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Mark Henry Says WWE Threw A Grenade Into Locker Room

August 9, 2021 • Admin

He might be onto something. The big story this week has been the latest batch of NXT releases. More than ten new names have been released from NXT and this time around they were announced during this week’s edition of SmackDown. That is the kind of thing that could shake things up in the locker room and a certain WWE legend has quite the take on the situation. During the latest edition of Busted Open Radio, WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry discussed the releases, describing it as a grenade to the roster. Henry said that there have been so many releases that it might make wrestlers want to go somewhere else before WWE can release them. The releases made Henry feel that no one is safe in NXT and he did not understand why WWE would do this during SmackDown. There is no word on when the next releases could take place. Henry would know something about this. Check out the interview and some of his best moments in WWE: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click..

VIDEO: Former WWE Star Releases New Teaser Video

August 9, 2021 • Admin

It’s a nice tease. Soon after Dean Ambrose was released from WWE, a video appeared on his social media accounts showing him escaping from prison. Fans began analyzing the video to look for clues and found a few things, but what mattered the most was the fact that people were talking. Ambrose then debuted for AEW as Jon Moxley and he was off to the races. Now someone is trying the same thing. Former WWE star Buddy Murphy has released a video to his social media accounts, featuring him standing in a prison cell, banging himself against a wall. Murphy was released from WWE in June of this year, meaning that his no compete clause is expected to expire on August 31. There is no word on where he will be signing next, but he has already booked for an independent match against AEW’s Brian Cage on September 18. This could be interesting. Check out his new video plus some of what he could do in WWE: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This p..

WATCH: John Cena vs. CM Punk From SummerSlam 2011

August 8, 2021 • Admin

The WWE Champion vs. the WWE Champion. WWE has posted a new video to its YouTube channel in which they show the full match between John Cena and CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship from SummerSlam 2011. You can see the video in its entirety below: [This post contains video, click to play] From WWE.com: There were several near-falls in this competitive clash after both ring warriors punished one another with their signature maneuvers, but The Second City Savior ultimately nailed The Cenation Commander-in-Chief with a second Go to Sleep to pick up the pinfall victory – even though Cena’s foot was on the bottom rope. Apparently not noticing that Cena had broken the hold by reaching the ropes, The Game made the three-count. Following weeks of escalating animosity between Cena and Punk – two Superstars who couldn’t possibly be more different from one another in terms of in-ring style and personal ideals – the simultaneous WWE Title holders gave it their all as they vied to bec..

WATCH: Mandy Rose vs. Sonya Deville From SummerSlam 2020

August 8, 2021 • Admin

Time to settle the score. WWE has posted a new video to its YouTube channel in which they show the full No Disqualification match between Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville from SummerSlam 2020. The loser of this match would be forced to leave the company. You can see the match in its entirety below: [This post contains video, click to play] From WWE.com: Mandy Rose sent her ex-best friend packing, defeating Sonya Deville in a brutal No Disqualification Loser Leaves WWE Match. The Golden Goddess was more than ready to match Deville’s trademark viciousness, slamming her into the steel steps and ring post, as well as delivering a suplex on the ramp in the early going. The Pride Fighter struck with a huge pump kick, then used a steel chair as her equalizer while bad-mouthing Mandy relentlessly. Rose fought back and obliterated her former tag team partner with a trio of jumping bicycle knees, followed by an underhook facebuster. For good measure, she dropped Deville with one final knee..

Bryan Danielson’s AEW Not-So “Fantasy” Bookings?

August 8, 2021 • Admin

Bryan Danielson’s pro wrestling future has been a hot topic of conversation over the past several weeks. Much of the speculation online centers on the possibility and some would say eventual likelihood, that he has signed a deal with All Elite Wrestling. Neither side has confirmed a signing as of yet. That’s not surprising of course, as the desire to keep things under wraps in the business is still very much in play here. Assuming Danielson is indeed coming onboard, AEW would want to surprise the fans and save his debut for just the right time. So if it does happen, who would be the most ideal choices to face him in the company? The idea of Danielson actually joining AEW was nothing more than just a dream at one time. The man formerly known as Daniel Bryan seemed to be enjoying his run in WWE and never really appeared to be searching for something else. He was part of that company’s weekly TV grind and everything seemed to be moving fairly well for him. But there would always be ru..

More Details On WWE Releases, How Vince McMahon Was Involved

August 8, 2021 • Admin

The more you know. The WWE roster was shaken up again this week as the company released another dozen names from the roster. This has become a regular occurrence for WWE over the last several months, to the point where nearly 100 wrestlers have been let go over the last year and a half. This latest batch was a little bit different, and now we know a bit more about what happened. According to Wrestling Observer Radio, Vince McMahon made the call on the cuts at some point this week. These cuts were made due to NXT having too many names, along with McMahon wanting to bring in younger and bigger wrestlers. WWE President Nick Khan has no say in which wrestlers have been cut at any point. The salaries of the wrestlers released are nothing close to those of Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt, both of whom were released earlier this year. There were some surprising names let go. Check out some of them in action: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play..

Original Plans For Canceled Summerslam Match Revealed

August 8, 2021 • Admin

What could have been. We are on our way to Summerslam and that means things are going to be getting intense in a hurry. With less than two weeks to go before the show, it is time for WWE to really start finalizing the card and getting everything announced. There is going to be one match that we will not be seeing though, even if it was in the cards at one point. Randy Orton has not been seen on Monday Night Raw in over a month. It is not clear when Orton will be back or why he is gone in the first place. WWE creative plans have changed due to his absence though, as he was originally scheduled for Summerslam. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the original plans for Summerslam called for Orton to team with Riddle against Raw Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Omos. It is not clear if the match will take place in the future. Styles and Omos do not currently have a match scheduled for Summerslam. Orton is great at what he does. Check out his efforts with and without Riddle: ..

Details On Special Vince McMahon Meeting With Adam Cole

August 8, 2021 • Admin

That’s good…I think? Vince McMahon might not be the most popular name in wrestling these days but he certainly is the most power. McMahon can change the industry with a single decision, but he can also change any wrestler’s career just as fast. This week saw McMahon dealing with a fairly pressing contract situation personally and now we know a bit more about how it went. Earlier this week, reports surfaced that Adam Cole’s NXT contract was scheduled to expire later this month. As a result, McMahon would be meeting with Cole this week before SmackDown. According to Fightful Select, the meeting went well and McMahon has taken a personal liking to Cole. It is not clear how long the meeting lasted but Cole was not around backstage during the show. WWE creative has been working on plans for him to debut on the main roster should he re-sign with the company. I can see why WWE would want to keep Cole. Check out his dominance of NXT: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post co..

WWE Trying To Trademark Name Of Released Wrestler

August 8, 2021 • Admin

Can they do that? WWE is a rather large and rather powerful wrestling company but there are some things about it that can make you scratch your head. Every now and then, something happens that does not paint them in the best light and it usually involved one of the wrestlers. That is the case again this time, but in this case, the wrestler isn’t part of the company anymore. According to PWInsider.com, WWE is trying to maintain the trademark on the ring name Chelsea Green, despite Green being released from the company earlier this day. WWE was initially denied the trademark in February, as Green did not sign the agreement needed due to Chelsea Green being her real name. WWE attempted to file the trademark again on August 5, but was based on a letter provided while Green was still with the company. Green is currently in the process of trademarking her own name. Green signed with WWE in 2018, making her debut in NXT at the March 13, 2019 television tapings. However, she broke her wrist ..

Update On Pete Dunne’s WWE Contract Status

August 8, 2021 • Admin

That’s one of the next names. The wrestling world has been changing a lot recently and the changes in WWE have been by far the most prominent. Wrestlers have been coming and going from the company, very few of which have been due to the wrestlers’ own wishes. Now we might be seeing another name leaving, but in this case it would be due to their own choice. Earlier this week, a story emerged that Pete Dunne’s contract will be expiring in the near future. The contract is expected to expire at some point after Summerslam, but the exact date was not clear. According to Wrestling Observer Radio, Dunne’s contract is expected to expire on September 1, over a week after Takeover 36. There is no word on where Dunne is expected to sign next. Dunne is worth keeping around. Check out what he 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 amount of changes taking place to WWE as ..

Wrestling World Reacts To NXT Releases (And They Aren’t Happy)

August 8, 2021 • Admin

They aren’t going to be happy. This year has seen all kinds of changes to the WWE roster and some of them are rather hard to believe. There have been a bunch of changes and moves to the roster this year and that was the case again this week. Even more releases took place to wrap up the week and a few names were rather surprising. Now the reactions are coming in. Friday night, during this week’s edition of SmackDown, WWE released more than a dozen people from the company, including a series of wrestlers and a referee. This is the latest round of cuts, following multiple series of cuts, over the year. The highest profile names releases were Bronson Reed, Mercedes Martinez and Bobby Fish, and the releases have earned some reactions from the wrestling world. Just got released from @WWE This monster is back on the loose … you don't know WHAT you've just done.#WWE .@AEW .@IMPACTWRESTLING .@njpw1972 .@ringofhonor pic.twitter.com/9h5I2G4L1J — Bronson Reed (@bronsonreedwwe) Aug..

Review: WWE Superstar John Cena Shines As Peacemaker In ‘The Suicide Squad’

August 7, 2021 • Admin

*SPOILER FREE REVIEW!* John Cena finally made his debut in the DC Extended Universe in The Suicide Squad. The film opened to rave reviews on August 6 in theaters and on HBO Max. Cena portrays Peacemaker, a villain who is bands together with other super-criminals for a deadly mission to retrieve an alien creature from the hands of a ruthless dictator. Cena’s involvement was notable because of his foray into acting, which has seen him make slow and steady progress over the past several years. His recent turn as Jakob Toretto in Fast & Furious 9 signaled perhaps his biggest Hollywood role to date. But The Suicide Squad appears to be the role that will keep on giving for the WWE star. Suicide Mission The Suicide Squad is an unofficial sequel to 2016’s Suicide Squad and is DC Comics’ latest venture into the world of big budget films. That journey has been something of a slippery slope for the legendary publisher. While Warner Brothers seems committed to making the DCEU successful, the fa..

More On NXT Releases, Major Changes May Be Coming

August 7, 2021 • Admin

Is that a good reason? NXT may be the most unique wrestling promotion in the world and has been for a long time now. In addition to being the WWE’s third television show, it is also the company’s official developmental program. Unfortunately it can be a little tricky to balance those things out, and now we might be seeing a little rebalancing act, with quite a few changes coming through. Friday night, WWE released thirteen more names from the company, including several wrestlers and a referee. All of the releases came from NXT, with some of them not being television regulars. According to PWInsider.com, this may be part of a series of major changes being made to NXT. Should they be implemented, the changes would see a new look and format for the show, along with a focus on younger wrestlers. There is no word on if or when this will take place. NXT might need a change, but then again it might not. Check out some of its better moments: [This post contains video, click to play] [This..

Vince McMahon Personally Dealing With WWE Contract Situation

August 7, 2021 • Admin

He is the person you would want to talk to. While a lot of people might not be too fond of him, Vince McMahon is still the ultimate force in the wrestling world. Whatever he decides to do can change the wrestling landscape, either on a big or small level. McMahon is ultimately in charge of decisions in WWE and now it might be time for him to make another one. Earlier this week, a report came out saying that NXT’s Adam Cole would be a free agent just after this month’s Summerslam event. It was later reported that WWE had yet to offer him a long term deal, but they planned to do so. According to Fightful Select, Cole was scheduled to be at this week’s SmackDown to meet with McMahon over his future with WWE. There is no word on what was said or decided on at the meeting. It is not clear where Cole will be signing next. Cole is going to be highly sought after. Check out what WWE probably wants to keep: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play]..

REVIEW: SuperBrawl 1991: When Eaton Won

August 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? SuperBrawl I Date: May 19, 1991 Location: Bayfront Arena, St. Petersburg, Florida Attendance: 6,000 Commentators: Jim Ross, Dusty Rhodes I haven’t looked at some early WCW in a long time so hopefully it lives up to the rather low expectations. This is the first show of the series and is taking place in May instead of the regular February. The main event is Ric Flair vs. Tatsumi Fujinami for both the WCW and NWA World Titles, because that was still a thing back then. Let’s get to it. The opening video has a bunch ..

Braun Strowman Reveals Surprising Career Plans

August 7, 2021 • Admin

It’s something else. Wrestling can be a tricky field for a lot of people. While they are perfectly fine with getting in and going through the primes of their careers, you will often see wrestlers who have trouble finding their way out. It can be difficult to find an exit to wrestling as some wrestlers do not have another career opportunity. Now we know one fairly high profile wrestler who might have a plan. According to SportsKeeda.com, Braun Strowman recently answered a series of fan questions on his Instagram Stories. In response to being asked what job he would want to have for the next twenty years, Strowman said that he would like to be a motivational speaker. Strowman said that he had been through a lot in his life and would like to help inspire people to overcome their own problems. Strowman was released by WWE in June. There is no word on where he will be signing next. Strowman was signed to WWE in 2021 and debuted on the main roster in 2015 as part of the Wyatt Family. After..

RUMOR KILLER On Adam Cole’s Contract Status

August 7, 2021 • Admin

Maybe not? There have been a lot of wrestlers moving around the wrestling world in recent months and there is nothing to suggest that the changes will be ending soon. There are always going to be contracts expiring, meaning that wrestlers will be free to do whatever they like. That is the case again with a fairly high profile name, but things might not be as far along as originally thought. Earlier this week, news broke that Adam Cole’s WWE contract would be expiring later this month, potentially making him a free agent. There is no word on where Cole will be signing, but the Wrestling Observer Newsletter was reporting that AEW made a contract offer to Cole without the last few months. However, Dave Meltzer reported on Twitter that AEW President Tony Khan responded to the rumor, saying that he had not offered Cole a contract. There is no word on any possible negotiations between AEW and Cole. Tony Khan said it is incorrect and he has not made an offer to Adam Cole. — Dave Meltzer (@..

NXT Takeover 36 May Be Getting A Huge Change

August 7, 2021 • Admin

Get the trucks ready? NXT Takeover has one of the greatest reputations of any series of wrestling events in modern times. The series of shows began back in 2014 and have kept going strong ever since, with Takeover 36 coming up on August 22 over Summerslam weekend. This show has a tendency to be the biggest NXT event of the year but there might be a last second change. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE is considering moving NXT Takeover 36 from the Capitol Wrestling Center in Orlando, Florida to a major arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas will be hosting this year’s Summerslam the day before Takeover is held and the idea is that fans will already be in town for Summerslam. At the moment though, a change is not expected, but it is a possibility. Takeover was first held in September 2014 and has become the main series of events for NXT. The shows have been held around the country and internationally as well, including one event in London, England. Partially due to th..

New Grudge Match Set For Summerslam

August 7, 2021 • Admin

There’s always room for a grudge match. A wrestling match can be put together for a lot of reasons, with one of the easiest being that two people do not like each other. Sometimes that is as complicated as it needs to be: two people are made at each other over some kind of an issue and they are going to fight about it. That is going to be the case at Summerslam, as a new match has been added. This week on SmackDown, Edge challenged Seth Rollins to a match at Summerslam, with Rollins accepting. Edge and Rollins have been having issues in recent weeks over Rollins thinking he deserves the Universal Title shot that Edge has already received. This led to the two of them attacking each other and ultimately their match. The two have never fought in a one on one match. This is a long time coming. Check out how we got here: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] Opinion: The match being brought up a..

SmackDown Results – August 6, 2021

August 7, 2021 • Admin

Smackdown Date: August 6, 2021 Location: Amale Arena, Tampa, Florida Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee With just over two weeks to go before Summerslam, things are starting to come together. The big story last week was the return of Sasha Banks, who teamed with and then attacked Bianca Belair in the span of about an hour. There are still a lot of things to cover for the pay per view and odds are we’ll get some of that this week. Let’s get to it. Here is Sasha Banks to get things going. She talks about how she attacked Bianca Belair last week and we see a video about the return and beatdown. Banks says that Belair wouldn’t exist without her because she is the best of all time. Cue Belair to say Banks is one of the greatest every but she isn’t the reason Belair if here. If Banks wants the title at Summerslam, come get it. Cue Zelina Vega with a challenge of her own, meaning Banks can mock Belair a bit from the announcers’ table. That’s fine with Belair, who will fight Vega tonight..