Tonight’s WWE RAW will feature more fallout from WrestleMania 37 and build for the upcoming WrestleMania Backlash pay-per-view.
Tag: WWE
WWE SmackDown Preview 4/16/21
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will be the special post-WrestleMania 37 edition of the show.
Pat McAfee joins Michael Cole on the WWE SmackDown announce team.
WWE has announced two matches for tonight – Otis vs. Rey Mysterio, plus Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler defending their SmackDown Tag Team Titles against The Street Profits.
WWE has indicated that we will find out what’s next for WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns following his WrestleMania win over Daniel Bryan and WWE Hall of Famer Edge. Reigns’ double pin may be addressed tonight by Adam Pearce and referee Charles Robinson.
WWE is also teasing that we will find out what’s next for new SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair following her WrestleMania 37 win over Sasha Banks. An appearance by new WWE Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews and his new muscle, Commander Azeez, is also likely.
Pat McAfee Joins The WWE SmackDown Announce Team
Pat McAfee has joined the WWE SmackDown announce team.
WWE and McAfee just announced that the former NFL star turned podcaster, who recently had a strong run in WWE NXT, will join the SmackDown commentary team beginning tonight with the post-WrestleMania 37 episode.
McAfee and Michael Cole will make up the new SmackDown announce team. This change comes after Corey Graves was sent to RAW this week, to work with Byron Saxton and newcomer Adnan Virk.
“For as long as I can remember WWE has been a company that I have admired, both for its incredible staying power of creating riveting entertainment and for its ability to connect people all over the globe,” McAfee said in a press release. “I’ve been fortunate to try a lot of cool professions but working for WWE was the one I looked forward to most. I am incredibly honored and grateful for the chance to give back to the business that has given me and many others so much and having the opportunity to sit at the same table that legends have graced is truly a dream come true. Now let’s go get it.”
Pat McAfee joins Friday Night SmackDown announce team
WWE today announced that Pat McAfee will debut as the new analyst for Friday Night SmackDown tonight at 8 pm ET live on FOX.
McAfee dropped the news on the WWE Universe with a huge social media announcement on Friday morning.
“For as long as I can remember WWE has been a company that I have admired, both for its incredible staying power of creating riveting entertainment and for its ability to connect people all over the globe,” said McAfee. “I’ve been fortunate to try a lot of cool professions but working for WWE was the one I looked forward to most. I am incredibly honored and grateful for the chance to give back to the business that has given me and many others so much and having the opportunity to sit at the same table that legends have graced is truly a dream come true. Now let’s go get it.”
McAfee will be joined at ringside every week by Michael Cole, VP of WWE’s on air announce talent and voice of Friday Night SmackDown on FOX.
Known for his candid, relatable, and refreshing opinions, McAfee’s insight and sense of humor have built him a large, loyal and active fan base. In addition to being a philanthropist, social media influencer, stand-up comedian and former All-Pro punter for the Indianapolis Colts, McAfee is also the host of the #1 international daily streaming sports show The Pat McAfee Show, which is simulcast both on YouTube and on Sirius XM Channel 82 Mad Dog Sports Radio. Additionally, McAfee is the host of the popular podcast The Pat McAfee Show 2.0 and has performed both inside the ring and behind the microphone on WWE’s NXT.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE Talent Roster Releases
WWE released a total of 10 main roster talents on Thursday, exactly one year since their COVID-19 budget cuts on April 15, 2020. The Superstars released on Thursday were Samoa Joe, Mojo Rawley, Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Wesley Blake, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Kalisto and Bo Dallas. All wrestlers are under a standard 90-day non-compete clause with WWE and are not free to sign with other promotions until Wednesday, July 14.
It was just reported by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the rumor going on Thursday said more cuts could be coming today, April 16, with a focus on NXT.
Roderick Strong Leaves NXT. Is He Heading To RAW Or SmackDown?
There’s now speculation on Roderick Strong possibly going to RAW or SmackDown.
Last night’s WWE NXT show featured a segment earlier in the show where Strong and wife Marina Shafir were shown entering the WWE Performance Center. Strong later met NXT General Manager William Regal in his office and handed over an envelope of papers, presumably his notice, and then said he was “done” in NXT.
Regal admitted that Strong gave him trouble at times with The Undisputed Era, but said he is a consummate professional, and is welcome back to NXT at anytime.
WWE later noted that Strong has officially resigned from the NXT brand.
Before tonight, Strong was last seen in the storylines during the “Takeover: Stand and Deliver” build for the Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly feud. He lost to Cameron Grimes on last week’s Takeover go-home show and was scheduled to compete in the Battle Royal to determine the Takeover Gauntlet Eliminator participants, but there was a backstage segment where Strong was shown leaving the venue.
WWE often calls wrestlers to the main roster around this time of the year, but there’s no word yet on if Strong is headed to the blue or red brand. The veteran pro wrestler has been with WWE since October 2016. Shafir signed with WWE in May 2018 but hasn’t had much of an in-ring career.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE NXT Preview 4/13/21
A loaded line-up has just been announced for tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network.
- New NXT Champion Karrion Kross kicks off NXT Tuesday night
- Hear from new NXT Women’s Champion Raquel González this Tuesday night on NXT
- Franky Monet arrives on NXT this Tuesday night
- See what happened after Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole’s unforgettable war
- NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar issues open challenge for Tuesday night
- Catch the fallout from NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver on NXT’s new night this Tuesday
- MSK make their first NXT Tag Team Championship defense against Killian Dain & Drake Maverick
- Leon Ruff set for heated grudge match with Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
- Dexter Lumis, Bronson Reed, Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon collide with The Way in Eight-Man Mixed Tag Team action
WWE RAW Preview 4/12/21
Tonight’s WWE RAW will be the biggest episode of the year, featuring fallout from WrestleMania 37.
RAW will take place from the WWE ThunderDome at Yuengling Center on the University of South Florida campus in Tampa, Florida. This show will mark WWE’s first event under the new residency at the Yuengling Center.
WWE has not announced any matches or segments for tonight’s show but it’s likely that new red brand champions will appear – RAW Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, RAW Tag Team Champions Omos and AJ Styles, and WWE United States Champion Sheamus.
It will be interesting to see if “The Fiend” Randy Orton appears after last night’s loss to Randy Orton, which was apparently caused by Alexa Bliss. It looks like WWE has a new chapter in that storyline to continue. An appearance by WWE Champion Bobby Lashley is also possible to celebrate his Night One win over Drew McIntyre.
The RAW After WrestleMania usually features surprises and call-ups, but there’s no word yet on what WWE has planned for this year.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE Officially Announces New Raw Play-By-Play Voice And New Broadcast Team
WWE named Adnan Virk as the new play-by-play voice of Monday Night Raw. “I’m elated to be joining the premier sports-entertainment company in my new role with WWE,” Virk told the WWE website. “As a kid who grew up idolizing WWE Hall of Famers like Bret Hart and Ric Flair, the opportunity to call modern legends like Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, Randy Orton, Charlotte Flair and so many others alongside Corey Graves and Byron Saxton is truly humbling.” Read the official announcement at WWE.com.
The new broadcast team is Virk, Graves, and Saxton
The story lists Tom Phillips as the new voice of WWE 205 Live and special projects for Peacock, so Michael Cole is likely to remain the Smackdown play-by-play voice, though it remains to be seen whether Graves will return to double duty by working both shows.
Samoa Joe, who has been working on the Raw broadcast team, remains listed as part of the WWE talent roster. Maybe Joe is on the verge of returning to the ring.
Source: ProWrestling.Net
WrestleMania 37 (Night Two) Results 4/11/21
Randy Orton defeated “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt with Alexa Bliss
WWE WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (c) defeated Tamina and Natalya
Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn with Logan Paul
After the match, Owens stands tall as his music hits. Paul looks disappointed at ringside. We go to replays. Orton plays to the crowd from the corner now as Sami tries to recover. Paul comes in to check on Sami. Paul approaches Owens and offers his hand for a shake but Sami jumps up and is furious. Sami rants about Paul being his guest of honor. Paul shoves Sami to the mat for boos. Sami limps away from the ring, still ranting. Paul grabs Owens’ arm and raises it in victory. Owens looks annoyed. Paul applauds Owens. Owens looks around and smiles as fans cheer for what’s about to happen. Owens drops Paul with a Stunner for another pop. Owens’ music starts back up as he celebrates with the crowd.
WWE US CHAMPIONSHIP
Sheamus defeated Riddle (c) to win the WWE US Championship
NIGERIAN DRUM MATCH FOR THE WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Apollo Crews defeated Big E (c) to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Apollo Crews got help from Dabba-Kato, who has debuted under his new gimmick. It was reported that his name could be either “Commador Azeez” or “Azez,” but nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Rhea Ripley defeated Asuka (c) to win the RAW Women’s Championship
WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman (c) defeated Edge and Daniel Bryan
WrestleMania 37 (Night One) Results 4/10/21
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Bobby Lashley with MVP (c) defeated Drew McIntyre
MULTI-TEAM NUMBER ONE CONTENDER’S MATCH
Tamina Snuka and Natalya won to earn a tag title shot on Night Two of WrestleMania
Cesaro defeated Seth Rollins
WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
AJ Styles and Omos defeated The New Day (c) to win the RAW Tag Team Titles
STEEL CAGE MATCH
Braun Strowman defeated Shane McMahon
Damian Priest and Bad Bunny defeated The Miz and John Morrison
WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Bianca Belair defeated Sasha Banks (c) to win the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship
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