NJPW Announces Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships

NJPW Strong continues to grow as the American branch of New Japan Pro Wrestling. These tag titles are the next part of that growth.

NJPW Strong is the American branch of New Japan Pro Wrestling. The brand takes NJPW-style wrestling on tours across the US. The roster mostly features American pro wrestlers, but big names from Japan occasionally make appearances on Strong, as well.

Since August 2020, NJPW has aired weekly episodes that are more akin to American wrestling TV shows. The show as a whole is part of NJPW’s expansion into the US, as is the creation of their LA Dojo and their working relationships with AEW and IMPACT.

As mentioned previously, NJPW Strong began running weekly episodes in August 2020. Once COVID-19 protocols allowed, the company started taking its show on tour. So far, they’ve visited numerous cities up and down the east and west coasts, along with a few cities in Texas.

At the present, the only championship title in the show is the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship, currently held by Fred Rosser. Occasionally, other NJPW titles are defended on Strong, but those are always painted as special appearances. The NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship will then become the second championship of the Strong brand.

An 8-team tournament will kick off on June 19 at NJPW’s show, Ignition. The finals will take place on July 14 in Charlotte, North Carolina. No teams have been announced yet, and with the belts being openweight, the possibilities are truly limitless.

The ever-present Forbidden Door might even play a role; perhaps we’ll see names from IMPACT or AEW come over and take their shot at tag team gold in New Japan. One thing that’s for sure is that this is a period of growth for NJPW in terms of American expansion, and fans in the US are in for a treat with this tournament.

Source: TheSportster

XFL Assigns Coaches to Franchises for 2023 Season

The eight XFL teams have officially been assigned coaches for the 2023 season, per Pro Football Network. 

The eight coaches were chosen in April, but now they know where they will be leading franchises.

Former NFL coach Wade Phillips, who coached the Cowboys and Texans, will be heading back to Texas to coach the Houston team.

The two other Texas teams will be coached by former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops (Dallas) and former Steelers Pro Bowl wide receiver Hines Ward (San Antonio).

The final five coaches are all former players turned coaches. Some have coaching experience heading into their XFL stunts. 

Reggie Barlow, a former wide receiver who coached at Virginia State and his alma mater Alabama State, will coach in Washington, D.C. Hall of Famer cornerback Rod Woodson will coach in Las Vegas. He previously worked as an assistant for the Raiders and as an NFL broadcaster. Former linebacker and longtime NFL assistant coach Jim Haslett will coach the Seattle team.

There are also two former first round picks working as coaches for the XFL: Anthony Becht (Jets in 2000) and Terrell Buckley (Packers in 1992). Becht is headed to St. Louis, while Buckley will coach in Orlando.

XFL owner Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson released a statement after the coaches were initially hired expressing his excitement for the upcoming season.

“This is yet another huge moment for the XFL,” Johnson said. “I have experienced first-hand the positive influence and impact that coaches can have on a player’s life, and with our group of smart, accomplished and motivating head coaches, I expect nothing less. Not only will these coaches be mentors to our players, but they will be a big part of the cities in which we will operate. Stay tuned.”

The league will make its return in February 2023, while a specific date is has not yet been announced.

Source: SI

WWE NXT Preview 6/7/22

Tonight’s episode of WWE NXT 2.0 will feature a historic match and the fallout from “In Your House.”

The following line-up is announced for tonight:

  • NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament Final: Roxanne Perez vs. Tiffany Stratton
  • Alba Fyre vs. Tatum Paxley
  • Josh Briggs vs. Von Wagner

John Cena Returning To WWE Later This Month

John Cena will appear on the June 27 edition of Raw in Laredo, Texas to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his WWE debut.

John Cena will return to WWE for the first time since last August when he appears on the June 27 edition of Raw to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his WWE debut.

Cena’s impending WWE return was announced during this week’s edition of Raw on USA. Shortly afterward, Cena took to social media to confirm the news.

“Been far too long and what a special occasion to be able [to] spend with the [WWE Universe],” Cena tweeted on June 6.

Judgment Day Turn On Edge, Finn Balor Becomes Newest Member

It’s not clear if Finn Balor is the new leader, but he’s certainly now a member of Judgment Day. Oh ya, and Edge has been booted from the group.

With both Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley saying it was time they shed everything that was holding them back, both decided to dump Edge as the leader of their group Judgment Day and both have sided with Finn Balor, who is now officially a part of the group.

At the onset of Monday Night Raw, it was announced that Judgment Day was going to reveal a new member. A countdown clock began and as the segment approached, it seemed like the group was going to add a member and make the faction a group of four. Instead, after Finn Balor was seemingly introduced as the newest member, everyone but Edge was in on the plan to dump him as their leader. They turned on him, sided with Balor, and Judgment Day stayed a group of three, simply swapping one member for another.

Edge said that he was excited to introduce the newest member of Judgment Day as Finn Balor. Balor came to the ring and looked like he was going to join when Priest grabbed the mic and said “We are ready to shed the last bit of limitations holding us back.” He turned to Edge and said, “Which is you.” A shocked Edge then ate a clothesline and Ripley, Priest, and Balor all attacked. Edge tried to fight back with the strength of a positive response from the crowd that was stunned to see what was unfolding, but it was no use. Edge took a Concharito for his troubles and the new version of the faction was here to stay. The former leader of the group was its patriarch no longer.

It wasn’t explained by Balor was able to convince the group to turn on their leader, especially when things were going so well for the group. The trio had just beaten Balor and his tag team partners AJ Styles and Liv Morgan the night before. One thing was for sure, it caught a number of fans off guard.

Source: TheSportster

WWE Raw Preview 6/6/22

The fallout from “Hell in a Cell” will play out on tonight’s episode of WWE “Raw.”

Cody Rhodes will give a further update on his torn pectoral muscle.

Former WWE Divas Champion Maryse is set to return to WWE programming on tonight’s “Raw”. She and The Miz are promoting the Season 3 premiere of their reality TV series “Miz and Mrs”. The show will air on Monday nights at 11 PM ET, and immediately following “Raw”.

Bobby Lashley scored a win at “Hell in a Cell”. He won a handicap match against MVP and Omos when he forced MVP to tap out to the Hurt Lock. Lashley indicated after the match that he has his sights set on the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, currently held by Roman Reigns.

Bianca Belair is still the “Raw” Women’s Champion coming out of Sunday’s event. She pinned Asuka to win the “Triple Threat” title match that also included Becky Lynch.

Cody Rhodes Wrestled Injured At WWE HIAC, Update On Injury And Impending Surgery

Cody Rhodes could be facing a lengthy layoff from the ring following his impressive Hell In A Cell performance due to his recent injury. Fightful Select reports that The American Nightmare is set to undergo surgery this Thursday. Several notable WWE stars have suffered the same injury and missed anywhere from three months (John Cena) to a more realistic five months (Triple H & Elias).

Rumors started swirling about Rhodes’ injury status after he was removed from a WWE live event in Champaign, Illinois on June 4, just one day before the aforementioned Hell In A Cell event. Many fans were then left speculating about what had happened to Rhodes and if he would be able to compete at last night’s premium live event.

Hours ahead of Hell In A Cell, WWE confirmed Rhodes suffered a torn pectoral while training last week but also stated that Rhodes was adamant he would still compete inside the monstrous structure against Seth Rollins. WWE’s update noted that Rhodes had torn his pectoral muscle completely off the bone while preparing for the big match. While that sounded bad, fans did not truly grasp the extent of the injury until just before the match when Rhodes took off his entrance jacket and revealed massive bruising on the right side of his chest.

Rhodes went on to not only compete in a 20+ minute Hell In A Cell match against Rollins but win the match as well. Following the show, Rhodes addressed the fans in attendance letting them know it was his decision to wrestle and that he would give a further update on his injury tonight on “WWE Raw.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Hell In A Cell Results 6/5/2022

RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Bianca Belair (c) defeated Asuka and Becky Lynch

HANDICAP MATCH
Bobby Lashley defeated Omos & MVP

Kevin Owens defeated Ezekiel

The Judgement Day (Edge, Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley) defeated AJ Styles, Finn Balor & Liv Morgan

“NO HOLDS BARRED” MATCH
Happy Corbin defeated Madcap Moss

Corbin is put on a stretcher and wheeled away from ringside.

WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Theory (c) defeated Mustafa Ali

HELL IN A CELL MATCH
Cody Rhodes defeated Seth Rollins

WWE NXT In Your House Results 6/4/2022

Tony D’Angelo, Channing Lorenzo & Troy Donovan defeated Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde)
(*losing faction must join the winners’ faction)

WWE NXT WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin & Jayce Jane) (c) defeated Katana Chance & Kayden Carter

WWE NXT NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Carmelo Hayes defeated Cameron Grimes (c) To become New NXT North American Champion

WWE NXT WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Mandy Rose (c) defeated Wendy Choo

WWE NXT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Creed Brothers (Brutus Creed & Julius Creed) defeated Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) (c) to become NEW NXT Tag Team Champions

WWE NXT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Bron Breakker (c) defeated Joe Gacy

CM Punk Announces Injury, Interim AEW World Champion To Be Crowned

Just five nights after capturing the AEW World Championship at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view in Las Vegas, CM Punk announced that he has an injury that will require surgery.

Punk appeared live on Friday’s “Rampage” to make the announcement.

“When I got here earlier today, I pulled up to the arena and every bone in my body was screaming at me to turn around and go home and go hug my wife and Larry [my dog],” Punk began. “And when I say every bone in my body, I mean even the broken ones. But my brain told me to stay, and my gut told me that everybody here live deserved an explanation – so here I am.

“Since I stepped foot here in All Elite Wrestling, I told you I would give you my all till the wheels fell off. I got good news and bad news. Which one do you want first?”

Punk continued, “The last thing I ever want to feel is that I’m letting any one of you down. The last thing I ever wanted to do was leave you feeling disappointed. So I hope thus far, I haven’t made you feel that way.

“I have loved every single second I’ve been in this ring, every single time I’ve been in this ring in front of all of you has been a gift I never thought I’d be able to experience again.”

Punk revealed he requires surgery to repair an injury.

“So, here’s the bad news – I’m injured and need surgery. A couple of things are broken. The biggest one is my heart because I love nothing more than to perform for all of you, and I wanted to go on one hell of a run. That’s the bad news.

“The good news is, I can still do all that. I told you I was going to go till the wheels fall off, and the wheels are still there, they haven’t fallen off. It’s just that one of them happens to be broken. I’ve come back from worse, I’ve felt better than I feel today, but I’m also here to tell you that I’ve felt a hell of a lot worse.”

Punk then referred to the situation as just “a bump in the road” before putting over AEW’s talented young roster. He added that he didn’t want to hold up the company and will relinquish the title. In conclusion, Punk promised to come back bigger, faster, stronger, and hungrier than ever before. You can see the entire promo segment below.

AEW later announced that an interim AEW World Champion will be crowned. A battle royal will be held on Wednesday’s “Dynamite” with the winner advancing to face the #1 ranked contender Jon Moxley later that same night. The winner of that match will advance to compete for the interim AEW World Championship at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view on June 26.

Although CM Punk didn’t specify the nature of the injury, he had a noticeable limp during an off-camera segment with MJF earlier this week on “Dynamite.” It’s possible that he suffered the injury during a six-man tag team match where Punk & FTR defeated Max Caster & The Gunn Club. He was also not wearing one of his boots during a backstage photo with FTR.

Source: Wrestling Inc.