Last night on RAW during “A Moment Of Bliss” – Alexa Bliss unveiled the long-awaited Women’s Tag Team Championship belts.
Alexa also announced that the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions will be decided next month at the Elimination Chamber with a match inside the Chamber. There will be 3 teams from RAW and 3 Teams from SmackDown Live.
Finn Balor facing WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at The Royal Rumble in under two weeks has reportedly been the plan for awhile now, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.
As noted, Braun Strowman was removed from his scheduled title match against Lesnar at The Rumble on Monday’s RAW after an angle with Vince McMahon. The segment saw Strowman searching for Baron Corbin, who was hiding in a limousine. Not realizing it was McMahon’s limo, Strowman pulled a door off of the vehicle. Vince appeared and fined Strowman $100,000. McMahon proceeded to remove him from the Lesnar match after Strowman argued with him. Strowman then dumped the limo over onto its side.
McMahon had been planning on Lesnar vs. Strowman at the Rumble since Crown Jewel, where Lesnar defeated Strowman in a five minute squash match after Strowman took a belt shot from Baron Corbin before the match started. However, after that event, McMahon saw that Strowman was cooling off and he didn’t want to beat him again. Strowman also got injured, which hurt him and the build to the Lesnar rematch. The plan was for Lesnar to go over Strowman at The Rumble. Instead of going with a bad finish, McMahon decided to change the match and get a new opponent for Lesnar.
According the Meltzer, WWE continued to advertise Lesnar vs. Strowman to move tickets, because this year’s Rumble is taking place at a baseball stadium. It’s similar to WWE advertising Alexa Bliss vs. Trish Stratus for last October’s Evolution pay-per-view, when that was never actually the plan. The match ended up being changed to Trish Stratus & Lita vs. Mickie James & Alicia Fox, although Bliss was scheduled to be in Fox’s spot, but had to withdraw due to a legitimate injury.
There weren’t a lot of choices to work with Lesnar, so McMahon went with Balor. Lesnar’s matches with talent like AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan have drawn praise, and Lesnar reportedly likes working with opponents like that. Balor, the first-ever Universal Champion, was actually scheduled to face Lesnar at last year’s Royal Rumble, however that plan was nixed due to McMahon feeling that Balor was not over enough. Meltzer noted that Lesnar wants to work with Balor, and wanted to do the match with him at last year’s event.
As for Strowman, he has not been cleared yet and it’s not known if he will be cleared by the Rumble.
Balor has been wanting to face Lesnar for awhile, and has often named Lesnar and The Undertaker as his two dream opponents. During an interview with Metro Sport in October of 2017, Balor discussed why he felt a match between himself and Lesnar would be the most interesting for fans.
“For me as a fan growing up I loved David vs Goliath style matches,” Balor said. “Right now, there’s a lot of interesting matches that could happen in WWE right now, but for me personally I think that Finn Balor vs. Brock Lesnar is the most interesting match from a fan’s perspective that can happen right now. It’s something that has never happened before, with completely different styles inside and out of the ring. This could be a really big spectacle.”
Source: WrestlingINC
Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee as the road to Royal Rumble continues.
* Rivalries converge in Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat Match – (C) Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins vs. Bobby Lashley
* The Boss and The Rowdy One face common enemies – Sasha Banks & Ronda Rousey vs. Nia Jax & Tamina
* Is Braun Strowman truly ready for Brock Lesnar?
* The Revival “conspiracy” continues
* Royal Rumble Matches take shape
WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently weighed in on the formation of All Elite Wrestling on The Jim Ross Report. Specifically, Ross speculated that a TV deal is more or less in place for AEW come Fall 2019. Ross suggested that AEW will most likely be most comparable to New Japan Pro-Wrestling in terms of roster size and an athletic presentation. Also, Ross talked about the advice he imparted on AEW President Tony Khan.
According to Ross, the AEW rally most likely would not have happened if a television deal was not basically done already.
“I don’t think you go on and do a big presentation like those folks, the Khans, AEW, did on Tuesday if you’re not pretty damn set on your television outlet. So I think the television outlet is more set than people probably know and maybe they’re not ready to know or need to know right now.” Ross added, “maybe there’s an I not dotted, or T crossed or whatever, but getting on a basic cable channel to me is imperative.”
In Ross’s learned view, a TV deal is essential for AEW’s success. ‘Good Ol’ J.R.’ went on to say that he thinks AEW will be on a major network come Fall 2019.
“The issue is television is king. That’s your heartbeat. That’s your heartbeat and I’m of the belief, maybe I’m wrong, that a television deal is, I guess the politically correct term is ‘imminent’. I think a TV deal is basically done. Why would you do all of this celebration and this thing on Tuesday and all that without having more? You’ve got your [ducks in a row]. You’re showing us that you have your ducks in order or getting there on talent. And so I’m believing they’re not going in half-cocked here. Why would you have this major announcement, this huge event, or huge company, all that’s going to happen, if you didn’t have TV pretty much locked up? So I’m sure the paperwork, the ink’s not dry, and all those good things. Could be possibilities or they’re still negotiating some finer points, whatever, but I believe, come this Fall, that AEW is going to have a very prominent television partner that’s going to give this team the opportunity to be successful.” Ross noted, “I do think that the TV’s more in place than they are ready to announce right now and I understand that too.”
Also during the podcast, Ross stated that NJPW is probably the closest thing to what AEW will be as a promotion with an emphasis on athleticism and a real sports presentation.
“New Japan does a real nice job of having a small roster in number that remains special,” Ross said. “They do a real nice job of keeping their guys separate, keeping some exclusivity to the rivalries. That is [an] athletically oriented presentation. If there is anything I would suggest and I don’t know because I have not discussed it with anybody. Probably New Japan is going to be the closest analogy to what I perceive AEW might be, and I stress ‘might be’ because I don’t know. You can do more things, develop more talent, and do it in a reality based manner that people don’t roll their eyes every 30 seconds because they’re watching that damn wrasslin’ again. There’s credibility to it and at least the presentation bell-to-bell is going to feel like you’re watching kind of a perverse legitimate sporting event.”
Additionally, Ross shared that he met up with Khan for drinks and told the young billionaire that pro wrestling promotions require talent and a television deal to be successful.
“Alex [Marvez] and I have been friends for years, since the WCW days. And he introduced me to Tony and we had a [pro] wrestling fan chat and had a few drinks. But I said, ‘if somebody was ever going to do a pro wrestling company, the foundation is not a mystery. It’s all about television and talent.” Ross explained, “you can’t have one without the other.”
Check out this edition of ‘Slobberknocker Audio’ here https://www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/the-jim-ross-report/ or via the audio player below at the link below.
https://omny.fm/shows/the-ross-report/aew-breakdown-with-pro-wrestling-sheet-s-ryan-sati/embed
Source: WrestlingINC with credit to The Jim Ross Report
It’s official! Former Impact Wrestling star Trevor Lee has announced he signed a WWE contract.
Lee announced the news Friday night in North Carolina following the main event of a CWF Mid-Atlantic show while addressing rumors about his future.
“This week I was no longer a free agent,” Trevor explained. “Because I signed a contract to the WWE.”
As you may recall, Lee parted with Impact Wrestling in November after a 4-year run with the company. It was heavily rumored that he left to pursue a job with WWE.
The new signee told the CWF Mid-Atlantic audience that he’d stay with the company until losing their top title, and would next defend the belt in a six-pack scramble on February 2.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
The full show can be FOUND HERE.
Watch Trevor’s announcement below.
NXT UK Tag Team Championship (Vacant): Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) vs. James Drake & Zack Gibson – Winners and first-ever NXT UK Tag Team Champions: James Drake & Zack Gibson
Travis Banks vs. Jordan Devlin –
Devlin comes out, Banks tries to attack Devlin with a suicide dive through the ropes, but Devlin retaliates and attacks Banks’ knee even more, stomping away at it on the steel steps. Johnny Saint comes out and explains how there is no way for Banks to compete, therefore, Saint has back-up plan… another opponent for Jordan Devlin to face. Finn Balor’s music plays!
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1084173700562223105
Jordan Devlin vs. Finn Balor – Winner: Finn Balor
No DQ Match: Eddie Dennis vs. Bomber Dave Mastiff – Winner: Bomber Dave Mastiff
NXT UK Women’s Championship: (C) Rhea Ripley vs. Toni Storm – Winner and new NXT UK Women’s Champion: Toni Storm
WWE UK Championship: (C) Pete Dunne vs. Joe Coffey –Winner: Pete Dunne
After the match as Dunne celebrated in the ring, Walter came out. Walter entered the ring and as he starred down Dunne, Coffey came back in the ring and Walter hit him with a big boot knocking him out of the ring. Fans chanted Walter, Walter, Walter as he and Dunne starred each other down as they got face-to-face, the Walter left the ring and Dunne continued to celebrate.
Historic first-ever NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool, this Saturday at 2 p.m ET/ 11 a.m. PT on the award-winning WWE Network, with a special NXT UK: Blackpool Pre-Show airing at 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT.
WWE UK Championship: (C) Pete Dunne vs. Joe Coffey
NXT UK Women’s Championship: (C) Rhea Ripley vs. Toni Storm
NXT UK Tag Team Championship (Vacant): Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) vs. James Drake & Zack Gibson
No DQ Match: Eddie Dennis vs. Dave Mastiff
Travis Banks vs. Jordan Devlin
WWE has had plans to do Lars Sullivan vs. John Cena at WrestleMania 35, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. However, that match may not happen due to a situation that came up this week.
Sullivan was scheduled to make his main roster debut at the January 7 RAW from Orlando, likely a dark match. Sullivan either didn’t show up to the arena or did show up, and left the building, apparently due to an anxiety attack.
WWE officials talked with Sullivan and smoothed things over, and everything was fine. Sullivan was then supposed to work a dark match the next night at SmackDown in Jacksonville but he didn’t show up, and apparently flew back home to Colorado. No other details on his status and the match with Cena are known at this time.
Lars had been scheduled for a “monster push” on WWE’s main roster. You could assume that Lars would have won his first big match, against Cena at WrestleMania, but a source noted to The Observer that the win could be premature. While the match was on the books for WrestleMania, officials had not discussed the finish.
It’s believed that the Cena vs. Sullivan feud would have kicked off at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view later this month. We should know more on if the match will happen then.
Source: WrestlingINC
Cody Rhodes, The Young Bucks and Hangman Page turned down WWE offers in order to be a part of the new All Elite Wrestling promotion, headed by Jacksonville Jaguars co-owner Tony Khan.
Triple H reportedly had worked hard and offered unique deals in hopes of signing all four, according to Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. According to Meltzer, Page’s deal was to work NXT for main roster money. Page was to have been pushed as one the top stars on the brand.
WWE also had a unique three-year deal for the Bucks, which would have been for the same amount of money as A.J. Styles. The WWE deal included having their Being The Elite show airing weekly on the WWE Network. It also had a unique six-month window that would have allowed them out of their contracts if they weren’t happy.
It was noted that The Elite had roughly 12 hours of discussions with Triple H, and they praised him for how things were handled. Apparently Triple H also saw the humor in the Being the Elite episode where the Bucks superkicked Kazarian, who was dressed like Triple H, repeatedly as their way of publicly turning down the WWE offer.
As noted, Kenny Omega’s contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling expires at the end of the this month and he is expected to sign with AEW after February 1st, when he is a free agent. It was reported in The Observer that the word is that Omega has already turned down WWE’s offer.
Source: WrestlingINC
The new WWE UK Performance Center was officially launched today in London by Triple H, Charlotte Flair, Finn Balor, WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, WWE NXT UK Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, WWE PC Head Coach Matt Bloom, Coach Robbie Brookside, NXT UK General Manager Johnny Saint and many others.
The 17,000 square feet facility features two training rings, world-class equipment and more. This is the first of what will be many WWE Performance Centers outside of the United States.
Below is the full WWE announcement along with video from the press conference and photos from the launch:
WWE ushers in the opening of the state-of-the-art UK Performance Center WWE announced the opening of the groundbreaking UK Performance Center, its first world-class training facility outside of the United States and a significant step in WWE’s efforts to localize its content around the world, at a press conference today in London.
With 17,000 square feet, two training rings, world-class strength and conditioning equipment, and versatile content creation infrastructure, the UK Performance Center will enable WWE to train athletes utilizing a comprehensive program, including in-ring training, physical preparedness and character development.
The facility is the first of what will be many Performance Centers outside of the United States, WWE EVP of Talent, Live Events & Creative Paul “Triple H” Levesque said.
“It’s about going the world over and finding the greatest athletes and the greatest performers in any market we can,” he said. “It’s an incredible undertaking, looking for the greatest athletes from around the world, bringing them to places like this that will be set up around the world to train that next generation of Superstars.”
Superstars Charlotte Flair, Finn Bálor and WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne all spoke of the overall importance of the facility and the resources it will offer to athletes who train there.
“Embrace every opportunity with everything you have, because I promise you there is everything in this facility to become a WWE Superstar,” Flair imparted to the NXT UK roster members in attendance.
“This Performance Center creates a clear path in the United Kingdom to becoming a WWE Superstar,” Bálor advised. “To the young hopefuls that are going to be knocking on the door … take full advantage of this incredible facility and I’m sure I’ll be seeing you guys in a WWE ring very soon.”
“Every time we step in this ring, we are proud to represent this brand,” Dunne said. “With this amazing facility, we have a chance to train together and develop together, and that only increases the feeling of being part of a winning team.”
More than 30 of the best European talent signed to the NXT UK brand will train at the UK Performance Center and can be seen weekly on the NXT UK program that streams every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. GMT on the award-winning WWE Network.
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1083670673258700801
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1083673818395299843
https://twitter.com/NXTUK/status/1083674111900090368
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1083675931057811457
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1083676489080541184
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1083678106198659072
https://twitter.com/WWEUK/status/1083676733616939008
https://twitter.com/NXTUK/status/1083681847706554368
