The Road to TLC will continue with tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX episode.
WWE has announced just one match for tonight’s show – King Baron Corbin vs. Murphy. This will be a rematch from last week’s show, which saw interference from The Mysterio Family, on Murphy’s behalf.
WWE has also announced that tonight’s show will see WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns deliver a message to Kevin Owens over last week’s brutal attack to Jey Uso. It’s believed that Owens vs. Reigns will be confirmed for TLC soon.
SmackDown should also see some of the midcard feuds continue for TLC, including Big E vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn.
Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will be the go-home show for Sunday’s “Takeover: WarGames 2020” event.
WWE has announced just one match for tonight’s show. Shotzi Blackheart will face Raquel Gonzalez in a Ladder Match to determine which team gets the WarGames advantage in the women’s match.
Tonight’s show will also see the reveal of the final member of Team Shotzi Blackheart. The team currently features Shotzi, Ember Moon and Rhea Ripley. Candice LeRae is teaming with Gonzalez, Dakota Kai and Toni Storm.
WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson has passed away at the age of 79.
The inaugural WWE Intercontinental Champion had recently battled cancer. Tony Marinaro noted on Twitter that Patterson passed away in a Miami hospital this morning.
Born Pierre Clemont, Patterson started his career in the late ’50s and is famed for being the first openly gay WWF star. His career spanned more than six decades, most recently winning WWE’s 24/7 Championship in 2019.
As part of Vince McMahon’s most trusted circle throughout his wrestling career, Patterson is credited with the creation and format of the famed Royal Rumble match, a fan-favorite and staple of WWE’s yearly programming for more than 30 years.
Alongside Gerald Brisco, Patterson regained fame during the WWF “Attitude Era” as one of McMahon’s villainous on-screen henchmen, often playing into nefarious schemes and storylines to help prop up the evil McMahon. He’s often credited with helping boost McMahon’s character into another stratosphere.
Long heralded for his ability to spot and cultivate talent and his influential mind for the business, Patterson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996 and is widely considered one of the greatest minds in wrestling history. Serving as wrestler, commentator, on-screen crony and behind-the-scenes mastermind, Patterson touched all four posts in wrestling.
“In a career spanning six decades, the renaissance man left an indelible mark on the industry in the ring, on the microphone and behind the scenes,” WWE said in a statement.
Below is WWE’s statement:
WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson passes away
WWE is saddened to learn that Pat Patterson has passed away at the age of 79.
A true trailblazer of the industry, Patterson was linked to many “firsts” in sports-entertainment throughout his storied career, including the first-ever Intercontinental Title reign and the creation of the Royal Rumble Match. In a career spanning six decades, the renaissance man left an indelible mark on the industry in the ring, on the microphone and behind the scenes.
Patterson began his career in 1958 in his native Canada before becoming a fixture in the Bay Area for nearly two decades. After winning the AWA Tag Team Championship with Ray Stevens in 1978, Patterson moved on to WWE. Under the tutelage of The Grand Wizard, Patterson made an immediate impact and became the first Intercontinental Champion in September 1979. Patterson’s most legendary WWE rivalry was undoubtedly his war with Sgt. Slaughter, which captivated the WWE Universe with Boot Camp Matches and a brutal Alley Fight at Madison Square Garden.
Shortly before his in-ring retirement in 1984, Patterson joined Mr. McMahon as a color commentator. Even after hanging up his boots, Patterson was far from finished reimagining the possibilities of the sports-entertainment industry. In 1988, Patterson brought one of the ring’s most groundbreaking ideas to life by creating the original format for the Royal Rumble Match.
Patterson returned to the ring during WWE’s electric “Attitude Era,” creating many memorable moments alongside Gerald Brisco as one of Mr. McMahon’s hilarious “Stooges.” Patterson even pinned Crash Holly to claim the Hardcore Title. For all his efforts, Pat Patterson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996 by Bret Hart.
In his 25-plus years in WWE, Patterson was synonymous with making history. From the Intercontinental Title to the Royal Rumble Match and beyond, his name will forever be revered in WWE lore. This amazing legacy was captured in Patterson’s 2016 autobiography, Accepted: How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE, a moving chronicle about his life both inside and out of the ring.
WWE extends its condolences to Patterson’s family and friends.
The wrestling world mourns the loss of the iconic Patterson:
I can not express how crushed I feel right now with the loss of Pat Patterson. A true member of my family, mentor and dear friend. I love you Pat. God speed. pic.twitter.com/FdaAFnsw8m
So sad to hear Pat Patterson has passed away at 79. WWE’s first openly gay star, Pat was a trailblazer. The first IC champ, the inventor of the Royal Rumble, a big part of the Mr. McMahon character success in the 90s, and a masterful wrestling mind for talents backstage #RIPPatpic.twitter.com/uj0tjY6vAm
No words can describe what he gave to us. His body as an in-ring performer, his mind as a storyteller, and his spirit as a beloved member of our large @WWE family. I will miss him for so many reasons… it’s never goodbye, it’s see ya down the road. Love you, Pat. Abooze
#RIPPatPatterson I’m deeply grateful to have grown up with @wwe Hall of Famer, the first-ever Intercontinental Champion, the father of the #RoyalRumble and the first openly gay wrestler of his generation. Thank you for teaching me how to not take it all so seriously. Abooze ❤️
So sad to hear of the passing of @wwe legend Pat Patterson. One of the greatest minds in the business and just an all around great guy. I will miss him and his karaoke! RIP my friend. You are a hero to many! pic.twitter.com/WXFwJ1fjkO
Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the Amway Center in Orlando with fallout from last night’s WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view.
WWE has not announced any matches for tonight’s show but the fallout from last night’s pay-per-view should see Team RAW celebrate their win over SmackDown, 4-3. The men’s team has their clean sweep to follow up on, while Lana will be celebrating her win as the Sole Survivor of the women’s team.
RAW should also feature fallout from last week’s main event, which saw Drew McIntyre capture the WWE Title from Randy Orton. WWE is due to follow-up on the storyline between “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and Alexa Bliss, among others.
DUAL-BRANDED BATTLE ROYAL (KICKOFF)Ricochet, Jeff Hardy, Elias, John Morrison, The Miz, Angel Garza, Humberto Carrillo, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander, Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio, Apollo Crews, Kalisto, Shinsuke Nakamura, Chad Gable, Robert Roode, Dolph Ziggler, Murphy Miz wins the Battle Royal
MEN’S TRADITIONAL 5-ON-5 ELIMINATION MATCH Team RAW(AJ Styles, Keith Lee, Sheamus, Braun Strowman, and Riddle) defeated. Team SmackDown (Seth Rollins, Jey Uso, Kevin Owens, King Baron Corbin, Otis) – All of team RAW survive
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits defeated WWE RAW Tag Team Champions The New Day
WWE US Champion Bobby Lashley defeated WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn
WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks defeated WWE RAW Women’s Champion Asuka
We see how The Gobbledy Gooker captured the WWE 24/7 Title from R-Truth on the Kickoff. We see Gooker backstage now, following a trail of bird seed. This leads to Akira Tozawa pinning him for the title with his ninja referee. R-Truth then appears and pins Tozawa for the title to begin his 45th reign. Truth runs away with Gooker and Tozawa chasing him.
WOMEN’S TRADITIONAL 5-ON-5 ELIMINATION MATCH Team RAW(WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler, Lacey Evans, Peyton Royce, Lana) defeated Team SmackDown(Bayley, Natalya, Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott, Bianca Belair) – Lana is the sole survivor
WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defeated WWE Champion Drew McIntyre
THE UNDERTAKER’S FINAL FAREWELL
Mike Rome is in the ring for The Undertaker’s “Final Farewell” segment. Rome welcomes those who came to say goodbye to Taker. The music hits and out first comes Shane McMahon. Big Show is out next, followed by WWE Hall of Famer JBL, Jeff Hardy (who has Taker’s symbol painted on his face), WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley, WWE Hall of Famer The Godfather, The Godwinns, Savio Vega, WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi, WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, WWE Hall of Famer Triple H, and then Kane. We go to a video package on The Deadman.
The video features comments from Triple H, John Cena, Shane, WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin, and goes on for several minutes with highlights from Mark Calaway 30 years as The Undertaker. Fans in the virtual ThunderDome crowd chant “Undertaker!” now. WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon is introduced. The other guests are no longer in the ring. Vince talks about Taker’s 30 years in the company, striking fear in his opponents and entertaining a global audience, in WWF and WWE. Vince says this run will never be duplicated, so tonight we say goodbye, we say nothing lasts forever, which could be wrong, because the legacy of The Undertaker will live on eternally. So now Vince gives you… The Deadman, The Phenom… ladies and gentlemen… The Undertaker! The bells start to toll inside the Amway Center. The crowd goes black as the flame start to shoot up. Vince waits in the ring as The Undertaker’s iconic entrance begins.
Taker’s symbol appears high up in the arena as lighting strikes it and goes along with a MIDI-like version of his theme song. The bell tolls again and now The Undertaker begins his signature entrance to the ring.
Taker stops on the ring steps as more flames go off around the ring. Taker finally enters the ring and looks around for a minute or two. We hear “Undertaker!” chants apparently being piped in. Taker just stands there as crowd chants continue. The virtual crowd has not returned to the LED boards. Taker says for 30 long years he’s made that slow walk to the ring and has laid people to rest time and time again. He says and now his time has come. A “thank you Taker!” chant starts up. Taker says his time has come, it’s time for The Undertaker to… Rest.. In.. Peace. The ring fills up some with fog now as Taker tips his hat and drops down to one knee. Taker does his signature pose as we see a graphic of the late WWE Hall of Famer Paul Bearer on the wall, holding the urn. Taker looks up at the Bearer graphic and resumes his pose on his knee, looking down as the lights go out. The “Undertaker!” chants continue with just a single spotlight on Taker in the ring now. The bells start to toll once again as Taker’s music starts back up. He stands back up from his pose as the lighting and thunder start again. Taker stands tall in the middle of the ring and cuts his own throat. Taker exits the ring and marches up the ramp. He stops, turns back around to look at the ring, then faces forward again. Taker raises his fist in the air as the lightning strikes. The Undertaker’s “Final Farewell” ends as Taker heads to the back and the 2020 Survivor Series pay-per-view goes off the air.
WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon reportedly passed on talking with Zelina Vega after she was released from her contract last Friday.
Vega was informed of her release last Friday by WWE’s Senior Director of Talent Relations, Mark Carrano. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter adds that Vega asked to talk to McMahon, but Carrano told her that Vince did not want to talk to her, and she was then escorted out of the building.
As noted, Vega was released last Friday due to reasons related to WWE’s new edict on third party content with sites such as Cameo and Twitch, which Vega is active on. WWE later confirmed with Sports Illustrated that Vega was released due to a breach of contract.
McMahon was reportedly unhappy with Vega for opening up an OnlyFans account, which she was using for cosplay content under a different name, even after WWE issued the third party edict. The feeling was that Vega’s actions boxed the company into a difficult situation. It was noted that Vega’s release was done as a reminder to all talents that the new third party policy will be strictly enforced.
Vega appeared on the “Table Talk” podcast with WWE Hall of Famer & Producer D-Von Dudley back in September and recalled how Vince had previously told her that she was one of his favorite talents, comparing her to his daughter, WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon.
“It’s weird because I think that too and I’m like, you know what? If quarantine didn’t happen – not saying that I wouldn’t have had these opportunities – but maybe it would have taken a little bit longer,” Vega told Dudley. “And also, Becky’s having her baby so there are people that are not here so that just leaves spots to fill and for me, I’m like, ‘Give me the ball! If I drop it, screw me!’ But you lose nothing and I was always ready for that and I think it started with Drew [McIntyre] when we had that back and forth. I was like, ‘Man, he’s like my other promo half.’ It was just perfect.
“Whenever it happened, it was just magic with him and it’s interesting because before even quarantine happened, Vince would always say, ‘You’re one of my favorites. You’re one of the reasons that I watch RAW. I love your character.’ It was such an honor to hear that because one of the things that he used to say to me was, ‘You remind me of Stephanie because she was always working out there. You’re a cutaway machine. I love that about you’ and first of all, I was like, ‘Are you serious?’ Legit, I was going to cry. I love Stephanie. She’s a huge inspiration when it comes to me and the Zelina character, but it’s wild to think that if this quarantine didn’t happen, I wonder where I would be. I wonder if I’d be getting a RAW Women’s Title shot against Asuka.”
DATE: November 22, 2020 at 7:00 PM ET (Preshow at 6:00 PM ET) LOCATION: Amway Center (WWE Thunderdome), Orlando, Florida AVAILABLE ON: WWE Network (first month free for new subscribers)
CARD
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre vs. WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns
WWE RAW Women’s Champion Asuka vs. WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks
WWE RAW Tag Team Champions The New Day vs. WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits
WWE US Champion Bobby Lashley vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn
MEN’S TRADITIONAL 5-ON-5 ELIMINATION MATCH AJ Styles, Keith Lee, Sheamus, Braun Strowman, and Riddle vs. Kevin Owens, Jey Uso, King Corbin, Seth Rollins, and TBA
WOMEN’S TRADITIONAL 5-ON-5 ELIMINATION MATCH Shayna Baszler, Nia Jax, Lana, Lacey Evans, and Peyton Royce vs. Bianca Belair, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, TBA, and TBA
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