WWE NXT Preview 9/12/2023

Tonight’s WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network: 

  • NXT Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Becky Lynch
  • NXT Championship number one contender’s match: Wes Lee vs. Ilja Dragunov
  • Global Heritage Invitational: Tyler Bate vs. Axiom
  • Global Heritage Invitational: Akira Tozawa vs. Nathan Frazer
  • Creed Brothers vs. Edris Enofe and Malik Blade
  • Dana Brooke vs. Lyra Valkyria
  • Charlie Dempsey, Drew Gulak & Damon Kemp vs. Brooks Jensen, Josh Briggs & Myles Borne

Two Companies Believed To Be In Best Contention For WWE SmackDown Media Rights

WWE is in discussions with various networks regarding the upcoming media rights agreements for Raw and SmackDown, which will expire in 2024 with USA Network and FOX.

The company has ended its exclusive negotiations period with USA and FOX, allowing to remain in talks with them and also talk with other networks.

During Monday’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Amazon and Disney are the two primary contenders in bidding for the television rights to SmackDown, as FOX is not interested in bidding to pay WWE $300 million per year for the show.

WWE is seeking a substantial increase in price for both Raw and NXT, with the expectation that these two shows will continue to air on the USA Network.

Source: eWn

WWE-UFC Merger Officially Closes, Endeavor Announces Launch Of TKO Group Holdings

The WWE-UFC merger has officially closed, with Endeavor today announcing the creation of TKO Group Holdings. The new premium sports and entertainment company has now begun trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the “TKO” ticker symbol.

In the official press release, Endeavor and TKO CEO Ari Emanuel described the creation of TKO Group Holdings as an “exciting new chapter for UFC and WWE as leaders in global sports and entertainment,” while TKO’s Executive Chairman Vince McMahon said that “WWE is optimally positioned for future growth and success as part of TKO.” As per the previously agreed terms, Endeavor will hold 51 percent of the controlling interest in TKO, and existing WWE shareholders will hold 49 percent.

Moving forward, Dana White will become Chief Executive Officer of UFC, with Lawrence Epstein retaining his roles as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of UFC. On the WWE side, Nick Khan will switch positions from WWE CEO to President of WWE.

McMahon, who retired amid several sexual misconduct allegations last summer, returned to WWE in January as Executive Chairman to seek a potential sale of the Stamford, Connecticut-based organization. Following weeks of speculation about possible buyers, it was announced on April 3 that WWE and UFC would be merging under the Endeavor umbrella to form a new sports and entertainment company.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Matt Riddle Accuses A Police Officer Of Sexually assaulting Him At The Airport On Saturday

WWE has taken the decision to remove Matt Riddle from his scheduled appearances following allegations of sexual harassment made against a police officer at JFK airport in New York City on Sunday.

The accusations were initially made on Instagram, but the post has since been deleted.

According to law enforcement sources, Port Authority officers were alerted to a disorderly person who was disembarking from a plane, later identified as Riddle. Witnesses report that Riddle appeared apologetic during his interaction with the police, and no police report was filed.

Per the report, law enforcement sources told TMZ how Riddle got into contact with the officers. The report states, “Port Authority officers got a call for a disorderly person,” which happened to be Riddle, whom they met in the terminal after he had left the plane. They spoke with Riddle and other witnesses. There was no police report filed and Riddle was able to go without any trouble. Riddle was even said to be “apologetic” for the disorderly situation.

The sources also reportedly told TMZ that “the Port Authority was shocked” by Riddle’s now-deleted claim on Instagram, but the department will still be “taking his claim seriously.” They have started an internal probe.

Matt Riddle was not in attendance at this week’s RAW TV tapings. Additionally, he’s been pulled from all of WWE’s upcoming live events this weekend.

According to a report from Pwinsider, the word making the rounds backstage at RAW is that Riddle was pulled from the shows due to a “medical illness.”

Sources: eWn and Wrestling Inc.

Nia Jax Returns To WWE Last Night On RAW

Nia Jax is back with WWE after making her return to programming during last night’s episode of Monday Night RAW.

This week’s edition of RAW saw WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley put her title on the line against Raquel Rodriguez, who was pulled off of the ring apron by the returning Jax.

This allowed Ripley to get the win, but the Women’s World Champion was attacked by Jax after the match, with the Irresistible Force standing over Ripley to end the show.

Jax was released from WWE in 2021 and made a one-off appearance for WWE during this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble match.

Fightful Select is reporting that Jax signed with WWE over a month ago after the company’s hiring freeze concluded in the summer.

Jax is WWE’s first main roster signing since Vince McMahon’s return to the company earlier in January.

Endeavor’s acquisition of WWE is unrelated to Nia’s return, and several people in the company expected to see her sooner.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1701430957935387108

Velvet Sky Announces Departure From The NWA

Velvet Sky has announced her departure from the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). She broke the news on Friday in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Going forward, I will no longer be a part of the NWA,” she wrote before thanking Billy Corgan, each person she worked with, and commentators Joe Galli and Tim Storm, whom she said she “learned so much from.” She wished the best for the promotion as she signed off, though she seemingly left the door open to a return, adding, “See you all down the road.”

Velvet Sky had been working with NWA as a color commentator, starting in March 2021, following her retirement from in-ring competition in 2017. She had also worked with Ring of Honor — pre-Tony Khan acquisition — as a non-wrestler in “The Allure” stable between 2019 and late 2020. She received a warm farewell in reaction to her announcement; Joe Galli described her as the “heart and soul” of the commentary team, saying that she is loved dearly and will be missed. Former Women’s World Champion Kamille, Natalia Markova, and Lady Frost all shared their support for Sky. 

Sky is set to appear on Impact Wrestling’s 1000th episode, which was taped on Saturday to air on Thursday, September 14. Sky will be at ringside as her former teammate, Angelina Love, takes part in a 10-woman tag match. Love will team with Deonna Purrazzo, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans, and a mystery partner against Trinity, Jordynne Grace, Awesome Kong, Gail Kim, and a mystery partner. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE RAW Preview 9/11/2023

WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network from the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

  • Celebration for Gunther, who is now the longest-reigning WWE International Champion
  • WWE Women’s World Championship Match: Rhea Ripley defends against Raquel Rodriguez
  • Cody Rhodes

Saraya Pushes For AEW Women’s Trios Or Tag Team Titles

Saraya captured the AEW Women’s Championship at AEW All In during a fatal 4-way match in front of her family.

Saraya spoke with Women’s Wrestling Talk for a new interview, where she discussed AEW possibly adding new titles to the women’s division.

“I would love for there to be a female trios championship or a regular tag team championship for women because we do have two (women’s titles), and that’s awesome, but there are so many women on our roster, and so many women that are in tag teams. Why don’t we make a tag team championship? Who knows. Tony always has great ideas up his sleeve,” she said.

Source: eWn

Gail Kim Reassures Fans She’s Doing Okay After Impact 1000 Match

Gail Kim came out of retirement to participate in a match during the Impact 1000 TV taping on Saturday.

This marked her first wrestling match since the Rebellion 2019 pay-per-view, where she faced off against Tessa Blanchard. Kim joined forces with Trinity, Jordynne Grace, Gail Kim, Awesome Kong, and an undisclosed partner to take on Angelina Love, Deonna Purrazzo, Savannah Evans, Gisele Shaw, and another unknown partner.

During the match, Kim suffered a nasty fall after being pulled off the apron and landing on the ringside floor. Concern was raised about her well-being among fans. However, Kim reassured her followers on Twitter that although she was shaken, she is ok.

https://twitter.com/PUNxALXXX/status/1701052559601942937
https://twitter.com/gailkimITSME/status/1701231094614429780

AEW Collision Preview 9/9/2023

AEW Collision live on TNT from the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

  • AEW International Championship: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Action Andretti
  • Grand Slam Eliminator Tournament Semifinal: Roderick Strong vs. Darby Allin
  • Grand Slam Eliminator Tournament Semifinal: Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Samoa Joe
  • Bullet Club Gold vs. Gravity, Metalik, Aerostar & Dios Del Inframundo
  • TBS Championship Open Challenge: Kris Statlander vs. TBA
  • We’ll hear from Saraya & Ruby Soho
  • We’ll hear from The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass
  • We’ll hear from Bryan Danielson
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1700509900353192122