The Road to WrestleMania 34 heats up on next week’s WWE RAW from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX two matches and a segment already confirmed.
Asuka will do battle with RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss in a non-title match that should see the confirmation of Nia Jax vs. Bliss for WrestleMania 34.
WWE will also air The Ultimate Deletion match next week, which was recently taped at The Hardy Compound in Cameron, NC. Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy will go at it in what may be the end of The Great War between the two.
Next week’s RAW will also feature an appearance by WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, according to Vince McMahon. Lesnar was once again off this week’s RAW, missing the scheduled face off with Roman Reigns, but Vince gave his word that The Beast will be back next week. As noted, Vince “temporarily suspended” Reigns with an angle on tonight’s RAW and there’s no word yet on when he will be brought back, or if he will be in Dallas next week to face off with Lesnar.
It will be interesting to see if The Undertaker returns to WWE TV on next week’s RAW in Dallas. WWE currently has John Cena advertised to appear and tonight’s RAW saw Cena issue a WrestleMania 34 challenge to The Dead Man. Taker lives in Texas.
Jeff Hardy was arrested yesterday and charged with DWI in Concord, North Carolina. Hardy’s arrest came after he crashed his car into a guardrail and spun out into the middle of the road. He was released and given a court date next month.
After news of his brother’s arrest broke, Matt Hardy posted the following:
EVAH since the #7Deities have come to me, I do not put alcohol, drugs, or foreign substances into my VESSEL.
Matt Hardy himself has had an issue with DWI arrests in North Carolina. In 2011, he was arrested twice in one summer for the offense. He was fired from TNA Wrestling as a result and wouldn’t be brought back for 3 years. The next month Reby called the cops to say Matt was strung out on pills and they raided his house.
After the police raid, Matt checked himself into WWE-sponsored rehab and hasn’t had any issues since.
Matt Hardy is absolutely delighted that Jeremy Borash is now with the WWE.
Borash was brought in to help with some of the behind the scenes work over on the NXT brand. The move came as a surprise to many within the industry, as Borash has been known for being an Impact Wrestling company guy. With so many changes in management, Borash felt now was the right time to head to the WWE.
The relationship between Borash and Hardy is well documented. Borash played a significant role in the special “Deletion” events at the Hardy Compound. Speaking to Sports Bible, Hardy commented on Borash’s signing:
“Personally I am very glad that Jeremy Borash is here in WWE. He’s got a great mind; a very creative person, a good friend of mine and he just deserves to work here.”
Hardy continued, “Coming to the WWE often validates your career in the business and he was kind of the glue that was keeping TNA together in many, many ways over the years. The fact that he’s here and actually hired by Triple H, and his role is to be an important part of NXT, I am very happy he’s got the opportunity. It’s something he’s deserving of.”
– For the past several weeks filmmaker Jon Bravo has been teasing the release of evidence that WWE Superstar Roman Reigns was involved in an illegal steroid ring operation as a customer. In a new teaser released by Bravo, he mentioned that former WWE Superstar Luther Reigns could be involved in the scandal as well.
This led to some speculation that Bravo could’ve mistaken Luther for Roman. The first name of one of the “Reigns” characters in question was cropped out in one of his photos. Check it out:
Bravo responded to some of the speculation that he could’ve confused Luther and Roman, saying they’re two different people and fans shouldn’t be irresponsible by spreading rumors:
“Luther and Roman are 2 different people everyone. Stop spreading rumors and wait until I release more information. Be responsible guys…”
Bravo had teased the release of the Reigns evidence video last week but had to halt posting due to what he claims to be last-second editing. It should be interesting to see when he releases the video, and what evidence he actually has on Reigns, with WrestleMania 34 right around the corner.
– In WWE’s latest preview for Monday Night RAW next week they teased when the Final Deletion match between “Woken” Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt could take place. Here’s the preview for the segment:
“The Ultimate Deletion” is upon us, and the battleground has been chosen.
After “Woken” Matt Hardy invited Bray Wyatt to The Hardy Compound for the final battle in the “Great War,” The Eater of Worlds accepted the challenge via social media.
– For the past several months Matt Hardy has been utilizing a modified version of his “Broken” persona on WWE TV, calling himself “Woken.” He is currently embroiled in a feud with Bray Wyatt and will likely have a match with him at the Hardy Family Compound. Hardy recently took to Twitter and noted that “W” is going to start sounding like “BR”:
– Deadline is reporting that WWE Hall Of Famer Hulk Hogan’s legal battle with Gawker over his leaked sex tape could possibly be turned into a feature film or TV series. David A. Neuman’s Blackrock Production company has acquired the rights to turn Ryan Holiday’s “Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker and the Anatomy of Intrigue” book into a production. The book was released last Tuesday and was written with cooperation from Hogan. Hogan wound up winning $140 million in the lawsuit.
– As seen on Monday Night RAW this past week, Matt Hardy challenged Bray Wyatt to come and confront him at the Hardy Family Compound. Some footage from the compound was also featured during the segment, which we later found out was filmed by Reby Hardy. Wyatt took to Twitter to accept Hardy’s challenge:
– WWE posted a promo on Twitter for next week’s episode of Monday Night RAW from Detroit, which is said to feature a face to face confrontation between WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar and Elimination Chamber winner Roman Reigns. Check it out:
– Paige took to social media to note that she’s currently on tour with her current boyfriend, Kalan Blehm’s, band, Attila. She won’t be appearing with Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville at WWE live events this week:
– WWE SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair recently took to Instagramto post a tribute to her late brother, Reid, who passed away in 2013. He would’ve been 30-years-old this week:
“Today, my brother Reid would have been 30 years old. Most of us in WWE have a favorite wrestlers; a superstars who inspired us to follow our dreams. We would dress like them, mimic them and even do their signature moves.
My favorite wrestler is my brother Reid. The life I am living was his dream, and he would talk about it daily. He would watch Dusty promos over and over (and recite them to our family). He looked up to Uncle Arn, and considered himself a Horseman at age 13.
He “debuted” on WCW tv, taking down Eric Bischoff with a single leg. He worked independents with guys like Rock and Roll Express, Lodi, Nasty Boys among others (those were just some of the stories I was told) and eventually made it to Japan before his passing.
He loved Japan. The culture, the talent he worked with, and most of all when my Dad managed him and Mutoh against Sanada and Fujinami. When I started wrestling, my mom would harp on me to do my Germans like Reid. I didn’t even know how to hit the ropes properly.
He was working towards a dream and had a true love and passion for professional wrestling. He KNEW it was what he wanted in life. I didn’t have that- not back then. I was figuring things out as I went along, often just going through the motions. For him, wrestling was everything. “Hey Reid, yeah I’ll go with you to Tampa and try out for NXT.” Those words changed my life in ways I couldn’t imagine.
Life isn’t fair. If you’re my friend, you hear me speak of Reid often. I miss him dearly. People say it will get easier- it doesn’t. The more success I have, the more I miss him and mourn the opportunity to share all of this with him. My career has grown from a seed he planted. I’ve made a career, a life, from his passion.
I miss you every day Reid. Thank you for the extra pair of wings. You being 30 makes me feel old, champ.
– On last night’s episode of Monday Night RAW Bray Wyatt indicated that he wasn’t finished with “Woken” Matt Hardy after suffering a loss to him at Elimination Chamber on pay-per-view (PPV) this past Sunday. Hardy wasn’t on RAW this week but made an interesting response to Wyatt’s comments via Twitter.
Matt said that he’ll confront Wyatt, but “it shall only be on MY terms. On MY Battlefield” His “my battlefield” comments may suggest a confrontation between Hardy and Wyatt at the Hardy Family Compound. WWE could be getting set to do their own version of the Final Deletion:
The updated betting odds for the WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event have been released.
Oddsmakers have placed the lines for two of the newer matches announced for this show that includes Asuka -750 being favored over Nia Jax +450 as well as Matt Hardy -215 favored over Bray Wyatt +165.
There hasn’t been a huge change in odds for both the men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches.
The Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event takes place on Sunday, February 25th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and will air on the WWE Network and some traditional pay-per-view outlets. This will be an exclusive RAW brand event and the final RAW PPV before Wrestlemania 34. Here are the odds:
Men’s Elimination Chamber Roman Reigns -600 Braun Strowman +400 Seth Rollins +600 Finn Balor +1700 John Cena +2000 The Miz +3500 Elias +4300 Women’s Elimination Chamber Alexa Bliss -280 Sasha Banks +190 Bayley +575 Sonya Deville +600 Mickie James +2500 Mandy Rose +4500 Singles Matches Asuka -750 vs Nia Jax +450 Matt Hardy -215 vs Bray Wyatt +165
– A fan on Twitter recently asked 2018 WWE Hall Of Fame inductee Bully Ray who he’d like to have induct he and D-Von Dudley into the WWE Hall Of Fame this year. Ray responded by saying that if it were up to him he’d have everyone who was in the ECW Arena in February of 1997 – where he and D-Von hit their first 3D – induct them. However, since it’s a WWE Hall Of Fame he admitted names like Paul Heyman, Edge & Christian, or The Hardy Boyz would also be good options:
If it was totally up to me, I would want something completely different.
I would have every fan who was in the ECW Arena in Feb. ‘97 who saw me and Devon hit our first 3D induct us.
– Rusev has been training Lana hard ahead of their Mixed Match Challenge bout against the team of Elias and Bayley next week. WWE posted the following video of Rusev having Lana break boards in preparation for the match:
– Following his loss to Bray Wyatt on RAW 25, “Woken” Matt Hardy teased the likes of Reby Hardy, his son Maxel, and Senor Benjamin coming to WWE with him. He also said he needs to return to the Hardy Compound to draw power from his ‘platoon.’ Hardy then stated that he needs to return to his “BROKEN” beginnings, teasing that he may soon be using the “Broken” gimmick instead of the “Woken” one he has been using on WWE TV as of late:
On this Eve in The York of New, I lost a single Battle in #TheGreatWar to an ETERNAL RIVAL.
I must return to The Hardy Compound & draw from the POWAH of my PLATOON.
– In the main event of last night’s episode of 205 Live, Cedrick Alexander and Mustafa Ali put on an incredible main event that garnered “This Is Awesome” chants from the crowd. Highlights from the match, including both Alexander and Ali’s reactions, can be found below:
– Below is backstage video of Curt Hawkins and The Brooklyn Brawler at RAW 25. Brawler says he can feel what Hawkins is going through with the losing streak and he can relate. Brawler tells Hawkins to never get down on himself because eventually he will win.
– Matt Hardy talks to Dasha Fuentes after his loss to Bray Wyatt at RAW 25. Hardy says he was happy to have the Manhattan Center as a battlefield in The Great War but he is disappointed. Matt says this was not the outcome he wanted but he will get revenge at the Royal Rumble on Sunday because he will delete until Wyatt and Sister Abigail are over.
– Christian’s Peep Show segment at Monday’s RAW 25 event was originally scheduled to take place inside the Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom, according to PWInsider. The segment was held at the Barclays Center with appearances by The Bar and RAW Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan. Below is video from the segment:
ECIII was recently spotted at the WWE Performance Center.
Matt Hardy Q and A
Hardy also took part in a live Q and A session with fans on Facebook Live over the weekend. In addition to answering other questions, Hardy commented that he does not believe we have seen the last of the Undertaker.
According to Matt, the Undertaker has been around for nearly 4000 years:
“The Undertaker is one of the oldest souls in existence. I get chills speaking of him. He has been around for nearly 4,000 years. He was in the most powerful vessel ever when he was known as the Man of Dead, The Deadman. Yes, Undertaker — I have a very strong suspicion we have not seen the last of him. I have an enormous amount of respect for The Deadman. He is possibly the most magical Superstar in the history of World Wrestling Entertainment, the history of the WWE.”
– WWE Superstar John Cena recently posted a picture of “Woken” Matt Hardy on his Instagram page. “The Leader Of The Cenation” has a history of posting cryptic photos on his social media feed:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdfukObgaNz/
Hardy responded to Cena’s post on Twitter, referencing Cena’s middle name, Felix, as well:
– The Young Bucks, Nick and Matt Jackson, won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships at Wrestle Kingdom 12 earlier this morning. Matt Jackson took to Twitter to comment on the achievement and WWE producer/agent “Scrap Daddy” Adam Pierce responded to him and said he’s proud of the brothers:
When you’re old and gray (like I already am), you’ll look back fondly on the journey. It’s been remarkable and I’m proud of you guys.
– Last week Matt Hardy was using Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata at a live event to make his entrance for his match with Bray Wyatt. Fans believed that this would be Hardy’s new theme song for his “Woken” character on WWE TV. Plans may have changed, however, as Hardy went back to using the Hardy Boyz them at Friday’s live event in Albany. Check it out:
– We’ve noted that WWE has been teasing a Tye Dillinger heel turn soon as he has been working live events as a heel against Kalisto. At a recent live event in Hershey Dillinger was telling fans that they can’t chant “10” because none of them are perfect 10’s except himself.
In the latest installment of WWE Network’s “Table For 3” program; WWE Superstars Matt Hardy, Jeff Hary, and Finn Balor were featured. Matt discussed a number of topics such as he and Jeff’s return to WWE, his new “Woken” character with the promotion, and his goals at this point in his career. You can check out the highlights from Matt’s comments here below:
Being more comfortable performing as “Broken” or “Woken” Matt because he has no limitations:
“When I made the transformation to being ‘Woken’ Matt or whatever you want to call him, it was different,” Hardy said. “I became that being, and, to me, I’m a lot more comfortable doing that because I can go to the ring and know nothing is off limits and like [Bálor] said, there’s no worry of looking bad, or looking strange, or worried about judgment. You go out and do your thing and I was like a primal cannibal in some ways.
“And when I go out and I’m Matt Hardy, I kind of feel like there [are] eyes on me and I have to act like a normal person or I have to look cool or I have to stay within certain parameters or whatever it may be. When I would go through the curtain and I was ‘Broken’, I was full-fledged on and I believe and I was every second of it. It’s not just playing make believe. I mean, I was.”
The reception he and Jeff received when they returned at WrestleMania:
“I was extremely happy with the reaction we got at WrestleMania and I think the reaction was magnified so much because it was such a surprise. I think fans who were in-the-know, knew it was a possibility that we would be there, but I don’t think they really thought we would be there. Any time, in this day and age, because, like, it’s so easy for stuff to get out, if you know you’re going to do something, if you truly contain it and keep it confidential, and then, it’s a legitimate surprise when it happens, to the audience, then, it’s huge in this day and age.
“Living in the age of information and technology, everything gets out so easy and so, so quickly. And that moment, when we walked through the curtain at WrestleMania, literally, we just got to Gorilla [position] because we just snuck into the building. And seeing that sea of humanity and everybody just [cheering], it was amazing. Definitely, a top moment in my [pro wrestling] career.”
His goals at this point in his career:
“Like [Finn and Jeff], I’m in the same Skarsgård: The Dilapidated Boat, I feel the same way. I really want to be creative. I want to innovate. I want to be innovative and I want to do things that are different. I’m at a point in my career where I’m not like, ‘I need to win this title and this title.’ Like, I want to provide quality entertainment. I want to try and be innovative. I want to take chances. I want to kind of step out of my comfort zone, whatever that may be. I love that more than ever now.”
WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross was recently a guest on Sam Roberts Wrestling podcast to talk about a variety of professional wrestling topics. Ross offered his thoughts on former New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Shinsuke Nakamura’s run on the WWE main roster, Matt Hardy’s “Woken” reboot, talent establishing relationships with Vince McMahon, and who he would bring to WWE today. Here are the highlights:
Shinsuke Nakamura’s SmackDown Live run:
“It’s bell to bell, we are lacking what we know is there, we are not getting. I would love to see him return to that. Remember the match where he finally squared off with AJ, that’s your match and maybe AJ Is the best in the world.I got to call a match or two of theirs and they were unbelievable. I understand Kenny Omega who WWE I am sure would love to sig.
“He has proven he is sound and connects with an audience, he will want to get there some day because the older you get, you can’t work that crazy style with multiple big bumps per match and they do a lot of bumps on the apron which is very dangerous. Omega and Okada had three great matches this year but I thought that the Nakamura/AJ matches that I called were up there with them so it’s subjective right.”
Matt Hardy’s new “Woken” character:
“Matt has been around long enough to know where opportunities come and how fleeting they can be. He has one chance to make ‘Woken’ Matt Hardy work because it won’t get a second reboot, I like the persona, it feels organic and it’s interesting.”
Talent establishing relationships with Vince McMahon:
“I think Vince would be very adamant by saying yes, are those opportunities every day and easy to attain, probably not because of the work load, but I don’t believe and he shouldn’t, let go of his relationship with the talent. Sometimes it’s intimidating for them.”
Roberts:
“There’s also that feeling of I can’t believe I am here, if I keep to myself nobody will notice me and they won’t throw me out the door, but that’s not a great strategy.”
Ross:
“That isn’t a great strategy and it’s also not good for the locker room. The one thing that happened when we signed all those guys in the Attitude Era, we had a very competitive group, they all wanted to be the top dog. I booked Austin in a tag match once at Vince’s suggestion right before intermission to give him a break before TV. I got a call from the agent who had Austin and I figured out, A) he doesn’t like tag matches and B) he couldn’t figure out why he wasn’t going on last.
“I said, that tag match would give him a break and going on before the intermission would get you on the road earlier to get to Raw. He gave me a speech about how he had worked his whole life for this to be a top guy and that top guys go on last and that is what top guys do, that was him. That was the way some talents were in that word, so I un-booked the tag and I put him on last.”
Who he’d bring to WWE today:
“I am going to certainly work out a way to bring Chris Jericho back, I am looking at Kenny Omega and finding the interest out from Okada, he is a good looking young man, he’s really good. I would certainly welcome Cody Rhodes with open arms and Young Bucks because I like those kids, as many shirts as they are selling now, get under that WWE umbrella and see how many you sell. I would try to figure out a way if there is one more run in CM Punk, and one more run means one WrestleMania, the only other way I would do him is have him return at WrestleManiaand that way there is no pressure on anybody.”
You can listen to Ross’ interview on The Sam Roberts Wrestling podcast by clicking here.
– A brand new ‘Table For 3’ episode will air on the WWE Network tonight following Monday Night RAW. Tonight’s participants will be former WWE Universal Champion Finn Balor and former RAW Tag Team Champions The Hardys. Here’s WWE’s official description for the episode:
“Finn Balor and The Hardys discuss the motivations behind their most extreme personas and share personal tales of their paths to WWE.”
– WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley took to Twitter to praise WWE Champion AJ Styles and SmackDown Live Tag Team Champions The Usos for their performances at Clash Of Champions last night:
205 Live goes on a 3-day tour this January but WWE recently announced they won’t be going alone. In what could be a response to slow ticket sales, Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy have both been added to the shows.
205 Live Tour
WWE.com announced their inclusion on the tour recently:
“The war between Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt reaches new heights, as these two bitter rivals will do battle during the WWE 205 Live Tour! Don’t miss the chance to see epic confrontations between The Woken Superstar and The Eater of Worlds, as well as all the action-packed excitement of the WWE Cruiserweight division, featuring WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore, Kalisto, Gentleman Jack Gallagher, Hideo Itami and more.
Friday, Jan. 19, 2018 – Kingston, RI – The Ryan Center
Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 – Lowell, MA – Lowell Auditorium
“We are the number one online retailer for the newest and hottest wrestling action figures!
Since 1995, we have been the industry leader in wrestling figures and collectibles and are known worldwide for our high quality, service, and detailed looks at your favorite wrestling figures including top quality photos and a renowned YouTube channel.”
Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated has claimed that Vince McMahon is a huge proponent of the ‘Woken’ Matt Hardy gimmick. Barrasso also claims that McMahon has given Hardy ‘creative freedom’ over his television persona.
A source within WWE has stated that Matt is “allowed a creative license by McMahon, who sees opportunity and the opportunity to cash in on a character that is already established.”
This is a fairly unprecedented move for Vince McMahon, who traditionally prefers to craft characters within the confines of his own creative team and ideas…however if these reports are true and he is choosing to run with a persona developed outside of WWE then this can only be considered a shrewd move on his part.
If you haven’t yet seen the return promo for ‘Woken’ Matt Hardy from RAW then check it out below.
This week’s WWE RAW in Los Angeles may have been the first official appearance for “Woken” Matt Hardy. Matt went all-in with the “Broken” mannerisms while interrupting a backstage Bray Wyatt promo. We’ve noted how Matt began the “Woken” transformation after a singles loss to Bray on last week’s RAW.
Hardy and Wyatt interrupted each other several times during last night’s promo before Matt ended it by sentencing Wyatt to “Deletion!” The two have since tweeted about The Great War, indicating that the feud is moving forward.
– At a recent WWE Live Event in Lima, Peru, WWE Champion AJ Styles successfully defended his title against Jinder Mahal. After the match Styles took a cardboard cutout that one fan had of “The Maharaja” and brought it into the ring before hitting it with the Styles Clash. Check it out:
– WWE continues to tease “Woken” Matt Hardy after posting the following video after their Salt Lake City, Utah Live Event in which Hardy let a “Delete” chant with the crowd:
With recent news revealing that Matt Hardy’s “Broken” gimmick is likely coming to WWE, many have begun to wonder whether or not that includes the return of Jeff Hardy’s alter ego, “Brother Nero,” as well. Jeff is currently nursing a shoulder injury and isn’t expected to return until around WrestleMania 34. Matt recently released a teaser trailer on social media for the return of the gimmick, and it hints at the return of “Brother Nero” as well.
Matt is chanting “Delete” while Jeff is in a bit of a trance behind him sitting on the ring. Check it out:
The #7Deities have EMPOWERED & #WOKEN my VESSEL's #BROKENBrilliance to DELETE the rubbish away from the plane identified as WWE.