Category: WWE

Roderick Strong Leaves NXT. Is He Heading To RAW Or SmackDown?

There’s now speculation on Roderick Strong possibly going to RAW or SmackDown.

Last night’s WWE NXT show featured a segment earlier in the show where Strong and wife Marina Shafir were shown entering the WWE Performance Center. Strong later met NXT General Manager William Regal in his office and handed over an envelope of papers, presumably his notice, and then said he was “done” in NXT.

Regal admitted that Strong gave him trouble at times with The Undisputed Era, but said he is a consummate professional, and is welcome back to NXT at anytime.

WWE later noted that Strong has officially resigned from the NXT brand.

Before tonight, Strong was last seen in the storylines during the “Takeover: Stand and Deliver” build for the Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly feud. He lost to Cameron Grimes on last week’s Takeover go-home show and was scheduled to compete in the Battle Royal to determine the Takeover Gauntlet Eliminator participants, but there was a backstage segment where Strong was shown leaving the venue.

WWE often calls wrestlers to the main roster around this time of the year, but there’s no word yet on if Strong is headed to the blue or red brand. The veteran pro wrestler has been with WWE since October 2016. Shafir signed with WWE in May 2018 but hasn’t had much of an in-ring career.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 4/13/21

A loaded line-up has just been announced for tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network.

WWE RAW Preview 4/12/21

Tonight’s WWE RAW will be the biggest episode of the year, featuring fallout from WrestleMania 37.

RAW will take place from the WWE ThunderDome at Yuengling Center on the University of South Florida campus in Tampa, Florida. This show will mark WWE’s first event under the new residency at the Yuengling Center.

WWE has not announced any matches or segments for tonight’s show but it’s likely that new red brand champions will appear – RAW Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, RAW Tag Team Champions Omos and AJ Styles, and WWE United States Champion Sheamus.

It will be interesting to see if “The Fiend” Randy Orton appears after last night’s loss to Randy Orton, which was apparently caused by Alexa Bliss. It looks like WWE has a new chapter in that storyline to continue. An appearance by WWE Champion Bobby Lashley is also possible to celebrate his Night One win over Drew McIntyre.

The RAW After WrestleMania usually features surprises and call-ups, but there’s no word yet on what WWE has planned for this year.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Officially Announces New Raw Play-By-Play Voice And New Broadcast Team

WWE named Adnan Virk as the new play-by-play voice of Monday Night Raw. “I’m elated to be joining the premier sports-entertainment company in my new role with WWE,” Virk told the WWE website. “As a kid who grew up idolizing WWE Hall of Famers like Bret Hart and Ric Flair, the opportunity to call modern legends like Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, Randy Orton, Charlotte Flair and so many others alongside Corey Graves and Byron Saxton is truly humbling.” Read the official announcement at WWE.com.

The new broadcast team is Virk, Graves, and Saxton

The story lists Tom Phillips as the new voice of WWE 205 Live and special projects for Peacock, so Michael Cole is likely to remain the Smackdown play-by-play voice, though it remains to be seen whether Graves will return to double duty by working both shows.

Samoa Joe, who has been working on the Raw broadcast team, remains listed as part of the WWE talent roster. Maybe Joe is on the verge of returning to the ring.

Source: ProWrestling.Net

WrestleMania 37 (Night Two) Results 4/11/21

Randy Orton defeated “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt with Alexa Bliss

WWE WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (c) defeated Tamina and Natalya

Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn with Logan Paul

After the match, Owens stands tall as his music hits. Paul looks disappointed at ringside. We go to replays. Orton plays to the crowd from the corner now as Sami tries to recover. Paul comes in to check on Sami. Paul approaches Owens and offers his hand for a shake but Sami jumps up and is furious. Sami rants about Paul being his guest of honor. Paul shoves Sami to the mat for boos. Sami limps away from the ring, still ranting. Paul grabs Owens’ arm and raises it in victory. Owens looks annoyed. Paul applauds Owens. Owens looks around and smiles as fans cheer for what’s about to happen. Owens drops Paul with a Stunner for another pop. Owens’ music starts back up as he celebrates with the crowd.

WWE US CHAMPIONSHIP
Sheamus defeated Riddle (c) to win the WWE US Championship

NIGERIAN DRUM MATCH FOR THE WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Apollo Crews defeated Big E (c) to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Apollo Crews got help from Dabba-Kato, who has debuted under his new gimmick. It was reported that his name could be either “Commador Azeez” or “Azez,” but nothing has been confirmed as of yet.

WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Rhea Ripley defeated Asuka (c) to win the RAW Women’s Championship

WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman (c) defeated Edge and Daniel Bryan

WrestleMania 37 (Night One) Results 4/10/21

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Bobby Lashley with MVP (c) defeated Drew McIntyre

MULTI-TEAM NUMBER ONE CONTENDER’S MATCH
Tamina Snuka and Natalya won to earn a tag title shot on Night Two of WrestleMania

Cesaro defeated Seth Rollins

WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP 
AJ Styles and Omos defeated The New Day (c) to win the RAW Tag Team Titles

STEEL CAGE MATCH
Braun Strowman defeated Shane McMahon

Damian Priest and Bad Bunny defeated The Miz and John Morrison

WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Bianca Belair defeated Sasha Banks (c) to win the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship

WrestleMania 37 (Night Two) 4/11/21

DATE: April 11, 2021 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
AVAILABLE ON:Peacock, WWE Network (outside of the U.S.)

CARD

WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman (c) vs. Edge vs. Daniel Bryan

WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Asuka (c) vs. Rhea Ripley

NIGERIAN DRUM MATCH FOR THE WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Big E (c) vs. Apollo Crews

WWE US CHAMPIONSHIP
Riddle (c) vs. Sheamus

WWE WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Night One Winner

Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
Logan Paul will be Sami’s guest.

“The Fiend” Bray Wyatt with Alexa Bliss vs. Randy Orton

WrestleMania 37 (Night One) 4/10/21

DATE: April 10, 2021 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
AVAILABLE ON:Peacock, WWE Network (outside of the U.S.)

CARD

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Bobby Lashley with MVP (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander are banned from ringside.

WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Sasha Banks (c) vs. Bianca Belair

WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The New Day (c) vs. AJ Styles and Omos

STEEL CAGE MATCH
Shane McMahon vs. Braun Strowman

MULTI-TEAM NUMBER ONE CONTENDER’S MATCH
Lana and Naomi vs. Tamina Snuka and Natalya vs. The Riott Squad vs. Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke vs. Carmella and Billie Kay
Winners advance to tag title match on Night Two.

The Miz and Damian Priest vs. Bad Bunny and John Morrison

Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins

WWE SmackDown WrestleMania Special Preview 4/9/21

Tonight’s special WrestleMania edition of WWE SmackDown on FOX will be the final go-home show for WrestleMania 37.

* WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan and WWE Hall of Famer Edge will address fans before their Triple Threat at WrestleMania 37 Night Two

* SmackDown Tag Team Champions Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler defend their titles in a Fatal 4 Way against, The Street Profits, Alpha Academy, Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio

* The 2021 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal with Akira Tozawa, Angel Garza, Cedric Alexander, Drew Gulak, Elias, Erik, Gran Metalik, Humberto Carrillo, Jaxson Ryker, Jey Uso, Kalisto, King Baron Corbin, Lince Dorado, Mace, Murphy, Mustafa Ali, Ricochet, Shelton Benjamin, Shinsuke Nakamura, Slapjack, T-BAR, Tucker

WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand And Deliver (Night Two) Results 4/8/21

PRE-SHOW (#1 Contender’s Match)
Killian Dain and Drake Maverick defeated Breezango

NXT CRUISERWEIGHT UNIFICATION LADDER MATCH
Santos Escobar defeated Jordan Devlin to win the NXT Cruiserweight Championship

NXT WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart (c) defeated Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell

NXT NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Johnny Gargano (c) defeated Bronson Reed

NXT CHAMPIONSHIP
Karrion Kross with Scarlett defeated Finn Balor (c) to become the new NXT Champion

Promo for Franky Monet (believed to be Taya Valkyrie) with her dog running around. She will debut on Tuesday night.

UNSANCTIONED MATCH
Kyle O’Reilly defeated Adam Cole