Author: John Bass

[Report] Backstage Details On Major Changes Coming In WWE When Crowds Return

Several changes to the WWE product are reportedly on the horizon as they await the return of live crowds.

According to Paul Davis of WrestlingNews.co, Edge and John Cena “are expected” to return next month to prepare for SummerSlam — set for Aug. 21 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Reports indicate that Cena will face Universal Champion Roman Reigns in the main event of SummerSlam, while the Rated-R Superstar is reportedly set to feud with Seth Rollins.

Davis also reported that The Bella Twins, who were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year, are also “getting ready to return.” According to Davis, some in WWE also hope to have The Rock wrestle at Survivor Series as a way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his debut with the company.

Last week, WrestlingNews.co also reported that WWE chairman Vince McMahon knows “the product is stale.” The report also noted that some in WWE management believe they’re saving the “good stuff” for the live crowds. WWE will begin a 25-city tour on July 16, when SmackDown runs live at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

Davis also noted that it looks like Becky Lynch will return soon. The former Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champion was at the Performance Center last week, supposedly to get ready for a return to the ring. Lynch has been on leave since May of last year. Lynch and Seth Rollins had their first child together, a daughter named Roux, in Decembe

WWE is also reportedly working on Brock Lesnar’s return. He hasn’t been on WWE programming since WrestleMania 36 14 months ago.

There is a need for some changes, and having major stars return will obviously help enhance the television product. With live crowds set to return, it’s the perfect time for WWE to bring in the required changes.

Source: The Sportster

WWE RAW Preview 6/21/21

Tonight’s WWE RAW will feature fallout from Sunday’s Hell In a Cell pay-per-view.

WWE has not announced any matches for tonight’s show, but the first real build for Money In the Bank should begin. That pay-per-view will take place on July 18.

Will WWE Champion Bobby Lashley gets an idea of his next challenger on tonight’s show, and will he celebrates his Hell In a Cell win over Drew McIntyre?

The Charlotte Flair vs. RAW Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley feud should also continue tonight as their match at Hell In a Cell ended with Flair winning via DQ.

Brock Lesnar Reportedly Talking With WWE

Brock Lesnar and WWE have been in recent talks about Lesnar making his return to the company, according to Fightful.

The report noted WWE has plans in place for the WWE Superstar and are hoping his return could be imminent. No word on when he’ll be on WWE TV though.

His WWE contract reportedly expired last August without the two sides agreeing on new terms and, at that time, Lesnar’s merchandise was removed from WWE Shop. It was expected Lesnar would eventually return to WWE, despite not re-signing.

His most recent appearance was at WrestleMania 36 when he lost the WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre.

With SummerSlam nearly sold out, it was previously noted WWE is looking to put together a WrestleMania-level PPV that would likely include Lesnar. This year’s PPV is on Saturday, August 21 from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It was reported earlier this month WWE was considering Lesnar vs. WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at SummerSlam.

There has been some talk of a possible Lesnar vs WWE Champion Bobby Lashley at SummerSlam.

WWE Hell In A Cell Results 6/20/2021

KICKOFF
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Natalya defeated Mandy Rose

WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP (HELL IN A CELL)
Bianca Belair (c) defeated Bayley

Seth Rollins defeated Cesaro

Alexa Bliss defeated Shayna Baszler

Sami Zayn defeated Kevin Owens

WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Charlotte defeated Rhea Ripley (c) via Disqualification (Ripley retains the title)

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP (HELL IN A CELL)
Bobby Lashley (c) with MVP defeated Drew McIntyre (McIntyre can’t challenge Lashley for the title again.)

The Good Brothers Returning To NJPW For Tag Team Turbulence

NJPW announced Friday that The Good Brothers will be returning to the company in July to compete in the Tag Team Turbulence tournament on NJPW Strong.

Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, former three-time IWGP Tag Team Champions, will face the team of Clark Connors and TJP in their first round match. It will be The Good Brothers’ first appearance on NJPW TV since their departure from the company in Feb. 2016.

The NJPW website has announced the following first-round match-ups:

Clark Connors & TJP vs The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows)

LA Dojo (The DKC & Kevin Knight) vs West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs)

Yuji Nagata & Ren Narita vs Fred Yehi & Wheeler Yuta

Violence Unlimited (Brody King & Chris Dickinson) vs Team Filthy (JR Kratos & Danny Limelight)

The first round will take place on July 16, and will be available for stream on NJPW World and FITE.

https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1406086836133384195
https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1406084320415170566
https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1406114519714250757
https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1406099419850850310

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 6/18/21

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite episode airs on TNT at 10/9c from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida. This week’s show was preempted on Wednesday due to the NBA Playoffs.

* QT Marshall and Aaron Solow with Nick Comoroto vs. Cody Rhodes and Brock Anderson with Arn Anderson

* Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky vs. Darby Allin (Handicap Match)

* Penta El Zero Miedo, Eddie Kingston, and Frankie Kazarian with Alex Abrahantes vs. Matt Jackson and The Good Brothers with Don Callis

* Jim Ross sits down with Andrade El Idolo

* Orange Cassidy with Best Friends and Kris Statlander vs. Cezar Bononi with The Wingmen

* Wardlow vs. Jake Hager (MMA Rules Cage Fight)

* Julia Hart with Varsity Blonds vs. Penelope Ford

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/18/21 – Reigns vs. Mysterio (Hell In A Cell Match)

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will be the Hell In a Cell go-home edition of the show.

WWE Hell In A Cell 6/20/2021

DATE: June 20, 2021 7:00 pm
LOCATION: WWE ThunderDome, Tampa, Florida
AVAILABLE ON:Peacock, WWE Network (outside of the U.S.) and on traditional pay-per-view

CARD

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP (HELL IN A CELL)
Bobby Lashley (c) with MVP vs. Drew McIntyre
If McIntyre loses, he can’t challenge Lashley for the title again.

WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP (HELL IN A CELL)
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley

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

Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins

Shayna Baszler vs. Alexa Bliss

Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayne

Cody Rhodes Announces Birth Of His And Brandi’s Daughter

Just days after AEW’s Jon Moxley and Renee Paquette became parents, fellow AEW stars Cody and Brandi Rhodes have followed suit. The two time AEW TNT Champion announced on Instagram that he and Brandi’s daughter, Liberty Iris Runnels, was born this morning.

“6 lbs, 12 OZ’s. Liberty Iris Runnels,” Rhodes said. “Mother & Daughter are doing wonderful.”

Cody and Brandi announced Brandi’s pregnancy on the December 16, 2020 episode of AEW Dynamite; they would similarly reveal the gender of the baby on Dynamite in February. In an appearance on Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette that same month, Brandi noted it had been a difficult pregnancy for her due to a condition called PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).

Brandi has not appeared on AEW programming since judging a walk off between Peter Avalon and Lee Johnson on AEW Dark. She has been at AEW tapings however, appearing regularly on Sammy Guevara’s vlog during her pregnancy, and having a baby shower with the AEW Women’s roster during Double or Nothing weekend.

Cody meanwhile has kept busy in ring, feuding with QT Marshall’s Factory stable and defeating Anthony Ogogo at Double or Nothing. He is scheduled to face Marshall on the July 7 episode of Dynamite in a Miami Strap Match. Thus far, the bout is the only scheduled match for AEW’s first show outside of Jacksonville since March of 2020.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Preview 6/17/21

Tonight on Impact on AXS TV:

  • Fallout from last Saturday’s Against All Odds
  • Tenille Dashwood vs. Rachael Ellering
  • Steve Maclin (Former WWE Superstar Steve Cutler) is scheduled to make his IMPACT Wrestling debut 
  • Satoshi Kojima vs. Rhino. If Kojima wins, he and Eddie Edwards earn a future opportunity for the IMPACT World Tag Team Titles currently held by  Rhino and Joe Doering
  • We will find out what the firing of Sami Callihan means for the Slammiversary PPV main event, as Sami was fired by Don Callis at the close of last Saturday’s Against All Odds as it went off the air.