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Fightful Wrestling Weekly 12/22: Recapping the week in news

Added 2024-12-22 21:50:00 +0000 UTC

Copeland

It’s pretty well a foregone conclusion, but it appears to be happening.

Fightul Select’s Sean Ross Sapp has learned that Adam Copeland is expected back in All Elite Wrestling imminently. Copeland has been out of action for a number of months with a broken leg, and was working on filming a television product during his absence.

Copeland had been cleared for training a number of weeks back. However, most in the company expected him back by the Asheville January 1 episode of AEW Dynamite as he now lives in the area. AEW was looking to make the show a big one, as its their first simulcast on TBS and Max. FTR noted that they wouldn’t be coming alone to the January 1 episode of Dynamite, and have a well documented friendship with Copeland.

Reigns Punk

A major WrestleMania match has been discussed, and is the likely direction for WrestleMania.

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp heard via WWE sources that CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns at next year’s WrestleMania has been heavily discussed. We’d heard a number of weeks ago that this wasn’t particularly the plan, but had been adjusted of late. We’re told that CM Punk had also hoped for the match.

Roman Reigns and CM Punk have had one televised singles match, nearly 11 years ago. The show took place on the WWE Old School Raw edition in January 2014. Roman Reigns emerged victorious.

A number of months later, CM Punk did a post-WWE interview where he mentioned WWE telling him to “make Roman look strong,” which was a talking point that stuck around for quite some time. Fightful Select was told last year ahead of CM Punk’s return that Roman Reigns was a talent that was not keen on him returning.

We're told that this is a drastically different direction than what had been planned for both talent even a couple of months ago, none of which involved the Rock. It was noted to us that if The Rock informs WWE of involvement in WrestleMania, much of the card could change, including this.

WWE Raw

With WWE Raw on Netflix quickly approaching, talent still have some unanswered questions.

WWE Raw has been two hours for the last number of months, largely due to WWE’s brief extension with USA Network. Originally their deal was set to go until October 2024, but was given a few more months to bridge the gap to the Netflix era.

When speaking to talent who were at the last WWE Raw before Christmas, talent weren’t told exactly how long WWE Raw would be on Netflix. When Fightful has asked over the last number of months, we haven’t got an answer. One source inside WWE did note that Netflix has no hard outs, and it appears there will be plenty of flexibility.

Smackdown was officially announced as 3 hours recently, but we’re still waiting on word about Raw.

Matt Cardona

Matt Cardona is working Ring of Honor shows, but he’s not locked down.

Cardona worked against Chris Jericho at ROH Final Battle, coming up short in the ROH World Championship match. Cardona worked a number of matches and appearances leading up to the PPV, but we’re told isn’t under AEW contract.

When we asked Cardona directly, he said “I’m signed to the major wrestling figure podcast.” For those asking if this appearance was a way to mend fences with GCW, Cardona is not under contract to Game Changer Wrestling. With the exception of a deal with Nick Gage, they haven’t done contracts.

Matt Cardona had to be helped to the back with an ankle injury following the match, and was on crutches after the show. However, he's hopeful he'll be okay.

Kenny Omega

Kenny Omega is set to return soon, at long last.

Omega has been sidelined for all of 2024 with diverticulitis. He returned to NJPW, with a match planned against Gabe Kidd at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. Fightful was told this was done with Tony Khan's blessing, and AEW viewed it as a good gesture towards the relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling.

While there was some internal discussion about Kenny Omega returning at Full Gear, Fightful Select has been told that was never a firm plan. However, we'd noted that Omega was likely to appear in All Elite Wrestling before headed back over to Japan. On December 18, a vignette aired promoting his upcoming return. Those within the company and near Omega have claimed that it's been discussed as happening by the December 28 World's End PPV. However, we've not learned in what capacity.

LA Knight

LA Knight isn't injured, so says WWE.

Luken's Wine and Spirits posted a tweet claiming that LA Knight was being removed from an upcoming appearance due to an injury, and replaced by Braun Strowman.

We're told that while Strowman is replacing Knight, LA was never approved for this appearance and is not hurt, according to the company

TNA Departures

Fightful Select has reported a number of TNA contracts are set to expire at the end of 2024, with many of the talent working their last contracted loops. Among them is Steph De Lander.

Aiden Prince has finished up with TNA as an in-ring wrestler, and his contract will be up on January 1. We're told that Prince is staying onboard in non-wrestling capacities and works behind the scenes.

Trent Seven was on his last contracted loop with TNA. Seven worked the TNA Final Resolution show on December 13 and the following set of television tapings.

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp has confirmed that AJ Francis, formerly known as Top Dolla, will see his contract expire with TNA at the end up 2024 unless there is a new deal reached, and has worked his last contracted dates so far.

KUSHIDA was on his last contracted loop with TNA.

Shane Taylor

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp had the opportunity to sit down with AEW/ROH star Shane Taylor of Shane Taylor Promotions at WrestleCon. Sean and Shane discussed numerous topics including Lee Moriarty, the six-man tag team titles, and more.

Sean begins the interview by stating that the first time he interviewed Taylor was in front of the old Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Sean mentions that Taylor will be appearing at ROH’s Final Battle PPV, which will take place at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Saturday, December 20th.

Reflecting on his career, Taylor spoke about his journey in ROH, from winning the World Television Championship to becoming one of the prominent faces of the promotion. “It’s a homecoming,” he said, recalling his groundbreaking win as only the third Black male to hold the title in ROH’s 20-plus-year history.

He praised ROH’s legacy as the birthplace of innovation in wrestling but believes that the current era has lost some of its edge. Taylor said Ring of Honor was a destination and had a reputation. He added that even the champions had a reputation for proving they were the best night in and night out. Taylor said that Ring of Honor champions stood for something in an ROH ring or outside on the Indy circuit. Taylor told Sean that outside of a few champions, such as Lee Moriarty, Athena, or Red Velvet, Ring of Honor championships are now passed around like participation trophies.

Sean mentioned what an incredible talent Lee Moriarty is, and Taylor responded by saying, “The best technical wrestler in the world, bar none. Throw in your Bryan Danielson’s, throw in your Zack Sabre’s, and Lee Moriarty's name is right there.”

The former ROH Television Champion told Sean that Lee was a wrestler he had scouted for years. He added, “What Lee Moriarty needed from me was me telling Lee Moriarty it’s okay to be Lee Moriarty,” Taylor explained.

Taylor also spoke about the growth of Shane Taylor Promotions, highlighting the importance of adaptability and growth. He mentions that Trish Adora, Carly Bravo, and Sean Dean are joining forces under his leadership, and he envisions a collective that pushes boundaries and reshapes the wrestling landscape. Taylor repeated his commitment to making ROH a respected name in wrestling again.

“I feel as though we can change and adapt to things,” Taylor said, expressing optimism for the future.

Taylor mentioned Bobby Lashley’s recent remarks. He said he understood Lashley’s perspective but disagreed with him. He added, “I respect his answer, but I disagree. " Taylor pointed out that Lashley’s response reflected the systemic fear of backlash that comes with speaking out.

Taylor’s pride in being a Black champion was palpable. He believes his role goes beyond personal achievement, emphasizing the responsibility of representation. “We have people that depend on us to represent them and to do it in a way that they feel seen and heard,” he said.

Taylor reflected on a defining moment in Ring of Honor, Shane Taylor Promotions' iconic solidarity gesture. He said, “We wanted them to see that belief that we all had in each other. "

Taylor also highlighted his storied career in ROH, discussing his rivalries and championship reigns as some of the promotion’s most impactful moments. “I believe our six-man world championship run and my TV title run are some of the most dominant stuff that Ring of Honor has ever produced,” he said.

Taylor said, “When you step into a Ring of Honor ring, you had better be ready to stand on that reputation and exceed it,” he asserted. Taylor’s goal is to restore prestige and honor to the ROH championships.

Calling out current titleholders of the ROH Tag Team Championship, Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara, and also mentioned The Von Erichs, who are the 6-man Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions with Rhodes.

In closing, Taylor challenged them directly, “Right now, you are walking around with stolen property. As of right now, you are simply just in our way.”

You can follow Shane Taylor on X or Instagram at @shane216taylor.

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan has learned the following backstage notes about this week’s NXT and Riot Cabaret Jingle Bell Brawl.

- This week’s episode of NXT was internally titled ‘photo finish’.

- Those we spoke to in NXT were happy with how the show’s finish came across.

- CM Punk was said to have been keeping a ‘close eye’ on rehearsals at the taping.

- We are told that despite an injury scare, Spike Trivet was ok and assessed by medics after his match with Charles Crowley at Jingle Bell Brawl. Trivet was put over by Riot Cabaret sources for the work he does behind the scenes.

- Mr Blobby’s involvement in the Riot Cabaret finale was in plans internally for a long time.

- Mark Andrews’ injury was said to be legitimate, but minor enough to be involved in the Blobby run in which he received a chokeslam.

- Cara Noir continues to impress since his return to the ring, with more heavy praise following his match with Michael Oku from Riot Cabaret sources.

- We are told TK Cooper pitched the Slam Ball stipulation, with Riot Cabaret working with the talent involved to turn it into what fans saw at Jingle Bell Brawl. Riot were said to be ‘over the moon’ with how the stipulation turned out, with plans for more Slam Ball matches in the future already in the works.

- RIOT Cabaret sources continue to put over Thunder Rosa, who had a custom championship made for Jingle Bell Brawl.

Sean Ross Sapp has notes from around the wrestling world this week:

Fightful reported that Bandido was in town for this weekend's ROH shows.
There were limited comps for ROH Final Battle and AEW at Hammertsetin
Bryan Yang wrote Liv Morgan's promo on Raw
Alexandra Williams was the listed writer for CM Punk's promo
Talent got more in-ring time on Monday due to the double tapings.
Talent started their Christmas vacation on Tuesday in most cases, which lasts until December 26. There were some that were brought to Stamford on December 18 for the Netflix HQ special.
WWE had their office Christmas Party on December 18.
The claim internally to Fightful was that the Tag Team Titles will be defended more under War Raiders.

WWE Raw Producers