Month: July 2019

Backstage Notes On Paul Heyman Influence On This Week’s RAW, Was Corey Graves’ Line Scripted?, Eric Bischoff SmackDown Note

Paul Heyman reportedly had “his fingerprints” all over last night’s WWE RAW episode, with most of the material going through him, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio. However, Vince McMahon and red brand head writer Ed Koskey were the main ones discussing the show at the big production meeting for this week’s RAW, not Heyman.

Last night’s RAW was not 100% Heyman’s show, but it was a “very heavy Paul Heyman” episode, essentially his first as the new Executive Director of the red brand.

It was speculated that Corey Graves’ “Holy s–t!” line after the stage explosion with Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley may have been scripted. Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that the line was scripted. We had noted earlier how WWE didn’t use the 7+ second delay to bleep the word. There was reportedly a feeling that they did the line to add to the recent efforts to make RAW seem more edgier.

Fans online seem to be under the impression that Heyman ran last night’s RAW as it came off as a better episode compared to what we’ve seen in recent weeks. There was a light “thank you Heyman!” chant in the American Airlines Center following the stage explosion angle with Strowman and Lashley last night. Regarding that explosion angle, WWE used the overhead shot backstage because they wanted to make it look like it wasn’t a part of the planned show.

Heyman did appear on RAW as Brock Lesnar’s advocate, in a backstage segment to get WWE NXT Tag Team Champions The Street Profits over, but there are still no plans for him to be an authority figure on TV. Heyman has been very adamant about not working an authority figure role on WWE TV, with the feeling that the role has been played out for years. One of the changes Heyman reportedly wants to make is doing away with the authority figures.

New SmackDown Executive Director Eric Bischoff is expected to be at tonight’s blue brand show from San Antonio. Bischoff’s “fingerprints” may end up being on tonight’s SmackDown, but word is that his first official episode will be the post-Extreme Rules show on July 16.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Mentions AEW In Social Media Error During RAW (Photo)

It’s very possible that a member of WWE’s large social media team was reprimanded during this week’s WWE RAW episode after All Elite Wrestling was accidentally mentioned by the official WWE Instagram account.

The AEW mention came when the WWE Instagram account posted a backstage photo of WWE NXT Tag Team Champions The Street Profits, who made their first main roster appearances during backstage segments on RAW.

The original caption on the photo read, “The #NXT Tag Team Champions AEW here on #Raw!”

They meant to say, “…are here on #Raw!”, but for some reason AEW was on the mind of the social media employee who made the post, or they fell victim to auto-correct.

WWE’s Executive Vice President of Digital & Social Content Jayar Donlan spoke with Sports Business Daily in May 2018 and revealed that he then had a staff of 90 employees who worked WWE’s social media department. There’s no word on if that number included interns or how big the team is today.

The error received several thousand likes and comments on Instagram before it was fixed. The corrected photo, seen below, has many comments from fans about the botch, with most people joking about someone getting fired.

You can see a screenshot of the AEW botch below:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Maria Kanellis Pregnancy Update Following WWE RAW

Last night on RAW, WWE shot a backstage segment with Mike and Maria Kanellis approaching Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins. Maria challenged Lynch and Rollins, referring to Mike as “my bi–h” and saying that they wanted to face Becky and her “bi–h,” which led to a mixed tag team match.

During the mixed tag match, Maria announced that she was pregnant. Maria took the mic and wondered how Mike got her pregnant because he wasn’t man enough. Maria continued to berate Mike on the air before he tapped to Lynch’s “Disarmher” finisher.

According to the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Maria is actually pregnant. That would be the explanation as to why she didn’t compete inside the ring.

Prior to Monday’s RAW, Mike had been wrestling on 205 Live. Both Mike and Maria recently signed new five-year deals with the company. The deal is reportedly worth $500,000 per year.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Reportedly In Talks To Move Weekly Show To AXS TV

Impact Wrestling is reportedly in talks with AXS TV to move networks.

According to Voices of Wrestling, Impact has had conversations with the Mark Cuban-backed network about making the switch. So far, the reports have not been verified.

The move is reportedly likely to take place after the Slammiversary pay-per-view in July, but there have apparently been hold ups during negotiations so nothing is official.

Impact currently airs on Pursuit Channel and Twitch.

For those unaware, AXS TV is also the home of NJPW programming and WOW – Women of Wrestling. Both of these shows are moving to Saturday nights this summer.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE RAW Highlights 7/1/19 – AJ Styles, The Club, The Undertaker, Strowman & Lashley, Kanellis’s, 24/7 Title, Street Profits & More

Last night on RAW there was a heel turn by AJ Styles and The Club are officially back together as they beat down United States Champion Ricochet after he retained his title in the main event of RAW against Styles.

Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre called out The Undertaker and he came out to the ring and had a message for Shane & Drew.

Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley were both taken by ambulance to the hospital after Strowman speared Lashley through the stage’s LED boards which sparked some explosions.

Mike and Maria Kaneliis had a mix tag team match against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. During the match, Maria announced as Becky was about to hit her that she was pregnant, but that she doesn’t believe Mike was man enough to be the one to have impregnated her. After The Kanellis’ lost, she got on the microphone and further berated her husband.

Drake Maverick regained the 24/7 title from R-Truth just as he was heading out on his honeymoon.

Watch these highlights and more below:

WWE RAW Preview 7/1/19

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas as the road to Extreme Rules continues.

* Falls. Count. Anywhere.

* The New Day and The Viking Raiders to throw down in tag team action

* How will Baron Corbin & Lacey Evans exploit Seth Rollins’ “kryptonite”?

* The Big Dog and The Deadman unite

* Is AJ Styles in line for a U.S. Title opportunity?

* Is Samoa Joe our next WWE Champion?

Paige On WWE Creative Frustration With The Kabuki Warriors, Recent Vince McMahon Interaction

Paige recently spoke with The Sun to promote the DVD release of WWE Studios’ “Fighting with My Family” movie and was asked about Vince McMahon’s reaction to the film.

“I don’t know what Vince’s reaction to it was. But if you get a big hug from Vince McMahon you’re doing well. I saw him last week and he gave me a big hug and said, ‘I’m very happy for you.’ I don’t know it that’s about the movie or the fact that I’m healthy. I think he probably liked it if he did watch it,” Paige said.

Paige also spoke about being the manager for The Kabuki Warriors, Asuka and Kairi Sane. Paige is convinced the team can be a game changer for the WWE women’s tag team division, if they can get the TV time. She talked about being frustrated over how the team has been used.

“If we don’t get used I get really frustrated because we’re a good tag team and we need to be utilised. Sometimes the writers have so much on their plate with everyone else’s storylines, they put things on the backburner. I have to remind them, ‘Ok, but there is a women’s tag team title… I’m like, ‘What the hell dudes? Let’s make something happen.’

“It frustrates me but once you actually get to speak with Vince and Hunter about your problems and frustrations, they’re always the first to say, ‘Let’s change this.’ If you go up to writers it’s like talking to a brick wall sometimes, whereas if you go to Vince and Hunter they’re like, ‘If you have a problem we can change that for you.’ The Kabuki Warriors can be a force to be reckoned with and that was the plan from the beginning… After the match in Tokyo hopefully we’ll get to build towards a pay-per-view, which gives the girls something to look forward to. So I’m happy we have a boss that really listens to us.”

As noted, Sane and Asuka became the new #1 contenders to WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The IIconics by winning a non-title match in Tokyo this past week. There’s no word yet on when they will get their title shot.

Regarding her WWE future, Paige said she wouldn’t be interested in a role on the creative team, but she does see herself staying with WWE in some capacity, and she’s interested in pursuing acting.

“One way or another I’ll always be a part of WWE, whether it’s in front of the camera or behind the camera. I’d love to do a GM role again. I felt like I really found myself in that role. It really pushed me,” she said. “Also, I love acting, I truly really love it. Obviously wrestling always will be my first passion but unfortunately I can’t do that anymore.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Ring Of Honor Moving This Year’s Final Battle PPV Out Of New York City

Ring of Honor will be moving this December’s Final Battle PPV out of New York City and to Baltimore, the promotion’s home market, according to PWInsider. This will be the first time the show has been in Baltimore.

Going all the way back to 2006, this PPV has taken place each year in Manhattan, except for in 2015 when Philadelphia was the host city. The first Final Battle PPV went down in 2002 in Philadelphia.

Over the weekend, ROH put on its Best in the World PPV, if you missed it, results here.

Next up for the promotion is Manhattan Mayhem (TV taping) at the Hammerstein Ballroom on July 20.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Fyter Fest Results 6/29/19

(SCU vs. Private Party vs. Best Friends
Winner advances to All Out for a shot at a first round bye in AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament.

Winners: Best Friends

Allie vs. Leva Bates – Winner: Allie

Hardcore Match: Michael Nakazawa vs. Jebailey – Winner: Michael Nakazawa

Christopher Daniels vs. CIMA – Winner: CIMA

Yuka Sakazaki vs. Riho vs. Nyla Rose – Winner: Riho

Post-match, Rose attacks Riho from behind, crowd booing. She looks for a beast bomb, Sakazaki with the save, double dropkicks sends Rose out to the floor. Sakazaki tries to help Riho up and gets shoved away.

Hangman Adam Page vs. MJF vs. Jungle Boy vs. Jimmy Havoc – Winner: Hangman Adam Page

Cody w/Brandi Rhodes vs. Darby Allin – Match ends in a 20-minute time limit draw

They consider giving them more time, but Shawn Spears comes into the ring and smashes Cody right in the head with the chair. Brandi gets in the ring and asks him what he’s doing. The referee gets between Brandi and Spears. Spears stares at Brandi and makes his way out through the crowd. Cody has a gash on the back of his head now, sizable pool of blood on the mat. MJF is in the ring, not happy as he watches Spears leave. Scorpio and Kazarian out to check on Cody. Commentary does a good job putting over how sickening that was for Spears to hit Cody with that chairshot. That match and post-match was wild.

Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks vs. Lucha Bros & Laredo Kid – Winners: Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks

Post-match, Omega and Young Bucks celebrate. Omega tells the other team to jump in the ring, they jaw a bit, but Pentagon, Fenix, and Laredo Kid celebrate a bit in the ring. Omega shakes hands with everyone ringside and makes his way to the back.

Non-Sanctioned Match: Jon Moxley vs. Joey Janela – Winner: Jon Moxley

Post-match, Kenny Omega rushes Moxley and beats the hell out of him. This is revenge for Moxley attacking Omega at the end of Double or Nothing after his loss to Chris Jericho. Suplex on the floor. Puts the table over Moxley, and hits a big double stomp on him. Moxley tries to fight back, Omega gets on him and continues to swing away. He sends Moxley’s face-first into the drum kit out near the stage. Omega hits Moxley with some drum sticks, then grabs the electric guitar and cracks Moxley’s over the back with it before backing away. Referees help Moxley up the ramp, he ends up shoving them away. Omega runs out with a garbage can and cracks Moxley a bunch of times. Omega then hits dirty deeds on the trash can and stands tall as the show ends.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

ROH Best In The World Results 6/28/19

Flip Gordon vs. RUSH – Winner: RUSH

NWA Heavyweight champion Nick Aldis comes out to announce his replacement tag partner with his bout against the Briscoes after scheduled teammate, Colt Cabana, went down with injury. Cabana shows off his cane at the booth to indicate that he’s definitely not competing. Aldis gets on the mic and calls Cabana a professional, and that he knows he wouldn’t have missed a booking unless his injury was very serious. Aldis tells the Baltimore crowd that he almost considered canceling the match, but he didn’t want to dot that because this is NWA territory. He then goes to introduce his partner…and NWA’s newest roster member…lights go out…James Storm is here.

James Storm walks out with his own mic. He says that he’s not Aldis’ partner, and demands to know who it is. Aldis responds…”why don’t I just let him tell you.”

IT’S ELI DRAKE. Crowd erupts. Storm can’t believe it! Drake claims that there are a lot of superstars backstage that thinks they are the best…until he arrived. He talks about all the company prospects he had since leaving his former employer, and reveals that he joined ROH because it is the past, present, and future of professional wrestling. “You are looking at the newest acquisition of the NWA.” Drake promises that NWA, ROH, and the Briscoes are going to understand exactly what he is capable of tonight. Drake drops the mic to end the segment.

Dalton Castle vs. Dragon Lee – Winner: Dalton Castle

The Allure (Mandy Leon & Angelina Love/with Velvet Sky) vs. Kelly Klein & Jenny Rose – Winners:
The Allure

As soon as the bell rings the lights go out. Strange video plays on the titantron. Lights up…it’s Maria Manic! The Allure can’t believe it! They escape before things get physical. Security tries to restrain Manic…she handles them with ease. Torture rack to one guard…she picks up the other in a razor’s edge and tosses him onto the lot at ringside! Manic rips off her shirt revealing the a new tattoo that says “MANEATER.” She poses to end the segment.

Best of Three Series – Match 3 (seires tied 1-1): Jay Lethal vs. Kenny King – Winner: Kenny King

Pure Rules Match: Jonathan Gresham vs. Silas Young – Winner: Jonathan Gresham

The Briscoes vs. Nick Aldis & Eli Drake – Match is ruled a no-contest

James Storm jumps in and starts brawling with Eli Drake. The Briscoes team-up and attack Aldis. Cabana tries to jump in but Riccaboni stops him for health reasons. The Briscoes go to put Aldis through a table…Camille comes out and spears Mark. A bunch of security guards come out but the Briscoes battle them off. Instead of escaping…Aldis tries to fight Mark and Jay off…they put him through a table. Cabana is irate that he couldn’t help. Segment ends with the Briscoes celebrating with the fans.

As Aldis recovers…Marty Scurll runs out to help him up.

ROH World TV Championship: (C) Shane Taylor vs. Bandido – Winner: Shane Taylor

ROH World Six-Man Tag Team championship: (C) Villain Enterprises (Marty Scurll, Brody King & PCO) vs. Lifeblood (Mark Haskins & Tracy Williams) & PJ Black – Winners: Villain Enterprises 

After Villain Enterprises leaves…the Solider of Savagery attack Lifeblood. Bandido runs out to help his stable mates…Bully Ray comes out of nowhere and nails Bandido. He goes to hit Bandido with a chair but Flip Gordon comes out to run Bully Ray off. Lifeblood hands Gordon a t-shirt, inviting him to the group. Scurll comes onto the titantron and says that Villain Enterprises also has a new member…and he’s going to introduce him now. It’s revealed to be Gordon, who superkicks Bandido then flees the ring. The rest of Villain Enterprises runs out…they beat Lifeblood down. Williams gets placed on a table…Gordon with a 450 crashes through the table!

ROH World Championship: (C) Matt Taven vs. Jeff Cobb – Winner: Matt Taven

Source: Wrestling Inc.