Author: John Bass

Vince McMahon Talks Potential “Transformative” WWE Network Deal, Selling PPV Rights

WWE announced today that the company is evaluating “strategic alternatives” for the WWE Network.

During today’s 2019 earnings call, Vince McMahon discussed the possibility of selling the rights of their major pay-per-views to another streaming service. McMahon said that they could continue on with their current model by adding new tiers (WWE quietly added a free tier to the Network last December), or they can “exercise the selling of our rights to all the major [streaming services]” to increase revenue.

“We have a lot of options,” McMahon said (h/t to The Wrap for the transcription). “We could continue on as we are now, with an enhancement of a tier… we also have an option right now, there’s no more better time to exercise the selling of our rights to all the majors who, quite frankly, all the majors are really clamoring for our content.

“So that could be a significant increase, obviously, in terms of revenue.”

McMahon did not confirm that the company would move in that direction, just that it was an option. He did say that they are far along in negotiations for potential deals for the Network and that if it is finalized, it “will be announced this quarter, that’s how far along we are.”

McMahon added that the potential deal will be “transformative” for the company.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Shares Photo Of Cody Rhodes’ Back After Lashings From MJF

Cody Rhodes received ten lashings from MJF to close Dynamite this week … and the photo shared by AEW afterward shows just how painful it was.

In case you missed it, MJF took his time doling out each crack of the belt as Cody’s friends and family took turns trying to console the AEW VP throughout the segment. This included Dustin Rhodes, Arn Anderson, The Young Bucks and his wife Brandi Rhodes.

After the show was over, AEW posted a picture on social media showing Cody’s back … and it’s brutal.

This was one of MJF’s stipulations in order for Cody to receive a match against him at Revolution. Rhodes will next have to face MJF’s henchman Wardlow in a steel cage match.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Below is some video of the lashing posted by Bleacher Report:

Velveteen Dream Returns From Injury, Attacks Undisputed Era

The ominous tease showed on NXT last week was revealed to be for the return of Velveteen Dream last night, and he came back with a vengeance.

Last night’s show ended with Undisputed Era wrestling against Tommaso Ciampa, Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle to an apparent DQ finish.

Undisputed Era took advantage of the numbers game afterward and beat down their opponents. Adam Cole then grabbed a can of spray paint and tagged Ciampa’s back. As the show was ending, the tease for 2/5/20 hit the screen again and the camera panned back to show Velveteen Dream on the top rope. He then hit an axe handle smash on the group and went wild fighting them off.

Velveteen Dream continued his storyline with Roderick Strong, including wearing tights that said “Call me up Marina” and had Dream, Marina Shafir, and Strong and Shafir’s son airbrushed on them.

Dream has been out of action since October due to injury. He was written off TV with an attack angle in which Undisputed Era beat him down backstage.

Charlotte Flair Appeared On WWE NXT Following Rhea Ripley’s WrestleMania Challenge

Former NXT star Charlotte Flair returned to the brand on Wednesday night and learned there’s more unity on the roster than she remembered.

As you’ll recall, Ripley showed up on Raw this week as Charlotte was announcing who she’d wrestle against at WrestleMania due to her Royal Rumble victory. Rhea then dared Flair to challenge for her NXT Championship.

Last night on NXT, Bianca Belair was in the ring talking about what happened with Flair/Rhea this week when “The Queen” interrupted the promo.

Flair then made her way to the ring and received a “welcome home” chant from the crowd.

Charlotte pointed out how Rhea seems to have overlooked Bianca before their TakeOver: Portland match, but Ripley cut her off by making her entrance. The three women then had a war of words that ended with Rhea telling Charlotte “we are NXT,” then taking her down with Bianca Belair.

 

AEW Dynamite Preview 2/5/20

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite will air live from the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

* Jon Moxley vs. Ortiz

* Britt Baker vs. Yuka Sakazaki

* Kenny Omega, Adam Page, and The Young Bucks vs. The Butcher, The Blade, and Lucha Bros (with The Bunny)

* Ten lashes to Cody by MJF

* PAC says he’s coming after Kenny Omega

WWE NXT Preview 2/5/20

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will air live from the NXT Arena at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL.

  • Charlotte Flair returns to NXT to answer Rhea Ripley’s WrestleMania offer
  • NXT Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair come face to face
  • New NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin comes to Full Sail
  • The Undisputed ERA vow to get their hands on Tommaso Ciampa
  • How will The BroserWeights follow up on their Dusty Classic win?

MLW Announces Big Event With AAA In Mexico

MLW announced today that they are teaming up with AAA to co-promote a big event in Tijuana, Mexico on Friday, March 13 at the historic Auditorio Fausto Gutierrez.

Matches and more details for the big AAA x MLW event will be announced soon.

Below is the full announcement from MLW:

MAJOR LEAGUE WRESTLING AND AAA TO PRESENT HISTORIC CO-PROMOTED EVENT IN MEXICOAAA x MLW Event Set for March 13 in Mexico

MEXICO — Major League Wrestling and AAA Lucha Libre’s collaboration continues on March 13 with a historic co-promoted card in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

The MLW x AAA event will emanate from the historic Auditorio Fausto Gutierrez.

Information on the card and on-sale date for tickets will be revealed soon.

The card will feature top ranked MLW wrestlers and represents the first-time MLW has united with AAA to present a co-promoted event.

This collaboration between the two organizations continues Major League Wrestling’s strategic alliances with international federations to create a unified global system to help introduce the sport to new markets, exchange talent, collaborate on content and develop opportunities for fans, athletes and the sport.

It is MLW’s mission that these efforts present dream matches, easily accessible high quality content and advancements in the sport.

WWE Confirms Signings Of Killer Kross And Timothy Thatcher

WWE has confirmed the two latest signings to join the company, independent wrestler Timothy Thatcher and former Impact star Killer Kross.

The confirmation from WWE on the signings were first reported Wednesday night by Pro Wrestling Sheet Editor-in-Chief Ryan Satin on WWE Backstage. News of Thatcher’s signing was first reported this morning by Casey Michael of Squared Circle Sirens.

Kross is arguably one of the hottest free agents in wrestling at the moment. As you’ll recall … Killer Kross was on an impressive run at Impact, but had a falling out with the company and sat on the sidelines for months while waiting for his release.

Thatcher has wrestled all over the world on the independent scene and is a former member of Ringkamp, now known as Imperium in NXT UK, with WALTER and Marcel Barthel.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Impact Wrestling Preview 2/4/20

Tonight on Impact at 8/7c on AXS TV

* Rosemary vs. Susie

* Daga and Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. oVe

* TJP vs. Vikingo

* Impact World Champion Tessa Blanchard responds to X-Division Champion Ace Austin

AEW Dark Preview 2/4/20

The following was taped for tonight’s AEW Dark episode on YouTube at 7pm ET:

The first-ever AEW mixed tag team match is set to air on this week’s AEW Dark, the match was taped on AEW World Champion Chris Jericho’s recent “Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Rager at Sea” cruise and saw AEW Tag Team Champion Kenny Omega team with AEW Women’s Champion Riho to face Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford.

* Kenny Omega and Riho vs. Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford

* Tye Dillinger and a mystery partner vs. Best Friends

* The Jurassic Express vs. Brandon Cutler and Sonny Kiss

* Shida Hikaru vs. Mel