Tag: WWE

The Latest On Sasha Banks’ Status With WWE

It was reported yesterday by Raj Giri that Sasha Banks had been released by WWE. Now, further details about Banks’ WWE status are coming out.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reports that he spoke with Giri earlier in the afternoon before the report was made and reached out to WWE. The representative he spoke to heard nothing about Banks’ release either way but did note that they saw Giri’s tweet. Regarding Banks’ status, nothing has been confirmed, but nothing has been refuted either. Contacts close to the public relations team in WWE had heard nothing of Banks’ reported departure as of 8 PM ET last night.

As of this writing, no memos or emails have apparently been sent out by the company internally regarding anything related to the reported release of Banks. There was reportedly an email sent urgently requesting her removal from an advertised live event, but nothing surrounding the current situation.

Along with her co-Tag Team Champion Naomi, Banks walked out on WWE  on May 16 before an episode of “WWE Raw.” Since then, Banks and Naomi were publicly outed on-air for staging the walkout and they were suspended indefinitely without pay. Corey Graves stated on the air that the walkout “disappointed the WWE Universe in the process” and that their actions caused them to relinquish their Tag Titles. All their merchandise has been removed from the WWE Shop and their likenesses have been scrubbed from any video advertisements or introductions.

It’s been reported that Banks’ contract was set to expire with WWE in two months’ time, and Naomi was reportedly in talks of renegotiating a contract at the time of the walkout.

Earlier this week, photos and videos were posted of Banks following a PRK eye surgery she underwent. That, along with her being seen at a Steve Aoki concert have been the only moments we’ve seen of Banks since she and Naomi staged the walkout.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Board Reportedly Investigating Vince McMahon Following Alleged Affair And Hush Payment

According to a bombshell Wall Street Journal piece, WWE CEO Vince McMahon is under investigation following an alleged affair with an employee.

Vince McMahon, WWE’s founder and CEO, is reportedly being investigated by the board of his own company after making an alleged hush payment to a former employee following an affair.

On Wednesday, June 15 the Wall Street Journal dropped a bombshell story that claims WWE’s board received an email containing details of a workplace affair McMahon conducted with a now-former WWE paralegal and the subsequent payments made in exchange for the unmanned person’s silence.

The email alleges that the female paralegal was initially hired on a salary of $100,000 per year, but her salary was doubled after she began a sexual relationship with McMahon. Allegedly, when McMahon ended the relationship with the former WWE employee, he “gave her like a toy” to the company’s general manager of talent relations John Laurinaitis.

According to WSJ’s report, the board’s investigation began in April and has discovered numerous non-disclosure agreements pertaining to allegations of misconduct leveled at McMahon and Laurinaitis.

Vince McMahon has been married to Linda McMahon, a former administrator of the United States Small Business Administration, since 1966. John Laurinaitis has been married to Kathy Colace, the mother of former WWE Superstars Nikki and Brie Bella, since 2016.

As we previously reported, Vince McMahon’s daughter Stephanie McMahon recently stood down from her role as WWE’s Chief Brand Officer.

“As of tomorrow, I am taking a leave of absence from the majority of my responsibilities at WWE,” Stephanie tweeted. “WWE is a lifelong legacy for me and I look forward to returning to the company that I love after taking this time to focus on my family.”

Source: TheSportster

WWE NXT Preview 6/14/22

The following is set for tonight on WWE NXT 2.0 at 8/7 C on USA!

WWE RAW Preview 6/13/22

The following is set for tonight’s WWE RAW:

WWE Releases NXT Star Troy ‘Two Dimes’ Donovan

WWE has released NXT star Troy ‘Two Dimes’ Donovan.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, Donovan was released on June 11 due to a “policy issue.”  It was not a budget or creative decision.

Meltzer noted that Donovan was told he might be brought back to WWE in a year.

Donovan’s release was also confirmed by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.

Before his WWE release, Donovan was part of Tony D’Angelo’s stable on “NXT 2.o.” Earlier this month, on June 4 at “In Your House,” Donovan, D’Angelo, and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo had defeated Legado del Fantasma. Since Legado del Fantasma lost, they had to join D’Angelo’s stable.

Donovan was signed with the mid-March WWE Performance Center Class that also featured Lorenzo, Roxanne Perez, Sloane Jacobs, and Arianna Grace. He made his WWE in-ring debut on the April 8 edition of NXT Level Up, where he and Lorenzo lost to Andre Chase and Bodhi Hayward.

Before signing with WWE, Donovan wrestled as Cole Karter in the indies. As Karter, he wrestled several matches on both AEW Dark and AEW Dark: Elevation.

Donovan took to Twitter to thank his friends and colleagues for their support.

“Thank you to everyone who’s reached out,” Donovan tweeted. “Mistakes happen and lessons are learned. A bump in the road doesn’t define me though. I’ll be back.”

One of those supporters was recent NXT newcomer Thea Hail who encouraged Donovan to “just keep swimming!”

Donovan’s release from the company came as a shock to the “NXT” fanbase as he has become a prominent figure on the show after joining the D’Angelo Family as one of Tony D’Angelo’s wiseguys. “Two Dimes” Donovan, along with Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo were two of D’Angelo’s “capos” and a major storyline began developing between that trio and Legado Del Fantasma. A “turf war” was had at NXT In Your House and it was D’Angelo’s crew who came out victorious after Donovan “stacked” Lorenzo on top of Joaquin Wilde for the pinfall. Due to the match stipulation, Legado Del Fantasma was forced to join the D’Angelo Family and there has been teased tension between the factions since.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/10/22

Don’t miss what promises to be an incredible Intercontinental Title showdown pitting The One and Only against The Ring General, this Friday at 8/7 C on WWE SmackDown on FOX.

Chris Jericho And MVP Clashed In A Hotel After Dynamite This Week

Apparently Chris Jericho and MVP was involved in a heated verbal altercation.

The Wednesday Night War might have come to an end when NXT moved to Tuesdays nights, and there might be friends on both sides, but there is still a healthy competition between WWE and AEW. While some wrestlers might not care which side is doing better than the other and mean it, others very much do. That was reportedly made evident in a hotel lobby during the early hours of Thursday morning after Dynamite this week.

According to Wrestling Observer‘s Dave Meltzer, Chris Jericho and MVP came to verbal blows in a hotel in Houston, Texas. “Jericho was talking to Matt Hardy and MVP shows up. Most people didn’t know what was up and thought he was kidding around until it became clear he wasn’t kidding,” Meltzer explained. Apparently the argument may have hinged on an issue between the two that dates back 18 months.

Apparently no punches were thrown, nor was there a physical altercation of any kind, but it seems likely that might have been the case had the two not been separated. “Nothing bad happened even though it was a tense situation. Jericho did tell him that he doesn’t fight jobbers when he got in the elevator ad MVP was screaming it in the lobby,” Meltzer went on to say.

Jericho and MVP will have shared a WWE locker room in the past, but not for a very long time. By the time MVP returned for his latest stint in WWE during the 2020 men’s Royal Rumble, Jericho had already become All Elite. In fact, it has been more than 12 years since the two were in the same match together. Coincidentally, that match was the 2010 Royal Rumble.

As for why the two of them don’t get along to the point that they openly fought, at least verbally, remains unknown. What would happen if the two of them had been allowed to fight, that’s anyone’s guess. MVP seems like a pretty tough guy, but apparently Jericho once managed to restrain Goldberg backstage, so he’s definitely not someone you’d want to mess with if it can be avoided.

Source: TheSportster

John Cena Meets Disabled Teen Refugee From Ukraine

John Cena arranged to meet Misha Rohozhyn, a 19-year-old Ukrainian refugee with Down syndrome this past weekend. According to the Wall Street Journal, Cena was touched by the strength and resolve of Rohozhyn and his family, who fled the besieged city of Mariupol, and were profiled by the same publication at the end of May.

In the profile, the Journal mentioned that Misha, who cannot speak, was soothed by his mother, who promised that they would find her son’s hero, Cena, once free from the Russian bombardment. Cena read the article and scheduled a visit to the Dutch town of Huizen, in which the Rohozhyn family had found refuge.

“I didn’t want a son to think of his mom in a different light just because she did whatever she had to do to get him to safety,” Cena said, referring to the almost-fiction that Misha’s mother had used to calm her distressed son. “I wanted to tell him today personally that his story really touched me.”

Cena’s visit was the first time Misha had smiled since the war began on February 24th. While war is a hellish experience for anyone caught in the crossfire, the bombardment, bombings, noises, and general disruptions of combat can be especially hard on those with the kind of sensory issues that Down syndrome can cause.

Cena sat and ate a traditional Ukrainian honey cake with Misha and his family, while a number of jealous children watched at the window. Cena also brought a WWE Title belt for Misha, as well as other memorabilia.

After getting a tour of Misha’s room, and comparing biceps with each other, Cena returned to London, where he’s currently filming a movie. Cena left Misha with the advice about how life has good days and bad days.

“I hope he gets more good days,” Cena said.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1534275450192777216

 At the end of their exchange Rohozhyn had a clear message to Cena, say hello to Alexa Bliss for him.

As Cena was departing from his visit, where he gave Misha WWE merchandise and ate cake, he stated that “she will definitely get that, she will definitely see that,” and he was a man of his word as the former “Raw” Women’s Champion has responded to Misha’s request.

Bliss took to social media to send Misha a message of her own, stating: “Hi Misha!!! sending so many hugs ! Thank you @JohnCena !!! This warms my heart so much.”

https://twitter.com/AlexaBliss_WWE/status/1534291865410777094

Apollo Crews Returns To WWE NXT

During last night’s episode of WWE NXT 2.0, former Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews made his NXT return.

Crews came out to confront NXT World Champion Bron Breakker. Breakker had successfully retained the NXT title this past Saturday at “In Your House” against Joe Gacy.

During the promo, Crews said he’s back in NXT for as long as he wants to be and misses being there. He calls Breakker one of the best acts in the entire company and not just in NXT.

Crews also added that he can’t wait to make history with Breakker, but until then, he’ll see him around.

It was interesting that he appeared on NXT as a face receiving a huge ovation.

Later in the night, Apollo joined forces with Solo Sikoa to take on Carmelo Hayes and Grayson Waller in tag team action. Crews picked up the win for his team after nailing Waller with a spinning powerbomb for the 1-2-3, marking his return to NXT with a victory.

Crews made his NXT debut in August 2015 and in April 2016, was moved to the main roster. He won the Intercontinental title at WrestleMania 37 from Big E. Crews would hold the title until August 2021.

Crews was drafted to “Raw” in the 2021 WWE draft, though he hasn’t competed on “Raw,” since the March 21 episode. His last match was on the May 30 edition of “Main Event” against Akira Tozawa.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 6/7/22

Tonight’s episode of WWE NXT 2.0 will feature a historic match and the fallout from “In Your House.”

The following line-up is announced for tonight:

  • NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament Final: Roxanne Perez vs. Tiffany Stratton
  • Alba Fyre vs. Tatum Paxley
  • Josh Briggs vs. Von Wagner