“I appreciate the opportunity I had to realize my childhood dream of working in sports entertainment, and I wish WWE well in the future. Now I want to direct my focus and devote my time to my other projects and to my mental health charitable activities and the well-being of my mother and myself.”
WWE released the following statement in regards to Mauro’s exit:
“WWE and Mauro Ranallo have mutually and amicably agreed to part ways. Mauro’s passion and enthusiasm left an indelible and exciting mark with WWE and its fans, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Ranallo had been doing commentary for NXT remotely from home during the pandemic. He was not part of TakeOver, however, and the last 2 episodes of NXT, Wade Barrett was featured on commentary alongside Vic Joseph. Barrett is now reportedly in talks to join the show full-time.
Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett made his return to the company during tonight’s WWE NXT episode.
Barrett did guest commentary at the NXT Arena on the campus of Full Sail University, along with Vic Joseph. WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix joined them from home as she has done during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Barrett announced that he will be back at the NXT announce table for the NXT Super Tuesday episode next week, which is airing on Tuesday night due to the NHL playoffs on the USA Network.
Below is video of Barrett settling into the announce table with Joseph before tonight’s episode hit the air.
Barrett first signed a WWE developmental deal in 2007 and left the company in May 2016 after deciding to let his contract expire. Barrett has focused on his acting career since leaving WWE and has done little work in the world of pro wrestling, but he did do some commentary work for the NWA earlier this year after debuting in December.
There’s no word yet on what WWE has planned for Barrett after next Tuesday’s show.
Tonight’s edition of NXT kicked off with Kross, in a sling, coming to the ring with Scarlett. Karrion confirmed he suffered an injury and said he’s realist who understands the reality of the situation in that WWE officials would not let him defend the title while injured.
“On the path there are obstacles, but for me, the obstacles are the path,” he said before putting the NXT Championship on the ground next to an hourglass and walking to the back.
General Manager William Regal appeared later in the show and said that in order to crown a new champion, there will be a four-way match next Tuesday between former NXT champions who could all be the face of the brand again: Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Finn Balor and Adam Cole.
He then announced it would also be a sixty-minute Iron Man match.
New WWE NXT Champion Karrion Krossrecently spoke with ESPN’s Marc Raimondi and said he does not believe he will miss any significant time from the ring due to the separated shoulder he suffered on Saturday night at “Takeover: XXX” in the main event title win over Keith Lee.
WWE confirmed that Kross suffered a “separated acromioclavicular joint” and will be undergoing a MRI on Monday to get a better idea of the severity of the injury. Kross confirmed that the injury is to his right shoulder. He commented on Monday’s MRI and reiterated what Triple H said in his post-Takeover media call – this is not ballet.
“I will get the professional, educated opinion on what the severity of it is,” Kross told Raimondi. “But it’s definitely separated. I won’t beat around the bush about that. As the saying goes, it’s not ballet.
“I feel mixed emotions right now. The whole situation is very bittersweet. I think from a natural place, I’m always a very motivated individual. I’m a solution-based thinker, rather than a pity-based thinker.”
Kross said he felt the pain immediately, revealing that the injury occurred when Lee hit him with a clothesline near the ropes. Kross’ right shoulder took the brunt of Lee’s 300-pound momentum.
“It felt like a choir of demons screaming inside my shoulder in unison,” Kross said.
Kross is already researching ways he can begin rehabbing the shoulder. He also commented on how he still does have some range of motion.
“From my point of view, no,” Kross said when asked if he thinks he’ll be out for a significant period time. “[Due to] how I feel and what I’ve heard, I don’t know. I’m very intuitive with my body.
“And the range of emotion that I have right now, while it’s not what I would like it to be, for me personally, it would indicate to me that I’m going to get be able to get through this without any sort of extreme measures, so to speak. In my opinion, today.”
Kross said fighting through the shoulder pain was his way to “prove who I am,” he said, acknowledging that in everyone is trying to tell, and sell, others on who they are in the world of pro wrestling. Kross said he believes this was his chance to show that everything he has been saying about himself was true.
“Whatever is going on with my shoulder is not as important to me as proving right now to every single person that I work with, every single person that’s taken time or equity out of their careers to elevate me, that I’m worth a s–t,” Kross said. “And I’m gonna finish this strong, no matter how severe this is. This is the time where people see who you really are. Because nobody could do anything for you right now. You have to stand up on your own two feet and show your worth.
“There are times in life where something happens and now it’s time to prove all of those things that you said. That was my calling [Saturday] night. That moment for me was [Saturday] night. It didn’t happen at a time where it was convenient. It happened in literally the most important match of my career on probably the most important day of my life occupationally.”
NXT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDERS MATCH (PRE-SHOW)
Legado del Fantasma vs. Breezango vs. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch
Winners and New #1 Contenders: Breezango
Finn Balor vs. Timothy Thatcher
Winner: Finn Balor
LADDER MATCH FOR NXT NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP (VACANT)
Bronson Reed vs. vs. Damian Priest vs. Cameron Grimes vs. Johnny Gargano vs. The Velveteen Dream
Winner and New NXT North American Champion: Damian Priest
Adam Cole vs. Pat McAfee
Winner: Adam Cole
NXT WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Io Shirai (c) vs. Dakota Kai w/Raquel Gonzalez
Winner: Io Shirai
– After the match, the music hits as Shirai stands tall and celebrates. Gonzalez suddenly attacks from behind. The music interrupts and out comes Rhea Ripley. Ripley hits the ring and faces off with Gonzalez. They stare each other down, face to face now. Gonzalez backs off a bit but Ripley gets right back in her face. Kai gets back to her feet and gets Gonzalez to leave the ring with her. Ripley is still staring Gonzalez down as she backs up the ramp with Kai. Shirai’s music starts back up as she stands tall in the ring with the belt, facing the camera while Ripley stands with her back to her, still staring Gonzalez down. We go to replays from the match. Ripley is now standing tall on the ramp, staring back at Shirai in the ring.
Promo for NXT UK returning on September 17.
Promo for Tommaso Ciampa returning this Wednesday.
NXT CHAMPIONSHIP
Keith Lee (c) vs. Karrion Kross with Scarlett Bordeaux
DATE: August 22, 2020 at 7:00 PM ET (Preshow at 6:30 PM ET) LOCATION: Full Sail, Winter Park, Florida AVAILABLE ON:WWE Network (first month free for new subscribers)
NXT CHAMPIONSHIP
Keith Lee (c) vs. Karrion Kross with Scarlett Bordeaux
NXT WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Io Shirai (c) vs. Dakota Kai
LADDER MATCH FOR NXT NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP (VACANT)
Bronson Reed vs. vs. Damian Priest vs. Cameron Grimes vs. Johnny Gargano vs. The Velveteen Dream
Adam Cole vs. Pat McAfee
Finn Balor vs. Timothy Thatcher
NXT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDERS MATCH (PRE-SHOW)
Legado del Fantasma vs. Breezango vs. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch
NXT wrestler Shotzi Blackheart got her car and signature helmet stolen this week, but as seen in a new video officers reunited her with both last night.
As we previously reported, Blackheart’s ride was jacked outside of her apartment Tuesday morning with her gear and helmet (which had a lot of sentimental value) inside of the trunk.
Shotzi shared an update via YouTube on Thursday explaining that she received a call from police Wednesday evening about her car while brushing her teeth. Fellow NXT wrestler Jake Atlas then gave her a ride to meet with officers who were in the field with her vehicle.
When officers opened the trunk for Blackheart, who was in her wrestling gear, she was overjoyed seeing her helmet again and hugged it tightly after it was handed to her.