Shayna Baszler Reportedly Headed To The WWE RAW Roster

Former NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler is headed to the WWE RAW roster, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Baszler is scheduled to be a regular on the RAW brand soon. The move has been planned for a long time, close to a year or so.

There’s no word yet on what WWE has planned for Baszler on the red brand, but she’s been rumored for a WrestleMania 36 match with RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch. It will be interesting to see how Baszler debuts on RAW in the next few weeks to set that match up, if that is the plan.

Baszler coming to RAW also opens the door for a potential storyline with fellow Horsewoman Ronda Rousey. There’s no update on Rousey returning to WWE, but she’s recently expressed interest in working a shorter schedule.

WWE Announces AJ Styles Is Out Of Action Indefinitely

WWE has announced that AJ Styles is currently out of action indefinitely with a shoulder injury.

WWE added that Styles is recovering way ahead of doctor’s projections. It was reported last week, via Wrestling Observer Radio, that the internal hope was that AJ would be back in the ring in 4-6 weeks. There’s no word yet on if that timetable is still an option.

WWE also noted that AJ suffered the injury in the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match earlier this month, but they did not mention how he was injured by a Spear from WWE Hall of Famer Edge. While AJ suffered the injury while taking a Spear from Edge, he addressed the injury on his Mixer channel last week and said Edge “did nothing, absolutely 100% nothing wrong.” You can click here for a recap of AJ’s comments on the injury and his return from Mixer. He noted that he didn’t expect to be out for very long, and that he was feeling a lot better. He also said he bets he will be back before they think he’s ready. Before AJ’s Mixer comments, it had been reported that AJ and WWE officials are optimistic that he will be back in time for WrestleMania 36, but that was before today’s announcement was made.

Below is WWE’s announcement confirming Styles’ injury today:

AJ Styles out indefinitely with a shoulder injuryAJ Styles is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury and is recovering way ahead of doctor’s projections.

The Phenomenal One suffered the injury during the Men’s Royal Rumble Match.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Rhea Ripley Challenges Charlotte Flair To NXT Title Match At WrestleMania

The rumored match between Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair for the NXT title at WrestleMania 36 seems to be happening, as seen last night on WWE RAW.

Charlotte was teased as choosing her WrestleMania opponent throughout the show. While announcing her decision, Flair was interrupted by Rhea Ripley.

Ripley reiterated how Flair has already beaten Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch and SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley, but not her.

Rhea then challenged Flair to a match at WM36. Charlotte did not immediately accept, however, and instead walked to the back.  When she got to the top of the ramp, Flair looked back at Rhea to “Woo!”

It was later announced on the show that Charlotte will appear Wednesday on NXT to answer Ripley’s challenge.

Former NXT Cruiserweight Champion Angel Garza Debuts On RAW (VIDEO)

Angel Garza, who recently lost the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, made his debut on WWE RAW last night alongside Zelina Vega.

The segment began with Humberto Carrillo in the ring as his feud with Andrade was recapped. Commentary noted Andrade would be out indefinitely due to the events of last week on RAW, which was done to cover for his absence due to a suspension.

Zelina Vega then made her entrance accompanied by Garza and explained how he was not only one of the hottest latino prospects in WWE, but also Carrillo’s cousin.

After a back and forth promo, Angel attacked Humberto and it led to Rey Mysterio making the save. Mysterio and Garza then had a match which ended with Garza hitting a Hammerlock DDT on the exposed concrete, causing a DQ finish.

As you’ll recall, Garza lost the NXT Cruiserweight title to Jordan Devlin at Worlds Collide.

Ruby Riott Returns From Injury, Attacks Liv Morgan

After months away from the ring, Ruby Riott is back! Unfortunately for Liv Morgan, the Riott Squad reunion was short-lived.

Last night on WWE RAW after Liv defeated Lana in a singles match. Ruby made her way to the ring afterward and an excited Morgan welcomed her friend into the ring. Before they could embrace, however, Liv’s former tag partner beat her down in the ring.

Ruby last wrestled in May of 2019 at a live event. That same month it was announced she was undergoing surgery to repair both of her shoulders.

The 29-year-old wrestler had reportedly been seen at the WWE Performance Center in recent months in possible preparation for a return to the ring.

WWE RAW Preview 2/3/20

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah as the Road to WrestleMania 36 continues.

WWE has not announced an official preview for tonight.

Will they announce any matches for Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia?

Ho will they follow-up on Randy Orton taking out WWE Hall of Famer Edge last week.

WWE has not announced Edge or any other stars for tonight’s RAW, but advertised on the website is RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, AJ Styles, Rey Mysterio, AOP, Samoa Joe, The Viking Raiders, and RAW Tag Team Champion Buddy Murphy. The arena also has Orton, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley, and RAW Tag Team Champion Seth Rollins advertised for tonight.

Samoa Joe Reportedly Injured On WWE RAW

During WWE RAW on Monday night, Samoa Joe teamed with Kevin Owens to face RAW Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy for the titles.

At one point during the match, Joe hit a dive and grabbed the back of his head. He was then pulled out of the match and taken to the back. Owens ended up finishing the match by himself, however was ultimately pinned by Murphy.

PWInsider reports that the injury was 100% legitimate and WWE medical personnel made the decision to pull him from the bout. After Joe was removed, the rest of the talent were calling the match on the fly.

Joe was evaluated backstage after the match. Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that the belief is that Joe suffered a concussion, although that is not definite yet.

Joe had just returned to action last month after suffering a thumb injury last September.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Andrade Suspended For WWE Wellness Policy Violation

Pro Wrestling Sheet reports that United States Champion Andrade has been suspended by WWE for violating the company’s Wellness Policy.

Andrade – real name Manuel Oropeza – was told of the suspension yesterday morning. It’s unclear what substance he tested positive for at this time.

In an effort to write him off television for the next thirty days, the 30-year-old wrestler was disqualified from his match on Raw tonight due to interference from Zelina Vega. His opponent Humberto Carrillo then took him outside of the ring in a rage and hit the Hammerlock DDT on Andrade on the concrete.

As per usual, WWE is expected to announce the suspension on their corporate website.

As you’ll recall, Robert Roode and Primo Colon were suspended in December for violations of the company’s Wellness Policy. Roode has since returned to television. Primo has remained in Puerto Rico and claims his violation was for refusing to travel to the United States to take a test.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

 

UPDATE:

WWE has confirmed that United States Champion Andrade has been suspended for 30 days due to his first violation of the WWE Wellness Policy.

WWE issued the following today to confirm the suspension:

WWE® SUSPENDS MANUEL OROPEZASTAMFORD, CONN., January 28, 2020 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) has suspended Manuel Oropeza (Andrade) for 30 days effective immediately, for his first violation of the company’s talent wellness policy.

Edge Explains How He Returned From Neck Injury, Then Gets Con-Chair-To’ed (VIDEO)

Edge addressed the elephant in the room Monday during his return to Raw … then his old tag partner Randy Orton showed up to ruin all the fanfare.

“The Rated-R Supertar” began the segment saying he’s been trying to get healthy again since retiring and immediately got to work making it happen nine years ago.

The WWE Hall of Famer revealed he got a second neck surgery and busted his ass to get cleared.

“I got in the best in the shape of my life at 46 years old, so that I could step back in here, so that I could end my career on my terms,” he added. Edge claimed to not know how long he’ll be able to wrestle again, but said he hopes all of the fans join him on this ride.

As we previously reported, Edge is expected to wrestle a few matches a year at big events under the terms of his new WWE contract.

During the speech on Raw, former Rated RKO partner Randy Orton interrupted and came to the ring to talk about their history together. Orton asked Edge if he wanted to team together again, but before he could answer Randy hit him with an RKO.

Orton then hit Edge with a chair and eventually a con-chair-to as the show came to a close.

Watch the end-of-show attack below.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE RAW Preview 1/27/20

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas with fallout from the 2020 Royal Rumble event.

  • Liv Morgan battles Lana with Lashley and Rusev banned from ringside
  • Who will Drew McIntyre and Charlotte Flair challenge at WrestleMania 36 after their Royal Rumble victories