Author: John Bass

John Cena At WWE SummerSlam Up In Air Due To Movie Schedule

John Cena has just signed on for a new movie and might not be able to make Summerslam this year.

Cena might not be able to make an appearance at SummerSlam this year due to his Hollywood schedule. WWE is hoping to have the wrestler-turned-actor challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at said show but an appearance is now in doubt.

The PPV is set for August 21 and will air from the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. According to a report from Variety, Cena has joined a cast including Henry Cavill, Samuel L. Jackson, Sam Rockwell, and Bryce Dallas for a spy movie branded Argylle.

The movie will begin shooting in Europe this August, with a release date expected for 2022.

https://twitter.com/Variety/status/1413166360096608262

“Kingsman director Matthew Vaughn has signed up an all-star cast for his new film franchise “Argylle,” which will be produced by Vaughn’s U.K.-based studio MARV.

“Henry Cavill (“Man of Steel”), Sam Rockwell (“Moon”), Bryce Dallas Howard (“Jurassic World”), Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”), Catherine O’Hara (“Schitt’s Creek”), John Cena (“Bumblebee”) and Samuel L. Jackson (“Avengers: Endgame”) are all set to appear in the spy thriller.

“The thriller is set to be published next year by Transworld Publishers Ltd., a division of Penguin Random House. Shooting on the film will begin in Europe this August.”

The film’s schedule may very well affect Cena’s potential appearance at SummerSlam. If filming begins after August 21, it’s unlikely to prevent the 16-time World Champion from battling Reigns at the event. But if it’s due to start prior to the show, WWE will have to contend with COVID-19 protocols and insurance, among other things.

Cena revealed he was unable to make it to WrestleMania 37 this year as a result of the COVID-19 protocols put in place while he was shooting HBO Max’s Peacemaker series. Insurance has also prevented The Rock from making WWE appearances while filming.

Cena has constantly talked up his affinity to WWE and recently said he plans to make a return during an interview with Jimmy Fallon. Whether or not that will be at SummerSlam remains to be seen.

Source: The Sportster

Impact Wrestling Preview 7/8/21

In less than two weeks, worlds will collide as the Impact World Champion Kenny Omega is set to do battle with “The Draw” Sami Callihan in the main event at Slammiversary. Tonight, these two notorious bruisers will make their match official with a contract signing on Impact Wrestling.

Last week, Omega and Callihan led their respective teams in a six-man tag team match. Unfortunately, Callihan’s team lost at the hands of The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson). But it’s important to note that neither Omega nor Callihan took the pin. These two future opponents missed each other in the match. The only interaction between them was Omega hitting a V-Trigger on Callihan, which helped his team pick up the pinfall victory.

Although this will be Omega’s first contract signing held at the Impact Zone, Omega will have to mind his Ps and Qs against one of the most violent athletes on the Impact roster. Callihan, who is dead set on winning the title for a second time and bringing it back home, is also ready to end Omega and keep him far away from the promotion he spent close to four years perfecting through his blood, sweat and tears. How will “The Best Bout Machine” handle “The Death Machine” tonight?

Speaking of Slammiversary, a Knockouts Tag Team Contenders Match will take place between Havok and Rosemary against Susan and Kimber Lee. Whoever wins will secure their shot at facing Fire ‘N Flava for the titles (Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz) next Saturday. With Lee focused on summoning Su Yung to help her and Susan seek revenge on Deonna Purrazzo, will The Undead Bride arrive to obtain the victory?

Also set for tonight’s show:

* Brian Myers vs. Jake Something

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

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Big NJPW Show To Be Delayed Again?, G1 Climax Dates Announced

The Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared a new state of emergency (due to rising COVID infections) in Tokyo that begins on July 12 and runs through August 22. NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam in the Tokyo Dome is scheduled for July 25, but may yet again be postponed.

The first show was scheduled for May 29, but was also postponed due to an earlier state of emergency extension.

NJPW has yet to comment on the status of Wrestle Grand Slam, which features IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi vs. Kota Ibushi.

In other NJPW event news, this year’s G1 Climax 31 dates have been announced. The company’s biggest tournament of the year will begin on September 18 in Osaka and finish on October 21.

19 events in total have been scheduled. The winner of the round-robin tournament typically faces the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion at Wrestle Kingdom in January.

The G1 usually runs in July/August, but the Tokyo Olympics have pushed it to the fall over the last two years. Kota Ibushi defeated SANADA in last year’s finals.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Jimmy Uso’s DUI Police Report Published, New Details Revealed

The arresting officer has filed their police report pertaining to Jimmy Uso’s DUI earlier this week, revealing new details.

The police report from Jimmy Uso’s DUI has been filed, revealing more details about his arrest this past Monday.

Jimmy Uso was arrested for a DUI earlier this week, reportedly spending the night in jail on Monday. The officer who made the arrest has now filed their report, revealing more details pertaining to what happened with Uso on Monday night. As was already reported, it confirms Uso’s blood-alcohol level was more than twice that of the legal limit in Florida.

The in-depth report also confirms Uso was driving 15 mph over the speed limit and ran a red light after being clocked by the arresting officer. The new details take the form of what happened once Uso had been pulled over. The officers conducted sobriety tests on Uso in a nearby parking lot, all of which further confirmed the WWE Superstar had been drinking.

“During the one-legged stand test, Uso was unable to maintain his balance, and placed his foot down multiple times,” the report reads (H/T Wrestling Inc.). “Uso was unable to keep his head still, and had multiple signs of nystagmus, or involuntary eye movement.” The former Tag Team Champion admitted to having consumed multiple beers and was placed under arrest following the failed sobriety tests.

Uso spent the rest of the night in the Escambia County Jail and posted his $500 bond the following morning. This is the second time Uso has been issued a DUI in as many years. The wrestler was arrested under very similar circumstances in July 2019. However, a jury found him not guilty on that occasion despite footage of the incident appearing to show Uso swaying while out of his car and swerving when he was behind the wheel. The officer’s bodycam and in-car cam footage from this latest arrest have not yet been released.

Neither Uso nor WWE have publicly reacted to the latest arrest. Reports circulating shortly after the incident claim some higher-ups within the company aren’t happy with Uso. More because this is the second instance of this happening, or even the third if you include the time he was arrested for an alleged non-DUI-related clash with police officers.

Source: The Sportster

Malakai Black (Aleister Black) Debuts On AEW Dynamite, Attacks Cody Rhodes

Malakai Black ( fka Aleister Black) made his debut on Wednesday night during AEW Dynamite. He attacked Cody Rhodes to a massive reaction.

Aleister Black has made his decision… he’s officially going All Elite. No longer known as Aleister Black, he’s not even going by the name Tommy End –which we all thought was a moniker he would take after his WWE release. Instead, Black debuted on AEW Dynamite as Malakai Black.

The live crowd there to watch his AEW debut were in shock, but also extremely vocal, blaring their enthusiasm for a signing that most fans universally seem to think is a fantastic move by Tony Khan. The President of AEW hinted he had other things up his sleeve. Apparently, this was one of them.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1412944130813083650

As often happens in AEW, a new arrival made his debut by attacking Cody Rhodes. Make of that what you will, Black’s arrival seems to have caught a number of fans off guard. There was a lot of chatter about where Black might go. AEW was certainly among the possible destinations. But, after news that his wife Zelina Vega signed a multi-year contract with WWE, some thought that might be the opening to bring Black back into the WWE fold. He had other plans.

Interestingly, this might be a case where Black was released from his 90-day non-compete clause early. Based on when he was let go, he shouldn’t have debuted so soon.

Black teased earlier on Wednesday that something might be coming. He released a vignette in which he said, “My name isn’t Tom. My name is Malakai.” Obviously, that’s the name he’s now going by in AEW.

Outside of the fans in attendance being stoked for Black’s debut, social media was quick to voice their excitement, many saying this is exactly the right spot for Black who will be used properly and could become a massive star. We can only hope this turns out to be the case.

Black didn’t necessarily get a fair shake in WWE and he’s got an extremely creative mind and passion for the business. It appears AEW is going to try and tap into that and they’ve put him up against one of their biggest names right out of the gate.

Source: The Sportster

AEW Dynamite Road Rager Preview 7/7/21

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite: Road Rager episode airs on TNT at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida.

* QT Marshall vs. Cody Rhodes (South Beach Strap Match)

* MJF to announce stipulations for Chris Jericho to get through to have a match with MJF. If they have a match and Jericho loses — he has to leave MJF alone forever.

* Andrade El Idolo vs. Matt Sydal

* The Young Bucks (c) vs. Penta El Zero Miedo and Eddie Kingston (Street Fight for the AEW World Tag Team Championship)

* Jake Hager, Santana, and Ortiz with Konnan vs. Wardlow and FTR with Tully Blanchard

* Kris Statlander and Orange Cassidy vs. The Bunny and The Blade

* Ethan Page and Darby Allin have a sit-down interview with Jim Ross

WWE SmackDown (July 23) To Air As Split-Site Broadcast From Rolling Loud Miami Hip-Hop Festival

WWE is headed to the popular Rolling Loud hip-hop festival.

It was announced today that the July 23 edition of SmackDown on FOX will feature matches from the Rolling Loud Miami 2021 festival.

WWE previously announced that the July 23 SmackDown will air from the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, OH. Now that episode will feature a split-site broadcast with multiple matches at Rolling Loud from Hard Rock Stadium, and the remainder of the show held in Cleveland.

WWE touted how this marks the first-ever collaboration between the company and a major music festival, but WWE NXT has held matches at the UK’s Download Festival for a few years until the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Rolling Loud will be headlined by Travis Scott, Post Malone and A$AP Rocky. WWE Superstars will share the same stage with those rappers.

“What Matt Zingler, Tariq Cherif and the entire Rolling Loud team have built is spectacular,” said Scott Zanghellini, WWE Senior Vice President, Revenue Strategy & Development in a press release. “We couldn’t think of a better partner to deliver such a unique WWE experience to fans during the July 23 edition of Friday Night SmackDown on FOX.”

“I grew up on Sweet Chin Music, mesmerized by the spectacle that Vince McMahon and co have built at WWE,” said Tariq Cherif, Co-Founder/Co-CEO of Rolling Loud. “The idea of weaving our two storylines into one world, one must see event, is electrifying.”

“And I quote! If ya smell…what the WWE and Rolling Loud…is…cookin’! Give me a hell yeah!,” said Rolling Loud Co-Founder/Co-CEO, Matt Zingler.

Stay tuned for more on WWE and Rolling Loud. Below is the full announcement issued to us today:

WWE® FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN® HEADS TO ROLLING LOUD MIAMI 2021

STAMFORD, Conn., July 7, 2021 – WWE® (NYSE: WWE) and Rolling Loud, the world’s premier rap festival, today announced a new partnership that brings Friday Night SmackDown to Rolling Loud Miami 2021 on July 23. The occasion marks the first ever collaboration between WWE and a major music festival.

Gracing the same stage as festival headliners Travis Scott, Post Malone and A$AP Rocky, WWE Superstars will compete in matches live from Rolling Loud Miami. The July 23 edition of Friday Night SmackDown on FOX will feature a split-site broadcast with multiple matches at Rolling Loud Miami, and the remainder of the evening held at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland.

“What Matt Zingler, Tariq Cherif and the entire Rolling Loud team have built is spectacular,” said Scott Zanghellini, WWE Senior Vice President, Revenue Strategy & Development. “We couldn’t think of a better partner to deliver such a unique WWE experience to fans during the July 23 edition of Friday Night SmackDown on FOX.”

“I grew up on Sweet Chin Music, mesmerized by the spectacle that Vince McMahon and co have built at WWE,” said Tariq Cherif, Co-Founder/Co-CEO of Rolling Loud. “The idea of weaving our two storylines into one world, one must see event, is electrifying.”

“And I quote! If ya smell…what the WWE and Rolling Loud…is…cookin’! Give me a hell yeah!,” said Rolling Loud Co-Founder/Co-CEO, Matt Zingler.

WWE has a rich history of integrating music into all aspects of its brand and collaborating with some of the most celebrated artists in the world. Over the years, world-renowned hip-hop artists including Snoop Dogg, Diddy, Three 6 Mafia, MGK, Wale and many others have performed at WWE’s biggest events.

Bringing 130 of the hottest acts in hip-hop to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., the sold out Rolling Loud Miami 2021 is a triumphant return for live rap music, and a coming out party for risers and new superstars eager to play in front of a festival crowd. The sixth Rolling Loud festival in Miami, where it started as a humble one-day event in Bayfront Park, Rolling Loud Miami 2021 will occur from July 23-25.

Friday Night SmackDown airs live on FOX at 8/7c and features Universal Champion Roman Reigns, SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair, SmackDown Tag Team Champions Rey and Dominik Mysterio, WWE Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews, Bayley, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens and more.

Rolling Loud Miami is the first of three Rolling Loud festivals happening this year. On October 28-30, Rolling Loud returns to the birthplace of Hip Hop with Rolling Loud New York 2021, headlined by Travis Scott, J. Cole, and 50 Cent, taking place at Citi Field in Queens. The festival heads to the West Coast on December 10-12 for Rolling Loud California, headlined by J. Cole, Kid Cudi, and Future, from NEO Events Center in San Bernardino, Calif.

Stay tuned for more announcements about the Rolling Loud and WWE/Friday Night SmackDown partnership in the weeks leading up to the festival.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Tegan Nox Returns To NXT As Battery Charges Up, New NXT Women’s Tag Champions Crowned

Io Shirai and Zoey Stark are your new WWE NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, and Tegan Nox has made her return to NXT.

Las night’s NXT Great American Bash special saw Shirai and Stark defeat Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell to win the straps, after Nox returned and caused a distraction.

Nox was revealed to be the Superstar behind the recent battery charger teasers. As The Way looked to end the match, the lights inside the Capitol Wrestling Center went out, and the battery charger hit 100% on the big screen. Nox then appeared on the stage, shocking LeRae. This led to Shirai taking out the champs one more time, and Stark getting the pin to win on Hartwell. Nox attacked LeRae after the match and chased her to the back, allowing Shirai and Stark time for their post-match celebration.

This is the first reign for Shirai and Stark. The Way held the titles for 59 days, winning them back on May 4 after defeating Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart in a Street Fight.

As noted before, Nox returned to in-ring action in a pre-RAW dark match on Monday night, against Toni Storm. She has been out of action since September 2020 after suffering a torn ACL, her third since 2017. She was feuding with LeRae at the time of the injury, and LeRae was blamed for the injury in the storylines. It was reported that Nox actually suffered the injury while doing rehab.

AJ Styles Says He Was “Dead Wrong” About His Original WWE Retirement Plans

AJ Styles spoke with Ryan Satin about a variety of topics, among them how he figured he’d have retired already. Why didn’t he and what’s next?

AJ Styles recently sat down with Ryan Satin of Fox Sports and during the Out of Character podcast, talked about still wresting at the age of 44. Admitting that he didn’t at all expect to still be going at this age, he talked about how we outlasted his retirement plans.

Styles acknowledged that he figured he’d be done as an active competitor a few years ago. He said, “I remember thinking, ‘I’ll be 40 years old when I retire. That’s when I’m gonna retire.’So I was dead wrong, by the way.” Whether it was the right opportunity or feeling better physically than he figured he would, he felt good enough to sign another contract with the WWE in 2019.

Styles said he’s publicly called this current contract his final contract and he didn’t say how long it was for, but mentioned WWE is the “perfect place for me to be.” While he didn’t come right out and say it, had it not been WWE and had he gone a different path than finally coming over, it sounds like Styles would have packed it in.

Styles also admitted that it’s hard to leave. As he gets closer to the end and knowing that his career is probably winding down, he’s started realizing that it will be hard to give it all up and walk away. He does know that there will come a time when he can’t do the things physically he wants to and that may be the final sign. “It’s a struggle some times,” Styles said.

He said he got a taste of how things have changed with COVID, but he didn’t like the feeling of not being part of the business with fans and the regular experience he’s come to know and love. That said, he’s not done yet and noted we’ll see where everything ends up after this current contract comes to an end.

Source: The Sportster

WWE NXT Great American Bash Preview 7/6/21

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode will be the special Great American Bash episode, live from the Capitol Wrestling Center at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.

Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly

NXT Tag Team Titles Match
Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher vs. MSK (c)

NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles Match
Io Shirai and Zoey Stark vs. Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae (c)

Million Dollar Title Match
Cameron Grimes vs. LA Knight (c)
If Knight wins, Grimes must become his butler.

NXT Champion Karrion Kross comes face-to-face with Johnny Gargano

Hit Row hosts a Championship Cypher

The person behind the battery charger teasers is expected to be revealed (possibly Tegan Nox, who returned last night in a dark match at RAW)