Author: John Bass

WATCH: CM Punk’s Secret Arrival To FOX Studios For WWE Backstage

CM Punk arrived to the FOX lot in secret this week for a surprise appearance on WWE Backstage … and the whole thing was documented in a cool behind the scenes video.

WWE on FOX’s Twitter account shared the video which begins with Punk talking about meeting with FOX executives about his role on the show. The former WWE champion says he was told they want him on the show as an analyst, similar to A-Rod with MLB coverage and Troy Aikman with NFL coverage.

Punk is shown arriving to the lot shortly before Backstage was set to begin and hiding his face with a scarf to make sure the secret wasn’t spoiled beforehand.

Prior to making his first appearance on the show, Punk is shown in the elevator saying “this is kind of a big deal.” When someone in production reaffirms that he IS kind of a big deal, the former wrestler replies saying, “For the first time, I will say yes. I will admit that. This is kind of a big thing.”

Watch the full video below to see CM Punk watching the show before his intro and more.

WWE Backstage airs Tuesday nights on FS1 at 11pm ET/ 8pm PT.

https://twitter.com/WWEonFOX/status/1195176384005459969

CM Punk wwe backstage behind the scenes video

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

The Rock Officially Joins DC Universe, ‘Black Adam’ Release Date Announced

The Rock has finally announced, after years of circling the project, that he’ll don the cape to become Black Adam in the DC Universe.

Dwayne Johnson made the announcement via Instagram with a lengthy post:

Like most kids growing up, I dreamed about being a superhero. Having cool superpowers, fighting for what’s right and always protecting the people.

It all changed for me, when I was 10yrs old and was first introduced to the greatest superhero of all time – SUPERMAN.

As a kid, Superman was the hero I always wanted to be.

But, a few years into my fantasy, I realized that Superman was the hero, I could never be.
I was too rebellious. Too rambunctious. Too resistant to convention and authority.

Despite my troubles, I was still a good kid with a good heart – I just liked to do things my way.

Now, years later as a man, with the same DNA I had as a kid – my superhero dreams have come true.
I’m honored to join the iconic #DCUniverse and it’s a true pleasure to become, BLACK ADAM.

BLACK ADAM is blessed by magic with the powers equal to SUPERMAN, but the difference is he doesn’t toe the mark or walk the line.

He’s a rebellious, one of a kind superhero, who’ll always do what’s right for the people – but he does it his way. Truth and justice – the BLACK ADAM way.

This role is unlike any other I’ve ever played in my career and I’m grateful to the bone we’ll all go on this journey together.

The character of Black Adam is an anti-hero who is Shazam’s nemesis. The project has been in and out of development for years. Johnson was offered the role of Shazam during casting of the film released earlier this year, but he chose to stick with Black Adam. There was talk of his character appearing in “Shazam!” as well, but it was ultimately decided that the character should get its own film.

FYI – “Shazam!” was a box-office success and a sequel is currently in the works.

Black Adam will be released on December 22, 2021. Production begins in July.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

“The Fiend” Bray Wyatt’s Opponent For Universal Title Match At Survivor Series, WWE Forced To Change Plans

The affects of the chaotic travel issues stemming from the WWE Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia are still being felt, as a big plan originally set for this month’s WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view appears to be scrapped altogether.

On the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio at F4WOnline.com, longtime Wrestling Observer Newsletter editor Dave Meltzer (@DaveMeltzerWON) suggested that one of the last matches that will be announced for this month’s WWE Survivor Series pay-per-vew will be “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt defending his WWE Universal Championship in a one-on-one showdown against Daniel Bryan.

It was speculated that the original idea for the title match was for Wyatt to face The Miz, with an angle to be shot for the episode of WWE SmackDown after the WWE Crown Jewel special.

Instead, due to the travel issues that came up, the angle and entire direction in general was changed.

Under those original plans, Bryan was headed for a WWE Intercontinental Championship win over Shinsuke Nakamura on TV, which would have put him in the three-way match at WWE Survivor Series against AJ Styles and Roderick Strong in the “Champion vs. Champion vs. Champion” triple-threat match featuring the WWE United States Champion from the WWE Raw brand (Styles), the WWE Intercontinental Champion from the WWE SmackDown brand (Bryan) and the North American Champion from the NXT brand (Strong).

As seen by the recent announcement made by WWE, the match will instead feature Styles, Nakamura and Strong competing in the three-way match of secondary individual title-holders.

WWE Survivor Series is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 24th from Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The show will air live via pay-per-view and will stream on the WWE Network.

Source: EWrestling

CM Punk Reportedly Turned Down Big Money Offer From AEW, Punk Is Signed To A FOX Deal, Not WWE

CM Punk reportedly turned down significant money from AEW, according to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live.

Punk did actually have talks with AEW, despite what has been said in the media, and he met in person with AEW President & CEO Tony Khan, according to Alvarez. There’s no word yet on details of AEW’s offer, but Khan reportedly offered “a lot of money” to the former WWE Champion.

There’s been no update on Punk possibly returning to the ring for WWE, but turning down the AEW deal could be a sign that he has no plan for an in-ring future.

Punk is signed to a FOX deal, not WWE. It’s been reported that Punk’s agents contacted FOX a few months back, which led to the initial tryout in Los Angeles, where the show is filmed each week. WWE did give their blessing to the hire, but this was a FOX decision.

As seen in the tweet from FOX Sports PR below, “CM Punk” and “WWE Backstage” trended #1 and #2 worldwide on Twitter. The return had more than 5.5 million video views across the FOX Sports social media platforms, and counting. This was also the most re-tweeted post of the year on any FOX Sports account.

As we’ve noted, Punk appeared at the end of this week’s Backstage episode after being introduced by host Renee Young. It was later announced that the former WWE Champion will appear as a Special Contributor and Analyst beginning next week, making “select appearances” in the studio alongside host Renee and analyst WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Luchasaurus Returns To AEW Television Following Hamstring Injury (Video)

Luchasaurus returned to AEW last night on Dynamite following a short absence due to injury.

Luchasaurus’ return went down after a tag match involving Jurassic Express and The Dark Order. Evil Uno offered Marko Stunt a spot as one of his creepers and Jungle Boy intervened. This led to Stu Grayson attacking him from behind.

The creepers then started to beat both wrestlers down and attempted to force one of their masks on Jungle Boy, but Luchasaurus came out to make the save.

After hitting a huge boot on the first creeper at the top of the stage, Luchasaurus made his way to the ring and landed a spin kick on three creepers at once. He also tossed one to the outside before turning his attention on Grayson.

Once the ring was cleared, Luchasaurus hugged Jurassic Express.

As we previously reported … the 34-year-old wrestler injured his hamstring prior to an episode of Dynamite last month. Excalibur noted on commentary that he was supposed to be out until January.

AEW Dynamite Preview 11/13/19

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite will air live from the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

* SCU (Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky) (c) vs. Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara (AEW World Tag Team Championship)

* PAC vs. “Hangman” Adam Page

* Fallout from MJF’s attack on Cody at Full Gear.

WWE NXT Preview 11/13/19

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will feature more on the road to WWE Survivor Series and NXT “TakeOver: WarGames.

  • Lio Rush defends the NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Angel Garza
  • Mia Yim and Io Shirai to clash in a Ladder Match for the WarGames advantage
  • Will Killian Dain still be on the warpath?
  • Will the takeovers continue?

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin To Interview The Undertaker On The Broken Skull Sessions Series Premiere, Streaming Nov. 24 On WWE Network

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s new WWE Network series “The Broken Skull Sessions” will premiere November 24 at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT, immediately after Survivor Series on WWE Network. The guest will be The Undertaker.

The show will feature no-holds barred, one-on-one conversations with current WWE Superstars, legends and celebrity guest each month.

WWE issued the following:

WWE’s favorite hellraiser is returning to WWE Network with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin: The Broken Skull Sessions, a monthly original series premiering Sunday, Nov. 24, at 11 p.m. ET.

Hosted and executive produced by WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Broken Skull Sessions will feature no-holds-barred, one-on-one conversations with the biggest names in WWE history, including Legends, Superstars and celebrity guests.

On the debut episode, Austin welcomes The Undertaker for a rare long-form interview, giving the WWE Universe unprecedented insight into one of the most prolific and enduring WWE icons of all time. From his early days in the ring to the night his WrestleMania Streak ended, The Phenom opens up about his storied career like you’ve never heard before.

“I’ve raised hell all over the world inside the ring while with WWE. Now with The Broken Skull Sessions, I get to raise hell outside the ring, shooting the breeze with Superstars from the world of sports-entertainment,” Austin said.

Filmed at Austin’s home studio in Southern California, each episode of The Broken Skull Sessions will contain more than an hour of engaging, candid conversation with guests who’ve accomplished success similar to the decorated six-time WWE Champion. The series joins other must-see WWE Network originals, including WWE: 24, WWE Untold and WWE Chronicle, among others, which provide fans deeper access to WWE Superstars and stories.

Saddle up alongside “Stone Cold” and The Undertaker when The Broken Skull Sessions premieres after WWE Survivor Series on Sunday, Nov. 24, streaming exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network.

Johnny Gargano Ruled Out Of NXT TakeOver: War Games Due To Neck Injury

Johnny Gargano is unable to wrestle at NXT TakeOver: War Games due to a neck injury.

Pro Wrestling Sheet‘s Editor-in-Chief Ryan Satin first reported the news on tonight’s edition of WWE Backstage on FS1.

According to sources, WWE management was hoping to have Gargano wrestle against Finn Balor at the event taking place during Survivor Series weekend.

However, due to the neck injury, that won’t be possible.

The severity of the injury is unclear at this time.

Gargano last appeared on NXT TV in a segment involving Finn Balor landing his finisher on Johnny on the ramp to launch a heel turn.

Sin Cara Requests Release From WWE

WWE star Sin Cara has announced he’s requesting his release from the company.

The wrestler made the announcement via social media with a lengthy statement in Spanish, which we’ve translated below:

Last night, after praying and considering it a lot, thinking about my children and their future, I made one of the most difficult but sensible decisions I have had to make in my professional wrestling career; I have asked for my WWE release.

Since I was a child, all I wanted to do was fight and all my life I have taken decisions and sacrifices to put myself in a position to fulfill that dream. There are 20 long years of experience and total dedication to my sport that I love and respect. I have traveled the world, met incredible people and fought for the incredible fans of the WWE Universe.

I am so grateful for the opportunity they gave me, however, I realized that I am stuck in a place where I am not valued as an athlete or talent. I have worked hard and honestly for many years to polish my trade, I have been loyal, respectful, a team player, support and I have waited patiently for the opportunity to show the world everything I can do. Unfortunately, after all these years, that opportunity never came or I feel that it will ever come while I remain where I am.

The best years of my professional wrestling career are coming and I think the best is yet to come! I am a healthy, disciplined man, respectful of my profession and its environment, of my companions and mainly of the public who has never failed. This is not the end, on the contrary, this is the beginning of the next chapter and I am excited for what the future holds!

I want to thank WWE for this incredible chapter, I will always be grateful. Most importantly, thanks to the WWE Universe for its unwavering support and to all my public that in all parts of the world has supported me and showed its affection, the only way I can correspond is by continuing to provide with all the narrow, passion and professionalism that I have Always shown. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Sin Cara had been off television for some time before recently returning to Raw after the draft. The wrestler began a program with Andrade upon his return and was paired with a masked female wrestler named Carolina to combat Zelina Vega.

The wrestler currently playing the role of Sin Cara is Jorge Arias aka Hunico. He permanently replaced the original wrestler under the mask in 2013.

Arias has been with WWE since 2009.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet