fightful

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: AEW Collision & BotB 7/27 | Model Performance

It's the triumphant return of the SOUR GRAPS Collision Review!

We'll talk about the AEW debut of Mason & Mansoor (friend of the show) vs FTR, and Lio Rush vs PAC, and ask whether Hologram is the most over luchador in American wrestling history, and we'll dissect Toni Storm's delulu new lewk, but also we'll complain about the stuff we don't like in AEW and offer suggestions as to how it could be better.

Plus, maybe we'll make some way-to-early predictions for where AEW could be...

Reactions to meiko Satomura's retirement

Meiko Satomura was signed to WWE in October of 2020 as both a talent and a coach for the NXT UK brand. In 2022, Meiko would make the jump to the US version of NXT, where she would challenge for the NXT Women’s Championship on several occasions. On July 25th, Tokyo Sports reported that Meiko is set to retire in 2025, with Meiko confirming the news a few days later.

The last time Meiko was on WWE television was during the NXT Roadblock special on March 7th, 2023 and NXT sources tell Fi...

Wrestling companies looked into running major venue

Wrestling could be coming to the Sphere.

The Las Vegas Sphere opened in September 2023, with its customizable venue turning heads and becoming the subject of much discussion. This naturally led to conversation about potential wrestling events running there.

We’re told by those associated with the venue that there has been some inquiry from wrestling companies about the possibility of running shows there, but not prior to 2025. We’re told that AEW Double or Nothing in 2025 coul...

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: SmackDown Review 7/26 | Throwing Down The Gauntlet

It's a taped episode of SmackDown where one match, a Tag Team Gauntlet, took up like 40% of the show.

Also, Tony Khan has decided to do something so vile, reprehensible, and disgusting to me personally that I have no choice but to boycott tonight's episode of Rampage.

He booked a guy to win a battle royal that I hate.

So this might be a short episode of Sour Graps.

Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.

Youtube Link: 2024-07-27 02:02:14 +0000 UTC View Post

More on WWE WrestleMania in London possibilities

WWE WrestleMania to London is looking more like a reality than ever.

The London government, as opposed to WWE or their PR, reached out to a number of media to announce that Triple H and Nick Khan made the trip to London to discuss the possibility of WrestleMania in the city.

Since then, Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp has spoken with a number of sources about the situation. It was reiterated from WWE’s side that nothing is set in stone as of yet, but that the conversations were prod...

Smackdown SCOOPS THREAD, match order, producers, more

Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp has learned the following plans, order, producers and more from this week's WWE Smackdown

• LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar

• Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair promo with Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn

• Tag Team Title contender gauntlet match

• A-Town Down Under promo

• Cody Rhodes sit-down interview

• Bayley & Michin vs. Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton (note: this was listed as the final se...

  2024-07-26 22:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post

Beth Phoenix a Free Agent, What's Next?

A WWE legend is done with the company.

On July 26, PWInsider reported that Beth Phoenix is no longer under WWE contract. WWE sources confirmed this with Fightful Select.

Beth last wrestled in February 2023, and has only worked a couple of matches in the last two and a half years, both teaming with Edge/Adam Copeland

Those that we've spoken to say that the 43-year old Phoenix is in amazing condition and that she could likely compete again if she chooses. The subject of her p...

CM Punk WWE Contract Update

CM Punk and contract negotiations already? Kind of.

This week, word emerged via Ibou of Wrestlepurists that CM Punk was in talks to adjust his current WWE contract. This led to a lot of discussing and editorializing that Punk was already trying to renegotiate his deal that he signed in November of 2023. We're told that isn't so much the case.

Regarding injury time being added, it's tough to tell without seeing the contract itself, but people close to Punk were quick to note that ...

FREE POST: WWE Discussing WrestleMania In London

WWE and the Mayor of London are discussing bringing WrestleMania to the UK

The London Government actually sent along the following:

Today the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan met with WWE President, Nick Khan, and WWE Chief Content Officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, at London’s City Hall to discuss their shared ambition of bringing WrestleMania to the capital.

London is the sporting capital of the world, home to some of the biggest international sporting events,...

NXT announcer Vic Joseph speaks to Fightful

Fightful Select had the opportunity to speak with Vic Joseph in an exclusive interview recently. The play-by-play voice of NXT sat down with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful and discussed a few topics.

Vic mentioned his excitement for SummerSlam being in Cleveland this year. He defended Cleveland and said it was a good city. Vic said his dream scenario is to call Johnny Gargano’s match at SummerSlam. Vic mentioned that he worked at Browns Stadium, and now it’s a place where he takes his s...

Get Your Questions In! Ask Grapsody, Today, At 5 PM EST

Join Phil and Reg as they answer your questions from Fightful Select!

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSwJF_YahQ8

FREE POST: European Wrestling News!

North Wrestling Thunderstruck 2 Notes

- We are told North Wrestling’s Thunderstruck 2 was the biggest event in the promotion's history from a business point of view, those we spoke to who competed at the event praised the promotion for how it came together.

- Progress owner Lee McAteer was backstage at Thunderstruck visiting. North Wrestling’s owner Andrew Bowers was recently appointed as Progress’ new head of creative. 

- Joe Hendry’s meet and ...

AEW Dynamite Backstage News

• Fightful Select reported on our discord that MJF would open the show, with Blood & Guts taking up most of the last hour.

• Originally, Eddie Kingston was supposed to factor into the AEW vs. Elite story prior to his injury.

• Dean Malenko narrated the main event video package. He had surgery last year to help with his Parkinson's, and many we've spoken to said he was like "a new man." He's widely adored backstage and known for his sense of humor.

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2024-07-25 02:18:07 +0000 UTC View Post

Update on AEW contracts

We have some updates regarding AEW contracts.

This week, Ibou from WrestlePurists noted that Buddy Matthews was staying with the company, and that Malakai Black had a short amount of time left on the deal.

The claim internally from AEW was that Matthews deal would have needed to be extended quite a while back, which is something that Ibou alluded to. It was not specified to Fightful if this was a new contract, or option years being picked up. At one point there was internal discus...

WWE Raw backstage news, producers, more

• Several talent not booked for the Japan tour have an extended break before Summerslam weekend

• Once again, Natalya was not at the WWE Raw tapings.

• The claim internally was that Ilja Dragunov was fine after the Bron Breakker match.

• Fightful will be on the scene next week in Cleveland for the week's Summerslam events.

WWE Producers

• Gunther and Damian Priest brawl: Adam Pearce

• Ilja Dragunov vs. Bron...

  2024-07-24 18:33:52 +0000 UTC View Post

FREE POST: Progress Women’s World Championship Update

We now know who will challenge for the Progress Women’s World Title at this weekend’s The Devil In My Shoulder event. 

Earlier this month, it was announced that Emersyn Jane was out of her world title match with Rhio at the event due to injury. Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan has learned that Emerson Jayne suffered an ankle injury at North Wrestling’s Thunderstruck 2 event, and after monitoring the injury, Progress decided to look elsewhere for an opponent for Rhio, with th...

Latest on Delta-WWE

Delta Brady is on her way to WWE.

On July 20th, Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan reported the latest details on Delta Brady, an Australian women’s pro wrestler who had garnered attention from WWE after attending tryouts back during Elimination Chamber week, with several we had spoken to being of the belief she was on her way to the company following her finishing up her dates in Australia.

Now, Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan has learned from sources close to Delta that fol...

Update on WBD-AEW deal

A WBD-AEW deal is expected, but is not done, Fightful Select has confirmed.

On July 23, word emerged that a WBD-AEW deal was imminent, with others saying that there was an agreement in principle.

However, Fightful Select sources close to WBD's stance say there is nothing "imminent," meaning over the next few days. Either company is not planning to announce a new deal imminently, and we're told the framework of a deal has not been agreed to by both side. Both AEW and WBD expect a n...

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: Raw 7/22 | Yeetin' Good In The Neighborhood

The main event is starting as I type this, and so far we've had about 40 minutes of actual wrestling in over two and a half hours. And if that's what you want out of your wrestling program, congratulations, but I am simply built different.

I guess the thing we're sourest about continues to be the god-awful storyline surrounding the Women's Title, featuring a new development where they're now pretending that Rhea Ripley is somehow unattractive.

Everything sucks. Let's talk about it...

Fightful Weekender (7/22): GCW, WEST COAST PRO/DPW/PRESTIGE, NWA, NXT LEVEL UP, TNA & ROH SPOILERS

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

- GCW: "Believe Me" + "So High" + "Don't Tell Me What To Do" results

- WEST COAST PRO/DPW/PRESTIGE: "Untouchable" results

- TNA IMPACT SPOILERS (44 min-51 min)

- NWA: "Powerrr" (Crockett Cup Finals) results

- NXT Level Up (7/19) results

- ROH HonorClub SPOILERS (58 min-end)

WWE Raw Plans

Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp has learned the following plans for tonight's WWE Raw, subject to changes.

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers!!

• SPOILER PROMO

• SPOILER CONTENDER MATCH

• Lyra Valkyria vs. Sonya Deville

• SPOILER IN RING PROMO

• Final Testament vs. Xavier Woods, Akira Tozawa & Otis

• SPOILER PROMO 3

• SPOILER MATCH

• SPOILER IN RING PROMO 2

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2024-07-22 23:44:09 +0000 UTC View Post

Smackdown Producers, Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, Merch news

• We're told WWE and Fanatics have been very happy with the promotion of Fanatics Fest, especially with the response after prime advertising real estate was on WWE shows.

• Cody Rhodes' Fanatics Fest tickets sold out quicker than any athlete at the show, and this past weekend he had three top selling shirt designs.

• Rhea Ripley's tickets also ended up selling before any athlete not associated with WWE besides Cody.

• Terence Crawford's WWE shirt s...

  2024-07-22 18:00:11 +0000 UTC View Post

Details on MVP and Tamina's WWE status

On Sunday, Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp reported that Bobby Lashley's WWE contract was set to expire, with PWN reporting that he was off the company's internal roster. In addition, they've reported that Tamina and MVP are off the internal roster.

Fightful Select was able to confirm both MVP and Tamina are not expected to be used on screen, and MVP is not expected back in the company. We're told this has been the conclusion for quite some time. MVP has been outspoken about Triple H in rec...

SRS Q&A & Backstage Report For 7/22/24!

• Wrestling on Tubi?

• MVP, Lashley, Tamina

• Hologram

• Blood & Guts

• Kota Ibushi

• WWE trademarks

• MLW news

• Lots of contracts

• ROH

• AEW Dallas Stadium show

• Hikuleo-WWE

• Sammy Guevara

• Cody Rhodes news

Lashley's WWE contract is up soon

A former World Champion could be leaving WWE soon.

Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp has learned that former world champion Bobby Lashley's WWE contract is up within the next month or so, possibly over the course of weeks. PWN learned that Lashley was removed from the internal roster page, though he is still featured on the company's website, and Fightful was also able to confirm that news.

Lashley has been out of action for a number of months, and sources have told us that he plans on c...

Tons of AEW News and Notes: MJF, Ospreay, Switchblade, Colliison

• For those asking about the "technologically ambitious" elements of Hologram we mentioned, there is more planned for him.

• Jay White's injury is legit, based on AEW sources we've spoken to.

• The initial hope was that Skye Blue would be okay after her injury. A couple of things were adjusted on the show due to the injury, but we haven't heard specifics on what they were.

• We're told that there is supposed to be more to the Bullet Club Gol...

  2024-07-21 19:49:53 +0000 UTC View Post

2 PM ET: Fightful Tells All: SRS vs. Effy

Mike From Indied talks to Sean Ross Sapp about his GCW Believe me match with Effy!

Please donate to the Dementia Society of America: https://www.dementiasociety.org/

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/3202oqDSbSc

Details on recent Burning Heart tour in the UK

Recently, Burning Heart, The Grizzled Young Veterans’ promotion, toured the UK for shows in Liverpool, Wolverhampton and Swansea that also featured the likes of Leon Slater, Luke Jacobs, Joe Hendry, Lykos Gym and many more top stars of the UK scene. Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan has learned the following details about the debut tour for Burning Heart.

- We are told Sam Gradwell was fine after being thrown from a ledge by Ricky Shane Page on the first night in Liverpool ...

Details on Rhio/Delta/WWE rumors

Rhio is not on her way to WWE, at least for now.

Since WWE Clash At The Castle last month, WWE fans have questioned if WWE were pursuing the signing of staple of the UK scene, Rhio, after the Progress Women’s World Champion was invited as part of a group of talent that visited the PLE, which we previously reported.

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan has asked around in the UK scene and in NXT about possible interest from WWE and if any deal was discussed at Clash At The Castle....

News on new Hologram character in AEW

Hologram is set for an AEW debut, and it’s at long last, even though the teases haven’t happened that long.

Bodyslam.net reported that Aramis would be playing the role, despite the online speculation of Sammy Guevara or Ricochet. Not only are the latter two not planned for the role, Fightful Select is told that the possibility of this character has been one that has been mentioned internally for quite some time. One t...