WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network and emanate from TD Garden in Boston, MA.
WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX, and emanate from the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.
Jay White is officially on the move, but where to seems to still be up in the air.
In the latest edition of the weekly Wrestling Observer Newsletter, veteran pro wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer confirmed that the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is officially a free agent after his NJPW contract expired at the end of last month.
Meltzer reported that all indications point toward White heading to WWE but “there has still been no confirmation of that.” He added, “If he is going to WWE, it’s not something well known within the company by many because multiple people who normally know haven’t heard his name mentioned.”
White’s tenure with NJPW has been seemingly wrapping up over the past two months. In January, the former Bullet Club leader dropped the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship to Kazuchika Okada in the main event at Wrestle Kingdom 17.
Then last month, he lost two apparent farewell matches, first losing to his former stablemate Hikuleo in a “loser leaves Japan” match at The New Beginning in Osaka and then losing to Eddie Kingston in a “loser leaves NJPW” match at Battle in the Valley. After White’s loss to Hikuleo, the wrestler posted photos of his time in Japan on social media with the caption, “Peace. #SwitchbladeEra.” And after his loss to Kingston, his opponent bowed to him after leaving the ring and joined the crowd in applauding him.
Several reports have since indicated WWE has heavy interest in bringing White into the fold and that officials there are “confident” he’s coming, though a jump to AEW or the broader independent scene also remains possible.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
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.
Tonight’s episode of WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network:
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 will air live tonight on the USA Network and emanate from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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 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
The post-Elimination Chamber episode of WWE SmackDown tonight from the Ford Center in Evansville, IN., airing live on FOX starting 8/7c.
