Author: John Bass

WWE NXT Preview 11/15/2022

The USA Network will broadcast tonight’s Title Tuesday episode of WWE NXT live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL., at 8/7C.

WWE has announced the following NXT roster for tonight’s show:

  • Indi Hartwell vs. Tatum Paxley
  • Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen vs. The Dyad (Rip Fowler, Jagger Reid)
  • Indus Sher (Veer Mahaan, Sanga) will return to in-ring action
  • WWE Hall of Famer Booker T hosts contract signing for November 22 match between NXT North American Champion Wes Lee and Carmelo Hayes
  • JD McDonagh vs. Apollo Crews
  • NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose defends against Alba Fyre in a Last Woman Standing match
  • NXT Champion Bron Breakker defends against Von Wagner
  • WWE Hall of Famer & Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels appears to issue a statement on NXT Deadline

XFL Draft Begins Today, League Reveals How To Watch

The XFL will hold its draft tomorrow, and the relaunched football league has revealed how to watch. The league announced on Monday that the Draft will begin on Tuesday, with several ways to tune in, as described in their press release below:

XFL Draft Week presented by ZipRecruiter is HERE!
It’s finally here. XFL Draft Week, presented by ZipRecruiter, begins tomorrow, Tuesday, November 15 and continues through Thursday, November 17. All the action starts with the QB Selection Show hosted by ESPN’s Stormy Buonantony and tomorrow evening you will be able to watch the behind-the-scenes program, Drive to the XFL Draft presented by ZipRecruiter airing on ESPN2. Wednesday is day one of the XFL Draft presented by ZipRecruiter with the conclusion on Thursday. Over the next three days we have a lot in store for you.

Below is a full schedule including the best ways to watch, follow along and be part of the action.

XFL Quarterback Selection Show: Streaming live on XFL.COM beginning at 11am PT/2pm ET.
Drive to the XFL Draft: Presented by ZipRecruiter premieres on ESPN 2 at 7pm PT/10pm ET.
Day 1 XFL Draft: Presented by ZipRecruiter: Begins at 8:30am PT/11:30am ET. Day 1 is broken into four positional groupings, with 11 rounds of selections per group.
Day 2 XFL Draft: Presented by ZipRecruiter: Begins at 7:30am PT/10:30am ET where specialists will be featured followed by open rounds.
Fans will be able to follow Draft events with a live and interactive Draft Central board at XFL.COM/DRAFT. Be sure to follow @xfldefenders where you will find specific DC Defenders selections & behind-the-scenes coverage each day.

And we invite you to be part of the excitement on social using #XFLDraft for a chance to have your content featured on Draft Central as part of the fan experience.

“The Draft is just the start of an incredible new chapter for these players. We cannot wait to welcome this inspiring new talent to the XFL.” said Chairwoman and Owner Dany Garcia.

Source: EWrestlingNews

WWE Pulls Surprise Plans for Kevin Owens Due to Injury

The Men’s WarGames match for Survivor Series was set up last week on WWE SmackDown, with The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, the Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn) taking on the Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Butch, and Ridge Holland), Drew McIntyre, and a fifth partner.

Kevin Owens is out due to a sprained MCL suffered in a single match against Austin Theory at Sunday’s live event.

According to The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer, Owens suffered a MCL sprain in his right knee after coming down awkwardly on his leg during a matchup against Austin Theory. The untelevised match took place during a live house show at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Meltzer reported that “the way it was worded was that hopefully that is all the injury is with the idea it could be more than that,” noting that Owens and Theory finished up the match, with the former WWE Universal Champion landing a pinfall on Theory after hitting him with a stunner. However, as Meltzer reported, Owens “needed help from the referee to get to the back” afterwards.

Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE had surprise plans for Owens, who has been off television for some time. Although not confirmed, his unexpected return would almost certainly have resulted in his inclusion in the WarGames match.

“I only heard he has a sprained MCL, but he was going to get it examined…..I believe he was going to be in the WarGames match. That’s not 100% confirmed, but it is certainly the talk, and he was supposed to be in something as a surprise. So it all adds up that it would be the WarGames match…If that was the case, this could cost him that.”

Sources: PWMania and Wrestling Inc.

WWE Has Offered ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin Another Match [Report]

WWE is reportedly trying to get Hall of Famer ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin to come back for another match.

A serious neck injury prompted Austin to retire at 38 years of age in 2003. But at day one of WrestleMania 38 earlier this year, Austin surprised the WWE Universe by challenging Kevin Owens to a No Holds Barred match right then and there at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The Texas Rattlesnake certainly didn’t look like someone who last wrestled 19 years ago. He put on a thrilling match and defeated the former Universal Champion via pinfall, thus seemingly ending his in-ring career on a winning and super high note. If WWE officials get their way, however, Austin will end up coming back for another match.

According to a report from Fightful Select (h/t WrestlingNews.co), Vince McMahon’s regime had some hope for the WWE Hall of Famer “to do another match.” The report added that the new Triple-H led “regime had actually made an offer for Austin to do another match.”

Sources that talked to Fightful weren’t sure if the match offer to Austin was for an event in Saudi Arabia, WrestleMania or something else. Fightful also heard from one source “initially, Austin and WWE were far apart on terms.” WrestleMania 39 weekend will take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Apr. 1-2 weekend.

There have been many instances of some all-time wrestling greats not knowing when to walk away for good. But Austin put on a top-notch match against Owens at WrestleMania 38. And as he approaches his 58th birthday, Austin certainly looks like someone who’s capable of putting on at least a couple of more exciting bouts.

We’ll just have to wait and see if Austin is up for another match. If he decides to stay firm on retirement, there shouldn’t be any blaming him. It would be hard to top the match he did with Owens just seven months ago, after all.

Source: TheSportster

WWE RAW Preview 11/14/2022

Tonight’s WWE RAW live from KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY, airing on USA Network at 8/7C.

  • United States Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs. Finn Balor
  • Matt Riddle & Elias vs. Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis)
  • The Miz to address Dexter Lumis controversy on Miz TV
  • Austin Theory is also expected to appear tonight as a follow-up to last week’s unsuccessful Money In the Bank cash-in.

Nick Aldis Issues Statement, Calls The NWA The Most Toxic Brand In Wrestling

The drama between Nick Aldis and the NWA continues.

Aldis took to his Instagram subscribers to post a statement, where he called Billy Corgan’s promotion “the most toxic brand in pro wrestling.” The statement was posted immediately following Saturday night’s NWA Hard Times 3 pay-per-view event. He wrote,

“I hope now you see why it was important to me to let you know that I had given my notice to the NWA BEFORE this ppv. What was once a promising endeavor that I turned down bigger opportunities to take the lead on, has become the most toxic brand in pro wrestling.

Thank you all for the support.”

At Saturday night’s pay-per-view event, Tyrus defeated Matt Cardona and Trevor Murdoch in a Triple Threat Match to become the new NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion.

Aldis’ current contract with the National Wrestling Alliance is set to expire in January 2023, and he insists he’s leaving when that time comes. In the meantime, Billy Corgan has suspended him from the company.

Source: EWrestlingNews

NWA Hard Times 3 11/12/2022 (Results)

– #1 Contender’s Match For The NWA Television Championship: Mims def. Anthony Andrews

– Wildkat Sports Tag Team Championships: Slime SZN (Bu Ku Dao & J. Spade) (c) defeated Miserably Faithful (Sal Rinauro & Gaagz The Gymp)

– Hardcore Team War: Anthony Mayweather, JTG & Pope def. Jax Dane, Alex Taylor & Mercurio

– NWA World Television Championship: Jordan Clearwater def. AJ Cazana to win the vacant title.

– Voodoo Queen Casket Match: Max The Impaler (w/ Father James Mitchell) def. Natalia Markova

– MLW National Openweight Championship: Davey Richards (c) def. Colby Corino

– Corino declines shaking hands with Richards.

– Mask vs. Mask Match: Question Mark #2 (w/ Kratos) def. Question Mark #1 (w/ Aron Stevens)

– Stevens covers Question Mark #1’s face with a towel before his face can be seen after taking the mask off.

– NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship: Kerry Morton (w/ Ricky Morton) def. Homicide (c) to win the title.

– Kyle Davis mentions a “change of plans” for Odinson, who was originally scheduled to face Nick Aldis.

– “Thrillbilly” Silas Mason def. Odinson

– NWA United States Tag Team Championships: The Fixers (Jay Bradley & Wrecking Ball Legursky) (c) def. The Spectaculars (Rush Freeman & Brady Pierce) (w/ Rolando Freeman)

– NWA National Heavyweight Championship: Cyon (w/ Austin Idol) (c) def. Dak Draper

– NWA World Women’s Tag Team Championships: Pretty Empowered (Kenzie Paige & Ella Envy) (c) def. Missa Kate & Madi

– EC3 def. Thom Latimer via DQ

– NWA World Tag Team Championships: La Rebelion (Bestia 666 & Mecha Wolf) (w/Damian 666) (c) def. Hawx Aerie (Luke Hawx & PJ Hawx)

– NWA World Women’s Championship: Kamille (c) def. Chelsea Green and KiLynn King

– NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship: Tyrus def. Trevor Murdoch (c) and Matt Cardona to win the title.

– Bobby Fulton makes an appearance

– Idolmania Sports Management (Austin Idol, Jordan Clearwater, Cyon, Marshe Rockett, BLK Jeez) celebrate with Tyrus.

Chelsea Green Officially Quits IMPACT Wrestling Amid WWE Return Rumors

Chelsea Green is officially gone from IMPACT Wrestling.

During Thursday’s night episode of IMPACT! on AXS TV, Green lost to former IMPACT Knockouts World Champion Mickie James. In a backstage promo with Deonna Purrazzo, Green was upset that she didn’t beat Mickie James.

“I was supposed to beat her,” Green said. “I was supposed to retire Mickie James, Deonna. I’m going. I’m going home. Deonna, I’m going home.”

As noted, in several reports, she was reportedly a name that had “garnered interest from WWE,” and there had been an “internal discussion to bring a seasoned veteran like Green” back into the company. In a recent interview with WrestleZone, Green revealed that she had unfinished business at WWE.

“I have unfinished business at WWE, period, Green said. “But I would go into it totally different than I did the last time, and I think that’s also the beauty of growing up.”

Green was released from WWE back in April 2021. She signed with the company in August 2018 and worked on the “NXT” brand until she was called up to the main roster in November 2020. Her main roster debut was on the November 13 episode of “SmackDown,” and in her debut match, she broke her wrist. The match was a Survivor Series Qualifying Four Way, which Liv Morgan won. Natalya and Tamina were also in the qualifier. Green’s first main roster match sadly ended up being her last match in WWE since she was released while sidelined with her wrist injury.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Rampage Preview 11/11/2022

Tonight’s AEW Rampage taped from the Agganis Arena in Boston, MA. on TNT at 10/9C.

  • AEW All-Atlantic Championship Match: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Lee Johnson
  • AEW World Championship Eliminator Tournament Match: Brian Cage vs. Dante Martin
  • AEW World Championship Eliminator Tournament Match: Ricky Starks vs. Lance Archer
  • AEW World Championship Eliminator Tournament Match: Bandido vs. RUSH
  • Jungle Boy confronts Christian Cage & Luchasaurus

NWA Hard Times 3 11/12/2022 (Card)

Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, Chalmette, Louisiana. (New Orleans) – Saturday November 12. Available on FITE

The action airs live on November 12. For those attending in person, a TV taping for NWA Powerrr and NWA U.S.A., collectively entitled Revolution Rumble, will take place the next day.

  • Hardcore Team War: Mercurio, Magic Jake (w/CJ), and Jax Dane (w/Chris Silvio) vs. Mayweather, JTG, and Pope (YouTube Pre-Show)
  • WildKat Sports Tag Team Championship: Slime SZN (Bu Ku Dao and J. Spade) (c) vs. The Miserably Faithful (Sal the Pal and Gaagz the Gymp)
  • NWA World Television Championship: AJ Cazana (w/Anthony Andrews) vs. Jordan Clearwater (w/BLK Jeez) (YouTube Pre-Show)
  • EC3 vs. Thom Latimer
  • Mask vs. Mask Match: Question Mark (w/Aron Stevens) vs. Question Mark II (w/Kratos)
  • Voodoo Queen Casket Match: Natalia Markova vs. Max the Impaler (w/Father James Mitchell)
  • MLW National Openweight Championship: Davey Richards (c) vs. Colby Corino
  • NWA United States Tag Team Championship: The Fixers (Jay Bradley and Wrecking Ball Legursky) (c) vs. The Spectaculars (Rush Freeman and Brady Pierce) (w/Rolando Freeman)
  • NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship: Homicide (c) vs. Kerry Morton
  • NWA World Women’s Tag Team Championship: Pretty Empowered (Kenzie Paige and Ella Envy) (c) vs. Madi and Missa Kate
  • NWA National Championship: Cyon (c) vs. Dak Draper
  • NWA World Tag Team Championship: La Rebelión (Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf) (c) (w/Damián 666) vs. Hawx Aerie (Luke and PJ Hawx)
  • NWA World Women’s Championship: Kamille (c) vs. KiLynn King vs. Chelsea Green
  • NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship: Trevor Murdoch (c) vs. Matt Cardona vs. Tyrus