WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network from the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.
Ever since the Wyatt Sicks debuted on “WWE Raw” with only five members, there’s been speculation about a potential sixth. Some expected brief Wyatt Family member Braun Strowman to enter the fold; others believed the sixth member to be the spirit of the late Bray Wyatt himself. In June, mere days after the Wyatt Sicks’ mind-bending debut, Wrestling Inc. speculated that the sixth member was actually former multi-time women’s champion Alexa Bliss, and it that’s the case, we might be one step closer to seeing her return.
On Friday, Bliss took to her X account (formerly known as Twitter) where she posted a simple GIF of singer Taylor Swift lifting her eyes to the camera, accompanied by the words “Are you ready for it?” While Bliss herself added nothing to the GIF, the post was almost universally taken as a sign of her impending return to WWE.
Bliss hasn’t performed on television since January 2023, when she went on maternity leave shortly after losing a title match to Bianca Belair at the Royal Rumble. She’s been heavily associated with Bray Wyatt since first being drawn into his storylines in 2020, was at one point planned to be in a Wyatt-led stable, and was last seen in WWE storylines being stalked and re-corrupted by Uncle Howdy, the alter-ego of Bo Dallas, who currently leads the Wyatt Sicks.
Interestingly, the shot in the GIF is taken from the music video for Swift’s 2017 song “…Ready For It?” The video has a distinct science fiction flavor, while the song lyrics include lines like “Knew he was a killer first time that I saw him/Wondered how many girls he had loved and left haunted/But if he’s a ghost, then I can be a phantom,” as well as the repeated phrase “let the games begin.”
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX and emanate from the Capital One Center in Washington, DC.
Former WWE and UFC star Ronda Rousey has posted a lengthy statement, apologizing for spreading misinformation regarding the Sandy Hook tragedy.
In 2013, Rousey posted a video that propagated conspiracy theories of the Sandy Hook massacre, that she later deleted. Rousey has now apologized for her comments, calling it the “single most regrettable decision” of her life. She added that she deserved to be “hated” for pushing the conspiracy theories and that she deserved to be canceled.
“I apologize that this came 11 years too late, but to those affected by the Sandy Hook massacre, from the bottom of my heart and the depth of my soul I am so sort for the hurt I caused. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you’ve endured and words cannot describe how thoroughly remorseful and ashamed I am of myself for contributing to it. I’ve regretted it every day of my life since and will continue to do so until the day I die,” said Rousey.
In her post, she also pleaded with those who peddle such conspiracy theories to refrain from doing so, stating that it only hurts others, and advised them to not go down that road. Rousey wasn’t the only pro wrestler who propagated such theories as another former WWE star Brian Kendrick also alleged that the Sandy Hook tragedy was a hoax. Rousey’s controversial theories were also used during her feud with Natalya, when the WWE star mentioned it on Twitter/X.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
After taking a few weeks off in July, Fallon Henley reemerged with some new friends at NXT Great American Bash, teaming with Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx to defeat Karmen Petrovic, Lola Vice, and Sol Ruca. This week, the group finally gave themselves a name, Fatal Influence, setting their sights on “NXT” newcomers who the trio felt were taking spots from wrestlers, such as themselves, with pedigree.
The re-introduction led to Henley and Jayne setting up a match for next week’s “NXT” against Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend, one that was taped immediately following last night’s episode and one that didn’t go the best for Henley. Fightful Select reports that during the match, Henley suffered an injury when she sustained what has been described as a “possible broken nose.” It’s unclear when in the match Henley suffered the injury, though it was noted she continued on and finished the match.
Whether Henley will have to miss any time remains a mystery, as the severity of her facial injury remains unknown. Should it be serious, it would be Henley’s first instance of being on the shelf since joining WWE in 2021, as she has consistently worked at least one match per month, and has avoided any serious injury. Henley had shown similar durability before joining WWE, with her only hiatus from wrestling occurring during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Aside from the Fatal Influnece’s introduction last night, “NXT” also made clear the future direction for NXT Champion Ethan Page. The former AEW star will be defending the championship against TNA’s highly popular Joe Hendry at the upcoming No Mercy PLE on September 1.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE will present a new episode of NXT TV tonight on the USA Network at 8:00 PM EST.
For those who tuned in this past Saturday night on TrillerTV, either by paying full price or accidentally catching the show for free on the pre-show stream that never ended, AAA’s TripleMania XXXII: Mexico City was an event that won’t soon be forgotten. Among the other reasons for that was the three-way match for the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship, where non-cruiserweight and former WWE star Matt Riddle defeated former champion, AEW’s Komander, and TNA’s Laredo Kid to win the gold.
As for why Riddle walked way Cruiserweight Champion, one person has a theory on that. On Sunday’s “Daily Update,” Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer discussed Riddle’s victory at TripleMania, and indicated that Riddle was crowned Cruiserweight Champion due to AAA looking to get the belt off Komander, because to his AEW commitments. Meltzer also noted the oddness of Riddle, a heavyweight, winning a title out of his division.
The reasoning given for Riddle winning the title does seem to contradict some of what happened on screen, however, including the fact that Laredo Kid was in the match with Komander and Riddle, and could’ve won the title instead of Riddle. Perhaps most glaring though is that TripleMania XXXII: Mexico City ended with an AEW talent walking away with AAA gold, as Satnam Singh won the AAA World Tag Team Championships with partner Raj Dhesi.
Singh’s win would suggest that, despite past issues, AAA has no problem putting titles on AEW talent for the time being, and instead calls into question Komander’s future with AAA going forward. As for Riddle, he is expected to enter a program with El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., who defeated Riddle in AAA this past June. Riddle challenged Hijo del Wagner after his win Saturday, requesting the match have “no rules.”
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE Raw airs live tonight on USA Network from the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
CM Punk will have a “can’t miss message” for Drew McIntyre
Bobby Lashley’s time with WWE has come to an end, as he and former associate MVP have officially been moved to WWE’s “Alumni Section” on its website. This means that his last WWE match didn’t even happen on TV. Lashley was last seen in the ring at a WWE Live event in France on May 5, where he managed to pick up a win over Santos Escobar, despite suffering an injury during the bout.
On the “Laboratory” podcast, Lashley opened up about what he’s been doing since his last match, revealing that he had to go under the knife following the injury. “I had surgery. So a little boo boo happened in France during the match, just a freak accident. After that, I had my surgery, they told me I wasn’t suppose to be back for like six months. Six weeks, I had the brace off, I’m working out, my physical therapist is like ‘you’re not supposed to be able to do that,’ and I said ‘I’m different. I’m different bro.’ Like I’m working out, I’m lifting, and I don’t even think I’m two months out of surgery now, and I’m hitting it pretty hard. So I think I’ll be ready clear in less than a month.”
Regardless of where Lashley wrestles his next match, his comments about working out extra hard correlate to the reports that he will continue wrestling even after leaving WWE. Rumors have already surfaced about a potential Hurt Business reunion in AEW, but at the time of writing, Lashley’s future has still not yet been confirmed.
Source: Wrestling Inc. credit to “Laboratory” podcast
WWE has announced a new live event in Orlando for December 28, the same day as AEW Worlds End 2024. Tony Khan’s promotion will be running its final pay-per-view event of the year from the Addition Financial Arena on December 28, meanwhile, WWE has announced a “WWE Live Holiday Tour” show on the same date just 15 miles away at the Kia Center.
This isn’t the first nor most significant instance of WWE and AEW booking shows on the same date as one another, with “AEW Dynamite: Title Tuesday” running head-to-head with “WWE NXT” on October 8. And fans will remember that “NXT” used to go head-to-head with “Dynamite” on Wednesdays every week from October 2019 until April 2021, in what came to be known as the “Wednesday Night War” in reference to WWE’s former rivalry with WCW. But it is a rare instance for the promotions to run the same city and date. Later this month, both companies will be running major events from Europe. AEW will present the second iteration of what’s seemingly becoming its WrestleMania, All In, from Wembley Stadium in London, England on August 25. Then, on August 31 WWE will present Bash In Berlin from the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, its first Premium Live Event in the country.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
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