The Rock Responds To The XFL’s $60 Million Loss In The First Season

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is focusing on the long-term amid reports that the XFL lost $60 million in its first season.

The former WWE Champion purchased the league in 2020 from Vince McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment and hosted its first season from February to May this year.

It was reported by Forbes this month that the league lost $60 million in its first season which resulted in some layoffs being made.

Taking to Twitter, Johnson made it clear that he is optimistic about the league’s future.

https://twitter.com/TheRock/status/1668043939264475137

Officials who spoke to Forbes stated that the league has already been costed for the first four years of its existence.

Source: eWn

WWE Reportedly Interested In Partnership With Disney

Disney, Amazon Prime Video, and others are interested in bidding on WWE’s next TV rights deals now that the exclusive WWE TV rights negotiating windows with FOX and NBCUniversal have closed for Raw and SmackDown.  

FOX and NBCU remain in talks with WWE. The report noted that Disney has shown interest in WWE programming for FX, not ESPN. 

After the report came out, WrestleVotes noted that WWE has big interest in a partnership with Disney: 

“Regarding the TV rights negotiations, there is big time interest from WWE in a Disney partnership. Not to say the other parties involved aren’t enticing, but Disney is viewed as a win win if that’s ultimately the decision.”

Source: eWn

WWE Announces Unification Match Of NXT Women’s Tag Titles And Main Roster Women’s Tag Titles

Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey are hungry for gold, and now they’ve got their sights set on Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn. Friday night on “WWE SmackDown,” WWE announced a match to unify the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship and the “NXT” Women’s Tag Team Championship after Baszler and Rousey confronted reigning “NXT” champs Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn.

As Fyre and Dawn were being introduced to the crowd, they were immediately interrupted by the newest WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Baszler questioned their knowledge of “WWE NXT” Women’s Tag Team Championship history and claimed the titles only exist because of her, after which Rousey claimed the division wasn’t big enough for them and demanded a shot at the “NXT” tag team gold, as well. Fyre and Dawn were quick to accept the challenge before throwing the first shots and coming out on top in the ensuing brawl

The match, which was later announced for the June 23 episode of “SmackDown,” seems likely to answer questions many fans have had since the WWE Draft about the status of the “NXT” women’s tag belts with Fyre and Dawn called up to the main roster. After two years of existence and 12 total reigns, it’s possible that Fyre and Dawn will go down as the final “NXT” Women’s Tag Team Champions.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Asuka Receives New WWE Women’s Championship On SmackDown, Charlotte Flair Returns And Challenges Asuka

On Friday’s episode of “WWE SmackDown,” general manager Adam Pearce presented Asuka with a brand new WWE Women’s Championship belt, replacing the “Raw” Women’s Championship she won from Bianca Belair at Night of Champions

Before Pearce could even buckle the belt around Asuka’s waist, she was confronted by a returning Charlotte Flair, who informed Pearce that she had no intention of waiting in line for a title shot and challenged Asuka to a championship match, which was immediately accepted. The appearance marked Flair’s return to WWE programming after a two-month hiatus; she was last seen losing the “SmackDown” Women’s Championship to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 39.

Asuka’s acceptance of Flair’s challenge potentially sets up the fourth televised championship singles match between the two women, with Flair currently holding a 2-1 advantage (there have been 11 total singles match between them, six won by Flair, five by Asuka). It also puts Pearce in a bind, as earlier in the broadcast, he had promised Belair a rematch for the title. While Pearce mentioned in a backstage segment that Asuka vs. Charlotte could occur the night on the June 30 “SmackDown,” the night before Money in the Bank, it’s also possible WWE is ultimately setting up a triple threat involving Belair.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

NBC Cancels Young Rock

NBC has cancelled Young Rock after three seasons.

According to a report from Deadline, the network has dropped the series after the ratings took a dive for its third season. Since the first season of the show, the ratings have been steadily dropping.

The Young Rock series looked at the life of former WWE Superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Steve Austin, The Iron Sheik, Hulk Hogan, and Randy Savage were all portrayed in the show. Becky Lynch also played the role of Cyndi Lauper during the third and final season.

Dwayne Johnson starred in and was the executive producer for the show.

Impact Wrestling Against All Odds 6/9/2023 (Results)

  • IMPACT World Championship: Alex Shelley defeated Steve Maclin (c)
  • Ohio Street Fight: oVe (Sami Callihan, Jake Crist, and Madman Fulton) defeated The Design (Deaner, Kon, and Angels)
  • Trinity and Deonna Purrazzo defeated Gisele Shaw and Savannah Evans
  • 8:4:1 Match: Winner Gets Shot at IMPACT World Championship: Bully Ray, Jonathan Gresham, Heath, and Nick Aldis vs. Mike Bailey, Moose, PCO, and Rich Swann – Bully Ray, Jonathan Gresham, Heath, and Nick Aldis advance to the four-way match with Nick Aldis winning the match and earn an IMPACT World Championship shot at Slammiversary.
  • X-Division Championship: Chris Sabin defeated Trey Miguel
  • Dog Collar Match: Masha Slamovich defeated Killer Kelly
  • IMPACT World Tag Team Championship Match: ABC (Ace Austin and Chris Bey) (c) defeated The Good Hands (Jason Hotch and John Skyler)
  • Frankie Kazarian defeated Eddie Edwards
  • IMPACT Digital Media Championship: Joe Hendry (c) defeated Dirty Dango (pre-show)
  • Kilynn King defeated Neveah (pre-show)

AEW Rampage Preview 6/9/2023

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT at 10/9C.

  • 4-Way No. 1 Contender’s Match for an AEW Women’s Title: Britt Baker vs. Skye Blue vs. Mercedes Martinez vs. Nyla Rose 
  • Lucha Brothers & Bandido vs. Ethan Page, Lee Moriarty & Big Bill
  • Powerhouse Hobbs in action
  • The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn vs. Spanish Announce Project (Serpentico, Luther & Angelico)

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/9/2023

 Tonight’s WWE SmackDown, live on FOX from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

  • Men’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Butch vs. Baron Corbin
  • Men’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Santos Escobar vs. Mustafa Ali
  • Women’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: IYO SKY vs. Shotzi
  • Women’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Bayley vs. Mia Yim (Michin)
  • Jey Uso makes his choice – Jimmy or The Bloodline

Impact Wrestling Against All Odds 6/9/2023 (Card)

Impact Wrestling Against All Odds event that will be held tonight in Columbus, Ohio at Ohio Expo Center.

Sreaming on IMPACT Plus, YouTube for IMPACT Ultimate Insiders and FITE. Tickets are on-sale now at Eventbrite.com.

Card

Against All Odds

  • IMPACT World Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs. Alex Shelley
  • X-Division Championship: Trey Miguel (c) vs. Chris Sabin
  • IMPACT World Tag Team Championship Match: ABC (Ace Austin and Chris Bey) (c) vs. The Good Hands (Jason Hotch and John Skyler)
  • Dog Collar Match: Killer Kelly vs. Masha Slamovich
  • 8:4:1 Match: Winner Gets Shot at IMPACT World Championship: Bully Ray, Jonathan Gresham, Heath, and Nick Aldis vs. Mike Bailey, Moose, PCO, and Rich Swann
  • The Design (Deaner, Kon, and Angels) vs. oVe (Sami Callihan, Jake Crist, and Madman Fulton)
  • Trinity and Deonna Purrazzo vs. Gisele Shaw and Savannah Evans
  • Eddie Edwards vs. Frankie Kazarian

Countdown to Against All Odds

  • IMPACT Digital Media Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs. Dirty Dango
  • KiLynn King vs. Nevaeh

Bryan Danielson’s Reported Influence On Tony Khan & AEW Booking

Bryan Danielson has had a hand in AEW’s creative department as of late, and according to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, he has become more important as of late in regards to that. 

The American Dragon has been described as someone that has added good input into any conversation regarding AEW booking, and he has been having an influence on Tony Khan himself. When the two men are in a room together, Danielson has been pushing Khan to thank harder and improve upon his thinking as he tends to add even more enthusiasm to Khan regarding this area of the business. 

The June 2 episode of “AEW Rampage” was an example of Danielson’s creative abilities as he added to the overall outline of it being a Championship Friday show, and the fact that the episode was well received showcases the impact he has brought.

Source: Wrestling Inc.