Tag: WWE

WWE Star Sonya Deville Was Arrested For Firearm Possession In February

WWE star Sonya Deville, real name Daria Berenato, was reportedly arrested last month for unlawful possession of a firearm in New Jersey. The incident allegedly took place on February 19 in Atlantic City, with Berenato being charged with possession of a handgun without a permit in the state of New Jersey.

According to a WWE spokesperson speaking to Wrestling Inc. on background, Berenato was granted an expedited permit to carry a handgun in her home state of Florida following a 2020 incident that saw a stalker break into her home, reportedly with the intent of kidnapping Berenato. Berenato, who recently announced her engagement, traveled to Atlantic City last week to celebrate the milestone. There, a mix-up with a valet attendant resulted in the attendant searching Berenato’s glove compartment in an attempt to identify the owner of the vehicle via registration. A handgun was found in the glove compartment and authorities were then contacted.

While Berenato hasn’t released any statement on the incident, an upcoming match between herself and Charlotte Flair is seemingly still on for a Madison Square Garden live event in New York City on March 12. The match was announced by the venue earlier today via Twitter, with Berenato retweeting the announcement.

Berenato is a regular personality on WWE television, having competed in five matches on TV or on premium live events so far in 2023. The WWE star last appeared on TV during the February 10 edition of “WWE SmackDown,” where she competed in a tag match alongside Chelsea Green against Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Since then, Berenato has wrestled at several live events, including after her alleged arrest.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 2/28/2023

Tonight’s episode of WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network: 

Trish Stratus Returned To WWE On RAW, Helping Lita And Becky Lynch Win Women’s Tag Titles

Last night on RAW, Trish Stratus returned, helping Lita and Becky Lynch win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship from Damage CTRL’s IYO Sky and Dakota Kai.

Stratus took out Bayley, preventing her from interfering in the title match. Lynch put SKY in an armbar while Lita nailed Kai with a top-rope moonsault to dethrone Damage CTRL on the Road To WrestleMania.

Lita and Lynch are both in their first reign as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, ending Damage CTRL’s second title run at 114 days. SKY and Kai won the titles from Alexa Bliss and Asuka at WWE Crown Jewel on November 5th, 2022.

WWE RAW Preview 2/27/2023

WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network and emanate from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai and IYO SKY) (c) with Bayley vs. Becky Lynch and WWE Hall of Famer Lita
  • Asuka vs Carmella
  • Candice LeRae vs Piper Niven
  • Miz TV WrestleMania Goes Hollywood Edition
  • Will Brock Lesnar appear to accept Omo’s WrestleMania 39 Challenge?

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.