fightful

Liv Morgan, Charlotte Flair Cast For Movie

Two WWE stars are slated for an upcoming movie, set to start filming soon.

Fightful Select has learned that Charlotte Flair and Liv Morgan are both slated for a wrestling-based movie, which films in Louisville, Kentucky in June.

Starring Emily Bett Rickards as Mildred Burke, the movie highlights her life, career and marriage. The film is based on the book Queen of the Ring by the Pulitzer Prize winning Jeff Leen. It’s produced by Aimee Schoof and Isen Robbins, and written/direct...

Select Portions: Raw, Saudi Arabia, Smackdown Changes

- Paul Heyman is planned for tonight's episode of Raw.

- There's a split-screen interview segment that was set for the WWE Raw episode tonight.

- WWE talent are traveling to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

- Smackdown's creative for the double shot last Friday was set by 5:30 Thursday and notes were relayed to the team.

- We're told there were some changes to Smackdown. The OC were supposed to film a backstage segment for last week or this week's show, but it was nixed late i...

WWE Stars React To WWE Pushing To Legalize WWE Betting

The potential of WWE getting into the gambling world even moreso has raised some concerns from talent that we've spoken to, but they said those concerns died down pretty quickly as they don’t think it’s a real possibility.

Fightful was told by WWE talent that they haven't really been briefed about the possibility of WWE getting into the gambling scope, and many were surprised by some of the details that had been outlined. Specifically, there were concerns around the results of match...

Fightful Weekender (5/21): HOG, GCW, MLW, NXT LEVEL UP, NWA, F1RST, WWE NOC, AEW DON

STEPHEN JENSEN is back with a new edition of the WEEKENDER!

Topics:

- HOG: "Beware The Fury" results

- GCW: "The Way I Am" results

- MLW signs deal with FITE+

- NXT Level Up (5/19) results

- WWE: "SmackDown!" *TV TAPING SPOILERS*

- WWE: "Night Of Champions" predictions

- NWA: "Powerrr" (5/16) results

- F1RST (5/19) results

- AEW: "Double Or Nothing" predictions

Select Portions: AEW/WWE Injuries, Collision Debut, NJPW

- Much of the NJPW roster traveled in Friday to get there in time for NJPW Resurgence

- Skye Blue was also pulled from the AEW tapings, but we’re told she’s not injured or ill, and will return to action soon.

- Fightful has an interview with Flash Morgan Webster scheduled for next week. 

- We have confirmed that there has been discussion about a backup location for AEW Collision in the event it's not at the originally planned United Center in Chicago. However, we've...

Cameron Grimes has several people pushing for him backstage

Cameron Grimes has several people backstage in WWE pulling for him, and has for quite some time.

Grimes was officially called up to WWE Smackdown during the 2023 Draft, but WWE had been eyeing him for a call up for ages. Months before that, he wrestled a dark match before Smackdown, and by that time, WWE had plans for him to be called up already. Several WWE higher ups, including Triple H, were said to have been fans of his work and saw potential in him on the main roster.

It’s ...

WWE Smackdown Backstage News, Producers, More

Producers

- Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn: Michael Hayes

- Brawling Brutes vs. Pretty Deadly: Jamie Noble

- Zelina vs. Asuka: Tyson Kidd

- Grayson Waller Effect with AJ Styles: Jason Jordan

- Rick Boogs & LA Knight vs. Street Profits: Shawn Daivari

- Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon vs. Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn: Kenny Dykstra

- Austin Theory promo: Abyss

- LWO vs. Usos: Michael Hayes

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: SmackDown 5/19 | PORPOISE BEFORE OPPOSUMS

(STREAM STARTS at 10:30pm est)

MOAR BLOODLINE DRAMA.  That seems to be the strategy on SmackDown, whether it makes sense or not.

Liv is gonna be out for a while, and WWE can't decide what move caused the injury, but we've got a second set of Tag Titles to debut on SmackDown, again, whether it makes sense or not.

The Raw Women's Champion is making the save for the most recent contender to the SmackDown Women's Title, and the SmackDown contender to the Ra...

Smackdown Plans For Next Week

Fightful has learned the following plans for next week's Smackdown, subject to change:

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.

- Sheamus vs. Austin Theory

- Raquel Rodriguez and Shotzi vs. Bayley & IYO SKY

- Cameron Grimes vs. Ashante Thee Adonis

- Bianca Belair promo

- AJ Styles vs. Karrion Kross

- The KO Show with Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa

Backstage News, Spoilers

- WWE brought in several extras as security guard...

Smackdown Plans For Tonight, Spoilers

Fightful has learned the following plans for tonight's Smackdown, subject to change:

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers

- Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

- Brawling Brutes vs. Pretty Deadly

- Zelina vs. Asuka

- Grayson Waller Effect with AJ Styles

- Rick Boogs & LA Knight vs. Street Profits

- Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon vs. Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn

- Austin Theory promo

- LWO vs. U...

SRS Q&A Podcast (5/19): Punk, Collision, Reigns, More

- LOTS of CM Punk

- AEW Collision

- Smackdown moving nights?

- Bobby Roode, Cody Rhodes

- Kota Ibushi, Von Erichs

- AEW Fight Forever

- Mercedes

- WWE injuries

- DIY

Coexisting After Dark w/ Rob & Maggie: Rick Ucchino

One of Fightful's newest voices Rick Ucchino is the special guest this week for Coexisting After Dark w/ Rob & Maggie.

Rick will be one of the new AEW Collision Review Show hosts on Fightful's Youtube channel!

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7UjwyrkFAw

AEW Fight Forever Release Date

AEW Fight Forever is coming very soon.

After years of speculation, and a few moved tentatively planned release dates, Fightful Select has learned that as of today, the AEW Fight Forever release date is scheduled for the weel of June 27. Mike Straw accurately reported recently that he heard the date would be around the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door show. Fightful has heard from several retailers that were told a "late June" release, before confirming that week.

We've been told that A...

SRS Q&A Questions

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...

Select Portions: Smackdown, ROH, AEW, Kevin Ku

- Talent are under the impression that the next set of Ring of Honor tapings will be taking place on June 3 and 4.

- Kyle Fletcher was scheduled to compete at the May 17 AEW tapings, but came down with an illness, we’re told.

- The Grayson Waller Effect will have a similar presentation on Smackdown as in NXT, complete with plants, monitors, a desk, leather chairs and more. 

- Pretty Deadly are filming some chef-inspired vignette tonight.

- The WWE World Heavywei...

AEW has a big name helping in creative

AEW has a big name involved in helping creative.

Bryan Danielson will be contributing in creative for the Collision brand, according to sources familiar with the situation. Danielson had previously helped out in this capacity during his WWE run as well, especially when he was sidelined. Those that we spoke to that worked with him had great things to say about his demeanor in WWE when helping.

Tony Khan, Pat Buck, Will Washington, Sonjay Dutt and QT Marshall comprise the team that ...

Ask Grapsody! Get your questions in! 5/18 5PM EST

Phil & Reg are back with a new edition of Ask Grapsody! Get your questions in! Today, the Show starts @ 5 PM EST.

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ETQZKbWIow

Will Ospreay On Health Status, Contract, Omega, All In, More

New Japan Pro Star Will Ospreay joined Fightful Select for an exclusive interview to promote NJPW’s Resurgence PPV event on May 21st, live from Long Beach, California.

Will told us that he feels good and is ready to return to work. He told Sean that he was slowly regaining his strength. Will said he worked 1PW show in April to see if he could do it. He praised independent wrestling and its current state because it has allowed him to have main-event-style matches.

Sean asked Ospr...

Latest on CM Punk/Ace Steel

CM Punk is the talk of AEW’s backstage yet again, and it involves Ace Steel.

For the past couple of months, AEW and CM Punk have been working towards a return for Punk on the AEW Collision brand. This has extended all the way to WBD, AEW and TNT having promotional materials made for the show involving Punk, including a Samoa Joe match graphic.

Fightful has learned that during the meeting between CM Punk and Chris Jericho, that Jericho mentioned the possibility of Ace Steel retur...

Roman Reigns not on this weekend's WWE live event

Roman Reigns is not appearing at a WWE live event this weekend.

Fightful Select has learned that while Reigns has been advertised for the May 20 live event, it was incorrect.

WWE issued Fightful the following statement:

"Incorrect promotional material was released that advertised Roman Reigns in Fayetteville this Saturday, May 20.

Roman Reigns will not be in Fayetteville.

Refunds will be available at point of purchase until 7:30 ET the day of the event."

The List Goes On 5/17

SRS and Jimmy talk pro wrestling

- Liv Morgan

- Sami and Saudi

- LA Knight

LIVE: https://youtu.be/oB-Pwy9e09U

AEW Collision Details, CM Punk, Brand Split, Ace Steel

AEW Collision is official, and there’s some confusion around CM Punk’s involvement.

Fightful reported this morning that a hard brand split (excluding champions and special exceptions) was planned. One outlet disputed that claim, but we’re told that AEW talent were told on May 17 that concerns regarding which show they’ll be on. We’re told specifically as of today, “all recognized champions in AEW or any other major wrestling organization” are exempt from the splits.

...

Major Changes In Order For AEW

There are some major changes in store for All Elite Wrestling.

AEW Collision is set to be announced imminently, likely in conjunction with the WBD Upfronts. We haven’t heard that Dynamite has also been extended, but we did note recently that Collision will see a big cash infusion for AEW. But that isn’t all that‘s changing.

As of last week, it was believed that there would be a soft roster split for AEW Dynamite and Collision. This would allow talent that didn’t get along ...

AEW Fight Forever Update, What We Know So Far

AEW Fight Forever is coming soon.

After several delays in the planned release of AEW’s first console game, Sources close to Yuke’s told Fightful that they believe an announcement will be coming sooner than later regarding the game. Fightful alumni Mike Straw posted that he’s heard the release is set to be close to June’s AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door show, though we can’t confirm that’s the case. That did create chatter that led to the detail of a possible announcement, however....

WWE Raw Backstage News, Producers, More

Raw Producers

- Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn promo: Michael Hayes

- Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Miz: Jamie Noble

- Imperium promo: Jason Jordan

- Intercontinental Title Top Contender Battle Royal: Jason Jordan & Petey Williams

- Xavier Woods vs. Dominik Mysterio: Shane Helms

- Indus Sher match: Adam Pearce

- Raquel Rodriguez vs. Chelsea Green: Kenny Dykstra

- Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs. Judgment Day: Michael Hayes

Backstage News 2023-05-16 17:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post