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.
The action emanates from Pembroke Pines, Florida on an all-new IMPACT! this Thursday at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for IMPACT Insiders.
New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) has made a rather interesting announcement. Matches for their upcoming New Year Dash 2023 show won’t be announced until they actually happen. Thus, the card will be a mystery card of sorts.
The promotion did a similar thing back in October at The Night Before Rumble on 44th Street. New Year’s Dash goes down on January 5, after Wrestle Kingdom 17. Check out the announcement here:
2023 sees the return of New Year Dash to the calendar. This exciting start to the year traditionally sees a mystery card revealed to the audience, staff and wrestlers as the event gets underway. On January 5 2023, however, things get an added twist. This year, the card will not be announced at all!
Instead matches will be revealed as wrestlers make their entrance. Back in October, the Night Before Rumble on 44th Street saw a similar concept with chaotic results, and a raft of big time surprises. What might be in store on January 5? Make sure you watch live in English on NJPW World, or better yet, be part of the action in person!
Source: ewrestlingnews
