WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX, and emanate from the FedEX Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.
Category: WWE
WWE Holding Important Employee Meeting Later This Afternoon
As previously reported, Vince McMahon has officially returned to the WWE board of directors, adding George Barrios and Michelle Wilson as well. He announced that he was coming back to oversee media rights negotiations and any potential sale of the company.
PWInsider reports that there will be an employee meeting this afternoon which is being described as ‘all hands on deck’. The meeting happens at 3:30 PM ET.
Source: 411Mania
Read Stephanie McMahon’s Email That She Sent To WWE Employees About Vince McMahon’s Return
WWE has told their employees that there will be an “all hands on deck” meeting at 3:30 pm. This appears to be about Vince McMahon‘s return to the WWE Board of Directors.
WWE co-CEO Stephanie McMahon sent an email to all employees, attaching the latest WWE press release, and noted:
“Today, WWE announced the return of our founder Vince McMahon to our Board of Directors and a review of the company’s strategic alternatives. Please see attached. Nick, Frank, and I will discuss this exciting opportunity at today’s All Employee meeting. See you at 3:30.”
As controlling shareholder of WWE, McMahon removed JoEllen Lyons Dillon, Jeffrey R. Speed, and Alan M. Wexler from the Board. Vince, George Barrios, and Michelle Wilson have been added to the Board.
Source: ewrestlingnews
WWE Confirms Vince McMahon Is Rejoining The Board, Stock Spikes
McMahon initially stepped down as CEO after an investigation found that he had paid nearly $15 million to four women over 16 years to quiet claims of sexual misconduct.
World Wrestling Entertainment confirmed on Friday that former CEO and majority shareholder Vince McMahon will be reinstated to the company’s board.
The company’s stock spiked 20% on the news of McMahon’s comeback.
“Today, we announce that the founder of WWE, Vince McMahon, will be returning to the Board,” WWE executives said in a Friday press release.
The Board’s confirmation follows McMahon’s own announcement on Thursday that he intended to reinstate himself as executive chairman and launch an effort to sell the company. He also said he would bring back former co-presidents Michelle Wilson and George Barrios as board directors.
Three current board members, JoEllen Lyons Dillon, Jeffrey Speed and Alan M. Wexler, were removed from their positions. Two additional directors, Ignace Lahoud and Man Jit Singh, resigned from the board, effective Friday.
McMahon initially stepped down as CEO after an investigation found that he had paid nearly $15 million to four women over 16 years to quiet claims of sexual misconduct.
Even during his leave, McMahon maintained control over the company as a majority shareholder. In a November regulatory filing, WWE said, “Mr. McMahon can effectively exercise control over our affairs.”
McMahon saw a need to return to his board position as the company faces negotiations over media rights and strategic initiatives moving forward, according to The Wall Street Journal. WWE has been spotted as a target for acquisition recently.
Analysts at MKM Partners, which has a buy rating on the stock, said in a note Friday that “an immediate exploration of a sale for WWE makes a lot of sense.”
WWE confirmed Friday it would review “strategic alternatives,” but said, “There is no assurance that this process will result in a transaction.”
Shares of the company are up 75% in the last 12 months. The stock trades with a market capitalization of more than $6 billion.
Source: NBC News
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s Demands Soured Warner Bros. Relationship
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson may be the People’s Champion, but those at Warner Bros. aren’t sharing the love.
Last year, Black Adam, a project Johnson had been tied to for over a decade, underperformed at the box office, earning $391 million from its $260 million budget.
Following the film’s release, Johnson unfollowed both the social media accounts for Black Adam and Warner Bros, and there were reports of conflict.
Variety reports that The Rock, along with Black Adam producers Hiram Garcia and Beau Flynn, “ruffled feathers” after they “went around everyone” to pitch their plans for Black Adam and Henry Cavill’s Superman.
Things got worse between Johnson and Warner Bros as expenses on Black Adam’s production grew, including Johnson demanding a tequila bar featuring his brand, Teremana, be set up for the film’s premiere.
One source who spoke to Variety explained that “his demands increased and the returns just weren’t there.”
While a post-credits scene sets up a Black Adam sequel, many believe that Black Adam will not receive a follow-up.
Source: ewrestlingnews
William Regal Is Officially Back With WWE
William Regal is back with WWE following his departure from All Elite Wrestling.
Regal had an opt-out clause in his AEW contract, but AEW President Tony Khan had an option earlier than that, allowing Regal to leave the company early as requested. Regal wanted to return to WWE to be with his son in NXT and work with Triple H again.
Pwinsider.com reported that Regal made his return to WWE this morning. Regal has taken on a Vice President role in the company.
Source: ewrestlingnews
WWE NXT Preview 1/3/2023
WWE NXT is back tonight for the first show of 2023. Tonight’s show will be live once again onUSA Network at 8:00 pm EST. after the last two episodes aired on tape delay. Tonight also serves as the go-home show before next week’s New Year’s Evil special.
* Extreme Resolution Match: Alba Fyre vs. Isla Dawn
* The Grayson Waller Effect: Grayson Waller & Bron Breakker contract signing for New Year’s Evil
* Carmelo Hayes vs. Apollo Crews
* Trick Williams vs. Axiom
* Charlie Dempsey vs. Hank Walker
Trinity Fatu (Naomi) Is In Japan
In anticipation of Wednesday’s NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 event from the Tokyo Dome, Naomi, real name Trinity Fatu, has confirmed through her Instagram Stories that she is in Tokyo, Japan.
As Mercedes Varnado, formerly known as Sasha Banks, is believed to be appearing at the Wrestle Kingdom 17 event, Naomi was expected to be in Japan, as reported by PWinsider.com.
It’s still unknown whether Naomi will appear at the event or is merely there to support her friend. After Banks negotiated her WWE release, Naomi’s WWE status is uncertain.
Source: ewrestlingnews
AJ Styles Confirms He Suffered A Broken Ankle
AJ Styles has issued a statement on his injury status.
The former WWE Champion teamed with Karl Anderson, & Mia Yim vs. Finn Balor, Damian Priest, & Rhea Ripley at Thursday’s house show in Hershey, PA.
It ended shortly after Styles suffered an ankle injury, and he had to be helped to the backstage area.
Styles issued the following statement today, noting that he has a broken ankle but won’t need surgery:
“Just want you guys to know that I’m ok. Broken ankle is what I’m dealing with. No surgery, this just takes some time to recover. This will be the longest I’ve ever been out of the ring. Thanks for the prayers and get well wishes.”
Source: ewrestlingnews
Charlotte Flair Returns To WWE On SmackDown, Wins Title
Charlotte Flair has returned to WWE. Not only that, but she’s your new SmackDown Women’s Champion.
During Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown, “The Queen” made her return to WWE television after not being seen since WrestleMania: Backlash.
After Ronda Rousey successfully defeated Raquel Rodriguez to retain her title, Charlotte’s music hit and she came to the ring to face off with “The Rowdy One.” As Rousey taunted her and asked if she wanted a match, Charlotte accepted. But the match wouldn’t be taking place at the Royal Rumble as Rousey suggested – it’d be taking place right here, right now.
With Rousey going against the advice of Shayna Baszler to hold off, the bell rang and Flair quickly rolled Rousey over during an armbar attempt to get the 1, 2, 3.
Ronda Rousey’s reign as SmackDown Women’s Champion ends at 83 days. Charlotte Flair is in her seventh reign with the title. This also marks her 14th overall women’s title reign in WWE.
Source: ewrestlingnews
Charlotte Flair reflects on walking out of 2022 with the Women’s SmackDown Championship.
