Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will feature more build for the upcoming WrestleMania Backlash pay-per-view.
Who is left to challenge The Head of the Table?
It’s believed that Sasha Banks will confront SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair on tonight’s show. Last week’s post-WrestleMania 37 episode reportedly was to feature Banks confronting Belair, but that never happened.
Wrestling Inc. is reporting that WWE has fired Senior Director of Talent Relations Mark Carrano.
Former WWE Superstar Mickie James revealed that she received a black garbage bag with her belongings after being released by the company last week.
WWE Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development Paul “Triple H” Levesque issued a statement on Twitter, stating that “person responsible for this inconsiderate action has been fired and is no longer with WWE.”
Maria Kanellis confirmed receiving a trash bag following her departure last year, while Gail Kim stated that the practice had been happening since before she joined the company. Kim had stints with the company from 2002 through 2004, and 2008 until 2011.
WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon apologized to James, stating that she was “embarrassed” that she or anyone else was treated that way.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE is reportedly looking to go on the road for the 2021 SummerSlam pay-per-view.
There has been talk within WWE about possibly running SummerSlam in Phoenix, Arizona, or somewhere in Texas, according to PWInsider.
WWE has not decided on a SummerSlam location just yet, but they are hoping to hold the show outdoors in a stadium setting, with fans in the crowd. Of course the COVID-19 pandemic could force them to stay at the ThunderDome, but that is the hope as of now.ADVERTISING
It was recently reported that the current internal plan is to hold SummerSlam in front of a live crowd, which would make it the first show with fans since WrestleMania 37.
It was reported last year how WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon was determined to have fans at the 2020 SummerSlam event but that obviously did not happen. It will be interesting to see if they can make it happen this year after a successful WrestleMania 37 Weekend with live fans in the crowd.
WWE has not announced a date for SummerSlam 2021 but the big event is usually held in late summer.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Ronda Rousey and husband Travis Browne are expecting their first child together.
Rousey released a new YouTube video this morning and announced that she is four months pregnant. She noted that the “baddest baby on the planet” is due around September 22.
Rousey’s video gives an inside look at the January doctor’s appointment where she found out that they were expecting. She teased that there is “definitely much more to the story” that they will be telling later.
The former RAW Women’s Champion also teased that there will be a gender reveal to come soon, and it was indicated that they already know what the gender is. Rousey thanked everyone for the well wishes and positivity that got them to this point.
Ronda has now removed the video from YouTube.
Rousey’s original WWE contract expired on April 10 but WWE President & Chief Revenue Officer Nick Khan recently stated that she would be “coming back at a certain point in time,” but no specifics were given. Rousey has been away from WWE since working the WrestleMania 35 main event in 2019, with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. She originally took time away from WWE so that she and Browne could expand their family.
Rousey recently appeared on the “Table Talk” podcast with WWE Hall of Famer D-Von Dudley and talked about a possible WWE return. You can click here for those comments.
Rousey and Browne have been together since 2015. They tied the knot on August 28, 2017.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will be headlined by the official debut of Japanese star Sarray.
* Sarray (fka Sareee) makes her debut
* New NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida hosts a Championship Celebration
* Kyle O’Reilly appears live for the first time since defeating Adam Cole in the Unsanctioned Match at Takeover
* LA Knight vs. Dexter Lumis
Former WWE Superstar Kenn Doane (Kenny Dykstra of The Spirit Squad) has officially announced his retirement from pro wrestling.
Doane took to Twitter this morning and noted that smart investments have allowed him to retire in his prime, at the age of 35.
“I’ve decided to retire from in ring wrestling. When I started at 13 I thought I’d retire at 40. But smart investments overtime have allowed me to be done now. I’m in my prime, and that will go towards my family and being a father. Thanks to the fans who stuck by me,” Doane wrote.
Doane originally worked for WWE from 2005-2009, but returned for a brief storyline in 2016. He and Mike Mondo most recently worked for MLW in 2019. He is a one-time WWE Tag Team Champion.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Tonight’s WWE RAW will feature more fallout from WrestleMania 37 and build for the upcoming WrestleMania Backlash pay-per-view.
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will be the special post-WrestleMania 37 edition of the show.
Pat McAfee joins Michael Cole on the WWE SmackDown announce team.
WWE has announced two matches for tonight – Otis vs. Rey Mysterio, plus Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler defending their SmackDown Tag Team Titles against The Street Profits.
WWE has indicated that we will find out what’s next for WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns following his WrestleMania win over Daniel Bryan and WWE Hall of Famer Edge. Reigns’ double pin may be addressed tonight by Adam Pearce and referee Charles Robinson.
WWE is also teasing that we will find out what’s next for new SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair following her WrestleMania 37 win over Sasha Banks. An appearance by new WWE Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews and his new muscle, Commander Azeez, is also likely.
Pat McAfee has joined the WWE SmackDown announce team.
WWE and McAfee just announced that the former NFL star turned podcaster, who recently had a strong run in WWE NXT, will join the SmackDown commentary team beginning tonight with the post-WrestleMania 37 episode.
McAfee and Michael Cole will make up the new SmackDown announce team. This change comes after Corey Graves was sent to RAW this week, to work with Byron Saxton and newcomer Adnan Virk.
“For as long as I can remember WWE has been a company that I have admired, both for its incredible staying power of creating riveting entertainment and for its ability to connect people all over the globe,” McAfee said in a press release. “I’ve been fortunate to try a lot of cool professions but working for WWE was the one I looked forward to most. I am incredibly honored and grateful for the chance to give back to the business that has given me and many others so much and having the opportunity to sit at the same table that legends have graced is truly a dream come true. Now let’s go get it.”
Pat McAfee joins Friday Night SmackDown announce team
WWE today announced that Pat McAfee will debut as the new analyst for Friday Night SmackDown tonight at 8 pm ET live on FOX.
McAfee dropped the news on the WWE Universe with a huge social media announcement on Friday morning.
“For as long as I can remember WWE has been a company that I have admired, both for its incredible staying power of creating riveting entertainment and for its ability to connect people all over the globe,” said McAfee. “I’ve been fortunate to try a lot of cool professions but working for WWE was the one I looked forward to most. I am incredibly honored and grateful for the chance to give back to the business that has given me and many others so much and having the opportunity to sit at the same table that legends have graced is truly a dream come true. Now let’s go get it.”
McAfee will be joined at ringside every week by Michael Cole, VP of WWE’s on air announce talent and voice of Friday Night SmackDown on FOX.
Known for his candid, relatable, and refreshing opinions, McAfee’s insight and sense of humor have built him a large, loyal and active fan base. In addition to being a philanthropist, social media influencer, stand-up comedian and former All-Pro punter for the Indianapolis Colts, McAfee is also the host of the #1 international daily streaming sports show The Pat McAfee Show, which is simulcast both on YouTube and on Sirius XM Channel 82 Mad Dog Sports Radio. Additionally, McAfee is the host of the popular podcast The Pat McAfee Show 2.0 and has performed both inside the ring and behind the microphone on WWE’s NXT.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE released a total of 10 main roster talents on Thursday, exactly one year since their COVID-19 budget cuts on April 15, 2020. The Superstars released on Thursday were Samoa Joe, Mojo Rawley, Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Wesley Blake, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Kalisto and Bo Dallas. All wrestlers are under a standard 90-day non-compete clause with WWE and are not free to sign with other promotions until Wednesday, July 14.
It was just reported by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the rumor going on Thursday said more cuts could be coming today, April 16, with a focus on NXT.
