Miro And Thunder Rosa Returns On AEW Dynamite

During Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Miro was shown in a hallway backstage. When Renee Paquette approached and tried to get a word in with him, he refused to comment and walked into Tony Khan’s office.

Miro hasn’t been seen since All Out 2022, where he teamed with Sting and Darby Allin in a winning effort against the House of Black.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1656453969118474258

Thunder Rosa made her return to All Elite Wrestling on this week’s episode of Dynamite.

Similar to Miro’s return on the same show, Rosa appeared in a hallway backstage and was seen entering Tony Khan’s office. Rosa has been out of action in recent months due to a back injury.

Despite appearing on the Wednesday night show for the first time in several months, Dave Meltzer of “Wrestling Observer Radio” has reported that her injury is still “really bad.” It’s said that Rosa has been hurting a lot while training. 

It’s currently unknown why Rosa entered Khan’s office last night on “Dynamite.” The last time the 36-year-old stepped into the ring was on “AEW Dark: Elevation” in August 2022, when she successfully teamed up with Toni Storm and Hikaru Shida against Emi Sakura, Nyla Rose; Rosa was the reigning AEW Women’s World Champion at that time. Shortly after, Rosa revealed that she would not be able to perform and defend the AEW Women’s World Championship due to an injury. Around the same time, it was alleged that Rosa had heat with various wrestlers behind the curtain, including Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. and Jamie Hayter. Despite being on the sidelines, Rosa continued to hold onto the AEW Women’s World Championship, but she would be forced to relinquish the gold three months after announcing her setback. 

While speaking on “Busted Open Radio” last month, Rosa revealed that she was still not cleared to return to the ring after having multiple MRI scans and epidurals. It was recently speculated that “La Mera Mera” may have to undergo surgery.

It should be noted that both Miro and Rosa’s returns are said to be tied to the upcoming debut of AEW Collision. The show is expected to be officially announced on next week’s episode of Dynamite.

https://twitter.com/AEWonTV/status/1656457707111473154

Sources: eWrestlingNews and Wrestling Inc.

WWE Personality Pat McAfee Reportedly Likely To Move His Show To ESPN

Pat McAfee may be looking to deepen his relationship with ESPN. McAfee, of course, took a step back from his WWE commentator duties last September to fill an analyst role at ESPN for “College Gameday.” Now, The New York Post reports that McAfee seems likely to strike a deal with ESPN to bring his daily talk show, “The Pat McAfee Show,” to their platform as well.

In December 2021, McAfee signed a four-year deal with FanDuel to sponsor his show for $30 million a year. McAfee had a clause that allowed him to opt out of the contract after three years, but The New York Post recently reported that McAfee had contemplated walking out on his current endorsement deal early. As McAfee seems to close in on an exit from FanDuel, he has begun exploring potential new homes for his show. ESPN has been cited as the “leading candidate,” but as of now, no deal has been finalized.

While McAfee continues discussions with ESPN, network executives are reportedly wanting a guaranteed profit on the deal, as they and their parent company of Disney are in the process of laying off thousands of employees. As McAfee’s search for a professional home continues, his personal home recently welcomed a new addition. Last week, McAfee announced that his wife, Samantha, had given birth to their first child. The couple has been open about their previous troubles with fertility. After enduring surgery, blood tests, and about 150 shots, Samantha finally conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and on May 4, their daughter arrived.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 5/10/2023

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite, live on TBS from the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

  • Steel Cage Match: Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley
  • AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Daniel Garcia
  • AEW Trios Championship: The House of Black (c) vs. Bandido and Best Friends
  • No holds Barred Match: Anna Jay AS vs. Julia Hart
  • Double Jeopardy Match: ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli vs. ROH Tag Team Champion Rey Fenix
  • FTR will respond to Jay Lethal’s challenge
  • We’ll hear from Christian Cage

WWE NXT Preview 5/9/2023, WWE Reveals Brackets For NXT Women’s Title Tournament

WWE NXT on the USA Network this evening at 8/7c from the Capitol Wrestling Center inside the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

  • Eddy Thorpe vs. Damon Kemp
  • Duke Hudson vs. Javier Bernal
  • Ilja Dragunov vs. Dijak
  • Bron Breakker vs. Trick Williams
  • Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen vs. Hank Walker and Tank Ledger
  • Tyler Bate vs. Charlie Dempsey with NXT North American Champion Wes Lee and Drew Gulak in their corners
  • Nathan Frazer hosts his second Hard-Hitting Home Truths segment
  • NXT Tag Team Champions Gallus defend against The Dyad

The WWE NXT Women’s Championship Tournament kicks off tonight.

Ahead of tonight’s NXT on USA show from the Capitol Wrestling Center inside the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL., the company has released the official brackets for the tournament designed to crown a new NXT Women’s Champion, as former champion Indi Hartwell vacated the title last week before moving up to the WWE main roster.

The tourney brackets are as follows:

FIRST ROUND (LEFT BRACKET)
* Gigi Dolin vs. Tiffany Stratton
* Roxanne Perez vs. Jacy Jayne

FIRST ROUND (RIGHT BRACKET)
* Lyra Valkyria vs. Kiana James
* Fallon Henley vs. Cora Jade

Things get started with tonight’s episode of WWE NXT, as the first two quarterfinal matches (Gigi Dolin vs. Tiffany Stratton and Lyra Valkyria vs. Kiana James) will take place.

Next week’s NXT on USA show will feature the other two quarterfinal bouts, with Roxanne Perez vs. Jacy Jane and Fallon Henley vs. Cora Jade.

Things continue with the WWE Battleground go-home show on May 23, with the Dolin or Stratton winner taking on the Perez or Jayne winner, and the Valkyria or James winner taking on the Henley or Jade winner.

Finally, the tourney wraps up with the NXT Women’s Champion being crowned when the finals take place at WWE NXT Battleground on May 28, 2023 at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Source: Rajah.com

IMPACT Wrestling Coming To Australia, Conrad Thompson To Host Live Podcast

IMPACT Wrestling has announced they will be coming to Australia with the Down Under Tour.

The announcement notes that IMPACT will be coming to Wagga Wagga, New South Wales for four days beginning on Thursday, June 29 and then continuing on Friday, June 30 and concluding on Saturday, July 1. Two marquee shows will be held at the Equex Centre.

It was also stated in the announcement that Conrad Thompson will host a live podcast from The IMPACT Down Under Tour.

You can read the full press release announcement from IMPACT Wrestling below:

IMPACT Wrestling Announces 2 Shows This Summer In Australia (Winter, Down Under)

Conrad Thompson Will Host A Live Podcast From The IMPACT Down Under Tour
Major Fan Engagement Activities Scheduled With IMPACT Stars, Championship Matches Confirmed

IMPACT Wrestling presents the 4-day, 2-show IMPACT Down Under Tour, marking the company’s first-ever major events and shows in Australia.

The stars of IMPACT Wrestling will be in the city of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia for four days of activities, starting on Thursday, June 29. The IMPACT Tour is supported by the NSW Government Regional Events Acceleration Fund and the two marquee wrestling shows will be held on Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1 both at the Equex Centre.

IMPACT Wrestling replaced New Japan Pro-Wrestling in Australia due to NJPW scheduling and talent availability issues. The NJPW Oceania Cup has been postponed.

The IMPACT Down Under Tour will feature most of the IMPACT stars, numerous championship matches and special challenge matches against the best Australia-based wrestlers. The shows will be broadcast worldwide on FITE TV and across IMPACT Wrestling international broadcast platforms, digital and social media.

“We are so excited to bring IMPACT Wrestling to the great fans of Australia, with a big thank-you to the NSW Government and the Regional Events Acceleration Fund for helping this tour,” said IMPACT Wrestling president Scott D’Amore. “Australian fans will see the stars of IMPACT Wrestling in-action, in-person and will experience first-hand the excitement, energy and emotion of The IMPACT Zone when we hit the city of Wagga Wagga.”

Wagga Wagga is located midway between the two largest cities in Australia, Sydney and Melbourne.

The IMPACT Down Under Tour will be the company’s first shows outside of North America since a show in the UK in September 2018 that included Rich Swann, Joe Hendry, Sami Callihan and Moose, among others. IMPACT’s last major international tour was in May 2017 in India.

Renowned wrestling podcaster Conrad Thompson will be coming to Australia for the IMPACT Down Under Tour and he will be hosting a live podcast on Sunday, July 2.

“This is my first time in Australia … I am really looking forward to seeing the fans and having an awesome experience in Wagga Wagga,” Thompson said.

Cam Vale, managing director of Australia-based GLO Sports, said his company is proud to facilitate the partnership between IMPACT Wrestling and the NSW Government.

“The way IMPACT Wrestling has been able to come in and support this event on short notice has been phenomenal and a testament to their international ambitions,” Vale said. “The broadcast reach of this event will be significant; it will drive economic activity and showcase the Equex Centre as a multi-sport venue capable of hosting international events.

“I am fortunate to have worked with Destination NSW on many occasions in my career and am excited about the opportunities the IMPACT Down Under Tour will bring to engage local business and community stakeholders, showcasing Wagga Wagga as a great location for signature events like this.”

The IMPACT Down Under Tour will include major fan engagement elements, including wrestler meet & greets, autograph sessions and more.

“IMPACT Wrestling is giving opportunities to Australian wrestlers, referees and ring announcers to be part of this event, an amazing development opportunity for this region,” Vale said.

FITE chief operating officer Michael Weber said, “FITE is thrilled to distribute another great event from our long-time partner, IMPACT Wrestling, which continues to grow its international market with these live shows in Australia, available worldwide exclusively on FITE.”

Tickets for the IMPACT Down Under Tour will go on-sale on Saturday, May 13, at 7 p.m. EST (Sunday May 14, 9am AEST) at www.oceaniaprowrestling.com and via www.intix.com.au.

The $40 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund is part of the $2 billion Regional Growth Fund, designed to support growing regional centres, activate local economies and improve services and community infrastructure for regional communities.

Source: WrestleView

WWE Talent Reportedly Hoping To Make Puerto Rico Permanent Home Of WWE Backlash

Fans in attendance at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot for last Friday’s “WWE SmackDown” and Saturday’s Backlash event certainly made a strong case for WWE to bring more major shows to San Juan, Puerto Rico in the future. According to PWInsider Elite, WWE performers are hoping that the promotion will make San Juan “a permanent home” for Backlash because of the crowd reactions received this past weekend. Wrestlers in the locker room felt the atmosphere was on a similar level to WrestleMania, which in turn made the first premium live event after “The Show of Shows” more significant than it had been in several years. 

Wrestlers and fans took to social media to praise the crowd in San Juan following “SmackDown” and Backlash, including Damage CTRL’s Bayley, who also complimented the Paris, France crowd from a recent house show. She posted, “In just a one week span, #DamageCTRL performed in both Paris and Puerto Rico. Two of the absolute greatest crowds and shows I’ve ever been a part of and I am so proud of that. Thank you @ImKingKota and @Iyo_SkyWWE.”

Backlash was co-headlined by Cody Rhodes battling Brock Lesnar and Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny going up against The Judgment Day’s Damian Priest in a San Juan Street Fight. It was revealed yesterday that the premium live event had broken several records, including becoming the highest-grossing and most-viewed Backlash of all time. The first televised WWE events in San Juan since January 2005 – “SmackDown” and Backlash – drew a combined 34,800 fans. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Becky Lynch Hits WWE Backstage Producer Who Cut Her Off Early With Her Music

One of the great things about, and pitfalls of, live TV is that anything can happen. And that was the case last night for Becky Lynch, who made her triumphant return to “WWE Raw,” only to find herself being interrupted by her own theme music while trying to cut a promo. Fortunately, Lynch dealt with the situation quickly backstage. Posting a video on her Instagram, the former WWE Women’s Champion was seen confronting the culprit who played her music too early. While the problem seemed resolved, an angry Lynch proceeded to nail the sound guy with a forearm, sending him flying back into his seat.

It’s understandable why Lynch was so upset, given that this was her first appearance on “Raw” in nearly a month. “The Man” hasn’t been seen since she was betrayed by Trish Stratus on April 10, following her and Stratus dropping the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship to Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Despite being champions with Lita, Lynch defended the titles with Stratus after Lita was unable to compete due to a backstage attack, which Stratus later confessed to. While Lynch has returned to TV, Lita has not been seen since.

Since the betrayal, Stratus has made several appearances on “Raw” making harsh comments towards Lynch, including last night when she brought up Lynch’s two-year-old daughter. While no match between Stratus and Lynch has been announced, it would appear the two are well on their way to colliding in the ring in the near-distant future.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE RAW Preview 5/8/2023

WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network and emanate from the ystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL.

  • Fallout from Backlash
  • The launch of the new Raw roster, which was established in this year’s 2023 WWE Draft.
  • The World Heavyweight Championship tournament is set to begin. Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, The Miz, Finn Balor, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Damian Priest will be featured in the tournament matches.
  • The social media storyline between Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville is expected to continue.
  • Possibly see more on the feud between Beck Lynch and WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus

Darby Allin Planning To Climb Mount Everest Next Year

While speaking to TMZ, AEW star Darby Allin said he plans to climb Mount Everest next year.

Around 4,000 people have climbed Everest. 

“That’s been my whole MO since AEW started. That’s why it’s so important for me to meet up with guys like [Travis] Pastrana, and make stuff happen. Do stuff that no wrestler’s ever done before. The thing I’m going to be doing next year that no wrestler’s done before is climb Mount Everest. You heard it here first.”

Allin will take on AEW World Champion MJF, Jack Perry, and Sammy Guevara in the Four Pillars four-way bout at AEW Double or Nothing later this month. 

Source: eWrestlingNews

Eddie Kingston To Undergo Surgery This Week – Details

Eddie Kingston appeared at Sunday’s ROH TV tapings in Orlando, FL to provide an update on his injury.

Just last month, it was reported that Kingston has been dealing with a hernia injury and would likely need surgery. Kingston has now confirmed that he’ll be undergoing surgery on Tuesday, and he believes he’ll be able to return to action in around six weeks.

Kingston’s last match came at the ROH Supercard of Honor pay-per-view event on March 31st.

Source: eWrestlingNews