Matt Riddle’s WWE release opened a lot of doors for him. Now, at 37-yaers-old, he is ready for different challenges, even if he has to switch things up along the way.
Matt Riddle Changing Up His Character For Japan
While speaking to Signed by Superstars, Matt Riddle was asked about the possibility of facing the Bullet Club in Japan, to which he replied that his 420 Bro character probably won’t work against that kind of opponent.
“I’ve read a lot of things. The 420 Bro probably won’t make it to Japan,” Matt Riddle responded. This implies that he might have to switch up his in-ring style, which he has already covered.
Matt Riddle expanded on this idea, as he responded that the 420 Bro persona is going to stay in America. So, whenever Riddle is in Japan, that 420 lifestyle is going to stay out of the country. He’s never been arrested for anything, nor does he have a criminal record. He wants to keep it that way as well.
“Regardless of what people think, I’ve never been arrested. I’ve never been arrested, I don’t have a criminal record. I want to keep it that way. Regardless of what people think, I’m going to keep it that way. That’s what we’re going to do. 420 Bro stays in America.”
It was previously noted by Dave Meltzer that Matt Riddle and Jeff Cobb were almost a team in NJPW before. It’s anyone’s guess to see if that team may get a second chance in 2024. Cobb would definitely help Riddle tap into a more aggressive in-ring style.
WWE has some huge deals in the pipeline for 2024, and we already know that SmackDown and NXT have new network homes. Now, a major player in the streaming wars may be in play for RAW’s rights.
Amazon Prime Could Secure WWE RAW
With WWE’s existing media rights deal for Monday Night Raw with NBCUniversal set to conclude in October 2024, speculation is arising about the company’s next broadcasting partner. Since the USA Network secured SmackDown, the red brand’s long-time home is expected to change.
Sports Business Journalism reporter John Ourand predicts that Amazon is likely to secure the rights to WWE’s flagship show. This would see WWE RAW move behind Amazon Prime’s streaming paywall.
John Ourand’s forecast envisions Amazon keeping Raw on Monday nights. The show would then air live from whichever city they are in that week.
Amazon Prime has been trying hard to target a young male audience and provide Prime Video with an additional night of premium live programming alongside Thursday Night Football. Shifting from cable television to a streaming service would represent a notable transformation in the wrestling television rights industry.
Amazon Prime’s Possible Plan For WWE RAW
This transition to a streaming service like Amazon Prime Video aligns with the changing landscape of television consumption. Cable TV is experiencing a decline in viewership, while streaming services are gaining prominence. This shift has redefined how television content is monetarily valued. Streaming services offer precise data insights, enabling companies like WWE to accurately assess viewership and the value of their product.
Utilizing streaming data alongside advertising revenue and sponsorships lets companies determine the worth of their brand when negotiating media rights deals. WWE may secure an incredibly lucrative deal compared to its previous agreement with NBCUniversal after breaking down those numbers.
WWE has some big money deals in motion right now, but there is another contender if Warner Bros Discovery and Amazon don’t lock in the rights for RAW.
John Ourand proposed that Disney could enter the scene. Disney might consider a deal involving both renewing its existing UFC deal and broadcasting Monday Night Raw on its FX cable channel.
FX was previously reported as a top contender to lock down the longest running weekly episodic television show in history, and they may still be in the running. This alternative option would provide WWE with a broadcasting partner, albeit on cable television.
Nic Nemeth is now a “Wanted Man” after now officially being a free agent. The former Dolph Ziggler was one of several releases by WWE back in September, and he kicked 2024 off with a surprise appearance at Wrestle Kingdom.
However, Nemeth’s impending exit was something he actually fully expected and even inquired about.
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Nemeth touched upon how his leave felt like a long time coming.
“I was planning for half of this entire last contract going, ‘I know at some point, I’m being paid way too much to sit at home so I’m gonna have to get out of here.’ I always wanted to be ready to go, just in case they said, ‘I know you’ve been doing 90-second matches, can you do 30 minutes with The Undertaker?’ You’re damn right I can. I was ready to go anyway.
“I just wanted to have every option available. It wasn’t out of the blue. I had sent emails to the boss over the last few months saying, ‘I have to move on to somewhere else, can you let me do this?’ Eventually, without exact back and forth, that’s how it worked out.”
Nemeth has plenty to look forward to as free agency is a new beginning for him. His appearance at Wrestle Kingdom even surprised talent backstage at NJPW, but Nemeth will be keeping busy overseas in the wrestling realm as he’ll be making appearances in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Since his release, Nemeth also has been doing stand-up appearances with his younger brother Ryan.
Please credit Busted Open Radio and h/t to Fightful for the transcription.
The WWE Royal Rumble is approaching on January 27th, and that will always spark speculation about potential returns. Rey Mysterio may be out of action with an injury, but he is eyeing a return at Tropicana Field.
Rey Mysterio Gives Positive Injury Update
Rey Mysterio is currently in recovery after undergoing knee surgery a few weeks ago. His absence from television was prompted by an attack from Santos Escobar. In reality, this was a planned procedure, because Mysterio needed to get this work done on his knee.
Unfazed by this physical setback, Rey Mysterio is determined to make a swift return to the ring. While speaking to Baker Banter, Mr. 6-1-9 mentioned actively engaging in physical therapy and expressed optimism about being back in action for the Royal Rumble.
“I’m really working hard on my physical therapy,” Mysterio stated. “I just had knee surgery, thanks to Santos Escobar, and his time will come eventually. I do hope that I can return for the Rumble, if not shortly after that. I am working very hard to make my return as soon as possible.”
Rey Mysterio Speaks on Seth Rollins
If Rey Mysterio can win the 2024 Royal Rumble match, he may elect to take on Seth Rollins for his WWE World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania 40. Myserio has seen Seth Rollins operate, and he had a unique take on The Visionary’s career metamorphosis in WWE.
“Seth Rollins, to me, he’s like a chameleon. He disguises himself as many characters. He had beef with a lot of Superstars because he does carry the World Title. But now that CM Punk is on board, it’s like he pushed all the rivals that he had on [in] his site and is now focused strictly on one person. Personally, I respect Seth Rollins. I enjoy watching his work, and I appreciate that he was Dominik’s godfather. He was the first superstar to step in the ring with Dominick [SummerSlam 2020] and trusted Dominik. So at that time, Dominik and I were very close and that makes me feel full of respect towards Seth Rollins. But in the ring right now, he’s a crazy man.”
Rey Mysterio also inked a new deal with WWE, along with his son, Dominik Mysterio. While it is believed that Dominik’s contract is a full five-year deal, many believe that Rey Mysterio only inked a three-year agreement. Either way, that will ensure that WWE fans have years to come for that father/son storyline to finally circle back to each other.
Cody Rhodes is a WWE fan favorite, and that is very evident every time fans blare out “WOAH” during his Kingdom entrance. He has consistently gone above and beyond for his Nightmare Family, and that included recently agreeing to be a fan’s best man during a live event in Spokane.
Cody Rhodes Is Going To Be A Best Man
During a WWE live event in Spokane, Washington, Rhodes secured a victory over Shinsuke Nakamura as the two prepare for their January 8th battle on RAW. WWE fans often bring signs to events, but one caught the American Nightmare’s eye.
After the match, Cody Rhodes noticed a fan’s sign requesting him to be the Best Man at their upcoming wedding. Cody readily agreed, which brought a huge pop from the Washington crowd.
Cody Rhodes Explains His Actions
This spontaneous and rather significant gesture surprised many fans who initially doubted Cody Rhodes’ sincerity. In a video released by WWE, Cody Rhodes addressed the fan’s request, confirming his commitment to being the best man at the wedding scheduled for March this year.
‘‘I should have not seen that sign. Turns out, I’m gonna be his Best Man. Now here’s the funny thing, don’t even know his name. He’s gonna send me a DM on Instagram he told me. Man of my word. I’m gonna end up at that guy’s wedding. So congratulations to future guy I’m the Best Man to. Yup, I’m the Best Man.”
Cody Rhodes has his eye on winning the 2024 Royal Rumble match. He wants to finish his story, and make his way to WrestleMania 40. With this kind of connection with fans, it’s evident that he will be a huge babyface favorite when January 27th’s big event in Tropicana Field rolls around.
WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker has conquered several daunting match stipulations and moments in his wrestling career, but which was the scariest? On episode 12 of the Six Feet Under podcast, The Undertaker provided an answer, pointing to one of his most memorable appearances inside Hell in a Cell.
The moment in reference happened during The Undertaker’s Hell in a Cell match against Mick Foley (Mankind at the time) at the 1998 WWE King of the Ring pay-per-view.
While many remember this match for Foley’s thunderous plunge through the announce table, The Undertaker considers another part of the match to be even more terrifying.
Mankind / Mick Foley and Hell in a Cell (1998)
“I think probably the scariest moment was when Mick went through the Cell. When I choke slammed him through it. Not when I threw him off, but when I choke-slammed him through the cell. The way that he landed. I was legit like, ‘Come on, please move,’ because I didn’t know that he was going to. That was pretty tense there for a little bit,” Undertaker said.
“And I’m thinking the worst because of just the way that it looked from my perspective. From my perspective, it looks like he landed on his head. And regardless of the reason why or how, in my head, it’s like, ‘You’re the one that just choke slammed him through it.’ So if he doesn’t get up, all those things are already going through your mind like ‘Are you going to be the guy that crippled Mick Foley?’ Yeah, that was pretty gnarly.”
Another ‘Scary’ Moment
Outside of his Hell in a Cell match against Mick Foley, The Undertaker says another scary moment occurred during his 2019 WWE Super ShowDown match against another fellow WWE Hall of Famer — Goldberg. At one point, Goldberg set The Undertaker in position for a suplex. However, when the two crashed onto the mat, The Undertaker then+ experienced what he described as an “incredible lightning bolt of pain” in his back.
WWE had an original plan for Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble, but Chief Content Officer Triple H decided to call an audible.
Royal Rumble will naturally be featuring the two 30-person matches as its cornerstone bouts, but Roman Reigns will have his table full to kick off the road to WrestleManai. Reigns will be putting his WWE Undisputed Universal Championship on the line against AJ Styles, LA Knight and The Apex Predator, Randy Orton.
From a television and speculation perspective, the overall thought was that it would be Randy Orton facing Roman Reigns one-on-one for the gold, but that clearly wasn’t the direction taken.
According to Dave Meltzer on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, the original plan was indeed Orton vs. Reigns, but there were certain parties within WWE that felt that The Viper shouldn’t be taking a loss so soon after making a major return.
By adding AJ Styles and LA Knight to the equation, WWE has more latitude for Reigns to keep his historic championship reign in tact without Randy Orton having to take a pin or submission, even under dubious circumstances. Everybody knows there’s money in in Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton and the company isn’t playing that card just yet.
If one were to put money on who would take the pinfall on Royal Rumble Saturday, the safe bet may likely be AJ Styles considering that LA Knight already took a pinfall loss to Roman at Crown Jewel. Styles just made a return back to the company as well, but Meltzer stated he believes AJ Styles would make the most since to take a loss.
A new WWE trademark filing with a biblical connotation may be used for Friday night SmackDown’s newest faction.
According to the United States Patent & Trademark Office database, WWE applied to trademark the name ‘Final Testament’ on Sunday. The ‘Goods and Services’ usage description on the January 7 filing discusses the usual:
“Wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered through broadcast media including television and radio, and via the internet or commercial online service;”
The application does not reference any WWE Superstar(s) in particular, but there are a few clues to follow regarding the true nature of Final Testament.
Karrion Kross & AOP’s New Faction
On the January 5 episode of WWE SmackDown, a promo segment involving Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits was interrupted by Karrion Kross, Scarlett, and a returning Paul Ellering.
As Kross, Scarlett, and Ellering emerged onto the stage, Akam and Rezar of the Authors of Pain snuck up into the ring from behind, providing a pathway for them, along with Kross, to promptly attack Lashley and The Street Profits. The end of the segment then saw Kross, Akam, Rezar, Scarlett, and Ellering standing tall on the entrance ramp.
In the lead-up to Akam and Rezar’s on-screen return, Kross began teasing that he was in need of some “authors” to help put his vision, or rather, “proclamation” into motion.
The group is officially a faction and we should find out soon if their name has anything to do with ‘Final Testament.
The Undertaker is a WWE Hall of Famer who led the locker room for decades. While he led the troops for Vince McMahon backstage, he also saw many instances of tomfoolery along the way.
The Undertaker Speaks on Backstage Pranks in WWE
WWE Superstars spend their lives on the road, and sometimes they get bored. This was especially true during The Undertaker’s heyday, because WWE’s schedule was far more grueling. To pass the time, Superstars would often prank each other backstage.
The Undertaker is famously afraid of cucumbers. Owen Hart took advantage of this fact on several occasions, as he pranked the Deadman with the common vegetable. Through it all, things never got too intense as Taker remembers it. He did remember how The Rockers would tamper with other wrestlers’ belongings while they were busy in the ring.
During his Six Feet Under podcast, The Undertaker was asked what was the most juvenile prank he ever saw backstage in WWE.
“When I first started with WWE, Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty. They were a couple little turds. That’s what they were. They were just bad. I would go out and have a match. Back then, we’d have somebody there that would bring our ring gear back. Every time I’d come back from a match, there would be my hat sitting on a case somewhere, and it would be poked. The top of it would be poked in. It’d be like sugar poured all over the top of it, flowers put in it. Just silly things that they would do to my hat. I didn’t know who was doing it. One thing with a rib when you’re in the wrestling business is, you don’t sell it. You don’t sell the rib. You don’t let anybody know that the rib’s getting to you. Because if it’s bothering you, it’s only gonna get worse. So I’m just playing it cool and I kind of set it up like a trap one day. I had my hat sitting out on the case. My coat was lying next to it and I’m kind of hiding.”
“This is kinda juvenile in its own right. I’m kind of hiding behind the curtain backstage, watching. I set a trap [and] here comes Shawn Michaels, just be-bopping down the hallway, and he stops. He walked in, he sees my hat and he stops. I remember him looking both ways like ‘Is there anybody around?’ I remember him pushing my hat, the top of my hat, caving my hat in, and I caught him right away. I was like, ‘You son of a bitch.’ And he about pissed himself like, ‘Oh, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’ That was some of the more juvenile. I’ve been fairly lucky.”
“There’s only been a few guys that would rib me. Paul Bearer would rib me and Brian Adams would rib me. Those are the only two. Yeah, those are the only two guys or whatever. I mean Vince. Yeah, he went out of his way to rib me. He would spend thousands and thousands of dollars just to rib me and get a kick out of it. But as far as the talent, though, the only two guys that would rib me were Paul Bearer and Bryan Adams.”
The Deadman was also asked if he ever saw a prank go too far. That is when the former judge of Wrestlers Court was candid in his response. There were what he called “close calls,” and cucumbers were involved. In the end, those ribs were relatively harmless.
“There were a couple of close calls with cucumbers, that got a little bit too close to consumption, which would have been really bad. But most of them were pretty harmless.”
History of Practical Jokes in Pro Wrestling
Another notable instance of a famous backstage rib went down during a European tour in 1993 when Owen Hart switched his brother Bret Hart’s wrestling gear with a smaller-sized version, so the Hitman had to go out alone. Owen Hart also put sliced cucumbers in The Undertaker’s boots, which caused quite a reaction from the Deadman.
Mr. Fuji, who was a legendary prankster backstage, was known for mischievous ribs. He did things like filling babyface wrestlers’ water bottles with salt. Bobby Heenan was also legendary for his outlandish ribs, one that would entertain Superstars for hours on the road.
The infamous “Plane Ride from Hell” in 2002 saw various disruptive ribs, including Ric Flair’s naked antics, which did not age well at all. A wrestling match also broke out between Brock Lesnar and Mr. Perfect, who also allegedly dosed wrestlers with halcion tablets for giggles at times as well.
Despite Bayley’s support, the 49ers would lose to the Rams in a close-fought game which ended with the Rams winning 21-20.
George Kittle and Wrestling
Kittle will be thrilled to have received this title given that he is a known fan of WWE. Earlier in the 2023 season, he wore an Edge shirt ahead of a Monday Night Football game. Kittle also appeared at WrestleMania 39 and would help Pat McAfee defeat The Miz.
Speaking to Rich Eisen after his appearance, Kittle said that he’s been hoping for something with WWE for some time and was pleased to help out “one of the boys.” Kittle admitted that appearing at WrestleMania was the second-most anxiety-inducing experience of his life, only being beaten by singing with Kelly Clarkson.
Kittle added that he was worried about clotheslining The Miz, and was encouraged to hit harder than he thought was needed. Sure enough, Kittle decked the two-time WWE Grand Slam Champion and would help get the Miz back in the ring.
Shannon Sharpe and the crew of the Nightcap Show are more than welcome to visit a WWE event anytime after the NFL legend shared his love for the wrestling business.
During a recent episode of the Nightcap Show, the topic of wrestling came up. Sharpe spoke about growing up watching Georgia Championship Wrestling and named some of the stars of the era he loved to watch. Sharpe recalled traveling across Georgia with his family to see the likes of Dusty Rhodes, Bobo Brazil, Ox Baker, Andre the Giant, Harley Race, and Nick Bockwinkel.
Taking to Twitter, Triple H was impressed by Sharpe’s love of the business. In a tweet, the Game appreciated Sharpe’s passion and said that he and the Nightcap Show crew are welcome to attend a WWE event any place any time.
Regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, Sharpe is best known for his time with the Denver Broncos, who he played for from 1990 to 1999 and later from 2002 to 2003. Sharpe holds the record for the most receiving yards in a game by a tight end (214) and is a three-time Super Bowl Champion (twice with the Broncos and once with the Baltimore Ravens).
WWE Superstars are prone to get tattoos, and then they get extra love by sharing their new ink on social media. Now, two WWE Superstars have new art in their skin, and they got those pieces for a good reason.
Zelina Vega has been making waves in WWE since her return in 2022. Apart from WWE, she extends her influence beyond wrestling as she embraces the role of a budding YouTube personality along with Twitch streamer.
Zelina Vega & Dakota Kai’s New Tattoos
Recently, Zelina Vega, in collaboration with Dakota Kai, set a bold target for their YouTube channel. They put their eyes on a goal to reach 15,000 subscribers. Upon successfully attaining this significant milestone, the duo opted for a unique celebration by getting matching tattoos.
In a video shared on Zelina Vega’s Instagram, the two chronicle their tattoo experience. Their new tattoos matched their passions and personalities to a tee, as they got some Pokémon ink.
Choosing Pokemon-themed tattoos to mark the 15k subscriber achievement, Dakota Kai selects a Vulpix tattoo, while Zelina Vega opts for a Seel tattoo.
Happy 15k!! Thank you all for getting @zelvxandcharliegirl to our new milestone! What should our 20k be?? thank you @ownyoursummer for the dope #Pokemon tattoos!
Beyond her YouTube accomplishments, Zelina Vega solidified her commitment to WWE by recently signing a long-term deal. That ensured her continued presence with the company for years to come.
Fans can anticipate with excitement the future ventures from the LWO member. She has also been receiving rave reviews for her character work on WWE television.
Dakota Kai is still going strong as a member of Damage CTRL. Although she may still be waiting out her knee injury, she was still featured on WWE television practically every week, which kept her face out there and her brand relevant. Obviously, both Vega and Kai are connecting with fans in a big way, as evidence by their latest subscriber accomplishment.
WWE has a lot of fans talking about possibilities of outside partnerships. Where Vince McMahon closed his Forbidden Door a long time ago, Triple H doesn’t seem as eager to keep it bolted shut. That has led to some interesting prospects for the future.
WWE has always wanted to branch into Japan, and secure more of that market. Although attempts to form some sort of alliance failed over the years, things are very different within WWE now, as Vince McMahon’s mentality is no longer an issue.
WWE & STARDOM’s Possible Deal
Sean Ross Sapp posted on Fightful Select to note that he could not confirm that talks between WWE and STARDOM have resulted in a deal, but conversations are present between the two companies.
It was noted that, “Numerous WWE sources noted that the company was in a new era and things could be done a lot differently.”
WWE & AJPW’s Current Arrangement
Regarding the AJPW deal with WWE, one that saw Charlie Dempsey make his way to the Japanese company, there is more of a “wait and see how it goes” approach, “but that things are looking good.”
It was also noted that, “WWE has been much more relaxed on these possibilities since Nick Khan gained power, though it wasn’t directly attributed to his arrival, the timeline added up.”
WWE & NJPW Possibly Working Together
Whenever deals with Japanese companies arise, fans will naturally ask about the possibility of WWE linking up with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. It was reported that, at this time, it doesn’t seem likely that a partnership will happen considering NJPW’s alliance with AEW.
Regarding rumors of WWE interest with NJPW, we’ve heard that WWE has long maintained interest in at least some connection with NJPW. Those we spoke to in both companies don’t think it’s particularly likely considering the strong partnership between AEW and NJPW, but said that with new faces at the helm of both WWE and NJPW, it’s at least more likely than it has been in a long time. Sources within WWE we spoke to said that Vince McMahon usually quickly nixed any discussion of such. Rocky Romero had spoken with Nick Khan at one point years ago, but the conversation never went anywhere.
AJPW insiders reportedly expressed happiness with Charlie Dempsey’s performances, considering him an effective representative sent by WWE. NXT sources also reported positive treatment of Dempsey during his trip. We will have to see if that trip will be the only one an NXT talent makes to Japan to represent the company over the course of 2024.
WWE RAW’s Day 1 episode at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California was a packed card. Not only did The Rock return for a shocking segment, but Rhea Ripley also battled to defend the WWE Women’s World Title against Ivy Nile. The Rock paid attention to Ripley that night, and he had a special message to share.
The Rock’s WWE RAW Day 1 Surprise
The Rock showed up for a segment with Jinder Mahal, where he shut down the Modern Day Maharaja’s anti-American promo. That resulted in “Day One Douchebag” chants, and after The Rock beat Mahal down, he dropped a blatant tease about a future match with Roman Reigns.
Following the show, photos circulated on social media showing The Rock spending time with Ripley, prompting a public comment from The Rock on Instagram. His caption provided a very important message that The People’s Champion had for The Nightmare.
“She wears black. I love black. She’s a bad ass. And I got famous for wearing a fanny pack. We had fun f*cking around backstage —-Love, appreciate and respect you champ @rhearipley_wwe – thanks for trusting me with your title, keep kickin’ ass and raising the bar ——Big shout to @cathykelley for being a total pro and having fun — —-#peopleschamp.”
Rhea Ripley began her WWE career in 2017, participating in the inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament. She was off to the races after that.
Rhea Ripley joined NXT and evolved into a top star for the brand. Ripley’s accomplishments include winning the NXT Women’s Championship and playing a significant role in various storylines. Over time, she transitioned to the main roster.
To this day, Rhea Ripley is a member of Judgment Day, and many fans consider her the leader of that faction. The Rock definitely can’t wait to see what she does next.
WWE Superstar Jinder Mahal is eager to step into the ring with The Rock once again, after their collision on this week’s episode of Raw.
The Brahma Bull returned to WWE programming during this week’s Day 1 edition of Raw to an eclectic response from the crowd. WWE had been teasing the return of a former WWE Champion in the days before the show, which at first appeared to be Mahal. The Modern-Day Maharaja ran down the United States before the return of The Rock, who had some choice words for his fellow former WWE Champion. The Rock then laid out Mahal with a spinebuster and his People’s Elbow.
Jinder Mahal Challenges The Rock
The Rock may have handily dispatched of Mahal on Raw, but now the 3MB alum is ready for another shot at the Great One. Speaking to WWE Super Dhamaal, Mahal has praise for his own efforts on Day 1 Raw.
“I had many good points before Rock even came out. I was feeling confident until I was on the receiving end of, you know, Rock gave me a spinebuster. Up until then, I really believed that I had The Rock. You know, I had his confidence choked. I could see the look in his eyes. You know, I am the Modern Day Maharaja, he may be The People’s Champion, they were cheering him on. For someone who had no respect from the crowd, I think I did really well.”
Mahal then made his intentions clear and challenged the Brahma Bull to a match.
“I want to issue a challenge to The Rock. Anytime in India, you can step into the ring with The Modern Day Maharaja.”
The Modern Day Maharaja ? The People's Champion ? ??@JinderMahal issues a challenge to @TheRock following their altercation on #WWE RAW ?
After dealing with Mahal, The Rock teased going after Roman Reigns’ role as Head of the Table. Click here to check out the reaction from the Tribal Chief.
The pro wrestling world has many happy couples, because it really takes someone in the business to understand the sacrifices required. Sadly, not all relationships last, and it appears that Bron Breakker and Cora Jade may no longer be together.
Bron Breakker & Cora Jade’s Relationship
Cora Jade and Bron Breakker were romantically linked with each other. Their relationship was made official last year.
In 2022, there were speculations about their relationship, which Bron Breakker later confirmed. They openly shared photos and videos with each other on social media, posting numerous times as they let fans know that they were an official couple on their respective Instagram accounts.
Bron Breakker & Cora Jade’s Possible Breakup
Upon checking both Cora Jade and Bron Breakker’s Instagram profiles, they have unfollowed each other and deleted all their shared photos. This was quickly noticed by eagle-eyes fans, causing some concern that the pro wrestling power couple from NXT are no longer dating.
Though there has been no official word from Cora Jade or Bron Breakker on the subject so any rumors about them are just speculation at this point.
Relationships can face challenges due to busy schedules, especially in pro wrestling. Although we cannot be certain about the reason for this development until the NXT stars are ready to address their relationship status publically.
No matter what, Bron Breakker and Cora Jade both have huge upsides to them, as they are top NXT Superstars with main roster potential. At this time, we can only wait for some kind of official word from Breakker or Jade.
A unique technicality was crucial for the most serious drug-related charge against WWE Superstar being dropped this week.
Morgan was arrested on December 14th in Sumter County, Florida, following a traffic stop and was charged with possession of drugs, possibly synthetic cannabinoids. She was also charged with marijuana possession, not exceeding 20 grams, and possession of drug equipment.
Why the Charge Was Dropped
This week, the possession of drugs, possibly synthetic cannabinoids charge was dropped against Morgan, which will come as a huge relief to the Superstar. This was the most serious charge against the former SmackDown Women’s Champion.
The decision to drop the charge came as a surprise to many, but there is a reason for this. An Assistant State Attorney in Sumter County told KOMO News that to prove the charge, the State is required to prove that the THC came from synthetic sources and was not derived from plant sources. No labs in the State of Florida perform such tests, so it was remanded to county court as possession of cannabis.
With no labs to perform the test, this charge was dropped. In a statement to The Messenger, Morgan’s attorney Jack Goldberg said:
“We are extremely pleased that the State Attorney’s office made the correct decision to not purse felony charges against Gionna [Morgan].”
What’s Next?
The charge of possession of marijuana, less than 20 grams, is a first-degree misdemeanor in Florida. It can be punishable by up to one year in jail or on probation, along with a $1,000 fine. Conviction of possession also results in a six-month driving license suspension, random drug testing, and the reimbursement of all fees related to the sentence. There is no heat on Morgan for this arrest within WWE.
Cody Rhodes is focused on ‘finishing the story’ and becoming Undisputed WWE Universal Champion but will make time out of his schedule to be a fan’s Best Man.
At a WWE live event in Spokane, Washington, Rhodes picked up a victory over Shinsuke Nakamura. After the match, Rhodes spotted a fan’s sign, asking the American Nightmare to be the Best Man at their upcoming wedding. Cody agreed, much to the delight of the Washington crowd.
No lie… @CodyRhodes is the realest human being of all time!! A fan had a sign that asked him to be his best man. Cody agreed!! He’s gonna be a fan’s best man!!! Talk about making memories!!!#WWESpokanepic.twitter.com/mRCfJwInm9
CM Punk returned to WWE, and fans soon cried for AJ Lee’s return as well. Other fans are now wondering when Larry, Punk and AJ Mendez’s dog, will make an appearance.
CM Punk Gives Update On Larry
During a recent interview on 640 The Score, CM Punk provided an update on Larry’s condition, mentioning that the dog experienced additional health issues, including a blown-out ACL.
A short time later, CM Punk appeared for the WWE 2024 Preview Special, and he was asked about Larry’s current state. Punk was very happy to receive a question about Larry, as he revealed that his little friend is doing much better.
“Oh, gosh, he’s doing so much better. He’s doing much better. He’s had a string of really, really good days. He had a rough couple of months. I don’t know if it was harder on me and April (His wife, aka WWE’s AJ Lee) or was harder on him, but he’s trying to jump back on the couch now. That’s how we got hurt in the first place. So we just gotta keep an eye on him still. But he’s doing a lot better. I appreciate you asking.”CM Punk acknowledged that Larry wasn’t present during the interview to be shown on camera, as AJ Lee likely had him in another room to prevent interruptions. This scenario is not uncommon for owners of small dogs who may hold sway in the household.
CM Punk & Larry’s Future
Currently, in a feud with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, CM Punk’s exchanges with Rollins started before Punk’s return and continued in on-screen promos. WrestleMania seems like a likely location for a confrontation between those two.
It remains to be seen whether Larry might make an appearance on WWE television. He was around backstage at AEW on a semi-frequent basis, as Larry was reportedly caught in the middle of Brawl Out, where he ended up losing two teeth after they were loosened during the chaos.
Tyler Bate made his debut on WWE’s January 5th episode of SmackDown, as he helped Butch pick up an important win against Pretty Deadly. Triple H calls the shots in WWE, and he’s always been a fan of Bate. Now he gets to book him on a much larger stage.
Tyler Bate’s WWE Main Roster Debut
Pretty Deadly was slated to take on Butch on SmackDown, yet Butch lacked a partner. Despite the absence of a designated teammate, the match was scheduled for SmackDown’s New Year’s Revolution episode, offering fans an unexpected twist.
Butch chose Tyler Bate as his partner, marking the NXT Superstar’s first appearance on SmackDown, but it will not be his last. Tyler Bate is now officially a SmackDown Superstar.
After Butch and Tyler Bate picked up a win over Pretty Deadly on SmackDown, the Big Stong Boi made it very clear that he’s on SmackDown for the long haul.
“Finally, it’s been a long time coming, but the Big Strong Boi has finally arrived on SmackDown — and I am here to stay.”
Following his debut on the show, Bate is now featured on the SmackDown roster page on WWE’s website. A video posted on Instagram by WWE features Bate stating that he has made his presence known on SmackDown and intends to remain.
Tyler Bate is a wrestler from England who worked in WWE. He became the first WWE United Kingdom Champion in January 2017 at 19 years old. Bate was a proud part of NXT UK, until the brand closed down, which opened the door for his NXT debut.
Tyler Bate’s wrestling style is known for strength and agility, and he’s been part of important matches in WWE. He’s also raked up a ton of accomplishments in WWE so far in his career.
Tyler Bate is a two-time WWE/NXT United Kingdom Champion, he not only claimed the inaugural title but also secured the final one. Bate further solidified his standing by winning the NXT UK Heritage Cup.
While teaming up with Trent Seven, Bate won both the NXT Tag Team Championship and the NXT UK Tag Team Championship. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the first NXT UK Triple Crown Champion as well. He also won the NXT Tag Team Championship Invitational in 2018 with Seven.
Tyler Bate picked up the NXT Year-End Award for Match of the Year in 2017, recognized for his outstanding bout against Pete Dunne for the WWE United Kingdom Championship at NXT TakeOver: Chicago. Now, he is teaming with Dunne, as Butch, on WWE SmackDown.
Tyler Bate is looking forward to a lengthy future on SmackDown after arriving on the scene during this week’s episode.
The January 5, 2024, episode of SmackDown was the show’s New Year’s Revolution special and was the final show of WWE’s stacked first week of 2024 programming. In the show’s main event, Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight competed for a shot at Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Thanks to interference from The Bloodline, no winner would be determined, and Nick Aldis’ announcement of a fatal four-way match would infuriate the Tribal Chief.
Tyler Bate is Here to Stay
On this week’s SmackDown, Bate made his debut as the mystery tag-team partner of Butch. The pair of former WWE United Kingdom Champions proved to team together seamlessly and got the victory over Pretty Deadly.
In a post-match interview, Bate shared his thoughts on finally making it to the blue brand. The Big Strong Boi also stated that he was here to stay after making his debut.
”Finally, it’s been a long time coming but the big strong boi has finally arrived on SmackDown, and I am here to stay!”
Bate’s arrival this week shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to fans. Last month, it was reported that WWE was considering bringing Bate to the main roster. While Bate is smaller than many on the main roster, his size isn’t considered as big a deal now with Vince McMahon no longer running WWE’s creative department. It is stated that WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque is far more open-minded as to who can be a top star.
WWE may be happy to credit the recent record-breaking views on social media to The Rock, but the man himself believes that the ‘people’ deserve the credit.
The return of the Brahma Bull has proven to be a hit with fans, as the figures on social media prove. WWE recently disclosed that in its first few days, The Rock’s return has racked up over 171 million views across multiple platforms, a record for any WWE moment during such a timeframe. Taking to Twitter, The Rock was grateful to the fans who he argued were the ones breaking the record.
Amazing stuff. This is all thanks to the people. They break records, not me. I just try and look cool, not screw up and not cuss too much ???? #peopleschamphttps://t.co/EqITza7mb0
In a separate tweet, the Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment spoke about his “sacred connection with the people.” The Rock added that while he’s had some loud crowd pops in his time, the one he received on this week’s Raw simply hit differently from the rest.
25+ years of sacred connection with the people that I’ll forever honor. This eruption at the end just hit different. I’ve experienced some very loud crowd pops, but this was different. Layers. Chills. ~ people’s champ ??? https://t.co/360XKztor0
The first SmackDown of 2024 saw some of WWE’s top names on the broadcast and also saw quite a notable name behind the scenes.
The January 5, 2024, SmackDown saw a fatal four-way be confirmed for the Royal Rumble event, as Roman Reigns will defend against AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and LA Knight. In the finals of the U.S. Championship Contenders Tournament, Kevin Owens defeated Santos Escobar. The Prizefighter will challenge U.S. Champion Logan Paul at the Royal Rumble PLE.
Nickelback at SmackDown
For all the Superstars at SmackDown, one of the biggest names in entertainment at the show remained backstage. On Twitter, Triple H shared a photo with Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger and made reference to their popular track ‘Photograph’.
While Kroeger and his bandmates haven’t competed in the ring, Nickelback has close ties to the world of professional wrestling. In 2009, their song ‘Burn it to the Ground’ became the official theme of Monday Night Raw. The theme would be used until Raw 1,000 in July 2012.
Music from Nickelback has been used for several WWE Premium Live Events. Their track ‘This Means War’ was used for the Elimination Chamber 2012 event, while ‘Edge of a Revolution’ was used for Survivor Series 2014. The group also performed live for the Tribute to the Troops event in 2011 with a rendition of ‘Burn it to the Ground’.
One of WWE’s most promising young Superstars competed before SmackDown went on the air. Click here to find out more.
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is far from thrilled after his efforts to prevent a challenger for his title backfired immensely on SmackDown.
The January 5, edition of the blue brand was the ‘New Year’s Revolution’ episode of SmackDown and concluded WWE’s stacked first week of programming in 2024. In the main event, Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight competed with the winner earning an Undisputed WWE Universal Championship opportunity.
Roman Reigns Reacts
Before the match could reach a decisive finish, Roman Reigns and The Bloodline interfered and attacked all three potential challengers. Unhappy with this, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis informed Paul Heyman that Reigns would defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Champion at the Royal Rumble in a fatal four-way match.
Backstage, Heyman was given the daunting task of informing Reigns about the upcoming title match. The Special Counsel was clearly terrified when telling Reigns of what Aldis had told them. Reigns was infuriated but refrained from shouting and simply demanded that Heyman “fix this.”
This match will be the first time in over two years that Reigns has not defended his title in a singles contest. Reigns’ most recent match which saw multiple challengers was at WrestleMania 37 where the Tribal Chief bested Edge and Daniel Bryan. This will be Reigns’ first time defending his title in a fatal four-way match.
WWE Royal Rumble 2024
Reigns’ fatal four-way match will be part of a stacked event on January 27. The show will also feature the two titular Rumble matches. So far, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Bobby Lashley have been announced for the Men’s Match. Bayley, Nia Jax, Becky Lynch, and Bianca Belair have been announced for the Women’s Match. U.S. Champion Logan Paul will defend against Kevin Owens at the event.
What happened after the New Year’s Revolution edition of SmackDown went off the air? Click here to find out.
WWE’s second-ever Olympic Gold Medalist was in action before this week’s episode of SmackDown went on the air.
The January 5, edition of the blue brand was the ‘New Year’s Revolution’ episode of SmackDown and concluded WWE’s stacked first week of programming in 2024. In the main event, Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight competed with the winner earning an Undisputed WWE Universal Championship opportunity. After Roman Reigns and The Bloodline interfered, Nick Aldis announced a fatal four-way at the Royal Rumble on January 27.
Gable Steveson at SmackDown
Before the show went on the air, the fans in Vancouver were able to see Gable Steveson in action. The Tokyo 2021 Summer Olympics Gold Medalist faced Cedric Alexander and got the win over the Hurt Business alum. You can check out Steveson’s entrance in the video below.
Gable Steveson wasn’t the only name associated with WWE NT to be at this week’s SmackDown in Vancouver. For his tag-team match with Pretty Deadly, Butch had to find a tag-team partner, which turned out to be Tyler Bate. The Big Strong Boi and his fellow NXT UK Champion would get the win over Elton Prince and Kit Wilson.
Why is it unfair to compare Gable Steveson to Kurt Angle? Click here to check out what the WWE Hall of Famer has to say.
