fightful

Update on AEW number, WBD reaction

There's been an update to the AEW viewership for this week.

AEW Dynamite topped the night on cable Wednesday for their August 28 show, initially landing at 691,000 average viewers. However, it looks like that number was closer to 697,000 after correcting their number.

WBD issued an internal correction within the company and AEW noting that Neilsen times that are sometimes off by a few minutes with sports and programs with overruns that are granted. That happened with AEW this wee...

WWE Smackdown SCOOPS THREAD

WWE Smackdown is taped tonight, with the show happening in Berlin. We will have the rundown, spoilers and backstage notes below.

Rundown

• LA Knight Open challenge

• Legado Del Fantasma vs. Apollo Crews & Baron Corbin

• Cody Rhodes/Kevin Owens segment

• Backstage segment

• Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade

• World Title: Nia Jax vs. Michin

SPOILERS:

• LA Knight defeated Lud...

  2024-08-30 19:35:23 +0000 UTC View Post

Another talent re-signs with WWE

WWE has inked another talent to a new deal.

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp has learned that Nikki Cross has signed a new deal with WWE. Cross hasn’t wrestled since November, but has re-emerged as an integral member of the Wyatt Sicks since their debut. 

Fightful Select learned that negotiations were ongoing in the spring, before the faction debuted. We’re told that the deal is a multi-year contract in length.

Sources within WWE that we’ve spoken to long have h...

AEW news, Berlin, David Finlay, More

• Arie Alexander was also used in an extra role backstage, appearing in Mercedes Mone’s segment.

• Former NWA talent Joe Alonzo was security in the MJF/Daniel Garcia segment, and was the security guard who "noped" out during the Moxley/Marina Shafir segment.

• Those that we spoke to were very happy with Daniel Garcia's performances at AEW All In and Dynamite this week. We've not yet heard an update on his status.

• For those that inquired, Grizz...

  2024-08-29 17:50:51 +0000 UTC View Post

More on Swerve/Hangman Feud

Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page are set for a steel cage match at AEW All Out.

During our interview with Swerve Strickland earlier this year, Swerve confirmed to Fightful that there were originally going to be more matches in their initial run. One of those was supposed to be a steel cage match, late in 2023. However, after their highly touted blowoff match, it was decided that match was better to be used at a later time, and that a cage match following the Texas Death Match would ha...

FREE POST: Pro Wrestling CeaseFire Next Event Update

UK Fans will not have to wait till Forbidden Door weekend 2025 for the next Pro Wrestling Ceasefire event.

On the Thursday before AEW All In, PW Ceasefire held their first event, with funds raised going to Unicef in support of the people of Palestine. The event raised 2,586 pounds in funds, and was widely praised by talent involved and fans who attended.

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan sat down to interview the co-founders of Pro Wrestling Ceasefire, Giovanni Giorgio and Sunshin...

Lots of news on WWE European Tour, Berlin, Smackdown, NXT, More

With WWE in Berlin this week, it caused a number of things to be shifted around, and Fightful Select has learned more about the trip

This Friday's Smackdown will be taped several hours ahead due to the time difference in Berlin, and numerous members of the staff and crew flew over to Berlin on Wednesday. However, a number of talent went over to Europe early for live events.

We're told that the Smackdown team headed to Europe early and most of them will be there for a week, as the...

AEW All In News, Moxley, Daniel Garcia, WWE Raw Producers, More

• Jack Perry and Darby Allin's AEW All In match did have time cut from it. We'd noted on the post-show podcast this was a possibility, and it was confirmed to us this week.

• We’re told that Nick Gage’s cancelation from GCW was not injury related, and he was around town the whole weekend of the show.

• MJF was said to be fine after the Tiger Driver 91 spot.

• For those asking about Miro and word that he's back in the states from Bulgaria, he g...

  2024-08-28 17:00:10 +0000 UTC View Post

NXT Plans, Jade Cargill Speaks To Fightful About Bianca, Titanic, Fashion

NXT Plans - August 27

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan following plans for tonight’s edition of NXT. The segments are in the order in which they were taped on August 20th.

Please be cognizant of those who do not want spoilers.

-Meta 4 vs Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne)

- Karmen Petrovic vs Izzi Dame

- Six Man Tag: The Family vs NQCC

- Wes Lee and Zachary Wentz segment

- Kelani Jordan vs Mystery Opponent

- Brooks Jensen vs Mali...

FREE POST: Update on WWE Performance Center

WWE says they're not moving the Performance Center.

Reports emerged on August 27, claiming that the WWE Performance Center would be moved to Las Vegas from Orlando. WWE sources that Fightful Select spoke to that afternoon claim that is false.

The original report cited Mark Shapiro as announcing that during a meeting, which one WWE source reached out quickly to say didn't happen unless there was another meeting held. Additional sources within WWE say that Mark Shapiro did not make ...

WWE re-signs another wrestler

Another WWE wrestler has re-signed with the company.

Earlier this year, Fightful Select revealed that Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo’s WWE contracts were set to expire in August. Angel Garza confirmed this publicly, and later disclosed that he had re-signed with WWE. Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp has also confirmed that Humberto Carrillo has re-signed with WWE. 

Carrillo re-signed around the same time Angel Garza, and Fightful Select has learned it is on a multi-yea...

UK Scene Update From AEW All In Weekend

AEW All In 2024 once again returned to Wembley Stadium on Sunday, and there was talent from European Wrestling littered throughout the show and backstage. Fightful’s Corey Brennan has learned the following details about this past weekend’s shows.

• RevPro were represented both on the show and as guests of AEW. Cameron Khai, TK Cooper, JJ Gale and Zozaya all were security extras while Chuck Mambo serving as the camera man wiped out by Will Ospreay with a hidden...

  2024-08-27 17:12:07 +0000 UTC View Post

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: Raw 8/26 | Extra Large Meat Lover's

The only thing worth talking about from tonight so far has been THE GREATEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED IN THE HISTORY OF RAW.
(I'm exaggerating, but only slightly.)

Almost everything else was borderline impossible to watch, for various reasons.

The main event is starting now, with Chad Gable facing Uncle Howdy.
So let's hope for the best.

Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.

Watch here: 2024-08-27 02:50:53 +0000 UTC View Post

WWE Raw SCOOPS THREAD

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select has learned the following plans for WWE Raw, subject to change.

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers

• Judgment Day Promo

• SPOILER MATCH

• SPOILER TAG MATCH

• SPOILER PROMO

• IC Contender Tourney: Karrion Kross vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Jey Uso

• Randy Orton promo

• Bronson Reed vs. Braun Strowman

• IC Contender Tourney: Miz vs. Xavier ...

  2024-08-26 23:58:17 +0000 UTC View Post

More On Swerve's New AEW Contract

Swerve Strickland is sticking with All Elite Wrestling for years to come.

Swerve signed with AEW in March of 2022, with a three-year deal that would take him into March of 2025. However, Swerve had out performed it by the time his title reign rolled around, and negotiations began while he was champion. Swerve then signed his deal on the air with Tony Khan present. As noted, there was still time on his deal, but AEW prioritized getting the contract done to lock him down for years to come...

SRS Backstage Report + Q&A Pod: AEW BONANZA

0:00 Bryan Danielson

5:20 Mariah May

6:42 Jamie Hayter

8:10 Jay White

9:10 Swerve Contract

11:15: AEW All In

13:00 Saraya Contract

14:20 AEW-WBD

17:45: Ziggler, Kai, Speedball, UK interviews

20:00 WWE news on Raw, SD, Andrade/Carmelo, Wyatts, people backstage

22:30: Q&A

Topics: UK Wrestling, Daniel Garcia, Stephanie Vaquer, Guilia, Mercedes, Charlotte Flair, Kenny Omega, Becky Lynch, GYV, Rock vs. Roman, old WWF lofo

...

SRS Q&A questions!

Ask away friends. One per subscriber

Nic Nemeth Speaks With Fightful About Joining TNA, RYBACK and more

Fightful Select had the opportunity to talk with TNA Heavyweight Champion Nic Nemeth to discuss his upcoming One Hour Iron Man match against former Heavyweight Champion Josh Alexander at the TNA Emergence event in Louisville, Kentucky, on August 30th.

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp mentioned Nemeth’s connection to Louisville. Nic reflected on his time in Kentucky and spoke about his tenure at OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling). He also discussed the loyalty of the fans in Louisville, who have s...

Fightful Weekender (8/25): GCW, JCW, TWE, REVPRO, SMITTY, NXT LEVEL UP

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

- GCW: "Homecoming" (2 Nights) results

- JCW: "Up All Night" results

- TWE: "11 Years Strong" (2 Nights) results

- REVPRO: "12 Year Anniversary" results

- The Second Non-Annual SMITTY Memorial Tournament results

- NXT Level Up (8/23) results

More on Bryan Danielson's AEW Title win

Bryan Danielson is AEW World Champion, something he wasn’t keen on happening for a long time.

Fightful had confirmed the word that Danielson had often and actively pushed against winning championships in AEW. However, ultimately, he gave in, and we’re told that AEW founder Tony Khan was adamant that Danielson become AEW Champion at some point. Specifically, we’re told Khan wanted the closing moment of AEW All In with Danielson celebrating as champion.

Those that we spoke wit...

More on Jamie Hayters return to AEW

Jamie Hayter is back in AEW at long last, and it was a winding road.

Hayter was battling injuries in May of 2023, and required special clearance to even make it to Double or Nothing where she was able to drop the AEW World Women’s Title to Toni Storm. By the summer, it had been clear to All Elite Wrestling that they wouldn’t have her back in 2023. 

Hayter returned at AEW All In, and we’ve learned more about the process to bring her back. Over the last few months, an in-...

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: AEW All In 2024 Review | Partial Perfection

AEW returns to Wembley Stadium in London for another edition of All In, and the card is stacked.

Did Swerve's House send Bryan Danielson to the Retirement Home?
Who won the battle of the occupations, CEO or DMD?
Was there a happy ending to the film for Toni Storm?
Did Will Ospreay assassinate MJF's chances of retaining the American Title?
Did Jack Perry win the coffin match and finally kill off Darby Allin?
Did the Young Bucks manage to retain their Tag Team Titles?
Di...

AEW ALL IN SCOOPS THREAD

Fightful Select has learned the following around today's AEW All In.

This will be updated throughout the day. PLEASE BE COGNIZANT OF THOSE WHO WISH TO AVOID SPOILERS

• For those asking, Jon Moxley has not been a regular backstage at AEW since his break started.

• We also interviewed Orange Cassidy among other talent at AEW All In.

• Most in AEW were not aware that the AEW Forbidden Door in the UK reveal would happen ahead of the show, as it was expe...

  2024-08-25 15:40:55 +0000 UTC View Post

AEW ALL IN Fightful Select Exclusive Pre-Show | 11 AM EST

The Fightful Select Pre-Show for AEW's biggest event of the year! Join Fightful's Rob Wilkins and a cast of others as they preview ALL IN!

Bryan Danielson news ahead of his AEW All In Match

Danielson is reaching the swan song of his career, and is facing some physical hurdles.

Danielson noted on AEW programming recently how AEW doctors did not want him to wrestle until All In. Fightful Select reported shortly after that wasn’t a work, and was closer to the truth than many realized.

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp has learned some specifics about Danielson’s path to AEW All In, which we’re told had been planned since at least the Spring. While Danielson was approved...

Select Portions: Smackdown News, Janai Kai, More

• If you need help joining the Fightful Select discord, you can learn how at this link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-join-102146416

• Fightful will be dropping interviews with Jade Cargill and Nic Nemeth this week ahead of TNA Emergence and Bash In Berlin. We have a number of interviews ahead of BLP's Wrestler Combine and will be on the scene too.

• Fightful is s...

  2024-08-24 18:27:26 +0000 UTC View Post

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: SmackDown Review & Rampage WatchAlong 8/23 | Classic Projection

An uncharacteristically unterrible episode of SmackDown tonight, with the exception of the ubiquitous cringe factor of Corporate Cody Rhodes.

LA Knight vs Santos Escobar, Bloodline vs Street Profits, and a pretty decent Six Woman Tag.

And Kevin Owens continues to be a national treasure in two nations.

Also, it’s All In Eve Eve, and Rampage has a bunch of fun stuff on it.

However, I’m sure we can figure out a way that Everything Sucks.
Let’s talk about it.

Smackdown SCOOPS THREAD

Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp has learned the following plans for tonight's WWE Smackdown, subject to change.

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.

Rundown

• Grayson Waller Effect with Cody Rhodes

• US Title: LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar

• Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill & Nami vs. Unholy Union & Blair Davenport

• Bloodline promo

• Tag Titles: Bloodline vs. Street Profits

• ...
  2024-08-23 23:51:06 +0000 UTC View Post

Mariah May and Bryan Danielson speak to Fightful

Shirleigh, representing Fightful, spoke with a couple of big title contenders ahead of AEW All In.

Bryan Danielson confirmed to Shirleigh that he did pick the shirt he wore on AEW Dynamite intentionally, thinking it was the shirt that he wore for his retirement speech. As it turns out, it only resembled the shirt from then.

His family, including Brie, are in town, and visited Buckingham Palace,

He doesn't "hate" Percy Pigs, but he's disgusted by them. Danielson also says tha...

Switchblade Jay White update

We have another update on Switchblade Jay White

The former trios champion Jay White is healing up from his injury, as Fightful Select reported recently. Last week, we noted that White was getting closer to a return to the ring. Specifically, we’ve learned that White was at last week’s TV getting checked on for a potential return to the ring, but didn't appear ready as of then. Originally, there were a number of people backstage that were hopeful his return was imminent.

White...