Category: WWE

Bam Bam Bigelow And Others Will Reportedly Be Dark Side Of The Ring Subjects

The fourth season of VICE’s “Dark Side of the Ring” is in production. The documentary series, which focuses on controversial topics throughout the history of pro wrestling, will see the late Bam Bam Bigelow, Abdullah the Butcher, and the late Mike Awesome be profiled in the new season, according to PWInsider. It’s said that Mick Foley, Jim Cornette, Terry Funk, and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan have all been interviewed for upcoming episodes.

Bigelow, who performed for promotions such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling, WWE, World Championship Wrestling, ECW and the Memphis Wrestling territory throughout his career, faced many struggles in his personal life. In his younger years, the former ECW World Heavyweight Champion was often arrested and was once incarcerated in Mexico City for six months. Years later, Bigelow struggled with his health and addiction. He passed away in January 2007. 

Meanwhile, Abdullah the Butcher – a WWE Hall of Famer – is known for performing in hardcore matches around the globe. Because of his activities in such bouts, Butcher has several scars on the top of his head from excessive blading. In 2014, the former All Japan Pro Wrestling star was forced to pay out $2.3 million in damages to Canadian wrestler Devon Nicholson, who had accused Butcher of blading without consent and infecting him with hepatitis C. Regarding Awesome, he controversially departed ECW and signed with WCW while still reigning ECW World Champion in the 1990s. The former WWE Hardcore Champion was tragically found dead at his home in February 2007.

“Dark Side of the Ring,” created by Evan Husney and Jason Eisener, first aired in 2019 and has previously covered topics such as the Montreal Screwjob and Vince McMahon’s steroid trial. Chris Jericho has narrated the show since season two. 

Source: Wrestling Inc,

WWE RAW Preview 1/30/2023

Tonight’s live WWE RAW from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma at 8/7c on USA Network.

  • Fallout from the Royal Rumble.
  • The road to the WWE Elimination Chamber officially begins tonight
  • While no matches or segments have been officially announced for tonight’s RAW at the time of this writing, we could find out some matches for the upcoming WWE Elimination Chamber 2023 special event, as well as the possible revelation of which women’s title the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble winner Rhea Ripley will be targeting heading into her guaranteed championship opportunity on “The Grandest Stage of Them All” at WrestleMania.
  • Also, we may here from Cody Rhodes made his return at the Royal Rumble this past Saturday night, winning the 2023 Men’s Royal Rumble and earning his spot against Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at “The Granddaddy of Them All” WrestleMania this coming April.

Jey Uso Says “I’m Out” Of The Bloodline After WWE Royal Rumble 2023

Sami Zayn’s tenure as the Honorary Uce has ended, and Jey Uso is leaving The Bloodline with him.

At this past weekend’s Royal Rumble 2023 pay-per-view event, Zayn was ejected from the group after refusing to attack Kevin Owens and for striking Roman Reigns with a steel chair.

While Reigns, Jimmy Uso, and Solo Sikoa all attacked Zayn, Jey refused to do so and instead walked away from his family.

Taking to Instagram, Jey shared an image from the night, with the simple caption “I’m out.”

Jey had been at odds with Zayn for months, but came to Sami’s defense during the ‘trial’ on last week’s “RAW is 30” show.

Source: eWrestlingNews

WWE Appears To Confirm Nia Jax’s Return With New Merchandise

Nia Jax’s return at the 2023 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event doesn’t appear to be a one-off, with a new piece of merchandise being released for the former RAW Women’s Champion.

Jax returned to WWE as the #30 entrant in this year’s Women’s Rumble match, after being released from the promotion in November 2021.

After her shocking return, WWE released a new shirt for Jax, using her moniker as the ‘Irresistible Force.’

Source: eWrestlingNews

WWE Royal Rumble 1/28/2023 (Results)

WWE color commentator Pat McAfee made his return last night during the 2023 Royal Rumble. He joined the commentary team which featured Corey Graves and Michael Cole.

30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:

Entry Order:

  1. Gunther
  2. Sheamus
  3. The Miz
  4. Kofi Kingston
  5. Johnny Gargano
  6. Xavier Woods
  7. Karrion Kross
  8. Chad Gable
  9. Drew McIntyre
  10. Santos Escobar
  11. Angelo Dawkins
  12. Brock Lesnar
  13. Bobby Lashley
  14. Baron Corbin
  15. Seth Rollins
  16. Otis
  17. Rey Mysterio – Nevered entered the Rumble, he was apparently taken out in the back by his son Dominik
  18. Dominik Mysterio
  19. Elias
  20. Finn Balor
  21. Booker T
  22. Damian Priest
  23. Montez Ford
  24. Edge – After he was eliminated, Edge chases Priest and Balor back up the ramp and they begin brawling until Rhea Ripley comes out and helps. However, as she turns around Beth Phoenix appears and hits Rhea with a spear and the brawling continues until officials break it up.
  25. Austin Theory
  26. Omos
  27. Braun Strowman
  28. Ricochet
  29. Logan Paul
  30. Cody Rhodes

Winner: Cody Rhodes

MOUNTAIN DEW PITCH BLACK MATCH:
Bray Wyatt def. LA Knight

After the match, Wyatt then ends up with some form of mask on his face with a completely different look than before, and he stalks Knight. He uses the kendo stick to hit Wyatt on the head but he just walks through it as the blows don’t register. Wyatt eats a trio of shots to the head but he doesn’t flinch as hey head through the fans, and Wyatt grabs Knight and locks in the Mandible Claw. 

Uncle Howdy is then shown above Wyatt on a platform, and he launches himself off the top of the platform, crashing through Knight underneath as the area explodes. Above him are the puppet characters who look down and watch everything.

RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP:
Bianca Belair (c) def. Alexa Bliss

After the match the lights flicker and a playground is shown with various Wyatt related logos. Uncle Howdy asks her if she feels in charge, and Bliss is then shown looking scared inside the ring.

30-WOMAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:

Entry Order:

  1. Rhea Ripley
  2. Liv Morgan
  3. Dana Brooke
  4. Emma
  5. Shayna Baszler
  6. Bayley
  7. B-Fab
  8. Roxane Perez
  9. Dakota Kai
  10. Iyo Sky
  11. Natalya
  12. Candice LeRae
  13. Zoey Stark
  14. Xia Li
  15. Becky Lynch
  16. Tegan Nox
  17. Asuka
  18. Piper Niven
  19. Tamina
  20. Chelsea Green
  21. Zelina Vega
  22. Raquel Rodriguez
  23. “Michin” Mia Yim
  24. Lacey Evans
  25. Michelle McCool – She was sitting in the crowd
  26. Indi Hartwell
  27. Sonya Deville
  28. Shotzi
  29. Nikki Cross
  30. Nia Jax

Winner: Rhea Ripley

UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP:
Roman Reigns (c) w/Paul Heyman and Sami Zayn def. Kevin Owens

After the match, all of The Bloodline appear. Jey Uso wants to honor him but Reigns says no and he wants them to attack Owens more which The Usos do as they beat down on Owens, hitting the 1D. They then trap Owens’ head into a chair as Solo Sikoa charges into the corner with a hip attack. The Usos then handcuff Owens to the top rope, leaving him helpless as they continue the attack with superkicks. 

Reigns then gets set to hit Owens with a chair but Zayn gets in the way and he tells Roman it is beneath him as it is enough. Instead, Reigns hands Zayn the chair himself, and he then steps infront of him and Zayn teases hitting Roman but he doesn’t. Reigns then pushes Zayn several times as he screams in his face, but Zayn then uses the chair…on Reigns! He apologizes to Jey, and then Jimmy Uso nails him with a superkick and begins a beatdown himself. Sikoa then hits the Samoan Spike to him as Reigns instructs them to keep attacking him and they beat him down as Jey watches on. They hen want more Jey to get involved, but he simply leaves the ring as he cries and walks away from The Bloodline. Reigns then takes out his frustration with a chair on Zayn himself. 

WWE SmackDown Preview 1/27/2023

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX, and emanate from the Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas. This is the go-home show for this Saturday’s Royal Rumble.

WWE Royal Rumble 1/28/2023 (Card)

Date: January 28, 2023
Location: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas

CARD

30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:
Participants: Austin Theory, Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman, Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Gunther, Karrion Kross, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio, Ricochet, Santos Escobar, Seth Rollins, Sheamus, Omos, Dominik Mysterio and TBD

30-WOMAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:
Participants: Candice LeRae, Emma, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Rhea Ripley, Shayna Baszler, Zelina Vega and TBD

MOUNTAIN DEW PITCH BLACK MATCH:
Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight

UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP:
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens

RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP:
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Alexa Bliss

Latest News On Why Stephanie McMahon Resigned From WWE

Earlier this month, Stephanie McMahon stepped down as Chairwoman and co-CEO of WWE. The news came just days after her father, Vince McMahon, reinstated himself to WWE’s Board of Directors after retiring last summer amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations. More details have now emerged regarding Stephanie’s resignation. 

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Stephanie was “about to be demoted” following her father’s return, so she ultimately decided to completely step away from the company with the knowledge that she didn’t require the job — or its paycheck — moving forward. Of course, Stephanie began a sabbatical last year, but was brought back into the fold when the allegations against Vince were made public by the Wall Street Journal. Additionally, WON notes that her departure signaled “a lot stronger move,” instead of resuming her leave of absence and remaining on WWE’s Board.

Stephanie, who became a full-time employee of WWE after graduating from Boston University in 1998, posted a statement online revealing her resignation and clarified that she would still support WWE “from the other side of the business.” Meanwhile, her husband, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, remains in charge of WWE’s creative as Chief Content Officer, despite Vince’s comeback. Her father, now serving as Executive Chairman once again, is seeking out “strategic alternatives” for the promotion regarding upcoming U.S. media rights negotiations and a potential sale of the company. WWE has brought financial experts JP Morgan on board to assist the sale process, with several suitors reportedly interested in buying the organization, including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.  

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Jerry “The King” Lawler Wrestles In Match For 53rd Straight Year

Jerry “The King” Lawler has competed in at least one wrestling match for 53 straight years.

Lawler can claim that distinction after working on an independent show on January 21 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The WWE Hall of Famer defeated the Beer City Bruiser at the event, titled Acts of War Games 2.

Source: eWrestlingNews

WWE Royal Rumble Breaks Record For Largest U.S. Non-WrestleMania Gate

The WWE Royal Ruble 2023 PLE has broken the record for the live gate of any U.S.-based event that isn’t a WrestleMania.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that with a live gate of over $7 million, the show has beaten any non-Mania event in the U.S. and has surpassed most WrestleManias.

WWE was hoping that the gate would surpass $8 million, which would have seen the show surpass Clash at the Castle for the largest non-WrestleMania live gate in wrestling.

It was reported last November that the show had reached the highest live gate of any Royal Rumble event.

WWE is off to a strong start for next year’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view event as the company announced in a statement to Pwinsider that the event has broken the largest gate in the history of the event. The statement reads as follows,

“WWE Royal Rumble 2023 – slated for Saturday, January 28 – has broken the company’s record for largest gate in the event’s 36-year history.

Over the weekend, Royal Rumble surpassed the $5M mark and previous record holder from 2017 – the last time the event was held at San Antonio’s AlamoDome.

This carries a 2022 trend into 2023 where WWE set gate records for many of its events, including WrestleMania, Extreme Rules and Crown Jewel.”

The Observer adds that WWE is expected to announce an attendance figure in excess of 50,000 since they’ve already used that number on television.

Source: eWrestlingNews