Author: John Bass

AEW’s Kyle O’Reilly Underwent Neck Fusion Surgery

It appears that Kyle O’Reilly underwent neck surgery on Thursday.

On his Instagram account, the AEW star posted a photo of himself laying in a hospital bed along with another picture that indicates that he had neck fusion surgery.

The last time O’Reilly wrestled was on the June 8 episode of Dynamite and he last appeared on the 8/3 show where he and Bobby Fish and Adam Cole turned on The Young Bucks.

There is no word on how long O’Reilly will be out of action but the nature of the surgery would indicate that he will be out at least for several months. WWE star Edge and Hall Of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin underwent neck fusion surgeries many years ago and they were out for many months.

O’Reilly’s tag team partner, Bobby Fish, has finished up with the company because both sides did not come to terms on a contract renewal. O’Reilly and Adam Cole are under 5-year deals.

https://twitter.com/WrestlingNewsCo/status/1565559410277113859

Source: WrestlingNews.co

Malakai Black Asked For His Release From AEW, But It Was Not Granted

Raj Giri is reporting that Malakai Black has asked for his release from AEW but it was not granted. Giri said the following on Twitter:

“I heard an AEW star requested their release, and follow up sources indicate it was Malakai Black. He reportedly has repeatedly shown concerns about his mental health due to personal life and demoralization due to the booking and handling of his character. (1)”

There has been no public comment from AEW or Black on this story but it is worth noting that Black is one of the names that Triple H pushed in NXT and WWE has reportedly reached out to several AEW talent in recent weeks. Dave Meltzer reported the following in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter about people who were contacted:

“Regarding the talent approached by WWE, as we noted last week it was multiple people, generally the people who had worked with Paul Levesque in the past in NXT. Several told AEW which led to the legal letter sent to Levesque, Stephanie and Nick Khan. There was at least one person who asked for his release, which hasn’t been granted and the person has a long time left on his deal.”

Several of the ex-WWE talent signed with AEW have years left on their deal.

https://twitter.com/TheRajGiri/status/1565535772748521472

Source: WrestlingNews.co with credit to Raj Giri

Last Rodeo For Mickie James

Mickie James returned to the Impact Zone on Thursday night for an announcement regarding her future. Signs pointed toward retirement, but that wasn’t the case. James announced she’s saddling up for one last rodeo to chase the Knockouts Championship, however, there is a catch.

James took center stage for her announcement. November will be 24 years since first stepping into a wrestling ring with a prayer and a dream. Over half her life has been living, breathing, bleeding, and crying for this business that she loves so much.

The last few years were a whirlwind journey. When she was released from WWE to feel like being thrown out with garbage, negative criticism flooded her mind. It was the fans that brought her back to be empowered for the greatest run of her career returning to Impact. James won the Knockouts Championship for the fourth time and was in a PPV main event for a Texas Deathmatch.

Then, James lost the title to Tasha Steelz. Protege and friend Chelsea Green betrayed her and beat her twice in the ring. That sent James back to negative thoughts that she couldn’t hang anymore with the new crop of talent.

James went home to do some soul searching. What more does she need to prove? James only wanted to make the business a better place for women, where they could be seen as equals.

James never wanted to hang on too long to be a shell of her former self. She doesn’t know if she can compete with the best anymore, but she has to find out. James will not be retiring. She is going to test herself in a quest to be the best. James isn’t asking for a title shot. She wants to earn it the same way she earned everything in life, with dirt in her eyes and grit in her teeth.

James issued an open challenge to anyone and everyone in the Knockouts division. She will build her way back to the top. James is coming for the Knockouts Championship.

Even though James is not retiring at this time, there is a catch. If she loses on this journey, then that’s it. This is James’ last rodeo. She’ll either end as champion or go home for good. James can’t promise it will be a long ride, but she can promise it will be a hell of a ride. Hardcore country!

https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1565507556809887754

Source: SB Nation

IMPACT Preview 9/1/2022

The road to Bound For Glory heats up as an all-new IMPACT! emanates from Dallas, TX this Thursday at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for IMPACT Insiders.

  • OGK (Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) will finally receive their long-awaited IMPACT World Tag Team Title opportunity when they challenge reigning champions The Good Brothers
  • Knockouts Championship #1 Contenders Match: Deonna Purrazzo  vs. the undefeated Masha Slamovich
  • Last month, Knockouts legend Mickie James “went home” following a loss to Chelsea Green on IMPACT. As rumors regarding her retirement from professional wrestling continue to circulate, we can now confirm that James will return to the IMPACT Zone and make a major announcement this Thursday. What does “Hardcore Country” have in store for the wrestling world?
  • Alex Zayne vs. Mascara Dorada
  • X-Division Championship: “Speedball” Mike Bailey (c) vs. Kenny King

The action begins Before the IMPACT, streaming this Thursday at 7:30pm ET exclusively on IMPACT Plus, YouTube and Facebook. The young guns of Bullet Club, Ace Austin and Chris Bey, team up to battle IMPACT newcomers JD Griffey and Exodus who will be looking to make a name for themselves in the IMPACT Zone!

Solo Sikoa Is Reportedly Moving Up To The main Roster

Solo Sikoa could be the latest member of the Anoa’i family to join WWE’s main roster full-time. PWInsider is reporting that the son of Rikishi, cousin of Roman Reigns, and brother of Jimmy and Jey Uso is expected to be promoted from “NXT 2.0” as soon as possible, and it could happen as early as this month if all goes according to plan.

If the report is accurate, Sikoa will also join the “SmackDown” brand alongside Reigns and the Usos. While no plans have been confirmed yet, the rumored brand coupled with Sikoa’s family heritage makes him a perfect fit for The Bloodline, but that’s all speculation for the time being. That said, Sikoa previously discussed creative plans that WWE had for him, noting that the company was eager to fast-track him to the main roster and pair him with his brothers before he’d even debuted on TV.

Sikoa has been absent from “NXT 2.0” recently while he recovers from a sprained PCL. WWE announced the setback on the episode that aired on August 9, just days after the rising star’s last in-ring encounter with Von Wagner. The good news, however, is that the 29-year-old is expected to be fully healed within four to six weeks. The Superstar took to social media after the announcement and claimed that he’d be back in action soon, stating that the “knee injury ain’t nothing!” The forecast for Sikoa’s comeback from injury aligns with the reported timing of his main roster debut, but WWE has been known to change its creative plans.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Bobby Fish’s AEW Contract Will Not Be Renewed (REPORT)

One-half of ReDRagon, Bobby Fish, might be on his way out of AEW.

AEW has been struggling with several instances of backstage drama and disputes. For example, Eddie Kingston and Sammy Guevara got into a physical altercation backstage that led to Kingston being briefly suspended from the company. There are also several rumors that AEW Women’s Champion Thunder Rosa is facing genuine resentment from Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter.

Now it seems that contract news is joining the fray of stories coming out of the AEW locker room. The latest subject of speculation is the Undisputed Bobby Fish.

A report posted from Fightful Select writes that AEW will not be renewing Bobby Fish’s contract with the company. Though it’s unclear exactly when his contract is up, it will likely be within the next month. Fish has been absent from AEW programming for the last few weeks due to injury; it’s now unclear whether Bobby Fish will return to TV before his contract expires.

Bobby Fish made his AEW debut on October 6 2021 in a match against Sammy Guevara for the TNT Championship. He then aligned with his former teammate in NXT, Adam Cole, and the Young Bucks. When Kyle O’Reilly jumped ship to AEW, he and Bobby Fish immediately reunited as a tag team. When the Undisputed Elite split up, Fish predictably stayed on the side of Cole and O’Reilly.

Fans speculated that the Undisputed three would have a trios feud against the Elite now that Kenny Omega has returned from injury. However, all three have been on the shelf with injuries for the last few weeks. At the moment, there’s a strong possibility that fans have already seen O’Reilly, Cole and Fish in the ring together for the last time.

Source: TheSportster

Braun Strowman Has Reportedly Re-Signed With WWE

Triple H has been bringing a lot of previously released wrestlers back into the WWE fold since being appointed head of creative. Johnny Gargano, Karrion Kross, and Dakota Kai are just some of the names to be reinstated as WWE Superstars. Rumors started to swirl earlier this week that Braun Strowman would also be added to that list, and apparently, those rumors have now been confirmed.

That’s according to a new report from PW Insider claiming The Monster Among Men is once again a WWE Superstar. The former Universal Champion has reportedly signed a new deal with the company and will make his first appearance on RAW this coming Monday – September 5th.

Nevertheless, the latest report states the September 5 Raw which may well signal a big reset in WWE, and not just because Strowman looks likely to be back. Even though the draft that was once rumored to be starting next week now appears to have been pushed into 2023, Clash at the Castle will be the first PPV solely booked by Triple H. After that big show is in the rearview mirror, The Game can really put his stamp on what exactly he wants WWE to look like, at least when it comes to on-screen and in the ring.

Strowman was released by WWE in June of 2021 and might well be one of, if not the most surprising addition to that long list. Strowman had been Universal Champion the year before, beat Shane McMahon at WrestleMania a few months prior to being let go, and was competing for the WWE Title on a PPV just weeks before he was wished well in his future endeavors.

Source: TheSportster

AEW Dynamite Preview 8/31/2022

The final episode of “AEW Dynamite” before the All Out pay-per-view will take place tonight at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. (Chicago area)

-Toni Storm & Hikaru Shida vs Britt Baker, D.M.D. & Jamie Hayter

-Jake Hager vs. Bryan Danielson 

-World Trios Tournament Dynamite Final: Will Ospreay & Aussie Open vs. The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega to determine who moves on the tournament finals at All Out

-Jon Moxley will speak

Triple H Rumored To Be Working On WWE Belt Design Changes

Triple H is reportedly working on design alterations for WWE belts.

WWE’s title belts could be set for a redesign, with Triple H said to be already working on changes.

The Game has been handed a lot more power at WWE and, with that, a lot more responsibility, having taken over as the company’s head of creative on the back of Vince McMahon’s retirement. So far, he’s been doing a pretty good job with the company’s flagship shows, receiving lots of plaudits for the changes which have been introduced.

Monday Night Raw has also seen an impressive jump in ratings recently, going over the two million mark.

Triple H has introduced several changes since taking over, permitting the use of previously banned terms, lifting the Twitch ban, and, more importantly, bringing back a number of released wrestlers such as Karrion Kross, Dexter Lumis, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky, and Johnny Gargano. Sasha Banks and Naomi are also expected back soon.

It’s believed that HHH is also allowing wrestlers to go by their real names, something given credence by Gargano’s return under his actual name and the Pete Dunne elements that surfaced on SmackDown this past Friday.

It’s now being reported that The Game is looking to make significant changes to belts at WWE. This comes from Belt Fan Dan, who has been responsible for many belt revelations in the past.

For now, the new creative lead is making the United States and Intercontinental Championships important again. Let’s see if the belts themselves receive upgrades.

Source: TheSportster

Multiple Main Roster Superstars Stop By NXT Ahead Of Worlds Collide

What might well be the busiest wrestling weekend of the year is almost upon us. WWE’s biggest UK show for three decades, an NXT vs. NXT UK supershow the next day, and then AEW All Out to close the weekend. NXT had just one more show to get all its ducks in a row for Worlds Collide on Tuesday, and it utilized plenty of main roster stars to get that done.

Some of the main rosters stars who made NXT cameos on Tuesday did so in an attempt to light fires under the various stars competing for multiple titles this weekend. Bron Breakker was warned not to underestimate Tyler Bate by Finn Balor, while Ciampa attempted to remind the champ just how much the NXT Title should mean to him.

Bate had a visitor of his own. Well, visitor via satellite, Rock-style. Finlay handed Bate a tablet on which his fellow Big Strong Boy Butch was waiting to chat. The man formerly known as Pete Dunne told Bate to unify the titles for NXT UK, a brand which will officially be laid to rest after Worlds Collide, paving the way for NXT Europe.

As for the women, Mandy Rose was paid a visit by Shayna Baszler. Baszler was less motivational and more threatening, labeling Rose a lesser champion than she was. Rhea Ripley also returned, backing Blair Davenport. None of the names mentioned so far will actually be competing at Worlds Collide. A few other stars from Raw and SmackDown will be, though.

After picking up a win on Tuesday night, NXT Tag Champions Kayden Carter and Katana Chance were confronted by Nikki ASH and Doudrop. It was confirmed later in the night that they will compete for the titles at Worlds Collide. Ricochet will also be on the show as he returned to NXT this week to challenge Carmelo Hayes for the North American Title. A championship Ricochet has held before, and is hoping to hold again come Sunday.

Source: TheSportster