Scarlett Bordeaux Opens the Door to Independent Bookings
You’ve seen her fire, you’ve heard her roar and now Scarlett Bordeaux is officially stepping off the WWE stage and into the wider world. In a heartfelt message,...
NEWS
Search Results: "independent"
197 result(s) found
WWE
Fight Forever: The Unbreakable Bond of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, both hailing from Quebec, Canada, began their wrestling journey on the independent circuit. Zayn, known as El Generico, and Owens, wr...
NEWS
Hi There: International Star Makes Official WWE Debut
He’s in. WWE is a truly international wrestling company, with a worldwide audience and live events taking place throughout the world. They have all kinds of countries represented on their roster as well, with wrestlers of several nationalities up and down the card. That list has grown recently and now another international star has officially been seen on WWE television. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Right Here, Right Now: Independent Tag Team Sends WWE Cease And Desist Letters Over Name International star Dragon Lee was shown in the crowd this week on NXT. Lee, who announced that he had signed with WWE in December, was listed under the Dragon Lee name. This is similar to how previous new signees debuted in the crowd before. Lee did nothing else on the show and did not get physical. There is no word on when he will make his in-ring debut for the company. Lee has wrestled at a high level around the world. Check out his debut and some of his time in the ring: [This post contains video, clic..
NEWS
Right Here, Right Now: Independent Tag Team Sends WWE Cease And Desist Letters Over Name
They might want to fix that. While WWE and AEW get the most attention throughout the wrestling world, there are all kinds of wrestlers who work throughout the industry but rarely get the same amount of attention. Those wrestlers work incredibly hard to make a name for themselves without the same backing that comes with working for WWE. Now two of them have a problem with something WWE is doing. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WATCH: NXT Champion Collapses, Taken Away In Ambulance In an interview with the Hudson Valley Post, independent tag team The Now (Vik Dalishus and Hale Collins) revealed that they have sent two cease and desist letters to WWE over the company’s use of the term “the now” in regards to Austin Theory. Dalishus said that the name has been copyrighted since 2006 and people in WWE know their names. WWE has replied to one of the letters and is looking into the matter. Dalishus also said that their next step is a lawsuit for trademark infringement. The team has been around for ..
NEWS
Casting Conflicts: Multiple Wrestlers Upset With Not Appearing On ROH TV Despite Being Present
Can you blame them? There are all kinds of wrestling promotions around the world today and some of them have quite the audience. This is often the result of a television, or at least streaming, presence, with fans being able to see the show around the country or even the world. Appearing on such a show can mean a lot for a wrestler’s career, which is why some issues have arisen. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Rough Landing: AEW Star Out Of Action Due To Injuries Suffered In Nasty Wrestling Crash This week, Ring Of Honor TV returned after a year plus hiatus, with the first episode under Tony Khan’s ownership. The show featured ten matches with another ten having been taped for the second episode. However, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, several more wrestlers were brought in for the tapings and not used. Many of these wrestlers canceled independent bookings and while they were paid better for being at the Ring Of Honor show, they were upset about not being used. One such wres..
NEWS
Reunion: Former WWE Star Backstage At Elimination Chamber After 8+ Year Absence
He’s still here? There have been all kinds of wrestlers throughout WWE’s history and a good many of them do not make the biggest impact. There are some names who are more infamous than anything else, while there are other names who did not do all that much while they were around. Now a former WWE star you might not have thought about much lately was backstage at a major WWE event. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Her Take: Charlotte Explains Why WWE Should Not Unify Titles According to Fightful Select, former WWE star JTG was backstage at last weekend’s Elimination Chamber event. JTG was said to just be there to visit friends and is on good terms with WWE, though there is nothing to suggest anything about a return. JTG wrestled for WWE as part of Cryme Tyme and then as a singles wrestler before being released in 2014. He has since wrestled on the independent circuit. You might not remember JTG. Check out some of his time in WWE: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains..
NEWS
Back Where He Came From: Cody Rhodes Reveals Special Plan For WrestleMania 39
Remember where you came from. While WWE and AEW dominate the wrestling landscape, there are other promotions out there with some amazing talent who do not get the attention that they deserve. These are wrestlers who are trying to make it to the next level every time they set foot in the ring but they rarely get the recognition. Now a major WWE star is going to give them some of the spotlight. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WOO? Ric Flair Claims FOX And Netflix Are Considering A Wrestling Themed Reality Series Last month, Cody Rhodes won the men’s Royal Rumble match, earning a shot at the Undisputed WWE Universal Title at WrestleMania 39. Rhodes was interviewed on Hot 97 this week and revealed that he plans to wear a weight belt at WrestleMania listing every independent wrestling promotion he worked for while away from WWE. Rhodes wrestled for dozens of promotions during his time away from WWE, with promotions like AAW, DEFY and Beyond Wrestling among the bigger names. He has some to pick fr..
NEWS
To The Shelf: NXT Star Reveals Torn ACL, Surgery Scheduled For Next Week
That’s a serious one. Injuries can take out any wrestler at any time and you never know when you are going to see someone put on the shelf for a good while. The question becomes just how bad the injury is and how long the recovery time is going to be. This time it seems that an NXT star has suffered one of the more severe injuries that they could receive. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Talk To Me: WWE Introduces New Broadcaster With Independent Background NXT’s Amari Miller has announced that she has suffered a torn ACL and will be undergoing surgery next week. While Miller did not list a time frame for her recovery, a torn ACL normally requires nearly a year of recovery. There is no word on when or how she suffered her injury. Miller made her NXT debut in September 2021 and has mainly competed on NXT LVL Up, though she has occasionally wrestled on NXT as well. I have torn my ACL and getting surgery next week Life happens in the CRAZIEST way. Everything happens for a reason and I totally t..
NEWS
Talk To Me: WWE Introduces New Broadcaster With Independent Wrestling Background
He’s in. The broadcast team is one of the most important parts of any wrestling company. The people calling the show are tasked with guiding the fans on the path that the company wants them to take, which can be rather complicated at times. WWE has quite the cast of commentators but every now and then they shake it up a bit. That is the situation again as a new voice is around. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: She’s Back: Former Champion Makes Surprise Return On SmackDown According to Fightful Select, WWE has hired Blake Chadwick to become part of its commentary team. Chadwick will join the NXT LVL Up broadcast team, where he will be paired with Byron Saxton under the name Blake Howard. Chadwick has done commentary on the wrestling independent scene, including with WrestleCade, Camp Leapfrog, VCW and the West Coast Wrestling Connection. He sounds different. Check out some of Chadwick’s first night in WWE: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] ..
NEWS
Change Of Plans: NXT Stars Now Allowed To Wrestle Elsewhere, First Case Announced
They’re expanding. WWE has all kinds of wrestlers on its roster, including several developmental stars as part of NXT. Those wrestlers are often just starting their wrestling careers and are mainly in need of ring time. The problem is there is only so much time to go around in NXT, but now WWE might have a solution that can make things a bit easier on everyone involved. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: He’s A Wild Card: WWE CEO On Vince McMahon Possibly Stepping Away From The Company According to Bryan Alvarez, WWE will allow NXT wrestlers to work for select independent promotions. There is no word on which promotions will be able to work with WWE, but Booker T. has announced that NXT’s Ivy Nile will be appearing for his Reality of Wrestling promotion on February 11. WWE had a previous arrangement with Evolve Wrestling in the past but has not had such an agreement since. NXT is going to allow talent to work select indies going forward, which is a pretty big deal — Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvare..
NEWS
Another Happy Return? Controversial WWE Star Discussed For Possible Royal Rumble Return
That would be a return. There have been all kinds of roster changes in WWE in recent months and there is nothing to suggest that they are finishing up. This very well may include the Royal Rumble, where several surprise names are known to show up again after lengthy absences. Now there is a rumor that a former WWE Women’s Champion may be making an appearance. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: He’s In For Now: Former WWE Star Set For AEW Debut According to PWInsider Elite, Nia Jax has been rumored for a possible Royal Rumble return. This has NOT been confirmed and is currently seen as just a possibility being discussed. Jax, a former Raw Women’s Champion, was released from the company on November 4, 2021. She has not wrestled since, though she was announced for an independent event in the United Kingdom which never took place. In case you forgot. Check out Jax’s time in WWE: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click..
NEWS
They’re Next: WWE Discusses Bringing Back Two Former Champions
Them too? There have been several returns to WWE in recent months and those returns seem to be continuing. After dozens of wrestlers were released from the company over the last two years, all kinds of them are being brought back. That has made for some interesting moments and now it seems that WWE has its eye on bringing back to more former champions. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: His Lordship: William Regal Opens Up About Returning To WWE According to Fightful Select, WWE is internally discussing bringing back the Authors of Pain, Akam and Rezar. The team are former Raw and NXT Tag Team Champions and wrestled for WWE from 2016-2020 when they were released. There is no word on if the team is interested in a return or if they have been contacted about making one. Neither has wrestled since their release, though the team did announce their own independent promotion, which never ran its initial event. The team was pretty awesome when they were around. Check out what the team did in WWE: [Th..
NEWS
All Hands: WWE Bringing In Independent Star To Help With Royal Rumble
They need the help. We are coming up on the Royal Rumble and that means things are going to get rather complicated rather quickly. The show will feature two matches with sixty people between the two of them and that is going to require a bunch of people working together. Some of those people will be behind the scenes and now WWE might be bringing in outside help for the show. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: That Might Slow It Down: Lawsuit Filed Against Vince McMahon Over WWE Return According to Fightful Select, independent wrestler Jason Cade is being brought in to help produce the women’s Royal Rumble match. Cade is said to have comprehensive experience, which would be valuable for a match like this. There is no word on if he could be hired as a WWE producer full time or if this should be seen as a tryout of some kind. Cade has wrestled for every major American promotion, including some appearances for WWE. The match has a lot to deliver. Check out some moments of women’s Royal Rumbles pas..
NEWS
Subtraction By Subtraction: Changes Coming To WWE Network/Peacock, Shows Leaving
It’s less wrestling. The WWE Network was an absolute game changer for wrestling fans. For the first time ever, fans were able to see almost every major WWE event in history for a relatively cheap price. It meant there was more content available to fans and more was added at a regular basis. However, that might not be the case anymore, at least for certain wrestling programming. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: You’re Up: Royal Rumble Described As “All Hands On Deck”, What That Means According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, a WWE source says that independent wrestling content will be discontinued on Peacock. This comes after various shows events are listed as leaving in a few days. Shows that seem to be leaving include ICW, Progress and Evolve, though it is not clear if all of them will be leaving permanently. A wXw event is set to premiere this coming Sunday. A WWE source indicated to Fightful that they'll be discontinuing indie content on the WWE Network. https://t.co/DwMvG4msM2 — Sean..
NEWS
Cameo: Wrestling Legend Competes In First Nationally Televised Match In 9 Years *SPOILERS*
Welcome back! Retirements in wrestling are a weird situation as you can almost always see a wrestler come back for one more match. That can make for some interesting situations as the question becomes when or where they will return to the ring. It can be a special moment when a wrestler comes out of retirement for one more match, and that was the case again this week. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Stronger Still: Great News On Health Status Of Hospitalized Wrestling Legend Last week, Impact Wrestling legend Tara, also known as Victoria in WWE, made a surprise appearance at Hard To Kill, supporting her friend Mickie James. According to Wrestlingnews.co, Tara wrestled a match at this week’s Impact Wrestling TV tapings, teaming with Gisele Shaw in a loss to the Death Dollz. This will be Tara’s first nationally televised match since 2013, though she has wrestled for various independent promotions. She also participated in the 2021 Royal Rumble. There is no word on if this will be more than a on..
NEWS
Family Business: Update On Shane McMahon’s WWE Status, How Much He Was Paid In 2022
He’s still there. WWE has been changed in a variety of ways over the last several months and there is no idea on when things will settle back down. This has turned the company upside down and a lot of the changes have been centered around the McMahon Family. The Family has been around wrestling for years, but one member is not there that often. He is still with WWE though and now we know a bit more about his status. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Time Frame: Here’s When WWE Wants To Finish Sale, Plus Possible Buyers WWE has recently shaken up its Board Of Directors, which required a filing with the Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC). According to the filing, Shane McMahon is still part of WWE as an independent contractor and was paid approximately $828,000 in 2022. McMahon wrestled one match for the company during the year, appearing in the Men’s Royal Rumble match for less than six minutes. He was sent home after the show due to disagreements over how he should be presented. McMahon ..
NEWS
Another One: Former WWE Star Reportedly Back With Company, Waiting For Debut
She’s back. There have been all kinds of returns to WWE in recent months and there are likely to be even more coming soon. It can be interesting to see the former WWE stars making their comebacks, as the company is now under a new regime. There are some returns that are surprises and now it seems that another star from the past is already back with the company. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Down Again: Current WWE Champion “Banged Up”, Out Of Action According to Fightful Select, Chelsea Green has signed with WWE again and is officially back with the company. Green is reportedly still waiting for creative to come up with something for her. Green previously wrestled or WWE in both NXT and on SmackDown, though she suffered an injury in her first match on SmackDown and never returned before being released in April 2021. Since then, Green has appeared in various independent promotions as well as Impact Wrestling. Green is rather good at what she does. Check out some of her time in WWE/NXT: [Th..
NEWS
Ouch: New AEW Star Injured At Big Independent Show Over The Weekend
That could be bad. Injuries are one of the worst things that can happen in wrestling. Not only do they put a wrestler on the shelf for an undetermined period of time, but they also can happen out of nowhere. Some injuries are built up over time and then flare up during a match, which appears to have been the case with a national star who was appearing for a major independent show. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The More You Know: AEW’s Kyle O’Reilly Opens Up About His Absence, Dealing With Health Issues Over the weekend, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla presented its annual Battle Of Los Angeles tournament. According to Wrestling Observer Radio, Bandido was injured during the two night event, though he was still able to wrestle both of his matches. Bandido is said to have injured his neck in a match with Black Taurus and El Hijo de Vikingo and was slowed down during his match the following night with Kommander. The injury is described as something that has “flared up” multiple times over the last few..
NEWS
LOOK: WWE, AEW And New Japan Stars Recreate Classic Photo This Week
The best of several worlds. There are all kinds of wrestling promotions throughout the world, from the biggest companies around to some rather small independents and all points in between. Every now and then you get to see these promotions doing something together and now that is the case again, albeit this time there were three major companies recreating something from the past. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WRESTLING RUMORS: More Evidence WWE Is Teasing A Hurt Business Reunion Earlier this week, New Japan Pro Wrestling held its annual Wrestle Kingdom event, featuring wrestlers from AEW. The event also included the debut of former WWE star Sasha Banks, now known as Mercedes Mone. Current WWE star Bayley accompanied her for the debut, though she did not appear on television. Dax Harwood posted a photo of the four together this week, as compared to the four together at some point in their WWE/NXT career. Harwood captioned the two photos with the phrase “What a life.” What a life. pic.twitte..
NEWS
WATCH: Three AEW Stars Make A Whole Lot Of Money
They got paid. There are several talented stars on the AEW roster, many of whom have been getting the biggest exposure of their wrestling careers. In some cases, wrestlers who have wrestled elsewhere for years are getting a chance to show their skills to the masses. Now one such wrestler, plus two younger stars, are getting quite another reward to go with what they have already earned. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Well Deserved: This Recent AEW Match Praised “Unanimously” Backstage This week’s edition of AEW Rampage featured a Three Kings Christmas Casino Battle Royal with the winning team winning $300,000. The team of AR Fox and Top Flight won the battle royal and the money, last eliminating the Blackpool Combat Club to win. Fox was signed to AEW last month, following a several years long career on the independent circuit. Top Flight has teamed in AEW for over a year, thoguh both members have missed several months each due to injuries. They’re worth it. Check out the teams in action, plu..