Tag: WWE

WWE SmackDown Preview 7/1/2022

Tonight’s WWE “SmackDown” is the last stop before Saturday night’s Money in the Bank event. 

One of the spots in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match has yet to be determined. Whoever it is will join Drew McIntyre, Omos, Riddle, Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins, and Sheamus in the match. Riddle is the latest man to earn a spot in the match. He won a “Money in the Bank Last Chance Battle Royal” on Monday’s “Raw”.

We may also see another attempt to debut Max Dupri’s Maximum Male Models stable on tonight’s “SmackDown”. The past few weeks have seen Dupri teasing the unveiling of his first client. However, multiple attempts have resulted in little more than a single spotlight shining over the ring and Dupri refusing to do the segment. Two weeks ago, he complained to Adam Pearce that the lighting was not up to his standards. Last week, Dupri complained that the bottled water and the temperature in his dressing room were not to his specifications.

NXT’s Io Shirai Will Become A Free Agent Next Month Unless She Signs A New Deal

Io Shirai appears to be on a similar path to Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano.

NXT has undergone quite the transformation over the course of the past 12 months. Many of those who were a part of the black and gold brand have been called up, released, or allowed their contracts to expire and moved on. A handful remain, most of whom don’t appear on NXT TV all that often. Io Shirai falls into that final category, but could be an ex-WWE Superstar before long.

That’s according to The Wrestling Observer which has revealed Shirai’s NXT deal expires in August, and she is yet to sign a new contract with the company. What’s more, reports suggest it seems unlikely Shirai will be signing a new contract and will instead return to Japan. Apparently, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion has been telling people close to her that she wants to be closer to her family once her time with WWE is done.

Shirai may well follow in the footsteps of Kairi Sane. However, where Sane worked the remainder of her WWE contract as an ambassador for the company in Japan, Shirai won’t have to do that since her deal will have come to an end, making her a free agent. She’ll be free to return to Stardom, or compete for whatever wrestling promotion she likes, whether it be inside or outside of Japan.

Shirai hasn’t been entirely absent from NXT since its revamp. She has actually featured quite prominently, most recently competing for the Women’s Title at Stand and Deliver over WrestleMania weekend. She has also held the Tag Titles with Zoey Stark since the 2.0 rebrand. Many fans would have hoped Shirai would get a run on the main roster, but unless she re-signs within the next month, that isn’t going to happen.

Shirai will be the latest in a run of NXT Superstars to reject a new deal should she let her contract expire and leave WWE next month. Johnny Gargano, Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and Candice LeRae have all opted to do the same thing. Cole and O’Reilly have since shown up in and signed with AEW, while Gargano and LeRae’s next moves are currently unknown as they welcomed their first baby together only a few months ago.

Source: TheSportster

Sasha Banks Released, But WWE Trying To Smooth Things Over With Her [Report]

A new report notes that Sasha Banks was released on June 10th, but WWE is trying to smooth things over and potentially get her back.

While conflicting reports seem to complicate the truth about whether Sasha Banks has actually been released by WWE, another report has surfaced on Tuesday that The Boss has been let go, but WWE simply hasn’t made the announcement official because they’re trying to smooth things over with the former multiple-time champion.

As per a report by Raj Giri of WrestlingInc. Banks has been released from her contract. He writes, “Here’s what I know about Sasha Banks. She was released on June 10th and it came from Erika Schreiber, VP of Business and Legal Affairs for Talent Relations.” Giri was the first to report that Banks had been officially released when others weren’t sure and the fact that he’s dropped the name of the person who released her is a big development. Giri said he would never name his source for this information, but this is still quite specific, suggesting someone has the details on what’s really going on. He adds, “As for why WWE has not said anything or removed her, the rumor is that leadership is trying to smooth things over.”

The second part is really interesting. Is WWE trying to smooth things over because they want her to return? Or, is WWE trying to smooth things over so that she doesn’t bad-mouth the company on the way out? Considering there is a lot of negative press surrounding WWE right now, the last thing they likely need is someone like Banks going public with her issues (assuming she has a gripe beyond just being frustrated creatively.)

https://twitter.com/TheRajGiri/status/1541917337753985025

Considering there are other reports WWE thinks they’ll be just fine without Banks, it’s interesting to hear that the company is trying to make things right. They may not be taking responsibility for whatever issue Banks has with the company, but it sounds like they are trying to get everyone on the same page and continue to do business. Whether that means they’re looking to get her back on the active roster or renegotiate her contract remains to be seen.

Source: TheSportster with credit to Raj Giri

WWE Raw Preview 6/27/22, John Cena 20-year Anniversary Celebration

Tonight’s episode of WWE RAW will take place from Laredo, Texas – airing live tonight on USA Network at 8/7C.

John Cena will be back to celebrate the anniversary of his WWE debut. Cena’s first appearance on “SmackDown” was broadcast 20 years ago today.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1541421088072138753

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/24/22

Tonight on WWE SmackDown at 8/7 C on FOX.

Ricochet looks to take back the Intercontinental Title in rematch with Gunther

During last Friday’s “SmackDown”, WWE announced a pair of Money in the Bank qualifying matches for tonight’s episode: Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Aliyah vs. Shotzi.

As of Friday morning, WWE has not mentioned if Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar will appear on tonight’s “SmackDown”.

7 Law Firms Exploring Possibility Of Taking Class-Action Suits Against WWE Over Vince McMahon Allegations

The investigation into Vince McMahon may bring lawsuits to WWE’s door.

WWE’s stock price had remained strong amid the recent bearish trend the market has been experiencing. They just had to find a reason to join everyone else.

Following the news of the company’s investigation into Vince McMahon’s alleged misdeeds and the WWE chairman stepping down temporarily, the price of shares has gone down, causing ears at various law firms to perk up.

According to reports, five such entities are searching for investors who lost money as a result of the development as they look to undertake class-action lawsuits.

No suits have been filed as yet but more firms are said to be looking into the matter, which means there’s likely something to answer to on that front. Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics is reporting that two more firms have joined the search as they sense there is an opportunity to make some money at WWE’s expense.

Per Thurston, the Pomerantz Law Firm and Moore Kuehn, PLLC are now looking into the possibility of a suit against WWE. It’s thought that the company’s failure to disclose the information before it became public has caused people to los a lot of money.

McMahon is being investigated over claims he paid $3 million in hush money to a former employee he had an affair with, whom he also passed to head of talent relations John Laurinaitis “like a toy.” His daughter Stephanie will be in charge for the foreseeable future, having returned to grab the reins after leaving on a sabbatical in May.

The firms in question are still trying to determine just how much money people lost in order to come to a decision on whether a class-action suit can be sought.

Should their findings prompt them to take legal action, it could spell big trouble for WWE.

Meanwhile, McMahon remains in charge of creative while Stephanie runs the company.

Source: TheSportster

Big E Shares Video Showing Neck Movement Without Brace

It’s been more than three months since Big E suffered a broken neck and fractures to his C1 and C6 vertebrae on “SmackDown” following a belly-to-belly suplex performed by Ridge Holland outside the ring. Last night, the former WWE Champion shared “the power of positivity” and provided a major update on his current recovery status.

Responding to a tweet from a fan, Big E posted a video which showed him without his neck brace for the first time since the accident occurred in March. The 36-year-old even went as far as excitedly showcasing a number of movements with his neck, displaying that he is on the road to being mended. Big E stated that fans “don’t need to worry about him” and the “he’s good” as his recovery continues.

https://twitter.com/WWEBigE/status/1539736329554079744

In the aftermath of the accident, which narrowly saw him avoid paralysis and potentially death, Big E revealed that there were no spinal or ligament injuries, meaning the New Day member did not require surgery. He eventually returned home from hospital after a short stay at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. Days later, Big E posted a video on his Twitter account walking around his neighborhood, providing an update to fans.

Big E began his run with WWE in December 2009, debuting under the longer name Big E Langston and performing for WWE’s developmental brand at the time, Florida Championship Wrestling. Once FCW had been rebranded to “NXT,” he captured the “NXT” Championship as a babyface in December 2012 (a match that aired on television on January 9, 2013), before debuting on “Raw” that same month as a heel, aligning with Dolph Ziggler and AJ Lee and not bringing the title to the show.

Big E ultimately lost the “NXT” Championship to Bo Dallas and set off on a new journey with the shorter name of Big E, becoming Intercontinental Champion and eventually forming The New Day with Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods in the summer of 2014. The trio went on to become multi-time “Raw” and “SmackDown” Tag Team Champions before Big E became WWE Champion on “Raw” in September 2021 after cashing-in his Money in the Bank briefcase. He lost the prestigious championship to Brock Lesnar in a “Fatal 5-Way” Match at WWE Day 1 earlier this year, and was performing on “SmackDown” up until the time of his accident.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage News On Rhea Ripley’s Expected Recovery Timeline

Rhea Ripley’s current injury is not expected to be a long-term one according to Dave Meltzer on the latest edition of “Wrestling Observer Radio.”

It was revealed on “WWE Raw” this week that Ripley has not been medically cleared to compete in her scheduled “WWE Raw” Women’s Championship match at the upcoming WWE Money In The Bank premium live event, where she was expected to face Bianca Belair. While the company didn’t reveal any details about the nature of her issues, Ripley has since done that herself.

She took to social media to respond to a fan who claimed she didn’t look injured by stating, “Brain/teeth [injury]. Can’t see a brain injury. Stop being incompetent and reaching at nothing.” This is the reason why she has been written off television for now, but it isn’t expected to be a lengthy absence for her, as Ripley is set to be back fairly soon.

The Judgment Day star had shown a picture of some dental work she had done recently, which relates to the teeth issue she mentioned on social media. Ripley had braces put on the top of her mouth, clearly showcasing how the work had to be done in order to fix the injury she suffered.

https://twitter.com/RheaRipley_WWE/status/1534559936247742471

Because of her injury, WWE held a fatal five-way at the start of “WWE Raw” this week in order to create a new number one contender for Belair’s title. In the end, Carmella picked up the victory against Becky Lynch, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, and Liv Morgan, and she will get her title shot at WWE’s Money In The Bank next Sunday.

When Belair announced the news of Ripley’s injury status, the EST of WWE did make it clear that she would still defend the title in the future against Ripley when she does return to the company, although there is no official date on when that is going to be taking place.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Update On When Charlotte Flair Could Return To WWE TV

The “SmackDown” Women’s Championship is currently held by Ronda Rousey, but the WWE Superstar she captured the title from seems poised to make a return to the blue brand this summer.

The PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC, is advertising that Charlotte Flair will be in attendance at the “SmackDown” TV taping scheduled for Friday, August 12. The venue’s official website states that Ronda Rousey, Drew McIntyre, and Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, The Usos, will be in the house. In addition, “Raw” Women’s Champion Bianca Belair will be defending her gold in a Triple Threat Match against Rhea Ripley and Asuka. The blurb then states “plus Charlotte Flair” to cap off the main introduction to the event.

WWE SummerSlam is set to take place on July 30 in Nashville, TN, two weeks before the taping Flair is announced for, which seems to indicate a return is on the horizon, whether it be leading into the big summer event, at the event, or post-event.

Flair last appeared at the WrestleMania Backlash premium live event last month, where she lost the “SmackDown” Women’s Championship to Rousey in an “I Quit” Match. “The Baddest Woman on the Planet” had been feuding with Flair after making a return to WWE following a nearly three-year absence in January. She won the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble Match and ultimately chose Flair to face at WrestleMania 38 but was controversially defeated, before the “I Quit” Match was set for the following month. WWE explained “The Queen’s” absence by stating, in storyline, that she suffered a “fracture of the radius” during the bout with Rousey at WrestleMania Backlash following the Ronda Armbar, which also involved a steel chair for added leverage.

During her sabbatical from the company, Flair tied the knot with her partner, former WWE Superstar and current AEW wrestler, Andrade el Idolo, in Mexico. “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair walked his daughter down the aisle at the ceremony, which was attended by Finn Bálor, Rey Mysterio, Apollo Crews, and former “Raw” Women’s Champion Lina Farene (Nia Jax). Flair and Andrade also went on their honeymoon following the wedding to celebrate.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 6/21/22

Tonight on WWE NXT 2.0 at 8 pm ET on USA Network: