A grudge match is going down on WWE Raw next Monday.
Dragon Lee vs. Carlito will take place on next week’s Raw episode from the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The match was confirmed during an interview with Lee and the LWO on Raw Talk.
Before WrestleMania 40, there was an angle where Carlito betrayed the LWO and took out Lee in a backstage attack. Carlito was jealous that Mysterio had chosen Lee to be his WrestleMania tag team partner. Andrade ended up teaming with Mysterio at the event as they defeated Santos Escobar & Dominik Mysterio.
“[Carlito] took away my biggest opportunity at WrestleMania, and he will pay for what he did,” Lee said in a promo on Raw Talk. “I’m going to show him — and I will show the world — what I’m capable of.”
Since his heel turn, Carlito has become aligned with The Judgment Day. Lee, Rey Mysterio & Braun Strowman defeated Carlito, Dominik & JD McDonagh in a six-man tag bout on Raw last night. Lee pinned Carlito after a splash from Strowman’s shoulders.
Next Monday’s Raw is taking place two days after WWE Clash at the Castle. The build to Money in the Bank will officially begin on the episode. It also appears that Uncle Howdy and his new faction may be debuting that night.
Three main roster WWE stars appeared at NXT New Year’s Evil.
Carlito, Grayson Waller, and Kevin Owens all made appearances on Tuesday’s show. Waller headlined the event, taking on Trick Williams after it was announced Ilja Dragunov was not cleared to compete. Towards the end of the match Carmelo Hayes came out to ringside and distracted Williams, despite Williams telling him earlier in the show he wanted to win by himself. Williams went on to defeat Waller after Kevin Owens, who has been feuding with Waller on SmackDown, appeared at ringside allowing Williams to capitalize on the distraction with a running knee for the win.
Earlier in the show, Dragunov was announced as not being able to compete on the show following a storyline injury that took place two weeks ago. Despite Dragunov saying on last week’s show he was good to go, Kelly Kincaid announced that WWE’s medical team would not clear Dragunov for Tuesday’s show. After a confrontation with Waller backstage, Williams agreed to put up his title match in the main event against Waller.
Carlito also appeared as the surprise third participant in the LWO vs. No Quarter Catch Crew six-man tag team match, with Cruz Del Toro getting the win for his team. Dragon Lee was originally set to team with the LWO, but announced on Monday he would be unable to be at New Year’s Evil due to visa issues.
Dragon Lee is replacing Carlito at Saturday’s Survivor Series.
An angle took place on Friday’s SmackDown that took Carlito out of his match against Santos Escobar. After Carlito called out Escobar, the two ended up brawling outside of the ring. As they were being separated, Escobar ran into the crowd and jumped Carlito from behind. As Carlito stumbled his way backstage, Carlito was again attacked by Escobar when Lee made the save.
Later, Nick Aldis was interviewed and said that Carlito was seriously hurt and out of his match at Survivor Series, and would have to postpone the match as a result. Lee entered and asked Aldis not to postpone the match, saying he wanted to face Escobar. Aldis agreed to the match.
Escobar turned on the LWO after he attacked Rey Mysterio following the events of Crown Jewel. In the weeks since, Escobar has made it clear he no longer wanted any part of the LWO, telling the rest of the group that he no longer needed them and hoped that Mysterio’s leg injury was serious enough that doctors would have to amputate the leg.
Here is the updated lineup for Saturday’s Survivor Series:
WWE Survivor Series, Saturday, November 25, 8 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —
Men’s WarGames match: The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh) & Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, Cody Rhodes, and Randy Orton
Former allies will square off at WWE Survivor Series.
After turning on Rey Mysterio and the LWO on last week’s SmackDown, Santos Escobar will take on the LWO’s Carlito at Survivor Series on Saturday, November 25.
The match was made official during this week’s SmackDown following a promo segment where Escobar explained his reasoning for attacking Mysterio, then laid out Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro of the LWO. Carlito attempted to make the save, but Escobar escaped through the audience.
Five matches are now set for Survivor Series, including a pair of WarGames bouts, an Intercontinental title match, plus a Women’s World title defense.
The Survivor Series lineup:
WWE Survivor Series, Saturday, November 25, 8 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —
Men’s WarGames match: The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh) vs. Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso & Cody Rhodes
A clash of two veteran stars has been announced for the Friday, November 10 WWE SmackDown.
It was revealed during this week’s episode that Bobby Lashley will face the LWO’s Carlito on next Friday’s SmackDown as the issues between the LWO and Lashley & The Street Profits continue to unfold.
Managed by Lashley, Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins of The Street Profits defeated Carlito & Santos Escobar of the LWO on last week’s SmackDown. Rey Mysterio & Escobar defeated The Street Profits on the September 22 episode, while The Street Profits defeated LWO’s Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde on the September 15 SmackDown.
In another development in the story, B-Fab interrupted a backstage segment on this week’s show to discuss a matter with Lashley, teasing an alignment between the two.
For his part, Mysterio will defend the United States Championship against Logan Paul on Saturday’s Crown Jewel pay-per-view.
The Lashley vs. Carlito bout is the only item currently announced for next week’s SmackDown in Columbus, Ohio.
The former Intercontinental, United States, and Tag Team Champion returned to the company at Saturday’s Fastlane event as the LWO’s mystery partner in a six-man tag team match against Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits.
Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar of the LWO began the trios match with a two-on-three disadvantage, but Carlito made a late entrance for the bout and picked up the win for his team with a backstabber on Montez Ford.
WWE posted a link to new Carlito merchandise, typically a sign that of a contractual agreement.
Carlito is HERE! Head to #WWEShop and get this NEW tee! #WWE
PWInsider and Fightful are among outlets who have reported that Carlito has been signed to the company for some months and was awaiting creative plans for a debut.
Prior to Fastlane, Carlito’s last WWE appearance came at Backlash in May in Puerto Rico where he Savio Vega, and the LWO helped Bad Bunny secure a victory over Damian Priest.
Carlito was also a surprise entrant in the 2021 Royal Rumble, and worked a tag match on the ensuing Raw. The 44 year-old’s original main roster WWE run lasted from 2004 to 2010.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including AEW and ITV, Battle of the Belts, Carlito perhaps going to WWE, New Japan Strong, Dark Side of the Ring, and full AEW Dynamite and NXT reviews. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: AEW Collision to air on ITV4, Battle of the Belts will return
10:46: Jimmy Jacobs joins AEW, Carlito/WWE speculation
13:20: NJPW Strong Japan tour update, new matches for Forbidden Door
20:25: Graham family episode of Dark Side of the Ring
*AEW All In sets records, and looking at the biggest crowds in pro wrestling history and how this compares, what we’ve earned about ticketing, what records are within reach and what records are not, as well as the biggest crowds ever in Europe and a man named Jim Londos.
*Evaluating the WWE draft. We look at the depth charts of both brands, questions being asked, will the brand split really be what they say (of course it won’t long run), looking at the NXT talent brought up and more.
*A look at WWE business including heavy quotes from Nick Khan and Paul Levesque on the current state of the business, how much WWE is looking a cutting with the merger with UFC, Khan talks about working under Endeavor.
*Levesque talks the booking of talent
*WrestleMania business notes
*How many people watch Raw or Smackdown on a weekly basis, and the number is far more than you think
*Plans for another major overseas event on hold
*WWE Backlash notes
*Looking at the last three months of wrestling numbers and how it compares with television as a whole
*New Japan Dontaku full coverage as well as the next month of New Japan major shows
*Gable Steveson and others who have done pro wrestling and then gone back to amateur wrestling including the top worker of the 80s who the Olympics banned from competing due to an archaic rule
*Full Saturday UFC coverage
*Pro Wrestling NOAH runs Sumo Hall and the matches and angles
*The most detailed look at pro wrestling ratings, as well s where the changes were, competition and what can be learned from them
*CMLL Champion of Champions tournament
*Major League baseball players go to Arena Mexico
*Unique new idea for running pro wrestling shows explained and talks of it going t the U.S.
*Why a world title recently changed hands
*A new jump that hasn’t happened but essentially is about to
*Champion Carnival tournament goes to the finals
*Will Ospreay’s future
*70s and 80s star returning to the ring
*Vikingo goes to Australia
*Lots of changes coming to AEW
*Update on plans for the new and revamped AEW television plans
*Hire of Will Washington
*Update on Double or Nothing show
*Lots of competition of AEW next week
*DVR viewership of AEW
*Advance ticket sales for WWE and AEW shows
*Jon Jones talks future
*Lots of new UFC fights
*Bare Knuckle Boxing business notes
*Bare Knuckle MMA shows coming
*More on gold medalist signing with WWE
*Other gold medalists WWE has signed over the years
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Tuesday Update
WWE
The New York Post is reporting that ESPN is the leading candidate for Pat McAfee’s daily show, as he’s considering leaving his FanDuel deal.
Judge Mark T. Pittman on Tuesday dismissed with prejudice a case in which WWE was sued by a WrestleMania 38 attendee after they allegedly suffered hearing loss at the event.
Valerie Coleman, the wife of Superstar Billy Graham, provided the following update on his health on Facebook: “The doctors are continuing to try and prepare me for the worst. And I continue to explain to them that Wayne and I are people of faith and that our God has the final say. I am not in denial about what’s happening to him or blind to what the medical reports say…I just know that the God I serve is greater than any infection and more powerful than any organ failure. Please pray specifically for his blood cultures to come back clear and for his blood pressure to stabilize. At this time they are providing support to prevent his pressure from plummeting and the fact that his cultures continue to be positive is one of the main reasons they are not very optimistic. They think he may have a heart infection but the test that would confirm that is too dangerous for him. All things are possible with God and there is power when believers come into agreement together. Prayer is incredibly powerful and we need all of your prayers. With my whole heart I give thanks to God for each of you and I am grateful beyond words for you all.”
Carlito on Twitter following his cameo at WWE Backlash: “Well….looks like my Indy booking price just went up!!”
NJPW interviewed Dan Moloney, who will participate in the upcoming Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
With the help of a pair of Puerto Rican wrestling legends, Bad Bunny was victorious at Backlash.
Carlito and Savio Vega both made appearances during Bad Bunny’s street fight against Damian Priest at Saturday night’s pay-per-view in San Juan. Carlito, Vega, and the LWO helped fend off interference by Judgment Day’s Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio.
As Balor and Dominik were beating down Bad Bunny, Rey Mysterio ran out to make the save. Balor and Dominik were able to fight off Rey, but Carlito’s music then hit. Carlito made his way out to a huge pop from the crowd and then worked with Rey to take out Balor and Dominik.
The roof just blew off for the return of CARLITO in Puerto Rico at #WWEBacklash!!!
Balor and Dominik tried to retreat but were stopped by Vega, who also appeared in a backstage segment earlier in the show. Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, and Cruz Del Toro joined Vega in taking Balor and Dominik out of the equation.
That allowed Bad Bunny to defeat Priest, winning the match with a Bunny Destroyer. There were spots where Bad Bunny used a Figure Four and hit a Sliced Bread #2 leading into the finish.
After his victory, Bad Bunny celebrated in the ring with Carlito, Vega, and the LWO.
What a win for Bad Bunny in the San Juan Street Fight at #WWEBacklash!
This was Bad Bunny’s third time competing for WWE. One of the hottest recording artists in the world, he made his in-ring debut by teaming with Priest against The Miz & John Morrison at WrestleMania 37 in 2021. Bad Bunny’s second match was as a surprise entrant in the 2022 men’s Royal Rumble match.
Carlito wrestled tonight on Raw for the first time in ten years.
He teamed with Jeff Hardy to take on Elias and Jaxson Ryker. Hardy scored the win for his team, hitting the swanton bomb after Carlito laid out Elias with the backstabber. Carlito’s previous match on Raw took place on April 12, 2010, in a losing effort against Evan Bourne.
Carlito made a surprise appearance at Sunday’s Royal Rumble event, competing in the men’s Royal Rumble match. He entered at number 8, and was eventually eliminated by Elias, which led to tonight’s match.
Signing with the WWE in 2003, Carlito won the United States title from John Cena in his first televised match on SmackDown the following year. Throughout his WWE career, he would eventually win the Intercontinental title as well as the WWE & World Tag Team titles with his brother Primo.
Carlito was originally advertised for the Legends Night edition of Monday Night Raw that took place last month. However, he didn’t appear at the event.
Dave Meltzer has confirmed that Carlito, Jinder Mahal, and Christian are backstage at tonight’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
Carlito is scheduled to be in the men’s Royal Rumble match. Mahal is a possibility. Carlito originally was contacted earlier this year about attending the Legends Night edition of Monday Night Raw, but did not appear. He was with the company from 2003 through 2010, winning the United States, Intercontinental, and WWE & World Tag Team titles.
Mahal most recently made his return to in-ring action at the Superstar Spectacle, which aired on January 22. He has had several knee injuries that has largely kept him out of action since 2019. He made a brief return on the Raw brand last April, but again was taken out of action following another knee surgery.
Dave Meltzer reports that Christian may be backstage at tonight’s show because of Edge, who will compete in the men’s Royal Rumble. It was announced on last night’s episode of WWE Backstage that Randy Orton and Edge have drawn number one and number two in the Royal Rumble match respectively.
The show opened with Tommy Dreamer welcoming the crowd and thanking everyone for coming. He was interrupted by Muhammed Ali Vaez who wanted a match with Dreamer. He declined and introduced the surprise guest of Hurricane Helms which had a huge reaction and led to a match.
– Hurricane Helms vs. Muhammed Ali Vaez
Decent opening match with a lot of comedy spots. The crowd was doing the Sesame Street Count’s “Ha ha ha” after every near fall, something that occurred sporadically throughout the night. After about 10 minutes, Hurricane won with the chokeslam.
– Syd Parker vs Adam Brooks
This was the match of the night. Parker came out in green face paint with a Mohawk which led to one fan chanting ‘Sheamus’ very loudly for most of the match. Very hard hitting contest with several great spots, turnbuckle suplexes, double stomp from the top rope and a ton of near falls leading to the first “This is awesome” chant. Match ended with the referee turning from the action to tie his shoe, and Parker used green mist on Brooks to set up a double arm ddt for the win.
– The Estate (Cousin Ali, Emanuelle, Gabriel Wolfe, Slade Mercer) vs JXT, Dowie James, Mike Burr, Josh Shooter and Mr Juicy
Fun 10 man tag that was done under lucha like rules with no tags and competitors coming in and out of the ring as one was knocked out. Both teams cleared the ring with by doing multiple uppercuts and splashes in the corners which led to everyone diving one by one from the top rope to the outside. Once the chaos settled down, JXT and Dowie gained control, leading to a german suplex top rope splash combo for the win.
– Bull James (the former Bull Dempsey) vs Mark Silva
Very typical big man match. The crowd got the most out of doing the Bull ShiI chant for his entrance and the same fan who was chanting ‘Sheamus’ earlier was trying to get noticed by Silva by chanting his real last name ‘Commetti’ as his dad is a popular sports commentator in Australia. Neither guy was able to knock the other down until Silva did a variation of the world’s strongest slam on James which was fairly impressive for the win.
– OCW Champion Maddog vs. Cletus Blood
The crowd was really hot for both competitors but more so for Cletus who was smaller and plays an underdog character. Match opened with some basic wrestling which devolved into a brawl. Major spot was a huge super frankensteiner by Cletus with both competitors standing on the top rope in the corner. Once they recovered, Maddog grabbed a chair and lighter fluid, and lit the chair on fire but was countered by Cletus who hit Maddog with the chair.
Maddog recovered by hitting him with a flaming elbow (a piece of material on his elbow caught on fire) and then the flame moved onto a patch on his leg so he hit a flaming leg drop off the top rope. The crowd was very hot for this segment (pardon the pun). Cletus kicked out and made a comeback and getting a roll up for the win and becoming the new OCW champion.
– Mickie James vs Victoria
Decent women’s match with both women playing to the crowd by using their sex appeal (ie. Grabbing their breasts, James winking before clamping on the Last Chancery). Victoria went to hit a standing moonsault and appeared to hurt her leg. It all ended up being part of the show as she hit Mickie from behind. The match ended with James getting the win and Victoria, upset with the referee, hit the Widow’s Peak on the ref after a second attempt as her hands slipped and the ref fell forward the first time.
– Hardcore Match: Tommy Dreamer vs Andy Phoenix vs Krackerjack vs Carlito
Big reactions to start the match for Carlito and Dreamer then a chant for Krackerjack once the match was underway. Andy and Krackerjack squared off with some arm wringing and Tommy and Carlito went to do the same but Carlito ducked out of the ring to start. The match very quickly became a plunder match with each competitor grabbing a weapon: Andy with a chair, Tommy with a cane, Krackerjack with a stapler and Carlito with an apple.
Tommy attacked Andy with the cane and was blocked with the chair, and then Andy went to hit Carlito and he spit the apple in Andy’s face. Krackerjack went to use the stapler and it was reversed and he was stapled himself, then fell out of the ring. When he came back, his face was covered in blood. Dreamer grabbed a ladder and they did several spots in the corner with everyone being run into the ladder.
The match ended with Dreamer being crotched on the ladder laid across the middle rope and Carlito hitting the backstabber from that position for the win. Carlito is the number one contender for the OCW title.
Other Notes:
– MVP and Magnus were unable to gain entry visas to Australia so were unable to attend the show.
– The title match was originally scheduled as a ladder match but the ceiling was too low to stand on top of a ladder.
