Tonight’s WWE RAW takes place from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN as the road to WWE No Mercy continues.
* Banks faces Bliss in anticipated return bout
* Can John Cena and Roman Reigns coexist on the same brand?
* Enzo Amore joins the Cruiserweights
* Is Braun Strowman our next Universal Champion?
* Rollins & Ambrose hold their own as Raw Tag Team Champions
Today, the first set of episodes for the Mae Young Classic were uploaded to the WWE Network and it was announced during one of the shows that Kacy Catanzaro and Shadia Bseiso have signed with the company.
Catanzaro gained attention on NBC’s American Ninja when she became the first women to ever complete the show’s qualifying course and has made Sports Illustrated’s “Fittest 50” list. Back in January, she tried out for the WWE (which you can see in the video above) and talked about making the transition to the WWE.
“I think a lot of the things from my background, from gymnastics to obstacle course racing – the physical and the mental, the speed, agility, strength, all of that – [and] being able to mentally prepare for that and go in front of a lot of people and be on point that second that you have to… I think that all of that could be a really big advantage for me coming into the WWE.”
Shadia Bseiso tried out for WWE in Dubai and is a TV personality with a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Bseiso is also fluent in both English and Arabic.
Source: WrestlingINC
As noted, WWE NXT Women’s Champion Asuka vacated the NXT Women’s Championship last week in a segment that should air this Wednesday. Asuka had suffered a collarbone injury during her match with Ember Moon at “Takeover: Brooklyn III” last week.
Dave Meltzer reported on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE has discussed having the winner of the Mae Young Classic to be crowned the new NXT Women’s Champion. The finals take place live from Las Vegas on Tuesday, September 12th at 10pm EST after SmackDown goes off the air that night. Spoilers on the finals are here.
Asuka is heading to the main roster, as NXT General Manager William Regal said that he is negotiating with RAW and SmackDown to bring her to one of those brands. Asuka is expected to be out of action with the injury for 6-8 weeks.
Source: WrestlingINC
WWE NXT Women’s Champion Asuka relinquished her title at last night’s TV tapings from Full Sail University in a segment that should air on the September 6th episode. This comes after WWE announced that Asuka suffered a collarbone injury during her match with Ember Moon at “Takeover: Brooklyn III” last Saturday night, an injury that would have her out of action for a few months.
The segment began with a video package on Asuka’s undefeated run. NXT General Manager William Regal then brought Asuka to the ring. She said she loves NXT and is grateful for the brand. Regal said Asuka has done nothing but defend the title with honor since coming to NXT and that she is one of the greatest champions in WWE history. Regal then announced that Asuka and himself have begun negotiations with RAW General Manager Kurt Angle and SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan, but it is bittersweet as she is stepping down as NXT Women’s Champion.
The NXT roster then came to the stage to say farewell. Asuka said wherever she goes, NXT will go with her. Moon then came out and offered a handshake but stopped and hugged Asuka instead. Triple H then came out and presented Asuka with a bouquet of flowers. Triple H took the title and introduced Asuka one final time as the undefeated, 523 day reigning champion. Asuka took her bows and posed with Triple H on the stage to end the tapings.
Stay tuned for updates on Asuka’s status. WWE posted this video from the segment:
WWE announced the following on The Empress of Tomorrow dropping the strap:
Asuka relinquishes NXT Women’s TitleNXT Women’s Champion Asuka relinquished her title to NXT General Manager William Regal tonight at Full Sail University in Orlando, Fla. After her dominant performance and historic 500-plus day reign as NXT Women’s Champion, The Empress of Tomorrow looks to her future for new opportunities in WWE, though no specific details are known at this time. Her reign will officially end on the date that her historic announcement airs.
To see this monumental shift in the landscape of NXT, tune in each Wednesday to the award-winning WWE Network.
Source: WrestlingINC
WWE posted this video below looking at female referee Jessika Carr, who will be officiating matches in The Mae Young Classic. Carr has also worked recent WWE NXT events.
After undergoing a MRI yesterday, WWE has announced that Big Cass will need surgery for the left knee injury that he suffered during the Brooklyn Street Fight with Enzo Amore on RAW. WWE also confirmed that Cass suffered an ACL tear and possibly a medial meniscus tear.
“It looks like he has an ACL tear, possibly a medial meniscus tear, but we’re going to wait for the radiologist to evaluate the MRI and give us their full report,” said WWE ringside physician Dr. Chris Robinson.
Cass will be undergoing surgery this week and WWE noted that he will have a long road back to the ring.
“A typical ACL tear takes about nine months [to recover from],” Robinson said.
Source: WrestlingINC
Former WWE Intercontinental, United States and Tag Team Champion Shelton Benjamin made his long awaited return to WWE last night on SmackDown Live.
SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan called Chad Gable to his office and revealed that he made a deal with RAW General Manager Kurt Angle – in exchange for Jason Jordan going to RAW, Angle would help Bryan sign one of his friends. Bryan then introduced Benjamin and told them that they would team up on next week’s SmackDown from North Little Rock, Arkansas.
Benjamin last worked for WWE in 2010. He was set to return to the company last year but the return was put on hold due to an injury that was discovered during medical testing.
SmackDown Live has just became “Glorious” — Former NXT Champion Bobby Roode made his WWE main roster debut last night on SmackDown Live.
Roode defeated Aiden English. Roode was interviewed in the ring by Renee Young after the match and he congratulates the SmackDown bosses on breaking the bank to sign him, the hottest free agent in sports entertainment. Roode went on and said SmackDown went from being great to absolutely glorious.
The NXT Twitter account confirmed that Roode will be working the rest of the yellow brand dates that he’s been advertised for. They congratulated him with this tweet:
Tonight’s 205 Live will take place from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
* Can Tozawa repeat history and defeat Neville once again? – WWE Cruiserweight Title rematch: (C) Neville vs. Akira Tozawa
* The Brian Kendrick hopes to reason with Gentleman Jack Gallagher in a Gentleman’s Duel
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Live will take place from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn with the final fallout from SummerSlam.
* Will Nakamura be looking for payback?
* How is Kevin Owens handling his loss to AJ Styles?
* How will SmackDown LIVE’s women react to new champion Natalya?
* Will The New Day bounce back from losing the SmackDown Tag Team Titles?
