WWE SmackDown’s Tribute to the Troops special will air live tonight on FOX from the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.
During the WWE RAW episode from this past Monday night, Drew McIntyre scored a win in a singles match against Sami Zayn, who suffered a storyline knee injury.
Following the match, McIntyre targeted Zayn’s knee in a backstage attack.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Zayn is taking time off.
“I don’t have it confirmed Zayn will be off for a while due to that, but do know that he had asked for time off recently and was granted it but wasn’t told when that would begin past he was not scheduled for 12/28 show in Laval, Quebec that would normally be built around him as that was during the scheduled break although it is possible they could have him do that show,” Meltzer wrote.
Source: eWn
WWE star Braun Strowman has been out of action since May 1 with a neck injury — one that eventually required Strowman to get cervical spinal fusion surgery. It’s been some time since there was an update on Strowman’s status, but during a recent interview with India’s News18, the former WWE Universal Champion let fans know where things stand regarding his injury rehab.
“I did my five-month check-up and got medically cleared to start lifting weights,” Strowman said. “I lost 35 pounds just sitting around for eight weeks because I wasn’t eating like I normally do since I wasn’t lifting. … So now we’re trying to put the weight back on. The goal for 2024 is to continue this. … I go back after the first year to have another check-up and then get back in the ring, getting back into shape, and then getting back to passing these hands out.”
While he was asked about a possible appearance at next month’s WWE Royal Rumble, the timeline Strowman offered makes it unlikely that he’ll be making his in-ring return anytime soon. In the meantime, it seems he’ll continue to rehab his neck and work on getting his body ready to wrestle again.
Though he isn’t able to wrestle, the performer did note that he has been cleared to travel, allowing him to do promotional duties for the company. Strowman also acknowledged that he may have to make some changes to his wrestling style following his latest injury once he does make his return, but doesn’t anticipate too much of a difference.
“I’ll be a little more cautious thinking because now that I have some hardware and stuff like that,” Strowman continued. “But at the end of the day, I don’t know, I’m crazy. I’ve worked around the injuries. As I said earlier, my left leg is 15% paralyzed and it has been my entire career. I don’t make excuses. I get it done.”
After being released by WWE in June 2021, Strowman returned last year on an episode of “WWE Raw,” marking the start of his second run with the company. Before his injury, Strowman seemed to be carving out a role as a tag team performer alongside Ricochet. With the high-flyer coming off an injury of his own, it remains possible that the two reunite sometime in 2024.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling on AXS TV is all-new. Inter-promotional showdown with Lucha Libre AAA from Monterrey, Mexico. 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for IMPACT Insiders
Here are the matches that have been announced for the show:
Pro wrestling and the Make-A-Wish Foundation have always been closely connected, with top stars like John Cena having granted over 650 wishes in 21 years. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has also been heavily involved with the organization, including donating over $100,000 to them just last year. Recently, he set out to top that by granting not one, but many wishes all in one day.
“The Today Show” posted on X a 4-minute video detailing Johnson’s meeting with 21 Make-A-Wish kids at Universal Studios Hollywood. Johnson would surprise all the kids, and their families, during the Universal Studios backlot tour, and proceeded to serve as the tour guide. All told Johnson would go well over the one hour he was supposed to spend with the kids and their families, ultimately spending 5 hours interacting with everyone. As Johnson explained to “Today’s” Jacob Soboroff, Make-A-Wish has always been something dear to him, ever since his father, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, granted the first New Jersey Make-A-Wish in 1983.
“This little boy, Bobby, I’ll never forget it, his last wish was to meet my dad,” Johnson said. “It puts things into perspective for you right away.” When asked why Johnson had put so much energy into his involvement with Make-A-Wish, when he could realistically work with any charity in the world, an emotional Johnson pointed to how helpful and meaningful moments like this were to those going through something difficult. “These are kids,” Johnson said. “And the cards that they are dealt, they didn’t ask for it, but they’re playing these hands the best they can. These kids are so strong.”
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE “NXT” Superstar Cora Jade could be making her WWE return this Saturday at the Deadline premium live event. According to “PWInsider,” there were reportedly talks about her return during this past week’s “NXT” taping.
If the former “NXT” Women’s Tag Team Champion does make her return on December 9, this will be the first time since she “cleaned” out of her locker on the August 1 episode of “NXT.” Her last in-ring match was a loss to former WWE Superstar Dana Brooke in a Kendo Stick match on the July 25 episode of “NXT,” which ended their summer-long feud.
This past October, Jade was asked on social media when she would return to the developmental brand. Her blunt response was to stop asking her because “it sucks there.” When she first said she was leaving the brand, there were rumors that she was going to join the main roster, which didn’t turn out to be true.
Things are a little different since Jade was last seen on television; at the time the “NXT” Women’s Champion was Tiffany Stratton, while Lyra Valkyria now holds the belt, having won the title from Becky Lynch at Halloween Havoc. In her two-year tenure with WWE, Jade has won one title — the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship alongside Roxanne Perez.
Jade, who signed with WWE in January 2021, made her WWE in-ring debut on the January 20 taped episode of “WWE 205 Live.” Her “NXT” in-ring debut came about a month later on the February 10 episode of “NXT,” where she lost to Xia Li.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
The injury bug has once again bitten “WWE NXT,” this time taking out NXT North American Number One Contender Wes Lee. Lee announced on last night’s “WWE NXT” that he has an injury that will require treatment and he will be unable to compete for the foreseeable future. It was later announced that he would be out of action for eight to 12 months.
This left NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio without an opponent for the upcoming Deadline PLE on December 9. Mysterio initially gloated about this fact, until his father, WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio interrupted to announce that his ne’er do well son would still be competing at the event in Bridgeport, CT against former IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Dragon Lee.
Dragon Lee and Dominik previously feuded over the title in August, with Mysterio coming out on top. Before that Dragon Lee had been a stalwart of the North American Title division. Dragon Lee last competed at WWE Survivor Series: War Games, where he defended the honor of Carlito in a match against Santos Escobar, in which Escobar was the victor, having seemingly graduated to the main roster after a top-notch showing on the developmental brand.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Tonight’s WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Performance Center on the USA Network:
Former wrestler, manager, and booker Dutch Mantell, best known to WWE fans as Zeb Colter, is apparently dealing with significant health issues. On Monday, Mantell announced via Facebook that he’s going to be hospitalized “for a while” and that his daughter, Amanda, is taking care of him in his time of need. Mantell did not elaborate on his specific health issues, only noting that he’s “been very sick” lately.
“OK guys, here’s for those who’ve been looking for me,” Mantell wrote. “Let me catch everybody up. In a nutshell, I’ve been very sick. There are packages missing and parcels that I’ve misplaced…but guys, I’ll make it good. Just give me time. I’m praying every day for everybody’s safety. For me personally, I’ve been admitted to a hospital here in Lutz where I’ll be for a while. I request everybody honor my family’s respect to have our own private thoughts. I will respond to all of you privately…and thank you for for patience. My daughter Amanda has been with me helping me.”
During his wrestling career, Mantell enjoyed success in NWA territories such as Continental Wrestling Association and Mid-South Wrestling, capturing the CWA Heavyweight Championship on three occasions and the Mid-South Television Championship once.
Mantell also captured various tag titles with partners such as Koko B. Ware, David Schultz, and Austin Idol. Mantell first moved to a non-wrestling role as a color commentator for “WCW Worldwide” and later for Jim Cornette’s Smoky Mountain Wrestling. In subsequent years, Mantell managed various stables and wrestlers across promotions, with his most famous stint coming as the manager for former WWE Champion Jack Swagger.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
This week’s “WWE SmackDown” promises to be a star-studded show, with Randy Orton now an official member of the blue brand, while CM Punk will be making his first “SmackDown” appearance in nine years. However, it appears that another former WWE Champion is also expected to turn up, as AJ Styles is set to return to television on Friday, according to Dave Meltzer on the latest “Wrestling Observer Radio.”
Styles was originally supposed to be back on television a couple weeks ago, but those plans ended up being scrapped. However, Styles is now back in the mix, with the veteran star returning just in time to kickstart the Road to WrestleMania. The “Phenomenal One” has been out of action since the start of September, written off after he was attacked backstage. That took him out of the Fastlane tag team match where he was originally set to team with John Cena, eventually being replaced by LA Knight.
Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso were the men responsible for his attack, therefore Styles could end up plugged back into that storyline working against The Bloodline, but that is unknown. Roman Reigns currently doesn’t have an opponent for the upcoming Royal Rumble, and while Orton has been discussed for that role, the creative team is also considering other ideas — possibly opening the door for Styles. It remains to be seen if Styles’ return will also lead to The Good Brothers coming back, which could help with the numbers game against The Bloodline. However, Luke Gallows has been on the sidelines after getting his knee scoped, so it will likely depend on his recovery.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
