– On Wednesday, WWE filmed SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella for a “great project” coming out later this year.

Joey Maloney, who handles producing, directing and cinematography on a wide range of features for WWE’s digital platforms, posted this behind-the-scenes photo of Carmella from the video shoot.

https://instagram.com/p/BlHKKPSgO4f/

With SmackDown taking place the night before in Manchester, New Hampshire, the shoot was apparently for a documentary-style video where Carmella returns to her hometown in the New England area. On her Instagram Story, she posted videos with her parents earlier in the day. Carmella also posted photos visiting her old dance school.

So cool. I remember @CarmellaWWE talking about her dance school and teacher on @LilianGarcia's Chasing Glory podcast. pic.twitter.com/UwLBi2TtEV

— Edward Brooks (@TheEdwardBrooks) July 11, 2018

– With Extreme Rules taking place this Sunday, a number of WWE stars paid tribute to the hardcore icons of ECW, such as The Sandman, Tommy Dreamer, and Sabu. Sonya Deville dressed up as Raven for the ECW photo shoot and the two-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion tweeted his thoughts on her impersonation.

Channeling my inner @theraveneffect ? pic.twitter.com/CeKfd3vxbo

— Daria Rae Berenato (@TheDariaRae) July 12, 2018

RT @SonyaDevilleWWE: Channeling my inner @theraveneffect ? pic.twitter.com/ur2qKAT08y

It’s funny, when asked who should play me in a movie (which of course will never happen) I always say Kristin Stewart…
However, if it was a wrestler playing me,@SonyaDevilleWWE is perfection!

— Raven (@theraveneffect) July 12, 2018

RT @SonyaDevilleWWE: Channeling my inner @theraveneffect ? pic.twitter.com/ur2qKAT08y

You could have chosen from a million people, well not a million, but.. you get it… Anyway, you chose me, and I am humbled & honored.
Thank you!

— Raven (@theraveneffect) July 12, 2018

Deville responded:

Glad I could do ya justice! ?? https://t.co/AvUBKQODV7

— Daria Rae Berenato (@TheDariaRae) July 12, 2018

– Sean Waltman celebrates his birthday today as the former WWE/WCW wrestler turns 46 years old. In honor of his birthday, the official Instagram account for the WWE Network posted this clip of Waltman’s WCW debut on September 16, 1996, where he was shown sitting in the front row for a live episode of WCW Monday Nitro.

https://instagram.com/p/BlLlYQ0hLZk/

Later that night, Waltman stood and used a remote control to release New World Order (nWo) propaganda from the ceiling, revealing himself as the newest member of the recently formed faction. As the sixth member of the nWo, he became Syxx. WCW based his ring name on six being the sum of numbers of his name in the World Wrestling Federation, 1–2–3 Kid.

• What’s the connection between Lars Sullivan and Brock Lesnar?

– During a red carpet interview at WWE’s For Your Consideration event in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday night, Brie Bella said she’s considering having a baby “next summer,” but only after she returns to the ring.

Brie said to E! News that she had a conversation earlier with her husband, Daniel Bryan — real name Bryan Danielson — about having another child. Bryan is eager to “start trying,” whereas Brie is eyeing 2019 for an addition to the family.

“I need to kick more butt in the ring still,” Brie revealed she told her husband. “‘Next summer.’ In mom world that’s like really close. So, next summer.”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBBJ1_vulr0&w=560&h=315]

– Sonya Deville and Lana are in attendance at tonight’s GLAAD + Ty Herdon’s Concert for Love & Acceptance event in Nashville, Tennessee, “featuring a coalition of artists and celebrities appearing and performing to accelerate acceptance for LGBTQ people.”

The SmackDown LIVE Superstars are documenting their experience on social media.

https://instagram.com/p/Bjvnoq4h4ei/

So excited to be here with @SonyaDevilleWWE at the @glaad concert for Love and Acceptance #PrideMonth ?????? pic.twitter.com/gGjLMeZxGL

— CJ Perry (@TheCJPerry) June 8, 2018

??? #LoveisLove https://t.co/yqSO4lraZf

— Daria Rae Berenato (@TheDariaRae) June 8, 2018

– John Cena’s entrance theme briefly played during the second period of tonight’s NHL Stanley Cup finals Game 5 between the Washington Capitals and the Las Vegas Knights (taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada at the T-Mobile Arena).

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

• Paige got a huge tattoo on her stomach (Photo)

Sonya Deville Threatens Paige

On SmackDown Live last night, General Manager Paige barred Sonya Deville from ringside for Mandy Rose’s match against Becky Lynch. Deville revolted on Instagram by posting a picture of herself and Rose, asking who the hell Paige thinks she is for barring her from ringside.

Deville also warned “this isn’t over”:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiifmuDguf5/?utm_source=ig_embed

Paige got to respond perfectly by saying “I’m your boss that’s who I am.”:

https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/994038238024224774?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mandatory.com%2Fwrestlezone%2Fnews%2F952781-sonya-deville-calls-out-paige-smackdown-gm-responds

Tommaso Ciampa Blocks WWE Network On Twitter

Yesterday was NXT star Tomasso Ciampa’s 33rd birthday, and WWE Network’s Twitter account wished him a Happy Birthday while also saying he has a “black heart” – a play on his nickname. Ciampa then responded by posting screenshots of himself blocking the WWE Network Twitter account. Check it out here:

Happy birthday to a Superstar with a black heart, @ProjectCiampa… #WWENetwork #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/lmD4AJvX81

— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) May 8, 2018

https://twitter.com/ProjectCiampa/status/993955811750764545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mandatory.com%2Fwrestlezone%2Fnews%2F952803-tommaso-ciampa-turns-heel-on-the-wwe-networks-twitter-account-nia-jax-visits-stone-henge

Jeff Hardy Teases Return Of “No More Words” Theme

WWE United States Champion Jeff Hardy posted a video on Instagram that referenced his old fan favorite “No More Words” theme song that he used from 2008 to 2009. Fans have been calling for Hardy to revert back to this theme song on social media lately since he’s receiving a singles push on SmackDown Live:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiS7IvdhCgQ/?utm_source=ig_embed

Liv Morgan & Sonya Deville Exchange Words On Twitter

Liv Morgan recently took to Twitter to poke fun at SmackDown Live General Manager Paige telling Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose that Absolution is dead. Morgan is currently a member of Monday Night RAW’s six-woman stable The Riott Squad.

This led to a brief exchange of insults between Morgan and Deville. At one point Morgan even called Deville “lousy Ronda Rousey.” Check it out here below:

#Absolution is over ? 😧 oh no 😂 #RiottSquad

— LIV Morgan (@YaOnlyLivvOnce) May 2, 2018

Lemme guess you guys are going to “break up” next week since y’all wanna be us so bad. #Bargainbasementversion https://t.co/TYhqnv6b7C

— Daria Rae Berenato (@TheDariaRae) May 2, 2018

Hahaha no..because unlike y’all, we’re actually a good team👀💩 https://t.co/wHtFoteEjg

— LIV Morgan (@YaOnlyLivvOnce) May 2, 2018

Positive you lousy Ronda Rousey @SonyaDevilleWWE

— LIV Morgan (@YaOnlyLivvOnce) May 2, 2018

Okay.. 🤔 Coming from the girl who has to color her tongue blue to even get noticed … #stillnotrelevant 😂😂😂 https://t.co/pMk7xutkSs

— Daria Rae Berenato (@TheDariaRae) May 2, 2018

WWE Raw star Sonya Deville recently made an appearance on longtime WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia’s podcast, Chasing Glory, to talk about various topics.

During the interview, she was asked about a potential match with former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, who is slated to team up with WWE Hall of Famer and current General Manager of Monday Night Raw Kurt Angle to take on Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in a Mixed Tag Team Match at WrestleMania 34.

“I haven’t actually said anything publicly about it yet…I feel like the story me and Ronda can tell one day will be so awesome, and I think we have something special here…I think that it’s going to be an honor and a privilege to work in the ring with her…That’s the biggest compliment, is that Ronda Rousey – she’s done a lot in her life. She’s accomplished a lot. Besides MMA and the UFC, she was a Judo Olympian. She was a bronze medalist. And she went undefeated for so long, and she has a lot of accomplishments. So, for her to want to be here so bad, to go through contract negotiations for as long as they did with her, and to finally be here, that is such a compliment to our division and what we’re doing here.”

Also during this interview, she was asked about being the first openly gay women in the WWE.

“I guess I put a big burden on myself because I want to send out the right message and I want to talk about it properly, and I do want to make sure that people hear my story because I think that it’s an interesting one that can help a lot of people. I get tweets and stuff. I tear up now just thinking about it. This little girl the other day was tweeting me – her name’s Courtney – and telling me that she came out to her family because she read my post and everything. I gave her the courage…that’s the kind of influence I want to have. It’s not just being gay. It’s just being you.”

Hear the full episode at: http://bit.ly/2FClQmQ or https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/chasing-glory-with-lilian-garcia/id1264774600?mt=2.

– Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss is not happy with having to team with Absolution tomorrow night on Raw.

WWE announced earlier today that the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match participants will square off in a Six-Woman Tag Team Match this week on Raw as Bayley, Sasha Banks and Mickie James take on Bliss, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville. In this video from backstage at tonight’s WWE live event in Prescott, Arizona, Bliss expresses her displeasure with Raw General Manager Kurt Angle making her team with Rose and Deville.

She said, “Tomorrow, he’s making me tag with Absolution; two girls that I’m competing against. First off, how is that fair? It’s not. And second, how do I know they’re not going to try to take me out to get a competitive gain?”

Is this how you treat a Goddess?? #RawWomensChampion #Raw #WWEChamber pic.twitter.com/oxmLw0mSuH

— Lexi (Kaufman) Cabrera (@AlexaBliss_WWE) February 19, 2018

– It was 25 years ago today when Kerry Von Erich, a one-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, died.

On February 18, 1993, Von Erich committed suicide with a single gunshot to the heart with a .44 caliber pistol on his father’s ranch in Denton County, Texas. Earlier that week, a judge in Dallas issued an arrest warrant for Von Erich after he was charged with cocaine possession. Since he was on probation for a drug conviction in September 1992, this violation would have likely resulted in extensive jail time.

Kerry was the fourth of six brothers in his family to die in nine years and the fifth overall.

https://twitter.com/SethHanson1982/status/965261350674092032

– WWE Ambassador Dana Warrior and her two daughters were in attendance at tonight’s WWE live event in Rio Rancho, New Mexico — they live in New Mexico. Here they are backstage with Natalya.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfXRsQGg3f8/

• Lex Luger responds to rumors of his death

– Wrestling Observer Newsletter gave Wrestle Kingdom 12’s IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship No Disqualification match between Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho five stars. The night’s main event between Okada and Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight Title received four stars.

– RAW stars Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose revealed on Snapchat that they’re suffering from the flu. Deville posted a video of herself in bed recovering while watching a marathon of Friends. No news yet on whether or not they’ll be working Monday’s episode of RAW.

As we’ve noted, ESPN recently spoke to all five of the women recently called up from NXT to the WWE’s main roster to get their reactions to the news. Two of those women included Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville, who were moved to RAW and paired up with Paige to form the new Absolution faction.

Rose and Deville revealed how they found out they’d be moved to RAW, and discussed their reaction to realizing they’d been called up together. Here are the highlights:

Finding out they’d been called-up to RAW:

Deville:

“As the days unfolded, you hear rumors and you hear things flying around. You don’t wanna believe anything until it’s set in stone, because it’s the entertainment industry at the end of the day and things change. Come Monday, around 3:00, 3:30, I found out what I was doing. I think I’m still in disbelief. I don’t know if it’s really set in yet.”

Rose:

“I actually wasn’t in Houston for NXT, I was home in Orlando. I was ready to actually go home a little early for Thanksgiving, since we didn’t have any Florida shows. But I received the email that I’d be going to Raw and SmackDown, which was really exciting news, but I had to change all of the travel stuff. Was this going to be me just kind of showing my face, or just maybe… I really didn’t know what to think. I thought about all different scenarios.”

Getting called-up together:

Deville:

“I think one of the best parts about this entire journey is that me and Mandy got to share it together. We started together about two and a half years ago on Tough Enough, on the reality show where some odd thousand number of people tried out and me and Mandy were just two of those thousands applying for an opportunity to change our lives, never thinking it would come to this… We’ve tagged together in NXT, we fought each other in NXT — it’s just been this crazy roller coaster ride that I’ve gotten to take with my best friend. It’s the best possible scenario I could ever ask for.”

Rose:

“We hit it off from day one. I don’t know if it was because we were both from the Northeast, but we automatically became best friends. We were there for each other, and we’ve been there for each other ever since. We live together. We do everything together. We drive to shows and train together. Finding out that we were both debuting the same night, and moving to Raw together, it was just insane.”

You can check out the full interview with ESPN by clicking here.

One of the most exciting things coming out of WWE Programming this week was the surprise debut of five female NXT Stars on both Raw and SmackDown Live.

According to Pro Wrestling Sheet, it was Vince McMahon’s call to bring these five women to the main roster because the Boss felt that the Women’s Division on both the shows had gone stale.

McMahon made the decision shortly after Mae Young Classic wrapped up so we can say that their arrival was well planned and it wasn’t a last minute call.

Many believe that their debut is part of a long-term plan leading to a Women’s Royal Rumble match. While a Women’s Rumble could still take place, the site notes that currently, they haven’t heard anything about it.

For those who don’t know, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville made their debut on Raw, led by a returning Paige this week and similarly Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan and Ruby Riot made their debut on SmackDown Live.

2 Superstars who recently made their main roster debuts will face each other tonight on NXT.

Sonya Deville made her Raw debut on Monday along with Mandy Rose. Tonight, she will face Ruby Riot, who made her main roster debut last night on Smackdown.

Ruby Riot vs. Sonya Deville

Matches for tonight’s NXT were taped from the Toyota Center in Houston this weekend.

Neither Deville nor Riot qualified for the Fatal 4-Way match at Takeover to determine a new NXT women’s champion. They had each been in a triple threat qualifying match which was won by Ember Moon. Recent backstage segments on NXT have shown Deville blaming Riot for the results of that match. Their score gets settled tonight.

Last night on Raw, Paige returned and brought some backup with her. Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose made their Raw debut and made it clear they are working with Paige.

Here is some background info on Paige’s new run-in buddies:

Sonya Deville:

Contrary to popular belief, 24-year-old Sonya Deville actually does have an MMA background. She has a 2-1 amateur MMA record and trained out of the Systems Training Center in Hawthorne, CA.

She also hosted the show “UFC AfterBuzz” show on AfterBuzz.tv which currently hosts Sean Waltman’s podcast.

Deville also has several acting credits to her name, including producing her own movie “the Honour” in 2013. The description of the movie is as follows:

“Christian Conservative Sarah discovers her daughter Judith is gay and in love with a Muslim Neighbor. Sarah will do anything to save the immoral soul of her daughter.”

Deville was discovered by WWE in 2015’s version of Tough Enough.

Mandy Rose:

Rose was also discovered in the 2015 edition of Tough Enough but her pre-WWE career was spent in the world of fitness modeling. This was also the route Rose’s idol, Trish Stratus, took to the WWE.

Earlier this year, a photo of Mandy Rose spread online which made many fans consider her Trish’s doppelganger. Even Trish commented the photo had her fooled:

Ha! I actually thought that was me! I was wondering when I wore that outfit lol. Wow @WWE_MandyRose ? https://t.co/hzhVFPOeQn

— Trish Stratus (@trishstratuscom) September 8, 2017

The 26-year-old’s real name is Amanda Saccomanno and she is from Westchester County, New York though she has relocated near the Performance Center in Orlando.

Rose and Deville actually tagged together in their first NXT match. It was a 6-person match and their other partner was Alexa Bliss, whom they beat up last night in the back.

Rose has two official tour victories for the World Bodybuilding Fitness and Fashion organization from events in 2014.

Neither Rose nor Deville competed on the independents before being signed to WWE.

– Tonight’s WWE RAW saw Asuka keep her undefeated streak going with a win over Dana Brooke. Below is post-show video of Asuka talking to Mike Rome. The Empress of Tomorrow thanks Dana for keeping her undefeated.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U-lgFNdagY?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

– There was no dark main event after tonight’s RAW in Houston but The Miz did get put through a table by new WWE Intercontinental Champion Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.

– As noted, tonight’s RAW also saw Paige make her return. She brought WWE NXT Superstars Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose with her and they beat down Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James and later RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss. Mandy and Sonya tweeted the following on their main roster debuts:

And that’s how it’s done. #RAW

— Daria Rae Berenato (@TheDariaRae) November 21, 2017

That's how you make an entrance … and don't worry, it's okay to stare. #RAW

— Mandy (@mandysacs) November 21, 2017

Paige made her long-awaited WWE return on tonight’s RAW from Houston, interrupting a Fatal 4 Way to crown a new #1 contender to RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss. The match featured Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James and Alicia Fox but there was no finish.

Paige declared that she was back but she was not alone. She then walked to the ring as WWE NXT Superstars Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville hit the ring to attack the other female Superstars as Paige watched their main roster debuts. Paige joined in and took out Bayley with a RamPaige. Paige stood tall with Sonya and Mandy to end the segment.

Paige later was interviewed by Renee Young but Bliss interrupted her and said Paige doesn’t have to explain herself as the others got what they deserved. Bliss gave Mandy and Sonya props before dismissing Renee. Paige introduced Mandy and Sonya to Bliss before they triple teamed the champion and destroyed her backstage, leaving her laying.

Below are photos and video from the segments:

SCREAM FOR HER!!!!! @RealPaigeWWE is BACK on #RAW!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/LnJVHemJcL

— WWE (@WWE) November 21, 2017

Did you miss her?#RAW @RealPaigeWWE pic.twitter.com/9dmJ5ARYVE

— WWE (@WWE) November 21, 2017

Are we seeing things?! @RealPaigeWWE is BACK on Monday Night #RAW! pic.twitter.com/VLedKz9YXG

— WWE (@WWE) November 21, 2017

.@RealPaigeWWE didn't come alone…

Welcome to #RAW, @SonyaDevilleWWE and @WWE_MandyRose! pic.twitter.com/nu8Dy5BWLe

— WWE (@WWE) November 21, 2017

… and the PAIGE has officially TURNED in the #RAW Women's Division! @itsBayleyWWE @SonyaDevilleWWE @WWE_MandyRose pic.twitter.com/yx7CXR2Ofp

— WWE (@WWE) November 21, 2017

Always remember, this is @RealPaigeWWE's HOUSE! Got it? #RAW @WWE_MandyRose @SonyaDevilleWWE pic.twitter.com/tDnvsLy2n6

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) November 21, 2017

.@AlexaBliss_WWE, meet @SonyaDevilleWWE and @WWE_MandyRose…#RAW @RealPaigeWWE pic.twitter.com/ZNbfHX8PjZ

— WWE (@WWE) November 21, 2017

The pleasure is all theirs, @AlexaBliss_WWE…#RAW @RealPaigeWWE @SonyaDevilleWWE @WWE_MandyRose pic.twitter.com/7mE6RcW9h6

— WWE (@WWE) November 21, 2017

The following WWE NXT TV matches were taped tonight at the Toyota Center in Houston before “Takeover: WarGames” hit the air. These will air on NXT TV next Wednesday.

* Ruby Riot defeated Sonya Deville

* WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne retained over Johnny Gargano in a really good match