It looks like the 2020 Class of the WWE Hall of Fame will not be inducted until 2021.
The original 2020 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony was nixed from WrestleMania 36 Weekend in April of this year due to the schedule changes brought on by COVID-19. There had been talk of doing the ceremony during SummerSlam Weekend but that never happened. @Wrestlevotes now reports that WWE wanted to do the 2020 ceremony as a corresponding pay-per-view once fans returned, ideally at SummerSlam, but that wasn’t possible as fans were not allowed back in time for last Sunday’s pay-per-view.
Now word is that the plan is to induct the 2020 Class as the Class of 2021 during WrestleMania 37 Weekend in Hollywood next year. There’s no word yet on if there will be more entrants added for next year.
WWE previously announced Batista, JBL, The Bella Twins, Jushin Thunder Liger, The British Bulldog and The nWo (Hulk Hogan, Sean Waltman, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash) as the 2020 Class.
WrestleMania 37 Weekend is scheduled for the last weekend of March 2021. The big event is currently set to take place on March 28, 2021 from the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett made his return to the company during tonight’s WWE NXT episode.
Barrett did guest commentary at the NXT Arena on the campus of Full Sail University, along with Vic Joseph. WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix joined them from home as she has done during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Barrett announced that he will be back at the NXT announce table for the NXT Super Tuesday episode next week, which is airing on Tuesday night due to the NHL playoffs on the USA Network.
Below is video of Barrett settling into the announce table with Joseph before tonight’s episode hit the air.
Barrett first signed a WWE developmental deal in 2007 and left the company in May 2016 after deciding to let his contract expire. Barrett has focused on his acting career since leaving WWE and has done little work in the world of pro wrestling, but he did do some commentary work for the NWA earlier this year after debuting in December.
There’s no word yet on what WWE has planned for Barrett after next Tuesday’s show.
Tonight’s edition of NXT kicked off with Kross, in a sling, coming to the ring with Scarlett. Karrion confirmed he suffered an injury and said he’s realist who understands the reality of the situation in that WWE officials would not let him defend the title while injured.
“On the path there are obstacles, but for me, the obstacles are the path,” he said before putting the NXT Championship on the ground next to an hourglass and walking to the back.
General Manager William Regal appeared later in the show and said that in order to crown a new champion, there will be a four-way match next Tuesday between former NXT champions who could all be the face of the brand again: Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Finn Balor and Adam Cole.
He then announced it would also be a sixty-minute Iron Man match.
WWE says they are working to ban a virtual audience member from future events who could be seen in the closing moments of Raw displaying what appeared to be KKK imagery on their screen.
In case you didn’t notice, one of the screens near the front row in the ThunderDome last night showed a man who appeared to be wearing a KKK robe waving a confederate flag. This occurred right before, as well as during, the attack from RETRIBUTION on Dominick and Rey Mysterio.
When reached for comment on the matter, WWE sent us the following statement.
“This abhorrent behavior does not reflect WWE‘s values and we have zero tolerance for these unacceptable acts. We are working to ban those involved from future events and per our policies, any inappropriate actions result in the removal from the live stream.”
It’s worth noting that the company is dealing with thousands of fans coming through the experience at the same time and one source tells us the offender was immediately removed from the broadcast after being caught.
there were also images of Chris Benoit and Super Mario that fans were able to get into ThunderDome seats for last night’s show
Renee Young confirmed ongoing reports of her WWE departure during last night’s SummerSlam Kickoff Show. The announcer and former commentator for RAW reportedly gave her notice to WWE just over one week ago and agreed to work through SummerSlam Weekend.
Since the announcement, Renee has taken to social media to release a lengthy statement about her time working for WWE.
“This November would mark 8 years in WWE. 8 years!!” Renee writes. “An opportunity of a lifetime with a global company to learn, grow, make history and do things beyond my wildest dreams before I left Toronto for this adventure. I made friends, family- literally family- I met my husband here (what a f–king dreamboat) and people that will be a part of my life forever. I did things I couldn’t have even imagined or dreamt up.
“From backstage interviews, a reality show, Talking Smack, being the first woman to be a part of a WWE broadcast in Saudi Arabia, being the first woman to sit at the commentary desk full time on Monday Night Raw, calling Wrestlemania, anchoring a brand new show with Fox Sports (which you guys will still be able to catch me on!) I’ve been so lucky,” Young continued. “But it’s also been a lot of my hard work, drive and passion that’s landed me in these amazing spots. I’ve had such an incredible run with WWE. It’s changed my life. But that all leads me to now. What’s next? Do I stay satisfied with what I’ve done? Or do I go in pursuit of new barriers and goals in mind? I always choose the latter.
“I have no idea what that means or looks like, but it’s time for me to go. Time to roll the dice again and shake things up,” she went on. “Time to light that fire again and forge on. Time to say bye to Renee Young and reconnect with Renee Paquette and remember why I started this journey to begin with. And as the ride slows down- as the world slows down, I see it as my opportunity to make a move. So I just wanted to say thanks to WWE and to the all the fans that have been so damn cool to me over the years. And send a crap ton of love to all of my people. I’m excited for the future! Thanks for everything.”
WWE stars of the past and present reached out to Renee with words of support. WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix sent her a message, saying, “Renee Young broke barriers for female voices. She taught me SO much about the broadcast booth and supported me. She brings out the best in everyone around her. But most of all, she is a friend I treasure. Thank you for everything Renee!”
Multiple other WWE stars would follow suit, as seen below. Some would send her inside jokes, others, like Lacey Evans, stayed in character with their social media goodbye, and others simply gave her well wishes on her future.
Stay tuned for what’s next in Renee Young’s career. In the post below, she reveals that she will still be involved on Fox Sports in some capacity. She also has a new cookbook that is on the horizon.
New WWE NXT Champion Karrion Krossrecently spoke with ESPN’s Marc Raimondi and said he does not believe he will miss any significant time from the ring due to the separated shoulder he suffered on Saturday night at “Takeover: XXX” in the main event title win over Keith Lee.
WWE confirmed that Kross suffered a “separated acromioclavicular joint” and will be undergoing a MRI on Monday to get a better idea of the severity of the injury. Kross confirmed that the injury is to his right shoulder. He commented on Monday’s MRI and reiterated what Triple H said in his post-Takeover media call – this is not ballet.
“I will get the professional, educated opinion on what the severity of it is,” Kross told Raimondi. “But it’s definitely separated. I won’t beat around the bush about that. As the saying goes, it’s not ballet.
“I feel mixed emotions right now. The whole situation is very bittersweet. I think from a natural place, I’m always a very motivated individual. I’m a solution-based thinker, rather than a pity-based thinker.”
Kross said he felt the pain immediately, revealing that the injury occurred when Lee hit him with a clothesline near the ropes. Kross’ right shoulder took the brunt of Lee’s 300-pound momentum.
“It felt like a choir of demons screaming inside my shoulder in unison,” Kross said.
Kross is already researching ways he can begin rehabbing the shoulder. He also commented on how he still does have some range of motion.
“From my point of view, no,” Kross said when asked if he thinks he’ll be out for a significant period time. “[Due to] how I feel and what I’ve heard, I don’t know. I’m very intuitive with my body.
“And the range of emotion that I have right now, while it’s not what I would like it to be, for me personally, it would indicate to me that I’m going to get be able to get through this without any sort of extreme measures, so to speak. In my opinion, today.”
Kross said fighting through the shoulder pain was his way to “prove who I am,” he said, acknowledging that in everyone is trying to tell, and sell, others on who they are in the world of pro wrestling. Kross said he believes this was his chance to show that everything he has been saying about himself was true.
“Whatever is going on with my shoulder is not as important to me as proving right now to every single person that I work with, every single person that’s taken time or equity out of their careers to elevate me, that I’m worth a s–t,” Kross said. “And I’m gonna finish this strong, no matter how severe this is. This is the time where people see who you really are. Because nobody could do anything for you right now. You have to stand up on your own two feet and show your worth.
“There are times in life where something happens and now it’s time to prove all of those things that you said. That was my calling [Saturday] night. That moment for me was [Saturday] night. It didn’t happen at a time where it was convenient. It happened in literally the most important match of my career on probably the most important day of my life occupationally.”
It was announced during last night’s WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view that Lee will make his official RAW arrival on tomorrow’s live show from the Amway Center in Orlando, which will be the first RAW show in the WWE ThunderDome.
Triple H responded to the announcement on Twitter and wrote, “Let the #Limitless era of #WWERaw begin… Congratulations @RealKeithLee! #WeAreNXT”
Lee just dropped the WWE NXT Title to Karrion Kross at Saturday’s NXT “Takeover: XXX” event, just over one month after winning it.
WWE US CHAMPIONSHIP (Pre-Show)
Apollo Crews (c) vs. MVP Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin are banned from ringside.
Winner: Apollo Crews
WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Bayley (c) w/Sasha Banks vs. Asuka
Winner: Bayley
– After the bell, the music hits but Banks immediately rushes the ring and unloads on Asuka while she’s down. They double team Asuka and drive her into the mat. Bayley exits the ring with the title and kicks at some of the virtual fans at ringside. We go to replays. A furious Asuka recovers in the ring as The Golden Role Models taunt her from the ramp.
WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Street Profits (c) vs. Andrade and Angel Garza with Zelina Vega
Winners: The Street Profits
No DQ (Loser leaves WWE)
Mandy Rose vs. Sonya Deville
Winner: Mandy Rose
STREET FIGHT
Seth Rollins with Murphy vs. Dominik Mysterio with Rey Mysterio
Winner: Seth Rollins
WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Sasha Banks (c) with Smackdown Women’s Champion Bayley vs. Asuka
Winner and New RAW Women’s Champion: Asuka
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Randy Orton
Winner: Drew McIntyre
WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP – FALLS COUNT ANYYWHERE
Braun Strowman (c) vs. Bray Wyatt
Winner and New WWE Universal Champion: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt
– After the match, The Fiend stands tall with the title as the music hits. Fiend is suddenly attacked by someone from behind. It’s the returning Roman Reigns. Reigns takes Fiend out with a Spear. Reigns unloads and then hits a Spear on Strowman at ringside. Reigns yells that he made Strowman and Strowman isn’t a monster unless he’s here. Reigns grabs a steel chair and unloads on Strowman at ringside, over and over with chair shots while he’s down. Reigns returns to the ring and takes Fiend out with another Spear. Reigns picks the title up and talks trash down at The Fiend while he’s on the mat. Reigns raises the Universal Title in the air as SummerSlam goes off the air.
NXT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDERS MATCH (PRE-SHOW)
Legado del Fantasma vs. Breezango vs. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch
Winners and New #1 Contenders: Breezango
Finn Balor vs. Timothy Thatcher
Winner: Finn Balor
LADDER MATCH FOR NXT NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP (VACANT)
Bronson Reed vs. vs. Damian Priest vs. Cameron Grimes vs. Johnny Gargano vs. The Velveteen Dream
Winner and New NXT North American Champion: Damian Priest
Adam Cole vs. Pat McAfee
Winner: Adam Cole
NXT WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Io Shirai (c) vs. Dakota Kai w/Raquel Gonzalez
Winner: Io Shirai
– After the match, the music hits as Shirai stands tall and celebrates. Gonzalez suddenly attacks from behind. The music interrupts and out comes Rhea Ripley. Ripley hits the ring and faces off with Gonzalez. They stare each other down, face to face now. Gonzalez backs off a bit but Ripley gets right back in her face. Kai gets back to her feet and gets Gonzalez to leave the ring with her. Ripley is still staring Gonzalez down as she backs up the ramp with Kai. Shirai’s music starts back up as she stands tall in the ring with the belt, facing the camera while Ripley stands with her back to her, still staring Gonzalez down. We go to replays from the match. Ripley is now standing tall on the ramp, staring back at Shirai in the ring.
Promo for NXT UK returning on September 17.
Promo for Tommaso Ciampa returning this Wednesday.
NXT CHAMPIONSHIP
Keith Lee (c) vs. Karrion Kross with Scarlett Bordeaux
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