Tonight’s WWE SmackDown will air live on FOX from the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
New Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes to appear.
New WWE Women’s Champion Bayley to appear
Month: April 2024
Backstage Report Details Reactions To AEW All In Footage Being Aired
Wednesday night’s “AEW Dynamite” featured the controversial decision to air real security footage from the backstage altercation between CM Punk and Jack Perry at last year’s AEW All In pay-per-view. Now that the dust has settled, a new report from Fightful Select provides some insight into the reaction to the video from within AEW and WWE.
The response from industry insiders regarding the footage was referred to as “tepid,” with the attitude backstage in AEW reportedly deflating following the segment. However, it’s said that was largely due to the knowledge of the inevitable online backlash rather than offense over what was shown. Some AEW performers expressed their opinion that the TV time devoted to the Punk-Perry drama could have been better utilized by someone else, but the segment was intended to promote the upcoming rematch between the Young Bucks and FTR.
Matt and Nick Jackson introduced the clip onscreen and were said to have been fine with the segment; as was FTR, who are friends with Punk and responded to the clip with a promo of their own. As for the idea behind playing the footage, it was said to have come from AEW CEO Tony Khan following Punk’s interview with Ariel Helwani last week.
Inside WWE, the decision to air the footage was referred to by some as a “self-own,” while others informed the outlet that they simply didn’t care about the development. It was stated that Punk isn’t receiving any kind of blowback from the video internally, and people inside the company are more concerned with recovering from the hectic week surrounding WWE WrestleMania 40. One source who has spent time in both WWE and AEW downplayed the segment’s controversy, stating that it was the same kind of promotional ploy used by WWE and WCW during the Monday Night Wars.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
AEW’s Hook Reportedly Considering Free Agency
Hook, the current AEW FTW Champion and considered one of the most promising young stars in AEW, is reportedly considering his options as he becomes a free agent later this year.
“SEScoops” has reported that the AEW star may not necessarily re-sign with AEW, while a source close to WWE reportedly claimed that the TKO-owned promotion may be interested in signing the 24-year-old. Hook won’t be the first person to leave Tony Khan’s company and join the juggernaut that is the WWE if it happens as the likes of CM Punk, Jade Cargill, Cody Rhodes, and Andrade joining the company in recent years. AEW, too, has signed some big-name stars in recent months, with the likes of Mercedes Mone, Will Ospreay, and Kazuchika Okada joining the roster.
Hook joined his father and former WWE star Taz in AEW in 2020, debuting as part of Team Taz. He quickly rose through the ranks, and even got a fun catchphrase, “Send Hook,” which the internet wrestling community lapped up. The youngster, who is touted to be a big star in the pro wrestling industry, is currently in his second reign as the FTW Championship having won it from Jack Perry at All In last year.
In his short career in AEW, Hook has shown that he can mix it up with the best, even earning a shot at the AEW World Champion Samoa Joe earlier this year, though he lost valiantly. He has also teamed with WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam on a few occasions and is currently teaming with Chris Jericho.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
ROH TV Preview 4/11/2024
The following matches are advertised for tonight’s ROH on HonorClub TV show.
- Proving Ground Match: ROH World TV Champion Kyle Fletcher vs. Rhett Titus
- Christopher Daniels vs. Cole Karter
- Isiah Kassidy vs. Action Andretti
TNA Impact Preview 4/11/2024
TNA iMPACT tonight at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for Insiders!
- TNA Champion Moose vs. Trent Seven
- Rebellion Contract Signing: Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace vs. Steph De Lander
- Monster’s Ball: PCO vs. Kon
- Digital Media Championship: Crazzy Steve (c) vs. Laredo Kid
- ABC vs. AJ Francis and Rich Swann
- Jake Something vs. GYV’s James Drake
AEW Dynamite Preview 4/10/2024
AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS and emanate from the Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, West Virginia.
- AEW World Championship Eliminator Match: Samoa Joe (c) vs. Dustin Rhodes
- TNT Championship: Adam Copeland (c) vs. Penta El Zero Miedo
- Mariah May vs. Anna Jay
- Chris Jericho, HOOK, & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Shane Taylor Promotions (Anthony Ogogo, Shane Taylor, & Lee Moriarty)
- Matthew & Nicholas Jackson will reveal backstage footage from AEW All In at Wembley Stadium
- Toni Storm to toast Thunder Rosa
- Mercedes Mone expected to appear
Odd Happenings On WWE RAW Reportedly Teasing Return Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy)
Strange things were afoot ahead of Monday’s episode of “WWE Raw.” Prior to the show, a fan posted a video to social media of lights flickering, along with a quick musical tease. Later, during the broadcast itself, 2024 Andre the Giant Battle Royale winner Bronson Reed was cutting a promo backstage when the bottom of the screen scrambled in a familiar static pattern. In the lower right corner of the screen, the word “hello” appeared.
Fightful Select has confirmed that these teases are meant to herald the on-screen return of WWE star Bo Dallas, who portrayed the Uncle Howdy character as part of his late brother Bray Wyatt’s storyline after both made their way back to WWE in late 2022. Dallas — who has remained under WWE contract despite Uncle Howdy being removed from WWE programming due to Wyatt’s illness, which ultimately resulted in his tragic death — was recently featured in a WWE-produced Peacock documentary on Wyatt. In the documentary, Dallas talked about needing to create something to make his brother proud, and an Uncle Howdy tease was shown at the end of the film. Following the documentary’s release, Fightful Select reported that a comeback for Dallas was planned, though they aren’t certain whether he will return as Bo Dallas, Uncle Howdy, Taylor Rotunda (his real name), or some other character.
Dallas was first signed to a developmental deal in 2008, working in Florida Championship Wrestling before that promotion transitioned into “WWE NXT.” He enjoyed a lengthy reign as “NXT” Champion in 2013 and 2014, losing the title on the very first premium live event to be broadcast via the WWE Network, but his subsequent main roster run faltered and he was released in 2021, eventually returning alongside Wyatt the following year.
A few hours after the teases on “Raw,” Dallas, as Uncle Howdy, took to Twitter to pour some gasoline into the simmering fire. While Howdy wasn’t a chatterbox in his response, he got people’s attention by posting the emoji of a rabbit, a callback to when Wyatt and Dallas returned to the WWE in the fall of 2020, as part of the viral “White Rabbit” campaign.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE NXT Preview 4/9/2024
Tonight’s WWE NXT live on USA Network from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
- Fallout from NXT Stand & Deliver
- WWE NXT Tag Team Championship: Baron Corbin & Bron Breakker (c) vs. Nathan Frazier & Axiom
- Natalya hinted at confronting new NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez
- Je’Von Evans to appear
Report: WWE Moving Away From ‘Sports Entertainment,’ Disassociating From Vince McMahon
WrestleMania 40 ended with a brand new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, as Cody Rhodes finally pulled the rabbit out of the hat, defeating Roman Reigns to claim the title and “finish his story.” But the Universal Title changing hands for the first time in three and a half years isn’t the only thing changing within WWE, as the promotion looks to be in the midst of a new era as they continue to move away from former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, who resigned from the promotion in January following a lawsuit accusing him of sex trafficking and abuse.
Fightful Select reports that WWE distancing themselves from McMahon was the big theme of WrestleMania 40, with the promotion looking to make clear that McMahon was not only gone from WWE, but had no pathway back. This will be welcome news for those looking to enjoy tonight’s post-WrestleMania episode of “Raw,” which those in WWE expect to be a sharp contrast to last year when McMahon significantly changed the show from its original plan.
Overall, the move towards a new era has led to renewed optimism within WWE, as well as many of McMahon’s previous “standards and rules” being abandoned. This includes confirmation that WWE would be moving away from the term “sports entertainment,” though no official edict has been decreed on the matter, and the term “pro wrestling” no longer being seen as a dirty word. The same cannot be said about McMahon, as his name will no longer be uttered on WWE programming, and archived footage of him won’t be used unless absolutely necessary.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Jacob Fatu Expected To Make WWE Debut Soon
According to a previous report from Fightful, Jacob Fatu has signed WWE after his time with MLW, where he was considered a top star.
Fatu told others that he had signed with the promotion last Wednesday. He ended his time with MLW in February at MLW SuperFight.
During on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Fatu will begin appearing on television soon with a push. However, it remains uncertain whether he will be featured on the main roster or in NXT.
Source: eWn
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