The final WWE SmackDown of 2022 will air live tonight on FOX, and emanate from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL.
Tag: WWE
AJ Styles Injured At WWE Live Event
Reports came out last night that AJ Styles suffered an injury during a live event in Hershey, Pennsylvania, as part of WWE’s holiday tour and PWInsider has confirmed that it is 100 percent legitimate, and isn’t part of any storyline. The situation is “likely” an ankle injury and the former WWE Champion is expected to be getting the situation checked out ASAP, but until that has taken place there is no way of knowing how serious it is, or how long he will be out of action.
It was noted that Styles was having issues putting weight onto his left foot after the match, and he did have to be walked by WWE officials to get him to the back. Footage online from fans in attendance showcased the “X” symbol being flashed by the referee, which is the universal sign of a real injury in the wrestling business.
Styles had been part of a six-man match that saw The O.C. (Styles, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows) compete against The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio), but it had to be stopped as a result of the injury. As of late, the Phenomenal One has been feuding against Balor and the rest of his group, with the two factions being at war which initially began because Styles didn’t want to join forces with his former friend, Balor.
Neither Styles nor any other member of The O.C. has made any official comments about the situation, but further updates will come once Styles has been checked. He was originally expected to be facing Seth Rollins tonight at the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Canada, but that is now likely to be changed.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Dragon Lee Signs With WWE – Believed To Be The Highest-Paid WWE NXT Star
Dragon Lee has signed a contract with WWE.
Following a tag team match featuring Lee and Dralistico teaming up to face off against FTR at Wednesday’s AAA Noche De Campeones event, the AAA wrestler grabbed a microphone and cut a promo to announce that he’s heading to WWE. ESPN is reporting that Lee will be starting with WWE in January. He’s expected to begin on the NXT brand.
At Wednesday’s AAA Noche De Campeones event, Lee and Dralistico defeated FTR to capture the AAA World Tag Team Championships. This means Lee will be leaving the company as a champion.
Both Lee and Dralistico received WWE tryouts following their appearance on AEW Dynamite back in August. Lee told ESPN the following:
“I think I can become the new Rey Mysterio in WWE. I just need the opportunity. [Finn Balor] told me, ‘Would you like to be in WWE?’ [laughs]. I said, ‘Yeah, sure. Why not?’ … It was something special for me. It’s my challenge to learn more about promos. You will never finish learning in pro wrestling. But every time you wrestle, you learn. But about promos, it’s something new for me. I would like to learn something new, how to become not just a wrestler — an artist.”
Dave Meltzer addressed Lee’s signing on Wrestling Observer Radio where he revealed that the deal was made about two weeks ago and the luchador was asked to keep it under wraps for obvious reasons. Meltzer said,
Lee is a former ROH Television and ROH World Tag Team Champion. He’s also held the World Welterweight and Lightweight Championships in CMLL. Lee also had a reign as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Dragon Lee may be less than a week into his WWE contract, but the new signing is believed to be the highest earner in NXT.
Lee announced his signing with WWE after he and Dralistico dethroned FTR as AAA World Tag Team Champions, and the titles have since been vacated.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dragon Lee’s deal is believed to be the highest in NXT now that Mandy Rose is gone.
“The belief is that he would be the highest-paid NXT wrestler now that Mandy Rose is no longer working with the brand. It’s a three-year deal and does call for pay increases with each year, but the hope and certainly the feeling he was given is he would have a main roster contract and be brought up in 2024.”
WWE contracts have a confidentiality clause in that the talent and their representatives are not allowed to reveal the dollar amount of each deal.
Source: ewrestlingnews
WWE NXT Preview 12/27/2022
Tonight on WWE NXT on USA Network at 8/7C
- Wes Lee defends NXT North American Championship against Tony D’Angelo
- Wendy Choo and Cora Jade to square off in heated rematch
- Fallon Henley takes on Kiana James in a Battle For The Bar
- Edris Enofé, Malik Blade and Odyssey Jones duel with Schism in a Six-Man Tag Team Match
- The first-ever Drew Gulak Invitationa
- Lyra Valkyria vs. Lash Legend
- Scrypts vs. Ikemen Jiro
WWE SmackDown Preview 12/23/2022
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX at 8/7C.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles: Hit Row Vs. The Usos (c)
- 34th Street Fight: Braun Strowman & Ricochet Vs. Imperium
- Gauntlet Match to determine a new challenger to SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey: Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Tegan Nox, Emma, Sonya Deville and Xia Li
Tama Tonga Invites AJ Styles To NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17, Vows To Dethrone Karl Anderson
Karl Anderson will defend the NEVER Openweight Championship against Tama Tonga in two weeks at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17. This will be the first time that a WWE-contracted talent wrestles on the show.
Tonga took to Twitter to invite Styles to the Tokyo Dome show so that The OC Leader can watch The Good Bad Guy “smash” the WWE Superstar at the venue. He wrote,
“AJ can come too. He can watch me smash his boy. ( still got love for you #PhenomenalOne ) #Wrestlekingdom17 – January 4, 2023 #AndNew #NeverOpenWeightChampion.”
Earlier this year, Anderson defeated Tonga to win the NEVER Openweight Title at NJPW Dominion. It will be interesting to see if Anderson can retain the title in his second outing with Tonga come January 4th.
Source: ewrestlingnews
WWE NXT Preview 12/20/2022
Tonight’s episode of WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network at 8/7C.
Bronson Reed Returns To WWE On RAW,
Bronson Reed made his much-awaited return to WWE this week on Monday Night RAW, as he attacked Dexter Lumis during the latter’s “Winner Take All” ladder match against The Miz, thereby allowing The Hollywood A-Lister to clinch the victory. Reed celebrated with The Miz after the match.
Reed was released from his WWE contract this past August. Following his departure, he began working for NJPW and Impact Wrestling under the ring name JONAH.
Source: ewrestlingnews
WWE RAW Preview 12/19/2022
The final episode of “WWE Raw” before Christmas takes place tonight in Des Moines, Iowa, airing on USA Network at 8/7C.
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
