Author: Bryan Rose

Gunther vs. Rey Mysterio set for November 4 edition of WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The next Intercontinental title match now has a date.

It was confirmed on Friday’s SmackDown that Gunther will defend against Rey Mysterio in two weeks, on the November 4 edition of the program. That episode of SmackDown will be held one night prior to Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On Friday’s show, Mysterio defeated Ludwig Kaiser in a singles match.

On last week’s SmackDown, Rey Mysterio was traded to SmackDown from Raw after a meeting with Triple H. He was then announced as the replacement for Karrion Kross in a four-way match to determine the next challenger for Gunther’s Intercontinental title. Mysterio won the match, pinning Ricochet in a match that also had Solo Sikoa and Sheamus.

Gunther last defended the Intercontinental title against Sheamus on the October 7 edition of SmackDown. This was a rematch from Clash of the Castle back in September in which Gunther was also victorious.

Two matches added to WWE Crown Jewel

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two new matches have been announced for WWE Crown Jewel.

A steel cage match between Karrion Kross and Drew McIntyre has been set for November 5 in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Braun Strowman will battle Omos.

On Friday’s SmackDown, McIntyre told Kayla Braxton that eventually, this has to end between himself and Kross and made the match. McIntyre lost to Kross in a strap match at Extreme Rules, but the two have continued to feud, with McIntyre attacking Kross after Kross and Scarlett were involved in a car accident on last week’s SmackDown.

MVP confronted Braun Strowman on SmackDown, with Strowman eventually issuing a challenge to Omos. MVP accepted on behalf of Omos, bringing him out. Omos and Strowman had a staredown before Omos pushed Strowman out of the ring.

Here is the updated lineup for Crown Jewel:

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns defends against Logan Paul
  • The OC (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson) vs. The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Pries, and Dominik Mysterio)
  • Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley
  • Omos vs. Braun Strowman
  • Steel cage: Karrion Kross vs. Drew McIntyre

Three new matches added to NJPW Rumble on 44th Street

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Three matches have been added to NJPW’s upcoming Rumble on 44th Street event in New York City later this month.

A match for the Strong Tag Team titles has been made, with champions Aussie Open facing The Motor City Machine Guns and The DKC & Kevin Knight in a three-way tag team match. Meanwhile, Rocky Romero and YOH will team up to take on Yujiro Takahashi and SHO, and Minoru Suzuki will face Clark Connors in a singles match.

The Strong Tag Team title match was made after a video aired on NJPW social media Tuesday morning, with champions Aussie Open issuing the challenge to the two teams.

Connors will be returning to action after suffering a herniated disc back in July.

Here is the updated lineup for Rumble on 44th Street:

  • Kazuchika Okada and Eddie Kingston vs. Jay White and Juice Robinson
  • 2022 KOPW trophy: Shingo Takagi vs. El Phantasmo
  • YOH & Rocky Romero vs. SHO and Yujiro Takahashi
  • Strong Tag Team titles: Aussie Open defend against The Motor City Machine Guns and Kevin Knight & The DKC in a three-way
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Clark Connors

Shotzi, Quincy Elliott named hosts of WWE NXT Halloween Havoc

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Shotzi and Quincy Elliott have been named the host and co-host of this Saturday’s Halloween Havoc.

Shotzi appeared on Tuesday’s NXT, confirming that she will be the host of Saturday’s premium live event on Peacock. Shotzi pointed out that he had previously hosted Halloween Havoc back in 2020. Xyon Quinn and Quincy Elliott then came out, both suggesting that they could be the co-host. Shotzi suggested that the winner of their match could become the co-host. Elliott then scored the win after a banzai drop, officially making him Shotzi’s co-host.

Here is the lineup for Halloween Havoc:

  • NXT Championship: Bron Breakker vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. JD McDonagh
  • NXT Women’s Championship: Mandy Rose vs. Alba Fyre
  • Spin the Wheel, Make a Deal: Grayson Waller vs. Apollo Crews
  • Ladder match for the NXT North American Championship: Carmelo Hayes vs. Oro Mensah vs. Wes Lee vs. Von Wagner vs. Nathan Frazer
  • Weapons wild match: Roxanne Perez vs. Cora Jade
  • Ambulance match: Damon Kemp vs. Julius Creed – if Julius loses, Brutus Creed will have to leave NXT

Austin Theory appears on WWE NXT, teases Money in the Bank cash-in

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Austin Theory showed up at the very end of NXT, teasing he could cash in his Money in the bank briefcase at Halloween Havoc.

After a brawl ensued on the KO Show between Bron Brakker, Ilja Dragunov, and JD McDonaugh, Theory’s musc played. He appeared with the Money in the Bank briefcase, with announcers suggesting that he could cash in at Halloween Havoc.

NXT on Tuesday ended with the KO Show, featuring Kevin Owens. Owens attempted to avoid a confrontation between the three participants. McDonagh encouraged Breakker and Dragunov to fight throughout the course of the interview, and eventually was successful in getting them to brawl with one another. McDonagh attempted to get involved, however, causing Dragunov to lay him out.

Here is the lineup for Saturday’s Halloween Havoc, which will air on Peacock:

  • NXT Championship: Bron Breakker vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. JD McDonagh
  • NXT Women’s Championship: Mandy Rose vs. Alba Fyre
  • Spin the Wheel, Make a Deal: Grayson Waller vs. Apollo Crews
  • Ladder match for the NXT North American Championship: Carmelo Hayes vs. Oro Mensah vs. Wes Lee vs. Von Wagner vs. Nathan Frazer
  • Weapons wild match: Roxanne Perez vs. Cora Jade
  • Ambulance match: Damon Kemp vs. Julius Creed – if Julius loses, Brutus Creed will have to leave NXT

Shinsuke Nakamura appears on WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Shinsuke Nakamura was one of many main roster WWE stars to appear on Tuesday’s NXT.

Tony D’Angelo revealed Nakamura as the surprise opponent for Stacks. The two had a back and forth match, with Nakamura scoring the victory following the kinshasa. After the match Tony D’Angelo, who was at ringside during the match, told Stacks that he had earned his spot in the family, with announcers speculating that Stack’s position in the family had risen despite losing to Nakamura.

The match was made on last week’s show after Lorenzo lost to Wes Lee in a singles match. Backstage, a returning Tony D’Angelo appeared in crutches. He said that the loss had disappointed him and was looking at bringing in someone to face Lorenzo on next week’s show.

Nakamura, who usually competes on the SmackDown brand, hasn’t appeared on television recently. His most recent television match was on the September 2 edition of SmackDown, where he defeated Happy Corbin.

Daily Update: Sammy Guevara, Bret Hart, The Great Muta

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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
  • The Bray Wyatt return, speculation, numbers, comparisons to Punk
  • Full coverage of Extreme Rules and business notes
  • Jon Moxley signs five-year deal, the signing of Renee Paquette, how his situation changes and how it stays the same, plus why he did so, why he wasn’t looking at signing at one point and will he work indies
  • The fight for the rights to Antonio Inoki’s name now that merchandise is expected to be huge
  • How Inoki was pushed from a young age
  • Inoki vs Bruno
  • New Japan Declaration of Power full coverage
  • Upcoming New Japan events
  • Impact Bound for Glory coverage
  • Ross Hart looks at the Cauliflower Alley Club banquet
  • TV ratings from the last week, including international numbers and streaming numbers
  • What show set its all-time viewership record in the U.K?
  • How Raw & Dynamite rank on cable for the week
  • Preview of TripleMania
  • NOAH announces major show
  • PWG returns
  • Ronda Rousey key speaker at Gene LeBell funeral
  • AEW gets major vote of confidence
  • Update on status of Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and C.M. Punk
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW and UFC events
  • Vince McMahon documentary news
  • Upcoming contenders for Roman Reigns

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].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

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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

AEW/ROH

  • Sammy Guevara will be in Dubai on November 13, serving as a backstage reporter and commentator for the upcoming Floyd Mayweather/Deiji fight.
  • Jon Moxley was on FOX 19 Now talking about his upcoming match against Hangman Page on tonight’s Dynamite.
  • AEW’s social media has a profile on Dalton Castle ahead of his ROH Championship match on tonight’s Dynamite.

Other Wrestling

  • Bret Hart recently took part in a K&S WrestleFest autograph signing, mentioning Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, and Brock Lesnar as people he would have liked to face in the ring. Regarding Lesnar, Hart said “I would have loved to work with Brock Lesnar just because I always heard he was a good pro in the ring. The opposite of Goldberg.”
  • The Great Muta spoke to Wrestling Inc. about never working for WWE. “I just don’t understand this,” Muta said. “[WWE]’s way of thinking was so different at that time.”
  • Antonio Inoki’s YouTube page has footage from his wake.
  • WWE acknowledged the death of Humberto Garza on their website.
  • Tonight’s Tales from the Territories will look at the AWA. Promotional material reads: “Verne Gagne created the American Wrestling Association with one singular goal: return dignity and athleticism to a business losing touch with both.”
  • Delirious will make his MLW debut at Fightland on October 30.
  • Koko B. Ware has launched a new website.
  • Ho Ho Lun spoke to Pro Wrestling Illustrated about wrestling in Asia.

Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley set for WWE Crown Jewel

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar and a six-man tag have been added to WWE Crown Jewel.

Lashley and Lesnar will meet on November 5 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia following events that have taken place over the last week. A six-man tag team match with The OC (AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows) taking on The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio) has also been added.

Last week on Raw, Brock Lesnar appeared on WWE TV for the first time since SummerSlam, attacking Lashley. This week’s Raw had Lashley immediately calling out Lesnar. The two brawled, with Lashley gaining the upper hand after spearing Lesnar through a ringside barricade. The two were eventually pulled apart after Lashley put Lesnar through the announcer’s table.

Later on Monday’s show, Judgment Day issued a challenge to Styles and The OC after the latter made their return to WWE last week, sending Judgment Day packing after they attacked Styles. Styles and The OC accepted their challenge. 

It is notable that Crown Jewel will take place the same day as New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Battle Autumn event in Osaka, where Anderson is set to defend the NEVER Openweight title against Hikuleo.

Here is the updated lineup for Crown Jewel:

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns defends against Logan Paul
  • The OC (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson) vs. The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Pries, and Dominik Mysterio)
  • Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley

Omos appearance announced for WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Omos is heading to Friday Night SmackDown.

During Monday’s Raw, MVP cut a promo putting over Strowman, but ultimately said Strowman wasn’t comparable to Omos. MVP said they would be at SmackDown this Friday, and Omos would look down on Strowman because he fears no man. He ended the promo by saying that monsters aren’t real, but giants were.

In recent weeks, Omos and MVP have expressed interest in Strowman, watching Strowman backstage during his matches. On this past Friday’s SmackDown, Omos and MVP appeared in the crowd as Strowman faced two competitors in a squash match. After Strowman won, MVP cut a promo praising Strowman, but said that he looked normal next to Omos. MVP finished his promo by saying that some monsters stay in the shadows.

Here is the lineup for Friday’s SmackDown:

  • Logan Paul returns
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team titles: Damage CTRL defends against Raquel Rodriguez and Shotzi
  • Liv Morgan vs. Sonya Deville
  • Omos will appear

Baron Corbin traded to WWE Raw, aligns with JBL

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Baron Corbin, reverting back to that name, has been traded to Raw and is now aligned with JBL.

JBL introduced Corbin as the newest member of the Raw roster on Monday’s show. He explained that with Rey Mysterio moving to Raw, a trade has been made, with Corbin now officially on the Raw brand. Corbin proceeded to defeat Dolph Ziggler following the End of Days.

After introducing Corbin, JBL said that Corbin could succeed in any era, including the Attitude Era. He also said that Ziggler had been stealing money from WWE for years, and that Corbin was the current Wrestling God, a term JBL frequently used himself during his run as a main event star.

Corbin was last seen in early September, losing to Shinsuke Nakamura on the September 2 episode of SmackDown. Later in the show, as Corbin was sulking in the parking lot backstage, JBL pulled up next to him in his white limo and told him to get in.

William Regal interview set for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

An interview with William Regal has been added to Tuesday’s Dynamite.

AEW’s social media announced Monday afternoon that Tony Schiavone will be interviewing Regal.

“TOMORROW on TITLE TUESDAY #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork, @Tonyschiavone24 interviews @RealKingRegal before the #AEW World Championship Match @JonMoxley vs @theAdamPage!Don’t miss TUESDAY Night Dynamite: Title Tuesday 4 World Title Fights! Live on TBS! 8pm ET/7pm CT TOMORROW,” the tweet read.

Last Wednesday’s Dynamite saw Alex Marvez ask MJF about his brief staredown with William Regal the previous week after he had defeated MJF. MJF said he had a “storied past” with Regal, and wasn’t sure if he was going to shake Yuta’s hand before Stokely Hathaway and The Firm got involved.

MJF is also set to speak on Tuesday’s show, which will go head-to-head with NXT.

Here is the current lineup for Dynamite:

  • AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Hangman Page
  • Interim AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm defends against Hikaru Shida
  • AEW Trios Champions Death Triangle defend against Orange Cassidy & Best Friends
  • ROH Champion Chris Jericho defends against Dalton Castle
  • MJF promo
  • William Regal promo with Tony Schiavone
  • Renee Paquette interview with Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta

AAA Triplemania XXX notes: Rey Mysterio appears via video, Cibernetico loses hair

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Here are news and notes from Saturday’s Triplemania event in Mexico City.

Rey Mysterio, who is currently under contract to WWE, appeared at the start of the show, talking about Triplemania. He thanked all the fans for being there.

In one of the three top matches on the card, Cibernetico lost his hair to Pagano. In a match filled with weapons, tables, barbed wire, and thumbtacks, Pagano scored the win after landing an air raid crash off a ladder, sending both men through the stage. Vampiro, who had inserted himself into the match as a referee after the first referee was knocked out, counted the pinfall. Konnan, who was attacked earlier in the show by Cibernetico and the rest of Los Vipers, got involved as well, attacking Los Vipers with a weapon.

Los Hermanos Lee (Dralistico and Dragon Lee) defeated Arez and Willie Mack, Myzteziz Jr. and Komander, and Los Vipers (Toxin and Latigo) in a four-way match to earn a future shot at the AAA Tag Team titles, which are currently held by AEW’s FTR. Also on the show, Taurus won the 13-person copa Triplemania battle royal.

Later in the show, a ceremony was held inducting two new members of the AAA Hall of Fame: Blue Demon, who would have turned 100 on April 24 of this year, and Arturo ‘Rudo’ Riviera, who passed away earlier this year. Family members of both men accepted the honor, including Blue Demon Jr. on behalf of his father.

Villano IV loses mask at AAA Triplemania XXX

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Pentagon Jr. defeated Villano IV at Saturday’s Triplemania XXX, taking his mask.

Villano was defeated after Pentagon snapped his arm for the third time in what ended up being an emotional, bloody brawl. After the match, Villano unmasked in front of an emotional crowd, identifying himself as Tomas Diaz Mendoza, 57, who has been wrestling for 42 years.

With the loss, Villano IV is officially the “winner” of the Ruleta De La Muerte tournament, in which the losers of each tournament match would advance, with the final match being a mask vs. mask match. Villano had lost to LA Park and Psycho Clown to make it to the finals, while Pentagon Jr. lost to Ultimo Dragon and Blue Demon Jr..

Along with their runs in CMLL and AAA, Villano IV and V are also known for their run in WCW, starting with the company in 1996 and wrestling for them through 2000. Villano V was unmasked in 2009, losing to Ultimo Guerrero at that year’s CMLL Homenaje de Leyendas event.

Two matches added to next week’s Impact Wrestling

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two new matches have been added to next week’s Impact Wrestling card.

Taylor Wilde will face Mia Yim in a singles match. Joe Hendry will also be in singles action, taking on Jason Hotch.

In a backstage segment on this week’s Impact, Hotch was upset about Hendry taking his spot in the Call Your Shot Gauntlet match at Bound for Glory. Hendry then appeared, saying Hotch will have a learning opportunity next week when they meet in the ring.

In an exclusive video uploaded to social media, Wilde talked about her return at Bound For Glory, saying that while she came up a little short, she’s just getting herself in the right position. She says she’ll start with Mia Yim.

Here is the current card for next week’s Impact Wrestling:

  • Impact World Tag Team Championship: OGK (Mike Bennett and Matt Taven) defend against Heath and Rhino
  • Eric Young vs. Rich Swann
  • Tommy Dreamer and Bully Ray vs. Bullet Club (Chris Bey and Ace Austin)
  • Taylor Wilde vs. Mia Yim
  • Joe Hendry vs. Jason Hotch

The Kingdom/OGK make AEW debut on Rampage

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Kingdom (Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, and Maria Kanelis Bennett) made their AEW debut on Rampage Friday, officially calling out FTR.

FTR and Shawn Spears were successful in defeating Brian Cage and Gates of Agony when the trio interrupted their celebration. Kanellis referred to themselves as The Kingdom and called her men the top guys, as they were the ones that built this company on The Kingdom’s back, as they were ROH and IWGP Tag Team Champions before they were. Her promo distracted FTR and Spears long enough for The Embassy to jump them from behind, with The Kingdom eventually joining in. The show ended with Wardlow and Samoa Joe hitting the ring to make the save.

In a backstage interview after their debut, Taven said they came in as they never got their rematch for the ROH Tag Team titles. He and Bennett lost the titles to The Briscoes at Final Battle 2021.

Taven and Bennett, who have teamed together as The OGK since their reunion in 2020, had been wrestling for Impact Wrestling since the start of the year. They had been the Impact Wrestling Tag Team Champions since August, having dropped the titles to Heath Slater and Rhyno at last weekend’s Impact television tapings before departing the company.

Taven, Bennett, and Kanelis, along with Adam Cole, formed The Kingdom in Ring of Honor back in 2015, with Taven and Bennett winning the ROH World Tag Team titles twice. After Bennett left the promotion later that year, the two reunited in ROH following Bennett’s release from WWE.