According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it appears that Jim Ross will be renewing his AXS TV deal for another year to do commentary on NJPW shows. AXS wants to keep him and he wants to keep doing it, so as long as WWE doesn’t block the deal, which they haven’t had an issue with so far, he will be staying. Ross is not working any television for WWE right now, and is on a limited date deal, and due to the U.K. show not happening, which is what he was brought in for, he hasn’t worked for WWE since the Mae Young Classic.
We’ve noted how Neville’s WWE status is up in the air after he reportedly walked out of RAW in Indianapolis earlier this month after finding out he was scheduled to lose a non-title match to then-WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore that night. Kalisto ended up winning the title from Enzo that night but sources report that the plan has been to get the title back on Enzo, possibly at this Sunday’s WWE TLC pay-per-view. There were conflicting reports on if Neville really walked out of RAW but multiple sources confirmed that he was not happy with the company and that he had pushed for his release.
It was also reported that Neville’s unhappiness goes back a few months as he was upset over his WrestleMania 33 Kickoff pre-show win over Austin Aries being left off the WrestleMania DVD along with the other pre-show matches. This caused him to miss out on royalties from what is usually the best-selling WWE DVD of the year. It was also noted that The King of The Cruiserweights was upset over other issues. While Neville remains under contract with WWE, it was reported that he was not being factored into any creative plans and he was not being booked for any upcoming events.
In an update, Sports Illustratedreports that Neville was frustrated by the direction of his character, the lack of pay-offs and the rough WWE life on the road. Neville has reportedly been “miserable in WWE” since January of this year and the walkout came nine months later than expected by many people close to the situation.
It appears Neville’s decision may be influenced in-part by Austin Aries, who left the company on amicable terms earlier this year. The SI report notes that Neville learned Aries would be making more in the next six weeks on the indies than Neville would in the same timeframe while with WWE. We noted before that Neville had pushed for his WWE release with the idea of working the indies and making a name for himself there.
Regarding his match being left off the WrestleMania 33 DVD, not only was Neville upset about missing out on the pay but he was said to be “infuriated” that the company “would disregard his service and value” after being as dedicated as he was. Neville reportedly felt that he was viewed as “nothing more than a very talented ‘get-over guy’ used to enhance” other Superstars.
No word yet on if WWE will grant Neville his release but SI reports that he is hoping or success in Ring of Honor or New Japan Pro Wrestling. WWE could grant the release or make Neville wait until his deal expires, or possibly explore a breach of contract, but SI adds that the walkout did upset Vince McMahon.
The recent on-screen hiatuses of Neville and Nia Jax have caused some rumors stating that other WWE talent want to leave the company and have been asking Cody Rhodes about transitioning to the indies. Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer confirmed on Twitter that “several” WWE talents are thinking about leaving, although he would not confirm if wrestlers were asking Cody for advice:
Several are thinking about it, as far as asking Cody, it would make sense to do that but you'd have to ask him. https://t.co/cj3HNZn1BT
Julie Youngberg, a seamstress who says she’s been employed by WWE for thirty years, tweeted last night saying she’d love if Matt Hardy were dead … and it prompted a response from his wife.
It all started when someone on Twitter said they’d like to see Broken Matt join Team Miz at TLC and Julie replied saying, “I would love if the fifth man was dead Matt. Did I say that?”
Not one to stay quiet … Reby Hardy quickly responded and said, “B*tch you seen both me & Matt about 20x at TVs & have never said a damn thing. Shut up, p*ssy.”
The two then continued to go back and forth, with Reby noting that they’ve had years of issues and Julie seemingly threatening to sic WWE security on Matt’s wife backstage if need be. She also touted her tenure working for WWE and said she’s made “most of the iconic costumes you’ve watched on tv.”
Reby said in a string of tweets this morning, “We were actually contacted by an officer a few yrs ago about a ‘crazy fan’ making outrageous claims & wasting their time; It was Julie. No one is ‘stalking’ you, ‘hacking’ you, spying on you. NO ONE EVEN REMEMBERS YOU EXIST until you start revealing death wishes on twitter.”
Nia Jax has reportedly been granted a leave of absence from WWE due to personal reasons. PWInsider reports that Jax has not quit the company, despite some rumors. It’s also confirmed that Jax was not at this week’s RAW but she was originally scheduled to be there. One source noted that original plans for the WWE TLC pay-per-view had Sasha Banks vs. Jax, not Sasha vs. Alicia Fox. We noted before that Total Divas filming was scheduled but PWInsider adds that Jax was scheduled to film content for the show in New York City tomorrow and Friday but she’s no longer scheduled to film.
The rumors began yesterday when a Twitter account — same one who spread word of Neville’s walkout — tweeted about rumors of Nia also being upset and possibly walking out of Raw last week.
Ryback discussed dating this week on Conversations With The Big Guy and his new co-host Phoenix Marie noted that she doesn’t like to go out with her porn fans.
Ryback replied, “That’s like a wrestler dating a girl that’s a huge wrestling fan. I don’t know if I would.”
Phoenix asked if it was because they’d only want to talk about matches and The Big Guy said, “Yeah. Amongst other things … mental issues … but yeah, it would be scary to me.” The comment even surprised his co-host, who reminded him that she likes wrestling and doesn’t have mental issues.
WWE announced today that Chris Jericho will host the first-ever Loudwire Music Awards on Tuesday, October 24th from Los Angeles. The show will air on AXS TV at 7pm PT that night from The Novo in downtown LA. Tickets are on sale now. WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz will also be appearing that night.
We realize that not everyone can make it to Los Angeles for the 2017 Loudwire Music Awards ceremony, but we’ve got you covered if you still want to check it out. The Loudwire Music Awards have teamed up with AXS TV and the WWE to bring you the ceremony both on television and online.
AXS TV will have the television broadcast starting at 7PM PT on Tuesday, Oct. 24, making sure you’re able to catch the award winners receiving their honors and all of the performances that will have you talking the next day. Meanwhile, the 2017 Loudwire Music Awards will simultaneously be live-streamed online via Loudwire’s Facebook page and to more than 40 million fans through the WWE Facebook page, LMA host and WWE icon Chris Jericho’s Facebook page and fellow wrestling superstar The Miz’s Facebook page.
As just stated, Chris Jericho will serve as the host for this year’s ceremony, which is taking place at the Novo in downtown Los Angeles. Jericho, who fronts Fozzy, is also a Loudwire Music Awards nominee this year as their song “Judas” is up for Hard Rock Song of the Year.
This year’s ceremony will see Judas Priest‘s Rob Halford receive the “Lemmy” Lifetime Achievement Award, while Black Sabbath‘s Tony Iommi will be honored with the Courage Award and Sammy Hagar is set to be feted with the Humanitarian Award. In addition to these three honors, Loudwire’s readers had a chance to vote in all categories for hard rock and metal with the winners being revealed live at the ceremony.
In addition to the Loudwire Music Awards, there will be a series of panels prior to the event as part of the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Summit right next door at the Grammy Museum. Panels will feature Rob Halford, Sammy Hagar, Rex Brown, Steve Vai, Frank Bello and more. The event is free and on a first-come, first-served basis, but you will need to register to participate at this location.
