WWE NXT Preview 2/24/2021

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will be headlined by the long awaited non-title No DQ match between Karrion Kross and NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar. If Escobar no-shows, he will be stripped of the title and suspended indefinitely by NXT General Manager William Regal.

Paige Hoping To Come Out Of Retirement, Beth Phoenix Responds

Former two-time WWE Divas Champion Paige is hoping to follow in the footsteps of WWE Hall of Famer Edge and Daniel Bryan and come out of retirement from a career-ending injury.

During a backstage segment on last Friday’s SmackDown, Edge said that Bryan returning to the ring in 2018 inspired him to do the same. Bryan then said that Edge, the winner of the 2021 Men’s Royal Rumble, should pick him as his opponent at WrestleMania 37 if Bryan is able to capture the Universal Championship at Sunday’s Elimination Chamber event.

Edge then asked Bryan if he would call that “a dream match.” Bryan said some people would call it “long overdue,” to which Edge said those people would be right.

While reacting to the segment, Paige tweeted, “one day” with a fingers crossed emoji. She was responding to a tweet from the WWE on FOX handle, which captioned “Retirement” while sharing the Edge-Bryan exchange.

Beth Phoenix, the wife of Edge, reacted to Paige.

“You deserve it,” wrote Phoenix.

Paige, 28, retired in 2018 after suffering a career-ending neck injury during a house show.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Former Impact Star Taya Valkyrie Reports To The WWE Performance Center, Rick Steiner’s Son

Former Impact Wrestling Knockouts Taya Valkyrie has reported to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando to begin training under her WWE NXT contract.

Valkyrie, who is married to RAW Superstar John Morrison, officially reported for training today and is to be announced in the next WWE Performance Center Class, according to PWInsider.

Regarding the new WWE Performance Center Class that reported for training today, F4Wonline.com reports that around 30 men and women are included in the class.

WWE is expected to officially announce the new Performance Center Class any time this week, possibly tomorrow afternoon.

Below is the updated list of confirmed names that reported for training today:

* Taya Valkyrie – 37 years old, longest-reigning Impact Knockouts Champion in history, married to John Morrison

* Parker Boudreaux – 18 year old college football star, compared to a young Brock Lesnar

* Bronson Rechsteiner – 23 year old former football player, son of Rick Steiner

* Angela Arnold – known as AQA, trained by WWE Hall of Famer Booker T

* Christian Brigham – known as Christian Casanova

* Anthony Henry – 36 year old former EVOLVE star

* Christian Hubble – known as Blake Christian

* Karissa Rivera – second generation talent, daughter of Steve King. Appeared on RAW as Bobby Lashley’s “ex-wife” once

* Zoey Stark – formerly known as Lacey Ryan, recently debuted on NXT TV and worked the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic

* Cora Jade – formerly known as Elayna Black, recently debuted on NXT TV in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic

* Gigi Dolin – formerly known as Priscilla Kelly, recently debuted on NXT TV in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic

Rumored names expected to be confirmed for this WWE Performance Center Class this week include LA Knight (now working NXT but not confirmed for this specific class, fka Eli Drake), Harlem Bravado, and Sareee.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Rhea Ripley Coming Soon To WWE RAW

Rhea Ripley is headed to the WWE RAW brand.

There had been speculation on Ripley possibly going to RAW or SmackDown after her official call-up from WWE NXT was considered to be at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view in late January. Now WWE has confirmed that the former NXT Women’s Champion is headed to Monday nights.

As seen below, a “coming soon” vignette for Ripley aired during last night’s post-Elimination Chamber edition of RAW.

Ripley was the #14 entrant in the 30-Woman Rumble Match last month, and was the last elimination, tossed out by winner Bianca Belair. She lasted 39:06 and eliminated Toni Storm, Santana Garrett, Dana Brooke, Dakota Kai, Mandy Rose, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair, with Belair’s help. Ripley’s last NXT TV match came on January 6 at the New Year’s Evil special, when she lost to Raquel Gonzalez in the Last Woman Standing match.

There is no word yet on when Ripley will make her official RAW debut.

WWE RAW Preview 2/22/2021

Tonight’s WWE RAW will feature the fallout from last night’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.

WWE has not announced any matches for tonight’s show but it’s likely that new WWE Champion The Miz and new WWE United States Champion Riddle will appear to follow up on their big wins at Elimination Chamber.

It’s also likely that RAW Women’s Champion Asuka will appear to begin her next feud after the Elimination Chamber match with Lacey Evans was nixed due to Evans’ pregnancy. WWE is expected to really pick up the build for Fastlane and WrestleMania 37 soon, which means returns for “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and other happenings.

News On Lacey Evans Pregnancy Reveal

As seen on RAW last week, Evans revealed that she is pregnant. It was insinuated in storyline that Ric Flair is the father.

Evans is legitimately pregnant. WWE learned of Evans’ pregnancy today and changed the direction of her angle with Charlotte Flair. Evans was scheduled to face Asuka for the RAW Women’s Championship at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, however that match clearly did not happen.

Evans has a daughter, Summer, who was used for storylines during her feud with Sasha Banks.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Elimination Chamber Results 2/21/2021

KICKOFF
John Morrison defeated Elias, Mustafa Ali, and Ricochet to advance to WWE US Championship Match

SMACKDOWN ELIMINATION CHAMBER
Daniel Bryan def. Jey Uso, Cesaro, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and King Corbin

WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Roman Reigns def. Daniel Bryan

Post -Match: While Reigns was celebrating, Edge came in from nowhere and hit Reigns with a spear. Edge pointed to the WrestleMania sign. So it appears Edge made his decision.

WWE US CHAMPIONSHIP
Riddle def. Bobby Lashley (c) vs. John Morrison to win the WWE US Championship

WWE WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax (c) def. Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP (ELIMINATION CHAMBER)
Drew McIntyre (c) def. AJ Styles, Sheamus, Jeff Hardy, Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton

Post-Match: Bobby Lashley attacked McIntyre. The Miz came out and cashed in Money in the Bank contract.

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
The Miz def. Drew McIntyre (c) to win the WWE Championship

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/19/2021

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX episode will feature the final build for Sunday’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.

Owens, Bryan & Cesaro battle Uso, Corbin & Zayn for Elimination Chamber momentum

It’s likely that Seth Rollins will be appearing tonight. Rollins returned last week and ended up attacking Cesaro after giving a return speech, making it clear he’s still up to his heel antics.

WWE Elimination Chamber 2/21/2021

DATE: 21/02/2021 7:00 pm
LOCATION: WWE Thunderdome, St. Petersburg, Florida
AVAILABLE ON: WWE Network

Card as of this writing

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP (ELIMINATION CHAMBER)
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy vs. AJ Styles vs. Sheamus vs. Kofi Kingston
Sheamus is the final entrant in the match.

WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Roman Reigns vs. SmackDown Elimination Chamber Winner

SMACKDOWN ELIMINATION CHAMBER
Jey Uso vs. Kevin Owens vs. King Corbin vs. Sami Zayn vs. Cesaro vs. Daniel Bryan

WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Asuka (c) vs. Lacey Evans w/Ric Flair

WWE US CHAMPIONSHIP
Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Riddle vs. Keith Lee

Finn Bálor Thought His Current NXT Stint Would Be Short Term

NXT Champion Finn Bálor has admitted that he initially believed his return to the black and gold brand would be temporary.

Finn spilled the beans on the latest episode of Corey Graves’s After The Bell podcast.

“I didn’t know what to expect. I was under the impression that it was going to be a three-month deal and reboot Finn and reset and then go back to Raw or SmackDown,” the Irishman said. “It’s evolved into something that I don’t think anyone expected. It speaks to how NXT is evolving and is truly its own brand.”

After a three year stint on WWE’s main roster, Bálor returned to NXT in October 2019. “As of now, Finn Bálor is NXT,” he proclaimed during a confrontation with then NXT Champion Adam Cole.

“I don’t know what to expect going forward and don’t know how long it’s going to last,” Finn said on After The Bell. “But I have to say I’m super happy in NXT and there is no reason for me to move anywhere in my career. I’m still growing It’s one of the best things I’ve done in my career,” he continued.

The 39-year-old also said he doesn’t expect his current NXT tenure to come to an end in the foreseeable future.

“I’ll know NXT has run its course and we’ll need to make a change, but I don’t see that coming anytime soon,” he said.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet