AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodesspoke with IGN about All Elite Wrestling’s upcoming debut on TNT. The show will premiere on Wednesday, October 2 from 8-10 pm ET.
During the interview, Rhodes revealed that a third hour of content could be filmed each week that won’t air on TNT, but rather B/R Live. Since the company plans on rotating talent on and off TNT each week, they want to make sure they are still keeping the wrestlers engaged with their audience.
“It will probably live for people to stream on B/R Live,” Rhodes said. “We have a lot of resources and we want to make sure that people can plug into the wrestlers who we signed who they’re fans of. We’re going to try and keep everybody busy.”
Yesterday, NXT began its run on the USA Network, transforming into a live two-hour, weekly show to go head-to-head with AEW. This week—in select markets—AEW ran commercials during both SmackDown and last night’s NXT.
As noted earlier this week, per the Xfinity TV guide, AEW’s weekly show will be called “All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite.”
Below is the updated line-up for the AEW on TNT premiere from Washington D.C. on October 2:
* Jon Moxley appears live
* Cody Rhodes vs. Sammy Guevara
* The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega vs. AEW World Champion Chris Jericho and two mystery partners
* Nyla Rose vs. Riho to crown the first-ever AEW Women’s World Champion
* MJF vs. Brandon Cutler
Sheamus has been cleared to return to WWE action and is currently waiting for the company to bring him back, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
It was noted that WWE will bring him back to the storylines once they have something for him creatively.
The Celtic Warrior has been out of action since the post-WrestleMania 35 edition of SmackDown after reportedly suffering a concussion. He also has spinal stenosis. Sheamus started making appearances for WWE again back in July, but there’s been no word yet on a ring return. It’s possible he will be used in the upcoming WWE Draft.
Sheamus appeared on The Edge & Christian podcast several weeks ago and claimed that he remains in the dark about his return, but he continues to work out and stay in shape while he waits for that call.
“I don’t really know what the crack is. I’m still waiting,” Sheamus said, while discussing his YouTube show. “I’m just, again, enjoying my time. Like, it’s very hard for me to sit at home all the time, but that’s why the channel has been a saving grace as well. It’s kind of my passion away from the ring and I’ve really enjoyed doing all these workouts and, again, everybody has been so generous, WWE Superstars, men and women, have also been so generous with their time on the channel. But I don’t really know what the story is as of right now. I’m still kind of in the dark about it, but I’m just training away like I’m trying to stay in the best shape I possibly can. A) because the channel is there and I’m working out all the time, but also because it is very important just to stay ready just no matter what happens.”
A WWE fan was arrested at Monday’s RAW after filming a Snapchat video of a police officer and other individuals urinating in the bathroom, according to WKYT in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Tyler Bollinger was accused of recording video inside the bathroom of the Thompson-Boling Arena. An arrest report notes that other individuals were in the video, and that a man and his son flagged an officer down to report what had happened. Police questioned Bollinger and found the video in question. Bollinger admitted to having six adult beverages. Bollinger first denied the accusation but agreed to show police his phone. He later admitted to taking video of the officer and at least one other man while they were urinating.
The officer said he was working the WWE event and had went to use the restroom. He stated that when he left the restroom, he was stopped by a man and his young son, who told him that they saw a man recording people in the bathroom while urinating. The man pointed out Bollinger and that’s when police confronted him.
Bollinger was charged with disseminating unlawful photographs and public intoxication. He was due in court earlier this week.
Twitter was lit up with fans complaining about login issues during NXT’s first live episode on WWE Network and Triple H addressed the issue during a post-show conference call.
For those who were unaffected … many users were unable to log in as the show was beginning. This lasted up to fourty minutes for some until ultimately being resolved near the end of the show.
Paul Levesque spoke with the media Wednesday night and said he heard about the issues from his team. Levesque explained that the issue doesn’t appear to have been as wide-spread as it seemed on social media, but said it’s being looked into for the future.
He also noted that anyone who missed anything can now watch that hour of the show on demand.
“You may have experienced a technical issue with WWE Network earlier this evening. The matter has been resolved, and you can now access the Network and watch tonight’s episode of NXT on demand,” WWE Network wrote in an email to users after the show. “We apologize for any inconvenience.”
FOX has announced two special preview shows to celebrate the arrival of WWE on FOX, and to build to the SmackDown premiere on Friday, October 4.
FOX will air a SmackDown’s Greatest Hits special on Friday, September 27 from 8pm-9pm ET. The special will be hosted by Charlotte Flair and The Miz. FOX will then air WrestleMania’s Legendary Moments on Sunday, September 29. The one-hour show will air at different times around NFL coverage in local markets. That special will be narrated by John Cena.
FOX will also air a thirty-minute Blue Carpet special on Friday, October 4 at 7:30pm ET, which will be the the lead-in to the premiere at 8pm ET. The special will feature Superstars and celebrities arriving to the Staples Center for the big SmackDown 20th Anniversary show that night.
It was also confirmed that SmackDown will air on the FOX Sports App. FOX Sports is also launching new social media accounts – @WWEonFOX on Twitter, @WWEonFOX on Instagram, and WWE on FOX on Facebook.
Below is the full announcement issued by FOX today:
FOX Sports Announces WWE Programming Ahead of FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN DebutSpecial “Blue Carpet” Preview Show to Celebrate Arrival of WWE on FOX
FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN Air Time Details Announced
Los Angeles – Leading up to the network debut of FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN on FOX on Friday, Oct. 4, FOX Sports presents a slate of special programming, pre-event coverage and cross-platform integrations in anticipation of the marquee event.
A pair of hour-long WWE specials lead the charge, beginning with WWE SMACKDOWN’S GREATEST HITS, on Friday, Sept. 27, on FOX (8:00 PM ET/7:00 PM CT/7:00 PM MT/8:00 PM PT). Hosted by WWE Superstars Charlotte Flair and The Miz, the show highlights the most memorable moments from the storied franchise. On Sunday, Sept. 29, John Cena narrates WWE WRESTLEMANIA’S LEGENDARY MOMENTS, offering viewers a chance to relive the most spectacular WrestleMania moments from the past 35 years. Check local listings for air times surrounding Sunday’s NFL on FOX singleheader action.
Less than a week later, FOX Sports rolls out the “blue carpet” at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for the FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN KICKOFF SHOW on Friday, Oct. 4 (7:30 PM ET/6:30 PM CT/6:30 PM MT/7:30 PM PT). This star-studded show features “blue carpet” arrivals and backstage access to celebrities and athletes, as well as past and present WWE Superstars to kick off the new era of WWE on FOX.
In front of a star-studded crowd in Los Angeles, FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN airs live at 8:00 PM ET/7:00 PM CT on FOX. For viewers in the Mountain and Pacific time zones, SmackDown airs at 7:00 PM MT/8:00 PM PT on FOX. For all authenticated viewers nationwide, SmackDown will be available to stream live at 8:00 PM ET/7:00 PM CT/6:00 PM MT/5:00 PM PT on the FOX Sports App.
Today, FOX Sports also launches its WWE on FOX social handles, which will provide insight, analysis and entertainment across social platforms. For more information, explore @WWEonFOX on Twitter, @WWEonFOX on Instagram and WWE on FOX on Facebook.
Additional details on FOX Sports’ WWE programming will be announced at a later date.
Last night at a Ohio Valley Wrestling event in Louisville, KY, Corey Storm defeated Rhyno to become the youngest ever OVW TV Champion.
YOUNGEST EVER!
We did it guys. Tonight, WE made history!
After months of trial & tribulation, tonight, I walked out as @ovwrestling Television Champion! First LIVE episode of OVW TV ended with me squaring off with @Rhyno313, and walking away victorious! ✈️🌩🖐🏻 pic.twitter.com/M8QxEIypgM
For those not familiar with Corey Storm – He is an upcoming 18 year old sensational wrestler on the rise. Storm recently made it onto the PWI annual top 500 list at number 500.
I have been following his career since I first seen him compete at a World Wrestling Alliance (independent promotion based in Kentucky) in Evansville, In and was very impressed with his in ring talent.
I am honored to be featured in the latest edition of Pro Wrestling Illustrated! I bought these magazines growing up, looking at all of the wrestlers, dreaming of becoming a wrestler and being featured in the magazine. Today, that dream came true! Thank you @OfficialPWIpic.twitter.com/WhnNbwPNlp
History will be written this Wednesday when NXT expands to two hours and makes its live USA Network debut. The action kicks off at 8/7 C on USA Network and then continues on the award-winning WWE Network at 9/8 C.
NXT UK, streaming today at 3 ET/8 BST on the WWE Network.
It’s time for British Rounds rules
Following a rough ending to his matchup against Kassius Ohno several weeks ago, Assistant to the General Manager Sid Scala will now place himself into a British Rounds Match against The Knockout Artist.
The first-ever contest of its kind in WWE is made up of a series of six rounds of three minutes each, with a 30-second break between each round. To win the match, a competitor must earn two pinfalls or two submissions (or one of each) or win via knockout. If none of that happens after six rounds, the Superstar with the most falls is the winner.
Plus, Travis Banks will battle Tyson T-Bone, Rhea Ripley takes on Debbie Keitel, and Joseph Conners engages Kenny Williams.
The WWE RAW announce team is set to undergo a major change soon, according to @Wrestlevotes.
The current plan as of this week is for Vic Joseph and Dio Maddin to call the action on RAW each Monday night.
We’ve noted how WWE will be focused on brand exclusivity coming out of the WWE Draft in October, and that includes the announce teams. It was reported last week that the plan was for Michael Cole to move to SmackDown from RAW while Joseph moved to RAW from 205 Live. It was also reported that Corey Graves was set to join Cole on SmackDown Friday nights, and that Graves will no longer be pulling double duty on two shows.
RAW is currently called by Cole, Graves and Renee Young. There’s no word yet on where Renee will end up, but she is expected to host the weekly WWE FS1 studio show on Tuesday nights, which will air live from Los Angeles. SmackDown is called by Graves, Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton, but there’s no word yet on what will happen to Tom and Byron. Joseph and Maddin currently call the 205 Live show with Aiden English. Maddin (WWE NXT Superstar Brennan Williams) was just brought up to 205 Live last week, replacing Nigel McGuinness, who will be going exclusive to NXT on Wednesday nights with Mauro Ranallo and WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix.
Again, current plans have Cole and Graves on the SmackDown announce team together with Joseph and Maddin on the RAW announce team.
