Author: John Bass

WWE RAW Preview 10/12/20, WWE Draft

Tonight’s WWE RAW from the Amway Center in Orlando will feature the continuation of the 2020 Draft, plus more build for the upcoming Hell In a Cell pay-per-view.

* Kevin Owens to face Aleister Black in a No Disqualification Match

* Seth Rollins bids farewell to Raw

* Battle Royal to decide Asuka’s next challenger

* Mustafa Ali to speak about his RETRIBUTION reveal

See below for the updated draft pool for Monday’s edition of Raw:

Andrade
Bayley
Aleister Black
Alexa Bliss
Daniel Bryan
Carmella
King Corbin
Apollo Crews
Nikki Cross
Dabba-Kato
Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
Elias
Erik (of The Viking Raiders)
Lacey Evans
Charlotte Flair
Jeff Hardy
Billie Kay
Lana
Keith Lee
Riddick Moss
Natalya
Titus O’Neil
Randy Orton
Kevin Owens
R-Truth
RETRIBUTION (Mustafa Ali, T-BAR, MACE, SLAPJACK, RECKONING & RETALIATION)
Matt Riddle
The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan)
Peyton Royce
Arturo Ruas
Sheamus
Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro
The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
Braun Strowman
Lars Sullivan
Tamina
Akira Tozawa
Zelina Vega
Bray Wyatt
Sami Zayn

Eva Marie Reportedly Returning To WWE

Eva Marie is reportedly returning to WWE soon.

There’s no official word on when Eva is set to return, but Cultaholic reports that the return may be imminent. It was noted that we could see the former WWE Divas Search competitor and Total Divas cast member return as soon as tonight’s RAW episode, featuring the end of the 2020 WWE Draft.

Wrestling Inc. noted back in September how Eva spoke with Reel Talker’s Jim Alexander and commented on her WWE experience, and how The McMahon Family took a chance on her. She said WWE will always be her #1.

“WWE is always my number one,” she said. “My family. They are everything. Vince, Hunter, Stephanie, they took a chance on me, as a nobody at all. They gave me opportunities to possibly become a superstar.”

Eva also said she has some unfinished business in WWE, during that interview.

“I am just so thankful to that company and feel I have some unfinished business (if you know what I’m saying). I have no problem and see myself coming back to WWE. Stirring it up a little bit,” she said of a potential return.

Eva first joined WWE in 2013 for Total Divas and the Divas Search, but left the company in August 2017 to focus on other interests outside of the company. She has done some acting and reality TV work since then, and has also launched her own fashion brands, among other projects. Eva also launched a podcast in 2018, The Natalie Eva Marie Show. She has stayed away from pro wrestling for the most part, but it was recently revealed at this link that she has a new pro wrestling show with NowThis coming out.

UPDATE:

PWInsider reports that Marie is currently in Orlando for this week’s WWE TV tapings at the Amway Center. She was seen on Sunday undergoing medical testing that was needed to enter the arena today.

Word is that the 36 year old Marie and WWE came to terms on a return deal during the week of September 20. There is still no word yet on if she will be returning to wrestle, or work as some sort of personality on TV.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE To Continue Running At The ThunderDome For The Month Of November

WWE is planning on running from the ThunderDome at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida for at least one more month.

The future of The ThunderDome has been up in the air as WWE’s current residency at the Amway Center is set to expire on Saturday, October 31, less than one week after WWE Hell In a Cell. However, PWInsider now reports that WWE will be extending the length of the ThunderDome concept for at least another four weeks.

This means that the 2020 WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view on November 22 will likely take place from the Amway Center.

There’s no word yet on where RAW, SmackDown and WWE pay-per-view events will air from for the month of December. It’s been reported that WWE was looking at other venue options in the state of Florida. The next WWE pay-per-view event after Survivor Series is TLC on December 20.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Draft Results From SmackDown and Supplemental On Talking Smack

ROUND 1
* WWE Champion Drew McIntyre stays on RAW
* RAW Women’s Champion Asuka stays on RAW
* The Hurt Business (MVP, Cedric Alexander, Shelton Benjamin, WWE United States Champion Bobby Lashley) stays on RAW
* WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns stays on SmackDown
* Seth Rollins goes from RAW to SmackDown

ROUND 2
* AJ Styles goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Sasha Banks stays on SmackDown
* Naomi goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Bianca Belair goes from RAW to SmackDown
* WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax stay on RAW

ROUND 3
* Ricochet stays on RAW
* Jey Uso stays on SmackDown
* Mandy Rose stays on RAW
* Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio go from RAW to SmackDown
* The Miz and John Morrison go from SmackDown to RAW

ROUND 4
* SmackDown Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods go from SmackDown to RAW
* Big E stays on SmackDown
* Dana Brooke stays on RAW
* Otis stays on SmackDown
* Angel Garza stays on RAW

Here are the moves announced Talking Smack:

* Humberto Carrillo stays on RAW
* Murphy goes from RAW to SmackDown
* Drew Gulak goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Kalisto stays on SmackDown
* Tucker goes from SmackDown to RAW

The following Superstars are still free agents:

RAW: Mickie James
SmackDown: Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado), Shorty G

WWE SmackDown Preview 10/9/20: Draft Begins

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX episode will feature Night 1 of the 2020 WWE Draft.

WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns are both eligible to be drafted tonight. You can click here for full rules on the Draft, and details on the Superstar pools for tonight.

Mickie James Out Of Action Due To Broken Nose Suffered On WWE RAW

WWE Superstar Mickie James will be out of action for several weeks after suffering a broken nose.

“I had my nose broken recently in match so I can’t wrestle for a few weeks,” James said while appearing on her YouTube channel, GAW TV (h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription).

James noted that the controversial finish to her Raw Women’s Championship match against Asuka – during an episode of Monday Night Raw on September 14 – was actually not “a swerve” and the result of her breaking her nose. The finish saw the referee call for the bell even though Mickie never tapped out to the Asuka Lock.

Interestingly, Mickie wrestled the following week on Raw against Zelina Vega because she wasn’t still aware of the severity of the injury.

“What had happened was, after the swelling went down [after the Asuka match injury], I noticed that this whole side of my nose was completely caved in.

“I go to the doctor [and he says] I broke my nose,” said Mickie.

Mickie explained that her cartilage was dislocated from her nasal cavity and therefore had to be relocated.

The former six-time WWE Women’s Champion has been off WWE TV since that match against Vega. As noted before, she is among the first pool of WWE superstars who are eligible for tonight’s WWE Draft on Friday Night SmackDown. The second pool of wrestlers will be drafted on Monday’s edition of Raw.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Draft Rules And Pools Announced

WWE has announced the official rules and Superstar pools for the 2020 Draft. The Draft kicks off this Friday during SmackDown on FOX, and then will wrap during Monday’s RAW on the USA Network.

There will be more than 60 Superstars and tag teams that are eligible in the Draft. More than 20 Superstars from both brands will be eligible to be drafted on Friday, and more than 30 will be eligible to be drafted on Monday.

Due to the length of each show, RAW will get 3 picks for every 2 picks that SmackDown selects. Tag teams will count as 1 pick unless FOX or USA, in conjunction with WWE officials, want to pick just one Superstar from the team. Any undrafted Superstars will be declared free agents, and will be able to sign the the brand of their choosing.

The biggest news on the pools is that RETRIBUTION, as a group, will be eligible to be drafted to the blue brand. All 6 members (Mustafa Ali, T-BAR, Slapjack, Mace, Retaliation, Reckoning) will be included in the pick, which kills any speculation on Retaliation (Mercedes Martinez) being nixed from the group.

WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns are both eligible to be drafted on Friday night. Several RAW Underground regulars will also be eligible, including Dabba-Kato. Another interesting note from the pool is that Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio will be drafted as a team, while Erik of The Viking Raiders is going by himself due to Ivar being out of action. It was reported this week that Erik is also currently out of action after undergoing a minor operation to remove old surgery hardware from his arm. There are no WWE NXT Superstars listed in the pools.

The following Superstars are eligible to be drafted on Friday: RAW Women’s Champion Asuka, Sasha Banks, Bianca Belair, Dana Brooke, Humberto Carrillo, Elias, Angel Garza, Drew Gulak, Heavy Machinery (Otis & Tucker), The Hurt Business (WWE United States Champion Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander and MVP), Mickie James, Lucha House Party (Kalisto, Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado), WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, Murphy, Rey & Dominik Mysterio, Naomi, The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods), WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Ricochet, Seth Rollins, Mandy Rose, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax, Shorty G, AJ Styles, Jey Uso.

The following Superstars are eligible to be drafted on Monday: Andrade, SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley, Aleister Black, Alexa Bliss, Daniel Bryan, Carmella, King Corbin, Apollo Crews, Nikki Cross, Dabba-Kato, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode, Erik (of The Viking Raiders), Lacey Evans, Charlotte Flair, Jeff Hardy, Billie Kay, Lana, Keith Lee, The Miz & John Morrison, Riddick Moss, Natalya, Titus O’Neil, Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, WWE 24/7 Champion R-Truth, RETRIBUTION (Mustafa Ali, T-BAR, MACE, SLAPJACK, RECKONING & RETALIATION), Matt Riddle, The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan), Peyton Royce, Arturo Ruas, Sheamus, SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro, RAW Tag Team Champions The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford), Braun Strowman, Tamina, Akira Tozawa, Zelina Vega, Bray Wyatt, WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn.

Stay tuned for updates on the WWE Draft. Below is WWE’s full announcement issued to us today:

WWE Draft rules and Superstar pools set for 2020 edition

The WWE Draft will get underway this Friday, Oct. 9 on SmackDown and conclude Monday, Oct. 12 on Raw. WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon will once again preside over both nights of selections.

As reported by FOX Sports, the rules and Superstar pools have now been finalized for the 2020 WWE Draft.

* Over 60 Male Superstars, Female Superstars and Tag Teams have been placed into the 2020 WWE Draft.
* More than 20 Superstars are eligible to be drafted on Friday night and more than 30 Superstars are eligible to be drafted on Monday night.
* Due to the length of each show, for every two picks that SmackDown selects, Raw will get three picks.
* Tag Teams will count as one pick unless FOX or USA Network, in conjunction with WWE Officials, wants to pick one Superstar from the team.
* Any undrafted Superstars will immediately be declared free agents and able to sign with the brand of their choosing.

WWE Superstars have been split into eligible pools for the Friday and Monday episodes of the WWE Draft. Here is the breakdown of who is available for selection each night:

FRIDAY
Asuka
Sasha Banks
Bianca Belair
Dana Brooke
Humberto Carrillo
Elias
Angel Garza
Drew Gulak
Heavy Machinery (Otis & Tucker)
The Hurt Business (Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander and MVP)
Mickie James
Lucha House Party (Kalisto, Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado)
Drew McIntyre
Murphy
Rey & Dominik Mysterio
Naomi
The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods)
Roman Reigns
Ricochet
Seth Rollins
Mandy Rose
Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
Shorty G
AJ Styles
Jey Uso

MONDAY
Andrade
Bayley
Aleister Black
Alexa Bliss
Daniel Bryan
Carmella
King Corbin
Apollo Crews
Nikki Cross
Dabba-Kato
Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
Erik (of The Viking Raiders)
Lacey Evans
Charlotte Flair
Jeff Hardy
Billie Kay
Lana
Keith Lee
The Miz & John Morrison
Riddick Moss
Natalya
Titus O’Neil
Randy Orton
Kevin Owens
R-Truth
RETRIBUTION (Mustafa Ali, T-BAR, MACE, SLAPJACK, RECKONING & RETALIATION)
Matt Riddle
The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan)
Peyton Royce
Arturo Ruas
Sheamus
Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro
The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
Braun Strowman
Tamina
Akira Tozawa
Zelina Vega
Bray Wyatt
Sami Zayn

Don’t miss this WWE Draft on Friday, Oct. 9 at 8/7 C on FOX and Monday, Oct. 12 at 8/7 C on USA Network to see where your favorite Superstars are headed.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Alberto Del Rio Indicted For Aggravated Kidnapping By Grand Jury In Texas

Alberto Del Rio, the former WWE Champion, was indicted on Thursday by a grand jury in San Antonio, TX, on charges of aggravated kidnapping, according to a report on PWI Insider.

As reported back in May, Del Rio was arrested and subsequently charged with a second degree sexual assault felony and aggravated kidnapping. Although Thursday’s court order lists the primary charge as aggravated kidnapping, it is unclear if the sexual assault charge resulted in an indictment as well.

The report added that a trial date has yet to be set. Del Rio, who had been out on a $50,000 bond, is slated to be arraigned on Friday, as per court records.

Del Rio was arrested on May 5th, 2020, after the victim approached local authorities in San Antonio and stated that the professional wrestler allegedly grew enraged with her after accusing her of infidelity. She also alleged that Del Rio physically assaulted her.

The victim had also alleged that Del Rio “slapped her across the head” several times and “forced her to wear a dress and dance for him” after she would not admit to the infidelity. Furthermore, Del Rio allegedly threatened to take the victim’s son and “drop him in the middle of the road somewhere.”

The FOX affiliate in San Antonio also provided additional details which noted that Del Rio allegedly “tied the woman’s hands with boxing straps, put a sock in her mouth and sexually assaulted her for several hours, using various objects.”

In the state of Texas, a conviction for aggravated kidnapping, if punishable in the first degree, could lead to a jail sentence ranging from 5-99 years or life imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $10,000. However, if the accused is convicted of aggravated kidnapping in the second degree, they could face anywhere from 2-20 years in prison and/or a fine up to $10,000.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 10/7/20: Chris Jericho Celebrates 30 Years In Wrestling

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite episode airs on TNT from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida.

* Chris Jericho’s 30 year celebration

* Chris Jericho and Jake Hager vs. Chaos Project (Luther and Serpentico)

* Brian Cage (c) with Taz vs. Will Hobbs (FTW Championship)

* Brodie Lee (c) vs. Cody (Dog Collar Match for the AEW TNT Championship)

* FTR (c) with Tully Blanchard vs. TH2 (AEW World Tag Team Championship)

* Big Swole vs. Serena Deeb

WWE NXT Preview 10/7/20

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode will air live on the USA Network from the new Capitol Wrestling Center in Orlando, formerly known as the WWE Performance Center.

This will be the first episode to air from the renovated CWC. The show will feature fallout from last Sunday’s “Takeover: 31” event.