The final episode of “WWE Raw” before Christmas takes place tonight in Des Moines, Iowa, airing on USA Network at 8/7C.
Tag: WWE
Peacock and WWE Network Add New Independent Wrestling Content
The WWE Network and Peacock have added new independent wrestling content.
The new programming includes shows from ICW, and wXw. The shows are available to be seen at any time on-demand. Here is what was added:
ICW Fear & Loathing XIV – 11/20/22.
Kez Evans, Stevie James, Leyton Buzzard and Craig Anthony collide in an ICW World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Match. Kasey challenges ICW Women’s World Champion Molly Spartan. BT Gunn battles Jack Jester in a King of Insanity Match. Glasgow Grindhouse clash with K.O.E. for the ICW Tag Team Championship.
wXw World Tag Team Festival – Night 3 – 10/03/22.
The top teams from Group A and Group B battle for the wXw Tag Team Titles. Four women square off to determine the No. 1 Contender for the wXw Women’s Championship. Killer Kelly takes on Masha Slamovich in a wXw 16 Carat Gold Qualifying Match.
Source: PWMania
December 26th Episode of WWE RAW Likely To Be A ‘Best Of’ Show
During the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that the December 26th episode of RAW will likely be a ‘best of’ episode, although that hasn’t been confirmed. There is no taping scheduled for December 26, as all of the events on that day are live events. Meanwhile, tonight’s taping in Des Moines will just be the live episode.
It’s possible that WWE will announce their plans for next weeks show during tonight’s episode.
John Cena Set To Get ‘Ucey’ In WWE In-Ring Return, SmackDown 12/30/2022
WWE is set to cap off 2022 with a match of epic proportions, as John Cena & Kevin Owens square off against The Bloodline’s Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn on the 12/30 episode of “WWE SmackDown” in Tampa, Florida.
The match was set up during the closing stages of last night’s “WWE SmackDown,” where Reigns announced that he & Zayn will face Owens & a mystery partner at WWE’s last show of 2022. Just then, Cena appeared on the TitanTron to read out a text message he received from Owens.
“Surprise!” Cena addressed The Bloodline via satellite. “I bet you’re a little surprised to see me. Well, it’s the holiday season, and everybody loves a good holiday surprise, and boy was I surprised when I got a text message, out of the blue, from my longtime friend Kevin Owens.
“He said, ‘sup, Peacemaker. Did you know you’ve had a WWE match every year for the past 20 years except this one. Your streak is about to be broken. Mind-blown emoji. Do you want to be my tag team partner December 30 in Tampa, Florida?'”
Cena continued, “So, let me get this straight – I haven’t had a match in 2022, and we’re running out of chances. And you’re asking me if I want to partner with Kevin Owens against the Uciest Sami Zayn and The Tribal Chief in a main event match that can’t be missed? Hell yes, I’ll be there! Hell yes, we’ll bring the fight to The Bloodline in the final SmackDown of 2022. Make your list, check it twice – The Bloodline has been naughty, and won’t it be nice when Cena-clause is coming to town? Ho Ho Ho Holy S**t!”
The show went off the air with Reigns & The Bloodline fuming in the ring, while reacting to Cena’s announcement.
Cena last wrestled in an untelevised WWE dark match at Madison Square Garden on September 10, 2021, teaming up with Rey & Dominik Mysterio against Reigns & The Usos in a six-man match. Prior to that bout, he lost to Reigns at SummerSlam on August 21, 2021.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Bray Wyatt’s Uncle Howdy Appears Live On WWE SmackDown
On last night’s episode of WWE SmackDown, LA Knight called out Bray Wyatt for attacking and kidnapping him last week.
In response, Wyatt tried to convince Knight that he was not the one who perpetrated the attack.
Knight lost his cool and attacked Wyatt. It was at this moment that Uncle Howdy appeared on the entranceway, resembling the deadly Jack The Ripper. Howdy tipped his hat and laughed and so did Wyatt. Knight left the ring in utter disbelief.
Details On Matt Riddle’s Reported Suspension From WWE
After Solo Sikoa attacked Matt Riddle on the December 5 episode of “WWE Raw,” WWE announced Riddle would be out of action for six weeks to recover from his storyline injuries. As previously reported by Bodyslam.net, the injury angle was done because Riddle failed another drug test and would be going to rehab as a result. In the midst of these allegations, however, the fact that WWE didn’t publicly announce either reported suspension has led to Dave Meltzer questioning WWE’s wellness policy in a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The first failed drug test was said to have occurred over the summer, while Riddle was feuding with Seth Rollins. WWE pulled Riddle vs. Rollins from SummerSlam and cited “creative adjustments,” delaying the match until Clash at the Castle in September. Meltzer pointed out that Riddle wasn’t gone for a full 30 days during his initial absence between July 25 and August 20, and regarding Riddle’s current absence, Meltzer noted that six weeks does not equate to the standard 60-day suspension for a second violation of the WWE wellness policy. Ultimately, Meltzer speculates that “either WWE has secretly changed its policy or something doesn’t add up.”
WWE officials did not comment to the Observer on a change in policy, nor did they deny the story being inaccurate. However, it’s believed internally amongst talent that WWE wrote Riddle off for six weeks so he could go to rehab. However, one source told Meltzer that Riddle was taking time off “because of pressure of going through a divorce” while denying the suspension allegations. Other sources closest to Riddle did not respond to the Observer’s request for comment.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE SmackDown Preview 12/16/2022
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown live from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, IL on FOX at 8/7C.
- Roman Reigns returns to head the table
- Gunther and Ricochet throw down for Intercontinental Title
- Liv Morgan and Tegan Nox to fight Damage CTRL for Women’s Tag Titles
- Hit Row, Legado del Fantasma and The Viking Raiders to collide in Triple Threat Tag Team Match!
WWE will also be taping the December 23rd episode of SmackDown tonight.
Mandy Rose Shares Message To Subscribers After WWE NXT Release
Mandy Rose has thanked her subscribers on her website after being released from WWE this week.
The former NXT Women’s Champion lost the title to Roxanne Perez on this week’s WWE NXT, and was released yesterday due to the content on her site.
In an update on the site, Rose ensured her subscribers that the page will remain up.
“Hey guys, thank you for all the messages. I am overwhelmed with all the love and support from you guys. And don’t worry the page is still up! ;)”
Rose was reportedly earning more through her website than as a WWE Superstar at the time of her release.
Source: ewrestlingnews
Mandy Rose Released By WWE
Mandy Rose has been released by WWE according to a report from Fightful Select. The reason for the release reportedly being that she put the company in a tough position by posting adult photos on her BrandArmy account.
Rose began trending this week after photos and videos of herself, nude and semi-nude, began to circulate online. This also explains why Rose dropped the NXT Women’s Title to Roxanne Perez last night. The match was initially to take place at a later date but was instead added yesterday without any prior advertisement.
Internal WWE Reactions To The WSJ Article, Vince Wanting To Come Back
Vince McMahon wants to come back to the WWE, but it doesn’t seem like that feeling is mutual.
Today’s article from the Wall Street Journal has been covered on this site elsewhere, but to recap: Vince McMahon has told those close to him that he’s considered making a WWE comeback, and got poor advice to retire. There is also the revelation of two more lawsuits regarding sexual misconduct and assault – one new, and one from Rita Chatterton, a former WWE referee.
A new report details the internal reaction at WWE to the ongoing legal issues surrounding Vince.
Fightful immediately heard from numerous staff and talent within WWE. One WWE talent called the news “exhausting,” and was hopeful that Vince McMahon’s WWE tenure was in the rear view, despite them having a positive relationship prior to McMahon leaving. Another said that they were concerned for the talent that got re-hired in the event that Vince McMahon were to return.
A higher-up in WWE wasn’t nearly as concerned. They mentioned that the stock price increased, viewership was boosted, and general morale recovered after Vince McMahon left. Said the source: “It would be a really selfish move for Vince to come back under any circumstances. The reason he left, how business has done since then — it’d be really selfish. But selfish activities are what led to him leaving in the first place.” That source said that they did not believe that Vince would return, despite having voting power within the company.
One longtime staffer said that morale has increased tenfold since McMahon left, and they don’t believe he’ll be back, whether he wants to be or not. An employee of over a decade says they also believe that McMahon’s family will actively encourage him to remain retired. That same source says they think that McMahon returning would do irreparable damage to the WWE brand, and said that the few doubters that thought WWE would collapse internally have been proven wrong, with one notable name even admitting as much.
The timing of the article’s release was interesting to one official that came to power in recent years. With McMahon speaking to those close to him about a potential return, that source did not believe the timing of the information of additional legal issues being released was an accident, and also coincides with the release of a Vince McMahon VICE TV documentary.
Source: EWrestlingNews
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