The CM Punk situation changed a lot of plans in AEW, but not one major program.
CM Punk’s fight with Jack Perry and subsequent termination surrounded a CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe match for the Real World’s Championship. Fightful Select reported that the original plans for Punk involved Ricky Starks for the AEW Real Worlds Championship.
However, Samoa Joe’s plans were already in place as well. We’re told that despite CM Punk still having the Real World’s Championship, th...
2023-09-16 19:59:01 +0000 UTC
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Fightful asked the former WWE United States Champion Baron Corbin about his input regarding Drew McIntyre kicking out of his finisher “End of Days"
Baron told us that he had zero input in the decision and that it was something he fought for a long time. Corbin added that he had done everything the company had asked and toed the line, including being characters others would have had difficulty being. Corbin said he’s never been the World Champion, but he’s been in the World t...
2023-09-16 16:00:05 +0000 UTC
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FINALLY. THE ROCK. HAS COME BACK. TO WWE.
And the biggest act they have on the roster for him to spar with is (*checks notes*) ... Austin Theory? No, that can't be right. Surely the WWE has spent the past several years booking young talent to a place where they've fully gotten over with the crowd and-- ohhhhhhhhhhh, now I get it.
Cena is on the Grayson Waller effect tonight too, so it's a banner day for old guys sharing the spotlight with annoying guys, I guess.
Jade Cargill...
2023-09-16 01:59:25 +0000 UTC
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For those asking about the Grand Slam edition of Rampage, we have an update.
Listings have the Grand Slam Rampage from New York at a 2 hour episode, as has been tradition. Sources within AEW have confirmed this will be the case.
2023-09-16 01:37:00 +0000 UTC
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Fightful has learned the following plans for WWE Smackdown in Denver. These are subject to change, as we saw on Monday.
- Pat McAfee segment
- AJ Styles vs. Finn Balor
- LWO Promo
- SPOILER MATCH 1
- LA Knight vs. The Miz
- Pretty Deadly Backstage
- Damage CTRL Backstage
- Bayley vs. Asuka
- John Cena on Grayson Waller Effect
Backstage News
- Zelina & Michin vs. Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn is scheduled for the pre-Smackdown d...
2023-09-15 23:58:36 +0000 UTC
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- WWE cuts
- AEW ticket sales
- The Rock
- Jade Cargill
- CM Punk
- WWE/UFC/TKO merger
2023-09-15 23:02:28 +0000 UTC
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The Rock made headlines claiming that a WrestleMania 39 match against Roman Reigns almost happened.
When we reached out to WWE higher ups, we got the generic line of "the door is always open," before being told that there were considerations and meetings regarding the match as Rock had claimed. There were other plans considered in the Summer and Fall of 2022, and even internal documents that had listed Reigns opponent as "TBA" for a while.
From several members of the WWE roster,...
2023-09-15 20:45:43 +0000 UTC
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QT Marshall got his contract extension, but it’s a short term one.
Fightful has learned the recently discussed contract extension between Marshall and AEW happened. Marshall has continued working for AEW after a brief vacation, however, we’re told that his AEW talent contract actually was up and he was working without one. Marshall had been in the process of negotiating an extension with All Elite Wrestling that would keep him around as a performer, in addition to still performing h...
2023-09-15 20:01:01 +0000 UTC
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Stephen Jensen of the Weekender talks to Nick Patrick!
2023-09-15 16:53:26 +0000 UTC
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Hey guys! Q&A time
Guidelines
- I will try to answer the questions I know. Your question isn't wasted if I don't. It shows me what I need to ask around about.
- 1 question per subscriber
- No "are you a fan of?" "fantasy book this" "top 5" or "favorite" questions please! We try to keep these as newsworthy as possible
If you're a new subscriber, comment your question below. I'll delete the field after I'm done recording.
For aggrega...
2023-09-15 16:12:19 +0000 UTC
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As things stand, Jade Cargill is headed to WWE and is leaving AEW.
Fightful Select reported early on September 14 that Cargill had effectively finished up in All Elite Wrestling just hours before at the Rampage tapings in Cincinnati.
There had been discussion about the nature of Jade Cargill's deal over the summer when she was taking planned time off from the company after AEW Double or Nothing. Those that we've spoken to within WWE are of the belief that her deal may ...
2023-09-14 21:04:21 +0000 UTC
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Fightful Select caught up with Ricochet recently.
Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp brought up how he and Ricochet are from Kentucky. Sean talked about the lack of Indy Wrestling in Kentucky. Ricochet would tell Fightful due to Kentucky’s state regulations, he did not get to wrestle in his home state until he was with the WWE.
Fightful asked Ricochet about his days in Lucha Underground. When asked if he was ever pitched anything “crazy,” he said, “Not really.” He said the thin...
2023-09-14 17:59:01 +0000 UTC
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Jade Cargill is likely finished up with All Elite Wrestling, sources tell Fightful Select.
Jade Cargill made a return at this past week's AEW Collision, and quickly set up a match with Kris Statlander for the TBS Championship. To the surprise of many, it was booked for Rampage, and SPOILER ALERT -- Kris Statlander beat Jade Cargill clean in their rematch. We're told by AEW sources that this is because as things stand at this moment, Cargill is finishing up with AEW, with th...
2023-09-14 05:29:54 +0000 UTC
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The former Heath Slater could be hitting free agency soon.
Fightful Select has learned that Heath Miller, who simply goes by Heath in IMPACT Wrestling, will be a free agent in October as things stand right now. Heath’s deal with IMPACT expires at that time, and a new one has yet to be reached.
Heath was released from WWE in April 2020, and returned for a one-off appearance in July 2020. The company offered him a full-time deal that he rejected, as he claimed it was about half of...
2023-09-13 20:05:00 +0000 UTC
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Sean Ross Sapp continues the show!
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/PbIm7jxn_sQ
2023-09-13 19:22:01 +0000 UTC
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- We’re told that AEW had a name in mind for Bryan Danielson to face at AEW Wrestle Dream upon his return already last week. It was revealed as being Zack Sabre Jr.
- Sgt Buddy Lee Parker, Eric Bischoff and Teddy Long were at Nick Patrick’s Deep South Wrestling show this past weekend. Fightful Weekenders’ Stephen Jensen spoke with Nick Patrick
- The decision to make Acclaimed the Trios Champions was in progress for months, dating back to the early Summer.
Shayn...
2023-09-13 16:29:57 +0000 UTC
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WWE CFO and President Frank Riddick III is leaving the company, Fightful Select has confirmed.
Nick Khan addressed several with the company via an internal memo, which you can read below.
"After over thirteen years on our Board of Directors and almost two years after joining WWE full time as our CFO and serving as President/CFO, Frank Riddick will be leaving WWE post the TKO close at the end of this month.
Frank is a highly respected colleague, and it has been a pleasure...
2023-09-13 14:45:12 +0000 UTC
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We've got a lot of MLW news coming your way.
- Mance warner actually bit MSL's foot after the Kiss My Foot match
- In other news, we're told Jacob Fatu almost missed the most recent tapings, but ended up getting to the show, where Rickey Shane Page won the title. He was limping and in bad shape after his match.
- MLW is also set for their second wave of action figures, which will include Microman and some ex-MLW guys, including EJ Nduka. The design and manufacturing of figur...
2023-09-12 17:52:23 +0000 UTC
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WWE Raw saw numerous changes even before the show went on the air.
Fightful spoke to numerous staff and talent who confirmed the changes were happening, but didn't know specifically who made what changes throughout the night. Both Vince McMahon and Triple H were credited with making changes, which happened until shortly before the show went on the air. McMahon was not at the show and has not been physically present in months, but has made remote changes.
Among those change...
2023-09-12 17:11:05 +0000 UTC
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- As highlighted last night, there were numerous changes throughout the day, including some from Vince McMahon. We'll have more on that tonight.
- Fightful is dropping an interview with Ricochet this week.
- Those we spoke to in IMPACT were very happy with how IMPACT 1000 tapings went.
- We’re told that the tunnel in a recent Disney video that resembled AEW’s old tunnel…..is actually AEW’s old tunnel.
Planned Raw Producers:
- Cody R...
2023-09-12 16:34:16 +0000 UTC
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Nia Jax is back in WWE.
Nia Jax made her return to WWE on Monday Night Raw, attacking Raquel Rodriguez and Rhea Ripley. Fightful Select had noted on recent shows that we'd heard she was headed back to the company, and we're told she's been signed over a month, and that the hiring freeze effectively was ended this summer.
She's the first signing that was made since Vince McMahon forced his way back into the company that returned on Main Roster TV. The Endeavor-WWE merger is happeni...
2023-09-12 03:06:45 +0000 UTC
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Another week, more evidence that they really don't know what to do with the Usos now that they're broken up.
But I guess that should be a good sign, since they ALSO have no idea what to do with Cody Rhodes, and he's supposed to be the most important babyface on the roster.
Tommaso Ciampa might be joining the Alpha Academy instead of reforming DIY with Johnny Gargano, and I don't want to live in a world where that's a possibility.
Rhea vs Raquel gets the main event slot, but ...
2023-09-12 03:04:24 +0000 UTC
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This week, Salina De La Renta of MLW joined The Wrestling Perspective Podcast with Dennis Farrell and Lars Frederiksen. Salina talked to Fightful about her past career in wrestling and transitioning into a backstage role.
Salina discusses her enjoyment of the managerial role and how she took time off to focus on school but is now back with MLW.
Salina said when she got into wrestling, all she did was wrestling, and what helped her career take off was when she broke her leg. MLW ga...
2023-09-12 02:02:00 +0000 UTC
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Fightful has learned the following plans for tonight's WWE Raw, subject to change
Please avoid screenshotting or copying and pasting this in full. If you do, you have to subscribe to Fightful Select 50 times.
- Cody Rhodes promo
- SPOILER MATCH 1
- Akira Tozawa vs. Miz
- GUNTHER's IC Title Celebration
- Drew McIntyre vs. Xavier Woods
- Shayna Baszler vs. Chelsea Green
- Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin vs. Viking Raiders ---- THIS HAS ALR...
2023-09-11 23:51:30 +0000 UTC
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Not so fast on LA Knight’s contract.
It was reported recently that LA Knight and WWE were close to nailing down a new five year contract that would keep him in the company. We’re told that while WWE and LA Knight have been in conversations, WWE sources claim that elements of the story aren’t quite accurate.
It is true that Knight and WWE have been engaged in extension talks, and that a five year deal was offered. However, we’re told the two sides were far apart on money as...
2023-09-11 19:30:05 +0000 UTC
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- LA Knight contract news
- Aleah James
- Deonna Purrazzo contract news
- GUNTHER vs. Gable
- Lana/CJ Perry
- Prince Nana contract news
- Zoey Stark
- Thunder Rosa
- Piper Niven
- Top merch sellers
- Steve Maclin
- Alex Shelley
- Dennis Rodman
- EA UFC 5/WWE
- Becky Lynch!
2023-09-11 19:23:34 +0000 UTC
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STEPHEN JENSEN is back with a new edition of the WEEKENDER!
Topics:
- GCW: "Crushed Up" results
- Live experience at DEEP SOUTH
- IMPACT 1000 *SPOILERS*
- NXT Level Up (9/8) results
- NWA: "Powerrr" (9/5) results
- F1RST: "Saturday Nitro" (9/9) results
- MLW *SPOILERS*
2023-09-11 05:02:00 +0000 UTC
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Deonna Purrazzo is still set for free agency at the start of 2024.
One of the most decorated champions in IMPACT Wrestling history is set to hit the free agent market at the start of next year. Purrazzo’s deal expires at the end of 2023, as Fightful has previously reported, and we’ve confirmed that as of now, there has not been an extension reached.
At 29 years old, Purrazzo will reach free agency outside of the pandemic era of wrestling for the first time since 2018. She was ...
2023-09-10 19:00:03 +0000 UTC
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By Jack Goodwillie, FightfulMag.com, Issue 5.
***
Becky Lynch’svalue to women’s divisions of WWE can’t be understated. The 34-year-old will be coming up on her 20th year in wrestling in 2022, a year that figures to be the most important of her career to date.
Lynch broke out in 2018 at a time when WWE sorely needed a bankable face of the women’s division, and as unlikely as her rise may have been at the time, “The Man” became the...
2023-09-10 14:59:01 +0000 UTC
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FightfulSelect.com spoke with former NXT UK Superstar Aleah James for an exclusive interview.
Aleah told Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp that her contract ended in June 2023, but she had time to decide what she wanted to do before announcing it publicly.
Aleah said she was cleared right when NXT UK was ending. Aleah told us that nobody had any idea that NXT UK would be ending when it did. Aleah said her story differs from others because she has not wrestled anywhere, including the Ind...
2023-09-10 14:34:40 +0000 UTC
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