Drake Maverick is reportedly back in WWE under a creative role.
PWInsider reported this evening that Maverick, real name James Curtin, has been working behind the scenes on the Raw creative team, starting 3 to 4 weeks ago. Maverick was released by WWE in November as part of wide-ranging talent cuts.
Maverick was originally signed by WWE in 2017, first serving as a general manager for 205 Live and later as the manager for the Authors of Pain. He also was a part of WWE 24/7 title skits, including using his own wedding to set up an angle over the title. He was originally cut in 2020, but after uploading an emotional promo on social media, was re-signed as part of the NXT brand.
Upon re-signing, he was put in a tag team with Killian Dain. When Dain was released last summer, Maverick was called back up to the main roster, usually as part of 24/7 title skits with R-Truth and others.
As pointless as 205 Live often seems, Ikemen Jiro never fails to put a smile on my face. The match itself was ok.
Waller ended a playful back and forth in the opening moments by dumping Jiro onto the ringside floor. A quick lariat cemented control for Waller. Waller then connected with a backbreaker, opening up Jiro’s back for his attention.
Jiro slipped free and connected with light strikes. A moonsault from Jiro resulted in a near fall. Jiro tried for a second, but Waller snuck in a choke. Jiro fought free, but Waller was now back in charge of the match.
Waller hit a cutter for a near fall, then a leg lariat and a spinebuster. After the last near fall, Jiro connected with an Ikemen Slash, basically from left field, leaving Waller out for the count.
Drake Maverick defeated Asher Hale
This match wasn’t what I was expecting at all; it had an authentic air of emotion behind it. Intensity is something desperately missing from 205 Live, and both men had it tonight. Kudos.
Maverick’s return to 205 Live began with an uneventful chain wrestling sequence. Maverick grew frustrated from the exchange, entering an offensive rally; it was passionate but short-lived. Hale threw Maverick shoulder first into the turnbuckles creating an injury Maverick sold for the duration of the match.
After opening Maverick up to injury, Hale began brutalizing Maverick in a very atypical way, at least by 205 Live standards. Hale slammed, stretched, and contorted Maverick in a myriad of ways, drawing the crowd in and encouraging a Maverick comeback.
Hale set Maverick up in the corner, but Maverick sidestepped. The offense that followed from Maverick was passion-filled. He punctuated his sequence with sliced bread, pinning Hale in the following moments.
A look back at all the WWE cuts of the last week, person by person, with the background, what the direction the company is going. We look at where different people would be best served working at next, highlights of their WWE careers, and a lot more about the cuts.
Also in this issue:
A feature on Del Wilkes, known as The Trooper and The Patriot, his drug issues, his multiple arrests, his entire career, his noteworthy college football career, his biggest matches, how he broke in, and days in AWA, Global, All Japan, WCW and WWF, the origin of the idea of The Patriot that few know about, kicking his drug problem, what others have said about it, and his life after wrestling.
A talent move that will be very interesting to watch and long-term repercussions of this move, Great American Bash news, Money in the Bank news, ticket sales for all WWE shows and Breakout Star tournament news
AAA’s biggest show of the year, with a look at the TripleMania lineup, Verano de Escandalo as well, restrictions and angles leading up to the big matches.
This past week’s UFC show with Cyril Gane and Alexander Volkov, the next heavyweight title match, why Gane vs. Derrick Lewis is happening, why it’s a bad idea, plus match-by-match coverage.
All Japan crowning a new Triple Crown champion after Suwama vacated the title due to COVID and the three-way with Jason Lee, Kento Miyahara and Yuma Aoagi, the complete All Japan Ota Ward show.
More detail on the ratings than any other source, we have how every segment on NXT and AEW did with different age groups, genders and more, plus a look at all other wrestling shows of the past week, how many different viewers the shows had, DVR numbers and how long the average fan watches.
Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week.
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
WWE on Twitter sent out well wishes to Terry Funk, who confirmed through representatives that he is going through multiple health issues.
Matches taped prior to Raw for this week’s Main Event include Jeff Hardy vs. Veer and Angel Garza vs. Shelton Benjamin.
John Pollock of Post Wrestling reported that WWE is taping the final episode of Raw at the Thunderdome today.
Eva Marie spoke to Bleacher Report about her WWE return. She mentioned that after being signed back in October, there were times where she was slated to come up prior to vignettes airing in May. “There’s always so many things where creatively, story-wise, there were so many [things] where I was going to come back before ‘Mania, and then I wasn’t,” she was quoted as saying. “Timing is everything, and just making sure it made sense. That’s kind of where it was at where I thought I was returning a lot sooner, and then it didn’t make sense. WrestleMania wasn’t the right moment, and right after wasn’t, either. It was just looking for that right little slot to insert the storyline and create it and start it.”
A match between Quinn McKay and Mandy Leon has been set for two weeks from now on ROH television. If McKay wins, she will be entered into the Quest for Gold tournament.
Cody Rhodes, when asked about WWE continuing to use The Great American Bash name, responded on Twitter: “Business is business. They have the rights to many of Dusty’s greatest creations. My hope is that they do them justice and I will never be bitter about his legacy being honored and a whole new generation seeing he was a genius w/lasting concepts.”
Don West on Twitter regarding his recent brain lymphoma diagnosis: “I know that I am going through a tough deal but seeing all of your well wishes has boosted my spirit tremendously. Thank you to everyone for your support and your prayers and your kindness and I am going to beat this cancer so that I can go on the air again.”
On the All Night Long podcast, the former Killian Dain revealed that both he and Drake Maverick tested positive for COVID during their run as a tag team, causing he, his wife Nikki Cross, and Maverick to isolate. “There was a period where we were supposed to do something with the Undisputed ERA. We did one little thing with them, but boom. I have COVID,” he recalled. “I don’t even have symptoms. That takes [Nikki Cross] off TV, she was doing a thing with Bayley. She didn’t get [COVID-19], but she had to isolate.”
Shota Umino, who has been out of action during the course of the pandemic, will make his in-ring return to RevPro on July 18 when he faces Dan Moloney.
The NWA released a video called Race To The Chase, highlighting their upcoming show at the Chase Park Plaza.
Cezar Bononi will make his GCW debut on the second night of GCW Homecoming on July 25.
Regarding trademarks, Matt Cardona has filed to trademark the term “Major Bendies.” Ruby Riott, who is now going under the name Ruby Soho, has filed to trademark “The Runaway.” The former Vanessa Borne has trademarked “The Fetish,” and Lady Frost has filed to trademark her in-ring name.
Chris Adonis spoke to Metro on drawing the ire of Hardcore Holly early in his WWE career.
Wrestle Zone spoke to Chuck Palumbo on his new YouTube series and his run as a professional wrestler.
Danhausen is the guest on this week’s Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette.
Tonight’s NXT is the final stop before TakeOver: In Your House.
Sunday’s TakeOver event will be headlined by Karrion Kross defending his NXT Championship against Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano, and Adam Cole in a fatal five-way match. Tonight, Kross and his challengers will take part in a face-off segment.
Ember Moon is challenging for Raquel Gonzalez’s NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver. As part of the final build to that match, Moon will face Gonzalez’s tag team partner Dakota Kai tonight.
Ted DiBiase is set to make what WWE is hyping up as a “Priceless Announcement” on tonight’s show. The announcement will relate to Cameron Grimes and LA Knight’s match at TakeOver. Grimes and Knight are each vying for DiBiase to choose them to be the wrestler to carry on his Million Dollar legacy.
Also on tonight’s NXT, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott will face Killian Dain, Oney Lorcan will take on Austin Theory, and music artist Poppy will make an appearance.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with a grudge match. Johnny Gargano & Pete Dunne got in a brawl earlier today, and their stablemates also got into it. Thus, the opening match tonight on NXT.
Oney Lorcan defeated Austin Theory
Lorcan pinned Theory after a uranage. Theory was distracted by Dunne & Gargano brawling at ringside. Good match with a finish that was very WWE.
Both had a lot of fire at the start. Not sure who the fans are supposed to cheer for, but shades of grey I guess. The match itself was action-packed with Theory doing some cool moves, and Lorcan being vicious in return.
Hard chops during the match. When the fight spilled outside, they again traded chops. Lorcan tripped Thoery, and Theory bumped on the apron. Pete Dunne soon walked down to ringside as the show cut to a commercial break. Lorcan worked over Theory’s back during the break, and Lorcan seemed still in control as the show returns. Theory suddenly popped up to deliver a blockbuster, which began to turn the tide.
Theory clothesloned Lorcan out of the ring. Lorcan in return threw Theory outside the ring a moment later. Theory fired up at ringside, and he explodes with offense. In the wildest move of the match, Theory springboarded into a Spanish Fly.
Johnny Gargano came to ringside, and he brawled with Dunne. Officials poured out to separate them. Theory was distracted by the melee, allowing Lorcan to smash Theory’s head into the top turnbuckle. Lorcan then gave Theory a uranage slam, and Lorcan covered him for a pinfall.
A vignette featured LA Knight basically doing a spoof of MTV Cribs. For us older fans, this was similar to the Million Dollar Man segment on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Here in 2021, Knight was at a big house on the beach, and two women were hanging with him in a hot tub. They laughed at his jokes, even when he was far from funny. Knight cut promos on Ted DiBiase, and then Knight drove away in a sports car.
Dok Hendrix (Michael Hayes) was back on WWE television to run down an In Your House card like it was 1995. Dok, here in 2021, looked like he borrowed a hat from Cameron Grimes. Running down the card for TakeOver: In Your House, Dok plugged the following matches (in order as he listed them):
NXT Women’s Championship: Raquel Gonzalez vs. Ember Moon
Cameron Grimes vs. LA Knight
Mercedes Martinex vs. Xia Li
Fatal Five Way for the NXT Championship: Karrion Kross (with Scarlett) vs. Adam Cole vs. Pete Dunne vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Kyle O’Reilly
Another match for TakeOver was set up in the next segment.
El Legado del Fantasma were in the ring for a promo. Santos Escobar was very angry with NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed, so Reed came out to interrupt him. Reed joked about squashing Escobar last week with a splash, and Reed had a replay shown on a video screen. Reed got in the ring to confront him, and NXT Tag Team Champions MSK ran down to back up Reed.
Escobar challenged Reed and MSK to a trios match where all the champions titles are on the line. Both the North American and the Tag Team titles are on the line in a “winner takes all” six-man tag match at TakeOver. Reed and MSK quickly agreed to the match, and then Reed threw to the clip of Escobar getting squashed by the splash.
Hit Row entered the scene for a match. They walked past Legado del Fantasma, and the two factions glared at each other.
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott (with Hit Row) defeated Killian Dain (with Drake Maverick)
Scott pinned Dain after Dain was distracted by Hit Row. Another good match with another lame distraction finish. Very on brand for WWE.
Dain was getting the better of Scott, until Scott powdered outside. Top Dolla caused a distraction, which allowed Scott to jump Dain with a sneak attack. Dain fought back to drop Scott with a lariat. Hit Row created another distraction. This time B-Fab distracted Dain, and Scott capitalized to work over Dain.
Dain hulked up to trade strikes with Scott. Dain began to manhandle him. Scott springboarded on the ropes, flipped upside down, and he landed on his feet. Dain then met Scott with a flying crossbody for a two count.
Scott went on to counter Dain, and Scott delivered a flatliner and a jumping kick. Dain came back with power moves. Ashante “Thee” Adonis tried to interfere, but Maverick made a save to stop him. Top Dolla then grabbed Maverick, and Top Dolla dropped Maverick on the apron with a Death Valley Driver.
Dain was distracted by Maverick being attacked, and Scott struck after measuring Dain. Scott with a leaping kick, and then he covered Dain for a three count.
Poppy arrived at the building. Candice LeRae was not happy. She was vocalizing her anger over Poppy alongside her NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship partner, Indi Hartwell. While LeRae was angry with a singer, Hartwell was sure Dexter Lumis was still in love with her. Hartwell ran off to find Lumis.
Cameron Grimes in a vignette made his case for why he sould carry on the legacy of the Million Dollar Man. He was at a big house like Knight was earlier, but Grimes was way more entertaining during his MTV Cribs segment. He vowed to take the Million Dollar Man’s legacy to… the… moon.
Mercedes Martinez won a squash match
Xia Li attacked Martinez before the match. Li and Martinez brawled at ringside until they were separated by officials. Martinez rolled into the ring to face an unnamed opponent. She charged towards Martinex, and she ran into an knee strike by Martinez. Followed by an Air Raid Crash, Martinex scored a pinfall.
Breezango cut a promo on Imperium. Looks like a tag team in the making soon enough.
Triple H and William Regal were backstage with Poppy. The two executives were gushing over Poppy and her music. Triple H asked when Poppy’s album drops? Poppy said “right now” before she pulled out her cellphone. Poppy tapped a button, and the album was dropped on the WWE Universe. Triple H was amazed at technology. Then things got weird.
Dexter Lumis approached Poppy with a picture he had drawn of her. Poppy was so happy with the picture she gave Lumis a hug. Indi Hartwell walked just in time to see Lumis and Poppy embracing with a hug. Hartwell was very upset by this, and she ran away in tears.
“Priceless Announcement” by The Million Dollar Man
Camreon Grimes and LA Knight arrived the building for their segment with Ted DiBiase. They did a lot of comedy, with each trying to upstage the other. They entered the CWC to join DiBiase in the ring.
DiBiase said this Sunday was an ultimate test, and it was time for them to “climb the ladder of success.” DiBiase laughed his evil laugh as a ladder painted gold was lowered into the ring from the ceiling. DiBiase indictaed there would indeed be a ladder match.
Knight cut a promo running down Grimes, and Grimes responded with a promo of his own. Grimes grew more animated before he ripped off his sports jacket, and he took off his fancy watch. Grimes climbed the ladder, and he vowed to go TO THE MOON!
Grimes asked what he was reaching for, and a briefcase was brought into the ring by guards. Inside the case was the Millon Dollar Championship belt. So, Grimes vs. Knight is now a ladder match for the Million Dollar Championship.
Ever-Rise annnouced they are hosting the pre-pre-show, whatever that is.
Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) defeated August Grey and Ikemen Jiro
Gibson pinned Grey to win the bout. This was basically an enchancement match. Jiro wrestled in a sports coat, which you don’t see every day. Gibson tried to rip off the jacket, and Jiro fired up. Not for long, as Grizzled Young Veterans went to work targeting a Jiro’s leg.
Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher came down to ringside with folding chairs. They sat down to watch the match. Grey was able to catch the Vets slipping while they were distracted by the guests at ringside.
Grey was soon cut off, and he was given a Ticket to Mayhem. Gibson then covered Grey for a pinfall.
Grizzled Young Veterans exchanged words with Ciampa & Thatcher. This sets up a Texas Tornado match for next Tuesday on NXT.
Bobby Fish has his sights set on Oney Lorcan.
Io Shirai returns
Candice LeRae storms into the ring still upset by Poppy being there tonight. LeRae cut a promo on Poppy. Notably, LeRae in her speech acknowledged Hartwell and Lumis as a couple, referring to them was “In-Dex” in doing so. Putting heat on Poppy, LeRae blamed her for Hartwell leaving the building tonight.
Poppy entered the CWC, and she got a full entrance like she was wrestling superstar. Poppy said she doesn’t wrestle, but she knows someone who does. Cue the theme music of Io Shirai, and she returns to NXT!
Shirai rushed into the ring, and she attacked LeRae. After a Tiger Feint Kick, Shirai delivered a missile dropkick that sent LeRae rolling out of the ring. Shirai stood tall alongside Poppy as LeRae backpedaled out of the arena.
Dok Hendrix is back with a “Slam Jam Update” talking abou the new matches announceded for TakeOver on Sunday. Dok ran down the full card.
Ember Moon defeated Dakota Kai (with NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez) via disqualification
Gonzalez interfered for the DQ. Good match, but very lame finish.
Evenly matched at the start until Kai gained an advantage with an underhanded tactic. Kai twice with a face wash, and Moon was in peril. Moon soon hulked up, and Moon proceeded to clean house on Kai ahead of a near fall.
Kai cut off Moon, and Moon was rammed into the ring post before a commercial break. Moon sold throughout the commercials, but Moon was making a comeback when the show returned from the break. Moon was running wild on Kai, but Kai fought back with kicks.
Moon with a wickedly cool version of a modified stunner. Kai countered with a Bladerunner for a two count. Kai with a Kawada kicks and a face wash for another near fall. Moon countered Kai to deliver a powerbomb for count of two and a half.
Gonzalez at ringside tried to attack Moon, but Moon rocked the champ with a punch. Moon with a tope suicida won both Gonzalez and Kai. Moon followed up by climbing the turnbuckles, seemingly going for her finisher. Gonzalez jumped into the ring, and she booted Moon off the ropes. The referee called for a DQ as Gonzalez checked on Kai.
Once again Gonzalez saved Kai from near defeat, which continues a developing backstory for down the road.
Fatal Five Face-Off Go-Home
NXT Champion Karrion Kross & Scarlett cut a promo ahead of the closing segment. After a commercial break, the champion is in the ring with William Regal for a face-off segment.
Regal was trying to lay the law down with Kross, but Kross was having none of it. Kross said NXT has been out of control for a long time. Kross said he was not leaving until “the four of them” (meaning his challengers at TakeOver) come down to “get their asses kicked.”
Kyle O’Reilly was the first to answer the call. O’Reilly cut a promo that concluded with him saying, “It’s a matter of time before a guy like me walks down here and takes that title from you.”
Johnny Gagrano appeared at ringside sarcastically saying those were some “sick burns” by O’Reilly. Gargano made fun of O’Reilly blue jean jacket. Gargano stood on the announce table to cut a promo on Kross. Somewhere in this all, Kross called Gargano a “mark.”
Out next is Pete Dunne to interrupt. Dunne said he was sick of all the talking, and he was tired of waiting around. Adam Cole appeared on the video scree, and he called the rest of them “chumps.” Cole cut another harsh promo on Kross for the second week in a row.
O’Reilly called Cole a “bitch” for not being there in person. O’Reilly said that was not himself. Kross asked O’Reilly who he is, and O’Reilly responded by slapping Kross in the face. A brawl erupted as the always inept security detail tried to break up the fight.
Kross suplexed everybody like he was Taz in 1996. Security grabbed Kross and held him, which allowed Gargano to superkick him. Dunne also attacked Kross. O’Reilly jumped into the melee, and he stood tall for a few seconds. Kross mowed down O’Reilly with an forearm strike from behind.
Standing tall with the title belt held overhead, Kross was celebrating when he was blindsides by Adam Cole. He was in the building after all. Cole superkicked Kross, and then Cole delivered a Last Shot on the champ.
Cole picked up the NXT title belt, and Cole held the belt over his head. Cole once again stands tall, but who will leave TakeOver as the champion?
Two tag team matches have been added to tonight’s episode of NXT.
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will be in action tonight as they face The Robert Stone Brand’s Aliyah & Jessi Kamea in a non-title match. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain will also take on Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner on tonight’s show.
WWE uploaded an interview with Robert Stone, Aliyah, and Kamea ahead of tonight’s NXT. Stone vowed that Aliyah & Kamea would defeat Blackheart & Moon and become the official number one contenders to the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles. Aliyah said she and Kamea can’t wait to show the world that they can defeat Blackheart & Moon twice.
Indi Hartwell said on last week’s NXT that William Regal had agreed to give her and Candice LeRae a shot at Blackheart & Moon’s NXT Women’s Tag Team titles, but when Hartwell & LeRae will be getting their title shot wasn’t announced.
Barthel & Aichner defeated Ever-Rise on NXT last week. After being attacked by Imperium earlier this month, Dain came out to ringside and confronted Imperium’s Alexander Wolfe during Barthel & Aichner’s match against Ever-Rise. But when Maverick then ran out and went to fight with Wolfe, Dain carried Maverick away. Dain and Maverick argued in a post-show video and Maverick asked Dain if he was going to join Imperium. Dain told Maverick no and walked away.
Dain and Wolfe were formerly stablemates in SAnitY.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s NXT:
Sit-down interview with Adam Cole
Bronson Reed vs. Austin Theory (if Reed wins, he gets a future shot at Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship)
Mercedes Martinez vs. Dakota Kai
Kushida & MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon vs. Aliyah & Jessi Kamea
Drake Maverick & Killian Dain vs. Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian AIchner)
New number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team titles were decided on tonight’s TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two pre-show.
Killian Dain & Drake Maverick defeated Breezango to become number one contenders on tonight’s pre-show. WWE has not announced when Dain & Maverick will be getting their shot at MSK’s NXT Tag Team titles.
Maverick pinned Tyler Breeze in tonight’s match after hitting a top rope hurricanrana and being powerbombed onto Breeze by Dain.
MSK’s Wes Lee & Nash Carter claimed the vacant NXT Tag Team titles yesterday on night one of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, defeating Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) and Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde). The titles had been held previously by Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan, but were vacated after Burch suffered a shoulder injury on the March 17 episode of NXT. William Regal announced that the titles were officially vacated in a tweet on March 23.
Breezango are former NXT Tag Team champs themselves, having held the title from August 2020 to October 2020.
A number one contender’s match is set for tonight’s NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver pre-show.
WWE has announced that Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango) vs. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain will take place on tonight’s TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two pre-show. The winner will get a shot at the NXT Tag Team titles, but WWE hasn’t revealed when that title match will be taking place.
At night one of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) defeated The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) and Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) in a triple threat match to win the NXT Tag Team titles. The NXT Tag Team titles were vacant going into that match. Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan had to relinquish the titles last month after Burch suffered a separated shoulder.
On their way to winning this year’s men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, MSK defeated Maverick & Dain in the second round of the tournament.
The TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two pre-show will begin at 7 p.m. Eastern time tonight. The pre-show will air live on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network everywhere else, along with airing on WWE’s social media platforms. Tonight’s main card is airing live on Peacock in the U.S. and the WWE Network elsewhere. It will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Here’s the updated card for tonight’s show:
NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two —
NXT Champion Finn Balor defends against Karrion Kross
Unsanctioned match: Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly
Ladder match to determine undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion: Jordan Devlin vs. Santos Escobar
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano defends against Bronson Reed
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defend against Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell
Tag team number one contender’s match: Breezango vs. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain (pre-show)
WWE has made four new match announcements for this week’s episode of NXT.
Karrion Kross vs. Oney Lorcan, NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin vs. Kushida in a non-title match, NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER vs. Drake Maverick in a non-title match, and Bronson Reed vs. LA Knight have all been added to the card for this Wednesday’s NXT.
Kross vs. Lorcan and Reed vs. Knight were both set up by messages that were sent to NXT general manager William Regal. After Regal announced that the NXT Tag Team titles have been declared vacant due to Burch suffering a separated shoulder, Lorcan sent out a tweet blaming Kross for Burch’s injury. Lorcan told Regal to give him a match against Kross.
Burch suffered the separated shoulder while he and Lorcan were defending their NXT Tag Team titles against Kross & NXT Champion Finn Balor last week. Lorcan & Burch retained after Kross attacked Balor during the match. Right before being attacked by Kross, Balor had hit a dropkick on Lorcan that knocked Scarlett down. Balor is defending his NXT Championship against Kross at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two on Thursday, April 8.
Knight posted a video on Tuesday night telling Regal that he wants a match against Reed. Reed then responded and said he wants the match as well. Reed said Knight stuck his nose in Reed’s business first by costing him a match against Cameron Grimes three weeks ago. This will be the second match that Knight (formerly known as Eli Drake) has had in NXT. On last week’s episode, Knight made his NXT in-ring debut by defeating August Grey.
Devlin vs. Kushida was announced after Kushida answered an open challenge that was issued by Devlin. At TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, NXT Cruiserweight Champions Devlin and Santos Escobar are facing off in a title unification match.
WWE uploaded video of an angle on Tuesday where Maverick was looking for Killian Dain and barged into Imperium’s locker room questioning them. WALTER took a weapon out of Maverick’s hands and asked him who he thinks he is. WALTER told Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner that he’ll take care of the problem with Maverick on Wednesday’s NXT.
Last week, WALTER returned to NXT for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. He laid out Tommaso Ciampa on the episode.
Here’s the updated lineup for this week’s NXT:
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defend against Aliyah & Jessi Kamea
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai & Zoey Stark vs. Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai
Karrion Kross vs. Oney Lorcan
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin vs. Kushida in a non-title match
NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER vs. Drake Maverick in a non-title match
Bronson Reed vs. LA Knight
NXT general manager William Regal will announce a solution for Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly’s issues and will declare the consequences for their recent attacks on each other
Regal will also give an update on the situation with the vacant NXT Tag Team titles
In the opening stretch, Adonis gained a few moments of control. Daivari would respond with some light offence before a dropkick from Adonis provided an opening to scale to the top rope. At the top, Daivari laid out Adonis, sending him crashing back to the mat.
After the fall, Daivari and Adonis traded strikes; Adonis emerged from the exchange victorious. A sidestep subverted Daivari’s attempt at saving his momentum. A crossbody and a near fall from Adonis followed.
Adonis tried again for a move, but this time overshot Daivari. Adonis sold his leg upon landing, prompting Daivari to rush in; Adonis stopped the rush with a sudden spinebuster. However, Adonis was unable to follow up as a quick dropkick to the injured leg left Daivari back in control.
Daivari then hit the hammerlock lariat but intentionally interrupted his own pin that would have granted him a win. Daivari then taunted his all but defeated opponent before slowly climbing to the top rope from where he lept, delivering the Persian splash. Daivari laid into the pin lackadaisically, giving Adonis enough breathing room to not only escape but transform it into a pin of his own, a pin that Daivari was unable to break.
This was fine. Nothing spectacular, but focused enough to deliver an entertaining watch.
Jake Atlas defeated Tony Nese
Nese and Atlas proved to be on equal footing in the opening moments. After trading holds and reversals, Atlas took Nese to the mat with an arm drag and controlled said arm for some time. Nese eventually found the ropes, and the break gave him space and the correct timing to connect with a running hotshot.
Nese dragged Atlas to the outside before repeatedly driving him into the apron of the ring. Back inside the ropes, Nese stomped on Atlas’s body before taking him to the mat with body scissors. As Atlas struggled to free himself from Nese’s control, Nese connected with a suplex. The momentary spacing created by the manoeuvre seemed to allow Atlas back into the match, but Nese stopped any momentum Atlas was gaining with a devastating roundhouse kick.
Nese hoisted Atlas into the torture rack. Atlas not only escaped the submission but quickly turned it into a brainbuster; A standing moonsault and a near fall punctuated the Atlas rally that followed.
Atlas tried for a sunset flip, but Nese blocked it. Nese connected with a swift kick to the temple and a springboard moonsault resulting in another Nese near fall. Nese then insulted Atlas, triggering a melee which turned into a counter exchange. Atlas connected with a lariat and a cartwheel DDT before pinning Nese.
This was quite good. Atlas is a part of a rare breed of true babyfaces, and Nese his perfect heel complement.
Two teams that took part in this year’s men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic are set for action on Wednesday’s episode of NXT.
WWE has announced that The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) vs. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain will take place on this week’s NXT episode. It will be the first time each team has wrestled since their respective losses in the Dusty Classic.
The Grizzled Young Veterans made it to the finals of the men’s Dusty Classic but lost to MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day earlier this month. Gibson & Drake defeated Ever-Rise (Chase Parker & Matt Martel), Kushida & Leon Ruff, and Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher in the first three rounds of the tournament.
Maverick & Dain defeated Curt Stallion & August Grey in the first round of the Dusty Classic but lost to MSK in the quarterfinals.
This was the second straight year that The Grizzled Young Veterans lost in the Dusty Classic finals. Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne defeated Gibson & Drake to win the 2020 tournament.
Here’s the updated lineup for this week’s NXT:
After turning against Kyle O’Reilly and attacking NXT Champion Finn Balor, Adam Cole will explain his actions
Non-title no DQ match: Karrion Kross vs. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar
Non-title match: NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano vs. Dexter Lumis
Xia Li vs. Kacy Catanzaro
The Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain
Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defeated Gigi Dolin & Cora Jade
205 Live’s first women’s match began with a typical tag team open; a headlock and a pair of quick tags. Jade gained control over LeRae. LeRae took advantage following a Hartwell distraction. Hartwell tagged into the match, landed a sidewalk slam, and tagged LeRae back in.
Jade rocked LeRae with a forearm and secured the hot tag. Hartwell tagged in only to be on the receiving end of Dolin’s leg kicks punctuated with a punt. Jade then rejoined the match, but Hartwell immediately retook control.
LeRae, now legal, and Jade traded back and forth rollups. Jade’s last kick out sent LeRae crashing into her own corner, allowing Hartwell to tag back in. Hartwell then dropped Jade with a spinning sidewalk slam and pinned her.
This was a wholly ordinary match. It was entirely by the numbers with nothing special going on, but seeing as it only exists to further the tournament, it could have been worse.
Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa defeated Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari
Thatcher started the match by taking Daivari straight to the mat. After being contorted in one hundred ways, Daivari managed to tag Nese into the match; Thatcher then took Nese straight to the mat. Ciampa tagged in and continued the ground work on Nese.
Nese forced Ciampa into his corner, and with aid from Daivari, took the advantage for his team. A quick takedown left Ciampa tied up against the turnbuckle post; Daivari relentlessly whipped the legs of Ciampa into the metal beam. A Daivari figure-four leglock in the middle of the ring left Ciampa in deep water.
Daivari lost control of the legs, which allowed Ciampa to gain a quick tag. Nese tried to maintain control for his team, but Thatcher hit the ring with ferocity. Suplexes and uppercuts left both of his opponents downed, but eventually, the numbers proved to be too much. Nese connected with a running hotshot followed by a moonsault. Daivari then hit the Persian splash for a near fall.
Following the kick out, Thatcher reached the corner for a tag. Ciampa then took on both of his opponents, just as Thatcher did moments prior, and again the numbers proved to be too much. This time things played out differently; however, as Thatcher joined in even the odds. After a quick locking of eyes and a look of understanding between Ciampa and Thatcher, Ciampa hit Willow’s Bell on Nese and pinned him in the middle of the ring.
This was a strong match. It played well off of everyone’s strengths and came together under a nice bow.
The quarterfinals of the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will kick off on NXT next week.
WWE has announced that the next round of the men’s Dusty Classic will begin with MSK vs. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain and The Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Kushida & Leon Ruff taking place on NXT next Wednesday. Kushida & Ruff advanced in the tournament by defeating NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory in a first round match on NXT tonight.
MSK and The Grizzled Young Veterans both won first round matches on last week’s NXT, while Maverick & Dain advanced by winning a first round match on last Friday’s 205 Live. MSK made their debut by defeating Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas, The Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Ever-Rise, and Maverick & Dain defeated Curt Stallion & August Grey.
MSK were formerly known as The Rascalz. Dezmond Xavier’s new in-ring name is Wes Lee and Zachary Wentz is now Nash Carter.
There’s still one first round match remaining in the men’s Dusty Classic. Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari vs. Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Desmond Troy had been announced for this week’s 205 Live, but it was said that Adonis isn’t cleared to compete in the match after losing to Karrion Kross on NXT tonight. Kross also put Troy in the Kross Jacket after that match.
The Nese & Daivari vs. Adonis & Troy winner was set to face Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong in the quarterfinals. WWE uploaded a post-NXT video tonight where — after their Fight Pit match against each other — Tommaso Ciampa told Timothy Thatcher that he’s heard there’s an opening in the Dusty Classic
Cole & Strong, Kushida & Ruff, and The Grizzled Young Veterans have advanced to the quarterfinals from the left side of the bracket. MSK, Maverick & Dain, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado, and Legado Del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde have advanced from the right side of the bracket. The team that wins the tournament will get the Dusty Cup and a shot at Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles.
Next Wednesday’s NXT will also feature NXT Champion Finn Balor & Kyle O’Reilly facing Lorcan & Burch in a non-title match and NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar defending his title against Curt Stallion.
The first round of the Dusty Classic will continue with Killian Dain & Drake Maverick vs. Curt Stallion & August Grey and The Bollywood Boyz (Samir & Sunil Singh) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) airing on 205 Live this Friday night. 205 Live premieres on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Fridays.
It had been announced last week that some of the first round of the Dusty Classic would be held on 205 Live.
The Dusty Classic kicked off with three matches taking place on this week’s NXT. Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong defeated Breezango, the debuting MSK defeated Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas, and The Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Ever-Rise. MSK were formerly known as The Rascalz’s Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz.
The full bracket for the Dusty Classic was unveiled on Wednesday. The team that wins the tournament will receive the Dusty Cup and a shot at Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles.
The NXT Tag Team titles will be on the line in a street fight this coming Wednesday night.
WWE has announced that NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch will defend their titles against Killian Dain & Drake Maverick in a street fight on Wednesday’s NXT. Both teams were part of a four-way brawl on the most recent episode of NXT.
Lorcan & Burch accompanied Pete Dunne to the ring for his match against Kyle O’Reilly on NXT this week. O’Reilly was accompanied by Adam Cole & Roderick Strong. But before the bell rang, Dain & Maverick attacked Lorcan & Burch and a brawl broke out. Cole & Strong and Breezango also got involved and the four teams brawled to the back.
Pat McAfee, Dunne, Lorcan & Burch interrupted a match between Dain & Maverick and Ever-Rise on NXT last month. Dain ended up having a car door slammed into his head by Dunne. Dain lost to Dunne on NXT last week after being distracted by Lorcan & Burch attacking Maverick at ringside.
Lorcan & Burch have been NXT Tag Team Champions since aligning with McAfee and winning the titles from Breezango on the October 21 episode of NXT.
For this coming Wednesday’s show, WWE has also announced that NXT Champion Finn Balor and O’Reilly will “both take a special look back” at their title match from TakeOver 31. Balor retained against O’Reilly in that match but broke his jaw in two places. O’Reilly defeated Dunne on NXT this week to become the number one contender to the NXT Championship. O’Reilly will challenge Balor for the title at NXT New Year’s Evil on Wednesday, January 6.
Here’s the updated lineup for Wednesday’s NXT:
A Very Gargano Christmas
NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch defend against Killian Dain & Drake Maverick in a street fight
NXT Champion Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly look back at their title match from TakeOver 31
A look at the different directions Brock Lesnar could go is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer. We look at the money he can generate for a fight with Jon Jones, the reality about his trying to fight today, why he’s a free agent right now, what Tony Khan said about Lesnar, and why, unless Dana White isn’t telling the truth, it’s unlikely he will fight. Plus we’ve got comments by both White and Scott Coker on fights they would want to make if he does want to fight.
Also in this issue:
Positive COVID tests of Dwayne Johnson, A.J. Styles, Kevin Nash, Glover Teixeira and others that came out this week.
Payback, including the genesis of the Roman Reigns heel turn, the Rey Mysterio injury, the booking of the show, plus poll results and star ratigns.
New Japan at Jingu Stadium, including Tetsuya Naito growing up going to the stadium, all three-time IWGP champions, most IC tilte runs in Japan, business notes, plans for the tour going on this weeeknd, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
The departure of Mauro Ranallo from WWE, looking and his five years in the company, his background prior to the company, what old and new projects he’s expected to work on, and why he left.
The NXT title Iron Man match, next Takeover shows, Rey Mysterio television cartoon show, Paul Levesque stock sales, Levesque talks UK brnad, more on different allegations against WWE talent, returns of peope who have sit time out, change to Payback, Charlotte Flair news, Renee Young talks leaving WWE, Styles talks Heyman, lots of TV ratings updates internationally, new member of WWE Board of Directors, WWE market value and the most watched shows of the past week on WWE Network.
This past week’s UFC show.
Bio of Tom Anderson, who wrestled as The Claw and one half of the Masked Interns tag team. We look at two of the most tasteless angles in wrestiling that he was involved in, how one failed miserably and how the other was a huge business success. This includes the death of Alberto Torres, the heyday of the The Interns, the history of the masked doctors tag team and where it all came from, and classic stories involving Paul “Bear” Bryant, Ken Ramey, Lonnie Mayne, Beauregarde and what top promoter wouldn’t use the Interns and Ramey and why.
The life and career of Ric Drason, from bodybuilding to wrestling, including what two AEW stars he started, the glory days of Gold’s Gym in Santa Monica and the characters involved, his art work that sold millions of T-shirts, how one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time got his name from him, and why he had chacnes to be a star and the reason he never was.
A major change in how television ratings are done and how this is expectede to impact sports the most.
A comparison of the last week of AEW with competition and the show this past week where the only television competition was a replay show. We look at how this impacted every audience, what the audience numbers are likely to be for a regular unopposed Wednesday for AEW or NXT, and go in depth as to both sides of why WWE and USA would or would not want to move NXT. We also look at the huge change in the AEW audience from 8/12 to 9/2. We also have how the audience ebbed and flowed during the Iron Man match.
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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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
On his Twitch stream, AJ Styles said WWE wants him and other performers to continue streaming, saying “From the contacts that I’ve had, the information I got is WWE does want us to interact with our fans, and that means streaming. They want this to happen. They want you to have a YouTube channel. There are things they want you to do and be able to do, and what we knew was a little vague at first.”
Bonnie Hammer, who previously served as chair of NBCUniversal Content Studios, has now taken the role as vice chairman of the company.
Vic Joseph will join Corey Graves this week on WWE After the Bell.
In a clip posted after last night’s NXT, Robert Stone announced that Mercedez Martinez was no longer a part of the Robert Stone Brand. Martinez was later presented with a restraining order from Stone.
In another clip posted online, Drake Maverick told Killian Dain that he had spoken to William Regal and next week they’d be teaming to take on the Undisputed Era. Dain wasn’t happy and punched Maverick before walking away.
Josiah Williams is back with NXT after being furloughed in April.
Triple H wrote on Twitter following last night’s Rhea Ripley vs. Martinez steel cage match main event: “#RESPECT to both of these women. An incredible main event to end a huge episode of #WWENXT. Congratulations to everyone for #NXTSuperTuesday II.”
Gary Cassidy of SportsKeeda reported that the WWE Live UK tour has been rescheduled to April/May 2021.
In an interview that will be uploaded tomorrow, Chris Van Vliet speaks to former presidential candidate Andrew Yang about WWE’s treatment of independent contractors, growing up as a wrestling fan, Yang’s thoughts on AEW, his favorite match of all time, and more.
Vince McMahon was on a list of 25 billionaires that dropped off the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans. He fell short of the $2.1 billion needed to make the list, with his net worth being $1.8 billion. Shad Khan made the list at #66 with a net worth of $7.8 billion.
Xavier Woods has been nominated for an esports content creator of the year award.
Killer Kelly has announced her engagement to wXw trainer Alexander James.
MMA
Randy Couture underwent surgery as a result of a ATV accident on Monday. The surgery put two plates on Couture’s shoulder. Mindy Robinson, Couture’s girlfriend, had minor injuries.
Dustin Poirier told ESPN that he would be ‘in’ to face Tony Ferguson at UFC 254 if the price is right.
