Category: WWE

WWE Removes Gable Steveson From NXT Roster

There’s a lot of uncertainty around Gable Steveson, who beat Baron Corbin in his in-ring debut at the WWE NXT Great American Bash pay-per-view event.

As previously reported on eWn, Gable withdrew from this month’s Senior World Championships that will take place from September 16 to September 24.

Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Gable is no longer on the NXT roster. 

“Gable Steveson has been officially removed from the NXT roster & there are no plans for him in NXT at this moment,” Meltzer wrote.

Source: eWn

The Dudley Boyz (Team 3D) Have Reportedly Signed WWE Legends Contracts

Fans attending the taping of Impact Wrestling’s 1000th episode this weekend will witness the special reunion of Bully Ray and D-Von, collectively known as Team 3D in Impact (and the Dudley Boyz in WWE). Before they lace up their boots again, a new report shared an interesting tidbit about the team’s relationship with that other company.

Amidst a write-up penned by Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso, it is noted that Bully Ray and D-Von recently inked legends contracts with WWE. The specific terms of those agreements are unknown, but with both men set to reunite at Impact 1000, and Bully still appearing as an active performer in the company, it seems there is at least a little freedom for them to seek work in promotions outside of WWE.

The Dudley Boyz’s last WWE match took place on the SummerSlam 2016 kick-off show as they faced the team of Sami Zayn and Neville. The duo were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a part of the class of 2018.

In the years following their induction, D-Von took a major step back from wrestling as he dealt with some health issues, which included a back surgery, and a stroke that he suffered in 2020. Luckily, D-Von has since bounced back, and is now preparing for his in-ring return as he and Bully take on a pair of mystery opponents at Impact 1000.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE-UFC Merger Sets Expected Date To Close Deal, Create TKO Group Holdings

It was revealed last month that the WWE-UFC merger was expected to be finalized by “mid-to-late” September. Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc., UFC’s parent company, and WWE have said today that they expect their previously agreed deal to form a new sports and entertainment company, TKO Group Holdings, Inc., to close on September 12. TKO will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange once the transaction is complete.

It was announced on April 3 — the day after WrestleMania 39 had concluded at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California — that WWE and UFC would be merging under the Endeavor umbrella to create a company. 

Ari Emanuel, Endeavor’s CEO, and Vince McMahon, WWE’s Executive Chairman, discussed the deal with CNBC after it had been announced. McMahon said that the newly formed organization would become “a $21+ billion live sports and entertainment powerhouse.”

According to the agreement, McMahon is set to become the Executive Chairman of the new organization, while Nick Khan and Dana White will retain their respective roles as CEO of WWE and President of UFC. Emanuel will become CEO of TKO.

It was recently reported that there was a sense of “doom and gloom” among WWE employees regarding the impending WWE-UFC merger. It’s said that many are worried about potential cuts once the deal closes.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Reported Reactions, Interest From WWE & Other Promotions With CM Punk On Open Market

With CM Punk’s time in AEW having reached an acrimonious end, many are wondering what is next for the two-time AEW World Champion, with some wondering if he could wind up back at WWE, another promotion, or if he would once again disappear as he did following his WWE departure in 2014. At least a few days removed from his AEW exit, it appears there is some interest in Punk popping up elsewhere.

PWInsider Elite reports that Punk became a topic of discussion within WWE as soon as he was fired, and the response has been pretty divided. While some in WWE look at it as a chance for the promotion to make a lot of money, with one top talent even going as far to endorse the idea, many more were said to be against it and didn’t believe it would happen. However it turns out, Punk joining WWE would be a discussion saved for later, as the promotion is currently focused on finalizing its merger with Endeavor, set to be completed this month. It is also believed that Endeavor themselves would make the call to sign him. Punk had previously worked for Endeavor when he competed in UFC, and is said to have had a good relationship with top Endeavor brass.

As for other promotions, Impact Wrestling was also said to be interested in Punk, though it’s unclear if they would be able to afford him, something considered a potential issue for other promotions that may have interest. As for NJPW, it is believed the promotion wouldn’t pursue Punk, due to their relationship with AEW. It is further believed that Punk was released without a noncompete clause, which would allow him to sign anywhere at any time.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Becky Lynch Appears On WWE NXT, Will Face Tiffany Stratton Next Week

Becky Lynch is coming to the WWE NXT brand next week to challenge Tiffany Stratton for the NXT Women’s Championship.

On this week’s episode of WWE NXT, Tiffany Stratton successfully defended her NXT Women’s Title against Kiana James in the opening match.

Following Stratton’s win, Becky Lynch appeared on the TitanTron and congratulated Stratton on her win. Becky then went on to tell Tiffany that she’d see her next week in the main event with the NXT Women’s Championship on the line.

WWE NXT Preview 9/5/2023

Tonight’s WWE NXT live from Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network: 

  • NXT Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Kiana James
  • NXT North American number one contender’s match: Dragon Lee vs. Mustafa Ali with special guest referee Dominik Mysterio
  • No DQ: Bron Breakker vs. Von Wagner
  • Tyler Bate vs. Dabba-Kato
  • Ilja Dragunov vs. Oro Mensah
  • Angel & Humberto return

WWE Payback 9/2/2023 (Results)

STEEL CAGE MATCH:
Becky Lynch def. Trish Stratus

After the match, Trish slapped Zoey Stark, then Stark laid out Trish with a Z-260

John Cena announced that he will be Special Guest Referee for LA Knight vs. The Miz

LA Knight def. The Miz

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP:
Rey Mysterio (c) def. Austin Theory

Becky Lynch is interviewed backstage but before she can say much, NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton rolls up.

She acknowledges her mistake in calling Becky a former NXT Women’s Champion and Becky says she should focus on her title defense and maybe she’ll see her soon. Tiffany takes the note cheerfully and walks off.

UNDISPUTED WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP – STEEL CITY STREET FIGHT:
The Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Finn Balor) def. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens (c) to become new Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions

GRAYSON WALLER EFFECT:
With guest Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes announced the newest member of RAW roster – Jey Uso.

After Waller ran his mouth, Uso laid him out with a Superkick

WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
Rhea Ripley (c) def. Raquel Rodriguez

WWE Hall of Famer The Great Muta was shown on camera, sitting at ringside for the main event

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP:
Seth Rollins (c) def. Shinsuke Nakamura

As Payback went off the air, Rollins was in the midst of celebrating his successful title defense over Nakamura, but once the PLE concluded, chaos ensued. In footage posted to WWE’s YouTube channel, Rollins can be seen slowly walking up the entrance ramp alongside WWE official Adam Pearce. Unfortunately for Rollins, his walk was interrupted by a blow to the back of his head, courtesy of ” the “King Of Strong-Style.” When Rollins subsequently fell to the ground, Nakamura continued to onslaught, nailing the World Heavyweight Champion with a series of kicks and stomps until referees positioned themselves as a divide between the two men.

As Rollins started regaining his footing, Nakamura returned, yanked Rollins by his hair, and sent him crashing back first into the LED board set up on the stage.

WWE Payback 9/2/2023 (Card)

WWE PLE Payback – Saturday September 2 at 8 ET/5 PT, from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Hosted by John Cena

CARD

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP:
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Raquel Rodriguez

STEEL CAGE MATCH:
Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus

UNDISPUTED WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP – STEEL CITY STREET FIGHT:
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens (c) vs. The Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Finn Balor)

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP:
Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Austin Theory

LA Knight vs. The Miz

GRAYSON WALLER EFFECT:
With guest Cody Rhodes

WWE SmackDown Preview 9/1/2023

WWE will air live tonight on FOX from the GIANT Center in Hershey, PA.

  • John Cena returns
  • Jimmy Uso returns to the blue brand to discuss the ongoing turmoil within his family
  • Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar vs Austin Theory and Grayson Waller

Bianca Belair Taking Time Off From WWE

Bianca Belair was written off WWE television after an injury angle that took place on last week’s episode of WWE SmackDown. The angle featured Belair being attacked by Damage CTRL in a backstage segment.

According to a report from Fightful Select, the reason she was written off WWE television is due to some pre-planned time off.

WWE was well aware of the fact that Belair would be taking some time off and it was factored into their creative plans. As of this writing, there is no word on how long she will be away. The reports vary from it being less than a month to as much as three months.

Finally, it was added that Belair has received high praise for her WWE Women’s Championship reign and the amount of media and community events she attends.

Source: eWn