Month: November 2023

WWE Announces New Broadcast Home For NXT Brand

With the announcement last month that “WWE SmackDown” would be leaving Fox and heading back to USA in 2024, questions emerged regarding the futures for “WWE Raw” and “WWE NXT” on USA respectively. At least with “NXT,” its future will lie elsewhere, in a move that will also affect another wrestling promotion.

In a press release late Tuesday afternoon, WWE announced they had reached a deal with The CW to broadcast “NXT” starting in September 2024. PWInsider reported earlier in the afternoon that the two sides were in deep negotiations, so much so that an announcement could happen at any time. No financial details were disclosed, though the earlier report suggested that the deal would be “the biggest increase for “WWE NXT” media rights ever.” 

The deal will mark NXT’s move from cable to broadcast TV, and will be a reunion between WWE and The CW, which aired “SmackDown” from 2006 to 2008; “SmackDown” also aired on The CW’s predecessor, UPN, from 1999 to 2006. The news comes on the heels of speculation that The CW was entering a relationship with rival promotion NWA, with both a wrestling and reality show set to air. It’s unclear what effect the WWE/CW deal will have on any potential NWA projects, or if a recent NWA angle said to give The CW pause helped contribute to this move.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 11/7/2023

WWE NXT airs live tonight at 8:00 pm EST on USA Network.

  • Fallout from last month’s two-week Halloween Havoc special
  • Lyra Valkyria to appear in NXT for the first time as NXT Women’s Champion
  • Bron Breakker vs. Von Wagner
  • NXT Heritage Cup Match: Noam Dar (c) vs. Akira Tozawa
  • Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley
  • Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Dijak vs. Tyler Bate

Rumored TV Networks Interested In WWE RAW’s Rights

The WWE’s programming rights for Raw, NXT, and SmackDown are set to expire next year. Raw and NXT currently have agreements with the USA Network, while SmackDown is aired on FOX.

However, WWE has recently signed a five-year deal to bring SmackDown back to the USA Network starting in October 2024. This move may affect the renewal of Raw and NXT’s rights with the network, but negotiations are still possible.

Other networks, including USA Network, Warner Bros [TBS or TNT], Discovery, and FX, are rumored in obtaining the broadcasting rights for Raw, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.

Source: eWn

Ricochet Injury Update After WWE Raw Intercontinental Title #1 Contender’s Match

GUNTHER has now held the WWE Intercontinental Championship for well over 500 days, having first won the title from Ricochet back in June 2022. Last night’s “WWE Raw” included a four-way to determine the next contender for GUNTHER, and the lineup featured the former champion Ricochet, as well as The Miz, Bronson Reed, and Ivar of the Viking Raiders. Like much of last night’s show, there was plenty of action and excitement. However, not all was well coming out of the match, with Ricochet reportedly hurt.

Today’s “Wrestling Observer Radio” had hosts Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez discussing the situation. Alvarez stated that Ricochet was in WWE’s concussion protocol, meaning he must get cleared by a doctor before being able to return to the ring. Depending on the severity of his injury, that could take days, weeks, or possibly even months.

One spot relatively early on saw Ricochet slam his head onto the mat and, according to Alvarez, it was immediately clear that Ricochet should have been pulled from the match and checked out for a concussion. However, the high-flying WWE star finished out the match.

“I’ve seen a million Ricochet matches, and he does not miss stuff, and he is not slow,” Alvarez said. “From that point forward, for a good three [or] four minutes, he’s slow and everything is not Ricochet-level. And it was clear this guy was messed up but they let him work the entire match.”

Both hosts agreed that Ricochet’s condition had seemed to improve after the commercial break, with the wrestler likely having a minute or two to recover. There was some confusion at the end of the bout, with Ricochet kicking out while the ref still counted to three, but it’s not yet clear if that was a planned angle or a mistake on someone’s part.

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to

GUNTHER has now held the WWE Intercontinental Championship for well over 500 days, having first won the title from Ricochet back in June 2022. Last night’s “WWE Raw” included a four-way to determine the next contender for GUNTHER, and the lineup featured the former champion Ricochet, as well as The Miz, Bronson Reed, and Ivar of the Viking Raiders. Like much of last night’s show, there was plenty of action and excitement. However, not all was well coming out of the match, with Ricochet reportedly hurt.

Today’s “Wrestling Observer Radio” had hosts Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez discussing the situation. Alvarez stated that Ricochet was in WWE’s concussion protocol, meaning he must get cleared by a doctor before being able to return to the ring. Depending on the severity of his injury, that could take days, weeks, or possibly even months.

One spot relatively early on saw Ricochet slam his head onto the mat and, according to Alvarez, it was immediately clear that Ricochet should have been pulled from the match and checked out for a concussion. However, the high-flying WWE star finished out the match.

“I’ve seen a million Ricochet matches, and he does not miss stuff, and he is not slow,” Alvarez said. “From that point forward, for a good three [or] four minutes, he’s slow and everything is not Ricochet-level. And it was clear this guy was messed up but they let him work the entire match.”

Both hosts agreed that Ricochet’s condition had seemed to improve after the commercial break, with the wrestler likely having a minute or two to recover. There was some confusion at the end of the bout, with Ricochet kicking out while the ref still counted to three, but it’s not yet clear if that was a planned angle or a mistake on someone’s part.

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to Wrestling Observer Radio

WWE RAW Preview 11/6/2023

WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network from the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

  • Fallout from Crown Jewel
  • Fatal 4-Way Match to determine the new No. 1 Contender for the WWE Intercontinental Championship: Ricochet vs The Miz vs Bronson Reed vs Ivar
  • Shinsuke Nakamura vs Akira Tozawa

NJPW Star Tetsuya Naito Reportedly Set For Eye Surgery This Week

New Japan Pro-Wrestling star Tetsuya Naito will be undergoing his third right eye surgery on November 7. He announced the news to Tokyo Sports. Since 2019, Naito has been dealing with superior oblique muscle paralysis — a condition that causes double vision. He spoke about the surgery, noting the unfortunate news about it never getting “completely better.”

“It’s muscle paralysis, so even if you have surgery, it won’t get completely better. So, even if you have this surgery, … you’ll probably return to the same condition eventually,” assuming he continues to wrestle, a translated version of Tokyo Sports indicates he told the outlet.

Naito has undergone surgery twice before — in 2019 and 2022. His upcoming surgery this week will be his last since his doctor told him that the surgery can only be performed three times. Naito revealed that he wanted to wait to do the surgery after retirement, but he decided to “cherish the present,” and do it now.

Also, another reason was that after the 2023 G1 Climax tournament, his condition worsened. Naito was the winner of this year’s G1 Climax tournament, which was how he earned his Wrestle Kingdom 18 match against the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA for the title.

Over the weekend, Naito was in action at NJPW Power Struggle, where he and Yota Tsuji defeated the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and Yuya Uemura. It was the same event where AEW star Jon Moxley defeated Great-O-Khan in a Falls Count Anywhere match. IWGP United States Champion Will Ospreay also had a confrontation which led to another match likely being made for Wrestle Kingdom 18 — Ospreay is expected to be defending his title against both Moxley and David Finlay.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

NWA TV Deal With The CW Reportedly In Flux Following Drug-Related PPV Spot Going Viral

It was announced in October, that the National Wrestling Alliance reportedly signed a TV deal with the CW. This was after NWA President Billy Corgan indicated on “Busted Open Radio,” that the NWA signed a TV deal with a Top 20 network. The deal would see the CW air “NWA Powerrr” and a reality television series. It now appears though, that their TV deal might be in jeopardy. According to an exclusive report from Haus of Wrestling, executives within the company were upset over what happened during last week’s Samhain pay-per-view.

During the show, there was a controversial segment that involved longtime manager, Father James Mitchell, “snorting cocaine.” Mitchell was the host of the Halloween-themed show. Per the report, the segment was the idea of Corgan. After it happened, The CW on social media received comments from furious fans.

While there hasn’t been any official statement about the backlash that the NWA received, the promotion did react to the show in general, tagging Mitchell in the process.

They wrote a few days after the pay-per-view on X, “Getting a lot of cool messages from people at #NWASamhain! We’re glad everyone had such a blast. Everybody’s excited and DEFINITELY wants to do it again … especially @MinisterReal [Father James Mitchell].”

Kyle Davis, who was one of the NWA Color Commentators during the segment, retweeted the video on X, with the caption, “We got a little out of control this weekend at #NWASamhain … And this is very much what the @nwa brand was in the ’80s FYI.”

Haus of Wrestling was also reportedly told that now, there is a “90% chance” that both the reality TV series — which was said in the report to have been “fully paid for by Corgan” — and “Powerrr” is going to be available on The CW app instead of on television.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Kairi Sane Returns At WWE Crown Jewel, Helps IYO SKY Retain WWE Women’s Championship

Kairi Sane made her long-awaited return to WWE at Crown Jewel 2023. The “Pirate Princess” surprisingly appeared to aid Iyo Sky in retaining her WWE Women’s Championship over Bianca Belair. 

Sane addressed fans of STARDOM in October to announce that it could be the last time they would see her perform in the company, leading many to believe she was departing the promotion. Since then, multiple reports emerged to say that she was headed back to WWE, and it was recently indicated that she was listed on the internal roster and her return was imminent. Speculation turned to actualization during today’s event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as Sane made a surprise appearance to help Sky. 

Delivering her patented flying elbow drop, it was the first time Sane had been seen in a WWE ring since she faced Bayley in July 2020, serving to add another crinkle to Damage CTRL’s storyline of tension between the “Genius of the Sky” and the “Role-Model”. Sky and Sane previously held trios gold when they wrestled together in STARDOM in 2016, but are set to stand shoulder-to-shoulder for the first time in WWE. Similar to Sky, Sane boasted reigns with both the WWE Women’s Tag and “NXT” Women’s Championships before her departure in December 2021.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Crown Jewel 11/4/2023 (Results)

KICKOFF – SINGLES MATCH:
Sami Zayn def. JD McDonagh

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP:
Seth Rollins (c) def. Drew McIntyre

The Judgment Day’s music hits and out comes Damian Priest with the briefcase! He tells the referee he wants to cash in! As the referee is about to ring the bell, someone wearing all black attacks Priest from behind and throws him into the ring post and it’s Sami Zayn! He grabs the Money in the Bank briefcase and jumps the barricade as Damian follows him.

FATAL 5-WAY – WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
Rhea Ripley (c) def. Shayna Baszler, Nia Jax, Raquel Rodriguez and Zoey Stark

Solo Sikoa def. John Cena

Out comes The Miz wearing a suit for Miz TV. Miz introduces one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest actors, Ibrahim Al Hajjaj! A loud ovation from the crowd as he gets in the ring.

He calls Miz “habibi”, which loosely translates to “sweetheart”. He says it’s an honor to be here for Crown Jewel. As he is talking, Grayson Waller’s music hits and out he comes.

Waller tells Ibrahim that it’s time they have an actual star on Miz TV. They need to treat him with some respect. He says “yalla, yalla”, which translates into “let’s go, let’s go”. WWE staff get potted plants into the ring and turn it into the Grayson Waller Effect.

Miz says he has been here for 20 years while Waller has been there for 20 minutes. Waller tells him it’s not 2005, it’s 2023 and the hottest show in WWE is the Grayson Waller Effect. Miz says it’s like an Australian Public Access. It’s like they want Cristiano Ronaldo and Waller wants them to settle for the ball boy.

Ibrahim breaks it up. Ibrahim says the hottest talk show in WWE is Miz TV. Waller says he knows he is new here and calls him “habibi” but he might want to change his mind. Ibrahim calls Waller habibi and says Miz TV again. Waller says his name is everywhere, this is his show. This is his ring. He is being disrespected and he doesn’t like that. Waller tells Ibrahim to leave his ring. Miz steps towards Waller but Ibrahim stops him. Ibrahim undoes his cuff and gets ready to fight.

Waller kicks Ibrahim down and Miz hits Waller with a kick. Ibrahim gets back up as Miz clears the ring. Miz throws Waller towards Ibrahim and Ibrahim hits him with a big kick and Miz hits Waller with the Skull Crushing Finale. Ibrahim hits Waller with the People’s Elbow as he and Miz celebrate.

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP:
Logan Paul def. Rey Mysterio (c) to become the new United States Champion

WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP:
Iyo Sky (c) def. Bianca Belair

IYO runs towards Bianca but she moves out of the way and IYO accidentally hits Bayley. Bianca throws IYO into the barricade. She throws IYO into the ring. Bayley grabs Bianca by the leg but Bianca with a right hand. The referee is distracted. Bianca goes for the KOD but Kairi Sane shows up and hits Bianca with a right hand! Sane throws Bianca into the ring post and the referee is still distracted. The referee counts to nine as Bianca rolls into the ring. IYO hits her with a moon sault. She goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Kairi Sane and IYO hug in the ring as Bayley looks on from ringside.

Cody Rhodes def. Damian Priest

Priest throws Cody back into the ring. Priest goes for the Reckoning but Cody reverses it into a Cross Rhodes! Finn Balor begins to walk down to the ring. He gets onto the ring apron and that distracts the referee. In comes JD from behind but Cody knocks him down. Priest with the South of Heaven! He goes for the cover but Cody kicks out! Finn looks to the stage and out comes Dominik Mysterio with a steel chair. He gets to the ring and Jey Uso hits him with a super kick! Jey hits Finn and JD with superkicks!

That distracts Priest and Jey chases the Judgment Day to the back. Cody rolls Priest up but Priest kicks out. Cody with the Cody Cutter! He goes for the cover but Priest kicks out. Cody goes for the Cross Rhodes but Priest with a snap mare followed by a kick to the head. Priest on the ring apron and he hits Cody with a kick. Priest jumps off the second rope but Cody with a kick. Cody with a Cody Cutter off the top rope! He goes for the cover but Priest kicks out!

The fans chant “This is awesome”. Cody lifts Priest up but Priest lands on his feet, he grabs Cody but COdy reverses it into a Cross Rhodes and another Cross Rhodes and a third Cross Rhodes! He goes for the cover and gets the pin!

UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP:
Roman Reigns (c) def. LA Knight

The bell rings and we are under way. LA Knight with right hands and a swinging neck breaker. A right hand by LA Knight and he throws Reigns to the ropes but Reigns with an elbow to the face. The fans chant “LA Knight” and Roman throws Knight into the corner. Roman throws Knight to the ropes but Knight with a drop kick. He grabs Roman but Roman throws him to the outside. Knight gets on the ring apron and the fans chant “Yeah” and Knight hangs Roman up on the top rope. Knight goes for the cover but Roman kicks out. He throws Roman to the ropes and Knight with a bodyslam.

Paul Heyman distracts Knight and Roman slides to the outside of the ring. Knight with a baseball slide onto Roman. Knight gets on the ring apron and he lands a clothesline onto Roman. Knight clears the announce table but Roman with a right hand. Roman tries to slam Knight into the announce table but Knight blocks it. Knight slams Roman into the announce table. Knight grabs Roman but Roman throws Knight into the ring steps. Once more Roman throws Knight into the ring steps. Roman gets back into the ring and Knight slowly gets into the ring. Roman slams Knight into the turnbuckle.

Roman with a suplex. He goes for the cover but Knight kicks out. Roman with a big clothesline. Once more he goes for the cover but Knight kicks out. Roman clotheslines Knight in the corner. Roman goes for another clothesline but Knight with an elbow. Roman goes for another clothesline but Knight with a boot to the face. Knight with a bulldog off the second rope and both men are down. Both men to their feet and exchange right hands. LA Knight with right hands and a big clothesline by Knight and Roman is down. Knight with a Russian leg sweep followed by a DDT. He goes for the cover but Roman kicks out. LA Knight stomps on Roman in the corner and he hits him with a running knee to the face. Knight goes for a power slam but Roman lands on his feet and he hits Knight with a Rock Bottom. Roman goes for the cover but LA Knight kicks out.

Roman goes for the Superman Punch but Knight catches him with a neck breaker! LA Knight plays to the crowd and Roman hits him with a Superman Punch! He goes for the cover but Knight kicks out. Roman goes for the Spear but Knight with a leapfrog and Roman hits the ring post shoulder first. Knight with shoulder tackles in the corner. He places Roman on the top rope. Knight climbs the second rope and he goes for a suplex but Roman with a right hand and Knight is down. Knight leaps onto the top rope and lands a superplex!

LA Knight plays to the crowd and he lands an elbow drop! He goes for the cover but Roman kicks out! Solo Sikoa starts walking down the ramp but WWE officials stop him. Jimmy Uso shows up from the barricade and drags Roman to the outside. Knight grabs Jimmy but Roman with a Superman Punch. Roman gets in the ring and he hits Knight with the Spear! He goes for the cover but LA Knight kicks out!

Roman grabs LA Knight and gets him in a chokehold in the middle of the ring. LA Knight begins to fade but he gets to his feet. Right hands by LA Knight and he slams Roman into the corner. Roman gets Knight back into the chokehold but Knight picks Roman up and hangs him on the top rope. Knight hits him with the BFT! He goes for the cover but Jimmy puts Roman’s leg on the bottom rope! Knight to the outside of the ring and he hits Jimmy with right hands. He slams Jimmy into the announce table. Roman to the outside and Knight slams him into the announce table. LA Knight throws Roman into the ring post. Jimmy goes for the superkick but LA Knight catches him and throws him through the announce table! Roman spears LA Knight through the barricade on the outside! He throws Knight back into the ring. Roman with the Spear! He goes for the cover and gets the pin!

Source: WrestleView

Matt Hardy Teases A New Direction For The Hardys

On the latest episode of his “The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy” podcast, Matt Hardy discussed a wide range of topics.

During the podcast, Matt noted that fans will see the most realistic version of himself soon and teased a new direction for The Hardys. He said,

“Let them go nuts. Let them have fun. If you’re one of those fans online that get mad that all the internet wrestling reporters post stuff and make headlines because we talk about interesting viewpoints, interesting opinions, if you get mad about all that and you don’t like me and you think I’m a pariah, fine. Have it your way. There’s plenty of people that don’t, and those are the people that I am catering to now. Because once again, even at AEW, myself and Jeff, we’ve been very, very nice for a long time. We were willing to give back and give back and give back, but now, we really haven’t been shown the respect that we should have been getting all along, so now we’ll stop giving, and we’ll start taking. So we’re not becoming heel. We are becoming real. You are gonna see the most realistic version of Matt Hardy that you’ve ever seen coming up in the future.”

Source: eWn