Tag: WWE

Nick Khan Open To Third Hour Of WWE SmackDown, RAW Moving Nights

As the merger between WWE and UFC finalizes, and WWE signs new television deals for “WWE Raw” and “WWE SmackDown” in the coming months, some major changes could possibly be in store for the company. According to WWE CEO Nick Khan, speaking at the JP Morgan Global Technology, Media & Communications Conference, those changes could include an extra hour of “SmackDown,” or “Raw” ending up on a night other than Monday.

“We’re still open to a third [hour] of ‘SmackDown,'” Khan said, responding to a question about WWE’s ability to offer flexibility for its broadcast partners. The CEO stated that the deal they made with Fox several years ago was for a two-hour primetime show, but now companies like Amazon are looking to program entire nights of the week. Khan also mentioned the possibility of moving nights, adding another way WWE can accommodate possible broadcast or streaming partners.

Later on in the discussion, Khan went as far as bringing up the possibility of WWE adding another show. Responding to a question about appealing to different demographics, Khan discussed the possibility of the third hour of “Raw” becoming more adult-oriented, and brought up the possibility of WWE introducing content on a new night that might be catered to a different audience.

Once the impending merger is finalized, the combined WWE-UFC company will be referred to as TKO, standing for “technical knockout.” By that time, WWE will have signed new TV deals, and it’s very possible that the landscape of “Raw” and “SmackDown” look very different.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 5/23/2023

Tonight’s episode of WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network: 

  • Noam Dar vs. Nathan Frazer
  • NXT Women’s Championship tournament semifinals: Roxanne Perez vs. Tiffany Stratton
  • NXT Women’s Championship tournament semifinals: Lyra Valkyria vs. Cora Jade
  • Hank Walker vs. Tank Ledger
  • Tyler Bate vs. Eddy Thorpe
  • Axiom vs. Dabba Kato

Dakota Kai Requires Surgery For Torn ACL Injury

It is being reported that Dakota Kai‘s injury is to her ACL and she will be on the shelf for an extended period of time.

According to the Wrestling Observer, it is being reported that Kai suffered the injury on the Women’s Tag Team Championship match on May 12. This is the same match that Liv Morgan has suffered a shoulder injury. Kai is scheduled to have surgery today.

As for Morgan, she may require surgery, but it has not been confirmed at this time. Kai’s injury is said to have occurred when she was trying to protect an already injured Morgan. Most ACL injuries take at least nine months to require if not longer.

Kai is one-third of Damage CTRL, and it appeared as if the group may have been leading to a breakup with IYO SKY being the one to leave the trio. However, with this injury it is not known what is next in the long run. With that being said, Bayley and SKY will be in the Fatal Four Way tag team bout on May 29 that will determine new tag team champions since Morgan’s injury.

Source: Diva Dirt

WWE RAW Preview 5/22/2023

Tonight’s WWE Raw is the final show before this Saturday’s Night of Champions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn and a mystery partner vs. Imperium
  • Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus contract signing for their match at Night of Champions
  • Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar under the same roof
  • Sit-down interview with Seth Rollins

WWE Women’s Tag Titles Vacated Due To Liv Morgan Injury

After Liv Morgan suffered an injury last week, she and Raquel Rodriguez were unable to defend their WWE Tag Team Titles against Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville the following Monday on “Raw.” Unfortunately, the injury to Morgan is now said to be serious enough that the titles have been vacated. The announcement was made during Friday night’s “SmackDown.”

New champions will be crowned on “Raw” on May 29. Damage CTRL’s Bayley and IYO SKY; Green and Deville; Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler; and Rodriguez with whomever her partner ends up being will face off in a Fatal Four-Way Match to determine the new titleholders. But why will Bayley be teaming up with SKY instead of her partner last week, Dakota Kai? As it turns out, Kai was injured during the same match as Morgan, according to “The Role Model.” For what it’s worth, SKY didn’t look too thrilled to be thrown into the mix.

Nevertheless, Green and Deville will get their shot at the gold at the end of the month after having their initial opportunity postponed this past week. As for Rousey and Baszler, they made their return to WWE programming on Monday, brutally attacking Rodriguez after her victory over Green. Despite the return, though, it’s been reported that Rousey will be taking time off from WWE. That time off will likely come sooner than later, potentially putting their quest for the tag titles in doubt.

Regardless, in some way, shape, or form, new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions will be crowned on May 29.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

UPDATE

Bryan Alvarez noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that Morgan has what is believed to be a shoulder injury that may need surgery.

WWE SmackDown Preview 5/19/2023

WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX and emanate from the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.

  • Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa Face-to-Face with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens
  • Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar of the LWO vs. The Usos
  • Pretty Deadly vs The Brawling Brutes
  • LA Knight and Rick Boogs vs The Street Profits
  • Grayson Waller Effect with guest AJ Styles

Nick Khan Says ‘SmackDown Could Move Nights If It Leaves FOX’

WWE will soon begin talks about a new television deal for SmackDown.

WWE President Nick Khan is well aware of the fact that WWE could be leaving FOX if the negotiations regarding a new media rights deal can’t be agreed upon.

Speaking at MoffettNathanson’s Inaugural Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference on Tuesday, Khan revealed that SmackDown could wind up switching nights if it moves to another network.

Indie Wire executive editor Tony Maglio took to Twitter to reveal the news, writing:

“WWE’s Nick Khan just said #SmackDown could switch nights (again) if it goes somewhere else for its next deal. Was speaking pretty highly of Amazon…

Either way, Khan, being interviewed at the SVB MoffettNathanson Conference, foresees a U.S. rights increase of 1.5x or so. So, we’re talking about an opening figure of $1.5 billion for 5 years of #SmackDown, should length of term remain same.

Khan also laid out a case for Netflix to want WWE (It has a lot to do with India) and complimented their entry into live. (The Chris Rock special, not the #LoveIsBlind reunion disaster)”

https://twitter.com/TonyMaglio/status/1659249805262979098
https://twitter.com/TonyMaglio/status/1659258848203481102

Source: eWn

Superstar Billy Graham Passes Away At The Age Of 79

WWE Hall of Famer and former WWE Champion “Superstar” Billy Graham has passed away at the age of 79 following a series of serious health issues as of late and fighting for his life in the hospital.

The tragic news was originally announced by WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair and confirmed by TMZ.

Graham had recently been placed on life support after a year that saw the wrestling legend contract COVID-19, a life-threatening ear infection that spread to his skull, inflammation in his lungs, and even renal failure. Graham’s doctors nearly took him off life support two days ago but his wife had refused. 

Graham, real name Wayne Coleman, was a colorful, outsized personality at a time when professional wrestling was still presented as a dry sport. With his bulging muscles, bleached-blonde hair, and tie-dye attire, Graham was seen by many as the first “sports entertainer,” as his garish persona was aped by wrestling legends like Jesse “The Body” Ventura and even Hulk Hogan. Graham was also known for being one of the first wrestlers to heavily use steroids, a practice that Graham later regretted as years of steroid abuse took a toll on his health and the health of other wrestlers. Graham has advocated for its responsible use by past WWE Champions. Graham was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.

WWE RAW Preview 5/15/2023

WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network and emanate from the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, NC.

  • WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther will make his Raw debut since now being sent to Monday nights as part of the 2023 Draft
  • Number 1 Contender Battle Royal to determine who will challenge Gunther next for the Intercontinental Championship
  • Becky Lynch will address Trish Stratus
  • Cody Rhodes will respond to Brock Lesnar’s challenge for Night of Champions
  • Shinksuke Nakamura and The Miz will square off in singles competition
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (c’s) vs. Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green

WWE’s Randy Orton Reportedly Told By Doctors Not To Wrestle Again

It’s been a while since Randy Orton was last seen in a WWE ring, but his injury troubles might be more serious than originally presumed. In an interview with WrestleBinge with Sportskeeda, his father, Bob Orton Jr., revealed that medical professionals may have encouraged “The Viper” to retire from the squared circle, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Orton plans on listening to them.

“He’s training, so we’ll see what happens; I don’t know. If he feels like going back or he feels like he’s ready to go back, I think he might. Then again, he’s pretty well taken care of. I don’t think he needs to. And I think the doctors have told him not to. But Randy will do what Randy wants to do.”

Orton has been sidelined with a back injury since November of last year. It’s been reported that he underwent surgery to fuse his lower back, but the procedure in question means that he’ll be out for a long period of time. A recent health update revealed that Orton is nowhere close to returning to WWE, though his father’s revelation has created doubts on if he’ll ever step into the squared circle again.

That being said, Orton Jr. said that his son’s determination to return reflects the mindset of many wrestlers who find it difficult to call it quits before they feel their time is up. “Wrestling, you know when you get in there and you got some people going crazy, you just love it. So it’s hard to leave,” he said.

However, while his son’s in-ring career appears to be in the balance for now, Orton’s old man said that he has a good family life. “He’s got two beautiful daughters and his wife’s a lovely lady.”

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to Sportskeeda WrestleBinge