WWE SmackDown live on FOX tonight from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The competition to secure the services of a prominent AEW star is expected to intensify as his contract approaches expiration.
This notable talent is Penta El Zero Miedo, whose contract will conclude between August and September 2024. The Luchador has achieved considerable success in AEW, particularly as part of the Lucha Bros alongside his brother Rey Fenix.
Penta’s diverse portfolio has contributed to numerous promotions, including AAA, MLW, TNA Impact, CMLL, and Lucha Underground. The 39-year-old wrestler is an impressive former one-time TNA World Champion and a two-time Lucha Underground Champion.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that Penta is open to departing from AEW and is receptive to joining WWE.
AEW President Tony Khan has publicly expressed confidence in retaining Penta. In a recent interview, Penta confirmed that he has not engaged in discussions with WWE. This statement complies with regulations against contract tampering. Legally, WWE can only initiate talks with Penta once his AEW contract expires.
However, Penta has indicated his willingness to explore opportunities, emphasizing the significance of this upcoming contract decision as potentially the final major deal of his career.
Source: eWn
Dijak recently announced via Twitter that he will be departing from WWE. His final date of employment is scheduled for tomorrow.
Dijak has also indicated his availability for future bookings. Notably, in his tweet, the WWE Superstar tagged the Twitter handles of Tony Khan, AEW, TNA, Tommy Dreamer, and NJPW.
He wrote, “Here’s the truth. WWE never negotiated with me. We attempted to negotiate and they stonewalled us. They never made me a single offer, then they informed me they would not renew my contract at the eleventh hour. 2 months ago I was in one of the best matches in NXT history, and a top match of Wrestlemania weekend. On that day, a top executive in WWE told me I was “crushing it.” I was slated to feud for the NXT title but I got called up to RAW instead. I consistently outperformed everyone’s expectations, especially throughout 2023 and early 2024. I never complained about anything or was difficult to work with. I tirelessly pitched ideas to anyone who would listen, as recently as the day before I was notified. I never once missed a booking, and I was injured 1 time in 7 years for 3 months. I’m thankful, disappointed, but also excited. This has lit a fire under me to relentlessly prove myself to the world. All I ever wanted was a fair shot and now I have the opportunity to go out and take it. That’s enough talk, now it’s time to Do or Dijak. My last day under a WWE contract is June 28, 2024. Bookings/Interviews: BookDijak@gmail.com Get ready to Feast Your F**king Eyes.”
Source: eWn
WWE star Rhea Ripley and AEW star Buddy Matthews have announced that they have gotten married.
Ripley posted a photo of the two kissing on social media, revealing that the couple got married on June 23, 2024. “Til death. 🖤 23.06.24,” said Ripley’s comment along with the photo.
The Australian couple started dating in 2022 and got engaged last year. A recent report revealed that Matthews was written off AEW television on the June 15 edition of “AEW Collision” so that he could return back to Australia to spend time with his family. On the show, Matthews was attacked backstage by The Patriarchy to write him off television.
Ripley recently discussed her relationship with Matthews, stating that the couple are happy about each others’ success in their respective pro wrestling companies. She added that Matthews isn’t threatened by her top position in WWE and that the AEW star is comfortable with what she’s doing. Ripley has been sidelined from WWE since April and had to relinquish her WWE Women’s World Championship after suffering a legitimate shoulder injury. As per a recent report, The Judgment Day member could potentially return to WWE at SummerSlam, which is set to take place on August 3.
Following her hiatus from WWE, Ripley’s on-screen partner, Dominik Mysterio, has been in an ongoing romantic storyline with Liv Morgan, the current Women’s World Champion, who was also the reason for Ripley’s injury.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoaʻi has died at the age of 79. Born Leati Sika Amituana’i Anoa’i, he was the father of Roman Reigns and late WWE star Rosey
Jahrus Anoa’i broke the news that Anoa’i passed away in an Instagram post. He leaves behind his wife Patricia and four children including Roman Reigns. Sika was preceded in death by his son Rosey.
Following in his brother’s footsteps, Sika began training in the early 1970s and made his Stampede debut in 1973. The Wild Samoans made their way to WWF in 1979 and became two-time WWF Tag Team Champions during their initial run. While away from the company for a few years, The Wild Samoans spent time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Mid-South, and Georgia Championship Wrestling.
Upon returning to WWF in 1983, Afa and Sika regained the WWF Tag Team Championship and reigned for several months that year. Sika returned again in 1986 as a singles competitor before teaming up with Kamala. His last televised WWF match would be a battle royal at WrestleMania IV, which was won by Bad News Brown.
Sika wrestled nearly a dozen more times following his sole WrestleMania bout, and his last match took place on the indies in 2006. The Wild Samoans were then inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007 and remained active as trainers at their own school in Florida.
After news broke Tuesday that WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoa’i had died at the age of 79, his son Roman Reigns took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a tribute to his late father.
“My family and I thank everyone for the outpouring of support in the name of my father, Pola’ivao Leati Sika Anoa’i, who will forever be remembered as one half of The Wild Samoans tag team,” he said. “My father had a profound impact on my entire family and we are forever grateful for the foundation he built for us. There’s no way to fill the void left by his passing but my sisters and I will do our best to represent him and his legacy. Rest in Power, Dad. We love you.”
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Tonight’s WWE NXT on USA Network.
Ludwig Kaiser reportedly suffered an injury on the June 24 episode of WWE RAW, and it prompted WWE to change plans.
Kaiser faced Bron Breakker on Monday’s show, and the referee checked on him during the bout. Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer stated that he heard that Kaiser was hurt. However, he noted that he did not know how serious the injury was. (H/t Ian Carey of F4WOnline.com)
Likewise, WrestleVotes reported that they heard that Ludwig Kaiser suffered an injury during the match. The report noted that Kaiser was scheduled to compete in the Money in the Bank qualifying match with Drew McIntyre and Sheamus on the July 1 episode of WWE RAW. WWE announced that Ilja Dragunov would be the third participant in that match.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reported that there was concern that Kaiser was injured backstage on Monday.
Source: WrestleZone
The Wyatt Sicks’ resident Abby the Witch, formerly known as Nikki Cross, delivered a message to the WWE Universe from Uncle Howdy and Bo Dallas on “WWE Raw,” all while giving Chad Gable another scare. Gable was taken out backstage in an attack by the Wyatt Sicks during their debut on “Raw” last week, but was cleared to compete after suffering what looked like a head injury from the debuting faction, ultimately qualifying for the Money in the Bank ladder match by defeating “Big” Bronson Reed and Braun Strowman.
Gable — whose digital graphics could be seen glitching as he approached and entered the ring — was celebrating his victory in the ring when the lights in the arena shut off, a chilling piano tune began, and fog filled the ring. Cross crawled into the ring behind Gable, who fell down, and was backed into a corner before making his escape.
Cross then made her way out of the ring and grabbed a package ringside. She handed it off to Michael Cole, who was the only person on commentary. When the broadcast came back from commercial, Cole opened the package, which he said was addressed to his co-commentator Pat McAfee, who was not present after receiving another Wyatt Sicks scare on an episode of his ESPN show earlier in the day. The package contained a VHS tape that said “play me” on the side.
Later in the show (after somebody in production found a VCR, per Cole) the video was played for the audience. The same piano music played to start off the footage, and Uncle Howdy was shown, as the tape flashed to show the entire Wyatt Sicks faction.
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“Are you happy?” Howdy said in a distorted voice. “How have you been since the loss? Do you feel as though you have been forgotten?”
The late Bray Wyatt’s brother, Bo Dallas, who plays the Uncle Howdy character, was then shown, appearing maskless on WWE TV for the first time since he was released from the company in 2021. He told his alter ego he was “nobody.” Uncle Howdy then asked Dallas how he felt when his brother died.
“Like the most important thing in my life was taken away from me,” Dallas said. “Like nothing was ever going to matter again.”
Uncle Howdy then asked the mourning talent if he thought he was exploiting his brother’s legacy, echoing concerns expressed by many fans in the wake of the Wyatt Sicks’ debut last Monday. Dallas said that all he ever wanted his entire life was to be like his brother. He said he looked up to him and worked his entire career so he could be next to him.
“We were going to rule together. We were there. We had it,” Dallas said. “And then it was taken away from me. There is no one on this earth that feels more hurt than me from his loss. Not one person on this earth feels what I feel. What am I supposed to do? … let everyone forget about what he stood for? What he fought for? What he believed in?”
Dallas said that they made them “all remember,” to which Uncle Howdy agreed. “Yes, we did,” he told Dallas, and the camera panned to show that Dallas and his alter ego seated across from each other as the footage ended.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
On the April 8th episode of WWE RAW, Liv Morgan attacked Rhea Ripley in a backstage segment which resulted in Ripley suffering a legitimate shoulder injury. She later relinquished the Women’s World Title and was written off WWE television, with an expected return timeframe of around four months.
According to a report from Fightful Select, Ripley has opted to undergo shoulder rehabilitation instead of surgery. Due to this, she may not make it back as early as expected.
With that being said, several preparations have been made so Ripley can return whenever she’s needed. It’s also possible that she could return in a non-wrestling capacity if creative decides to go that route.
While Ripley is expected to continue feuding with Liv Morgan when she returns, the specific story available at the time of her return will determine her creative direction.
Finally, it was added that the hope is that she will make an on-screen appearance in some capacity before SummerSlam 2024.
Source: eWn
According to a report from TMZ, former WCW, ECW, and WWE wrestler 2 Cold Scorpio was arrested earlier this month in connection with a stabbing incident.
The altercation occurred on June 15 at a Love’s Travel Stop in Kansas City, MO.
Scorpio, whose real name is Charles Scaggs, stated to the police that he was a security guard at the time. He noticed a man lighting a cigarette inside the building and approached him.
The situation escalated, leading to an altercation outside, during which Scorpio claimed he acted in self-defense by using a knife.
The injured man, found on the ground with multiple wounds, accused Scorpio of causing the incident.
As a result, Scorpio was arrested and charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. He has since been released on bond and has pleaded not guilty.
An upcoming hearing on this case is scheduled for next month.
Source: eWn
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