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WWE Smackdown Producers, WWE Saudi Arabia News, More

• Reminder, Fightful will have post shows hosted by Sean Ross Sapp for both King & Queen of the Ring, and AEW Double or Nothing. We'll be talking about the show in the Fightful discord.

• Talent traveled in throughout the week, and many left on Tuesday. Some other members of WWE's team flew to Saudi Arabia Thursday.

• For those asking, the pictures that emerged on social media were from a private resort beach. We're told most of the roster that went to Saud...

  2024-05-24 23:33:01 +0000 UTC View Post

SRS Q&A Podcast 5/24/24

• Malakai Black contract

• Britt Baker

• MLW ticket sales

• Returns and debuts in AEW

• CM Punk

• Injury returns

• WWE Summerslam 2 nights

• Could Rumble expand to two nights?

• Over 20 minutes of mailbag

Giulia-WWE Update

On the morning of May 24th, The Wrestling Observer reported several new details on Giulia’s impending WWE debut, and we have further context on some of these notes.

With regard to Giulia’s injury she sustained at Fields Forever, WWE sources say the company are comfortable with Giulia healing while remaining in Japan and are not expected to interfere with her desire to still appear on shows she was originally scheduled to wrestle on. NXT and Marigold sources both tell Fightful Se...

WWE Smackdown Plans and Spoilers from Saudi Arabia

Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp has learned the following plans for Smackdown from Saudi Arabia, subject to change

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers. We will add actual spoilers to this thread when we're able.

• QOTR: Bianca Belair vs. Nia Jax

• Grayson Waller Effect

• Cody Rhodes promo

• Chelsea Green vs. Bayley

• Legado Del Fantasma backstage

• Bloodline Backstage

• KOTR: T...

  2024-05-24 16:22:58 +0000 UTC View Post

Kenny Omega update

Kenny Omega's path to recovery has continued with a big move.

Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp has learned that Kenny Omega underwent surgery last week to aid in the recovery from diverticulitis. Omega underwent surgery in New York on May 16, which is why some fans had posted pictures with him in the area.

There are currently no creative plans for Omega in AEW at the time, and they're expecting a lengthy recovery. Omega had been sidelined since mid-December 2023 before being pulle...

SRS' Predictions Show For This Weekend!

Sean Ross Sapp makes his predictions for WWE King & Queen of the Ring and AEW Double or Nothing!

MJF update

Maxwell Jacob Friedman could be nearing a return.

We can’t speak to a certain date, but discussions have happened regarding MJF making an on-screen return to All Elite Wrestling. How it will look, alterations in presentation and the like have all been broached between MJF and AEW. There are several sources within AEW that believe that he could be coming back sooner than later, with most expecting him back in the fold by Forbidden Door in New York, if not sooner.

MJF has been out...

WWE Superstar approached about re-signing

A former World Champion has been approached about extending their deal with WWE.

WWE mainstay Natalya will see her contract expire in a matter of weeks unless she and the company strike a new deal. However, Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp can confirm that Natalya has been approached by WWE regarding a possible contract extension. We've not heard about terms, but as of now, no deal is signed.

We're told Natalya is keeping all options open, and has actively been working on project...

Free Post: WWE Employee Cuts

Fightful has confirmed some WWE employee cuts.

Kristen Prouty was one of the names let go, and had listed herself as having worked with WWE since 2000. She'd become the Senior VP of Entertainment Relations, a spot she held for nearly 20 years. We're told she was instrumental in helping land the Logan Paul deal.

Another name gone is Tavia Hartley. Hartley was hired in 2021, and was listed as a Talent Operations and appearances manager.

We've not heard of talent cuts as of th...

Darby Allin talks Sting, AEW future, Double or Nothing, More

AEW Star and Former two-time AEW TNT Champion Darby Allin spoke with Fightful Select for an exclusive interview before his upcoming Anarchy in the Arena match at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 26th. Darby and Sean discussed numerous topics.

Sean mentioned to Darby that when they last spoke, Darby talked about how he would like kids to go as “Darby Allin” for Halloween. Sean shared a story about a child showing up at his house for Halloween as Darby.

Sean a...

Darby Allin pitched involvement in AEW Double or Nothing

Darby Allin explains how his involvement in the 2024 AEW Double or Nothing Anarchy in the Arena match came to be. 

Darby Allin is borderline superhuman. 

He broke his foot in March which led to a postponement of his planned climb of Mount Everest, a climb that he wasn't even sure if he would make it back from. While out with his injury, he was hit by a bus in New York City on April 27, suffering a broken nose ...

Sting's son training to be a pro wrestler

Sting's legacy in wrestling could potentially continue with the next generation.

At AEW Revolution, Sting's sons Steven and Garrett Borden were part of their father's entrance for his last match, as they dressed up as past versions of him. They also briefly got involved in the action as they hit Stinger splashes.

Speaking with Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp, Darby Allin said that Steven, a former football player, was staying at his house and training to be a pro wrestler. He noted that...

Select Portions: AEW Double or Nothing matches, Miro, More

• Tay Melo is back in the ring training, but we've not heard of any creative plans for her imminently.

• For those asking about an update on Miro, AEW had hoped that they'd get Miro back in the spring, but the injury was behind schedule.

• Darby Allin got snuck into the building last week so word of his appearance and return wouldn't leak.

• Fightful noted that there were still several matches to be announced for AEW Double or Nothing. Among those ...

  2024-05-22 16:00:09 +0000 UTC View Post

Update on Giulia-WWE

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan has learned some new details on the upcoming WWE arrival of Giulia.

On May 21st, it was announced that Giulia had suffered a fractured wrist and would be out indefinitely. Following the news breaking, Brennan reached out to NXT and WWE sources, with those we spoke with noting that WWE remain hopeful that Giulia will be healed in time for NXT Heatwave. 

Brennan has further learned that after previously reporting the belief within NXT was that ...

WWE Raw Producers, Backstage News, More

• Fightful is set to interview Darby Allin on Wednesday. Let us know if you have any questions

• Sean Ross Sapp will be hosting this weekend's post-shows for WWE King and Queen of the Ring and AEW Double or Nothing

Raw Notes

• Both IYO SKY and Dakota Kai were busted open, but were fine.

• Sonya Deville was backstage throughout the day and not hidden. There were several sources that we spoke to who didn't expec...

  2024-05-21 17:02:06 +0000 UTC View Post

FREE POST: AEW All Out changing dates

An AEW mainstay is moving off the holiday weekend.

Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp has learned that AEW plans to imminently announce that they'll be moving this year's AEW All Out off of Labor Day weekend. The event will still take place in Chicago, but will be Saturday September 7th from the previous date of September 1. AEW sources we spoke to confirmed that they moved the show due to fan concerns about All In and All Out being too close together. As a result, the show moves from Sun...

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: Raw 5/20 | The Thrill of Victory and The Agony of The Yeet

The main event is currently going as this is being typed.

For the winner, WWE will either choose perhaps their greatest wrestler of the past half-decade, or a guy whose entrance is currently very popular.

Oh, and I guess people like to say his catchphrase--excuse me, catchWORD.

Nothing else matters tonight. Everything rides on the winner of this match.

Either Gunther beats Jey Uso, or everything sucks. Let's talk about it.

video: 2024-05-21 02:56:48 +0000 UTC View Post

WWE Raw Plans For Tonight

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

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.

Please note this was an early copy

• Sami Zayn promo

• Sami Zayn vs. Chad Gable

• Bron Breakker vs. Kale Dixon

• QOTR: Lyra Valkyria vs. IYO SKY

• Tag Titles: Judgment Day vs. Awesome Truth

• Becky Lynch promo

• SPOILER MATCH

  <...
  2024-05-20 23:31:09 +0000 UTC View Post

Former World Heavyweight Champ's contract expected to expire

A former world champion's contract is expected to expire soon.

Fightful Select's Sean Rosss Sapp is told that Mark Henry's AEW contract is expected to expire this month. The WWE Hall of Famer signed with AEW in 2021 and debuted at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view on May 30. He has worked as an analyst, coach, scout and mentor during his time with the company. Henry's on-screen role has mostly been as an interviewer/personality on AEW Rampage.

Henry is also a regular on Busted ...

"The Marine", starring John Cena | THIS. IS. CINEMA? (A Sour Graps Podcast)

In 2005, John Cena was a recent United States Champion, fully embracing the "Doctor of Thuganomics" character at the time, when he was cast in his first movie.

This movie was "The Marine", and it took advantage of NONE of Cena's out-sized personality or natural sense of humor, instead casting him as Marine who is kicked out of the Marines for Marining too hard. While trying to re-adjust to civilian life, he and his wife are in the wrong place at the wrong time when a gang of jewel thiev...

SRS Backstage Report May 20: AEW-WBD, More

• AEW-WBD

• Eddy Thorpe

• Chris Jericho

• NXT scoops

• AEW on screen talent getting praise

• Xia Brookside

• Saraya on Catfish

• Billy Corgan

• Damian Priest contract

• Reggie/Scrypts/Sidney Akeem speaks

• Myron Reed

• SGW/Tate Mayfairs

• Wendi Richter

• Reaction to NXT releases

SPOILER NOTES from TNA Tapings

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.

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- Matt Hardy was at the Saturday tapings, but not Sunday.

- As reported, Jose The Assistant was in attendance. Lord Crewe, who just had an AJPW run, was also around.

- Shazza McKenzie ended up facing Gisele Shaw at the tapings on Sunday instead of Ash by Elegance. She also worked Xplosion Saturday.

- Jordynne Grace retained her Knockouts Title over Allysin Kay.

- Cody Deaner and Jake So...

Former AEW talent at TNA tapings

A noteworthy name was at the latest set of TNA tapings.

We're told that Jose The Assistant met as at the TNA tapings in Newport, Kentucky, over the weekend. While he was there, he met with Tommy Dreamer for unspecified reasons.

Assistant had been with AEW since 2021. He was initially paired up with Andrade El Idolo and later RUSH before he became a member of La Faccion Ingobernables. Jose was among the group of talent AEW released on April 1.

Jose has worked for multiple ...

Fightful Weekender (5/19): REVOLVER, MLW, WEST COAST PRO, GCW, NXT LEVEL UP, ROH & NXT SPOILERS, WWE & AEW PREDICTIONS

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

- REVOLVER: "Another Friday" results

- MLW: "Fury Road" results

- WEST COAST PRO: "For The Coast" results

- GLORY PRO: "Ascend" (Ep. 36) results

- GCW: "Most Notorious" + "The Sunday Night Special" results

- NXT Level Up (5/17) results

- NXT TV TAPING SPOILERS (53 min-56 min)

- WWE: "King and Queen of the Ring" predictions

- ROH HONORCLUB...