News

New Grudge Match Added To Summerslam Card

August 14, 2021 • Admin

Keep them coming. We are just over a week away from Summerslam, which remains one of WWE’s biggest events of the year. It is the kind of card that the company is going to want to stack as many big matches as they can manage. There are some top names on the WWE roster and it makes sense to put some of them together on the show. Now they have added another match to the card. WWE has announced that Drew McIntyre will face Jinder Mahal at Summerslam. The match comes after Mahal became annoyed at McIntyre for not having time for him and attempting to steal McIntyre’s sword. McIntyre also destroyed Mahal’s custom motorcycle and has also attacked Mahal’s associates, Veer and Shanky. The two also met on the July 5 Monday Night Raw, when McIntyre won via disqualification. It took some time to get here. Check out how the match was set up: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: I don’t think t..

REVIEW: No Mercy 2017: The Cena vs. Reigns Showdown

August 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? No Mercy 2017 Date: September 24, 2017 Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California Commentators: Michael Cole, Booker T., Corey Graves I don’t remember being this excited for a B pay per view in a very long time. This show is all about the double main event with a combination of Brock Lesnar defending the Universal Title against Braun Strowman and John Cena vs. Roman Reigns in one heck of a big time match. That should be more than enough to carry this show so let’s get to it. Kickoff Show: Elias vs. Apollo ..

Coronavirus Causes More Problems For NXT

August 14, 2021 • Admin

Unpack those bags. The Coronavirus has changed the way the world works and that certainly includes wrestling. While things are starting to get back to normal, there are still several things that are not quite what they were before. The virus is still causing issues and now one of the bigger issues is going to be changing plans for a fairly big wrestling promotion. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE has canceled the plans for NXT to return to touring. NXT had been planning to return to its regular Florida touring schedule in July but no events have been held. Florida is currently experiencing more cases of the Coronavirus than anywhere else in the country and WWE is worried about another outbreak in the NXT locker room. NXT has a history at these shows. Check out some of their 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 another setback caused by the pande..

Here’s The Odd Reason Vince McMahon Changed WWE Stars’ Names

August 14, 2021 • Admin

I guess it makes sense? A wrestler’s name is one of the most important things about their entire persona. The right name can make someone feel that much more important but the wrong name can put their career on the entirely wrong track. WWE has a strange habit of changing names out of nowhere and now we know why two names were switched. It turns out to have been the whim of one person. During an interview on the What Do You Call It podcast, former WWE star Tucker said that he and Otis lost their first names in WWE due to Vince McMahon. According to Tucker, McMahon did not like how long it took to introduce their full names. Tucker and Otis were formerly known as Tucker Knight and Otis Dozovic, but McMahon cut off their last names. Tucker was released from WWE earlier this year. It was quite the interview. Check out the full video (with the story beginning at about 56:45) and some of the team in action: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to p..

WWE Tried To Buy Famous International Promotion

August 14, 2021 • Admin

What could have been. There are a lot of wrestling promotions in the world today and a lot of them do not get the same recognition as others. While WWE is the most well known promotion in the world, there are several others which have a lot of quality to offer. It turns out that WWE was impressed enough with one promotion that they made an effort to take the whole thing over. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE attempted to buy CMLL, a major promotion in Mexico, a few years ago. WWE wanted to have a presence in Mexico, with the idea that some of the CMLL wrestlers could eventually be brought in to the American market. However, CMLL wanted WWE to purchase its arenas as part of the deal and WWE had no interest in buying them. WWE has had some success in Mexico before. Check out some of their time there: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: If WWE wants to get into an..

RUMOR: WWE Bringing Back King Of The Ring Very Soon

August 14, 2021 • Admin

Twice as nice. WWE has a long history of presenting tournaments. It is something that has been done for the better part of the last fifty years if not even longer and that is going to be the case for a long time to come. The idea makes a lot of sense too as wrestlers can be grouped together without much effort in the name of winning a prize. That seems to be the case again. According to Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men podcast, WWE will be bringing back the King of the Ring tournament in October, with the finals taking place at the next Saudi Arabia event. WWE has yet to announced either the tournament or the event itself. This comes after rumors that WWE will be running the Queen of the Ring tournament at the same time, which has been confirmed by SmackDown’s Liv Morgan. The King of the Ring tournament was first held in 1985 and first aired on pay per view in 1993. After being an annual event until 2002, the tournament has been held intermittently in the following nineteen years, with f..

AEW Rampage Results – August 13, 2021 (Debut Episode)

August 14, 2021 • Admin

Rampage Date: April 13, 2021 Location: Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Commentators: Excalibur, Chris Jericho, Mark Henry, Taz It’s the debut of the secondary show which is actually on television and not full of squashes. I’m not sure what this is going to mean for the company as a whole, but if they can put some stuff on here instead of cramming it all onto Dynamite, we could be in for something good. The card is pretty stacked tonight too so let’s get to it. Opening sequence. Impact Wrestling World Title: Kenny Omega vs. Christian Cage Omega, with Don Callis, is defending. They go with the feeling out process to start and Christian flips him off in the corner to start the mind games. It’s too early for both guys to hit their finisher and Omega bails to the floor for an early breather. Back in and Omega chops away but Christian knocks him to the apron for the dropkick back to the floor. Hold on though as Callis offers a distraction, allowing Omega to shove Christia..

Unique Title Change Takes Place On Debut Episode Of AEW Rampage

August 14, 2021 • Admin

History has made an Impact! The wrestling world has been changing a lot in the last few years and that is likely going to be the case for a long time. The rise of new promotions has changed how everything works and AEW has been right at the top of the list. They have shaken things up in a huge way and they are still doing that now, with a pretty unique title change taking place. This week on the debut edition of AEW Rampage, Christian Cage defeated Kenny Omega to win the Impact Wrestling World Title. The win marks Cage’s third World Title reign in Impact Wrestling, though his first two came as the NWA World Champion before the promotion changed names. Cage is scheduled to challenge Omega for the AEW World Title at AEW All Out on September 5, though he will also be defending the Impact Wrestling World Title at Emergence on August 20. Cage has been here before. Check out his time in Impact wrestling, which was pretty great: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contai..

BREAKING: Title Change Takes Place On SmackDown

August 14, 2021 • Admin

History has been made! Titles are one of the easiest ideas in all of wrestling as anyone can get the idea: take two people, put a big shiny belt in between them and whoever wins is champion. You can go all kinds of ways with an idea like that and the idea has worked forever in wrestling. It still works in modern time too and now we have a new champion crowned. This week on SmackDown, King Nakamura defeated Apollo Crews to become the new Intercontinental Champion. The match came after Nakamura defeated Crews via disqualification when Commander Azeez interfered. Azeez was ejected during the rematch, leaving Nakamura to defeat Crews with the Kinshasa. The win makes Nakamura a two time Intercontinental Champion. Nakamura has been here before. Check out his time as champion: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: It’s a good idea to give Nakamura the title. He has been doing well with th..

SmackDown Live Coverage And Results – August 13, 2021

August 14, 2021 • Admin

Smackdown Date: August 13, 2021 Location: BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee We have two shows to go before Summerslam and John Cena is actually on TV this week. For some reason he has been around for the last few weeks working dark matches but hasn’t shown up on the actual shows. He’s here tonight to face Roman Reigns though and that needs to be great. Let’s get to it. Here is John Cena to get things going. After we get a quick look at how Cena vs. Roman Reigns was set up, Cena says that since school is back in session, it is time to give Roman his report card. Reigns gets a D, because he is a D-head, a D-bag and a D-isappointment. At Summerslam Reigns is getting an F, but for now though, it is time to have a pop quiz. The fans are asked if they think Reigns will beat him up at Summerslam and they don’t quite buy it. Cena admits that he will take a beating at Summerslam but he’s also beating Reigns. Cue Reigns and Paul Heyman for a chat after a break..

News On Backstage NXT Shakeup, Including Who Is In Charge

August 13, 2021 • Admin

They’re still changing things. The backstage shakeup of NXT has been one of the top stories in wrestling as of late and that is likely to be the case going forward. You do not often see one of the major pieces of WWE being changed around but that is exactly what is taking place at the moment. The changes are taking place in front of the camera, but what about backstage? According to PWInsider.com, Triple H was still in charge at this week’s NXT tapings and there is nothing to suggest that he will be leaving his position anytime soon. In addition, Pat Buck is now in charge of booking local wrestlers for WWE events. Also, Molly Holly is still working as a producer, though she is still on a trial basis. There is no word on any more potential backstage shakeups at the moment. These three could be good at this. Check out what they can do elsewhere: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: ..

Hilarious Story Of How Omos Cracked Up Undertaker, Triple H And Batista

August 13, 2021 • Admin

That’s not what was planned. Wrestling is a rather complicated presentation, as you have a mixture of action, drama, comedy, suspense and more, all mixed together with an athletic presentation in front of a live crowd. That is not something that is going to happen anywhere else and it is incredible when it goes right. Sometimes though, it can be just as entertaining when it goes wrong, as was the case for a certain big star. In an interview with Brandom Walker, Raw Tag Team Champion Omos told a story about a rehearsal for WrestleMania 35 at the Performance Center. During the rehearsal, Omos stepped over the top rope and ripped the back of his pants, leaving himself exposed. Despite knowing this and not having any extra pants, Omos stayed at ringside, leaving Undertaker, Batista and Triple H in hysterics. Omos would make his main roster debut two years later in October 2020. Thankfully there is no video of this. Check out the full interview and some other funny WWE moments: [This pos..

Ric Flair Posts Gym Photo, Teases Return To Wrestling

August 13, 2021 • Admin

One more final time? There are all kinds of wrestlers in the world but a lot of them have things in common. One of the biggest is the inability to finally hang up their boots and walk away. It is rare to see a wrestler who truly retires for good, as almost everyone makes a comeback of some sort. Now we might be seeing another one, which could get people talking for the wrong reasons. Free agent Ric Flair has posted a pair of tweets, including a photo of himself in the gym showing off his bicep and a video from a Monday Night Raw of himself saying he will never retire. While not confirmed, this could suggest that Flair, 72, is looking to return to wrestling, possibly in a physical role. There is nothing to suggest that Flair has already signed a new deal since his release from WWE last month. His most recent match took place on August 18, 2011. Damn Right! ?? Do You Think An Airplane Crash, Being Struck By Lightning, And Almost Dying Four Years Ago Can Stop The Nature Boy? Hell No! WO..

Roman Reigns Reveals Two Things He Wanted Before WWE Return

August 13, 2021 • Admin

He had conditions. Roman Reigns has been on another level since his return to WWE television last year. After missing several months due to Coronavirus concerns, Reigns won the Universal Title at Payback in August 2020 and has not looked back since. Reigns is the top star in WWE and has been for a long time now, but there was something that made him come back to the company. Reigns was recently a guest on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast where he discussed the process that brought him back to WWE. Before he returned to WWE television, Reigns told WWE that he wanted to work with both Michael Hayes and Paul Heyman. Reigns cited the two of them as critical in his development in WWE, with Hayes having helped Reigns in his time with the Shield and even before he came to the company. While Reigns felt that he could do what he is doing now without Heyman, he still wanted Heyman there. It has worked out pretty well. Check out Reigns and Heyman’s time together in WWE: [This post contains..

Main Event Results – August 5, 2021

August 13, 2021 • Admin

Main Event Date: August 5, 2021 Location: Allstate Arena, Chicago, Illinois Commentators: Kevin Patrick, Byron Saxton It can always be curious to see how a bit of a harsher crowd might react to a show like this one. Main Event is back to its old self as of late and that is not the most inspiring news. Hopefully this is the show that shakes things up again, as the show could already use another change. Let’s get to it. Opening sequence. Angel Garza vs. Lince Dorado Garza doesn’t seem to think much of the LUCHA dance so he takes Dorado down by the wrist. That’s broken up with a flying mare and a hurricanrana sends Garza outside. Hang on a second though as Garza needs to hand a rose to a fan, allowing Dorado to get in another takedown. Back in and Dorado grabs a neck crank until Garza backdrops his way to freedom. Garza flapjacks him for two but he has to fight out of a cross armbreaker. A dropkick lets Garza TAKE OFF HIS PANTS, setting up a superkick and the Wing Clipper to finish Dor..

Former WWE Star Confirms Retirement Due To Injury

August 13, 2021 • Admin

She would if she could. Wrestling is a rather difficult sport for everyone involved and that has always been the case. No matter how much training or experience someone has, a wrestler has the chance of getting banged up or hurt. Some of those injuries can wreck a wrestler’s career for good and end any chances of them wrestling again. That is the case with a former star. Former WWE star Christy Hemme recently took part in a virtual autograph signing for East Coast Autograph Auctions where she confirmed that she was unable to wrestle another match. Hemme said that she would wrestle again if not for her neck being damaged. The neck injury forced her to retire from the ring, with her most recent match taking place on November 14, 2011. Hemme wrestled for both WWE and Impact Wrestling while also serving other roles, including ring announcer and backstage interviewer. Hemme did a lot over the years. Check out some of her career: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post cont..

Hangman Page Has A Good Reason For Missing AEW Dynamite

August 13, 2021 • Admin

So that’s where he went. Sometimes in wrestling, you will see a complete surprise that throws you off. For one reason or another, a story sees a twist which takes you completely away from what was expected. Things might not make sense at the moment, but then you find out what is going on and it all becomes clear. That is the case again, and now we have the explanation. Back on the July 28 edition of AEW Dynamite, Hangman Page teamed with the Dark Order to face the Elite in a ten man elimination tag. There were some stipulations attached to the match, as Page and the Dark Order would receive shots at the World and Tag Team Titles if they could win. That would seem to be a layup, but then the Elite wound up winning. So what happened? According to PWInsider.com, Page has been scheduled to take some time off due to the upcoming birth of his first child at some point in the coming weeks. As a result, Page did not appear on this week’s edition of Dynamite, but he did appear on the April 5 ..

NXT Superstars Have A Baby On The Way

August 13, 2021 • Admin

Congratulations! Wrestlers are an interesting subject as their job is to keep you believing a lie that they tell you every single week, even if everyone already knows it to be a lie. That is hardly the easiest thing to do but wrestlers have made it a bit of an art form. These same wrestlers have lives of their own though, and now two of them have gotten some very good news in those lives. NXT stars Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano have announced that they are expecting their first child, which will be due in February 2022. As a result, LeRae will be out of action for the next several months. Her most recent match took place on the July 6 edition of NXT, when LeRae and Indi Hartwell lost the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships to Zoey Stark and Io Shirai. There is nothing to suggest that Gargano will miss ring time as well. The secret's out! Our team is getting a little bigger.. The best is on the way! ?? @CandiceLeRae pic.twitter.com/wUxo3ktgqC — Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano..

Coronavirus Cases Force Pay Per View Location Change

August 13, 2021 • Admin

It might happen a lot. The Coronavirus pandemic has changed the way the wrestling world works and it could be a long time before things are really back to normal. Some things have gotten back on tract, but we are still experiencing more than a few issues. You still see those things affecting bigger promotions, and it seems that is the case again with a high level event. Ring of Honor has announced that their Death Before Dishonor pay per view event on September 12 has been moved from Lakeland, Florida to the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This comes as the number of Coronavirus cases have spiked in Florida in recent weeks. Death Before Dishonor has been a regular event for Ring of Honor since 2003, save for last year. No main event has been set for this year’s show. Death Before Dishonor has produced some great stuff. Check out a few of its better moments: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, cl..

NXT UK Results – August 12, 2021

August 13, 2021 • Admin

NXT UK Date: August 12, 2021 Location: BT Studios, London, England Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andrew Shepherd It’s tournament time as we have eight people vying to become the new #1 contender to the Heritage Cup. That alone should take quite a while to cover so hopefully they have something else going on to fill in some of the gaps. I’m not sure what that is going to be, but NXT UK has surprised me before. Let’s get to it. Opening sequence. Flash Morgan Webster vs. Wolfgang This is fallout from Webster slapping Wolfgang. Webster knocks him into the corner to start but Wolfgang takes him to the mat without much trouble. That means a third slap to Wolfgang so he runs Webster over and grabs a cravate. A dropkick puts Wolfgang on the floor but he sends Webster hard into the barricade. Back in and a hard whip into the corner rocks Webster’s ribs and it’s time for some forearms to make them worse. We hit the nearly required bearhug, followed by the slightly less required abdominal s..