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Huge hit to WWE morale with Vince McMahon's Raw changes

There was a huge hit to WWE morale on Monday after Vince McMahon made sweeping changes right after WWE held a talent meeting where Paul Levesque (Triple H) and Nick Khan told talent nothing would be changing, and minutes before Triple H did an on-screen promo saying much of the same.

After months of being assured that Vince McMahon was not involved in creative, several WWE talent were frustrated when the day of an announced WWE deal, a bunch of Vince McMahon-esque changes were made. McM...

Select Style: DDT & TJPW in America, NJPW, STARDOM

Scott Edwards is back to talk about all the big Japanese wrestling events from the past week as both DDT and TJPW took part in WrestleMania Week in Los Angeles while NJPW partnered with IMPACT for Multiverse United before kicking off their Road To Sakura Genesis Tour. The show finishes up with an update of STARDOM's Cinderella Tournament.
Here are all the promotions covered:
- DDT
- NJPW
- TJPW
- STARDOM

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: Raw 4/3 | Snake In The Grass

(STARTING AT 11:10pm EST)

Vince is back in charge, and you'll never convince me otherwise.  

The Raw after Mania featured a Surprise Brock Lesnar Tag Match, KO & Sami vs the Street Profits, new Women's Tag #1 Contenders, Bad Bunny getting put through the announce table, the return of Matt Riddle, and LITERALLY NOTHING ELSE.  

Okay, having written all that out, it doesn't sound too bad, but trust me, it was AWFUL.  

But Vince isn't in...

WWE Raw After Mania Plans, Backstage News, Vince McMahon and more

FightfulSelect.com has learned the following plans for WWE, which are subject to change as always.

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.

- Triple H promo

- Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, Paul Heyman promo

- Top contender tourney: Liv Morgan vs. Dakota Kai vs. Piper Niven.WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CUT

- Rey Mysterio vs. Austin Theory

-  Tag Titles: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs. Street Profits

- Seth Rollins segmen...

Details on WWE employee and talent meetings

During March 3rd's WWE employee meeting, it was claimed that Endeavor isn't going to be involved in the creative or production of the show. The meeting was headed up by Triple H, Nick Khan, and Frank Riddick. There were few details as to how other areas could or would be affected.

There was also a talent meeting at 6 PM EST ahead of WWE Raw. Some Smackdown talent, and Raw talent that weren't booked were not in attendance, as many were on a nearly ten day travel stretch.

We're told...

Andre Battle Royal Producers, Smackdown backstage info

Producers:

- Usos promo: Michael Hayes

- Fatal 4-Way : Ricochet (w/ Braun Strowman) vs. Montez Ford (w/ Angelo Dawkins) vs. vs. Chad Gable (w/ Otis) vs. Erik (w/ Ivar & Valhalla): Adam Pearce

- Andre the Giant Battle Royal: Jason Jordan & Petey Williams

- Raquel Rodriguez (w/ Liv Morgan) vs. Natalya (w/ Shotzi) vs. Shayna Baszler (w/ Ronda Rousey) vs. Sonya Deville (w/ Chelsea Green): TJ Wilson

- Drew McIntyre & Sheamus vs. Giovanni Vinci & Lud...

Tons of WWE deal news -- Vince McMahon, Triple H, Mania Main Event

It's official. WWE has reached a deal with Endeavor and will form a new, huge company that includes the UFC.

There's a company-wide meeting at 4 PM EST (per Wrestlenomics), and an e-mail was distributed internally stating that Triple H will remain WWE's chief content executive. Those that we spoke to in WWE were adamant that even if Vince McMahon is involved in the "top levels of creative," Triple H will be the person in Gorilla position leading the charge. We specifically asked about V...

Select Portions: WWE Raw notes, Lots of Mania week news

- Vince McMahon was staying with the rest of the talent this week, which many told me they were surprised by, seeing him in the hotel throughout the weekend.

- Joey Janela required six stitches following his match with Kota Ibushi this past weekend

- Rocky Romero was backstage at ROH Supercard of Honor on Friday.

- Vince McMahon wasn't just around for the Hall of Fame Friday, but the whole Smackdown show.

- While Miro was at the ROH Supercard show on Friday, he was nev...

NXT tag team requests release

Fightful can confirm that the former Grizzled Young Vets, Jagger Reid and Rip Fowler have requested their releases from WWE. They've been involved with Schism of late on NXT.

We haven't heard a reason why they've asked for their releases, but they're expected to announce themselves shortly as well. The duo has been in NXT for over three years. 

Both men are veterans of over a decade, and are expected to be in demand on the US indie scene, in addition to the UK. 

We...

Celebrity set for WWE Raw

Fightful Select has learned that Bad Bunny is currently set for WWE Monday Night Raw.

Bad Bunny is set to host WWE Backlash, but we're told as of now he's planned for Raw. Those we spoke to said that he is supposed to have a front row seat for a segment. We'd also been told that there was a possible Dominik Mysterio angle with Bad Bunny pitched for the future.

Details on the finish of WrestleMania

Roman Reigns defeated Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania, in what came as a shocker to many.

The plan for Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns to have a match was planned last Summer, after there were some internal pitches for Rhodes to wrestle John Cena, even after his injury. 

When Vince McMahon was in power, there was no plan for Roman Reigns to lose the world championships, much less for Cody to win it. Once he was out of power, the plan was for sure in motion for Cody...

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: WrestleMania 39 Night 2 Review

(STREAM STARTS 10 MINUTES AFTER MANIA ENDS)

Brock & Omos was bad, but at least it was over quick.

The Women's Tag Match had a weird finish, but at least it was short.

The IC Title Match didn't have the feel good ending, but at least it was PERHAPS THE GREATEST TRIPLE THREAT IN THE HISTORY OF WRESTLING.

The Raw Women's Title match had a hard act to follow, but the women absolutely showed OUT.

The Hell in a Cell featured goofy painted Kendo Sticks, but at least...

Lots of WWE sale news and reactions

WWE is selling to Endeavor, CNBC has reported. This would have WWE and UFC under the same umbrella.

The report states that Endeavor would own 51 percent of the company, giving them a majority share, while WWE shareholders would get 49 percent as they start a new publicly traded company.

Fightful has reached out to WWE officially, and haven't heard back, but we've spoken with tons of talent and staff. Thus far, they haven't been briefed, but many were told that the sales process wa...

WRESTLEMANIA NIGHT 2 SCOOPS THREAD!!!

As always, subject to change, and things can be added. Please do not screenshot and repost the entire post. We'll be updating this throughout the night

Rundown and producers

- Brock Lesnar vs. Omos: Jason Jordan & Adam Pearce

- Women's Showcase Tag Team Match: Petey Williams

- IC Title: Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus vs. Gunther: Abyss

- Raw Women's Title: Bianca Belair vs. Asuka: TJ Wilson

- Miz and Snoop Dogg segment: Michael Hayes

- Hell in a Cell: ...

WrestleMania Pre-Show and Q&A Fightful Select Exclusive

Get Your Questions In! WrestleMania Pre-Show and Q&A Fightful Select Exclusive. Rob Wilkins hosts the Q&A.

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78N2DRYcbfg

Wrestlemania News: Night 2 Match Order, backstage news, more

- We're told that Vince McMahon was not shy about giving input in Gorilla Position Saturday night. Talent told us that they even saw him around their hotel.

- Those that we spoke to said Charlotte Flair was fine after a physical match on Saturday.

- Several were asking about Charlotte's future in wrestling after her loss to Rhea Ripley. Charlotte Flair told Fightful this past week that she was hoping to break her father's record. (Patreon originally cut this sentence off. A...

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: WrestleMania 39 Night 1 Review

(STREAM STARTS 10 MINUTES AFTER MANIA ENDS)

Honestly, that went about as good as you could have hoped for.  So far, that is. There's still the chance that they book Charlotte to retain. Or, I guess more improbably, they could book KO to turn on Sami or something.

Dom lost. Hooray!
Logan Paul lost. As is God's will.
Men's Tag 4 Way was a slapper. Cool.
Becky & Her Hot Moms beat Damage CTRL. Which we all expected.
Austin Theory cheated to be...

WrestleMania Night 1 SCOOPS THREAD: Rundown, Producers, Live Discussion

Fightful Select's official WrestleMania SCOOPS THREAD. This will be updated throughout the night with additional info, including producers


The most recent match order that we've learned is as follows. PLEASE NOTE THESE ARE ALWAYS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND THINGS NOT LISTED WILL HAPPEN.


- US Title: Austin Theory vs. John Cena: Adam Pearce

- Braun Strowman & Ricochet vs. The Street Profits  vs. Alpha Academy vs. The Viking Raiders: Petey Williams

- Seth ...

WWE WrestleMania HOT RUMORZ, Pre-Show news Thread

Hey guys, we'll have a full rundown, producers, discussion and verified backstage news tonight. However, I had dozens of you asking for a rumors thread of things we've heard being discussed backstage.

This will be updated as we get more info.

Confirmed:

- There were some very secretive segment assignments for certain staff, that not even they were privy to the details to.

- There were special entrances pitched for Dominik Mysterio for WrestleMania. WRKD Wrestling has m...

Get Your Questions In! Fightful Select WRESTLEMANIA Night One Pre-Show and Q&A

Fightful Select WRESTLEMANIA Night One Pre-Show and Q&A

starts at 5:10pm ET

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79FdFIj3jjs&t=8s

Why Enzo Amore was let go from MLW

Enzo Amore, also known as Real 1, is done with MLW.

Fightful Select has learned that Enzo will no longer be used in MLW, as the company decided to sever ties with him. Sources familiar with the situation claimed that Enzo had declined much of the upcoming creative and wasn't interested in working with some top talent in the company. Those we spoke to said there were also issues with him putting over other talent at upcoming shows.

Enzo had been on a per appearance deal with MLW...

A lot of details on Drew McIntyre's WWE deal

Drew McIntyre's WWE deal is up within the next year, but not imminently.

PWInsider reported that Drew McIntyre's WWE contract is set to expire within the next year or so, which we were able to narrow down a little bit. Specifically, Fightful Select has learned that Drew McIntyre's deal is up “within the next nine months.” It was reported that McIntyre and WWE were not close to a new deal, but beyond that, we've learned that McIntyre made it clear he was going to wait until much clo...

SRS Text based q&a

Hey guys! I'm on the road, do let's do a text based Q&A! I'll answer the ones I'm able to!!

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: SmackDown 3/31 | Go Home, SmackDown

(STREAM STARTS AT 10:05est)

I missed over half of SmackDown, because the local Fox affiliate pre-empted it with tornado warning coverage.  When it finally came back on, it was in the middle of a Dominik Mysterio video package.   I think I'd have preferred it if my home was taken up in a twister to the Land of Oz.

Rampage is on tonight, so let's watch it. Together.

Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.

VIDEO: 2023-04-01 01:57:27 +0000 UTC View Post

Big names backstage at ROH

Fightful Select can confirm that Trinity Fatu is backstage at ROH Supercard of Honor.

Trinity took in the Athena vs. Yuka Sakazaki match up close.

Trinity is officially done with WWE, and was in town for Wrestlecon and WaleMania.

WWE sources have been hopeful that they would get her back as of a couple of months ago.

We're told that there are a few AEW names not on the show backstage as well.

We have also learned that Miro is backstage at the show.

Smackdown plans: Better Late than Never

Fightful has learned the following SmackDown plans, subject to change

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers and do not screenshot and repost the full rundown, but summaries are fine. If you do, you have to buy Robert DeFelice an extra large pizza.


- Jimmy and Jey Uso cut a promo
- Fatal 4-Way : Ricochet (w/ Braun Strowman) vs. Montez Ford (w/ Angelo Dawkins) vs. vs. Chad Gable (w/ Otis) vs. Erik (w/ Ivar & Valhalla)

- Charlotte Flair/Rhea Ripl...

Get your QUESTIONS in! Pre-Show and Q&A | ROH SuperCard Fightful Select

We preview ROH's SuperCard of Honor and ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7tYktoKfF4

LATINO WORLD ORDER scoops

There could be some Latino World Order elements involved in an upcoming WWE show.

Fightful Select has learned that WWE has brought in several lWo shirts for an upcoming segment on WWE programming, set to be filmed tonight. We can't confirm whether that will be on Smackdown, the WWE Hall of Fame, or filmed for digital or future use. However, there was a request made to have lWo gear or shirts sent to the site for use in a segment. Those we spoke to indicated that it was supposed to be a ...

Coexisting After Dark w/ Rob & Maggie Special Guest: Astrid Pizarro

Coexisting After Dark w/ Rob & Maggie Special Guest: Astrid Pizarro

Youtube Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKsC3b8zUv4

The latest we've heard on what Main Events WrestleMania

The exact WrestleMania main event has been in question for quite some time.

Recently, Fightful Select reported that talent had not been informed as to who would be main eventing night one of WrestleMania. A day before the show, we've learned a little bit more about where WWE at least has been leaning.

WWE sources indicated as of Friday that Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair had not been told they were main eventing the match, but it was believed that those involved in the tag team m...