Jinder Mahal revealed on Instagram today that he just underwent knee surgery at Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama.
Mahal noted that he ruptured his patella tendon on Saturday, June 15 at the WWE live event in Denver, Colorado. He lost to Ali that night. There’s no word yet on when Mahal will be back in action on the SmackDown brand, but he noted that surgery went well and his knee is better than expected.
“On the mend. Ruptured my Patella Tendon in Denver Colorado June 15 in a match against @aliwwe . Happy to say surgery went well, and my knee was better than expected. This comeback is going to be legendary,” he wrote.
AEW is expected to start on Turner during the first week of October, which is the same week that WWE SmackDown will being airing on Friday nights on FOX. The news was first reported by MMA insider @fightoracle, who first broke the story that Turner Sports would be presenting AEW at their upfronts last month. As noted, AEW applied for the trademark “Wednesday Night Dynamite” earlier this month.
With the television show seemingly airing on Wednesday nights, the premiere date will be October 2nd. Dave Meltzer reported in the latest edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter that while there are still meetings occurring regarding the show, strategies, and other ideas from the TNT side, the plan is for the show to air on Wednesdays, with 8-10 p.m. being the most likely time slot.
WWE SmackDown will make its much anticipated debut two nights later at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. It was reported in The Observer that FOX will be testing out two new cameras for the debut. FOX is also looking to invite a lot of celebrities and give the show the feel of a major event, which is a reason that it’s being held in Los Angeles. It was noted that the idea is to make WWE look as major league as possible, which in turn would make AEW look minor league from the start.
Earlier this week, KIRO 7 News in Seattle reported a very devastating story about 5-year-old Timmy Vick having his two WWE championship replica belts taken away from him. According to the news report, Vick is supposed to undergo brain surgery, due to a brain tumor. His request, like any child, is to have some type of prize procession in honor of the battle he was going to have to face.
Sports memorabilia artist, Serg More, of Edgewood, Washington, offered to take the two WWE titles and create them into a personal replica for Vick. Before More was able to retrieve the two packages sent to him to customize, two women walked up to his front porch and took them.
News of this horrific incident surfaced the Internet, causing for people to try to come together and find these two women. On Wednesday morning, the two women surrendered by leaving the two boxes on More’s door with an apology letter.
“We are so sorry for taking your stuff,” the letter stated. “Never in a million years would I have expected I would have stolen from a sick five year old… I am ashamed of what I did.”
Even though they returned the packages, the Edgewood Police Department would like for the two women to turn themselves in, but more specifically, speak to the police about what happened.
“While we are grateful that the suspects returned Timmy’s belts, we would still like to talk to them,” deputies said. “So if you know who they are, we are counting on you to also do the right thing and call or message the Edgewood Police Department.”
On a bright note, the Edgewood Police Department are excited for what More will do with these belts, and how Vick will react to it.
“We can’t wait to see Sergio’s handy work after he completes these belts and ships them off to Timmy Vick who is patiently waiting for them!” Edgewood police said.
Redemption: Thieves ask for forgiveness, return the most-prized possession of boy with special needs https://t.co/sNDPsCxroP
As noted, WWE has hired Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman to work as Executive Directors of RAW and SmackDown. Bischoff will head up the blue brand while Heyman will run the red brand, and both will report directly to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.
Below is a new WWE Now video with Cathy Kelley looking at the buzz surrounding the latest WWE creative shake-up. While this is not currently planned to be a part of any storyline, the WWE website did cover the announcement after WWE issued their press release to us and other media outlets. The story was originally reported by Sports Illustrated, and has since been picked up by some mainstream media. The story is currently the featured article on the WWE website.
It’s possible we see significant creative changes to RAW and SmackDown as soon as Monday and Tuesday as Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that he’s heard Bischoff and Heyman will begin their new roles immediately. It’s unknown if that means right now or next week, or soon after, but we should have an update on when they are starting soon. Meltzer also noted that Fox officials had no idea that the Executive Director hires were coming, but it was indicated that they did want to work with Heyman.
“I do know the Fox people had no idea this was coming… but they wanted the other guy,” Meltzer said.
Bischoff will be working closely with Fox officials as the blue brand prepares to premiere on Fox Friday nights in October.
On a related note, Bischoff’s full-time return to WWE has surprised a lot of people. Meltzer noted that people who worked with Bischoff in TNA, that are working with WWE now, were more than baffled by the news.
It looks like the former WCW President will continue to be involved with his “83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff” podcast. John Pollock noted on Twitter that there will be “no change” regarding Bischoff and the podcast, which features Starrcast founder Conrad Thompson as the co-host. The podcast takes a weekly look at Bischoff’s time in the business, mainly in WCW. It will be interesting to see if the podcast continues as Bischoff gets settled into his new gig with WWE.
Heyman and WWE just recently came to terms on the new role but they have been going back and forth on the new deal for a long time, according to PWInsider. The former ECW boss has been in WWE’s inner circle when it comes to the creative process for some time, but without an official title. That changes with the announcement. We noted earlier how WWE has been pursuing Heyman to officially sign on to work in their corporate circles since February. An offer was made to Heyman to work as a full-time member of the creative process back around the same time Bruce Prichard was brought back as a Senior Vice President. The talks were slowly progressing, and just recently finalized. It’s no secret that Heyman had been working creatively on storylines involving Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar, but he has also been working on material for Alexa Bliss and many others, long before the talks.
Regarding Bischoff’s return, WWE looked at his previous work with Turner Broadcasting, Spike and other networks in building past TV series, and that was one of the reasons they hired him for the role, according to PWInsider. The deal with Bischoff was inked within the last few weeks.
As noted, while they will still report to Vince, Heyman and Bischoff will essentially be running RAW and SmackDown. One source compared the new roles to Triple H’s role in WWE NXT, in that they will be in charge, but this is still Vince’s company and he still has the final say-so. There’s no word yet on how Triple H and others will factor into this shake-up.
Heyman is expected to continue his TV role as the mouthpiece for Lesnar. Despite this not being a part of any TV storyline as of now, there’s obvious speculation on when we will see Bischoff return to TV, if he’s brought back at all, given how he’s always done well in those character roles.
Fans who attended the Pro Wrestling TrainWreck promotion’s “Welcome To The Wreck Room” indie event on Sunday, June 23 in New Albany, Indiana may have been exposed to blood borne pathogens and should be tested for HIV and Hepatitis C, according to a press release from the Floyd County Health Department, reported by The News & Tribune.
Health officials have “highly encouraged” anyone who attended the event and was exposed to blood or bodily fluids, to contact the Floyd County Health Department to get tested for HIV and Hepatitis C.
The health department is reportedly investigating the event, which apparently featured a “Fans Bring the Weapons” match, a thumbtack match, and a “Panes of Glass” match, billed as “live extreme wrestling! 18+ only” on the flyers.
John Glenn, co-promoter of the event, told the Courier Journal that all wrestlers are “tested regularly” for the “safety of the people who come to our shows and for the guys in the ring as well.”
“We care about our performers and the people who come to see our performance,” Glenn said.
It looks like Sunday’s event was the re-debut show for the promotion.
Below is a photo from the event and a flyer, plus a new post from the promotion that notes wrestler blood tests must be submitted before their mid-October event:
Hi this article is clickbait and a lie. Did you check toir sources before releasing it? Speak to anyone with the company? If the answer is yes,please post the transcript as neither of the owners were contacted
Big Cass aka CaZXL has opened up in a new interview about his struggle with depression and anxiety.
The 32-year-old wrestler was interviewed on DDP Yoga’s channel and begins the video talking about how he wasn’t well mentally during his WWE run.
“TVs were the worst for me because of anxiety,” Cass explained. “I’d always had it, and then it kinda ramped up after the debut. And you don’t really tell anybody. You kinda hide it deep down, which is the worst thing you could do.”
Cass then talked about how he had no medication to help him cope with his issues, or someone he could talk with about it, so he self-medicated using alcohol. This lead to a moment where he wished death upon himself.
The next day he woke up and went to the arena for a Raw match against Enzo Amore, which is ultimately where he tore his ACL.
“I was just a wreck, man. A complete and utter wreck. I didn’t know who to look to,” he added. “I don’t know how I’m alive today. The amount that I was drinking was ridiculous. The food that I was putting in my body was ridiculous. No physical activity. Chain smoking cigarettes.”
Images were then shown of his home covered in wine bottles and food.
Cass then admits WWE had every right to release him at the time.
Cass also addressed having a seizure at a House of Hardcore show and revealed he hadn’t slept for two days prior. He says this was a wakeup call for him though and it felt like a message from God telling him to turn his life around.
The former WWE star then immediately began living with someone who offered to help him get sober, as well as out of depression.
The video ends with Cass urging anyone going through a similar struggle to know they’re not weak. They just need to get assistance through the proper channels.
Jushin Thunder Liger will be making a very special appearance for CMLL on July 19 as part of his his retirement tour.
In his final bout with the promotion, Liger will face off against Negro Casas, Ultimo Guerrero and Caristico in a traditional fatal four-way match. The rules of the match are that only two men will be allowed in the ring at once, with competitors tagging in and out to enter and exit the match.
Liger made a few appearances for CMLL starting in 2007. He ended up becoming CMLL Universal Champion, World Middleweight Champion and a World Tag Team Champion with Hiroshi Tanahashi. He held onto the Middleweight Championship for 564 days.
The 54-year-old Liger is set to retire from pro wrestling following the NJPW Tokyo Dome shows in January 2020.
WWE announced yesterday that the WWE Network will stream EVOLVE’s 10th Anniversary Celebration. It will air as the EVOLVE 131 event, on Saturday, July 13 from the former ECW Arena, the 2300 Arena, in Philadelphia, PA. . The special will feature WWE NXT Champion Adam Cole vs. Akira Tozawa with the title on the line, Matt Riddle vs. WWE Cruiserweight Champion Drew Gulak in a non-title match. The event will also feature NXT’s Arturo Ruas (Adrian Jaoude) and Babatunde, plus EVOLVE Champion Austin Theory and EVOLVE Tag Team Champions Eddie Kingston & Joe Gacy. A full line-up of matches will be announced soon.
“Evolve was the birthplace for many current WWE and NXT Superstars so it is only fitting that their 10th Anniversary Celebration will be showcased live on WWE Network,” Triple H said.
WWE began their working relationship and talent exchange with WWN Live’s EVOLVE promotion back in 2015. Booker Gabe Sapolsky now works behind-the-scenes for NXT and the WWE Performance Center.
Many fans have pointed to how the WWE Network EVOLVE stream is airing on the same night as AEW’s Fight for the Fallen event from Jacksonville, FL. This event will have a portion of the proceeds donated to victims of gun violence.
It should be noted that the EVOLVE 131 date was first announced back in mid-May. We don’t know when WWE began negotiating for the livestream. AEW first announced the details on Fight for the Fallen during the first week of March.
AEW Executive Vice President Kenny Omega has fans talking on social media today after a tweet he made on the EVOLVE – WWE special. He apparently called out WWE for working with Saudi Arabia.
“If lining your pockets with blood money is okay, then what’s wrong with trying to undermine a charity show for victims of gun violence? I hear that healthy competition is supposed to be a good thing and yet I can’t help but feel like I’m gonna be sick,” Omega wrote.
Omega has deleted his original tweet that apparently knocked WWE for their working relationship with the Saudis. His new tweet, also seen below, reads like this: “I’ve said my piece and it opened the door to a very toxic environment. It wasn’t a message to fans, or the boys, just the decision makers. I wish everyone wrestling on any show that day all the best. That is all.”
You can see Omega’s full tweets below:
If lining your pockets with blood money is okay, then what’s wrong with trying to undermine a charity show for victims of gun violence? I hear that healthy competition is supposed to be a good thing and yet I can’t help but feel like I’m gonna be sick.
This would be a record-low number of buys for a WWE pay-per-view in this era. The previous low in the current era would have been 11,000 buys, reportedly for the recent WWE Super ShowDown pay-per-view from Saudi Arabia.
It should be noted that almost no one buys WWE pay-per-view events these days due to the WWE Network, but around 10% of the viewership still buys them on traditional pay-per-view platforms. WWE pay-per-view events average around 15-16,000 buys in this era, with some of the bigger events doing around 20,000. WrestleMania 35 reportedly drew around 100,000 buys this past April.
The low number of Stomping Grounds pay-per-view buys just adds to the overall bad numbers for the first-ever event under that name. We noted before how around half of the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, WA was curtained off due to bad attendance. While there was a decent line for walk-up tickets on the day of the show, a lot of free tickets were given out on the day of the event and many 2-for-1 deals were sold. An estimated 6,000 fans attended Stomping Grounds, which would have been one of the smallest WWE pay-per-view crowds in a long time. The paid attendance for the pay-per-view was said to be around 4,000 – 4,500 fans, and the Tacoma Dome can hold around 18,000 fans after production.
WWE has named Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman as Executive Directors.
Bischoff is set to become the new Executive Director of WWE SmackDown while Heyman is set to become the new Executive Director of WWE RAW. Both will report directly to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.
The new roles are full-time executive roles. According to Sports Illustrated, there are no current plans for these roles to be introduced as part of a TV storyline.
Bischoff will also work directly with Fox executives as the blue brand plans to premiere on Fox Friday nights in October, SI reported.
The major move will allow WWE to establish “two distinct creative processes for its flagship shows.”
Below is the full press release that WWE sent Wrestling Inc.:
WWE® NAMES PAUL HEYMAN AND ERIC BISCHOFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORSStamford, Conn., June 27, 2019 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced that it has named Paul Heyman as Executive Director of Monday Night Raw and Eric Bischoff as Executive Director of SmackDown Live, newly created positions reporting directly to WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon.
In their executive roles, Heyman and Bischoff will oversee the creative development of WWE’s flagship programming and ensure integration across all platforms and lines of business. The creation of these roles further establishes WWE’s ability to continuously reinvent its global brand while providing two distinct creative processes for its flagship shows.
With more than 30 years of experience in the sports entertainment industry, Heyman served as President of ECW from 1993-2001, securing pay-per-view distribution for the company as well as a national cable television deal with TNN. After his time with ECW, Heyman joined WWE’s Creative team and is widely credited with helping launch the careers of many current and former WWE Superstars.
Bischoff is a former WCW President and New York Times bestselling author. During his WCW career, Bischoff oversaw the signing of some of the biggest names in sports entertainment and helped create and develop the NWO storyline. He was also instrumental in securing a television deal for WCW Monday Nitro on TNT and WCW Thunder on TBS. After WCW, Bischoff co-founded Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment, a production company that launched TV reality shows and mobile games.
PWInsider reports that WWE has been talking to Heyman about the new role as far back as February of this year. The deal with Bischoff came together within the past few weeks.
WWE reportedly made an offer to Heyman to come on full-time as a top member of the creative team around the same time Bruce Prichard was hired as Senior Vice President a few months ago. Heyman has been working on various storylines and with certain talents for months now, including Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey.
Bischoff has been working on pre-production of Netflix’s planned biography on WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, and had a number of personal appearances booked. He likely came to terms with WWE over the last week as he started quietly canceling some of personal appearances.
While Bischoff and Heyman are still reporting to Vince, they are essentially running RAW and SmackDown now. It will be interesting to see how Triple H and others factor in to this latest creative shake-up.
