Nikki Bella Teases Sixth Entry In The Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match

We noted earlier this week that WWE may have spoiled a six participant in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match for Sunday’s event when they mentioned on Twitter that six women would be in the match.

Coming off this news, Nikki Bella posted a new video to her YouTube channel teasing that she may be the six entrant into that match.

“First ever girl’s match, which, I mean, maybe I’ll fly straight in and you know, be the sixth member, who knows? No, but I really, really, really wish that I could be in Money in the Bank, but, goodness, it makes me so proud of the women in WWE. Every week, every month every year, we just keep breaking more and more barriers and making history and just proving who the women really are at WWE.”

WWE 2K18 Coming to the Nintendo Switch?

The Nintendo Switch may be getting the upcoming WWE 2K18 video game.

GoNintedo.com reports that there could be two different versions of WWE 2K18. Austrian retail outlet Libro triggered speculation after they listed WWE 2K18 as available on Nintendo Switch.

The listing has been deleted but they could have posted the information ahead of schedule after receiving sales data for the game. This has been done in the past.

The last game in production for Nintendo was WWE 13, which was available on the Wii. The Wii U never got any wrestling titles. The latest game of the series, WWE 2K17, is currently available for PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, and PS4.

Rusev Returning to SmackDown Next Week

We reported a few days back via Pro Wrestling Sheet that Rusev has been cleared to return to in-ring competition after having shoulder surgery back in March.

PWInsider reports that Rusev is expected to make his return to WWE programming on this week’s episode of SmackDown Live. There is no exact word on what his role will be upon his return. WWE teased a feud with Shane McMahon last month, but those plans got nixed. It’s unknown at this time if the company will pick up where they left off. We will keep you updated.

New Match Added to Money in the Bank

WWE has announced that Zack Ryder will team with Mojo Rawley to take on Primo and Epico at Sunday’s Money in the Bank event in the kickoff pre-show. Here is the updated card:

WWE Title match
Jinder Mahal (c) (with The Singh Brothers) vs. Randy Orton

MITB ladder match
Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin vs. Sami Zayn vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Smackdown tag team titles match 
The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) (c) vs. The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and/or Xavier Woods)

Women’s MITB ladder match 
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Natalya vs. Tamina vs. Carmella (with James Ellsworth)

Smackdown Women’s title match 
Naomi (c) vs. Lana

Kickoff match 
Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley vs. Primo and Epico

Lana Shoots Down Rumors of Her Inheriting Eva Marie’s Gimmick

While recent reports would suggest that Lana inherited the gimmick that was originally planned for Eva Marie, Lana is saying otherwise. During an interview with USA Today, she claims that she is still using the “Ravishing Russian” gimmick she previously had while she was managing Rusev.

“I’m the same ‘Ravishing Russian’ that you’ve always known. It’s funny to me when I hear people say that it’s a new character. I embody ‘Ravishing.’ I come out in the most ravishing dress. I have a ravishing entrance. I’m ravishing people’s hearts. I was managing Rusev and wearing a suit because if you’re managing someone or an agent in real life, you are going to wear a suit to work. Right now, I’m the focal point, I’m the one competing. If people know anything about Russians, we do things really over the top. We wear high heels everywhere. We show up in the most extravagant outfits. I am just embodying how I was raised and what I grew up in. Some people might think we’re extra, I just think we’re ravishing. I’m the same woman, I’m just going to be crushing people myself.”

You can check out her full interview at this link.

Reason Why Tom Phillips Was Replaced on 205 Live

As seen on this week’s episode of 205 Live, former House of Hardcore announcer Vic Joseph made his debut at the broadcasting booth for the brand. He will be replacing Tom Phillips moving forward.

The reason Vic replaced Tom on 205 Live is because the company wants Tom to focus on other duties in the company and he has a lot on his plate with being the lead announcer for SmackDown Live. With Vic is on the rise within the company, the belief is that he is the perfect replacement. Since arriving in the company, Vic has worked on WWE Main Event and NXT in a short time. The company is very high on his work and that’s why Vic has been chosen as Tom’s replacement.

Tom posted the following on Twitter regarding Vic’s new role on weekly WWE television:

Speculation on John Cena’s Schedule After He Returns

As previously noted, John Cena will be making his return to weekly WWE programming on the July 4th episode of SmackDown Live and will be billed as a “free agent” moving forward. Dave Meltzer discussed Cena’s return on today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Radio and speculated what his schedule could be like when he returns to the company.

While none of this is confirmed, Meltzer presented a scenario that could see Cena work only RAW and SmackDown televised events on Monday’s and Tuesday. He would not work WWE Live Events later in the week. This scenario would leave Cena plenty of time to fulfill his non-WWE commitments and Cena would still have a strong presence on WWE programming. Cena would of course work both pay-per-view events for the RAW and SmackDown Live brands each month. So basically, he would work Sunday-Tuesday and have Wednesday through Saturday off.