Author: John Bass

Adam Cole Required Donor Bone For Ankle Surgery

Adam Cole sustained a devastating ankle injury at AEW Grand Slam 2023, developing fractures in three separate areas.

Previously unknown details about Cole’s injury have now come to light, revealing that the AEW star required a bone from another person during surgery after his ankle completely shattered.

During a recent appearance on “The Takedown on SI” podcast, Cole, who recently confirmed his breakup with Britt Baker, mentioned that it wasn’t until after his first surgery that he learned just how extensive the damage truly was. What was expected to be a one-hour operation ended up taking three times longer.

Cole discovered that his ankle was in much worse shape than anticipated and would need an additional surgery only a week later. This meant he would require not only more screws in his ankle but also a bone from a donor because part of his ankle had entirely disintegrated.

During the second surgery, the doctors chose to use cadaver bone rather than a metal plate, which can limit mobility.

Cole expressed his appreciation to the donor and their family, acknowledging that this choice is likely better for his rehabilitation. He noted that he can feel a noticeable difference between his left ankle, which received the donor bone, and his right one, but he understands that this is part of the recovery journey.

Cole said, “The first piece of news that I heard was, your ankle is way worse than we anticipated. You have to get another surgery in seven days. So, not only did I have to get double the amount of screws in my ankle, but also, I had to get someone else’s bone put into my ankle because the bone piece within my ankle just completely disintegrated. Incredibly thankful to [the donor] and the family,” Cole said. “It’s certainly a better option. I definitely notice a difference in my left ankle as opposed to my right one, but I think that comes with the territory.”

At WrestleDream 2024, Cole returned to AEW television and targeted MJF.

WWE Hall of Famer and ECW Original Bubba Ray Dudley (Bully Ray) To Attend WWE NXT Taping At 2300 Arena

WWE is experiencing steady growth following NXT’s recent transition to The CW Network.

Three episodes have already aired as part of this new partnership, and WWE is planning a special episode next month at the birthplace of ECW.

WWE recently announced that it will tape an episode of its NXT brand at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on November 6. Due to the US presidential election coverage the previous night, this episode is scheduled to air live on Wednesday, coinciding with AEW Dynamite.

The pre-sale tickets for the November 6th NXT taping sold out within minutes. Within just twenty minutes, the pre-sale concluded, and all tickets were sold out, indicating how highly sought-after the show is.

Pwinsider is reporting that WWE Hall of Famer and ECW Original Bubba Ray Dudley (Bully Ray) will be present at the WWE NXT taping on November 6 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA.

Dudley will also be available to meet VIP ticketholders as part of a package with a commemorative chair.

This upcoming NXT taping marks WWE’s return to 2300 Arena for a live show since 2006, when ECW held a house show at the venue.

WWE previously hosted a special meet-and-greet at the arena during WrestleMania 40 weekend, featuring The Dudley Boyz and Al Snow.

Source: eWn

Report: Christy Hemme Rejoins TNA In Backstage Role

With TNA’s marquee event, Bound for Glory, set to take place in Detroit, Michigan this weekend, the promotion is strengthening its relationship with some of its old friends. Long-time TNA star Sami Callihan recently revealed that he wouldn’t be going anywhere, taking on both a wrestling and behind-the-scenes role with the promotion. Now, another name from TNA’s past is returning to the fold after nearly ten years.

Fightful Select reports that former TNA Knockout Christy Hemme has come back to TNA, albeit in a backstage role only. Hemme will be taking on the role of TNA’s Head of Marketing, with TNA talent being informed of the news earlier today. Those close to the situation say that Hemme had maintained strong connections with TNA over the years, which likely contributed to her rehiring.

Hemme first became known to wrestling fans in 2004, when she took part, and won, the inaugural WWE Diva Search competition. Despite some onscreen success, including a WrestleMania 21 match against Trish Stratus for the WWE Women’s Championship, Hemme was released from the promotion in December 2005. Four months later, she signed with TNA as an onscreen talent, working as a manager, ring announcer, interviewer, and occasional wrestler.

In 2014, Hemme became more involved backstage with TNA, becoming a member of the promotion’s creative team. She would remain in that position, as well as continuing her role as ring announcer, till early 2016, when she departed the company. In 2022, Hemme’s friend and TNA head of talent relations Gail Kim indicated that Hemme was back working with the company in a backstage capacity, though it’s unclear what Hemme’s role was and how long she stayed with TNA before departing.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Zaria (Delta Brady) Debuts On WWE NXT

For weeks, “WWE NXT” has teased the arrival of a mysterious red-headed woman, which the wrestling world later recognized as former Riot City Wrestling Grand Champion Delta Brady (also known as DELTA). Tonight, Brady finally made her presence felt through a dramatic, though brief, debut on “NXT,” under the new name of Zaria.

In the episode’s closing moments, Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer defeated Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne in tag team competition. Despite their defeat, Henley, Jayne, as well as Jazmyn Nyx quickly turned their attention to the giant wheel on the stage that determined which stipulation the upcoming NXT Women’s North American Championship match would be paired with. When Jayne spun, the arrow landed on “spinner’s choice.” Before the trio known as Fatal Influence could react, the lights in WWE Performance Center flicked off and on, revealing a fully-geared Zaria standing in the brightly lit entranceway of the stage.

Trained by Chris Basso and Matt Basso, the Adelaide, Australia native notably attended a tryout in the city of Perth during the week of WWE’s 2024 Elimination Chamber premium live event. Zaria reportedly impressed WWE officials so much there that they subsequently offered her a contract, which she later signed. From there, Zaria completed her remaining independent wrestling dates, with her final one taking form against her brother, Dean Brady, at RCW’s Heavy Is The Crown event. 

With her arrival to “NXT,” Zaria joins the likes of Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer as some of the latest, and international, signings for the company. As of now, Zaria’s creative direction is unclear, but with a former nickname like the “Adelaide Powerhouse,” she is expected to be a dominant force.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 10/22/2024

WWE will present a new episode of NXT tonight from The Factory at the Capitol Wrestling Center in Orlando, Florida. The show will air at 8 PM ET on the CW Network.

Tonight’s episode marks the final stop before Sunday’s NXT: Halloween Havoc 2024 pay-per-view event.

  • Damage CTRL (IYO SKY & Kairi Sane) vs. Meta-Four (Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson)
  • Giulia & Stephanie Vaquer vs. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne & Fallon Henley)
  • Oba Femi vs. Luca Crusifino
  • Jaida Parker vs. Tatum Paxley

* Trick Williams and Ethan Page come face-to-face.

Report – TNA’s Jordynne Grace To Sign With WWE In 2025

Jordynne Grace may soon make a significant transition in her career.

Grace, currently contracted with TNA Wrestling, generated buzz after appearing at Royal Rumble 2024 and later on WWE NXT as part of the TNA-WWE collaboration.

Now, with her contract reportedly set to expire earlier than anticipated, speculation regarding Grace’s future is growing.

Fightful Select has shared new details about Grace’s situation. Originally, she was under contract with TNA until the spring or summer of 2025, but it seems her deal has been altered to end in January 2025.

The report suggested that many believe Grace may move to WWE once her contract concludes, stating, “You can guess where a lot of people think she’s going to go in January. She has posted that she has stopped doing her exclusive content… WWE clearly likes her. That leads to a natural conclusion that a lot of people expect her to go there.”

Grace’s appearances on WWE NXT, including a notable match against NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez at NXT Battleground 2024, received positive reactions from fans, fueling rumors of a potential WWE move.

Although Grace signed a new contract with TNA last year, the amended expiration date of January 2025 only increases her chances of switching to WWE.

Source: eWn

Lillian Garcia Returns To WWE, Replaces Samantha Irvin As Raw Ring Announcer

Veteran ring announcer Lilian Garcia is back with WWE following the departure of Samantha Irvin on Monday. Garcia was brought out during a commercial break on Monday’s edition of “WWE Raw,” and WWE posted the video on X (formerly known as Twitter). It was reported earlier in the day that Garcia was backstage at the show.

During the commercial break, Joe Tessitore got on the microphone to the live audience and told them to use their high energy to welcome back the veteran announcer, who had previously worked for the company for ten years from 1999 to 2009, before taking a two-year hiatus. She returned to WWE in 2011 and left the company once again in 2016, but made sporadic appearances throughout the years, before officially making her return as “Raw’s” ring announcer on Monday. Garcia also spoke to the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania crowd during the break and said it felt good to be back.

Irvin’s announcement came as a shock to many on Monday afternoon when the fan-favorite announced she had finished with the company via a statement on her X account. Garcia seemingly passed the proverbial torch to Irvin during a “Raw” segment in May. While Irvin didn’t make her future plans known in her statement, her fiancé, former WWE star Ricochet, joined AEW back in August.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Ring Announcer Samantha Irvin Announces WWE Departure

In a surprising move, Samantha Irvin has announced that she has finished her run as the ring announcer for “WWE Raw” and is leaving the company. Irvin took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to reveal the news, with a lengthy statement offering a goodbye.

“WWE Universe, my time has come to an end as your Monday Night ‘Raw’ ring announcer,” Irvin wrote. “I love you all tremendously and this does not mark the end of my art, I have a lifetime more to share. Thank you to every WWE fan who accepted me.”

Irvin went on to give a special thanks to the wrestlers, especially her fellow women in the WWE locker room, as well as the company’s crew and a number of people behind the scenes who have helped her along the way. That list included Paul Heyman, Michael P.S. Hayes, Michael Cole, Brian “Road Dogg” James, and more.

It’s currently unknown if Irvin intends to stay within the world of professional wrestling or will look to branch out into other areas of broadcasting. Irvin is engaged to Ricochet, who recently departed WWE before arriving in AEW this past August. While that may lead some to speculate Irvin is bound for AEW, it’s worth noting that she also had a career as a singer prior to becoming a wrestling announcer.

Along with posting the announcement, Irvin updated her X page to black out her profile picture and banner. Additionally, her bio simply reads: “ARTIST.”

Irvin first joined WWE in 2021 and credits Mark Henry for helping her enter the industry. After a short time on “205 Live,” Irvin was made the announcer for “WWE NXT” before being promoted to main roster duties in early 2022, less than a year after she started.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

UPDATE

Pwinsider has shared details on the factors contributing to Irvin’s WWE exit.

According to the report, WWE was taken aback by Irvin’s decision to resign, as she was held in high regard within the company.

Several factors played a role in her choice to leave, with a major concern being her scheduling conflicts, as Irvin was juggling her responsibilities between WWE and her family.

Even though WWE’s travel demands have decreased compared to past years, Irvin still had to be away from her daughter for long periods.

Moreover, there had been conversations about Irvin possibly taking on a lighter schedule, but those plans fell through, which may have impacted her decision to resign.

With her partner Ricochet no longer part of WWE and having a different schedule in AEW, this scenario might also have contributed to Irvin’s decision to leave WWE, though sources have not explicitly confirmed this.

Furthermore, the absence of a reduced schedule made it more challenging for Irvin to explore outside ventures. The fame she gained via WWE television also drew greater interest from external parties, creating opportunities that influenced Irvin’s decision to resign months ahead.

WWE Raw Preview 10/21/2024

WWE Raw will air tonight on the USA Network from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

  • WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Jey Uso (c) vs. Bron Breakker
  • WWE World Tag Team Championship Contenders Tournament: New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) vs. Authors Of Pain (Akam and Rezar)
  • WWE World Tag Team Championship Contenders Tournament: LWO (Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee) vs. American Made (Brutus Creed and Julius Creed)
  • Seth Rollins and Bronson Reed go face-to-face

Sting Signs New Multi-Year Contract With AEW, Reveals What He’s Doing Now

Sting has signed a new multi-year contract with All Elite Wrestling.

The wrestling icon, who retired from in-ring competition at AEW Revolution earlier this year, recently spoke with “Kayfabe Friends” at the Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion to announce what his AEW future holds. He said,

“I signed a multi-year deal with AEW, obviously not to wrestle anymore. But it’s like a licensing deal.”

He added, ”A legends deal if you want to call it that. So I’ll do appearances with them on and off, depending on what they want and all. I’ve done real estate, I did real estate before I ever was a pro wrestler, so I’ve always loved real estate. A lot of people say, ‘Oh, are you a real estate agent?’ No, I’m not an agent. I’m an investor. I was flipping houses before before flipping houses was a term. So I made money in real estate before wrestling, so I’m doing that again, and I love it.”

Source: eWn