The following is set for tonight’s 7/27 ROH on COMET TV:
ROH World Title: Jay Lethal (c) vs. Kyle O’Reilly
The Cabinet vs. MOOSE, Cheeseburger and Will Ferrara
War Machine in action.
Month: July 2016
WWE On Why Brock Lesnar Will Not Be Punished For UFC Failed Drug Test
Source: WrestlingINC
A WWE spokesperson has confirmed to TMZ that WWE will not discipline Brock Lesnar whatsoever for failing two different drug tests prior to his UFC 200 bout against Mark Hunt.
According to TMZ, the spokesperson stated that “only full-time WWE performers are subject to the organization’s wellness policy, which prohibits PEDs … but since Brock isn’t a full-time performer, he’s essentially exempt.”
Lesnar tested positive for Clomiphene in both failures, which is an estrogen blocker meant to increase testosterone.
According to the spokesperson, WWE is not a regulated athletic competition, and that because Brock does not work a full time schedule he is exempt from these rules. A source noted to TMZ that the rules are only in place to keep full-time performers healthy.
Lesnar will return to the ring to face Randy Orton at WWE SummerSlam on August 21st, and will also make his first appearance since WrestleMania 31 on next week’s episode of RAW.
Former WWE Superstar Returning For The RAW Brand Soon, Update On Other Names Rumored To Return
Source: WrestlingINC
Former WWE Superstar Jinder Mahal has signed a new deal to return to the company, according to PWInsider. No word yet on when he will be back but he is returning for the RAW brand.
As noted, former WWE star Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers) will also be returning soon. He’s set to work the SmackDown brand.
WWE just announced on SmackDown last night that Shelton Benjamin will be returning to SmackDown soon and Rhyno made his re-debut on the brand. Several other former WWE stars, including Melina, Tommy Dreamer, MVP and Carlito, have been talked about returning internally or have been contacted. We’ll keep you updated on other potential returns.
Cruiserweight Classic – WWE Contracts Offered To Additional Competitors, Including Zack Sabre Jr.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
Pro Wrestling Sheet has learned that many of the wrestlers competing in the Cruiserweight Classic have been offered WWE contracts … but one big name couldn’t accept the deal quite yet.
Multiple sources tell us Zack Sabre Jr. was recently offered a contract. However, the young wrestler couldn’t sign it at this point in time due to a personal matter.
Good news though, we’ve learned he’s expected to take them up on the offer sometime next year.
Additionally, one well-placed source says contract offers have also been extended to TJ Perkins,Cedric Alexander, Noam Dar and Akira Tozawa. If all goes to plan, they’ll report for duty in September-October.
According to PWTorch, Kota Ibushi and Gran Metallik have inked deals as well. Ibushi has since done an interview though saying he hasn’t signed on the dotted line yet.
And lastly, tweets from Johnny Gargano and Tommasso Ciampa seem to suggest that both will soon be exclusive to WWE after finishing up their final indie appearances this summer.
Rhyno Makes Return To WWE – SmackDown Live
Heath Slater who wasn’t drafted at last week’s WWE Draft was in the ring making a case to Shane McMahon as to why he needed to sign him. Rhyno appeared and hit Slater with a Gore.
Rhyno has recently been competing off and on in NXT.
Shelton Benjamin Coming Soon To SmackDown Live
The speculation is true. One of the most athletically gifted and underrated WWE stars of the last decade is making a return to WWE. After six years wrestling in Japan and on the independent circuit after leaving WWE in 2010, former three-time Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin will be returning to WWE on the SmackDown Live brand.
Benjamin’s comeback was announced in a promo last night on SmackDown Live.
SmackDown Live Preview: 7/26/16
Source: WWE.com
The New Era of SmackDown begins
How will Commissioner Shane McMahon and his General Manager Daniel Bryan keep SmackDown Live on top in the New Era?
Who will come after the WWE Title on SmackDown Live?
Will chaos create cash for SmackDown Live?
American Alpha, Alexa Bliss, Mojo Rawley and Carmella are all coming to SmackDown Live from NXT
But not everything great comes from difference. SmackDown Live is also loaded with former World, Intercontinental and United States Champions, including Alberto Del Rio, Dolph Ziggler, Zack Ryder and Kalisto. For them, it may be a new night, but in reality, it’s just another opportunity to reaffirm that SmackDown Live is their house.
Sasha Banks Wins WWE Women’s Championship On RAW
Last night on RAW, Sasha Banks defeated Charlotte to become the new WWE Women’s Champion.
Sasha Banks shares some FaceTime with Bayley after her big win:
RAW To Crown WWE Universal Champion At SummerSlam
Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley announced that RAW will have their own World Heavyweight Championship and it will be called the WWE Universal Championship. They announced they will have 2 Fatal 4-Way matches and the winners will meet in the main event and the winner of that match will face Seth Rollins at SummerSlam for the WWE Universal Championship.
In the first match, Finn Balor defeated Cesaro, Rusev & Kevin Owens. In the second match, Roman Reigns defeated Sami Zayn, Sheamus & Chris Jericho. In the main event, Finn Balor defeated Roman Reigns to advance to the WWE Universal Championship match against Seth Rollins at SummerSlam.
Several Top Independent Names Offered Full-Time WWE Deals?
Source: WrestlingNews.Co
It looks like several of the names featured on the Cruiserweight Classic may stay on board after the tournament is over. Cedric Alexander, 26, Kota Ibushi, 34, Mascara Dorada, 27, and Akira Tozawa, 30, are believed to have been offered deals.
Also, Yoshihiro Tajiri, 45, is being considered. Dorada is wrestling in the Cruiserweight Classic as Gran Metalik so that should be a sign that a deal has been signed or that they have at least agreed to a deal because WWE does not change a talent’s name if they don’t expect to sign them to a deal.
Most, or all, of the names listed have not signed contracts because they have yet to go through the required medicals and background checks. Ibushi is someone that can go up to the main roster right away and with his neck issues, he may not be able to work at a high level for too many more years.
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