Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is reportedly not being considered for a match at WrestleMania 38 from AT&T Stadium in Dallas next year.
It’s been reported that WWE has had plans for The Rock to wrestle at WrestleMania 38, likely in a match against WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, or a tag team match with SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos, where Reigns would team with one of the brothers, and Rock with the other.
In an update, Ringside News recently reported that The Rock is not being considered for a WrestleMania 38 role because they already have something else in mind for him – WrestleMania 39 in 2023 from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Rock is said to be a “virtual lock” for when WrestleMania returns to the Hollywood/Los Angeles area in 2023.
With Rock vs. Reigns likely for 2023, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter points to Brock Lesnar vs. Reigns being likely for WrestleMania 38 in 2022. The Observer noted this week that the Rock vs. Reigns match will take place if, when and where Rock wants it to, and that his schedule is so busy that there is no lock for anything. It was also noted that with Rock vs. Reigns being the idea for 2023, that likely means Lesnar vs. Reigns will be the top match for next year.
If WWE saves Lesnar vs. Reigns for WrestleMania in 2022, it will be interesting to see what they have Lesnar do in the next few months. Lesnar has reportedly signed a new deal that includes between 8 and 12 matches, which would carry him through early 2023 some time.
Recent reports have said WWE wants Rock to appear at the 2021 Survivor Series pay-per-view in New York City, to celebrate 25 years since his WWE debut. It’s always possible that The Rock returns to WWE TV before 2023, but he is considered to be almost a done deal for WrestleMania 39.
On Wednesday, former WCW and IMPACT star Shannon “Daffney” Spruill was on IG live threatening to harm herself and it has been learned she has passed away.
On Wednesday evening, there was real concern about the health and safety of former WCW and IMPACT Wrestling star Daffney Unger. After an Instagram Live post where she seemed emotionally distraught and was threatening harm to herself, the stream ended in a way that had many concerned. Multiple parties, friends and former co-workers including WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley reached out on Twitter asking, “If anyone has a way of reaching Daffney Unger, or knows her address, please help out. She’s in a bad personal place and is threatening to harm herself.”
Updates suggested authorities had been sent to her known address to check on her well being. Unfortunately, we are saddened to report that Daffney has died.
A spokesperson for the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the death to TMZ Sports, but did not reveal a cause or manner. Shimmer Pro Wrestling tweeted out an update after people were frantically trying to get to Daffney (real name Shannon Spruill) saying: “We are very sad to have to announce the passing of Shannon Spruill aka Daffney Unger @screamqueendaff. We are posting this at the request of her family. Please respect their privacy at this trying time. I will miss you my logical sister from another mister.”
Daffney’s mother, Jean Tookey Spruill, announced her passing on Facebook and confirmed that the date of her passing was Wednesday night.
“It is with great sadness I have to let you know that my daughter Shannon Spruill… Scream Queen Daff, passed away suddenly last night. Absolutely heartbroken,” she wrote.
Wrestlers and friends have taken to social media on Thursday offering support and their condolences in the loss. Foley wrote: “I’m so very sorry to learn of Daffney’s passing. A terrible loss for her family, friends and wrestling. She was far ahead if her time in our business. #RIPDaffney” He also tweeted out a phone number and contact information for a help line for those who might be struggling mentally or emotionally.
Gail Kim wrote: “So incredibly sad to hear the news about Daffney/Shannon. Heartbreaking to know that she felt so alone and in that dark space. If you are feeling this way, please reach out to others. You’re never alone.”
Big E of WWE wrote: “I’m so sorry to everyone who knew and loved Daffney Unger. If you’re struggling with your mental health, please don’t be afraid to be a burden. Reach out for help. It saved my life.”
Tegan Nox wrote, “My thoughts and love are with Daffney’s friends and family! She was such an amazing influence in the wrestling community, a true pioneer for us women. RIP Daffney.
“Velvet Sky wrote: “Rest in eternal peace my sweet, sweet, Angel friend. You were such an amazing, funny, loving, caring person, and I’ll never ever forget you. I love you always, @screamqueendaff My deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of this beautiful soul.”
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Shannon ‘Daffney’ Spruill. We offer our sincere condolences to her friends and family,” Impact Wrestling said in a statement issued on social media. Daffney spent three years with Impact back when it was still known as TNA. She parted ways with the company in 2011. Impact also dedicated that evening’s edition of their weekly TV show to Daffney’s memory.
NXT star Dakota Kai recalled her first time visiting the United States to tour as an independent wrestler and spoke highly of her first encounter with Daffney. “During my first tour of the states, I was terrified. Daffney made everyone feel loved, welcomed and was such a truly beautiful soul [broken heart emoji] To anyone struggling, you are not alone. You are loved. Check in with your loved ones,” Kai tweeted.
Zelina Vega took to Instagram to share a screenshot of a text message she had received from Daffney in which The Scream Queen thanked Zelina for encouraging her. Daffney also told Zelina that she was proud of her. “She was such a kind soul,” Zelina captioned a series of photographs of Daffney. “Always wanted to help others and smile. She genuinely cared. She used to send me videos of her singing Aaliyah songs because we both loved her. I’ll miss you always.“
SmackDown’s Shotzi Blackheart tweeted about how much Daffney inspired her. “RIP Daffney thank you for being my spooky inspiration,” she wrote. “I had the biggest crush on you. I will never forget meeting you and telling you how cool I thought you were and how sweet you were to me. I scream for Daffney!”
ROH recalled how Daffney managed CM Punk, Colt Cabana and Ace Steel during the early days of the company, and then made a special appearance in 2018. They issued the following statement on her passing:
ROH Mourns The Passing Of Shannon ‘Daffney’ Spruill
Ring of Honor is saddened to learn that Daffney (Shannon Spruill) has died. She was 46.
Spruill worked as a wrestler, manager and valet in WCW, ROH, TNA and various independent promotions during a 16-year career that began in 1999.
Performing under the name Lucy, Spruill managed The Second City Saints (CM Punk, Colt Cabana and Ace Steel) during the early days of ROH.
Spruill made an appearance at Supercard of Honor in 2018 for the finals of the Women of Honor Title Tournament. After Sumie Sakai won the match, Spruill celebrated in the ring with her.
ROH extends its deepest condolences to Spruill’s family, friends and fans.
WWE paid tribute to Daffney with a post on Instagram, seen below, and also issued the following statement:
Shannon “Daffney” Spruill passes away
WWE is saddened to learn that former WCW star Shannon Spruill, known to sports-entertainment fans as Daffney, passed away at the age of 46.
Spruill gained worldwide recognition when she first arrived in WCW in November 1999 as Daffney, aligning herself with David Flair and Crowbar. Shortly after making a name for herself, Daffney made history in May of 2000 when she became only the second woman to hold the WCW Cruiserweight Championship. With her signature scream and ever-changing style, Daffney would go onto become a mainstay of the independent scene for more than two decades.
WWE extends its condolences to Spruill’s family, friends and fans.
According to the World Health Organization, one person commits suicide every 40 seconds on average. Over 700,000 individuals take their own lives each year — more than twice the number of people who die as a result of homicide. If you, or someone you know, is suffering from a mental health crisis, seek assistance immediately via one of the phone numbers listed below:
It’s being rumored that Vince McMahon and Bruce Prichard will be taking charge of NXT production soon. The show admittedly needs a bit of sprucing up and it appears a full rebrand is on the way, with a logo change already placed on exhibit.
However, according to Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, people at WWE are telling him that the new NXT will be produced by McMahon and Prichard.
“Like anything, anything can change, anything is possible but I talked a while ago about how we’re gonna have a new NXT. It’s gonna be like the old NXT. I have heard from several people now that when they go back to live shows, this is going to be a Vince McMahon-Bruce Prichard production,” Alvarez was quoted as saying by WrestlingNews.co.
It was previously reported that the show is set to undergo a full overhaul. The new logo gives credence on that front and there’s also some new music from artist Wale. When the show goes live on September 14, in two weeks’ time, fans will be treated to a new WWE Performance Center, with the lighting and colors all different. This is understood to be a result of McMahon’s insistence on moving away from the dark theme. It’s also being reported that there will be talent changes too, with the company now poised to hire younger talent and fewer indie wrestlers.
Per Alvarez, people have been speculating for years with claims McMahon had influence on the show but that was never the case, as it will be moving forward.
In regards to possible changes for the NXT roster, Meltzer noted that there is a chopping block involving names that have been in NXT for a long time. It was reported last month that NXT would focus more on younger and taller wrestlers with a focus more on developmental.
In an update, @Wrestlevotes reports that their sources say the day-to-day operation of NXT won’t be changing drastically, and that it’s still very much in the hands of Triple H, Shawn Michaels, William Regal, Matt Bloom and others.
It was also noted that the look of the weekly NXT TV produce will have a “Vince & Co.” stamp on it.
The news of McMahon and Prichard producing the weekly NXT show led to “#RIPNXT” trending worldwide on Twitter over the last 24 hours.
Adam Scherr (fka WWE’s Braun Strowman) has been announced for his first post-WWE booking.
Scherr, who became a free agent from his WWE contract on Tuesday, has been announced to face EC3 on the “Free The Narrative II: The Monster In Us All” event.
EC3’s “Free The Narative II: The Monster In Us All” will be released on Friday, October 1 at midnight. It can be pre-ordered now via Vimeo for $10. You can see the trailer for Scherr vs. EC3 below.
FTN2 is the sequel to the original FTN event, which featured EC3 vs. Matt Cardona. That event is now available at a reduced price of $4.99 via Vimeo.
EC3’s official announcement for FTN2 noted that many more wrestlers will be announced for the event. The original FTN event included Moose, John Skyler, Bill Carr, Matt Sydal, and others.
EC3 describes FTN as “a series that tells original and personal stories with some of professional wrestling’s biggest names, and those yet known. ‘Free The Narrative’ is completely independent of any wrestling promotion. Set to an original score, FTN blends professional wrestling, cinema, and harsh reality in what will become the true definition of ‘creative freedom’ for an industry that desperately needs it, and any performer that truly seeks it. To #ControlYourNarrative is to ‘Tell Your Story.’ In ‘Free The Narrative’ those stories are told.”
Scherr has posted several tweets today to hype the FTN2 announcement, his first teasers as a free agent. He continues to use the “My Life My Rules” catchphrase.
“It’s time to live you own life without worrying about the expectations of others!!!! #MLMR #MyLifeRules #Rise,” he wrote. Scherr added in a tweet with the FTN2 poster, “Take control of your own life!!! Live how you wanna live. #MLMR #MyLifeMyRules @therealec3”
Scherr, who was released from WWE on June 2, has been rumored to sign with Impact Wrestling and AEW, with Impact Executive Vice President Scott D’Amore actually teasing him for Bound For Glory in October. He recently teased that he will be using “Titan” as his post-WWE ring name, but for now the former WWE Universal Champion is just going by his real name.
Scherr was previously announced for Qatar Pro Wrestling’s SuperSlam 3 show on February 26, 2022 at the Lausail Sports Arena in Doha, Qatar. He will travel to Qatar this month to sign the contract with QPW Chairman Ali Al-Marafi. Other names announced for the QPW event include EC3, Jon Moxley, Brian Cage, Sammy Guevcara, Will Ospreay, and IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Below are related posts, along with the official poster and trailer, plus the announcement issued today by EC3:
It’s time to live you own life without worrying about the expectations of others!!!! #MLMR#MyLifeRules#Rise 12:00!!!!!
From the propaganda desk of the essential character (ec3)
Are you born a monster? Or is it something you become?
After his shocking dismissal from the corporate wrestling realm, join Adam Scherr on a journey of self-discovery in his return to the ring when Scherr battles ec3 in “Free The Narrative II: The Monster In Us All.”
Available 10/01/21
(PRE ORDER NOW)
Is Scherr’s fight against ec3 and his #ControlYourNarrative mantra?
To take back #Control.
Fight for your #Freedom.
And find your #Purpose.
Or is Scherr’s fight against himself?
What will happen when this “monster” knocks on this “man’s” door?
Adam Scherr’s fight truly begins on 10/01/21.
“Free The Narrative II” will feature many more “names” and is the sequel to “Free The Narrative” ft. Matt Cardona vs ec3.
FTN is available on FITE TV and the link below for the reduced price of $4.99
Free The Narrative is a series that tells original and personal stories with some of professional wrestling’s biggest names, and those yet known.
“Free The Narrative” is completely independent of any wrestling promotion. Set to an original score, FTN blends professional wrestling, cinema, and harsh reality in what will become the true definition of “creative freedom” for an industry that desperately needs it, and any performer that truly seeks it.
To #ControlYourNarrative is to “Tell Your Story.”
In “Free The Narrative” those stories are told.
For more intel and to sign up for FTN’s email list visit
“It’s exciting, man,” Ciampa said. “Change sometimes is for the best, and I don’t know, everyone’s been kind of keeping a tight lid on it, so I really just don’t know what to expect,” he added. The NXT stalwart then provided some details regarding when fans can expect to see the changes take effect. “I think the first live show is gonna be the 14th, I believe, if I’m not incorrect, with whatever this new look and image is,” he revealed.
Ciampa confessed that while he and his colleagues are excited, they’re not necessarily expecting the changes to be too drastic at first because the roster will be the same.
“The overall feeling seems to just be excitement, you know, it’s new, it’s different, it’s fresh. And at the same time, it’s the same. Because NXT is NXT, man, and it’s the same roster, same group of guys and girls in the back, they’re just gonna go out there and give their best,” he said. “It’s the same people behind the scenes, so it’s like, I don’t know. It’s hard to say right now, if it’s just a new paint job or what it is, but it’s exciting at the very least.”
The somewhat unique episode of Raw, one that didn’t feature most of the advertised matches, was rumored to be a result of Vince McMahon flipping out.
According to PWInsider.com, the reason Monday Night Raw seemed like a bit of an odd show was because it was writter, re-written and the re-written again. A three-hour program that featured a lot of talents fans haven’t seen in a while, but also wins by unexpected talents and what appeared to be a shoot fight during the Nia Jax and Charlotte match was just the start of a show that felt different from many of the Raw’s that preceded it.
Mike Johnson of PWInsider writes, “Yesterday was one of the ‘longest’ days in a long time for the WWE Creative team, according to several sources who reached out to PWInsider.com today.” They add that McMahon was extremely unhappy with the original plans for the show, “ripped up the script” several times and even tossed out the initial rewrite. They note that in that rewrite, some of the ideas were actually pretty good but Vince ditched most of them, before finally writing the show himself. They add, “Until 6 PM EST, there was no official direction or plan for the episode” and added, “One source who went through the process described it as “the loudest and angriest” they’d ever seen McMahon on a show day.”
Reports like this should be taken with a bit of skepticsim. At the same time, it was clear Monday’s Raw was unique. It’s fair to assume there were last-minute changes and that either stars weren’t available or Vince just decided to scrap everything the company had promoted the week prior, including two advertised matches.
While the idea that Vince has all these writers and doesn’t listen to any of them is troubling, but also that the talent likely had little idea what was expected of them prior to going out and performing isn’t wonderful news. That said, the show was rather interesting and at times, quite entertaining.
Sure, some of that might have been akin to watching a car crash live, but good portions of the show were well done.
Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will be a taped show, filmed last week from the Capitol Wrestling Center at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.
Ruby Soho has arrived in New York City, according to her latest teaser vignette.
The former Ruby Riott began releasing her own vignettes on Twitter a few weeks back. The first vignette had Soho apparently traveling from Orlando to Penn Station in New York City. The second video had Soho stealing a car and going for a joyride while listening to a few songs. She had some sort of breakdown when her former Riott Squad WWE theme song started playing.
In an update, Soho released a new vignette last night that shows her arriving in The Big Apple. She gets caught by police while tagging “[heart] Less” on a wall with spray paint, and then walks by a man who is tagging “The Riot Is Over” on another wall. There may or may not be an intentional Omega symbol above the last line.
The vignette then shows Soho showing her old “Heidi Lovelace” ID to get into a bar, only to then reveal a new “Ruby Soho” ID card that gets her admitted. She has a few adult beverages and is shown walking around the city some more before the vignette ends. It was revealed by fans on Twitter that she bar is actually in Jersey City, not New York City. The name of the establishment is The Pet Shop Bar & Restaurant.
It looks like the former Ruby Riott will now be known as “The Runaway” Ruby Soho.
The vignette also features a “Destination: ——-” graphic, which is leading to speculation on where she might be headed. Some fans are speculating that the 7 blank spaces could stand for Chicago, which is near where AEW’s All Out pay-per-view and TV tapings are being held this week.
Rancid’s “Ruby Soho” single plays during this latest vignette. Lars Frederiksen, singer for the band, had Ruby on his Wrestling Perspective podcast back in June and agreed to help secure the rights to the song for her new post-WWE entrance theme. The “Ruby” name was originally inspired by Rancid’s “Ruby Soho” single from their 1995 “…And Out Come The Wolves” album, and she noted that she holds that name very dear to her heart.
There is still no word on where Soho will end up. It was reported earlier this month that there were plans for Ruby to eventually debut for AEW, but it was also said that multiple companies were interested in working with her, and that some were being told that she was not taking any bookings. There was speculation at one point that these new vignettes were leading up to her big debut at the Grand Slam edition of AEW Dynamite in New York City on September 22.
Ruby was released from her WWE contract back on June 2, along with other budget cuts. She becomes a free agent today as her 90-day non-compete clause with WWE is expiring.
WWE has unveiled its most recent batch of Performance Center recruits — including Rikishi’s son Joseph Fatu!
WWE has officially revealed its six most recent developmental recruits, and it’s certainly an interesting bunch of prospects!
Here’s who’s been signed, and what you need to know about them
Joseph Fatu is the son of WWE Hall Of Fame Rikishi, his brothers are current WWE Superstars Jimmy and Jey Uso
Ben Buchanan is a former amateur wrestler whose father Bull Buchanon is a former WWE Tag Team Champion
Bobby Steveson is a former University Of Minnesota wrestler whose brother Gable just won an Olympic gold medal
Brady Booker is a 21-year-old former college linebacker
Joshua Dawkins is a 23-year-old hopeful who was trained by WWE Hall Of Famer D-Von Dudley
Jessica Woynilko is a 21-year-old gymnast/bodybuilder/CrossFit queen who was trained by the legendary Greg Gagne
This is the first batch of recruits to be signed since it was revealed that WWE was changing its recruitment strategy by hiring younger, physically imposing hopefuls and fewer experienced independent wrestlers.
As we previously reported, WWE’s president Nick Khan recently confirmed that revamp of WWE’s developmental system was imminent.
“We’re doing a complete revamp on NXT, led by Triple H, who is really one of the architects of the original NXT,” Khan said during a recent interview with BT Sport’s Ariel Helwani. “In terms of an NXT rebrand, look for it. In the next couple of weeks, it’s going to have a whole new look, a whole new feel, and we believe because a lot of the ‘Indie wrestlers,’ if you will, have come through our system and are in our system with SmackDown and Raw, we don’t want to just keep doing that same thing,” he continued. “We want to look elsewhere for great young talent.”
Most of the new recruits have very little — if any — experience on the independent scene, and they’re all impressive physical specimens, which lends credence to recent reports that the company is no longer interested in shorter talent. By signing youngsters with little-to-no experience, WWE will be able to claim full credit for the end results.
Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the Paycom Center (recently re-named from the Chesapeake Energy Arena) in Oklahoma City, OK with more build for the upcoming Extreme Rules pay-per-view.
Miz vs. Morrison was announced last Monday night after Miz snapped and turned on his former partner, but the match is no longer listed on the official preview for tonight’s show.
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