Erick Rowan delivered a passionate promo during this week’s Raw that blended the Wyatt Sicks angle with his real-life feelings of losing Brodie Lee and Bray Wyatt.

Lee passed away in December 2020 and Rowan appeared at AEW’s tribute show for the former TNT Champion. Less than three years later, Rowan appeared at WWE’s tribute show for Bray Wyatt after the former Universal Champion passed away at the age of 36.

Wyatt Sicks Hack Into The Pat McAfee Show Ahead of July 15 WWE Raw

Erick Rowan On Raw

As we’ve seen in recent weeks, the Wyatt Sicks delivered a VHS which was played during this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw. In the video, Rowan was seen being asked by an off-camera Uncle Howdy how he has been.

“I’m not gonna lie. The last few years have been very, very hard. You know I used to have a family. We were unstoppable, inseparable, always had each other’s backs, and then one day, the whole world changed. I lost a brother — the person in the world who believed in me more than anyone else — just gone.”

Rowan added that after Brodie’s passing, he tried to carry on and keep moving, feeling he had no other alternative.

“But just when I thought I had everything going, my other brother, he’s gone too.”

Rowan then shifted his comments to the Wyatt Sicks program as he was handed his sheep mask and asked how it makes him feel.

“It gives me hope… you reached out your hand [and] I accepted it… We’re gonna take our broken hearts and make some beautiful art.”

Blending the real-life tragedies Rowan has gone through and the Wyatt Sicks storyline is an interesting move by WWE and certainly gives the faction a sense of realism. Outside of Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy, nobody in the faction was closer to Bray than Erick Rowan, and his open testimony this week shows just how deeply both Wyatt and Lee affected the Wyatt Sicks member.

5 Years On: Looking Back At The Debut Of ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt

WWE continues to build toward a huge angle with QR codes. The trend continued during this week’s episode of RAW.

During Ilja Dragunov’s entrance before his match against Ricochet, another QR code appeared on the screen. Michael Cole, once again, pointed it out, saying, “there’s that damn QR code, again.”

The QR code this week led to a video featuring a woman who had been reported missing. In the video, she spoke about her captor, stating she was never in any harm and was happy that he “set her free.”

UNCLE HOWDY NEW QR CODE LEDS TO THIS

????#WWERAW pic.twitter.com/yynsJtPPgZ

— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) May 28, 2024

Upcoming Stable

A lot of hype is growing about Uncle Howdy’s new stable, with Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross, and Erick Rowan reportedly involved. Fans are eagerly awaiting the debut of this new faction.

The teases began at the end of the Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal documentary, suggesting someone might continue Wyatt’s legacy. With Bo Dallas taking on the Uncle Howdy character, Wyatt’s story may carry on in this way.

WWE has strategically placed these hints across various platforms, including their WWE 2K24 video game. We will continue to monitor for any new updates on this unfolding storyline.

Something is stirring in the WWE Universe, and the cryptic clues keep coming. The company’s Twitch stream, already a target for mysterious messages, saw another ominous interruption today.

A new hint has emerged about the rumored Bo Dallas-led faction in WWE. This only adds to the growing intrigue surrounding their anticipated arrival.

During a live Twitch stream on WWE’s official channel, viewers saw a series of mysterious visuals and messages. This concluded the stream for the day, and the clip immediately went viral.

The strange portion of the broadcast started with two notes shown on screen. One said, “I can’t wait to meet you,” as the other read, “I will see you all soon.” Then, hands wearing fingerless gloves appeared, holding a note with the message “REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE” along with displayed coordinates. They left this note on a doorstep before running away.

Who's ready for this faction to break WWE wide open? pic.twitter.com/FWjenj3Msd

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) May 24, 2024

The Upcoming Stable

Four other names are expected to be part of this new faction. Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Erick Rowan are all slated to join the new Wyatt Family fold.

Each of these Superstars has experience as faction members. Cross was part of Sanity, Gacy leads The Schism, Lumis was a member of The Way, and Rowan was an original member of The Wyatt Family.

Uncle Howdy hasn’t been seen on WWE television since he was involved in Bray Wyatt’s story with Bobby Lashley during the build toward their WrestleMania 39 match that never happened. WWE is obviously planning something, and fans will seemingly have an answer to all their questions soon.

WWE was infiltrated by another QR code on the 5/20 episode of WWE RAW and it leads to a place with a name tied to the Wyatt Family.

Sami Zayn and Chad Gable were duking it out on Monday and as Zayn was delivering a blue thunder bomb to Gable, a QR code flashed on screen along with some mysterious imagery. If fans got the opportunity to capture the code it would take them to a survery asking several yes or no questions including:

“Can you ever truly be free?”

“Have you ever lost your way?”

“Did you find your way back?”

“Do you want to be better?”

“Do you know that I am proud of you?”

“Is love unconditional?”

If you answer them in favor of the inquiry you will be lead to several blocks to pick from and if you open on of them it shows a white lined sheet with symbols all over it, but coordinates on the side. If you look up those coordinates, it leads fans to Rowan University.

The qr codes gives us coordinates that lead to "Rowan University" #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/3MKSp1LCHD

— ??????™ (@WhatsTheStatus) May 21, 2024

• Bo-Lieve Reference Revealed In QR Code Mystery From 5/17 WWE SmackDown

While the college itself may be disregarded, the name of it will raise eyebrows considering the name of the former Wyatt Family member, Erick Rowan. Rowan is reported to be one of the new members of the faction that is likely to be led by Bray Wyatt’s brother, Bo Dallas. Also reportedly penciled in for the group is Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross and NXT’s Joe Gacy.

WWE has had its share of fun teasing this new group with several QR codes and the “Nightbird” song playing at WWE Live Events.

Fans can expect to see Erick Rowan on WWE TV soon enough, especially after the former SmackDown Tag Team Champion was spotted at the Performance Center. 

Rowan was seen at WWE’s state-of-the-art facility in Orlando, Florida over the week, PW Insider reported. It is not clear what exactly Rowan did while at the Performance Center. In May 2024, it was reported that Rowan had been re-signed by WWE which came after he had to cancel independent show appearances due to a new contract. 

• Erick Rowan Cancels Indie Wrestling Appearance Due to “Contractual Issues”

It hasn’t been confirmed by WWE what the plan is for Rowan though the prevalent theory is that he will be part of the rumored Uncle Howdy-led faction. Since the post-WrestleMania Raw, glitches and QR codes have sowed seeds about Howdy’s return, possibly with a faction by his side. The most recent QR code takes fans to a website with 121212 in its URL, a reference to December 12, 2012, the date that Erick Rowan became part of the Wyatt Family. 

• Hidden Wyatt Family Reference Unearthed In Latest QR Code Mystery

Rowan was with WWE from 2011 to 2020 and is best remembered for his time with the Wyatt Family alongside Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper/Brodie Lee, and Braun Strowman. He later teamed with Daniel Bryan/Bryan Danielson before being cut from the company in April 2020. He appeared a handful of times for AEW and appeared on the August 25, 2023, SmackDown which was dedicated to Wyatt after his passing the day earlier. 

More Names For The Faction

Rowan isn’t the only name attached to this rumored Howdy-led faction. Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, and Nikki Cross are all said to be involved. At this time, there’s no word on whether Alexa Bliss will be involved despite the Goddess’ previous ties to Wyatt. Bliss hasn’t competed since January 2023 and gave birth to her daughter last December. 

A very subtle reference to the Wyatt Family has been discovered not in the video from the latest QR code, but in the URL for the video itself. 

Since the Raw after WrestleMania 40, the WWE Universe has been presented with a series of ‘glitches’ and QR codes which have led to videos with cryptic imagery. This week’s Raw proved to be no different with a video centered around a floppy disk teasing that something big is coming very soon. 

• WWE Raw QR Code Leads to Intriguing ‘5.16.24’ Floppy Disk Image

It is believed that these QR codes are leading to the return of Uncle Howdy, the macabre character played by Bo Dallas, who is expected to return with a faction. Erick Rowan recently re-signed with WWE and is expected to be a part of this group, especially after the very subtle tease during this latest QR code message. 

Upon scanning this week’s QR code, fans were taken to a URL with a series of images with a cryptic message. It turns out that this URL was a clue in itself, as the link is wwe.com/121212. This is a reference to December 12, 2012, which was the night that Erick Rowan debuted as a member of the Wyatt Family on WWE NXT. 

Given WWE’s efforts with these cryptic clues, as well as 2022’s White Rabbit, it’s hard to see this URL being a mere coincidence. The video also teases that May 16 will be an important date, so fans should get ready to learn more about plans for the new faction very soon. 

A new Wyatt Family may be on the horizon, but when and who will exactly show up representing the renewed faction?

A lot of actual signs in the form of QR codes and trailers greatly indicate that Bo Dallas will be returning to WWE television, perhaps in the form of himself or the mysterious Uncle Howdy. However, a new report from PWInsider has a list of names rumored to join the late Bray Wyatt’s younger brother.

As of now, currently on tap to be in the new faction (whatever they may be called) are four other names. Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy and Erick Rowan are all slated to be in the new Wyatt Family fold. All of those mentioned names have previous experience as faction members with Cross being apart of Sanity, Gacy leading The Schism, Dexter Lumis as a member of The Way and Rowan of course as an original member of The Wyatt Family.

The Codes And Rumors Surrounding Bo Dallas’ Return

 WWE started a cryptic campaign in the weeks up to WrestleMania 40 with the first teaser of a Bo Dallas return being at the end of the Bray Wyatt documentary trailer. Ever since, QR codes have popped up for fans to scan and an ominous tune titled “Nightbird” has began playing before and during WWE live events.

The most recent reference was quite direct for Bo Dallas as a QR code appeared on the 5/3 episode of WWE SmackDown. The code directed fans to a Backlash trailer before turning into something creepy that had the quote ‘He opened his arms. Our pain became his. We were reborn. Because we BOlieved.’

Erick Redbeard, formerly known as Erick Rowan, has withdrawn from an upcoming East Coast Pro Wrestling event due to new “contractual obligations.” This sudden cancellation ahead of next week’s event adds more fuel to the fire that Redbeard may be gearing up for a return to WWE.

The idea of Uncle Howdy’s return to television has been bolstered by ongoing teases on the company’s television shows since WrestleMania. Someone like Erick Rowan would fit right into that scenario if it came to fruition. Many stars have needed to cancel events after signing with WWE, and “contractual obligations” is a very popular reason given to avoid outright saying they inked that deal.

East Coast Pro Wrestling had a show scheduled with Erick Redbeard, but plans had to change. The former Erick Rowan of the Wyatt Family had to pull out due. Despite this setback, the show will still feature Brian Kendrick and Vanessa Kraven,

WWE Teases That Something Is Coming

The timing of this cancelled appearance for Erick Redbeard with the current string of strange occurrences going on during WWE programming is not lost on us. 

WWE RAW saw glitches appear during the show after WrestleMania 40, temporarily disrupting Bronson Reed’s promo. The live crowd also received a sample of a strange song before the event started.

On April 11, the company’s official Twitter/X account posted and deleted a message with “Hello” repeating several times. The post was up long enough to make an impression, and many believe it is tied to Uncle Howdy’s return.

We also can’t forget about the intention tease of Bo Dallas’ in-ring return at the end of the Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal documentary. WWE is cooking something, and it may involve Erick Rowan as a part of that plan. 

The WWE Hall of Fame has inducted a few stables into their halls of history. It seems only natural that the Wyatt Family will eventually receive that honor, but Erick Rowan believes it is too early for that.

The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame is set to include Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, The U.S. Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda), Muhammad Ali, and Thunderbolt Patterson. Lia Maivia is also expected as an inductee this year, but Bray Wyatt is still absent, along with the Wyatt Family.

Bray Wyatt’s Legacy

Since Bray Wyatt’s passing last year, the WWE Universe has urged the company to acknowledge The Wyatt Family. Now, Erick Rowan, one of the group’s members, has addressed the rumors and speculation.

It was thought that Wyatt would be a likely lock for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. At this time, he has not had his name called. One would argue that Wyatt deserves three inductions, one for himself, with The Wyatt Family, and another as The Fiend, because that character broke out of the pro wrestling bubble as well.

Led by The Eater of Worlds, The Wyatt Family engaged in battles against notable opponents like The Shield and John Cena, etching a significant legacy in WWE. Despite fans and his peers advocating for Wyatt or the group’s Hall of Fame induction this year, it seems unlikely to happen this time.

During an interview with Counted Out, the former SmackDown Tag Team Champion commented on the fan-driven campaign, noting that it reflects the impact Wyatt and Harper had on people’s lives.

“I wouldn’t even begin to think about it [who would induct us]. It’s so soon since everything, with the passings and to even think about something like that, is just ridiculous to me, but I’m holding a tiny microphone talking to you about this, I feel ridiculous in that sense as well. So it’s just not something that really crossed my mind.”

2024 WWE Hall of Fame

On March 4, 2024, Paul Heyman was revealed as the inaugural inductee. Heyman had previously declined WWE’s proposal due to his active wrestling career but accepted the honor in 2024 due to WrestleMania’s location in Philadelphia.

The following day, Triple H announced Bull Nakano as the second inductee. Then, on March 8, The U.S. Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda) were named as the next inductees, and on March 11, Muhammad Ali was announced as an inductee into the Celebrity Wing. Finally, on March 13, Thunderbolt Patterson was revealed as the fifth inductee.

The Rock is expected to have a hand in his grandmother, Lia Maivia, receiving an induction this year as well. As of this writing, Maivia has not been officially announced.

It only makes sense that Bray Wyatt will receive a WWE Hall of Fame induction, and quite possibly the Wyatt Family as well, but they may have to wait. Bray Wyatt’s upcoming documentary, Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal, will drop on April 1st. We will have full coverage of the program here at SEScoops.

Injuries in wrestling can happen at any time, and in the case of Erick Rowan, WWE gave him small amount of time to heal up.

Rowan was part of the Wyatt Family in WWE and later worked with Luke Harper/Brodie Lee as the Bludgeon Brothers before his release in April 2020.

Since departing WWE, Rowan, working as Erick Redbeard, has made a handful of appearances for AEW, the most recent of which coming on the August 10, 2022, episode of Rampage.

One Day

Like any wrestler, Rowan isn’t immune from being injured, and that’s exactly what happened at Summerslam 2018.

On the show, the Bludgeon Brothers defended their SmackDown Tag Team Championships against the New Day and Rowan suffered a torn biceps during the match.

Speaking to Wrestling News, Rowan recalled being given very little time off before being asked to next appear.

“Every time I was off TV for a period of time it was because I was having a surgery. You never saw cameras around me. No. I was by myself at the hospitals, getting the surgery, flying back home, miserable, and doing the rehab every day.”

“They gave me one day off so I could hopefully deal with the pain.”

Erick Rowan.

“At SummerSlam, I tore my bicep. They gave me one day off so I could hopefully deal with the pain, and then we did a SmackDown versus The New Day where we used ladders and all sorts of stuff. In the meantime, I don’t have a right bicep that’s attached to my arm.”

The match on SmackDown would see the New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods win the titles from the Bludgeon Brothers.

After Rowan’s pain got worse, WWE allowed him more time off and the former Superstar would not wrestle again until February 2019.

Erick Rowan could be the next member of the Wyatt family to make his return to WWE, following Bray Wyatt’s return at Extreme Rules this past weekend.

Wyatt had been released in July 2021, reportedly over his high-dollar contract and creative disputes with then-WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.Amid reports that a new Wyatt faction could be in the works, it was reported that his real-life brother Bo Dallas is heading back to WWE.

During a recent interview with Steve Fall for NBC Sports Boston, Rowan said he is not opposed to a return to WWE.

Rowan was released from WWE on April 15, 2020, in the first of what would be waves of mass releases over the next two years.

Feuding with Rollins

Mere weeks before his release from WWE, a storyline began that saw Rowan carry a covered cage around wherever he went.

Anyone who peered under the cover would be horrified by what they saw, but the eventual reveal was far less impressive. Rowan’s monster turned out to be little more than a very fake-looking spider, which wasn’t the original plan.

“Seth Rollins was the big babyface at the time and I was told it’s going to be a pet rat. Which was great because it tied into my last feud where I tried to kill a man, this being Roman Reigns, with a vehicle. I was like ‘great, probably got a court-appointed therapist who told me to get a therapy pet.’

“Seth backstage was going to curb-stomp it by accident. I was like this is a great idea to start a feud even though I’ve got to carry around the cage and not really tell a story for a couple of weeks. But he turned heel close to a few weeks after that and it just kept getting extended… you could picture it all you want along the ride but that’s what it was and I’m sorry people didn’t like that.”

Instead of a feud with the former Universal Champion, Rowan’s rat became a spider, which was crushed by Drew McIntyre in March 2020.

The Dark Order

In December 2020, the wrestling world lost Brodie Lee, who had worked with Rowan in WWE as Luke Harper (later just Harper.)

In a tribute episode of AEW Dynamite, Rowan (working under the name Erick Redbeard) appeared alongside the Dark Order, Lee’s stable.

Speaking about the group, which has carried on despite Lee’s passing, Rowan said he did not share an interest in joining.

“It was never a conversation. I was doing and pursuing my own things and I don’t know, just it was it was never a thing. I didn’t want to be that guy that distracts and always made you remind people of a loss especially that quickly and with the Dark Order. I wanted nothing to do with it and that’s not to say that I’m better or not. ]

“What I’m saying is I didn’t want anything to do with it because that’s his legacy. If it’s going to fizzle out I want it to fizzle out but he made it and created that in such a quick amount of time. I want that to be the memory of him.”

After appearing for the Brodie Lee memorial Dynamite, Rowan has competed twice for AEW, first in a losing effort at AEW Revolution 2022, where he teamed with PAC and Penta Oscura, and on an August 2022 Rampage, teaming with Danhausen.

The original Wyatt Family consisting of Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan was one of the most unique factions ever seen in WWE. One of the former members of the faction Erick Rowan was recently interviewed by SportsKeeda where he revealed how the group was originally put together.

The former champion explained that the original Wyatt character was put together by Bray and Dusty Rhodes. Brodie Lee, known as Luke Harper during his WWE days was always going to be a part of the faction:

“It started with the characters that Bray Wyatt had with the white shirts, stuff like that. Then he did some sort of vignettes with Dusty, and it was completely kind of a different thing,

And then, when they finally decided to kind of go with it, I know Brodie was going to be like the first son of, you know, Bray. He was just called the first son.”

Revealing how he was chosen to be part of this group, Rowan explained that he was trying to build a character for himself with different promos and outfits. Then just two days before a taping, he was told that he will be a part of the group:

“It was like two days before one of the NXT tapings; they were like, ‘Okay, you are going to be the second son of Bray, which was funny because we were older than him. But it’s funny, and it just kind of evolved from there with the rocking chairs and all that stuff,”

• Erick Rowan Offers Advice to Braun Strowman Following His Release

Many believe that former NXT champion Bo Dallas should have also been included in the Wyatt Family. Though when asked about it, Erick replied negatively: “No. Because it’s a character, not real life,”

The former WWE star signed with the company in 2011 and he stayed with the promotion for 9 years before being released in April 2020. Bray Wyatt introduced Erick Rowan as his ‘second son’ during an NXT episode in December 2012. You can check out his debut in the video below:

Tony Schiavone confirmed on the latest Dynamite post show that former WWE star Erick Rowan is not part of the AEW roster just yet.

The AEW commentator was asked if fans can expect to see the former Wyatt Family member in action again.

Replying to it, Schiavone said that his appearance was only for the tribute show though he did not rule out the possibility of Rowan returning to the company in future:

“I believe Erick’s appearance only came on that tribute show to his former tag team partner. Then again, I say that but who knows? He might show up tomorrow,”

Erick Rowan made a surprise appearance during the Brodie Lee Celebration Of Life episode of Dynamite to pay tribute to his former tag team partner.

The former WWE star was released from his contract in April earlier last year as part of the company’s coronavirus budget cuts alongside several other stars.

• Erick Redbeard Reveals New Tattoo Honoring Brodie Lee

Many of the released stars such as Miro and The Good Brothers have since signed new contracts with different promotions but Erick Rowan remains a free agent.

Now it would be interesting to see if the indie star makes any more appearances for AEW in future and which company he eventually joins as a full time star.

Former WWE star Erick Rowan made an appearance on this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite which was a tribute show for his former partner Brodie Lee.

This week’s episode of the show featured multiple tag matches involving the members of The Dark Order. One such match was MJF, Ortiz & Santana facing the team of Alex Reynolds, John Silver & Adam Page.

Towards the ending of this bout, Wardlow came out and he interrupted the match by taking out Reynolds. Erick Rowan then made his AEW debut to stop the giant.

The former WWE star who now goes by the name Erick RedBeard dropped Wardlow with a chokeslam and then ran him off to backstage.

The match ended with John Silver delivering Brodie’s discuss forearm to Ortiz and pinning the Inner Circle member to pick up the victory for his team.

Erick joined the Dark Order in the ring post-match and Silver got emotional as the former Wyatt Family member held up a sign reading “Goodbye for now my brother. See you down the road.”

There is no word yet on if this was a one-time appearance or if Erick Rowan has signed a contract with AEW. We will have to see if he makes any more appearances for the company in coming weeks.

• AEW Dynamite Results (12/30): Brodie Lee Tribute

Both Erick Rowan and Luke Harper once wrestled under the leadership of Bray Wyatt. After the disbanding of the Wyatt Family the two had numerous stints as a tag team before being released from WWE.

However, things have changed now as Luke Harper has joined AEW as the leader of the Dark Order, Brodie Lee and Rowan will likely have to accept the leadership of the current TNT champion for a possible reunion between the two.

The former WWE star talked about the possibility of reuniting with Lee during a recent Q & A with Pro Wrestling Junkies and Erick Rowan said that he is not sure how to answer that question:

“I’m not really sure how to answer that question because I’m not used to him being the leader, I’ll have to watch a little bit more of his stuff. Yeah, I’d love to lock back up with Brodie and get back together, but there’s a place and a time for it, you know? Now just might not be the right time.”

• Also Read: Former WCW Champion Returns To Backstage WWE Role This Week

Rowan also talked about his future in pro wrestling and explained that he hasn’t joined any company because he doesn’t want to get lost in the shuffle once again.

Though later in the session, the former Wyatt Family member revealed that he has been training recently and according to him, he is staying ready for a potential in ring return.

Former WWE Superstar Erick Rowan has shared what he pitched to be revealed in the cage he carried with him before his release.

Speaking with Sportskeeda, Rowan — who is now known as Erick Redbeard — opened up about the cage gimmick. He revealed how he pitched having American Horror Story actress Jyoti Amge being shown as being kept within the cage. Amge owns the Guinness World Record as the world’s shortest adult woman. She measures in at 2 feet and 1 inch.

“I’m so large and she would be so small, and delicate. It would show a different side of me to the fans,” Rowan explained. “Everyone is trying to humanize people in wrestling these days, and I thought the most un-human characters are the best. That’s the most intriguing when you watch a movie. You watch a movie and you see people that you can relate to as being your creepy uncles in prison. That’s interesting to me. And that’s what I like. I like the horrors of the world and how they have feelings as well, but no one can sympathize with them because they’re such horrible people.”

Erick Rowan’s Disappointment

Erick Rowan confessed how the story’s extended build-up did not live up to the reveal of a giant spider. He called the spider “trivial” and admitted it was “kinda sucky.” It was made worse for him following the work put in and the ideas over what it could have been prior to the reveal.

He explained how he had sent messages to Paul Heyman and WWE’s creative team about what could be in the cage. Rowan also shared how he had written down extensive ideas over what it should be, including “over the top ideas about it.”

Erick Rowan was released by WWE earlier in the year. The decision was made as a cost-cutting effort following coronavirus’ impact on business.

Earlier this week, we had a chance to speak with the #1 contender to the AEW World Championship, “The Exalted One” Brodie Lee. He faces Jon Moxley in the main event of Saturday night’s AEW Double or Nothing pay-per-view.

We had the chance to sit down with AEW’s Brodie Lee recently for an exclusive interview. During the discussion, we asked Brodie about the possibility of his former teammate Erick Rowan‘s recent release from WWE.

“I think Erick’s a wonderful human being, he’s a wonderful father, which is strange to say if you look at him,” he said jokingly. “We weren’t always the best of friends early on in our tenure together but we became really good friends by the end. Somehow we always seem to find each other, at least for the last 8 years.”

Brodie Lee then continued to talk about what might come next for some of the recent WWE releases.

“I think it’s going to be very refreshing to him and a guy like Zack Ryder/Matt Cardona, I think it’s going to be very refreshing to them to be out of that bubble and to understand now the freedom that they have creatively. Ryder especially, who’s done it before on his own, he’s one of the most creative people you’ll ever meet.”

“As soon as I was released, it’s almost a weight off your shoulders. WWE gives you so much but as soon as its over, it’s almost either panic or opportunity arises. It can be both but you have to learn to adjust and take it in as it comes.”

Lee then said he feels Erick Rowan likely has a run in Japan coming up. Rowan has a history wrestling in the country, having trained at the Pro Wrestling NOAH dojo earlier in his career.

“I think Erick Rowan is almost tailor-made for a Japan run. I don’t know if we’ll ever find each other over there because that would be pretty cool. Or if we’ll find each other in AEW, who knows? I think there’s going to be a lot of opportunity for these guys.”

Order AEW Double or Nothing at BR Live (US) and FITE.TV (Internationally). Catch AEW Dynamite Wednesday nights on TNT.

Check out our full 18-minute interview with The Exalted One, Brodie Lee:

Former WWE SmackDown Executive Director Eric Bischoff recently discussed what is now being billed as ‘Black Wednesday.’ WWE released a significant number of on-air and backstage talent earlier this week and Bischoff would weigh in on the situation for the After 83 Weeks w/ Christy Olson podcast. As part of the discussion, Bischoff would also talk about AEW and whether they would be likely to hire a number of talents from the released list.

Eric Bischoff on Released Talents

“I mean let’s take a snapshot of reality as it exists today” Eric Bischoff began. “Where can they [the released talents] go? They could, theoretically at least, go to AEW. But how bloated can that roster get? They don’t do house shows, they don’t tour. They do a pay per view once a month or whatever it is.”

Comparing AEW and WCW

Eric Bischoff would then shift the conversation into a comparison between WCW, saying “nobody’s really talking about it. As opposed to WCW when guys like Dave Meltzer and everybody couldn’t wait to disclose internal information about WCW that was leaked to them by talent. You don’t hear any of that coming out AEW. I have a pretty good idea what some of the talent are making. And, it’s astronomical sums of money compared to what even some of them have ever made at the peak of their careers in WWE or WCW.”

AEW’s Talent Budget

Eric Bischoff then clarified that statement, saying that AEW clearly has a ‘substantial’ talent budget to work with. “There’s a substantial talent budget there. It’s a talent budget for a roster that isn’t generating a lot of revenue, other than television. And, of course, pay per view. So how many top talents, how many of those names from WWE can AEW afford to hire? If they bring in three, four, or five or maybe they only bring in one?”

Bischoff finished by discussing a talent he worked with in WWE that he would consider bringing in. “That makes sense, one or two of the bigger names, I’m sure, Erick Rowan is a guy that I’d be surprised if they’re not looking at that got released. Super guy by the way I loved working with him in WWE. But there’s a handful of stars that I’m sure WWE or AEW are thinking about right now. But to think that they’re gonna absorb eight or nine or 10 people? It’s not realistic.”

Do you think that AEW will bring in some of the recently released WWE Superstars? Let us know in the comments

Also Check Out:

• Money In The Bank Ladder Matches To Be Held At WWE Headquarters
• John Morrison Comments On The Backstage Morale In WWE
• Dustin Rhodes Reflects On Goldust’s Origins, Dusty Rhodes’ Polka Dots

A new report on which WWE star that Vince McMahon is backing has surfaced online. 

It’s been noted on a few different occasions that Ricochet, United States Champion Andrade, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, The Street Profits, Samoa Joe, and Aleister Black are the favorite stars of Paul Heyman, who serves as the RAW executive director. 

Vince McMahon Backing Talent

Dave Meltzer reported in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the reason behind Erick Rowan’s push on RAW is due to the WWE Chairman and CEO.

McMahon is a fan of Rowan’s and has been “heavily behind” Rowan’s push. Thus, for people wondering why he’s been given a renewed push, that’s why. 

It also means that there are bigger things in store for him as McMahon likes to push a monster on television and that’s exactly what he’s doing with Rowan. 

Expectations

With the several names mentioned above, they are either getting a big push right now or will get one soon. With WrestleMania season about to begin starting next month with the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event and eventually WrestleMania, expect to see these stars heavily featured on television. 

His push started a few months ago when he was revealed as Roman Reigns’ attacker and not Daniel Bryan as the attacker, which was expected. Bryan as the attacker was the original plan. 

Rowan was later moved to RAW where he was slightly repackaged after teaming with Luke Harper, who was recently granted his release from the company.

• The Street Profits Discuss How They Became A Tag Team

WWE surprised everyone yesterday by announcing that they are releasing several stars such as Sin Cara who had asked to be let go from the company.

Among the released stars was also the former Wyatt Family member Luke Harper who had asked to be released back in May but the company had declined his request.

Harper’s former Tag Team partner and fellow former Wyatt Family member Erick Rowan reacted to this news recently and he the posted the following photo on Instagram, saying that it was an honor to be around these stars:

Randy Orton Comments On Batista’s HOF Induction

WWE announced yesterday that several members of nWo and the former World Champion Batista will all be inducted into the Hall Of Fame class of 2020.

Randy Orton who knows Batista up and close since their time in FCW and then in the main roster as part of Evolution was interviewed backstage at this week’s Raw and he was asked about the former Champion’s induction.

Replying to the question, The Viper recalled how Batista was the first guy he ran in to when he first reported to development. Orton went on to say that it’s a great news and he can’t wait to hear his speech:

Luke Harper has returned and helped Erick Rowan. 

Harper made his return by helping Rowan beat Roman Reigns at the WWE Clash of Champions pay-per-view event in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Spectrum Center. This was a return that many people thought they wouldn’t see. 

WWE Clash Of Champions Results (9/15)

Harper hasn’t been on the road with the rest of the crew since earlier this year. This comes after Harper publicly disclosed that he had requested a WWE release in April, but WWE declined to grant it.

His contract with the company is slated to expire in November, but WWE could extend it due to time that he missed because of injury. 

It’s been reported that WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon does not see any value in Harper and that he was being paid to stay at home. 

He did work working some NXT live events in the latter part of 2018 and also underwent surgery due to a wrist injury.

Harper did work the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the WrestleMania 35 Kickoff Show but hasn’t worked a match since the April 9th SmackDown TV event where he lost to EC3 in a dark match. 

What are your thoughts on Harper’s return? 

Erick Rowan was a significant part of the original Wyatt Family but he now claims that he has never met Bray Wyatt and he doesn’t know who he is.

Rowan recently spoke to Superluchas.com and during the interview; he talked about things like his early career, working in Japan and more.

When asked what he thinks of the new Bray Wyatt, Rowan asked the reporter if he was talking about the Fiend. After receiving a positive answer, he claimed that he has never met him and he does not know who he is.

“I do not know The Fiend or Bray Wyatt.”

Though he did recall working in a tag team with Luke Harper as Bludgeon Brothers and when asked where his former tag team partner is, the former NXT star said that he hasn’t been able to find him in a while:

“The truth (is that) I haven’t been able to find him yet. I think last week I saw (on Instagram) that he was in Minneapolis, Minnesota I live in that city and I didn’t see it…. And as with Bray Wyatt, I never hear anything from him. I don’t know them,”

Apart from this, Rowan also talked about possibly working in Mexican promotions and said that he would not bet on his beard because a cunning man never bets.

Erick Rowan is currently involved in a storyline with Roman Reigns and the two are scheduled to face each other at the upcoming Clash Of Champions PPV this Sunday.

Erick Rowan set himself free from Daniel Bryan this past Tuesday on SmackDown Live. After it was revealed that he was behind the attacks on Roman Reigns, Rowan blindsided Reigns before assaulting his former friend. Now, the former leader in the Wyatt Family has sent him a message, asking him to “come home.”

In the aftermath of SmackDown, Rowan uploaded a tweet that read “I’ve got no strings to HOLD ME DOWN”. It was accompanied with an unsettling gif of a skeleton puppet, tossing a skull into the air.

That’s when his former leader Bray Wyatt replied: “Come home baby boy”

Wyatt Family Reunion

Bray Wyatt, and his popular Fiend gimmick, also had a recent exchange with another former Wyatt Family member: Braun Strowman. It was rumored that Wyatt would be facing the winner of the Universal Championship match between Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman at WWE’s Clash of Champions event. He would allegedly face the victor at WWE’s October pay-per-view, Hell in a Cell.

Both men addressed the news, with Strowman writing “If the student has to teach the teacher then so be it!!!! He can get these hands like anybody else. #LetTheGamesBegin #MyDoorsOpenComeOnIn”

Wyatt replied “Lol. Come teach me baby boy. I love you , I’ve never lost to Seth, and I don’t care if I die. Literally.”

Despite what many fans and oddsmakers were expected, Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan have dropped the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Titles.

The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) beat Bryan and Rowan beat Heavy Machinery to win the titles at Sunday’s (July 14, 2019) WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view event. This show took place in Philadelphia, PA at the Wells Fargo Center.

• WWE Extreme Rules 2019 Results (7/14)

Bryan and Rowan were victorious over Heavy Machinery in their title defense at the WWE Stomping Grounds pay-per-view event last month.

Originally, it was announced Bryan and Rowan vs. The New Day. However, WWE later booked Heavy Machinery vs. Kevin Owens and Dolph Ziggler on SmackDown Live that saw Otis and Tucker go over. As a result, they were added to this title match at Extreme Rules. 

Bryan and Rowan beat The Usos (Jimmy & Jey) to win the titles that were vacant at the time on the May 7th episode of SmackDown Live in Louisville, KY at the KFC Yum Center.

What are your thoughts on New Day winning the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Titles? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Who do you want to see the champions feud with next? Sound off in the comment section.

Despite being back on WWE television for a few weeks, SmackDown star Erick Rowan has returned to action inside of the squared circle.

He did so by beating former WWE Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin in a singles match at a WWE live event on Monday in Savannah, GA at the Martin Luther King Jr Arena.

Rowan made his return by helping Daniel Bryan retain the WWE Title over AJ Styles Royal Rumble pay-per-view event back in January. However, his last match came back on the August 21st episode of SmackDown Live when he and Luke Harper lost to The New Day.

Bryan is set to make his next title defense against Kofi Kingston at the Fastlane pay-per-view event. Rowan is expected to be at ringside for this upcoming WWE Title Match.

WWE Savannah Event Results

• SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos retained over Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev and The New Day
• WWE United States Champion R-Truth retained over Andrade
• Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson defeated SAnitY
• AJ Styles and The Miz defeated The Bar. This started out with Styles on MizTV
• Rowan defeated Shelton Benjamin
• SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka retained over Charlotte Flair with the Asuka Lock.
• Rey Mysterio and Jeff Hardy defeated Samoa Joe and Randy Orton

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