WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX from the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina.
- WWE Women’s Championship: Asuka (c) vs Bianca Belair
- How will Roman Reigns respond to Jey Uso’s Title Match Challenge?
Tag: WWE
WWE Keeping A Close Eye On Potential SAG-AFTRA Strike
There are several people in WWE who are keeping a very close eye on the possible SAG-AFTRA strike.
For those unaware, the actor’s union is currently in negotiations with the major production studios. There is a deadline set for Wednesday night at midnight, and at this time, it appears a strike will take place as the two sides are still far part on issues pertaining to higher wages, increased residual payments, and the use of AI. If no deal is agreed to by Wednesday night, the actors will be on strike alongside the WGA (Writer’s Guild of America). This would mark the first time in 63 years that both actors and writers are on strike at the same time. This would obviously shutdown Hollywood for the time being.
According to a report from Pwinsider, numerous people within WWE are waiting to see what happens and they feel the strikes could actually benefit the company. The strike would result in actor’s not being able to promote any new films, and network shows would have to air reruns. Of course, WWE and AEW will continue to provide new content on a weekly basis because wrestling is not part of any unions. As we previously reported here on eWn, The Bloodline segment that took place on last week’s episode of WWE SmackDown brought in 3 million viewers which was the most-watched segment in many years. The reruns of some popular shows may entice people to check out other shows with new content.
Finally, it was said that with WWE and AEW in negotiations for new media rights, the WGA strike and potential SAG-AFTRA strike come at a perfect time. The strikes will put WWE and AEW in a much better position for the entertainment world.
Source: eWn
WWE NXT Preview 7/11/2023
Tonight’s on WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network:
- Andre Chase & Duke Hudson vs. Drew Gulak & Charlie Dempsey
- The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio) appears
- Number One Contenders Match For NXT Title: Bron Breakker vs. Ilja Dragunov
- Cora Jade vs. Kelani Jordan
- Freedom or Trial for Tony D’Angelo: Joe Coffey vs. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo
- Bronco Nima & Lucien Price debut
- Tiffany Stratton vs. Ivy Nile
Bray Wyatt Still Not Medically Cleared For WWE Return
Bray Wyatt disappeared from WWE television in March due to a reported illness, with his last match happening in February.
This caused WWE to nix his plans for a WrestleMania 39 match with Bobby Lashley.
According to a report from Fightful Select, Wyatt is still not “medically cleared” to make an in-ring return.
“When Fightful Select inquired about Wyatt’s status, a WWE higher up confirmed to us that Wyatt is still sidelined, and not cleared for action. We’re told that he’s still awaiting clearance and hopeful for a return whenever that occurs,” the report noted.
The report added that there have been no significant creative pitches for him since he was sidelined.
Source: eWn
WWE RAW Preview 7/10/2023
WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network and will emanate from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.
- No Disqualification Match: The Miz vs. Tommaso Ciampa
- Becky Lynch vs. Zoey Stark
- Drew McIntyre and Matt Riddle vs. Two members of Imperium
- Face-To-Face with Logan Paul and Ricochet
- Cody Rhodes to delivers a “special message” to Brock Lesnar
- Chad Gable and Otis to throw a Graduation Ceremony for Maxxine Dupri
WWE SmackDown Preview 7/7/2023
WWE SmackDown will air tonight live on FOX and emanate from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
- Fallout From Money In The Bank
- Tribal Court: The Trial of The Tribal Chief Roman Reigns
- WWE United States Championship: Austin Theory (c) vs. Sheamus
- Karrion Kross vs AJ Styles
- The Grayson Waller Effect with Edge
WWE NXT Preview 7/4/2023
WWE NXT from the Capitol Wrestling Center in Orlando, Florida on the USA Network:
- Loser Leaves NXT: Creed Brothers vs. The Dyad
- Mustafa Ali vs. Tyler Bate
- Roxanne Perez vs. Blair Davenport
- NXT Underground: Eddie Thorpe w/Gable Steveson vs. Damon Kemp
- Jacy Jayne vs. Lyra Valkyria
- What will Bron Breakker have to say after last week’s ending?
Backstage Update On Drew McIntyre’s WWE Return & Contract Status
Drew McIntyre made his return to WWE at Saturday’s Money In The Bank 2023 pay-per-view event and confronted Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER following the latter’s victory over Matt Riddle.
According to a report from Pwinsider, McIntyre’s contract expires in early 2024. As of now, contract talks are yet to commence as there is sufficient time left on the deal. McIntyre is reportedly unhappy with recent WWE creative and is also far apart on money with the company for a new deal. WWE could extend his existing deal to around WrestleMania next April.
While WWE wanted McIntyre to return at Money In The Bank 2023, the Scottish Psychopath demanded a strong storyline for his return and both parties finally reached an agreement in the final days leading up to the show.
McIntyre was reportedly in continuous communication with Triple H and was also dealing with some injuries that had piled up in the lead-up to WrestleMania 39.
WWE kept McIntyre’s return a well-guarded secret and both sides went particularly silent on the matter in the weeks leading into Money In The Bank 2023.
It’s believed McIntyre will challenge GUNTHER for the Intercontetnial Title at SummerSlam.
Source: eWn
WWE RAW Preview 7/3/2023
Tonight’s WWE Raw will air live on the USA Network and emanate from the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD.
Fallout from Money In The Bank
Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs, Natalya
Backstage Reason For WWE Splitting Up Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler
Saturday’s WWE Money in the Bank event featured a number of surprises and one of those included Shayna Baszler turning on Ronda Rousey in the midst of their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship defense. As a result, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez were able to regain the gold, and it appears Baszler and Rousey are on track for a singles clash.
During the latest episode of “Wrestling Observer Radio,” Dave Meltzer noted that this was always the plan, however, Rousey’s arm injury from before WrestleMania 39 is what screwed up the timeline. He claimed that Rousey has a “hard out” for her next hiatus or possible departure, which will occur long before WrestleMania 40 rolls around.
“The point is that whatever it is they’re planning to do, they want to do a feud,” Meltzer explained. “The whole tag team was to set up Ronda and Shayna doing a feud. Ronda wanted to do this feud with Shayna, she got what she wanted. She’s always wanted to do it because Shayna’s the one who got her into pro wrestling… So to pay her back, they’re going to do a program. I don’t know if it’s one match, I don’t know if it’s two or three, but based on whenever that out is, they had to get it done now.”
Meltzer reiterated that prior to Rousey’s injury, there were plans for them to have a longer title reign that would’ve allowed fans to see the cracks forming before the inevitable split. As of this writing, it remains to be seen when Rousey vs. Baszler will take place. WWE SummerSlam will be the next premium live event in Detroit on August 5.
Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to “Wrestling Observer Radio”
