Ember Moon will officially be on Team Shotzi at NXT TakeOver: WarGames.
WWE posted a video today confirming that Moon will be one of Shotzi Blackheart’s partners in this year’s women’s WarGames match. Blackheart, Moon, and two partners will face Team Candice (Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez & Toni Storm) in WarGames.
Storm turned heel by attacking Moon on last week’s episode of NXT. Storm acted like she was coming to Moon’s aid, but she then attacked Moon and threw her into the ring so LeRae, Kai, and Gonzalez could beat her down.
It appears that Blackheart and Moon’s partners for WarGames will be NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai and Rhea Ripley. Team Candice laid out Shirai and attacked Ripley on last week’s NXT.
On NXT this Wednesday, Blackheart is facing Gonzalez to determine which team will get the entrance order advantage in WarGames.
NXT TakeOver: WarGames is taking place next Sunday (December 6). Here’s the updated card for the show:
WarGames match: Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish) vs. Team McAfee (Pat McAfee, Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch)
WarGames match: Team Shotzi (Shotzi Blackheart, Ember Moon, and two partners to be announced) vs. Team Candice (Candice LeRae; Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez & Toni Storm)
NXT North American Champion Leon Ruff defends his title against Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest in a triple threat match
WWE has revealed most of the lineup for tonight’s episode of NXT.
In an email promoting tonight’s show, WWE advertised that the following will take place on NXT tonight:
– A member of Undisputed Era vs. Pete Dunne (w/ Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch) in a ladder match for the WarGames advantage
Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish) are facing Team McAfee (Pat McAfee, Dunne, Lorcan & Burch) in the men’s WarGames match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames on Sunday, December 6. WWE hasn’t revealed which Undisputed Era member will be taking part in tonight’s ladder match.
– The KO Show with NXT North American Champion Leon Ruff
Along with hosting the KO Show segment, Kevin Owens is doing guest commentary for tonight’s NXT. He’s filling in for Wade Barrett on the show.
In a shocking title change, Ruff won the NXT North American Championship from Johnny Gargano on NXT two weeks ago. Ruff got the win after Gargano was distracted by Damian Priest. A rematch between Ruff and Gargano took place on NXT last week, but it ended in a disqualification when Priest punched Ruff so Gargano wouldn’t win the title.
Ruff slapped Priest in the face after being upset about Priest treating him like a joke. Later in the show, Gargano attacked Priest. Ruff then got involved and got the better of a three-way brawl with Gargano and Priest.
– Ember Moon vs. Candice LeRae (w/ Indi Hartwell)
LeRae and three partners will face Shotzi Blackheart and three partners in this year’s women’s WarGames match at TakeOver. Moon & Toni Storm defeated Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez last Wednesday, but LeRae and Indi Hartwell helped Kai and Gonzalez attack Moon and Storm after.
– Kushida vs. Timothy Thatcher
Kushida defeated Arturo Ruas and Thatcher defeated August Grey on NXT last week. Thatcher was confronted by Tommaso Ciampa after his win.
– Rhea Ripley will address the NXT Universe
On last week’s NXT, Io Shirai retained her NXT Women’s Championship against Ripley in the main event. Shirai and Ripley shook hands and hugged after the match.
A ladder match is set for this week’s episode of NXT.
During a commercial that aired on Raw tonight, it was announced that one member of Undisputed Era will face one member of Team McAfee in a ladder match on NXT this Wednesday night. The ladder match will determine who gets the advantage in this year’s men’s WarGames match.
Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish) are facing Team McAfee (Pat McAfee, Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch) in the men’s WarGames match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames on Sunday, December 6.
After being attacked by McAfee and his associates in recent weeks, Undisputed Era returned at the end of last week’s NXT and brawled with Team McAfee to close the show. It was then confirmed that Undisputed Era and Team McAfee will face off in WarGames at TakeOver.
Ember Moon vs. Candice LeRae has also been announced for this Wednesday’s episode of NXT. LeRae will be one of the captains for the women’s WarGames match at TakeOver. It will be Shotzi Blackheart and three partners vs. LeRae and three partners.
Moon & Toni Storm defeated Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez on NXT last week. After the match, LeRae and Indi Hartwell helped Kai and Gonzalez attack Moon and Storm.
Wednesday’s NXT will feature Kevin Owens on commentary. He’s filling in for Wade Barrett on this week’s show.
A sit-down interview has been added to the lineup for tonight’s episode of NXT.
WWE has announced that there will be an “exclusive sit-down interview” with Ember Moon on NXT tonight. Moon made her return to NXT at TakeOver 31 earlier this month. Last week, she returned to the ring for the first time since rupturing her Achilles tendon in September 2019. Moon teamed with Rhea Ripley to defeat Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez in last week’s main event.
After two weeks of hyping that a former champion would be returning to take what’s theirs, Moon returned to NXT at TakeOver 31. She appeared following Io Shirai’s NXT Women’s Championship defense against Candice LeRae. Moon stood on the stage and smiled at Shirai but didn’t say anything.
Moon cut a promo last week and said no one is going to walk over her anymore or tell her what to do. Moon declared that she wants some gold. Shirai then interrupted Moon. Ripley appeared next but was attacked on the stage by Kai and Gonzalez. Moon helped Ripley, but Shirai stayed in the ring and watched the brawl. Shirai later did an interview and said Moon and Ripley aren’t her problem. The only thing Shirai is concerned with is her NXT Women’s Championship.
Two matches have also been announced for tonight’s NXT. Damian Priest will defend his NXT North American Championship against Dexter Lumis tonight. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch will also face Undisputed Era’s Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish to determine the number one contenders to Breezango’s NXT Tag Team titles.
After more than a year out of action, Ember Moon returned to the ring on last night’s NXT.
Moon teamed with Rhea Ripley to defeat Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez in last night’s main event. Moon got the win after hitting The Eclipse on Kai.
Moon had been out of action since rupturing her Achilles tendon in September 2019. Last night was her first match in NXT since being called up to the main roster in April 2018.
At TakeOver 31, Moon was revealed to be the former champion who WWE hyped was returning to NXT. She cut a promo on last night’s show and said she’s found who the real Ember Moon is. Moon said no one is going to walk over her anymore, no one is going to tell her what to do, and she wants some gold.
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai, who Moon confronted at TakeOver, then interrupted Moon last night. Ripley made her way out next but was attacked by Kai and Gonzalez. Moon helped Ripley, but Shirai stayed in the ring and watched on. Shirai said Moon and Ripley aren’t her problem — she’s only concerned with her NXT Women’s Championship.
Ridge Holland suffered a legitimate leg injury last night when catching Oney Lorcan on a plancha. As he was being taken out on a stretcher, Holland gave a thumbs up to the audience.
Holland was involved in the main event angle at TakeOver 31, attacking Adam Cole. Holland showed up to last night’s show in a new Mercedes-Benz, with it being indicated that someone paid him to attack Cole. Cole vowed to get payback on Holland.
A Prime Target epilogue feature aired on NXT following Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly’s NXT Championship match at TakeOver. Balor said that — despite his jaw being broken in two places — this NXT Championship reign will still be as good as his first.
NXT’s fallout from TakeOver 31 takes place at the Capitol Wrestling Center tonight.
After making her return to NXT at TakeOver, Ember Moon will kick off tonight’s show. Moon was revealed to be the former champion who WWE hyped was returning to NXT to take what’s theirs. She confronted NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai at TakeOver after Shirai retained her title against Candice LeRae.
Kushida displayed his new vicious side as he defeated Velveteen Dream at TakeOver. That included Kushida attacking Dream both before and after the match. Tonight, Kushida will face Tommaso Ciampa in the first match of the show.
We’ll get injury updates on NXT Champion Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly after Balor retained his title against O’Reilly in the main event of TakeOver. WWE will also follow up on the show-closing angle at TakeOver, which saw Ridge Holland carry a laid out Adam Cole over his shoulder and dump him over the barricade. O’Reilly, Roderick Strong, and Bobby Fish then checked on Cole and questioned what happened.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
The first episode from the Capital Wrestling Center began with a change of plans. After advertising an appearance by Ember Moon was opening the show, that is not what kicked off the show. A match is opening the show instead. Apparently, there was an angle on social media that made William Regal book the match to open the show.
Tommaso Ciampa defeated Kushida via disqualification
Velveteen Dream ran in to cause the DQ. This was good while it lasted, but the finish was lame.
Kushida’s gear looks to now include blue jeans like he wore at TakeOver. I guess maybe it’s supposed to make him look more like Marty McFly.
They began with grappling and chain wrestling. Kushida with a handspring into a dropkick, and Ciampa went to powder. Kushida quickly got him back into the ring, where he targeted a wrist.
Ciampa cut off Kushdia when he went for another handspring, and Ciampa grounded Kushida. Ciampa dashed a hope spot and went back to punishing Kushida.
Kushdia made a comeback before the show cut to commercial. When the show returned from break, Ciampa was somehow back in control. Ciampa was fighting with Kushida on the turnbuckles when Kushida snapped Ciampa’s arm on the buckle.
Kushida fired up with a flurry of offense. When Ciampa tried to cut him off, Kushida stomped the injured wrist. Kushida went back to work on Ciampa, and he tried applying a Fujiwara armbar. Ciampa fought to block the hold, and Kushdia got him a triangle of sorts. Ciampa deadlifted him into a sit-out powerbomb.
They traded strikes, and Ciampa hooked him for a fisherman’s buster. Ciampa went for his finihser, but Kushida countered. They traded more strikes, and Kushida leveled him with a kick that dropped Ciampa. Kushida stomped on Ciampa, and then he applied the Hoverboard Lock.
Velveteen Dream, with a cast on his arm, ran in and climbed the turnbuckles. He jumped looking for an ax handle on Kushida, but Dream hit Ciampa instead. The referee called for a DQ as Kushida threw Dream out of the ring. Kushida did a flip dive over the ropes on Dream. Kushida went to attack again, but Dream fled ringside as he stumbled into the darkness at the CWC.
A Brawl Erupts During Ember Moon Promo
Ember Moon, after a commercial break, was in the ring to address the audience. She thanked the crowd for their welcoming response. Moon said she was surprised “they” let her on the microphone. “It’s been awhile,” she said.
She has been in isolation for 14 months, but now she is back. Moon went on to say she sees a lot has changed in NXT. She rode her motorcycle for miles, and she found clarity.
Moon says she found “Ember’s Law”, and no one will walk over her. She is going to do what she wants to do, because “I’m Ember Moon, damnit!” One thing is the same: “Mama wants some gold, baby.” With that, NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai entered stage left.
Shirai got in the ring face-to-face with Moon. Before Shirai could speak, enter Rhea Ripley to interrupt them. Ripley began to speak on the stage when she was attacked by Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez. Moon jumped in to make a save, causing a brawl to erupt. Officials poured out to separate them, and William Regal came out to book a tag team match like he was Teddy Long.
In a skit from “earlier today”, Drake Maverick informed Killian Dain that they were booked in a tag team match. Maverick insisted they were now a team. Dain was not pleased by this news.
Undisputed Era was backstage for a promo, and Adam Cole addressed the supposed attack by Ridge Holland, which was a cliffhanger that ended TakeOver. Cole said he has broken ribs, and he called a Holland a “dead man” for attacking him.
Maverick pinned Parker after Dain powerbombed Maverick on to Parker. Maverick & Dain had wacky theme music like they were starring in a buddy sitcom.
Maverick started the match, and Dain stuck out his hand in a lackadaisical manner offering a tag. Maverick was reaching for tag when Martel clotheslined him. Ever-Rise worked over Maverick, and Martel with a cheap shot got Dain’s attention.
Dain got in the ring, and he dragged Maverick back to their corner so he could make a tag. Dain proceeded to clean house. Dain was going for a Vader bomb when Maverick made a blind tag. Dain, of course, was upset by this. They argued, and Parker rolled up Maverick for a pinning attempt. Dain broke up the pin with a pump kick.
Despite pleas from Maverick, Dain picked him to powerbomb Maverick on to Parker. Maverick landed on top of Parker, and the referee counted three. The odd couple team win.
Maverick tried to get Dain to celebrate by dancing, but Dain knocked him out with a punch instead. Dain then put Maverick on his shoulder, and he carried him away. This is the weirdest buddy sitcom I’ve seen.
A great vignette profiled Toni Storm.
Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae were walking their dog in a neighborhood. They wore matching track suits. His was blue and hers was pink. They wanted rematches for the titles they challenged for at TakeOver. Gargano said they needed a plan.
As they approached their house, they saw a new television set on the porck. It had a bow on it, and was sent by Indi Hartwell. Gargano buried her until LeRae told him it was a gift from Hartwell. He changed his tune and put her over. He was excited about getting a free TV.
Austin Theory defeated Leon Ruff
Theory pinned Ruff in a very short match.
Ruff showed fire at the start, but Theory soon cut him off. However, Ruff fired up again to get a near fall. The announcers talked about Theory needing to mature. Ruff went to do a lucha spot similar to Rey Fenix springboarding on the ropes, but Ruff slipped on the ropes. Theory then grabbed him, and he executed an ATO (TKO cutter) to score the pinfall.
Theory cut a promo after the match where he warned Adam Cole and others. Theory claimed he was the future of NXT, and said there nothing anyone can do about it. Dexter Lumis, with a new entrance video, interrupted him. This led to an impromptu match.
Dexter Lumis defeated Austin Theory
Lumis submitted Theory in a match that dragged on seemingly forever. Cameron Grimes ran in after the match to attack Lumis.
Lumis had the advantage when the show cut to a commercial break. Theory during the break sent him into the ring steps, and Theory was in control when the show returned from the break.
Theory worked over Lumis, and used a standing moonsault for a two count. Lumis eventually made a comeback to give Theory a spinebuster. Lumis monkey-flipped Theory, and he gave him a slingshot suplex for a near fall.
Theory rocked Lumis with his roll through dropkick. Lumis no-sold it as he quickly rose to his feet. Theory tried to flee, but Lumis dragged him to the center of the ring. Lumis delivered an uranage, and then applied his vice hold finisher. Theory tapped out.
Right after the finish, Cameron Grimes ran in to give Lumis a Cave In double foot stomp. So they are probably having a match at some point. Grimes was mad Lumis did not answer his question in a skit from last week.
During a “Prime Target” mini-doc there was a “Championship Epilogue”. It focused on the NXT Championship title match at TakeOver. Finn Balor retained his title defeating Kyle O’Reilly this past Sunday. This was a great video package, and it made the title seem important.
Ridge Holland defeated Danny Burch
Holland pinned Burch to win the match. Holland may have injured himself during a brawl after the match. Apparently the story before this was someone gave Holland a new Mercedes-Benz as payment for attacking Cole at TakeOver.
Burch got in some offense as he fired up on Holland during the match, but Holland cut him off. Holland executed the Northern Grit, and he covered him for a pinfall.
Holland put on his cap, and he went to leave. Burch was angry he lost, and he slapped Holland across the face. Holland’s cap went flying for a nice visual that made the slap look even more impressive. Holland proceeded to maul Burch. Oney Lorcan ran in to a make a save. He brawled with Holland until officials ran down to separate them.
Lorcan did a flip dive over the ropes on to a pile of bodies. They brawling started over until Holland mowed him down with a lariat. Lorcan fought back to leapt over the ropes with a plancha. Holland went to catch him, and Holland’s right leg buckled. He would eventually leave on a stretcher.
Back at the Gargano-LeRae household, Johnny was watching his new TV. Hartwell sent a USB drive with footage from a recent battle royal. Gargano was impressed with her, as Hartwell saved LeRae several times during the battle royal. Gargano & LeRae said they were starting to like Hartwell.
Timothy Thatcher was conducting another seminar where he tortured a poor student. The lesson today was life will try to grind you down until you quit. Thatcher said he won’t let it do that to him, and he stretched the jabroni.
Back in the arena, Ridge Holland was shown being taken away on a stretcher. He seemingly suffered a leg injury. That really sucks. He gave the audience a thumbs up as he was carried away, showing he would be okay.
Shotzi Blackheart defeated Xia Li
Blackheart pinned Li in a short match. Blackheart countered a superplex, and she leapt into a senton before scoring the pinfall.
Boa, wearing a suit, approached Li after the match. He gave her some papers, but it was unclear what the papers represented. Maybe a contract. Could be her mail. I guess we shall find out at a later date.
Rhea Ripley & Ember Moon defeated Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez
Moon pinned Kai to win the match for her team.
Moon started the match with Kai, and Moon was soon in control. Gonzalez tagged in, and Moon fired up on her too. Moon was cut off when she was backed into the heels’ corner.
Kai slapped Moon, and she fired up like Tomohiro Ishii. Moon sailed through the ropes with a tope on Kai. Ripley with a somersault senton took out Gonzalez.
Ripley tagged in to rock Kai with a kick. However, Ripley was unaware that Kai had tagged out. Gonzalez knocked Ripley off the apron with a kick before the show cut to its final commercial break.
Gonzalez was applying a modified Gory Special as the show returned from the break. Coming in off a hot tag, Moon ran wild on the heels. They bumped and fed. Moon jumped off the second rope to execute a codebreaker for a near fall on Kai.
The heels regained the advantage. Gonzalez got a near fall after holding Moon so Kai could deliver a pump kick. Ripley tagged back in, she got a face planted Kaii for a two count. Kai with her Kai-ropractor on Ripley, but Ripley kicked out.
Moon back in to hit Kai with a discus lariat for another near fall. Gonzalez broke up the pin, but she was DDT’d by Moon. Kai took a botched powerbomb.
Gonzalez tripped up Moon when Moon climbed the turnbuckles. Ripley made a save, and she fought with Gonzalez on the floor. Ripley had Gonzalez in a fireman’s carry when Kai kicked Ripley. That sent Ripley backwards. She and Gonzalez tumbled over the announce desk at ringside.
Moon off the top rope with The Eclipse on Kai to score the pinfall
We’ve got a double issue this week of the Observer with the full rundown of Harold Meij being out in New Japan, WWE’s social media policy as it relates to talent, and extensive G-1 coverage.
Our lead story looks at the Harold Meij era of New Japan, how he got there, the turmoil behind-the-scenes, why he’s leaving, his last words to his fan club, why the guy who handled running a wrestling company during a pandemic is out while in the pandemic and a lot of behind-the-scenes stories regarding New Japan and AEW never making a deal, and whether this can change things, and what the key issues are. The changes he made to the company, the business record and issues in dealing with talent and others and the inherent issues of a non-Japanese person in charge of a major Japanese company. This is the most inside version of what happened there since 2018 and from people who know the situation the best.
Also in this issue:
WWE’s latest when it comes to talent and social media, WWE policy, Andrew Yang and why this could be the worst time to make these decisions.
WWE Clash of Champions, NXT Takeover, Hell in a Cell, the COVID issues in AEW & WWE and how they spread, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
G1 Climax tournament, with standings, best matches, behind-the-scenes,why crowds aren’t quick to sell out, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results of every show.
XFL start, changes in WWE tapings and why 205 Live will be taped with NXT ad not Smackdown, we look at declines in WWE interest and reasons why WWE draft dates, Reigns vs. Rock, Reigns talks C.M. Punk, new Dwayne Johnson TV show looked at, new WWE signings, update on WWE injuries, one of the top college wrestlers already publicly talking about going to WWE, more on TV ratings in U.S. and Canada, former TNA champion talks how close he came to joining WWE, Cena starring in new movie, Zayn talks politics, Rusev talks problems with WWE creative, update on Raw Underground, where tribal chief comes from, WWE market value and the most watched shows on WWE Network over the past week.
UFC 253, with business notes, the main themes of the show plus match-by-match coverage and poll results.
The treatment of women in pro wrestling with notes from a recent BBC article with thoughts from several women involved.
87th anniversary show of CMLL, and the plight of Lucha Libre with no fans.
Jerry Lawler 50th anniversary show.
2020 Hall of Fame ballot in each category, with the top candidate, last year’s highest that haven’t gotten in, as well as a list of those who have been elected in the past five years.
Smackdown and AEW ratings based on the same opposition, as well as network vs. cable when it comes to other sports.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
AJ Styles on Twitch said he was disappointed about finding out the news regarding WWE taking over Twitch accounts, saying that he learned the news on the internet and doesn’t know what will happen. “You would think it would be better than that,” Styles said. “For guys who are on here trying to, not only work for WWE, but get on here and Twitch and stuff like that, you’d think it’d be a lot easier to communicate with us and us alone instead of whoever it is behind the scenes, and them going to Joe Blow and them having more information than us. Is anything set in stone? I don’t think anything is. I think it’s going to come down to communication.”
Today’s episode of The Bump is a 2020 draft special, including guests Xavier Woods, RJ City, Wade Barrett, and Ken Jeong.
WWE has filed trademarks for CWC Capitol Wrestling Center and CWC NXT Capitol Wrestling Center.
Other Wrestling
Stardom announced that Jungle Kyona will be out of action for “an extended period of time” due to injury. They wrote on Twitter that her injuries include “a left knee anterior cruciate ligament rupture; right knee lateral collateral ligament rupture; right shoulder acromioclavicular joint complete dislocation.” The left knee and right shoulder will require surgery.
The New York Post has an article on Chris Jericho’s 30th anniversary.
Angelina Love spoke to Kevin Eck about her relationship with Road Warrior Animal.
WWE has revealed the opening segment and first match for this week’s TakeOver 31 fallout edition of NXT.
After making her return to the brand at TakeOver 31, Ember Moon will kick off this Wednesday’s NXT. WWE has also announced that Kushida vs. Tommaso Ciampa will take place on the episode. The announcement of the match noted that it’s scheduled as the first bout on NXT TV this week.
Moon returned to NXT after Io Shirai retained her NXT Women’s Championship against Candice LeRae at Sunday’s TakeOver event. Moon was revealed to be the former champion who WWE had been hyping was returning to NXT to take what’s theirs.
Following two weeks of vignettes airing on NXT TV, another began to play after Shirai’s title defense at TakeOver. Moon rode to the Performance Center on a motorcycle, entered the building, and stood on the stage. Moon then took her helmet off, revealing that the former champion was her. She smiled at Shirai but didn’t say anything.
Moon wasn’t the only returning wrestler to confront Shirai at TakeOver. After the title match but before Moon’s appearance, former NXT UK Women’s Champion Toni Storm appeared on the video screen. Storm announced that she’s coming to NXT and said she’ll be seeing Shirai around.
Kushida defeated Velveteen Dream at TakeOver 31. He showed off his more vicious demeanor against Dream, including attacking Dream after the match was over. Ciampa wasn’t in action at TakeOver but defeated Jake Atlas on NXT two weeks ago.
After more than two years away from NXT, Ember Moon made her return to the brand at TakeOver 31 tonight.
Moon appeared on tonight’s TakeOver event after NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai retained her title against Candice LeRae. Videos had aired over the past two weeks hyping that a former champion would be returning to NXT to take what’s theirs. Whether it was a man or woman returning wasn’t revealed until tonight.
Another video started to air after tonight’s NXT Women’s title match. The former champion was shown riding to the WWE Performance Center on a motorcycle and then entering the building. With Shirai in the ring, the former champion appeared and stood on the stage. They then took their helmet off, revealing that it was Moon. She smiled at Shirai but didn’t say anything.
Prior to Moon’s return tonight, former NXT UK Women’s Champion Toni Storm appeared on the video screen after Shirai vs. LeRae and announced that she’s coming to NXT. Storm said she’ll be seeing Shirai around.
Moon had been off WWE television since rupturing her Achilles tendon in September 2019. She said on an episode of WWE Backstage this May that she feared that it could be a career-ending injury.
Moon won the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver: WarGames in November 2017 and held the title until losing it at TakeOver: New Orleans in April 2018. She was called up to the main roster after dropping the title.
On this week’s episode of WWE Backstage, Ember Moon emotionally discussed her injury status.
Moon, who has been out of action since rupturing her Achilles in September, was part of the panel with Renee Young, Booker T, and Mark Henry on last night’s Backstage. They discussed the WWE Network’s Undertaker: The Last Ride docuseries and Young asked the panelists if there were any matches from their careers they wish they could go back and redo.
“I look back at my career in WWE, I’ve been here for five years. And, yeah, I could go and say I should have been the one to defeat Asuka’s streak, or at least I hope that. Or I could say that, aw, man, me and Bayley from SummerSlam, I wish I’d done more,” Moon said.
“But the more and more I sit back and look at everything I’ve done and what I would redo, I think more about my injury currently and realizing that I may have a career-ending injury. I’m coming back from the hardest injury, and I might not have a chance to redeem myself of all the things that I wanted to do and all the things that I want to do in my future. It’s so hard to think back and regret when I try to look forward.”
Booker T and Henry both encouraged Moon to keep going, with Henry saying he’s been there before and telling Moon she’s too great and too wonderful to start talking about stopping.
“I keep looking forward and I keep pushing forward because this is what I love. This is my passion, this is the only thing I’ve ever wanted for myself. And I want that opportunity to not look back but to look forward and be better than ever before. And it’s so hard to look back, like it really is,” Moon said.
“It’s hard, and I hope that I do have more matches. There are so many more things that I want to do. Like I said, I’m trying to get on y’alls level. And I’m going to prove to you guys that I’m worth redeeming those mistakes and worth redeeming those regrets — it’s just going to be a while before I do so.”
Moon said on Booker T’s Hall of Fame radio show in January that her Achilles injury happened during a 24/7 title chase segment. On that podcast, Moon said she was told she’d be out of action anywhere from four months to a year and a half due to the type of rupture she suffered.
WWE on FOX uploaded the clip of Moon discussing her injury on last night’s Backstage:
WWE has made their second match announcement for tonight’s post-SummerSlam episode of SmackDown.
Ember Moon vs. Charlotte Flair has been added to tonight’s show. Moon unsuccessfully challenged for Bayley’s SmackDown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam, while Charlotte defeated Trish Stratus at the pay-per-view.
Moon and Charlotte also faced each other on the July 23 episode of SmackDown. After a distraction from Bayley, Moon defeated Charlotte quickly with a roll-up. Moon then laid out both Charlotte and Bayley with The Eclipse after the match.
Roman Reigns vs. Buddy Murphy is the other match that’s been announced for tonight’s SmackDown. It comes after last week’s angle where Murphy accused Rowan of being Reigns’ mystery attacker. Murphy originally refused to give Reigns an answer, telling him that he didn’t know who the attacker was and wouldn’t tell Reigns even if he did. Reigns then beat Murphy down.
Murphy vs. Apollo Crews took place on the SummerSlam pre-show. The match ended in a disqualification when Rowan attacked Murphy.
Tonight is the last of WWE’s four straight days at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Bayley and Ember Moon will be teaming together on tonight’s SmackDown.
WWE has announced that Bayley & Moon will face Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross tonight. The tag match comes in advance of Moon challenging for Bayley’s SmackDown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam on August 11.
Due to a distraction from Bayley, Moon got a quick win against Charlotte Flair on SmackDown last week. Moon then laid out both Charlotte and Bayley with The Eclipse in a post-match angle.
Becky Lynch defeated Cross on Raw last night, which came after Bliss faked an injury during her match against Lynch.
The FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee is hosting tonight’s SmackDown. Vince McMahon called for a rewrite of the entire show today.
In addition to Bayley & Moon vs. Bliss & Cross, WWE Champion Kofi Kingston (w/ Big E and Xavier Woods) vs. United States Champion AJ Styles (w/ Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) in a non-title match, Jerry Lawler hosting a King’s Court segment with Trish Stratus, and Finn Balor vs. Dolph Ziggler are currently being advertised for tonight’s episode.
Ember Moon and Charlotte Flair will be facing off on Tuesday’s SmackDown.
WWE has announced Moon vs. Charlotte in a singles match for the episode. It’s taking place at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.
Moon & SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defeated Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville on SmackDown this week. After the match, Bayley offered Moon a title shot at SummerSlam. Moon accepted, and the match was announced for SummerSlam on WWE.com.
Charlotte returned to SmackDown this week and defeated Liv Morgan.
Two other segments have also been confirmed for Tuesday’s SmackDown. WWE Champion Kofi Kingston will issue a SummerSlam challenge, and Shane McMahon will address Kevin Owens.
Randy Orton, Samoa Joe & Elias defeated The New Day (Kingston, Big E & Xavier Woods) this week, with Orton pinning Kingston after hitting an RKO.
After appearing on Raw Reunion the night before, Shawn Michaels will be making a guest appearance on commentary for Tuesday’s SmackDown.
After teaming together on Tuesday, SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley issued a SummerSlam challenge to Ember Moon.
Moon teamed with Bayley to defeat Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville on this week’s SmackDown. In a post-match angle, Bayley was interviewed in the ring by Kayla Braxton and was asked who her next challenger would be.
Bayley challenged Moon, saying she wants to wrestle someone who is worthy of a title shot, someone with charisma, someone she’s never faced before, and someone who would be dedicated to the title if they defeat Bayley for it. Moon accepted the title match.
Charlotte Flair also returned to SmackDown this week and defeated Liv Morgan.
SummerSlam is taking place at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on August 11. Seth Rollins will challenge for Brock Lesnar’s Universal Championship at the pay-per-view, and Becky Lynch will defend her Raw women’s Championship against Natalya.
Ember Moon is set to undergo elbow surgery and expects to be out of action for “a while.”
WWE posted a video on Monday night where it was announced that Moon will need to have immediate elbow surgery. Moon mentioned that she doesn’t know how much time she’ll miss, but she said it’s going to be a while.
Moon also tweeted overnight: “I lasted 53 min in the #RoyaleRumble with one arm imagine what I will do when I get back! I will miss you #WWEUniverse -EM #MythRises #Shenom #NightAngel”
Moon entered Sunday’s women’s Royal Rumble match at number six and made it to the final seven before being eliminated by Alexa Bliss.
On last night’s Raw, Moon’s injury played a part in the story of Natalya & Dana Brooke’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match against Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan. Brooke said Moon was Natalya’s first choice as her partner, then said she’s better than Moon and Natalya. Natalya & Brooke lost to Morgan & Logan, with Logan pushing Brooke into Natalya as she had the Sharpshooter on Morgan.
