News

Malakai Black Issues Statement Regarding Mental Health, AEW Release

September 19, 2022 • Admin

He has spoken. Malakai Black took to social media recently and issued a statement regarding his status with AEW, mental health issues, and more. This comes after reports surfaced that he requested and was granted his release from the company. The statement reads as follows: All. Firstly thank you all for your messages, know they are being read and appreciated. With all the turmoil going on in the landscape of Professional Wrestling I took the time to think of my words but also needed to wait until conversations between mine and AEW’s camp had come to a conclusion. Firstly, I dislike reading parts of my private conversations between myself and AEW in regards to my mental well being on the internet. These conversations were private and not meant to be shared with the public. As by now most people realize I am a very private person and do not feel the need to have stuff like this out on the internet. If you’ve been following me longer than a cup of coffee you’re aware I’ve spoken abou..

Roman Reigns Facing Former World Champion For The First Time In Over Six Years

September 19, 2022 • Admin

They are in for a treat. Roman Reigns has dominated the last two years in WWE and there is nothing to suggest that anything will be changing in the near future. Reigns has run through almost everyone there is to face and that leaves him lacking in serious competition. There are still some big names left out there though and WWE may be moving him in the direction of one of them. The Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada is advertising an Undisputed WWE Universal Title match between Reigns and AJ Styles at the September 24 Saturday Night’s Main Event live event. The match marks the first time Reigns and Styles have faced off in a singles match since their feud over the WWE Title in 2016. There is nothing to suggest that a televised match or feud between the two is coming anytime soon. Opinion: I would certainly be down for a match between these two, as Styles is an all time great and one of the most successful stars in WWE today. He would make a credible threat to Rei..

Veteran AEW Star Suggests His 29 Year Career Will End Soon

September 19, 2022 • Admin

That would be a big loss. There are a lot of wrestlers who comprise the AEW roster. The company has so many wrestlers in a mixture of newcomers, established names and veterans, who have come together to make for quite the impressive collection. However, sometimes a wrestler is going to head off and that seems to be happening again with a long tenured star. AEW’s Christopher Daniels has sent out a tweet saying that he is getting close to the end of the in-ring part of his wrestling life. Daniels, 52 years old, has been wrestling since April 1993 and has wrestled in various promotions around the world. He is currently the Head Of Talent Relations and an occasional wrestler for AEW. Daniels most recently faced Konosuke Takeshita over the weekend at the Tokyo Game Show. I’m pretty sure I’m the first person to hold the distinction of wrestling for all of these great companies in their career. As I get close to the end of the in-ring part of my wrestling life, I’m honored & humbled to have..

Former WWE World Champion Confirmed For In-Ring Return

September 19, 2022 • Admin

Get back in there! It can be difficult to keep track of everyone doing everything in WWE, and that was before all of the returning stars showed up. Those returns have made the WWE roster even bigger and that is going to make things all the more complicated. Now WWE is ready to bring a former World Champion and recently returned star back into the ring. This week on SmackDown, WWE announced that former Universal Champion Braun Strowman will be returning to the ring for his first match since coming back to the company. Strowman is scheduled to face Otis this week on SmackDown, marking his first match for WWE since May 2021. Strowman returned to the company earlier this month and has focused on the Alpha Academy more than anyone else. Opinion: This had to happen at some point and it is nice to get Strowman back in the ring. Like him or not, there is no denying that Strowman was one of the bigger stars in WWE and it is nice to have him back in the mix. Strowman is someone who can be adde..

How The AEW Locker Room Views The Young Bucks After All Out Brawl

September 19, 2022 • Admin

They are some of the people who matter. One of the biggest wrestling stories of the year remains the backstage brawl after AEW All Out. A group of wrestlers including CM Punk and the Elite got in a huge fight, resulting in several suspensions. It also suggested quite the divide backstage in AEW, but now we might know a bit more about whose side seems to be more popular. According to a Pro Wrestling Torch audio show, the Young Bucks are mostly seen as good guys backstage in AEW. This includes wrestlers feeling like Punk should not have spoken about them as he did at the All Out media scrum. While the Bucks are seen as passive aggressive, they are not seen as “abrasive personalities”. The Bucks, along with Punk and Kenny Omega, remain indefinitely suspended from AEW. Opinion: This is an interesting take and the kind of thing that do not get to see from this side of the curtain. The Bucks were in on the ground floor with AEW and that is going to get them a biggest status than others. At..

Mandy Rose Announces Engagement

September 18, 2022 • Admin

Wedding bells will soon be ringing! NXT superstar Mandy Rose recently announced her engagement to longtime boyfriend and former NXT superstar Tito Sabbatelli. The announcement was made on Instagram, which you can see below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mandy Rose (@mandysacs) Rose has been one of the main focal points of NXT and is currently their women’s champion. She won the title back in October when she defeated Raquel González in a Chucky’s choice Trick or Street Fight match. She also recently unified the NXT UK Women’s Championship with the NXT Women’s Championship by defeating NXT UK champion Meiko Satomura and Blair Davenport in a triple threat match at the Worlds Collide premium live event. Sabbatelli was released from his WWE contract in June 2021. We at Wrestling Rumors send our congratulations to the happy couple! Editor’s Opinion: This is tremendous news! I always love when superstars share their personal lives and find happiness outside of the ring...

Backstage Update on Jeff Hardy; AEW Status

September 18, 2022 • Admin

That’s some good news. Jeff Hardy has not been seen on AEW television since June when he was arrested for a number of violations, including driving under the influence. However, it looks like we may be seeing him sooner rather than later. According to the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Hardy is expected to be out of rehab soon, and back inside the ring. It is unknown exactly when this will be happening. Due to his arrest, Tony Khan suspended Hardy without pay on June 14 of this year. Hardy was mentioned on AEW television this past week by his brother Matt, in a promo setting up a match with Darby Allin. Editor’s Opinion: This is excellent news for everyone involved, and I’m glad he is getting the help that he needs. Despite his age, he is still one of the most exciting performers in the company, and fans always looking forward to seeing him on television. I hope that we see him back sooner rather than later and that he gets to do what he does best! “GET EXCLUS..

AEW Star Suggests Tag Team Might Have Split

September 18, 2022 • Admin

They might be done. Tag teams have a long history in wrestling and the modern era has seen a new emphasis on the idea. There are all kinds of great teams out there and a lot of them are in AEW. During its history, the company has presented several teams, allowing a variety of wrestlers a chance to shine. That being said, not every team can be around forever and now one star is heavily suggesting that his team is coming to an end. During a new interview on the Cafe de Rene with Rene Dupree podcast, AEW’s Brian Pillman Jr. implied that the Varsity Blonds, his team with Griff Garrison, was done. Pillman talked about how AEW took away Julia Hart, who joined the House Of Black, which ended the team’s appeal. He also said that he hoped when people looked back on the team, they did so fondly. It was not specifically said that the team was broken up. They have not wrestled together since since August 21. Opinion: As much as I like the team, this might be for the best. They have lost so many ..

WATCH: WWE Teases….Something During SmackDown Commercial Break

September 18, 2022 • Admin

That sounds like a tease. There have been all kinds of returns to WWE in recent weeks and there is still a chance that several more could be taking place. One of the questions is whether a return will be a surprise or something that WWE builds up in advance, as either is possible at any given time. It seems that WWE might have been teasing something on a much smaller scale. During a commercial break this week on SmackDown, the lights in the arena dimmed and the song “White Rabbit” Jefferson Airplane played. The fans in the arena put up their phones ala Bray Wyatt’s fireflies, which according to Inside The Ropes, could have been a hint at a Wyatt return. However, it could also have been a reference to Karrion Kross, who has formerly been known as the White Rabbit. Wyatt was released from WWE in May 2021 but a return has been speculated in recent weeks. It certainly looked cool. Check out what the arena looked like: [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: This very well co..

NBC Universal (Monday Night Raw) And Warner Brothers Discovery (AEW) May Merge

September 18, 2022 • Admin

That would be a different world. There are two major wrestling promotions in the United States with WWE and AEW. The two companies dominate the professional wrestling scene and there is nothing to suggest that will not be the case in the future. Both are extremely well funded and have lucrative television deals. However, a potential change could be on the horizon that could shake everything up. According to the Hollywood Reporter, NBC Universal may be considering an attempt to buy Warner Brothers Discovery within the next year and a half. Due to Warner Brothers and Discovery merging earlier this year, no negotiations can officially begin until 2024. Should NBC Universal buy the company, Monday Night Raw (NBC Universal) and AEW (Warner Brothers Discovery) would be under the same umbrella. This is still far away from happening and is still only seen as a possibility. Opinion: Were still far enough away from this that it almost isn’t worth talking about yet, but my goodness this could b..

WATCH: Brawl And Title Defense Take Place After WWE SmackDown

September 18, 2022 • Admin

Hold tight because the show is not over. WWE presents a lot of television on any given week and it can be difficult to keep track of everything that they do. It doesn’t help that they company has so many wrestlers that sometimes they do not have enough time to get everyone on the shows. That being said, just because the cameras stop rolling doesn’t mean the action is over. That was the case this week as well. There were two post show segments following this week’s WWE SmackDown. First up, Ronda Rousey came to the ring and addressed the crowd, only to be interrupted by Natalya. A fight broke out and Rousey cleared Natalya from the ring. Rousey had appeared on the show in a backstage segment with Liv Morgan. Next, Bobby Lashley successfully defended the United States Title against Austin Theory. Neither of the two had been on the show. It was a busy night. Check out both post show segments: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion..

WWE Officially Confirms First Time Ever Crown Jewel Main Event

September 17, 2022 • Admin

And so it is set. Over the last few years, WWE has regularly traveled to Saudi Arabia for a series of shows. These events have received a mixed reaction to say the least but they certainly do get attention. WWE will present a unique selection of matches, often including names that do not appear for the company full time. Now they have a new main event set in a first time ever match. WWE held a press conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, officially announcing that Logan Paul will challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title in the main event of Crown Jewel on November 5. The match was set up over the course of the week, beginning with the two arguing on Twitter and leading up to a face to face segment between Paul and the Bloodline this week on SmackDown. This will be Paul’s first ever title shot. Opinion: The match was all but made this week on SmackDown so the press conference and official announcement were little more than a formality. Paul is certainly goin..

NXT LVL Up Results – September 16, 2022

September 17, 2022 • Admin

NXT LVL Up Date: September 16, 2022 Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida Commentators: Sudu Shah, Nigel McGuinness I actually got a bit of hope last week as we had a slightly bigger name in the main event to make it feel a bit better. Then again there is always the chance that they are going to completely drop it and switch back to the normal way of doing things. That would be the LVL Up way so let’s get to it. Opening sequence. Ivy Nile/Tatum Paxley vs. Sloane Jacobs/Erica Yan Paxley takes Yan down to start and she seems a bit surprised. Back up and Paxley pulls her to the mat for a hammerlock before it’s off to Nile for some more arm cranking. Yan tries to roll out and gets hammerlocked again as this is one sided so far. An escape over to the corner brings in Jacobs, who is kicked down just as fast. Paxley flip splashes onto her but stops to glare at Yan, allowing Jacobs to grab her own armbar. A spinning middle rope crossbody gives Jacobs two and we hit the neck ..

WWE Lays Off Backstage Names In Possible Department Shakeup

September 17, 2022 • Admin

They have a lot to lose. There have been multiple changes behind the scenes in WWE in recent weeks and it does not seem like those changes are going to end anytime soon. The changes have included all kinds of people leaving the company, meany of which have been on the corporate side. Now it seems like even more names have left as another department is being shaken up. According to Brandon Thurston, WWE has laid off several members of the marketing department, including some as high as the level of Vice President. This comes as the marketing department has been shaken up, including Catherine Newman being named as the new head of marketing earlier this year. There is no word on if more people will be laid off anytime soon. I'm told there were layoffs today to WWE's marketing department. Multiple people at the VP level were let go. Possibly a part of a restructuring to that department. EVP Catherine Newman was hired this summer as the new head of marketing. — Brandon Thurston..

Important Note On Suspended AEW Wrestlers

September 17, 2022 • Admin

It’s a bonus punishment. AEW has changed the way the wrestling world works and that has been a good thing for fans. While AEW is a major promotion on the biggest stage, it also allows its wrestlers to work independent shows, allowing fans to see mainstream talent on smaller stages. That is a rather cool thing, but it is not going to be the case for some of those wrestlers for the time being. Earlier this month, a backstage brawl took place after AEW All Out, resulting in several suspensions. It is not clear when the wrestlers will be back, as AEW is still conducting an investigation. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the suspended wrestlers are not allowed to work independent dates while they are away from AEW. CM Punk, the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega are currently suspended, though Punk is unable to wrestle as he is recovering from tricep surgery. Opinion: They really didn’t have a choice here as you can’t have wrestlers suspended from AEW and getting to wrestle elsewh..

WWE Plans To Bring Back Former Character To Replace Injured Star

September 17, 2022 • Admin

Change it up. There are a lot of characters in WWE and sometimes you need to do something different to keep things interesting. That is not always the easiest thing to do, but occasionally something will be served up to WWE on a silver platter. It seems to be taking place again, as a WWE star is changing up his character in perhaps the easiest way possible. According to PWInsider.com, Ezekiel is no longer listed on the internal WWE roster, as he has been replaced by Elias, his former character. This comes after Ezekiel was written off of television last month, with Elias appearing in a hospital room with him. There is no word on when Elias will be making his return to WWE TV. Elias has only made cameo appearances since leaving WWE TV over a year ago. Opinion: This is one of those changes that probably needed to take place, as Ezekiel was nothing more than “I’m Elias’ brother”. That can only get you so far, as the entirety of the gimmick is based on someone else. Elias didn’t have a l..

AEW Rampage Results – September 16, 2022

September 17, 2022 • Admin

Rampage Date: September 16, 2022 Location: MVP Arena, Albany, New York Commentators: Jim Ross, Excalibur, Chris Jericho, Tony Schiavone The road to normalcy continues this week but there might not be as much to get hyped about with this show. The problem is that with no tournament matches for this week, there is only so much that can be done to bring in the interest. Rampage has a tendency to not feel the most important but maybe they can pull it off. Let’s get to it. Opening sequence. Matt Hardy vs. Darby Allin They shake hands to start and it’s Allin grabbing a headlock takeover. Hardy fights up so Allin crucifix bombs him for two. With Hardy on the floor, Allin’s dive is cut off but he drives Hardy into the steps to knock him silly again. Allin goes Jeff/PCO by trying a Swanton, which only hits apron because people like him never learn. We take a break and come back with Hardy hitting a Side Effect out of the corner for two. The Twist of Fate is countered and a suplex is as well..

Missing SmackDown Star Returns After Nearly Two Months Away

September 17, 2022 • Admin

Welcome back. One of the best things about WWE having such a huge roster is that it can slip in different wrestlers and stars when it needs to. Someone being gone for so long can make for some very interesting return moments, even if WWE advertises them in advance. That was the case this week as one of the more intriguing names in WWE made their return after more than a month away. This week on SmackDown, Paul Heyman made his return to television after more than a month and a half away. Heyman appeared in the opening segment to confront Logan Paul on Roman Reigns’ behalf, as Reigns had told him to do on his behalf. Heyman had been gone since Summerslam, where he was F5’s through a table by Brock Lesnar. There were no signs of injuries and nothing to suggest that Heyman will not be back full time. Opinion: This is great to see, as Heyman is the glue that holds the Bloodline together. While Reigns is awesome at what he does, there is something different about having Heyman around that ..

SmackDown Star Out Of Action With Foot Injury

September 17, 2022 • Admin

That’s never good to hear. An injury can take anyone out of action at the drop of a hat and that can shake things up rather quickly. You never know when you are going to see someone get injured and sometimes you do not even realize that it is happening right in front of your eyes. That was the case again and now we know what is keeping someone out of action. This week on SmackDown, it was announced that Erik of the Viking Raiders has suffered a foot injury and is out of action. The injury took place two weeks ago when the Viking Raiders defeated New Day in a Viking Rules match. There is no word on when the Viking Raiders will be back in action or if Ivar will compete as a singles star while Erik recovers from his injury. Opinion: This explains a bit as there is little reason to not have the Viking Raiders in a recent #1 contenders match. Erik being hurt clears things up and hopefully he is back in the ring a lot sooner than later. The Viking Raiders should be a dominant force but the..

REVIEW: WWF WrestleFest 1993: They Know What They’re Doing Right?

September 17, 2022 • Admin

Welcome to KB’s Old School (and New School) Reviews. I’ve been reviewing wrestling shows for over twelve years now and have reviewed over 6,000 shows. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I’ll be posting a new review here on Wrestlingrumors.net. It could be anything from modern WWE to old school to indies to anything in between. Note that I rate using letters instead of stars and I don’t rate matches under three minutes as really, how good or bad can something that short be? WrestleFest 1993 Hosts: Gene Okerlund, Bobby Heenan Commentators: Sean Mooney, Lord Alfred Hayes, Gorilla Monsoon, Vince McMahon, Bobby Heenan It’s back to Coliseum Video and in this case we’re jumping to one of the weaker times the company has had. The good thing is that these tapes almost always have something worth seeing and there is always a hope that we could see the same thing here. There is no major theme here most of the time and that makes things more fun. Let’s get to it. Opening sequence, featuring va..