WrestleVotes reported today that WWE is working with the USA Network for a new program targeted toward kids.
The report noted the two sides are working on a new kids’ trivia show that has a working title of “WWE Tall vs. Small.” It’s unclear when the show will air.
The report read:
“I’m hearing there is a new joint show in the works between WWE & USA Network where kids will compete with Superstars in a trivia challenge, currently titled “WWE Tall vs Small.”
WWE disappointed both talent and fans in the fall of 2020 when Vince McMahon issued an edict that talent had to seize operations on third party platforms such as Cameo and Twitch. There was reportedly widespread frustration among the roster, and select talent even met with McMahon in an attempt to change his mind. Additionally, Zelina Vega was released as a result of continuing to stream on Twitch following the ban.
Over two years later, it appears the Twitch ban has been lifted. Fightful Select reported on Tuesday that “WWE and Twitch have reached an agreement to allow WWE wrestlers back on Twitch with almost no restrictions.” The small caveat is that they must get clearance first before streaming with people from other companies.
Those that spoke to Fightful were “very happy” about the deal and also revealed that the revenue will be split three ways, with Twitch and talent earning “the vast majority.” This has been in the works since April 2022 when WWE informed those in a talent meeting that the ban on third party platforms was changing, although things on the Twitch end took longer than expected.
There have been plenty of conversations in the last few years regarding WWE and third party platforms seeing as though WWE talent are classified as independent contractors. In addition to Vega’s controversial firing, Mandy Rose was reportedly terminated this past December for the content she was posting on her FanTime page. The attention that the news received ultimately led to Rose earning $1 million on the platform within a month following her departure.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Big E is about to have a check-up to see how his recovery is going after he suffered a neck injury when he landed on his head following a belly-to-belly suplex from Ridge Holland on an episode of WWE SmackDown in 2022. The New Day member fractured his C1 vertebrae and C6 vertebrae.
Speaking on the Battleground podcast, Big E discussed his current condition:
“It’s just a complicated fracture. I broke my C1 and C2 in two places, a Jefferson fracture is what it’s called. It just takes a little more time to heal. We just did the one-year scans after WrestleMania, it was a little later because of WrestleMania.
“We need to sit down with the doctors at some point and figure out what the next step is. From my perspective, I feel great, I have no function issues, no pain issues, I’ve been in the gym since two weeks after I broke my neck. I’m feeling great. Obviously, your neck has to be in a certain condition to deal with the rigors of being in the ring on a nightly basis.”
Source: eWrestlingNews
Tonight’s WWE NXT at 8/7c on the USA Network from the Capitol Wrestling Center inside the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL.
The question of WWE’s TV rights following news of the WWE-UFC Merger have been a subject of speculation, and it seems a first move for the post-merger WWE is in motion. According to PWInsider Elite, WWE is in talks with ESPN to collaborate on new projects moving forward. The biggest caveat being that, for the time being, these talks do not involve a weekly TV series.
A collaboration between WWE and ESPN wouldn’t be the first for the companies, as ESPN was airing classic WWE content in 2020. The relationship between the two ended after WWE’s deal to migrate WWE Network content to Peacock in 2021. Speculation at the time held that NBCUniversal was a probable candidate for an eventual sale of WWE, due to the large portion of WWE’s content on various NBCU platforms.
However, it seems with the WWE-UFC Merger that WWE may be looking to diversify its TV presence. WWE’s TV rights with both NBCU and FOX are up next year. Reporting holds that WWE is open to all conversations on new TV deals, barring somebody paying a lofty sum for exclusive TV rights for the various WWE shows.
Another interesting piece of information from the report is the news that another promotion was in talks with ESPN. Despite AEW’s recent deal with ESPN to air their programming in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, it is confirmed that AEW is not the promotion in question. Which promotion was in talks with ESPN is unknown, but it can be assumed with WWE stepping back in that those talks are in jeopardy.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network and emanate from the Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, AR.
WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX and emanate from the Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, Nebraska.
WWE signee Gable Steveson has announced his plans to return to international wrestling competition.
On Tuesday, USA Wrestling sent out a press release to announce that Steveson will be competing at the US Open later this month.
You can check out the official announcement below:
OLYMPIC CHAMPION AND FORMER GOPHER GABLE STEVESON SET TO RETURN TO INTERNATIONAL WRESTLING COMPETITION
Former Gopher heavyweight Gable Steveson, as he announced his return to amateur wrestling competition on Tuesday evening with his registration in the U.S. Open, which will take place later this month.
The announcement closes out a 13-month hiatus from the sport dating back to last season’s NCAA Championships where Steveson left his wrestling shoes on center mat, a rich tradition in wrestling signaling the end of a competitor’s career.
Steveson has hinted towards his desire to make his return to the mat in recent media appearances as the 2024 Olympic cycle draws near. FloWrestling confirmed Steveson’s return through their social channels on Tuesday evening.
As the rumors swirled of a potential return for the heavyweight, the U.S. Open seemed to be the first event in which Steveson could come back to the mat as the tournament acts as the first step in qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials next summer.
In his four seasons at Minnesota, Steveson amassed an 85-2 career record with 60 bonus-point victories, collecting two NCAA titles, three Big Ten titles, and two Dan Hodge trophies. He also claimed the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, defeating Georgia’s Geno Petriashvili in one of the most dramatic finishes the sport has ever seen.
The former Gopher great will return to action as a representative of the Gopher Wrestling Club, Minnesota’s regional training center for international styles. He will be competing alongside fellow GWC athlete Hayden Zillmer, the 2022 World Team member at 125 kilograms.
Fans can tune in to the awaited return of Gable Steveson at the 2023 U.S. Open in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 26-30, 2023 live on FloWrestling.
Source: eWrestlingNews
Tonight’s episode of WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network:
We have new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions in the form of Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez.
During Monday night’s episode of RAW, we saw a segment where Lita was found laid out in the backstage area. Following a commercial break, Trish Stratus offered to step in to help Becky Lynch defend her and Lita’s WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships in a previously scheduled match with Morgan and Rodriguez. The finish of the match came when Morgan ducked a Chick Kick and quickly rolled Stratus up for the win.
While Lynch wasn’t thrilled with losing the titles, she raised Stratus’ hand and hugged her. At that point, Trish turned heel and nailed Becky with the Chick Kick.
When backstage correspondent Byron Saxton attempted to get an explanation immediately following the betrayal, Stratus simply walked on by. So for the time being, the WWE Universe will only have certain questions to sit on. Until we get an explanation from Stratus herself, there’s going to be a lot of speculation. For the time being, fans may take some solace in the fact that this is already her second match of 2023. Given her actions Monday night, it seems certain that there’s more to come.
Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus has been rumored to be taking place for several months now. It was reported last month that there were plans for Stratus to turn her heel and work a program with Lynch through SummerSlam.
Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that this is still the plan as WWE is going to extend the feud through the summer, leading to a SummerSlam match on August 5.
Sources: eWrestlingNews and Wrestling Inc.
