Big Update On Triple H’s Backstage WWE Position

Triple H is back in the WWE in a big way. “The Game” wasn’t lying when he told the WWE Performance Center that he was excited for what’s to come regarding his future, as it was announced by the company today that Paul Levesque will resume his executive position as Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, replacing John Laurinaitis.

“I look forward to returning to my prior position as head of Talent Relations,” Levesque said in WWE’s official announcement. “I’m healthy, fired up, and ready to take charge.” He added on Twitter that he was “Proud and honored to work with the best talent in the world.”

https://twitter.com/TripleH/status/1550485402166988806

Levesque originally took the position as EVP of Talent Relations back in 2011 before being promoted in 2013 and eventually becoming EVP of Global Talent Strategy & Development. He was also the head executive and creative mind behind “NXT,” but was forced to step away after suffering a “cardiac event” in 2021 that was later found to be a genetic heart condition. As a result, he was forced to announce his retirement from in-ring competition by leaving his boots in the ring at WrestleMania. Although his continued role in company remained something of a mystery for the following months, Levesque remained the figurehead for WWE’s “Next In Line” program.

Laurinaitis, meanwhile, was on leave from the position following a Wall Street Journal report alleging that the former Johnny Ace played a role in Vince McMahon’s “hush money” payments. Longtime WWE executive Bruce Prichard temporarily stepped in the role over the course of the last month, and Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics has noted that Laurinaitis is still considered on administrative leaving following the allegations. McMahon himself stepped down as WWE CEO and Chairman while the company’s board investigates the Wall Street Journal allegations, with his daughter, Stephanie McMahon — who is also married to Levesque — taking up those duties in the interim.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

ROH Death Before Dishonor 7/23/2022

DATE: July 23, 2022 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Tsongas Center, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
AVAILABLE ON: Pay-Per-View, FITE TV, Bleacher Report

CARD

ROH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Jonathan Gresham (c)

ROH WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Jay Lethal vs. Samoa Joe (c)

2 OUT OF 3 FALLS – ROH WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
The Briscoes vs. FTR (c)

ROH WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Serena Deeb vs. Mercedes Martinez (c)

ROH PURE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Daniel Garcia vs. Wheeler Yuta (c)

ROH SIX-MAN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Dalton Castle & The Boys vs. The Righteous (Vincent, Bateman & Dutch) (c)

Dragon Lee vs. Rush

“ZERO HOUR” PRE-SHOW
Allysin Kay vs. Willow Nightingale

“ZERO HOUR” PRE-SHOW
Anthony Henry vs. Colt Cabana

“ZERO HOUR” PRE-SHOW
Brian Cage & Gates of Agony (Toa Liona & Kaun) vs. Tony Deppen, Alex Zayne & Blake Christian

“ZERO HOUR” PRE-SHOW
Shinobi Shadow Squad (Cheeseburger & Eli Isom) vs. Trustbusters (Ari Daivari & Slim J)

AEW Rampage “Fyter Fest” Week 2 Preview 7/22/22

AEW taped the 7/22 episode of “AEW Rampage: Fyter Fest Week 2” from the Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia.

The following lineup has been announced for Friday’s show:

* Adam Page & John Silver vs. The Butcher and The Blade

* Christopher Daniels vs. Jay Lethal

* Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter in tag action

* Lee Moriarty vs. Dante Martin

* Max Caster and Austin Gunn compete in a rap battle

We may learn about new matches for Death Before Dishonor during tonight’s “Rampage”. ROH owner Tony Khan stated during his media call on Thursday that not all of the matches for the card have been announced yet.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1549952312226942977
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1549954063885733888

WWE SmackDown Preview 7/22/22

WWE SmackDown, tonight at 8/7 C on FOX.

Chris Jericho Confirms He Broke His Nose During Barbed Wire Everywhere Match

Chris Jericho has confirmed that he suffered a legitimate injury during the Barbed Wire Everywhere match on Dynamite this week.

In a match full of crazy and dangerous spots involving barbed wire, tables, and chairs, it was a seemingly innocent move that might have dealt one of the wrestlers in the match the most painful blow. Chris Jericho has confirmed on social media that he suffered a broken nose during the main event of Wednesday’s Dynamite, Fyter Fest Week Two.

Jericho and Eddie Kingston fought in a match that featured barbed wire wrapped around almost everything close to the ring. But, it was a Codebreaker and a chair that fell awkwardly that got him. Jericho went to deliver the move to Kingston while Kingston was going for a chair shot. As the two were falling to the mat, the chair came down with it and the leg hit Jericho across the bridge of the nose, breaking it. On Thursday night, Jericho said via Twitter, “Just left the doctor’s office. It’s official….that SAVAGE @MadKing1981 broke my nose last night. #barbwireeverywhere @AEW”

https://twitter.com/IAmJericho/status/1550250415756873728

In the tweet, there is a video showing multiple angles of the moment when Jericho was injured. He immediately turns away and when his face is shown again to the camera, it’s clear he busted his nose. He continued on with the match, eventually winning thanks to help from the Jericho Appreciation Society. Ultimately, Kingston put him through a barbed wire stage and Jericho was stretchered out of the arena.

A broken nose wasn’t about to stop Jericho from finishing the match. There were a number of spots to get through and while the match hasn’t been well received by all, it was clear both Kingston and Jericho were willing to put themselves through a lot of pain in order to entertain the fans. Jericho toughed it out for the sake of finishing the bout. This isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last something goes wrong in a match and The Sports Entertainer has to battle through.

It doesn’t appear he’ll miss any time.

Source: TheSportster

IMPACT Preview 7/21/22

A new #1 contender for Josh Alexander’s Impact World Championship will be revealed on tonight’s “Impact on AXS TV”.

The following line-up is announced for tonight’s episode:

  • Impact World Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Alex Shelley vs. Chris Sabin
  • Impact X-Division Championship Match: Deaner vs. Mike Bailey (c)
  • Masha Slamovich vs. Madison Rayne
  • Impact Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace & Mia Yim vs. Chelsea Green & Deonna Purrazzo
  • Honor No More – OGK (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) vs. Bullet Club (Ace Austin & Chris Bey)

AEW Dynamite “Fyter Fest” Week 2 Preview 7/20/22

Week 2 of Fyter Fest kicks off tonight on AEW “Dynamite” from Duluth, GA

The following line-up is announced for tonight:

  • Barbed Wire Everywhere Death Match: Chris Jericho vs. Eddie Kingston
  • Brody King vs. Darby Allin
  • AEW Interim World Champion Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta vs. Best Friends
  • Christian Cage & Luchasaurus vs. Varsity Blonds
  • TBS Champion Jade Cargill, Kiera Hogan & Leila Grey vs. Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale & Athena
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1549725812370288640

WWE Officials Are Unhappy With The SummerSlam 2022 Card [Report]

According to a report, WWE officials “don’t like” the current SummerSlam 2022 card. The show is now just 11 days away.

WWE higher-ups aren’t exactly thrilled with the SummerSlam 2022 match card, according to a report.

A source in WWE informed WrestleVotes that “they really don’t like the SummerSlam card.” Interestingly, it was noted by WrestleVotes that “They” refers to the people who constructed the match card. Whether or not they end up making drastic changes to the event remains to be seen, but with the show just 11 days away, the clock is ticking.

This is certainly an interesting report for a variety of reasons. If WWE officials aren’t pleased with it, then why did they construct it as such? The long-term plans should have been heavily mapped out following WrestleMania 38 weekend, which occurred more than three months ago.

Also, the card looks very strong on paper. Whether fans like it or not, Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar in the main event for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship is going to be a massive draw. The other main event matches will include Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship and Liv Morgan vs. Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.

There are two other highly-anticipated title matches on the card: Bobby Lashley vs. Money in the Bank winner Theory for the United States Championship and The Usos vs. The Street Profits for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships with Jeff Jarrett as the special guest referee.

WWE still has time to make the already stacked card more exciting. Edge and Bayley are both reportedly close to returning, so perhaps we’ll see them at SummerSlam. Drew McIntyre, AJ Styles, Alexa Bliss, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are among the notable talents who haven’t been announced for SummerSlam yet, after all.

Source: TheSportster

Kenny Omega Reportedly Close to In-Ring Return For AEW

Reports are making the rounds that Kenny Omega’s in-ring return might be around the corner for AEW. When is he scheduled to perform?

Good news for fans of AEW, as it appears Kenny Omega might be close to making his return to television and ready to step back into the ring. After missing multiple months nursing an injury, Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer recently reported that an Omega return could be right around the corner.

During a recent post, Meltzer explains that the Young Bucks vs. FTR III match that was scheduled is now being held off because a major angle planned has yet to take place is in the works. That rumored angle involves Omega and Fightful Select is corroborating that report that, in fact, Omega is involved. They’ve added that the tentative plan going around to certain staff members is that Omega and the Young Bucks are slated for a six-man tag program for September’s All Out PPV.

It was not reported who their opponents would be, but that’s not the big story here. That Omega is being booked for a match in September suggests he’ll be back before then, which is great news for the company. Injuries have decimated them and it will be great to have some of their bigger names (Omega among them) return.

It is being reported that the rumored September match has yet to be confirmed, thus things can change.

Kenny Omega hasn’t been on AEW programming since November when he lost his AEW World Championship to Hangman Page. Speculation was that Omega was thinking about pushing up his return to be part of the Forbidden Door show but didn’t want to rush things and risk further injury. It was probably a smart decision as that event is being talked about as one that would become a yearly thing and Omega will be part of future productions.

A healthy Omega in AEW is a better AEW. His return will be a welcome sight for fans.

Source: TheSportster

WWE NXT Preview 7/19/2022

Tonight on WWE NXT 2.0 at 8 pm ET on USA Network:

The 20 participants being promoted for the battle royal are Alba Fyre, Amari Miller, Arianna Grace, Cora Jade, Elektra Lopez, Fallon Henley, Indi Hartwell, Ivy Nile, Katana Chance, Kayden Carter, Kiana James, Lash Legend, Nikkita Lyons, Sarray, Sloane Jacobs, Tatum Paxley, Tiffany Stratton, Valentina Feroz, Wendy Choo, and Yulisa Leon.