Tonight’s episode of WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network:
Drew McIntyre announced on Monday afternoon that he was not medically qualified to compete at this week’s WWE SmackDown, where he was slated to team with Sheamus to challenge Undisputed Tag Team Champions The Usos.
In his statement, McIntyre promised to return soon because he doesn’t like missing shows. Butch will replace McIntyre in the match.
On today’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that McIntyre is expected to be back for the Christmas tour that starts on December 26.
Fightful Select also reported that McIntyre is not expected to be out for long as he is dealing with a minor injury.
Source: EWrestlingNews
Tonight’s WWE RAW live from the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. on USA Network at 8/7C.
WWE’s event page indicates that “Raw” Women’s Champion Bianca Belair, Kevn Owens, and Seth “Freakin” Rollins are scheduled to appear, as well as The Judgment Day’s Finn Bálor, Damian Priest, and Rhea Ripley.
Barry Windham, the uncle of Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas, is in the hospital.
The WWE Hall Of Famer suffered a heart attack over the weekend while traveling through the Atlanta airport.
Barry’s niece Mika Rotunda announced the news when she set up a GoFund Me Campaign for him:
“With deep sadness I regret to inform that my uncle, WWE Hall of Famer, Barry Windham suffered a massive heart attack Friday evening. While traveling through the Atlanta airport, his darkest fear became a horrific reality as he went into cardiac arrest. He is currently in the ICU and has undergone an emergency procedure to save his life. As a family, we are impatiently waiting to hear that he will be okay. But as of now, the future is uncertain.
As is the future for many in his position. And for those who have formerly devoted their lives to their craft. Barry Windham, has an iconically, decorated resume as an American professional wrestler. He traveled all over the world for decades, entertaining people of all ages with his athleticism and undeniable charisma.
After those countless years of wrestling matches, traveling and entertaining world wide, he experienced a number of taxing injuries and ended up undergoing multiple surgeries. That led to other health complications. Barry hung his boots for the last time in the early 2000’s. Since then he has been limited with work due to his medical history as well as left without health insurance.
To face these times is one of great stress and hardship. As well as one that comes with extensive medical expenses he is taking on. That is overwhelming to say the least.
We are politely asking for any increment of financial assistance to help cover his medical expenses and bills and see him through this time.”
Source: EWrestlingNews
A report from Fightful Select has an update on William Regal leaving AEW. Regal is now “effectively done” with AEW and said to be heading back to WWE. Additionally, Fightful’s report states that he’s currently finalizing a new deal with WWE.
Regal’s deal with AEW is said to be up this month, so that’s why he was written off TV with the recent angle on Dynamite with MJF. There have been multiple rumors regarding the length of Regal’s contract. It was previously rumored that he had a three-year contract, but WWE sources claimed that Regal had an “out” clause in his AEW agreement.
Additionally, the report notes that all AEW sources are operating under the assumption that Regal is leaving. Regal previously joined AEW in March of 2022. One WWE source said it’s not surprising that Regal is returning to WWE as Triple H was reportedly “very unhappy” that he was let go earlier in January. WWE NXT sources had said that Regal was considered a “lifer” for the NXT brand, and Triple H even mentioned this before.
Regal is expected to have a “backstage role” following his return to WWE.
After joining AEW, William Regal became the manager of the Blackpool Combat Club, featuring Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley as the inaugural members of the stable.
Source: EWrestlingNews
Tegan Nox is officially back in WWE. Nox made her surprise return during last night’s episode of “SmackDown,” saving Liv Morgan from an attack by Damage CTRL. There had been reports that WWE was interested in bringing her back. Things started to pick up more steam when Michael Cole mentioned her name during the Survivor Series WarGames event, which many fans noticed. Now, Nox is back and ready to pick up where she left off.
Nox was released from WWE just over a year ago. She had been brought up to the main roster, joining “SmackDown” in a tag team alongside Shotzi. But the partnership was short-lived as she got drafted to “Raw,” although she never made an appearance for the brand.
In the time since her release, Nox was completely inactive in the wrestling world, which led some people to speculate that she had retired from in-ring action. Nox later debunked those rumors by revealing that the reason for her absence is much more complicated. She said she had trouble getting her visa, which legally prevented her from wrestling or coming back to the U.S. if she decided to leave. It seems as if the situation is now resolved
Nox is the latest in a string of comebacks under the creative regime of Paul “Triple H” Levesque. She was a major star and fan-favorite during her run in “NXT” and also appeared on “NXT UK.” She had a heated rivalry with her longtime friend, Dakota Kai. Now that Nox appears to be involved in a feud with Damage CTRL, there’s little doubt her history with Kai will play a factor.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown will take place from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York airing at 8/7C on FS1. SmackDown will be on FS1 due to PAC-12 Championship college football game on FOX.
Ricochet battles Santos Escobar in the finals of the SmackDown World Cup on FS1
Fallout from Survivor Series WarGames
Sami Zayn to become an official member of The Bloodline
Former Impact Wrestling World Champion Eric Young is set to return to WWE.
Young joined WWE NXT in 2016 where he became a one-time NXT Tag Team Champion and founded the SAnitY faction.
Pwinsider has confirmed with multiple sources that Young will return to WWE soon after recently finishing up with Impact Wrestling.
Young’s final TV appearance for Impact Wrestling saw the wrestler “stabbed to death” by Cody Deaner in a segment that aired on the most recent episode.
Deaner has seemingly taken the leadership role of Young’s Violent by Design faction, which includes Alan Angels and Big Kon.
Young was released from WWE in April 2020 as part of the first mass wave of releases explained as due to ‘budget cuts.’
He returned to Impact that July and won the Impact World Championship two months later from Eddie Edwards.
Source: EWrestlingNews
Roman Reigns was reportedly not happy following the Survivor Series WarGames main event.
According to a report from Fightful Select, Reigns was said to be visibly upset backstage regarding what he perceived as an “unplanned spot” involving him and Kevin Owens. Reigns was overheard saying he may have a ruptured ear drum, and it was clear to those who witnessed the scene that he was not happy with what happened.
Reigns did not take part in the post-event press conference as he was originally scheduled to.
Talent spoken with by Fightful indicated they did not believe there would be any extended heat from what happened and that Reigns’ reaction was likely due to the heat of the moment.
It is not clear what spot was the catalyst for Reigns becoming upset. The only spots Owens and Reigns worked with each other during the match came close to the end. Owens slapped Reigns, and then they exchanged strikes for a period. Roman hit a Superman Punch, and Owens hit a superkick, a pop-up powerbomb, and a stunner. Sami Zayn then broke up the pin leading to the finish, where Zayn hit a low blow and Helluva Kick on Owens.
Sources: WrestleView and Fightful
Tonight’s WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network at 8/7C.
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