Author: Bryan Rose

WWE’s Mandy Rose announces engagement to Tino Sabbatelli

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Mandy Rose and former NXT star Tino Sabbatelli are engaged.

Rose shared photos of her with Sabatelli on Instagram Saturday afternoon showing a ring, writing “My heart is so full.” The two have been dating for several years.

Rose currently is the NXT Women’s Champion, having won the championship back in October of 2021. She most recently defended the championship at Worlds Collide against Meiko Satomura and Blair Davenport, not only successfully defending the title but also won the NXT UK Women’s Championship, unifying the titles in the process. She, along with Jacy Jayne and Gigi Dolin, have formed a faction called Toxic Attraction.

Sabbatelli is a former NXT star, first signing with the WWE in 2014. He was cut in 2020 as part of wide-ranging releases due to the COVID-19 pandemic and worked a few matches for AEW. He was re-signed by WWE later that year, however he was once again cut back in June of 2021.

Report: AEW Revolution being planned for Cow Palace in San Francisco

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Revolution next year may be taking place in California.

Fightful reported on Saturday that AEW has tentatively set The Cow Palace in San Francisco, California as the location for their show. There is currently no date for the event, which is usually held around February or March following Full Gear in November.

The Cow Palace hasn’t had a major wrestling event since NJPW ran a G1 Special event in 2019. WWE hasn’t run a show in the arena in over ten years.

AEW held their first events in California earlier this summer, running shows in Los Angeles and Ontario shortly after Double or Nothing in Las Vegas. Next year’s Revolution would be one of their first events held in Northern California.

This year’s Revolution took place on March 6 of this year at the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida. In the main event, Hangman Page defeated Adam Cole to retain the AEW World Championship.

Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul official for WWE Crown Jewel

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The Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match for Crown Jewel has been set.

At a press conference held in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, WWE confirmed that Roman Reigns will defend the Undisputed WWE Universal title against Logan Paul at Crown Jewel, which will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 5. You can watch the press conference below:

Triple H opened the press conference, announcing the match and calling the bout a spectacle that has never been seen before, and pushed that Paul could do “the unthinkable”. Reigns then spoke, saying that he respected the following that Paul brought and could even be the third match on any show he headlines. But he won’t treat Paul like the third match on the card at Crown Jewel.

Paul responded, thanking WWE and Triple H and saying he was going to deliver a performance that no one has ever seen before. He said he found his home in WWE and called out Reigns immediately because that is what he does, mentioning his second boxing match ever was against Floyd Mayweather. He told Reigns that this may be his profession, but Crown Jewel is his match. Paul said that while Reigns was the head of the table, he was the table, and that Reigns would acknowledge him on November 5.

After some questions from reporters, Heyman attempted to close the press conference, running down Paul. Paul asked why Reigns wouldn’t say anything and allowed his mouthpiece say everything. Reigns got up and shoved Paul, leading Triple H to seperate the two. The two met face-to-face to close out the press conference.

It was reported Friday afternoon that a press conference would be held on Saturday to confirm the main event between Paul and Reigns for Crown Jewel. On SmackDown, Paul appeared and confronted the Bloodline, teasing that he may challenge Reigns for the title.

WWE’s Erik of The Viking Raiders out of action with foot injury

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Erik of The Viking Raiders is out of action.

During Friday’s SmackDown main event, announcer Michael Cole mentioned that Erik of The Viking Raiders suffered an injured foot stemming from the Viking Rules match that took place last month in Detroit, Michigan. As a result, Cole announced that Erik would be out of action “for an indefinite period of time”.

The Viking Raiders won the Viking Rules match on the episode of SmackDown that aired on September 2, defeating The New Day. The two teams had been feuding in the weeks prior to their match, with the Raiders at one time putting Xavier Woods out of action in storyline.

After several months off television, The Viking Raiders were reintroduced on SmackDown as heels back in June, now being referred to the new, vicious Viking Raiders. The team began feuding with The New Day, which culminated with the Viking Rules match, a falls count anywhere match with viking props. Ivar scored the win for his team after putting Woods through a stack of tables.

WWE confirms Logan Paul/Roman Reigns Las Vegas press conference

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A press conference will be held Saturday afternoon featuring Logan Paul and Roman Reigns.

On Friday’s SmackDown, Logan Paul opened the show and announced a press conference for Saturday at 3:30 pm ET at the Dawg House Saloon & Sportsbook in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was later confirmed following a confrontation between Paul and a returning Paul Heyman that both Paul and Reigns will be at the press conference.

Paul opened Friday’s show talking about how his mouth got him in trouble again, referring to comments made during a recent episode of the Impaulsive podcast. Paul Heyman, who has not been seen on WWE television since SummerSlam, appeared with the rest of the Bloodline minus Reigns. Heyman told Paul to pick a fight with someone else. Paul said he could challenge Reigns to a match, and with one lucky punch, could become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.

The segment ended after Sami Zayn entered the ring, saying he’d take care of Paul. Paul proceeded to knock out Zayn with a punch and bolted out of the ring before the rest of the Bloodline could enter the ring.

Dave Meltzer reported on Friday afternoon that a press conference will be held Saturday to set up a match between Paul and Reigns for WWE Crown Jewel, which will take place on November 5 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

Stipulation set for SmackDown Women’s title match at WWE Extreme Rules

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Ronda Rousey and Liv Morgan will meet under Extreme Rules.

It was announced on Friday’s SmackDown that Rousey and Morgan will meet under Extreme Rules when Morgan puts the SmackDown Women’s title on the line at the titular premium live event. The stipulation was added after the two had a sit-down conversation.

Rousey was being interviewed by Kayla Braxton about the upcoming match when Morgan walked in and asked Braxton if she could talk to Rousey. Morgan reminded Rousey that she was perhaps the only person in the world that has beaten her twice. That was where she challenged Rousey to an Extreme Rules match. Rousey accepted.

The feud between the two started at Money in the Bank, when Morgan cashed in and pinned Rousey in an impromptu match. The two then met at SummerSlam, where Morgan won after the referee counted Rousey’s shoulders on the mat despite Morgan submitting to an armbar.

Extreme Rules will take place on October 8 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Report: Elias replaces Ezekiel on WWE’s internal roster

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We could soon be seeing the return of Elias.

PWInsider reported Friday afternoon that Ezekiel is no longer listed internally on WWE’s roster. The character has instead been replaced by Elias.

Ezekiel has not been seen on television since August. He was attacked by Kevin Owens and stretchered out after being powerbombed on the apron. WWE later gave an update saying that Ezekiel would be out for a long time.

After being absent from WWE television for months, Elias returned to WWE TV after WrestleMania 38, shaving his beard and wearing new ring gear. He claimed that he was Ezekiel, the younger brother of Elias. Owens became upset and spent the next several months attempting to prove that Elias and Ezekiel were one in the same. Shortly before Vince McMahon resigned from WWE in July, the character started to bring up another brother, Elrod.

Once Triple H was named head of WWE creative following McMahon’s resignation, the character was phased out, losing to Omos on an episode of Main Event before being attacked by Owens on Raw.

Former champion returns at WWE NXT taping

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Ilja Dragunov is back on NXT.

Dragunov appeared at the end of the first set of NXT tapings that took place Wednesday night. The end of the show had Bron Breakker confront JD McDonagh, who defeated Tyler Bate to become the number one contender for the NXT Championship. That was when Dragunov came out as the three had a staredown.

Dragunov was a mainstay on the NXT UK roster and had held the NXT UK Championship once, defeating Gunther at NXT TakeOver 36 back in August of 2021. He vacated the championship on the July 7 edition of NXT UK, saying he had suffered an injury and was no longer able to defend the championship.

Here are spoilers for next week’s WWE NXT, taped at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

  • Nathan Frazer defeated Axiom in their best of three series.
  • Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne) defeated Ivy Nile and Tatum Paxley
  • Schism came out to do a promo. During the promo, a hooded figure with a yellow mask on watched through the entranceway.
  • The Dyad (Rip Fowler & Jagger Reid) defeated Edris Enofe and Malik Blade
  • Cora Jade defeated Wendy Choo. After the match, Lash Legend attacked Choo.
  • Andre Chase and Bodhi Hayward defeated Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams
  • Oro Mensah defeated Grayson Waller. Apollo Crews came out during the match and aided Mensah in victory.
  • JD McDonagh defeated Tyler Bate in a number one contenders match for the NXT Championship. McDonagh and NXT Champion Bron Breaker confronted one another after the match. Ilja Dragunov then came to the ring and confronted both men.

Jon Moxley vs. Bryan Danielson AEW World title match set for Dynamite Grand Slam

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Jon Moxley vs. Bryan Danielson next week will determine the next AEW World Champion.

Both Moxley and Danielson won semifinal matches in the AEW Grand Slam Tournament of Champions on Wednesday’s Dynamite. With their wins, they will now move on to the finals, which will take place on next Wednesday’s Dynamite at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City.

Moxley beat Sammy Guevara at the open of Wednesday’s show, the first to advance. Then in the main event, Danielson defeated Chris Jericho after submitting Jericho with a crossface. After the match, Moxley came down to the ring and the two had a staredown. Danielson then extended his hand, with Moxley shaking Danielson’s hand to close out the show.

The AEW World Championship was declared vacant on last week’s Dynamite after CM Punk was suspended from the company for a backstage altercation that took place following AEW All Out between himself and The Young Bucks. In addition, Punk recently underwent surgery for a torn triceps, putting him out of action.

Solo Sikoa wins North American title on WWE NXT

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A surprise match led Solo Sikoa to his first NXT North American Championship.

Sikoa defeated Hayes in an impromptu match in the main event of Tuesday’s NXT, pinning Hayes after a splash off the top rope. This ends Hayes’ second run with the North American Championship after 102 days.

The main event of Tuesday’s NXT was originally set to have Wes Lee, voted on by fans, taking on Carmelo Hayes. However, Hayes and Trick Williams jumped Lee backstage, ramming his head into a locker door repeatedly. Later in the ring, Hayes said everyone from all brands was coming for him. That was when Sikoa appeared, taking out both Hayes and Williams. Sikoa said that he had next, eventually leading to the match.

Sikoa recently made his main roster debut at WWE Clash at the Castle, helping cousin Roman Reigns defeat Drew McIntyre to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. He made his in-ring debut on the following SmackDown facing McIntyre, where it ended in a no contest.

Oro Mensah to make WWE NXT debut next week

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Oro Mensah is making his NXT debut next week.

During Tuesday’s NXT, a vignette was shown of Mensah in NXT UK, where he wrestled under the name Oliver Carter. It was then announced Mensah would be making his debut on next week’s show.

Mensah made his debut for NXT UK in 2019. He is a former NXT UK Tag Team Champion, having won the titles with Ashton Smith after defeating former champions Trent Seven & Tyler Bate and Teoman & Rohan Raja in a three-way match on the June 2 edition of NXT UK. Later that month, however, the team was forced to vacate the titles after Smith suffered a knee injury. Smith was among the names released by WWE when it was announced on August 18 that the NXT UK brand was shutting down in favor of launching NXT Europe, which will launch sometime in 2023.

WWE had trademarked the name ‘Oro Mensah’ on September 8.

Toni Storm & Athena vs. Britt Baker & Serena Deeb set for AEW Dynamite

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The women’s tag match for Wednesday’s Dynamite has been changed.

AEW on social media wrote that Shida isn’t cleared by doctors due to an attack that took place on AEW Dark, which aired on Tuesday. Athena will replace Shida in the match for this Wednesday, teaming with Toni Storm to take on Serena Deeb and Britt Baker.

“After an apparent attack on @shidahikaru tonight on #AEWDark, Shida isn’t cleared by the docs to compete, so #AEW Interim Women’s World Champion #ToniStorm will team w/ @AthenaPalmer_FG vs @realbrittbaker & @SerenaDeeb on #AEWDynamite LIVE @ 8pm ET/7pm CT on @TBSNetwork TOMORROW!,” AEW’s Twitter wrote.

AEW aired an angle on Dark where Rebel was seen walking out of Hikaru Shida’s dressing room. Baker then emerged with a kendo stick and told interviewer Alex Marvez that if she couldn’t get the tag team partner of her choice, then Toni Storm couldn’t get her choice of a tag partner either. Marvez then called for medical attention as doctors went inside Shida’s dressing room.

Here is the updated lineup for Wednesday’s Dynamite:

  • Tournament of Champions second round: Bryan Danielson vs. Chris Jericho
  • Tournament of Champions second round: Jon Moxley vs. Sammy Guevara
  • Toni Storm & Athena vs. Britt Baker & Serena Deeb

Daily Update: AEW Road to Albany, Dudley Boyz, Genichiro Tenryu

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Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

Job Listing: Onlamp php/mysql developer. Experience with vbulletin and drupal/WordPress a plus. Email [email protected] with subject PHP DEVELOPER with resume.

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

Details of Punk’s latest injury
Details of Punk’s broken foot, how it happened, and his recovery
Why more details about the suspension weren’t announced on television
The suspensions and how the company is handling the backstage fight
Stories coming out about the fight that are clearly not true, motives to explain why things happened
More details about the press conference
More things that happened that haven’t been reported
Where AEW goes from here
Full coverage of Clash at the Castle
Full coverage of AEW All Out
PPV and live numbers for both shows and what lessons can be taken
Notes from our two-hour interview with Tony Khan on AEW business
Keiji Muto retirement news
WWE Worlds Collide coverage
UFC makes debut in France with a great main event
Complete rundown of TV ratings of all the national shows plus how each segment did
CMLL Noche de Campeones card with fan voting on matches
Lucha Libre Dy cad at Arena Mexico
Five Star Grand Prix update
N-1 tournament finals and next major NOAH show
Movie on Ric Flair
Notes on Scottish Hall of Famer Ian Campbell
Thunder Rosa update
Update on AEW video game
Advance tickets for WWE & AEw shows
International TV ratings
WWE & AEW streaming numbers
Backstage fight in UFC
New executive hires in WWE as well as new contract details for the WWE big four execs

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

Ordering Info:

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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

Other Wrestling

  • The Dudley Boyz are reuniting for a match this December in the 2300 Arena, the former ECW Arena. It will be a singles match between Bully Ray and Matt Cardona for Battleground Championship Wrestling, with D-Von being in Bully’s corner.
  • Yuji Nagata received a “letter of appreciation” from the Chiba Chuo Police Department for his efforts in combating phone fraud.
  • Genichiro Tenryu is scheduled to undergo surgery this week in relation to his recent spinal stenosis diagnosis.
  • GLEAT is scheduled to start their own MMA division, with their first show kicking off on December 14 in Korakuen Hall. Matches for the show will be announced in a press conference on September 16.
  • Bret Hart officially received his plaque from Canada’s Walk of Fame today.
  • Marty Janetty wrote on Facebook that he is recovering from ankle surgery. “I’m very proud to say that ankle right there it’s just slightly damaged from all them years of putting my foot in people’s rear end otherwise called ass and jumping off top ropes to the floor not just into the ring but to the floor and I’m very proud to say I’ll do it again right now I ain’t scared well wait a minute swaggy just looked at me and extended is claws which means don’t you even try oh well it was a fun thought.”
  • PlutoTV removed their wrestling channel this week. When asked why the channel was removed, Pluto TV responded on social media: Thanks for reaching out! We do make changes to our channel lineup and sometimes our favorites can get removed, but we are constantly changing to make sure we have the best lineups for our citizens, stay tuned for more exciting programs to follow!
  • An autobiography of Madusa, titled “The Woman Who Would Be King: The Madusa Story” by Greg Oliver, will be out April 13, 2023.

‘Being the Elite’ YouTube series announces hiatus

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Being the Elite is on hiatus.

BTE’s Twitter account Monday evening confirmed that the show would be going on hiatus. The long-running show featuring The Young Bucks and other AEW personalities is usually posted on Monday morning. However, there was no episode this week.

“No #BeingTheElite this week. On hiatus until further notice,” The account wrote.

The last show to be put up was last week’s episode, which focused on All Out weekend.

The Young Bucks, along with Kenny Omega, were involved in a backstage altercation with CM Punk and Ace Steel at All Out after Punk made negative comments towards them during a media scrum following the event. Omega and The Bucks, who won the AEW World Trios titles at All Out, were stripped of the titles the following Wednesday. Punk was also stripped of the AEW World Championship, and everyone involved in the altercation was suspended by the company. 

A&E shooting Jerry Lawler documentary for Biography: WWE Legends series

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Jerry Lawler will be a part of the next season of A&E Biography: WWE Legends.

Lawler discussed the shooting of his upcoming documentary on the Johnny Dare Morning Show when one host brought up a recent picture of Lawler driving a Batmobile on Instagram.

“The A&E people were in town and they are doing a documentary for next season,” he told them. “They are doing a documentary and we had the Batmobile out, driving it over to the Midsouth Coliseum where we had all those famous matches, it’s always fun to get the Batmobile out. I love looking over and seeing people’s faces when they look over in their car and all of a sudden the Batmobile is sitting beside them at a red light.”

Earlier this month, WWE on A&E confirmed that new episodes of Biography: WWE Legends, WWE Rivals, and WWE’s Most Wanted will return this winter. A new season of Biography episodes recently concluded, focusing on the careers of Edge, Rey Mysterio, D-Generation X, and Lex Luger, among others.