Category: WWE

Ronda Rousey Teases WWE Comeback, Wants Rematch Against Natalya

Ronda Rousey, who was last seen in a WWE ring during the main event of WrestleMania 35, has teased yet another return to the squared circle.

While responding to WWE’s twitter account, which looked back her 2018 match against Natalya, Ronda said she was looking forward to a rematch against her training partner.

“One of my favorite matches – such a huge challenge in so many ways, what a crazy day looking forward to a rematch someday @NatbyNature,” she wrote.

Ronda was recently spotted training with JTG and Ariel Toombs, aka Teal Piper, the daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper. Those images–of her training inside a wrestling ring–reignited speculation regarding her potential comeback to the WWE.

Ronda, who is under contract with WWE until April 2021, has already shot down the possibility of a full-time comeback to wrestling. However, she has kept the door open to a part-time schedule which would see her wrestle only at a few PPV events in a year.

“I’m never going to be a full-time [wrestler] again, which requires me to be on the road for over 200 days a year. It’s just it was I needed to do it in order to learn and get immersed into it and really understand what was going on, but it’s just not the lifestyle for me,” Ronda said earlier this year.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 9/16/20

WWE NXT will return to its normal timeslot on the USA Network tonight, with a loaded line-up topped off by Finn Balor’s return to the show as NXT Champion.

WWE RAW Preview 9/14/20

Tonight’s “In Your Face” edition of WWE RAW on the USA Network will air live from the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida with more build for WWE Clash of Champions.

The Rock’s Daughter Simone Johnson To Undergo Surgery

WWE Performance Center talent Simone Johnson announced she’ll be having knee surgery for a third time today.

“So, tomorrow I’m having knee surgery for the third time,” Johnson wrote. “As not fun as surgery is, I’m looking forward to my knees not popping out anymore. That said, please send me video games suggestions, movie suggestions (preferably scary) or anything else to help pass the time.”

Johnson, the daughter of The Rock, signed with WWE back in February and reported to train at the WWE PC since her signing.

She has yet to debut on NXT, but did make multiple appearances in the crowd at the WWE PC and Full Sail when WWE was not allowing fans in for shows.

https://twitter.com/SimoneGJohnson/status/1305172194960584706

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE SmackDown Preview 9/11/20

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will air from the Amway Center in Orlando with more build for the WWE Clash of Champions pay-per-view on September 27.

WWE Making Another Round Of Employee Cuts Today

There have been rumblings of more WWE cuts being made today, according to PWInsider.

As noted earlier at this link, WWE Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco revealed on Twitter that he has been released from the company after 36 years. He received a phone call last night from WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon, informing him of the release. Brisco, who had worked as a talent scout since 2010, was actually furloughed back in April as a part of the company-wide cuts brought on by COVID-19, but now he is done with the company.

It appears the WWE cutbacks rumored for today are related to office staff who were furloughed back in April, but not brought back to work yet, like Brisco. WWE started bringing back a small number of furloughed employees in the last 6-8 weeks, with a few employees returning every week or so. PWInsider notes that many of the employees being released today were some who had been waiting for word on when they would be returning to work.

The latest round of cuts are said to be from all across the board, with the live events and travel departments hit the hardest. This is due to the reduced need for those departments because of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the WWE schedule.

There has been no talk of any talent releases as of this writing.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Gerald Brisco Announces He’s Been Let Go By WWE

Gerald Brisco has been relieved of his WWE duties after thirty-six years with the company.

Brisco made the announcement via Twitter, writing:

Ok, want to get this out the right way. Last night I received a call from [WWE] Chairman Of The board [Vince McMahon] to let me know after 36 years of dedication to [WWE] I am no longer needed. I’m ok with this. I will still be around to help talent. More info will follow. Thanks.

After retiring from in-ring competition in the 80s, Brisco began working as a behind the scenes employee of the company where he’s remained. The 73-year-old had been working for the company in recent years as a talent scout in the amateur wrestling world.

Gerald was responsible for finding talent like Brock Lesnar, Jason Jordan, Chad Gable and many more.

Brisco had previously been furloughed by the company in April.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Mustafa Ali Removes PW Tees Store, WWE Reportedly Negotiating Third Party Group Deals For Superstars

It’s interesting to note that Mustafa Ali’s Pro Wrestling Tees store is no longer active.

Ali previously had a link to his PW Tees store in his Twitter bio, but now his official WWE Shop page is linked. It looks like the change was made within the last 24 hours, according to an archive of the page.

On a related note, Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE officials have made it clear that talents are encouraged to be on social media and expand their brand, but they cannot monetize their WWE names.

It was also noted that WWE has been trying to negotiate group brand deals with some of these third party platforms, and individual talents using the services have gotten in the way of the negotiations, complicating things. Meltzer noted that Cameo may be one of the platforms WWE is trying to negotiate a group deal with, which would presumably see WWE get a chunk of the revenue in exchange for coordinating and promoting the opportunities between fans and Superstars.

Wrestling Inc. first reported the third party edict issued last week by WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon, which said all talent must stop third party activities within 30 days, has led to a significant amount of criticism from fans, wrestlers and others. The ruling was a reference to WWE stars using their names on platforms such as Cameo and Twitch. It was noted in the edict that repeat violations could lead to fines, suspension or termination.

The edict was reportedly addressed at Monday’s RAW, and talent were told that they can still maintain Twitch and YouTube account, but they have to do so using their real names, not their WWE ring names.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Super Tuesday II Preview 9/8/20

WWE NXT Super Tuesday II will air live tonight on the USA Network from the NXT Arena on the campus of Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL.

* Adam Cole vs. Finn Balor for the vacant NXT Title opens the show

* Killian Dain vs. Roderick Strong

* Bronson Reed vs. Austin Theory

* Mercedes Martinez vs. Rhea Ripley in a Steel Cage Match as the main event

* Wade Barrett returns for commentary

WWE Announces Injury To Ivar From Last Night’s RAW

WWE has confirmed that Ivar of The Viking Raiders suffered an injury during last night’s RAW episode on the USA Network

As noted, Ivar hit a suicide dive on three members of The Hurt Business during the eight-man match that saw MVP, Cedric Alexander, Shelton Benjamin and WWE United States Champion Bobby Lashley defeat Ivar, Erik, Ricochet and Apollo Crews. He immediately threw up the “X” symbol to call for help.

WWE issued a post-RAW announcement and confirmed that Ivar suffered a cervical injury while doing the dive. It was noted that he was taken to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. For what it’s worth, PWInsider reported that word going at RAW was that Ivar likely suffered a stinger on the dive.

Stay tuned for updates on Ivar. For those who missed it, below is the original video of Ivar throwing up the dreaded “X” symbol after the suicide dive, along with WWE’s full announcement on the injury:

 

Injury update on IvarDuring the Eight-Man Tag Team Match on Monday Night Raw, Ivar suffered a cervical injury on a Viking Dive to the floor. As a precaution, Ivar was transported to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

https://twitter.com/Dru227/status/1303148959221919744

Source: Wrestling Inc.