Upon leaving WWE, many former Superstars have found success as part of Impact Wrestling.
Christian Cage, Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy would all do big things as part of the Nashville-based promotion, though they would all eventually return to WWE.
While many Superstars released in recent years have found success in Tony Khan’s All Elite Wrestling, Impact has proven to remain a viable alternative for wrestlers after WWE.
Metalik’s debut
At this week’s TV tapings, former WWE Superstar Gran Metalik made his debut for Impact Wrestling.
Metalik, who now works under the name Mascara Dorada, debuted in Dallas, Texas, and picked up the victory over fellow WWE alum Alex Zayne (formerly Ari Sterling.)
On Twitter, Metalik thanked Impact Wrestling for the opportunity, and shared a brief clip of his match with Zayne.
In July 2013, WWE opened its Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, a state-of-the-art facility where recruits and Superstars could train.
The Performance Center also allows talent to work on non-physical aspects of the job, including entrances, and develop their skills on the mic.
In more recent years, the Orlando Performance Center has been the home of NXT 2.0 and NXT Level Up.
Tourist Attractions
WWE has certainly made use of its Performance Center, but now the facility could be used for a different purpose.
PW Insider reports that WWE has been considering turning the Performance Center into a publicly-attended venue that would allow fans to tour the area.
WWE is gauging interest with a survey sent to fans on their mailing list, to see whether fans would be willing to go to a Performance Center.
PW Insider added that the facility would serve as a “roadside attraction” for fans visiting the area.
Future Locations
WWE currently has two Performance Centers, one in Orlando, Florida, and a second in London, England, which was opened in 2019.
The survey sent to fans adds that WWE is considering opening more Performance Centers that would serve this ‘tourist attraction role in addition to being a place for talent to hone their skills.
Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, Texas, Nashville, Tennessee, and Tampa, Florida are all listed as potential markets for WWE.
A potential idea being floated around is for these new Performance Centers to be set up in prominent locations such as within a mall or similar cultural hub, where there is a lot of foot traffic.
In 2019, All Elite Wrestling signed a deal with WarnerMedia for their content to be aired as part of TNT and later TBS.
Later that year, AEW would premiere their weekly flagship show Dynamite, while AEW Rampage would be added to the schedule last August.
The Relationship
Over three years into the relationship between AEW and what is now Warner Bros. Discovery, and things seem to be going well for both sides.
Sources within Warner Bros. Discovery told Fightful that AEW’s current programming had made “no negative waves,” and that the promotion had held up their end of the deal.
Warner Bros. Discovery is also said to be pleased about how well AEW has done with cross-promotion of other brands, including Shark Week and House of the Dragon.
Fightful noted that there is no tension between Tony Khan and Warner Bros. Discovery, something that Khan himself has claimed in the past.
Dispelling a recent rumor, sources for Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed there are no plans to cut AEW Dynamite to one hour.
Earlier this year, Will Ospreay made his AEW debut, alongside his fellow United Empire teammates Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis.
So far, Ospreay holds a 2-2 record in AEW, including a singles win over Dax Harwood at the Road Rager episode of Dynamite in June this year
Ospreay’s Accusation
Will Ospreay has been impressive in AEW so far, but his time in the company could have come much earlier.
Speaking to Wrestle Inn recently, Ospreay accused a certain top AEW star of preventing him to come to the company last year.
“The rumor was that I was meant to be in AEW a year ago, just doing Forbidden Door stuff and somebody is putting the block on it. It doesn’t take two and two to realize who it is. One person who has not been there for a while and all of a sudden, I’m welcome in with open arms.”
Ospreay’s comments are aimed at Kenny Omega, as the former AEW World Champion had been out of action for months following last November’s Full Gear Pay Per View.
It was during Omega’s absence from AEW that Ospreay made his debut for the company.
Ready to Embarrass
Despite the alleged best efforts of Kenny Omega, Ospreay is now working with AEW, and is ready to embarrass the roster.
Speaking to SEScoops correspondent Samira last October, Ospreay spoke about several AEW stars including Bryan Danielson, Kenny Omega and Sammy Guevara calling him out for a match.
“Guys like Bryan Danielson made a living being one of the best wrestlers in the world. But if I showed up, he would not last in the ring with me.”
Ospreay added that the AEW roster don’t want him to show up, because he will “embarrass” them in the ring.
Many fans have enjoyed AEW’s edgier content, comparing it to the WWE’s acclaimed Attitude Era.
Profanity
One way AEW has set itself apart from WWE is by the use of profanity that makes it on its programming.
AEW wrestlers have often used “sh*t” when cutting promos about their opponents, or in the case of Christian Cage earlier this year, when insulting the mother of Jungle Boy, saying that she “raised a piece of sh*t.”
In June, MJF laid into AEW and Tony Khan, branding the latter a “f**king mark.”
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter now reports that AEW is expected to tone down the use of profanity in programming, an order that has come from Warner Bros. Discovery.
It is unclear how AEW President will implement these changes and if certain words are outright banned if not limited.
Blood
AEW is expected to tone down the amount of cursing that makes it on their shows, but it appears blood is here to stay.
Blood has become a large part of AEW, as wrestlers are often bleeding both at Pay Per Views and on TV.
The red viscous liquid is obviously part of the Blood and Guts match, a name based on a dig by former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.
The Observer reports that there is no word on Warner Bros. Discovery wanting to tone down blood on AEW programming.
The use of blood in AEW has set the promotion apart from WWE, which very rarely allows blood.
In 1987, a decade before he’d become the evil on-screen monster fans know him for, Vince McMahon appeared in a video for ‘Stand Back.’
The music video saw the then-commentator strut his stuff with gorgeous women, while the Superstars of the time performed on stage.
The Worst Time I Had in WWE
Vince McMahon may have had a lot of fun with ‘Stand Back’ but Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts is not a fan.
For the performance at the 1987 Slammy Awards, the future-WWE Hall of Famer played a trumpet with his fellow wrestlers.
When asked about Stand Back during the latest episode of the “DDP Snake Pit” podcast, Roberts said it was the worst thing he’s ever done (via Wrestling News.)
“I don’t claim to be a dancer. I like to watch dancers, but I wouldn’t be a dancer. Musical instruments, I can’t carry a tune in a bucket, much less play a trumpet. That whole shenanigan was probably the worst time I’ve had in the WWE or any other organization.”
“That whole shenanigan was probably the worst time I’ve had in the WWE.”
Jake Roberts on his performance for ‘Stand Back.’
Making a Loss
Not only was Jake Roberts mortified to be part of ‘Stand Back’ but his performance ultimately cost him money.
Roberts told listeners that they were not paid for their performance and that because of the free time they had during the shoot at a hotel in Atlantic City, he ultimately made a loss.
“That trip cost me like six grand because they had gambling, they had alcohol, and we had way too much time on our hands.”
Jake Roberts.
Roberts did say that they were well taken care of at the hotel, but is pleased that the wrestling world ‘moved forward’ and there were no repeat performances.
In WWE, Christian captured the World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in 2011, after the title had been vacated following the retirement of Edge.
This was the highest peak of Christian’s WWE career, which also included reigns as ECW Champion, Intercontinental Champion, and several tag titles.
For many fans, Christian’s World Championship win was a long-time coming, as fans had followed his career since 1998 both in WWE and later in TNA Wrestling.
Parents Know Best
Cage’s two WWE World Heavyweight Championships were something fans (or rather ‘peeps’) were thrilled to see, but it could’ve happened much earlier.
In his new memoir, ‘There’s Just One Problem…: True Tales from the Former, One-Time, 7th Most Powerful Person in WWE’ former WWE head writer Brian Gewirtz recalled writing for Saturday Night Live as The Rock’s writer, and dropped a bombshell on Cage.
“SNL doesn’t really like outsides, especially friends of the host coming in and attempting to write material. As someone who’s received countless pitches from friends agents and even wrestlers’ parents who feel their prodigy should be Champion *cough* Christian *cough* I completely got the mindset.”
Gewirtz didn’t specify which title Mr. and Mrs. Cage pitched for his son to win, though it’s believed to be a World title.
Christian Today
Last year, Cage made his in-ring return, nearly seven years after his last match, competing in the 2021 WWE Men’s Royal Rumble match.
Despite this, Cage would leave the promotion, and join AEW at their March 2021 Revolution Pay Per View.
At this year’s Road Rager edition of AEW Dynamite, Cage turned heel, attacking Jungle Boy after he and Luchasaurus lost the AEW World Tag Team Titles to the Young Bucks.
This week, it was reported that Eddie Kingston has completed a suspension over comments made about Sammy Guevara.
Kingston’s suspension is said to have happened a few weeks ago, which explains the “Mad King’s” recent hiatus from television.
The Update
In the initial report about Kingston’s suspension, it was unclear what exactly had been said that forced AEW to take action.
In an update from PW Insider, it’s reported that Kingston took issue with a promo that was ultimately cut from AEW TV.
Kingston was mad because Sammy Guevara hadn’t spoken with him or cleared the content of the promo ahead of time.
The promo in question saw Guevara refer to Kingston as a “fat piece of sh*t.”
Kingston felt the line was wrong, especially as he was booked to win their match at AEW All Out 2022.
His reasoning is that Guevara’s line buried the match, especially as the “fat piece of sh*t” was going to won.
More than just words
While the initial report claimed that Kingston was suspended for what he said about Guevara, that isn’t the whole story.
It’s reported that when Kingston confronted Guevara, the latter simply smiled at Kingston, which did little to calm him down.
This led to Kingston ‘pie-facing’ Guevara, shoving the former TNT Champion in the face, that Sammy was furious about.
Kingston’s suspension lasted two weeks before it ended.
Silent Treatment
The report adds that before this incident, the pair had not spoken since Blood and Guts where Kingston threw Guevara off of the cage.
Kingston had asked to work with Sammy, which came as a shock to some, as Guevara had earned a reputation of being difficult to work with, following his program with Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page.
During last week’s AEW Dynamite, then-World Champion CM Punk declared that he would unify his title with Interim AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, in the main event of All Out 2022.
Instead, the two had their title unification match on this week’s Dynamite, which saw Moxley destroy Punk to be crowned the AEW Undisputed World Champion.
The Main Event
With AEW’s arguable biggest match ever taking place earlier this week, this has left All Out 2022 without a main event, or so it would seem.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer confirmed that despite the match announced for All Out happening on this week’s Dynamite, the plan has not changed.
“It is Punk and Moxley. I don’t know if they’re gonna add stips or whatever but that is the main event.”
Dave Meltzer
It is unclear how AEW will put Punk back in the title picture, especially with All Out just over one week away.
Punk-Moxley 2: Should it Happen?
With AEW All Out 2022 fast approaching, it makes sense that the promotion wants a main event that already has a story connected.
However, some fans have questioned whether Punk should receive a rematch so quickly after not just being beaten, but beaten decisively by Moxley.
While AEW’s story appears to be that Punk returned from his injury too soon, as seen by how little offense he got in during the title-unification match, it makes little sense that he would try again mere days after being defeated with ease.
Some have suggested that the loss on Dynamite was done to make Punk’s title win at All Out 2022 ‘bigger’ and kick off the title run that was supposed to start earlier this year prior to his injury.
In the latest AEW rankings, Hangman Page, Powerhouse Hobbs, Jay Lethal, Darby Allin, and Bryan Danielson are all in line for an AEW Undisputed World Champion opportunity.
In 1993, just four years into his wrestling career, Billy Gunn debuted for the World Wrestling Federation and became a staple of the company.
Gunn’s first stint with WWE lasted until 2004, and saw him become part of D-Generation X, an Intercontinental, Tag Team, and Hardcore Champion, as well as the 1999 King of the Ring.
His second run in the company from 2012 to 2015 saw Gunn have one final run as a Tag Team Champion.
The Wild West
Gunn spent years with WWE, but was hired by AEW in January 2019, initially as a coach.
In addition to coaching, Gunn has transitioned into being an on-screen performer, and has noticed the differences between his current and previous employer.
“I’m very used to that [the structure in WWE.] I’m a very structured person. Especially in the wrestling business, the more structured you are, the better things are… and I’m not saying it’s not good in AEW. I’m just saying it’s a little bit on the Wild West side. Which I guess if you’re used to that then it’s okay. I am not used to that.”
” It’s a little bit on the Wild West side.”
Billy Gunn describes AEW’s backstage structure compared to WWE.
Gunn added that “the hardest adjustment” for him has been moving from how WWE works behind the scenes to how AEW operates.
Speaking about his sons, Colten and Austin Gunn, the WWE Hall of Famer said he has to fight the urge to control what they do in accordance to his own ideas about structure.
Coaching in AEW vs. WWE
Come one come all, sit under the learning tree of @RealBillyGunn! We talk teaching moments with talent and the Gunn boys, DX, Chuck and Billy, his relationship with Chyna, and…Yellowstone! Give us a listen! pic.twitter.com/TKq2u0nHUY
Billy Gunn has served as a coach in both WWE and AEW. According to Gunn, WWE talent has been more willing to tap into the wisdom of legends behind the scenes.
“In WWE, I don’t want to say they listen more, because that’s not true, [coaches] are just taken a little more serious, I think. Everybody in WWE knows that’s what we are there for and you can come to us anytime you want and run an idea by. Not that they don’t want to, I don’t know what it is.”
“AEW, I’ll have a couple guys, Hobbs, Ricky Starks, a couple of guys that come to me daily. They don’t realize how good that makes us feel. Because I’m not [going to] ask you, if you don’t want my help, then I’m not going to force myself on you, because that’s just not how it works.”
– Billy Gunn
“I’m more than happy to help you if you come to me and say, ‘Hey, would you help me with this, or could you watch this and show me this.’ So, there’s a few people that take advantage of that, I just don’t know.. I’m trying to figure out what it is, it’s not a bad thing, and it’s not like they know everything, maybe it’s just me and my demeanor [laughs].”
Renee suggests, maybe talent in AEW just want to figure it out on their own, or if it’s the looser culture. Gunn speculated, maybe talent thinks that if they ask his advice and don’t do it, he’d be really mad, which is not the case.
For the past month, it has been reported that there has been conflict and unhappiness within AEW.
On last week’s Dynamite, CM Punk reportedly went off-script to bury ‘Hangman’ Adam Page, as a reported receipt for comments made by Page during their feud earlier this year.
Both Andrade El Idolo and Miro have liked tweets suggesting that they are being wasted in AEW and would do better working for WWE.
Baker and Rosa
It’s not just the male wrestlers of All Elite Wrestling that are dealing with drama and tension.
A new report from Voices of Wrestling’s Joe Lanza claims that AEW’s women’s division has plenty of issues within their roster.
Lanza claims that there is legitimate heat between AEW Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa, and the woman she defeated to win the title, Britt Baker (via WhatCulture.)
“Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa cannot stand one another. They have been mortal enemies for years now at this point. They can’t look each other in the eye. They hate each other’s guts.”
“They Have been mortal enemies for years.”
Joe Lanza on the reported real-life beef between Thunder Rosa and Britt Baker.
Broken Nose
Baker isn’t the only wrestler reportedly at odds with the reigning AEW Women’s World Champion.
In his report, Lanza adds that Jamie Hayter also has a genuine disdain for Rosa, after the former suffered a broken nose during their match at AEW Battle of the Belts III.
It is claimed that after the match, Rosa was afraid that she would be attacked by Hayter behind the scenes and hid backstage.
“Rosa was scared that Jamie Hayter was going to beat the living sh*t out of her and was hiding in a bathroom.”
Joe Lanza
Responding to Lanza’s report, Fightful’s Will Washington tweeted that he too has heard of backstage conflict between Rosa and Baker & Hayter.
Not to add fuel to the fire but both of the stories coming from VOW tonight were things I heard about. One of which was immediately after it happened, so I have zero reason to doubt their reporting on the matter. https://t.co/ogwh5nOrwu
In recent weeks, a lot has been said about the atmosphere behind the scenes in All Elite Wrestling.
Last week, CM Punk went off-script to bury ‘Hangman’ Adam Page, and it was reported that Punk had been difficult in recent months.
A report this month said that there is “a ton of backstage drama” within the company right now, with multiple wrestlers liking tweets suggesting they would do better in WWE.
The Meeting
With plenty of reports about the company, last night’s AEW Dynamite was pre-empted by a roster-wide meeting held by Tony Khan.
Fightful Select reports that Khan was “fired up” for the meeting, which took place around four hours before Dynamite went live.
A lot of talent attended the meeting, including wrestlers who were specifically called in, and hadn’t been booked for Dynamite or any of the other tapings yesterday.
Chris Jericho and Tony Schiavone also spoke at the meeting, with Schiavone having taken on a larger role in AEW’s Talent Relations department.
Communication
One big topic of the meeting was the subject of communication, as reports have suggested that Khan has been hard to reach as of late.
Khan addressed how much access the talent has to him and that his door is open to new ideas as well as criticism.
Kenny Omega, who returned to AEW TV this month, as well as The Young Bucks also chimed in, saying their doors are always open, and that if anyone has any concerns, they can always approach them.
Contract Tampering
During the meeting, the topic of contract tampering was also addressed, following allegations that WWE may have done just that.
It’s been reported that WWE has shown interest in AEW talent, including MJF and Wardlow.
AEW’s Chief Legal Officer sent a message to WWE co-CEOs Nick Khan and Stephanie McMahon about the allegations, but it is unclear if they received a response.
This November, WWE will host its annual Survivor Series event, which will feature Raw and SmackDown Superstars battle it out for brand supremacy.
The Premium Live Event will take place at the TD Garden, in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 26, and mark the 36th annual Survivor Series event.
A Sell-Out Event
With Survivor Series over three months away, no matches have been confirmed for the show thus far, other than the titular elimination tag matches.
Despite this, the show is proving to be immensely popular with fans, according to the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer.
Meltzer tweeted that the show has virtually sold out during the pre-sale earlier this week, and that the seats reserved for the general public sale are also expected to sell out quickly.
Meltzer added that he cannot recall a show like this selling out so quickly.
Survivor Series in Boston basically sold out during the presale today. Whatever is held back will sellout during the public onsale. I can't think of a WWE show in years to do that.
Survivor Series 2022 is proving to be popular with fans, but that’s not the only show that has done well.
Earlier this month, WWE hosted their WrestleMania Hollywood tickets launch event, featuring Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair and celebrity appearances by Snoop Doog and JoJo Siwa.
Tickets for the two-night April 2023 have reportedly sold incredibly well, despite no matches being confirmed (though The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns has been rumored.)
Over 70,000 tickets have sold so far in the latest report on the two-night Premium Live Event.
WWE officials are said to be “ecstatic” over the sales figures so far, especially for Night Two of the event.
On this week’s AEW Dynamite, Jon Moxley became the AEW Undisputed World Champion, defeating CM Punk decisively.
Not only was Moxley’s win a surprise, as Punk had been the favorite to win going in, but he also defeated the Chicago wrestler in mere minutes.
Moxley Takes Aim
Immediately after Dynamite, AEW taped this Friday’s Rampage, which saw an appearance by Moxley.
After the taping, the Undisputed AEW World Champion addressed the Cleveland crowd and had harsh words for WWE.
Moxley implored fans to ask their friends to check out AEW programming if they were watching “that Monday and Friday night crap,” a not-so-subtle nod to Monday Night Raw and SmackDown on FOX.
Not finished, Moxley turned his attention to his fellow Blackpool Combat Club member Claudio Castagnoli.
In 2014, Vince McMahon claimed on ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin’s podcast that Castagnoli, then Cesaro, lacked the ‘It-factor’ required to be a top WWE Superstar.
Addressing the comments, Moxley praised the Ring of Honor World Champion for “ignoring some old crazy man’s” opinions and believing in himself.
What Else?
Moxley’s promo after Rampage wasn’t entirely dedicated to taking shots at his former employer.
The Undisputed AEW World Champion also took the time to praise Wheeler Yuta and Arn Anderson.
Moxley also discussed Dustin Rhodes, who faces Castagnoli for the ROH World Championship this Friday.
Moxley ended his appearance by introducing hometown star and AEW TNT Champion Wardlow before exiting the ring.
Since AEW launched in 2019, fans of the All-Elite promotion have been hoping for a video game akin to WWE’s 2K series.
While AEW has had two mobile games, ‘AEW Elite General Manager’ and ‘AEW Casino: Double or Nothing,’ the promotion has yet to have a console video game.
Fans and gamers alike are excited for the upcoming console game ‘AEW: Fight Forever’ which is scheduled to release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch.
This week, Evil Uno and Colt Cabana were at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, and gave a ton of new information.
The pair confirmed a “deep career mode” which will see players go “on the road” with AEW in this mode and select a manager as well.
Mixed-gender matches are possible. Wrestlers can also be placed in matches against themselves. CPU vs CPU matches will also be possible.
Online play was referred to as “a big part” of AEW: Fight Forever.
The Game will feature a lot of customization, with entrances, ring attire, and arenas being changeable to the player’s desire.
Gameplay
The game’s controls are similar to past wrestling games with strike, grapple, strong strike, and strong grapple options by a series of different buttons.
Blocking and reversals are performed by using the left and right bumper buttons.
Kick-outs and escaping submissions are done through button-mashing as opposed to mini-games, as have been seen in WWE’s 2K series.
There are 40 different weapons that are useable in the game which the wrestlers can grab from under the ring.
Extra Information
While it has been reported that AEW is looking at getting the game out by the end of year, neither Cabana nor Uno confirmed a date.
“In the future sometime,” “soonish” and “stay tuned” were all responses given when asked about a release date.
The game is rated 16+, in part due to the inclusion of blood.
It was confirmed that original music from The Acclaimed’s Max Caster will be in the game.
“For the last several years NXT Europe was in process … Things changed in the last year and different things, but now, things have changed again and things are back on track … I don’t work there and I don’t ask, but the expansion of NXT was going to happen. I was personally working on that for the last seven or eight years until January.”
“The expansion of NXT was going to happen. I was personally working on that.”
William Regal on NXT Europe and the end of NXT UK.
Addressing the mass releases last week, Regal said that being cut does not mean they can’t come back as part of NXT Europe, adding that “everything was done for the right reasons.”
What’s next for NXT UK?
NXT UK may be done for good, but there are still some huge matches planned for those on the brand.
During this week’s NXT 2.0, it was confirmed that NXT UK Champion Tyler Bate will face NXT Champion Bron Breakker at Worlds Collide in a title-unification match.
It has also been confirmed that NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose, NXT UK Women’s Champion Meiko Satomura, and Blair Davenport will face off at Worlds Collide in a title-unification match.
These matches which will see the NXT UK titles stop being used on TV, have only fueled the belief that NXT UK is done for good.
On last week’s NXT Heatwave special, Santos Escobar lost to Tony D’Angelo in a ‘Loser Leaves NXT’ match.
Given that Escobar had teased a call-up to the main roster during the WWE WrestleMania 39 tickets launch event, his lost to Escobar wasn’t too surprising.
The Call-Up
It appears to be just a matter of time before Santos Escobar is called up to WWE’s main roster, but it doesn’t look like he will be going alone.
On last night’s WWE NXT 2.0, Escobar pulled up in his SUV in the parking lot, where he was greeted by Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro and Elektra Lopez, members of Legado Del Fantasma.
Escobar asked the group if they really thought he’d leave WWE NXT 2.0 without them, and teased the entire group’s call-up.
“You didn’t think I was going to leave without you, did you? La Familia stays together. So, you ready to go?”
Santos Escobar
All members of Legado Del Fantasma got in the SUV and drove away from WWE NXT 2.0, signifying the end of the group on the brand.
A Change of Plans
Legado Del Fantasma are seemingly coming to the main roster soon, but that wasn’t always the plan.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said how there were plans in place for Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro to become part of Tony D’Angelo’s ‘family.’
The pair have been appearing as associates of D’Angelo during this past week’s NXT Live events in Florida.
Those plans have seemingly been scrapped based on last night’s episode of WWE NXT 2.0.
In 2019, Chris Jericho joined AEW at the promotion’s launch event and has consistently been one of the company’s top stars.
Later that year, Jericho would become the first AEW World Champion, and his work as part of the Inner Circle and later the Jericho Appreciation Society has kept him a fixture on TV.
Returning to WWE
Jericho has been a fixture of AEW for over three years now, but there are still some fans who hope to see him in WWE again.
It was in WWE that Jericho became a nine-time Intercontinental Champion (a record that stands to this day) and the first-ever WWE Undisputed Champion.
On Twitter, a fan suggested to Jericho that a return to WWE would be good for him, and that matches pitting Jericho against AJ Styles or Kevin Owens would be ‘fire.’
In response, Jericho pointed out that these matches have happened, multiple times.
Jericho was the first major feud for Styles after the former TNA Wrestling star joined WWE in 2016.
Jericho Vs. Owens
Fans won’t be seeing Chris Jericho face Kevin Owens in WWE, but this is a match fans have seen before.
In 2017, the former friends feuded after Jericho cost Owens the Universal Championship, payback for Owens attacking Y2J during the Festival of Friendship.
In an interview with TalkSport last year, Jericho said that there had been plans for him Vs. Owens for the Universal Championship as the main event of WrestleMania 33.
After realizing WWE did not care about the feud, which saw Owens beat Jericho for the U.S. Title at WrestleMania, the AEW star said he knew it was time to finish with WWE.
In 2002, Lisa Marie Varon appeared on WWE TV as Victoria, the bitter ex-friend of then-Women’s Champion Trish Stratus.
As Victoria, Varon would become a two-time Women’s Champion, holding the title in both 2002 and later from 2003-2004.
In 2009, Victoria left WWE, but could be on her way back to the promotion soon.
A Return to the Ring.
Since Victoria left WWE in 2009, a lot has changed in regards to the company’s treatment of female talent.
At the 2021 Royal Rumble, Victoria had her first WWE match in almost 12 years, entering the Women’s Rumble match at #10 and was the fifth woman eliminated.
While speaking with Alyx’s World, Varon said she will not rule out a return to the company under the right circumstances (via Wrestling Inc.)
“There’s a lot to consider, like how much time do I have to get ready, because that would be make or break for me. ‘We want you to come back in a week.’ The fans are going to crap on me. I can’t get ready in a week for a match. Not with the caliber of girls they have now. I would need some time to prepare. But you never say never, right?”
“Never say never, right?”
Lisa Marie Varon on a possible WWE return.
“The r-word is bad, retiring, because you never know. It’s almost like ‘I better not say this, because I know it’s going to bite me in the butt.’”
There have been no reports as to if WWE has an interest in bringing Victoria back.
Varon After WWE
After leaving WWE in 2009, Varon joined TNA Wrestling in May that year working under the name Tara (short for Tarantula, a nod to her WWE days as a ‘Black Widow.’
That July, Tara won the TNA Knockouts Championship, a title she’d hold on five occasions.
In March last year, Kayla Braxton came out as bisexual, saying that she chooses being over having to choose between men and women.
In response, Braxton received a ton of support from those both in the industry and from fans, who accepted who she is.
Not everyone was as supportive however, including someone who worked for WWE at the time.
The Ex-Superstar
Not long after her public coming out, Braxton deactivated her Twitter account, with many believing it was due to harassment.
It turns out that it wasn’t just some fans who had an issue with her coming out, but an ex-Superstar decided that it was a point of ridicule.
Taking to Twitter this week, Braxton said that an ex-WWE employee, who is also gay, mocked her announcement and “made jokes about my revelation.”
Braxton would get the last laugh though, as she added that the ex-Superstar not only has been released but is “the main character in my new fav movie airing on TMZ.”
Braxton’s tweet, which has since been deleted, read:
“A little over a year ago, I came out publicly about my sexuality. (For those who are just tuning in, I like both) Around the time I came out, a former coworker who’s also gay, made jokes about my revelation. Anyway – he’s now the main character in my new fav movie airing on TMZ.”
Jake Atlas
Braxton didn’t name who she was referring to, but many people believe it is Jake Atlas.
In February 2018, Atlas came out as gay, and was released by WWE last year.
This week, TMZ shared footage from Atlas’ arrest in May after an incident with his boyfriend that led to the ex-Superstar being charged with battery.
In May this year, former WWE SUperstar Jake Atlas was arrested and charged with assault following an incident with his boyfriend.
At the time, it was reported that Atlas had been drinking and his partner had arrived to collect him, and refused Atlas’ offer to stay out and drink with him.
Atlas was also said to be enraged that his boyfriend has been showing “half more attention” to a mutual female friend of the couple.
The Arrest
This week, TMZ Sports released the police video from the time of Atlas’ arrest.
In the video, the wrestler calls himself an “international trained Superstar” and that he has worked “across the world.”
Speaking about his boyfriend, Atlas said that he is a “nobody,” and that he is “terrible at sex.”
“He is a nobody. He is a f***ing b**ch ass. A f***ing p**sy.”
Jake Atlas.
Here is a snippet of the Jake Atlas arrest, very embarrassing behavior – say goodbye to your professional wrestling career on any main stage.
In WWE, title changes are usually reserved for Premium Live Events and TV shows but that’s not always the case.
On rare occasions, WWE will have titles change hands at untelevised live events to give the fans in attendance an extra special moment.
Title Changes
At a WWE Live event in London, Ontario, Canada, the 24/7 Championship changed hands several times.
Dana Brooke walked into the event as Champion but lost the title to Tamina Snuka.
Snuka’s reign, her fifth reign overall, ended in seconds when she was pinned by Nikki A.S.H, marking the Scottish wrestler’s third reign as champion.
WWE referee Shawn Bennett had his own brief moment of glory, pinning Nikki to win the title, marking the first time an active referee had become champion in WWE.
Bennett’s history-making victory was also short-lived, as he lost the title an estimated ten seconds later to Snuka.
Snuka’s sixth reign ended shortly after, being pinned by Brooke, who left the show with the 24/7 Title, now an eight-time holder of the gold.
(for about 10 seconds – it started with @WWENikkiASH winning a triple threat. Nikki was pinned by ref Shawn Bennett, who was then beaten by @TaminaSnuka before @DanaBrookeWWE regained her title) pic.twitter.com/8knhqfl9SX
Introduced by Mick Foley in 2019, the 24/7 Championship is WWE’s answer to the Hardcore Championship of the Attitude Era.
Unlike its predecessor, the 24/7 title focuses on comedy rather than violent wrestling.
While the title faced criticism from fans at first, thanks in part to its design, the championship would later win over audiences due who appreciated the comedic aspect of the title changes.
