Month: January 2020

Samoa Joe Reportedly Injured On WWE RAW

During WWE RAW on Monday night, Samoa Joe teamed with Kevin Owens to face RAW Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy for the titles.

At one point during the match, Joe hit a dive and grabbed the back of his head. He was then pulled out of the match and taken to the back. Owens ended up finishing the match by himself, however was ultimately pinned by Murphy.

PWInsider reports that the injury was 100% legitimate and WWE medical personnel made the decision to pull him from the bout. After Joe was removed, the rest of the talent were calling the match on the fly.

Joe was evaluated backstage after the match. Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that the belief is that Joe suffered a concussion, although that is not definite yet.

Joe had just returned to action last month after suffering a thumb injury last September.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Andrade Suspended For WWE Wellness Policy Violation

Pro Wrestling Sheet reports that United States Champion Andrade has been suspended by WWE for violating the company’s Wellness Policy.

Andrade – real name Manuel Oropeza – was told of the suspension yesterday morning. It’s unclear what substance he tested positive for at this time.

In an effort to write him off television for the next thirty days, the 30-year-old wrestler was disqualified from his match on Raw tonight due to interference from Zelina Vega. His opponent Humberto Carrillo then took him outside of the ring in a rage and hit the Hammerlock DDT on Andrade on the concrete.

As per usual, WWE is expected to announce the suspension on their corporate website.

As you’ll recall, Robert Roode and Primo Colon were suspended in December for violations of the company’s Wellness Policy. Roode has since returned to television. Primo has remained in Puerto Rico and claims his violation was for refusing to travel to the United States to take a test.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

 

UPDATE:

WWE has confirmed that United States Champion Andrade has been suspended for 30 days due to his first violation of the WWE Wellness Policy.

WWE issued the following today to confirm the suspension:

WWE® SUSPENDS MANUEL OROPEZASTAMFORD, CONN., January 28, 2020 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) has suspended Manuel Oropeza (Andrade) for 30 days effective immediately, for his first violation of the company’s talent wellness policy.

Edge Explains How He Returned From Neck Injury, Then Gets Con-Chair-To’ed (VIDEO)

Edge addressed the elephant in the room Monday during his return to Raw … then his old tag partner Randy Orton showed up to ruin all the fanfare.

“The Rated-R Supertar” began the segment saying he’s been trying to get healthy again since retiring and immediately got to work making it happen nine years ago.

The WWE Hall of Famer revealed he got a second neck surgery and busted his ass to get cleared.

“I got in the best in the shape of my life at 46 years old, so that I could step back in here, so that I could end my career on my terms,” he added. Edge claimed to not know how long he’ll be able to wrestle again, but said he hopes all of the fans join him on this ride.

As we previously reported, Edge is expected to wrestle a few matches a year at big events under the terms of his new WWE contract.

During the speech on Raw, former Rated RKO partner Randy Orton interrupted and came to the ring to talk about their history together. Orton asked Edge if he wanted to team together again, but before he could answer Randy hit him with an RKO.

Orton then hit Edge with a chair and eventually a con-chair-to as the show came to a close.

Watch the end-of-show attack below.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE RAW Preview 1/27/20

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas with fallout from the 2020 Royal Rumble event.

  • Liv Morgan battles Lana with Lashley and Rusev banned from ringside
  • Who will Drew McIntyre and Charlotte Flair challenge at WrestleMania 36 after their Royal Rumble victories

AJ Styles Injured At The Royal Rumble

It appeared that AJ Styles exit from the Royal Rumble match seemed to occur earlier than planned and now we’ve learned it was due to injury.

The Wrestling Observer reports Styles suffered a shoulder separation during the Royal Rumble match on Sunday.

In case you missed it, WWE Hall of Famer Edge made his shocking return to the company in the match and landed a flurry of spears on everyone in the ring. The injury to Styles appeared to occur while he was on the receiving end of a spear moments later.

The severity of AJ’s shoulder injury is unclear at this time.

Styles will be undergoing testing to determine the severity of the injury as soon as possible, perhaps at RAW today.

WWE Hall Of Famer Edge Returned To The Ring At The Royal Rumble

After the rumors of a in-ring return for WWE Hall of Famer Edge and his denials, Edge returned to the ring last night in the men’s Royal rumble match.

The Rated R Superstar entered the 30-Man Rumble Match main event at #21 and ended up being the 28th elimination, by Roman Reigns.

There’s no word yet on what WWE has planned for Edge, but @Wrestlevotes reports that he recently signed a three-year WWE contract that is said to be worth significant money.

This hasn’t been confirmed but there is now fan speculation on Rated RKO doing battle at WrestleMania 36 after Edge and former partner Randy Orton turned on each other during the Rumble Match after teaming up.

Pro Wrestling Sheet has confirmed prior to re-signing with WWE to return to the ring, Edge had contract talks with AEW.

WrestleZone first reported on the talks between Edge and AEW. Sources close to the situation confirm Edge began discussions with both AEW and WWE in August after making it known on his podcast that he could wrestle another match.

During talks, AEW made a serious offer for Edge aka Adam Copeland to work behind the scenes as an agent or producer – as well as wrestle a handful of matches.

As we finally saw last night though, Copeland decided to return to WWE.

According to Pro Wrestling Sheet, Edge’s new WWE multi-year contract calls for him to take part in a few matches a year and a number of appearances on WWE TV. It’s unclear which brand he’ll end up on at this time, but he’s rumored to be facing a Raw opponent (Randy Orton) at WrestleMania 36.

Sources: Wrestling Inc. and Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE Royal Rumble Results 1/26/20

(Kickoff) Sheamus vs. Shorty G –

Winner: Sheamus

 

(Kickoff) United States Championship: Andrade (c) w/Zelina Vega vs. Humberto Carrillo –

Winner: Andrade

 

Falls Count Anywhere Match: Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin –

Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode and The Uso’s all got involved. Match ended with a superman punch and a spear on top of a dugout.

Winner: Roman Reigns

 

30-Women Royal Rumble Match:

Entry Order:

  1. Alexa Bliss
  2. Bianca Belair
  3. Mighty Molly Holly
  4. Nikki Cross
  5. Lana
  6. Mercedes Martinez
  7. Liv Morgan
  8. Mandy Rose
  9. Candice LeRae
  10. Sonya Deville
  11. Kairi Sane
  12. Mia Yim
  13. Dana Brooke
  14. Tamina Snuka
  15. Dakota Kai
  16. Chelsea Green
  17. Charlotte Flair
  18. Naomi
  19. Beth Phoenix
  20. Toni Storm
  21. Kelly Kelly
  22. Sarah Logan
  23. Natalya
  24. Xia Li
  25. Zelina Vega
  26. Shotzi Blackheart
  27. Carmella
  28. Tegan Nox
  29. Santina Marella (Santino Marella)
  30. Shayna Baszler

Winner: Charlotte Flair

Bianca Belair and Shayna Baszler both had a record 8 eliminations

 

SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley (c) vs. Lacey Evans –

Winner: Bayley

 

Universal Championship – Strap Match: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Daniel Bryan –

Winner: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt

RAW Women’s Champion: “The Man” Becky Lynch (c) vs. Asuka w/Kairi Sane –

Winner: Becky Lynch

 

Michael Cole announced that Rusev and Bobby Lashley not medically cleared for the Royal Rumble after being involved in a brawl after they arrived to Minute Maid Park.

 

30-Man Royal Rumble Match:

Entry Order:

  1. WWE Champion Brock Lesnar
  2. Elias
  3. Erick Rowan
  4. Robert Roode
  5. John Morrison
  6. Kofi Kingston
  7. Rey Mysterio
  8. Big E
  9. Cesaro
  10. Shelton Benjamin
  11. Shinsuke Nakamura
  12. MVP
  13. Keith Lee
  14. Braun Strowman
  15. Ricochet
  16. Drew McIntyre
  17. The Miz
  18. AJ Styles
  19. Dolph Ziggler
  20. Karl Anderson
  21. Edge
  22. King Corbin
  23. Matt Riddle
  24. Luke Gallows
  25. Randy Orton
  26. Roman Reigns
  27. Kevin Owens
  28. Aleister Black
  29. Samoa Joe
  30. Seth Rollins

Winner: Drew McIntyre

Brock Lesnar tied the record of eliminations with 13.

WWE Worlds Collide NXT vs. NXT UK Results 1/25/20

(Pre-Show) NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray vs. Mia Yim –

Winner: Kay Lee Ray

 

Finn Balor vs. Ilja Dragunov –

Winner: Finn Balor

 

NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Angel Garza (c) vs. Isaiah Scott vs. Jordan Devlin vs. Travis Banks –

Winner and New NXT Cruiserweight Champion: Jordan Devlin

 

Moustache Mountain vs. DIY –

Winners: DIY

 

Mercedes Martinez is shown at ringside. Dakota Kai is also shown at ringside. Tegan Nox suddenly flies out of nowhere and beats Kai down. Security tries to break them up but they keep going at it. Nox knocks Kai into the ringside area as the brawl continues. Security pulls them apart and fans boo.

 

NXT Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Toni Storm –

Winner: Rhea Ripley

 

Imperium (NXT UK Champion WALTER, Fabian Aichner, Marcel Barthel, Alexander Wolfe) vs. The Undisputed Era (NXT Champion Adam Cole, NXT North American Champion Roderick Strong, NXT Tag Team Champions Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish) –

Winners: Imperium

NWA Hard Times Results 1/24/20

TV Championship Tournament Match: The Question Mark vs.  Trevor Murdoch –

Winner: Trevor Murdoch

 

TV Championship Tournament Match: Zicky Dice vs. Dan Maff –

Winner: Dan Maff

 

TV Championship Tournament Match: Ricky Starks vs. Matt Cross –

Winner: Ricky Starks

 

TV Championship Tournament Match: Tim Storm vs. Ken Anderson –

Ken Anderson has not been medically cleared to compete. Tim Storm advances to next round with a bye.

 

Stu Bennett announces that NWA’s next PPV, The Crockett Cup will be in April.

https://twitter.com/nwa/status/1220866550367948801

 

NWA World Tag Team Championship: Rock ‘N Roll Express (c) vs. The Wildcards vs. Eli Drake and James Storm –

Winners and new NWA World Tag Team Champions: Eli Drake and James Storm

 

NWA World Women’s Championship: Allysin Kay (c) vs. Thunder Rosa –

Winner and new NWA World Women’s Champion: Thunder Rosa

 

Galli welcomed Marty Scurll to the interview desk. Scurll began: “I’m here for the same reason I came at Into the Fire. I want my shot at the Ten Pounds of Gold. Nick…you keep walking away from me. You keep ducking me. You keep telling everyone that you’ve already beaten me. So what are you worried about? I’m not going to stop until you give me what I want…a shot at the NWA world heavyweight championship.” Scurll then says that for some reason tonight’s matchup with Flip Gordon is not a title match, then berates Aldis for not thinking about the business. “All these people spent their hard earned money to be here tonight, as well as many watching at home on PPV. These people deserve to see a title defense.” Aldis came out, and after the chants of “coward” die down…he spoke “I am flabbergasted at the audacity of what you just said. You come out here…you walk into the house that Nick Aldis built…and you start throwing your weight around like you’ve got the same stroke here as you do in Ring of Honor.” Aldis says that ROH was a hot ticket when he was headlining, and now the NWA is because of him. “I will put the world’s championship on the line tonight against Flip Gordon under one condition.” Aldis says that if Flip wins he is champ, but if he wins all of their future ROH business is on his terms. Also, Scurll has to leave the building. Security escorted Scurll out.

 

TV Championship Tournament Semi-Final #1: Dan Maff vs. Trevor Murdoch –

Winner: Trevor Murdoch

 

TV Championship Tournament Semi-Final #2: Tim Storm vs. Ricky Starks –

Winner: Ricky Starks

 

NWA National Championship: Aron Stevens (c) vs. Scott Steiner –

Scott Steiner wins by DQ – interference from Question Mark

After the match – Steiner lariats the Question Mark and puts him in the recliner. Stevens does not help, instead opting to leave the arena. Steiner, angrily, sends the referee flying. He poses for the crowd, who give him a warm ovation.

 

NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship: Nick Aldis (c) vs. Flip Gordon –

Winner: Nick Aldis

 

NWA TV Championship Tournament Finals: Trevor Murdoch vs. Ricky Starks –

Winner and NWA TV Champion: Ricky Starks

WWE Royal Rumble 1/26/20

The 2020 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view takes place this coming Sunday, January 26, from Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas – 7:00 PM ET (Preshow at 5:00 PM ET)

30-Man Royal Rumble Match: WWE Champion Brock Lesnar (Entering #1), Roman Reigns, Erick Rowan, Randy Orton, Ricochet, Rey Mysterio, AJ Styles, Drew McIntyre, King Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, Otis, Tucker, Elias, Rusev, Bobby Lashley, Buddy Murphy, Aleister Black, R-Truth, Braun Strowman, Shinsuke Nakamura, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe, Big E, Kofi Kingston, John Morrison, The Miz, 3 Participants TBA

30-Woman Royal Rumble Match: Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, Sarah Logan, Natalya, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, Dana Brooke, Carmella, 21 Participants TBA

Universal Championship – Strap Match: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Daniel Bryan

RAW Women’s Champion: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Asuka

SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley (c) vs. Lacey Evans

United States Championship: Andrade (c) vs. Humberto Carrillo

Falls Count Anywhere Match: Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin

Sheamus vs. Shorty G