WWE once again has two sets of tag team champions.
The Raw and SmackDown Tag Team titles were split up in the six-pack ladder match at WrestleMania 40 night one. A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller & Austin Theory) won the SmackDown titles, while Awesome Truth (The Miz & R-Truth) won the Raw belts.
Since May 2022, the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team titles had been unified. But the two sets of belts were hung above the ring separately in Saturday’s ladder match. The rules were that the match would only end when both sets were retrieved.
Waller & Theory got the SmackDown titles first. The match then ended with a crowd-pleasing moment as Truth triumphed over The Judgment Day and grabbed the Raw titles for him and Miz.
Judgment Day’s Damian Priest & Finn Balor were the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions heading into WrestleMania.
The other three teams that competed in the ladder match were DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa), The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods), and New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate).
Randy Orton & Kevin Owens are joining forces on SmackDown tonight.
A tag team match with Orton & Owens facing Grayson Waller & Austin Theory has been made official for tonight’s SmackDown. The show is taking place from the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
In the main event of SmackDown last week, Orton defeated Theory in a singles match. Owens then came to Orton’s defense when Waller attacked him after the match. Owens dropped Theory with a stunner and Orton laid out Waller with an RKO.
United States Champion Logan Paul, a rival of Orton and Owens, is set to appear on SmackDown tonight. Paul is aligned with Waller and Theory.
The Rock, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and Seth Rollins will all be on tonight’s SmackDown as well. The updated lineup for the episode is listed below:
WWE SmackDown (Friday, March 8) —
Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins respond to The Rock & Roman Reigns’ challenge for a tag team match at WrestleMania 40 night one
Bobby Lashley vs. Karrion Kross
Randy Orton & Kevin Owens vs. Grayson Waller & Austin Theory
Rhodes was a guest on The Grayson Waller Effect on Saturday at Elimination Chamber. He called out The Rock for a one-on-one match during the segment.
On Monday, WWE posted a video of Waller calling out Rhodes for Raw.
Waller says in the video:
Cody Rhodes, you came to my house, you didn’t wipe your feet, you disrespected my boy Austin Theory, well guess what? I’m in San Jose, I’m at Monday Night Raw, and I’m not going to wipe my feet or show you an ounce of respect. So, stop worrying about WrestleMania and start worrying about Grayson Waller.
The Grayson Waller Effect will be part of WWE Elimination Chamber in Perth, Australia.
On Wednesday, WWE posted a video with Waller announcing that his guests on the show will be the World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and the winner of the 2024 Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes.
Waller says in the video:
Is anyone else as sick and tired of hearing about stories as I am? Like this one for example, imagine getting slapped by your boss in front of thousands of people, millions online, and doing nothing about it? *laughs*
But who am I to judge? Because right now, it’s the biggest thing in entertainment and it got me thinking that since I’m basically the Prime Minster of Australia that I need to give something back to the Australian people and bring the biggest story in entertainment to my house, to Optus Stadium, to Perth, to Elimination Chamber in Australia.
So before they have to worry about finishing stories, or worry about The Rock or The Tribal Chief – acknowledge, by the way – let’s take some stress off these guys’ shoulders and give them a gift, something that everyone wants but not everyone gets, the Grayson Waller rub. So Australia, get ready for the biggest Grayson Waller Effect in history with my guests, the World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins and the winner of the 2024 Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes.
WWE Elimination Chamber 2024 is scheduled for Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia. The PLE will air live on the WWE Network beginning at 5 a.m. Eastern time.
WWE Elimination Chamber 2024 announced lineup:
Elimination Chamber match to determine World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins’ WrestleMania 40 challenger (Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. Bobby Lashley vs. two wrestlers to be determined)
Elimination Chamber match to determine Women’s World Championship challenger for WrestleMania 40 (Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. three wrestlers to be determined)
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Nia Jax
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor) defend against Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate
The Grayson Waller Effect with Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins
Three main roster WWE stars appeared at NXT New Year’s Evil.
Carlito, Grayson Waller, and Kevin Owens all made appearances on Tuesday’s show. Waller headlined the event, taking on Trick Williams after it was announced Ilja Dragunov was not cleared to compete. Towards the end of the match Carmelo Hayes came out to ringside and distracted Williams, despite Williams telling him earlier in the show he wanted to win by himself. Williams went on to defeat Waller after Kevin Owens, who has been feuding with Waller on SmackDown, appeared at ringside allowing Williams to capitalize on the distraction with a running knee for the win.
Earlier in the show, Dragunov was announced as not being able to compete on the show following a storyline injury that took place two weeks ago. Despite Dragunov saying on last week’s show he was good to go, Kelly Kincaid announced that WWE’s medical team would not clear Dragunov for Tuesday’s show. After a confrontation with Waller backstage, Williams agreed to put up his title match in the main event against Waller.
Carlito also appeared as the surprise third participant in the LWO vs. No Quarter Catch Crew six-man tag team match, with Cruz Del Toro getting the win for his team. Dragon Lee was originally set to team with the LWO, but announced on Monday he would be unable to be at New Year’s Evil due to visa issues.
One fan at a WWE live event this weekend had all they could handle of Grayson Waller & Austin Theory.
During WWE’s Sunday Stunner house show in Newark, Delaware yesterday, a fan jumped the guardrail and attempted to go after Waller and Theory. However, ringside security was able to apprehend the fan quickly and ushered him away from ringside.
Footage of the incident was posted online by TheSportingNews.com.
Kevin Owens will be in action as he goes one-on-one with Grayson Waller tonight. Last Friday, Owens teamed up with LA Knight to defeat Waller & Austin Theory in a tag match.
There was an angle three weeks ago where Waller and Theory provoked Owens into attacking them. Owens, who was doing commentary that night, wasn’t allowed to put his hands on anyone. Because he attacked Waller and Theory, Owens was suspended in storyline.
Waller and Theory attempted to mock Owens last week by having Theory dress up as Owens and appear as a guest on The Grayson Waller Effect. But Owens showed up and revealed that he was no longer suspended. The segment led to Owens & Knight defeating Waller & Theory.
SmackDown is taking place from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York tonight. The updated lineup for the episode is listed below:
SmackDown’s fallout from Crown Jewel takes place tonight from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Amid uncertainty within the faction, Bayley will address the future of Damage CTRL. Kairi Sane made her return to WWE at Saturday’s Crown Jewel event, helping IYO SKY retain the WWE Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair.
Sane last appeared on WWE TV during a July 2020 edition of Raw when she was attacked by Bayley backstage. From there, Sane left the company, only to return last weekend.
Also set for SmackDown is a match between LA Knight and Grayson Waller. Knight is coming off a loss to Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel. Waller and Knight traded social media barbs this week, which led to the match being made.
After weeks of their respective factions feuding, Bobby Lashley is set to face off against Carlito. Lashley said on last week’s SmackDown that he was looking to beat the cool out of Carlito, who only recently returned to WWE.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
– Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone in to kick off the show. Kevin Owens’s music hit and Owens made his entrance, complete with a tie around his neck because he’s on commentary duty tonight (Corey Graves is off because of the recent birth of his child). Rey Mysterio’s music hit and the entire LWO made their way to the ring.
The LWO segment
I’m all for the Santos Escobar heel turn to finally commence, and this was the next step toward that. For my money, he’s a better heel than a babyface and for everything he’s been through with both Mysterio and the LWO along the way, his turn should pack more of a punch than some of the random turns WWE enjoys doing.
Mysterio welcomed everyone to Friday Night SmackDown. Mysterio recalled his match against Logan Paul at Crown Jewel. Mysterio said Paul stole his U.S. title. Mysterio said he believes Paul wouldn’t have beat him if it wasn’t for the brass knuckles Paul used to win the match. Mysterio said he will do whatever he can to get a rematch with Paul. Oddly, Carlito’s music hit and Carlito made his way to the ring (I thought he was in the LWO, too?).
Carlio snatched the microphone out of Mysterio’s hand and asked Rey if they aren’t going to talk about Crown Jewel. Carlito said Mysterio shouldn’t blame Paul and instead, Rey should blame the person who left the brass knuckles on the ring canvas, Santos Escobar. Carlito and Escobar yelled at each other as a result of this. Escobar said he was out of there, threw a fit and left through the crowd. Bobby Lashley’s music then hit and Lashley made his entrance for the first match.
**********
Bobby Lashley defeated Carlito [9:27]
The match wasn’t much and featured a whole lot of no offense from Carlito. Even the moves he was given … well, they weren’t much. Lashley winning made a little bit of sense, though I do worry that Carlito made his WWE comeback only to occasionally lose upper mid-card guys. Maybe a feel-good return win would have been fun? Anyway, the post-match angle was what this was all about and it was fairly interesting. Escobar didn’t do the menacing, devilish turn; instead, he was pushed first and perhaps he took his rebuttal a bit too far. But even as he left ringside, he wasn’t a glaring, cocky bad guy. He has a point or two. Families fight sometimes and this may have just been a family fight (though if that’s the case … damn, Rey, you need to stop fighting with family on WWE programming, but I digress). I was hoping for more fire from Escobar once this moment happened, but I’m also willing to see where this goes as a whole before casting entire judgment.
The two locked up to begin things. Carlito dropkicked Lashley, but Lashley came right back with a clothesline. B-Fab was shown watching the match backstage. Lashley landed a series of shoulder-blocks and a neck-breaker. Lashley kept the upper hand with a series of strikes and a boot to Carlito’s neck. Lashley went for the Hurt Lock early, but Carlito blocked it and hit a cross-body. Lashley no-sold some clotheslines and went for a vertical suplex, but Carlito blocked it and landed one of his own. Carlito then clotheslined Lashley over the top rope. Lashley blocked an attempt from Carlito to slam him into the ring steps and Lashley instead rammed Carlito onto them. Lashley then ran Carlito into a ring post and the show went to a commercial break.
When the show returned from break, Lashley had Carlito perched on the top rope. Carlito fought his way out of it and landed a shoulder-block off the top rope. Ashante Thee Adonis was shown approaching B-Fab backstage and B-Fab and Ashante walked out of the frame to talk. Meanwhile, back in the ring, Lashley and Carlito were on the outside of the ring. Carlito rolled Lashley back into the ring, but Montez Ford grabbed Carlito’s leg. As a result, the Street Profits and Wilde and Toro of the LWO brawled. Escobar reappeared out of nowhere and fought the Profits. Amid the chaos, Lashley speared Carlito for the win.
After the match, the Profits and Lashley beat up Carlito. Escobar hopped onto the apron, but Escobar watched the beatdown instead of helping Carlito. Mysterio’s music hit and Mysterio ran down to the ring with a chair in hand to clear the ring. Mysterio scolded Escobar for not helping on the post-match attack. Mysterio and Escobar jawed at each other and Mysterio pushed Escobar, yelling that the LWO is all family. Escobar looked like he was going to leave the ring, but instead turned around and attacked Mysterio. Escobar rolled Carlito out of the ring and Mysterio slapped Escobar, forcing Escobar to the ground. Mysterio approached Escobar to help him up, but Escobar ran Rey into a ring post. Escobar dropkicked the ring steps because Rey’s leg between the steps and the post. Escobar yelled at Mysterio, saying he loved Rey. Zelina Vega ran down to the ring and pulled Escobar off Mysterio. Escobar walked to the back blaming Rey to end the segment.
**********
– Escobar was seen leaving the arena and Escobar was stopped by Cathy Kelley, who asked why Escobar did what he did. Escobar said, “Rey had it coming.” The show returned to the commentary table and Owens said even though he’s turned on a bunch of people during his career, he would never turn on Rey Mysterio. From there, we got a video recap of the IYO SKY vs. Bianca Belair match from Crown Jewel.
The Damage CTRL segment
I … I … I don’t know about this one. For Sane to just blindly forgive Bayley for that attack three years ago without much development or thought feels like lazy booking/writing. Maybe this will lead to Bayley being on her own, but for now, it feels unimaginative. Besides: Seeing Sane visually leading SKY and Kai in the entrance way packed more of a punch than the Bayley/SKY/Kai team does these days. I have hopes this will turn around sooner than later, but only time will tell. All four women are super talented. This, though? I don’t know if that’s the right way to go, if only because I can’t fully believe in a lot of it right away because it feels so simple. I hope WWE proves this short-team response from me wrong.
Bayley referenced the video package and said she has had a plan and vision for SKY and Dakota Kai. Bayley said everything she wanted to come true, came true. That included the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Ms. Money In The Bank, and the WWE Women’s Championship. The crowd gave her the “What?!” treatment and Bayley called the crowd idiots. Bayley tried to play into the “What?!” stuff, but it didn’t quite work and Bayley asked SKY to come to the ring to talk like adults.
Kai and SKY appeared with Kairi Sane in the middle of them. The three got into the ring and grabbed microphones, with the exception of Sane. Bayley asked what Sane was doing out there. SKY interrupted Bayley and said SKY had a plan, too. SKY thanked Sane for helping her retain the title. Bayley said she wanted the best for SKY and Kai and then Bayley threw to a video of the attack Bayley laid on Sane in 2020, which ostensibly forced Sane out of WWE in storyline. Bayley said she was concerned that Sane was around. Kai interrupted Bayley and said they brought Sane in to make Damage CTRL stronger. Kai said they wanted to take some of the weight off Bayley.
Kai said Damage CTRL is stronger than ever and it should be a celebration. Sane had a microphone and said she respected Bayley as the leader of Damage CTRL. Sane said she forgave Bayley for the attack three years ago. Sane, SKY and Kai went for a hug and Bayley acted like she wasn’t into it as the four hugged. Bianca Belair’s music hit, then, and Belair spoke to the trio from the entrance way. Belair said she doesn’t forgive Damage CTRL. Belair said tonight, she’s going to “have to whoop all three of y’all.” Charlotte Flair’s music hit and Charlotte walked out to stand with Belair. Belair said someone else was upset that Sane joined damage CTRL. Asuka’s music then hit and out came Asuka, who spoke in Japanese. Asuka then said that nobody is ready for Asuka in English. Turns out, a six-woman tag team match will now happen later in the show.
**********
– A Dragon Lee vignette aired.
Dragon Lee defeated Cedric Alexander [5:49 of TV time]
I’m convinced they only ran this back because Alexander is the only person on WWE’s main roster who can take Dragon Lee’s finisher in a natural, pretty way, but that’s enough cynicism from me (for now). For nearly six minutes, this was a lot of fun, and I tend to get a kick out of “This is awesome!” chants for matches like this in WWE anymore because it makes me think … “Hey, they could book more of this type of stuff if they want to,” but they never seem to do that. If Dragon Lee vs. Cedric Alexander becomes the go-to match for both guys on SmackDown every other week for the next six months, I won’t complain. Let’s just see the entire match next time, guys. Please?
The match was joined in progress from commercial and Alexander hit a dropkick before landing a tope suicida on Lee, who was on the outside. Back in the ring, Alexander hit a tornado DDT for a two-count. Alexander chopped Lee. Alexander landed a running elbow and a dropkick to a sitting Lee for a two-count. Lee came back a bit and Alexander was on the outside. Lee landed a dive onto Alexander and rolled Alexander back into the ring, where Lee hit a sit-out power-bomb for a two-count.
Lee ran and Alexander and Alexander launched Lee halfway across the ring and into the turnbuckles. Alexander followed that up with an elbow and the two traded strikes. Alexander kicked Lee in the head to end that, but Lee came back with a German Suplex and a kick to the head of his own. There was a weird Spanish Fly-type move that Lee took the worse of and Alexander got a nice near-fall out of it. The crowd chanted “This is awesome!” Lee kicked Alexander in the head again and dropped his knee pad to run at Alexander, but Alexander caught him with a Michinoku Driver. Alexander went for a Lumbar Check, but Lee countered and Kneed Alexander. Lee then hit his finisher for the win.
**********
– Kevin Patrick said Rey Mysterio is being treated at a “local medical facility,” and from there, a video package chronicling the Logan Paul vs. Rey Mysterio match from Crown Jewel aired.
The LA Knight/Grayson Waller segment
Two of WWE’s best talkers doing their best talking. The belief, it seems, was that Knight could lose to Reigns and get his heat right back as long as they gave him a microphone for 10 minutes on the following SmackDown, and that’s exactly what happened. Waller was good foil for him, too, and while the ensuing match might not be a mat-classic, it will at least serve the purpose of keeping Knight in the spotlight. Presumably, at least. Let’s see how it goes.
LA Knight came to the ring and stood there, soaking in cheers from the crowd. Knight then gave them the “Let me talk to ya” catchphrase. Knight said Crown Jewel didn’t go exactly as he hoped for. Knight said he could say he was sorry for not living up to the expectations. The crowd chanted “That’s OK!” Knight said he did what he said he was going to do – he took Roman Reigns within an inch of his championship and he had Reigns for the 1-2-3, if not for Jimmy Uso. Knight told Reigns to give Jimmy a raise and a promotion because if Jimmy wasn’t there, the world would be looking at a new champion right now. Knight said he wasn’t going to the back of the line because he’s not done with the Bloodline and the Bloodline isn’t done with him. Knight said he will own the WWE championship and he went on a little more until Grayson Waller’s music hit and Waller walked out.
Waller said Knight was embarrassing himself. Waller said Knight was blaming everyone but himself. Waller said Knight needed honesty. Waller said the truth is that Knight is maybe just not the guy. Waller said he knows someone who is the guy. Knight called Waller “Kangaroo Jackass.” Waller asked Knight if Knight really thought he belonged in the ring with Roman Reigns. Knight responded with a question of his own: Does The Grayson Waller Effect sound like an STD? The crowd yelled “Yeah!” Knight called Waller a creep and said Waller shouldn’t be allowed within 50 yards of a high school. Knight mocked Waller for his social media stuff. Knight told Waller that Waller was dealing with an angry Knight and Knight hit Waller with his microphone. Knight spilled Owens’s water onto Waller near the commentary table and did his catchphrase with the crowd.
**********
LA Knight defeated Grayson Waller [11:22]
Man, you can tell that the WWE decision-makers really do believe in Grayson Waller. Waller got so much shine here, it was almost refreshing to see (because you knew there was no way Knight was losing this coming off the Crown Jewel defeat). Good on Knight, too, for being so generous. In all, this was a fine-enough television match. Nothing special. Nothing egregious. You forget how green Waller should be at this point in his career because Waller keeps looking like he belongs. Good on him for it.
Knight had control early and worked Waller’s shoulder. Waller retreated to the outside and Knight went after him. Knight slammed Waller onto the apron and rolled Waller back into the ring. Knight hit his slingshot shoulder-block for a one-count. Knight landed a swinging neck-breaker for another one-count. Waller hit a discus elbow and then took control with a series of strikes. Ultimately, Knight back-body-dropped Waller over the top to the outside. Knight slammed Waller’s head off the commentary table repeatedly. Waller came back by running Knight into the commentary table as well as the ringside steps. Waller then landed a sliding clothesline and the show went to a commercial break.
When the show returned, Waller still had control inside the ring, working a chin-lock. Waller ran Knight into the ring post and worked a single-leg crab over the top turnbuckle. Waller then worked a single-leg crab in the middle of the ring. Waller went to the second rope and hit an elbow for a two-count. Waller went back to the well, but Knight moved and Waller hit the canvas. Waller went for a rolling cutter, but Knight countered into a back suplex. With the two back on their feet, Knight landed a series of punches and, before long, a leaping clothesline, a Russian Leg Sweep and a DDT for a two-count. Waller jumped at Knight, but Knight caught Waller for a bodyslam. Knight then hit his elbow and the BFT for the win.
**********
– After a couple video packages, it was revealed that Solo Sikoa will be back on SmackDown next week.
– Austin Theory and Grayson Waller walked down to ringside to confront Kevin Owens. Theory pushed Owens. Waller dumped a bottle of water onto Owens. Owens chased Waller and Theory up the entrance way. Owens went for a Stunner on Theory, but instead gave a Stunner to Waller. I suppose this means Owens will now be suspended, via Nick Aldis’s stipulation for Owens working commentary.
– Jimmy Uso was shown backstage and said if LA Knight wants him next week, he can have him. Jimmy then got on the phone to the Tribal Chief. There wasn’t much that came from it. Either way, next week will feature LA Knight vs. Jimmy Uso. Also next week, Solo Sikoa will return.
**********
Damage CTRL (Bayley, IYO SKY & Kairi Sane) wrestled Charlotte, Asuka & Bianca Belair to a no-contest [8:16]
The match was irrelevant, so let’s get into what matters. I don’t know, man. I’m kinda into it. It’s like the NWO before it started to suck. Five of the best women WWE has to offer should run all over everyone else, and I’m here for it (as long as they … well … do it better than latter-day NWO). This was here only to set up Damage CTRL as a Real Deal group and it worked. Conventional wisdom this suggests a women’s War Games match in some way, though I do wonder who the other babyfaces will be (Jade Cargill is one, but who might be the other?). All told, this was very much a worthy main event segment and I’m intrigued to see how things go from here. Good stuff, really. All the way around. Good stuff.
Belair and Bayley started the match and Belair landed her springboard moonsault early on. Belair hit a splash on Bayley and SKY on the outside. Charlotte then hit a big boot on Sane and Asuka, Charlotte and Belair posed as the show went to its final commercial break of the night. Whent he show returned, Charlotte landed a fallaway slam on SKY, who got up and tagged in Sane. Belair then tagged in and hit a shoulder-block to take Sane down. Belair unloaded on Sane and hit a vertical suplex. Belair tried to Suplex Sane over the top rope, but Sane blocked it and pretty much all of Damage CTRL either distracted the referee or attacked Belair so they could get the upper hand.
Sane went to the top and hit a flying punch for a two-count on Belair. SKY tagged in and then Bayley tagged in and worked over Belair. Bayley ran at Belair, but Belair disposed of Bayley and went for a hot tag, but Sane pulled Charlotte off the apron. Bayley rushed back into the ring and hammered away at Belair. Belair eventually hit a spine-buster on Bayley to get the hot tag to Asuka, but … wouldn’t you know it, Asuka pulled away and misted Belair. Asuka then kicked Belair in the head and hugged Sane. SKY, Asuka and Sane hugged and Bayley hugged them, too. Charlotte tried to fight back, but the bell rang, signaling a no contest. Shotzi ran down to the ring, but Damage CTRL got the best of her, too. Sane landed the Insane Elbow on Belair and the heels, complete with Asuka as a member of the faction, stood tall to end the show.
Following his loss at Crown Jewel, LA Knight will be back in action on SmackDown this Friday night.
WWE has announced that Knight vs. Grayson Waller will take place on Friday’s episode of SmackDown. The match was set up by an interaction between Knight and Waller on social media.
In a tweet, Waller mocked Knight for losing to Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel. Waller said that, if Knight wants to stay relevant, he can become Waller & Austin Theory’s new manager.
“Seems @RealLAKnight is in desperate need of the Grayson Waller Rub after Roman ran through him at Crown Jewel,” Waller wrote. “Luckily A-Town Down Under is a very handsome team, so maybe he can go back to managing some real stars to keep relevant.”
Knight then posted a video responding to Waller. Knight said he talked to SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis and had a match made against Waller for Friday’s show.
The new issue of the Observer is up on the site right now covering these stories:
Match and performer of the week
Preview of Crown Jewel, favorites and directions
Preview of Full Gear, directions, business and more
Update on perhaps the most important business story this year and its ramifications as the Cung Le lawsuit against UFC is headed for trial next year. We talk about the trial, what it means to UFC, WWE and the MLW lawsuit against WWE. We also have notes from discovery on the actual pay that Conor McGregor, Georges St-Pierre, CM Punk, Ronda Rousey and Jon Jones got for their biggest career fights.
Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou, the story behind coming one round short of one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. We look at what happened, how this fight was a prelude of the change of the business of major events and why, how the PPV did and why it doesn’t really matter, the celebrities and what happens next.
We preview the 2023 Hall of Fame with research on the wrestlers with the best matches throughout their careers, best tag matches, annual MVP, Most Outstanding, Best Draws and best tag team votes involving candidates on the ballot or in the Hall of Fame and who comes across well in this.
A look at the Vladimir the Superfan documentary
The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the past week, numbers, competition, gains and losses over the last year, placings and segment-by-segment.
Women’s Grand Prix show draws big crowd
Injuries plaguing Stardom
Stardom PPV and tag tourney coverage
Big match this weekend in All Japan
A tag match this past week that you should see
Nakajima’s NOAH farewell
New Japan U.S. house show notes
Update on a women’s dream match that was planned but now is uncertain and why
New Japan Super Juniors tag team tournament news
Ronda Rousey working indies against AEW stars
Talks of two pro wrestlers and fights with Jake Paul
CM Punk talks unionization of wrestlers
New documentary coming out in two weeks
Jon Moxley returns from concussion
Jon Moxley talks concussion protocols
Impact signs two U.K. wrestlers
Impact U.K tour
Bryan Danielson injury details
Notes on Ric Flair’s two new deals with AEW
Talks on Omega vs. MJF
More on the CMLL/AEW deal
Ticket advances for WWE & AEW shows
International TV ratings and top streaming numbers
Merch sales
Derrick Lewis arrest
UFC pay
This weekend’s UFC show
Why FOX didn’t bid to keep Smackdown
Raw’s live show growth
Fastlane actual gate numbers
What record did WWE claim that doesn’t look to be accurate
Lots of injury updates
Reviews of al the major WWE house shows
WWE signs a three-time national college wrestling women’s champion
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Friday Update
We just finished our annual Hall of Fame show with Garrett Gonzales, with guests John Pollock, John Muse and John Lister and it’s up on the site now. Bryan and I will be doing our weekend show tomorrow covering both Crown Jewel and Power Struggle.
We do have it confirmed that Grayson Waller is right now in Saudi Arabia. Waller had been booked on the shows in Rochester, NY and Springfield, MA, but was pulled and made a late addition to Crown Jewel, likely doing a talk segment.
Rampage tonight at 10 p.m. on TNT has:
El Hijo del Vikingo vs Penta vs. Komander
Marina Shafir vs. Skye Blue
Daniel Garcia vs. Trent Baretta
The Gunn Brothers vs. Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal
The three-way from the live reports we got was tremendous.
New Japan Power Struggle starts at about 3:30 a.m. Eastern from Osaka:
Mochizuki Jr. & Yoshiki Kato & Strong Machine J of Dragon Gate face three New Japan wrestlers
David Finlay vs. Tanga Loa
Sanada & Yuya Uemura vs. Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji
Jon Moxley vs. Great O’Khan
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii defend the Never trios titles against Zack Sabre Jr. & Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls
Hiromu Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP jr. title
Sho & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. TJP & Franceco Akira in the finals of the Super Juniors tournament
Will Ospreay vs. Shota Umino for the U.S. and U.K. titles
Ospreay did a great promo at today’s press conference for the match, basically saying that he’s leaving New Japan next year and that Umino needs to be able to step up and carry things and he tried to light a fire under him. This is the new biggest match of Umino’s career.
We’re looking for reports on these weekend shows:
AEW Collision tomorrow night in Wichita, KS (only the stuff not on live television)
WWE house show tomorrow night in Rochester, NY
WWE house show Sunday night in Springfield, MA
We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]
We are also doing two weekend polls, for WWE Crown Jewel tomorrow in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and New Japan Power Struggle tomorrow in Osaka. You can leave as thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for both shows to [email protected]
The 1/29 Raw at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, the day after the Royal Rumble, already has 10,818 tickets out, so this will sell out well in advance. Likely a ton of people are traveling in as the Royal Rumble has sold more than 25,000 tickets already.
Impact last night had 86,000 viewers and did a 0.01 18-49 rating.
A big Triple Crown title match with Yuma Aoyagi vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima headlines for All Japan on Sunday in Sapporo. Kento Miyahara & T-Hawk vs. Yuma Anzai & Ryuli Honda is the semi coming off the tremendous Miyahara & Aoyagi vs. Anzai & Honda match a few days ago.
Arena Mexico tonight has its Halloween night show with Stuka Jr. vs. Barbaaro Cavernario on top in a Rey del Inframundo title match. This title is only defended on Halloween week every year. Mistico & Mascara Dorada faces Soberano Jr & Volador Jr., in what promises to be a great match.
UFC is on ESPN+ from 6 p.m. Eastern to midnight tomorrow night from Sao Paulo, Brazil:
Kaue Fernandes (155) vs. Marc Diakiese (155)
Eduarda Moura (119.5) vs. Montserrat Ruiz (114.5) – Moura missed weight by 3.5 pounds and was fined 30 percent of her purse
Angela Hill (115.5) vs Denise Gomes (115.5)
Vitor Petrino (206) vs. Modestas Bukauskas (205.5)
Rinat Fakhretdinov (170.5) vs. Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos (171)
Elves Brebner (164) vs. Kaynan Kruschewsky (165)
Rodolfo Vieira (185.5) vs. Armen Petrosyan (186)
Caio Borrralho (186) vs. Abus Magomedov (185)
Rodrigo Nascimento (264) vs. Don’Tale Mayes (264)
Grabrel Bonfim (170.5) vs. Nicolas Dalby (170.5)
Derrick Lewis (265) vs. Jailton Almeida (236)
Two fights were canceled today. Ismael Bonfim was to face Vinc Pichel, but Bonfim weighed 3.5 pounds over. Victor Hugo was to face Daniel Mrcos, but Hugo weighed in 2.5 pounds over.
Pro Wrestling Eve Wrestle Queendom is 11/10 in Walthamstow UK. The show features Tokyo Joshi Pro International champion Max the Impaler defending against Kasey, Konami vs. Masha Slamovich, Anita Vaughn vs. Skye Smitson and more. Only a few tickets are left for the show. They also run 11/19 in Tufnell Park in London at The Dome with Miyu Yamashita defending the Eve title against Safire Reed plus International champion Yuu vs. Rhio and Su Yung vs. Smitson.
WWE put tickets on sale today for pretty much most of the January and February dates:
Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso now know who their challengers for tonight’s episode of SmackDown will be.
Rhodes & Uso will defend their Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles against Austin Theory & Grayson Waller on SmackDown tonight. This afternoon, WWE posted a video with Theory & Waller accepting the open challenge that Rhodes & Uso had issued.
At Fastlane last Saturday, Rhodes & Uso defeated Finn Balor & Damian Priest to win the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles. The new champions then made their first title defense on Raw this Monday, defeating Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn.
The team that wins tonight’s title match will defend against Balor & Priest on Raw this coming Monday.
Tonight’s SmackDown is the show’s season premiere episode. It’s taking place from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The updated lineup for the show is listed below:
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns returns
John Cena appears
Paul “Triple H” Levesque appears
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso defend against Austin Theory & Grayson Waller
It’s Saturday and that means it’s time for Wrestling Observer Live — a very newsworthy show based on Friday’s WWE SmackDown.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson came back to Denver and WWE, backing up Pat McAfee and laying out Austin Theory, but does he have Roman Reigns in his sights?
To hear him on McAfee’s show, he passed on WrestleMania 39, but might work WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
While SmackDown ratings were strong and the crowd in Denver went crazy, will this frenzy maintain all the way until WrestleMania? What does that mean for Cody Rhodes and LA Knight’s stories going into next spring’s big show?
Plus, I talk about John Cena, Jimmy Uso, the late Brett Sawyer and much more.
After a week away, John Cena returns to WWE television on tonight’s SmackDown from Denver, Colorado.
Cena will appear as a guest on The Grayson Waller Effect. An interaction between the two at Money in the Bank this summer ended with Cena laying Waller out. The talk show segment was announced last week as Waller sat in on commentary for Austin Theory’s match with LA Knight.
Knight, meanwhile, will face The Miz in a rematch from Payback. Cena was the special guest referee as Knight defeated Miz in that showdown.
Bayley is set to go one-on-one with Asuka tonight. The match comes in advance of IYO SKY, Bayley’s Damage CTRL stablemate, defending the WWE Women’s Championship against Asuka on SmackDown next Friday.
In a battle of two former Bullet Club members, AJ Styles will wrestle Finn Balor. Last week’s SmackDown ended with Balor and Damian Priest attacking Styles in what was an apparent attempt to recruit Bloodline member Solo Sikoa to Judgment Day’s side.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The Rock/Pat McAfee/Austin Theory segment
Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone into the show and Pat McAfee’s music hit. McAfee got a microphone and stood in the ring. McAfee said he loved the Mile High City and called SmackDown “the greatest wrestling show to ever be on television.” McAfee called the WWE Universe the greatest universe on earth. MaAfee welcomed everyone into Friday Night SmackDown and on cue, Austin Theory’s music hit.
Theory had a mic in his hands and said it’s not SmackDown; it’s Austin Theory Live. Theory said people in Colorado don’t get oxygen in their heads and that there’s nothing Theory can’t do. Theory said he has unfinished business with McAfee and mocked McAfee for covering college football. Theory said McAfee would go back to his show injured like Aaron Rodgers is injured and the crowd booed. McAfee said he was pumped that Theory was trying to dress and be like McAfee. Theory said McAfee looks like he should be flipping fries. McAfee referenced enjoying the local laws (i.e. legally smoking weed) which popped the crowd. McAfee said SmackDown will never be Theory’s show because it’s the people’s show. McAfee asked Theory if Theory knew what that meant and wouldn’t you know it, The Rock’s music hit and The Rock entered to a gigantic ovation.
The crowd chanted “Rocky!” after Rock took his sweet good time making his way to the ring. Rock soaked it all up. The crowd “Holy s—” but the censors blocked it out, leaving the show with dead audio for a bit. Theory told Rock that Rock is in Theory’s ring. Theory tried to keep going, but Rock said, “Shut your bitch-ass up.” Rock said Theory doesn’t know how everything works. Rock gave McAfee his microphone and took off his jacket. Rock got the microphone back and said “Finally, The Rock has come back to Denver!” As a result, “Rocky!” chants broke out again. Theory tried the “Finally …” line, but the crowd booed Theory. Theory said he’s going to one day be so great, he will be the entire Mount Rushmore. The Rock started to talk and Theory interrupted him by saying “It doesn’t matter what The Rock says!”
The Rock said it does matter what The Rock says. Rock asked the crowd if they wanted to see Rock beat Theory down and the crowd said, “Hell yeah!” Rock called Theory an “A Hole.” Rock led the crowd in a split chant of “You are” and “an asshole.” The censors responded accordingly, and it was even more annoying than you could imagine. The Rock broke it up by saying he was having fun with the people. The Rock said he has a theory of his own, and it’s that in three seconds, he was going “whoop Theory’s candy ass,” but Theory attacked Rock first. Rock rebounded quickly and hit a spine-buster before setting up for the People’s Elbow. Rock hit the People’s Elbow and The Rock’s music hit. McAfee followed that up with a People’s Elbow of his own. The Rock’s music hit again and Rock posed to end the segment.
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Finn Balor defeated AJ Styles [8:30]
Maybe the most frustrating thing about watching WWE TV anymore is seeing two wrestlers you know are really very good and then see them execute the WWE style with little to no fanfare in the middle of a card. This match went eight-and-a-half minutes, two of those were lost to commercial, and then we got a distraction finish. Color me hopelessly romantic, but after all these years, I still believe Styles and Balor could work to put on a hell of a match if they even just had 15 minutes. Instead, this. I suppose this keeps the Styles vs. Bloodline story going, and if some reports are to be believed, it’s going to lead to Styles facing off against Roman Reigns in Saudi Arabia in November, but for now, give guys like these more pro wrestling booking love? Maybe? Please?
Balor put the boots to Styles early. Styles fought back until Balor landed a basement dropkick on Styles and worked a chin-lock. Styles eventually worked out of it and landed a tilt-a-whirl back-breaker. Balor then rolled to the outside. The show went to break from there. After that, Styles and Balor went for simultaneous cross-body-blocks and the two were down in the middle of the ring. Styles was up first and landed a forearm and a leaping clothesline. Styles lifted Balor, but Dirty Dom got on the apron, which was enough for Balor to rake the eyes. Styles came right back and face-planted Balor for a two-count.
With both wrestlers on the ropes, Styles went for a Frankensteiner, but Balor held on to the ropes for a counter. Styles got himself in order and went for a Styles Clash, but Balor fought out of it and ultimately, Balor found himself outside the ring. Styles hit a splash on Balor and clotheslined Dirty Dom. Styles got on the apron and set up for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Damian Priest held Styles’s ankle. The ref ejected the Dom and Priest, but out of nowhere, Jimmy Uso showed up and distracted Styles enough for Balor to roll Styles up for the win.
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– Rock and McAfee were shown talking backstage. Rock turned around and saw John Cena, who shook Rock’s hand and said “Welcome home.” The camera cut to Jimmy Uso backstage. Balor approached Jimmy and thanked Jimmy. Uso said he was just paying Balor back for his help last week. Balor said he saw Jimmy’s brother at Raw and pitched the Usos joining the Judgment Day. Jimmy said they were good on that. Balor said the good thing about the Judgment Day is that there’s no leaders, which means there’s no Roman Reigns. Paul Heyman was shown walking out of the dark, but the camera went back to the ring, where the LWO was in the ring.
The LWO segment
Rey Mysterio asked Denver what was good. The crowd cheered. Mysterio said a year ago, his career was at a crossroads and personally, he was going through one of the hardest times of his life. Mysterio said he was devastated and heartbroken. He said the LWO reminded him what family really represents and because of that, he’s the U.S. Champion. Santos Escobar hopped on the mic and said their family is full of champions. Escobar noted how Rey stepped up against Austin Theory and Escobar was happy because of that. Escobar said his career dream has always been to face Rey with a title on the line. Escobar asked Rey if he’d face him for the U.S. title. Rey said that of course, he’ll accept.
Bobby Lashley’s music hit and Lashley came out with the Street Profits. Lashey said a few weeks ago, they said they were taking over and after looking at the LWO, it looks like it’s going to be easier than he ever imagined. The Profits weighed in and compared Mysterio to Oprah saying “You get an opportunity! And you get an opportunity!” The Profits walked the rest of the way to the ring and it looked like we were in for a tag team match after a commercial break.
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The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) defeated LWO (Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde) [0:45 of TV time]
The match was joined in progress and it was one big piece of nothing. After the predictable and useless pin, Lashley and Mysterio had a tiny moment after the Profits kept attacking their opponents, but it was clear that The Rock’s opening segment ran long and at least these guys in this spot got their time cut. I’m not sure anyone is to blame (how the hell are you going to say no to The Rock?), but it was unfortunate.
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– A package on the announcement of the 2024 Royal Rumble aired. The commentary team set up The Miz vs. LA Knight.
LA Knight defeated The Miz [11:32]
I preferred this match over their match at Payback. It was almost a living, breathing argument for why running house show loops actually mattered when it came to developing programs. Give these guys four weeks on the road to hone this match, and I promise you it’d be even five times better than this. Anyway, this must have (mercifully) been the blowoff for this program as Knight made his intention for gold clear after the match. God bless Miz, man. He’s some sort of high-mid-level gatekeeper that always seems to elevate The Next Big Thing whenever the company calls upon him to work with whoever that is. And somehow, it always works – probably mostly because The Miz is a professional. Neither of these guys were going to have a five-star match in the Tokyo Dome, but as I said a few sentences ago, this was far better than the first Big Match they had. Good on them for it.
The crowd was ruckus with their “LA Knight” chants to begin the match. The wrestlers locked up and Miz worked a side head-lock. Knight hit a shoulder block and yelled “Yeah!” The crowd followed suit and chanted a “Tiny balls!” chant. Miz begged off, but then rammed Knight into the turnbuckle to gain the upper hand. Miz and Knight traded chops until Knight hit a power-slam for a two-count. Knight landed a neck-breaker and followed that up with a leaping shoulder-block for another two-count. Miz came back quickly with a knee to Knight’s midsection.
Miz kicked Knight in the head. Miz jawed at the crowd and lifted Knight, but Knight kind of/sort of worked out of it (it looked like Knight slipped at one point) to hit a neck-breaker and a bulldog from the second rope. Miz fired up quickly, though, and face-planted Knight for a two-count. From there, the show went to a commercial break. When the show returned, Miz had control and kicked Knight in the midsection repeatedly. Miz hit a running knee to Knight’s face and got a two-count out of it. Miz went for his finisher, but Knight fought out and ultimately hit a clothesline, Russian Leg Sweep and DDT to fire everyone up.
Knight hit some boots and a running knee for a two-count. The two traded roll-ups and two-counts. Miz thought he hit a DDT, but Knight grabbed the rope and didn’t hit hard. Miz responded by landed a knee and a modified draping Codebreaker for a near-fall. Miz jawed at the referee and set up for a kick, but Knight moved and hit some punches. Somewhat out of nowhere, Knight landed the BFT for the win.
After the match, Knight grabbed a microphone and the crowd went nuts for him. Knight did the “Let me talk to ya!” bit and everyone screamed. Knight said he told everyone that he’s coming for gold. Knight said he has different options. Knight said it doesn’t matter if it’s Gunther, Seth Rollins, Rey Mysterio or Roman Reigns. The crowd ate it up. Knight said it ain’t just a catchphrase when he says he’s top two and he ain’t No. 2. The crowd responded with a hearty “Yeah!” and while Knight walked to the back, Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa were shown watching Knight on a TV. Heyman said he hasn’t received an order from Reigns to take out Knight yet. Heyman told Solo about how Jimmy Uso is cutting deals with Judgment Day. Heyman told Solo that Jimmy thinks he’s back in the Bloodline, but Jimmy isn’t back in the Bloodline. Heyman said they can only make moves when Reigns calls him. Solo said he already knows what he needs to do. Solo said he’s going to finish something … tonight. They segment ended with Heyman telling his cellphone to call Roman Reigns.
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– Backstage, Pretty Deadly rolled up on Adam Pearce. Elton Prince reflected on how his shoulder was and is still broken. Pearce asked them why Prince would be in a wheelchair if the problem was his shoulder. Kit Wilson chimed in and said they will be back before anyone knows it. Prince gave a loud “Yes, boy!” and the two rolled out of frame.
– Bayley and Dakota Kai were shown talking backstage. Kai told Bayley that Bayley has to show up against Asuka later. Kai mentioned how Bayley has been distracted by Shotzi and asked Bayley if Bayley is actually ready for Asuka. We then went back to the ring for Asuka’s entrance.
Asuka defeated Bayley [8:57]
I wrote a lot of things that were just magically deleted before they were published, so I’ll keep it short. Asuka has a ton of wins over Bayley and Asuka is the one wrestling for a belt next week, so this was predictable. But the women worked hard and this was worthy of the main event slot. Here’s hoping we get at least 15 minutes out of IYO SKY vs. Bayley next week.
Asuka had control early until the two traded roll-ups and Bayley retreated to slow things down. Asuka went to the top and hit a missile dropkick, which took Bayley to the outside. Bayley immediately lured Asuka in and took control. From there, the show went to break. Returning to the show, Bayley was working a headlock. Asuka worked out of it briefly, but Bayley came right back with a knee and a two-count. Out of nowhere, Asuka went for an arm-bar, but Bayley kicked out of it. Asuka hit a German Suplex.
Asuka landed a hip attack and a knee to the head of Bayley for a two-count. Asuka went for some kicks, but Bayley countered and ultimately went for a figure-four, but Asuka turned it around with an ankle lock. Asuka went to the second rope and landed a pseudo Codebreaker from the second rope. Asuka went for an arm-bar, but Bayley rolled to the outside. Bayley threw Asuka around and ripped apart the commentary table. Suddenly, Shotzi poppped up out of the crowd and chased Bayley back into the ring … where Asuka got the pin with a backslide. After the match, Shotzi and Asuka went for a fist bump.
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The Grayson Waller Effect with John Cena
Waller started out by saying it must be a dream for Cena to be on his talk show. Waller made a reference to the Coach Prime controversy surrounding taking hats off and wearing sunglasses. Waller said Cena needs to be more like Waller and Cena needs to sit back and let the stars shine. Waller said Cena has to make everything about him one more time. Waller said Cena got back in the ring at Packback … but not as a competitor and as a special guest referee. Waller said Cena has been lying to people because Cena doesn’t want to be an in-ring competitor. Waller said there is no doubt that Cena is the greatest of all time, but he’s not the greatest right now.
Waller mentioned how Austin Theory beat Cena and WrestleMania. Cena stood up and took off his shirt. Cena went to speak, but Jimmy Uso’s music hit and Jimmy walked to the ring. Jimmy and Cena stood in the ring. Cena walked to Jimmy nad Jimmy took the microphone out of Cena’s hand. Jimmy called Waller “Kangaroo Jack” and Jimmy said nobody wanted Cena there. The crowd chanted “Cena!” Jimmy said he was out there to tell Cena that he should fight him or get out of the ring. Solo Sikoa’s music hit and Solo came out with Heyman. Solo and Cena engaged in a stare down. Solo turned around and choked Jimmy before super-kicking Cena. Soli and Jimmy hammered away on Cena until AJ Styles’s music hit and Styles ran to the ring and pounded on Jimmy. Cena then threw Solo outside the ring. Cena lifted Jimmy, but Solo broke it up. Cena’s music hit and that effectively ended the show.
The road to deciding a new number one contender for the United States title will kick off on tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
WWE has announced that a United States Championship Invitational will begin on SmackDown tonight. The show will feature a fatal four-way match involving AJ Styles, Santos Escobar, Butch, and Grayson Waller.
Another fatal four-way will then take place on SmackDown next Friday. The winner of tonight’s match and the winner of next week’s match will face off on the Friday, July 28 episode of SmackDown to determine the next challenger for United States Champion Austin Theory.
The participants for next week’s fatal four-way haven’t been revealed.
After getting help from Pretty Deadly, Theory retained the United States title against Sheamus on SmackDown last week.
WWE has also announced Sheamus & Ridge Holland vs. Pretty Deadly for tonight’s SmackDown. The updated lineup for the episode is listed below:
WWE Women’s Champion Asuka defends against Bianca Belair
Jey Uso is on a warpath after issuing challenge to Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns last week
United States Championship Invitational match: AJ Styles vs. Santos Escobar vs. Butch vs. Grayson Waller
Sheamus & Ridge Holland vs. Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince)
With WWE in London for Money in the Bank, one of the company’s biggest legends stopped by for a surprise appearance.
John Cena showed up at Saturday’s pay-per-view and gave a speech praising the United Kingdom crowd. The speech led to Cena campaigning for WWE to hold WrestleMania in London. Cena said the decision isn’t up to him, but he told the crowd to cheer as loud as possible so that the decision-makers could hear what WrestleMania in London would sound like.
“In my mind, there is not a more exciting audience than the audience in the United Kingdom. So I’m here to try to bring WrestleMania to London,” Cena told the crowd. “I’m here right now not for one more match — I’m here because I know when they play those trumpets, people watch and people listen. And right now I want to give something to an audience I love. I want to give them a chance to tell the world, to tell the people who make decisions, what we already know. Take a moment right now. Let them see. Let them feel. Let them hear what WrestleMania is going to sound like in London.”
Cena was then interrupted by Grayson Waller, who wanted WrestleMania to come to Australia instead. Waller said he could get Cena a spot on the show by having him on The Grayson Waller Effect.
Waller brought up Cena’s losses to Austin Theory, Roman Reigns, and The Fiend over the last few years. Waller said he could help Cena save his career by having him on The Grayson Waller Effect in Australia.
When Cena declined, Waller ambushed him. Waller had the advantage until Cena laid him out with an Attitude Adjustment.
This was Cena’s first appearance for WWE since losing to Theory at WrestleMania 39 this April.
WrestleMania 40 is taking place in Philadelphia in 2024. Locations for other future WrestleManias haven’t been confirmed, but it’s expected that Nashville will host WrestleMania 43 in 2027.
