Don’t miss back-to-back episodes of NXT UK today at 3 ET and 4 ET on WWE Network.
* WWE UK Championship: (C) Pete Dunne vs. Danny Burch
* Wolfgang flanked by The Coffey Brothers
* Eddie Dennis vs. Sid Scala
* Toni Storm vs. Dakota Kai
Update On Triple H’s Surgery
Triple H underwent surgery to repair a torn right pectoral muscle yesterday.
The operation was done by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas at Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama.
There’s no official word yet on when Triple H could be back in the ring but it’s believed he will be out anywhere from 5-9 months. He was rumored for a WrestleMania 35 match against Batista but we’re not sure how the injury has changed any ring return plans. Triple H suffered the tear at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia this past Friday as he and WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels teamed up to defeat Kane and The Undertaker in the main event.
Triple H tweeted the following after surgery, noting that his road to recovery begins now:
https://twitter.com/TripleH/status/1059945559241486338
Source: WrestlingINC
Why Zelina Vega Missed This Week’s WWE SmackDown Live
Last night’s WWE SmackDown Live from Manchester, England saw Andrade “Cien” Almas lose to Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega was not in his corner.
Vega is currently out of action with what is believed to be a concussion, according to PWInsider. Vega reportedly suffered the injury when she was tossed out of the ring during the Battle Royal at WWE Evolution on October 28. Vega was eliminated by winner Nia Jax in that match.
The concussion has not been confirmed but WWE officials are keeping Vega off the road as a safety precaution. She will likely be back on the road within the next week or so but she is not on the current international tour.
Vega tweeted the following on being off tonight’s SmackDown:
Source: WrestlingINC
Gail Kim Issues Statement And Clarifies Recent Comments About WWE Being Racist
Impact Wrestling Hall of Famer Gail Kim took to Twitter today and issued a statement on her recent comments about WWE being racist. The former WWE Women’s Champion often speaks out about WWE and recently knocked them for holding the Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia.
As seen below, Kim tweeted about WWE being racist on November 2 when responding to a comment about WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan being brought back at Crown Jewel. Kim made another tweet that day and reiterated her thoughts on the company being racist. You can see those original tweets here:
https://twitter.com/gailkimITSME/status/1058520486039183360
https://twitter.com/gailkimITSME/status/1058522668859904007
Below is Gail’s new statement on the matter along with follow-up tweets that make it clear she was not apologizing. She noted that she decided to issue the clarification on her original comments after a friend in WWE called her.
The statement reads like this: “After speaking with a couple of my friends recently regarding my comments on social media on racism, I had my eyes opened to the fact that my words chosen to deliver my message could have been managed more thoughtfully. The one word of my statement that I regret using is the term “they”. I think due to the fact that sometimes terms like racism are thrown around easily, especially in today’s climate. Racism is a serious thing and I realized that saying “they”, that I was putting a blanket over everyone who works in the company. This is not true. The culture or environment of a company starts from the top. The leadership. The leadership of a company sends a message to its employees of what is tolerated and what is not. I know there are a lot of respectful people in WWE who have a lot of integrity.
“Being Election Day and realizing the climate of hate and negativity, I think it’s important to use my voice. As an ethnic female in wrestling, there will be people reading my words and I want to set an example. I did experience racism. I never even understood the term “gook” until I worked for the company or heard the usage of so many ugly racial slurs. I think it’s important to educate, listen and talk about these issues. I want to be very clear on where I stand. I want racial and gender equality. I hope that we can make strides to talk about and create change for the good of our industry and others.”
https://twitter.com/gailkimITSME/status/1059895169238163456
https://twitter.com/gailkimITSME/status/1059907694994309121
https://twitter.com/gailkimITSME/status/1059909503330721792
https://twitter.com/gailkimITSME/status/1059930939005038593
Source: WrestlingINC
José Lothario Passed Away, WWE Issues Statement
NWA Hall of Famer José Lothario has passed away at the age of 83.
Former NWA President Bruce Tharpe broke the news of Lothario’s passing on Twitter yesterday and The Cauliflower Alley Club later confirmed, as seen below.
Lothario previously accompanied WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels to the ring at WWE events in the late 90’s after training him years earlier. WWE issued the following statement on Lothario’s passing:
Jose Lothario reportedly passes away WWE is saddened to learn that Jose Lothario has reportedly passed away at age 83.
Despite never winning a WWE-sanctioned championship or competing at WrestleMania, Jose Lothario – born Guadalupe Robledo on Dec. 12, 1934 – made a lasting mark on the WWE Universe by simply agreeing to train a cocky teenager from San Antonio, Texas. A cocky teenager that grew up to become WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels.
Lothario helped HBK find his footing for a career between the ropes, from selecting Shawn Michaels as a ring name to teaching The Showstopper how to effectively perform the signature kick that came to be known as Sweet Chin Music. HBK soaked up every last lesson taught by Lothario, a Saturday morning staple for wrestling fans of a certain age from the Lone Star State.
“I think every young boy who lived in Texas knew who Jose Lothario was,” Michaels told WWE Magazine in 1996. “I first saw him on TV when I was 12. He was the first Superstar to come across my screen. He is a legend in San Antonio, Cuba, Mexico… just about everywhere!”
Their relationship reached the summit at WrestleMania XII, when Lothario – having helped Michaels break into the business nearly 15 years earlier – watched from ringside as HBK realized his boyhood dream of becoming WWE World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Bret “Hit Man” Hart in an unforgettable WWE 60-Minute Iron Man Match.
Of course, Lothario became an effective mentor only after establishing his well-traveled reputation as a gritty grappler. As an NWA mainstay, he helped usher in popular Mexican wrestling styles to the sports-entertainment scene in the United States. His fans knew him best as “Super Sock,” a nickname recognizing the punches Lothario used to dole out during his past experiences in boxing.
Lothario even briefly displayed his considerable talents before the WWE Universe, most notably by humbling Jim Cornette in a match at In Your House 10: Mind Games.
WWE extends its condolences to Robledo’s family, friends and fans.
Nikki Cross Made Her SmackDown Live Debut
WWE NXT Superstar Nikki Cross made her SmackDown TV debut on tonight’s episode from Manchester, England.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch issued a open challenge and SAnitY came out with Nikki. She went on to lose to the champ tapping out to the Dis-Arm-Her.
WWE SmackDown Live Preview 11/6/18
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Live will take place from the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England with fallout from WWE Crown Jewel.
* How will Shane McMahon & Paige respond to Raw’s Survivor Series bombshells?
* Will Becky Lynch respond to Ronda Rousey?
* How will Shane McMahon’s WWE World Cup victory effect Team Blue?
* Is AJ Styles ready for Brock Lesnar?
WWE Mixed Match Challenge Preview 11/6/18
Tonight’s WWE Mixed Match Challenge will take place from the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia
It’s week 8 of the WWE Mixed Match Challenge series.
The MMC season two continues this evening on Facebook Watch at 10pm EST., immediately following WWE SmackDown Live on the USA Network.
* Naomi and Jimmy Uso vs. Carmella and R-Truth
* Bobby Lashley and Mickie James vs. Finn Balor and Bayley
WWE To Bring Back Tough Enough Concept For New Series?
We noted earlier in the week how WWE recently filed to trademark the Tough Enough name for merchandise use. It sounds like WWE could be planning a revival of the reality TV competition.
There has been an idea pitched that would see a new version of Tough Enough with the competitors being placed on the road with the WWE roster as they all travel together on a tour bus, according to PWInsider. The idea is that there would be weekly competitions with eliminations, leading up to one winner being crowned. That winner would earn a WWE contract. The new series would likely combine elements of Tough Enough, the Diva Search and the reality era of WWE NXT as the company looks for a new female Superstar. WWE has wanted to revive the Diva Search for a while now.
There’s no word yet on if WWE will go with the Tough Enough name or if they will use another name if they decide to produce a new reality competition series but we will keep you updated.
Source: WrestlingINC
Triple H Undergoing Surgery Today
Triple H revealed on social media that he will undergo surgery today.
Triple sustained a torn pectoral muscle during the DX vs. Brothers of Destruction match Friday at WWE Crown Jewel. The injury seems to have occurred during a spot in the match where Triple H tumbled out of the ring.
