Fightful has learned the following plans for WWE Smackdown, which are subject to change
- John Cena and AJ Styles promo
- Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar vs. Street Profits
- Spoiler Segments
- Women's Title: IYO SKY vs. Asuka
- SPOILER TAG MATCH
- Contract signing spoiler segment
BACKSTAGE NEWS
- Cameron Grimes vs. Ashante Adoni is scheduled for a pre show dark match
- Becky Lynch is at the show to work a dark match
- B-...
Matt Riddle wasn’t around backstage in WWE, even before his release.
Fightful Select has confirmed that contrary to rumors last week, former Tag Team Champion Matt Riddle was never planned for the September 18 WWE Raw show. One source that we spoke to said that the rumor likely emerged from outdated information, and that he was never in the creative plans for the show.
Riddle had been off the road from WWE since alleging that an officer at JFK airport sexually assaulted him, lea...
2023-09-22 23:51:00 +0000 UTC View PostWWE saw releases on Thursday, and Fightful Select learned a lot around some of them.
Aliyah had been factored out of creative for over a year, and any time we'd ask for an update on her, we'd simply be told that she wasn't injured, and wasn't being considered for anything at that point.
Shanky was another name that was never brought up in a creative sense once Triple H took over creative. The company did want him to perform in India recently, but there were no plans for him to ret...
2023-09-22 22:22:05 +0000 UTC View Post- WWE releases
- Moxley, Cole
- Smackdown, NXT, Raw deals
- WrestleDream
- Kona Reeves
- Vince McMahon
- AEW/Max
- AEW/ROH PPV
- John Cena
2023-09-22 20:28:29 +0000 UTC View PostWe're talking WWE releases, and a lot more
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ks9U4jpeals
2023-09-22 04:00:33 +0000 UTC View PostWWE releases unfortunately unfolded today.
Among them is Dolph Ziggler, who actually was ready to leave WWE years ago, but got talked into staying with the company. Those that we spoke to this week said that originally, his WWE deal was set to extend into next Summer.
Aaliyah was a name that many in WWE expected to be on the list. She'd been signed with the company since 2015, and was drafted to Smackdown in 2021, but barely used. She did become a Tag Team Champion, bu...
2023-09-21 19:59:01 +0000 UTC View PostWWE releases have been underway, and Fightful has learned an awful lot about them
Mustafa Ali had asked for his WWE release back in 2021, but it was quickly rejected and he was taken off of TV. We're told that as things stood, his WWE deal was up in the Spring/Summer of 2024. Those that we spoke to in NXT had no knowledge that he was going to be released, and noted that he'd even worked through an injury to make his NXT run happen.
Elias has not been on TV in quite some, but...
2023-09-21 18:59:01 +0000 UTC View PostAsk Grapsody! 9/21/23 w/ Phil and Righteous Reg! Get your questions in!
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vPBa725lxI
2023-09-21 16:30:01 +0000 UTC View PostTempest of WrestleTalk represented FightfulSelect.com at AEW All In Media Day and spoke with former WWE Heavyweight Champion and AEW commentator Paul Wight in London.
Paul told Fightful that he believes that sometimes he can over-explain things to younger talent when giving advice but says he tries to make a point that the biggest reaction of any match should be the finish.
Paul said when he advises a “Giant” [Wrestler with a similar stature], he would tell them the key is tap...
2023-09-21 16:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostNote: Due to the nature of this post, it will be made free and public.
Mustafa Ali, Emma and Aaliyah all announced their releases. Fightful has confirmed Riddick Moss, Rick Boogs, Dolph Ziggler, Shelton Benjamin and Elias were all also released.
As of 11:30 AM, Fightful heard there were still calls going on informing of releases. Many in the company who would usually know didn't appear to know who all would be subject to the releases. In the past year or so, WWE has not publicly a...
2023-09-21 15:44:29 +0000 UTC View PostAEW Dynamite saw a couple of injuries.
Jon Moxley sustained an injury during his title match with Rey Fenix that saw the finish of the match altered. Moxley left under his own power and was checked on by several people, including Tony Khan. He communicated to numerous people that he was okay.
Adam Cole sustained an injury jumping to ringside, and limped following that, including backstage. We're told he was in obvious pain backstage and was taken to the hospital. He's since lef...
If you would like to avoid potential spoilers, please navigate away.
Santana and Ortiz began a feud at tonight's AEW Rampage Grand Slam tapings, which will play off of and hopefully pay off the real life issues that the two have faced for nearly two years.
Dating back to early 2022, Ortiz and Eddie Kingston both no longer saw eye to eye with Santana, though we've not been told why. Those that we've heard from in AEW said Eddie Kingston has still been verbal about it since Santan...
Another big name has a contract set to expire in 2024.
Fightful Select has learned that longtime WWE Superstar Sheamus currently has a contract set to expire with WWE in 2024. This is the case with numerous stars, including Becky Lynch and Drew McIntyre. We’re told by WWE sources that it is believed his deal is up in the first quarter or first half of 2024, though that period isn’t confirmed. Pro wrestling deals have a lot of caveats that could extend that.
WWE signed a ton of...
2023-09-20 20:25:01 +0000 UTC View PostSRS and Jimmy Van break some news!
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/lG6zJc5Ofr4
2023-09-20 19:30:01 +0000 UTC View PostRandy Orton is at the WWE Performance Center.
WWE sources confirmed that Orton had been at the Performance Center this week, and it hasn't been much of a secret. Yesterday, Cassidy of Bodyslam had informed Sean Ross Sapp that Randy Orton's bus was already at the WWE PC. We're told he's been around for quite some time lately.
Orton has been working out in the gym, and we're told he got "huge" in a good way at one point, but as of early August he had not resumed in-ring traini...
2023-09-19 23:54:14 +0000 UTC View Post- Originally, JD McDonagh was supposed to accompany Dominik Mysterio to the ring.
- JD McDonagh is listed separate from Judgment Day.
- Both Nick Aldis and Robert Roode had individual producing assignments at the Main Event tapings.
- AEW and MLW veteran Danny Limelight worked WWE Raw as an extra, appearing as a security guard.
- Rhea Ripley was back home in Australia this week and had planned time off.
- As mentioned earlier, Matt Riddle was not scheduled ...
2023-09-19 22:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostAri Emanuel, Vince McMahon, Triple H and Nick Khan held a staff meeting in Stamford today. Below are some notes
- Executive Chairman Brad Blum was also there.
- Vince McMahon referred to Ari as his "boss."
- Ari mentioned that his daughter Ashlee worked for WWE. She's been a creative assistant.
- Vince McMahon said that the company had plateaued or stagnated and the merger needed to happen to take the company to the next level. This gained a lot of eye rolls and ...
2023-09-19 21:34:40 +0000 UTC View PostA planned NXT Title match was changed on WWE Raw.
Fightful reported Monday night that one version of the WWE Raw script called for NXT Champion Becky Lynch to defend her title in an open challenge. That challenge would have been answered by Tegan Nox, who hasn’t wrestled on WWE Raw since July 3. Outside of that, Nox hasn’t wrestled on WWE Raw since she was drafted to the brand.
Becky Lynch had pushed for Tegan Nox to get the match on WWE Raw, but it was ultimately changed. Fig...
2023-09-19 19:15:21 +0000 UTC View PostA few great matches on Raw tonight.
But none of it matters, because the creative team can't make any of it make sense.
Everything sucks. Especially this new Nia Jax push. That sucks most of all.
And Dominick. Can't forget Dominick.
Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.
VIDEO: https://youtube.com/live/o8ROB4n-S4c?feature=share
2023-09-19 02:59:57 +0000 UTC View PostFightful has learned the following plans for tonight's WWE Raw, which are subject to change, as we saw last week.
- Cody Rhodes promo
- Cody Rhodes vs. Dominik Mysterio
- SPOILER PROMO
- Ricochet vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
- 2 out of 3 Falls: New Day vs. Viking Raiders --- changed to Kofi Kingston in a singles match vs. Ivar. This was also changed to take place after Cody Rhodes and Dominik and the promo.
- Zoey Stark & Shayna Baszler vs. Piper Niven & C...
2023-09-18 23:53:13 +0000 UTC View PostFightful Select has confirmed the following WWE tryout names, first reported by Bodyslam.net
Copeland Barbee
Davey Gold- of Monster Factory
Jay Malachi- AEW Dark veteran
Richard Holliday- MLW Vet
Brogan Finlay- Fit Finlay's son
Jamie Stanley- Wrestler and NWA Ref
Ray Jaz- AEW Dark/MLW alumni
Damaris Largo aka Jazmin Allure
HollyHood Haley J- OVW's The Wrestlers, WOW
Kelsey Hornack aka Kelsey Heather
Valentin...
- Jade Cargill WWE/AEW
- The Rock
- CM Punk
- MJF/Joe
- Ricochet, Baron Corbin, Nick Patrick, Natalya
- Nia Jax's return
- Heath's contract
- QT Marshall contract
2023-09-18 20:14:58 +0000 UTC View PostJade Cargill has finished up with AEW and is likely headed to WWE. We’ve learned some more about her departure and what's going on now.
Those that we spoke to around the situation on all sides – WWE, AEW and those close to Cargill, implied that her deal with AEW would be up as of last Friday and she’d be eligible to go wherever she wanted. WWE sources have told us that Jade will be in Orlando this week at the WWE Performance Center. Sources claimed she isn't planned for tonight's...
Fightful Select caught up with Baron Corbin in Detroit, Michigan, for SummerSlam Media Day.
Corbin would tell Fightful that he has evolved with the company for the past eight or nine years. He said that finisher was the one thing he had. Baron said Cena, Reigns, Rollins, nor Kurt Angle kicked out of his “End of Days” finisher. Corbin said when WrestleMania came, he was told that it was happening. Corbin said he voiced his displeasure with the decision. Corbin would tell Fightful Sel...
2023-09-18 15:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
STEPHEN JENSEN is back with a new episode of the WEEKENDER!
Topics:
- GCW: "GCW In Liverpool" + "TNT vs. GCW" results
- AIW: "JT Lightning Invitational" results
- DEEP SOUTH (9/9) results
- HOG: "Fall Out" results
- NXT Level Up (9/15) results
- NWA: "Powerrr" (9/12) results
- ROH *TV TAPING SPOILERS*
2023-09-18 05:49:44 +0000 UTC View PostNatalya was getting praise after her appearances in India over last weekend.
The veteran was scheduled to face Rhea Ripley in a World Championship match at the India live event on September 7, but ended up getting even more. Becky Lynch was abruptly prevented from traveling to the country due to a tear in her passport, and was removed from the show. Originally, Becky Lynch was scheduled to face Zoey Stark, who she had been linked with on television for quite some time.
There were ...
2023-09-17 21:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostThe Weekender's Stephen Jensen talks to Gemma Jewels!
2023-09-17 17:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post- For obvious reasons, The Rock's promo was not listed on internal rundowns.
- A spot at the beginning of the Keith Lee promo on Collision made air that was supposed to be trimmed. A marker made it
- The Big Bill/Ricky Starks promo on Collision was used to cover up the production snafu.
- For those asking about the heavy edits to The Rock's promo on Friday, it was because of possible FCC violations as opposed to anything "TV-PG" related. There is nothing connected to TV-P...
By Shandi Pace, from FightfulMag.com issue 5
***
Steve Morand first stumbled upon wrestling when he was a young boy. He would occasionally watch the sport on television with his family and re-enact what he saw with his wrestling figures. It wasn’t until his attendance at WrestleMania III in Pontiac, Michigan in 1987 that everything completely changed. He fondly remembers watching Hulk Hoganbodyslam Andre the Giant 2023-09-17 14:59:01 +0000 UTC View Post
It's the Alex Twins, talking Collision and unboxing some action figures along the way.
Statlander vs Britt Baker is the main event. Fingers Crossed for Stat.
A lot of moving parts for Grand Slam and Wrestle Dream. Let's talk about them all,
Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/JP8nz3SyIPU
2023-09-17 01:58:56 +0000 UTC View Post