Category: WWE

WWE Confirms Johnny Gargano Is Out Of Action

It’s now been announced that WWE NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano is out of action.

Austin Theory took to Twitter last night and revealed that Gargano won’t be facing Kushida at Sunday’s NXT “Takeover: Vengeance Day” event. He then challenged Kushida to a match on tonight’s NXT go-home show.

WWE has just confirmed Theory vs. Kushida for tonight’s show. They also noted that Gargano is out of action, but did not provide any further details.

They wrote, “With Gargano out of action, what will this mean for NXT Takeover and the future of the North American Championship?”

There’s no word yet on if a new match will be announced for Takeover. Below is the updated listing for tonight’s show:

WWE NXT Preview 2/10/2021 – Dusty Rhodes Classics Continue

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will be the go-home show for Sunday’s “Takeover: Vengeance Day” event.

WWE RAW Preview 2/8/2021

Tonight’s WWE RAW will feature more build on The Road to WrestleMania 37.

WWE has announced one match for tonight’s RAW and that’s Randy Orton vs. WWE Champion Drew McIntyre in a non-title bout.

WWE is teasing that McIntyre will issue a response to last week’s Brogue Kick by Sheamus on tonight’s show. It’s believed that WWE will announce an upcoming title match between the former best friends.

There will also be a face-off between Charlotte Flair and Lacey Evans on tonight’s show. WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair will be at Lacey’s side.

Will WWE Use Fan Cutouts For WrestleMania 37?

WWE is reportedly open to using the fan cutouts that were used at Raymond James Stadium for the NFL’s Super Bowl LV on Sunday.

It was reported on Sunday that WWE officials had been against the idea of filling empty WrestleMania 37 seats with fan cutouts that the NFL was using. Now WWE officials are reportedly open to using the cutouts for The Grandest Stage of Them All.

It was reported today by @Wrestlevotes that WWE officials “will 100% discuss” the use of the cutouts for WrestleMania 37. A source reportedly said that it’s “beyond dumb to not” discuss the use of the cutouts because Raymond James Stadium “looked wonderful for what it was” last night at the big game.

The NFL reportedly sold the cutouts used at Super Bowl LV for $100 each.

It’s been reported that WWE will have some real fans at Raymond James Stadium for WrestleMania 37, but there obviously will not be 100% capacity. WWE is expected to announce full details on WrestleMania tickets shortly.

WrestleMania 37 is scheduled for Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Dustin Rhodes Asks Fans To Pray For Terry Funk

AEW star Dustin Rhodes took to Twitter to ask fans to pray for WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk.

Rhodes revealed that he talked to the 76-year-old today and that he is in a lot of pain.

He tweeted, “Just got off the phone with Terry Funk. He is in a lot of pain and could use some prayers. One of the greatest #TrueLegends to ever be in the ting. Appreciate y’all”

https://twitter.com/dustinrhodes/status/1358502857851473930

Last Thursday, Funk sent out a video on Twitter asking fans to please stop sending fan mail to his home.

https://twitter.com/TheDirtyFunker/status/1357089707214188548

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/5/2021

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will feature fallout from Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

WWE has not announced any matches for tonight’s show as of this writing.

WWE Hall of Famer Edge is scheduled to make his return to SmackDown tonight. It’s rumored that he will challenge WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns for WrestleMania 37, but that has not been confirmed.

Women’s Royal Rumble winner Bianca Belair will also be on tonight’s show to celebrate her big win from Sunday’s pay-per-view.

Wrestling Legend Butch Reed Passes Away

Wrestling legend Butch Reed has passed away at the age of 66.

Reed’s official Instagram account announced this morning that the former WCW World Tag Team Champion passed away today due to heart complications.

“To everyone who reached out god bless you. Today we lost a great man. Due to heart complications Bruce ‘Butch’ Reed passed away. Butch is in heaven now with the wrestling god’s. I am sure he is already booked for a Heavyweight Championship match. Once again thank you for all the prayers. We will keep this page going in his memory. For funeral arrangements send me a dm for information if you would like to attend. God bless everyone and god bless in heaven ‘Hacksaw Butch Reed’,” they wrote on Reed’s account.

Reed had significant runs with Mid-South Wrestling, WCW/NWA, and WWE, among other promotions. He is most known for his role in the Doom tag team with WWE Hall of Famer Ron Simmons.

Reed’s Instagram account revealed just earlier this week that he had suffered two massive heart attacks in 202.

Below is the full post from Reed’s Instagram account:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CK6sUPCpnKp/?utm_source=ig_embed

Source: Wrestling Inc

Backstage News On Steve Cutler’s WWE Release

There was heat on Steve Cutler after he was sidelined from WWE television after contracting COVID-19 in January. It was noted that the heat was specifically from Vince McMahon, and the belief by some people backstage is that it was the reason for the release.

Cutler was actually in attendance at the WWE Performance Center as he offered to bump for the “big man” class that has been taking place there. It was noted that Cutler was a welcome familiar face at the facility and was well liked.

According to the report, WWE has indicated that the “door was open” for Cutler to return down the line.

Cutler, along with Wesley Blake and Jaxson Ryker, were called up to the SmackDown brand last April. The group was pulled from television last June after a controversial tweet from Ryker praising Donald Trump shortly after the killing of George Floyd. Cutler posted a tweet seemingly distancing himself from Ryker, writing, “Although I am part of a tag team while I wrestle, I am my own person with my own thoughts and beliefs. It pains me to see what’s going on in the world. I fought for the freedom of our country and ALL of the people who live here. It shouldn’t matter your race or however you identify, we are ALL human beings and ALL deserve to be equal. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd”

Cutler and Blake briefly returned to television last December as part of a faction with Baron Corbin, but the group was quickly dropped.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 2/3/2021 – Edge To Appear, Dusty Rhodes Classics To Continue

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will be headlined by WWE Hall of Famer Edge making his first appearance on the brand.

Lars Sullivan Reportedly No-Showed WWE Tapings, Lars On What Led To His Release

Lars Sullivan reportedly no-showed WWE TV tapings before he was released.

On Tuesday, it was revealed by PWInsider that WWE quietly released Sullivan back in January some time. Dave Meltzer noted on the F4Wonline.com message board that at one point WWE Chairman & CEO really wanted to push Lars, but that changed over time. Lars reportedly no-showed WWE TV tapings before he was released.

There’s no word on when Lars actually no-showed, but WWE was working a new storyline with him in late October and November before he disappeared from TV for the last time. His last match came on the October 23 SmackDown show, when he defeated Chad Gable. He defeated Jeff Hardy the week before that, which was his TV return match. WWE began airing vignettes and sitdown interviews with Lars in late October and November, but nothing ever came of it.

Lars spoke with Fightful Select on Tuesday afternoon and confirmed the departure, noting that he was surprised WWE didn’t announce it themselves. Lars chalked the release up to WWE being nice about everything, and he was very complimentary of how the company handled his departure. He added that they released him with “compassion and honesty.”

Sullivan noted that he told WWE he was done with pro wrestling after battling crippling anxiety issues, to the point of struggling to eat during days where they were doing TV tapings. He also had trouble sleeping. Lars lost his father last year, which added to an already-tough year for him. He said he is his own worst enemy, and owned up to multiple issues that prevented him from gaining traction in what he described as his dream job.

Regarding his future, Sullivan also said he’s likely done with pro wrestling. He once again took responsibility for the issues that led to his departure, calling some of his actions “idiocy” and “his own selfish behavior.” Lars was also grateful for the experience with WWE.

One WWE source noted that they saw Lars’ shirtless sitdown interviews with Michael Cole as “sabotage, but if it was a test, he passed it.”

Sullivan said he liked doing the promo segment and saw it as WWE trying to add more depth to his character. He revealed that he was given specific instructions to breath heavy through his nose, and use the verbiage that he did.

Lars reiterated that he was treated well by both the WWE office and others in the locker room, noting that this was not a case of bullying.

Source: Wrestling Inc.