Category: SmackDown

Details On Vince McMahon’s Lack Of Influence On WWE SmackDown And WrestleMania 39

WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque was reportedly the go-to person with regard to creative operations on this week’s “WWE SmackDown.”

As reported earlier, Vince McMahon was not present at the tapings in Portland, Oregon, and “reviewed creative plans remotely.” While there were minor changes made to the script, there was nothing major, which represents a drastic shift from the backstage environment during Monday’s post-WrestleMania 39 “WWE Raw” in Los Angeles.

In an update from PWInsiderElite, a source at the tapings described whatever changes made to the script as “nothing out of the ordinary” in comparison to changes made since Levesque took over creative last year. Typically, rewrites ordered by McMahon are known to wipe out multiple segments and/or matches, but there was “no sign of that today,” the source added. 

Furthermore, Mike Johnson of PWInsider confirmed that the main event plan for WrestleMania 39 was “always locked in” for Roman Reigns to defeat Cody Rhodes. Contrary to fan speculation, there were “no last-minute changes due to Vince McMahon” or anyone else. Johnson added that “Cody will be pushed going forward as a top-tier talent,” and the finish to his match with Reigns was kept a secret to the “absolute bare minimum of those who needed to know.” 

For fans who missed “SmackDown,” Triple H cut a very uplifting promo on the show, addressing “the future” in his address to the WWE Universe in Portland. While the primary focus of his speech was to announce the upcoming WWE Draft, Triple H seemed to firmly suggest that he was back calling the shots as it pertains to WWE creative operations, asking fans if they were “ready to play the game.”

It now remains to be seen if the script for Monday’s “Raw” is again altered by McMahon, as was reportedly the case earlier this week.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Rey Mysterio Brings Back The LWO With Legado Del Fantasma

The Latino World Order is back, but not in the way fans of the former WCW faction would expect.

During Friday night’s “WWE SmackDown,” Rey Mysterio was shown backstage preparing for his WWE Hall of Fame induction following the show when Legado Del Fantasma appeared to show their respect to the lucha libre legend, as they have continued to for several weeks now. When the group’s leader, Santos Escobar, told Mysterio they have his back against The Judgment Day in preparation for this Saturday’s match between Rey and his son Dominik, Rey handed each member of the group a special shirt, which had the iconic LWO logo. Something involving LWO shirts was rumored to happen prior to the show. As the revived group celebrated the reveal, all its members put on their shirts, including Zelina Vega, Joaquin Wilde, and Cruz Del Toro.

The feud between Rey and his son Dominik reached new levels when Rey’s son confronted his mother and sister ringside during last week’s “SmackDown,” bashing his family members before Rey would ultimately agree to face his son on “The Grandest Stage of Them All.” Prior to Friday night, LDF’s leader Escobar expressed his interest in helping Rey fend off his son Dominik so that in the future, he could face Rey for his lucha libre empire later. 

Eddie Guerrero first formed the Latino World Order faction in 1998, with the group’s major storyline involving Rey Mysterio’s unwillingness to join the group which happened following a loss to WWE Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero. The group also featured Latino wrestling icons such as Juventud Guerrera and Psychosis. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE SmackDown Preview 3/31/2023

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on FOX and emanate from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. Tonight’s SmackDown is the go-home show for this weekend’s huge two-night WrestleMania 39 event.

WWE SmackDown Preview 3/24/2023

WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX and emanate from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

-Cody Rhodes vs. Ludwig Kaiser

-LA Knight vs Rey Mysterio

-The build to WrestleMania 39 continues

WWE SmackDown Preview 3/17/2023

WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX and emanate from the T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri.

  • Intercontinental Championship Number One Contenders Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus. The winner will go on to challenge Gunther for the Title at WrestleMania 39.
  • Sami Zayn to confront Jey Uso after he attacked Zayn last week.

Rey Mysterio Announced As First Inductee Into The 2023 WWE Hall Of Fame

Rey Mysterio was announced as the first inductee into the 2023 WWE Hall of Fame class. The most famous luchador of all time..

The WWE has announced its first inductee into the 2023 Hall of Fame Class and it’s a somewhat surprising name. Rey Mysterio will go into the Hall and while he’s completely deserving, that WWE has chosen to induct an active competitor who is not announcing his retirement or is close to being finished with his in-ring career, is the surprising part of this announcement.

Rumors circulated that the Great Muta might be the first name announced, so when a video package featuring Rey started showing as WWE announced their first entrant into this year’s class, fans were thrilled, but also a bit stunned. By every stretch of the imagination and by any measuring stick, Rey’s career is Hall of Fame worthy. That said, he wasn’t on anyone’s radar for being inducted this year, simply because he’s not finished as an active competitor. There have been names inducted that have come out of retirement, but it’s rare to see WWE put someone in the Hall of Fame who has plenty of gas left in the tank and hasn’t announced his departure from active competition.

Mysterio made his debut in WWE in 2002 and quickly became one of the most popular wrestlers in the company. He won numerous championships, including the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, Intercontinental Championship, and United States Championship. He is also a multiple-time Tag Team Champion, having won the belts with partners such as Eddie Guerrero, Batista, and Edge.

Known for his high-flying wrestling style and his signature moves, including the extremely popular 619 finisher, he is perhaps the most famous Luchador of all time and his elaborate masks have become a trademark of his persona. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest high-flyers in the history of professional wrestling and has been a mentor to many high-flyers who followed.

WWE SmackDown Preview 3/10/2023

WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX, and emanate from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.

  • Fatal Five-Way Intercontinental Championship Qualifying Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus vs. LA Knight vs. Karrion Kross vs. Xavier Woods
  • WWE announced on Thursday that Woods will replace the injured Kofi Kingston in the Fatal-Five Way. The winner will go on to challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 39.
  • The Viking Raiders vs. Braun Strowman & Ricochet

WWE SmackDown Preview 3/3/2023

WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX, and emanate from the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/24/2023

The post-Elimination Chamber episode of WWE SmackDown tonight from the Ford Center in Evansville, IN., airing live on FOX starting 8/7c.

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/17/2023

WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX, and emanate from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Tonight’s show is the go-home show for Saturday’s Elimination Chamber.