WWE Raw airs live tonight on the USA Network from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Things are very up in the air for WWE right now, with the promotion capping off a “great week” by fielding just as many questions regarding a lawsuit, and accusations of sexual assault, against former chairman Vince McMahon as they did their new Netflix deal. They also found time to hold their Royal Rumble PLE, which saw Cody Rhodes win the Men’s Rumble, and immediately challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40.
Rhodes’ victory led to more questions than answers, however, particularly whether this meant the long-rumored match between The Rock and Roman Reigns was off. As it turns out, it is and it isn’t. On the latest “Wrestling Observer Radio,” Dave Meltzer confirmed that Rhodes vs. Reigns is the planned WrestleMania 40 main event this year, and will take place as a singles match, without any involvement from The Rock.
That being said, The Rock is still expected to come back to WWE, and a match between him and Reigns is in the cards. When and where the match will take place remains to be seen, as conversations between Rock, who was named to WWE/TKO’s board of directors last week, and WWE, regarding the match are said to be ongoing.
The delay in Rock vs. Reigns will give Rhodes a chance to finally “finish the story” and capture the Undisputed WWE Title, something he failed to do against Reigns last year at WrestleMania 39. Reigns meanwhile will look to continue his record-setting reign as champion, which has lasted for over 1,240 days, putting him only 234 days short of passing Hulk Hogan’s 1,470 day reign as WWE Champion in the 1980s.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Before he gears up for the finals of the 2024 Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic at “WWE NXT” Vengeance Day, Bron Breakker received an opportunity to compete in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match, entering the field from the number 20 spot. During his five-minute outing, Breaker eliminated four men, including “The Nigerian Giant” Omos, Jimmy Uso, and Finn Balor, before he was thrown over the top rope by Dominik Mysterio. While he didn’t win the match, Breakker remains thankful for the experience, vowing to also enact some revenge on The Judgment Day faction.
“I feel very grateful right now, I feel this is what an opportunity tonight was for me to make a statement and I thought I did that tonight 100%,” Breakker said during a WWE digital exclusive. “Things didn’t go my way, but I’m not done with the Judgment Day by any means.”
As a two-time “NXT” Champion, Breakker has proven to be a major player in WWE’s developmental territory, but after competing in his first Royal Rumble match, Breakker feels he is now ready to establish himself on WWE’s main roster. “I think tonight I proved that I belong on the main roster,” Breakker said. “This is my home now, and I’m ready for the work. I’m ready to prove to my peers and to the people and to everyone out there who believes in me that this where I belong, this is what I was born to do. And I’m here, I’m ready to go.”
As of now, it remains to be seen if Breakker’s Royal Rumble appearance will produce an official main-roster call-up. Given his statements, though, Breakker seems poised to step up to the challenge if so called on.
Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to WWE
Vince McMahon has resigned from TKO Group after new allegations of sex trafficking, sexual abuse, and more.
Despite McMahon denying all of the allegations from the latest lawsuit, the fact remains that all of the women involved now and then were paid “hush money” payments to stay quiet.
According to a report from Pwinsider, WWE is hoping they can convince former executive Stephanie McMahon to return to the company. Stephanie departed WWE just days after her father weaseled his way back in last year.
In May 2022, Stephanie stepped down as Chief Brand Officer. She wound up returning after Vince was accused of sexual misconduct and he resigned for the first time. During that brief period of time, she operated as co-CEO with Nick Khan. Once her father returned, she decided to leave again in January 2023.
Source: eWn
TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace made an appearance during the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event, entering at #5 during the women’s Royal Rumble match.
According to a report from Fightful Select, WWE had previously reached out to outside companies about working with some of their talent. Just last weekend, WWE reached out to TNA about Grace’s appearance. TNA officials were more than happy to allow Grace to work the event, and she had a physical and some blood work done on Monday. She wound up flying to Florida on Thursday to take part in the rehearsals.
According to several WWE sources, TNA Wrestling and Grace were “easy to deal with” during the process.
Source: eWn
After a sex trafficking lawsuit was filed against Vince McMahon and WWE, Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE TV at the 2024 Royal Rumble had to be canceled.
Lesnar, a former WWE/UFC Heavyweight Champion, was the only one who fit the bill regarding the lawsuit naming a former WWE/UFC Heavyweight Champion.
Instead, Bron Breakker stepped in and took Lesnar’s place in the match, which was eventually won by Cody Rhodes.
Dave Meltzer is reporting that Breakker was not initially scheduled for the men’s Royal Rumble match but executed all the spots that Lesnar was supposed to perform.
Source: eWn
30-WOMAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:
Winner: Bayley
UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP – FATAL 4-WAY
Roman Reigns (c) def. AJ Styles, LA Knight and Randy Orton
UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP:
Logan Paul (c) def. Kevin Owens by DQ
A member of Paul’s friendship group then appears over the barricade, but security gets rid of him. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller then appear and try to talk to security, with Theory slipping Paul his brass knuckles, but KO gets a roll-up. That doesn’t work, but Owens pulls the brass knuckles off Paul and nails a KO punch of his own. He starts pinning the champion, but the official sees he has the weapon and that leads to a disqualification.
30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:
Winner: Cody Rhodes
An emotional Cody Rhodes celebrates his second consecutive Royal Rumble victory. Rhodes points at the WrestleMania 40 sign as pyrotechnics go off. A dejected CM Punk watches on from ringside. Rhodes then turns and points at Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, who is still in the luxury box. Paul Heyman hands Reigns his title, and Reigns holds the title up.
AEW Collision Live tonight on TNT at 8pm ET. Tonight’s show is being held at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City, Louisiana.
According to a new report from Fightful Select, WWE is said to be currently working on an “off the wall surprise” for tonight’s Royal Rumble in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The report further notes that WWE contacted other wrestling promotions about potentially using their talent in the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble Matches on tonight’s show.
Vince McMahon’s role in WWE and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings, has come to an end. During Friday night’s broadcast of “WWE SmackDown,” Sean Ross Sapp reported that WWE President Nick Khan had sent the following memo to some staff:
“I wanted to inform you that Vince McMahon has tendered his resignation from his positions as TKO Executive Chairman and on the TKO Board of Directors. He will no longer have a role with TKO Group Holdings or WWE.”
Shortly after Sapp’s report, McMahon issued a statement to Deadline.
“I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth,” McMahon said, echoing his initial denial. “I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name.”
“However, out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary TKO business and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all of the employees and superstars who helped make WWE into the global leader it is today, I have decided to resign from my executive chairmanship and the TKO board of directors, effective immediately,” he said.
The news comes one day after news broke that former WWE employee Janel Grant had filed civil suit against McMahon and another former employee, John Laurinitis, alleging “physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault and trafficking at WWE.” The allegations, which a TKO spokesperson referred to as “horrific,” resulted in major WWE sponsor Slim Jim putting its deal with the company on pause one day before they were set to sponsor the Royal Rumble.
After McMahon resigned from TKO, Slim Jim agreed to the sponsorship again.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
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