with a Floating Bro. Back in the ring, Rey hit the 619 and climbed to the top turnbuckle.

Rhea Ripley hopped on the ring apron and Seth Rollins showed up. Seth tried to attack Matt Riddle but Rey charged at him with a steel chair and Rollins escaped through the crowd. Judgment Day isolated Rey after Dominik distracted his father. Balor hit Rey with the Coup de Grace for the pinfall victory. Seth and Riddle brawled in the parking lot after the match.

.@WWERollins just got invited into the FIGHT PIT at #ExtremeRules!@SuperKingofBros pic.twitter.com/qSSE4cRkFE

— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2022

It's @WWERollins!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/79C8WNfw6s

— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2022

Finn Balor tried to recruit AJ Styles to Judgment Day but The Phenomenal One declined.

Should @AJStylesOrg join #TheJudgmentDay?#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/91f8KEroIx

— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2022

Dexter Lumis Interrupted Miz TV

The Miz and Ciampa made their way to the ring for an episode of Miz TV. The Miz had Dexter Lumis as his guest on the show. Dexter has been stalking The Miz for weeks. Miz claimed that he punched a Minion decoration during his child’s birthday party because he thought Dexter was hiding inside of it. He challenged Lumis to come to the ring and explain his actions.

Dexter started cutting through the ring and popped out from behind Miz. Lumis tried to pull Miz into the hole in the ring but Ciampa stopped him. Ciampa punched Lumis in the face and he fell under the ring. The Miz tried to look in the hole in the ring but Lumis popped out and stared at him to end the segment.

Woahwoahwoahwoahwoahwoahwoah! ??????#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/miNbVs2hOx

— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2022

Bayley Picked Up A Win & Challenged Bianca Belair To A Match At Extreme Rules

Alexa Bliss squared off against Bayley in the main event of this week’s RAW. Damage CTRL, RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair, and Asuka were ringside for the match.

Bayley controlled the action early but Alexa battled back. Alexa connected with Double Knees and started talking trash with IYO and Dakota. The Role Model capitalized and slammed Bliss’ knee to the mat. Bayley followed it up with a Clothesline for a two count. The action spilled out of the ring and Alexa connected with a Senton off the announce table. Bliss was hobbling and holding her knee as RAW went to the final break of the night.

When RAW returned, Bayley was back in control but couldn’t put Bliss away. Alexa booted Bayley to the corner and then rolled her up for a near fall. Bayley hit the Bayley to Belly and went for the cover but Bliss kicked out at two and the match continued. Alexa connected with a Sunset Flip Powerbomb and went for the cover but The Role Model kicked out at two.

Bayley rolled Alexa up and got her feet on the ropes for leverage. Bianca Belair broke it up and a brawl broke out ringside as Bayley and Alexa locked up in the ring. Alexa booted Bayley in the midsection and planted her with a DDT. Alexa climbed to the top rope but Dakota provided a distraction. IYO shoved Alexa off the turnbuckle and Bayley connected with the Rose Plant for the pinfall victory.

Bitter rivals @AlexaBliss_WWE and @itsBayleyWWE meet on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/9zVTkIfT3c

— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2022

After the match, Damage CTRL attacked Alexa Bliss in the ring. Asuka tried to help but Damage CTRL beat her down. The RAW Women’s Champion got in some shots on Bayley before Dakota and IYO attacked from behind. Bayley then connected with the Rose Plant on Bianca Belair. Bayley grabbed a microphone and said she wants the RAW Women’s Championship at Extreme Rules as the red brand went off the air.

"I want the #WWERaw #WomensTitle at #ExtremeRules!"@itsBayleyWWE sends a message to the champ following a vicious attack. pic.twitter.com/sU3H2lOzFt

— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2022

Impact Wrestling officials are entering an interesting time for the promotion as several talent contracts are slated to expire. 

Fightful Select reports Mia Yim’s contract is due in October, while Maria Kanellis confirmed that she is signed with the promotion through Bound For Glory. 

Maria has stated that she has had talks with WWE, AEW, and Women of Wrestling (WOW). Her contract isn’t the only wrestler whose contract may be up as Matt Taven and Mike Bennett’s current deals expire soon.

These two stars are the current Impact Tag Team Champions. Sabin is under contract with Impact Wrestling through this year.

The Good Brothers also dropped their titles when their deals went up with Impact Wrestling after helping multiple tag teams become better.

NJPW Strong Tag Team Champions Aussie Open will take on the Motor City Machine Guns on this Thursday’s Impact Wrestling, with the winner earning an Impact Tag Team Title shot at October’s Bound For Glory. 

This will be the go-home edition of Impact for Friday’s Victory Road special. Digital Media Champion Brian Myers defending against Bhupinder Gujjar in a ladder match and Jordynne Grace vs. Zicky Dice are the other bouts confirmed for this show. 

Major League Wrestling held it first show in Atlanta, GA on Sunday night, MLW Super Series. Close to 1,000 fans were on hand at the Space Event Center for this latest round of MLW Fusion tapings. Here are the results:

• Lady Flammer defeated La Hiedra, Lady Shani and Reina Dorada in a number one contenders match for Tayas title. Taya was on commentary and ended up in a brawl with Flammer after the match. Hugo Savinovich came as one of the agents to help break it up.

• Shun Skywalker reversed a pinning combo to end Myron Reed’s third reign as World Middleweight Champion. Skywalker came out with Davey Richards in his corner.

• SST over Mark Davids & Angel Fashion in a squash. Fatu was in corner for Lance Anoa’i and Juicy Finau. Samoan SWAT Team got a huge reaction (one of the biggest of the night).

• Davey Richards defeated SB KENTo to retain the national title. Real good technical match, clocking in at around 15 mins.

• Alex Kane defeated a local guy in the Peach State prize fight. Davey Richards came out after and the Bomaye Fight Club attacked him and left him laying.

• MLW World Champion Alex Hammerstone pinned Bandido in a great match. EJ Nduka came out after and brawled with Hammerstone.

.?@EjTheJudge? brawled with ?@MLW? World champion ?@alexhammerstone? after his title defense against Bandido at Super Series Atlanta pic.twitter.com/I0h3CVMdiB

— SEScoops (@sescoops) September 19, 2022

• Mance Warner and Mads Krugger went to a no contest. They did a wild, bloody brawl all over the arena and into the crowd. Mance through a taco at Mads, among other things. Mance drank with the crowd during the post match.

• EJ Nduka pinned Sultan del Aire in a squash. Hammer came out and they fought up on the stage. Hammer put EJ through the stage. Hammer got busted open. But pop for the crash.

• Taya Valkyrie defeated Lady Flammer to retain the title.

• Jacob Fatu pinned Willie Mack. Willie did a coast to coast. He then sold the knee which played into the rest of the match. Lance Anoa’i and juicy Finau were seen cheering on fatu from the concession stand, which was filmed by MLW tv cameras.

• Microman, Komander and Laredo Kid beat Taurus, Gino and Mini Abismo Negro. Mister Saint Laurent lead a singalong to the Microman song with the crowd. Microman then wandered out onto the stage and did a stage dive into Saint Laurent’s arms. Saint Laurent then held him up like Simba. Crowd loved Microman. Way over match with plenty of lucha high spots but Microman was the biggest star.

Former WWE star Velveteen Dream, real name Patrick Clark, is no longer facing a case regarding battery charges and trespassing on a property filed against him. 

After being arrested on August 20th, he was supposed to have a hearing on September 28th. However, court records show the case has been closed, and the scheduled hearing is canceled, according to PWinsider.com. 

The court records indicate that prosecutors believed they did not have enough to go forward with a case against Clark and get a conviction, so it was deemed “not suitable for prosecution.”

Velveteen Dream’s Legal Problems

It was previously reported that Clark and an employee of a fitness gym in Orlando got into an altercation when the former WWE star was asked to exit an area of the gym that was about to be cleaned. It was alleged that Clark became “irate and argumentative” towards the employee and was ordered to leave the facility.

Clark threatened to kill the employee, which sparked a physical fight, which saw Clark allegedly bite the man.  Authorities found teeth marks on the men’s “left chest near the left armpit.” Clark pleaded not guilty and was released on a $1,200 bond. 

This arrest led to a violation of an existing Clark probation stemming from a November 2021 arrest when he was charged with possession of cocaine, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, destroying/altering/concealing physical evidence, and having no lamps/illuminating devices in his vehicle. 

Clark was arrested for that violation and was jailed for 25 days in Seminole County, Florida, before being released on September 13th.

AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam is looking to be a big success for the second straight year. 

AEW President Tony Khan noted on Twitter that the gate for this year’s event at Arthur Ashe Stadium surpassed last year’s gate. He also noted it will be AEW’s first $1 million gate for a non-pay-per-view. AEW has reached $1 million gates for Double or Nothing, Forbidden Door, and All Out this year.

Surpassed 2021 @AEW Grand Slam gate; now SO close to the FIRST
$1 million @AEWonTV gate, after 3 straight PPVs hitting $1 million for the 1st time

I promise you won’t want to miss
Grand Slam,
super card + maybe something up my sleeve
LIVE on TBS + tickets https://t.co/YDS5ifNqnB

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) September 19, 2022

Last year’s event drew a reported 21,277, with 18,300 paying just over $960,000. The show sold fewer tickets this year, although ticket prices are higher this year. 

According to WrestleTix, tickets distributed are just over 11,400 as of one week ago.

The Cards

Grand Slam: Dynamite

AEW Championship (Vacant): Bryan Danielson vs. Jon Moxley

AEW Tag Team Championship: Swerve in Our Glory (champions) vs. The Acclaimed

ROH Championship: Claudio Castagnoli (champion) vs. Chris Jericho

Interim AEW Women’s Championship: Toni Storm (interim champion) vs. Dr. Britt Baker vs. Serena Deeb vs. Athena

AEW All-Atlantic Championship: PAC (champion) vs. Orange Cassidy

Grand Slam: Rampage

No Disqualification: Sting & Darby Allin vs. Brody King & Buddy Matthews

TBS Championship: Jade Cargill (champion) vs. Diamante

Eddie Kingston vs. Sammy Guevara

Wardlow & Samoa Joe vs. Josh Woods & Tony Nese

Hook & Action Bronson vs. Matt Menard & Angelo Parker

Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Ricky Starks

Jungle Boy vs. Rey Fenix

Golden Ticket Battle Royale

With Triple H now at the helm of WWE creative, many are wondering if intentional bleeding will be brought back to WWE.

With “The Game” now calling the shots, some predict WWE could begin reverting back to an old-school way of doing things, including intentionally having talents bleed during matches. However, Triple H has been quick to shoot those rumors down.

Speaking in a recent interview with The Ringer, Triple H noted that, given the current world we live in, especially with the recent COVID-19 pandemic, WWE has evolved from blading, and it would be irresponsible to revert back.

“The world has changed. The world has evolved. I don’t think it’s necessary. If we have talent that gets [cut open], usually you’ll see them roll out and they’ll get looked at to make sure that there’s nothing dangerous.

“I’m just of the opinion right now, given the state of the world and the pandemic, and at the end of the day, what we do is dangerous enough without intentionally making it more dangerous.

“Yes, we did [feature bleeding] for a long period of time, but we’ve changed that practice. And it’s irresponsible to go back.”

For the past several weeks, Triple H has been at the helm of WWE creative since the sudden retirement of Vince McMahon.

Many agree that, since the change in regime, the on-screen product from WWE has been much better.

Given the regime change is still very much in its infancy, it will be interesting to see how much perspective changes in the coming months.

AEW star Maxwell Jacob Friedman is happy to be back on TV with the promotion, as long as company President Tony Khan keeps paying him the big bucks.

MJF returned to AEW at All Out, winning the Casino Ladder Match as the Joker, earning an AEW World Championship opportunity.

Prior to this, MJF hadn’t been seen since the June 1, AEW Dynamite, where he cut a scathing worked-shoot promo on Tony Khan, daring Khan to fire him.

A New Deal

MJF has never shied away from teasing leaving AEW, even claiming during last week’s Dynamite that he could take the AEW World Championship to WWE.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani, MJF announced that he has a new deal with the promotion, one that is seeing him be paid more.

“I’m making a stupid, absurd amount of money now, and I didn’t have to sign a contract extension.”

MJF.

MJF had reportedly been against signing any new deal with the company which would have extended his current contract, which is set to expire on January 1, 2024.

Despite blasting Khan as a “f***ing mark” during his June 1, promo, MJF now says he loves the AEW President thanks to the new deal, but says he has Khan “by the balls.”

Double or Nothing

Before his three-month hiatus from programming, a lot had been said about MJF’s antics before May’s Double or Nothing Pay Per View.

Prior to the event, MJF had no-showed a fan appearance, and had not been responding to attempts to contact him by AEW management.

The self-professed ‘Salt of the Earth’ claimed that during his three months away, he vacationed across Greece with his girlfriend (now fiancee.)

MJF claimed that he told Khan “pay up or daddy doesn’t show up.”

Leaving AEW

MJF is pretty pleased with himself, and his new deal with AEW, but he may still leave when the time is right.

Speaking about the January 1, 2024, expiration date on his contract, MJF said that “the devil goes to the highest bidder.”

MJF reiterated later in the interview that his loyalty is to who will pay him the most in 15 months’ time.

“A lot of people think I’m leaning towards one place or the other. All I’m leaning towards is money. That’s all I live and die by. I go where the money is at. Whoever is going to offer me the most amount of money, that’s where I’m going to do. It’s that simple.”

AEW

MJF may still have one foot out of AEW (or at least wants people to believe that) but he did have some rare kind words for the promotion.

MJF put over some of AEW’s top stars, while still considering himself the brightest star of them all.

“[AEW] has a lot of great stars. Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Chris Jericho, Brody King. But if we’re being honest with ourselves, the show had a big gigantic void, and I was that void.”

MJF.

When asked, MJF said he could not discuss the current situation with CM Punk, who is serving a suspension and could be fired for his actions following All Out.

MJF Fires Back At Fan Criticism: “I Don’t Play A Character”

Shawn Michaels may have worked with Vince McMahon for decades, but the relationship between the two wasn’t always friendly.

During the mid and late 1990s, Michaels, by his own admission, was battling personal demons, which would be a factor in his four-year retirement from wrestling.

Although Michaels would eventually return to WWE after finding God, the Heart Break Kid’s reputation as difficult to work is still remembered years later.

Traveling

During the New Generation era, the WWF tried to maintain ‘kayfabe’ by keeping heels and baby faces apart at all times, in case fans spotted them outside of an event.

For many wrestlers, that meant keeping away from their closest friends, which Shawn Michaels was not ready to do.

Speaking on the ‘Kliq THIS’ podcast, Kevin Nash recalled Michaels exploding on then WWF head Vince McMahon, who quickly backed down.

“They told Shawn[Michaels] that Scott [Hall] couldn’t ride with us, because they were working the matches together. And Shawn, I mean just zero to one hundred went to ‘Mother f***er! You got me on the road 300 days a year and you’re going to tell me who I can spend my time with?!’

“And Vince just went like [raises hands] ‘Woah. I didn’t realize it was that. Okay. If it’s that much of a deal to you three, jeez. Do what you want to do.'”

When asked why McMahon, traditionally someone who had things done his way, was so quick to back down, Nash said that the quality of the Michaels-Hall feud gave them leverage.

“The match was so good. What are they going to do?”

Kevin Nash on Vince McMahon not punishing Shawn Michaels and Scott Hall.

To the Club

It wasn’t just travel arrangements that McMahon tried to have control over, as Nash also had his share of demands from the then-Chairman of the company.

Speaking about his own experiences with Vince, Nash recalled he and The Undertaker being told to keep out of strip clubs as they were babyfaces, and McMahon believed that a face wouldn’t visit such an establishment.

“Me and ‘Taker got called into the office. Principal McMahon told me and ‘Taker that he didn’t want to see us or hear of us being in any strip clubs. He said it wasn’t a good image for Mark [Calaway] and I because we were both babyfaces at the time.”

Despite the strong warning by McMahon, both men defied the order and had a reunion at a club.

“I look straight across from me in the room, I see this long flicking hair, I see a bandana. I look over and I f**king just see ‘Taker. We’re not gonna sit with each other, we’re just like, ‘Oh, so you didn’t listen either.’ It was just acknowledged, like, ‘F**k that, right, man?’”

Kayfabe

With wrestlers appearing regularly out of character on social media, many have argued that ‘kayfabe’ is dead in the modern day.

Addressing the idea, Nash recalled finding out that wrestling isn’t as legitimate as it is portrayed on TV, and whether kayfabe can still exist.

“I knew this sh*t was a work when I was ten. Don’t have a boom mic when you’re doing the shot. I say ‘oh! Boom mic. I’m watching a movie. Oh, he hit him 45 times in the face, and there’s no blood.’

“You’re selling the disbelief that these two guys are going out there and trying to beat each other’s ass. You can tell when you have the people. When you have a hot angle and you have the people and you work stiff.

“You can say what you want about Bill Goldberg but when he was on his streak… people sat up.”

The former WWF Champion also claimed that Edge Vs. Dominik Mysterio on last week’s Raw was able to “hook me in” with how aggressive Edge was following the latter’s heel turn at Clash at the Castle.

For use of any quotes from this article please give a h/t to SEScoops.

Kevin Nash: WWE Saudi Money Isn’t Enough To Wrestle Again

Stone Cold Steve Austin has chosen who he thinks was the best on the microphone during the Attitude Era, and believe it or not, it isn’t himself.

The WWE Hall of Famer named his longtime rival turned Hollywood juggernaut Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the top talker during the height of pro-wrestling in popular culture. Austin, who is well-known for his skills on the mic, throws praise to the Great One during his recent appearance on the “First We Feast” program on Youtube, but does acknowledge that Rocky didn’t start out as a fan-favorite.

“You cannot overlook The Rock. When he first arrived on the scene, he was this good-looking, third-generation babyface and people just didn’t take to him. They’d say, ‘Die Rocky Die! Die Rocky Die!”

The Rattlesnake later discusses the work The Rock did to improve his character, which started with his decision to join the Nation of Domination. From there, he took his persona to the next level.

“He started wearing the silk shirts and he started referring to himself in third person and working that eyebrow. And he electrified and captivated crowds with his catchphrases, his cadence and his delivery, and his message and calling everybody ‘jabroni. He commanded the audience’s respect, attention and elicited the response that he was looking for from them.”

Who Else Does Austin Revere As A Great Talker?

The Rock wasn’t the only WWE legend Austin decided to call attention to. He also highlighted current AEW star and fellow WWE Hall of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts as a talent who captivated audiences by sometimes saying nothing at all.

“Once Jake got in the ring, he commanded your respect. He had this presence about him, and he’s one of the most economic, efficient workers out there, where he didn’t do a whole lot, but everything he did meant something, and he was always working for that DDT.”

Austin may hold these talents in high regards, but few would argue that he doesn’t belong at the top of the list as it is well documented that his run in the late 90s was considered one of the greatest of all time, and catapulted the Rattlesnake to monumental levels.

(Quotes via Wrestling Inc.)

Malakai Black is an interesting star to follow now that he has confirmed that fans haven’t seen the last of him competing inside of the squared circle. 

As previously reported, Black received a conditional release from AEW despite having years left on his deal, which indicates that he has no plans to work for AEW President Tony khan again. 

Malakai Black Returning to WWE?

During today’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed Black’s situation and how he wanted to return to WWE now that Triple H is in charge of creative. 

“He wrestled last night, which is interesting,” Meltzer said. “Then he put out a statement today and he wanted out from AEW. I guess we’ll see what happened. Obviously, he wanted to go back to WWE and he had a lot of time left on his deal. I think 4 and a half years left on the deal. It’s an interesting thing because it’s really difficult to keep someone who is unhappy under contract for that length of time. He did sign for that length of time. The reason you sign people to contracts is so that they can’t it they get unhappy or somebody makes an offer somewhere else, they can’t just go the next day. The whole reason he was signed to a 5-year big money contract was so if something happened in WWE and they wanted him back and they changed his mind, that they had him and they could book him for all those years. So it becomes an interesting situation and the same goes in the other direction too.”

It has yet to be confirmed that Black was offered a deal to return to WWE, but there have been multiple reports noting WWE has allegedly reached out to contracted AEW talent about coming back or joining the promotion. 

Meltzer brought up how Black wasn’t used much by AEW because he has been dealing with an injury. 

“I guess we have to wait for it to play out and see what the situation is. Basically, it’s what type of a deal he and Tony Khan came up with. Tony Khan wouldn’t talk about it. He talked a lot but didn’t say any specifics as to what the deal is. The story going around was that it was a conditional release and what that meant, I don’t really know. The assumption of a conditional release is that it’s probably something where he can’t just go right to WWE. Maybe there’s a timeframe or something like that. I don’t think he would agree to it if the timeframe was four and a half years.”

H/T to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription