Tag: WWE

WWE Purchases EVOLVE Wrestling

WWE has officially purchased EVOLVE Wrestling, PWInsider reports.

The deal was recently finalized after several months of negotiations. WWE now has the complete right to use the EVOLVE brand name and produce EVOLVE events.

WWE has also acquired the EVOLVE video library.

EVOLVE had been going through some financial issues and the COVID-19 pandemic made it worse. The cancellation of WrestleMania 36 Week in Tampa was catastrophic for the promotion.

EVOLVE was founded in 2010 by Gabe Sapolsky. Since 2015, the promotion has had a working relationship with WWE. When they signed that deal, EVOLVE created a new LLC, which is the company WWE has acquired. WWE has not purchased WWNLive, which will still reportedly go on.

As for talent, PWInsider reports that the existing EVOLVE/WWN talent contracts are not part of the sale. Though there is an expectation of at least four talents that will be signed and go to WWE NXT.

Apollo Crews, Austin Theory, Drew Gulak, Keith Lee, Johnny Gargano, Matt Riddle, Ricochet, and Oney Lorcan are just a few who used the promotion as a stepping stone to get to WWE.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Mickie James Was Medically Cleared To Return Before Pandemic Hit, Still Has Big Plans For Comeback

We haven’t seen Mickie James in a WWE ring for over a year, but it turns out she was just weeks away from returning before COVID-19 struck.

James, who tore her ACL during a house show last year, had apparently been medically cleared and was close to making a comeback. “The doc had already cleared me, so I was literally just getting that last two weeks to get cleared to come back to in-ring action and everything got shut down,” she told Chris Van Vliet in a new interview. “So, I went home and I just haven’t been back since.”

For the time being, James is fine with staying away from the Performance Center. “Theres no need to take that risk of going there if I’m not doing anything,” she explained. “I would rather bide my time and wait for the perfect opportunity.”

When she does return, James has some (mostly tongue-in-cheek) goals in mind. “I’m going to go in and take all the championships,” she said. “I’m going to be my own tag team partner and I’m going to go in there and take those championships first, and then I’m going to take both of the women’s championships at the same time.”

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE NXT: ‘The Great American Bash’ Preview 7/1/20

Night One of the Great American Bash edition of WWE NXT will air tonight on a slight tape delay from the NXT Arena at Full Sail University.

More NXT UK Releases And Suspension, Update On The Future Of The Brand

It looks like the WWE NXT UK brand will be returning with new content soon.

There has been a lot of speculation on the future of the brand as of late. They haven’t filmed new content in months due to the coronavirus pandemic, and several talents were recently hit with accusations in the “#SpeakingOut” movement. It was reported on Monday that a mandatory conference call was planned for today with staff and talent told to participate.

That conference call happened this afternoon and PWInsider reports that it was more or less a chance for WWE officials to touch base with the roster. It was also said that officials told the talents to be ready to get back to work when the time was right. Several NXT UK talents have taken to social media this afternoon and indicated that they would be working TV tapings soon.

F4Wonline.cm adds that Triple H addressed talents during the call and told them explicitly what the protocol is regarding sexual abuse allegations. Triple H said there would be zero tolerance on any charges, provided there was irrefutable evidence against them. It was taken as more of a warning going forward than anything else. Their report also noted that there was no talk of any other changes with the brand.

There has been talk of taping new material for NXT UK soon, but nothing is official as far as dates go, according to PWInsider. NXT UK episodes on the WWE Network have been special editions for a few months now, featuring older matches or compilations, but last week’s “Superstar Picks” episode featured the return of talent vignettes and promos for feuds.

While WWE has not announced new NXT UK dates as of this writing, it’s worth noting that the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland still has tickets up for sale for the NXT UK “Takeover: Dublin” event. That show was originally scheduled for Sunday, April 26 but was re-scheduled to Sunday, October 25 due to COVID-19.

In other NXT UK news, PWInsider reports that referee Joel Allen was released over the weekend. Referee Chris Roberts was also released, according to F4Wonline.com, and Joe Coffey was suspended. The releases and the suspension follow the recent departures of Ligero, Jack Gallagher and Travis Banks. All faced allegations from the “#SpeakingOut” movement.

It’s interesting to note that NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray took to Twitter this afternoon and posted a graphic of the other WWE women’s champions – WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks & Bayley, who is also the SmackDown Women’s Champion, RAW Women’s Champion Asuka, and NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai.

She wrote, “Doesn’t matter if you like it or not but fact is, I am your longest reigning women’s champion across all @WWE brands right now. I AM YOUR FOREVER CHAMPION!!! Fight me….”

Bayley responded and wrote, “Don’t mind if I do.”

This exchange has fans hoping for a potential match between Bayley and Ray.

The NXT UK brand currently has the following champions – Ray, NXT UK Champion WALTER, and NXT UK Tag Team Champions Wolfgang and Mark Coffey of Gallus.

WWE RAW Preview 6/29/20

Tonight’s taped WWE RAW will take place from the Performance Center in Orlando, FL with more build to WWE’s “Extreme Rules: The Horror Show” pay-per-view.

WWE has not published an official preview for tonight’s RAW but they are focusing on the following points for tonight’s show:

* Double contract signing for Extreme Rules: The Horror Show

* Will Seth Rollins continue his reign of terror?

WWE Has Released More Stars Due To The #SpeakingOut Movement

NXT UK star Ligero has been released by WWE after an assault allegation and multiple other accusations of harassment.

The news was first reported by PWInsider and we’ve since confirmed the release with sources. WWE has yet to make the release public.

Ligero’s termination comes during the #SpeakingOut movement that has rocked the wrestling world, particularly in the UK. As we the 35-year-old was accused of “indecent assault” by Violet O’Hara. Multiple women have also said Ligero sent them inappropriate messages.

Ligero denied the assault allegation, calling it “absolutely false,” but admitted to sending “unwanted messages” to women.

As you’ll recall, Jack Gallagher was also released last week by WWE under similar circumstances.

NXT UK star Travis Banks has been released by WWE after admitting to having a relationship with a 17-year-old trainee in the past.

The news was first reported by POST Wrestling’s John Pollock and we’ve since confirmed the termination with sources.

Banks’ firing comes after wrestler Millie McKenzie accused Banks of being emotionally manipulative during a “secret one year relationship” when she was 17. Banks subsequently released a statement confirming they had a consensual relationship when she was a trainee of his and said he was sorry for any pain caused by it.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Multiple people who were at the WWE Performance Center tested positive for the virus this past week

Jamie Noble has confirmed he’s one of the people in WWE who got hit with COVID-19.

The WWE producer shared the news on Instagram, writing, “Not how we expect this month to go! Covid-19 has hit home. Prayers for me and my family will be greatly appreciated!”

Multiple people who were at the Performance Center tested positive for the virus this week. This includes Renee Young, Kayla Braxton and Adam Pearce; who all went public with the news yesterday on social media.

WWE has said they will now be testing everyone at the PC for COVID-19 before filming shows for the foreseeable future.

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/26/20 – Special Tribute To The Undertaker

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will air on a tape delay from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL.

SmackDown tonight will feature a tribute to The Undertaker. The special tribute to Taker will include the Boneyard Match from WrestleMania 36, which saw Taker defeat AJ Styles.

It’s interesting to note that WWE has edited their SmackDown preview for tonight, removing previously announced segments. It was announced before that Styles will also be in action tonight as he defends his WWE Intercontinental Title against Drew Gulak. It was also announced that SmackDown will feature WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman addressing Bray Wyatt, and Sheamus raising a toast to Jeff Hardy. The WWE website no longer includes the previews on Styles vs. Gulak, Strowman or Sheamus and Hardy.

WWE NXT Preview 6/24/20

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will be another taped show from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

* Keith Lee to defend against Finn Bálor and Johnny Gargano with an opportunity at the NXT Title also on the line

* Damian Priest squares off with Cameron Grimes

* Bronson Reed gets his wish to face Karrion Kross

Charlotte Flair To Undergo Surgery, Expected To Be Out For Extended Period Of Time

Pro Wrestling Sheet has confirmed Charlotte Flair is undergoing surgery and will be out of action for an extended period of time after being written off TV.

Dave Meltzer first reported news of the surgery and PWInsider followed that up with a report explaining that it’s an elective procedure, which we’ve confirmed with sources.

Our sources also confirm Charlotte will be taking an extended break after the surgery to get some personal time after being a constant figure on WWE TV for years. This would explain the injury angle done last night on Raw where she was attacked by Nia Jax.

WWE released a storyline update after last night’s show saying Charlotte was being evaluated for an injury and “may have suffered a potential collarbone fracture.”

According to Alex McCarthy of talkSPORT, Charlotte is looking to return around Royal Rumble of 2021. However, it’s always possible she gets brought back before.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet