Backstage News On Matt Riddle Following WWE Suspension

Should fans be gearing up to see Matt Riddle on WWE television again soon? 

According to Dave Meltzer on the latest “Wrestling Observer Radio,” Riddle’s suspension is up, meaning he is technically free to make a return to the ring at any point. However, he also pointed out that sometimes when a wrestler isn’t on the WWE WrestleMania card, they can be held back until after the show, meaning that a return for the former United States Champion might be held back until after the “Grandest Stage Of Them All.”

Of course, it is not confirmed that Riddle isn’t going to be part of WrestleMania this year, but he hasn’t been seen on television since the December 5 episode of “WWE Raw,” where he was written out of storylines following an attack from Solo Sikoa. With a lot of the bigger storylines now falling into place, it could be a case of WWE keeping him on ice until there are firm plans for Riddle, which goes along with recent reports that claim his name hadn’t been mentioned backstage recently. 

Riddle was initially taken off television due to a reported suspension for a second drug test violation — which WWE never confirmed. However, the RK-Bro star did confirm that he spent time in rehab on social media during this period. Interestingly, Riddle took to Twitter and shared a video of him singing “Freedom isn’t Free” from “Team America: World Police,” which could be linked to the fact he is technically available to return but isn’t free to do so just yet by creative. However, Sikoa currently doesn’t have a confirmed match at WrestleMania, and a returning Riddle seeking revenge could potentially be an option. 

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Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE King And Queen Of The Ring Event To Be Held In Saudi Arabia

WWE will be bringing back both the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments for an upcoming PLE in May, the location of the show has been revealed. WWE is also bringing back the Backlash event on May 6. 

Pwinsider.com Elite reports the King and Queen of the Ring premium live event is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia on May 27th.

The last time WWE held these tournaments was in 2021 in Saudi Arabia at the Crown jewel event. 

Xavier Woods was crowned King of the Ring while Zelina Vega became Queen of the Ring, then known as the Queen’s Crown.

Source: eWrestlingNews

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/24/2023

The post-Elimination Chamber episode of WWE SmackDown tonight from the Ford Center in Evansville, IN., airing live on FOX starting 8/7c.

Update On Cameron Grimes’ WWE Status

WWE’s Cameron Grimes has been rumored to be heading to the main roster for months now, and a new report from Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer may indicate why the young star hasn’t made the full move quite yet. Speaking on “Wrestling Observer Radio,” Meltzer indicated that Grimes is indeed done in “NXT,” but is currently awaiting a creative plan for his main roster debut.

Grimes previously made a cameo appearance on “WWE Raw” back in October, recruiting Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson for some help back over on “NXT.” While at the “Raw” taping, Grimes also wrestled a dark match before the show began.

Ahead of his seemingly-imminent main roster debut, Grimes made his last appearance on “NXT” during the November 8 episode, where he lost to Joe Gacy in a singles match. Grimes debuted for “NXT” back in 2019, and over the course of his time there, he defeated Carmelo Hayes to capture the “NXT” North American Championship before eventually losing the belt back to Hayes. He also feuded against the likes of Finn Balor, Kushida, and “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase of all people.

Since Paul “Triple H” Levesque took the position of WWE’s Chief Content Officer, there haven’t been as many “NXT” call-ups as some may have expected. A number of free agents who used to compete under the “NXT” banner were brought back to join the main roster, including Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, and Dexter Lumis. IYO SKY joined up with Kai and Bayley to form Damage CTRL back in August, and the following month Solo Sikoa was called up to become part of The Bloodline. If Grimes does indeed make his main roster debut soon, he will join a relatively short list of “NXT” talent to make the move up in WWE’s new era.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Latest On Behind The Scenes Morale In WWE

According to a report from PWInsider in their Elite subscription based section, the mood backstage within WWE has begun to change as Vince McMahon continues on seeking a buyer for the company. It was also noted in the report the uncertainty of what a sale will mean has led to “waning morale.”

The report further indicates that everyone being on eggshells has started to return and that the “unbridled energy” Triple H has brought since taking over creative, is beginning to fade.

PWInsider’s Elite report concluded by saying they do not hear that wrestlers are walking on eggshells or that the unbridled energy for them is fading. It seems more from those that are working backstage. It was also noted that it is not as terrible as things once were, there is a sense of the energy waning because when WWE gets sold, it certainly means that changes will happen.

Source: WrestleView

WWE NXT Preview 2/21/2023

Tonight’s WWE NXT on the USA Network at 8/7C.

Trish Stratus Once Again Sent Home From WWE RAW

Trish Stratus was once again scheduled to appear on this week’s episode of RAW, but it didn’t wind up happening. This marks at least the second time in recent weeks that she’s been brought in and wasn’t used.

According to a report from Fightful, Stratus was originally set to make her return during Bayley’s Ding Dong! Hello segment, but that did not wind up happening as Lita and Becky Lynch appeared and challenged Dakota Kai and IYO SKY for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. That match will be taking place on next week’s episode of RAW.

For what it’s worth, Stratus was actually backstage at the RAW TV tapings in Ottawa, Canada. She had every intention of appearing on the show, but the segment was scrapped due to a “creative change.” Stratus wound up leaving the venue prior to the segment.

As of this writing, there is no word on if Trish Stratus will be appearing on WWE television going into WrestleMania 39. There have been rumors that Trish, Lita, and Becky Lynch will be teaming up to face off against Damage CTRL at WrestleMania 39.

Source: eWrestlingNews

WWE Elimination Chamber 2/18/2023 (Results)

ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH TO DETERMINE NO. 1 CONTENDER FOR RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP:
Asuka def. Carmella, Liv Morgan, Natalya, Nikki Cross and Raquel Rodriguez

Bobby Lashley def. Brock Lesnar – due to DQ

After a spear, Lashley is able to get Lesnar in a Hurt Lock. Lesnar went for a low-blow and got disqualified, to a chorus of boos. As punishment for that, Lesnar just gave referee Chad Patton an F-5. Then, he hit Lashley with another F-5. Lesnar then tossed Lashley through the commentary table…and followed it up with giving ref Patton another F-5 on top of the broken table for good measure.

MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH:
Edge and Beth Phoenix def. The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley)

ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH FOR THE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP:
Austin Theory (c) def. Seth Rollins, Bronson Reed, Damian Priest, Johnny Gargano and Montez Ford

WWE’s medical team is then brought into the ring to help get Ford out, meanwhile, Rollins goes for a Stomp but misses. Despite that, he does hit a Pedigree, however, Logan Paul then arrives and nails a Buckshot Lariat, and before leaving he its a Stomp! He then slams the door shut and hangs onto the cage as Theory hits A-Town Down. 

UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Roman Reigns (c) def. Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn and Roman Reigns stare each other down after the bell while the rabid audience goes wild for the challenger to kick things off. The two men finally lock up and Reigns drops Zayn with a shoulder tackle straight away. The second lock-up sees Zayn get the best of the situation, but that doesn’t last long as he gets dropped by an elbow from the champion. However, Zayn quickly turns things around by sending Reigns out of the ring as he dives over the ropes onto the “Tribal Chief,” which is met with a big response. 

Back inside the ring, Zayn hammers down a series of punches before dropping down with an elbow drop from the top turnbuckle which gets a one-fall. However, Reigns then takes Zayn out of the ring and showcases his dominance again with a Drive By, but Zayn begins to fight back in the ring only to be dropped immediately with a big right hand. Reigns then talks trash to Zayn’s wife at ringside as then hammers in clothesline strikes in the corner before dumping him to the floor to his family. 

Reigns talk more trash to Zayn’s wife and family as he drops him with a headbutt. Reigns then throw Zayn into the ropes, but he springboards back from the bottom rope with a leapfrog and he then flattens the champion with a clothesline and begins throwing hands toward Reigns once again to build momentum, hitting another big clothesline as he then sends Reigns out of the ring. He then attacks Reigns in front of his family but the champion responds and they head to the top turnbuckle, but Zayn fights back and hits a sunset flip powerbomb which gets him a near fall. 

Reigns immediately hits several elbow strikes to regain control, following up with an urinagi, and this time it is Zayn who has to kick out at the last minute. Reigns looks for the attack in the corner but gets reversed as Zayn explodes him into the turnbuckles, but as he goes for the Helluva Kick, the champion reverses with a Superman Punch and almost gets the win. Reigns then looks for a Spear but Zayn leaps over him and as Reigns smashes into the turnbuckles he almost gets caught with a roll-up. 

While he kicks out Zayn then suplexes him into the turnbuckles and he then mocks Reigns and hits a Superman Punch of his own, following it up with the Helluva Kick which almost gets the win, but Reigns kicks out! Reigns rolls out from the ring to take a breather, and that leads to Zayn trying to dive through the turnbuckles but he gets caught with a punch to the face from the “Head of the Table.”

Reigns then charges around the ring and looks for a Spear, but Zayn avoids it and Reigns crashes through the barricade. In the ring, Reigns misses with a Superman Punch as Zayn hits the Blue Thunder Bomb, but yet again Reigns kicks out! Reigns then drives Zayn back, but they crash into the official. While he is down Zayn hits another Helluva Kick and he has the title won, but there is nobody to count it! 

Jimmy Uso then appears and nails Zayn with a series of Superkicks as he follows it with the Splash. Jimmy covers him as a new official appears, but Zayn kicks out! Zayn keeps trying to fight, but he is met with a headbutt as Reigns trash-talks him. He then goes for a Superman Punch but Zayn avoids it and Roman nearly hits the new official but he doesn’t! Zayn sends him out of the ring and knocks off Jimmy Uso with a Helluva Kick, but he turns around into a Spear. However, he kicks out again!

Reigns then gets slapped and the champion goes for a Superman Punch, but this time he hits the official! He goes down and Zayn hits the champion with a Superman Punch as Reigns fires back with one of his own and both men are down with no referee. Paul Heyman then pulls out a chair for the Tribal Chief, but Jey Uso then appears in the ring and Reigns hands him the chair. Jey teases hitting Reigns with the chair just as Sami did at the Rumble, but he doesn’t and Reigns takes the chair from him and pushes Jey in the face. Zayn goes for a Spear but Reigns moves and he accidentally hits Jey! After that Reigns uses the weapon repeatedly to beat down Zayn and he then nails the Spear, and this time he can’t kick out. 

After the match, Jimmy Uso begins attacking Zayn until Kevin Owens makes his return! KO begins brawling with Jimmy and he then hits the ring to take down Reigns as well, nailing him with a Stunner, and Jimmy then eats one as well! Owens continues the attack with a Pop-Up Powerbomb that sends Jimmy through the announce table. He grabs a chair but Heyman begins punching him in the back so he eats a Stunner as well. Owens then steps aside and that allows Zayn to hit Reigns with one more Helluva Kick. 

Reigns vs Zayn transcript from Wrestling Inc.

WWE Elimination Chamber 2/18/2023 (Card)

  • Date: February 18, 2023
  • Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Watch: Peacock and traditional PPV

CARD

ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH FOR THE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP:
Austin Theory (c) vs. Bronson Reed vs. Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Montez Ford vs. Seth Rollins

UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Sami Zayn

ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH TO DETERMINE NO. 1 CONTENDER FOR RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP:
Asuka vs. Carmella vs. Liv Morgan vs. Natalya vs. Nikki Cross vs. Raquel Rodriguez

MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH:
Edge and Beth Phoenix vs. The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley)

Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/17/2023

WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX, and emanate from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Tonight’s show is the go-home show for Saturday’s Elimination Chamber.