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Toni Storm Graces the Cover of Fitness Gurls

AEW star Toni Storm will be on the cover of the latest issue of Fitness Gurls magazine. The issue will be released on August 3rd in both print and digital. 

As seen below, Storm looks stunning: 

After working the 2017 edition of the Mae Young Classic Storm signed with WWE in 2018 and was used mainly on the NXT UK brand. She later won the 2018 Mae Young Classic and later became the NXT UK Women’s Champion.

Storm was called up to the main roster in July 2020 as part of the SmackDown brand. However, she requested her WWE release in December after feuding with Charlotte Flair. It was granted, and she was let go. Shortly after her release, she opened an OnlyFans account, which has been very lucrative

The former WWE star signed with AEW and made her Dynamite debut this past March. Storm has gone on record by stating that WWE didn’t care about her career leading up to her departure from WWE.

So far this year, Storm holds a 13-2 record in AEW and has been pushed as a top star. She made it to the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Semi-Finals before losing to Britt Baker. She also came up short when challenging Thunder Rosa for the Women’s Title at AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door. 

Logan Paul Announces More WWE Appearances: “So Addicted to This Sport”

Fans can expect to see more of Logan Paul on WWE television. The YouTuber/boxing star is coming off a win over The Miz at last Saturday’s SummerSlam event, which marked his first singles match. 

On Monday, Paul took to Twitter to issue a video about the big weekend and how he wants to do more with the company. He also said that he’s addicted to the business. 

“I’ve done a lot of crazy stuff in my life, but what happened this past weekend at SummerSlam is so far the coolest thing I’ve ever done. I’m so addicted to this sport. I think I might’ve found my calling. Guys, I called the WWE execs, and I told them we got a multi-year, multi-event deal coming.

I’m going to be performing all over the world, traveling everywhere. Just the energy and adrenaline that I feel inside that ring with a jam-packed stadium, I want more. I don’t know where or when it’s going to be just yet, but when I get in that ring again, it is going to be massive, and you do want to watch it. This is history in the making. I could not be happier to be part of this universe, and I’ll see you guys soon.”

Paul signed a multi-year deal with WWE that will see him work several matches. Paul made his in-ring debut at WrestleMania 38, where he teamed with The Miz to defeat The Mysterios (Dominik and Rey).

If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit with an h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.

Becky Lynch Will Miss Several Months with Shoulder Injury

Becky Lynch is expected to be out of action for several months due to injury.

Lynch appeared on Monday’s episode of WWE Raw wearing a sling and said she’d need time off. She suffered a separated shoulder during her match against Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair at SummerSlam on Saturday. 

Lynch opened Raw with an in-ring promo where she talked about how she credits Belair for pushing her to be the B.E.S.T. every week since returning at last year’s SummerSlam. She quickly defeated Belair to become the SmackDown Women’s Champion at that event. 

On Saturday night, she realized who she is, and that’s The Man. Belair came out to the ring, and Lynch left after exchanging some respectful words.

Becky Lynch Attacked

While Belair was doing her promo, we saw Lynch being attacked by Bayley, IYO Sky (Io Shirai), and Dakota Kai. Belair ran to the backstage area, but it was too late. 

WWE later confirmed she is expected to be out for the next several months.

This injury angle indicates Lynch will be out of action for an extended period of time and could potentially need surgery. A separated shoulder typically has an estimated recovery time between two and 12 weeks.

SEScoops wishes Becky Lynch a speedy recovery from this injury.

Update on Becky Lynch’s SummerSlam Injury

Becky Lynch has a separated shoulder as she suffered the injury during her match against Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair at SummerSlam on Saturday. 

Bryan Alvarez reported the news on Monday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Live. 

“Becky Lynch took the Jaded (Glam Slam) and landed sideways, she landed on her side. Having separated my shoulder twice wrestling, I knew immediately that was not good. She started grabbing her shoulder, and she was grabbing her shoulder throughout the rest of the match,” Alvarez said. “We can confirm today that she did suffer a shoulder separation. I don’t know the extent of it, there are several grades of shoulder separation.”

Lynch did finish the bout and was using her arm, but after the match, she was seen being escorted by WWE’s medical team following the match.

Bayley, IYO Sky (Io Shirai), and Dakota Kai returned once Belair shook hands with Lynch to form their new faction. 

A separated shoulder typically takes between two and 12 weeks to recover from. We wish Lynch a speedy recovery. 

It appeared WWE was planning a 3 vs. 3 match at some point. However, those plans will have to be pushed back or changed because of Lynch’s injury. 

Pat McAfee Admits SummerSlam “Wasn’t The Cleanest Match I’ve Ever Had”

Pat McAfee stepped into the ring again for a bout against Happy Corbin at Saturday’s WWE SummerSlam where the SmackDown commentator went over. 

McAfee’s previous performance was at WrestleMania 38 in April, beating Theory before losing to Vince McMahon. 

While speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, McAfee reflected on his SummerSlam bout. McAfee admitted there were moments in that match where he thought, ‘should have prepared differently.’ This happened as soon as he walked into the stadium as he felt like a sauna, an issue because he had trained in air conditioning. He started to hydrate immediately. 

McAfee noted that the sweat on the ropes nearly led to disaster on several occasions when he performed spots. 

“A lot of things, as they are happening, I’m thinking, ‘Fucking idiot. You are so dumb,’” Pat stated. 

McAfee nearly fell off the top rope while attempting an outside dive. He thinks he had trouble doing the ropes and not getting on the rope with the shoes he was wearing before the bout. McAfee went over with the code red. 

“Not a destroyer. Code Red. Had I ever done it before to anybody? Nope, but it felt like the right time and right place. Wasn’t the cleanest match I’ve ever had. I certainly wasn’t prepared for the humidity. I’m pumped to get out of there with a dub.”

McAfee added that Jimmy Uso gave him the chain he was wearing for the match.

Roman Reigns Retains Undisputed WWE Universal Title at SummerSlam

Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns once again defended the title against Brock Lesnar, but this time it was in a Last Man Standing Match in the main event of this year’s SummerSlam event. 

The match started when Lesnar jumped off a tractor. They brawled into the crowd.  After a distraction by Paul Heyman, Reigns put Lesnar through a table. Lesnar was bleeding from his back. Reigns with a series of superman punches and a spear for a near fall. Lesnar put Reigns in the front loader of the tractor and then dropped Reigns out of it.

Lesnar started moving the ring with a tractor and lifted it up. Brock hit an F5 to Heyman through the announce table. Reigns with a spear to Lesnar. Theory ran out to the ring and hit Reigns with the MITB briefcase. Lesnar took him out with an F5. Reigns with two belt shots then buried Lesnar with various things for the win. 

The last time the two stars shared the squared circle was at WrestleMania 38 earlier this year where Reigns went over on Lesnar to unify the WWE and Universal Championships. 

Lesnar took time off after this match and returned on the June 17th edition of SmackDown after Reigns retained the title over Riddle in the main event. Reigns said after there is no one left and he wrecked Riddle then he’s leaving. Lesnar walked out to have a face-to-face with Reigns before hitting an F5. 

Reigns will make his next title defense at the Clash at the Castle event on September 3 in the UK against Drew McIntyre. 

What are your thoughts on Roman Reigns retaining the Undisputed WWE Universal Title over Brock Lesnar? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Sound off in the comment section.

Liv Morgan Retains Women’s Title, Rousey Turns Heel at SummerSlam

Liv Morgan made her first premium live event defense as SmackDown Women’s Champion against Ronda Rousey at Saturday’s WWE SummerSlam event from the Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. 

The match was short and quick. It was mostly dominated by Rousey. The finish saw Rousey have Morgan in the armbar, but at the same time, Morgan tapped, the referee counted the three as Rousey’s shoulders were down. They gave Morgan the win even. Post-match, Rousey attacked Morgan and the referee. WWE played it up as Rousey getting robbed. 

At Money in the Bank, Rousey submitted Natalya to retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship, but after the match Morgan, who won the women’s Money in the Bank match earlier in the show, came out with the briefcase and cashed in. Rousey was vulnerable as she was selling the wear and tear of her previous match. Morgan pinned her to win the title for the first time.

On the July 8th edition of SmackDown, Morgan came out for a promo when she was confronted by Natalya, who told her  if it wasn’t for her injuring Rousey’s leg then she wouldn’t be champion. Rouisey came out to confront Natalya, which led to Rousey beating Natalya.

The Usos Retain Undisputed Tag Team Titles at WWE SummerSlam

WWE brought in Hall Of Famer Jeff Jarrett to be the special guest referee for the latest match between The Street Profits and Undisputed Tag Team Champions The Usos. 

The SummerSlam match featured a slow start with The Usos beating down Dawkins. Ford got the hot tag and hit a flurry of moves. Ford tossed both of them to the floor and Dawkins hit an outside dive.

The Usos with double super kicks to Dawkins then Jimmy with a splash for 2 on Dawkins. There was a near fall when Jey almost hit Jarrett with a superkick, but Jarrett caught it and Dawkins laid out Jey and Ford with a frog splash. Ford argued with Jarrett and was hit with a double super kicks by The Usos. Usos hit their 1D finisher for the win. 

This was a rematch from the Money in the Bank pay-per-view where The Usos retained their titles against The Street Profits. There was a controversial finish as the referee missed that Montez Ford had his shoulder up while being pinned.

The Usos defeated RK-Bro this May on SmackDown to unify the SmackDown and Raw Tag Team Titles.

Jarrett will team with Jay Lethal against Ric Flair and Andrade El Idolo at Sunday’s Ric Flair’s Last Match event in the main event also in Nashville. 

Edge Returns at WWE SummerSlam

As expected, Edge made his return to WWE programming at Saturday’s SummerSlam event from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, when The Mysterios vs. Finn Balor & Damian Priest in a No DQ Match was happening. 

Edge came out to lay out Priest and Balor with spears. This allowed the father and son tag team to go over. 

Edge didn’t have the old “Metalingus” song nor continued to use “The Other Side” nor was he back as the Rated-R Superstar gimmick. He had a remixed version of the Brood’s theme music. 

Edge was written off television several weeks ago after being attacked by The Judgment Day and replaced by Balor.

Leading up to Edge’s return to television, WWE has been airing vignettes featuring old memorabilia from past rivals such as Randy Orton, John Cena, The Dudley Boyz, and others. 

Edge was slated to make his return at Monday’s Raw event from Madison Square Garden, but plans changed. It was reported earlier in the day that the former WWE Champion was backstage at SummerSlam. 

Bobby Lashley Retains WWE United States Title at SummerSlam

WWE United States Champion Bobby Lashley made his latest title defense against Theory at SummerSlam. 

Theory jumped him before the match. The match was a typical big man small man match. Lashley missed a spear and ate the turnbuckle. The finish saw Lashley catch him and hit his finisher. It was a short match. 

Theory lost the United States Title at Money in the Bank to Lashley, who went over after reversing the ATL and applying the hurt lock, scoring the submission victory.

The following Monday night on Raw, Theory stated that after he won the United States Championship at SummerSlam, then he would beat whoever was left standing after the Undisputed WWE World Heavyweight title match to become the biggest champion in company history.

Time will tell whether WWE continues this feud or goes into a different direction heading into the Clash at the Castle pay-per-view event on September 3. 

What are your thoughts on Bobby Lashley retaining the United States Title? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Sound off in the comment section.

Logan Paul Wins his First Singles Match at WWE SummerSlam

Expectations were high among fans for Logan Paul in his singles debut when he took on The Miz at Saturday’s WWE SummerSlam event from Nissan Stadium.

The match featured Paul doing some basic moves including a fireman’s takedown early before hitting a moonsault off the apron. Miz with a codebreaker from the middle rope. Paul with a blockbuster off the rope for 2. Paul with a crossbody then a standing moonsault for 2. Paul hit a Phenomenal Forearm. Paul hit an outside dive to send Miz through the announce table. Paul went over the Skull Crushing Finale. 

Paul made his in-ring debut at WrestleMania 38 where he teamed with The Miz against the Mysterios (Dominik and Rey). Post-match, Miz turned on him by hitting him with the skull crushing finale. WWE reportedly made a promise to Paul ahead of the match that he would be a babyface as he wanted to portray that role instead of being a natural heel.

On the July 18th edition of raw, Pail appeared on Miz TV and wanted an answer regarding his SummerSlam challenge. Miz ignored him and show footage of their match. Paul showed footage of Miz turning on him. After Paul insinuated that Miz had “tiny balls”, Miz accepted the challenge.

Paul signed a multi-year deal with WWE that will see him work several matches. During the signing, Paul said he was coming after The Miz, who ignored the warning and instead suggested the two continue their tag team.

Bayley & Dakota Kai Return to Join Forces With Io Shirai at WWE SummerSlam

Becky Lynch was the latest star to step up and challenge WWE Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair for the title. However, the bigger news was Bayley and Dakota Kai also made their return to create a faction with Io Shirai. 

The title match at SummerSlam opened the show. Lynch hit a leg drop to Belair while on the barricade. Lynch was favoring her right arm.  Belair countered a dive by Lynch from the top rope into a powerbomb. Lynch hit diamond dust for a near fall. Belair hit the KOD on the floor. Lynch pulled her off the middle rope and hit the man handle slam for 2. The finish saw Belair reverse the man handle slam with a Spanish fly and hit the KOD for the win. 

Post-match, Bayley walked out to the ring to a great ovation, but was still a heel. Dakota Kai, who was released in April, and Io Shirai, who was believed to be leaving WWE with her contract expiring next month, came out. They all stood together before having a staredown with Lynch and Belair. 

Bayley had been on the sidelines with a torn ACL since last July. The injury happened when she was chain wrestling in the ring with another WWE star at the Performance Center. She had to pull out of her scheduled I Quit Match with Belair for the SmackDown Women’s Title at the Money In The Bank pay-per-view.

At last year’s SummerSlam, Lynch returned after maternity leave as a surprise replacement for Sasha Banks in a SmackDown Women’s title match where she beat Belair in under 30 seconds to win the title. They rematched at WrestleMania this year over the Raw Women’s title, where Belair defeated Lynch. 

Triple H: “I’ve Got a Clean Bill of Health. I’m 100%”

Triple H is back full-time with WWE following his health issues last year. While speaking with the media on Friday at the WWE tryouts in Nashville, Triple H talked about being Head of Creative and Head of Talent Relations for WWE following Vince McMahon’s resignation. 

All of this is happening more than a year after being rushed to the hospital due to heart failure. 

“I appreciate you asking. I feel great. A glitch in the road. Luckily for me, it was caught, right? It took a little bit to get over it, get past it. I’m over it. I’ve got a clean bill of health. I’m a hundred percent.” I’m very aware of it. I’m very aware of what’s important in life and your family and everything else. For more, I approach it a little bit differently now.” 

Triple H then joked about how he realized that sleep is good for him and encouraged everyone to try it. 

“I’m back, I’m 100%, I’m ready to go, I’m ready to tear through this and put on a big pair of shoes. I have a new appreciation for life. It’s precious, it doesn’t last long. Embrace it, and get everything you can out of it. It can be over in a  second. Embrace your family. Embrace your friends.

Tell them you love them, be upfront with it, and the things you love to do in life, embrace that. Work hard because it doesn’t last long. People ask me about my career. Am I sad not wrestling? No, I gave it everything I had. I rode it until the wheels fell off and that’s what you’re supposed to do. Luckily for me, they told me, ‘you shouldn’t do this anymore.’ Sweet, I’m done. I was wrapping it up anyway. To me, there didn’t need to be a perfect out.” 

If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit with an h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.

Naomi Books First Appearance Since WWE Walkout Alongside Sasha Banks

Naomi is set to make her first public appearance as she has been booked for C2E2 2022, which takes place from August 5 – 7, 2022, at McCormick Place. 

She is going by her real name, Trinity Fatu, and will be doing a signing with fans at the gathering. This is the same first public appearance for Sasha Banks, who is also going by her real name, Mercedes Varnado, and is hyped as “Sasha Banks” and from The Mandalorian, since they walked out of WWE. 

https://twitter.com/c2e2/status/1553123940679274497

Banks and Naomi walked out of a WWE Raw event in May due to creative differences. WWE noted in their statement that Banks and Naomi felt they weren’t respected enough as champions and later referred to them as ‘unprofessional.” WWE suspended them and stripped them of the Women’s Tag Team Titles. 

The latest on their status with the company is that Banks and Naomi were taken off the company’s internal roster. Banks’ attorneys were still working on her release, but she has not been released yet. 

They may get brought back now that Vince McMahon has resigned from the company. 

Triple H Explains Paul Heyman’s Role At WWE Tryouts

WWE is holding talent tryouts ahead of Saturday’s SummerSlam event to sign the next Performance Center class. 

While speaking with the media on Friday at the WWE tryouts in Nashville, Triple H talked about Paul Heyman possibly being involved in creative and development aspects. 

Heyman, who had been the Raw Executive Director from 2019-2020, was at the tryouts to help scout talent. 

“I want ideas from everybody, I want thoughts from everybody,” Triple H stated. “To me, this is inclusive. When I say, that goes for the talent. When I say this is going to take all of us, it’s going to take all of us. I want that, Paul is one of the best promos in the history of this business. Who better?

When I asked him to be part of this, he was thrilled. We both joke about the fountain of youth at these things. Paul always does this (rubbing his chest). Who better to come here to talk about that skill? Paul has the gift of gab, always has. Who better to come here and motivate these kids?”

Triple H mentioned Big E and SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair as people who have helped out with the tryouts.

Heyman worked on the WWE creative team from 2001-2003, including the lead writer for SmackDown from July 2002 to February 2003.

If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit with an h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.

Watch Triple H’s First Public Comments Since Becoming WWE’s Head of Creative

It’s been one week since Triple H was named EVP, Talent Relations of WWE, and Vince McMahon announced his decision to retire from WWE, stepping down as CEO.

This past Monday morning, it was announced that Triple H would assume all creative duties that were previously held by this father-in-law. It was the first time he had been in charge of creative since stepping away from his duties with NXT last year due to health issues. 

While speaking with the media on Friday at the WWE tryouts in Nashville, Triple H talked about the undertaking of replacing Vince McMahon. 

“You’ve gotta watch the show…there are a massive pair of shoes to fill that I am trying to step into, but I do not dream, for one second, that I can fill those shoes by myself. It’s going to take a lot of us. It’s going to take a team, it’s going to take everybody here to fill those shoes and continue this on, but we will.”

Triple H continued, “the intent is to continue the legacy of what has been going on, that made me fall in love with this business that he created and to take it to new levels. To take it beyond where it is now. The only way we’re going to do that is as a team. That’s with Steph [McMahon], Nick Khan, myself, Kevin Dunn, everybody that is here. That is with all this talent. The great hardest working talent in the world. I have no doubt in my mind that with this team, we can do it, not an inkling of doubt. It’s just a lot of hard work, and we’re all going to grind. We have the greatest fans in the world, and we’re going to make sure they get everything they want out of this product and then some.”

Triple H later added after recapping his week so far, “like I said, it’s going to take all of us to fill a big pair of shoes, but we’re hell-bent on doing it.”

If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit with an h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.

Things Got Awkward When Linda McMahon Was Asked About Vince Leaving WWE

Vince McMahon’s wife, Linda, has given her first public comments about her husband leaving the company he built into a global empire. 

It happened during an America First Policy Institute event, and things got awkward. 

“I’m not going to talk about Vince and WWE, I’m here to talk about AFPI.”

The interviewer asked a follow-up question, and she responded:

“Well, you know what? He’ll just be deciding on how he’s going to spend his free time. I think that’s a good thing, thanks.”

The Wall Street Journal broke the news about the WWE Board of Directors investigating McMahon over a $3 million settlement that McMahon had agreed to pay a former employee with whom he allegedly had an affair. They also reported he paid them more than $12 million to four women formerly with the company to “suppress allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity.”

Since Vince’s resignation, Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan have been named co-CEOs, while Triple H has been named Head of Creative.

Linda helped launch Titan Sports alongside her husband, where she served as president and CEO of WWE until leaving the company in 2009. Since her departure from WWE, he attempted to secure a seat in the Senate in 2010 and 2012 but was unsuccessful. 

Former US president Donald Trump named McMahon the head of the Small Business Administration in 2020.

Former WWE Champion Thinks AEW Feels ‘Dated’

AEW President Tony Khan delivers a different product than what fans are used to seeing with WWE, from production to the booking to the in-ring style. He also caters to hardcore fans instead of casual fans. 

The AEW’s product looks more gritty than what you will see on WWE programming. 

While speaking on his Kliq This Podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash admitted that he doesn’t watch much modern wrestling but recently caught an episode of AEW Dynamite. 

The former WWE Champion noted that the production and feel of the show seemed ‘dated.’

“It just seems…dated? It has a very ‘WCW Thunder’ feel when I watch it.”

Nash was asked if he was specifically talking about the show’s production. Nash said everything and noted it feels like the clear number two.

“It’s almost like a no-borders, ‘Doctors Without Borders’ type of situation over there, and it’s hard for me to figure out who the belts go to, but I don’t watch wrestling that often, and if I’m going to watch a product, just visually … the crystal-clear production, and costuming, and everything else that the WWE gives me, I feel like it’s Cirque du Soleil instead of f*cking, you know, Ringling Brothers.”

Transcription via Wrestling Inc

WWE NXT Results (7/26): Eight-Man Tag Team Match, Title Bouts Confirmed

The July 26, 2022 episode of WWE NXT aired live on the USA Network from Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center. 

WWE NXT Results 

  •  
  • Grayson Waller def. Wes Lee.
  • Apollo Crews def. Xyon Quinn.
  • Zoey Stark def. Gigi Dolin.
  • Giovanni Vinci def. Andre Chase.
  • Tony D’Angelo’s Family def. Diamond Mine 

Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:

It’s Official

JD McDonagh came out cutting a promo and teasing he could hurt anybody by breaking their collarbone, including a planted fan and Vic Joseph. He then called out NXT Champion Bron Breakker. 

Breaker stated at Heatwave on August 16th, they will meet and next week, they’ll make it official. JD took a cheap shot and Bron knocked him down. JD took a blood capsule, which was caught on camera. 

Opening Segment

Zoey Stark opened the show with an in-ring promo. Last week, Stark made her return to television after she had been out of action since October when she suffered a torn ACL & meniscus in a three-way tag team ladder match where she and Shirai were defending the NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Stark won a battle royal to earn the right to be the next #1 contender for Mandy Rose’s NXT Women’s Title. 

Stark talked about how she returned to NXT four months ahead of schedule and was originally told she would be out of action for over a year. She said she didn’t know if the fans would remember her. Cora Jade came out and cut a promo about how she had the match won until Stark ruined her moment. Stark called Jade a piece of trash. 

Rose came out and mocked them and said neither of them can beat her. Stark challenged Rose to a title match tonight. Gigi Dolin challenged Stark to a match tonight. Stark will get her title match at Heatwave on August 16th. 

Stark went over in their match with her finisher. Post-match, Jade attacked Stark until Roxanne Perez ran out to make the save. 

Apollo Crews vs. Xyon Quinn

Apollo Crews vs. Xyon Quinn in a singles match took place. Quinn dominated the majority of the match, but it was Crews who went over cleanly. 

Ever since Crews made his return to NXT, Quinn has been reminding him  that he is the next big star and will be waiting for his title shot. Quinn recently cost Crews his match against Giovanni Vinci.

Eight-Man Tag Team Match

Tony D’Angelo’s Family (D’Angelo, Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza, Joaquin Wilde, and Channing Lorenzo) vs. Diamond Mine (Roderick Strong, Brutus Creed, Julius Creed, & Damon Kemp) was booked in an eight-man tag team match.

Last week, Strong and Kemp were working a singles match when D’Angelo’s Family interrupted as he and his crew beat down The Creed Brothers.Strong raced back to check on Julius & Brutus Creed before challenging them to a match. 

This was the main event of the show that ended with Tony hitting his finisher on Julius. 

https://twitter.com/WWENXT/status/1552112416242208768%20
https://twitter.com/WWENXT/status/1552111504484360193%20

Giovanni Vinci vs. Bodhi Hayward

Giovanni Vinci vs. Bodhi Hayward was set up last week when the Chase U bus blocked Vinci in the NXT parking lot. 

Hayward hasn’t wrestled on NXT since March when he lost a singles match to Von Wagner. The former Fabian Aichner has won three straight since being repackaged as Vinci.

This was a really good match with Vinci going over. 

WWE SummerSlam Betting Odds

The betting odds for the matches that will take place at the WWE SummerSlam event have been released.

The card for the show that takes place this Saturday appears to be finalized. So far, nine matches have been announced for the show.

Roman Reigns is a major favorite at -500 to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Brock Lesnar in a last man standing match. Logan Paul is the biggest favorite on the card at -1500 and there are no titles favored to change hands.

  • WWE SummerSlam Preview

SummerSlam Betting Odds

Here are the betting odds, courtesy of Bet Online:

  • Happy Corbin is an underdog (+200) against Pat McAfee (-300)
  • The Mysterios are underdogs (+150) againstFinn Balor & Damian Priest (-200) in the No-DQ tag match.
  • Bobby Lashley is expected (-300) to retain the United States championship against Theory (+200)
  • Bianca Belair is favored (-400) to retain the Raw Women’s title against Becky Lynch (+275)
  • The Usos are favored (-300) to retain the Undisputed Tag Team Champions against the Street Profits (+200)
  • Riddle and Seth Rollins are even.
  • Logan Paul is heavily favored (-1500) to beat The Miz (+650)
  • Liv Morgan is favored (-200) to retain the SmackDown Women’s title against Ronda Rousey (+300)
  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is favored (-500) to defeat Brock Lesnar (+300) in the Last Man Standing Match

WWE NXT Peacock Special to Air on Same Day as AEW All Out (Report)

WWE is planning to hold the next premium live event for the NXT brand on Sunday, September 4, the same day as AEW’s next pay-per-view, All Out, according to internal messaging at WWE.

Brandon Thurston of WrestleNomics reported the news today. There’s no word yet on the name of the show. All Out is slated to air at 8 pm Eastern with the pre-show airing one hour earlier. 

Dave Meltzer previously reported that WWE was “tentatively planning a major NXT show for late August, with 8/20 and 8/27 being looked at as possible dates.” It’s unclear what changed. WWE holds its Clash at the Castle event on September 3rd. 

It should be noted that it’s unclear whether this event will run head-to-head in primetime against the AEW PPV. The show will take place in Orlando, likely at the Performance Center, although the venue is not confirmed. 

The report also noted NXT’s next special TV episode will be Tuesday, August 16, branded “Heatwave,” formerly used as PPV events by ECW.  The announcement is expected to be made tonight on NXT television.

WWE will also hold NXT TV tapings on September 20, and 27 will be taped on September 14. 

This upcoming event will be NXT’s fourth special event on Peacock and the WWE Network since the last TakeOver show in August 2021. 

Nick Wayne’s Flight Diverted Due to a Bomb Threat

Nick Wayne and his mother were on a plane ride home when the flight was diverted due to a bomb threat.  

They were flying to Seattle from Frankfurt, Germany, on Condor flight DE2032 when a bomb threat was found written on a bathroom mirror. The flight changed course over Greenland and landed in Keflavik, Iceland.

Iceland police conducted a search of all carry-on items and passenger belongings. On today’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez noted that Nick’s mother was interrogated because she had eyeliner, and the threat was scrawled in eyeliner or makeup on the bathroom mirror. 

According to a report from Air Live, two hundred sixty-six people aboard the flight have been sent to an area guarded by police. It is not clear if the passengers are still being detained. 

Shayna Edwards assured family that they were okay in a Facebook post by writing the following, courtesy of Slam Wrestling:

“Yes, Nick and I were on a flight with a bomb on it. Yes, it was 6 hrs of madness like I’ve never experienced. Yes, we are safe. No, we are not home. And no, I don’t know when we will be.”

Nick is the son of late wrestler Buddy Wayne and the grandson of Ed “Moondog.” He was given an AEW contract in February 2022, contingent on finishing high school. 

On Sunday at the PROGRESS Chapter 136: 24/7 event from the Electric Ballroom in London, England, Wayne defeated Robbie X.

PROGRESS has issued the following statement:

PROGRESS Wrestling are delighted and relieved to hear that rising star, and recent UK and European debutant Nick Wayne, and his mother Shayna Edwards are safe and sound, and home in Seattle.

In an extraordinary and quite alarming incident, their return to the USA was interrupted by a bomb scare and an alleged hoaxer putting a note in the airplane bathroom to the effect that there was danger on board.

The Condor pilot quite correctly took immediate action and diverted the Seattle-bound plane to Keflavik in Iceland, with a then very stressful 24 hours for both Nick, Shayna and the other 264 passengers on board.

Lee McAteer, co-owner of PROGRESS said, “We are so pleased to hear that both Nick and his mother are safely home and can start to relax after what had been a triumphant first trip to the UK.”

Nick has been widely tipped for stardom, and after a remarkable start to his career with Defy Wrestling and GCW, had absolutely shone on his debut with PROGRESS at their 24/7 show in an exciting encounter with Robbie X. He and his mother had made many friends, and Nick is due to return in September for a joint show with TNT Extreme and GCW, with his finale at PROGRESS on their Handshakes and Cheeseburgers show on Sunday 18th September.

Shayna, who runs her late husband’s wrestling school, The Buddy Wayne Wrestling Academy had said to the PROGRESS owners Martyn Best and Lee McAteer, “After such a wonderful weekend, and such an exciting one for Nick at being on one of his dream promotions, we were then really shook up with what happened on the plane. It was so unreal, and we are just so grateful that everyone is safe. 

“We had a very scary six hours until the authorities were able to find out what was really happening, and then it was a long wait to finally board a plane back home.

“We really want to say such a big thank you to all our friends for your kind thoughts and concerns for us – and PROGRESS guys, don’t worry, we know this won’t happen every time that Nick comes over to be with you.”

Martyn Best added, “We had to change Nick’s original opponent due to a traditional flight issue delay, and the weekend had gone so well with Nick having had a terrific fight on his UK, European and PROGRESS debut. He had generated so much joy with everyone, and we were very proud that he and Shayna had chosen PROGRESS to make such a debut. 

“Having bid them a fond adieu, it was really quite astonishing and distressing for us to then hear about the trauma that followed, and we are totally relived and happy that all ended well. We really look forward to Nick and Shayna returning to both Liverpool and London in September.”

Vince McMahon Needed to be “Filtered” During WWE Creative Meetings (Report)

News has come out regarding the creative environment Vince McMahon inspired in recent years in WWE while in charge of creative. 

Although he temporarily stepped down as CEO and Chairman due to the hush money scandals, he was still heavily involved in creative up until last week before he resigned. 

Fightful Select reports sources from within the creative process have indicated that many writer’s assistants effectively needed to ‘filter’ McMahon and needed to know what not to write for McMahon when taking notes for him.

The report stated that minutes were ‘heavily edited’ for a long time, claiming that edits were made for various reasons ranging from simple kayfabe terms to McMahon saying things that would appear insensitive or offensive. 

A former production employee reportedly noted, “If a live feed of Vince McMahon on a headset any given night ever made it out, that it would provide a picture of that production experience, especially for the announcers. There were plenty of times he was in a good mood, but he would blow up at the most ridiculous things and act like they ruined an angle far past its expiration date anyway.”

Fightful previously noted that sources who worked with him are more open to speaking about their experiences following his exit from the company. 

Details on Triple H’s Talent Meeting at WWE Raw

Triple H is leading up creative in WWE in place of Vince McMahon, who resigned from the company last Friday and is already talking to talent about the expected changes they can expect. 

This move comes days after it was also announced he was the new EVP of Talent Relations. 

Fightful Select reports Triple H spoke at a talent meeting before Monday’s episode of Raw. Talent they spoke with “said that the meeting went really well, and there was a lot of optimism surrounding the change in creative from others in the company.”

Triple H led the meeting and promised them transparency that some don’t feel has existed under the previous regime. He said that he wants open lines of communication between himself and talent. 

The report noted, “Talent waiting for hours for the opportunity to maybe speak to Vince McMahon had become commonplace in recent years, with face time with him dwindling.” 

Triple H said that he wants work to be fun. The general consensus has been positive regarding the meeting.

Monday’s WWE Raw was the first event that Triple H was in charge of creative. 

Vince McMahon’s WWE Retirement Hastened By Federal Investigations

The Wall Street Journal has a new report regarding Vince McMahon and his retirement from WWE. 

The report notes McMahon was driven into retirement by investigations from federal prosecutors relating to his hush money scandals. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is also investigating McMahon.

WWE alluded to investigations in their SEC filing but did not state a specific entity. WWE stated they had received “regulatory, investigative and enforcement inquiries, subpoenas or demands” regarding the hush money payments. McMahon’s departure was listed as a resignation by WWE. 

The WSJ report noted they tried to reach out to spokespeople for McMahon and WWE, but they did not immediately respond to the requests.  A spokesman for the independent directors of the WWE board declined to comment. Neither the SEC nor the spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Connecticut provided any comment.

McMahon announced his retirement from the company last Friday. Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan were named new co-CEOs on Monday, and Paul “Triple H” Levesque is the Head of Creative. 

The Wall Street Journal previously broke the news about the WWE Board of Directors investigating McMahon over a $3 million settlement that McMahon had agreed to pay a former employee who he allegedly had an affair with and him paying more than $12 million to four women formerly with the company to “suppress allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity.”