Author: John Bass

Triple H Announced Return Of The WWE Draft.

During a promo segment to open hour two of Friday night’s episode of SmackDown, Triple H once again sang the praises of WrestleMania 39 and all of the records the pay-per-view event set.

The WWE CCO then asked the fans if they wanted to know what was next. It was at that point that he announced the WWE Draft will be taking place “in a few weeks.” Triple H went on to announce that every Superstar will be eligible for this year’s draft. He claims it’ll be “bigger than ever” and will “change the game.” As of this writing, there is no word on whether the WWE NXT roster will be eligible to participate.

The WWE Draft is returning after a one year absence.

Impact Wrestling Preview 4/6/2023

Thursday at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for IMPACT Insiders, experience the fallout from Sacrifice and Multiverse United: Only the STRONG Survive!

  • Tommy Dreamer, Yuya Uemura & Darren McCarty vs. Bully Ray & The Good Hands
  • Jody Threat vs. unknown opponent
  • TMDK vs. Motor City Machine Guns
  • Winner Gets X-Division Title Match: Mike Bailey vs. Jonathan Gresham
  • Josh Alexander relinquishes the Impact World Title

‘Fire Vince’ Chant Breaks Out During Commercial Break On WWE NXT

Vince McMahon’s divisive return to WWE in recent months is now starting to spill over into its live audience’s reactions. Wrestling Inc. has independently confirmed reports that the “WWE NXT” crowd began chanting “Fire Vince!” during commercial breaks of Tuesday night’s episode.”‘Fire Vince’ chants on NXT programming … if that isn’t a wake up call to Ari Emanuel and Endeavor I don’t know what is,” one fan tweeted, referencing the company WWE was sold to this week. At least two other users who appeared to be in attendance at the show also shared posts that said “Fire Vince!” chants broke out.

McMahon returned to WWE as its Chairman in January, according to a recent SEC filing, resulting in this week’s sale of the company. His return has sparked concern among a fanbase that had overwhelmingly been in favor of the iconic 77-year-old pro wrestling promoter stepping back from leading the company’s creative direction last year. McMahon initially announced his retirement last summer following the revelation that he made $17.4 million in hush money payments to several women who accused him of sexual misconduct. In doing so, McMahon ceded creative control to his son-in-law Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who took over as WWE’s new Chief Content Officer.

But since the turn of the year, McMahon has brazenly retaken control of the company he built ahead of its sale to Endeavor, reclaimed his position as chairman, and has appeared more and more frequently backstage — culminating in reports that he took firm creative control of this week’s “WWE Raw,” and leaving many fans concerned for WWE’s creative future.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

FTR Save AEW Careers, Win Tag Team Titles On Dynamite

It appears all those teases, hinting at FTR’s return to WWE, were just to swerve fans. Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler are staying with AEW for the foreseeable future. 

On last night’s “AEW Dynamite,” FTR defeated The Gunns in a Career vs. Titles bout to capture the AEW World Tag Team Championship in Long Island, New York. After the match, FTR celebrated in the ring with Marc Briscoe and AEW President Tony Khan, essentially confirming that they had signed new contracts with the promotion.

During the closing stages of the bout, Austin Gunn clocked Harwood with a title belt, as the Gunns appeared in prime position to retain their championships. However, Harwood miraculously kicked out, following which FTR took out Colten Gunn with a stereo sunset flip. The sequence allowed Harwood to roll-up Austin for the pinfall victory. 

FTR will now start their second reign as AEW World Tag Team Champions. Their previous reign, of 63 days, ended when they lost the titles to The Young Bucks at the Full Gear pay-per-view in November 2020.

The topic of FTR’s contracts had been a talking point in pro wrestling over the past few months. Last month, Harwood urged wrestling fans to “respect our decision,” assuring them that their decision would be made in the best interest of their families. The FTR vs. The Gunns feud dates back to last year and intensified when Austin & Colten secured an upset victory on the December 21 episode of “Dynamite.” Subsequently, FTR lost their IWGP and AAA Tag Team Championships and took a sabbatical until last month’s Revolution pay-per-view, where they returned and laid out The Gunns to set their sights on the AEW’s tag titles. The Gunns initially rejected FTR’s challenge but agreed after FTR offered to put their AEW careers on the line in a high-stakes match.

A clip of FTR celebrating with Tony Khan after last night’s show can be seen below.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Tony Khan’s Major AEW Announcement – AEW All In PPV In London At Wembley Stadium

Tony Khan made his “major announcement” on this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite.

For the first time in the history of All Elite Wrestling, the company will be coming to the UK on August 27. And it’s not just any AEW show – it’ll be the All In 2023 pay-per-view event. The event will take place at Wembley Stadium, which can hold over 80,000 fans for wrestling. Tickets for the event will be going on sale in May.

You can check out the official announcement below:

AEW Plants Flag at Iconic Wembley Stadium with Massive UK Special Event on Sunday, August 27
— AEW’s London Debut Marks First Professional Wrestling Event at Wembley Stadium in More Than 30 Years —
— Tickets for “AEW: All In London at Wembley Stadium” On Sale May 5; Pre-Registration Available for Priority Access —
During tonight’s live episode of “AEW: Dynamite” from Long Island, NY, AEW CEO Tony Khan, star Adam Cole and host Nigel McGuinness announced that AEW’s highly anticipated UK debut will take place in London at the iconic Wembley Stadium on Sunday, August 27. “AEW: All In London at Wembley Stadium” marks AEW’s first show outside of North America, and the first time that professional wrestling has taken center stage at Wembley Stadium in more than 30 years.

Tickets for “AEW: All In London at Wembley Stadium” go on sale to the general public Monday, May 5 at 9 a.m. BST. Effective immediately, fans in the UK can pre-register for early access to event tickets at ticketmaster.co.uk/AEWWembley. Pre-registered access and priority presales will take place prior to the general on-sale date. Beginning May 5, tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.co.uk/AEWWembley.

“The UK is one of the most important markets in professional wrestling, and AEW is coming in hot as the number one wrestling company in the UK on television,” said Tony Khan. “We want our debut in London to be epic in scale, and there’s no better venue than Wembley Stadium to deliver what I know will be one of the greatest events in AEW’s history. This April also marks 100 years of Warner Bros. and 100 years of Wembley Stadium – it’s a fitting time to come together for ‘AEW: All In London at Wembley Stadium.’”

This announcement comes on the heels of AEW’s tremendous growth in TV viewership in the UK, with AEW programming serving as the highest ratings driver for men ages 16-34 on ITV4 since the start of 2022. AEW reached 2.8 million men on ITV platforms in 2022 and began 2023 by increasing that reach by another 45 percent among men ages 16-34. “AEW: All In London at Wembley Stadium” is far from the Khan Family’s first foray into London or the legendary venue. Shahid Khan is Chairman of Fulham Football Club, which earned promotion to the English Premier League with playoff wins at Wembley Stadium in both 2018 and 2020.

The elder Khan is also owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have regularly hosted a home game at the stadium since 2013 and will return once again during the 2023 National Football League season for a ninth game at Wembley.

“AEW: All In London at Wembley Stadium,” which will be a homecoming for several top stars including AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter, Saraya, Nigel McGuinness, Pac, Anthony Ogogo and more, will be produced in conjunction with Live Nation Entertainment.

Jay White Is All Elite – Appears On AEW Dynamite

Jay White is All Elite.

This week’s episode of AEW Dynamite opened with a bout that was set to feature Juice Robinson facing off against Ricky Starks in a Grudge Match. As a brawl broke out between the two men, Jay White hit the ring and helped out his fellow Bullet Club member. The two men then beat down Starks as the crowd in Long Island, New York cheered wildly.

Following the segment, AEW President Tony Khan took to Twitter to confirm that White is officially under contract with All Elite Wrestling.

Back in January, White entered free agency after deciding not to re-sign with NJPW.

AEW Dynamite Preview 4/5/2023

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS and emanate from the UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Long Island, New York.

  • AEW Trios Championship: The House of Black (c) vs. Best Friends & Orange Cassidy
  • Tony Khan’s important announcement
  • AEW Women’s Championship: Jamie Hayter (c) vs. Riho
  • AEW Tag Team Championship: The Gunns (c) vs. FTR – FTR’s AEW career is on the line
  • MJF Day celebration
  • Blackpool Combat Club promo
  • The Acclaimed decide whether they are joining the Jericho Appreciation Society
  • Sammy Guevara vs. Komander
  • Juice Robinson vs. Ricky Starks
  • FTW Champion Hook vs. Ethan Page

Chavo Guerrero Supports Cousin Speaking About Alleged Assault By Vickie’s Husband

Chavo Guerrero has come out in support of his cousin Sherilyn who has claimed that she was sexually assaulted by her stepfather in 2020.

This week, Sherilyn Guerrero claimed that her stepfather sexually assaulted her, and that her mother Vickie Guerrero defended him.

In a tweet, Chavo said he “fully supports” his cousin and believes her claims.

Vickie Guerrero has not publicly commented on the matter at this time.

Source: eWrestlingNews

Talent Morale Sinking Backstage In WWE, Reaction To Vince McMahon, RAW Changes

There were some big changes made to both WrestleMania 39 and Monday night’s episode of RAW.

Fightful Select is reporting that talent morale took a huge blow backstage Monday night on RAW. Many talents were frustrated after noticing how firmly Vince McMahon was back in control of WWE creative, especially considering that Triple H and Nick Khan held a meeting immediately before RAW promising that nothing would be changing.

Vince McMahon rewriting RAW before the show went live and even while it was airing, as well as being in gorilla position all night and having his own office at the venue struck fear in the heart of the locker room.

Some talent didn’t even necessarily consider that the creative decisions were poor, just that the whole matter was handled dishonestly after what Triple H had informed talent at the meeting, and that McMahon has a dirty history of firing so many wrestlers on the current roster.

Female talent grew increasingly demoralized and frustrated after WWE scrapped the mini-tournament to determine the #1 contender to the RAW Women’s Title. Many resented Vince McMahon’s return to creative considering how smoothly the past several months have been under Triple H.

Omos vs. Elias was a last-minute addition, as Omos wasn’t even planning on wrestling and was in catering and scrambled to get his ring gear ready.

The Cody Rhodes – Brock Lesnar tag team angle was finalized on Monday morning.

The report suggests that talent morale hit its lowest point since before WrestleMania 38 when it reached near all-time lows. Some talent opined that WrestleMania weekend was a passage for Vince McMahon to get himself back in control, with Friday’s SmackDown after WrestleMania already being eyed as a crucial event to determine how involved McMahon was at RAW and whether his involvement was a one-off scenario or the new normal.

At least two top WWE Superstars cited that they might request their releases if things continue like Monday. Many wrestlers are already looking into their options if Vince McMahon does indeed continue to be heavily involved with respect to the creative and overall WWE product.

Source: eWrestlingNews

Bushwhacker Butch (Robert Miller) Dead, WWE Hall Of Famer’s Passing Announced By Tag Team Partner

WWE Hall of Famer Robert Miller, best known for his wild in-ring persona as Butch – one-half of the legendary Bushwhackers tag team – has died at the age of 78. The news was confirmed by his longtime partner Luke’s daughter Jackie on Monday afternoon across social media.

“Our dear Bob has passed away,” Luke’s daughter wrote. “Those we love never truly leave us. There are things that death cannot touch. We will always love u uncle Bob Miller until we meet again.”

After breaking into the business in the mid-1970s as the Sheepherders, the duo would grow to become beloved fan favorites after signing with the World Wrestling Federation in 1988, with Butch often serving as the mouthpiece of the partnership when they weren’t busy licking the faces of each other and those at ringside.

Before arriving in the WWF, the Sheepherders were renowned for violent bloodbaths in the territory days, most notably winning the Florida version of the NWA United States Tag Team Championship during a bitter rivalry with The Fabulous Ones, Steve Keirn and Stane Lane. It made their transition into loveable kid favorites in the WWF all the more unique. The Bushwhackers quickly became stalwart attractions on WrestleMania and pay-per-view undercards during the company’s “Golden Era.” Butch last wrestled for WWE at WrestleMania X-7, taking part in the Gimmick Battle Royal. Luke and Butch were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Wrestling News Blog extends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Robert Miller.