Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will feature two big title matches as the show goes up against the NFL Draft and build toward WrestleMania Backlash.
WWE officials are reportedly in talks with MLW officials.
It was noted in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE does not like the reputation it has of not working with anyone in the modern pro wrestling world.
Regarding MLW and WWE, the talks are along the lines of the old EVOLVE deal or to a degree, the ECW deal from the 1990s. The idea is to give some of the developmental guys, who aren’t working WWE NXT, some work on TV. There is also the idea of WWE creating their own EVOLVE-like group as a weekly streaming show, but this would allow the talents to work on actual TV and get some more exposure than on Peacock and the WWE Network, and it also makes it seem like WWE is changing and modernizing.
There’s also the idea of alleviating the frustration of so many talents on the roster who sign with the company and then basically are never used, especially with no NXT live event running right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was also said that people see AEW having partnerships with NJPW, Impact Wrestling and AAA, and WWE wants to make it look like they are not set in their old ways and uncooperative,
There’s no word on if anything will come of the WWE – MLW talks or a timeframe on when something might happen, but right now within WWE there is a mentality to work with other promotions.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase made a cameo appearance on NXT and embarrassed his fellow money man Cameron Grimes.
It all went down on the latest edition of NXT on USA Network.
During a pre-taped segment, wealthy upstart Cameron Grimes could be seen shopping for an extravagant new watch. Grimes settled upon an expensive looking time piece, and was admiring the fruits of his riches. Suddenly, another wrist appeared, and this one was wearing an even fancier watch!
The wrist belonged to none other than “The Million Dollar Man” himself, WWE legend Ted DiBiase!
DiBiase laughed in the face of Cameron Grimes, and exited the picture while Grimes pouted.
Check out the encounter in the video below!
Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will be headlined by an exclusive interview with Adam Cole, plus champions teaming up for a big six-man match.
This will be Cole’s first appearance since losing the Unsanctioned Match to Kyle O’Reilly at the recent NXT “Takeover: Stand and Deliver” event.
* Adam Cole gives exclusive interview
* Dakota Kai faces Mercedes Martinez as Martinez prepares for NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez
* Bronson Reed vs. Austin Theory. Reed will earn another shot from NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano if he wins
* NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida and NXT Tag Team Champions MSK vs. Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza, Joaquin Wilde)
Tonight’s WWE RAW on the USA Network will feature more build for the upcoming WrestleMania Backlash pay-per-view.
WWE has announced that tonight’s show will include an address by the returning WWE Champion Bobby Lashley, who did not appear last week. Lashley will speak on Drew McIntyre and their title match at Backlash.
The one match announced for tonight’s show will feature McIntyre and Braun Strowman teaming to face former RETRIBUTION members T-BAR and MACE. This will be a rematch from last week, which saw T-BAR and MACE win by DQ as they were unmasked.
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will feature more build for the upcoming WrestleMania Backlash pay-per-view.
Who is left to challenge The Head of the Table?
It’s believed that Sasha Banks will confront SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair on tonight’s show. Last week’s post-WrestleMania 37 episode reportedly was to feature Banks confronting Belair, but that never happened.
Wrestling Inc. is reporting that WWE has fired Senior Director of Talent Relations Mark Carrano.
Former WWE Superstar Mickie James revealed that she received a black garbage bag with her belongings after being released by the company last week.
WWE Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development Paul “Triple H” Levesque issued a statement on Twitter, stating that “person responsible for this inconsiderate action has been fired and is no longer with WWE.”
Maria Kanellis confirmed receiving a trash bag following her departure last year, while Gail Kim stated that the practice had been happening since before she joined the company. Kim had stints with the company from 2002 through 2004, and 2008 until 2011.
WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon apologized to James, stating that she was “embarrassed” that she or anyone else was treated that way.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE is reportedly looking to go on the road for the 2021 SummerSlam pay-per-view.
There has been talk within WWE about possibly running SummerSlam in Phoenix, Arizona, or somewhere in Texas, according to PWInsider.
WWE has not decided on a SummerSlam location just yet, but they are hoping to hold the show outdoors in a stadium setting, with fans in the crowd. Of course the COVID-19 pandemic could force them to stay at the ThunderDome, but that is the hope as of now.ADVERTISING
It was recently reported that the current internal plan is to hold SummerSlam in front of a live crowd, which would make it the first show with fans since WrestleMania 37.
It was reported last year how WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon was determined to have fans at the 2020 SummerSlam event but that obviously did not happen. It will be interesting to see if they can make it happen this year after a successful WrestleMania 37 Weekend with live fans in the crowd.
WWE has not announced a date for SummerSlam 2021 but the big event is usually held in late summer.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Ronda Rousey and husband Travis Browne are expecting their first child together.
Rousey released a new YouTube video this morning and announced that she is four months pregnant. She noted that the “baddest baby on the planet” is due around September 22.
Rousey’s video gives an inside look at the January doctor’s appointment where she found out that they were expecting. She teased that there is “definitely much more to the story” that they will be telling later.
The former RAW Women’s Champion also teased that there will be a gender reveal to come soon, and it was indicated that they already know what the gender is. Rousey thanked everyone for the well wishes and positivity that got them to this point.
Ronda has now removed the video from YouTube.
Rousey’s original WWE contract expired on April 10 but WWE President & Chief Revenue Officer Nick Khan recently stated that she would be “coming back at a certain point in time,” but no specifics were given. Rousey has been away from WWE since working the WrestleMania 35 main event in 2019, with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. She originally took time away from WWE so that she and Browne could expand their family.
Rousey recently appeared on the “Table Talk” podcast with WWE Hall of Famer D-Von Dudley and talked about a possible WWE return. You can click here for those comments.
Rousey and Browne have been together since 2015. They tied the knot on August 28, 2017.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will be headlined by the official debut of Japanese star Sarray.
* Sarray (fka Sareee) makes her debut
* New NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida hosts a Championship Celebration
* Kyle O’Reilly appears live for the first time since defeating Adam Cole in the Unsanctioned Match at Takeover
* LA Knight vs. Dexter Lumis
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