fightful

Jeff Hardy contract update

Jeff Hardy’s AEW deal is up much sooner than expected.

When Jeff Hardy signed with All Elite Wrestling years ago, we’d reported that it was done in a way that Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy’s deals matched up. However, that is no longer the case. But they’re not far off. 

Matt Hardy appeared in TNA on April 20 after allowing his contract to expire, but reiterated that he's a free agent. His deal actually expired in March, but was extended a couple of weeks past WrestleMani...

AEW Dynasty Pre-Show | Fightful Select EXCLUSIVE

Join Rob Wilkins and Maggie of Fightful, Chris Mueller of Bleacher/Report, and Ryan from The Mark Order Podcast as they preview AEW Dynasty. We will also answer your questions!

*Note this is not a SRS Q&A

Today, at 2 PM EST! | AEW Dynasty Pre-Show | Fightful Select EXCLUSIVE

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJFmbAV4DrM

MxM Discuss Their Trip To Uganda, Booking Their Angle In SGW, and Vince McMahon Attending Rehearsals For Maxximum Male Models

MxM's Mason Madden and Mansoor caught up with Fightful Select for an exclusive interview while on their international tour. The two spoke with Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp from their hotel in Dubai.

The two talked to Sean about their recent trip to Uganda. Mason and Mansoor discussed how the relationship with SGW began. Mason said SGW contacted him after he retweeted one of their videos. They asked about doing some co-promoting. Mansoor said they knew they would be closer to Uganda,...

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: AEW Collision Review & Rampage WatchAlong 4/20 | High Times

It's a Three Hour Go Home Extravaganza!
Lots of top talent in action 24 hours before a stacked AEW Dynasty card.

We'll talk about Collision while watching Rampage, and we'll both break down crying tears of joy when Ruby tells Angelo that he's going to be a dad. (Spoiler Alert, I guess.)

Plus, we'll make our picks for the PPV, and there will be the usual hijinks as well.

Everything sucks, because Chris Jericho will probably be on the show.
Let's talk about it.

Wat...

Select Portions: AEW News, Ospreay, SGW, More

• We've had readers asking about the status of Marq Quen, as Isiah Kassidy has been working solo lately. We're told he's sidelined for a few weeks, and is expected back soon.

• The decision to book Rob Van Dam on the 4/20 edition of AEW Collision was made months in advance.

• Fightful's Corey Brennan learned that Will Ospreay's CSW appearance on Friday was a last minute situation. He ended up reffing a match between Skye Blue and Kyle Fletcher, when Missa Kate ...

  2024-04-20 23:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post

Free Post: Details Behind WWE Releases

WWE had their latest round of releases on April 19.

Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp confirmed that Indus Sher (Jinder Mahal, Sanga, Veer), Xia Li, and Xyon Quinn were all released by the company. Internally, the releases were cited as budget cuts, though we're not sure what was indicated to talent. The talent were informed Friday evening.

When we asked around about the cuts, Fightful were told by WWE higher ups that it was a combination of not appearing on television due to creative not...

WWE Smackdown Backstage News, Producers, More

• Michael Hayes has not been listed on any producer assignments since WrestleMania weekend.

• Bas Rutten was backstage at WrestleMania. Rutten is a former UFC Champion and longtime MMA analyst. He also competed at a number of NJPW shows in 2002

• Several of the wrestlers found out about the WWE releases while at the show.

• Triple H wasn't specifically listed on internal rundowns for either appearance this week, but that isn't out of the ordinary...

  2024-04-20 17:00:11 +0000 UTC View Post

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: SmackDown 4/19 | Money Filled Taco

(Starting at 11pm eastern!)

So apparently Tama Tonga is Solo's new MFT, only nobody appears to know what an "MFT" is. We DO know what an "MFT" DOES, however, which is committing attempted vehicular homicide on Kevin Owens.

The Bloodline storyline hasn't felt this fresh in literal years, and that can only be a good thing for SmackDown, and all of WWE.

Got some good matches on tonight's show, and the card for BackLash looks like it's shaping up.

Omg... G...

WWE releasing talent

Fightful Select can confirm that Xia Li, Jinder Mahal and Xyon Quinn have all been released by WWE.

Jinder Mahal had posted a tweet that he quit, but we're told it was a release.

In an update, we're told Veer and Sanga have been released as well

Thus far we've not heard of any memos to talent about the releases.

Each have 90 day non competes.

WWE SMACKDOWN PLANS

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

• Top contender match: LA Knight vs. AJ Styles

• SPOILER SEGMENT

• Top contender match: Authors of Pain vs. New Catch Republic vs. Los Lotharios vs. Street Profits

• SPOILER MATCH

•  Solo Sikoa promo with Paul Heyman

• WWE Women's title: Ba...

  2024-04-19 23:54:15 +0000 UTC View Post

Tag Team Title news

An update on the Smackdown Tag Team Titles.

This past week on WWE Raw, new tag team championships were presented to R-Truth and The Miz, making them the World Tag Team Champions. We're told that there is a plan in place to do the same for Austin Theory and Grayson Waller, which would see them get an updated design as well.

The last we heard, the plan was to call them the WWE Tag Team Titles instead of the Smackdown Tag Team Titles, which has been confirmed. This helps prevent any ...

Free Post: Rapper Set For TNA Tapings

TNA in Las Vegas will have a special guest.

Fightful Select has learned that rapper Bun B is set to appear at this weekend's TNA tapings in Las Vegas.

Bun B is known for the legendary rap group UGK, including their hit International Players Anthem. UGK also appeared on Jay-Z's hit "Big Pimpin."

Bun B is friends with AJ Francis, who is on the TNA roster

Trick Willams: WWE Draft, His Future, NXT

Trick Williams is one of the hottest stars in WWE, but in NXT, he has quickly become one of the top babyfaces on the brand through his storyline with Carmelo Hayes.

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan has learned that despite discussions about possibly bringing Williams up to the main roster in the upcoming WWE draft, NXT sources tell Brennan that barring a last minute change of mind, Williams is no longer under consideration to be drafted to RAW or SmackDown in the upcoming event. Howeve...

FREE POST: Lots of Friday news and notes!

• This week’s AEW Dynamite in Jacksonville was in the city because Tony Khan needed to be in proximity of Jaguars HQ considering the NFL Draft was coming up.

• Fightful Select reported earlier this week that Drew McIntyre's WWE contract is up in May, in which Wrestling Observer confirmed on Friday as well.

• The BetOnline AG odds in the Roderick Strong/Kyle O'Reilly match shifted from O'Reilly being the favorite to Strong being the favorite. On Wednesday's AE...

  2024-04-19 18:48:09 +0000 UTC View Post

SRS Q&A 4/19/24: Over 30 minutes of mailbag!

• Finn Balor

• WWE Contracts

• WWE production

• Steve Austin

• Matt Hardy

• Lee Fitting

• AEW ratings

• MCMG

• WWE Draft special

• Brock Lesnar

Kyle O'Reilly Talks Injury, Elite vs. Undisputed, More

Fightful Select had the opportunity to chat with All Elite Wrestling's Kyle O'Reilly before his upcoming match against his former Undisputed Era stablemate in NXT, Roderick Strong, at this Sunday's AEW Dynasty Pay-Per-View event in St. Louis, Missouri.

Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp began the interview by asking the former NXT and IWGP Tag Team Champion what it was like for him to overcome his injury and come to grips with it. Kyle said he had to be patient and could only do what ...

Latest on WWE WrestleMania 41

WrestleMania 41 still doesn’t have a location announced, which is very unusual to many wrestling fans. 

Typically, WrestleMania’s location is announced at least a year ahead of time, but this time, that’s not the case. Fightful has spoken to several sources around the Minnesota government who at times have claimed they were the front runners for the event, were landing the event, and even that they were hoping to announce the event officially soon. 

However, until ...

FREE POST: Select Portions: AEW News, Cardona, More

• As Ruby Soho revealed at the AEW tapings, she is pregnant with her first child. While it's a storyline on tv, it's a.....shoot pregnancy (that feels weird to type). She and Angelo Parker have long been a real life couple and they worked it into a storyline. Congratulations to them.

• Matt Cardona has told promoters he's scheduled for surgery in the next week. Best wishes to Cardona.

• Fightful is scheduled to interview Kyle O'Reilly ahead of AEW Dynasty. Let ...

  2024-04-18 13:00:12 +0000 UTC View Post

NXT News, Producers, Backstage News

NXT Backstage Notes

-Drew Gulak was written off on this week’s NXT, as The Family took responsibility for whacking him. In speaking with NXT sources, Gulak is not expected to return anytime soon, if at all.

- Shawn Spears produced on last night’s show for the first time, producing both women’s matches on the show along with Johnny Moss.

- Carmelo Hayes completed several walk-throughs of the long take for his entrance before making the live entrance.

- The sho...

Adam Cole update

A top star on AEW has already been out of the ring for over six months, but now they’re off television as well.

Adam Cole has been sidelined since having ankle surgery last year, and based on what we’ve heard from sources close to him, he’s not very close to coming back to the ring. Beyond that, he hasn’t been on television of late.

Fightful Select is told that Adam Cole has been off of the road of lately, as it was slowing the progression he was making towards recovering ...

Wrestler helping as producer on NXT

A returning superstar has begun to learn how to produce in NXT.

Back in February, Shawn Spears made his return to NXT with a chair attack on Ridge Holland, who Spears has continuously been working with since his return to the company. Outside of this feud however, Spears has taken up another role.

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan reports that starting on the April 16th edition of NXT, Spears began shadowing NXT producer Johnny Moss, helping to produce both women’s matches on la...

4 PM ET: The List Goes On 4/17

SRS with some exclusive news after the pod!!

FREE POST: Select Portions: WWE Updates, More

The following is a free preview of our Select Portions posts that go up for Fightful Select subscribers!

• Sean Ross Sapp reported on Tuesday that Matt Cardona has told promoters he's sustained a torn pec and will require surgery.

• We're told that a screenshot JD McDonagh tweeted about limited comp tickets being available on the UK tour is widespread, and WWE is expecting big crowds.

• There were some internal memos indicating that Dominik would be pulle...

  2024-04-17 13:00:13 +0000 UTC View Post

NXT SCOOPS THREAD

Fightful Select's Corey Brennan has learned the following plans for tonight's NXT, subject to change.

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.

Order

- Noam Dar vs Dijak

- Sol Ruca vs Lola Vice

- Joaquin Wilde vs Ridge Holland

- Tony D’Angelo And The Family Promo

- SPOILER Open Challenge

- Thea Hail vs Tatum Paxley

- Edris Enofe and Malik Blade vs The Authors Of Pain

- Ivar vs Josh Briggs

- Steel Cage Match: Tr...

Update on Giulia-WWE

On Monday morning, Rossy Ogawa announced his new promotion, Marigold, in a press conference. Among the talents introduced for the promotion was Giulia, who has long been expected to be a part of the launch of Rossy’s venture.

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan has learned from sources close to the situation that Giulia is expected to work at least “a handful” of matches in Marigold before hopefully reporting to the WWE Performance Center in late June/early July.

Brennan has a...

WWE Raw Producers, Backstage News, More

• There will be a Tony Khan media call this Thursday. We will provide live notes

• As mentioned, there's no heat on Liv Morgan for the Rhea Ripley injury. It happened when she went into the wall last week.

• There is no firm timetable on Rhea Ripley's return as of now.

• The company had decided by last week that the women's world title would be vacated.

• As one would imagine, there were rave reviews internally for Sami Zayn's entran...

  2024-04-16 17:14:04 +0000 UTC View Post

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: Raw 4/15 | Mommy Go Bye-Bye?

I wrote a lot of really funny stuff here.

PARAGRAPHS of absolute GOLD.

Then the webpage froze and I lost all of it, and I'm not gonna write it all again. So here are the highlights.

Rhea had to vacate, there are new tag title belts, and hopefully Gable is a sore loser and breaks Sami's ankle in Montreal tonight.

Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.co...

WWE Raw Plans

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

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.

• Rhea Ripley promo

•  Sheamus returns to Raw (SPOILER)

• SPOILER segment

• Spoiler contender match:

•  Maxxine Dupri & Ivy Nile vs. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell

•  Dominik Mysterio vs. Andrade

•  Kayden Car...

  2024-04-15 23:40:27 +0000 UTC View Post

Possible SPOILERS on WWE Tag Team Titles

It's a new era.

At last week's WWE WrestleMania, the once-Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships were once again split up. On one half of of things, Raw's titles went to Miz & R-Truth, and Smackdown's went to Austin Theory and Grayson Waller. With the draft coming next week, there's no indication of which set of titles will end where.

However, if tonight's rundown in any indication, we could be in store for new titles. There is a World Tag Team Title Championship in-ring presen...

SRS Backstage Report Podcast 4/15

• Drew McIntyre contract

• Cody Rhodes merch sales

• Natalya contract

• WWE Draft

• Tama Tonga

• Julia Hart

• Will Ospreay

• AEW