TNA iMPACT tonight at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for Insiders!
AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS and emanate from the Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, West Virginia.
Strange things were afoot ahead of Monday’s episode of “WWE Raw.” Prior to the show, a fan posted a video to social media of lights flickering, along with a quick musical tease. Later, during the broadcast itself, 2024 Andre the Giant Battle Royale winner Bronson Reed was cutting a promo backstage when the bottom of the screen scrambled in a familiar static pattern. In the lower right corner of the screen, the word “hello” appeared.
Fightful Select has confirmed that these teases are meant to herald the on-screen return of WWE star Bo Dallas, who portrayed the Uncle Howdy character as part of his late brother Bray Wyatt’s storyline after both made their way back to WWE in late 2022. Dallas — who has remained under WWE contract despite Uncle Howdy being removed from WWE programming due to Wyatt’s illness, which ultimately resulted in his tragic death — was recently featured in a WWE-produced Peacock documentary on Wyatt. In the documentary, Dallas talked about needing to create something to make his brother proud, and an Uncle Howdy tease was shown at the end of the film. Following the documentary’s release, Fightful Select reported that a comeback for Dallas was planned, though they aren’t certain whether he will return as Bo Dallas, Uncle Howdy, Taylor Rotunda (his real name), or some other character.
Dallas was first signed to a developmental deal in 2008, working in Florida Championship Wrestling before that promotion transitioned into “WWE NXT.” He enjoyed a lengthy reign as “NXT” Champion in 2013 and 2014, losing the title on the very first premium live event to be broadcast via the WWE Network, but his subsequent main roster run faltered and he was released in 2021, eventually returning alongside Wyatt the following year.
A few hours after the teases on “Raw,” Dallas, as Uncle Howdy, took to Twitter to pour some gasoline into the simmering fire. While Howdy wasn’t a chatterbox in his response, he got people’s attention by posting the emoji of a rabbit, a callback to when Wyatt and Dallas returned to the WWE in the fall of 2020, as part of the viral “White Rabbit” campaign.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Tonight’s WWE NXT live on USA Network from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
WrestleMania 40 ended with a brand new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, as Cody Rhodes finally pulled the rabbit out of the hat, defeating Roman Reigns to claim the title and “finish his story.” But the Universal Title changing hands for the first time in three and a half years isn’t the only thing changing within WWE, as the promotion looks to be in the midst of a new era as they continue to move away from former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, who resigned from the promotion in January following a lawsuit accusing him of sex trafficking and abuse.
Fightful Select reports that WWE distancing themselves from McMahon was the big theme of WrestleMania 40, with the promotion looking to make clear that McMahon was not only gone from WWE, but had no pathway back. This will be welcome news for those looking to enjoy tonight’s post-WrestleMania episode of “Raw,” which those in WWE expect to be a sharp contrast to last year when McMahon significantly changed the show from its original plan.
Overall, the move towards a new era has led to renewed optimism within WWE, as well as many of McMahon’s previous “standards and rules” being abandoned. This includes confirmation that WWE would be moving away from the term “sports entertainment,” though no official edict has been decreed on the matter, and the term “pro wrestling” no longer being seen as a dirty word. The same cannot be said about McMahon, as his name will no longer be uttered on WWE programming, and archived footage of him won’t be used unless absolutely necessary.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
According to a previous report from Fightful, Jacob Fatu has signed WWE after his time with MLW, where he was considered a top star.
Fatu told others that he had signed with the promotion last Wednesday. He ended his time with MLW in February at MLW SuperFight.
During on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Fatu will begin appearing on television soon with a push. However, it remains uncertain whether he will be featured on the main roster or in NXT.
Source: eWn
Like many wrestlers who have hung up their boots, WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley still has that itch that needs to be scratched. The hardcore legend announced earlier this year that he was thinking of having one final deathmatch for his 60th birthday, giving him over a year to get himself into ring shape as Foley won’t turn 60 until June 2025. However, that plan has now been scrapped as Foley took to his YouTube channel to explain that his final match will no longer be taking place, after suffering a concussion.
“As some of you know, I had to miss a couple of appearances because of dizziness and light headedness. After consulting a couple of doctors, and also using my own experience with concussions, the symptoms seem to point to a concussion that I did not even know I received. I hadn’t done too much in the ring, but I had done a little bit. I had noticed that I was lightheaded after one of the workouts but I thought it would go away. So it just seems like the wisest move, and one that’s strongly supported by family, is to call off that final match.”
Foley explained that if he can get concussed without even being aware of it, putting himself through one final deathmatch wouldn’t be the best idea, especially given the things that Foley himself was willing to do in the match. The hardcore legend would have initially liked to have faced someone like Matt Cardona given their on-and-off feud in recent years, or former AEW World Champion Jon Moxley as their planned bout in WWE never took place due to Foley not being medically cleared to compete.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Former WWE Champion Sheamus has hasn’t been seen on WWE TV since August due to a shoulder injury, but that could be changing very soon. A video package for “The Celtic Warrior” aired during Monday’s episode of “WWE Raw,” though a set return date for the star was not immediately confirmed. The video showcased highlights from Sheamus’ previous matches, with the former champion’s voice-over saying he comes “from a long line of Celtic warriors” and that he doesn’t care if a brawl is in an arena, bar room or back in Ireland, “the time for fighting is now.”
Sheamus was last seen on “WWE SmackDown” last summer when he took on Edge, now known as AEW”s Adam Copeland, in his final WWE match. Despite being accompanied by the Brawling Brutes, Butch and Ridge Holland, Sheamus was defeated by Edge after “The Rated R Superstar” hit him with two Spears.
Sheamus is a former King of the Ring. Money in the Bank, and Royal Rumble winner, as well as a three-time WWE Champion and one-time World Heavyweight Champion. He started The Brawling Brutes faction in back in November 2021, but a reunion upon his return is unlikely — Butch has gone back to his original ring name of Pete Dunne and has formed the New Catch Republic tag team with Tyler Bate, while Holland is currently in “WWE NXT” working a storyline that involves his kayfabe retirement. Sheamus has shared cryptic messages on X (formerly Twitter) regarding the status of his contract, which is reportedly set to expire this year, but if this package is any indication, he may have come to terms on a new deal with WWE.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
New Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes may have finished his story with Roman Reigns, but Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson confirmed their story is just beginning after he pinned Rhodes in the main event of Night 1. On the “WWE Raw” after WrestleMania 40, a traditionally rowdy show when it comes to the crowd, The Rock interrupted the new champion to not only give him his flowers, but give him a mysterious object, saying Rhodes wouldn’t even have to open his hand to know what it was.
Rhodes was introduced by Paul “Triple H” Levesque to open the show, and a video package recapping his victory was played. Rhodes began to address the crowd before The Rock’s music hit. The men waited in the ring as the crowd chanted various things at “The Great One.” The Rock told Rhodes that his father in heaven had a “big smile” on his face when Rhodes captured the championship, and asked if he could hold the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. The men traded belts for a moment, as Rock was still carrying the belt given to him by Muhammad Ali’s widow at the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
The Rock then said he “has to go away for a little while,” but when he comes back, whether Rhodes is champion or not, he’s coming for him. He said Rhodes’ story with Reigns may be over, but “our story has just begun.” Rhodes replied that while The Rock is his actual boss since he’s on the TKO board, Rhodes is the champion — and he’s The Rock’s champion. That’s when The Rock gave Rhodes something small that fit in his hand before “riding off into the sunset.” As of this writing it’s unclear when he plans to return.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Last night on WWE RAW after Mania, Michael Cole announced that the WWE Draft would begin on the April 26, 2024 episode of “WWE SmackDown” and conclude on the following episode of “Raw” on April 29, 2024.
Cole also announced that NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov would be participating in the draft, implying a main-roster call-up for “The Czar of NXT.” Dragunov made his RAW debut last night.
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