Author: John Bass

WWE Confirms Johnny Knoxville For The Royal Rumble

Jackass star Johnny Knoxville is headed to the 2022 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

Knoxville took to Instagram to announce that he wants to win the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match later this month. Knoxville said he’s not impressed with the current WWE roster, taking shots at Big E and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.

Knoxville captioned his Instagram video with, “Happy New Year’s Day and love to everyone. I have a big announcement that I have been dying to get off of my chest. I spent a lot of times over the holiday thinking about how i wanted to start off my 2022, and I decided I want to do it kicking ass and taking names. And the best way to do that i feel is making a run for the Rumble, that’s right @WWE’s Royal Rumble. Training starts today, not that I will need a lot of it because I have seen the WWE’s current roster and it’s laughable to think anyone can throw me over the top rope. LAUGHABLE! I will be channeling my wrestling heroes like @therock, Abdullah the Butcher and the great Gorilla Monsoon. The way I’m looking at it I am giving myself a %100 chance of winning. What chance do you think I have? Sincerely, Johnny Knoxville, World Champ #roadtowrestlemania #royalrumble #wwe #jackassforever”

WWE responded to Knoxville’s Instagram video and wrote, “Good luck @johnnyknoxville!!”

Knoxville noted on the Jackass World Twitter account that winning the Rumble Match is one of his New Year’s Resolutions for 2022.

WWE ran Knoxville’s video during the inaugural WWE Day 1 pay-per-view, and seemingly confirmed him for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view later this month.

Knoxville’s Rumble appearance appears to be another promotional crossover for the Jackass Forever movie, which will be released on Friday, February 4. WWE ran a similar promotion last month as Knoxville, Chris Pontius and other members of the Jackass crew made a special appearance on the December 10 edition of SmackDown on FOX.

Knoxville’s last WWE TV appearance came on the October 4, 2010 RAW show when he was the guest star to promote Jackass 3D.

Knoxville will not be the first celebrity to compete in the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match as WWE Celebrity Wing Hall of Famer Drew Carey made an appearance in the 2001 bout.

The 2022 WWE Royal Rumble will take place on January 29 from The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1477483868651352064
https://twitter.com/jackassworld/status/1477369464970567681

Drew McIntyre Reportedly Written Off WWE TV Due To Neck Issues

Drew McIntyre is reportedly suffering from a legitimate injury.

As noted, Saturday’s WWE Day 1 pay-per-view saw McIntyre defeat Madcap Moss in singles action. WWE later ran a backstage segment where Moss and Corbin attacked McIntyre during an interview. The attack ended with Moss and Corbin wrapping a chair around McIntyre’s neck, and then smashing it with a piece of lighting rig. WWE announced after the pay-per-view that McIntyre suffered a cervical neck strain with severe contusions during the backstage attack. It was also noted that upon further evaluation by WWE medical staff, McIntyre will have a follow-up with an orthopedic cervical specialist. There was some speculation on this being a storyline injury announcement, but now we know that there is more to it.

In an update, PWInsider reports that the Day 1 beatdown angle was done because McIntyre has been dealing with some legitimate neck issues for several weeks.

McIntyre now needs to undergo medical testing on his neck, which is why WWE wrote him out of the storylines as a way to be proactive about the situation.

There is no timeframe for McIntyre’s return to the ring, but there’s hope within WWE that his absence from the ring will be short-term. His status was described as “up in the air” until he gets checked out by doctors.

There’s been a feeling within WWE about how “insanely hard” McIntyre has been working in recent weeks, despite the issues with his neck. It was also noted how he’s pulled double duty at recent WWE live events on the annual Holiday Tour. One WWE source said McIntyre “went down swinging” to injury for the company.

McIntyre was seen leaving the State Farm Arena with a neck brace on after Saturday’s Day 1 pay-per-view.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Star Rohit Raju Announces He’s A Free Agent

Impact star Rohit Raju (Hakim Zane) is now a free agent.

Raju announced via Twitter, “As of today I am a free agent. Where would you like to see me next?”

His last match with Impact was on December 18 at the Throwback Throwdown II special, where he lost to Josh Matthews. Before that match, he lost to Josh Alexander on the December 16 edition of Impact Wrestling.

Rohit Raju made his Impact debut in 2017. During his career, Raju was part of the stable, Desi Hit Squad and held the X Division Championship for over 100 days in 2020.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Day 1 Results (1/1/2022), Reigns Test Positive For Covid

Universal Championship match was canceled due to Roman Reigns testing positive for Covid-19. Brock Lesnar was added to the WWE Championship match, making it a fatal 5-way.

KICKOFF PRE-SHOW
Sheamus and Ridge Holland defeated Ricochet and Cesaro

Drew McIntyre defeated Madcap Moss

WWE Hall of Famer Edge defeated The Miz

Beth Phoenix appeared, she ran Maryse away form the ring. Miz was distracted by Beth and Edge hit Miz with a spear for the win.

WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Randy Orton and Riddle (c) Randy Orton and Riddle (c) (w/ Migos) defeated The Street Profits

Backstage: Drew McIntyre was viciously assaulted by Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss

WWE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Usos (c) defeated The New Day

WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Becky Lynch (c) defeated Liv Morgan

Jackass star Johnny Knoxville announced his entry into the 2022 Royal Rumble

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP FATAL 5 WAY 
Brock Lesnar defeated Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, & Big E (c) (New WWE Champion)

AEW Rampage New Year’s Smash Preview 12/31/21

The New Year’s Smash edition of AEW Rampage will air tonight at 10pm ET on TNT.

Tonight’s Rampage episode was taped earlier this week at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, FL.

* Technique with Taz segment, showing Hook’s Redrum submission (fka Tazmission)

* Darby Allin vs. Anthony Bowens

* Anna Jay and Tay Conti vs. The Bunny and Penelope Ford in a Street Fight

* AEW TNT Champion Cody Rhodes defends against Ethan Page

WWE Day 1 (1/1/2022)

DATE: January 1, 2022 8:00 pm
LOCATION: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
AVAILABLE ON: Peacock, WWE Network (outside of the U.S.)

CARD

WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Brock Lesnar

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP FATAL 4 WAY 
Big E (c) vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens

WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Liv Morgan

WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Sami Zayn

WWE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Usos (c) vs. The New Day

WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Randy Orton and Riddle (c) vs. The Street Profits

Edge vs. The Miz

Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss

KICKOFF PRE-SHOW
Ricochet and Cesaro vs. Sheamus and Ridge Holland

WWE Reportedly Issuing Mask Fines, Backstage Update On The COVID-19 Situation In WWE

WWE is reportedly issuing fines to anyone caught without a mask backstage.

A COVID-19 memo was recently issued within the company and it was ruled that masks are mandatory backstage at all times, according to Wrestling Observer Radio. There will be fines issued to not just WWE talents, but anyone backstage.

It was also said that WWE has recommended, but not mandated, that everyone get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.

We noted earlier this week how WWE is no longer requiring COVID-19 testing. It’s now believed that WWE is following CDC recommendations and shortening the quarantine time from 10 to 5 days, so those who tested positive and missed shows would be available for Saturday’s WWE Day 1 pay-per-view, provided the positive COVID-19 test took place this past Saturday or earlier. A talent would need two negative tests on consecutive says, with the first test allowed on day five, which is basically six days total.

Seth Rollins is the only confirmed COVID-19 positive as of this writing. Based on changes in recent WWE TV and live events schedules, the following main roster wrestlers have missed shows in the last week – Rollins, WWE Champion Big E, RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Queen Zelina Vega and possibly her partner Carmella, Bobby Lashley, King Xavier Woods, Erik, Austin Theory, Omos, WWE Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. In the case of The Viking Raiders, they both worked Sunday’s live event in Tampa and Monday’s show in Orlando, but Erik has been missing for the rest of the tour.

This week’s WWE NXT episode also saw changes, as Brian Kendrick, Dexter Lumis, and NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne did not appear as advertised. RAW Tag Team Champion Riddle also did not appear live as originally planned, but did appear via video with WALTER for the segment with MSK and NXT Tag Team Champions Imperium. It will be interesting to see how next Tuesday’s NXT New Year’s Evil episode is affected.

Regarding wrestlers being pulled from shows in the last week, some did not work matches as advertised as a precautionary measure. F4Wonline.com reports how WWE officials have noted that not all of the wrestlers missing shows this past week have tested positive for COVID-19. Some were pulled from the live events because the company is intent on not risking certain key people who are scheduled for Saturday’s WWE Day 1 pay-per-view, such as Reigns.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Miro Reportedly Recovering From Hamstring Injury

Miro has been absent from AEW programming since Full Gear (aside from vignettes) due to a hamstring injury.

AEW star Miro has reportedly been nursing a hamstring injury for some time, which explains why he has worked a match since losing to Bryan Danielson at Full Gear on November 13.

According to Fightful Select (subscription required and recommended), Miro injured his hamstring prior to taking a hiatus from in-ring duties, which is why his leg was bandaged up during his last few matches. There’s been no official word from either Miro or AEW regarding recovery time, but the former TNT Champion appeared in a hype vignette on the Christmas Day (which also happens to be Miro’s birthday) edition of Rampage.

In the aforementioned vignette, the man who used to be “God’s Favorite Champion” cut a promo on God himself.

“You didn’t cast me from heaven. You kept me from my home. I will return with no flaws,” Miro said in the vignette, perhaps alluding to his injury. “I will become champion to show your lack of power over me. You sit up there not because you feel power but because of your fear,” he continued.

“Everyone is going to find out that redemption doesn’t come with a smile. It comes with a price. So unlike you, I will look them all in the eye. You will either feel the joy of my cruelty or the shame in yours. This is the Word of The Redeemer!” Miro proclaimed.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1474929543936978946

As you might recall, The artist formerly known as Rusev won the TNT Championship after defeating Darby Allin in the main event of the May 12 edition of AEW Dynamite on TNT. Miro plowed through veterans like Lance Archer and demolished upstarts like Dante Martin during his 141-day reign, but lost the title to Sammy Guevara on the September 29 edition of AEW Dynamite.

Source: TheSportster

Mercedes Martinez Makes Dynamite Debut, Signs AEW Contract

Former NXT Superstar Mercedes Martinez returned to AEW and made her Dynamite debut at New Year’s Smash.

Mercedes Martinez is officially ALL ELITE! The viscous veteran returned to AEW for the first time since 2019 during this week’s special New Year’s Smash edition of AEW Dynamite.

It all went down at AEW’s home venue of Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida on December 29. Martinez made her Dynamite debut when she interfered in the TBS Championship Tournament semi-final match between Jade Cargill and Thunder Rosa. The former NXT Superstar emerged from the crowd in a hoodie and mask, which concealed her identity until she was ready to reveal it. She then attacked Thunder Rosa while Cargill’s other accomplice Mark Sterling distracted the referee. After that, all Jade had to do to book her spot in the finals was hit Rosa with the Jaded for the 1-2-3. Cargill will now face Ruby Soho in the final on next week’s Dynamite.

https://twitter.com/WrestlingSheet/status/1476376384591171584

After the bell, the mysterious figure revealed herself, and gloated alongside Cargill and Sterling, hinting that some kind of arrangement had taken place off-screen.

Immediately after her appearance, AEW president Tony Khan took to Twitter to confirm that Martinez had signed with AEW.

Mercedes Martinez actually debuted for AEW at All Out in 2019 when she entered the Women’s Casino Battle Royale as the Joker. The 40-year-old’s journey as a professional wrestler began in 2000. She signed with WWE in January of 2020 and was released by the company back in August of 2021, along with several of her now-former colleagues.

 Martinez has been incredibly active since leaving WWE, competing in Shimmer, Impact, GCW, and 2CW, where, interestingly, she wrestled Thunder Rosa back in October.

Source: TheSportster

Toni Storm Parts Ways With WWE

Toni Storm has reportedly parted ways with WWE following a three-year stint with the company.

According to Fighful’s Sean Ross Sapp, sources within WWE believe that Storm was granted her release following a request. Sapp also reports that a company memo did not mention budget cuts, which adds to the likelihood that Toni’s release was granted via mutual consent.

It appears the Australian star was not released, nor did she request to be released. According to Bodyslam.net, a source close to the situation revealed Storm just “up and quit”. In fact, she boarded a plane home, which she paid for herself, right after competing in a triple threat match at a live event. “Worked a triple threat at a house show last night and then paid out of her own pocket to fly herself home.”

Although WWE hasn’t officially broken the news that Storm is gone, it’s believed the company is treating it like a release simply because that has become the norm this year. It’s also believed Storm will still have to wait 90 days before she is allowed to wrestle elsewhere. Since the alleged reason she decided to walk out of WWE is due to burnout, the former NXT UK Women’s Champion will likely welcome the opportunity to stay at home for a while.

On top of the information alleging Storm quit WWE out of the blue and jumped on a plane, an unnamed female WWE Superstar also shed some light on the situation. “t’s f*cking wild. She’s just gone. Didn’t really tell anyone,” the wrestler said. A third source said that Storm deciding to depart the company in this way took everyone by surprise, and clearly blindsided Storm’s now-former employers in the process.

 It seems as if the want to leave WWE may have come as a surprise to Storm herself as well as everyone else.

Just last week, Storm went one-on-one with Charlotte Flair for Flair’s SmackDown Women’s Championship. The previous week, Storm scored a pinfall victory over Flair in a tag match that featured Sasha Banks as Storm’s partner and Shotzi Blackheart as Flair’s.

Outside of the ring, Storm is engaged to New Japan Pro Wrestling star Juice Robinson. The couple announced their engagement back in October. Robinson and Storm’s relationship status was confirmed in the summer of 2020. The Mae Young Classic winner revealed that the two of them had been seeing each other for a while after Bea Priestley, who is now NXT UK’s Blair Davenport, posted photos of the two of them together on social media. Storm and Davenport are close friends.

Source: TheSportster