WWE star Jimmy Uso will be out for 6 to 9 months with a knee injury, according to Dave Meltzer from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The injury was first reported by Ringside News.
It’s believed that the knee injury happened during the triple threat ladder match at WrestleMania 36. John Morrison ended up winning the WrestleMania match and retaining the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
Tonight’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown on FOX will air on a tape delay from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. The episode was reportedly taped earlier this week.
WWE and AEW could be able to allow fans at their live events in the state of Florida as early as next week, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Florida Governor DeSantis and his “Re-Open Florida Task Force” have issued a three-phased plan to re-open the state, according to WPLG Local 10. Phase 1 begins on Monday for much of Florida, with the exception of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
The plan for Phase 1 states that people are encouraged to not gather in groups larger than 10 and employers should continue teleworking and screening employees for symptoms of COVID-19 if they have to report to work. Also, it states that vulnerable populations, including the elderly and people with underlying health issues, should stay at home during Phase 1. Bars, restaurants and nightclubs are being allowed to operate at 50% of the building capacity. Gyms and fitness centers will be allowed to operate at up to 50% of its building’s capacity. While theme parks will remain closed, the report states the following, which could include WWE and AEW:
“Large spectator sporting events should use strict social distancing guidelines and limit occupancy of venues to 25 percent of building capacity.”
This could indicate that the task force will allow WWE to limit occupancy of the Performance Center to 25% of capacity, and AEW to limit occupancy of Daily’s Place to 25% of capacity. It has not been confirmed that there will be fans allowed at the next round of events. AEW is scheduled to return to Daily’s Place in Jacksonville beginning next Wednesday, while WWE is scheduled to return to the Performance Center in Orlando on Monday, May 11.
Phase 2 will begin “after the successful conclusion of Phase 1” but no date was given. There was no mention of sporting events, according to WPLG Local 10, but these parks may consider re-opening with capacity limits, strict social distancing and proper measures to clean & disinfect under Phase 2. Bars and nightclubs will stay at the 50% of capacity, but restaurants, gyms and fitness centers are being allowed up to 75% under the second phase.
Phase 3 will ease a few more of the restrictions, but the report on plans for the third phase doesn’t include many details. Personal service businesses, such as salons and barbers, are being allowed to operate under full capacity under Phase 3, but there are strict guidelines to follow. You can read the full report on the three-phase plan here.
It will be interesting to see if this allows WWE and AEW to have at least some fans at their upcoming events, and if they take advantage of that.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE Intercontinental Continental Champion Sami Zayn has reportedly been away from WWE TV due to his own concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
Zayn did not appear during last week’s SmackDown on FOX episode with Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro because he made the choice not to travel to the closed-set WWE Performance Center in Orlando, according to a new report by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. While there’s no word yet on what WWE had planned for Zayn last Friday, he was originally scripted into the show until he made the decision not to come.
As we’ve noted, WWE and AEW officials have informed employees that they do not have to work during the COVID-19 outbreak, and that the decision would not be held against them in the future. Zayn apparently took advantage of that option as other wrestlers have, such as Roman Reigns.
Zayn has not appeared on WWE TV since Night One of WrestleMania 36, which was taped a few nights before it aired. That show saw Zayn retain his title over Daniel Bryan. Zayn hasn’t appeared on SmackDown TV since the April 3 episode, which was the WrestleMania go-home show. Cesaro and Nakamura have been appearing each week since then, working their own angles and matches without Zayn.
You can click here for Sami’s April 20 tweet on having his wisdom teeth taken out and why he has been looking “ripped to shreds.”
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter via Wrestling Inc.
WWE is filing to oppose some of the trademarks registered by The Revolt’s Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood, formerly known as Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson of The Revival.
The Revolt filed to trademark “No Flips, Just Fists” back on Tuesday, February 18 of this year, for merchandise and general pro wrestling/entertainment use. WWE filed to oppose the trademarks earlier today, just two days after the name was eligible for opposition.
WWE previously filed to trademark “No Flips Just Fists” on Monday, February 24. That is the same as The Revolt’s term filed for on February 18, just without the comma.
WWE was granted the standard 90-day extension to prepare their opposition. They now have until Wednesday, August 26 to file that opposition.
WWE filed to be the opposer for another name that The Revolt filed to trademark back on Tuesday, January 7 – “#FTRKO” for merchandise use. WWE filed to oppose that trademark today, just two days after it was published for opposition. They were granted the 90-day extension, and have until August 26 to file that opposition to “#FTRKO” as well.
Finally, WWE filed to oppose the trademark for “Say Yeah” today. The Revolt filed to trademark that name back on Tuesday, February 18, for merchandise and general wrestling/entertainment use. WWE filed to oppose that name today, also just two days after it was filed for opposition. Like the other two trademark filings, they were granted the standard 90-day extension to file that opposition, and have until August 26.
You can click here for Wrestling Inc’s recent report on WWE filing to oppose recent trademark filings by AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Mauro Ranallo and Beth Phoenix began recording their portion of NXT shows from home this week as an additional precautionary measure during the pandemic.
Sources confirms WWE’s production team put together a way for Ranallo and Phoenix to record from home in an effort to keep them as integral parts of the show on commentary while limiting the amount of travel they’d need to do for the time being.
We’re told this was able to be done with the NXT announcers because they appear on-screen less than the Raw and SmackDown commentary teams, which is why Tom Phillips joined them at the virtual announce desk from the taping.
The news of the duo recording from home was first reported on Wrestling Observer Radio.
WWE recently made the decision to adjust their filming schedule and pre-film shows in batches to increase the safety of everyone taking part in the tapings. This is also being done to help “flatten the curve” as much as possible while still producing shows.
During a recent conference call with WWE investors, it was additionally noted that there is extreme cleaning going on between each match and many medical precautionary measures being taken to ensure no one is entering the Performance Center sick during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WWE’s next round of tapings is set to begin on May 11.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
WWE announced Curtis Axel has been released from the company.
The company posted a statement on WWE.com which reads as follows:
WWE has come to terms on the release of Curtis Axel.
We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
Axel, the son of “Mr. Perfect” aka Curt Hennig, signed a developmental deal with WWE in 2007. Hennig took part in the second season of NXT as Michael McGillicutty, then was part of Nexus. The wrestler got repackaged in 2013 as Curtis Axel on RAW to pay homage to his father and grandfather, Larry ‘The Axe’ Hennig, with Paul Heyman as his manager. That eventually ended though.
Axel was additionally part of the Social Outcasts and most recently the B-Team with Bo Dallas.
The 40-year-old wrestler is a one-time Intercontinental champion and two-time tag champ.
As we previously reported, WWE is cutting talent in an effort save money due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company.
Tonight’s WWE NXT episode will air on the USA Network from the closed-set Performance Center in Orlando, FL.
It’s believed that tonight’s show will air on a slight tape delay as WWE is taping two episodes of NXT today, one for this week and one for next Wednesday.
* Keith Lee defends the NXT North American Title against Damian Priest
* The Queen goes one-on-one with Mia Yim
WWE Superstar Mickie James is using her voice to help raise money and awareness during National Child Abuse Awareness Month.
Mickie’s new “With The Love of a Child” single features youth advocate & YouTube star Rosevelt Sings (Rosevelt Rawls), and benefits the “#5TooMany Campaign” for Childhelp. Childhelp is the world’s oldest and largest non-profit group dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect.
Courtesy of Mickie’s YouTube channel, above is a behind-the-scenes look at the new single. The song features The Holy Saints Children’s Choir of Tuscaloosa. The lyrics can be found in the description of the YouTube video seen above. The song was written by Mickie and Sean Gasaway, and released by Firewater Records.
Mickie tweeted on the song and wrote, “So excited to share this special behind the scenes look at the making of “With the Love of a Child” with the lovely ?@RoseveltSings please continue to help us reach our goal https://5toomany.com & continue to spread the love! [red heart emoji] #5toomany”
The WWE announcement on the new campaign noted that fans can help the cause by doing the following:
* Download “With The Love of a Child” for free on music platforms
* Take a photo with a heart in hand and post to social media
* Tag five friends to do the same
* #5TooMany and #RoseveltsChallenge
* Donate $5 to help meet the challenge at 5TooMany.com
All money raised with the campaign will go toward Childhelp’s mission during National Child Abuse Awareness Month.
Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the closed-set WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
It’s believed that RAW will air on a slight tape delay as WWE is also taping next week’s RAW some time today or tonight.
WWE has not announced any matches for tonight’s RAW but there will be a contract signing between WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins, to finalize their match at the Money In the Bank pay-per-view on May 10.
WWE is also teasing an appearance by RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, and there will be more build for Money In the Bank.
Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins set for WWE Championship Match contract signing tonight on Raw
Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins are set for a collision course at WWE Money In The Bank, but they’ll have to get through the contract signing tonight without tearing each other to shreds.
The WWE Champion has been on fire since winning the title at WrestleMania, but The Monday Night Messiah cunningly saw the opportunity to end McIntyre’s recent run as a perfect way to captivate the Raw masses with his gospel. After the Scottish Superstar’s recent win over United States Champion Andrade, Rollins entered the ring to blindside the WWE Champion with a Superkick and two vicious Stomps to put the title match in motion.
What fireworks will be in store this time when the two rivals meet on Raw to make their title match official?
Tune in to Monday Night Raw tonight at 8/7 C on USA Network to see what goes down between McIntyre and Rollins!
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