Tag: WWE

WWE SmackDown Preview 10/1/21, WWE Draft Night 1

Tonight’s post-Extreme Rules edition of WWE SmackDown on FOX will air live from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland with Night 1 of the WWE Draft.

Multiple sources have reported that WWE NXT will be a part of the WWE Draft, which kicks off tonight during SmackDown from Baltimore, and then wraps with Monday’s RAW from Nashville.

It was noted by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that as of several days before the Draft, besides the top picks that FOX and the USA Network require, plans for the various picks were not set in stone, but that NXT looks to be a big part of the plans.

People in WWE were said to be under the impression that Xia Li, Dakota Kai and Aliyah are the leading candidates among the female NXT Superstars. These names have been rumored for main roster call-ups for months now, and have been working main roster dark matches.

Regarding Li, it was noted that WWE wants a legitimate Chinese star in the market after the success UFC had when Zhang Weili held the Women’s Strawweight World Title, which she lost back in April.

WWE previously indicated that WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley would not be eligible for the Draft, but that’s not necessarily the case. WWE’s official preview for tonight’s SmackDown included the following on the Draft:

“Which Superstars are about to make the jump from Raw to SmackDown? Who is heading from Friday night to Monday night? No titleholder’s place is safe! No tag team guaranteed to stay together! The only thing certain is that nothing will stay the same!”

Sheamus Reveals Nose Surgery This Morning

Sheamus underwent nose surgery this morning.

The Celtic Warrior took to Twitter and posted a pre-surgery photo this morning, and then posted a follow-up photo, indicating that the operation was a success.

“..once more unto the breach dear friends.. 2x wwe [nose emoji] job champion,” he wrote.

The second photo shows Sheamus giving a thumbs up.

Sheamus has dealt with a busted nose since taking a stiff shot from Humberto Carrillo on May 31, and underwent surgery a few days later. He said he then re-aggravated the injury during a match with Jeff Hardy in September. Sheamus last wrestled on this week’s RAW, losing the No DQ match to WWE United States Champion Damian Priest.

There’s no word on if Sheamus will miss any ring time due to this surgery, but it’s believed that the feud with Priest ended this past Monday.

https://twitter.com/WWESheamus/status/1443224049971236868

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Reportedly Preparing To Hold SummerSlam 2022 In The UK

WWE has reportedly been in talks to have SummerSlam in the UK next year for the first time since 1992.

WWE reportedly held promising talks during its UK tour last week that involved potentially bringing SummerSlam to Cardiff in 2022.

It has been more than a year and a half since WWE has been allowed to leave the US and it is busy attempting to make up for that as quickly as possible. Crown Jewel will air live from Saudi Arabia next month, and there has already been one UK tour since borders started to open back up with another planned before the end of 2021.

According to TalkSport, WWE higher-ups met with people in the UK during this month’s tour to discuss the possibility of holding a major PPV across the pond in 2022. More specifically SummerSlam which could take place in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

The stadium, which welcomed 78,000 fans for an Anthony Joshua fight, has a retractable roof. Following the rain delays at this year’s WrestleMania, and the unpredictable British weather, a stadium that big with a way to protect the ring and the fans from the elements is going to be a frontrunner. TalkSport does clarify that nothing is set in stone, and the discussions could lead to a different UK-based stadium show.

It seems likely that WWE is looking to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the last time it held SummerSlam in the UK. The PPV, which took place at the old Wembley Stadium, was headlined by Bret Hart and The British Bulldog as they battled for the Intercontinental Title. Other than minor PPVs like Rebellion and Insurrextion, that were created for the sake of giving UK fans their own PPVs, SummerSlam coming to Britain next year would be the first time the country has hosted a major show since SummerSlam ’92.

Not only does WWE appear to be keen to give its British fans a PPV, but it is also moving more of its shows to stadiums. Stadium shows were usually reserved for WrestleMania. It has already been announced that both Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank will also be stadium shows in 2022. SummerSlam almost definitely will be too, and the Welsh capital could be picked as the host city.

Source: The Sportster

WWE NXT Preview 9/28/21

Tonight’s WWE NXT 2.0 episode will feature three title matches.

FOX And USA Reportedly Know “Key People” For WWE Draft, NXT Stars Will Be Included

The WWE Draft is set to start this week in a two-night event starting on SmackDown and concluding on RAW. The SmackDown show will be held at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, MD, and the RAW show will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN.

On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that FOX and USA Network are informed of the “key people” that will be switching brands. He noted that NXT stars will be included in the draft in an effort to freshen up the rosters. However, it was also noted that things could change at anytime.

Local ads have advertised Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre for the Universal Championship. The match has not been officially announced and may just be a dark match, but it does hint at McIntyre possibly being drafted to SmackDown.

With Big E being WWE Champion, him being drafted to RAW is expected to be formally announced. Big E defended the WWE Championship against Bobby Lashley last night on RAW.

Various NXT stars have been working dark matches before SmackDown over the past month including Austin Theory, Kacy Catanzaro, Xia Li, Aliyah and Dakota Kai. Davey Boy Smith Jr. had been working dark matches this past summer, but there has been no updates as to where he will land.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE RAW Preview 9/27/21

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio with fallout form last night’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view.

WWE has announced just one match for tonight’s RAW and that’s Bobby Lashley’s rematch with WWE Champion Big E. The match will open the show.

RAW should also feature what’s next for WWE United States Champion Damian Priest and RAW Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair after their successful title defenses at Extreme Rules last night.

Plus there may be more on Alexa Bliss after Charlotte Flair destroyed her doll Lilly.

Fans Criticize Bizarre Finish To WWE Extreme Rules Main Event, Roman Reigns & Others React

The unusual ending to last night’s WWE Extreme Rules main event has been met with a lot of criticism from fans.

Towards the closing stages of the match, “The Demon” Finn Balor dispatched of both of The Usos only to be speared through the ringside barricade by WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Suddenly, the lights went red and an unconscious Balor miraculously got back to his feet while reacting to the heartbeats from his entrance music.

With the red lights turned on, Balor blasted Reigns with a chair and sent The Tribal Chief through a table with a dropkick. Moments later, Balor prepared to launch for the Coup de Grace, but fell to the mat after the top turnbuckle of the entire ring collapsed abruptly. Balor then sold a knee injury and struggled to get back to his feet, giving Reigns enough time to hit a Spear and retain his Universal Championship.

Although fans have been flooding Twitter with negative messages about the finish, RAW Superstar Drew Gulak made light of the situation by reminding everyone of his PowerPoint presentation. Gulak tweeted:

And the moral of that story was: If you are about to win your match DO NOT CLIMB TO THE TOP ROPE! Thank you for coming to my PowerPoint presentation! #ExtremeRules

Meanwhile, Reigns tweeted his post-match reaction: “Above all else. #ExtremeRules.”

“The Demon” has now suffered his first-ever loss on the main roster. Balor’s alter ego previously lost to Samoa Joe during their time in NXT in 2016.

You can click here for full results from the Extreme Rules pay-per-view, which was held at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Extreme Rules Results 9/26/2021

KICKOFF
Liv Morgan defeated Carmella

The New Day (WWE Champion Big E, Xavier Woods, and Kofi Kingston)  defeated Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles and Omos

WWE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Usos (c) defeated The Street Profits

WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Charlotte (c) vs. Alexa Bliss

Post-match: Flair ripped Lilly into pieces. An enraged Bliss attacked Flair but Flair was able to defend her off and toss her over the announce table. Bliss picked up pieces of Lilly and weeped over the destruction of Lilly.

WWE US CHAMPIONSHIP
Damian Priest (c) defeated Sheamus and Jeff Hardy

WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Bianca Belair defeated Becky Lynch (c) via Disqualification

Interference for Sasha Banks caused the DQ.

Post-match, Banks beats up Belair, kick to the face in the corner. Lynch thinks Banks helped her out. She goes for a handshake and gets dropped. Belair back in and takes a big slap to the face and a backstabber. Banks drops Lynch with a knee to the face and another backstabber. She stands tall in the ring. Banks heads to the stage and looks at the two still in the ring. Banks says she’ll see them this Friday on SmackDown.

WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP (EXTREME RULES MATCH)
Roman Reigns (c) defeated “The Demon” Finn Balor

Balor up to the top, coup de grace hits, cover, and The Usos pull him off. Usos attack him on the floor, double superkick and they bring out another table.

Table set up on the floor. They look to put him through it, but he fights back. Sends one into the barricade and slingblade on the other. Balor powerbombs Jey through the announce table. Balor turns around and Reigns sends him crashing through the barricade near the timekeeper’s table. That whole thing came down in awesome fashion. Suddenly, we hear a hearbeat. Red lights are flashing as Balor flops around. He finally gets up and screams as we hear a part of his music. The red lights stay on as he blasts Reigns with a chair.

He then hits a running dropkick that sends Reigns through that table on the floor. Balor’s music is just playing on. Smoke coming up from around the ring. Balor climbs up to the top rope and the top rope just collapses out of nowhere?! The red lights go off. Balor holding his knee and trying to get up. Reigns with a spear, cover, 1-2-3.

Post-match, Reigns and Heyman seem a bit confused with what happened with the ropes, but celebrates nonetheless. Reigns makes his way to the back saying he’s still the head of the table.

WWE Extreme Rules 9/26/2021

DATE: September 26, 2021 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
AVAILABLE ON:Peacock, WWE Network (outside of the U.S.)

CARD

WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP (EXTREME RULES MATCH)
Roman Reigns (c) vs. “The Demon” Finn Balor

WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Bianca Belair

WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Charlotte (c) vs. Alexa Bliss

WWE US CHAMPIONSHIP
Damian Priest (c) vs. Sheamus vs. Jeff Hardy

WWE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Usos (c) vs. The Street Profits

Liv Morgan vs. Carmella

WWE SmackDown Preview 9/24/21

Tonight’s WWE Extreme Rules go-home edition of SmackDown on FOX will take place from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia with the final build for Sunday’s pay-per-view.