All Elite Wrestling sent in the following press release Wednesday morning announcing the expansion of the company’s talent relations and development team.

Former Impact Wrestling Knockouts champion Madison Rayne has signed on to coach the women’s division.

During his weekly appearance on the Busted Open Radio show on Sirius XM, AEW President Tony Khan had this to say about Rayne joining the organization:

“She’s going to be great for the team,” said Khan. “Everyone’s excited to have Madison Rayne as part of AEW. I’m not saying she wouldn’t wrestle anymore, we’re open to it. We have other people in the office who do wrestle as part of their schedule, so I’m open to it.”

In addition to AEW signing Madison Rayne, several existing employees will see their roles expanded under the overhauled talent relations department, including Sonjay Dutt, QT Marshall, Pat Buck and Tony Schiavone.

– – –

August 3, 2022 – AEW CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan announced an expansion to AEW’s talent relations team with the promotions of key staff members including Sonjay Dutt, QT Marshall, Pat Buck and Tony Schiavone. In addition, Madison Rayne will join AEW as a coach in the women’s division.

As AEW continues its meteoric rise, the expanded talent relations team will strengthen the infrastructure required to facilitate the development, health and safety of AEW’s outstanding roster. The following promotions and additions are effective immediately:

Sonjay Dutt (Retesh Bhalla) has been promoted to Vice President of Production and Creative Coordination. In this role, he will coordinate communication of AEW storylines, liaise between post-production and key staff to maintain content workflow, produce ancillary content and mentor new producers. Dutt joined AEW in 2021, bringing more than 20 years of experience in professional wrestling – both in-ring and as a producer – and continues to serve on-screen as manager to Satnam Singh and Jay Lethal.

QT Marshall (Michael Cuellari) has been promoted to Vice President of Show and Creative Coordination. He will help to manage show elements including planning programs and storylines, character development, overseeing extras and live event logistics coordination. Marshall, an AEW original with more than 20 years of experience, will continue to wrestle as the leader of The Factory with Anthony Ogogo, Nick Comoroto, Aaron Solo and Cole Karter.

Pat Buck (Pat Buckridge) has been promoted to Vice President of Talent Development. In this position, he will liaise with talent and production, oversee all coaches, provide input on matches and promos, and lead the talent relations team. Buck brings nearly two decades of experience serving wrestling promotions as a talent, trainer, producer and promoter.

Tony Schiavone has been promoted to Senior Producer and Special Advisor to Talent. In this capacity, he will work directly with talent as part of the Talent Relations team. Schiavone is one

of AEW’s most tenured members and has nearly 40 years of experience, with an iconic voice that has guided fans through professional wrestling’s most incredible moments.

Madison Rayne (Ashley Nichole Lomberger) will join AEW as a coach in the women’s division, and kick-off her new role tonight in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Madison has competed in numerous professional wrestling promotions where she has held multiple championship titles, including 5-time Women’s World Champion. She has more than 15 years of experience in professional wrestling, and is also a proud mom to a daughter.

Christopher Daniels, an AEW original who brings more than 30 years of industry experience, will continue to serve as Manager of Talent Relations. The Talent Relations team will also remain in close contact with AEW’s Legal and Talent Resources team – led by Margaret Stalvey, Chris Peck and Megha Parekh – who help to support the physical and mental health, safety and security of talent. AEW is also committed to supporting talent beyond the ring, and offers access to world- class physicians, trainers and mental health clinicians.

The Impact Emergence card has been finalized.

Tomorrow night (Aug. 20), Emergence will air on Impact Plus. In the main event, Christian Cage will defend the Impact Wrestling World Championship against Brian Myers. Also set for the card will be an X-Division Title clash between champion Josh Alexander and Jake Something. The Impact World Tag Team Titles will also be on the line as Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson meet Violent By Design, and the team of Rich Swann and Willie Mack.

We now have four more matches to round out the event. On the go-home show for Emergence, it was announced that Decay will collide with Tasha Steelz, Savannah Evans, Fallah Bahh & No Way. Another newly announced matchup is Deonna Purrazzo and Matthew Rehwoldt vs. Melina and Trey Miguel.

Also announced on the recent episode of Impact is a one-on-one match between Matt Cardona and Rohit Raju. It was also revealed that Madison Rayne is making her return to take on Taylor Wilde.

Here’s a look at the final Emergence card.

• Christian Cage (c) vs. Brian Myers – for Impact Wrestling World Title
• Josh Alexander (c) vs. Jake Something – For X-Division Title
• Impact World Tag Team Championship:
• The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson) (c) vs. Violent By Design vs. Rich Swann & Willie Mack – for Impact Wrestling World Tag Team Titles
• Deonna Purrazzo & Matthew Rehwoldt vs. Melina & Trey Miguel
• Decay vs. Tasha Steelz, Savannah Evans, Fallah Bahh & No Way
• Matt Cardona vs. Rohit Raju
• Madison Rayne vs. Taylor Wilde
• Steve Maclin vs. Petey Williams

Former Knockouts Champion Madison Rayne announced her retirement from the wrestling world earlier this week, though at the time, she hadn’t explained the reason behind her decision.

The former champion recently had an interview with SportsKeeda where she talked about a number of things and also opened up about her call.

Rayne, who recently earned a college degree first talked about how the business has given her a lot before explaining that it’s time for her to move away from the industry:

“This business… I have given it so many years of my life, but it has given infinitely more back to me,” Rayne said. “In the sense that, for the first seven years of my daughter’s life, I haven’t been sitting behind a desk, and committed to a structured schedule. And, I spent so much time with her that a lot of parents don’t get in those early years.”

But, I think it’s time now to pivot, and to… you know, I just graduated from college in December.” revealed Madison Rayne, “So, it’s time to put those student loan dollars and that degree to use.”

• Madison Rayne Leaving Impact Wrestling Soon For Career Outside Wrestling

The female star continued by showing her appreciation for the fans saying that her supporters deserve a lot more but all she can say is thank you.

Apart from this, Madison Rayne talked about how she will now have to adjust to the ‘real life’ away from wrestling and more. You can check out her full interview at this link.

Former Knockouts Champion and Knockouts Tag Team Champion Madison Rayne confirmed her retirement this evening. The former member of The Beautiful People stable confirmed as such on the IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill pre-show panel.

Madison Rayne was part of the IMPACT commentary team until tonight’s broadcast alongside Josh Matthews. It was recently confirmed that Matt Striker and D’Lo Brown will be taking commentary duties going forward for the promotion.

It is unknown at this time if the switch in commentary prompted the retirement announcement; or whether Rayne made it clear that she wanted to leave before the change was introduced.

An emotional Madison Rayne told fans during the pre-show for Hard To Kill that after 12 years with the company and wrestling over 3 different decades? That it was time for her to go home.

Madison Rayne’s accomplishments in IMPACT/TNA include being a 5-time Knockouts champion. Rayne was also Knockouts Tag Team Champion on 2 occasions; once with Lacey Von Erich and once with Gail Kim. Rayne would also be crowned Queen of The Knockouts in 2014.

Rayne tweeted shortly after Hard To Kill started, referencing the new commentary team of D’Lo Brown and Matt Striker. Madison would write “I already love this team!!”

The official replay for IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill will be available to view via FITE TV.

Former Knockouts Champion Madison Rayne will be leaving Impact Wrestling soon to pursue a career outside of the wrestling world, latest reports reveal.

According to reports from PWinsider, the female star who currently works for the company as a commentator alongside husband Josh Mathews will be leaving the company for a new full time job outside of wrestling.

The Wrestling Observer provided some more update on the situation and it notes that Impact officials had not found a replacement for Rayne as of last week.

Madison Rayne’s Career

The former champion made her debut for the promotion in 2009. Since then she has had a number of runs with TNA and she has won over half a dozen titles in the promotion.

Madison’s achievement in the promotion includes 5 different reigns with the Impact Knockouts championship and a couple of runs with the Knockouts tag team titles as well.

Outside of TNA, Madison Rayne, who made her wrestling debut back in 2005, has wrestled for promotions such as ROH and she also competed in the Mae Young Classic tournament back in 2018.

Madison Rayne is not the only star to leave Impact in recent times. Jake Crist recently departed the company and reports suggest that Ethan Page is also expected to become a free agent at the end of this year.

Madison Rayne recently signed a multi-year deal with Impact Wrestling. It appears Rayne and ROH came to a mutual agreement regarding her release from the company. Rayne signed a 1-year deal with ROH last September. She later came to terms on her release from the promotion and re-signed with Impact at the beginning of the month.

According to a report from the Wrestling Observer, Rayne was not satisfied with the creative direction of her character. She is also said to have pitched the idea of the Beautiful People faction being brought into ROH.

“She then pitched the return of The Beautiful People and ROH agreed that maybe they would try,” wrote Dave Meltzer. “Different people came up with ideas on introducing The Beautiful People. They pitched her the scenarios and she at first gave an indication she liked them, but a few days later she sent them an email saying she didn’t like any of the ideas. Both sides did leave the process amicably.”

Rayne had apparently pushed for Velvet Sky and Angelina Love be brought in for the Beautiful People gimmick. ROH is said to have wanted Mandy Leon to replace one of Sky or Love, however.

Rayne is a former 5x Knockouts champion and twice held the Knockouts tag team championships. The Beautiful People consisted of Madison Rayne, Velvet Sky, Angelina Love, Lacey Von Erich and at one point, Billy Gunn.

• Madison Rayne Almost Retired From Professional Wrestling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GkoS9U853g

After wrestling for 13 years Madison Rayne made her WWE debut under the moniker Ashley Rayne at the Mae Young Classic II tournament.  Although she lost in the first round to Mercedes Martinez, many would wonder if the former Impact Knockouts Champion would sign with WWE but she chose to go a different route.

In a recent interview with CBS Local Sports: Pittsburgh, Rayne shared her concerns regarding signing with WWE.

ROH Was The Best Fit

“Conversations between WWE and myself were always positive,” Rayne said. “I always got great feedback on everything I did, from the tryout a year ago to just recently doing Mae Young. This past year has been the first and only time that I’ve ever worked in any capacity with WWE. So, that was really exciting this many years into my career, to finally have been able to do that.”

Rayne would continue to say that ROH’s proximity to her hometown of Columbus factored into where she signed this year, however.

“It’s about trying to figure out what was going to be best for me and which company I would flourish the best in. I felt that Ring of Honor was my best option, and that is not saying that WWE offered me something and I said no, I just feel like I was always very honest and upfront about the fact that Columbus was my home and Columbus would remain my home. I understand that they have a system that they put their talent through, regardless of whether you’ve never taken one bump, or you’ve been wrestling for many years, and that system starts in Orlando. While wrestling is still very, very important to me, being a mother and being a wife, those two things are greatly more important.”

Madison told WWE she was not willing to relocate.

“There was never that definitive conversation, but just given the fact that I knew and I never wanted there to be any gray area in my communication with WWE, and I made it clear that I could and would not be willing to relocate, I think that probably kind of settled the question there as far as whether or not a contract with WWE was going to be in my future.”

Dream Opponents

Another question that was asked was who were some opponents Rayne would like to face in the not so distant future.

“I’ve made my little dream list. The one that people talk about a lot, probably for varying reasons, would be me and Alexa Bliss. We’re both from Columbus, we’re both small, we both tend to have a bit of attitude when it comes to our in-ring persona.”

Rayne says she’s had the chance to meet Bliss as well.

“I’ve met her several times, I knew her years ago when we both competed in fitness competitions. So, I just think that it would be fun for that to come full circle and for us to meet in the ring. I would love, and I hope that not far down the road it comes to fruition.”

Rayne also listed Tenille Dashwood as an opponent she would like to face some day.

“I would also love to get in the ring one-on-one with Tenille [Dashwood]. I’ve not had that opportunity yet, so I’m really looking forward to that.”

The article also lists five other wrestlers Rayne would love to step in the ring with:

1. Sasha Banks
2. Peyton Royce
3. Carmella
4. Bianca Belair
5. Naomi

Its been a very successful year for Madison Rayne. Rayne was a participant in the 2018 WWE Mae Young Classic tournament. Rayne, going under the name Ashley Rayne, was eliminated in the first round of the tournament by Mercedes Martinez. Despite the first round exit, the opportunity to appear on WWE TV doesn’t come around every day.

Rayne was also a part of history earlier this month. She was one of four women to compete at All In on September 1st. Rayne was part of a Fatal Four-Way match, the only women’s match on the card. And finally, to top it all off, Rayne signed a one-year contract with Ring Of Honor (ROH). She made the announcement earlier this month during an appearance on The Taz Show.

Having been wrestling since 2005, Rayne, 32, has had quite a career. She has worked for promotions such as Ohio Championship Wrestling (OCW), SHIMMER, and TNA. Her tenure with TNA was very decorated. Rayne is a five-time TNA Knockouts Champion and a two-time Knockouts Tag Team Champion.

Madison Rayne Almost Retired

With all the success she has had in 2018, it’s hard to think Rayne ever considered retiring. But that’s exactly what she was doing not too long ago. She described the rough period of her career during a recent media call (via The Mirror UK):

“It was roughly a year ago that I sat down on my couch in my living room with my husband and had a really tough conversation, where we tried to discuss if maybe my career was coming to a close and what that was going to look like, or if I was going to take any frustrations I had and any bit of second-guessing myself that I was doing and I was going to flip that on its head, make it a positive, totally change who I was and make a drastic turn in my career path.

“I think in moments like that, where you’re questioning what’s next, is where you really dig deep to find yourself and figure out what you want and what you’re still able to provide to the business. I am so glad that I was able to do that, that I got to that point mentally where I thought for a second that maybe I was to look towards retirement, because I very quickly realized that I wanted to do the complete opposite.

“And I think that’s been probably the most contributing factor in my insanely successful 2018, because then I made that decision to change myself and elevate my game, that’s when opportunities started coming left and right.

“I’m not just saying this because of the position that I’m in now, but I knew early on when I was being given all of these opportunities, I was going to take them all and be grateful for all of them and do everything I could with them… but for the better part of a year in my heart, I kinda knew where I was going to end up was in Ring of Honor.”

What do you make of Rayne nearly retiring?

Ring Of Honor (ROH) has inked a 2018 Mae Young Classic competitor to a one-year deal. Madison Rayne revealed during an appearance on The Taz Show that she has signed a contract with ROH. This comes one week removed from Rayne’s defeat to Mercedes Martinez in the first round of the MYC.

Rayne said that, after 13 years in the business, 2018 was probably the biggest of her career. Appearing on WWE programming was a big milestone for her. She also competed on the historic All In card earlier this month. Rayne was a part of the only female match on the card. And finally, Rayne has found a home for herself in ROH :

“Let me preface this by saying that 2018 has been possibly my biggest year in wrestling,” Rayne said. “In 13 years, that’s saying a lot. It’s been very unexpected. A year and a half ago I wasn’t sure I was going to keep wrestling or what my professional career looked like.

“I’ve been able to work every big promotion, I got to do All In and I’m very humbled by all of those experiences. In doing that and having all of those opportunities, I was really give a chance to be able to get in there and see what was going to be best for me, my career, for my family and what made the most sense.

“After a really successful year of being kind of a wrestling nomad, I have found my home and I am so, so happy to announce that I have signed a one-year contract with Ring of Honor.”

Rayne’s Professional Wrestling Career

Rayne, 32, has been wrestling since 2005. She has worked for promotions such as Ohio Championship Wrestling (OCW), SHIMMER, and TNA. Rayne is a five-time TNA Knockouts Champion and a two-time Knockouts Tag Team Champion.

What do you think about Rayne signing with ROH?

H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions

The second episode of the 2018 Mae Young Classic aired on the WWE Network last night. Matches 5 through 8 were shown as the tournament reaches the halfway point of the opening round.

Mae Young Classic 9/12 Results

Donna Purrazzo defeated Priscilla Kelly

Before the match, Purrazzo spoke about being an alternate in last year’s tournament and how disappointed she was.

EVOLVE’s Priscilla Kelly has had obstacles in her path to get to the Mae Young Classic as well. She was once featured on the television show “My Big Fat Romanian Gypsy Wedding” where she was being shopped around as a potential bride while she was just 14-years-old.

It would be Purrazzo who would come away with the victory. She made Kelly tap to her Fujiwara armbar.

Zeuxis defeated Aerial Monroe

Cedric Alexander was shown in the crowd to watch his wife, Aerial Monroe, perform.

It would be Zeuxis who punched her ticket to the second round, however. The luchador picked up the win with a Spanish Fly from the top turnbuckle.

Kacy Catanzaro defeated Reina Gonzalez

The woman from American Ninja Warrior that everyone has been talking about picked up her first win on WWE programming here. There was nearly a foot height difference between the two but the smaller Catanzaro was not deterred.

It was a David and Goliath battle with Catanzaro using the ropes to try and gain an advantage on her much larger opponent. Catanzaro would then pick up the victory, seemingly out of nowhere, with a victory roll.

After the match, it looked like Gonzales was going to attack Catanzaro but she then lifted her up on her shoulders instead. Catanzaro will face Rhea Ripley next.

Mercedes Martinez defeated Ashley Rayne

Ashley/Madison Rayne took a long road to get to the WWE. Once she got there, she’d lose her first match to Mercedes Martinez.

In a bit of a surprise, Rayne (who had been featured in promos leading up to the tournament) was knocked out in the 1st round.

Martinez made it all the way to the semi-finals last year and she’s off to a good start already in this year’s tournament as well. She picked up the win with a Fisherman Buster to advance to the second round.

WWE will air the second episode of the 2018 Mae Young Classic tonight. Former Knockouts Champion Madison Rayne will make her WWE debut tonight.

Blue-chip prospect from American Ninja Warrior, Kacy Catanzaro, will also be in action tonight.

Mae Young Classic Preview 9/12

Ashley Rayne vs Mercedes Martinez

Known in Impact Wrestling as Madison Rayne, the former Knockouts Champion takes on Mercedes Martinez in the 1st round tonight. She’ll be in tough, however, as Martinez made it all the way to the semi-finals of last year’s tournament.

Martinez is a regular for SHINE, Shimmer, RISE, and WSU. Ryane has competed for Impact, ROH, and at All In already this summer.

Kacy Catanzaro vs Reina Gonzalez

Catanzaro is receiving rave reviews since starting at the WWE Performance Center earlier this year. She is formerly of American Ninja Warrior, a show which Matt Cross was also once featured on.

Catanzaro will be up against fellow WWE PC trainee, Gonzales. The 6-footer is also said to be impressing trainers as of late. This should be a David vs Goliath type situation for Kacy but if she’s really as good as the rumors state, she’ll be able to handle it.

Deonna Purrazzo vs Priscilla Kelly

Deonna Purrazzo returns to the tournament this year to take on EVOLVE regular, Priscilla Kelly. Purrazzo was an alternate in the tournament this year but signed a WWE contract earlier this year. She lost to Bianca Belair on the Takeover: Brooklyn IV preliminary card which would later air on NXT.

Kelly is only 21 and just getting her career started. Purrazzo will be looking to lock in her Fujiwara armbar tonight.

Aerial Monroe vs Zeuxis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoPHuRS3A3E&frags=pl%2Cwn

Monroe was trained by her husband, Cedric Alexander, and George South. She sometimes goes by the nickname “Big Swole” and is formerly of the United States Air Force. Her opponent tonight is the Lucha Strong-Styled Zeuxis. .

– As expected, Madison Rayne’s latest stint in IMPACT Wrestling has officially come to an end.

Earlier this week, her profile on ImpactWrestling.com was removed from the Knockouts roster and placed among the Alumni.

Last month at Slammiversary, Rayne unsuccessfully challenged Su Yung for the Knockouts Championship. Rayne passed out after Yung locked in the mandible claw, thus awarding the victory to Yung. Immediately following the match, Yung placed an unconscious Rayne inside the coffin and stood on top of it with the Knockouts Championship held high.

Yung’s actions seemingly wrote off Rayne’s character from IMPACT Wrestling and the promotion alluded to that on Twitter.

#SlammiversaryMemories: Did we witness the end of @MadisonRayne at the hands of @realsuyung? #SlamXVI pic.twitter.com/zcUDCm9zYd

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) July 23, 2018

The Undead Bride disposed of her opponent one again. Can anybody stop her? #SlamXVI @realsuyung pic.twitter.com/R9wok7XDEN

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) July 24, 2018

A week later, WWE announced that she would compete as Ashley Rayne in Mae Young Classic 2018.

– In association with Xcite Wrestling, IMPACT Wrestling will hold their next One Night Only pay-per-view event taping this Saturday in Binghamton, New York at American Legion Post 80. The event is officially titled “One Night Only: Night of the Dummies” and tickets are currently on sale at xcitewrestling.com.

Rebel has announced that she will be facing Alisha Edwards at the event.

This #Saturday @IMPACTWRESTLING for the 1st time! #AlishaVsRebel #Impact #Binghamton #NY pic.twitter.com/CElN8R5qZ1

— REBEL (@RebelTanea) August 24, 2018

Alisha recently broke out on her own after generally being attached to angles involving her husband, Eddie Edwards. On August 2, she revealed to Alicia Atout that she was putting her personal life to the side to focus on the Knockouts division. She returned to action the following week on IMPACT, losing to Tessa Blanchard. She had her second match on last night’s show, which resulted in a loss to Kiera Hogan.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unYgyYlxLJQ&w=560&h=315]

Prior to her match, Alisha thanked Moose for returning to save Eddie from a vicious beatdown at the hands of Austin Aries and Killer Kross.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1EloPFRfhU&w=560&h=315]

To go along with her return to action, Alisha also has a new theme song.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKs2f_Zrjvs&w=560&h=315]

• What happened to Lex Luger?

WWE has already announced that former Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Ashley Rayne (Madison Rayne) is slated to take part in this year’s Mae Young Classic tournament.

Rayne recently spoke with TV Insider about being one of the 32 competitors and being chosen for the tournament where she admitted that she cried when she found out the news because it just feels really good after 13 years of really hard work and trying to find out who exactly who she wanted to be in the ring.

She also noted that she knew what she wanted her career to look like and that played a factor in her emotions. She added that it’s such an awesome later chapter in the story of her career. Rayne also brought up how her goal is to be signed by the WWE.

“That’s what I’m training for and mentally preparing myself for because I think if you don’t go into something like this prepared to make it to the finals and to win the finals and watch your career take off in an entirely new direction, then you’re short-changing yourself.”

The tournament is set to be taped on August 8th and August 9th from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida and will air later this summer on the WWE Network with the finals taking place as part of the WWE Evolution pay-per-view on October 28, 2018, at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Madison Rayne Reacts

We noted earlier on the site that the WWE announced that former Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Ashley Rayne (Madison Rayne) is slated to take part in this year’s Mae Young Classic tournament that is set to be taped on August 8th and August 9th from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida and will air later this summer on the WWE Network with the finals taking place as part of the WWE Evolution pay-per-view on October 28, 2018, at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

She wrote the following about participating in the tournament, “You guys! We’re going to the @MaeYoungClassic! Honored and thrilled are both huge understatements!!”

You guys! We’re going to the @MaeYoungClassic! Honored and thrilled are both huge understatements!! 🙏🏼 https://t.co/02Tx9i6TCv

— Madison Rayne (@MadisonRayne) July 30, 2018

205 Live Star Injured

Unfortunately, WWE had some injury news to share to its fans as the company announced in a post that was written on their official website that 205 Live star Lince Dorado recently suffered a ruptured thumb ligament as he will now have to wear a small cast.

As of this writing, there’s word yet on when he suffered the injury or if he will miss any ring time. Also, WWE did not disclose when he suffered this injury but his latest match came on 205 Live back on July 24th when he teamed up with Kalisto to beat Chris Robinson and Ryan DePolo in a tag team match.

Three new names have been confirmed as competitors for the second installment of the upcoming Mae Young Classic.

On Monday morning (July 30, 2018), the WWE announced that former Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Ashley Rayne (better known as Madison Rayne), Priscilla Kelly, and Xia Brookside would be competing in the tournament.

Although Rayne is not under contract with Impact Wrestling on a full-time basis, she has been working selective events including the Slammiversary XVI PPV where she unsuccessfully challenged Su Yung for the Impact Knockouts Championship.

WWE is slated to tape the tournament on August 8th and August 9th from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida and will air later this summer on the WWE Network.

It should be noted that WWE has yet to reveal when the first-round matches will air but we do know that the finals will take place as part of the WWE Evolution pay-per-view on October 28, 2018, at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The promotion is slated to announce more participants in the coming weeks. Here is the updated list of names confirmed for the tournament:

Deonna Purrazzo
Io Shirai
Isla Dawn
Jessie Elaban
Jinny
Kacy Catanzaro
Kaitlyn
Karen Q
Kavita Devi
Killer Kelly
Lacey Lane
Meiko Satomura
Mercedes Martinez
Mia Yim
Nicole Matthews
Reina González
Rhea Ripley
Taynara Conti
Tegan Nox
Toni Storm
Zeuxis
Ashley Rayne
Priscilla Kelly
Xia Brookside

What are your thoughts on the latest names being announced for the second year of this tournament? Sound off in the comment section.

– Two weeks ago, IMPACT Wrestling announced that Tessa Blanchard had signed a “long-term” contract.

BREAKING: @Tess_Blanchard will continue to prove she's undeniable in the Knockouts Division as she has signed a long-term contract with IMPACT Wrestling. pic.twitter.com/3SWenkIJyG

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) July 10, 2018

According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Blanchard’s contract with IMPACT Wrestling is a two-year deal.

Blanchard will be in action tonight at Slammiversary as she takes on Allie. Here is a video previewing their match.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNwVeUuVPTM&w=560&h=315]

– Madison Rayne is a five-time Knockouts Champion looking to become Champion for the sixth time. She will have that opportunity tonight at Slammiversary when she challenges Su Yung. Ahead of tonight’s match, Rayne tweeted the following.

There were 4 years between my 1st Knockouts Championship win and my 5th.

….it’s been another 4 years. You’re right @realsuyung, my time has come! pic.twitter.com/F6bEHU6IJR

— Madison Rayne (@MadisonRayne) July 22, 2018

In the video below, Rayne reveals the source of her motivation heading into tonight’s match.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_NMBtKMpqg&w=560&h=315]

Their feud took an eerie turn on last Thursday’s episode of IMPACT! as Yung and her Bridesmaids got into Rayne’s head by haunting her.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9a8F4TqnoA&w=560&h=315]

• Read Lars Sullivan’s letter to WWE Magazine in 2009

Only two matches have been officially confirmed for All-In so far. Cody will challenge for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (likely against Nick Aldis) and Marty Scurll will take on Kazuchika Okada.

Another championship match may appear to be in the works. Madison Rayne just challenged Tessa Blanchard to a match which could have title implications for multiple belts.

Rayne sent the following message to Tessa Blanchard recently:

Congrats @Tess_Blanchard on capturing yet another championship last night. I say after this weekend, we settle the battle of the belt collectors… and I know the perfect venue… @ALL_IN_2018 👸🐝 vs 💎💎💎 pic.twitter.com/bfRpMScicD

— Madison Rayne (@MadisonRayne) July 15, 2018

This made Tessa ponder the idea…

https://twitter.com/Tess_Blanchard/status/1018463834737127424

Madison Rayne vs Tessa Blanchard At All-In?

Blanchard captured a title recently for the Crash promotion in Mexico. She is also the RISE champion, WSU champion, PCW women’s champion and the list goes on.

https://twitter.com/Tess_Blanchard/status/1018532782778167297

Madison Rayne and Tessa Blanchard have met twice recently on Impact Wrestling. Both times Rayne used a pinning combination to score the upset victory over Blanchard. Those are the only two losses on Blanchard’s Impact record so far.

Partially as a result of the victories, Rayne has been granted a title shot against Su Yung. She’ll take on the champion July 22nd at Slammiversary. Should Rayne be victorious on that night she’s challenged Blanchard to a champion vs champion match at All-In.

Tessa Blanchard in Impact Wrestling

Blanchard just signed a new deal with Impact reported to be 2-years in length. The contract with Impact will keep her from competing for the second year in a row in the Mae Young Classic. She lost to Kairi Sane in the 1st round of the tournament last year.

On a recent Impact Wrestling media call, Blanchard had this to say about how she’s glad she didn’t sign on with WWE last year or after her initial tryout with the company.

“These life experiences, these personal experiences through wrestling, if I was signed on (with WWE), my entire path would be different,” she said. “I’m very blessed for things to have played out the way they have.”

IMPACT Wrestling star Madison Rayne recently did an interview with RealSport to talk about several professional wrestling topics. Rayne first talked about IMPACT bringing back the Women’s Tag Team Titles and possibly seeing the same happen in WWE soon:

“I don’t think that those titles were able to run their course before they were no longer used. And I think that’s sad, however I also think that tag team wrestling is something really special. It’s an art form. You have to find that person that you trust, that you trust to be on the same brainwave as you, and so I understand why they are no longer active at Impact Wrestling. I also don’t think that there’s the manpower, or the womanpower, within the Knockouts Division right now to have them.

“But I do think that there’s something special about tag team wrestling and about women’s tag team wrestling, and I think I would like to see them come back to Impact at some point. I said a couple weeks ago on the Impact weekly teleconference that I don’t think this is the right time, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see something like a women’s tag team championship in WWE before I saw it back at Impact because [of] the depth of their rosters on all three of their platforms.

“I think it might be better suited there, but I think again that tag team wrestling is an art form and you shouldn’t just create titles because ‘Hey, they used to be here and we should bring ’em back because we like them.’ I think that there needs to be a lot of thought given to them, specifically with Impact and the Knockouts, because they didn’t get to really run their course the first time, and I would hate to see that be something that is just a rushed decision a second time.

“If that ever were to be the case, I would definitely have to maybe call up one of my former tag team partners and see if we can’t get something started.”

Rayne then discussed her win over Tessa Blanchard being called an “upset” by her husband Josh Mathews, and whether or not she thinks it was one:

“Yeah, there was a tense moment in my household when I heard Josh Mathews say that. I mean, if I’m being completely honest, it probably was an upset. Because here is Tessa Blanchard who is literally one of the most talented females in professional wrestling, across any platform. She’s incredible. She’s talented far beyond her years. Wrestling is her life. She travels the world on a regular basis wrestling, and then there’s Madison Rayne who comes and goes in and out of Impact Wrestling. She’s a mom, a business woman, a wife.

“So I wear all these different hats, and Tessa is a wrestler. So after I was upset with Josh for calling it an upset, I completely agreed. To most people, it was. But to me, it wasn’t because there is not one woman actively in the Knockouts Division with the experience that I have. And whether I take a couple weeks away, a couple months away, or nearly a year away to have a child, I come back and I’m still Madison Rayne and I’m still confident in my in-ring abilities. So, upset or not, it goes down in the record books as a win for me.”

You can ready Rayne’s full interview with RealSport by clicking this link here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEt-fEcqCx0

Ring Of Honor (ROH) star Madison Rayne recently did an interview with Channel Guide Magazine Channel Guide Magazine to talk about several professional wrestling topics. Currently Rayne is a ‘free agent’ and she discussed what that means for herself and her family moving forward:

“I think in 2018 it’s fun and exciting to be able to control your own narrative and go where you want and do what you want. It’s also very gratifying to have a company who wants to invest in you and wants to put their branding on you and bring you on board. I don’t really know what I would prefer at this point. I want to have a contract and have that be home. Then I start doing all these things that make it exciting for me to be a ‘free agent.’ I don’t know what the right thing is.

“I’m just going to do what works best for me and my family and for my life. Right now, getting to go everywhere and do everything and wrestle so many different women. I was with Impact for so long and have this group of women who are now lifelong friends and I’ve traveled the world with, but now I’m getting to branch out more and wrestle different people and different crowds.”

With the current vamp WWE has taken in women’s professional wrestling, a debate has sparked over which promotion really started the Women’s Revolution – IMPACT or WWE? Rayne offered her thoughts on the matter:

“I know right now there is a lot of contention of, ‘Well, the Knockouts started the Women’s Revolution.’ At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. The Knockouts in 2007 did their thing and probably inspired many who are doing it now in WWE and Ring of Honor and Impact. I hate getting caught up into who did it and who did it better. I think for many years it has been growing and getting bigger and better.

“It makes me feel good that I was part of this first generation and did it at such a young age. I think I was 21 when I had my first tryout match at TNA. I’ve done it for so long. I’m in that really good spot involved heavily back then and involved into it now. It’s fun.”

Rayne also discussed ROH starting to expand their own women’s division, and it being the perfect time to do so:

“Deonna Purrazzo, Kelly Klein, Mandy Leon and Sumi Sakai, those women laid the foundation for what Women of Honor is right now. I have the opportunity to come in now to put my name and brand on the division. Brandi Rhodes is doing the same thing. … Back when I was wrestling infrequently with them, they had some incredible names and could have easily formed a championship and division. But I don’t think women’s wrestling was where it is right now.

“There was a lull in the amount of activity women had at Ring of Honor for a few years. I would say this is the perfect time for them. Women’s wrestling is probably at its highest point right now. So, for Ring of Honor to capitalize on it, I think it’s brilliant because I think Ring of Honor is growing just as quickly as women’s wrestling is going. I feel like it only makes sense right now.”

You can read Rayne’s full interview with Channel Guide Magazine Channel Guide Magazine by clicking this link here.

Ring of Honor is scheduled to hold a TV taping, which is titled, Music City Excellence, on January 20th in Nashville, Tennessee at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium.

The promotion has recently announced two new matches for the upcoming taping. Here is the current card:

ROH World Title Match: Dalton Castle © vs. Punishment Martinez

Singles Match: Matt Taven vs. Cody

ROH Tag Team Title Match: Motor Machine Guns © vs. Best Friends

ROH Six-Man Tag Team Title Match: Adam Page & The Young Bucks © vs. Social Uncensored

Singles Match: Jay Lethal vs. Flip Gordon

Singles Match: Marty Scurll vs. Shane Taylor

Women of Honor Title Tournament Match: Madison Rayne vs. Mandy Leon

Women of Honor Title Tournament Match: Brandi Rhodes vs. Karen Q

Former TNA Knockout Madison Rayne has been training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL this week. WWE has reportedly been interested in her since mid-July after she showed up to a WWE taping in Nashville, Tennessee.

Rayne is a 5-time Knockouts Champion and was with Impact Wrestling for nearly a decade. After a lengthy in-ring career, she joined the creative team to work on the Knockouts division. She’s also married to Impact announcer Josh Mathews.

As previously reported, other names recently spotted at the Performance Center include Serena Deeb and Austin Aries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQakymw8dqU

H/T: PWInsider

– The main event of the upcoming WrestleCade Supershow has been announced. Former WWE Superstar Ryback will square off against former TNA World Champion Jeff Jarrett.

https://twitter.com/WrestleCade/status/918260619605954560

WrestleCade Supershow takes place on Saturday night, November 25th from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This is the card going head-to-head with WWE Starrcade, being held locally from Greensboro.

– Per a report from PWInsider, ex-TNA Knockout Madison Rayne has been at the WWE Performance Center this week. WWE has been showing interest in inking her to a contract for the past several months.

– To promote AMPED Anthology, which will air as a four-part tournament style One Night Only pay-per-view series for Global Force Wrestling, beginning on August 11, the company posted this video of Brian Myers (aka WWE Superstar Curt Hawkins) on Saturday. He talks about what it would mean to win the Global Championship and even mentions his first WWE stint.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F43Lb-FY5c4

While GFW is presenting the video as if it’s recent, it was actually shot two years ago. After being released by WWE in 2014, Myers was wrestling independently when GFW filmed AMPED Anthology on July 24, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He then returned to WWE last summer.

– Madison Rayne, who recently parted ways with Global Force Wrestling, has launched a YouTube channel. In her latest video, she talks about what sparked her interest in professional wrestling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B38JlakQGio

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It would appear that Madison Rayne is gone from GFW.

Following Slammiversary on Sunday, the promotion updated its roster section on ImpactWrestling.com and Rayne is no longer listed as an active Knockout.

This does not look to be an oversight as her profile page was also deleted.

She is also not listed in the Alumni section.

Rayne has only wrestled once for the promotion this year. On January 8, she lost to Angelina Love in a match taped for the One Night Only: Rivals pay-per-view that aired in March. She has not wrestled at a TV taping since last October.

As of late, Rayne has been co-hosting With This Ring… with her husband, Josh Mathews. Here is their last show, which hyped Slammiversary.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXl4q98N7AA&w=620&h=349]

Rayne has not publicly addressed her status with GFW. She continues to wrestle independently as she is making her return to the all-female promotion SHIMMER this weekend in Berwyn, Illinois. She is wrestling under her pre-Knockout name, Ashley Lane.

Rayne became a Knockout in January 2009, aligning herself with Angelina Love and Velvet Sky as part of the villainous “The Beautiful People.” In April 2010, she won her first of five Knockouts Championships.

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There are reports going around that Madison Rayne appeared to suffer an arm injury at Monday night’s TNA television tapings from Orlando, Florida.

The injury took place during a Fatal 4 Way match involving Sienna, Jade and Rosemary that was taped for a future One Night Only event. Rayne was helped to the back after trainers checked on her in the ring.

We’ll post an update when it becomes available.

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