SEScoops

Author: Chris Stephens

  • Carmella Calls Out Asuka on Twitter, Asuka Responds

    Carmella Calls Out Asuka on Twitter, Asuka Responds

    Ms. Money in the Bank, Carmella, is disputing Asuka’s claim to an undefeated streak. Carmella won a battle royal on July 1st, 2016 which Asuka was also in.

    Asuka responded with the following:

    Asuka and Carmella will both be in the 1st ever women’s Royal Rumble match on Sunday. Their teams face each other in the MMC Challenge tonight.

    Asuka and Goldberg’s Undefeated Streak

    To be completely accurate, Asuka also wrestled in multiple fatal 4-way matches on NXT house shows in 2016 that she didn’t win either. She was never pinned or submitted, however, and has never lost a singles match.

    A little-known fact regarding Goldberg’s undefeated streak is that he actually lost a non-televised match to a wrestler named Chad Fortune on July 24th, 1997. The story goes WCW wanted to see how he would react to being asked to lose.

  • WWE Receiving Interest from Fox, Amazon, Facebook for Broadcast Rights

    WWE Receiving Interest from Fox, Amazon, Facebook for Broadcast Rights

    A recent article in Variety is stating Fox, Amazon, and Facebook are all vying for the rights to broadcast Raw or Smackdown. WWE’s contract with the USA Network ends in 2019. The increased interest in their product should give WWE more leverage in upcoming negotiations with USA and other potential suitors.

    “We are incredibly happy with our partnership with USA,” Stephanie McMahon said, “In terms of what the future might hold, I guess we’ll see, but we’ve been very, very happy and I hope NBC is happy as well.”

    Will WWE Leave the USA Network?

    In terms of Raw or Smackdown ending up being a WWE Network exclusive, Stephanie seemed hesitant to say the company would consider going that route:

    “We leverage a content ecosystem, so at the moment, it is absolutely relevant and necessary to have [our content] on linear platforms,” she says. “It is still reaching a broad audience and it’s still our most profitable line of business. One piece doesn’t work without the other. Ultimately, would ‘Raw’ and ‘SmackDown’ go to the WWE Network? Maybe. But that’s certainly not where we are now.”

    There are also continued rumors that Fox (or another company) are interested in buying WWE outright. In the wake of the $4 billion UFC sale last year, anything is possible.

  • 3 Matches Announced for Smackdown Tonight

    3 Matches Announced for Smackdown Tonight

    Three matches have been announced for Smackdown tonight. The show will emanate from the Capital One Arena in Washington DC.

    The new United States champion, Bobby Roode, will team with New Day to take on Jinder Mahal and Rusev Day. Roode defeated Jinder in the finals of the United States championship tournament last week.

    Naomi Will face Liv Morgan in singles action. This match should also build towards the first women’s Royal rumble match on Sunday.

    Also in one-on-one action tonight Chad Gable will be “in the match” against Jey Uso. On January 14th, Jey was arrested for DUI. WWE released the following statement shortly after.

    “Joshua Fatu is responsible for his own personal actions. We are investigating the matter and awaiting information from local law enforcement officials.”

    Confirmed Matches for Smackdown:

    • Jinder Mahal & Rusev Day vs. Bobby Roode & New Day
    • Naomi vs. Liv Morgan
    • Chad Gable vs. Jey Uso
  • Hulk Hogan Comments on Not Being at Raw 25 Last Night

    Hulk Hogan Comments on Not Being at Raw 25 Last Night

    After Raw 25 aired last night, Hulk Hogan sent out the following Tweet.

    “Very had sitting at home and not being at #Raw25 with all my friends but really enjoyed seeing it all. My how great the show was  HH”

    Hulk Hogan and WWE’s Relationship

    Last week, Hogan gave an interview to the Associated Press and spoke about how being black-balled from WWE has impacted him. Hogan and WWE parted ways 3 years ago after audio recordings of Hogan using racially insensitive language were leaked in the media.

    “I don’t know if (WWE) want me back,” Hogan admitted in the interview. “I think the fans want me back. I think that I’m part of that company from the ground up. Triple H I know is a huge fan of the guys that gave their blood, sweat and tears and their personal life to make this happen,”

    WWE responded to the article stating they were committed to their decision to distance themselves from Hogan.

    “AT THIS TIME, WWE REMAINS COMMITTED TO ITS DECISION.”

  • 205 Live House Show Results & Photos

    205 Live House Show Results & Photos

    WWE ran two 205 Live house shows over the weekend. The 1st show in Lowell is estimated to have drawn 1000 fans. On Sunday, the tour was in Poughkeepsie where attendance was said to have been nearly at capacity.

    https://twitter.com/arshardofm/status/954971522526994432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F411mania.com%2Fwrestling%2Ffan-report-205-live-house-show-attendance-pics%2F

    205 Live tour- Lowell Results: 

    1. Hideo Itami defeated Gentleman Jack Gallagher
    2. Gran Metalik & Kalisto defeated Drew Gulak & TJP
    3. Matt Hardy defeated Bray Wyatt
    4. Akira Tozawa defeated Ariya Daivari
    5. Mustafa Ali defeated Tony Nese
    6. WWE Cruiserweight Title Match (Special Referee: Nia Jax)
      Enzo Amore (c) defeated Cedric Alexander

    205 Live Poughkeepsie 

    The 2nd show was yesterday in Poughkeepsie, in what is being reported as a packed house in the Hudson Civic Center.

    https://twitter.com/AriyaDaivariWWE/status/955296899682193408

  • Matt Hardy Comments on EC3 and Undertaker’s True Age

    Matt Hardy Comments on EC3 and Undertaker’s True Age

    In addition to performing on the 205 Live shows this weekend, Matt Hardy also took time to comment publicly on Ethan Carter III and the Undertaker.

    It is believed ECIII is WWE bound and Hardy took the time to mention his past with him:

    ECIII was recently spotted at the WWE Performance Center.

    Matt Hardy Q and A

    Hardy also took part in a live Q and A session with fans on Facebook Live over the weekend. In addition to answering other questions, Hardy commented that he does not believe we have seen the last of the Undertaker.

    According to Matt, the Undertaker has been around for nearly 4000 years:

    “The Undertaker is one of the oldest souls in existence. I get chills speaking of him. He has been around for nearly 4,000 years. He was in the most powerful vessel ever when he was known as the Man of Dead, The Deadman. Yes, Undertaker — I have a very strong suspicion we have not seen the last of him. I have an enormous amount of respect for The Deadman. He is possibly the most magical Superstar in the history of World Wrestling Entertainment, the history of the WWE.”

  • Sasha Banks Wants WWE Women’s Tag-Team Titles

    Sasha Banks Wants WWE Women’s Tag-Team Titles

    Sasha Banks was recently interviewed by SkySports. The always out-spoken Banks had plenty to say regarding where she feels WWE should be headed with their women’s divisions.

    Banks has played a key role in WWE’s “women’s revolution/evolution”. She was in the 1st ever women’s match to main event a PPV and wrestled in the 1st women’s match in Abu Dhabi. Banks will also be involved in the 1st ever women’s Royal Rumble match on Sunday.

    According to her, the next step for WWE is women’s tag-team titles.

    Sasha Banks on WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships

    “I would love that,” Banks told Sky Sports. “I think we have enough women on the roster now to actually have a women’s tag division.

    “We’ve been given multiple storylines but at the same time, it’s very hard to accomplish something if you’re not actually fighting for anything. Only one woman can go after the women’s championship and I think if we had tag team championships we’d be able to create way more interesting storylines.”

    “We have tag matches all the time, every single week, so I say why not get a championship involved in that?”

    Banks also referred to herself as “the greatest women’s wrestler ever” during the interview, something she did 2 days earlier in an interview with TalkSport.

  • Alexa Bliss Comments on Potentially Facing Ronda Rousey

    Alexa Bliss Comments on Potentially Facing Ronda Rousey

    Reporters recently caught up with current Raw Women’s champion, Alexa Bliss, and asked her about possibly facing former UFC bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey.

    Rousey was recently seen having dinner with Triple H, fueling speculation we could see her in a WWE ring sooner rather than later. Rousey and Triple H’s public outing may have also been away for the company to draw attention to the upcoming 1st ever women’s Royal Rumble match and Rousey’s potential inclusion in it.

    Alexa Bliss Comments on Ronda Rousey

    When reporters asked Bliss if she was worried about Rousey taking her title, Bliss brushed off the question.

    “Please I’m a fighting champion, I’m not worried about anyone taking this belt” – Alexa Bliss

    Bliss was also asked about the possibility of Rousey appearing in the upcoming Royal Rumble and replied, “I think it’s a monumental moment in women’s history and if any woman wants to get involved, I think that’s awesome”.

    Asked if Bliss had a message for Rousey, Bliss simply replied “Good Luck”.

  • Tetsuya Naito Claims He’s Bigger Than IWGP Heavyweight Championship

    Tetsuya Naito Claims He’s Bigger Than IWGP Heavyweight Championship

    Tetsuya Naito has twice competed for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in the Tokyo Dome but has lost both matches to Kazuchika Okada. Although he did defeat Okada for the title in 2016, he would lose it back to him on only his 2nd title defense.

    Naito was recently announced as Tokyo Sports’ MVP for 2017, the 2nd straight year he has won the award. During his acceptance speech, Naito claimed he is bigger than the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. NJPW1972.com translated his comments below.

    Tetsuya Naito Acceptance Speech Transcribed

    ‘Representing New Japan Pro Wrestling and Los Ingobernables De Japon, your Tokyo Sports MVP is Tetsuya Naito. I’d like to thank the Tokyo Sports editorial board for naming me MVP. A lot of people saw me and Los Ingobernables De Japon as a flash in the pan, that just as quickly as we got popular, it’d all be over. Yet here I am, only the fifth in history to win this award two years straight. And I did this in a year where the IWGP champion held his belt from start to finish. What that means is that I exist on another plane. It means that Tetsuya Naito is bigger than the IWGP Championship. That’s not arrogance talking; that’s something that I’ve proven to everyone.”

    Naito was attacked by Chris Jericho on the New Years Dash show the night after WrestleKingdom. It is believed the two will wrestle each other sometime in the near future, possibly on the NJPW in Long Beach show on March 25th.

  • Shawn Michaels On Hypothetical Match with AJ Styles

    Shawn Michaels On Hypothetical Match with AJ Styles

    Shawn Michaels was recently interviewed by the Daily Mirror UK and commented on the once rumored match-up between he and AJ Styles.

    When asked about the possible dream-match, here is what HBK had to say,

    “There was talk about it possibly happening at WrestleMania. I think he’s an unbelievably talented young man. I wish I was 10 to 15 years younger because there are so many great guys. But it’s very important to me, I wouldn’t have retired unless I was ready to walk away. I’m flattered that every year when WrestleMania comes up people talk about me coming back, but I enjoy my time with my family, I enjoy watching WrestleMania and I also enjoy watching WWE move into the future.”

    Shawn Michaels Retirement

    Speaking on the importance of staying retired, Michaels had this to say:

    “It’s very important that continues to happen and the only way for it to do so is for some of us in a dignified way to walk away. Much as it would be interesting to be in there with some of those young men, it’s their time now and I think it’s important that we focus on them and the future of the WWE.”

    It doesn’t look as though we will see HBK wrestle anymore but that isn’t to say he doesn’t think about who he would like to face. Speaking on the current roster, HBK mentioned a few guys he would like to face in the ring:

    “There is just a litany of guys. I can go from Braun Strowman to Finn Balor and then you think about all the different guys between.”

  • Alberto El Patron Apologized to Triple H, Hopes for WWE Return

    Alberto El Patron Apologized to Triple H, Hopes for WWE Return

    Impact Wrestling star Alberto El Patron appears to be working to rebuild his public image. While promoting a charity event this Saturday with proceeds going to orphaned children in Mexico, Alberto claims to have apologized to Triple H for ‘things he said about him in the past’ and hopes to return to WWE.

    The article was in Spanish, a Google Translate version (i.e not perfect) of his comments are below:

    “I apologized to Triple H for the issues we were in when I was with the relationship with my ex-partner. She and her entire family made me believe that those who affected our relationship were them, specifically him. She made me believe that the videos (compromising of the fighter) and all that was outside was by Triple H and the company. Surely before I retire I will do something special with them.”

    Alberto said some pretty horrendous things about Triple H less than a year ago when he was dating WWE Superstar Paige. In a Periscope (or in this case, Perro-scope?) video that is still online, Alberto got deeply personal with his insults towards WWE’s COO:

    “Triple H, you are a f**** p*ssy, and I don’t have to be drunk to say this, you’re a p*ssy. You just married well, that’s all you did. You married well and you’re a p*ssy.”

    He continued, “Come to La Cantanita and I’ll say it again. I don’t have to be drunk or sober. You’ve got a big nose and no balls.”

    Alberto El Patron in AAA

    LuchaBlog.com also translated a recent Spanish language interview with AAA officials who indicated talks between the promotion and Alberto are ongoing. The article mentions it is likely Alberto returns to AAA.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7L4nOJZy50

  • Triple H, Stephanie & New Day Lip Sync Battle on Jimmy Fallon (Video)

    Triple H, Stephanie & New Day Lip Sync Battle on Jimmy Fallon (Video)

    Last night Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and the New Day competed in a lip sync battle on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

    The competition started with New Day singing “Motownphilly” by Boyz II Men. Jimmy Fallon went with “Billy Don’t You Lose My Number” by Phil Collins. As for Stephanie and Triple H, they ended up singing “How Far I’ll Go” from the Moana soundtrack, even though Triple H had wanted “Seek and Destroy” by Metallica. He got into it by the end, though.

    Check out the video below:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsSxRElRe1I

    New Day on Smackdown Live!

    New Day has fallen out of the tag-team title picture recently on Smackdown. For the last few weeks, the trio has been focussing on Xavier Woods’ inclusion in the U.S title tournament. Woods was recently eliminated in the semi-finals by Jinder Mahal.

  • Scott Hall to Wrestle At RAW’s 25 Anniversary Show?

    Scott Hall to Wrestle At RAW’s 25 Anniversary Show?

    Scott Hall was Sean Waltman’s most recent guest on his 12360 podcast and made some surprising comments about possibly wrestling on the RAW 25th anniversary special next week.

    Scott Hall on Wrestling on RAW 25

    Hall mentioned to Waltman that someone from the WWE office texted him and told him to bring his ring gear to the show.

    “I just got a text from the office that said, ‘Please bring your ring gear.’ I said, ‘Are you ribbing me? You’re going to tell me like three or four days in advance, ya know?’ Give me a little notice and for the right money, I’ll have abs showing. I said, ‘Now, how about I bring what I wear to appearances?’ I’ve got gimmick street clothes. But I think we’re going to have a rematch, so I’m just giving you a heads up. I think it’s about time I went over.”

    Scott Hall and Waltman shared a famous RAW moment in 1993 when Waltman scored an unlikely upset win over Razor Ramon. Wrestling as the 123 Kid, Waltman was used as enhancement talent at the time and his victory over Ramon helped establish RAW as a show where anything could happen.

  • Mark Henry: “I Am Not Retired”

    Mark Henry: “I Am Not Retired”

    Last week, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that 20-year WWE veteran has retired. The Olympic powerlifter addressed that report head-on in a new interview published by Sports Illustrated.

    Mark Henry Responds to Retirement Rumor

    The former Olympic powerlifter and World Heavyweight Champion told Justin Barrasso that the reports about his in-ring career being over are simply not true.

    “I’m not retired. There is still a lot I can do.”

    He did indicate, however, that at 47 years of age and with 2 kids, he is looking to spend more time at home and less on the road. “I love the WWE, I love the company, but I have two kids and they want me home,” said Henry.

    “They want me to see their recitals and sporting events, and I want to see them grow and evolve. My dad didn’t live with me when I was growing up, and he missed so much. I am not going to repeat that.”

    Mark Henry will appear at Monday’s RAW 25th Anniversary special.

  • Roman Reigns Issues Statement Addressing Steroid Allegations

    Roman Reigns Issues Statement Addressing Steroid Allegations

    Joe Anoa’i (Roman Reigns) has issued a statement regarding recent allegations made against him by Miami gym owner, Richard Rodriguez.

    Rodriguez was arrested last February as part of a $10 million steroid distribution ring. Under the name Wellness Fitness Nutrition, Rodriguez is alleged to have distributed steroids to several celebrity clients, one of whom he claims is Roman Reigns. Rodriguez made the allegations last week in a YouTube post.

    Roman Reigns’ Statement

    Reigns issued the following statement to ESPN yesterday on the matter:

    “I have never heard of Richard Rodriguez or Wellness Fitness Nutrition. I learned from the mistake I made nearly two years ago and paid the penalty for it. Since then, I’ve passed 11 tests as part of WWE’s independent drug testing program.”

    Reigns had been suspended for 30 days in June of 2016 for failing a Wellness Policy drug test.

  • NJPW Owner Wants To Sign More WWE Talent

    NJPW Owner Wants To Sign More WWE Talent

    New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s President, Takaaki Kidani, recently sat down with Tokyo Sports to talk about his promotion’s Wrestle Kingdom 12 event.

    During the interview, Kidani stated he is looking to work with more performers who, like Chris Jericho, have a history with WWE.

    Takaaki Kidani to Tokyo Sports

    “I will be able to pay more (fight money), and I also want more players involved with WWE to appear. I will do it until I say ‘Let’s get along’ from the other side. It has not become an adversarial relationship yet. It is also important to build a foundation in the United States.” Kidani told Tokyo Sports (via Google Translate).

    The original article can be found here. 

    As New Japan looks to continue its expansion in the United States, utilizing current and former WWE talent could be a piece of the puzzle to attract American fans. New Japan’s partnership with Ring of Honor makes NJPW/ROH a viable alternative for disgruntled WWE Superstars looking to ply their trade in a different environment.

    Discussion: If you’re New Japan, which WWE Superstars are you (realistically) looking to sign?

  • Rusev & Aiden English Training Lana for MMC (Video)

    Rusev & Aiden English Training Lana for MMC (Video)

    Rusev & Lana are 1 of 6 teams that have been announced thus far for WWE’s upcoming Mixed Match Challenge tournament. The show is to debut on Facebook Live on January 16th, 2018 after Smackdown.

    In preparation for the tournament, Rusev & Aiden English are helping Lana develop her wrestling skills.

    Mixed Match Challenge

    Here are the 5 other teams named thus far for the tournament:

    • Alexa Bliss & Braun Strowman
    • Charlotte Flair and Bobby Roode
    • Sasha Banks and Finn Balor
    • Naomi and Jimmy Uso
    • Nia Jax and Apollo Crews

    The following Superstars are expected to be in the tournament but have yet to be given a partner:

    • Alicia Fox
    • Asuka
    • Bayley
    • Goldust
    • the Miz
    • Fan Vote: Jason Jordan or Elias or Samoa Joe
    • Becky Lynch
    • Carmella
    • Natalya
    • Sami Zayn
    • Shinsuke Nakamura
    • Fan Vote: A member of New Day
  • James Ellsworth on WWE Run, Rumors of Transgender Gimmick, more…

    James Ellsworth on WWE Run, Rumors of Transgender Gimmick, more…

    James Ellsworth recently conducted an interview with Rolling Stone magazine. The always-positive 33-year-old, spoke highly of his time in WWE and his future in professional wrestling.

    James Ellsworth Interview Highlights

    On his time in WWE:

    “I feel like I understand the business, and when I signed, I said I’m going to enjoy every moment. I was hoping and praying it was going to be five or 10 years, but I was like, “This is probably going to have a short shelf life, so I’m going to do the best I can to stay here as long as I can.” But I felt I was looked at as short shelf life from the beginning, which I’m not bitter about.

    The whole thing’s bittersweet. I appreciate every opportunity WWE gave me. That’s the sweet part. The bitter part is I just don’t feel like I finished. Maybe I just didn’t finish now. Maybe I’ll finish there later, but I don’t think it was time to go. But it’s up to them, and they’re the ones who have taken this industry and made it into a global phenomenon, so they know more than I do I would imagine.”

    On Rumors of Vince wanting to give him a transgender gimmick:

    “All I can say is Vince never talked to me about it. If that was an idea, I surely didn’t know, and Vince and I never had a conversation about it, so I have no idea. [Laughs] Being in WWE, I can tell you a lot of the dirt sheets is just people guessing. I’m not saying that was, but it’s people guessing and hoping they’re right, and it gives their dirt sheet a reason to pay attention to it I guess.”

    The full interview with Rolling Stone can be read here.

  • Daniel Bryan Pulled From Live Appearance

    Daniel Bryan Pulled From Live Appearance

    Daniel Bryan has been pulled from a promotional appearance he was to make this weekend.

    The Smackdown General Manager will no longer be appearing at this weekend’s “World of Wheels” convention in Chattanooga, TN. As Bryan is normally not scheduled for house shows, he is free to make such appearances on behalf of WWE.

    Daniel Bryan Appearance Cancelled

    No reason has been given for Bryan’s cancellation. The convention only noted he will not be appearing due to reasons outside their control. Bryan has previously appeared at “World of Wheels” conventions in the past.

    One fan documented his experience at a World of Wheels convention where he was able to meet Bryan.

  • New Champions Crowned on Impact Wrestling (Full Results)

    New Champions Crowned on Impact Wrestling (Full Results)

    It was a big night on Impact Wrestling last night. 5 new matches aired, 4 of which were for championships and the other was a career vs career match.

    A new X-Division champion was crowned on Impact Wrestling last night. Taiji Ishimori defeated Trevor Lee to win the title. New tag-team champions were also crowned. Full results are below.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCOLA0CvZxA

    Impact Wrestling Results, January 4th, 2018

    1. Taijji Ishimori defeated Trevor Lee (c) (wins X-Division Championship)
    2. Ethan Carter III defeated Matt Sydal and Fallah Bahh (retains Grand Championship)
    3. Dan Lambert defeated James Storm (Career vs. Career Match)
    4. Eli Drake defeated Alberto El Patron (retains Global Championship)
    5. LAX defeated OVE (win tag-team championships)
  • Mick Foley on Advice He Gave to Braun Strowman, Women’s Royal Rumble, more…

    Mick Foley on Advice He Gave to Braun Strowman, Women’s Royal Rumble, more…

    Mick Foley recently conducted an interview with NBC Sports. The WWE Hall-of-Famer spoke on advice he gave to Braun Strowman and his thoughts on the 1st ever women’s Royal Rumble match.

    Mick Foley Interview Highlights

    On what challenges faced by performers in the 1st ever women’s Royal Rumble:

    “Just trying to live up to the lure of rumbles in the past will be a challenge. It is almost always the highlight of the show. The match really gains due to the anticipation during it.

    I’ll be rooting for the women. I’ll be glued to my TV set and just hoping that it goes as well as possible for everybody. I hope they have a couple of surprise entrees. Both from the past and a couple of new names.

    The women are so determined. Through sheer force of will, they’re going to have a very good match, but the one thing you can’t ever … you can’t book magic. I hope there’s that element of magic in the air when they take to the ring.”

    Foley on advice he’s given to Braun Strowman:

    “I had a major talk with him about the importance of throwing things backstage. [laughs] I told him about a legendary basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977, when Darryl Dawkins was ejected. I never saw the dressing room after he was done with it, but I heard about it and it was legendary in my mind and I said to him that he had a chance to be Darryl Dawkins after that game.

    He had the physical presence to do it. He was the one guy who had the strength to throw things around in a way that would be meaningful and I think he really took that lesson to heart. Anytime I see Braun Strowman throwing items backstage, I smile.”

    The full interview can be read here.

  • Wrestle Kingdom 12 Results

    Wrestle Kingdom 12 Results

    New Japan Pro Wrestling’s annual Tokyo Dome concluded early this morning. The 6-hour super-show featured 9 matches, 7 of which were for championships.

    Wrestle Kingdom 12 Results

    1. Masahito Kakihara won the New Japan Rumble
      • Kakihara won the Rumble by eliminating Cheeseburger last. The 45-year-old former Best of the Super Juniors winner has been battling cancer and encouraged people to donate to Takayama’s fund.
    2. The Young Bucks defeated Roppongi 3K (c) to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships
    3. Beretta, Tomohiro Ishii, and Toru Yano won the 6-Man Tag Team Championship Gauntlet
      • Former champions, Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, and Tanga Loa were the last team eliminated.
    4. Kota Ibushi defeated Cody
    5. Hirooki Goto defeated Minoru Suzuki to win the NEVER Openweight Championship
      • Suzuki was forced to shave the back of his hair off in the ring after the match.
    6. Will Ospreay defeated Marty Scurll, Hiromu Takahashi, and KUSHIDA to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
    7. Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Jay White to retain the IWGP Intercontinental Championship
    8. Kenny Omega defeated Chris Jericho to retain the IWGP United States Championship
    9. Kazuchika Okada defeated Tetsuya Naito to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
  • WWE Mixed Match Challenge: First Two Teams Announced

    WWE Mixed Match Challenge: First Two Teams Announced

    The first two teams for WWE’s new Mixed Match Challenge show have been announced:

    • Braun Strowman & Alexa Bliss
    • Bobby Roode & Charlotte

    We’ll update this thread as more teams are announced by RAW and SmackDown General Managers Kurt Angle and Daniel Bryan.

    WWE Mixed Match Challenge is a series that will premiere on the Facebook Live digital platform on Tuesday, January 16th. Inter-gender teams will square off in a tournament with the winning team earning $100,000 which they will donate to a charity they select.

    Kurt Angle announced on Tuesday night that Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore will be unable to compete in the MMC tournament due to illness (flu). He is currently working on securing a suitable replacement.

  • Rusev & Wendys Restaurant Discuss Rusev Day Celebrations

    Rusev & Wendys Restaurant Discuss Rusev Day Celebrations

    Rusev and the popular fast-food chain, Wendys, have been having a bit of a back and forth on social media recently.

    The Rusev/Wendys interaction started not long after the restaurant announced plans for January 4th to be “National Roast Day”.

    A fan responded to the post by simply wishing them a “Happy Rusev Day”.

    Upon finding out about this, Rusev made a special request of Wendys:

    Apparently, Rusev is a former Wendys employee.

    Rusev Day

    The belief is Rusev Day t-shirts are selling well as WWEShop initially ran out of stock not long after announcing the shirt’s release.

    Having debuted at the Royal Rumble in 2014, Rusev has been on the main roster for 4 years now and could be in-line for a considerable push given his recent popularity.

    Happy Rusev Day!

  • Former Lingerie Football Player Receives WWE Tryout

    Former Lingerie Football Player Receives WWE Tryout

    Susan Cashdollar is set to receive a WWE tryout in the coming weeks. She had previously played with the Cleveland Crush of the since-renamed, Lingerie Football League.

    Here is a promotional video for the league Cashdollar shot:

    Susan Cashdollar

    According to a report from Squared Circle Sirens, this will actually be Cashdollar’s 2nd WWE tryout, having received one back in 2014. Liv Morgan, Aliyah, and Zahra Schreiber were all signed from the set of tryouts she attended. Cashdollar has been working as a stunt person in recent years.

    If successful, Cashdollar would join Summer Rae as former Lingerie Football Players to sign with WWE. Summer previously played on the Chicago Bliss for 3 seasons.