NXT Superstar Gigi Dolin made her long-awaited return to the ring at the NXT Live Event on Friday night, November 22, at the Lakeland Armory in Lakeland, Florida. In her first match since recovering from a serious injury, fans at the Lakeland Armory erupted with excitement, clearly thrilled to see Dolin back in action. Dolin secured a victory over Cora Jade, signaling that she’s back and ready to make waves in the NXT women’s division.
Overcoming Adversity
Dolin has been sidelined since suffering a torn ACL on the March 12, 2024, episode of NXT. The injury was a major setback for the fan-favorite, known for her unique blend of charisma and in-ring intensity. Her road to recovery has been a challenging one, but her successful return shows she’s ready to pick up where she left off.
What’s Next for Gigi Dolin?
With her return, speculation is already swirling about what’s next for Dolin in NXT. Could she re-enter the hunt for the NXT Women’s Championship? Will her return reignite old rivalries or spark new ones? Whatever the case, Dolin’s presence is sure to shake things up in the women’s division as NXT heads into the final stretch of the year.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Jade Cargill has been forced to step away from the ring due to a legitimate injury, leaving her off the highly anticipated Survivor Series card. Cargill was initially set to compete in the Women’s War Games match and the ongoing tournament to crown the first-ever WWE United States Women’s Champion. However, her absence has led to significant lineup changes, with Bayley stepping into War Games and Lash Legend taking her spot in the tournament.
Injury Written into Storyline
The injury was addressed on-screen with a dramatic angle during which Cargill was thrown off a platform and crashed through a car windshield. According to Fightful Select, this spot was designed to provide an in-universe explanation for her temporary absence. While the exact nature and severity of the injury remain undisclosed, early reports suggest Cargill could be out of action for at least three months or possibly longer.
Cargill’s injury marks a significant blow to WWE’s plans, as this year has been pivotal for her career. In addition to being in her second reign as Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Bianca Belair, she had standout moments in 2023, including her first Royal Rumble appearance. Cargill and Belair regained the Women’s Tag Titles from Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn at WWE Bash in Berlin in late August.
Changes to Survivor Series
Survivor Series, set for November 30 in Vancouver, will now feature Bayley joining Team Rhea Ripley in the War Games match. Ripley’s team includes Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair, Naomi, and now Bayley, as they prepare to face WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, and WWE Speed Women’s Champion Candice LeRae.
Originally slated to be Cargill’s War Games debut, the match will still be a spectacle, albeit without one of WWE’s rising stars.
Lash Legend’s Opportunity
In the tournament for the inaugural WWE United States Women’s Championship, Lash Legend steps in for Cargill. Legend is scheduled to face Michin and Piper Niven on the upcoming SmackDown, which was taped this past Friday. Fans eager to see how Legend capitalizes on this opportunity.
Cargill’s injury is a reminder of the physical toll of WWE’s grueling schedule. While her absence will undoubtedly be felt, fans can look forward to her return once she’s fully recovered. In the meantime, her replacement Bayley and rising star Lash Legend have big shoes to fill as the Women’s War Games match and the U.S. Women’s Title tournament heat up.
Stay tuned for updates on Cargill’s recovery and how the reshuffled Survivor Series lineup plays out!
Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown delivered one of the most electrifying moments of the year as CM Punk made his much-anticipated return. Joining the original Bloodline team for War Games, Punk’s comeback was orchestrated by none other than Paul Heyman, who also made a dramatic return to the fold.
Punk had been absent from WWE television, selling injuries sustained during his brutal Hell in a Cell victory over Drew McIntyre at Bad Blood. Fans were left guessing who would fill the fifth spot for the babyface War Games team, and the answer came in epic fashion when Heyman interrupted a tense in-ring confrontation between the two teams.
Solo Sikoa’s Power Play Backfires
Earlier in the night, Solo Sikoa took center stage, attempting to gain control of the narrative. With the opposing team seemingly unable to secure a fifth member, Sikoa called out Roman Reigns and the OG Bloodline faction for what he labeled “terms of surrender.”
Sikoa delivered an emotional plea laced with threats, telling Reigns and his crew that they could dominate WWE for decades if they joined forces. He wasn’t shy about pointing out Roman’s lack of a “Wise Man” or a fifth ally, raising the stakes with the ominous ultimatum: surrender and align with him, or face destruction.
The tension in the ring was palpable as Sikoa handed Reigns the microphone. But before Reigns could respond, Paul Heyman made his presence known.
Heyman’s Surprise and Punk’s Explosive Entrance
In classic Heyman style, the legendary advocate interrupted with a dramatic apology for his absence, referencing the brutal table spot at Madison Square Garden that took him out of action. Heyman then dropped the bombshell—War Games would indeed be five-on-five, revealing CM Punk as the final member of the OG Bloodline team.
As the unmistakable sound of Cult of Personality (Punk’s entrance music) hit, the crowd erupted. Punk sprinted down the ramp, wasting no time in igniting a brawl. The chaotic clash saw Punk and Roman Reigns dominate, with Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga each falling victim to a spear and Punk’s signature Go to Sleep (GTS).
The night ended on a powerful visual, as Paul Heyman stood on the ring apron, smiling broadly at the alliance between Punk and Reigns.
What’s Next for War Games?
With CM Punk’s return and his alignment with the original Bloodline, the War Games match has gone from must-see to absolutely unmissable. The dynamic between Punk, Reigns, and Heyman adds a layer of intrigue, as does the question of how Solo Sikoa will respond after his failed coup attempt.
SmackDown has officially raised the stakes for Survivor Series, and fans are eager to see what chaos unfolds when War Games hits the cage. Will Punk and Reigns be able to coexist, or is this alliance destined for implosion?
BONUS: CM Punk and The OG Bloodline stand tall: SmackDown exclusive, Nov. 22, 2024
With most of WWE’s stars gearing themselves up for Survivor Series: WarGames on November 30, the company has been taping episodes of “WWE Raw” and “WWE SmackDown,” with the November 18 episode of “Raw” being the latest example. However, the show being taped meant that a number of things that happened live ended up being changed for the televised broadcast.
Matches Filmed Out of Sequence
According to Fightful Select, the November 18 episode wasn’t shown in the same order it was filmed. For example, viewers were greeted with the electrifying return of Rhea Ripley, who was revealed as the final member of the women’s WarGames team. However, this major moment was actually taped at the end of the show, not the beginning as it aired.
Meanwhile, the hard-hitting clash between Bronson Reed and Seth Rollins—which saw Reed secure a massive win, followed by an intense confrontation involving Solo Sikoa—aired as the main event. For those in attendance, though, it was the first match of the evening.
WWE also made post-production tweaks to enhance the televised experience, adding commentary lines and refining audio during certain segments to ensure the show delivered maximum impact.
Why WWE Tapes Multiple Episodes
The November 18 Raw taping is just the beginning of WWE’s holiday season adjustments. By the end of 2024, the company has plans to film three additional episodes of Raw and SmackDown back-to-back with live broadcasts.
November 22 SmackDown: The November 29 episode will be taped after the live show.
December 13 SmackDown: The December 20 episode will be taped on the same night.
December 16 Raw: WWE will record the December 23 episode following the live event.
The reasoning for these tapings? WWE wants to give its roster and crew some much-deserved downtime during the Christmas season. While the motive for taping the November 29 episode of SmackDown hasn’t been disclosed, the December tapings are aimed at ensuring talent and staff have an extended holiday break.
In a post on his Instagram account, WWE Superstar and Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio announced the passing of his father, Roberto Gutierrez. Gutierrez sadly passed away on Sunday, November 17. Mysterio shared the following message:
“Father: thank you for giving me the life I have. You did more than set the example of how to love & maintain a strong marriage and father 4 boys, you were the example and passed every single time until your death with flying colors. Excellent husband, loving father, beautiful grandfather, incredible son & brother, and amazing father in law. You checked every list on the box and can honestly say my majority trates I picked up from you. You fought until the very last minute and know that you biggest fear was leaving Moms behind, but I can assure you that she will not be alone and we will always look out for her.
You are with God now and smiling from the heavens while we continue with the real struggle of life until we see again. You will never be forgotten and will always be loved, RIP Pops
Gutierrez was the grandfather of WWE Superstar Dominik Mysterio
Mysterio’s parents were born in Mexico but later moved to the U.S., where the WWE star was born in San Diego, California. The family, though, moved back to Tijuana, Mexico, when Mysterio was 8, due to his father’s job in the city. Mysterio has previously revealed how he used to cross into the U.S. every day to attend school.
Becky Lynch, one of WWE’s most beloved and iconic Superstars, is dropping strong hints about a return to the squared circle. With WWE’s historic move to Netflix for Raw on January 6, 2025, fans are eager to see if The Man will play a role in this monumental shift.
Lynch, currently on hiatus, hasn’t wrestled since May 27, 2024, when she faced Liv Morgan in a grueling cage match. That contest, marred by interference from Dominik Mysterio, ended with Lynch suffering a bitter defeat. Since then, she’s been absent from WWE programming, with her contract expiring shortly after the match. However, As documented by Sports Illustrated,, Lynch recently confirmed during an interview at the 2024 Vulture Festival that she isn’t retired and has unfinished business in WWE.
“The Man” Isn’t Finished
“If you think I’m going out with Dominik [Mysterio] slamming a cage door in my face, that’s definitely not gonna happen,” Lynch emphatically stated during her Vulture Festival appearance. This bold comment suggests she’s itching to return to action and settle scores with Mysterio and Morgan.
Her words come as a welcome update for fans, as speculation about her future has been swirling for months. Reports indicated that contract negotiations between Lynch and WWE broke down earlier this year, allegedly due to financial disagreements, with Lynch reportedly seeking a $2 million per year deal. Despite this, her recent comments hint at a willingness to step back into the ring and possibly reignite her feud with Morgan and the Mysterio-led Judgment Day faction.
Lynch’s Role in the Raw Netflix Premiere?
While Lynch hasn’t confirmed an exact return date, her potential comeback aligns perfectly with WWE’s plans to load the Raw premiere on Netflix with major names and storylines. The January 6, 2025, episode will feature John Cena kicking off his farewell tour, appearances by Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and Bianca Belair, and even a performance from Travis Scott. Lynch’s return would add yet another layer of star power to what’s shaping up to be an unmissable night for WWE fans.
A Return Fueled by Revenge
If Lynch does return before the Raw premiere, it’s likely she’ll pick up where she left off: seeking revenge against Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan. With Morgan holding the WWE Women’s World Championship, Lynch could set her sights on reclaiming the gold while dismantling the duo that cost her her last match.
The WWE Universe Awaits
Becky Lynch’s undeniable charisma and fighting spirit have made her one of WWE’s biggest stars, and her return would be a game-changer for the women’s division. Whether she re-signs in time for the Netflix premiere or shortly thereafter, one thing is clear: The Man isn’t done making history.
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