The former Billy Kay announced on Instagram today that baby Cooper was born on December 20. She had previously revealed she was pregant with her first child back in June.
“Cooper ♥️12/20/2023. So in love with our little Coop,” she wrote.
“Awww congrats mama! Welcome to the club. It’s the best ever,” wrote Madison Rayne.
“Jeeeeeesssssss! Massive congrats to you!!!! So elated for you and your lovely husband,” wrote Big E.
“Ahhhhhh Welcome to the world Cooper!!!” Dasha Fuentes wrote.
Angelina Love, Natalya, Deonna Purrazzo, Tay Melo, Alexa Bliss, Matt Camp, Renee Paquette and others offered their congratulations as well.
McKay has not wrestled since April 2022 when her and Lee announced they were stepping away indefinitely from wrestling. McKay was cast in the film The Charisma Killers a few days later, where she plays the role of Swinger Wife Claire.
Lee and McKay’s podcast “Off Her Chops” is available on YouTube.
On next week’s Raw, Tegan Nox & Natalya are getting their WWE Women’s Tag Team title shot.
Nox & Natalya will challenge for Chelsea Green & Piper Niven’s championships on Raw next Monday (November 27). The announcement of the match was made on Raw Talk last night.
Nox & Natalya earned the title shot by winning a fatal four-way number one contender’s match on last night’s Raw. They defeated Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri, Kayden Carter & Katana Chance, and Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell.
To win the number one contender’s match, Nox rolled through on a crossbody and pinned Dupri for the victory.
Niven became Green’s new Tag Team title partner this August, taking over for Sonya Deville after Deville was forced out of action due to a torn ACL.
Raw is taking place from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville next Monday. The following matches have been announced for the show:
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green & Piper Niven defend against Tegan Nox & Natalya
Tag Team Turmoil match for Undisputed WWE Tag Team title shot: New Day vs. Alpha Academy vs. The Creed Brothers vs. DIY vs. Imperium vs. Indus Sher
Former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion and Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champion Jessica McKay announced Thursday that she and her partner are expecting their first child.
McKay, the former Billie Kay in WWE, revealed the news on Instagram that she is expecting in December.
McKay will join longtime tag team partner Cassie Lee (formerly Peyton Royce in WWE) in being a mom. Lee and husband Shawn Spears welcomed their first child this past January.
The soon-to-be 34-year-old hasn’t wrestled since April 2022 when she and Lee were unsuccessful in defeating then-Knockouts Tag Team Champions Madison Rayne & Tenille Dashwood for the titles.
Last month, Lee announced her impending return to the ring for Australia’s World Series Wrestling as part of their October Full Throttle tour. She also has not wrestled since April 2022.
McKay is the latest notable pro wrestling name to announce their pregnancy recently as AEW’s Tay Melo & Sammy Guevara revealed last month they are expecting their first child in addition to WWE’s Alexa Bliss and singer/husband Ryan Cabrera.
The former IIconics have officially unveiled their new tag team name.
Cassie Lee (formerly known as Peyton Royce) and Jessie McKay (formerly known as Billie Kay) will be known as “The IInspiration” going forward. Lee and McKay filed a trademark for the name this June.
“Finally, IInspiration returns to professional wrestling,” Lee and McKay wrote today. “Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay present The IInspiration Tour Dates and cities to be announced soon.”
Highspots has announced that The IInspiration will be taking part in a virtual gimmick table on their Facebook page on Thursday, October 21. Highspots will also be presenting Lee & McKay as guests at WrestleCade Revenge weekend this November. The convention is taking place at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina from Friday, November 26 to Sunday, November 28.
Lee and McKay were both released by WWE during a round of roster cuts this April. At the time of their release, Lee and McKay were on different brands and their tag team had been broken up. They held the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles together from April 2019 to August 2019.
WWE has announced that Mojo Rawley has also been released from the company. Rawley hasn’t wrestled since June 2020.
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WWE announced on Thursday that 10 wrestlers have been released from the company.
In a statement posted on WWE.com, WWE announced that Samoa Joe, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Kalisto, Mojo Rawley, Bo Dallas, and Wesley Blake have been released: “WWE has come to terms on the release of Samoa Joe, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Kalisto, Mojo Rawley, Bo Dallas and Wesley Blake as of today April 15, 2021. We wish them the best in all of their future endeavors.”
It had been announced this Monday that Joe was no longer part of the Raw commentary team but remained on the WWE talent roster. He hasn’t wrestled since February 2020 due to concussion issues but stated earlier this year that he doesn’t believe his in-ring career is over.
Royce & Kay were formerly WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions as The IIconics. Their team was split up in August of last year. Kay was in action at WrestleMania 37 night one this past Saturday, teaming with Carmella in the Tag Team Turmoil match that was won by Natalya & Tamina.
James was part of the pre-show panel for NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver nights one and two last week and also did commentary for the event’s pre-show matches. James tweeted about her release: “Grateful for the memories. Grateful for the locker room. Grateful for the fans. Grateful for these little keys to my golden handcuffs. You can never expected others vision of you to be big as your own dreams. Thank you @VinceMcMahon #AlwaysBlessedAndGrateful”
While making her SmackDown debut in November of last year, Green suffered a broken wrist. She posted a picture while backstage at SmackDown last month but didn’t appear on the show.
Tucker was formerly part of Heavy Machinery before the tag team was broken up, while Kalisto was formerly part of The Lucha House Party and Blake was formerly a member of both The Forgotten Sons and Baron Corbin’s Knights of The Lone Wolf. Blake’s stablemate Steve Cutler was released by WWE this February. Dallas’ former tag team partner Curtis Axel was released last year.
A new team has been added to the Tag Team Turmoil match at WrestleMania 37 night one.
On tonight’s WrestleMania week edition of SmackDown, it was officially announced that Carmella & Billie Kay will be taking part in WrestleMania 37 night one’s Tag Team Turmoil match. The winning team will challenge for Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler’s WWE Women’s Tag Team titles at WrestleMania 37 night two.
The Tag Team Turmoil match features teams from both Raw and SmackDown. Naomi & Lana, Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke, Natalya & Tamina, The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan), and Carmella & Kay are the five teams that will be taking part in it.
Naomi & Lana and Rose & Brooke are part of the Raw roster, while Natalya & Tamina, The Riott Squad, and Carmella & Kay are on SmackDown.
Kay had appeared in a backstage segment with the Tag Team Turmoil participants and Jax & Baszler on Raw earlier this week. When asked if she even had a partner, Kay said Carmella was reviewing her resume.
Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida is hosting WrestleMania 37 this Saturday and Sunday. Here are the updated cards for the event:
WrestleMania 37 night one (Saturday, April 10) —
SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks defends against Bianca Belair
Bad Bunny & Damian Priest vs. The Miz & John Morrison
Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) defend against AJ Styles & Omos
Steel cage match: Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon
Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro
Tag Team Turmoil match: Naomi & Lana vs. Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke vs. Natalya & Tamina vs. The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan) vs. Carmella & Billie Kay (winning team will challenge for Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler’s WWE Women’s Tag Team titles at night two)
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Drew McIntyre
WrestleMania 37 night two (Sunday, April 11) —
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Edge and Daniel Bryan in a triple threat match
Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defends against Rhea Ripley
“The Fiend” Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
Intercontinental Champion Big E defends against Apollo Crews in a Nigerian Drum Fight
United States Champion Riddle defends against Sheamus
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defend against the winners of the Tag Team Turmoil match from night one
A Tag Team Turmoil match has been announced for WrestleMania 37 on April 10, with the winners facing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions the following day on April 11.
It was announced on tonight’s Raw that Lana & Naomi, Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose, The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan), and Tamina and Natalya will compete in a Tag Team Turmoil match. The winners of that match on Saturday will advance to the second night of WrestleMania, where they will face WWE Women’s Tag Team champions Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax for the titles.
Jax and Baszler appeared on tonight’s show, defeating Asuka and Rhea Ripley after Ripley abandoned her tag team partner. After the match, the champions were confronted backstage by all of the aforementioned teams.
The team of Billie Kay and Carmella was also brought up as possibly taking part in the match. Jax asked Kay if she even had a partner for the match. Kay mentioned that Carmella was looking at her resume, which she gave to Carmella this past Friday.
The new rosters for Raw and SmackDown continued to take shape after the WWE Draft ended last night.
WWE announced overnight that Erik of The Viking Raiders has signed with Raw as a free agent, while Tamina, Billie Kay, and Zelina Vega have signed with SmackDown. Andrade and Mickie James are now the only wrestlers who were listed in the WWE Draft pools but haven’t been assigned to either brand yet.
Erik and Tamina are staying on the same brands they were on prior to the draft. Kay and Vega are moving from Raw to SmackDown.
Ivar of The Viking Raiders, who is out of action after undergoing neck surgery last month, wasn’t listed as eligible to be drafted. Erik also underwent surgery earlier this month to have “some hardware removed” from his arm. Erik wrote that he had been putting off the surgery for a very long time and had been working around and through the pain and limitations caused by a surgical screw protruding into his triceps.
Kay and Peyton Royce are now on opposite brands. Royce & Kay lost a match to Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan in August where the stipulations were that the winning team would get a Women’s Tag Team title shot and the losing team couldn’t team together anymore.
Angel Garza defeated Andrade on Raw last night in a match where Vega was on commentary. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and Alexa Bliss then laid out Andrade and Vega with stereo Sister Abigails.
Here are the updated rosters for Raw and SmackDown:
Raw —
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre
Raw Women’s Champion Asuka
The Hurt Business (MVP, United States Champion Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander)
AJ Styles
Naomi
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
Ricochet
Mandy Rose
The Miz & John Morrison
Raw Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods
Bianca Belair had yet another bout with Billie Kay in a fairly standard opening Main Event match while Humberto Carrillo and Mustafa Ali had a solid contest at the top of the show.
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The ebb and flow of the Main Event announce team continued this week with Michael Cole, of all people, leading commentary alongside Byron Saxton. As Saxton pointed out, Cole was the lead announcer on this show when it debuted eight years ago, but, as memory serves, that was when it was on Ion TV and it was Cole and The Miz who were doing their best to put the show over as a big deal.
In every sense, how things have changed.
Bianca Belair defeated Billie Kay (5:42)
Although still undefeated as a singles wrestler since her NXT call-up, Belair has yet to be given a permanent home. With sporadic Raw appearances only really punctuating her work on Main Event, it seems to be taking her longer than any logic says it should to become a mainstay on the big show.
Since arriving on the main roster in March, she has worked with Kay more than any other performer. They clearly get along because there’s always an undercurrent of fun in their matches. Kay is a good worker, but Belair has been the next big thing for some time now.
They worked a good back and forth with Kay thwarting any attempts by Belair to be the dominant babyface. It was only really in the last minute or so that Belair was able to get things going with any consistency. The finish saw Belair get posted and it looked like Kay might get the victory until Belair slammed her head into the corner and wasted no time in hoisting her up for the KOD to get the win.
Mustafa Ali defeated Humberto Carrillo (8:07)
Another week, another Main Event, and another match for Mustafa Ali and Humberto Carrillo.
Carrillo still has time on his side, but Ali is 34 years old and way too good to be used on a show that has such limited reach. The reason may be that they’re going in a different direction with Ali as he was definitely heelish here against Carrillo who is a natural babyface.
This was a good, solid match between two talents who can really go. In the end, it went through a commercial and Ali dominated things with some nicely placed aggression.
Ali went up to the top rope for the 450 splash, but Carrillo had it scouted and moved out of the way. Ali landed on his feet, rolled to the corner, and turned to launch himself at Carrillo who caught him for a near fall. Ali then transitioned into Koji Clutch for the submission win.
Final Thoughts:
Main Event was a fine show this week with good performances all around. The usual unsettling feeling remained, however, as Ali and Belair continue to be underused on a show like Raw that is bloated at best. Watching Ali and Carrillo having decent outings each week is certainly not all bad, but there’s undeniably room for both on any one of WWE’s weekly network television shows.
A look at the life and wrestling career of Bob Armstrong is the lead in this week’s double issue of the Observer. We go through what made him a star, his appeal in the Southeast, his role in the famed Atlanta promotion war, what his booking by Bill Watts in Florida inspired more than a decade later, the Roddy Piper feud, the numbers Georgia wrestling did on cable, his success in different territories and his authority roles later in his career.
Also in this issue:
Thunderdome, what hit, what missed, what audience came back for it, what has been learned so far, the sweetheart business deal, the Payback card and booking, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
Television situation changing for Bellator and what that means, including the unique nature of their ownership that explains why it was purchased in the first place.
Karrion Kross injury and Tuesday’s NXT show to fill the title vacancy.
A look back at the first NXT Takeover and at the 30th show, with match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results.
New Japan’s first major outdoor stadium show in 21 years, the last non-Tokyo Dome stadium show before this, what Jingu Stadium is most known for historically, an show preview and a look at this past week’s Korakuen Hall show.
The economics of WWE, the Sonya Deville court hearing, return to action of the U.K. crew and plans, Renee Young talks her time in WWE, Big E/Miz talk, WWE new hires, Orton and Flair talk their angle, how wrestling did compared to other sports this past week, Canadian & U.K. ratings, rewriting of Raw this past week, most watched shows on WWE network this past week and company current market value.
Saturday’s UFC show with business notes and match-by-match coverage.
Return of CMLL, its plans for this year’s anniversary show and how the voting for specific matches is doing.
Television viewers per home for the biggest sports events of the past week and how wrestling fits in.
Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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Damien Priest will be the guest on this week’s After the Bell with Corey Graves.
Wade Barrett on Twitter noted that he would be back to call NXT next week.
Peyton Royce wrote the following on Instagram: “24 hours removed from this moment & it’s been a rough day. I’m emotionally exhausted, I’m so sad but I realize there is a silver lining. I believe everything happens as it is supposed to. @billiekaywwe & I have been the eyes in the back of each other’s heads for 5+ years. It’s time for us to make some growth as individuals. I know we can do this, it just sucks I won’t have her by my side through all of it. Thank you for bringing me so much happiness, adventure & fun. You are one in a million & you’re so incredibly talented. The whole world knows it!”
Billie Kay also took to Instagram about her run with Royce: “Last night was one of the most emotional nights of my life. Realizing that The IIconics are no more was devastating & heartbreaking. @peytonroycewwe you have been my rock, my strength, my heart & inspired me for the past 5+ years. Having that being taken away is extremely scary… but that’s life. We have to evolve, we have to learn, we have to keep going. I’m so proud of us & excited for what the future holds for us. Even though you won’t be able to see me, I will always be in your corner cheering you on. You’ll always be my high school sweetheart, my life partner, my iconic duo, my icon.”
Drew McIntyre has continued to trade words with Tyson Fury, writing today in response to a video from Fury: “Every time I thought this video was about to end you carried on. The only thing your doing with that fist is tickling my chin you big feather duster. I’m going to kick that shiny bald head off that dad bod of yours. @tripleh do us all a favor & have a word with this fraud.”
WWE posted a clip of Stone Cold Steve Austin talking to Jerry Lawler about his favorite Stone Cold moment.
WWE 2K19 will be part of Sony’s PlayStation Now streaming service this month. 15, 16, and 18 are already available.
Other Wrestling
Casey Michael, who was the owner of Squared Circle Sirens and had covered women’s professional wrestling for years, has passed away at the age of 26. Squared Circle Sirens wrote the following: “It’s with a heavy heart we inform you that our beloved friend and @SCsirens owner Casey Michael (@ifyouseekcasey) has passed away at age 26. His contributions to women’s wrestling and the friendships made will live on in his memory forever We love you, Casey.”
Tenille Dashwood returned to Impact on last night’s show after being gone for several months, confronting Jordynne Grace and Knockouts champion Deonna Purazzo.
Peyton Royce and Billie Kay lost tonight to The Riott Squad tonight on Raw after Billie Kay was pinned following a pinfall counter by Ruby Riott. Per the stipulations of the match, The Riott Squad will now receive a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles. But the IIconics, as a result of losing, will now have to split up.
It was reported on the August 10, 2020 edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that during a recent backstage meeting, Vince McMahon saw Peyton Royce and Bianca Belair as potential stars.
The IIconics started to team together in 2016 on NXT. The two were called up as a team the day following WrestleMania 34 under the name The IIconics. The following year, the two were part of a Elimination Chamber match that would determine the first WWE Women’s Tag Team champions. That match was won by Bayley and Sasha Banks. The duo would later win the titles at WrestleMania 35.
After spending most of 2020 off of WWE television, The IIconics resurfaced in May and had spent the summer feuding with both Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott, which eventually led to the reformation of the Riott Squad.
This is the last WWE “show” to take place from the Performance Center, hopefully. Murphy and Humberto Carrillo put on a match worth watching, but besides that, the episode wasn’t very eventful.
Show Recap:
Bianca Belair pinned Billie Kay (w/ Peyton Royce) (6:19)
It’s a shame that Belair is still being regulated to Main Event as she is so damn good, i hope she has a bright future. Kay, on the other hand, still needs some significant work in my opinion.
Kay started off the match trying to take down Belair with various methods including wrenching the arm and slamming her to the mat by her hair. Kay kept trying to find ways to outpower and knock Belair down. Belair finally got knocked down from Kay’s leg maneuver, and Billie mocked her for it. In retaliation, Belair kipped up. After Belair got some momentum, Kay connected with a big kick to the face thanks to Royce’s distraction tactics.
Kay took advantage, working on the arm and shoulder. Belair got back into it with the crowd on her side, which got her extremely fired up. She went to the top after a minute of offense, but with another Royce distraction, she missed her jump and rolled through. Kay tried to take advantage, but Belair hit the K.O.D for the three count.
Murphy pinned Humberto Carrillo (7:41)
I sound like a broken record, but it’s also a shame that Murphy is regulated to Main Event. I know he’s in a prominent story with Seth Rollins and friends, but it still feels like he should be bigger. Carrillo is just meh to me at this point.
Murphy started off the match by working heavy on Carrillo’s left arm as the commentary team spent time putting over Rollins vs. Dominik at SummerSlam. Carrillo finally escaped the arm agony and started running the ropes, trading near misses with Murphy before hitting a beautiful rana. Murphy eventually regained control over the commercial break and stomped a mudhole in Carrillo when we came back.
Carrillo eventually reached his feet again and Murphy started clubbing him forearms to his lower back, before Carrillo hit a nasty spinning backfist. But, Murphy just kept working on his lower back. Carrillo finally got a second wind and was able to hit a backspring elbow. He then hit a wonderful looking dropkick to Murphy’s neck from the top rope.
Carrillo seemed like he was going to win with his moonsault, but nobody was home and Murphy followed up with a great running pump knee strike for the win.
Main Event was cut down to one match this week and was bookended between Raw and SmackDown rehash. The sole match saw the ever-impressive Bianca Belair pin Billie Kay to remain undefeated since joining the main roster.
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Bianca Belair defeated Billie Kay (w/ Peyton Royce) (6:29)
Bianca Belair, who is now 5-0 on Main Event and 8-0 overall, had new silver ring gear this week. Although it is never referenced on commentary, she continues to sport the moniker EST that she used in NXT, representing the last three letters of the adjectives she uses to describe herself with: greatest, fastest, toughest, and best.
This would have been a good pre-Raw match to get a live crowd in the mood. They did lots of comedy spots early on and Royce and Kay are good heels who know how to wind up an audience.
Kay has quite a few nice tricks up her sleeve and did a really good job working over Belair’s left arm, which became the story for this short match. Belair not only sold it well during the onslaught, but she continued to do so after. It’s wrinkles like this that will see her go far.
They teased that Kay would win when Royce distracted Belair on the apron and Kay rolled her up for a near fall. This was enough for Belair though, who once again showed her impressive strength, getting Kay up on to her shoulders for the KOD to win the match.
Final Thoughts —
If the WWE taping schedule becomes increasingly difficult, Main Event may quickly fall by the wayside, but Bianca Belair is fast becoming one to watch. Raw TV time beckons as she continues her main roster undefeated streak.
After an extended time away from WWE television, former Women’s Tag Team Champions The IIconics returned on tonight’s episode of Raw.
Peyton Royce & Billie Kay appeared on a Moment of Bliss segment with current Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross. It led to Royce & Kay defeating Bliss & Cross in a non-title match.
As the referee’s attention was turned away, Kay struck Bliss in the throat near the end of tonight’s match. The IIconics then hit a double-team facebuster to get the win.
This was Royce & Kay’s first match on WWE TV since November. They moved to the Raw roster in October’s WWE Draft.
At WrestleMania 35 in April 2019, The IIconics defeated Sasha Banks & Bayley, Nia Jax & Tamina, and Natalya & Beth Phoenix in a fatal four-way match to win the Women’s Tag Team titles. Bliss & Cross then won the titles in a fatal four-way elimination match in August. Bliss & Cross lost the titles to Asuka & Kairi Sane in October but won them back at WrestleMania 36.
Drew Gulak will defend the Cruiserweight Championship against Oney Lorcan, Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross will defend their titles against Peyton Royce & Billie Kay, and Apollo Crews will face Buddy Murphy.
Bliss & Cross vs. The IIconics and Crews vs. Murphy are new additions to SummerSlam, while Gulak vs. Lorcan had already been set for tonight’s card.
Bliss & Cross became Women’s Tag Team Champions by defeating Royce & Kay, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville, and Asuka & Kairi Sane in a fatal four-way elimination match on Raw last week. Royce & Kay were the champions heading into the match but were eliminated first.
WWE has already announced that Asuka & Sane will challenge for the Women’s Tag Team titles on tomorrow’s post-SummerSlam episode of Raw.
The Roman Reigns mystery attacker angle continued on SmackDown last week, with Murphy accusing Rowan of being the person who attacked Reigns. Reigns beat Murphy down until Murphy would give him an answer.
Tonight’s two-hour pre-show begins at 5 p.m. Eastern time. The PPV is taking place at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
