Author: John Bass

Backstage Update – Kazuchika Okada In Talks With WWE, AEW Confident About Signing Him

Kazuchika Okada’s contract with NJPW expired at midnight Japan Standard Time, making him a free agent.

Pro Wrestling Tees announced that Okada’s shirts will be pulled from the site, which caused fans to speculate about the future of the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

Fightful is reporting that Pro Wrestling Tees pulling Okada’s merchandise is connected to the expiration of his NJPW contract.

Additionally, while Okada was still technically under contract with NJPW, the Bushiroad promotion was said to be “very understanding” with the 36-year-old wrestler negotiating with other companies since he made it clear he won’t be re-signing. Things are reportedly amicable between both sides.

There have been talks between WWE and Okada. According to certain WWE talents, Okada has spoken to roster members to gauge his potential offers, learn more about WWE’s approach, and help decide his future.

It is to be noted that WWE has not put any creative plans in place for Okada, and no pitches have been made in this regard.

AEW has been fairly confident about signing Okada. In fact, Tony Khan was so confident that AEW put tentative plans together for Okada’s potential debut. AEW has reportedly made a “substantial offer” to Okada.

Barry Bloom is representing Okada and acting as his agent.

Despite the expiration of his NJPW contract, Okada still has some New Japan dates he will be finishing up next month including a final match with Hiroshi Tanahashi scheduled for NJPW’s The New Beginning in Osaka on February 11.

Source: eWn

AEW Dynamite Preview 1/31/2024

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite will air live on TBS from the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA.

  • Jon Moxley vs. Jeff Hardy
  • Dealer’s Choice: Swerve Strickland vs. an opponent that will be chosen by Hangman Page (Samoa Joe will be on commentary)
  • Dealer’s Choice: Hangman Page vs. Toa Liona
  • Deonna Purrazzo vs. Taya Valkyrie (Toni Storm will be on commentary)
  • Chris Jericho vs. ROH World Television Champion Kyle Fletcher

Kevin Owens Reportedly Worked WWE Royal Rumble Match With Injury

After outlasting seven other competitors in a fierce tournament, Kevin Owens was rewarded with a title match against United States Champion Logan Paul at the 2024 Royal Rumble. Unfortunately for Owens, his title pursuit didn’t go quite as planned as the referee caught him using a pair of brass knuckles, resulting in a disqualification victory for Paul. Additionally, a new report has also indicated that Owens worked through an injury during this premium live event performance.

According to the Wrestling Observer, Owens challenged Paul while battling a fractured foot. Owens’ injury was reportedly sustained during his last match, which occurred on the January 5 episode of “WWE SmackDown” against Santos Escobar. While Owens remained out of in-ring action in the weeks following, he was involved in several physical on-screen segments with Paul, such as their brawl at the WWE Performance Center, in the lead-up to their title match. 

As of this writing, it remains unknown if Owens’ injury will cause him to miss any television time. In the wake of his loss, though, Owens appeared in a digital exclusive (via WWE’s YouTube channel), making it clear that his issues with the “The Maverick” were far from finished.

Paul took possession of the United States Championship in November by defeating WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio at WWE’s Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia. Following Paul’s victory, WWE announced that his first challenger would be determined through a number one contenders tournament, with the winner (which later turned out to be Owens) earning themselves a title shot at the Royal Rumble event.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 1/30/2024

The lineup for tonight’s episode of WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Performance Center on the USA Network: 

  • Ilja Dragunov, Trick Williams face-to-face
  • Noam Dar defends the Heritage Cup against Von Wagner
  • Lola Vice vs. Elektra Lopez
  • Roxanne Perez vs. Tatum Paxley
  • Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinals: LWO’s Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde vs. Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams
  • Chase U says goodbye

The Garcia Twins Issue Statement On Vince McMahon & John Laurinaitis Allegations

The Garcia Twins (The Bella Twins in WWE) took to Twitter today to issue a joint statement regarding the recent allegations made against Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis.

On Friday, McMahon resigned from his positions at TKO Group after a lawsuit from a former WWE employee accused him of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and more. WWE and John Laurinaitis are also named as defendants in the lawsuit.

For those unaware, Nikki and Brie’s mother Kathy married John Laurinaitis in 2016.

You can check out the official statement below:

“We are shocked and disheartened with the recent allegations against members of the WWE. It has been a lot to process since we found out this past week just as you all did. This is something we don’t stand for or condone from anyone no matter who they are. We want all women to feel safe and supported in the workplace and in their everyday lives.”

https://twitter.com/NikkiAndBrie/status/1752094887904772569

Source: eWn

Wade Barrett To Join Corey Graves On SmackDown Announce Team

It was revealed last night on “WWE Raw” that Michael Cole and Pat McAfee will be the commentary team on Monday nights going forward, with the former NFL player replacing Wade Barrett. According to PWInsider, Barrett will now move to “WWE SmackDown” and work alongside Corey Graves. It’s said that Graves will become the lead play-by-play announcer for the show, while Barrett will be the color commentator. 

The changes have been made following the release of former “SmackDown” lead announcer Kevin Patrick last week. Patrick initially joined WWE as a backstage correspondent, but later moved to the announce booth, calling “Raw” and later “SmackDown.” However, the Irish-born commentator had been under the microscope as the lead announcer on “SmackDown,” with WWE reportedly deciding it “just wasn’t working out” for him. Despite being assigned the role of leading the commentary team on “SmackDown,” there were some behind the curtain who allegedly believed that Patrick wasn’t suited for the role.

Meanwhile, Cole and McAfee are reunited behind the desk after appearing together on “SmackDown” between 2021 and 2022. In a past interview, Cole mentioned working with McAfee had reinvigorated his love for the business. McAfee returned to WWE this past Saturday at the Royal Rumble, joining Cole and Graves at the commentary table. He also briefly entered the men’s Royal Rumble match as entrant #22. For Barrett and Graves, it will be the first time the duo has worked together at the announce desk in WWE. Barrett previously worked as a color commentator with Cole and Patrick, respectively, on WWE’s main roster.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

CM Punk Confirms He Will Miss WWE WrestleMania 40 Due To Injury In Emotional Raw Promo

The Royal Rumble match is a transformative one. Alliances are broken, feuds are set up, and at the end of it all, the winner is cemented in history with a guaranteed title shot at WrestleMania. CM Punk was transformed by this past Royal Rumble match, but not in a positive way.

Punk opened up the latest edition of “WWE Raw” with a sobering announcement regarding a speculated injury. “The Best in the World” confirmed that he tore his right tricep during Saturday’s Royal Rumble match, and that despite attempts to perform in spite of his injury, he is slated to miss not only Elimination Chamber, but WrestleMania 40 entirely.

Despite being expected to miss most, if not all, of this year’s road to Wrestlemania, Punk did not leave the Tampa crowd wanting. He cut a promo targeted towards the masses, and acknowledged the struggles of those with cancer and pedestrian jobs such as teachers and garbage workers. He reassured the WWE Universe of an inevitable return by comparing himself to the Chicago Cubs, and claimed that there was “always next year”.

Drew McIntyre interrupted Punk near the tail-end of his speech. McIntyre acknowledged Punk’s grit, but said with glee that he would take Punk’s place on this road to WrestleMania, and “live CM Punk’s dream again”. McIntyre then assaulted the injured Punk, and it took interference from a recently-returned Sami Zayn to defuse the situation. The segment ended with Zayn helping Punk to his feet.

This is not the first time Punk’s tricep specifically has been injured. At AEW All Out 2022, Punk tore his left tricep after his match with Jon Moxley.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Pat McAfee Officially Re-Joins WWE, Will Serve On Raw Announce Team With Michael Cole

Fresh off his appearance on commentary for WWE Royal Rumble, as well as briefly appearing in the men’s Royal Rumble match itself, former “WWE SmackDown” commentator Pat McAfee is back and will be on the desk with Michael Cole on Monday nights for “WWE Raw” moving forward.

Just like Royal Rumble, McAfee’s music once again kicked off the show on Monday, and he headed down to join Cole, who made the announcement. Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett was previously on the call with Cole. McAfee, who hosts “The Pat McAfee Show” throughout the week on ESPN, had previously teased a return to commentary following Kevin Patrick’s release.

The former punter for the Indianapolis Colts began his career with WWE in 2018 as a pre-show analyst for “WWE NXT” TakeOver events. In 2021, McAfee moved to “SmackDown” as a color commentator alongside Cole. He’s also previously mixed it up in the ring, feuding with Adam Cole when the now-AEW star competed in “NXT.” McAfee even wrestled at WrestleMania 38, defeating Austin Theory before losing to Vince McMahon (in what’s likely his final WrestleMania appearance in light of his recent resignation following allegations of abuse and sex trafficking) and taking a stunner from “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. McAfee took a hiatus from his commentary gig when he joined ESPN’s “College GameDay” in 2022.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Raw Preview 1/29/2024

WWE Raw airs live tonight on the USA Network from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

  • Fallout from the Royal Rumble
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Kofi Kingston
  • WWE Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The Judgment Day (Finn Balor & Damain Priest) (c) vs. DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa
  • Bronson Reed vs. Jey Uso

Dave Meltzer Provides WWE Backstage Update On The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns

Things are very up in the air for WWE right now, with the promotion capping off a “great week” by fielding just as many questions regarding a lawsuit, and accusations of sexual assault, against former chairman Vince McMahon as they did their new Netflix deal. They also found time to hold their Royal Rumble PLE, which saw Cody Rhodes win the Men’s Rumble, and immediately challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40.

Rhodes’ victory led to more questions than answers, however, particularly whether this meant the long-rumored match between The Rock and Roman Reigns was off. As it turns out, it is and it isn’t. On the latest “Wrestling Observer Radio,” Dave Meltzer confirmed that Rhodes vs. Reigns is the planned WrestleMania 40 main event this year, and will take place as a singles match, without any involvement from The Rock.

That being said, The Rock is still expected to come back to WWE, and a match between him and Reigns is in the cards. When and where the match will take place remains to be seen, as conversations between Rock, who was named to WWE/TKO’s board of directors last week, and WWE, regarding the match are said to be ongoing.

The delay in Rock vs. Reigns will give Rhodes a chance to finally “finish the story” and capture the Undisputed WWE Title, something he failed to do against Reigns last year at WrestleMania 39. Reigns meanwhile will look to continue his record-setting reign as champion, which has lasted for over 1,240 days, putting him only 234 days short of passing Hulk Hogan’s 1,470 day reign as WWE Champion in the 1980s.

Source: Wrestling Inc.