Category: WWE

Becky Lynch Injured At WWE SummerSlam?

Big news coming out of last night centered around the first match of the show when Bianca Belair successfully defended her “Raw” Women’s Championship against Becky Lynch. This was, by all means, a full circle moment for ‘The EST of WWE,’ considering last year’s SummerSlam featured the same singles match but for the “SmackDown” Women’s Title. On that particular occasion, Lynch would defeat Belair in a rapid 26 seconds — a far cry from how the competitive, back-and-forth match played out last night at “The Biggest Party of the Summer.”

Unfortunately, one of the women in the bout may have suffered a shoulder/arm injury in the heat of the match. As seen in the tweet below, Lynch was leaving the arena with the medical team while keeping her arm close to her body and giving a thumbs up.

During the match, Lynch noticeably started favoring her shoulder after taking a Glam Slam from Belair. It is not known at this time whether the former women’s champion will be sidelined due to the possible injury. If legitimate, this wouldn’t be the first time Lynch has been injured throughout their lengthy rivalry, as before their WrestleMania 38 match, Lynch fractured her larynx but returned in time to compete.

As noted, several women returned to WWE last night, including the multi-time Women’s Champion, Bayley, alongside former “NXT” alumni Io Shirai (now Iyo Sky) and Dakota Kai. This new all-women stable with Bayley, Sky, and Kai was pitched quite a while ago before Kai was first released from WWE in April. Vince McMahon had reportedly rejected the idea, even when other versions were pitched, including Kay Lee Ray and Raquel Rodriguez. The three women returned as a collective force and immediately confronted the “Raw” Women’s Champion, Belair. That was when Lynch, seemingly turning face for the first time in over a year, would stand by Belair’s side and show that she wouldn’t let the new faction run through Bianca if she had anything to say about it.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage News On SummerSlam Returns, Name Change Note

During last night’s WWE SummerSlam event, Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Io Shirai made their returns after the WWE “Raw” Women’s Title match with champion Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch.

The three would come out to confront Belair, but Lynch would return to the ring to give her backup.

There are several backstage updates about the returns of Bayley, Kai, and Shirai.

Io Shirai will now be going by the ring name, Iyo Sky according to PWInsider. 

According to Fightful Select, Sky’s contract was set to expire soon and there had been no creative plans for her in NXT after her injury. WWE officials couldn’t confirm a new contract had been signed beyond saying, “it appears so.”  Shirai has not been in the WWE ring since WWE WrestleMania 38 weekend when she competed in a fatal four-way match against Mandy Rose, Cora Jade, and Kay Lee Ray (now known as Alba Fyre) at “NXT” Stand And Deliver.

Bayley had been training at the WWE Performance Center and Flatbacks for weeks in preparation for her return to the ring, according to Fightful Select. She had been sidelined since July 2021 with a torn ACL.

Fightful Select also reported that Kai was a name that several people in the company thought Triple H would make a priority to bring back since he is now that he is the head of creative. Before she was released in April, Kai had several main roster looks. AEW talks were said to never move past an introduction.

It was also noted by Fightful Select that this new stable with Bayley, Sky, and Kai was pitched quite a while ago and it was before Kai was first released in April. Vince McMahon had reportedly rejected the idea. There were other versions pitched that include Kay Lee Ray and Raquel Rodriguez.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE SummerSlam Results 7/30/2022, Edge, Bayley, Dakota Kai And Io Shirai

“RAW” WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Bianca Belair (c) def. Becky Lynch

– After the match, Lynch offers her hand to Belair and the two of them shake and show their respect for each other. But, Belair doesn’t have to wait long to find out who her next challenger might be…because BAYLEY IS HERE! The Four Horsewomen star has made her return…but so has DAKOTA KAI!!! The two women appear to be on the same page…but they’re not alone. Io Shirai is here as well!!!

All three women then head to the ring, but then Lynch returns and squares off against them alongside Belair. Bayley decides to back off, and her teammates retreat with her.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1553540164613537792
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1553539437962862593
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1553538888978808832

Logan Paul def. The Miz

WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Bobby Lashley (c) def. Theory

NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH
The Mysterios (Rey Mysterio & Dominik Mysterio) def. The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor)

The Mysterio’s work together to set their opponents up for a 619, but as they hit the ropes Rhea Ripley pulls their legs to stop it. Priest then connects with the Sound Of Heaven, but then the lights go out and Edge is here!!! He heads to the ring and drops Priest with a big boot before Spearing Balor, and then Spearing Priest as well!

Edge sets up Balor for the classic 619, which both Mysterios hit, and it is over.

Pat McAfee def. Happy Corbin

UNDISPUTED WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH – SPECIAL GUEST REFEREE: JEFF JARRETT
The Usos (c) def. Street Profits

– Riddle then appears from the audience and gets into the ring, and he says he is not medically cleared to compete tonight as he tells the security to shut up. He says he doesn’t take crap from anybody, including Seth Rollins, and he calls him out right now. Despite the fact they have WWE authority figures trying to break them up, the two men start brawling and hit the ring to do battle. Seth takes advantage though and he lays out Riddle with a Stomp as the officials try to send him to the back.

– Riddle then appears from the audience and gets into the ring, and he says he is not medically cleared to compete tonight as he tells the security to shut up. He says he doesn’t take crap from anybody, including Seth Rollins, and he calls him out right now. Despite the fact they have WWE authority figures trying to break them up, the two men start brawling and hit the ring to do battle. Seth takes advantage though and he lays out Riddle with a Stomp as the officials try to send him to the back.

“SMACKDOWN” WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Liv Morgan (c) def. Ronda Rousey

Controversy finish.

Ronda puts on the Armbar yet again, but Morgan turns things around by pinning Rousey while she isn’t noticing, yet at the same time Morgan appears to tap out from the Armbar. Despite the fact that both of the women appeared to lose at the same time, the result is given in Morgan’s favor. Replays show that Morgan tapped out before the 3 count.

– After the match, Ronda Rousey complains to the official, and she takes down Morgan again with the armbar, and as the official tries to break it up, he gets put in the armbar as well.

UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP “LAST MAN STANDING” MATCH
Roman Reigns (c) def. Brock Lesnar

Lesnar gets behind the tractor again, and he shoves the ring across the floor, and he then puts it underneath and lifts one corner of the ring all the way into the air, which leads to Reigns flying out of the ring! While he gets to his feet, The Usos then appear, which the Beast is able to deal with, launching them both across the ringside area.

Lesnar  F5’s Heyman through the announce table but that allows Reigns to nail a Spear as both men are down!

With both men down, Theory makes his way down to the ring with his Money In The Bank briefcase, he smashes Roman with it, but before he cashes in Brock F5’s him onto the briefcase, and then The Usos take Lesnar down with a double superkick. He gets up once again and then gets destroyed by another Spear, as the count begins once again, but he gets up again!

Roman then grabs the briefcase and starts beating down Lesnar with it repeatedly as he demands the count continues, yet he beats the count again. This time, Roman uses the title, smashing it into the head of Lesnar, with the Beast being taken down once again, and while he gets up, Roman hits him with the other title, and this time he starts covering him with different items such as the announce table and the steel stairs, and this time he cannot get up.

Credit to Wrestling Inc. for most of the transcript.

“Ric Flair’s Last Match” 7/31/2022

The “Jim Crockett Promotions Presents: Ric Flair’s Last Match” event will take place this Sunday, July 31 at 6:05pm EDT from the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, TN, during Starrcast V weekend. The three-hour event will air live on FITE TV and various bundles are offered for the events of the weekend. Below is the updated card, along with the aforementioned clip, photos and posters:

Announce Team: Tony Schiavone and David Crockett, Ian Riccaboni representing ROH and NJPW, Tom Hannifan and Scott D’Amore representing Impact Wrestling, Joe Dombrowski and Dave Prazak representing MLW, Carlos Cabrera and Hugo Savinovich as the Spanish announce team.

CARD

Ric Flair’s Last Match
Ric Flair and Andrade El Idolo vs. Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal (with Karen Jarrett)
Commentary: Tony Schiavone and David Crockett.

Impact World Title Match
Jacob Fatu vs. Josh Alexander (c)
Commentary: Tom Hannifan.

Impact Knockouts World Title Triple Threat
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Rachael Ellering vs. Jordynne Grace (c)
Commentary: Tom Hannifan.

Impact Wrestling Match
The Wolves (Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards) vs. The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley)
Commentary: Scott D’Amore.

MLW Match
Killer Kross vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Commentary: Joe Dombrowski.

AAA Fatal 4 Way
Bandido vs. Black Taurus vs. Laredo Kid vs. Rey Fenix
Commentary: Joe Dombrowski.

NJPW Match
Clark Connors vs. Ren Narita
Commentary: Ian Riccaboni.

Impact – MLW Interpromotional Match
The Briscoes vs. The Von Erichs
Commentary: Ian Riccaboni.

Legacy Match
Representing The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express – Ricky Morton and Kerry Morton (with Robert Gibson) vs. Representing The Four Horsemen – Brian Pillman, Jr. and Brock Anderson (with Arn Anderson)

Four Corners Independent Wrestling Dream Match
Jonathan Gresham vs. Alan “5” Angels vs. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Nick Wayne
Commentary: Ian Riccaboni.

Bunkhouse Battle Royal
Bully Ray (ECW), James Storm (Impact), Crimson (NWA), Rickey Shane Page (PROGRESS), Kommander (AAA), Sinn Bodhi (FSW), Big Damo (PROGRESS), Crowbar (Black Label Pro), Brian Myers (Impact), Adam Priest (Terminus), Gringo Loco (The Wrestling Revolver), Wolfie D (USWA), Kal Herro (OVW), other participants TBA
Winner receives bronze boot and belt buckle.
Commentary: Dave Prazak.

WWE SummerSlam 7/30/2022

DATE: July 30, 2022 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
AVAILABLE ON: Peacock (U.S.), WWE Network (International)

CARD

UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP “LAST MAN STANDING” MATCH
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns (c)

“RAW” WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair (c)

“SMACKDOWN” WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Ronda Rousey vs. Liv Morgan (c)

WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Theory vs. Bobby Lashley (c)

UNDISPUTED WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH – SPECIAL GUEST REFEREE: JEFF JARRETT
Street Profits vs. The Usos (c)

Logan Paul vs. The Miz

Happy Corbin vs. Pat McAfee

NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH
The Mysterios (Rey Mysterio & Dominik Mysterio) vs. The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor)

WWE SmackDown Preview 7/29/22

WWE SmackDown, tonight at 8/7 C on FOX.

Also tonight, Maximum Male Models, along with their newly revealed Director of Talent Maxxine Dupri are set to unveil their 2022 beachwear collection. Maxxine (formerly known as Sofia Cromwell on “NXT”) made her main roster debut during a brief backstage segment on last Friday’s “SmackDown”. Her debut reportedly also served as a write-off for Maximum Male Models’ former frontman, and Maxxine’s storyline “brother”, Max Dupri.

WWE Is Reportedly Trying To “Reconcile” With Sasha Banks & Naomi

It’s been more than two months since Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of WWE. The company is reportedly trying to make amends with both stars.

With Vince McMahon now retired and out of the WWE picture, company officials are reportedly trying to convince Sasha Banks and Naomi to come back for another run.

Last Friday, McMahon announced his retirement via social media. WWE also announced that Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan would serve as the co-CEOs, and that Triple H (Paul Levesque), would take over as the new Head of Talent Relations (replacing John Laurinaitis) as well as the leader of creative team.

Banks and Naomi, who were the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship holders at the time, walked out of the 5/16 Raw show due to apparent unhappiness with the creative plans that night. Many naturally assumed that the two would never return to the company, but McMahon’s retirement could change everything.

Speaking on the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast (via Ian Carey of F4WOnline.com), the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported that the WWE statuses of Banks and Naomi are “up in the air”, and that WWE is trying “to reconcile” with the former SmackDown Women’s Champions.

“It’s kind of up in the air. I mean, they’re gone. The last I heard was that there would be attempts to be made to reconcile, especially with Vince gone,” Meltzer said. “So, it’s up in the air. I don’t think there’s anything definite just yet.”

Needless to say, McMahon’s sudden retirement may go a long way in recruiting plenty more stars. For what it’s worth, former WWE star Maria Kanellis, who worked two tenures in the company, told a fan on Twitter that she would be open to a WWE return now that Vince is no longer leading the way. Kanellis added that her working relationship with Triple H was “great.”

Not only that, but more AEW stars are reportedly viewing WWE as an option now that the leadership at the top has changed. Will the new leadership lead to Naomi and Banks coming back? Only time will tell.

No Update On The Women’s Tag Team Championships

Fast forward two months later, and WWE still hasn’t given a timeline on when they will crown new Women’s Tag Team Champions. The titles haven’t been held by any talent since Banks and Naomi walked out.

Source: TheSportster

Big E Addresses Whether Or Not He Will Ever Wrestle Again

Big E has addressed his future in the square circle after breaking his neck earlier this year during the March 11 edition of “SmackDown.”

In an interview with “The MMA Hour,” Big E stated that he is currently unsure if he will ever be able to wrestle again, with doctors telling him that if he breaks his neck again it could be “even worse and more catastrophic.”

He provided an update on his injury, saying that when he initially sustained the injury back in March, he was told that he would be able to return in three months. When doctors did another scan at the 8-week mark, his neck looked worse than it previously had. After the 12-week mark, his C-1 had been healed fibrously but had not yet ossified, meaning that if someone bumped him, it would not break his neck again. However, he is not yet ready to make his in-ring return. He also mentioned that the current plan is to look at his neck again in March next year and get a prognosis from there.

Big E continued to say that he has put his body through a lot after the various injuries he picked up in his sports career over the years. He said that his perspective has shifted over the years and has thoroughly enjoyed his time working for WWE.

“When I got hired, I was 23 … I think it was a time in my life where if I had died in the ring, cool. I got to do what I love, and I went out there in the ring. Now at 36, having worked through a lot of those things and being mentally healthier, this job has allowed me to meet so many different people from so many different walks of life and have so many different experiences.”

Big E went on to say that he thinks about what his life will be like after 36. He says that while he still feels great, he must think about the miles he is putting on his body and the damage he is doing to it. He stated that there are various other things that he would like to do with his life, but he is not making any decisions anytime soon.

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to The MMA Hour

Update On Seth Rollins And Riddle’s WWE SummerSlam Match

The biggest party of the summer will have to party on without one of the marque matches.

During today’s episode of “WWE’s The Bump,” Kayla Braxton broke the news that Riddle is currently dealing with a brachial plexus injury. The injury occurred when Seth Rollins brutally attacked him on Monday Night Raw, leading to their WWE SummerSlam match having to be postponed. The injury was described by Braxton as “a really bad stinger that’s resulted in some weakness,” and Riddle is “medically disqualified” until he’s strong enough to return.

The brutal attack by Rollins sent “WWE Raw” off the air Monday night, as Rollins hit Riddle with his patented Stomp on the arena floor and the ring steps. The show closed with Rollins laughing at an injured Riddle, with commentary stating “How will Riddle be ready for Saturday?”

The feud between Rollins and Riddle took place both on television and, supposedly, in real life, dating back to 2019 when Riddle’s former wife body shammed several female WWE superstars on social media, including Rollins’ wife, Becky Lynch. Riddle confirmed the disdain between the two in 2021, stating that he doesn’t think they like each other and that they’re just “two different people.”

It’s unclear at this time whether or not the Riddle injury is legitimate or part of a storyline, but it’s hard to imagine a star as big as Rollins not having any involvement in SummerSlam this Saturday. This weekend’s event is still set to feature eight matches, headlined by Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar in a Last Man Standing Match for both the WWE and Universal Championships, which Reigns unified by defeating Lesnar at WrestleMania 38. The card will also see both “Raw” and “SmackDown” Women’s Champions defend their belts, and will include Logan Paul’s first match since signing his WWE contract.

UPDATE

New information has started to trickle out regarding the postponement of the match, not all is as it seems.

According to Fightful Select, Riddle’s injury is in fact not a real injury, but a kayfabe one, written to explain why the match will not be taking place this weekend. Sources told Fightful that there are still plans to do the match down the line, and that the change was made due to “creative adjustments.”

Fightful would go on to reveal that Rollins and Riddle were informed of the change Monday before “Raw,”which saw Rollins attack Riddle at the close of the show. As of now, the tentative plan is for the two to wrestle at WWE’s next Premium Live Event, Clash At The Castle, in September, but those plans aren’t final due to the changes that have occurred in WWE over the past week, with Paul Levesque, fka, Triple H, taking over as new head of creative and EVP of Talent Relations.

Despite this, fans can still expect to see Rollins this weekend, as Fightful noted the former WWE Champion is expected to travel to Nashville for SummerSlam weekend and is still booked for certain media obligations before the event. Fightful had no information regarding whether Riddle would also be traveling to Nashville or would remain home to sell the injury.

Even with Rollins vs. Riddle now off the card, SummerSlam will still feature eight matches, headlined by Roman Reigns defending the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Brock Lesnar in a Last Man Standing match. As always, the Premium Live Event will air on the Peacock streaming service.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Announces Location For WrestleMania 40

WrestleMania 39 is now less than a year away, with both nights scheduled to take place in SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on April 1 and April 2. But that doesn’t mean WWE can’t start getting ready for the 40th iteration of WrestleMania in 2024, which they are doing by announcing the location, and dates, for the historic event.

“BREAKING NEWS,” WWE tweeted. “Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia will host WrestleMania 40, on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7, 2024, as first reported by Philadelphia Inquirer and Sports Business Journal.”

Shortly after the announcement, WWE also issued a press release regarding the blockbuster news.

“Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, PHL Sports, and WWE are proud to announce that Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia will host WWE’s pop-culture extravaganza, WrestleMania 40, on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7, 2024,” the statement read. “WrestleMania is more than a two-day event; it’s a week-long celebration.

“In addition to WrestleMania, other events will include ‘Friday Night SmackDown’, the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony, and ‘Monday Night Raw’ at Wells Fargo Center as well as other fan events at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. In addition, WWE will also host multiple community outreach events, including hospital visits and Be a STAR bullying prevention rallies, designed to give back to the local region.”

This will be the first WrestleMania to take place in the Northeast since WrestleMania 35 in 2019, which emanated out of MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It’s been an even longer wait for Philadelphia wrestling fans, who last experienced a WrestleMania in their city back in 1999 with WrestleMania 15. The event, which took place at the height of the Attitude Era, saw Steve Austin defeat The Rock for the WWE Championship in the first of three major WrestleMania events the two stars would have over the next four years.

Source: Wrestling Inc.