Impact Wrestling star Taya Valkyrie successfully defended her Impact Knockouts Championship last night during the promotion’s Hard to Kill show. She defeated Jordynne Grace and ODB to retain, continuing her notable title reign. Following the matchup, Valkyrie took part in a post-match media press event. During this, she made her intentions clear: she wants a championship versus championship match against the Impact Wrestling World Champion.
Taya Valkyrie’s Claim
Valkyrie made her claim ahead of Tessa Blanchard’s championship match against Sami Callihan, saying:
“The only thing I have to say about Tessa Blanchard is, if she wins tonight, I’m the number one person in line to take her on,” Valkyrie claimed. “I think I proved that again tonight that I’m the number one woman in this company. That’s the only thing I will touch on with Tessa Blanchard because right now, she’s got something on her mind. I have what I came to do. If she comes to do what she says she’s gonna do, then it’ll be me and her: championship vs. championship.”
Blanchard was able to defeat Callihan in their matchup, making history by becoming the first-ever woman to hold the Impact World Championship. With this win, Blanchard has joined names such as Kurt Angle, Sting and AJ Styles as having held the promotion’s top title.
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Alex Shelley reflected on his recent WWE debut during an NXT Live Event in Pittsburgh, PA. Shelley partnered with KUSHIDA, reforming their Time Splitters tag team ahead of their Dusty Classic matchups. They faced off against the Forgotten Sons, ultimately coming out on top with the victory.
Taking to Twitter, the Superstar addressed how wrestling in WWE and their black-and-gold brand has been a dream of his. He then highlighted how the past few years haven’t been easy for him, but noted that “If a single person can draw some inspiration and strength from this? Win.”
“I’ve more to say, but wrestling for @WWE and @WWENXT specifically has been a dream of mine for awhile. I have had to do a lot of hard things in life, especially the last few years. But so have you. If a single person can draw some inspiration and strength from this? Win. Thanks.”
Alex Shelly’s Not Even Mad
Shelley shared how he had broken down on the highway following an NXT show in Warren, OH. Despite the setback, Shelley didn’t let it bother him. Instead, he stated “studying for my CSCS exam, looking up chords to @TogetherPangea songs, reading Scott Pilgrim books. Not even mad. The high I experienced this weekend was immeasurable. Thank you, NXT, Kushi, everyone.”
Broke down on the highway post @WWENXT in Warren, OH, studying for my CSCS exam, looking up chords to @TogetherPangea songs, reading Scott Pilgrim books. Not even mad. The high I experienced this weekend was immeasurable. Thank you, NXT, Kushi, everyone.
Alex Shelley will team with KUSHIDA against the team of NXT UK’s Grizzled Young Veterans. They clash in the first round of the 2020 Dusty Classic this Wednesday on NXT.
Despite his rise through the ranks on WWE’s black-and-gold brand, Damien Priest has confessed that coming to WWE made him feel as though he had only “just started.” Prior to signing with WWE, the NXT Superstar had experience on the independent circuit and with other promotions such as Ring of Honor, where he wrestled as Punishment Martinez.
“I feel like because of the knowledge that I’ve gained here, it’s like I just started,” Priest told Sporting News. “It really does feel that way and I’m still constantly asking “was that OK, is this good, how can I make this better?” like if I just started.”
Damien Priest On Needing A Game Plan
Training at the WWE Performance Center and performing in NXT has been a different experience for Priest. He highlighted how Superstars have to “explain it to ourselves as to why we do the things we do and have them make sense” as opposed to having no game plan or understanding behind their actions and character motivations.
“Before, you just go into a match or promo or appearance but there has to be more to it,” he explained. “I used to fight before I was in pro wrestling and it’s the same thing for preparation. You can’t just go out there and start swinging wildly.”
He continued, “You actually have to have a game plan, you have to have a reason and know how to defend yourself and create a game plan. It’s kind of the same thing where I never put two-and-two together and never realized that’s the way I should have always attacked this business.”
Damien Priest was unable to secure a victory this past Wednesday night on NXT. He competed in a Fatal 4 Way match up to determine the new number one contender for Roderick Strong’s NXT North American Championship.
All Elite Wrestling’s Cody Rhodes has reiterated the company’s interest in performing in Canada. The AEW Executive Vice President and in-ring talent addressed their intentions during an interview with TSN. He claimed that “there are definitely plans for 2020 in Canada.”
“I have the best respect for the Canadian wrestling fans and they’ve always been incredibly good to me,” said Rhodes. “There’s no way you can start a global wrestling company without making plans to go to Canada and making Canada a part of your fabric.”
He continued, “For people watching on TSN, just stay tuned and that will come to fruition. There are definitely plans for 2020 in Canada because it’s a great audience and everyone likes to wrestle in Canada. I look forward to it.”
Cody Rhodes On The Fan Experience
Rhodes also opened up about how the most important thing to AEW is the fan experience. He stated how there is “no single way to do wrestling” and that the only real indicator is the live audience reaction. For him, “There’s nothing more important than getting over with the fans. […] Fan experience is the only indicator on if you’re doing it right.”
Cody Rhodes competed this week on AEW: Dynamite on TNT. He teamed up with his brother Dustin Rhodes in a matchup against the Lucha Bros, Rey Fenix and Pentagon Jr. He is currently feuding with his former best friend, MJF, who has laid out several stipulations he must agree to earn a match.
Speaking on After83 Weeks, former President of WCW Eric Bischoff spoke openly about the current pro wrestling market. Bischoff was honest in his assessment, alluding to an oversaturated product that currently struggles to stand out from one another. He noted how the current climate creates a difficult balance in creating compelling content without overexposing talent.
“One of the big challenges now is that there’s so much content out there. WWE’s got three hours on Monday night, SmackDown, two hours of broadcast on Friday night,” Bischoff said. “AEW’s got two hours on Wednesday night. NXT’s got two hours on Wednesday nights. My God, there’s so much content available.”
“You know, there’s a finite number of wrestling fans,” he explained. “The pool of wrestling fans out there in the audience is only so big and they’re being drenched with content and great content, by the way, not bad content. Great content. And I think there’s a point where you’re giving it away. You’re producing so much content out there that it’s hard to create great content. And that’s the key is when you put on a show, whether it’s a pay-per-view, whether it’s Monday Night Raw, whether it’s SmackDown, whether it’s Dynamite, whatever it is, NXT, it’s got to be compelling content.
“And when you start just putting out more and more and more, that’s really hard to do. There’s a limit to how much really special great content that you can create [and] not overexpose your talent. And that’s another big issue.”
Eric Bischoff’s Take
Bischoff pointed to the low ratings RAW received near the end of 2019. He speculated about what could be behind them: the talent, the writing team or the overall presentation. “Or perhaps it’s the fact that there’s so much content out there that none of it feels special anymore.”
He acknowledged how “challenging” the current marketplace is. Bischoff explained how if a fan missed an event on Monday, they don’t need to worry as there’ll be great stuff on Wednesday. If they miss Wednesday, it’s only a few days until Friday. And, if a fan manages to miss it all, the majority of the key moments from the shows will be available in bite-sized YouTube clips.
Sami Callihan is sick of the term “intergender wrestling.” The Impact Wrestling World Champion shared his thoughts on the issue in a recent interview. He also addressed why he believes himself to be the hero of his feud with Tessa Blanchard.
Speaking with the WINCLY podcast, Callihan explained how he was the first to provide equality in pro wrestling by looking at a woman as an “actual competitor and an equal.”
When it comes to why he believes Blanchard is the heel in their feud, Callihan points to her being a “millennial brat.” He noted how people have more in common with him than her.
“I feel more people have stuff in common with me than they do Tessa Blanchard who is just another millennial brat who’s been able to do whatever she wants. She hasn’t had to bust her ass for anything. She’s been handed everything since day one for every company she’s walked into. Now she’s been wrestling for 5-6 years at most and she thinks she’s on the same level as me.
Sami Callihan Is Done With The Term “Intergender Wrestling”
With Callihan being so open to wrestling against female challengers, he feels the term “intergender wrestling” has become antiquated. For him, there are no gender boundaries anymore in matchups. It’s all just professional wrestling.
“I’m sick of the term intergender wrestling because at this point it should just be professional wrestling,” Callihan stated. “I’ve said this in every interview I’ve done in the last six months. The term intergender wrestling isn’t something we need in 2020 as everyone needs to be looked at as equals. Male or female – whatever you consider yourself, you need to be considered just a professional wrestler because professional wrestling is supposed to be for everyone, correct?”
Sami Callihan defends his Impact Wrestling World Championship against Tessa Blanchard this Sunday. Blanchard has previously shared how their match will see them “shattering ceilings.”
The two will clash at Impact Wrestling’s Hard To Kill event. The show takes place in The Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas.
NXT Superstar Damien Priest has been making waves since his debut on the black-and-gold brand. As well as being a top talent in the ring, Priest also has a captivating entrance. In an interview with Sporting News, Priest opened up abut refining his entrance to suit his character. He managed to achieve this with the help of a WWE Legend who knows all about attention-grabbing entrances: “The Game” Triple H.
Damien Priest On Creating Presence
Priest reflected on his love of pro wrestling growing up. For him, it was never about the flashiest moves. Instead, it was the spectacle that captured his imagination. This drive for spectacle is something Priest has attempted to showcase throughout his career, always making sure his “presence was felt a little differently than everybody else.”
“There’s no shortage of good pro wrestlers and good entertainers,” he said. “There’s so many of them nowadays. But I’ve always been adamant about the way I was presented. I wanted to make sure it was special every time. I didn’t want somebody to turn on the TV midway through an entrance and change the channel. I wanted them to be intrigued without me even performing yet in the ring. That’s how I feel in love with the business.”
Capturing The Spectacle
Priest then pointed to Legends like The Undertaker and The Ultimate Warrior and the way they could entertain the crowd before they even stepped in the ring. It was something Priest wanted to capture with his own character.
“It was mesmerizing and I wanted to make sure that was a part of what my presentation was. I had a writeup of ideas that I brought to Triple H. He was super cool, didn’t turn down any ideas, he just morphed them to make them better and was very adamant about — in agreement with me about — that my presentation had to be unique and special because there’s no shortage of guys that can go in the ring.”
He continued, “This company, especially our brand, it’s known for our go, go, go, in-ring style so that’s not an issue. The issue was creating something that stood out a little bit differently and created something a little more special which I’ve tried to do my entire career no matter where I worked. Here, with the production team we have, we’re able to do it in a way cooler way and I was excited.”
Full Entrance
Priest added how the presentation of his character with WWE’s guidance really excited him when he first signed with the promotion. He shared how, when he and other Superstars go over ideas, he will stress the importance of his full entrance.
“I’m like as long as I have a full entrance, whatever you guys need me to do and everybody starts laughing because that, to me, is so important, the presentation aspect. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to do and the way it’s perceived. People dig it and I’m glad because we worked hard at it.”
Damien Preist took part in a Fatal 4 Way on this week’s episode of NXT. The winner of the match would become the new number one contender to Roderick Strong’s NXT North American Championship. Keith Lee would emerge victorious.
All Elite Wrestling has officially signed Austin Gunn. Last week, his father, Billy Gunn, teamed with Austin following AEW: Dynamite in Jacksonville, FL. Although it was initially believed their matchup against Shawn Spears and Preston Vance would be a part of the most recent AEW: Dark, the bout was not present in the uploaded episode. According to ProWrestlingSheet’s Ryan Satin, however, that was always the plan.
For those wondering, sources say Billy Gunn’s match w/ son Austin Gunn taped at Dynamite last week was never intended to be on Dark & was more of a tryout.
I’m told the tryout went well & Austin will team w/ Billy again tonight for a match that will likely air on Dark next week.
Sources claimed that The Gunn Club’s matchup was never intended to air on Dark. Instead, it acted as more of a tryout for Austin. This tryout evidently went well, as not only did Austin and Billy go on to face the team of Shawn Spears and Peter Avalon after last night’s Dynamite, AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes would come out after their match to announce they have signed Austin to AEW.
This taped matchup will most likely air on next week’s episode of Dark, which is available to watch on the promotion’s YouTube channel.
Austin Gunn has previously appeared on AEW. He made his debut for the company during the All Out Battle Royal in 2018. That match was eventually won by a masked Flip Gordon. He also competed in last year’s Ring of Honor Top Prospect Tournament, losing in the finals to Dak Draper.
WWE Superstar Kevin Owens is currently affiliated with the promotion’s red brand, RAW. Despite this brand association, Owens made a recent return to NXT. He joined Team Ciampa in their efforts against The Undisputed Era. The two teams clashed in a WarGames match this past November during WWE’s NXT TakeOver: WarGames event. Now, on the latest edition of WWE show The Bump, the former Universal Champion addressed the possibility of returning to the black-and-gold brand.
Kevin Owens’ Conditions
Owens compared the NXT Championship to the WWE Championship and Universal Championship. He noted how the way that NXT now presents itself as a third brand as opposed to developmental has helped to elevate the prestige of the belt.
He explained how, if WWE officials approached him and informed him he was to return to NXT, he would be immediately okay with that. If, however, they added that he would be returning to NXT for a championship opportunity, that would be an offer he would immediately jump on.
Returning To NXT
Several Superstars have since returned to NXT after time on WWE’s RAW and SmackDown rosters. Most notably Finn Balor, who quickly reinserted himself into the NXT Championship picture upon his return. Both Fandango and Tyler Breeze have also found themselves back in Orlando for NXT duties.
Kevin Owens recently teamed with Samoa Joe and a returning Big Show on this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW. They defeated Seth Rollins and the Authors of Pain via disqualification.
Prior to his debut during the 2016 Royal Rumble, Superstar AJ Styles had made a name for himself worldwide, tearing up the competition in TNA, Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Despite his international acclaim, however, Styles still came into WWE with a need to prove himself.
A Chip On AJ Styles’ Shoulder
Speaking recently with Busted Open Radio, Styles looked back on his accomplishments from the past decade. He noted how, given his journey, if he had ended his career in WWE, “that is pretty darn good.” Regardless, he couldn’t deny there was a drive to prove he belonged in WWE.
“It always feels good but even though we’re talking about 2013-2014 going in there with a chip on your shoulder trying to put on great matches, it never really stops,” Styles confessed. “I had to do the same thing once I got into WWE. I had to show people that I belonged here and went in there with a chip on my shoulder and get after it. You then still have matches where you say, ‘Okay, they put me in a position where you don’t know if they think it’s going to be a good match but we’re going to show them’, stuff like that.
He continued, “There is always moments of showing people that you either still have it or you can still do it, or it doesn’t matter who you are in the ring with you can still go after it.”
AJ Styles recently announced that he will be one of the participants in WWE’s upcoming 30-Man Royal Rumble match. He is currently feuding with “The Viper” Randy Orton.
NXT Superstar Damien Preist has reflected on being rejected by WWE—not once but twice over the past five years. Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Priest noted how he was able to turn trials like being “overlooked” into motivation to fuel him on his journey.
“WWE turned me down twice in the last five years. I thought I’d never have the chance to work here,” Priest said. “Then, a year later, my contract was up with Ring of Honor, and I got a phone call from WWE. Since starting in late 2018, the Performance Center has me in the best shape of my life, I feel like a rookie all over again, and I’m excited for everything to come.”
Becoming Damien Priest
With Priest’s growth as an in-ring talent and rise up the ranks in the black-and-gold brand, he is quick to give credit to those who helped train him. One person, in particular, has helped him really hone his character and presence: WWE Performance Center Head Coach, Matt Bloom.
“Every single coach has played a part, and Matt Bloom has helped with my demeanor and presence,” Priest shared. “He wants me to give off a feeling just by the way I look at him. He’s adamant about my cadence and delivery and mannerisms. All of the coaches have taken everything I am and morphed it into the best wrestler possible, and a lot of my presence is thanks to Bloom. He gets me thinking.”
He noted how he has now “become” Damien Priest, rather than just portraying a character on television. Whereas before he felt he was acting as Priest, now it is “a real feeling.”
Priest took part in a Fatal 4 Way to determine a new number one contender to Roderick Strong’s NXT North American Championship. Keith Lee would ultimately secure the victory and will go on to face Strong.
Impact Wrestling star Tessa Blanchard recently opened up about intergender wrestling “shattering ceilings.” She also discussed her upcoming matchup against Sami Callihan at this Sunday’s Hard to Kill event. The two clash for Callihan’s Impact World Championship. She made her championship interests clear following Callihan’s victory over then-champion Brian Cage back in October.
Using Platforms To Make An Impact
Speaking with Busted Open Radio, Blanchard explained how she feels women are now being given a platform in multiple promotions.
“[…] you’re seeing the first this and the first that, and the first this and the first that, and I think it’s so great, it’s so great for the evolution of women’s wrestling and women’s athletes all together,” she said. “And one thing that stood out to me about all that was, at first I let it bother me a little bit, it would kind of give me an itch that, oh man, I want to be part of the first this and the first that and this to happen, but I want to be different.”
She continued, “I want to make an impact on the business in a way that is different than anybody else has, and I feel like Impact is giving us the platform to do that through intergender wrestling which is really cool to me.”
Tessa Blanchard On “Shattering Ceilings”
Turning her thoughts to her match with Callihan, Tessa Blanchard reflected on the amount of attention their main event bout has received. She speculated that the match could generate even more buzz after Sunday as “what we’re doing is really special.”
“[…] we’re really breaking the mold, we’re shattering ceilings, it’s making people, it’s either disrupting them or people are supporting it,” Blanchard stated. “It’s cool that we’re getting a reaction either way because it’s drawing awareness to intergender wrestling which we view as just pro-wrestling because we’re in the time in 2020 where women are looked at as athletes. Women can go out there and kill it better than men, if not, the same as men. It’s a cool thing where we are in 2020. And for Sami and I to be looked at as kind of a bullet point in the evolution of it all is a really cool thing.”
Impact Wrestling’s Hard to Kill takes place this Sunday, January 12th from The Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas.
When asked if McIntyre could be the first-ever Scottish and British WWE Champion, and whether he might achieve this accomplishment in 2020, Triple H replied:
“I think it’s a possibility,” Triple H said. “Drew has had an incredible run, started off at such a young age, and he’s still so young now and he’s kind of just coming into his own now as a performer, really. I told him that the sky is the limit for him. He left for a while, he had to go clear himself out and realise what he wanted, and step away and come back even better.”
Triple H continued, “He’s an incredibly hard worker and he’s as serious as serious can be. He wants to be the best in the world and, when you have that type of attitude and that strong work ethic, absolutely, it’s a possibility.”
Drew McIntyre’s Royal Rumble Ambitions
McIntyre has made his championship intentions clear in the past. He recently announced he will be participating in this month’s 30-Man Royal Rumble match. Other Superstars competing for a championship opportunity include Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio and AJ Styles.
This past Monday night on RAW, Paul Heyman revealed that his client, and current WWE Champion, Brock Lesnar, would also be participating in the match. Lesnar will start the match as the very first entrant.
Both Triple H and former NXT UK commentator Vic Joseph have shared their excitement ahead of this weekend’s NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool II event.
Taking to Twitter, “The Game” Triple H reflected on how the event takes them back to where it all began. He shared how NXT UK’s mentality gave fans and Superstars a place to rally behind and claim “THIS IS OUR BRAND.”
“Back to where it all began. Where fans and Superstars alike joined together to say THIS IS OUR BRAND. Before we return to Blackpool for #NXTUKTakeOver: Blackpool II, see how we got there. See the latest #PrimeTarget on this week’s episode of @NXTUK on @WWENetwork. #WeAreNXTUK”
Vic Joseph’s First Opportunity
Joseph, who previously worked on the NXT UK brand before being moved to RAW, added his thoughts on the event. He expressed how it was difficult for him to convey how much NXT UK means to him as a brand, given that it provided him with his first opportunity. He also shared his gratitude in how it allowed him to learn from and work closely with Nigel McGuinness.
“Hard to put into words what @NXTUK means to me. It’s where @TripleH gave me my first opportunity, where I learned from @McGuinnessNigel, where I was part of the foundation that grew into an empire! Don’t miss #NXTUKTakeOver: Blackpool II THIS Sunday on the @WWENetwork #WeAreNXTUK”
NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool II takes place this Sunday, January 12th from the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool, England. It will be main evented by WALTER against Joe Coffey for the NXT United Kingdom Championship.
Drew McIntyre recently participated in WWE’s new WWE Network series, Break It Down. Speaking directly to the camera, McIntyre—whose real last name is Galloway—recalled how he was presented with the surname ‘McIntyre’ when he first came back to WWE.
From Drew Galloway To Drew McIntyre
McIntyre remembered having a conversation with Michael Hayes and Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie asked whether Drew Galloway was actually his real name. Upon finding out that it was, she revealed that it may be something they needed to change despite the fact he was due in the ring within the next ten minutes.
“Stephanie McMahon says to myself and Michael Hayes, ‘Is Drew Galloway your real name?’ I said ‘Yeah’, and she’s ‘Oh…we might need to change that.’ And I’m on, legitimately, in about two matches, maybe 10 minutes max,” McIntrye said. “So myself and Michael Hayes ran straight to talent relations. He quickly told them bring up Wikipedia, a bunch of Scottish names. We went from ‘A’ all the way through.”
He continued, “I listened to these names with a very limited time frame to get a new name. As soon as I heard—it was ‘McDonald’ first, he liked—I went nope, I know a ‘Drew McDonald,’ can’t be him. I need three syllables. Fans have to chant when I’m good one day, and he said, ‘Mc-In-tyre’ and I said ‘McIntyre’. ‘Mc-In-tyre’. That’s the one.”
He then revealed how they rushed back to the Gorilla Position for him to ready himself for his match. They told the ring announcer his new name but, despite being announced as Drew McIntyre, the Superstar revealed if fans look at the titantron behind him, the video still shows snippets of ‘Drew Galloway’ on the screen.
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WWE Superstar The Miz was a guest on this week’s episode of FS1’s WWE Backstage. He joined hosts Renee Young, Christian, Paige and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T. During the interview, Miz spoke about his continuous drive to be at the top of WWE. He also mentioned who he believes could be a top talent for the company.
The Miz On Wanting To Be “The Face” Of WWE
The Miz noted how he was not heavily featured in a string of recent SmackDown commercials. He explained how things like this fire him up to want to do better and work even harder: “I know I’m not the most talented guy,” Miz said. “I know I’m not, but I guarantee I will work harder than the most talented guy and my talents will shine through my hard work.”
He then reflected on what motivates him as a WWE Superstar. Miz admitted his ambition remains to be the “face” of WWE and compete for WWE’s “major” championships.
“What motivates me? What doesn’t motivate me? I think as a WWE Superstar, you’re always wanting to be the best. Whenever I see any type of NFL promotion of WWE SmackDown and I’m not the face, and I see Roman there…Granted, I love Roman Reigns, I think he does a tremendous job, but I want to be the face of WWE. Whether it’s SmackDown, whether it’s RAW, I want to be that guy.”
He continued, “I want to hold the major championships: the WWE Championship, the Universal Championship. There’s just something that thrives in me, and I think there’s a certain mentality that people have—that you need to have—in order to do that.”
When the conversation turned to who could become a solid main event player, Miz was succinct with his response, naming the recently returned Elias as his one to watch. He also shared that he enjoys watching fellow SmackDown Superstars Otis and Mandy Rose, claiming that his segments are his favorite thing on WWE TV at this point in time.
Miz also cut a promo during his time on WWE Backstage where he apparently took a jab at CM Punk. It didn’t take long for Punk to respond.
All Elite Wrestling’s President Tony Khan recently joined the South Beach Sessions podcast. During the show, he was asked about when his father, Shahid “Shad” Khan, realized that AEW would be a success.
Tony Khan On His Father’s “Leap Of Faith”
Tony recalled how that moment didn’t occur until the promotion had launched. Up until that time, Shad had been working on a “leap of faith” based off of projections Tony provided him.
“I had to tell him, ‘I expect people are going to buy these PPVs, I expect we’re going to get this television deal, right now is the perfect time to start a wrestling company because of the abundance of talent that’s available.”
It wasn’t until Warner Media executive Kevin Reilly got involved that Shad was able to see the potential the existed within his son’s ideas.
Tony explained how “With Kevin coming in, my dad was of course interested because here’s the president of WarnerMedia, the president of these huge cable channels, TNT and TBS, so he’s showing some interest in this, so my dad’s I think thinking, ‘Okay well I probably should show up and show some interest in this,’ but he knew when that happened, ‘Okay, well if the networks are taking a look at this, then this must be a serious deal.’”
Creating An Alternative
Despite his initial scepticism and concerns, Tony Khan shared how his father’s leap of faith had paid off. Although Tony had his own worries, he believed in wrestling fans and the wrestling community. He thought the promotion would be the alternative that fans have been wanting and that AEW would “make people sit up and take notice.”
This past Monday on RAW, Paul Heyman announced that his client, Brock Lesnar, would be participating in January’s Royal Rumble. Not only that, but he would be the Rumble’s first entrant. In the wake of the news, former WWE Superstar Bully Ray stressed the potential importance of the number thirty entrant. He has previously speculated over the narrative impact this person could have. Now, Bully Ray has broached the impact WWE could generate if it were a person from Heyman’s past: CM Punk.
Bully Ray On Why CM Punk Should Be #30
“I think that if there’s hope that surrounds any one wrestler more than anybody else, it’s him,” Bully Ray said. “[…] even though he keeps pro wrestling at more than an arm’s length, I think that fans everywhere hope to see him back.”
He continued, “And the only reason I’m suggesting CM Punk is not for the shock value of him being the surprise entrant. It’s for the story that it could present for Brock. Check this out: Brock is standing by himself, end of the match. He ran the gamut, everybody’s out, who the hell is going to be number thirty? Punk’s music hits. The place is going to go absolutely bats—t crazy.”
Bully Ray added to his theory, heightening the drama of his proposed idea. He suggested how “Punk enters the ring, Punk and Brock Lesnar are face-to-face. That hard camera shot shows you them face-to-face, and splitting right in the middle is the look of horror, Paul Heyman looking like Kevin from Home Alone with that look of horror on his face.”
Bully Ray concluded by stressing the idea of a WrestleMania main event matchup between a returning CM Punk against Brock Lesnar. He highlighted how invested fans would be in such a confrontation, and that the interest would be big business for WWE.
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Ric Flair has issued some high-rise upon his soon-to-be son-in-law, Andrade. The WWE Hall of Famer took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the WWE United States Champion. He declared that after this past Monday’s episode of RAW, the Superstar has “Moved Into The Elite Class Of Being One Of The Top 5 Performers In The WWE!”
Ric Flair’s Elite Class
Flair shared how the other four Superstars already “Know Who They Are.” He revealed he has already spoken to them. For “The Nature Boy,” his top five rankings aren’t simply speculation, they’re fact. Ric Flair accompanied his thoughts with a picture of Andrade looking lovingly at his WWE US Championship. In the image, he is flanked by his manager, Zelina Vega.
“After Last Night’s RAW, In My Opinion, The Great @AndradeCienWWE Has Moved Into The Elite Class Of Being One Of The Top 5 Performers In The WWE! The Other 4 Know Who They Are Because I Have Already Told Them. This Isn’t Up For Speculation. This Is A Fact!”
After Last Night’s RAW, In My Opinion, The Great @AndradeCienWWE Has Moved Into The Elite Class Of Being One Of The Top 5 Performers In The WWE! The Other 4 Know Who They Are Because I Have Already Told Them. This Isn’t Up For Speculation. This Is A Fact! pic.twitter.com/f34aJzvhW2
Andrade recently shared his intentions to becomes the “new face” of Latinos. He noted how he is working towards securing his own personal legacy—one that respects and acknowledges those notable Latino Superstars before him but is distinctly his own. He proposed over the holidays to his now-fiancee, Charlotte Flair.
Ember Moon has revealed how she suffered her unfortunate Achilles injury back in September 2019. The SmackDown Superstar caught up with Booker T on an episode of his podcast, The Hall of Fame, where she addressed the situation that led to her injury—one that involved the WWE 24/7 Championship.
Ember Moon’s Championship Chase
Moon recalled being asked by WWE to take part in a “24/7 title run” as Carmella had won the championship the night before. She admitted that she was fine with being a part of the segment, but confessed that she had a “bad feeling” going into it. Being a self-confessed team player, however, Moon was still willing to take part.
“We do the run through and I told Truth, I was like, ‘Truth, you better run, I’m gonna catch you, Truth. If I catch you, I’m tackling you and you’re going down.’ And so when we actually did it, I literally caught them right before we went through the curtain,” she said. “So they go through the curtain and they didn’t realize how close I was behind them. As I’m coming through, the curtain shuts, I open it, go through. Truth is dropping Carmella and I’m going full speed and I had to hit the brakes. I was just like, ‘whoah,’ BOOM, and I felt a pop.”
Whislt rehabbing and recovering away from in-ring competition, Ember Moon revealed during a previous appearance on WWE Backstage that she has accepted a coaching opportunity. Moon has been away from the ring dealing with this injury since her last television appearance on the September 23rd episode of Monday Night RAW.
Matt Hardy has directly addressed his current brand status in WWE. Responding to a Twitter question, the Superstar described his current as “Matt Hardy in LIMBO.” He also pointed out how, despite appearing on RAW, he was never officially a part of that roster.
“Ever since I returned last February, I’ve been listed on the #SmackDown roster. When I performed on #RAW in November & December, I wasn’t ever officially put on RAW roster. Saw several websites suggesting I’d switched roster pages, but not the case. Call me Matt Hardy in LIMBO”
Ever since I returned last February, I’ve been listed on the #SmackDown roster. When I performed on #RAW in November & December, I wasn’t ever officially put on RAW roster. Saw several websites suggesting I’d switched roster pages, but not the case.
After an extended period away from in-ring action, Matt Hardy returned to the ring on RAW. Upon his return, many fans were surprised to see him wearing attire reminiscent of his time in Team Xtreme alongside Lita and his brother, Jeff Hardy.
Despite a swell of excitement following his initial comeback, Hardy was, unfortunately, able to accrue much momentum on his time on the red brand, losing matches week after week.
Serving Two Masters
In a recent episode of Thoughts form the Throne, Matt Hardy spoke about how wrestlers and promoters now have to serve “two masters.” He highlighted how the industry now has to appeal to both the diehard fan and the casual fan. It is an approach he has embraced, admitting that he is “trying to cater to both.”
Kevin Nash has officially confirmed that he is retired from in-ring competition. The former WWE Superstar revealed the news in a Twitter exchange with a fan.
One of the pictures shows Nash holding a microphone looking towards his nWo and Outsiders partner Scott Hall. A fan asked Nash who he wrestled at the event. The 60-year-old legend replied, “Father Time. I’m retired”
Nash followed up with a tweet questioning how anybody could assume he is still actively wrestling.
How after wrestling once in 2 years as a favor is it news I'm retired? I had a knee replacement and stem cell therapy to heal my wounds. Now I'm in the best physical shape as far as function than I've been since 1986 when I destroyed my right knee. I worked 29 years on one leg.
Debuting in WCW in the early ’90s, Nash managed to assert himself a main event talent during his time in the then-WWF as Diesel. After leaving WWF to return to WCW, Nash and Hall would eventually side with Hulk Hogan. The three formed the New World Order, creating one of pro wrestling’s most popular counterculture groups.
He held several championships throughout his extensive career, including the WWE, Intercontinental and Tag Team Championships. He is also a 9-time WCW World Tag Team Champion and a 5-time WCW Champion.
2-Time WWE Hall Of Famer
It was recently announced that Kevin Nash would be joining his fellow nWo members Hall, Hogan and Sean “X-Pac” Waltman for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame. They join Dave “The Animal” Batista as the first names announced for the award, which takes place during WrestleMania week. This marks the second time Kevin Nash will have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Hogan commented on the induction announcement, writing on Twitter:
“Very grateful that the four original nWo members HollyWood, Big Kev,X and Scott are getting inducted to the WWE HOF. We are not coming back to take over and change the business again,we are just coming back to celebrate our run ,get inducted and party NWO style at Wrestlemania.HH”
All Elite Wrestling’s Cody Rhodes and Chris Jericho have both made efforts to help the firefighting effort in Australia as bushfires rage through the country.
Cody took to Twitter to share a new t-shirt that sports a retro design of his name. He wrote how it was an unused concept, but wanted to put it online to help the New South Wales Rural Fire Service. 100 percent of profits will go towards helping Australian fire services.
“I had an unused retro shirt design, I’ve decided to put it online! [100 emoji] % of the profits go to THE NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE to help provide support to those affected by the catastrophic fires spreading across Australia.”
If you are interested in purchasing a t-shirt, you can do so at ProWrestlingTees.
I had an unused retro shirt design, I’ve decided to put it online!
?% of the profits go to THE NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE to help provide support to those affected by the catastrophic fires spreading across Australia. ?? ?? https://t.co/vJblwkh5jKpic.twitter.com/Vjxbvgu975
“Le Champion” had a similar idea in helping out. After speaking with New Japan Pro-Wrestling English commentator, Gino Gambino, and Robbie Eagles, Jericho donated the ring worn shirt he wore at Wrestle Kingdom 14. Gamino uploaded a photo of Jericho holding up the shirt. He highlighted how “ALL of the money will be donated.”
At the time of writing, the eBay bid is currently at $5,100 Australian dollars.
“Today @IAmJericho spoke to myself and @RobbieEagles_ about the devastating fires . Chris really wanted to help out all his fans in #Australia affected by these events, and has dontanted his WK14 ring worn T-shirt. ALL of the money will be donated”
If you are interested in bidding on the t-shirt, you can do so here.
Chris Jericho recently competed against NJPW’s Hiroshi Tanahashi. He managed to defeat “The Ace” during Night Two of Wrestle Kingdom 14. Despite the AEW World Champion competing against one of New Japan’s top talents, the relationship between the two companies is reportedly “worse than previously thought.”
During the most recent episode of The New Day’s podcast, Feel The Power, the three WWE Superstars reminisced on the creation of Xavier Woods’ beloved trombone, Francesca.
Francesca made her debut on the Monday Night RAW following SummerSlam 2015. Turns out that Woods had to learn how to play the trombone “by ear” on the night, having had no previous experience.
“So the next night, we were in Brooklyn is when we introduced “Francesca” because I remember we had the match, we were feeling good and so ‘Oh, maybe tomorrow night on RAW you guys do something with the song ‘New York, New York” and this is when we were starting to get like, ‘Okay, they’re kind of trusting us to do whatever, we’re asking for stuff and they’re kind just like letting it slide, but let’s see how far we can go.’”
He continued, “At this point in our career we were trying to see if we can get into trouble. And so I remember texting back, I was like, ‘Oh, instead of like singing it, can you get me trombone because I could like play it, just by ear?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, sure well I’ll ask.’ And we were kind of joking about it like in the hotel or like wherever we were and then a few minutes later gets a text back., ‘Yeah, yeah. We can get a trombone.’ And all three of us were (gasp) ‘What?’ So we were like, ‘How do we use this trombone?’ And so I learned how to play ‘Da da da dada duh.’”
Xavier Woods Remembers Vince McMahon’s Reaction
Woods then recalled how he was meant to return the trombone to a WWE props worker. At the moment, however, he decided to keep it and play it through the match. During a commercial break, one of the cameramen told him how Vince McMahon was “laughing his ass off” backstage and instructed him to keep playing. Upon getting to the back after the match, he remembered Vince laughing, telling them how they will “always have this trombone now. She’s part of the group!’”
Woods is currently recovering from an unfortunate injury suffered during a WWE Live Event—an injury that shook him to his core.
RAW Superstar Matt Hardy has uploaded a new episode of his YouTube series, Thoughts from the Throne. During the show, Hardy addressed the fanbase he has accumulated with his other series, Free the Delete.
“I have been doing them in a very specific way where I think in the professional wrestling business now, if you’re a performer or especially if you’re a promoter, and you’re putting together the events, we serve two masters,” Hardy explained.
He extrapolated his comment, saying:
“I think there is the diehard fan that knows the deal and knows what’s going on, and I think that fanbase is growing exponentially, and is getting larger every single day. That’s one audience that we definitely have to take care of and we have to cater to them. The other audience is the casual fans and there are casual fans out there that just love the casual concept of wrestling, and there’s this larger than life story – a good guy vs. a bad guy, and they wanna see a story happen, that culminates in a match, and there’s trainwrecks on the way.”
Matt Hardy’s Two Masters: Diehard & Casual
Hardy then pointed to the recent Lana, Bobby Lashley and Rusev angle. He highlighted how the segments “did a big number,” despite the diehard fans hating it.
“[…] obviously there’s casual fans that are interested in it because people keep watching it online. So, there are two masters we are serving, and the point of what I was saying was in ‘Free The Delete’ I am trying to cater to both of those.”
Hardy shared that this is the style he is trying to capture for the modern product, creating interesting, entertaining segments and videos that appeal to both. He stressed that when it comes to Free the Delete, if fans see something that stands out and possibly means something, that is an intentional creative choice, not just coincidence.
