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Brock Lesnar Nixed A Planned Champion vs. Champion Match

January 7, 2022 • Admin

That’s going to be a no. WWE is a huge company with a lot of different moving parts, but there are always going to be some things that do not make the most sense. Some of these instances involve plans that seem to change at the last minute, which was the case with a major match just a few years ago. The match never took place, and now we know the simple reason why. Jinder Mahal won the WWE Title in May 2017 and held it until November of the same year, ultimately losing it to AJ Styles. The loss canceled a scheduled match between Mahal and Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at the Survivor Series. According to Wrestling Observer Radio, the last minute change was due to the fact that Lesnar did not want to work with Mahal. Lesnar went on to defeat Styles at Survivor Series. It wound up going well. Check out Lesnar vs. Styles, plus what we could have seen: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Op..

BREAKING: Samoa Joe Released By WWE (Again)

January 7, 2022 • Admin

It’s for real this time. According to a report from Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, Samoa Joe has been released by WWE. This is the second time in eight months that Joe has been let go by the company. Samoa Joe has been released by WWE, Fightful has confirmed with the company. More details to come on https://t.co/jy8u4a7WDa this evening. pic.twitter.com/qmr6AC8mpR — Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) January 6, 2022 Joe was among nine wrestlers who were released in April 2021, a list that included Tucker, Chelsea Green, Kalisto, Bo Dallas, Wesley Blake, Mickie, Billie Kay, and Peyton Royce. However, Joe was rehired the same day and made his return to NXT shortly afterward. In August of 2021, Joe would become the NXT Champion after defeating Karrion Kross at TakeOver 36. However, due to injury, he was forced to vacate the title on September 12, and was not seen on WWE television again following that. Check out what happened after Joe won the title: [This post contains vi..

WRESTLING RUMORS: Update On WWE’s Return To Saudi Arabia

January 6, 2022 • Admin

Mark your calendars. It’s a new year and that means it is time to see what is coming up next on the wrestling schedule. WWE has a lot of shows to run, with some of their bigger ones coming early in the new year. Day One is already out of the way and we are on the Road to WrestleMania, but now we might need to get ready for one heck of a big out of the way trip. According to Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men Podcast, WWE is heading back to Saudi Arabia for its next event at some point in February. The show is expected to be held on Saturday, February 19 as it would continue WWE’s new trend of major events being held on Saturdays. WWE was last in Saudi Arabia for an event on October 21, 2021 when they presented Crown Jewel. Hearing that WWE is planning on returning to Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 19th. #WWE #ProWrestling pic.twitter.com/K8GyK1HZ84 — Andrew Zarian (@AndrewZarian) January 6, 2022 WWE has a history in Saudi Arabia. Check out some of the company’s time in the country: ..

New Japan Wrestle Kingdom XVI Night One Results

January 6, 2022 • Admin

Wrestle Kingdom XVI Night One Date: January 4, 2022 Location: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan Attendance: 12,047 Commentators: Chris Charlton, Kevin Kelly It’s back to Japan for the first time in about a year, though the company does feel a good bit colder this time around. The pandemic and a slew of injuries have battered New Japan, but this show’s reputation is more than enough to warrant a look. The main event of this first night is Kazuchika Okada challenging Shingo Takagi for the IWGP World Title, with the winner facing Will Ospreay tomorrow night. Let’s get to it. Note that I do not regularly follow New Japan so I won’t know much in the way of storylines or recent character development. Please bear with me if I miss something that commentary does not explain. Pre-Show: New Japan Ranbo This is a 19 man Royal Rumble and over the top/pinfall/submission eliminations with one minute intervals. The final four advancing to a four way on night two for the Provisional King Of Pro Wrestling 2..

Acknowledged: Major Update On Roman Reigns’ WWE Status

January 6, 2022 • Admin

That could have been a lot worse. We are in the middle of a horrible global pandemic caused by the Coronavirus. There are only so many ways around the situation and a lot of people have gotten sick. That is certainly the case in the wrestling world, where several wrestlers have tested positive. Another huge name did so last week, but it might already have turned a corner. Last weekend, WWE presented the first ever Day One event, which was scheduled to feature a Universal Title match between champion Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar. Before the show, Reigns announced that he had tested positive for the Coronavirus and would be missing the show. However, WWE has announced that Reigns has been medically cleared to return and will be appearing on this week’s SmackDown to confront Lesnar, who won the WWE Title at Day One. The champ is back. Check out what is waiting for Lesnar on SmackDown: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post co..

REVIEW: Thunder – March 21, 2001: When Wrestling Left TBA

January 6, 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? Thunder Date: March 21, 2001 Location: O’Connell Center, Gainesville, Florida Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay We’ve arrived at the final shows. We’ll start off the final episode of the corporate mandate that was Thunder, which has somehow gotten even less important over the years. The big story coming out of Monday is Ric Flair’s face being pressed onto the back of a donkey and the upcoming Night of Champions on Monday. Let’s get to it. We open with a recap of Monday and most of the major stories. I’m st..

Monday Night Raw Star Working Through Injury

January 6, 2022 • Admin

It does happen to everyone. One of the most common criticisms against wrestling is that it is “fake”. While the matches are pre-determined, the wrestlers are indeed in the ring and doing every physical thing themselves. There is nothing fake about the work that they are putting in and it is going to cause some physical problems. That seems to be the case again with a WWE star. According to PWInsider.com, Monday Night Raw’s Carmella is dealing with some form of an injury. The exact nature of Carmella’s injury is not known, but her matches are being said to be set up to work around the injury. That was the case this week on Monday Night Raw, when Carmella and Queen Zelina retained the Women’s Tag Team Titles over Rhea Ripley and Nikki Ash with Carmella never getting in the ring. Carmella also did not wrestle on WWE’s recent holiday tour. In addition, the WWE locker room is said to have gained respect for Carmella working through the injury and doing everything that she can. Carmella ha..

Another AEW Injury Takes Place During Wednesday’s Rampage Taping (Non-Spoiler)

January 6, 2022 • Admin

It can happen at any time. There are certain dangers that are always possibilities in wrestling and one of the worst of those is an injury. You never know what is going to happen and unfortunately it can take place even when something simple takes place. That seems to be the case again this week, as a wrestler has been injured in a match that most people have yet to see. According to PWInsider.com (link contains spoilers), Jake Atlas was injured during his match with Adam Cole during this week’s edition of AEW Rampage. Atlas suffered a knee injury during the match, but was able to continue. There is currently no word on how severe the injury maybe. Atlas made his AEW debut last week and signed with the company earlier this week. Atlas is good when he is in the ring. Check out what happens when he can go: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: That is some amazing timing and hopefull..

Here’s What Was Originally Planned For The WWE Title At Day One

January 6, 2022 • Admin

What could have been. Last weekend, WWE presented its first ever Day One event, marking what might be a new tradition for the company. The show did have a big card, but it was not the one that was originally advertised. The announced main event of Universal Champion Roman Reigns defending against Brock Lesnar did not happen due to Reigns contracting the Coronavirus. Lesnar wound up winning the WWE Title instead after being inserted into the match. Now we might know what was coming before the change. According to Dave Meltzer in an article for Sports Illustrated, the original plans for the WWE Title match at Day One would have called for Seth Rollins to win the title. There is no word on what would have been next for Rollins after he won the championship. In addition, the Reigns vs. Lesnar match would have featured Paul Heyman officially siding with Lesnar, which wound up taking place two days later on Monday Night Raw instead. It was a busy night. Check out how the match went down an..

WATCH: Major Title Change Takes Place On AEW Dynamite

January 6, 2022 • Admin

History has been made! AEW has not been around all that long but it already has quite the history under its belt so far. They have done a lot of things right in different places throughout the company, including their championships. The company has done a good job of protecting their titles by not having them change hands very often. Now though, it has taken place again. This week’s AEW Dynamite featured three title matches over the course of the two hour show. In the main event, the Jurassic Express defeated the Lucha Bros to win the AEW Tag Team Titles for the first time. The win came when Jungle Boy countered Penta El Zero Miedo’s Made In Japan into a cradle for the pin. This is the first time that the titles have changed hands on a regular version of Dynamite, though Kenny Omega and Hangman’s Page’s win aired on Dynamite after being taped on Chris Jericho’s Rock N Rager At Sea. It was a big moment. Check out what happened, plus the new champs in action: [This post contains video..

KB’s Review: Sapphire vs. Miz And Dolph Ziggler

January 6, 2022 • Admin

I’ve been watching wrestling for over thirty years now and over the course of time, I have seen a lot of people come and go. There are some that have made a bigger impact than others, but when you look back, there are a few names who just stick in your mind more than other people. Sometimes it is for a more positive reason than others, but those people and memories stick out rather hard. This week we are going to look at one of them, for no reason other than something struck me about her. Earlier this week, Dolph Ziggler challenged Damian Priest for the United States Title on Monday Night Raw in a losing effort. I got to thinking about how nutty it was that Ziggler made his main roster debut as part of the Spirit Squad just about sixteen years ago (January 23, 2006 to be exact) and has been around ever since (save for a few hiatuses here and there). Over his career, Ziggler has won just about every title there is to win and has had some pretty big moments. I’m sure you remember him w..

Rey Fenix Suffers Broken Arm

January 6, 2022 • Admin

You hate to see it. According to a report from Bryan Alvarez and F4WOnline, Rey Fenix suffered a broken arm in the main event of this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite. Fenix broken arm heading to hospital — Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) January 6, 2022 From the report [h/t to f4wonline.com]: Near the end of The Lucha Brothers’ AEW Tag Team title match against Jurassic Express, Fenix suffered a broken arm when Luchasaurus chokeslammed him off the apron and through a table on the outside. Fenix was headed to the hospital after the show and will likely need surgery. It was immediately apparent that Fenix was injured after taking the chokeslam. He grabbed his arm and motioned for the medical staff. In the ring, Jungle Boy countered out of a package piledriver by Penta El Zero Miedo — but Penta countered out of the Killswitch. Jungle Boy then countered Penta’s Made in Japan into a pin to win the AEW Tag Team titles for Jurassic Express. We will continue to monitor this story and provide..

Inaugural TBS Champion Crowned

January 6, 2022 • Admin

History has been made. On tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Jade Cargill took on Ruby Soho in the finals of the tournament to crown the inaugural TBS champion. But who talked out as the victor? After a hard-hitting contest, Jade Cargill would defeat Ruby Soho to become the first-ever TBS Champion. Check out how both competitors got here: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] From our own Thomas Hall: Jade powers her around to start and Soho thinks she might need another plan. That doesn’t seem to work very well as Soho is sent outside in a hurry, but here is Mercedes Martinez to yell. Cue Thunder Rosa to fight Martinez to the back and we take an early break. Back with Rosa managing an STO and kicking away at Cargill’s leg. That earns her a heck of a shoulder breaker for two though and Soho is right back in trouble. A belly-to-back suplex gets Soho out of trouble so Sterling gets up on the apron. That’s good for an ejection so Carg..

WWE Releases More NXT Wrestlers/Coaches

January 6, 2022 • Admin

We’re not done yet. WWE’s string of releases has shaken up the company, as dozens and dozens of wrestlers have been released to the free agent market. It allows other promotions to restock their shelves in a hurry and that is the kind of thing that can be a complete game changer. Now it seems to be the case again, as more NXT wrestlers are being let go. Earlier today, WWE released several names from NXT, though there were no wrestlers included. According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com, WWE has released some wrestlers from NXT, including Hideki Suzuki, Danny Burch and Timothy Thatcher. All three had been absent from television, but had been coaching at the Performance Center. Cathy Corino, better known as Allison Danger, has also been let go from her coaching role. There is no word on if any more releases are coming. Hideki Suzuki of Diamond Mine has been let go from WWE, Fightful has confirmed with the company. — Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) January 5, 2022 Tim..

AEW Dynamite Live Coverage And Results – January 5, 2022

January 6, 2022 • Admin

Dynamite Date: January 5, 2022 Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Jim Ross It’s the debut on TBS and that means it is time for a stacked card. We have a TBS Title match, a Tag Team Title match, and a rematch of last month’s instant classic between Hangman Page and Bryan Danielson for the World Title. This time around there are going to be judges though, and that should work. Let’s get to it. Opening sequence. AEW World Title: Bryan Danielson vs. Hangman Page Page is defending and there are three judges in case we hit the sixty minute time limit, with Mark Henry, Jerry Lynn and Paul Wight at ringside. They take their time to start and Danielson runs away a few times. Back in and Danielson dodges away again, allowing him to get in some more jumping jacks. That’s enough for Page, who sends him outside again and this time takes Danielson down. Back in and the big dive is countered with a toss into the barricade for a hard crash. Dan..

BREAKING: WWE Releases Several Prominent NXT Names

January 5, 2022 • Admin

Here we go again. The biggest wrestling story of 2021 was the amount of releases taking place over the course of the year, as over 100 names left WWE in one way or another. The vast majority of those people were released from the company, with several of those releases coming out of nowhere. Now it is a new year and it seems that we are seeing it happen again. Several names have been released from NXT, according to PWInsider.com. These names include: William Regal Road Dogg Dave Kapoor (aka Runjin Singh) Ryan Katz (creative producer) Scott Armstrong George Caroll (writer) In addition to the NXT releases, Senior Vice President of Consumer Products Sarah Cummins has left the company, though it is not clear what led to her departure. This is the first batch of releases of the new year and it is not clear if any more releases will be coming at the moment. There are a lot of talented people leaving. Check out who is out the door: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post c..

Ring Of Honor TV Results – December 29, 2021

January 5, 2022 • Admin

Ring of Honor Date: December 29, 2021 Location: UMBC Event Center, Baltimore, Maryland Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman We have finally arrived at what seems to be the last original content episode of the show. That causes some mixed feelings, as it is sad to see the show go but it also finally puts it out of its misery. That should not be the case with any wrestling show, but it has been around here for a long time. Let’s get to it. Opening sequence. Dalton Castle promises a Christmas surprise. Quinn McKay gives us the opening welcome and rundown. Josh Woods gets to draw his names for the Christmas Surprise twelve man tag team main event and seems rather pleased. Brian Johnson draws his names and is less impressed, as is his custom. Women’s Title: Holidead vs.Rok-C Holidead is challenging and says it is time for the dark reign to begin. Rok-C is ready for whatever Holidead brings at her because Holidead doesn’t have heart or the title. She still isn’t great at this ..

WRESTLING RUMORS: WWE Is Doing Rather Well For Peacock

January 5, 2022 • Admin

They’re doing well. WWE may have a lot of problems, but they are certainly good at making money. The company knows how to take everything that they do and turn it into a fortune, often by way of licensing their content to another outlet. That was the case when they moved from the WWE Network over to Peacock, but how are things doing over there? Now we have a bit more information. According to Puck News, three million Peacock subscribers have viewed WWE content since the switch to the new service took place in March 2021. More than half of the three million subscribers moved over to Peacock solely because of the WWE content. In addition, one million of the 1.1 million WWE Network subscribers have moved over to Peacock. WWE’s deal with Peacock is scheduled to last for five years. There have been some great moments on Peacock. Check out what has happened in WWE since the move: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains vi..

Update On Sasha Banks’ Injury Status

January 5, 2022 • Admin

That could be worse. Injuries can happen to any wrestler at any time and they are never a good thing to see. Every injury leads to the unfortunate question of how long someone will be out of action, which can range from no time at all to the end of their career. Most of them are somewhere in the middle though, and that very well may be the case again with a recent injury. Over the weekend, SmackDown’s Sasha Banks suffered some sort or a knee or leg injury during a match against Charlotte. The match was stopped, with Banks having to be helped to the back. According to PWInsider.com, Banks suffered a sprained leg, which can take about six weeks to heal. There is no word on if Banks will miss any time, or if she will be available for the Royal Rumble. Banks is still one of the best in WWE today. Check out what she can do in the ring: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: The fact that..

WATCH: Special Family Reunion And Celebration After NXT

January 5, 2022 • Admin

It’s a family thing. There are certain wrestling families that have been around for a very long time and whose names are going to be immediately known. Some of these families go on for more than one generation as some of the wrestlers’ children get into the business as well. That was the case again recently, and now one of the new generation has an accomplishment to share with the family. The main event of this week’s NXT New Year’s Evil saw Bron Breakker defeated Tommaso Ciampa to win the NXT Title. WWE has posted a video from after the show went off the air, featuring Breakker celebrating with his father, Rick Steiner. The video’s caption identifies Steiner by name, though Breakker has never been directly identified as part of the Steiner family on NXT TV. Ciampa also shook Steiner’s hand as he left the arena. It was an awesome moment. Check out the celebration, the title match, and the family in action: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click ..