During the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that the December 26th episode of RAW will likely be a ‘best of’ episode, although that hasn’t been confirmed. There is no taping scheduled for December 26, as all of the events on that day are live events. Meanwhile, tonight’s taping in Des Moines will just be the live episode.
It’s possible that WWE will announce their plans for next weeks show during tonight’s episode.
WWE is set to cap off 2022 with a match of epic proportions, as John Cena & Kevin Owens square off against The Bloodline’s Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn on the 12/30 episode of “WWE SmackDown” in Tampa, Florida.
The match was set up during the closing stages of last night’s “WWE SmackDown,” where Reigns announced that he & Zayn will face Owens & a mystery partner at WWE’s last show of 2022. Just then, Cena appeared on the TitanTron to read out a text message he received from Owens.
“Surprise!” Cena addressed The Bloodline via satellite. “I bet you’re a little surprised to see me. Well, it’s the holiday season, and everybody loves a good holiday surprise, and boy was I surprised when I got a text message, out of the blue, from my longtime friend Kevin Owens.
“He said, ‘sup, Peacemaker. Did you know you’ve had a WWE match every year for the past 20 years except this one. Your streak is about to be broken. Mind-blown emoji. Do you want to be my tag team partner December 30 in Tampa, Florida?'”
Cena continued, “So, let me get this straight – I haven’t had a match in 2022, and we’re running out of chances. And you’re asking me if I want to partner with Kevin Owens against the Uciest Sami Zayn and The Tribal Chief in a main event match that can’t be missed? Hell yes, I’ll be there! Hell yes, we’ll bring the fight to The Bloodline in the final SmackDown of 2022. Make your list, check it twice – The Bloodline has been naughty, and won’t it be nice when Cena-clause is coming to town? Ho Ho Ho Holy S**t!”
The show went off the air with Reigns & The Bloodline fuming in the ring, while reacting to Cena’s announcement.
Cena last wrestled in an untelevised WWE dark match at Madison Square Garden on September 10, 2021, teaming up with Rey & Dominik Mysterio against Reigns & The Usos in a six-man match. Prior to that bout, he lost to Reigns at SummerSlam on August 21, 2021.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
On last night’s episode of WWE SmackDown, LA Knight called out Bray Wyatt for attacking and kidnapping him last week.
In response, Wyatt tried to convince Knight that he was not the one who perpetrated the attack.
Knight lost his cool and attacked Wyatt. It was at this moment that Uncle Howdy appeared on the entranceway, resembling the deadly Jack The Ripper. Howdy tipped his hat and laughed and so did Wyatt. Knight left the ring in utter disbelief.
After Solo Sikoa attacked Matt Riddle on the December 5 episode of “WWE Raw,” WWE announced Riddle would be out of action for six weeks to recover from his storyline injuries. As previously reported by Bodyslam.net, the injury angle was done because Riddle failed another drug test and would be going to rehab as a result. In the midst of these allegations, however, the fact that WWE didn’t publicly announce either reported suspension has led to Dave Meltzer questioning WWE’s wellness policy in a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The first failed drug test was said to have occurred over the summer, while Riddle was feuding with Seth Rollins. WWE pulled Riddle vs. Rollins from SummerSlam and cited “creative adjustments,” delaying the match until Clash at the Castle in September. Meltzer pointed out that Riddle wasn’t gone for a full 30 days during his initial absence between July 25 and August 20, and regarding Riddle’s current absence, Meltzer noted that six weeks does not equate to the standard 60-day suspension for a second violation of the WWE wellness policy. Ultimately, Meltzer speculates that “either WWE has secretly changed its policy or something doesn’t add up.”
WWE officials did not comment to the Observer on a change in policy, nor did they deny the story being inaccurate. However, it’s believed internally amongst talent that WWE wrote Riddle off for six weeks so he could go to rehab. However, one source told Meltzer that Riddle was taking time off “because of pressure of going through a divorce” while denying the suspension allegations. Other sources closest to Riddle did not respond to the Observer’s request for comment.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT at 10/9C.
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown live from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, IL on FOX at 8/7C.
WWE will also be taping the December 23rd episode of SmackDown tonight.
Mercedes Varnado (Sasha Banks) is set to compete for STARDOM in April 2023, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Banks has finished with WWE, and will be appearing at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4.
In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it is reported that Banks has a deal with New Japan, but that it will include one date for STARDOM, expected for their April 2023 event.
It is believed that the show will take place in the iconic Sumo Hall and will be announced on December 29.
The hope within NJPW is that Banks will drive streaming subscription sales for New Japan World like Chris Jericho did when he debuted for the promotion.
Source: ewrestlingnews
Michael Mansury, the former Vice President of Global Television Production for WWE, has been hired by AEW, and now changes are expected for AEW programming.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that part of the deal for Mansury being brought in is that Warner Brothers Discovery and AEW President Tony Khan have decided to change the look of the television programming.
It’s believed that the planned changes will go into effect at some point in January.
A person within WWE gave the following comments regarding Manusary being signed by AEW:
“Tremendous asset. Was being groomed to be the heir apparent to the Kevin Dunn throne, but moved up too quickly and much like David Sahadi and several others, that’s when Dunn covertly made his life very difficult.”
Source: ewrestlingnews
MLW FUSION returns tonight at 8pm ET streaming worldwide on Pro Wrestling TV and Saturday 8pm ET nationwide on cable television on beIN SPORTS.
This week’s card:
It’s MLW versus DRAGONGATE as the Super Series spotlights SB KENTo as he steps into the ring to challenge Davey Richards for the National Openweight Championship.
Will KENTo make history and win gold, or can “The American Wolf cement himself as the new champion? Tune in and find out!
Alex Kane and The Bomaye Fight Club seize the opportunity to dish on the future of the Opera Cup tournament.
The age of the titans continues as EJ Nduka drops the mic on Hammerstone. Plus get a medical update on the World Heavyweight Champion after crashing and burning through the stage.
Puerto Rico sends Star Roger to the Super Series as he competes against the high flying up-and-comer Cosmos!
Ol’ Mancer goes hunting for Mads Krugger and stumbles upon an Ewok?
At Saturday’s post-ROH Final Battle 2022 media scrum, AEW President Tony Khan announced the return of HonorClub, which is where ROH’s weekly TV show will be featured.
The company sent out the following press release today to hype the news:
Tony Khan Announces Relaunch of Ring of Honor’s HonorClub Platform
— More than two decades of Ring of Honor Content Now Available For $9.99/Month, With New PPV and TV Content To Come —
On the heels of a momentous Ring of Honor Final Battle pay-per-view from College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, Tony Khan announced that the company’s HonorClub streaming platform has officially relaunched, featuring more than 2,500 hours of premium professional wrestling content dating back to 2002, with new weekly television episodes coming soon to the platform.
The announcement was made during an afternoon filled with title changes, as Claudio Castagnoli regained the ROH World Championship from Chris Jericho, Athena taking the ROH Women’s World Championship from Mercedes Martinez, The Briscoes winning the ROH World Tag Team Championships back from FTR in their third matchup this year, Wheeler Yuta winning the ROH Pure Championship back from Daniel Garcia and the Gates of Agony defeating Dalton Castle & The Boys for the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships.
Fans can sign up immediately for HonorClub for just $9.99 per month by visiting WatchROH.com. HonorClub is accessible via the ROH app on iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon FireTV.
The relaunched platform features updated functionality, where fans will be able to enjoy thousands of hours of Ring of Honor content including classic matches from the full ROH television archive and hundreds of pay-per-views and special events. Khan also announced plans for a weekly ROH television show to be solidified at the top of next year. Pay-per-view events will be available for viewing on HonorClub 90 days after they happen live, with live broadcasts still airing via Bleacher Report.
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