Author: John Bass

Bray Wyatt Released By WWE

Former WWE and Universal Champion Bray Wyatt has been released by WWE following 12 years of service to the company.

Former WWE Champion Bray Wyatt has been released by WWE after 12 years with the company.

WWE confirmed Wyatt’s release on its website on Saturday, July 31.

“WWE has come to terms on the release of Bray Wyatt. We wish him the best in all his future endeavors,” the statement read.

According to Dave Meltzer, Wyatt was made aware of the situation by John Laurinaitis, who told him he was being released due to budget cuts. This has since been backed by Fightful Select.

The publication also states that the company had considered dropping Wyatt when they made their last round of cuts but ultimately decided to keep him. It’s also been reported that the performer had grown protective over his gimmick as he had issues with the poor ideas being pitched to him.

Wyatt, real name Windham Rotunda, is likely to have a 90-day non-compete clause in his deal that would keep him from appearing elsewhere until the end of October 2021.  Of course, he is expected to pick right back up and should have his pick of the bunch whenever the 90 days are over.

As the grandson of Blackjack Mulligan and the son of Mike Rotunda (better known in WWE as Irwin R. Schyster), Bray Wyatt is a third-generation wrestler who joined WWE’s developmental system in 2009. He reported for duty at WWE’s feeder promotion Florida Championship Wrestling, which would later be rebranded as NXT. Wyatt — real name Windham Rotunda — began performing under the name Duke Rotundo in a tag team with his real-life brother Bo Dallas. the two brothers eventually became FCW Tag Team Champions.

In 2010, Wyatt participated in the original gameshow-adjacent incarnation of NXT under then ring name Husky Harris with Cody Rhodes as his mentor. He then played a role in the memorable Nexus storyline but ultimately returned to FCW.

In 2012 Husky Harris was repackaged as Bray Wyatt and debuted on the July 11, 2012 episode of the rebranded NXT where he kicked off his tenure at Full Sail University with a win over Aiden English. Bray Wyatt soon formed a “family” with Luke Harper and Erik Rowan. The group was called up to the main roster in May of 2013 when vignettes hyping their arrival began to air on Raw.

For a time, the Wyatt family was one of the most popular acts in WWE, and the gimmick propelled Wyatt to the main event scene. A WWE Championship reign and a WrestleMania match with Undertaker followed, but ultimately Bray’s star power was squandered.

He was repackaged as The Fiend, a flamboyant horror-inspired character that seemed popular at first but quickly polarized fans.

Following his release, Wyatt’s former on-screen protégé Alexa Bliss took to Twitter to share a touching tribute to her friend.

“I really am at a loss for words… thank you so much Windham for everything you’ve done for this company. The most fun I’ve had is working with you. Such an amazing talent & the most kind person. I’m just in shock,” Alexa wrote.

Source: The Sportster

Impact Wrestling Homecoming 7/31/2021

A new King and Queen will be crowned at Impact Wrestling’s Homecoming.

Homecoming is available exclusively Saturday at 8 PM ET on Impact Plus.

Below is the card for Homecoming:

King & Queen Tournament Opening Round Matches:

Hernandez & Alisha vs. Deonna Purrazzo & Mystery Partner

Petey Williams & Jordynne Grace vs. Matt Cardona & Chelsea Green

Decay vs. Fallah Bahh & Tasha Steelz

Tommy Dreamer & Rachael Ellering vs. Brian Myers & Mystery Partner

X-Division Championship:

Josh Alexander (c) vs. Black Taurus

Violent Brawl:

W. Morrissey vs. Eddie Edwards

King and Queen Tournament information below:

The first-round winners will carry over to the second round and so forth until one team is left standing. The winners will carry the title of Impact’s 2021 Homecoming King and Queen.

A possible hint on who Purrazzo’s partner might be is “The Drama King” Matthew Rehwoldt (fka Aiden English). Before tonight’s broadcast, Rehwoldt tweeted out the following statement:

“[eyes emoji] On Impact Wrestling the next few days…just saying.”

Starting at Slammiversary, Impact began promoting multiple vignettes that showed someone painting the words “Long Live The Drama King” on a blank canvas and covering it up with other colors of paint. Rehwoldt, a former NXT Tag Team Champion, was let go from WWE during “Black Wednesday” last year.

Paige Provides Big Update On Her Neck Injury

Former two-time WWE Divas Champion Paige has provided an encouraging update on her career-ending neck injury.

Earlier on Friday, Paige informed fans via Twitter that she’s able to squat 185 lbs again and that her “neck is feeling so awesome.”

Paige tweeted:

You guys I’m getting stronger. squatting 185lbs again. I know it’s not a ton but it’s a big accomplishment for me who was worried to do any gym stuff because of my neck. But my neck is feeling so awesome. I’m so proud of myself.

As seen in the tweet below, WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix congratulated Paige on her progress. Others such as Zelina Vega, RAW Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. and Bronson Reed also sent out encouraging tweets.

Earlier this year, Paige said she was hoping to follow in the footsteps of WWE Hall of Famer Edge and Daniel Bryan, who overcame the odds and returned from career-ending injuries.

The 28-year-old Paige retired in 2018 after suffering a neck injury during a house show.

https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/1421239004507246593

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE SmackDown Preview 7/30/21

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will take place from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

No matches have been announced for tonight’s show but WWE is teasing fallout from last week’s show where Finn Balor challenged WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, who accepted. WWE is also asking what’s next for John Cena now that Reigns has accepted the Balor challenge.

Cena is being advertised for tonight’s show, along with WWE Hall of Famer Edge. Advertised locally is Cena and The Mysterios vs. Reigns and SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos, plus Sasha Banks vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair.

It remains to be seen if Banks will actually return to TV or not on tonight’s show.

AEW Star Frankie Kazarian Appeared On Impact Wrestling, Six-man Tag Team Match Set For Next Week

AEW star Frankie Kazarian will make his seven-year in-ring return to Impact Wrestling next week.

Kazarian will be joining Sami Callihan and Eddie Edwards in a massive six-man tag team match against The Elite (Impact World Champion Kenny Omega and the Impact World Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers).

“The Elite Hunter” made his return on tonight’s show after The Elite went down to the ring to call out Impact Management for making a No. 1 Contender Battle Royal that’s set for two weeks from now. The winner of the event will face Omega for his World Championship at Emergence.

During Callis’ monologue, Sami Callihan interrupted him and announced that not only will he participate in this Battle Royal, but he also spoke with Executive Vice President Scott D’Amore about setting up this six-man main event for next week. Outraged by this power move, The Elite were met with a major beatdown by Frankie Kazarian, who attacked them from behind.

At Slammiversary, Callihan and Omega squared off in the main event for the Impact World Championship. Omega won by the skin of his teeth when he hit the One-Winged Angel during their No Disqualification matchup.

As mentioned above, Impact will bring Emergence back next month. At this event, Omega will defend his Impact World Championship against the Battle Royal winner.

Last year, Emergence was a two-night event that saw The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) retain their Impact World Tag Team Titles against  The North (Ethan Page and Josh Alexander) on Night One. Then, on Night Two, Deonna Purrazzo retained her Knockouts Championship against Jordynne Grace in the company’s first-ever 30-Minute Iron Woman Match.

https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1420911392341770241
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Source: Wrestling Inc.

Jeff Jarrett Reportedly No Longer Working For WWE

WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett was reportedly released from the company a few months back along with other budget cuts.

WWE quietly released Jarrett back in April, according to a new report from WhatCulture.

Jarrett, inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018, was hired to work as a producer in January 2019, and then it was reported in March 2019 that he had been promoted to the creative team.

It was noted that Jarrett has been reaching out to other promotions for bookings, but he is said to be under a non-compete with WWE, but there is no word on the length of that clause. If true, this would be interesting because WWE non-competes usually do not go for longer than 90 days, and even if Jarrett was released on April 30, the clause would have expired by now.

It remains to be seen if WWE plans to bring Jarrett back, as they have done in similar situations with other talent.

Jarrett first announced his “My World” podcast back on April 9, and the premiere episode was released in May.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Preview 7/29/21, Jay White Makes In-ring Debut

With Impact Wrestling’s Homecoming just around the corner this Saturday, anything can happen before this exclusive event.

Tonight, on the go-home show leading into Homecoming, New Japan Pro Wrestling’s top star Jay White will make his in-ring debut. White and Chris Bey will take on the Impact World Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson) in a non-title tag team match.

Following his unexpected appearance at Slammiversary, White is here in Impact not only to chase David Finlay before their title clashing at NJPW Resurgence for the NEVER Openweight Championship but to also take care of some unfinished business with The Elite.

Last week, White called out The Elite, which led to a brutal beatdown. Chris Bey, who earlier in the show declined White’s offer to join the Bullet Club, came to White’s rescue. Could Bey be changing his mind and possibly joining one of the most influential factions in pro wrestling history?

Also, on tonight’s card, tempers will flare once more as Moose and Chris Sabin add a sequel to their already explosive rivalry in the main event.

The last time these two brutes met in the ring was at Slammiversary, where Sabin created a major upset and picked up a victory over Moose. Can Moose redeem himself tonight, or will Sabin sustain his undefeated streak against Moose?

Below is the official card for tonight’s show:

* Homecoming go-home show

* Slammiversary Rematch/Main Event: Moose vs. Chris Sabin

* Jay White & Chris Bey vs. The Good Brothers

* Violent By Design ( Deaner & Rhino) vs. Rich Swann & Willie Mack

* Eight-Man Tag Action: FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay), Fallah Bahh & No Way vs. Ace Austin, Madman Fulton, Rohit Raju & Shera

* Kaleb (With A ‘K’) vs. Taylor Wilde

* Trey Miguel vs. Steve Maclin will kick things off on Before The Impact at 7 PM ET!

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Nevada’s Mask Mandate Could Disrupt WWE’s SummerSlam Plans

In the wake of the CDC’s updated mask guidelines, the state of Nevada reinstated its mask mandate, which could impact WWE SummerSlam in Las Vegas.

Within hours of the CDC’s recent recommendation that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people wear masks in public to curb the spread of Covid-19 and its variants, the state of Nevada reinstalled a statewide mask mandate that could have serious repercussions for WWE’s upcoming SummerSlam event.

Starting on Friday, July 30, Nevada will require face coverings to be worn indoors in public in counties with “substantial or high transmission.” At the time of writing, 12 of Nevada’s 17 counties meet that criteria, including Clark County, the home of the state’s most populous metropolitan area, Las Vegas.

On August 21, the Allegiant Stadium in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise will play host to WWE’s 34th annual SummerSlam pay-per-view event. Despite being a large stadium designed to predominantly host NFL games, the newly-built Allegiant Stadium is classified as an indoor stadium due to its domed roof. If not lifted between now and August 21, which seems unlikely, Nevada’s mask mandate is going to give WWE brass a big headache.

It’s possible that the state will issue special exemptions to the mandate for entertainers. If this happens, WWE talent could be exempt from having to wear face coverings while in the arena which would make the whole situation a lot easier to manage.

It’s unlikely that fans in attendance will be exempt from the mandate, however. So if you’re going to SummerSlam this year, make sure you bring a mask with you.

https://twitter.com/GovSisolak/status/1420171868762382341

SummerSlam will be WWE’s first major pay-per-view to take place in front of a capacity crowd since 2019’s Royal Rumble. It will be the second WWE pay-per-view on WWE’s 25-city tour, which will run from July 16 to Labor Day. The first one, Money in the Bank, took place on July 18 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Last year’s SummerSlam event was held at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. It was the first WWE pay-per-view to emanate from the WWE ThunderDome.

Source: The Sportster

AEW Seemingly Teases CM Punk After United Center Announcement

On tonight’s AEW Dynamite: Fight for the Fallen, Tony Schiavone announced AEW is headed to the United Center in Chicago on August 20 for AEW Rampage: First Dance. Tickets go on sale this Monday, August 2. The announcement led to loud “CM Punk” chants from the crowd.

AEW filed to trademark “The First Dance”, which is a play on The Last Dance documentary on Michael Jordan and the famous 1990’s Chicago Bulls. Punk also took to Instagram to post the song “Sirius” by the Alan Parsons Project, which was the entrance song for the 90’s Bulls, leading to speculation that “The First Dance” trademark is related to him.

AEW is also holding three shows in Chicago in September: September 1 for Dynamite, September 3 for Rampage, and September 5 for All Out. All three events are at the NOW Arena.

Right after that announcement, Darby Allin was interviewed and said he’s been around lot of people who say they are the greatest ever in wrestling. The only place to prove that is AEW, “even if you think you’re the best in the world.” Obviously, a reference to CM Punk’s catchphrase. As noted, Punk has been rumored to be heading to AEW.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1420550389414436864
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Source: Wrestling Inc.

Hiroshi Tanahashi Issues Challenge For IWGP US Title On Dynamite

NJPW star Hiroshi Tanahashi appeared via video on tonight’s AEW Dynamite: Fight for the Fallen.

Tanahashi said he’s won many championships in his career, but the IWGP US Championship has thus eluded him.

Tanahashi said the winner of the match between the current champion, Lance Archer, and NJPW star Hikuleo will face him next. A date has yet to be announced, however the match will take place in Japan. Archer won the title last week in a Texas Deathmatch against Jon Moxley.

Archer won last night’s match and commentary noted he’ll travel to NJPW so Tanahashi can challenge for the title. No word on when that will happen.

Source: Wrestling Inc.