Author: John Bass

Sasha Banks Released, But WWE Trying To Smooth Things Over With Her [Report]

A new report notes that Sasha Banks was released on June 10th, but WWE is trying to smooth things over and potentially get her back.

While conflicting reports seem to complicate the truth about whether Sasha Banks has actually been released by WWE, another report has surfaced on Tuesday that The Boss has been let go, but WWE simply hasn’t made the announcement official because they’re trying to smooth things over with the former multiple-time champion.

As per a report by Raj Giri of WrestlingInc. Banks has been released from her contract. He writes, “Here’s what I know about Sasha Banks. She was released on June 10th and it came from Erika Schreiber, VP of Business and Legal Affairs for Talent Relations.” Giri was the first to report that Banks had been officially released when others weren’t sure and the fact that he’s dropped the name of the person who released her is a big development. Giri said he would never name his source for this information, but this is still quite specific, suggesting someone has the details on what’s really going on. He adds, “As for why WWE has not said anything or removed her, the rumor is that leadership is trying to smooth things over.”

The second part is really interesting. Is WWE trying to smooth things over because they want her to return? Or, is WWE trying to smooth things over so that she doesn’t bad-mouth the company on the way out? Considering there is a lot of negative press surrounding WWE right now, the last thing they likely need is someone like Banks going public with her issues (assuming she has a gripe beyond just being frustrated creatively.)

https://twitter.com/TheRajGiri/status/1541917337753985025

Considering there are other reports WWE thinks they’ll be just fine without Banks, it’s interesting to hear that the company is trying to make things right. They may not be taking responsibility for whatever issue Banks has with the company, but it sounds like they are trying to get everyone on the same page and continue to do business. Whether that means they’re looking to get her back on the active roster or renegotiate her contract remains to be seen.

Source: TheSportster with credit to Raj Giri

WWE Raw Preview 6/27/22, John Cena 20-year Anniversary Celebration

Tonight’s episode of WWE RAW will take place from Laredo, Texas – airing live tonight on USA Network at 8/7C.

John Cena will be back to celebrate the anniversary of his WWE debut. Cena’s first appearance on “SmackDown” was broadcast 20 years ago today.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1541421088072138753

Jon Moxley Potentially Suffers Concussion At Forbidden Door

New AEW Interim World Champion Jon Moxley admitted that he was “probably concussed” following his main event match against Hiroshi Tanahashi at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.

Moxley closed the show against the New Japan Pro Wrestling star in an entertaining headline match that saw him capture the title, but he was badly busted open during the encounter, visibly bleeding a lot throughout the match. After the show went off the air, the new champion addressed the crowd and confessed, “I don’t know where I am going with this, I am probably concussed.”

https://twitter.com/ShiningPolaris/status/1541282745845948416

This would be a major concern for the company if it was true, as Moxley is currently scheduled to compete inside Blood & Guts on the upcoming episode of “AEW Dynamite” against the Jericho Appreciation Society. If he has suffered a concussion, Moxley would presumably be ruled out of that match, and could be out of action for a longer period depending on the severity, which is not what the company needs right now. AEW is currently dealing with a laundry list of injuries across its roster, which is how Moxley ended up in the main event of Forbidden Door to begin with, as reigning AEW World Champion CM Punk had to be taken off the show due to a foot injury. On top of that, Bryan Danielson is currently out of action with an undisclosed issue, which is why he was replaced at Forbidden Door by the debuting Claudio Castagnoli.

As well as them two, Red Velvet, Scorpio Sky, Lee Johnson, Darius Martin, The Bunny, Kyle O’Reilly, Kenny Omega, and Anthony Bowens are all on the shelf, with Jungle Boy having also been added to that list recently.

During the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match on the PPV, Adam Cole also appeared to be hurt, which led to an abrupt finish for the contest, continuing to stretch Tony Khan’s roster. So far there has been no official confirmation on the situation regarding either Moxley or Cole.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage News On Claudio Castagnoli Signing With AEW

At last night’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view, Claudio Castagnoli debuted as the newest member of William Regal’s Blackpool Combat Club, replacing the injured Bryan Danielson in a victory against Zack Sabre Jr. However, AEW initially had a different plan in place for the incoming Swiss wrestler, according to Fightful Select.

While the original plans for Castagnoli’s AEW debut weren’t specified, the report noted that AEW had already prepared merchandise and promotional material for the former Cesaro prior to Sunday’s AEW X NJPW crossover event. Furthermore, the duration of Castagnoli’s contract was described as “long term” but Fightful couldn’t confirm if he had put pen to paper yet. Castagnoli had been spotted training at the Flatbacks Wrestling School in Orlando, which is owned by AEW star Shawn Spears and former WWE star Tyler Breeze, multiple times over the last several weeks.

Castagnoli was reportedly backstage “throughout the night” Sunday, which would mean the locker room was aware of his debut. In contrast, Bryan Danielson’s debut was kept under wraps at last year’s All Out pay-per-view, with Danielson admittedly spending much of the night waiting in the production truck until he stepped out during the main event segment.

Less than four nights after his AEW debut, Castagnoli will be in action again this Wednesday on “AEW Dynamite” when he teams up with Interim AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, Eddie Kingston, Santana & Ortiz in a “Blood & Guts” match against The Jericho Appreciation Society. During the closing stages of Forbidden Door, Castagnoli was confronted by Kingston, who didn’t appear very pleased to be on the same team as his old CHIKARA and PWG rival. Castagnoli would take to Twitter later to comment on his AEW debut, as seen below.

https://twitter.com/ClaudioCSRO/status/1541309560756899840
https://twitter.com/TonyKhan/status/1541271374337024006

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door Results 6/26/2022, Claudio Castagnoli (Cesaro)

THE BUY-IN:

CHAOS (YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto) defeated The Factory (QT Marshall & Aaron Solow)

Lance Archer defeated Nick Comoroto

Swerve In Our Glory (Shane Strickland & Keith Lee) defeated El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru

Max Caster & The Gunn Club defeated NJPW Dojo’s Kevin Knight & The DKC & Alex Coughlin & Yuya Uemura

FORBIDDEN DOOR:

Trios Match To Determine Advantage In Blood & Guts Match
Chris Jericho, Minoru Suzuki & Sammy Guevara defeated Eddie Kingston, Shota Umino & Wheeler Yuta

WINNER TAKES ALL MATCH FOR IWGP & RING OF HONOR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) (c) defeated Roppongi Vice (Rocky Romero & Trent Berreta) and Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan (c) (**TITLE CHANGE**)

AEW ALL-ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Pac defeated Clark Connors and Malakai Black and Miro (**TITLE CHANGE**)

Darby Allin, Sting & Shingo Takagi defeated AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) & El Phantasmo

-Jericho Appreciation Society tell Shota Umino that he earned their respect. Jericho then threw a fireball in Umino’s face.

AEW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Thunder Rosa (c) defeated Toni Storm

IWGP UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Will Ospreay (c) defeated Orange Cassidy

-After the match, United Empire attacks Cassidy. Beretta and Rocky Romero make the save. Katsuyori Shibata’s music hits. Shibata takes out Aussie Open. Shibata is dressed to fight. Shibata hits a huge Pump Kick on Ospreay. Shibata hits Ospreay with a Shotgun Dropkick. Aussie Open save Ospreay from the Rear Naked Choke.

-Orange Cassidy thanks Shibata by putting his sunglasses on him.

Claudio Castagnoli defeated Zack Sabre Jr.

IWGP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Jay White (c) defeated Adam Cole and Hangman Page and Kazuchika Okada

INTERIM AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Jon Moxley defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi (**TITLE CHANGE**)

After the match, Jericho Appreciation Society beat up Tanahashi and Moxley. Massive brawl as more and more members of both JAS and Blackpool Combat Club run out to add to the brawl. Claudio comes out and clears the ring. Claudio spins Garcia endlessly and Blackpool Combat Club stand tall to end the show.

Backstage News On Bryan Danielson’s Injury

Bryan Danielson addressed concerns over his health on Wednesday’s episode of “AEW Dynamite,” but left people with more questions than answers.

Originally planned to face Zack Sabre Jr. at Sunday’s Forbidden Door event, Danielson has been off TV since AEW Double or Nothing, when he suffered an undisclosed injury that caused him to miss a meet and greet, as well as a flight.

The latest edition of the Wrestling Observer newsletter shines a little bit of light on the situation. According to Dave Meltzer, there is still no confirmed injury for Danielson, but that it is believed to have been a concussion suffered during the chaotic Anarchy In The Arena Match. Meltzer says that AEW followed the example of WWE, who usually are open about injuries unless they involve “the two C’s (COVID & Concussions).” The Observer states that a concussion could be troubling news, as Danielson has a history with head injuries (at one point having briefly retired from wrestling due to concussion concerns), and if he’s still not passing concussion protocol a month out from the injury, it could be serious.

On Wednesday, Danielson announced that a replacement — and Blackpool Combat Club debutante — would wrestle Sabre in his stead, as well as in the upcoming Blood & Guts match in which the BCC is set to participate on next week’s “Dynamite.” Danielson did not explain his injuries further, merely stating that he’s not going to be at Forbidden Door or Blood & Guts. As the Observer notes, Danielson appeared to be doing well during the announcement, with no slurred speech or confusion.

There’s currently no word on Sabre’s replacement, but The Observer suggested that AEW likely have someone in mind and are just holding off on announcing his replacement in the name of PPV curiosity. According to the publication, the replacement will need to be up to the standard of the highly-anticipated original match, or else fans will start to chafe against AEW’s penchant for surprises — former WWE stars Cesaro and Johnny Gargano have both been the subjects of speculation in the wake of Danielson’s announcement.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door 6/26/2022

DATE: June 26, 2022 8:00 pm
LOCATION: United Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
AVAILABLE ON:Pay-Per-View, Bleacher Report, FITE (International), NJPW World (Japan)

CARD

INTERIM AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jon Moxley

IWGP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Adam Cole vs. Hangman Page vs. Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White (c)

AEW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Toni Storm vs. Thunder Rosa (c)

IWGP UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Orange Cassidy vs. Will Ospreay (c)

AEW ALL-ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Malakai Black vs. Miro vs. Pac vs. Clark Connors 

WINNER TAKES ALL MATCH FOR IWGP & RING OF HONOR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan (c) vs. FTR (c) vs. Roppongi Vice

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. TBA

Chris Jericho, Minoru Suzuki & Sammy Guevara vs. Eddie Kingston, Shota Umino & Wheeler Yuta

AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks, El Phantasmo & Hikuleo vs. Darby Allin, Sting, Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi

Swerve In Our Glory (Shane Strickland & Keith Lee) vs. El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru

THE BUY-IN:
Max Caster & The Gunn Club vs. NJPW Dojo’s Kevin Knight & The DKC & Alex Coughlin & Yuya Uemura

AEW Rampage Preview 6/24/22

The last AEW Rampage before AEW X NJPW ForbiddenDoor is tonight at 10/9c on TNT!

The following line-up is announced for tonight:

  • Andrade El Idolo vs. Rey Fenix
  • Cash Wheeler vs. Jeff Cobb
  • The DKC vs. HOOK
  • Serena Deeb & Mercedes Martinez in action
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1540364131722792960

Andrade El Idolo will not be part of the Forbidden Door event. He says he was supposed to be the opponent for Will Ospreay. However, New Japan Pro-Wrestling nixed the idea due to its relationship with Mexico’s CMLL promotion. Andrade has been working for CMLL’s rival, AAA.

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/24/22

Tonight on WWE SmackDown at 8/7 C on FOX.

Ricochet looks to take back the Intercontinental Title in rematch with Gunther

During last Friday’s “SmackDown”, WWE announced a pair of Money in the Bank qualifying matches for tonight’s episode: Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Aliyah vs. Shotzi.

As of Friday morning, WWE has not mentioned if Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar will appear on tonight’s “SmackDown”.

NJPW Star Tomohiro Ishii Pulled From AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door Due To Injury

Another star will be missing this Sunday’s AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door event.

NJPW announced on Thursday that NJPW star Tomohiro Ishii has sustained a left knee injury and is not medically cleared to compete at AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door on June 26.

Clark Connors will be taking Ishii’s place in the AEW All-Atlantic Championship Four-Way match at Forbidden Door. The match is now Connors vs. PAC vs. Malakai Black vs. Miro.

Below is NJPW’s full statement: 

Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Tomohiro Ishii, who was scheduled to compete on June 26 at AEWxNJPW Presents Forbidden Door, has sustained a left knee injury and is not medically cleared to compete.

We apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Ishii wrestle and appreciate your understanding.

After a hard fought qualifying match in Korakuen Hall on June 21, Clark Connors will take Ishii’s place in the All-Atlantic Championship four way at Forbidden Door. The card change is as follows:

AEW All-Atlantic Championship Four Way

PAC vs Miro vs Malakai Black vs Clark Connors

AEW has been dealing with a slew of injuries before the Forbidden pay-per-view. Bryan Danielson and CM Punk are just two AEW wrestlers who are currently injured and will be missing the Sunday event.

Source: Wrestling Inc.