WWE will reportedly begin making significant changes to the look and feel of RAW and SmackDown next week.
WWE is set to bring back pyro to their weekly RAW and SmackDown TV shows next week, according to a new report from @Wrestlevotes. It was noted that fireworks will once again be a fixture on WWE programming, which comes after WWE reportedly cut back on expenses a few years ago.
It was reported over the weekend, via @Wrestlevotes, that this week is the final week that WWE will be using the current entrance stage. RAW and SmackDown are set to receive “updated, fresh feeling” sets next week. There will apparently be a new set for RAW and a different set for SmackDown.
The Miz and Maryse welcomed their second child, Madison Jade Mizanin, to the world yesterday.
On Instagram, Maryse posted a photo with the caption, “We’ve got the whole world in our hands!!! Welcome, Madison Jade Mizanin. Born 09/20/2019 8:02 am. 7 lbs 15 ounces”
David Benoit, the son of Chris Benoit, says he’d like to join All Elite Wrestling.
Benoit was interviewed for a recent episode of the Pro and Bro Wrestling Podcast with Fred Rosser.
At one point in the conversation, Benoit touches on his time training to wrestle with Lance Storm. Rosser – aka former WWE star Darren Young – asks if the 26-year-old has been training as of late and he replies, “I’m just messing around in the ring right now with a couple of guys from AEW.”
David did not get into specifics on who he’s been working with, but noted he has a close relationship with Chris Jericho and attended both Double or Nothing and All Out. Benoit also said he’s had gear made for when he eventually debuts somewhere.
“I want to go to AEW one hundred percent,” he told Rosser when asked where he’d like to wrestle. “I love AEW. I love what they do for the boys. Take care of them.”
Additionally, Benoit – who has posted many photos of himself at WWE shows over the years – also claims he’s no longer allowed backstage at their events. He does not explain why. The last time he attended one of their events back in March, however, he was seen wearing an AEW jacket.
Velveteen Dream is reportedly not cleared to compete after losing the North American Championship to Roderick Strong during NXT’s first live episode on USA Network.
WWE shared a video on Thursday of new digital host Matt Camp giving the NXT injury report following the brand’s big two-hour show.
According to the video, Dream was seen “gingerly” walking around Full Sail last night after losing and apparently has lumbar pain in his back after the match. Camp claims Velveteen Dream will not be cleared until further evaluation.
Two additional Superstars were also listed as “not cleared” in the injury report video:
Kona Reeves, due to suffering a strike to the cheek that required five stitches in a dark match
Arturo Ruas, who is awaiting x-ray results on his fingers following his match against Pete Dunne
EVOLVE Champion Austin Theory made his WWE NXT in-ring debut at Thursday’s live event in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Theory lost a solid match to Bronson Reed, and cut a heel promo before the bout.
Former University of Maryland football player and Army veteran Tehuti Miles also made his debut at last night’s NXT live event. He lost a quick match to Cameron Grimes.
WWE announced Theory’s signing last month following his ringside appearance at NXT “Takeover: Toronto 2019” during SummerSlam Weekend. Miles also signed last month.
WWE NXT Superstar Joaquin Wilde is set to undergo surgery for a broken eye socket soon, according to Pro Wrestling Sheet.
Wilde, formerly known as DJZ in Impact Wrestling, reportedly suffered the injury back in July in what was described as a “freak accident” during training.
Doctors held off on the surgery for a few weeks to see if the injury would heal itself, but now they’ve decided that surgery is the best option.
Wilde is expected to miss a few more weeks of action after the surgery.
The former DJZ made his NXT TV debut during the recent NXT Breakout Tournament, losing to Angel Garza in the first round. He then lost a NXT TV match to Shane Thorne in early August.
WWE SmackDown will continue to air live for the Eastern and Central time zones when it moves to FOX Friday nights on October 4, beginning at 8pm ET and 7pm CT, and will continue to air on a tape-delay for the West Coast, beginning at 8pm PT. The Wrap adds that FOX officials believe that this is a “cleaner way” to air the show.
The change in how the show airs will come for the Mountain time zone. SmackDown will begin airing at 7pm MT on October 4, which is 6pm PT or 8pm CT and 9pm ET. In other words, fans in the Mountain time zone will soon have access to SmackDown two full hours before the West Coast does, and just a one-hour tape-delay overall.
Previously, Mountain time viewers received a different feed depending on their cable provider. Some fans would see the show at 6pm MT, local time, and others would see the show at 9pm MT, local time, unless they were a DirecTV subscriber as DirecTV picked up USA Network’s East Coast feed for the whole country. Any West Coast fan watching via DirecTV received the show at 5pm PT. That is about to change as DirecTV customers will no longer be able to watch SmackDown live. SmackDown on Fox will begin at 8pm PT for the West Coast, even for satellite TV subscribers.
For cord-cutting fans, FOX will offer live streaming of SmackDown via FoxSports.com and the FOX Sports App. The website and the app will air SmackDown live across the country, at 8pm ET, 7pm CT, 6pm MT, and 5pm PT. Episodes will also be available on-demand for 30 days on the FOX Sports App.
SmackDown will premiere on FOX live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, October 4. This show will also be the SmackDown 20th Anniversary special. Brock Lesnar vs. WWE Champion Kofi Kingston has been announced as the main event.
Sheamus has been cleared to return to WWE action and is currently waiting for the company to bring him back, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
It was noted that WWE will bring him back to the storylines once they have something for him creatively.
The Celtic Warrior has been out of action since the post-WrestleMania 35 edition of SmackDown after reportedly suffering a concussion. He also has spinal stenosis. Sheamus started making appearances for WWE again back in July, but there’s been no word yet on a ring return. It’s possible he will be used in the upcoming WWE Draft.
Sheamus appeared on The Edge & Christian podcast several weeks ago and claimed that he remains in the dark about his return, but he continues to work out and stay in shape while he waits for that call.
“I don’t really know what the crack is. I’m still waiting,” Sheamus said, while discussing his YouTube show. “I’m just, again, enjoying my time. Like, it’s very hard for me to sit at home all the time, but that’s why the channel has been a saving grace as well. It’s kind of my passion away from the ring and I’ve really enjoyed doing all these workouts and, again, everybody has been so generous, WWE Superstars, men and women, have also been so generous with their time on the channel. But I don’t really know what the story is as of right now. I’m still kind of in the dark about it, but I’m just training away like I’m trying to stay in the best shape I possibly can. A) because the channel is there and I’m working out all the time, but also because it is very important just to stay ready just no matter what happens.”
A WWE fan was arrested at Monday’s RAW after filming a Snapchat video of a police officer and other individuals urinating in the bathroom, according to WKYT in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Tyler Bollinger was accused of recording video inside the bathroom of the Thompson-Boling Arena. An arrest report notes that other individuals were in the video, and that a man and his son flagged an officer down to report what had happened. Police questioned Bollinger and found the video in question. Bollinger admitted to having six adult beverages. Bollinger first denied the accusation but agreed to show police his phone. He later admitted to taking video of the officer and at least one other man while they were urinating.
The officer said he was working the WWE event and had went to use the restroom. He stated that when he left the restroom, he was stopped by a man and his young son, who told him that they saw a man recording people in the bathroom while urinating. The man pointed out Bollinger and that’s when police confronted him.
Bollinger was charged with disseminating unlawful photographs and public intoxication. He was due in court earlier this week.
