News

Released WWE Star Unable To Wrestle Due To Visa Issues

September 15, 2021 • Admin

It’s a tricky situation. WWE has cleaned house on their roster this year and that has shaken up the wrestling landscape. There are all kinds of wrestlers moving from one promotion to another, but there are also wrestlers who have not gone anywhere yet. That can make things a little more complicated, and in one situation, there is a major outside factor that is holding things up. In a new interview with WrestleZone, Big Damo, better known as Killian Dain in WWE, spoke about his current visa issues. Damo is allowed to stay in the United States but is unable to work at the moment, including wrestling anywhere. This is something that could be cleared up at any point, but until then, he is stuck on the sidelines. Once he is able to obtain a visa, he will be allowed to wrestle anywhere he is able to obtain work. Someone will be interested. Check out what Damo can do when he is allowed: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post conta..

A New Career? Former WWE Stars Releasing Song

September 15, 2021 • Admin

That’s a different one. There have been all kinds of superstars coming and going from WWE and it can be difficult to keep track of what everyone is doing. It can be even harder when some of those wrestlers aren’t on television anymore, but some of them have come up with ways to keep their names out there. Two of them have a pretty unique idea of their own coming soon. Cassie Lee and Jesse McKay, formerly known as the IIconics, will be featured on an upcoming song, soon to be released on Spotify. The song, called The Iinspiration (the team’s new name), is by Harley Cameron and will feature Lee and McKay. The team was released from WWE earlier this year and have yet to appear for any other wrestling promotion. It is not clear when they will be wrestling again. ‘The IInspiration’ by Harley Cameron feat. Jessie McKay & Cassie Lee is available for Pre-Save!! ? Link in bio!! ???https://t.co/rvARpQ2lJ0 pic.twitter.com/rcBYkVK5kL — Cassie Lee (@CassieLee) September 15, 2021 The team did ..

Big E As WWE Champion: Why He Deserves A Real Main Event Run

September 15, 2021 • Admin

Big E’s WWE Championship win on the September 13 edition of Monday Night Raw was met with overwhelming approval online. It’s not often that such an outpouring of affection and support is heaped on the shoulders of a pro wrestler. But in this case, it’s very fitting. Big E puts in the work, night in and night out. He always rises to the occasion and he does it while always looking like a main event powerhouse. Now he most definitely is one. Because of that, it’s time for WWE to run with the new champ and elevate him to the status he deserves. [This post contains video, click to play] New Day, New Champion Winning the title is just the first step. That seems a bit backwards and with good reason. After all, the notion of paying dues is a very real thing in the business. Very few talents arrive on the main roster and immediately achieve overnight success. Not everyone is Kurt Angle or Brock Lesnar. However, that’s not to subtract from Big E as a worker in the ring. E has truly come in..

NXT Was A Bit Of A Weird Mess Backstage

September 15, 2021 • Admin

Sounds like Monday. This week’s edition of NXT saw the launch of NXT 2.0, which changed the way the show will be run for a long time to come. After several years of doing the same thing, NXT decided to change things up entirely with a new set, new wrestlers and new stories. That is quite the change of pace, but you might be hearing a familiar story about what was happening behind the scenes. According to PWInsider.com, Kevin Dunn ran this week’s edition of NXT as Triple H was recovering from a recent cardiac event. In addition, the script for the show was completely changed several times and some of the wrestlers at the event described the backstage atmosphere as “weird”. The show was headlined by a four way match for the vacant NXT Title and the wedding of Dexter Lumis and Indi Hartwell. The show went well enough. Check out some of the highlights: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opin..

Former WWE Star Completely Stepping Away From Wrestling

September 15, 2021 • Admin

Maybe that’s what he needs. There are all kinds of wrestlers in the world today and some of them are more well known than others. Some of them are talented and lucky enough to get a chance to showcase themselves for one of the biggest wrestling promotions in the world, but that does not mean everything is going to go well. At some point they are going to leave that promotion and it can shake things up. That seems to be the case again. Former WWE star Jake Atlas has announced that he will be completely stepping away from wrestling for the time being. Atlas said that he is not banged up or suffering from a concussion and spoke about his mental health. He also said that he wrestled for five years and learned to hide his issues during his career. Atlas said that he had fun in wrestling and thanked fans for their support over the years. Atlas was released from his WWE contract on August 6 and made his Ring of Honor debut on Sunday at Death Before Dishonor. I’m not concussed or “banged up...

WATCH: Second Generation Star Makes In-Ring Debut And A Splash

September 15, 2021 • Admin

That’s how you get started. Every now and then you see someone debut and make an impact as soon as they start up. It does not happen often, but on the rare occasions when it does, you know that you are in for something special. Things can be made even better if someone has an extra boost upon their arrival, and that was the case again this week with a special debut. This week’s debut edition of NXT 2.0 began with Bron Breakker making his debut backstage by confronting LA Knight. The two had a match, with Breakker picking up the surprise win. At the end of the show, Breakker congratulated new NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa, suggesting that he wanted a shot at the title. Breakker is better known as Bronson Rechsteiner, the son of Rick Steiner and nephew of Scott Steiner. Breakker’s family history was not mentioned. While he has not wrestled before, he has made some appearances in NXT as an extra. I’d say he had a good night. Check out how the debut night went down, plus some of the family..

VIDEO: Two Surprise Returns Take Place On NXT

September 15, 2021 • Admin

It’s nice to see some familiar faces. This week’s edition of NXT marked the launch of NXT 2.0, which saw the biggest change in the history of the show. All kinds of new names debuted on a new set with a new layout of the Capitol Wrestling Center. That alone should make for something new, but there were also some familiar faces showing up for the first time in a good while. There were two surprise returns this week on NXT. First, Austin Theory returned from his self imposed hiatus to take part in the wedding between Dexter Lumis and Indi Hartwell. Theory appeared at the wedding and was asked to present the rings, which Ikemen Jiro actually had. In addition, NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida returned after missing several weeks due to testing positive for the Coronavirus. Kushida agreed to defend his championship against Roderick Strong next week, in a match originally planned for last month. It certainly was an eventful night. Check out what happened with the returns, plus a mashup f..

NXT Results – September 14, 2021

September 15, 2021 • Admin

NXT Date: September 14, 2021 Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida Commentators: Beth Phoenix, Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett We have arrived as it is time for the all new NXT, featuring a lot of the same people and whatever angles need to be wrapped up. I’m almost terrified of what this is going to include as the usual suspects from Raw are in charge. We have a wedding and a vacant World Title to fill though so let’s get to it. We open with a quick recap of Samoa Joe vacating the NXT Title and the setup of the four way for the vacant championship. Tommaso Ciampa doesn’t care which NXT it is because he’ll be champion. Pete Dunne thinks it is time for a Bruiserweight Champion. Kyle O’Reilly is ready to achieve a goal sixteen years in the making. LA Knight knows Samoa Joe was scared of him and now three men are stuck in the same spot. Someone named Bron Breaker (better known as Bronson Rechsteiner) comes up to Knight and says he wants a chance to prove himself. Knight tell..

New NXT Champion Crowned After Surprise Change In Title Match

September 15, 2021 • Admin

They needed someone new. NXT has been completely relaunched as NXT 2.0 and that means things are being completely reset. There is a new set, new wrestlers and new stories, but something had to change on top as well. Samoa Joe has vacated the NXT Title due to injury and a new champion had to be crowned. That was taken care of during this week’s edition of NXT. This week on NXT, Tommaso Ciampa won the NXT Title in a fatal four way match. Ciampa pinned LA Knight in a match that also included Pete Dunne and Von Wagoner. Kyle O’Reilly was originally the fourth participant in the match but was attacked by Dunne and Ridge Holland. As a result, General Manager William Regal inserted Wagoner into the spot in Wagoner’s NXT debut. He has been here before. Check out Ciampa’s time around the NXT Title: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: This is a smart and safe pick, as Ciampa has the resume..

Backstage Reaction To Big E.’s WWE Title Win

September 15, 2021 • Admin

I’d call it a positive. There have been a lot of changes in WWE in recent months and one of the biggest came this week as Big E. became the new WWE Champion. The win marks Big E.’s first World Title in WWE, making him a member of a fairly exclusive club. The win is a long time coming as Big E. has seemed to be ready to break through to the other side for along time now, but how has it been received? According to PWInsider.com, Big E.’s title win caused a boost in backstage morale for the locker room. Big E. is well liked and the win was seen as a special moment. The wrestlers from SmackDown, where Big E. had been in recent weeks, were said to have wished they could have been in the arena for the win. Big E. cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Bobby Lashley to win the title this week on Monday Night Raw. I’d say it was big. Check out the win and the fallout: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, cli..

WWE Re-Signs Former Champion To Long Term Deal

September 14, 2021 • Admin

That’s a win for WWE. There have been a lot of roster moves over the last few months in WWE and there is a good chance that several more are coming. Above all else, there is a question of who is going to go where now that AEW has become a new player for wrestlers’ services. WWE has already lost a few names to AEW but they have one important name locked up. According to Fightful Select, WWE has re-signed Pete Dunne to a new contract, keeping him with the company for several years. This comes after Dunne’s contract was reportedly set to expire later in this year. WWE COO Triple H was said to be directly involved with the contract negotiations. Dunne debuted in WWE in 2016 and is a former NXT United Kingdom Champion and NXT Tag Team Champion. Dunne has been a star under the WWE banner. Check out what he has done so far: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: This is a big win for WWE a..

VIDEO: Drew McIntyre’s Wardrobe Malfunction At WWE Live Event

September 14, 2021 • Admin

Anything can happen. While you might not care for the quality of the show itself, there is little denying just how polished everything is in a WWE production. Between the lights, the pyro, the music and everything else that goes into it, WWE puts on a good looking show. There is always the chance of an error though, and this time the error was in part of the wardrobe situation. Over the weekend, WWE held a live event in Washington DC, which featured a street fight between Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal. McIntyre came to the ring, but could not get his kilt to come off. Ring announcer Byron Saxton had to help McIntyre, who ultimately took the microphone and asked if anyone in the crowd could help him get out of his kilt. Eventually he shook it off, after which he said he hoped no one had a cell phone camera in the building. It can only happen live. Check out what happened to McIntyre, plus some other funny WWE moments: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains vi..

Update On Samoa Joe’s NXT Status And What Is Next For Him

September 14, 2021 • Admin

That’s what’s next. NXT fans got a big shock over the weekend when reigning NXT Champion Samoa Joe announced that he was being forced to step away from the ring and therefore vacate the NXT Title over health issues. This is the kind of thing that can be rather devastating to a career, but it seems that there is already a new plan in mind for him to start soon. According to Wrestling Observer Radio, Samoa Joe is still a part of NXT but will likely be moving into more of a backstage or coaching role. This was the plan when he was re-signed earlier this year, though he will still be getting into the ring on occasions. Part of the reason for the switch is Samoa Joe is in his 40s and NXT is attempting to focus on younger wrestlers. He has been a big deal around there. Check out some of Samoa Joe’s time in NXT: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: As sudden as this was, the end result d..

WWE Officially Confirms Upcoming Special Event

September 14, 2021 • Admin

That makes it official. There are a lot of things taking place at any given point in WWE and it can make for some complicated situations. It doesn’t help when there are so many wrestlers running around the company and working on different shows. Some wrestlers even work on more than one show, but not we know when some of those names will be given a fresh coat of paint. This week on Monday Night Raw, WWE officially announced the dates of the 2021 WWE Draft. This year’s edition will begin with the October 1 SmackDown and will conclude on the October 4 Monday Night Raw. The WWE Draft is an annual event which will reset the shows’ rosters as several wrestlers will be moved from one roster to the other. It is not clear how much NXT involvement will be included this year. The Draft has been a big deal before. Check out some of its best moments: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: This ..

REVIEW: Smackdown – April 13, 2007: A Different Kind Of Team

September 14, 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? Smackdown Date: April 13, 2007 Location: Dunkin’ Donuts Center, Providence, Rhode Island Attendance: 8,000 Commentators: John Bradshaw Layfield, Michael Cole We’re on the way to whatever the next Smackdown pay per view is and Batista wants his rematch with Undertaker for the World Title. That’s fine with Undertaker, but he isn’t cool with King Booker jumping him to end last week’s show. It sounds like something he is going to deal with sooner than later and that isn’t likely to go well for Booker. Let’s get to it...

Monday Night Raw Results – September 13, 2021

September 14, 2021 • Admin

Monday Night Raw Date: September 13, 2021 Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts Commentators: Jimmy Smith, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton We’re getting close to Extreme Rules and it seems we’re getting the main event really early. This time that means we are seeing Bobby Lashley defending the WWE Championship against Randy Orton in a match that was scheduled for the pay per view, which sounds like a way to set up a rematch. Let’s get to it. Here is Mr. Money in the Bank Big E. as a guest star as RKBro comes out for a chat. Before they can even get in the ring, Bobby Lashley and MVP cut them off. Big E. says he’s cashing in but Riddle asks him to not do it on Randy. MVP doesn’t want to hear this because Big E. isn’t cashing in on anyone. This was supposed to be MVP/Lashley vs. RKBro for the Tag Team Titles but then Orton politicked his way into a title match. Orton is asked how he did that but Orton says he did it to throw Lashley off his game. Big E.: “We got two big meaty men bumpi..

BREAKING: New WWE Champion Crowned On Monday Night Raw

September 14, 2021 • Admin

They went big. Money in the Bank is one of the biggest game changers in wrestling as you can see someone go from absolutely nothing to the champion in one match. It has been used regularly for over fifteen years now and still packs quite the punch. You don’t see it used often but it works well when it does. That is the case again as we have a new champion. This week on Monday Night Raw, Big E. cashed in his Money in the Bank contract against WWE Champion Bobby Lashley and won the title for the first time in his career. Lashley had announced that he would cash in the contract and did so after Lashley successfully defended his title against Randy Orton. This makes Lashley a member of the Monday Night Raw roster, reuniting him with the rest of New Day. I’d call that huge. Check out the celebration plus how Big E. got here: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: I’ve been a fan of Big E...

Another Top NXT Star’s Deal Expiring Later This Year

September 14, 2021 • Admin

Is he next? One of the most interesting string of changes over the last few weeks has been the amount of wrestlers whose contracts have expired in WWE. While that alone is a big deal, it is even bigger when they take their talents elsewhere. This usually means AEW, and now another fairly prominent WWE name may be heading over to the free agent list by the end of the year. According to Fightful Select, Johnny Gargano’s WWE contract is expiring on December 3. At the moment, Gargano has not signed a new deal with WWE and it is not clear if he will. Gargano is an NXT Grand Slam winner and currently leads the Way, along with his wife Candice LeRae. WWE has known about the upcoming expiration date and will be discussing a new deal with Gargano in the fall. Gargano has had an amazing NXT career. Check out some of his moments: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: I’m not sure what Gargano..

How AEW Led To A Major WWE Monday Night Raw Change

September 14, 2021 • Admin

Changing things up. The battle for the top of the wrestling world has suddenly sprung to life all over again and it is rather fascinating to see. After twenty plus years of WWE being in charge, AEW is suddenly making quite the splash. While there is still a huge gap between the two companies, WWE is taking notice of someone making up some ground on them. That has caused some changes to a major show. According to Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE moved the scheduled WWE Championship match from Extreme Rules to Monday Night Raw in response to AEW’s recent ratings success. Bobby Lashley will be defending his title against Randy Orton on this week’s Monday Night Raw, leaving Extreme Rules without a title match. There is no word on what will take the match’s place on the show. The show will be big regardless. Check out how the match was set up and what has WWE making changes: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, cl..

WWE Planning Brock Lesnar Passing Of The Torch WrestleMania Match

September 13, 2021 • Admin

It would be a generational match. WWE is in a weird place at the moment as they are having to try and figure out a way to restock their shelves but continue to rely on their old guard in big spots. At some point WWE has to bring in someone new and those older stars could help elevate them in a hurry. That might be the case with a recent signing to the company. Last week, WWE officially signed Gable Steveson, an Olympic Gold Medal winning wrestler, to a contract with the company. According to F4WOnline.com, WWE is planning to have Steveson face Brock Lesnar in a special match at WrestleMania in a passing of the torch style moment. It is not clear when this will happen or when Steveson will be making his debut for the company. Steveson is scheduled to return to the University of Minnesota to defend his NCAA Heavyweight Championship next season. This has potential. Check out the two in action, plus Lesnar at WrestleMania: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains ..