SEScoops

Author: Chris Stephens

  • Smackdown & WWE Mixed Match Challenge Preview 9/18

    Smackdown & WWE Mixed Match Challenge Preview 9/18

    Smackdown and the Mixed Match Challenge will take place inside the Bok Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma tonight. No episode of 205 Live will air following Smackdown, however. The cruiserweight division will now begin airing on Wednesday nights before NXT.

    Smackdown Live 9/18

    AJ Styles vs Andrade “Cien” Almas

    2 nights ago at WWE Hell in a Cell, controversy clouded the finish to the WWE Championship match. Although the referee counted Samoa Joe’s shoulders to the mat while he had the Koquina Clutch locked in, video replay would show Styles tapped before the ref’s hand hit the mat for the 3rd time.

    Smackdown General Manager Paige has said Styles and Joe will clash for the title once again at Super Show-Down. Joe likely will not want to wait until Australia to send a message to the champion, however.

    United States Championship
    Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs Rusev

    Rusev and Aiden English failed to win the Smackdown Tag-Team Championships on the Hell in a Cell pre-show Sunday. Tonight, Rusev will have another chance to win gold when he takes on Shinsuke Nakamura for the United States Championship.

    Nakamura has defended the title 3x on WWE programming since winning it at Extreme Rules. He’s defended the title all 3 times against Jeff Hardy, beating him once and dropping the other two matches via DQ.

    Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair Segment

    Becky Lynch won the Smackdown Women’s Championship on Sunday in San Antonio. Tonight we will get reactions from both the new champion and the woman who just lost the championship.

    In a segment which will likely cause fans to debate who is being booked as a heel and who isn’t, this much-talked-about storyline will continue. The likely time and place for the next title match between Lynch and Flair seems like it would be Super Show-Down in Melbourne but we willl find out more tonight.

    Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy Segment

    WWE gave a medical update on Jeff Hardy recently. After his match with Randy Orton inside Hell in a Cell, Hardy was taken to a local medical facility for treatment. Hardy was complaining of severe abdominal pain but then checked out of the facility on his own early Monday morning.

    With Jeff Hardy’s injury and Matt Hardy’s retirement, change is in the air for the brothers.

    MizTV with Mystery Guest

    Following their victory Sunday against Brie Bella and Daniel Bryan, Miz and Maryse should be riding high tonight. WWE has scheduled an episode of MizTV for tonight’s Smackdown but has yet to reveal who the guest will be.

    Miz and Daniel Bryan will clash one-on-one at Super Show-Down once again, this time with the winner receiving a shot at the WWE Championship.

    WWE Mixed Match Challenge 9/18

    This year’s Mixed Match Challenge will be contested under round-robin rules. The tournament gets going tonight on Facebook Live at 10: 15 PM.

    Braun Strowman & Ember Moon vs Natalya & Kevin Owens

    WWE just announced that Strowman’s partner, Alexa Bliss, has been pulled from action this week due to an arm injury. Bliss will not be competing at live events this weekend nor during the MMC tonight. She’ll likely be put back on her team following this week, however. Last season, Strowman and Bliss made it to the semi-finals before losing to Miz and Asuka.

    Natalya was beaten up last night by members of the Riott Squad, so she’ll have to make a quick comeback to be competitive tonight.

    Charlotte Flair & AJ Styles vs Naomi and Jimmy Uso

    Naomi and Jimmy Uso were knocked out by Strowman and Bliss in the quarter-finals last year. Flair teamed with Bobby Roode in the first tournament and made it all the way to the finals before losing to Miz and Asuka.

    Both Styles and Flair will have to put their current rivalries with Samoa Joe and Becky Lynch respectively on hold as they look to start off the tournament tonight with a win.

  • Andrew Everett Granted Release From Impact Wrestling

    Andrew Everett Granted Release From Impact Wrestling

    Former co-holder of the Impact Wrestling tag-team championships, Andrew Everett, has been granted his release by Impact Wrestling. The 26-year-old had been with the company since the fall of 2015.

    He posted the following to Twitter yesterday:

    Andrew Everett Granted Release From Impact Wrestling

    “Earlier today I was granted my release from IMPACT wrestling,” Everett Tweeted. “I had great times with the company, and I’m grateful for the opportunities that I received while under contract. At this moment, I feel that I need to test the waters in free agency, allowing myself to find a new direction in my craft.”

    “It’s exciting to see what awaits me in my career. Thank you for all your support, and again, thank you IMPACT Wrestling for bringing the Skywalker to a larger audience.”

    Andrew Everett Impact Wrestling 2015-2018

    While Everett would compete mainly in the X-Division, he was never able to win the X-Division championship during his recent run with the company. He did, however, win the Impact tag-team championships along with DJZ earlier this year. Z&E defeated Eli Drake and Scott Steiner to win the belts back in April. They would defend the titles successfully once the following night against Aerostar and Drago before dropping them to LAX just 2 nights after winning them.

  • Lio Rush & Bobby Lashley Have Something Planned For Raw Tonight

    Lio Rush & Bobby Lashley Have Something Planned For Raw Tonight

    Bobby Lashley’s new manager/cruiserweight competitor, Lio Rush, has a plan for tonight’s Raw. He’s also concerned that Lashley’s kids play too much Fortnite but that’s another story. The 23-year-old piece of gold recently posted a conversation he had with his new client to Twitter.

    Tonight’s Raw is in Dallas, where Rush and Lashley planned to meet. While they didn’t go into specifics of what they might do tonight, it’s clear they plan on making some kind of impact on the show.

    “You know what needs to happen?” Rush said to Lashley after asking how his kids are. “They need to put down that Fornite, it’s messing up all the kids’ brains.”

    https://twitter.com/itsLioRush/status/1041014317783691264

    Lio Rush on 205 Live

    Lio Rush and Drake Maverick recently have been used as managers on Monday Night Raw. The belief backstage is that introducing more managers or “Hype men” could help talent who aren’t strong talkers.

    Being Lashley’s manager hasn’t changed Rush’s status on 205 Live now. This week, the purple brand’s show will air Wednesday night instead of Tuesday after Smackdown. There still has been no official word, however, on when the show will tape, where it will tape, and/or if the name of the show will change now that it is not scheduled to air live.

  • WWE Reveals New Hell In A Cell Design (Video)

    WWE Reveals New Hell In A Cell Design (Video)

    WWE has commissioned a newly redesigned structure for Sunday night’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. The company actually recorded the cage being erected inside the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The 2 1/2 hour video generated over a million views in 24 hours.

    Ahead of tonight’s pay-per-view, check out our WWE Hell in a Cell Predictions.

    WWE Hell In A Cell 2018 Lineup

    • WWE Universal Championship
      Hell In A Cell Match
      Roman Reigns (c) vs. Braun Strowman
      With Mick Foley As Special Guest Referee
    • WWE Championship
      AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe
    • WWE RAW Women’s Championship
      Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Alexa Bliss
    • The Miz & Maryse vs. Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella
    • Hell In A Cell
      Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton
    • WWE RAW Tag Team Championship
      Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose
    • WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship
      Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Becky Lynch
    • SmackDown Tag Team Championship
      The New Day vs. Rusev and Aiden English

    The Global Wrestling Network noticed the red cage WWE is going with this year for Hell In A Cell. They sent out the following Tweet in response:

    The Global Wrestling Network is the streaming service primarily associated with Impact Wrestling. Other promotions, such as Destiny, Smash, and World Series Wrestling also provide content for the streaming service.

  • Tama Tonga Sends Message To Kevin Kelly Following Destruction In Hiroshima

    Tama Tonga Sends Message To Kevin Kelly Following Destruction In Hiroshima

    NJPW broadcaster, Kevin Kelly, hasn’t been too kind on Bullet Club’s Firing Squad. Tama Tonga decided to respond to Kelly’s commentary following today’s NJPW Destruction in Hiroshima event.

    “Hey, let get’s something straight, I didn’t come at anybody sideways,” Tonga said. “I came at them straight, straightforward after they started with me.”

    Tama Tonga Sends Message To Kevin Kelly

    “Roman started with me. Cody started with me. Brandi started with me and I just finish em, that’s it,” Tonga continued. “I mind my own damn business. And everybody who started with me should learn that same lesson: mind your own damn business.”

    Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori defeated David Finlay, Juice Robinson, and Ryusuke Taguchi today to retain their 6-Man Tag-Team Championships. Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga will challenge the Young Bucks for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag-Team Championships on September 30th in Long Beach.

    Also in regards to Bullet Club’s Firing Squad, the faction has announced they are recruiting. They asked their followers on Instagram and Twitter to suggest possible new members.

    Bullet Club Elite’s Cody responded, “Ummm we’re good here guys. We’ve got the best wrestlers in the world, a badass queen, a crazy actor, we’ve even got a dog…”

    Cody will challenge Juice Robinson for the IWGP United States Championship on NJPW’s Long Beach show as well.

    “But yea I’m sure folks are chomping at the bit to join you and Mr Juicy’s bullet club?” Cody’s Tweet continued. “Go to NXT already please, nobody gives a shit.”

  • Lana Says She Wants To Be Smackdown Women’s Champion

    Lana Says She Wants To Be Smackdown Women’s Champion

    Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair will clash tomorrow night for the Smackdown Women’s Championship. According to Lana, she hopes to one day be in the same position.

    Lana recently spoke to Hollywood Life and the topic of her starting a family with Rusev came up.

    “Rusev always puts on the pressure,” Lana said. “He’s like, ‘I want babies!’ But right now I’m very focused on my career. There’s a lot I want to achieve. I feel like I’m finally starting to get more momentum in the ring and getting more opportunities. There’s a lot I would love to do still — being Smackdown Women’s Champion is obviously a dream of mine.”

    Lana On Competitiveness in WWE

    Lana also spoke about the competitiveness which can exist in the locker room.

    “I’m very competitive,” Lana continued. “We love each other and are supportive and all want the best for each other. We have an incredible locker room and support system, but at the end of the day, we are there to win and there to compete.”

    Lana and Rusev will once again form a team in the Mixed Match Challenge this year. It was in the tournament last year that Lana picked up her first ever win on the WWE main roster. Rusev and Aiden English will challenge New Day for the Smackdown Tag-Team Championships tomorrow night at Hell in a Cell.

  • The Undertaker Recalls Dangerous Moment Atop Hell In A Cell

    The Undertaker Recalls Dangerous Moment Atop Hell In A Cell

    The Undertaker recently spoke to WWE.com regarding the 20th anniversary of his Hell in a Cell match with Mick Foley. During the interview, Taker recalled just how much worse Foley’s second fall from atop the cage could have been.

    Foley’s second fall was not planned and happened when the panel atop the cage gave way after Taker chokeslammed Foley onto it. According to Taker, he almost ended up falling through the cell roof as well.

    Undertaker on Hell In A Cell 1998

    “That could have been catastrophic,” Taker said. “I stepped off of the panel and onto the support bars. If I hadn’t had done that, we would have both gone through that together. So if you could imagine, if I had stayed on that panel, my weight would have probably been on him too. And then what happens? It’s a scary thought.”

    Taker also mentioned he wrestled the match with a fractured ankle. Just getting to the top of the cage proved challenging.

    “To be completely honest, I was like ‘crap, am I gonna be able to get up there?’ The answer was yes because I would have got up there. I don’t care how but I would have got up there. It was definitely an exciting way to start out a Hell in a Cell match, to start out on top.”

    The entire interview can be viewed here. 

  • MLW Announces New York City Event For WrestleMania 35 Weekend

    MLW Announces New York City Event For WrestleMania 35 Weekend

    Major League Wrestling will be running an event in New York over WrestleMania 35 weekend. The event will take place on Thursday, April 4th, 2019.

    In previous years, MLW has run WaleMania on the Thursday of Mania week.

    https://twitter.com/mlw/status/1041013525773135873

    Promotion owner, Cout Bauer, also recently asked his followers on Twitter where they would like to see MLW run a show next.

    https://twitter.com/courtbauer/status/1040634710651793408?s=12

    For those unfamiliar with the Blues Brothers, it’s a hint that Chicago will be the next city MLW expands their territory into.

    Major League Wrestling in 2018

    It’s been an eventful year for Major League Wrestling. From 2002-04, the company produced 34 television shows in a period when alternatives to WWE were scarce.

    Bauer would eventually go on to work in creative at WWE and MLW went on hiatus for 13 years. In the summer of 2017, however, Bauer promoted MLW “One Shot.”  The success of that event then led to them announcing they would run a more frequent schedule the next year.

    MLW signed a television deal with BeIN Sports and began producing episodes of Fusion earlier this year. Full episodes of Fusion air on BeIN Sports on Friday nights and are posted to YouTube the following Saturday at 6 PM.

    The episode which aired last night on the network and will be posted to YouTube later today features a two-ring steel cage War Games match.

  • 205 Live Moving To Wednesday Nights

    205 Live Moving To Wednesday Nights

    WWE 205 Live is moving to Tuesday nights. Starting this coming week, the show featuring WWE’s cruiserweight division will air at 7pm (Eastern) on the WWE Network. This creates a new 3-hour block of fresh Network programming each Wednesday night, at least for the next few months.

    205 Live kicks off the new Wednesday night lineup. That show is followed by NXT and then the Mae Young Classic tournament series. 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick officially announced the news on Saturday morning:

    https://twitter.com/WWEMaverick/status/1040972674808332288

    Changes to 205 Live

    The move to Wednesday nights is WWE’s latest attempt to freshen up the brand. Earlier this year, it was widely reported that Triple H had taken over the creative direction of the show. The changes were immediately apparent. A lot of of the Vince McMahon Sports Entertainment aspects were toned down in favor of athleticism and a more sports-like presentation. Former Impact Wrestling star Rockstar Spud was brought in as the division’s new General Manager, Drake Maverick.

    WWE pulled back on featuring cruiserweight matches on Raw in recent months. Most recently, we’ve seen cruiserweight talents like Lio Rush and even Drake Maverick appearing on Raw in managerial roles. Lio Rush is now aligned with Bobby Lashley and Maverick is the new handler of the Authors of Pain.

    205 Live is currently filed each week after SmackDown Live. This has resulted in burned out crowds who often leave the arena before 205 Live begins. Maybe we will see WWE taping 205 Live at the monthly NXT TV tapings from Full Sail.

  • Lio Rush Releases Noam Dar Diss-Track

    Lio Rush Releases Noam Dar Diss-Track

    Recently on Monday Night Raw, Lio Rush was revealed as Bobby Lashley’s new manager. Rush will still be competing on 205 Live, however. In fact, Rush will take on Noam Dar next Tuesday night.

    The Scottish Supernova has been having some fun with Rush on Twitter this week but Rush has recently responded in kind.

    Dar had been posting some defamatory words in regards to his upcoming opponent. At first, it was just Dar posting comments about Rush but then he began re-Tweeting insults from fans as well.

    Dar then re-tweeted a few of the better insults from his followers.

    “Lio Rush wears a helmet when it rains,” said one Tweet. “Lio Rush always says ‘oh it must be free’ when an item doesn’t scan at the cash register,” read another.

    Even Rush’s bowling ability was fair game. “Lio Rush bowls with the bumpers up,” another Tweet read.

    Lio Rush Diss Track To Noam Dar

    The outspoken Lio Rush responded with a diss-track directed to his upcoming opponent.

    https://twitter.com/itsLioRush/status/1040757517897351169

    Rush was signed to WWE last year and began competing on the NXT house show circuit in September of 2017. Despite earning some criticism for an insensitive Tweet regarding Emma’s release, Rush has moved up through WWE’s developmental program in quick succession.

  • Natalya On What The Rock Said To Her After Her Father Died

    Natalya On What The Rock Said To Her After Her Father Died

    Natalya, Nia Jax, and Lana recently appeared on “Good Day New York” on Fox 5 to help promote Total Divas. During the interview, the topic of Natalya’s father Jim “the Anvil” Neidhart was discussed. Natalya mentioned that Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson reached out to her through Nia Jax (Rock’s cousin) and said some inspirational words to her following her father’s death.

    “He reached out to me — he actually gave me powerful words of just not really having to say goodbye,” Natalya said. “He goes ‘you don’t have to say goodbye to your dad. You can have him with you forever.’”

    Natalya Says Goodbye to the Anvil

    Natalya also mentioned the family was not prepared for Jim’s untimely death.

    “He was definitely going through some health issues but it wasn’t anything that was gonna take his life. For us, it was finding the right way to say goodbye.”

    It was also revealed during their appearance on the show that Natalya’s father will appear in the upcoming season of Total Divas.

    Shortly after Jim Neidhart’s death on August 13th, Natalya released a statement on what her father meant to her.

    “There was no one like him! I’m just gonna miss him so much,” a segment of Natalya’s statement reads. “We are going to hold all of the moments we had with him close to our hearts forever and never let them go. I promise to keep your memory alive. We love you so much, Daddy!”

  • Update On Neville’s Contract Status With WWE

    Update On Neville’s Contract Status With WWE

    Three weeks ago, it was reported that Neville was no longer under contract to WWE. Despite this, there are also reports Neville is turning down bookings saying he is not contractually free to work for other promotions. Neville’s contractual status with WWE was addressed in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

    “WWE has told us that he is free and clear to work anywhere he wants,” wrote Dave Meltzer. “When he has been contacted by promoters, he has said that he can’t accept dates yet but will be able to very soon.”

    There was speculation that Neville may have been asked to participate in All In as well. It is not yet clear when Neville will begin to take non-WWE bookings.

    Neville Contractual Status

    It will be almost one year since Neville has wrestled a match. His last contest was a DQ victory over Cruiserweight Champion, Enzo Amore. The match took place on an October 1st, 2017 house show. Neville is then said to have walked out on the company. He is believed to have been unhappy with the company’s creative plans for him.

    Tama Tonga of Bullet Club’s Firing Squad recently said he’s interested in bringing in the wrestler FKA Pac into his stable.

    “I know Neville and I’ve followed his work,” Tonga said. “He’s a phenomenal worker and he’s been here in New Japan before, I watched him in the Super Juniors in 2012. I love his work.”

    Where do you expect Neville to turn up next?

  • Daniel Bryan: Cody, Kenny Omega & Young Bucks Are Like A “New 4 Horsemen”

    Daniel Bryan: Cody, Kenny Omega & Young Bucks Are Like A “New 4 Horsemen”

    Daniel Bryan recently praised the organizers of All In for selling out a 10,000 seat arena. Bryan made the comments recently while promoting the upcoming WWE 2K19 video game.

    “They are like their own new 4 horsemen,” Bryan said “They are so different but they compliment each other and have this buzz about them. The idea that they are doing their own event outside of Ring of Honor, outside of New Japan. They are bringing in people from IMpact and doing all this kind of stuff.”

    Unfortunately for fans who were hoping to see Bryan compete at All In 2, he is reported to have agreed to terms on a new deal with WWE recently.

    Daniel Bryan On All In

    “If you were to tell me 5 years ago that that would happen I’d say you’re crazy, you don’t know what you’re talking about,” Bryan said in reference to All In selling out the Sears Center Arena in Chicago. “But that’s a testament to these guys.”

    Bryan would speak further on how Cody, the Bucks, and Omega have all created a buzz for themselves in different ways.

    “I think it’s especially a credit to Cody, the Young Bucks, and Kenny Omega,” Bryan continued. “Because they’ve all created waves in different ways: Cody leaving WWE to say ‘you know what? I think I’m better than what they’re giving me, I’m going to go out and prove something.’ The Young Bucks doing this whole thing on their own being creative, they are starting this YouTube thing, doing this thing where they are like anti-authority anti-corporate people who are bucking the trends. And then Kenny Omega going out and having these matches some people look at them and say ‘these are the greatest pro-wrestling matches of all time.’”

    “I think it’s so empowering and so cool,” Bryan continued.

  • Dean Ambrose: “I Nearly Died” From Staph Infection

    Dean Ambrose: “I Nearly Died” From Staph Infection

    Dean Ambrose went down with an injury to his right triceps in December. His injury cut the planned Shield reunion short and also caused the former WWE Champion to miss WrestleMania 34.

    Ambrose’s return to the ring was then pushed back further due to a staph infection he developed after surgery to repair his tricep. According to an interview Ambrose recently gave, the staph infection was nearly fatal.

    Dean Ambrose On His Injury And Recovery

    “I ended up having two different surgeries,” Ambrose told the Monitor. “I had this MRSA, Staph infection, I nearly died.”

    Ambrose continued to describe his stay in Hospital after the infection was discovered. “I was in the hospital for a week plugged up to this antibiotic drip thing, and I was on all these antibiotics for months that make you puke and crap your pants.”

    Ambrose continued to say he’s not sure exactly when the infection began to develop.

    “They said they found traces of an infection during the first surgery, but they cleaned it out,” he continued. Ambrose then said after about six weeks he felt his elbow wasn’t healing right and went back to his doctors. He eventually said he just picked up and moved to Birmingham to be closer to the doctors and rehab specialists.

    “If I hadn’t gone in for that checkup,” Ambrose said. “I could’ve gotten seriously sick. It could’ve been even more dangerous. But it all worked out.”

    The entire interview can be read here.

  • Pentagon and Fenix To WWE Looking Less Likely

    Pentagon and Fenix To WWE Looking Less Likely

    There has been a significant update in the ongoing saga that is the Pentagon and Fenix to WWE speculation.

    Both Lucha Brothers have once again started to accept indy bookings in 2019. The rumors of Pentagon and Fenix going to WWE were kickstarted by the pair trying to free their schedule for next year.

    The status of the Lucha Brothers was discussed in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

    “(Pentagon and Fenix) have started making commitments to promoters for next year,” Dave Meltzer wrote. “Which indicates they aren’t planning on doing anything (in WWE) anytime soon.”

    Pentagon Jr. and Fenix Rumors

    The report continues to speculate it might be the brothers’ Lucha Underground contracts which prevent them from signing with WWE. It had previously been reported the pair felt they had an opt-out clause following the completion of Season 4 airing. The El Rey Network has already committed to the 5th season of the show.

    At a recent PCW event, Pentagon addressed the WWE rumors by saying he’s not going anywhere.

    “Respect that I am the PCW Champion and no one is going to take that from me,” Pentagon said. “Thank you very much! And before I forget. I am not going anywhere. Penta will be in PCW for many, more years.”

    Pentagon and Fenix teamed up last night on Impact Wrestling to defeat the Cult of Lee. The pair is also tag-team champions in MLW and will wrestle on the CMLL Anniversary show today.

  • CMLL 85th Anniversary Show Lineup 9/14

    CMLL 85th Anniversary Show Lineup 9/14

    CMLL will hold their 85th Anniversary show today. The event will air live and for free to Honor Club subscribers.

    Of note for this show is that Pentagon and Fenix are actually double-booked for events today. They will have to quickly make it to this show from the Impact tapings also happening today. Both events are taking place in Mexico City, however.

    Tonight’s Anniversary show kicks off on Honor Club at 930 PM from Arena Mexico.

    CMLL 85th Anniversary Show Lineup 9/14

    1. La Jarochita, Marcela, and Princess Sujey vs Dalys la Caribena, La Maligna, and Reyna Isis
    2. Angel de Oro, Audaz, and Niebla Roja vs La Peste Negra (El Felino and Negro Cass) and Mephisto
    3. Atlantis, Mistico, and El Soberano vs El Cuatero, Forastero, and Sanson
    4. Gran Guerrero, Euforia, and Ultimo Guerrero vs Ciber the Main Man, The Chris, and Sharlie Rockstar
    5. Caristico, El Hijo de L.A Park and L.A Park vs Diamente Azul, King Phoenix (Fenix), and Penta el 0M (Pentagon Jr.)
    6. Hair vs Hair Match
      Matt Taven & Volador Jr. vs Rush and Barbaro Cavernario

    The first ever Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre show took place on September 21st, 1933. At 85 years old, many believe the promotion to be the oldest of its kind. Another promotion which is hitting its senior years, the NWA, will hold their 70th Anniversary show later next month.

  • 10 Takeaways From Impact Wrestling 9/13

    10 Takeaways From Impact Wrestling 9/13

    Last night, Impact Wrestling aired their final show from the Toronto tapings. Also last night, the company traveled to Mexico City for the first of two nights of television tapings.

    With last night’s show in the books, we are just 4 episodes away from Bound for Glory in New York City. 3 matches are now confirmed for Impact’s next pay-per-view.

    Impact Wrestling 9/13

    Austin Aries, Killer Kross, and Moose Claim Another Victim

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9uTOneheBc

    • Impact World Championship
      Austin Aries (c) defeated Fallah Bah

    Austin Aries challenged Fallah Bah to a World Championship match this week. Not only would he later defeat Bah, he would put his tag-team partner out of action.

    Following the match, Aries, Kross and, Moose wrapped KM’s head around a chair and hammered him into the post with another chair. It’s the same move the group has used to take out Eddie Edwards and Johnny Impact.

    Hall Of Fame Induction Next Week

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUgIJXIx-98&frags=pl%2Cwn

    It was revealed last night that there will be an Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame induction at Bound for Glory. Impact announced the inductee will be revealed next week.

    Johnny Impact Will Be Back At Bound For Glory

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ejUTVFszzs

    Much like Fallah Bah this week, Johnny Impact was the victim of an assault by Aries’ crew last week.

    Josh Mathews conducted an interview with Johnny. The future Survivor contestant stated he will be back for Bound for Glory on October 14th.

    The Machine Took Down The Monster

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3RT3-kfOcg

    • Brian Cage defeated Kongo Kong

    It was a change of pace for Brian Cage this week. Recently in Impact, Cage has been facing X-Division stars like Matt Sydal and Fenix. Tonight, he had an entirely different type of match with a much larger opponent.

    Cage picked up the win just the same, however, finishing off Kong with a discus clothesline followed by an F-5.

    Brian Cage & The Lucha Brothers Will Face oVe At Bound For Glory

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReWj3TN-ZXA

    After he defeated Kongo Kong, Cage accepted the Lucha Brothers’ offer and will join their team against oVe.

    A trios match featuring the Lucha Brothers and Cage against Sami Callihan and oVe was then made official for Bound for Glory.

    Matt Sydal Will Face Rich Swann In Mexico City

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m57goor_fg

    Sydal confronted Swann in the back last night. Swann was offering words of encouragement to Fallah Bah when Sydal said he was in no position to be giving anyone advice.

    Swann then challenged Sydal to a match in Mexico City.

    Allie’s Not Done With Su Yung, Tessa Blanchard Not Done With Allie

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8XVM461zEU

    Allie cut a promo in the back saying she doesn’t like Tessa Blanchard but rescued her last week because she promised she wouldn’t allow Su Yung to lock anyone else in a coffin.

    Blanchard also cut a promo in the back saying she sees right through Allie and that Allie is just coming for her title.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyiUyHyIdZQ

    On another note, Allie’s Demon friend Rosemary has been insinuating she could be back sooner rather than later.

    Katarina Is Not Allowed In Joe Hendry’s Bedroom

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBqrlrnbw84

    • Alisha Edwards defeated Katarina

    Katarina was in single’s action tonight. Joe Hendry and Grado opted to interrupt the match, however and played a special video to Katarina on the big screen.

    Hendry has mentioned that Impact Wrestling gives him a lot of creative freedom with his videos. With that in mind, it’s likely Hendry himself came up with the idea to poke fun at an old WWE angle Katarina was involved in.

    This resulted in Alisha Edwards rolling up Katarina for a quick 3-count. Katarina might be a little upset with Scarlett Bordeaux for what the Smoke Show said to her men.

    King Is Trying To Provoke LAX

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW51wBOY3Xk

    • LAX defeated the Frat

    LAX defeated local wrestlers the Frat. After the match, however, King and the OGZ attempted to provoke Konnan and LAX.

    Last week a ceasefire was ordered by a crime family boss. The ceasefire ends at Bound for Glory.

    Night of the Dummies Premieres Tonight

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C-4vnJxU_8&frags=pl%2Cwn

    Night of the Dummies will premiere on the Global Wrestling Network at 8 PM tonight.

    The matches for the event are as follows:

    • Eli Drake vs Eddie Edwards
    • Moose vs KM
    • Sean Carr vs Brute Vanslyke
    • Z&E vs LAX
    • Homicide vs TBD
    • Wagner Brown vs Axel Lennox
    • Alisha Edwards vs Rebel
    • Fallah Bah vs Richard Justice

    Impact Wrestling 9/13 Quick Results:

    1. The Lucha Brothers defeated the Cult of Lee
    2. Alisha Edwards defeated Katarina
    3. LAX defeated The Frat
    4. Brian Cage defeated Kongo Kong
    5. Impact World Championship
      Austin Aries (c) defeated Fallah Bah

    Bound For Glory (October 14th):

    • Impact World Championship
      Austin Aries (c) vs Johnny Impact
    • LAX & Konnan vs King & the OGZ
    • Brian Cage & the Lucha Brothers vs Sami Callihan & oVe
  • WALTER And WWE In Serious Negotiations

    WALTER And WWE In Serious Negotiations

    WWE is reportedly negotiating once again with powerful Austrian heavyweight wrestler WALTER. According to the Wrestling Observer, the two sides are close to striking a deal and the talks have gotten serious.

    “The situation with Walter is back alive,” Dave Meltzer wrote. “His name came up several times this past week and the belief was that talks had gotten serious between the sides.”

    The report continued to say WWE was interested in bringing WALTER in at the same time as Keith Lee this year but his WXW contract in Germany prevented this from happening.

    WALTER To WWE?

    It should be noted, however, that the last time there were rumors of WALTER going to WWE, the wrestler himself denied them.

    https://twitter.com/WalterAUT/status/969265942705434624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E969265942705434624%7Ctwgr%5E373939313b636f6e74726f6c%7Ctwcon%5Elogo&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prowrestlingsheet.com%2Fwalter-denies-wwe-offer%2F

    Then again, the same report was also denied by Keith Lee, who would sign a WWE contract shortly after.

    WWE often makes an attempt to keep the rumors under wraps until the wrestler is ringside at Takeover.

    WALTER is the current Defiant Internet Champion, OTT Champion, PWG Champion, and Progress World Champion. Last year, his match with Zack Sabre Jr from October 21st was awarded a 5-star rating by Meltzer. The PWI ranked WALTER as the 77th top male single’s wrestler of 2018.

    Do you want to see WALTER in WWE? Or should he stay where he is?

  • Video: Renee Young’s 2012 WWE Audition

    Video: Renee Young’s 2012 WWE Audition

    WWE has released video of Raw commentator Renee Young’s 2012 job audition. The clip has been added to the WWE Network as part of the Hidden Gems section. As seen below, Renee Young was given a pet grooming product and instructed to “sell” it” as a way to gauge her screen presence and improvisational speaking skills.

    WWE and Renee Young

    While Renee Young has been with the company since 2012, she has actually been working as a host for WWE programming longer than that. Young hosted “Aftermath” on the channel now known as Sportsnet 360 in Toronto. Aftermath is a post-game show for WWE programming aired on the channel.

    Young had been taking classes at the Second City Training Center down the block from the station in 2009 when she was hired to work on the show.

    WWE and Weird Broadcaster Auditions

    Young is not the only person WWE asked to sell a random product as part of an audition. Long before he was the President of WCW, Eric Bischoff auditioned for WWE once as well. The 83 Weeks host was asked to sell a broom. WWE opted not to hire Bischoff after his audition in 1990.

    After 6 years with the company, WWE recently announced Renee Young as the first full-time female broadcaster in the history of Monday Night Raw.

  • James Storm Already Done With MLW After One Appearance

    James Storm Already Done With MLW After One Appearance

    It appears that James Storm’ appearance at MLW War Games was simply a one-off. According to PWInsider, Storm and MLW have already agreed to part ways.

    Storm surprised fans when he showed up at the recent taping from Ft. Lauderdale’s War Memorial Coliseum. During a match between Tom Lawlor and Joey Janella, Storm hit the ring and attacked the leader of Team Filthy. Later in the show, he wrestled a squash match against a local competitor. In light of this latest development, we’ll see if MLW airs the segment with James Storm on Fusion.

    MLW Fusion

    A special episode of MLW Fusion will air this Friday night on BeIN Sports. The War Games match filmed last week is scheduled to air. The show is posted to YouTube Saturday nights at 6 PM.

    It is also being reported that several BeIN Sports executives were in attendance for the War Games event on September 6th. It is being reported that MLW will play a greater role on the network in the weeks and months to come.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BnaoUI4Hq3b/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=1r4y8k3d3vp42

  • Update On Cruiserweights Being Used As Managers In WWE

    Update On Cruiserweights Being Used As Managers In WWE

    Fans who have been watching Monday Night Raw recently may have noticed something out of place. WWE hasn’t used managers much in recent years as Vince McMahon is said to not be a fan of the role.

    205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick is now not only running the Cruiserweight division but also managing the Authors of Pain, however. Similarly, 205 Live’s Lio Rush cut a promo in the back yesterday hyping up his new client, Bobby Lashley.

    This development has fans asking two questions: Is WWE in favor of using managers again? And if so, are they going to continue using cruiserweights in the role?

    Cruiserweights As Managers In WWE

    According to a report from Fightful, the plan is to continue using some cruiserweights in this role. The report says that there is an effort backstage in WWE to add more managers to the product. Smaller cruiserweights who are good on the mic are seen as perfect for the role as well.

    A contributing factor to cruiserweights being used on Raw as managers is that they are often only booked for a half a dozen events per month. Using the better talkers in the division as managers is a way of maximizing their investment in that talent. It is also a way of easing the company back into using managers without having to invest in a performer permanently in the role.

    Rush has been paired with a larger partner previously in WWE. He was originally paired up with the gigantic Babatunde Aiyegbusi.

    Rush will continue to compete on 205 Live, however, as he is scheduled to face Noam Dar next Tuesday night.

  • WWE 2K19 Releases New Gameplay Trailer (Video)

    WWE 2K19 Releases New Gameplay Trailer (Video)

    WWE 2K19 will be available to those who pre-order the game on October 5th, 2018. The game goes on sale to the general public on October 9th.

    Just yesterday, the game manufacturer announced the entire “on-disc” roster for the game, which led to some controversy over certain characters not making the cut.

    2K released a new gameplay trailer today:

    WWE 2K19 Roster Omissions

    Several notable omissions from the game’s official “on disc” roster have been noted by fans. The most noteworthy, however, is the apparent removal from the game of NXT Champion, Tommaso Ciampa.

    Ciampa himself commented on his exclusion in a since-deleted Tweet. In the Tweet, Ciampa said “@WWEGames had their final roster reveal for WWE2k19,” Ciampa Tweeted. “A lot of people are wondering why The Champ is not in the game. Well, it’s quite simple. I’m The Champ for a reason. I don’t lose. Not in real life. Sure as hell not in your fantasy world.”

    Mick Foley has also been removed from the game. The man who will referee the Hell in a Cell match for the Universal Championship on Sunday previously had 3 different models in the game for his Cactus Jack, Dude Love, and Mankind characters.

    Rob Van Dam and recent Hall of Fame inductee Mark Henry are also not on the game’s official on-disc roster after having been in the game last year. Brian Kendrick and Nikki Cross are two others.

  • Impact Wrestling 9/13 Preview: Brian Cage vs Kongo Kong

    Impact Wrestling 9/13 Preview: Brian Cage vs Kongo Kong

    Tonight is a big night for Impact Wrestling. In real-time, the promotion will be in Mexico City for the first of two nights of television tapings. On television, Impact Wrestling will present the final show from their extended summer stay in Toronto’s Rebel nightclub.

    From July 22nd to August 13th, Impact Wrestling held 5 nights of shows which produced 8 episodes of Impact television and one universally-praised pay-per-views.

    Impact Wrestling 9/13 Preview

    Update on Johnny Impact

    The trio of Austin Aries, Moose, and Killer Kross took out Johnny Impact last week. After Johnny had declared he would be Austin Aries’ challenger at Bound for Glory, it didn’t take the champion long to try and take him out.

    We will hear from Johnny Impact tonight and find out if he will be ready come Bound for Glory. It’s going to be a big few weeks for Johnny. His season of Survivor will hit the airwaves later this month.

    The Lucha Brothers vs the Cult of Lee

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH1QrsZS_LY&t=9s

    While there may be rumors of Pentagon and Fenix possibly going to WWE in 2019, they will be in action on Impact Wrestling tonight. They are scheduled to go up against Trevor Lee and Caleb Konley in tag-team action.

    Last week, the Lucha Bros extended an invite to Brian Cage to help them in their rivalry against Sami Callihan and oVe. Perhaps Cage and the trio from Ohio will be watching this match closely tonight.

    Grado and Joe Hendry Have A Surprise For Katarina

    Scarlett Bordeaux whispered something to Hendry and Grado and it doesn’t appear to be working out too well for Katarina. After Hendry and Grado lost to the Desi Hit Squad last week, Katarina belittled Grado and confessed her love for Hendry. Unfortunately for her, Hendry really does only feel platonic love for his best friend’s girl. He was upset at Katarina for attempting to kiss him.

    Grado and Hendry will have some type of surprise for Katarina tonight.

    Brian Cage vs Kongo Kong

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8UnJg1nWPY

    Recently we’ve seen Brian Cage tear through the X-Division. He defeated Matt Sydal for the title at Slammiversary and has since defended it twice, once against the Sydal and once against Fenix.

    Tonight, however, Cage will be put in the ring with someone much larger than many of his X-Division opponents. It’s Monster vs Machine as Kongo Kong takes on Brian Cage in a non-title match.

    LAX In Tag Team Action

    A fictional crime boss has ordered the two factions into a ceasefire until Bound for Glory in New York. LAX will be in tag-team action tonight, however. It’s likely the OGZ won’t be too far away, however, as they prepare for the blowoff to this feud in New York.

    Also in Impact News:

    • Bound For Glory is officially sold-out.
    • Night of the Dummies debuts on the Global Wrestling Network tomorrow.
      • Eli Drake vs Eddie Edwards
      • Moose vs KM
      • Sean Carr vs Brute Vanslyke
      • Z&E vs LAX
      • Homicide vs TBD
      • Wagner Brown vs Axel Lennox
      • Alisha Edwards vs Rebel
      • Fallah Bah vs Richard Justice
    • Scarlett Bordeaux was yesterday’s guest on the Impact media conference call.
  • Mae Young Classic 9/12 Results

    Mae Young Classic 9/12 Results

    The second episode of the 2018 Mae Young Classic aired on the WWE Network last night. Matches 5 through 8 were shown as the tournament reaches the halfway point of the opening round.

    Mae Young Classic 9/12 Results

    Donna Purrazzo defeated Priscilla Kelly

    Before the match, Purrazzo spoke about being an alternate in last year’s tournament and how disappointed she was.

    EVOLVE’s Priscilla Kelly has had obstacles in her path to get to the Mae Young Classic as well. She was once featured on the television show “My Big Fat Romanian Gypsy Wedding” where she was being shopped around as a potential bride while she was just 14-years-old.

    It would be Purrazzo who would come away with the victory. She made Kelly tap to her Fujiwara armbar.

    Zeuxis defeated Aerial Monroe

    Cedric Alexander was shown in the crowd to watch his wife, Aerial Monroe, perform.

    It would be Zeuxis who punched her ticket to the second round, however. The luchador picked up the win with a Spanish Fly from the top turnbuckle.

    Kacy Catanzaro defeated Reina Gonzalez

    The woman from American Ninja Warrior that everyone has been talking about picked up her first win on WWE programming here. There was nearly a foot height difference between the two but the smaller Catanzaro was not deterred.

    It was a David and Goliath battle with Catanzaro using the ropes to try and gain an advantage on her much larger opponent. Catanzaro would then pick up the victory, seemingly out of nowhere, with a victory roll.

    After the match, it looked like Gonzales was going to attack Catanzaro but she then lifted her up on her shoulders instead. Catanzaro will face Rhea Ripley next.

    Mercedes Martinez defeated Ashley Rayne

    Ashley/Madison Rayne took a long road to get to the WWE. Once she got there, she’d lose her first match to Mercedes Martinez.

    In a bit of a surprise, Rayne (who had been featured in promos leading up to the tournament) was knocked out in the 1st round.

    Martinez made it all the way to the semi-finals last year and she’s off to a good start already in this year’s tournament as well. She picked up the win with a Fisherman Buster to advance to the second round.

  • Bad Luck Fale Comments On Fan Response To Firing Squad Angle

    Bad Luck Fale Comments On Fan Response To Firing Squad Angle

    Bad Luck Fale is a former IWGP Intercontinental Champion and founding member of Bullet Club. He’s also been a key member of Bullet Club’s Firing Squad during the ongoing faction civil war. He recently spoke to njpw1972.com on fan response to the Firing Squad angle, comparisons to the original Bullet Club in 2013, and more.

    Bad Luck Fale On Firing Squad Angle

    New Japan traditionalists have been critical of the factions use of outside interference in the G1 this year. Fale compares the reaction to what the original incarnation of Bullet Club received when they first formed.

    “After the first couple of nights, I said to the boys ‘boys, we’re back in 2013,’” Fale said. “It’s exactly how it felt. And I said to them ‘we’ve got to keep going, we’ve got to make the most of this’. That’s how our G1 turned out (laughs).”

    Fale wasn’t in San Fransico for the Firing Squad’s initial attack on the Elite. A subsequently released YouTube video would show he was actually the mastermind behind the assault, however.

    Perhaps the biggest match in the Elite vs Firing Squad rivalry yet will take place in Long Beach on September 30th. The Young Bucks are scheduled to defend the IWGP Heavyweight Tag-Team Championships against the Guerillas of Destiny that night.

    Fale also mentioned he doesn’t feel Bullet Club will ever solidify as one unit again.

    “I don’t think that we’re ever going to come back together,” Fale said. “Our views of how to take the group forward are too different at this point. The end goal for me is to still be here in ten years. Whatever happens to the Club, it’s not something I really think about. The end goal is for us to work together and still be here in another five, ten years from now.”

    He did have some positive words to say about the Young Bucks, however. The Bucks joined Bullet Club just months after its formation in 2013.

    “The Bucks were always good. Always good,” Fale continued. “I’ve always liked them because they rise up to the challenge that they’re faced with. When they first came in, the junior tag division really had no hype behind it, but them coming in helped us; they had a niche following on the American indie scene and from there, we helped them get bigger in Japan, and they helped us get bigger in America. For them to go from that level in 2013 to where they are now, that’s just amazing.”

    You can read the full interview here.