Author: John Bass

WWE Keeping A Close Eye On Potential SAG-AFTRA Strike

There are several people in WWE who are keeping a very close eye on the possible SAG-AFTRA strike.

For those unaware, the actor’s union is currently in negotiations with the major production studios. There is a deadline set for Wednesday night at midnight, and at this time, it appears a strike will take place as the two sides are still far part on issues pertaining to higher wages, increased residual payments, and the use of AI. If no deal is agreed to by Wednesday night, the actors will be on strike alongside the WGA (Writer’s Guild of America). This would mark the first time in 63 years that both actors and writers are on strike at the same time. This would obviously shutdown Hollywood for the time being.

According to a report from Pwinsider, numerous people within WWE are waiting to see what happens and they feel the strikes could actually benefit the company. The strike would result in actor’s not being able to promote any new films, and network shows would have to air reruns. Of course, WWE and AEW will continue to provide new content on a weekly basis because wrestling is not part of any unions. As we previously reported here on eWn, The Bloodline segment that took place on last week’s episode of WWE SmackDown brought in 3 million viewers which was the most-watched segment in many years. The reruns of some popular shows may entice people to check out other shows with new content.

Finally, it was said that with WWE and AEW in negotiations for new media rights, the WGA strike and potential SAG-AFTRA strike come at a perfect time. The strikes will put WWE and AEW in a much better position for the entertainment world.

Source: eWn

WWE NXT Preview 7/11/2023

Tonight’s on WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network: 

  • Andre Chase & Duke Hudson vs. Drew Gulak & Charlie Dempsey
  • The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio) appears
  • Number One Contenders Match For NXT Title: Bron Breakker vs. Ilja Dragunov
  • Cora Jade vs. Kelani Jordan
  • Freedom or Trial for Tony D’Angelo: Joe Coffey vs. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo
  • Bronco Nima & Lucien Price debut
  • Tiffany Stratton vs. Ivy Nile

Video: See Samoa Joe Go Wild As Sweet Tooth In Twisted Metal Series Trailer

Last year, Samoa Joe took some time off from wrestling to film a new TV series: “Twisted Metal,” based on the video game series of the same name. Marketing for “Twisted Metal” has ramped up in recent months, and a new trailer has now dropped, giving fans another look at Joe’s performance as the villainous clown Sweet Tooth.

While Joe portrays Sweet Tooth’s physical form, the masked clown is voiced by “Arrested Development” and “Bojack Horseman” star Will Arnett. “Twisted Metal” will be available to stream on Peacock, with the first episode premiering on July 27. In addition to Joe and Arnett, “Twisted Metal” features Anthony Mackie, Neve Campbell, Stephanie Beatriz, and Thomas Haden Church.

It’s unclear how prominent a role Sweet Tooth will play in the series, or how many episodes Joe will appear in. However, what the trailer does make clear is that the character is in control of Las Vegas – or what remains of it in the show’s post-apocalyptic landscape.

The Twisted Metal series began in 1995, with the iconic Sweet Tooth gracing the cover of the first game. The series was developed and published by Sony as a PlayStation exclusive, and the first four Twisted Metal entries were released for the original Sony console between 1995 and 1999. In 2001, Sony brought the franchise to the PlayStation 2 with “Twisted Metal: Black” and, over a decade later, a reboot was released for the PlayStation 3.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Bray Wyatt Still Not Medically Cleared For WWE Return

Bray Wyatt disappeared from WWE television in March due to a reported illness, with his last match happening in February.

This caused WWE to nix his plans for a WrestleMania 39 match with Bobby Lashley.

According to a report from Fightful Select, Wyatt is still not “medically cleared” to make an in-ring return.

“When Fightful Select inquired about Wyatt’s status, a WWE higher up confirmed to us that Wyatt is still sidelined, and not cleared for action. We’re told that he’s still awaiting clearance and hopeful for a return whenever that occurs,” the report noted.

The report added that there have been no significant creative pitches for him since he was sidelined.

Source: eWn

WWE RAW Preview 7/10/2023

WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network and will emanate from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

  • No Disqualification Match: The Miz vs. Tommaso Ciampa
  • Becky Lynch vs. Zoey Stark
  • Drew McIntyre and Matt Riddle vs. Two members of Imperium
  • Face-To-Face with Logan Paul and Ricochet
  • Cody Rhodes to delivers a “special message” to Brock Lesnar
  • Chad Gable and Otis to throw a Graduation Ceremony for Maxxine Dupri

Tony Khan Gives Update On AEW All In Ticket Sales

Appearing on The Green Zone, AEW President Tony Khan was asked about AEW All In at Wembley Stadium on August 27 and how ticket sales are doing currently. 

WrestleTix recently reported the current setup is for close to 88,000 butts in seats.

“It’s about 70,000 tickets sold for about $9 million US in ticket sales for that one show in London at Wembley Stadium. It’s going to be a massive event. We are opening more seats up for that,” Khan stated.

There are still no matches that have been announced yet.

Source: eWn

Court Bauer Explains How MLW’s Don King Storyline Came To Be

Major League Wrestling has a new World Heavyweight Champion in Alex Kane, and the mystery backer for Kane’s Bomaye Fight Club was revealed to have a legendary backer in famed boxing promoter Don King.

In an interview with the NY Post, MLW CEO Court Bauer said the idea had been in process for nearly two years, since Kane had a falling out with American Top Team leader Dan Lambert.

“There was no other option on the table,” Bauer told the Post, saying that he felt that the company needed to take the opportunity to put Kane in the same lineage as fighters like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes Mike Tyson, and all the other fighters that King has promoted. “We’re like that’s the perfect landing if we can stick the landing.” Bauer had initial talks with King, but scheduling made Bauer worry that he wouldn’t be able to make the appearance happen, despite already telling an excited Kane about the idea. Kane had been “ecstatic” about being involved with the fight promoter.

“Don King is a legend and a symbol of black excellence,” Kane told the NY Post. “I wanted to tell the world, but I had to keep it quiet.”

Kane’s faction, the Bomaye Fight Club, is taken from the famous chant that fans in Zaire chanted at Muhammad Ali in his fight against George Foreman, “Ali, Bomaye!” which means “Ali, kill ’em!”

King was revealed as the backer of Bomaye Fight Club in a video message that played during Saturday’s MLW Never Say Never PPV, where Kane dethroned Alexander Hammerstone, who had previously been MLW Champion for over 640 days, the second longest reign in the history of the promotion.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Results For MLW Never Say Never 7/8/2023

MLW’s ‘Never Say Never’ event took place on Saturday night, and you can check out the results below:

MLW National Openweight Championship Match: Jacob Fatu (c) def. Calvin Tankman

MLW Women’s World Featherweight Championship/wXw Women’s Championship Match: Delmi Exo def. Ava Everett to become the new wXw Women’s Champion

Tracy Williams def. Timothy Thatcher

Country Whipping Match: Mance Warner def. Sam Adonis

MLW World Tag Team Championship Fans Bring The Weapons Match: The Calling def. Samoan Swat Team (c) to become the new MLW World Tag Team Champions

A financial backer of the Bomaye Fight Club is finally revealed, and it turns out to be Don King. He tells Alex Kane to win the world title.

B3CCA comes out to perform a concert. She says her best friend Doja Cat was supposed to open for her, but she didn’t come to the show because the city is so filled with crime. B3CCA performs her new song. A fan interrupts the concert and gets dragged away by security.

MLW World Heavyweight Championship Match: Alex Kane def. Alex Hammerstone (c) to become the new MLW World Heavyweight Champion

MLW Never Say Never 7/8/2023

MLW is in Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena on Saturday night for an event titled, Never Say Never. The event will air live on FITE TV, while the promotion will also tape upcoming episodes of Fusion. Here is the final card: 

NEVER SAY NEVER FITE+ CARD

World Heavyweight Championship: Hammerstone (champion) vs. Alex Kane (with Mr. Thomas)

National Openweight Championship: Jacob Fatu (champion) vs. Calvin Tankman

Fans Bring The Weapons! World Tag Team Championship: The Samoan SWAT Team (champions) vs. The Calling

Timothy Thatcher vs. “Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams

MLW World Featherweight Title vs. wXw World Women’s Title: Delmi Exo vs. Ava Everett

Country Whipping Match!: Mance Warner vs. Sam Adonis

B3CCA performs LIVE!

First 2 rounds of the 2023 OPEN DRAFT!

FUSION TV TAPING BOUTS

SCRAMBLE MATCH: Willie Mack vs. O’Shay Edwards vs. Ken Broadway vs. Love, Doug vs. Nolo Kitano

1 Called Manders & Matthew Justice vs. The Calling’s Delirious & ???

Microman & Mane Event vs. The FBI & Jesus Rodriguez

Ichiban vs. TJ Crawford

Gene Snisky in action!

BOMAYE Tryouts: Mr Thomas vs. J Boujii (candidate)

Tiara James vs. B3CCA

AEW Collision Preview 7/8/2023

AEW Collision live tonight from the Brandt Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada on TNT at 8/7c.

  • Owen Hart tournament men’s semifinal: CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe
  • Owen Hart tournament men’s semifinal: Ricky Starks vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
  • Owen Hart tournament women’s semifinal: Willow Nightingale vs. Athena
  • AEW Tag Team title eliminator: FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. Bullet Club Gold (Juice Robinson & Jay White)