News

WRESTLING RUMORS: WWE’s Interest In Braun Strowman Returning

October 8, 2021 • Admin

I guess that’s a no. There have been all kinds of roster moves in WWE over the last few months, with several wrestlers leaving the company in large groups. Some of these names have been a lot more surprising than others but it has certainly been a huge change for the company. There were some names that surprised a lot of fans and now one of them seems to be trying to get back in. According to Ringsidenews.com, Braun Strowman has been trying to get his job back in WWE following his release from the company in June, but WWE has no interest in bringing him back. During the WWE Draft earlier this month, the writing teams for Monday Night Raw and SmackDown were asked if there was any interest in bringing Strowman back and both said no. Strowman is said to be the only one with interest on a return, as WWE does not want to bring him back. Strowman was a force in WWE. Check out his time with the company: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] ..

Not So Great Number For This Week’s NXT

October 8, 2021 • Admin

That’s a weird number. NXT has been undergoing a lot of changes in recent months and there is a good chance that those changes are going to continue in the future. The roster has been shaken up in a big way and it should be interesting to see where everything shakes out. It should also be interesting to see how the audience is affected, and now we know a bit more about that. Wrestlenomics Brandon Thurston is reporting that the median age, meaning the middle age of the range of fans, of this week’s NXT audience was 62 years old. That is the highest for any WWE show in recent months. There are also fewer women watching NXT in the 18-49 demographic, though that is from before NXT’s relaunch last month. This week’s NXT was up against the Major League Baseball Wild Card playoff game. Median age for NXT last night was 62, the highest for any WWE show at least in recent months. Are women watching NXT less than before? Yes, at least within 18-49 (I don't have F2+ data), but that predat..

Former Wrestling Star Arrested Earlier This Week

October 8, 2021 • Admin

It’s an unfortunate mistake. Wrestlers are a unique group of people as they are TV stars who are supposed to make you believe that they are larger than life characters who are being their real selves. That is one heck of a trick to pull off, but ultimately they are still people once the cameras stop rolling. That means they are going to make mistakes, which was the case with a former wrestling star. PWInsider.com is reporting that former Impact Wrestling and WWE star Chris Harris was arrested in Kenton County, Kentucky on October 5for driving under the influence and being unable to provide proof of insurance. Harris spent about thirteen hours in jail before being released on a $2,500 bond, with a court date set for November 2. He last wrestled in 2018 but appeared on Impact Wrestling earlier this year as part of the build to former partner James Storm’s 1000th match in Impact Wrestling. Harris was a heck of a star. Check out some of his career: [This post contains video, click to pl..

Data Breach Reveals Crazy Income For Wrestlers Streaming On Twitch

October 8, 2021 • Admin

They’re doing ok. There have been a lot of changes in WWE as of late and some of them have gone a bit forgotten. Last year, WWE issued a new policy saying that their wrestlers would no longer be allowed to operate third party platforms, including Twitch streams. Instead, WWE would take the accounts over and the wrestlers would receive a portion of the revenue. Several wrestlers were unhappy with this and now we might know why. According to the BBC, Twitch suffered a data breech this week, revealing tons of information about the platform. This includes a list of the income made by several wrestlers, as well as Impact Wrestling’s Twitch channel. The revenue listed covers a period from September 2019 – September 2021 and does not include any sponsorships or donations the streamers might gain as well. Here are some of the amounts, courtesy of Wrestlinginc.com: Paige: $478,224 Zelina Vega: $341,748 Adam Cole: $318,080 Impact Wrestling: $69,140 Tyler Breeze: $43,755 Evil Uno: $35,742 Colt ..

CM Punk Reveals New Details On Famous Pipe Bomb Promo

October 8, 2021 • Admin

What could have been. There are certain moments in wrestling that fans remember for a long time to come. Some of them are remembered for better reasons than others, but there are things about them that stick in fans’ minds for a good while. That was the case with one such moment about ten years ago, and now we are learning something new about it. CM Punk was a guest on the Heel Turn Sport 1 Wrestling podcast and discussed his Pipe Bomb promo from the June 27, 2011 Monday Night Raw. During the interview, Punk said that he wrote everything in the promo and only gave an outline to Vince McMahon, with Punk filling in the details on the way. Punk did not tell McMahon the specifics of what he was going to say, with McMahon only asking him to include something making fun of Stephanie McMahon. The promo included some references to Stephanie, as per Vince’s request. It’s one of the most famous promos of all time. Check out the promo, and some of its legacy: [This post contains video, click t..

More On AJ Lee’s Deal With WOW, Why She Stayed Away From WWE/AEW

October 7, 2021 • Admin

She has a good reason. With so many wrestlers in the industry today, it can be hard to find one who really stands out. You get one every now and then, but one of the best ways to gain a reputation is to walk away when you are still a major star. That was the case with one of the biggest female names in wrestling back in 2015, but now we know a bit more about why she’s back. Earlier this week, WOW Women of Wrestling announced their return, with the surprise of AJ Mendez being involved as both a color commentator and an executive producer. According to PWInsider.com, Mendez chose to return in this situation because it allowed her to continue with her projects in Hollywood. WOW Women of Wrestling also offered her the chance to be an executive without having to give up much of her schedule, which would not have been the case in WWE or AEW. Mendez will not be able to wrestle due to her neck injuries. Mendez is quite the star to land. Check out what she could do during her in-ring career: ..

New AEW Star Explains Why He Came Out Of Retirement So Soon

October 7, 2021 • Admin

Stick around. Wrestlers have a weird career trajectory as you don’t always know when someone is going to hang up their boots for good. Some wrestlers are going to announce their retirements and walk away, but others have a tendency to come back over and over. Another rather young wrestler is doing that as well, and now we have an explanation about why. Last week, AEW announced that Lio Rush had signed with the company. This came only a few months after Rush retired from wrestling, though he was fulfilling his contractual obligations with New Japan. Rush appeared on Vickie Guerrero’s Excuse Me podcast, where he explained why he continued wrestling for AEW. During the interview, Rush explained that his family took a financial hit due to his WWE release and his music career did not pan out as expected. He also did not get to spend as much time as he wanted with his children and moved to AEW as a result. Rush is a heck of a talent. Check out who is coming to AEW: [This post contains vid..

Missing WWE Star Teases New Character And Heel Turn

October 7, 2021 • Admin

A change of pace? With so many wrestlers on the WWE roster, it can be hard for a wrestler to find a way to stand out. There are only so many ways to do so and a lot of them have been done to death already. Some of them are a little more interesting than others though and we might be seeing one of the classics being dusted off as a way to drum up some fresh interest. Asuka has been out of action since Money in the Bank in June. However, she has since sent out an image on Twitter, showing her face imposed on the Breaking Bad logo, next to main character Walter White. While not confirmed, this could suggest that Asuka will either be debuting a new character or turning heel upon her return. There is no word on when she will return, though she was last seen with a brace on her arm. pic.twitter.com/h23ViA8WUF — ASUKA / ??? (@WWEAsuka) October 5, 2021 Asuka has been quite the force in WWE. Check out her time in the ring: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains vid..

REVIEW: Halloween Havoc 2020: Spooky

October 7, 2021 • 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? NXT Date: October 28, 2020 Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida Commentators: Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett, Beth Phoenix It’s time to rekindle an awesome tradition (assuming that still counts twenty years later) with Halloween Havoc. For the life of me I don’t know why it took WWE this long to bring the idea back but here we are, with a pair of Spin The Wheel Make The Deal matches for a title each. Let’s get to it. The opening video looks at tonight’s card, while also showing the awesome WCW Halloween..

Top Star Drops NXT References From Social Media

October 7, 2021 • Admin

I’d call that a loss. NXT has undergone a lot of changes in the last few months and those changes may be continuing in the future. That can make for some rather interesting situations in the promotion, as it is not clear who is going to be sticking around and who will be on their way out the door. One longtime NXT star has suggested that they might not be sticking around. NXT’s Johnny Gargano has updated his Twitter profile, removing all references from NXT whatsoever. Now, rather than a mention to NXT, there is a link to Gargano’s website. There is still however a link to his WWE.com profile. This comes after news of Gargano’s WWE contract expiring on December 3 broke in recent weeks. Gargano’s most recent tweet is a photo of his NXT championships and a question of “what’s next?”. There is no word on if Gargano will be called up to the main roster or if he has come to a new deal with WWE. Gargano did not appear on this week’s NXT. What's next? ? pic.twitter.com/5AAAiwP2nL — Jo..

VIDEO: Surprise Return At The End Of AEW Dynamite

October 7, 2021 • Admin

It’s a homecoming. There are certain wrestlers in each company who just resonate with fans. Some do it almost immediately while others are able to build up the relationship over time. You know a successful one when you see it though and it can make for some amazing moments. That was the case again this week, as a surprise return blew the roof off of an arena. The main event of this week’s edition of AEW Dynamite featured the return of the Casino Ladder Match. As usual, the final entrant was a surprise Joker, with Hangman Page returning and going on to win the match. With the win, Page is next in line for a shot at the AEW World Title. This was Page’s first match since the July 28 edition of Dynamite as Page took time off to be with his wife, who is expecting the couple’s first child. It was a special moment. Check out the return, plus what else Page can do: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to pla..

WWE Considered Bringing Back Surprising Stable

October 7, 2021 • Admin

What could have been. There have been all kinds of stables over the years in wrestling and some of them have been rather popular in their days. Above all else, a stable can do well when there is a common theme between the members. Some of them are better than others, and the good ones are rarely rehashes of previous editions. WWE avoided making a similar mistake. During a recent Highspots interview, former WWE star Mojo Rawley revealed that WWE was considering a reformation of the League of Nations. The idea would have seen Rawley teaming with Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro while serving as the group’s mouthpiece. This concept never came to pass though and Rawley was paired with Rob Gronkowski for WrestleMania 36 instead. Around the same time, Cesaro and Nakamura were teamed with Sami Zayn as the Artist Collective. Rawley was released from WWE earlier this year. This could have been something. Check out the original team plus the potential members of the new version: [This post contai..

KB’s Review: They’re Good

October 7, 2021 • Admin

I don’t think I’m breaking any new ground when I say that WWE is not exactly on fire at the moment. WWE television has all kinds of problems with almost nothing positive going on a lot of the time. There are always going to be a couple of things that work out, and there is a reason for that: the wrestlers themselves. That is what we are going to be looking at today, because it is something that is forgotten far too often. There are all kinds of problems with WWE these days, but the vast majority of them come down to the company’s creative decisions. You will see stories taking place in WWE that Steve Austin and the Rock could not make work at the height of their powers. Do you think Trish Stratus and Lita could get a story over a doll with evil powers over? What about Dusty Rhodes having to say the most ridiculous words ever uttered on wrestling television every week? Those people are talented, but their abilities do have a limit, which they have hit on a regular basis. One thing tha..

Bret Hart Becomes First Wrestler To Receive Very Prestigious Honor

October 7, 2021 • Admin

Better than a title. There are all kinds of accomplishments to be won in wrestling and some of them have quite the prestige. Wrestling is a bit of a unique industry though in that titles can be won and lost on any given night. You do not see many accomplishments that stand the tests of time but one wrestling legend will be receiving one of the biggest honors available. WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart has announced, via an Instagram post, that he will be the first professional wrestler ever inducted into Canada’s Walk Of Fame in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Hart is part of the class of 2021, also involving other athletes as well as scientists and others. Hart is a former five time WWE Champion and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006. Hart has one of the greatest careers of all time. Check out some of his greatest moments: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: This is one of those..

AJ Lee Returning To Wrestling Business In Surprise Announcement

October 7, 2021 • Admin

Welcome back. There are a lot of people involved in the wrestling industry every day but not everyone is going to stick around. Every now and then you see someone who has a strong career but then walks away from wrestling. That can leave a lot of people wondering what happened to them or if we will ever see them again. Now we will be seeing another former star again, albeit in a different role. Wednesday night, WOW Women of Wrestling announced their return, which will take place in December with a new television show airing in syndication. According to the press release, by way of 411mania.com, former WWE Divas Champion AJ Mendez, formerly known as AJ Lee, will be an executive producer of the series, as well as providing color commentary on the weekly television show. There is nothing to suggest that Mendez will be wrestling again. This will be Mendez’s first involvement in the industry since leaving WWE in 2015. Mendez was a heck of a star in WWE. Check out her time in the ring: [T..

AEW Officially Signs Another Former WWE Star

October 7, 2021 • Admin

Pen to paper. AEW has done a lot of good things since its inception less than three years ago. Possibly the most important thing, at least in the eyes of wrestlers, is offer a new place for talent to go. It has been missing for a long time now and AEW has filled a role. That is on display again, as another former WWE star has been signed to a contract with AEW. Following this week’s edition of AEW Dynamite, AEW has announced that Bobby Fish has signed with the company. This comes after Fish made his debut with the company, unsuccessfully challenging Sammy Guevara for the TNT Title. Fish’s signing was rumored since the match was announced, but nothing was ever officially confirmed until after this week’s show. Welcome to the team…@TheBobbyFish is #AllElite pic.twitter.com/7CI57sYakw — All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) October 7, 2021 You’ll get to know him. Check out some of Fish’s time in the ring elsewhere: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to ..

Former WWE Star Returns To The Company In New Role

October 7, 2021 • Admin

He knows things. Wrestling is a unique business as you never know when someone will wrestle their last match. Unlike the more mainstream sports, a wrestler can pop back in for a quick appearance and then head back into retirement. It can be interesting to see what a wrestler does after their time in the ring is officially done though, and now we know what another one will be doing. According to PWInsider.com, former WWE star Ken Doane has been been hired as a coach at the WWE Performance Center. Doane, who was also known as Kenny and Kenny Dykstra during his time in WWE, is a former Tag Team Champion who wrestled for WWE from 2006-2008, with a return in 2016. Doane, 35, announced his retirement from in-ring competition in April of this year. You might not remember him. Check out his time in WWE: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: This is one of those things that you do not see h..

LOOK: AEW Introduces Brand New Title, How It Will Be Awarded

October 7, 2021 • Admin

Those things matter. Titles are one of the most important things you will see in wrestling as they let the fans know who are the best wrestlers in a promotion. Promotions have had titles for a good chunk of wrestling history and it means a lot when a new title is introduced. That was the case again this week and now we are in for one of the most tried and true ideas in wrestling. AEW introduced a new title during this week’s edition of Dynamite with the TBS Title. The title is named after the TBS Network, where Dynamite will be moving on January 5, 2022. The new championship will be part of the women’s division and was rumored over the last few weeks. A tournament has been announced for the title but no brackets have been released so far. This could be interesting. Check out some of the potential winners: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: This is one of those ideas that is goin..

AEW Dynamite Results – October 6, 2021

October 7, 2021 • Admin

Dynamite Date: October 6, 2021 Location: Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Commentators: Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, Excalibur Believe it or not, there is a big match this week as it’s time for the return of the Casino Ladder Match. That means another Joker entry, which could be a nice surprise. Other than that, we slowly continue on the way to Full Gear, which is going to need some match announcements. Let’s get to it. Opening sequence. Super Elite vs. Christian Cage/Jungle Boy/Luchasaurus/Bryan Danielson That would be Kenny Omega/Adam Cole/Young Bucks. Jungle springboard armdrags Nick into a dropkick to start and then hands it off to Cage. Some right hands in the corner have Cole in trouble and it’s back to Jungle for a sliding kick to the face. Cole takes over on Jungle though and hands it back to Omega for a springboard elbow to the back. Jungle manages to crotch Nick on top and holds onto Matt’s arm while bouncing on the top to crotch Nick even more. Danielson comes i..

WATCH: New NXT Superstar Makes Surprise Debut

October 6, 2021 • Admin

Nice to meet you? There have been a lot of changes made to NXT in recent months and there is a chance that they will continue moving forward. That can make for some interesting situations in NXT, as you never know who you might see show up next. That was the case this week, as a newcomer made his awaited debut, albeit under a bit of a different moniker. This week on NXT, Joe Gacy defeated Ikemen Jiro in a singles match. After the match was over, Gacy started to walk back to the entrance but stopped to stare at at a man in the stands, who stared back at him. Gacy smiled before walking backstage. The man was named Harland and is better known as Parker Boudreaux, a former college football player who signed with NXT earlier this year. Boudreaux made a cameo appearance as a security guard in August but this was his first time receiving a focus. ? #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/mlN3QA7wr2 — WWE NXT (@WWENXT) October 6, 2021 It was an interesting situation. Check out the showdown, plus a look at..