Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins may have left Raw as the World Heavyweight Champion, but the Visionary was left worse for wear by the end of the show.
In the main event, Rollins retained the World Heavyweight Championship against Jinder Mahal in a hard-fought match for both men. The bout had one of the biggest ‘big fight feels’ fans have seen in some time, thanks in part to Tony Khan’s recent outburst.
The match saw plenty of creative add-ons that made a title change look possible, with Indus Sher providing backup for Mahal. Mr. Money in the Bank Damian Priest would also make his presence felt at ringside but was neutralized by Drew McIntyre.
Amid all that was happening, Rollins was able to put Mahal away with a stomp, keeping his impressive World Heavyweight Championship reign alive. Rollins was seen favoring his knee during the match, which wasn’t just for the storyline.
Multiple sources backstage at Raw informed PWTorch that Rollins was helped in the back and eventually put weight on it, Rollins was said to be walking on his own but with a “definite limp.”
The champion will be further evaluated to determine the severity of the injury. The reigning World Heavyweight Champion looked notably worried as Raw ended and stood on one leg when presented with his title by the referee.
When Did Rollins Get Hurt?
It’s unclear when exactly the injury happened, but Rollins began favoring his leg after a dive to ringside. Further damage may have been done by Rollins using the Pedigree and the Stomp during the match.
WWE has not commented publicly on his situation at this time, but we’ll provide an update when more details became available.
Mustafa Ali has been making waves after his departure from WWE. There are numerous opportunities for him in the pro wrestling scene, and it’s evident that he is drawing attention and generating ticket sales.
Mustafa Ali Doing Well After WWE Release
Sean Ross Sapp shared a note on Fightful Select about Mustafa Ali’s time after WWE, and just how profitable of a venture it is.
Ali has been successful in selling tickets for indie companies, and promoters have reportedly seen a positive response when booking him for their shows, capitalizing on Ali’s recognition as a former WWE Superstar.
We’ve heard from indie promoters that Mustafa Ali’s impact on ticket sales for some of his first events are the most they’ve seen for a WWE departure in years.
Despite a promising run in NXT and being in contention for an NXT North American title match, Ali saw an unexpected release. Now, as he is navigating his own path, fans are definitely responding.
On January 19th, Ali is set to journey to Ottawa, Canada, for a wrestling appearance with C4 Wrestling. Following this, he will mark his debut on the UK independent wrestling scene at PROGRESS Wrestling’s Light of the Dragon event on January 28th. The former leader of Retribution is scheduled to participate in an event with DEFY on February 9th in Seattle, Washington.
WWE’s September 2023 Superstar Releases
On September 21, 2023, WWE underwent a series of releases, parting ways with several members of their roster in the midst of television rights talks after the TKO Group Holdings merger.
The list of released individuals included Mustafa Ali, Rick Boogs, Aliyah, Top Dolla of Hit Row, Tegan Nox, Emma, Riddick Moss, Elias, Shelton Benjamin, Dolph Ziggler, Dana Brooke, Mansoor, Mace, Quincy Elliot, Dabba-Kato, and Yulisa Leon. The departure of these talents signaled a significant shift within the WWE landscape, prompting attention and discussions within the wrestling community.
WWE released several roster members in September, and now these individuals are re-emerging in the world of professional wrestling. It seems that some of them are proving to be profitable for promoters who choose to book them.
Seth Rollins won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia. He went on to carry that title for 234 days, until he met Jinder Mahal in Little Rock, Arkansas on RAW for a much-hyped title match.
Seth Rollins vs Jinder Mahal
Jinder Mahal gained a lot of attention since stepping up to Seth Rollins for his WWE World Heavyweight Championship. The Modern Day Maharaja was after the title to reclaim a top spot in WWE.
Is this @JinderMahal's night to become WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION?
This match was significant as well, because it revisited history. Seth Rollins vs Jinder Mahal was the match to decide the first-ever NXT Champion, a contest that Rollins won in 2012. They did not bring this match up on commentary, because it ended in the same way.
Indus Sher, Veer and Sanga, accompanied Jinder Mahal to the ring for his match, and they made their presence felt early in the match as they distracted Rollins. This allowed Mahal to start the match off with an advantage.
The match continued for a bit, and then Damian Priest emerged from the back, with his Money in the Bank briefcase in tow, right before they cut to commercial. Eventually, Drew McIntyre interrupted Priest from cashing in, and they brawled away. Those two will battle on RAW next week on January 22nd in New Orleans during the go-home RAW before the Royal Rumble.
In the end, Indus Sher were ejected from ringside after Mahal nearly cheated to win the match. Seth Rollins then retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship after nailing a Stomp. That is the same move that put Mahal away 12 years ago in NXT.
What’s Next For Seth Rollins
WWE kicked off the year with a World Heavyweight Championship contest during the Day 1 episode of RAW. For that match, Drew McIntyre’s bid for the title fell short. Defeating the Modern Day Maharaja marks Rollins’ second successful title defense this year.
Seth Rollins is not presently booked to defend his title at the Royal Rumble. After beating Mahal this week in Little Rock, we will have to see if Rollins will defend his title at Tropicana Field.
Brock Lesnar is known for his ultimate part-time schedule with WWE. He also makes a truckload of money every time he shows up to work. The Beast Incarnate has been off since the summer, but WrestleMania season is right around the corner.
Lesnar has received plenty of big matches at WrestleMania. Some of them were more successful than others, but he usually makes himself known around the showcase of the immortals.
In his Daily Update, Dave Meltzer noted on F4Wonline that Brock Lesnar is expected to make a comeback soon. It might not be very long until his monstrous music breaks the moment again on WWE television.
Brock Lesnar will be back on WWE television very soon.
Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania History
Brock Lesnar has a rich history with WrestleMania. It will be interesting to see how Triple H books him for WrestleMania 40, but we may know his direction soon enough.
Brock Lesnar participated in several WrestleMania matches, each with unique circumstances. At WrestleMania XIX, held in Seattle, Washington on March 30th, 2003, he faced Kurt Angle in a singles match for the WWE Championship to win, and start a fantastic Mania legacy for himself.
Moving forward to WrestleMania XX in New York, New York on March 14th, 2004, Lesnar engaged in a singles match against Goldberg, with Stone Cold Steve Austin as the special guest referee. That match was infamous, because it marked Lesnar and Goldberg’s exits.
After his return to WWE, at WrestleMania 29, which took place in East Rutherford, New Jersey on April 7th, 2013, Brock Lesnar had a No Holds Barred match against Triple H, which The Game won.
Lesnar continued his WrestleMania journey, participating in matches against various opponents. WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 6th, 2014, featured a singles match between Lesnar and Undertaker, where the Beast Incarnate broke Taker’s Mania undefeated streak.
Another notable match occurred in Santa Clara, California on March 29th, 2015 at WrestleMania 31, where Lesnar faced Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns in a Triple Threat match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. That match was originally a singles match, but Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase to enter the match and win the title.
The WrestleMania legacy of Brock Lesnar includes encounters such as a Street Fight against Dean Ambrose in Arlington, Texas at WrestleMania 32, April 3, 2016, a match that didn’t really pan out as many hoped. Then, at WrestleMania 33, he beat Goldberg in Orlando, Florida for the Universal Title.
A singles match for the WWE Universal Championship against Roman Reigns in New Orleans, Louisiana at WrestleMania 34 followed that. Rollins went on to beat Lesnar at WrestleMania 35 for the Universal Title. Then, Drew McIntyre beat Lesnar at WrestleMania 36 for the title in front of zero fans.
WrestleMania 37 did not see Brock Lesnar appear, but Roman Reigns beat him at WrestleMania 38 to become Undisputed Universal Champion. Then at WrestleMania 39, Lesnar shut down Omos in a match that surprised many fans to see on the card. Now, we are going to have to wait and see who he faces next, but it’s obvious that Lesnar’s booking is something that WWE takes seriously.
WWE saw a lot of changes in 2023, as the company merged with the UFC under Endeavor’s new TKO Group Holdings. Now in 2024, the company’s production is on the verge of breaking out some new ideas for the company.
WWE Programming Changing After Kevin Dunn’s Exit
Kevin Dunn’s era in WWE is over, and many fans are paying close attention to what the company puts on television. Some observant fans noticed two distinctive segments that didn’t seem to fit the norm that Dunn established for decades.
Two segments have stood out from WWE Raw and SmackDown in recent memory. One featured Chelsea Green and Piper Niven at a club, confronting Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. The other, showcased on Smackdown, puts the spotlight on Butch/Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate.
Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that fans making comparisons to NXT would be accurate to do so. Triple H let Jeremy Borash make up a team in NXT, one that was off Kevin Dunn’s radar of influence. Now that Dunn is gone, they can do a lot more that he would previously nix.
We’re told that Triple H allowed Jeremy Borash to put together a team in NXT for the past three years, where it would be safely under Kevin Dunn’s radar. Triple H was said to have been happy with how they played out, and with Dunn’s departure, there is a door open to feature that style of promos across all WWE shows.
We’ve spoken to several people associated with helping put together the promos that spoke highly of the new process and the freedom to to them. One source noted that under Dunn, the segment would have likely cut away to several different things, but the new method was to let the characters breathe, and the segment to play out.
WWE After Kevin Dunn’s Exit
It seems that the people making these promos are having a good time. It was also noted that both segments received positive internal feedback.
Lee Fitting took over for Kevin Dunn upon his exit from the company. Many were shocked to see Dunn finally leave, but it came after Vince McMahon’s retirement, as Dunn was Mr. McMahon’s right-hand man in production.
Eager to secure herself a singles match at WrestleMania 40, former WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley was the first to declare herself for the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble. And while the event is still nearly two weeks away, Bayley has made it clear that if she wins the Women’s Royal Rumble match, she plans to challenge WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley.
Praise For Ripley
Speaking with The New York Post, Bayley shared praise for Ripley’s journey through WWE, which has resulted in her now being the most talked about woman on WWE programming.
“If I’m able to work with [Rhea] at WrestleMania, that would just be a dream match I never even thought of before,” Bayley said. “She is obviously untouchable. She is the most talked about woman on TV right now and she backs it up. She doesn’t just have the look. She doesn’t just have the body. She doesn’t just have – besides Damage CTRL – a badass group to align with. She’s so good and it makes me so mad. ‘I’m like why are you so good, you are so young.’ I can’t even throw a drop kick and she can do one over my head. Just little things that she does that she’s able to do and portray on TV is very hard to do and she does it with ease.”
Excluding past Royal Rumble matches, “The Role Model” and “The Eradicator” have only shared a ring on three other occasions. After teaming together in the 2022 Women’s WarGames match, Ripley and Bayley found themselves in opposite corners during a triple threat match to determine the number one contender to the WWE RAW Women’s Championship — a match that saw Bayley emerge victorious. The two later met again in March 2023 for a singles affair on RAW, in which Ripley picked up the win.
Should Bayley and Ripley face off at WrestleMania 40, it will mark only their second singles match.
“She carried that title on her back proudly,” Bayley said. “I’m gonna have to take it off of her and it will be an honor to do. It will be an honor, Rhea.”
Cora Jade and Lyra Valkyria faced each other in the main event, and regrettably, Jade fell to the mat at some point. This resulted in, what could be, a drastic change of plans for Shawn Michaels’ NXT booking.
We previously covered that Jade went down during an NXT live event, and she did not get up. This caused alarm as WWE’s medical team tended to her in the ring.
Dave Meltzer has now updated fans to say that the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion suffered an ACL tear. The severity of her tear was not noted.
The Cora Jade knee injury from the weekend house show we talked about on the show last night is an ACL tear.
The Cora Jade knee injury from the weekend house show we talked about on the show last night is an ACL tear.
Cora Jade has a bright future in WWE, and she has some great connections in the company. Not only has she impressed many with her work ethic at this point, but she is also a favorite of CM Punk’s.
While Jade was a WWE fan in her younger days, she was a huge fan of CM Punk and AJ Lee. Now, in her career as a WWE Superstar, she has a much different appreciation for everything they’ve done.
Jade received a nice surprise from Punk while he stopped by NXT after his WWE return. The two got along very well, and the Second City Savior worked out with Cora Jade, and others, at the WWE Performance Center while he was around.
WWE released a lot of talent in September, and Dolph Ziggler’s name was arguably the most surprising one. Now the former World Champion is making his own way through the pro wrestling world, as he has popped up for both TNA Wrestling and NJPW so far. There were a lot of options on the table for Nic Nemeth.
Nic Nemeth Had Options
The former Dolph Ziggler has garnered attention in recent weeks by appearing for NJPW and, most recently, TNA, marking a nearly 20-year tenure in WWE. One thing is very clear, he is getting priority booking wherever he goes.
During a conversation on TNA’s Instagram after Hard To Kill, Nemeth disclosed that numerous individuals contacted him post his release, expressing their desire to have him in their company.
Nic Nemeth reflected on the past three, four, five, six months, contemplating how to prolong his legacy and embark on a distinct chapter with a new mindset and persona.
He expressed feeling like a wanted individual, recounting the multitude of people who reached out to him after his departure from his previous job. These messages weren’t mere expressions of thanks or congratulations, but rather indications of a significant level of interest and desire for his involvement.
A bunch of people reached out instantly and said, ‘We want you here.’ I go, man, it is great to feel that. I’m very fortunate and lucky that people [said], ‘How can we get you? What can we do?’ I was like, I’m kind of a wanted man, it got me more excited, like I’m back in, okay. I was like, ‘I could show up and be a hired gun here. I could take this guy out, and we could go run. I’m figuring out, where could we go, and I watched TNA go to IMPACT and become TNA in this special moment at Hard To Kill, where this is a coming-out party for TNA again. I go, that could be a perfect fit. Hopefully, I can back it up in the ring, other than just talking about it and showing up.
Dolph Ziggler’s Next Moves in Pro Wrestling
Many fans expected Nic to arrive in AEW eventually, because Ryan Nemeth, his brother, is on Tony Khan’s roster. He was also telling Nic for a decade that he should leave WWE. That has not happened yet, but at this rate, nothing would surprise us.
TNA Wrestling delivered on a big surprise at the end of Hard to Kill with Nemeth, and he has already wrestled for the company. Someone like Nic Nemeth obviously has options on the table.
Teddy Hart is no stranger to the legal system at this point, and he keeps his attorneys very busy. Now, he will have to wait even longer to see his day in court, but the judge made it clear that they won’t let him push things back again.
Teddy Hart’s Latest Legal Situation
Teddy Hart appeared in court on January 11th, stemming from his arrest on July 15th, 2023, facing charges of possession of MDMA (ecstasy) and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription—both classified as third-degree felonies in Florida.
Alongside these charges, he was cited for failing to stop at a steady red light, the incident that led to his initial arrest. This encounter with the law adds to Teddy Hart’s history of previous run-ins with the police.
Teddy Hart Granted One More Continuance
The court appearance in Titusville, Florida, last Thursday was designated as a mandatory session for “Early Resolution.” However, according to PW Insider, Teddy Hart’s defense sought and was granted a continuance during the hearing.
The rescheduled hearing is now set for February 8th, with a clear message from the court that it will be the final opportunity for the defense to request any further delays.
Edward “Teddy Hart” Annis’ defense requested and received a continuance at his hearing on 1/11. The court agreed and moved the hearing to 2/8, noting it would be the final time the defense is allowed to do so.
The judge emphasized that no additional continuances would be granted. Teddy Hart, initially expected to follow the path of the legendary Hart family and become a prominent wrestling figure, has faced setbacks in the wrestling industry due to personal issues and legal challenges.
WWE Superstars are professionals, but they aren’t perfect. Austin Theory and Carmelo Hayes’ match on SmackDown last week ended suddenly, but thankfully, they are both okay now.
Carmelo Hayes & Austin Theory’s Scary Botched Spot
On the January 12th episode of WWE SmackDown, the match featuring Austin Theory and Carmelo Hayes was halted by the referee due to an incident during an Avalanche Spanish Fly from the top turnbuckle that resulted in both wrestlers landing awkwardly.
The referee, signaling the “X” position to indicate a potential injury, decided to wave off the match. Reports indicated that facial contusions were sustained by both wrestlers as a consequence of the spot.
Bryan Alvarez shared an update on Wrestling Observer Radio, suggesting that Austin Theory entered medical protocol, hinting at a potentially more significant impact from the incident.
Carmelo Hayes previously made his SmackDown debut towards the end of the preceding year, participating in the WWE United States Championship No.1 Contenders Tournament.
His return to the blue brand occurred in a backstage segment, discussing Royal Rumble chances with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis, leading to a confrontation with Austin Theory and Grayson Waller and ultimately setting up the match between Hayes and Theory later in the show.
Hayes is currently booked with Trick Williams in a team as they take on the 2024 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. That storyline is getting a big spotlight in NXT, as it should.
Exclusive Insight On Austin Theory & Carmelo Hayes’ Botched Spot
I was told by a tenured member of the WWE team that the referee was actually concerned about both Theory and Hayes after that botches spot. It was not one more than the other.
I was further told that the “referee thought they were both hurt and did the proper protocol by calling for the bell and calling for the doctor.”
WWE’s commentary team also praised the referee in this instance for his quick decision-making, as they put an emphasis on keeping Superstar safety at the forefront.
It shouldn’t be much longer before fans get to see the much-anticipated project about Vince McMahon. Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer recalled his own ties to the project.
“Today I went to Los Angeles to do a Netflix taping (about) Vince McMahon. I guess what I can say, because I’m not supposed to say much about it, is the Netflix series is gonna be out sooner than you think. — It’s a big freakin’ deal. They’ve interviewed all kinds of people. I was told the most interesting person they’ve interviewed is Vince McMahon.”
Meltzer added that the project leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the wrestling powerhouse.
“It’s covering the whole life of Vince McMahon. I’ve been asked about every single subject that you can think of regarding Vince McMahon, from childhood to last week, practically. Covered everything.”
A lot has changed for WWE and Vince McMahon in the three years since the Netflix deal was announced. On his show, Dave Meltzer explained how the project will reflect this.
“The series, when it started and how it’s ended are completely different. When it started it was just ‘Vince McMahon, the owner of the company’, and now it’s not the owner of the company, and there’s all the reasons that he’s not the owner of the company, the payoffs – all that stuff happened, they were years into this documentary before all that stuff happened.”
Vince McMahon may not be thrilled with the final project when it releases on Netflix…
Roman Reigns is famous for a lot of things at this point, including his incredibly light schedule. The Tribal Chief only wrestled 11 times in 2023, and he remained Undisputed Universal Champion the whole time. This year will see even more breaks for the former Shield member.
Roman Reigns only working major shows
Roman Reigns has worked a greatly reduced schedule since re-signing with WWE around WrestleMania 38 in 2022. His limited dates and infrequent title defenses led to the unification of the WWE and Universal Championships and the eventual creation of the Raw brand’s World Heavyweight championship held by inaugural champion Seth Rollins.
Despite the company expanding its reach to international markets for these premium live events, there’s no indication of a shift in Reigns’ participation. He is not advertised for the Elimination Chamber in Australia or Backlash France scheduled for May 4th, 2024.
While speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said that Reigns is currently slated for appearances only at the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, the next Saudi Arabia show, and SummerSlam.
“Roman Reigns is not on the Australia show (Elimination Chamber). He’s not on the Paris show (Backlash) either, by the way, for fans over there. He’s gonna be wrestling at the Royal Rumble, and then his next big match, I don’t know…he could do a TV match, but he’s gonna wrestle at the Royal Rumble, and then his next match is gonna be his WrestleMania match. And after that, I would presume it’s gonna be Saudi and SummerSlam.”
Reigns is set to defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Title against Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble. He will also work WrestleMania, but there are a lot of questions about his opponent for the showcase of the immortals.
The Rock’s WWE Return & Roman Reigns
The Rock’s recent return to WWE at Day 1 on January 1st sent shockwaves throughout the fan base. His mention of the Head of the Table also raised a lot of questions.
Cody Rhodes has already spoken out about the possibility of losing his WrestleMania main event match to The Rock. He doesn’t seem to be too concerned about not being able to finish his story at this time.
Roman Reigns’ infrequent appearances will likely continue throughout 2024, as he is booked as a special attraction. He might miss some big events, but he will still be the Head of the Table until someone dethrones him.
WWE is back in North Little Rock, AR tonight with Monday Night Raw live from the Simmons Bank Arena. We’re just 12 days out from the Royal Rumble, WWE’s first premium live event of the year and the start of WrestleMania season.
WWE has announced several matches for Raw, including an unlikely challenger battling Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, the return of WWE’s Intercontinental Champion and former tag team partners reuniting.
WWE Raw Preview (January 15, 2024)
Here’s what we’ll see on WWE Raw tonight:
‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes will kick off the broadcast.
Announced Matches
Jinder Mahal vs. Seth Rollins (c) for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) vs. Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Damien Priest)(c) for the Undisputed WWE World Tag Team championship
DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) vs. Judgment Day (Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh)
Plus, Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER returns.
Jinder Mahal’s Chances
Does Jinder Mahal deserve a title shot against Seth Rollins? AEW President Tony Khan doesn’t think so, and made this question the focus of his latest social media ‘hot takes.’ Khan faced significant backlash for his decision to needlessly throw Mahal under the bus in an effort to criticize WWE.
Mahal has not won a match in over a year, but stranger things have happened – as evidenced by the fact that Jinder Mahal is a former WWE Champion.
As seen below, WWE is leaning into Mahal’s championship credentials. Expect to see WWE continue getting behind the Modern Day Maharaja in an effort to legitimize his worthiness as a contender.
WWE Hall of Famer Donald Trump recently mentioned WWE legends The Kane and The Undertaker during his recent speech.
In WWE, Kane was billed as The Undertaker’s brother and duo went on to have great tag team run as well as memorable storylines as rivals.
After bringing down the curtain on his pro wrestling career, Kane (real name Glenn Jacobs) became the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. In the past, the former ‘Big Red Machine’ had backed the former President and showed his support for Trump in his attempt to get elected again.
Donald Trump talks about Kane and The Undertaker
During an event held on Sunday at the Iowa caucuses, the former Kane was one of the people who attended the show and also spoke before Donald Trump’s speech. Jacobs had nothing but praise for Donald Trump like always.
Trump also reciprocated the feelings. He lauded Glenn Jacobs for his physique and his time in WWE. During the speech, he also namedropped The Undertaker.
Trump was slurring and fumbling over his words at times but didn’t shy away from speaking about the iconic duo of Kane and The Undertaker.
“And another man who’s a friend of mine. He’s another one I’m not going to mess around with. He’s Knox County, Tennessee, do you know Glenn Jacobs? Goes by the name, goes by the name of …. Kane. Kane. Where is Kane? Where’s the …. look at the size of this guy. Man o’ man – that’s – he’s all man. He’s all man. He’s good. How many years have you been doing that? You’ve been W, W …. Kane one of the great characters in uhm …. how many …. so how tall are you? You’re six what? 6’8 and weigh what – when you wrestle? Well that’s not bad – I’m not that far away either. That’s not good. You just ruined my day – 300 [pounds]!”
“When I see these guys, some of them like The Undertaker right? And I see him and walks around the ring lifting a 300-pound guy over his shoulders like this. It may be acting… then he throws him into the seats, it’s pretty great.”
Glenn Jacobs took to his Twitter/X account and posted the video clip, writing: “Thank you”
Jacobs last competed as Kane in WWE back in 2021 as part of the men’s Royal Rumble match, while The Undertaker’s last match was at WrestleMania 36 in 2020 when he faced AJ Styles in a cinematic match, ‘Boneyard Match.’ against AJ Styles.
WWE released a lot of people over the past year or so, including Persia Pirotta. Although that was the end of the road for her in NXT, she did not let that stop her from carrying on in her pro wrestling journey.
Steph De Lander Wants A WWE Return
Now going as Steph De Lander, she still has aspirations for a WWE return. Although her stint in WWE was brief, De Lander has been establishing herself on the independent circuit as the “Indy Goddess” alongside Matt Cardona following her release in 2022.
In a recent interview on the Insight podcast with Chris Van Vliet, the former WWE NXT Superstar shared her immediate thoughts on her WWE departure. She expressed that while returning to WWE is indeed a long-term goal, she is currently in no hurry to re-enter that system.
“I think that’s definitely the end goal, but it’s not like I’m rushing to get there,” De Lander admitted during the interview. She then said that she had a “mentality switch,” and that’s when things started coming together for her.
When I first got released, the first thing I did was I texted Matt Bloom, I said, How do I get my job back? I got him on the phone, I said, What do I need to do? I spent the next couple of weeks like what’s going on? How do we undo this? Then I thought about and I would dream about it all the time, and it was this unhealthy obsession with all I want to do is get back there,”
“Once I kind of let go of that, and I made peace with what I was doing. I realized if I do the indies begrudgingly, and I do it dragging my feet, and I do it not really enjoying it, always looking to the next thing, I’m not going to have fun, and I’m not going to put out my best work. So I kind of had to pack up that WWE box and put it away and really focus on what I was doing. Then have the faith and know that if I do what I need to do, and I work really hard and I commit fully to this. The end result will be I be getting new interest from WWE and from elsewhere, which I have, because of how hot our act is.”
Matt Cardona & Steph De Lander
Matt Cardona and Steph De Lander have been raking up dates on the indie scene, and they’re a bookable pair. She has also been privileged to work with someone like the former Zack Ryder, who was able to make the most out of the indie wrestling scene after his own WWE release, which could be looked at as a blueprint for how that process should be done in a lot of ways.
While De Lander’s desire to make a WWE return proves that the company is the preferred destination for many, the fact that she is so busy on the indies is proof that there is a lot more out there in the world for pro wrestlers.
Afa The Wild Samoan carved out a huge name for himself in the pro wrestling world, and he comes from an incredibly famous family with a rich legacy in the sport. Now, we have a health update on the legend.
Afa The Wild Samoan Health Update
WWE Hall of Famer Afa Anoa’i recently faced a health scare and was hospitalized.
He was admitted to the hospital on Thursday, January 11th, due to Pneumonia. Then, he suffered a pair of heart attacks, one shortly after his admission and another on Friday.
In a Facebook post by Afa’s daughter Vale, it was mentioned that the heart attacks were “small.” While the legendary figure of the Anoa’i family is reportedly doing okay, it was emphasized that he is not completely out of the woods.
Update on Afa the Wild Samoan, affectionately known as Pops: Afa was admitted to the hospital last night with pneumonia, but had a mild heart attack upon arrival. Today, he had a second small heart attack and was sent for a heart catheterization. He is doing ok, his spirits are high. He isn’t out of the woods yet, but will be kept in the hospital for a day or two for observation and monitoring. He thanks everyone for their concern, continued love, and prayers.
Afa Drops Video Message For Fans
On Sunday, January 14, more posts on Afa’s Facebook page revealed positive news. The Hall of Famer was being discharged from the hospital. Videos accompanying the posts showed Afa walking on his own, expressing gratitude to the hospital staff, and looking forward to returning home to watch football.
Who Is Afa The Wild Samoan
Afa was part of the Wild Samoans alongside his brother Sika. As the uncle of Roman Reigns, Afa made a notable appearance at Hell in a Cell 2020 alongside Sika, presenting Reigns with the Tribal Chief lei, or Ula Fala.
Our best wishes go out to Afa’s entire family, and we hope for his swift and complete recovery.
Sabu has been an integral part of the wrestling industry, although he was always an outlier in many ways due to his extreme nature. Throughout his career, he displayed a distinctive in-ring style, never straying from his innate ability to leave crowds on the edge of their seats with his high-flying moves and risky choices. All of that took a toll on his body over the years.
Sabu Addresses His Current Health
Sabu has competed in various wrestling promotions, with his unique persona and skills standing out for fans. His legacy is marked by years of bloody hardcore wrestling, and his impact on the wrestling landscape continues to this day.
“I’ll tell you, I’ve felt better. I don’t feel really bad, but I feel pretty bad. My knee, my back, and my shoulders, they all need surgery. I’ve been going to the gym lately, but I have to suck it up and go. It’s never, ‘Alright, today I feel good.’ It’s like, ‘fuck,’ and it’s tough… I need my knee and my shoulder replaced, but I haven’t gotten around to it.”
Sabu Wants A Retirement Match
Sabu also stated that he wants a retirement match. This is something that he is apparently working on, and may get that event booked later in 2024. At this time, we do not have any further details.
Sabu’s Recent Career
Sabu has been through a lot in his life, and fans followed him throughout his entire career. The former ECW star has also never fully retired, despite his professional and personal setbacks.
On November 15th, 2014, Melissa Coates began accompanying Sabu to the ring as the “Super Genie.” Those two became quite a pair, in and out of the ring. Sadly, she reportedly passed away in her sleep from COVID-19 complications on June 23rd, 2021. Losing her was a huge blow to his career, as they were booked as a pair for years.
Sabu hasn’t given up on his pro wrestling career yet, and he may have another outing left in him. We will have to see where that match takes place, but he seems to be cooking something up.
Although some talent who were on WWE’s September releases have found a new home in pro wrestling, Aliyah hasn’t made that announcement yet. She is excited about an upcoming gig that she has at a pro wrestling nightclub.
Aliyah took to Instagram, and she shared an update on her life. In a video post, the former WWE Superstar, who is now going as Nhooph, informed her followers about an upcoming event at a ‘Wrestling Nightclub’ in Toronto scheduled for January 26th.
Have you been to a wrestling nightclub before? I’m Nhooph, formerly known as WWE star Aliyah and on January 26th in Toronto, I will be special guest DJing at the Wrestling Nightclub. They’re gonna be having special shots, like this Bloodline drink and we will be playing all of your favorite wrestling theme songs.
Aliyah dedicated over half a decade of effort in NXT to earn a spot on the WWE main roster. She was even a featured face on the OG WWE Network docuseries Breaking Ground, one that chronicled her start with the company.
She eventually got a main roster call-up, even secured a record-setting pinfall as a singles star. Things were looking up for her during a time, but the company never really got behind her with their booking.
The 29-year-old achieved recognition in the company by winning the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship alongside Raquel Rodriguez in August 2022. Sadly, Aliyah suffered an injury shortly after, resulting in an extended period of inactivity.
In September 2023, she was released from the company without making a single television appearance throughout the year.
RVD blazed a trail behind him for years that others walked down. He inspired a generation of risk-takers, and helped put ECW on the map as well. Now, as a WWE Hall of Famer in the latter part of his pro wrestling journey, he has the ability to look back and make certain observations, even if they may be a bit morbid.
RVD Speaks On His Legacy
One fan commented on X to say that RVD should get far more love for the contributions that the has made in the pro wrestling world. “My hot take is RVD don’t get enough credit for how much he changed American Pro Wrestling,” they wrote.
The WWE Hall of Famer saw this tweet, and he had a response in the chamber, ready to go. The way that he sees it, he might be in line for a more posthumous celebration of his career.
‘‘I think the plan is to give me credit post humorous…humus…uhm, after I die. [smiling emoji]”
I think the plan is to give me credit post humorous…humus…uhm, after I die. ? https://t.co/36VnBymG49
Rob Van Dam has been coy about a possible spot on the WrestleMania 40 card in Philadelphia, especially when it came to the idea that he might have lost that invite after his AEW appearances. RVD hasn’t signed any deal with Tony Khan, and his agreement was only on a per appearance deal.
In the past, the Whole F’n Show also admitted that his lack of communication with Triple H might be the reason why he’s not around WWE more often. He was a part of the 2023 WWE Draft, but he hasn’t been back on their programming since.
WWE Superstars aren’t the only people who take risks in the ring. Injuries can appear when you least expect them, even for referees. Now, Jason Ayers is taking a bit of a break after suffering an unexpected affliction.
WWE Referee Jason Ayers Out Of Action
Injuries are a regular occurrence in professional wrestling, affecting not only wrestlers but also referees. WWE referee Jason Ayers shared on Instagram that he is now sidelined due to a leg injury.
Along with a sign that said that it has been zero days since an incident occurred, one similar to something you’d see on the floor of a factory, the WWE referee posted to let fans know that he’s taking a mandatory hiatus from the ring.
“When they say “break a leg” I don’t think this is what they meant. Looks like I’ll be on the sidelines for the next couple months!”
After starting his in-ring career in 1998, Jason Ayers worked the indies for a while. Then, his career changed forever when Ayers began as a referee for Ring of Honor in May 2005 at Nowhere to Run. In January 2010, Jason began with both Dragon Gate USA and EVOLVE,
Ayers has been a part of WWE since 2012, as he was with FCW prior to the NXT change. He officiated many important matches, including the finals of the NXT Tag Team Championship tournament, crowning the first champions, Adrian Neville and Oliver Grey on January 31st, 2013. He went on to get his main roster call-up, where he remains to this day.
Ayers doesn’t seem too discouraged by this injury situation. His little quip about breaking a leg showed that he, at least, has some humor still. Now, he will have to take it easy as his injury mends.
Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green were going with new momentum as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Then an unexpected injury struck Deville as she tore her ACL on July 28th. There are now some updates, as she is working hard to make a return to the ring.
Sonya Deville Working Toward Return From Injury
Deville may have experienced a career-altering knee injury, but she is working toward her return to the ring. That includes a visit to the WWE Performance Center.
According to PW Insider, Sonya Deville was spotted in Birmingham last week. She has also been present at the WWE Performance Center over the past several days.
It was reported that Deville’s time at the PC is dedicated to the recovery process following an ACL tear sustained in August. At this time, there is no definite return timetable for Deville.
WWE’s Abandoned Plan For Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville
In July, WrestleVotes reported that WWE had big plans for Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville’s tag team. It was said that the company looked at them as people who could “stabilize” the WWE women’s division.
“There is a feeling of optimism from the company around the new Women’s Tag Champs in Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville, with hopes the two can “stabilize” the tag titles with a substantial run as champions.”
There is a feeling of optimism from the company around the new Women’s Tag Champs in Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville, with hopes the two can “stabilize” the tag titles with a substantial run as champions.
Sonya Deville was able to get a gun charge settled during her hiatus. That ACL situation is her first major injury while in WWE, and it had terrible timing as well. She isn’t sitting at home though, because a WWE return is now on the horizon for her, whenever her doctors give the green light.
Trinity Fatu battled Jordynne Grace at TNA Wrestling’s Hard to Kill event. The pro wrestling world was watching, and she had two very special friends who were also there to see her big match.
Mercedes Mone & Bayley Spotted At TNA Wrestling Hard To Kill
TNA Wrestling hosted their Hard to Kill event on pay-per-view. The event featured noteworthy moments, such as Trinity Fatu’s potential final match in the company.
It was previously reported that the current thought is that Naomi will make her return to WWE. So, Fatu lost her Knockouts Title to Jordynne Grace, marking her 3rd reign with the title.
During Hard to Kill, Mercedes Mone and Bayley were seen behind the French announce team’s table, witnessing the matchup between Trinity and Jordynne Grace. They were not shown on screen during the actual pay-per-view event.
Both Bayley and Money were decked out in shades, and beanies, but they were still spotted. It was obvious who they were, but the two stayed off the radar, because they were not there to be a focus.
As of right now, Mercedes Mone appears to be heading to AEW, but she has not debuted for the company yet. It was reported that talks with WWE stalled, because they were far apart with money.
Even if Mercedes Mone and Bayley end up in different wrestling companies, they are still very close. Their presence at Hard to Kill also proves that Naomi has their support.
one thing about Bayley , Trin & Mercedes they gonna show up to support each other pic.twitter.com/wN5Dn1pbRt
WWE Elimination Chamber is coming to Perth on February 24th, 2024, and CM Punk won’t miss the show. This should give his fans Down Under a real reason to get excited.
CM Punk Is Going To Elimination Chamber
FOX Sports Australia has officially announced CM Punk’s involvement in the upcoming WWE Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event. The specifics of his match or role have not been officially disclosed, leaving fans curious about the nature of his contribution.
For the first time in over a decade the WWE great will wrestle in Australia, with Fox Sports Australia exclusively able to reveal CM Punk will feature at Perth’s WWE Elimination Chamber show next month.
More Stars Confirmed For WWE Elimination Chamber Event
Logan Paul and Rhea Ripley are also anticipated for the event. It’s also noteworthy that the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns, is not currently advertised for Elimination Chamber.
As we previously covered, Dave Meltzer confirmed that Roman Reigns nor The Rock are booked for Elimination Chamber. That being said, it will still be a huge show in Perth.
CM Punk has his eye on a WrestleMania main event, and Elimination Chamber will stand as the final premium live event before the showcase of the immortals. Since fans can expect Punk at the Chamber event, it’s a safe bet he will be in a marquee match.
The 2024 WWE Royal Rumble is almost here, and fans have been speculating who could be making an appearance. Typically, with the annual event, WWE showcases wrestlers from the past and present to compete in a Royal Rumble match. Although it is unclear who will be a surprise entrant this year, it has led to people throwing out names they’d like to see involved, including Hulk Hogan.
During the interview, Rosenberg asked Hart if Hogan could compete in the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble Match with his current health. Rosenberg noted that Hogan is not in shape to have a match but wondered about his willingness to be protected and thrown over the ropes safely in the match.
Hulk Hogan Posing At Gym
“The Mouth Of The South” shared that he believes Hogan could still compete.
“…For some reason, even when we are at the Beach Shop here, and these matches come on, the matches he used to be in, all of a sudden it’s like he’s Popeye The Sailor Man,” said Hart.
He continued, “…He Hulks up, and all of a sudden, I think he could do whatever he wants to do, but I’m telling you what, he could still throw those punches. He could also use a chair if he had to, but I think the fans wouldn’t really care. They would love to have him there, but they wouldn’t care if he could throw a punch or if he couldn’t just to be in the building with Hulkamania and do that; they would be so thrilled for him.”
Jimmy Hart On Hulk Hogan’s Current Health & Status
Although Hart believes Hogan could work the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble Match, the chances seem slim. The former WWE Champion has a history of health issues, which would make the decision difficult for WWE to allow him to compete.
That said, Hart shared that Hogan is in great shape and in a good place.
“…Hulk and I talk about every couple of days, and I’m always concerned about his health, but right now, he’s doing phenomenal and he works out religiously. Twice a day, believe this or not, twice a day, and if you looked at him, you wouldn’t think anything is wrong with him. He looks just how he used to look,” said Hart.
“The Mouth Of The South” also noted that Hogan is enjoying what WWE is doing and looks forward to doing something with the company again.
“…He loves the talent. He watches Roman Reigns. He watches Seth(Rollins). He loves Cody(Rhodes). He thinks that what Triple H is doing up there is phenomenal, and like I said, whenever they call us to do something, we are always there,” said Hart.
Corey Graves is a veteran in WWE at this point, and his willingness to extend his roles in the company haven’t stopped. He is now lending his expertise and opinions to different facets of the WWE production process.
Corey Graves’ New Unofficial Role In WWE
Corey Graves is best-known today as a member of WWE’s commentary team. He has also recently taken on additional responsibilities within the company.
During a conversation with Bill Apter on Wrestle Binge, the former WWE 24/7 Champion shed light on his expanded role in WWE, diving into unofficial tasks within the television studio.
Those new responsibilities for the Savior of Misbehavior involve contributing to the production of various elements. Graves is definitely showing off his versatility beyond his usual commentary duties.
“I have kind of unofficially taken on some responsibilities in the television studio, and as far as producing little bits and pieces. I don’t have an official role doing any of that, but I kind of get to lend my expertise. or opinion at least on a lot of different things.”
Corey Graves Has A Good Life
Graves won’t shut down an in-ring return of some kind. He has been medically cleared from the concussions that ended his career as an NXT Superstar.
