Author: Bryan Rose

NJPW releases statement on NEVER title match at Battle Autumn in Osaka

Posted on by Bryan Rose

NJPW has released a statement regarding Karl Anderson and the NEVER Openweight title, saying Anderson must defend the title on November 5 or he will be stripped of the championship.

In a statement released on Tuesday evening, NJPW wrote that the match had been made “through the appropriate channels” and Anderson had expressed approval.

“NJPW has for the past several days attempted to negotiate with Anderson, but has not been met with a response,” NJPW wrote on their website. “Should Anderson decide to renege on his scheduled championship match, he will be required to vacate the NEVER Openweight Championship and return the title belt to NJPW immediately.”

A title match between Anderson and Hikuleo was made back on October 4. However, on October 10, Anderson and Luke Gallows returned to WWE on Raw, aiding AJ Styles against The Judgment Day. The following week, a six-man tag match that includes Anderson was made for WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia, which takes place on the same day as NJPW’s Battle Autumn event in Osaka, November 5.

Anderson later released a video with Luke Gallows saying all the bookings run through him, and New Japan Pro Wrestling never booked the match with him. Anderson said they would be coming back to Japan on their time to defend the NEVER title.

Mandy Rose’s one-year title celebration set for next week’s WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Mandy Rose will celebrate her one year anniversary of winning the NXT Women’s Championship on next week’s NXT.

In addition, Bron Breakker will return after successfully defending the NXT Championship against Ilja Dragunov and JD McDonagh at Halloween Havoc. R-Truth will also return on next week’s show, facing Grayson Waller.

Rose successfully defended the NXT Women’s Championship at Halloween Havoc by defeating Alba Fyre. She originally won the championship at last year’s Halloween Havoc, defeating Raquel Rodriguez on October 26, 2021.

On Tuesday’s NXT, Apollo Crews mentioned in an interview that Breakker would be appearing on next week’s program. He also mentioned wanting to challenge for his championship, noting that Grayson Waller was now behind him, and would be challenging for the title he set his sights on when returning to NXT earlier this year.

R-Truth made a surprise appearance on Tuesday, ready to host Halloween Havoc, which had taken place on Saturday. After interactions with both Wes Lee and Waller, a match between Truth and Waller was made for next week.

The current lineup for next week’s NXT:

  • Mandy Rose one-year NXT Women’s Championship celebration
  • Bron Breakker returns
  • R-Truth vs. Grayson Waller

Vignette airs for new ‘Scrypts’ character on WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new character by the name of Scrypts appeared in a vignette on Tuesday’s NXT.

During Tuesday’s show, a vignette was shown of a transcript showing a message recorded at the WWE Performance Center. The message was spoken by a disguised, distorted voice that talked about awakening from the pits you call the dark, and listening with your eyes, speaking with your ears. The voice said that they planned to rip NXT apart, and that their name is Scrypts.

WWE had trademarked the name “Scrypts” back on October 21.

Along with the Scrypts tease, another tease aired earlier in the show involving T-Bar. The vignette was similar to one that aired during Halloween Havoc. A voice was heard saying that the second coming is about retribution, and added it is also about justice.

T-Bar has spent most of 2022 appearing on Main Event after splitting from tag team partner Mace, who was moved to the SmackDown brand after last year’s Draft. 

Elektra Lopez, Odyssey Jones return on WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Elektra Lopez and Odyssey Jones both made their returns on Tuesday’s NXT.

Lopez attacked Indi Hartwell and Sol Ruca after the two had a match. Meanwhile Odyssey Jones consoled Edris Enofe and Malik Blade after they lost their NXT Tag Team Championship match against Pretty Deadly earlier in the show.

Hartwell had defeated Ruca when Lopez came in and attacked Hartwell from behind. She then laid out Ruca, who was still recovering. Lopez hadn’t been seen since leaving with the rest of Legado del Fantasma back in August. However, when the group appeared on the main roster, Lopez ended up being replaced by Zelina Vega, who is now managing Santos Escobar, Cruz Del Toro, and Joaquin Wilde.

Jones appeared on Tuesday’s show, pulling up in a truck with several women inside. He told Blade and Enofe that now it was the time to have the time of their lives. They joined in as the truck left the Performance Center.

Jones has been out of action since January, suffering a ruptured patellar tendon in a match against Sanga that took place on 205 Live, requiring surgery. On television, he was written out after being attacked by Harland and Joe Gacy.

Ava Raine/Simone Johnson revealed as new Schism member on WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Ava Raine is the newest member of the Schism.

On Tuesday’s NXT, the hooded figure that had been seen in recent weeks with The Schism revealed themselves to be none other than The Rock’s daughter Simone Johnson, who is now going under the name Ava Raine. She cut a short promo saying that The Schism has removed any preconceived notions of who she is, and that this family completes her.

In recent weeks, a hooded figure had been seen with the Schism. At Halloween Havoc, Gacy asked the figure if they were ready to reveal themselves. They nodded, with Gacy saying it would go down on Tuesday.

Johnson joined the WWE Performance Center back in February of 2020. In September of that year, it was reported that she was undergoing knee surgery. In May, it was reported that Johnson had been given the Ava Raine name. She started to make appearances on NXT house shows starting in July.

Daily Update: Stephanie McMahon & Triple H, CM Punk, Batista

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Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

  • Match and performer of the week
  • 2022 Hall of Fame ballot, rules, everyone eligible, thoughts on this year’s election and the strongest candidates.What candidates on this year’s ballot did the best in last year’s ballot
  • TripleMania, the story behind the show, business of the show, , news notes, poll results and star ratings
  • WWE PPV changes, Crown Jewel notes and updates on upcoming PPV shows
  • Dana White starting new promotion with Lorenzo Fertitta and two new combat ideas he’s working on
  • The life of Humberto Garza, the grandfather of two WWE stars and father of Hector Garza. Garza, who passed away this past week, was a very significant star in Mexico and a look at his career
  • Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show,and the ramifications of the show.
  • A look at the career of Jose Rivera, one of the key building blocks of the Puerto Rico wrestling boom, including a look back at the growth of WWC and its biggest feud ever
  • Ratings for every show including how every segment did and details of AEW vs. NXT head-to-head on Tuesday
  • First all-women’s show in the history of a major promotion
  • First women’s main event on a Middle Eastern show
  • CMLL star gives unique reason why he’s been gone for so long
  • The business of TripleMania
  • More details on a wrestling show coming to Disney +
  • Two starts of the same promotion were on the national team in the same competition
  • The top matches from Royal Quest
  • Update on the New Japan TV title tournament
  • More details on the arrest of Shocker
  • Who are the wrestlers who generate the most money on Cameo
  • Jim Lyman tournament news
  • Two stars going after fourth NCAA title
  • WWE & Impact PPV Numbers from last week
  • Adam Page update
  • Update on ramifications of the brawl after All Out and where things stand regarding who stays and who goes
  • More details on Chris Jericho’s contract
  • Tony Khan, Dana White and Vince McMahon all scheduling major events on the same day
  • More on AEW new reality show
  • More on AEW in Toronto
  • AEW star announcing on the Mayweather show
  • Upcoming ticket sales to AEW & WWE events
  • DAZN back in the MMA business
  • Dwayne Johnson and possible WWE sale
  • UFC owners talk possible WWE sale
  • Notes on Bray Wyatt return
  • International TV ratings
  • DVR viewership numbers for all shows so far this year
  • Royal Rumble update
  • Lots of injury updates
  • The real story on why Billy Gunn wasn’t at the DX Reunion on Raw
  • Streaming numbers for AEW & WWE

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

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If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Tuesday News Update 

WWE

  • Stephanie McMahon and Triple H recently celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary, with Stephanie writing on Twitter: “19 years with the man of my dreams @tripleh!! Happy Anniversary! I Love You!”
  • Following her return on Raw, Nikki Cross on Twitter wrote: “It’s my Galaxy now”.
  • Matches taped for this week’s Main Event include Dana Brooke vs. Kianna James and Von Wagner vs. Cedric Alexander.
  • Liv Morgan will appear on this Wednesday’s episode of Chucky.
  • PWInsider reported that the Elimination Chamber in 2023 will not be held in Saudi Arabia, and instead will be held in Montreal, Canada. The Saudi Arabia event following Crown Jewel will instead be held in the spring of 2023.
  • The company has filed a trademark for the term “Scrypts”.
  • JBL spoke to Metro about his relationship with Eddie Guerrero.
  • PWInsider also noted that the next Campus Rush tour dates will be 11/8 at Boise State University and 11/9 at the University of Arkansas.
  • Mr. Stone on Twitter announced the passing of his mother.
  • The company announced their Q3 2022 earnings report for November 2 at 5 pm ET.
  • Full matches added to WWE’s YouTube page today include RK-Bro vs. Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode from the October 25, 2021 episode of Raw, Carmelo Hayes vs. Cameron Grimes vs. Solo Sikoa vs. Santos Escobar vs. Grayson Waller from NXT Stand and Deliver 2022, and John Cena & Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, and Kane from the July 14, 2014 episode of Raw.

AEW/ROH

Other Wrestling

  • A trailer for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy holiday special, featuring Dave Bautista.
  • NOAH has formally announced their Budokan Hall New Year’s Day event for January 1.
  • The October 18 edition of Tales from the Territories on Vice, which focused on the AWA, scored 73,000 viewers.
  • Taya Valkyrie vs. Allie Katch has been added to GCW’s Hit ‘Em Up event for October 29 in Los Angeles.
  • Slam Wrestling has an article interviewing NWA’s Thrillbilly Silas Mason.
  • Dak Draper spoke to WrestleZone ahead of NWA Hard Times 3.
  • CJ Perry, formerly Lana, spoke to Yahoo about growing up in Latvia.

MJF promo announced for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

MJF will once again be speaking on Dynamite.

AEW announced on Monday afternoon that MJF will be speaking on this Wednesday’s show, which will take place in Norfolk, Virginia. This follows the events of last week, which saw a war of words between MJF and William Regal.

MJF confronted Regal, telling a story of how he was rejected by Regal, then a WWE talent scout, at the age of 19. Regal replied that he had rejected him because he knew how good he was, and in a few years time he would be even better. Regal went on to say that he didn’t like the way he attacked Tony Schiavone and how he conducted himself in general and dared MJF to attack him from behind. MJF refused to do so, instead leaving.

Dynamite ended with MJF confronting Jon Moxley, saying he would be cashing in his Casino Ladder Match title shot at Full Gear, which will take place on November 19.

Here is the updated schedule for Wednesday’s Dynamite:

  • AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Penta El Zero Miedo
  • AEW Tag Team title number one contender’s match: FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. Swerve in our Glory (Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland)
  • Riho vs. Jamie Hayter
  • Chris Jericho & Daniel Garcia vs. Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta
  • Bryan Danielson vs. Sammy Guevara
  • MJF promo

Nikki Cross returns, interferes in WWE Raw main event

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The end of tonight’s Raw featured Nikki Cross, referred to under that name, standing tall over the likes of Bianca Belair and Bayley.

The finish of the main event of Monday’s Raw between Bayley and Belair had Cross come out and deliver a flying crossbody to a referee, IYO SKY, and Dakota Kai after the referee had thrown them out. After Belair hit the KOD, Cross came into the ring and laid out Belair, allowing Bayley to get the win. However, Cross attacked Bayley after the match, standing tall over both women to end the show.

Cross was last seen on the September 26 edition of Raw, losing to Candace LeRae. After the match, Cross took off her superhero mask, dejected by her loss.

Cross debuted a superhero-inspired gimmick last July, calling herself Nikki ASH, with ASH standing for Almost a Super Hero. She briefly won the Raw Women’s Championship at that year’s Money in the Bank before Charlotte Flair won it back at SummerSlam. After a run teaming with Rhea Ripley that saw them become WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Nikki ASH turned heel early in 2022 and began a tag team with Doudrop during the summer.

Brock Lesnar to appear on next week’s WWE Raw

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Brock Lesnar is set to return on next week’s Raw.

Towards the end of Monday’s Raw, it was announced that Lesnar would be appearing on the Halloween nigh edition of Raw at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Lesnar is currently embroiled in a feud with Bobby Lashley after Lesnar attacked Lashley unprovoked several weeks ago on Raw. Lashley retaliated last week after getting the upper hand against Lesnar in a brawl, sending him through a barricade and through the announce table. The two are scheduled to meet at Crown Jewel on November 5 in Saudi Arabia.

It was also teased on Monday that The Miz’s secret regarding Dexter Lumis could be revealed. A show-long storyline on Monday had Gargano pressuring The Miz to reveal the secret, or he would use a whistle to summon Lumis. The Miz failed to tell the truth in the ring, instead losing to R-Truth after a distraction from Gargano who was in the stands disguised in a hoodie similar to Lumis.

Later, after Gargano lost a match to Baron Corbin, he told Miz backstage that if Miz didn’t tell the truth next week, he would.

Shotzi vs. Lash Legend announced for WWE NXT

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A match between Shotzi and Lash Legend has been made for this Tuesday’s NXT.

In addition to Shotzi vs. Legend, The Schism will reveal their newest member, a masked figure who has been helping them in recent weeks.

On Saturday’s Halloween Havoc, Shotzi hosted the event along with Quincy Elliot. Legend came out and confronted them towards the end of the show, suggesting she would be a better host than either of them. All three traded words, but Legend was eventually laid out with a DDT.

After that segment ended, The Schism appeared with the hooded figure that has been seen with them in recent weeks. Gacy asked if the member was ready to reveal themselves, with the member indicating they were. Gacy then said the reveal would happen on Tuesday.

Here is the updated lineup for Tuesday’s NXT.

  • NXT Tag Team titles: Pretty Deadly defend against Edris Enofe and Malik Blade
  • NXT Women’s Tag Team titles: Katana Chance and Kayden Carter defend against Zoey Stark and Nikkita Lyons
  • Lash Legend vs. Shotzi
  • New Schism member revealed 

WWE NXT Halloween Havoc media call notes: Events outside PC, T-Bar, NXT Japan & Mexico

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Following Saturday’s NXT Halloween Havoc, Shawn Michaels took part in a media call lasting around 30 minutes. He talked a variety of subjects including tonight’s show, hoping to run events outside of the Performance Center in 2023, the possibility of NXT Japan and Mexico, T-Bar, and more.

Getting out of the WWE Performance Center

Michaels on the media call said he hoped that they start running premium live events outside of Orlando starting in 2023. He said he hopes to start with big shows, then later with other touring shows.

Additionally, Michaels brought up that there have been talks of NXT Japan and NXT Mexico. Announcements regarding them may be coming in 2023.

On Halloween Havoc

Michaels praised the main event, saying that he was a big fan of both JD McDonagh and Ilja Dragunov since they were in NXT UK, saying they could go.

Regarding the cinematic portion of the show between Toxic Attraction and Alba Fyre, Michaels indicated they wouldn’t do those type of segments too much, but tonight’s cinematic match fit in with the Halloween Havoc theme.

Michaels also praised Wes Lee, who won the NXT North American Championship on Saturday’s show. Micheals said that Lee “had to deal with some tough stuff” and that they get along well because they are so emotional. He said that “losing his friend hurt a great deal”.

Michaels additionally cited Nathan Frazer as having a breakout performance on Saturday’s ladder match.

T-Bar

Michaels seemed to confirm that the tease seen on tonight’s show with a burning mask was related to T-Bar, who formerly wrestled in NXT as Domink Dijakovic. He mentioned that they lost him in 2020 on short notice when he ws called up to the main roster. Michaels said that they see what is discussed on social media and praised head writer of NXT Johnny Russo for what he called a “quick tease”.

Michaels additionally said that whenever they get someone back from the main roster, they find the situation as if they were like “a fun new toy.”

NXT’s next premium live event, Deadline, will be held on December 10.

Wes Lee wins North American title at NXT Halloween Havoc

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Wes Lee is the new North American Champion.

Lee won the title in a ladder match at Saturday’s Halloween Havoc, defeating Von Wagner, Carmelo Hayes, Oro Mensah, and Nathan Frazer in a match that had many big spots, including Wagner throwing Lee from the ring to the announcer’s table. The finish had Lee and Hayes fighting on the ladder. Lee took out Hayes with a meteora on top of a ladder propped up on the ring ropes, then grabbed the title for the win, earning his first singles title victory in NXT.

The North American title was vacated after Solo Sikoa was stripped of the title, as he was not originally scheduled to be former champion Carmelo Hayes’ opponent. Shawn Micheals, instead of giving the title back to Hayes, made a ladder match for Halloween Havoc.

On Tuesday’s NXT, Lee and Mensah were attacked backstage by Hayes and Trick Williams prior to their scheduled match. Despite being attacked, the two faced Hayes and Williams anyway, eventually losing. 

PCO signs one-year contract extension with Impact Wrestling

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PCO is staying with Impact Wrestling.

PCO confirmed he has signed a one-year deal with the company through Pat Laprade of Lutte Quebec. His new contract will run through October 31, 2023.

“I am very happy to sign a new agreement with IMPACT. The company really pulled out all the stops to keep me with them for another year,” he told Laprade.

Following ROH Final Battle last December, PCO has made frequent appearances in Impact as part of Honor No More, a faction consisting of wrestlers who were part of ROH prior to their shutdown. He most recently competed at Impact’s Bound for Glory event, participating in the Call Your Shot Gauntlet match that was won by Bully Ray.

PCO, 54, has made a career resurgence in recent years. He was previously known as Pierre Carl Ouellet, one half of the Quebecers. In addition to his appearances in Impact, PCO has also made appearances for Game Changer Wrestling and Black Label Pro in the last year.

Chelsea Green added to NWA World Women’s title match at Hard Times 3

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Chelsea Green has been added to the upcoming NWA Women’s Championship match at Hard Times 3.

The NWA announced Saturday afternoon that Kamille will now be defending the championship against KiLynn King and Green in a three-way match on November 12 in New Orleans. Green defeated Angelina Love on the October 18 edition of NWA Power to earn a future title match.

King originally became the number one contender by defeating Taya Valkyrie on the October 10 edition of Power.

Kamille’s last championship defense took place on the September 6 edition of Power, where she successfully retained against Allysin Kay.

Here is the updated lineup for NWA Hard Times 3:

  • NWA World Heavyweight Champion Trevor Murdoch defends against Tyrus and Matt Cardona in a triple threat match
  • NWA Women’s Champion Kamille defends against KiLynn King and  Chelsea Green in a triple threat match
  • NWA US Tag Team Champions The Fixers defend against The Spectaculars
  • NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Homicide defends against Kerry Morton
  • NWA National Champion Cyon defends against Dak Draper
  • NWA Women’s Tag Team Champions Pretty Empowered (Kenzie Paige and Ella Envy) vs. Madi and Missa Kate
  • AJ Cazana vs. Jordan Clearwater for the vacant NWA TV title
  • EC3 vs. Thom Latimer
  • Nick Aldis vs. Odinson
  • Mercurio, Magic Jake Dumas, and Jax Dane vs. Anthony Mayweather, JTG, and The Pope
  • Hawx Aerie vs. TBA

Willow Nightingale officially signs with AEW

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Willow Nightingale is All Elite.

After defeating Leila Grey on Friday’s Rampage, Tony Schiavone entered the ring and officially announced that Nightingale was All Elite, showing the graphic on screen. Nightingale hugged Tony Schiavone upon hearing the news, but was soon forced to exit the ring once Jade Cargill entered the ring.

Tony Khan soon after posted the graphic on social media.

“Congratulations @willowwrestles! Welcome to the team! Willow Nightingale is ALL ELITE!” Khan wrote.

Nightingale first started making AEW appearances back in April of 2021. Those appearances started to pick up the following year, participating in the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament and wrestling Jade Cargill twice for the TBS Championship, most recently at Battle of the Belts IV on October 7.

Nightingale also competed at ROH Supercard of Honor back in April, the first show under the ownership of Tony Khan. On that show, she lost to Mercedes Martinez in a match that was for the interim ROH Women’s Championship.