Tag: Buddy Murphy

Buddy Matthews Debuts On AEW Dynamite, Joins House Of Black

Former WWE Superstar Buddy Matthews (Buddy Murphy) has signed with AEW and debuted last night on Dynamite.

Buddy Matthews is officially ALL ELITE!

After months of speculation, the former WWE Superstar finally made his All Elite Wrestling debut on this week’s edition of AEW Dynamite on TBS. It all went do wn at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut on Wednesday, February 23. The Kings Of The Black Throne (Brody King & Malakai Black) had just suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Death Triangle (PAC & Penta Oscuro) when all hell broke loose. After the bell, the irate losers delivered a beat down to PAC and Penta … until the lights went out. When the lights came back on, one of Malakai Black’s former foes was standing in the ring. It was Buddy Matthews.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1496666168295309312

At first, it seemed like Matthews would assist Death Triangle due to his history with Black, but after staring daggers at Black for a few moments, he sided with The Kings Of The Black Throne and attacked PAC and Penta. At one point, Malakai Black embraced the Aussie in what looked like an indoctrination tactic. It would appear that Buddy is now a resident of the House Of Black.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1496666796245630980

Shortly after the segment ended, AEW boss Tony Khan took to social media to confirm Buddy’s signing.

Shortly after being released by WWE last year, Malakai Black released a vignette in anticipation of his imminent return to professional wrestling. The video depicted Black as an inmate at an institution. At one point, Black tells a doctor that his eye was injured when he was pushed into some stairs by “Matthew” — Buddy’s real name. As you might recall, Matthews slammed Black’s eye into the steel steps on an episode of Raw back in July 2020.

Matthews is a former NXT Tag Team Champion, a former WWE Raw Tag Team Champion, and a former NXT Cruiserweight Champion. He was released by WWE on June 2 following an eight-year stint with the company.

Source: TheSportster

WWE Releases Braun Strowman And Other Superstars

WWE has reportedly parted ways with several top talents, according to Fightful Select.

Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, Lana, Ruby Riott, Buddy Murphy and Santana Garrett were all released today.

It was reported earlier this week that these releases were being made due to budget cuts. These come after an initial round of talent cuts in mid-April, another round of talent cuts in mid-May, and a number of significant office/corporate departures in May that were part of a major restructuring.

Strowman had been with the company since 2013. His last match came at the WrestleMania Backlash pay-per-view in the Triple Threat with Drew McIntyre and WWE Champion Bobby Lashley, but he has not been seen since then. He leaves a one-time Universal Champion, a one-time Intercontinental Champion, a two-time RAW Tag Team Champion, the 2019 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner, the Greatest Royal Rumble winner, and the 2018 Men’s Money In the Bank winner.

Lana had also been with WWE since 2013. She just wrestled on this week’s RAW, teaming with Naomi for a loss to Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose.

Black signed with WWE in 2016. He was away from the storylines for 6 months but just returned in April with new vignettes after being re-packaged on SmackDown. His big TV return came on the May 21 SmackDown and it looked like he was about to feud with Big E. They were held off last week’s SmackDown but it was reported that this was a creative decision to allow for some time before they did the follow-up. Black leaves a one-time WWE NXT Champion, and the 2019 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic winner with Ricochet. His wife Zelina Vega was released in late 2020 but was reportedly recently re-hired. There is no word yet on if WWE still plans to bring her back.

Riott also signed with WWE in 2016. She just competed on last Friday’s SmackDown, teaming with Liv Morgan for a loss to WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Natalya and Tamina Snuka.

Murphy signed with WWE in 2013 and leaves the company as a one-time NXT Tag Team Champion, a one-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion, and a one-time RAW Tag Team Champion. He last competed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in April. Before that his last singles match was a DQ loss to Cesaro on the March 12 SmackDown.

Garrett originally began working with WWE in 2013 and officially signed a contract in 2019 after making various appearances over the years. She last competed in the Women’s Royal Rumble Match in January, and before that her last singles match was the loss to Mercedes Martinez at NXT’s Great American Bash Night 2 in July 2020.

Source: Wrestling Inc.