The lineup for tonight’s episode of WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Performance Center on the USA Network:
The Garcia Twins (The Bella Twins in WWE) took to Twitter today to issue a joint statement regarding the recent allegations made against Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis.
On Friday, McMahon resigned from his positions at TKO Group after a lawsuit from a former WWE employee accused him of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and more. WWE and John Laurinaitis are also named as defendants in the lawsuit.
For those unaware, Nikki and Brie’s mother Kathy married John Laurinaitis in 2016.
You can check out the official statement below:
“We are shocked and disheartened with the recent allegations against members of the WWE. It has been a lot to process since we found out this past week just as you all did. This is something we don’t stand for or condone from anyone no matter who they are. We want all women to feel safe and supported in the workplace and in their everyday lives.”
Source: eWn
It was revealed last night on “WWE Raw” that Michael Cole and Pat McAfee will be the commentary team on Monday nights going forward, with the former NFL player replacing Wade Barrett. According to PWInsider, Barrett will now move to “WWE SmackDown” and work alongside Corey Graves. It’s said that Graves will become the lead play-by-play announcer for the show, while Barrett will be the color commentator.
The changes have been made following the release of former “SmackDown” lead announcer Kevin Patrick last week. Patrick initially joined WWE as a backstage correspondent, but later moved to the announce booth, calling “Raw” and later “SmackDown.” However, the Irish-born commentator had been under the microscope as the lead announcer on “SmackDown,” with WWE reportedly deciding it “just wasn’t working out” for him. Despite being assigned the role of leading the commentary team on “SmackDown,” there were some behind the curtain who allegedly believed that Patrick wasn’t suited for the role.
Meanwhile, Cole and McAfee are reunited behind the desk after appearing together on “SmackDown” between 2021 and 2022. In a past interview, Cole mentioned working with McAfee had reinvigorated his love for the business. McAfee returned to WWE this past Saturday at the Royal Rumble, joining Cole and Graves at the commentary table. He also briefly entered the men’s Royal Rumble match as entrant #22. For Barrett and Graves, it will be the first time the duo has worked together at the announce desk in WWE. Barrett previously worked as a color commentator with Cole and Patrick, respectively, on WWE’s main roster.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
The Royal Rumble match is a transformative one. Alliances are broken, feuds are set up, and at the end of it all, the winner is cemented in history with a guaranteed title shot at WrestleMania. CM Punk was transformed by this past Royal Rumble match, but not in a positive way.
Punk opened up the latest edition of “WWE Raw” with a sobering announcement regarding a speculated injury. “The Best in the World” confirmed that he tore his right tricep during Saturday’s Royal Rumble match, and that despite attempts to perform in spite of his injury, he is slated to miss not only Elimination Chamber, but WrestleMania 40 entirely.
Despite being expected to miss most, if not all, of this year’s road to Wrestlemania, Punk did not leave the Tampa crowd wanting. He cut a promo targeted towards the masses, and acknowledged the struggles of those with cancer and pedestrian jobs such as teachers and garbage workers. He reassured the WWE Universe of an inevitable return by comparing himself to the Chicago Cubs, and claimed that there was “always next year”.
Drew McIntyre interrupted Punk near the tail-end of his speech. McIntyre acknowledged Punk’s grit, but said with glee that he would take Punk’s place on this road to WrestleMania, and “live CM Punk’s dream again”. McIntyre then assaulted the injured Punk, and it took interference from a recently-returned Sami Zayn to defuse the situation. The segment ended with Zayn helping Punk to his feet.
This is not the first time Punk’s tricep specifically has been injured. At AEW All Out 2022, Punk tore his left tricep after his match with Jon Moxley.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Fresh off his appearance on commentary for WWE Royal Rumble, as well as briefly appearing in the men’s Royal Rumble match itself, former “WWE SmackDown” commentator Pat McAfee is back and will be on the desk with Michael Cole on Monday nights for “WWE Raw” moving forward.
Just like Royal Rumble, McAfee’s music once again kicked off the show on Monday, and he headed down to join Cole, who made the announcement. Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett was previously on the call with Cole. McAfee, who hosts “The Pat McAfee Show” throughout the week on ESPN, had previously teased a return to commentary following Kevin Patrick’s release.
The former punter for the Indianapolis Colts began his career with WWE in 2018 as a pre-show analyst for “WWE NXT” TakeOver events. In 2021, McAfee moved to “SmackDown” as a color commentator alongside Cole. He’s also previously mixed it up in the ring, feuding with Adam Cole when the now-AEW star competed in “NXT.” McAfee even wrestled at WrestleMania 38, defeating Austin Theory before losing to Vince McMahon (in what’s likely his final WrestleMania appearance in light of his recent resignation following allegations of abuse and sex trafficking) and taking a stunner from “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. McAfee took a hiatus from his commentary gig when he joined ESPN’s “College GameDay” in 2022.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE Raw airs live tonight on the USA Network from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Things are very up in the air for WWE right now, with the promotion capping off a “great week” by fielding just as many questions regarding a lawsuit, and accusations of sexual assault, against former chairman Vince McMahon as they did their new Netflix deal. They also found time to hold their Royal Rumble PLE, which saw Cody Rhodes win the Men’s Rumble, and immediately challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40.
Rhodes’ victory led to more questions than answers, however, particularly whether this meant the long-rumored match between The Rock and Roman Reigns was off. As it turns out, it is and it isn’t. On the latest “Wrestling Observer Radio,” Dave Meltzer confirmed that Rhodes vs. Reigns is the planned WrestleMania 40 main event this year, and will take place as a singles match, without any involvement from The Rock.
That being said, The Rock is still expected to come back to WWE, and a match between him and Reigns is in the cards. When and where the match will take place remains to be seen, as conversations between Rock, who was named to WWE/TKO’s board of directors last week, and WWE, regarding the match are said to be ongoing.
The delay in Rock vs. Reigns will give Rhodes a chance to finally “finish the story” and capture the Undisputed WWE Title, something he failed to do against Reigns last year at WrestleMania 39. Reigns meanwhile will look to continue his record-setting reign as champion, which has lasted for over 1,240 days, putting him only 234 days short of passing Hulk Hogan’s 1,470 day reign as WWE Champion in the 1980s.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Before he gears up for the finals of the 2024 Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic at “WWE NXT” Vengeance Day, Bron Breakker received an opportunity to compete in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match, entering the field from the number 20 spot. During his five-minute outing, Breaker eliminated four men, including “The Nigerian Giant” Omos, Jimmy Uso, and Finn Balor, before he was thrown over the top rope by Dominik Mysterio. While he didn’t win the match, Breakker remains thankful for the experience, vowing to also enact some revenge on The Judgment Day faction.
“I feel very grateful right now, I feel this is what an opportunity tonight was for me to make a statement and I thought I did that tonight 100%,” Breakker said during a WWE digital exclusive. “Things didn’t go my way, but I’m not done with the Judgment Day by any means.”
As a two-time “NXT” Champion, Breakker has proven to be a major player in WWE’s developmental territory, but after competing in his first Royal Rumble match, Breakker feels he is now ready to establish himself on WWE’s main roster. “I think tonight I proved that I belong on the main roster,” Breakker said. “This is my home now, and I’m ready for the work. I’m ready to prove to my peers and to the people and to everyone out there who believes in me that this where I belong, this is what I was born to do. And I’m here, I’m ready to go.”
As of now, it remains to be seen if Breakker’s Royal Rumble appearance will produce an official main-roster call-up. Given his statements, though, Breakker seems poised to step up to the challenge if so called on.
Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to WWE
Vince McMahon has resigned from TKO Group after new allegations of sex trafficking, sexual abuse, and more.
Despite McMahon denying all of the allegations from the latest lawsuit, the fact remains that all of the women involved now and then were paid “hush money” payments to stay quiet.
According to a report from Pwinsider, WWE is hoping they can convince former executive Stephanie McMahon to return to the company. Stephanie departed WWE just days after her father weaseled his way back in last year.
In May 2022, Stephanie stepped down as Chief Brand Officer. She wound up returning after Vince was accused of sexual misconduct and he resigned for the first time. During that brief period of time, she operated as co-CEO with Nick Khan. Once her father returned, she decided to leave again in January 2023.
Source: eWn
TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace made an appearance during the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event, entering at #5 during the women’s Royal Rumble match.
According to a report from Fightful Select, WWE had previously reached out to outside companies about working with some of their talent. Just last weekend, WWE reached out to TNA about Grace’s appearance. TNA officials were more than happy to allow Grace to work the event, and she had a physical and some blood work done on Monday. She wound up flying to Florida on Thursday to take part in the rehearsals.
According to several WWE sources, TNA Wrestling and Grace were “easy to deal with” during the process.
Source: eWn
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