Author: John Bass

NXT Champion Karrion Kross Debuts On Raw, Loses To Jeff Hardy

NXT Champion Karrion Kross lost his debut match on Monday Night Raw thanks to wily WWE veteran Jeff Hardy.

Fall and pray! Or don’t, because NXT Champion Karrion Kross lost his debut match on Raw to WWE veteran Jeff Hardy.

It all went down on the latest edition of Monday Night Raw on USA Network which emanated live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Kross’ imminent debut was announced earlier in the night without too much fanfare. Prior to his match, a brief hype package aired, and Kross then made his way to the ring — without Scarlett, his real-life partner who serves as his valet in NXT and plays a big part in his extravagant entrance.

The NXT Champion went one-on-one with Jeff Hardy, but the match didn’t last very long as the wily veteran Hardy pulled off a shock victory over the usually unstoppable Kross. The finish came when Kross dodged a Swanton Bomb and attempted to capitalize by hitting the presumably discombobulated Hardy in the back of the head with his trademark elbow blow. However, Jeff Hardy has missed hundreds of Swantons and it takes a lot more than that to mess him up. Hardy dodged the elbow and rolled Kross up. He used the ropes as leverage but the ref didn’t see, and so the dominant NXT Champion Karrion Kross lost his debut match on WWE’s flagship brand.

After the match, Kross was interviewed in the ring and put Jeff Hardy on notice, telling the former WWE Champion that he had just made the biggest mistake of his life.

Source: The Sportster

Keith Lee Returns To WWE RAW, Answered Bobby Lashley’s Open Challenge

Former NXT Champion Keith Lee made his long-awaited return to WWE on Raw when he answered an open challenge issued by WWE Champion Bobby Lashley.

Bask in his glory! Keith Lee returned to WWE programming after a seven-month absence and confronted the WWE Champion Bobby Lashley.

It all went down on the latest edition of Monday Night Raw on USA Network which emanated live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.  “The All Mighty” Bobby Lashley and his associate MVP were talking themselves up in the ring and bragging about Lashley’s destruction of Kofi Kingston at Money In The Bank the previous night. Lashley issued a non-title open challenge, which was answered by former NXT Champion Keith Lee.

Lashley got the win after hitting Lee with a spear and was confronted by Goldberg as he celebrated his victory.

Before Monday, Keith Lee hadn’t been seen on WWE programming since February, and the reason for his absence is yet to be explained by either WWE or The Limitless One himself.

Recently, Lee took to Twitter for the first time in a week to check in with his fans.

“Many of you are reminding me of this day a year ago,” Lee captioned a photo of himself taken on the night he defeated Adam Cole to become NXT Champion. “So much has happened since then, it feels so long ago. Patience my friends….there is zero quit IN me. So don’t you quit ON me. I miss you. And I love you.

Prior to his unexplained leave of absence, Lee’s future in WWE seemed promising. While he was still a member of the NXT locker room, the big man stole the show at Survivor Series in 2019. The black and gold brand was victorious that night, but Lee’s face-to-face in the ring with Roman Reigns felt like a huge moment that was laying the groundwork for a tantalizing future feud. Lee’s staredown and battle with Brock Lesnar during the men’s Royal Rumble match two months later seemed to cement his status as a star of the near future, but sadly his main event push is yet to come to fruition.

Source: The Sportster

WWE RAW Preview 7/19/21

Tonight’s post-Money In the Bank edition of WWE RAW will take place from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, marking WWE’s first red brand show on the road since the return to touring last week.

WWE has announced that John Cena make his RAW return tonight as he opens the show to explain why he returned after last night’s Money In the Bank main event. As noted, Cena confronted WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns after his win over WWE Hall of Famer Edge.

Tonight’s RAW will also feature an appearance by new RAW Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, who won the title from Rhea Ripley last night.

Nikki A.S.H. will also appear tonight to celebrate her win in the Women’s Money In the Bank Ladder Match on Sunday.

There are at least two rumored returns for tonight’s show. Becky Lynch is rumored to return at RAW or SmackDown this week, while WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg is expected to return and challenge WWE Champion Bobby Lashley for SummerSlam. Lashley dominated Kofi Kingston last night at Money In the Bank to retain his title.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Money In The Bank Results 7/18/2021, John Cena Returns

WWE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (KICKOFF)
The Usos defeated Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio (c) to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship

WOMEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK
Nikki A.S.H. defeated Asuka, Naomi, Alexa Bliss, Liv Morgan, Zelina Vega, Natalya, and Tamina

WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
AJ Styles and Omos (c) defeated The Viking Raiders

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Bobby Lashley (c) defeated Kofi Kingston

WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Charlotte defeated Rhea Ripley (c) to win the RAW Women’s Championship

MEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK
Big E defeated Ricochet, John Morrison, Riddle, Drew McIntrye, Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamaura, and Seth Rollins

WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Roman Reigns (c) defeated Edge

Seth Rollins interfered, costing Edge the championship.

– After the match, Reigns recovers as his music hits. We go to replays. Rollins returns to the ring and snaps on Edge, counting him with strikes as Reigns is barely able to get out of the way in time. Heyman watches from the apron as he was bringing the WWE Universal Title belt in when Rollins snapped on Edge. Rollins and Reigns meet in the middle of the ring now. They have words as Rollins rants about how he should’ve been in the match. Edge attacks from the side and sends Rollins to the floor. Edge unloads on Rollins at ringside, then takes the brawl to the crowd. They fight through the fans and to the stage as it looks like Rollins is running away. The camera focuses back on Reigns in the ring as music starts back up. Heyman hands Reigns the title and he holds it on his shoulder. Heyman then hands Reigns a mic.

Fans boo as Reigns takes the mic in the middle of the ring. Reigns says now the whole world can acknowledge him. The music interrupts and out comes John Cena to a major pop. Cena poses on the stage as the crowd erupts. Reigns looks on as Cena rushes the ring. Cena meets Reigns in the middle of the ring and they face off. Cena does his “you can’t see me” taunt in Reigns’ face and the crowd blows up again. Cena hits the corner to pose as Reigns stares him down from behind. The 2021 Money In the Bank pay-per-view goes off the air with fans cheering Cena on as Reigns looks on.

Impact Wrestling Slammiversary Results 7/17/2021, Chelsea Green, No Way Jose, Thunder Rosa, Mickie James, Jay White

IMPACT KNOCKOUTS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (PRE-SHOW)
Havok and Rosemary defeated Fire ‘N Flavor (c) to win the Impact Knockouts Tag Team Championship

IMPACT X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP (ULTIMATE X)
Josh Alexander (c) defeated Trey Miguel, Ace Austin, Chris Bey, Rohit Raju, and Petey Williams

Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green defeated Brian Myers and Tenille Dashwood

The Hot Mess, Chelsea Green was Cardona’s mystery partner

W. Morrissey defeated Eddie Edwards

FinJuice defeated Shera and Madman Fulton

Chris Sabin defeated Moose

IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Good Brothers defeated Violent By Design (c), Rich Swann and Willie Mack, No Way and Fallah Bahh to win the Impact World Tag Team Championship

No Way Jose filled in for TJP

IMPACT KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP
Deonna Purrazzo (c) defeated Thunder Rosa

Thunder Rosa was the mystery opponent

– Post-match, Purrazzo takes the mic. Mickie James’ music then hits and out she comes! James heads right for Purrazzo. She tells the crowd it’s good to be back in front of a crowd and she knows if there’s one thing Nashville loves is hardcore country! Purrazzo is not happy that James is stepping on her moment. James says she appreciates Purrazzo and lists off her accomplishments. James mentions she’s connected to NWA POWERRR and wants only the best. She invites Purrazzo to the show. Purrazzo says everybody wants her on their show, but she still feels disrespected and tells James to get her trash bag and get the hell out of here! James slaps Purrazzo and then superkicks her. The champ rolls out of the ring and walks up the ramp. She eyes James and heads to the back.

IMPACT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (NO DQ MATCH)
Kenny Omega (c) defeated Sami Callihan

– Post-match, Callis, The Good Brothers, and Omega celebrate the victory. They go for too sweet and the lights go out. Bullet Club music hits and out comes NJPW star Jay White! The group throw up “too sweet” to White, White has his NEVER Openweight Championship with him and looks to be considering what he’ll do as the PPV comes to a close.

WWE Money In The Bank 7/18/2021

DATE: July 18, 2021 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas
AVAILABLE ON:Peacock, WWE Network (outside of the U.S.)

CARD

WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Edge

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Kofi Kingston

WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Charlotte

WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
AJ Styles and Omos (c) vs. The Viking Raiders

MEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK
Ricochet vs. John Morrison vs. Riddle vs. Big E vs. Drew McIntrye vs. Kevin Owens vs. King Shinsuke Nakamaura vs. Seth Rollins

WOMEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK
Asuka vs. Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Cross vs. Liv Morgan vs. Zelina Vega vs. Natalya vs. Tamina

Kickoff Pre-show: SmackDown Tag Team Titles Match
The Usos vs. Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio (c)

Impact Wrestling Slammiversary 7/17/2021

DATE: July 17, 2021 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
AVAILABLE ON:FITE and Traditional PPV

CARD

IMPACT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (NO DQ MATCH)
Kenny Omega (c) vs. Sami Callihan

IMPACT KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP
Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs. Mystery Opponent

IMPACT X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP (ULTIMATE X)
Josh Alexander (c) vs. Trey Miguel vs. Ace Austin vs. Chris Bey vs. Rohit Raju vs. Petey Williams

IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Violent By Designs (c) vs. Rich Swann and Willie Mack vs. TJP and Fallah Bahh vs. The Good Brothers

IMPACT KNOCKOUTS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Fire ‘N Flava (c) vs. Havok and Rosemary

Chris Sabin vs. Moose

Eddie Edwards vs. W. Morrissey

Brian Myers & Tenille Dashwood vs. Matt Cardona & A Mystery Partner

WWE SmackDown Preview 7/16/21

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will air live from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas with the final build for Sunday’s Money In the Bank pay-per-view.

This show marks WWE’s official return to touring since the COVID-19 pandemic shut things down last year. WWE is expected to have several surprises this weekend, and a new set will debut on tonight’s SmackDown.

WWE SmackDown Event In Atlanta Has Been Canceled

The September 17 edition of WWE SmackDown on FOX will no longer take place at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

The arena announced today that the event has been canceled. No reason was given, but refunds are available at the point of purchase.

WWE has not announced a new location for the September 17 SmackDown as of this writing, but we will keep you updated. The WWE website still has the Atlanta event listed as of this writing, but that will likely be removed soon.

Fans on Twitter expressed frustration with the cancellation as the arena was still selling tickets as of yesterday.

https://twitter.com/StateFarmArena/status/1416021257829617664

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Drops More Hints On Who Might Appear At Slammiversary

On tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling, several more hints were dropped on which stars might be returning or debuting at Slammiversary this Saturday.

In one of tonight’s segments, the Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo, who is set to defend her championship against an opponent she won’t find out about until Saturday night, and Executive Vice President Scott D’Amore, sat down to sign Purrazzo’s side of the contract going into Slammiversary. Just before she signed the contract, D’Amore told The Virtuosa, “I know sometimes things around here get to be a little bit of a hot mess, but Slammiversary is truly going to be iconic. We’re in Nashville here…might be a little hardcore country.”

In the first part of D’Amore’s statement, “hot mess” was in reference to Laurel Van Ness (fka Chelsea Green in WWE). Ness spent two years in TNA/Impact from 2016 – 2018. She held the Knockouts Championship one time. Her title reign lasted 65 days before dropping it to Allie (aka The Bunny in AEW). Green was one of several who was, unfortunately, let go from WWE in April, which means her non-compete clause has expired. Just recently, Green made an appearance at Ring of Honor’s Best in the World, where she will become one of the participants scheduled to compete in the Women’s World Championship Tournament that will begin soon.

The second phrase mentioned was “iconic,” which belongs to Cassie Lee & Jessica McKay (fka as Peyton Royce and Billie Kay, collectively known as The IIconics in WWE). Like Green, Lee and McKay were released by WWE in April and are now free from their 90-day non-compete clauses. The former WWE Women’s Tag Team champs have mentioned that they would like to remain a team going forward. In a recent interview with Renee Paquette, they both mentioned they would like to compete in Impact, along with other promotions, if given the opportunity.

Lastly, the “hardcore country” reference was made toward Mickie James’ music single, “Hardcore Country,” which was released on her 2013 album, Somebody’s Gonna Pay. James spent roughly two decades on and off with TNA (2002 – 2003, 2010 – 2015). She racked up three separate reigns with the Knockouts Championship and is looked at as one of the founding mothers of the Knockouts division. Currently, James is working as an executive producer and in-ring talent at NWA. She will be in charge of the first-ever all-female event for the company called NWA EmPowerrr on August 28.

It’ll be interesting to see if some or all of these women mentioned on tonight’s program will appear at Slammiversary. Slammiversary will take place this Saturday on FITE TV and traditional pay-per-view.

Source: Wrestling Inc.