Tag: Elias

Former WWE Stars The Colons and Elijah (Elias) Make Surprise TNA Debuts on iMPACT!

TNA iMPACT! delivered yet another shocker on Thursday night, as three former WWE stars made their presence felt in a big way. The show opened with TNA World Champion Joe Hendry doing what he does best—entertaining the crowd with one of his signature musical performances. But his concert was soon interrupted by two unexpected guests: The Colons – Eddie and Orlando (Primo and Epico Colon).

The Colons Arrive in TNA for “Business”

The former WWE Tag Team Champions introduced themselves to the TNA audience but made it clear they weren’t here for applause—they were here for business. Just as it seemed like they were about to get physical with Hendry, the lights in Full Sail University flickered, setting the stage for another major debut.

Elijah (FKA Elias) Joins TNA

When the lights came back up, fans were greeted by another musical act—Elijah, the artist formerly known as WWE’s Elias. Strumming his guitar, Elijah used his signature lyrical storytelling to confirm that he had officially signed with TNA Wrestling. Fightful Select later backed up the claim, reporting that Elijah had put pen to paper with the promotion, though details on the length of his contract remain undisclosed.

Main Event Set: Hendry & Marella vs. The Colons

Following Elijah’s unexpected debut, TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella wasted no time in booking a match. He announced that he would team up with Hendry to take on Eddie (Primo) and Orlando (Epico) in the night’s main event.

Elijah’s arrival continues the trend of ex-WWE talent finding a new home in TNA. After parting ways with WWE in September 2023 amid a wave of releases that also included Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler), Ash By Elegance (Dana Brooke), and Mustafa Ali, Elijah re-emerged on the independent wrestling scene, making appearances for Wrestling Revolver, International Wrestling Cartel, and World Series Wrestling. He was also recently spotted in a social media teaser alongside The Righteous, an AEW and Ring of Honor-affiliated faction.

TNA’s Growing Roster of Ex-WWE Talent

With Elijah, Ali, and Nemeth now officially part of the TNA roster, the promotion continues to build momentum with a mix of familiar faces and homegrown talent. As TNA looks to re-establish itself as a top wrestling destination, the addition of these former WWE names could bring even more eyes to the product.

The Non-Compete Clauses Are Reportedly Almost Over For Several Released Former WWE Stars

One of the more unfortunate aspects of the WWE-UFC merger earlier this year was that it led to several within WWE, both in and out of the ring, losing their jobs this past September. And while the releases will surely still sting, with the end of December quickly approaching, many of the in-ring talents will finally have a chance to get back in the ring for another promotion.

PWInsider Elite reports that the bulk of talents let go by WWE in September are set to have their noncompete clauses expire next Thursday, December 21. Among the talents that would now be available to work for any promotion they choose are Dolph Ziggler, Mustafa Ali, Shelton Benjamin, Dana Brooke, Aliyah, Rick Boogs, Mace, Mansor, Riddick Moss, Top Dolla, Elias, Dabbo-Kato, Quincy Elliot, Yulisa Leon, Shanky, and Matt Riddle.

Many of the released WWE names have already been announcing future bookings, though so far all are for events one month after their noncompetes end. The includes Ziggler, who announced over the weekend that his first match outside of WWE would take place on January 20 in Puerto Rico, where he’ll work for the World Wrestling Council. Mace and Mansoor are set to compete at Effy’s Big Gay Brunch the same day, though they have already made one non-wrestling appearance for Deadlock Pro Wrestling this past weekend. Matt Riddle has also lined up future bookings for that month, with the controversial wrestler going down to Mexico to work for The Crash Lucha Libre on January 19.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Elias Returns To WWE RAW As Ezekiel

Elias has returned to WWE RAW with a new clean-shaven look and a new gimmick.

Tonight’s post-WrestleMania 38 edition of WWE RAW saw Kevin Owens come to the ring and admit how good WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin was at WrestleMania Saturday. Owens then said Austin’s win should be wiped from the record books because Owens wasn’t 100% going into the match as he had a bad back injury. Owens went on ranting about how great he is until the music hit and out came the former Elias.

Owens recognized this as Elias, but the man introduced himself as Ezekiel, the younger brother of Elias. This confused Owens but he insisted he was talking to Elias, while the former Elias reiterated that he is actually the younger brother to the former WWE Superstar known as The Drifter.

Owens ended up marching out of the ring without any physical action. Ezekiel watched Owens head to the back with a smirk on his face, and that was the end of the segment.

WWE began airing multiple vignettes for the re-branding of Elias last summer, but the last vignette aired on August 23, and that was the last we’ve seen of Elias until now. It was later reported that WWE had no end plan for the vignettes, and that WWE just filmed them to kill off Elias’ musician gimmick. At one point Elias had a new look in the works, reportedly similar to the look we saw on RAW tonight, but word was that WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon nixed it because he felt like it looked too much like WWE Hall of Famer Randy Savage.

Elias, or Ezekiel, has not wrestled since his Symphony of Destruction loss to Jaxson Ryker on the July 19 edition of RAW. He has also been quiet on social media since last summer.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Teases Elias Character Is No More During Monday Night Raw

WWE aired a vignette where Elias threw his guitar in a fire and said WWE no longer stands for Walk With Elias. He said, “Elias is dead.”

During the last hour of Monday’s Raw, a vignette of Elias was shown where the Drifter and apparently former musician destroyed his guitar and claimed that “Elias is dead.”

A character who was among the more popular in the company when things were going well and he was fresh and new, creative seemed to miss an opportunity with Elias to really capitalize on how big a heel he was and how big a babyface character he could be. They chose to try and make his gimmick a parody of itself and team him with partners that didn’t necessarily accentuate his unique skills. His popularity faded and he became a bit of a mid-card jobber.

It appears WWE is going to try and reinvent the Elias character if the video shown during Raw is any indication.

It featured Elias standing over a bonfire he likely started himself and looked at his guitar. After a dramatic pause, he threw the guitar in the fire and said, “WWE used to stand for Walk With Elias.” He then added as he walked away, “Elias is dead.”

If WWE is going to change up his gimmick, it’s not clear which direction they’re going to go with the character. No indications were given in the video itself. The only hint was that the announcers for Raw acted shocked and asked out loud what it meant. That seems to hint that a storyline might present itself that Elias could explain why he’s going a different direction in the future.

Source: TheSportster

Elias Reportedly Out Of Action For Months

Elias is currently out of action with a torn pectoral muscle.

WWE issued a storyline update on Elias this past week, noting that he suffered the tear and broken ribs during the hit & run angle with Jeff Hardy two weeks ago on SmackDown. Dave Meltzer of F4Wonline.com now reports that the torn pectoral muscle injury is real, and Elias is on the shelf. It was noted that Elias was written off TV with the angle.

Elias defeated King Baron Corbin in a tournament match for the Intercontinental Title on the May 15 SmackDown. He was to face AJ Styles in the semi-finals, but WWE did the hit & run angle and Styles ended up getting a bye. Styles will face Daniel Bryan in the finals for the vacant Intercontinental Title on this week’s SmackDown.

There’s no word yet on when Elias will be back, but it was noted that he will likely be out of action for months.

Elias Reportedly Dealing With Legitimate Ankle Injury, Shane Fires Owens

WWE announced yesterday that Elias is injured and will not be able to compete in tonight’s King of the Ring quarterfinals match against Chad Gable on SmackDown from Madison Square Garden.

Elias is reportedly suffering from a legitimate ankle injury, according to PWInsider. The decision to pull him from the ring was made just yesterday.

Last night on SmackDown Elias was replaced by Shane McMahon. In the soryline fued between Shane & Kevin Owens, Shane made Owens the special guest referee and promised to drop his $100,000 fine if he does his job correctly – meaning make sure Shane wins.

In the match, Gable got a quick pin for the win, then Shane made it 2 out of 3 falls, Owens did his best to help Shane with quick counts but in the end Shane tapped out. Shane then attacked Owens and fired him.

Roman Reigns Takes Out Vince McMahon & Elias on SmackDown Live

Last night on SmackDown Live Vince McMahon announced that Elias as the biggest acquisition in SmackDown history. Roman Reigns came out and interrupted Elias. Reigns his Elias with a Superman Punch then laid out Vince with a SuperMan Punch then laid out Elias with a spear. Reigns claimed SmackDown as his yard.

The Undertaker Makes Surprise Appearance On The “Raw After Mania”, Silences Elias

The Undertaker made his return to WWE TV on tonight’s post-WrestleMania 35 edition of WWE RAW from Brooklyn.

Taker made his return during a performance by Elias, who was still upset over John Cena interrupting his WrestleMania 35 performance with the “Dr. of Thuganomics” rap. Elias made a comment on the next person to interrupt him, whether it was a Legend of a Hall of Famer, they would be a “dead man” because he was tired of the interruptions. That’s when Taker returned and did his grand entrance. He faced off with Elias, blocked off an attack and then left Elias laying after a chokeslam and a Tombstone piledriver.

This was The Dead Man’s first WWE TV appearance since Crown Jewel back in November, where he teamed with Kane for a loss to WWE Hall of Famers Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Taker did not work WrestleMania 35 on Sunday, but he is expected to wrestle during WWE’s return to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in early May.

Backstage News On WrestleMania 35 Plans For Elias

It looks like we could see Elias tangle with another WWE Superstar at WrestleMania 35.

There is a plan in place for someone to “shut Elias up” during his performance at WrestleMania35, according to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio. There’s no word yet on who may work the angle with Elias, but everyone from John Cena to The Undertaker to Bray Wyatt are being rumored.

WWE previously announced Elias as the featured musical guest for WrestleMania 35. He is not being advertised for the 6th Annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Notes On Major Heat During Last Night’s WWE RAW Segment With Kevin Owens And Elias (Video)

Image result for Notes On Major Heat During Last Night's WWE RAW Segment With Kevin Owens And Elias (Video)

WWE is receiving some mainstream media attention today for last night’s RAW segment in Seattle with Kevin Owens and Elias. Newsweek, Forbes, ESPN and other sports outlets have covered the segment.

After Elias took a shot at Seattle not having an NBA team, the crowd began to boo them and the heat picked up and carried through the rest of the segment. It was one of the most heated segments on the show in recent memory, with many comparing it to the heat Roman Reigns received on RAW the night after defeating The Undertaker at WrestleMania 33. The booing continued for over 6 minutes. You can see video from the segment above.

The city of Seattle has been without an NBA team since the Seattle Supersonics were moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, re-named as the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Sonics had been in Seattle since 1967.

Source: WrestlingINC