News

WWE Backstage Situation Described As “Asleep At The Wheel”

September 9, 2021 • Admin

That would explain a few things. There have been all kinds of changes in WWE as of late and not all of them have been for the better. A lot of wrestlers have left the company and it seems that even more could be on the chopping block in the future. One of the more interesting situations was that of Adam Cole, as neither WWE nor Cole knew when his contract expired. There is a bit more to it than that. A story came out earlier this week that Kevin Owens’ WWE contract was expiring sooner than expected. According to Fightful Select, Owens’ contract was one of several which were shortened in exchange for higher guaranteed money. However, in this case WWE knew that the changes had been made and the earlier expiration date did not come as a surprise to the company. This comes after Cole’s contract expired than expected and is said to be blamed on people “falling asleep at the wheel”. As a result, several WWE contracts have been reviewed so the company knows when they will expire. The NXT co..

AEW Announces Major Return And Match For Grand Slam

September 9, 2021 • Admin

Welcome back? There are a lot of names on the AEW roster and the company has added a lot of them over their still fairly short history. That being said, there are going to be some names who are just bigger stars than others. Some of these names do not appear on every show, but now we know when we are going to be seeing one of them again after his latest hiatus. During this week’s edition of AEW Dynamite, Cody Rhodes was announced for a match against Malakai Black at AEW Grand Slam on September 22. Rhodes has been absent from AEW television since August 4, when Black defeated him on Dynamite. This also comes after Rhodes finished filming the latest season of the Go Big Show, where he serves as one of the show’s judges. Rhodes is a big deal. Check out who is coming back for a rematch: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: Rhodes might not be everyone’s favorite wrestler, but there is..

Triple H Suffers Cardiac Event, Undergoes Surgery

September 9, 2021 • Admin

Hopefully it isn’t too bad. Wrestlers are larger than life characters and you are going to see them doing some completely insane things at various times. That can make it hard to believe that anything could ever happen to them, but that is often the case every so often. It was the case again this week and it is something rather serious to one of the more prominent names in wrestling. WWE has announced that Paul Levesque, better known as Triple H, underwent a successful procedure last week following a cardiac incident. The issue was caused due to a genetic issue and Triple H is expected to make a full recovery. There is no word on when Triple H will be able to make a return to work. Triple H has recently lost much of his authority in NXT due to various backstage changes in WWE. That’s certainly not good. Check out some better Triple H moments: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: T..

AEW Signs Top Independent Star (Contains Minor Spoiler)

September 9, 2021 • Admin

That’s a new one. There are all kinds of talented wrestlers throughout the world and some of them are able to make it all the way to the biggest of big leagues. That would mean WWE or AEW, though you are only going to see so many make it there either. The companies are always looking for new talent though, and now one of them has found someone. AEW officially announced that Lee Moriarty has been signed to a contract with the company. The announcement came following Moriarty’s match during this week’s Dark: Elevation taping, with AEW President Tony Khan offering a contract, which Moriarty accepted. Moriarty has enjoyed a successful career on the independent circuit, including an appearance with Ring of Honor. He began wrestling in 2015. You’ll get to know him. Check out what Moriarty 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: I was lucky enough to be in the arena for ..

RUMOR: Update On Tessa Blanchard’s Status (And It Isn’t Good)

September 9, 2021 • Admin

I guess that’s a no? WWE and AEW are the two most prominent wrestling companies in America and that is not likely to change in the near future. That means they are going to be the highest level destinations for all kinds of wrestlers, many of whom are currently not with a major company. One prominent free agent has been away for a long time, and that is likely to continue. According to Bodyslam.net, there are no plans for either AEW or WWE to bring in former Impact Wrestling World Champion Tessa Blanchard at this point. Blanchard is said to be “nuclear”, mainly due to allegations that she used a racial slur against wrestler La Rosa Negra while on a tour of Japan. There is no word on when Blanchard will wrestle again, though her most recent match took place on September 12, 2020. There are other women out there. Check out some of the best female wrestlers in the world today: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains vi..

KB’s Review: The All Out Four

September 9, 2021 • Admin

It is pretty rare that you see a show getting the kind of nearly universal acclaim that AEW’s All Out 2021 is receiving. That show was a near masterpiece and one of the best shows I’ve seen in a very, very long time. Outside of some Takeovers, it might be the best show I’ve seen in about ten years or more. The interesting thing though is how few people are talking about the actual matches. That leaves a lot to talk about….and it is going to continue to be that way because we’re going to be talking about the really cool debuts. All Out was built around a huge card but the show ended with a pair of huge debuts. Those were the third and fourth debuts of the night and that is what will be remembered from the event. All of them open at least a bit of a door (level of forbiddenness may vary) and today we are going to look at each one of them today. Some of them are bigger than others, but each one deserves at least a look. Minoru Suzuki Is A Scary Human Being One of AEW’s major deals has b..

Top AEW Star Earns Major Wrestling Award For Second Time

September 8, 2021 • Admin

That’s quite the honor. Thanks to the internet, there is more wrestling coverage available than most people know what to do with. That is quite the change from the old days, when magazines were about all you could find. Some of them are still around today and a few of them have quite the prestige. Now a modern champion has earned an honor for the second time in his career. Pro Wrestling Illustrated has revealed that Kenny Omega has topped their annual PWI 500 for 2020-2021. The list ranks the top 500 male wrestlers from July 2020 – June 2021, taking into account a mixture of different criteria, including success, championships and level of competition among others. This is Omega’s second time earning the honor, following his 2018 win. The rest of the list has yet to be revealed. As just announced by @AlCastlePWI on @BustedOpenRadio: Congrats to @KennyOmegamanX, who ranks #1 in the 2021 #PWI500—his second time topping the list. Preorder your copy of our 31st annual "500" issue at ht..

VIDEO: Current NXT Champion Reveals He Has Coronavirus

September 8, 2021 • Admin

It’s becoming more and more common. The Coronavirus has shaken up the wrestling world on more than one occasion. That has been the case for well over a year now and while some things have gotten better, we are still a long way off from things being the way they were before the pandemic started. You still see wrestlers testing positive for the virus and that is the case again. In a new video posted to his Instagram, NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida revealed that he tested positive for the Coronavirus three weeks ago, with his family testing positive as well. While his family has been vaccinated, they have also experienced some symptoms, including low energy. The diagnosis caused Kushida to be pulled from his scheduled title defense against Roderick Strong. Kushida said that he would be back in the ring soon but did not give a specific date. It could be worse. Check out Kushida’s announcement plus what he can do in the ring when he is healthy: [This post contains video, click to pla..

Undertaker And New Day Starring In Interactive Netflix Movie Next Month

September 8, 2021 • Admin

Call it a different path. WWE has been trying to expand beyond being just a wrestling company for years now and that is going to be the case for a long time to come. This includes making movies under the WWE Studios banner, which have had hit or miss results. Now they are trying it again, though this time it is going to be unlike anything they have ever done before. According to Bloodydisgusting.com, Undertaker and New Day will be starring in a new interactive Halloween film debuting on Netflix. The movie, called Escape The Undertaker, will focus on Undertaker setting a trap for New Day at his mansion with viewers making decisions to help New Day escape. The film will be released on October 5. WWE has worked with Netflix before, including a wrestling themed film called The Main Event. This is one of those things that is hard to imagine. Check out Undertaker and New Day on their own and the closest thing they have had to interaction: [This post contains video, click to play] [This ..

Recent WWE Releases Changed NXT Plan At The Last Minute

September 8, 2021 • Admin

Card subject to change. NXT has been shaken up in a big way as of late and some of those changes have come out of nowhere. There have been multiple instances of wrestlers being released in a hurry and that has changes things all over the place. Those changes seem likely to continue in the near future and it turns out that one of them messed with an established plan. According to Fightful Select, Ariya Daivari was scheduled to face Cameron Grimes on the June 29 NXT. Ari Sterling took Daivari’s place and lost the match, as Daivari had been released just before the match. Despite Sterling wrestling as a heel on 205 Live, he was turned into a babyface for the match as Grimes needed to face a heel to further his babyface push. Sterling was then released by WWE in early August, along with several others. What could have been. Check out Sterling’s time in WWE, including the Grimes match: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post cont..

WATCH: Four Debuts Take Place During This Week’s NXT

September 8, 2021 • Admin

It was a busy week. There have been a lot of changes in WWE and NXT over the last few months and those are going to continue going forward. With so many moves being made, it can be easy to lose track of who is doing what and even who everyone is. That was the case again this week, as several new names and faces made a variety of debuts during the latest episode of NXT. There were four debuts of different kinds during this week’s edition of NXT. First up, a woman named Persia debuted during Indi Hartwell’s bachelorette party. Persia said that she came from Australia to see Disney World and stayed for her best friend’s party. She is better known as Steph de Lander, an Australian wrestlers who signed with WWE back in March. Later in the show, the Creed Brothers, Julius and Brutus, made their in-ring debuts as part of the Diamond Mine, winning a short match. The two had been shown helping to train the Diamond Mine in recent weeks. Later in the show, Mei Ying made her in-ring debut and wo..

Another Former WWE World Champion’s Contract Expiring Soon

September 8, 2021 • Admin

Next one up? One of the most interesting wrestling stories of the last year and a half has been the massive exodus of wrestlers leaving WWE. Some of these moves have involved some big names, including former World Champions. That has changed the wrestling landscape and now it seems that we are getting ready to see another big name go on the free agent market. According to Fightful Select, former Universal Champion Kevin Owens’ WWE contract is set to expire in January. Owens announced that he had signed a five year deal with the company in May 2018, but the deal was restructured early last year. As a result, it will expire early next year instead of in May 2023. WWE is said to know that Owens’ deal is coming up and there is no word on what Owens plans to do in the future. You might need to enjoy him while he lasts. Check out Owens’ 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: ..

VIDEO: Stable Splits Up During This Week’s NXT

September 8, 2021 • Admin

It was nice while it lasted. Factions and groups have been a part of wrestling for years and that has certainly been the case in WWE as well. The company has come up with all kinds of alliances over its history with some of them being more memorable than others. Almost all of them have to come to an end at some point though and that was the case again this week. The main event of this week’s edition of NXT saw MSK successfully defend their Tag Team Titles against Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch. Following the loss, Lorcan and Burch’s friends Ridge Holland and Pete Dunne came to the ring and attacked the two of them to end the show. This came after Dunne had told Lorcan and Burch to win the titles and take out MSK for good. The four have teamed together on and off for about a year, though Burch missed several months due to an injury. That was a nasty moment. Check out the match and brawl, thoughts from Holland and Dunne and what the team looked like before: [This post contains video, cli..

Bryan Danielson Reveals Special WWE Offer WWE Made To Him

September 8, 2021 • Admin

He had an offer. AEW All Out featured a series of major changes to the AEW roster, including a pair of huge debuts to end the show. That is the kind of thing that you do not see very often and you certainly could feel the changes taking place right in front of you. WWE was unable to keep the two of them on their side, but it turns out that they made one a rather special offer. Bryan Danielson made his AEW debut at the end of All Out, marking an end to his free agent status. Danielson left WWE at the end of April and it was unclear where he would sign next. Danielson spoke during the post All Out press conference and revealed that WWE made him a special offer, including allowing him to work outside of WWE. While he did not specify the locations, Danielson mentioned wanting to wrestle in Japan and Mexico. There is no word on when he might appear in those countries. I think they would be interested. Check out Danielson’s matches around the wrestling world: [This post contains video, cl..

WATCH: Wrestling Legend Explains WWE’s AEW Problem

September 8, 2021 • Admin

He’s right listening to. There are certain retired wrestlers who never quite get away from the industry. Many of them have something to say about the goings on in the wrestling world and some of them can be quite fascinating. They have the history and knowledge to offer some great takes and that is the case again, as a certain legend has some interesting thoughts on a popular wrestling topic. WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley released a video on Facebook which he called “WWE, We’ve Got A Problem.” In the video, Foley speaks on why he feels AEW is becoming a problem for WWE, which he believes is due to how WWE talent is treated. Foley talks about how WWE either changes too many things about developmental talent on their way to the main roster, such as with Karrion Kross, or just drops them entirely. He concludes by saying that if he was in the prime of his career, he is not sure if he would sign with WWE. This is quite the take. Check out the full video, plus Foley’s (full time) WWE debut ..

AEW Dealing With Travel Issues Between All Out And Dynamite

September 8, 2021 • Admin

It can happen to anyone. AEW has gone from non-existent to one of the biggest wrestling companies in the world in less than three years. Now that things have changed a bit in the Coronavirus pandemic, AEW is able to get out of Jacksonville and tour around the United States again. That means a lot of extra work, and that was even more of the case this week. According to Wrestling Observer Live, the Young Bucks and some other AEW wrestlers had travel issues leaving Chicago after AEW All Out last Sunday night. Instead of being able to fly to the show, the wrestlers were forced to drive or take a busy five to six hours to Cincinnati, Ohio for this week’s Dynamite. This was said to be especially difficult for some of the wrestlers who were banged up from the pay per view. Everyone will be at this week’s show as scheduled. It isn’t easy in AEW. Check out some of the company’s harder hitting matches: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [T..

NXT Live Coverage And Results – September 7, 2021

September 7, 2021 • Admin

NXT Date: September 7, 2021 Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida Commentators: Vic Joseph, Beth Phoenix, Wade Barrett This is how it ends. We’re wrapping up the original run of NXT this week as everything changes with the next show. I’m a mixture of scared, excited and scared excited as the idea of Monday Night NXT scares me to death, but NXT does need some changes. There are a pair of title matches tonight to finish things off. Let’s get to it. Ember Moon vs. Kay Lee Ray Feeling out process to start with Moon snapping off an armdrag. Back up and Ray hits a quick faceplant for two before taking Moon into the corner. Ray cranks on the arm and pulls Moon down into a cross armbreaker. That’s reversed in a hurry and Moon is back up with a middle rope Codebreaker for two. The Crossface has Ray in more trouble and Moon rolls it into the middle to make it worse. Ray slips out so Moon pulls her into a triangle choke but gets rolled into the corner to break it up. Back from a..

‘All Out’: In-Person Perspective On AEW’s Biggest Night Of The Year

September 7, 2021 • Admin

AEW All Out was perhaps the biggest night in the company’s history. Titles changed hands, legends arrived and newly signed stars made their debuts. The ideal pro wrestling event provides a series of huge moments from start to finish. Each one brings the fans to their feet and each one establishes the greatness of the event itself. This is precisely what All Elite Wrestling delivered on September 5 in Chicago. From the opening bout to the main event, the boisterous crowd was lively and completely dialed in. Momentum never waned and anticipation grew by the second. All Out is the event that shows exactly what AEW is all about. [This post contains video, click to play] All Out On The Card Eddie Kingston was the first man out of the curtain on the main card. The 19-year veteran has no fear, making him the perfect opponent for Miro. Miro is the most dominating TNT champion in AEW history and he brings that dominance to bear against Jon Moxley’s partner in crime. Miro retained the title..

REVIEW: WrestleMania 23: They’re All Grown Up

September 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? Wrestlemania XXIII Date: April 1, 2007 Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan Attendance: 80,103 Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole, Tazz, John Bradshaw Layfield, Joey Styles It’s the biggest night of the year and this time the show does indeed feel big. You can feel how things have been going strong on the way here and I want to see how it goes. That takes some work when I have already seen the show multiple times. It is a stacked card and the biggest is Bobby Lashley vs. Umaga in the Battle of t..

CM Punk Blasts Former WWE Bosses, Says They Were “65 And Racist”

September 7, 2021 • Admin

I guess he isn’t a fan. There have been a lot of changes to the wrestling world in recent months and that is likely going to continue to be the case for a good while to come. Some of the moves have been bigger than others, but one of the most important was CM Punk’s arrival in AEW last month. It was quite the change, but one of the more interesting parts is seeing what Punk has to say now that the move is done. Punk was a guest on a recent edition of Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette and discussed his time in WWE. Punk talked about how there were several people in WWE who would get wrestlers off of television if they did not understand something. This included his early days in WWE in 2006/7 when unnamed people did not seem to get what Punk was doing. Punk’s thoughts at the time was that they were “65 and racist” so he was happy those people did not like him. Punk has been a rather different person since he came to AEW. Check out some of his time there so far: [This post contains vi..