Once a part of the WWE roster and Total Divas cast, Eva Marie recently opened up and described her releases from the promotion as “odd.”
A part of the WWE main roster and NXT from 2013, she was later released in 2017. In her first run with the promotion, Marie was also one of the most popular names on the reality TV series, Total Divas.
Recently, speaking with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Marie shared details on her first WWE exit. Calling it “odd”, she said, “It was actually odd. I still don’t know exactly. The timing of it was. I mean, I got my first movie, so that’s also kind of what happened, is I stepped away to do that. Inconceivable, you can still watch it on Netflix. Had an amazing time on that film.“
“So when I left for that I kind of still have a feeling of like, if I didn’t leave for that movie, maybe I would still be in the company, because I think that probably was as much as they gave me their blessing. I’m sure it hurt me internally in some capacity,” Marie added.
She further opened up and revealed how her love for the business led to her 2021 return.
“I love the business. I love it. There’s nothing like it. I owe everything to WWE. I’ve learned so much. I’ve grown as an individual. I feel like I have a love-hate relationship, too, because I feel like I never really got a solid shot, a solid storyline. I never did. I never even had a title run. I went for the NXT title. But when you really look at the grand scheme of things, of storylines, and me on the main roster.”
Eva Marie describes her second WWE release
Within just a few months of her WWE Raw return in 2021, Marie was again released from her contract. Reflecting on the incident, Marie said, “That one is actually f****ng a little bit odd, because it was supposed to be longer than that, and it wasn’t.”
“But I think there is going to be changing of hands in management, and that’s kind of what happened with my contract. So it kind of got messed up within kind of that communication,” she added.
In her second WWE run, Marie was paired with Doudrop (Piper Niven) and had a run of just seven matches, which ended with Doudrop defeating her on the September 20th, 2021 episode of RAW.
The former WWE star Eva Marie recently opened up about how WWE changed her life and she found her ‘competitive edge.’
Speaking to Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Marie was asked how signing with WWE changed her life. Sharing a detailed answer, the 41-year-old explained that it helped her gain the ‘competitive edge’ she believed she lacked in life.
“So, how it went down was actually really wild, because we had the in-ring physicality tryout, and that’s obviously where I met and totally hit it off with JoJo and a couple of the other girls from our camp, CJ was in there as well. So it was a four-week tryout. I fell in love with it because I was missing that competitive edge in my life, too. So the fact of doing something and getting into a ring, it’s like, especially if you don’t have that type of physicality background. I feel like dancers, gymnasts, they kind of pick it up a little bit easier. I’ll never forget my body,” Marie said.
“I couldn’t even pick up my legs. I was so sore. It was insane. So, how it went with that is, after the four weeks, if they thought that they saw some type of potential in you, you would end up getting a developmental contract, move to Tampa at the time, because that’s where the facility was, not in Orlando yet. So it was just a developmental contract, and then you would go out there, learn how to wrestle, learn whichever character you’re going to try to work on, and learn about the business, and then hope to get called up to the main roster on Monday night Raw or Friday night SmackDown.
“I always refer to it as AAA baseball, but even at AAA, you know how to play the game. But when you’re going in, how we got the developmental contract, none of all of us knew how to kind of run the ropes and kind of take a back bump by then, and we’re doing forward backward rolls. It’s not like we’re really knowing how to wrestle. We’re knowing little basics, and that’s about it,” she further continued.
Marie was known for her time as a part of Total Divas, aside from her time on the main roster and NXT. She stayed with WWE from 2013 to 2017, before making a brief return in 2020 and staying till 2021.
A star of WWE’s former hit reality show Total Divas is keeping the door open for a potential return to the company.
In an appearance on the former Sonya Deville’s podcast this week, Eva Marie revealed that she would always consider a return to WWE if the opportunity arises.
“I mean, always. I always keep the door open because I’d be silly not to, you know? And I love performing, there’s nothing like it. If you want to talk about drugs and alcohol? [Performing] is the biggest high. And you see it too in superstars, they just can’t let it go. It’s like, ‘Hey, you should retire,’ and you can’t find that high anywhere else.
“The WWE Universe is the best fanbase. They’re crazier than ever, but they’re loyal too. And so to be able to walk out into like a 100,000 people arena? Where you gonna get that?”
Eva Marie was with WWE from 2013 to 2017 in her first stint with the company after winning an untelevised Diva Search and largely being introduced as a character for the Total Divas reality show. She spent time both on the main roster and in NXT in her first run.
She re-signed with the company in 2020 and re-debuted in 2021 before being released in November of that year as part of a mass layoff event.
Eva Marie discusses her second run with WWE in depth in the full episode of Daria and Toni Unwrapped embedded below. The show is hosted by Daria Berenato and her wife Toni.
*It’s one of the biggest issues of the year, given we have coverage of what will be the biggest story of the year, the Endeavor/WWE/UFC merger with all the details of how it happened and what it means, plus coverage of WrestleMania and all the major events of WrestleMania week
*The story behind the merger
*The new power structure of WWE and UFC
*All the financial details of the merger including stock, what stockholders will be getting
*How the deal went down and when
*Who will be negotiating WWE TV deals
*Vince McMahon’s worth based on what they are pitching valuation at and his actual stock worth as of right now
*How much top WWE execs were bonused from the sale and new contract for the top two guys in the company and its valuation
*How Vince McMahon changed Raw
*What are the big questions going forward regarding creative
*What employees and wrestlers were told
*Investigation of the deal
*Can WWE get out of the deal
*Financial benefits of the deal
*What it means going forward
*What happened internally in UFC from the deal
*Profits and revenue for UFC and WWE last year
*The history of Vince McMahon and UFC and secret story about a WrestleMania main event that never happened
*Coverage of WrestleMania
*Examining Rhodes vs. Reigns and the finish
*Real attendance figures and other business figures
*PPV numbers and which show had the most viewers
*What were the most watched matches after the fact
*Social media numbers and who drew the biggest and where there are contradictions
*Match-by-match coverage with star ratings as well as poll results
*AEW trying to run Wembley Stadium and more history of such
*A look at a famous period in wrestling history with the death of U.K. promoter Max Crabtree, and the debate over whether the Big Daddy era killed wrestling in that country or it was killed earlier and he just gave it a last life
*A look at the ROH Supercard of Honor, business notes, match-by-match coverage
*A look at NXT Stand & Deliver
*What happened with Gisele Shaw and Rick Steiner
*The most detailed look at the ratings over the past week and what they mean
*Arena Coliseo 80th anniversary event
*Build to the biggest show in Stardom history
*New Japan/Impact dual show
*One of the best bouts of the year took place this past week
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.
Tuesday Update
WWE
Tyler Bate and Zoey Stark worked the Main Event tapings prior to Raw on Monday.
The NXT Anonymous Twitter account posted a video of Pretty Deadly being attacked by Tony D’Angelo and Stacks outside, with Kit Wilson being thrown into the trunk of D’Angelo and Stacks’ car before driving away.
Santos Escobar will be a guest on this week’s episode of The Bump.
Sportico has an article on Vince McMahon’s wealth jumping as a result of the WWE/UFC merger announcement.
Dustin Rhodes and Ari Daivari are celebrating birthdays today.
Other Wrestling
Mercedes Mone attacked Mayu Iwatani during a press conference ahead of their IWGP Women’s title match on April 23 at Yokohama Arena.
Former WWE star Eva Marie expressed interest in a return to the company in an interview with WrestleZone. “Of course,” she said when asked. “That door is always open. I mean, we’re in constant talks. When I had originally left, I was filming my first lead action movie, so that door is definitely one of those things that is always open. I’m definitely down to always cause some trouble and stir up some things, that’s for sure.”
The full match between New Japan World Television Champion Zack Sabre Jr. and Shota Umino that took place at Sakura Genesis this past weekend.
Three matches have been added to next week’s Raw in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Chad Gable will face Braun Strowman, while Johnny Gargano is set to take on Otis. Candace LeRae, who made her return to WWE TV on Raw Monday, will face Dakota Kai on next week’s program as well.
After Alpha Academy failed to defeat Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano on Raw, they were confronted backstage by an upset Austin Theory. Gable said that if it wasn’t for Braun Strowman, they would have easily won, hurling insults at Strowman. Theory’s phone than rang. When Gable answered, it was Strowman, who said he would be coming to Raw next week in Gable’s hometown.
Following the phone call, Theory told Otis that he would face Gargano next week, and wanted to make sure that he would put an end to Gargano. Otis was excited about his match, while Gable was not.
LeRae made her return to WWE on Monday, defeating Nikki A.S.H in a match. Later, she met Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, and Asuka backstage and wished Belair luck against Bayley at Extreme Rules. Bayley and Damage Control overheard and the groups exchanged words, with LeRae eventually challenging Kai.
Date: May 30, 2022 Location: Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA
********
Show Recap —
Becky Lynch entered to start the show. She was in good mood despite her claim that the fans were awaiting her downfall. Some people collected stamps, some collected friends, but she collected enemies. She knew she was on track to do just that when she regains her title at Hell in a Cell. The odds were against her but that was always true and she always overcame it.
Lynch recalled Asuka winning Money in the Bank in 2020 before handing her the title the next night on Raw. Even back then, Lynch had a plan. She knew she could beat Asuka and thought Asuka would hold the title until she returned.
Asuka interrupted. Asuka said Lynch was still a big-time baby. Lynch tried to interrupt but Asuka snapped at her in Japanese. Asuka said nobody was ready for her and she would become the new champion.
Bianca Belair entered. Belair didn’t want to complain about having to defend her title in a triple threat because she did her talking in the ring. She had payback ready for Asuka tonight after Asuka kicked her in the face last week. She also threatened to drop Lynch.
Lynch took a cheapshot at Belair which led to a short brawl that ended with Asuka and Belair knocking Lynch out of the ring.
********
Lynch joined commentary for the match. She dropped a, “I’m a wizard” line at one point. Perhaps she realized what she said because she quickly followed by calling herself a magician (because she made Belair’s title disappear in seconds at SummerSlam).
Non-title match: Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defeated Asuka (13:06)
They wrestled back and forth before knocking each other out of the ring ahead of a break. Asuka hit a German suplex and a running hip attack following the break for a two count.
Belair got Asuka up for the KOD but she slipped out. Asuka sold it like she hurt her leg on the fall sp Lynch mocked her and called her a baby. Belair went after her but Asuka caught her with a knee strike for a nearfall.
Belair countered an Asuka Lock and hit a Glam Slam. Asuka tried a cradle but Belair countered into a cradle of her own for the pinfall win.
Lynch hit the ring immediately after the match and laid out both women.
The bulk of this match was good but the finish was awkward.
(During the match, there was a clock counting down to the top of the third hour. It’s not Cody Rhodes this time but rather The Usos vs. Riddle & Shinsuke Nakamura.)
********
Six-man tag match: Ezekiel, Rey Mysterio & Dominik Mysterio defeated Kevin Owens, Chad Gable & Otis (8:33)
The babyfaces worked together to clear the ring. It took a triple dropkick to knock out Otis. However, Gable shoved Dominik off the middle rope to the outside before driving him into the barricade.
The heels worked over Dominik through a break until Ezekiel made the hot tag. He handed out Stinger splashes to Gable and Owens before giving Gable a spinning powerbomb. Otis broke up the cover so Dominik tried hitting him with a high cross. Otis caught Dominik easily so Rey took him down with a seated senton.
Owens avoided a 619 and tried a superkick but Rey ducked and Gable got superkicked instead. The Mysterios gave Gable a double 619 before Ezekiel hit his finisher (an odd-looking suplex/brainbuster) for the pinfall win.
The announcers pointed out that Owens inadvertently helped Ezekiel win the match and Owens was pissed.
(I know it’s his catchphrase but I think someone in charge told Gable to yell, “thank you!” as often as possible during his matches.)
********
Cody Rhodes entered and they went to break.
[SECOND HOUR]
Cody Rhodes promo
Rhodes received a good reaction. He said he’s always been a big fan of Seth Rollins and he always saw potential in him. There was another man who saw potential in Rollins — the man who raised him. The crowd chanted for Dusty Rhodes. Dusty told Cody that Rollins had everything it took to be a generational talent and he lived up to the hype.
Rhodes learned that he would be getting his second chance at WrestleMania and it would be against Rollins. He admitted he was nervous. He couldn’t return with a loss. But he was at the top of his game and he has now defeated Rollins twice. It’s driven Rollins mad.
Rhodes called Rollins a desperate egomaniac — but he was also dangerous. Hell in a Cell would be the biggest challenge of his career and he wanted Rollins to know that any respect or self-control he had would be locked outside of the cell. Rollins would be locked in with someone who wanted to hurt him.
Rollins interrupted. He cut his promo while in the crowd. Rollins said he didn’t like Rhodes. He tried to accept this new version of Rhodes but he couldn’t take the pandering or the “Cody” chants. He can hear it in his sleep.
Rollins said Rhodes left WWE because he wasn’t good enough, then he and his little friends (AEW) tried to tear down what he built. That didn’t work out for him and now he’s back trying to be the hero.
“You don’t get to take a sledgehammer to the throne and then try to take that throne from me.”
Rollins said he would end Rhodes at HIAC and then we could finally wake up from this American nightmare. Rollins cackled.
Rhodes dared Rollins to come to the ring so they could fight right now. Rollins acted like he would but he actually didn’t so Rhodes went after him.
They brawled in the crowd until Rhodes tackled Rollins through the barricade. Rhodes continued the attack until officials ran down to break it up. The crowd chanted “let them fight.”
Rhodes went to the back and Rollins thought it was over but Rhodes sprinted back down and attacked until officials finally broke it up.
There was a “this is awesome” chant but it was probably fake. I did think this was pretty good, though.
********
Alexa Bliss defeated Doudrop (w/Nikki ASH) (3:18)
Bliss avoided a splash, kicked Nikki off the apron, and landed Twisted Bliss for the pinfall win.
(Last week and this week, Cory Graves went on about how Bliss doesn’t have the same intensity and ruthlessness that she had before she left. He preemptively told Twitter to leave him alone for saying this because he knows what he’s talking about.)
********
They showed a clip of Lacey Evans signalling the start of the NASCAR race over the weekend.
Miz TV with guests The Street Profits
Miz plugged Miz & Mrs but was interrupted by the Street Profits. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins basically took the segment over. They said Miz was talking about his show when she should be talking about HIAC. Dawkins was looking forward to Rhodes vs. Rollins and reminded Miz that he lost to Rhodes. Ford was looking forward to the beautiful Belair retaining her title.
They realized they were being rude to the host so they asked Miz what he thought of HIAC. He was about to answer but they both yelled, “it doesn’t matter what you think!” Dawkins mocked him for still falling for that line after all these years.
Miz put his hand up to make them stop talking but Dawkins gave him a high five instead. Miz tried to explain the gesture but they continued to mock him.
Dana Brooke suddenly ran down through the crowd and into the ring. T-Bar randomly showed up to drop Akira Tozawa. Ford sat up out of his seat, superkicked T-Bar out of the ring, then calmly sat down. Dawkins did the same when he decked Apollo Crews.
Anyway, a bunch of stuff happened before Tamina gave Brooke a Samoan drop to win the 24/7 title. She kissed Tozawa before he used a backslide to win the title.
(The 24/7 stuff is awful but at least the Street Profits were entertaining.)
********
Theory joined commentary. Ciampa didn’t get an entrance.
They said Mustafa Ali would earn a US title shot with a win.
Mustafa Ali defeated Ciampa via disqualification (3:28)
Ciampa was in control until Ali fought back and hit an intense suicide dive. As Ali went to the top, Theory yanked him down and attacked for the DQ. Theory also chucked him into the steel steps.
Theory informed Ali that his US title shot was happening right now.
(Ciampa disappeared.)
Theory defeated Mustafa Ali to retain the United States Championship (1:45)
Theory was putting the boots to Ali after a break and the announcers said he was doing that throughout the break. The ref asked Ali if he wanted to start the match and he said yes. (There was a very light chant for CM Punk.)
Theory was in control until Ali nailed a kick and tornado DDT. However, Theory knocked him off the top rope and hit ATL for the pinfall win.
— Adam Pearce entered after the match. He informed Theory that Mr. McMahon wanted to see a fair fight so he booked a title rematch at HIAC.
********
Riddle cut a backstage promo. He thanked everyone for their kind words about Randy Orton. He warned the Usos that he didn’t come to Raw alone. Shinsuke Nakamura said he had Riddle had a common purpose: to bleed the Bloodline dry.
The Usos entered.
[THIRD HOUR]
Non-title match: Riddle & Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Undisputed Tag Team Champions The Usos via disqualification (12:24)
The Usos worked over Riddle until Nakamura made a tag and got a nearfall on a flying knee strike to Jimmy Uso. Jey Uso distracted him which allowed Jimmy to hit a superkick. Jey followed with a splash but Riddle broke up the cover.
Riddle made a hot tag after a break and he hit Jey with a suplex and senton. Nakamura made a blind tag as Riddle fell out of the ring and he crushed Jey with a Kinshasa as he was setting up for a dive but Jimmy broke up the cover. That was a great spot.
Riddle hit a few Orton-esque powerslams before Jimmy hit Riddle with his scooter for the blatant DQ.
After the match, the Usos were going to splash Riddle but Nakamura kicked Jimmy off one turnbuckle before Riddle brought down Jey with an avalanche RKO.
This was a “championship contender’s” match so Riddle/Nakamura earned a title shot with this result.
********
They showed a clip of Titus O’Neil at the Indy 500.
Kevin Patrick approached Ali in the back. Ali said he was hurting and he knew the odds were against him but he planned on walking out of his hometown of Chicago as US champion. Theory attacked him from behind and laid him out.
The announcers ran down the HIAC card. Among the matches is a 6-person match with Liv Morgan, AJ Styles and Finn Bálor against Rhea Ripley, Edge and Damian Priest.
********
There was a Memorial Day video.
********
Morgan entered at 10:15pm and her match began 20 minutes later.
Liv Morgan defeated Rhea Ripley (10:14)
Ripley has new music. Styles and Priest came to ringside during a break.
Morgan fired up at one point and hit a flying crossbody to the outside. She went for Oblivion but Priest held Ripley against the ropes by her pants (like Edge did last week) so Styles went after him. Morgan kicked out of Ripley’s pin attempt and countered a Rip-tide into a cradle for the pinfall win.
— After the match, Priest attacked Styles and turned his attention to Morgan. Finn Bálor ran down and tackled Priest. Styles gave him a Phenomenal forearm and Bálor followed with Coup de Grace. Morgan also wiped out Ripley with a missile dropkick. Styles, Bálor and Morgan stood tall.
(Graves referred to Ripley and Priest as Edge’s “Saints of Fate.”)
********
Contract signing with Bobby Lashley, MVP and Omos
The main event was a contract signing that began with 6 minutes left in the show. (Lashley is facing MVP and Omos in a handicap match at HIAC.)
MVP and Lashley exchanged words before everyone signed the contract. MVP didn’t want to wait for Sunday and Lashley was fine with that. Lashley chucked the table aside before he and Omos both cleared the ring of security guards. Omos and Lashley were about to go at it before Cedric Alexander chop-blocked Lashley.
Omos set up a table in the corner of the ring but Lashley speared him through it.
Shortly after WWE’s quarterly investors call wrapped, the company began making cuts to their talent roster, citing “budget cuts” as the reason.
From the main WWE roster, Keith Lee, Mia Yim, Nia Jax, Karrion Kross, Eva Marie, Lince Dorado, Gran Metalik, Harry Smith, and B-Fab were released.
From the NXT roster, Scarlett, Ember Moon, Franky Monet, Jessi Kamea, Katrina Cortez, Jeet Rama, Oney Lorcan, Trey Baxter and Zayda Ramier have been let go.
Mass releases have become a regular occurrence in WWE throughout 2021 as they made 13 roster cuts on August 6, another 14 on June 25, six on June 2, eight on May 19, and 10 on April 15.
Kross and Lee are both former NXT Champions. Lee had been rebranded as “Bearcat” Keith Lee on Raw. Kross had not been accompanied by Scarlett on the main roster as he had been in NXT.
Jax is a former Raw Women’s Champion and a two-time former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. Her pairing with Shayna Baszler was the focus of the women’s tag division in WWE throughout much of this year.
Scarlett stated on Twitter that she has a 30-day non-compete clause following here release, while Oney Lorcan stated on YouTube that his non-compete is 90 days.
Bliss mentioned during a promo on tonight’s episode of Raw that she would be facing Eva Marie this Saturday. WWE later confirmed the match when running down the card.
Eva Marie and Alexa Bliss have been feuding for the last several weeks. Eva has shown disdain for Lilly, Bliss’ doll. The doll played a part in a finish that took place on last week’s Raw when Lilly “blinked”, causing Doudrop, Eva Marie’s second, to become distracted long enough to get pinned.
On this week’s episode of Raw, Eva told Doudrop to go to Alexa’s Playground and retrieve the doll. Doudrop went to the playground and grabbed Lilly, but the doll seemingly put Doudrop in a trance, giving the doll back to Bliss and walking away. When Doudrop returned without the doll, Eva slapped Doudrop twice, snapping her out of the trance.
SummerSlam will take place Saturday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Natalya has provided an update on the leg injury she suffered during a match on Raw this past Monday.
In a tweet, Natalya mentioned that she would be undergoing surgery.
“Today my surgeon told me that I’m an anomaly,” she wrote. ”It’s been an intense week to say the least. All I asked was to be put back in the fight and FAST. Surgery will fix me, defending our championships will drive me. #UNBREAKABLE”
WWE additionally tweeted that more information on Natalya’s injury would come this Monday on Raw.
During Monday’s match, Natalya and her tag team partner Tamina, who carry the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles, faced Eva Marie and Doudrop in a contender’s match. As Doudrop wrestled Natalya, she rolled over Natalya at one point, causing injury to Natalya’s leg. Tamina was tagged in and finished the match quickly as Natalya was checked on by WWE medical staff.
Natalya and Tamina have held the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles since the May 14, 2021 edition of SmackDown, defeating Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler.
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.
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.
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.
Heading into their WWE Championship Hell in a Cell match on Sunday, Drew McIntyre pinned Bobby Lashley in the main event of last night’s Raw.
A six-man tag match with McIntyre & The Viking Raiders facing Lashley, AJ Styles & Omos was made after Lashley caused McIntyre vs. Styles to end in a disqualification. Near the end of the six-man tag, Lashley was caught off guard when Styles went for a tag in the corner and tagged him in. McIntyre capitalized on that by hitting the Claymore on Lashley and pinning him.
Lashley and McIntyre’s Hell in a Cell match on Sunday also has the stipulation that — if McIntyre loses — he won’t be able to challenge for the WWE Championship again while Lashley is still champion.
Rhea Ripley is defending her Raw Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair on Sunday. Last night, they got into a pull-apart brawl that officials had to attempt to break up multiple times.
Charlotte lost to Nikki Cross by countout earlier in the night due to having her attention turned to Ripley. When Charlotte attacked Cross after the match, Ripley laid Charlotte out with Riptide. Charlotte later attacked Ripley and brawled with her after Ripley won a match against Asuka.
A new match was also added to Hell in a Cell last night, with Alexa Bliss set to face Shayna Baszler on Sunday.
Plus, Eva Marie made her return to Raw last night but didn’t compete in her announced match. It had been announced that Marie would be facing Naomi, but Marie instead came out with the debuting Piper Niven. Niven took Marie’s place in the match and quickly defeated Naomi.
Niven wasn’t identified by name and the announcers reacted like they didn’t know who she was. Marie announced herself as the winner of the match, taking credit for Niven’s win. Niven excitedly hugged Marie, but Marie didn’t look too enthused when she did that.
Eva Marie made her return to WWE television on Raw tonight — but she wasn’t in action on the show.
It had been announced earlier today that Eva Marie vs. Naomi would be taking place on tonight’s Raw. But Marie instead entered with NXT UK’s Piper Niven. Niven replaced Marie in the match. Niven was dominant against Naomi and won with the Michinoku Driver.
Niven wasn’t identified by name on Raw tonight and the announcers reacted like they didn’t know who she was. The ring announcer also didn’t know her name. Marie instead announced herself as the winner, taking credit for Niven’s win.
Niven excitedly hugged Marie after the match, but Marie didn’t seem too enthused when she did.
Tonight was Marie’s return to WWE after departing the company in 2017. Weeks of videos hyping her return aired leading into tonight, with Marie talking about wanting to be a role model and inspire others.
Dave Meltzer had confirmed last week that the plan was for Marie “to have a bodyguard with her with Mercedes Martinez and Piper Niven’s names both being thrown out.”
Niven made her WWE debut as a participant in the inaugural Mae Young Classic in 2017. She signed with WWE in 2019 and joined NXT UK. Prior to her WWE career, Niven went by the name Viper.
Eva Marie will be in action as she makes her return to WWE television tonight.
WWE has announced that Eva Marie vs. Naomi will take place on tonight’s episode of Raw. Several weeks of videos hyping Marie’s return have aired on Raw leading into her arrival, culminating with it being announced last week that she would be returning on tonight’s show.
This will be the first time Marie has wrestled since 2016. She and WWE mutually agreed to part ways in 2017.
It was reported last October that Marie would be making her return to WWE. The videos hyping her return began airing on the May 3 episode of Raw. The videos have advertised that the “Eva-Lution” is coming to Raw, with Marie speaking about wanting to be a role model and inspire others.
Dave Meltzer confirmed last week that the plan is for Marie “to have a bodyguard with her with Mercedes Martinez and Piper Niven’s names both being thrown out.”
Tonight’s Raw is the brand’s go-home show for Hell in a Cell. Here’s the updated lineup for the episode:
Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles
The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) vs. RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle)
Eva Marie is set to make her return to WWE Raw next week.
A new vignette aired during tonight’s Monday Night Raw featuring Eva Marie. At the end of the vignette, it was revealed that she would make her return next week.
Dave Meltzer has confirmed a WrestleVotes report from earlier today reporting that when Eva Marie returns, she will be accompanied by someone in a bodyguard-type ‘muscle’ role. Names mentioned include Piper Niven of NXT UK and Mercedes Martinez, who appears regularly on NXT television and is currently feuding with Tian Sha. However, Meltzer notes it is unclear who will eventually be in the role.
After leaving the WWE for three years, Eva Marie re-signed with the company last October. Vignettes started to air last month showing Eva Marie as someone who wants to help other people, promoting the “Eva-Loution”. Marie previously was a part of WWE from 2013 through 2017, when she began persuing other interests outside of WWE.
Eva Marie will soon be returning to WWE television.
A video hyping the return of Marie aired on Monday’s episode of Raw. It ended with the announcement that the “Eva-Lution” is coming soon.
Marie said during the video:
Do I have your attention?
I’ve been thinking about where I’ve been — and where I’m going.
Do I have your attention now? Good.
You know, on the road of life there are twists and turns — but I’ve always tried to be the one in control of my own life and the independence that comes with it. But part of that is giving back.
Now I have your attention.
I want to be someone others look up to. I want to influence others to go after their own ambitions — like I did. So, I’m back where my journey started. This is Eva-Lution.
After the video ended, it was said on commentary that Marie will be returning to Raw.
Marie hasn’t wrestled since 2016. She’s been gone from WWE since she and the company mutually agreed to part ways in 2017. Prior to that, Marie had been with WWE since signing with the company in 2013. She was part of the cast for the first six seasons of Total Divas.
Eva Marie noted when she departed WWE in 2017 that she was going to continue to pursue a career in acting. She was also a cast member on Celebrity Big Brother 2 in 2019.
