Tag: headlineicymi

Ronda Rousey: If Bruce Prichard is around, Vince McMahon still has a hand in WWE

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In a social media post on Saturday, Ronda Rousey responded to Vince McMahon’s resignation from WWE.

It was announced on Friday night that McMahon is gone from WWE following the allegations that were made against him in Janel Grant’s lawsuit. WWE president Nick Khan sent an email to staff informing them that McMahon has resigned from WWE and its parent company TKO Group Holdings and will no longer have any role in WWE or TKO Group.

McMahon was the executive chairman of TKO Group.

Rousey doesn’t believe that McMahon will remain uninvolved. In her post on X, Rousey stated that, as long as Bruce Prichard is still with WWE, McMahon will have a hand in the company. Rousey claimed that McMahon was still running things through Prichard following his July 2022 “retirement.”

Rousey wrote:

Bruce Prichard is basically Vince’s avatar, if he’s still around Vince still has a hand in the business. Vince was still running things through Bruce when he was ‘gone’ before

Prichard, a longtime ally of McMahon’s in WWE creative, returned to WWE as part of the creative team in 2019.

McMahon’s 2022 retirement happened during a hush-money scandal that was triggered when the WWE board of directors learned of his settlement with Grant. Because he remained majority shareholder at the time, McMahon was able to force himself back into power in January 2023. That isn’t an option this time because WWE has been acquired by Endeavor.

Grant’s lawsuit was filed against McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis on Thursday. It accuses McMahon of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and sex trafficking.

McMahon has vowed to vigorously defend himself against the allegations.

Rousey last wrestled for WWE since her contract expired following SummerSlam 2023. Later in the year, the UFC Hall of Famer worked three tag matches teaming with Marina Shafir for Lucha VaVoom, Wrestling Revolver, and ROH.

Matt Riddle books new post-WWE indie date

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Matt Riddle is scheduled to make one of his first post-WWE indie appearances for MCW Pro Wrestling.

MCW has announced Riddle for their Saturday, February 3 Winter Blast event in Hollywood, Maryland. The show is being held at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Hall.

“Former #WWE Superstar [Matt Riddle] joins the 2024 #MCWWinterBlast Tour in Hollywood, #Maryland on Saturday February 3rd,” MCW wrote. “Meet Matt Riddle, @NWA stars [Bryan Idol], [Natalia Markova] and ALL your favorite #MCWProWrestling Stars and the pre-show meet & greet”

Riddle was released from his WWE contract on September 22. His release came during a round of roster cuts that were made after Endeavor’s acquisition of WWE became official.

Before his release, Riddle was involved in an incident at JFK Airport in New York City on September 9. Riddle made a social media post accusing a Port Authority police officer of sexually assaulting him during the incident. Riddle deleted the post shortly after making it.

Law enforcement sources told the New York Post that Riddle was drunk and causing a disturbance at the airport. Riddle was not detained or arrested following the incident.

TMZ Sports released some footage of the incident in September.

Riddle is set to face Rob Van Dam at an event for Big Time Wrestling in Chillicothe, Ohio on Saturday, March 9.

WWE SmackDown to take place from Germany for first time ever

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In August 2024, WWE SmackDown will take place from Germany for the first time ever.

WWE has announced that the Friday, August 30, 2024 episode of SmackDown will be held at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany. The venue is also hosting WWE’s Bash in Berlin premium live event the next night.

Bash in Berlin will be the first time that Germany has ever hosted a major WWE PPV event.

WWE stated that the SmackDown episode being held in Germany is due to the “incredible early pre-registration response” for Bash in Berlin tickets.

The presale for Bash in Berlin/SmackDown combo tickets will begin on Tuesday, November 28 at 10 a.m. CET.

The general public on-sale date for both events is Thursday, November 30 at 10 a.m. CET.

Kevin Owens, Charlotte Flair, Bobby Lashley, Jimmy Uso, Rey Mysterio, and LA Knight are featured on WWE’s graphic advertising the SmackDown episode. Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Gunther, and Drew McIntyre are on the Bash in Berlin graphic.

Impact Wrestling taping Glasgow UK Invasion event for TV

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Impact Wrestling’s upcoming show in Scotland will be taped to air on television.

Impact is heading to Glasgow this Thursday (October 26) for a stop on the promotion’s UK Invasion tour. It was announced today that the Glasgow event is being taped for TV. It will air on the Thursday, November 9 episode of Impact.

“Breaking News: The live IMPACT Wrestling show on Thursday, October 26, at the O2 Academy in Glasgow, Scotland will be a special taping for the company’s flagship weekly TV Show, Impact!, that will air on Thursday, November 9, starting at 8 p.m. EST on AXS TV,” Impact Wrestling wrote.

“The Glasgow stop on the UK Invasion Tour features the Motor City Machine Guns battling the team of [Josh] Alexander and Eric Young, plus Grado vs. Trey Miguel, Rhino vs. Eddie Edwards, Jordynne Grace vs. Gisele Shaw, and more.”

The four-show UK Invasion tour runs from October 26 through October 29. The October 27 show in Newcastle is an Impact Plus special named Turning Point. Turning Point won’t air on Impact Plus until Friday, November 3.

This is the first time Impact Wrestling has been to the United Kingdom since 2018.

VIDEO: Jade Cargill arrives at WWE Performance Center

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has shared its first footage of Jade Cargill since she signed with the company.

On Tuesday morning, it was officially announced that Cargill has signed a multi-year deal with WWE. Cargill became a free agent earlier this month when her AEW contract expired.

WWE gave fans a first look at Cargill on Tuesday afternoon, posting a video on social media of her arriving at the WWE Performance Center.

Cargill also sent out her first message since joining WWE.

During a media call on Tuesday to promote AEW’s upcoming WrestleDream pay-per-view, Tony Khan was asked about Cargill signing with WWE. Khan wished Cargill the best in her future and said he only has positive things to say about her. Khan said Cargill would always be welcome in AEW.

Cargill’s final AEW match aired on the September 15 episode of Rampage. Kris Statlander defeated Cargill to retain the TBS Championship.

Cargill made her pro wrestling debut for AEW in 2021. She had a dominant run in the promotion that included being the inaugural TBS Champion. She held the title for more than 500 days.

It isn’t known if Cargill will be making her WWE debut on the main roster or in NXT. Dave Meltzer has reported that WWE is working on high priority main roster creative for Cargill.

WWE legend Hulk Hogan gets married to third wife Sky Daily

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On Friday night, WWE legend Hulk Hogan became a married man for the third time.

The 70-year-old Hogan (Terry Bollea) and his new wife Sky Daily got married during a ceremony in Florida. Their wedding was first reported by the Daily Mail and has been confirmed by TMZ.

Hogan and Daily began dating in 2022 and got engaged this July. Daily, 45, is a yoga instructor.

“The WWE icon tied the knot Friday in a relatively small ceremony down in Clearwater, FL — with just their closest family members in attendance — where sources with direct knowledge tell us it was not only an intimate affair … but a spiritual one too,” TMZ wrote.

“We’re told Hulk and Sky got hitched at their go-to place of worship — Indian Rocks Baptist Church. Pastor Aaron Filippone handled the marrying duties as their wedding officiant.”

TMZ notes that Hogan’s son Nick and Sky’s children were at the wedding. Hogan’s daughter Brooke “couldn’t make it on such short notice,” according to TMZ.

‘It was a low key wedding,” the Daily Mail wrote. “Neither of them wanted over the top, just a small affair with their nearest and dearest to declare their deep love and commitment to each other. Sadly Brooke did not show up.”

Hogan was previously married to his wife Linda for more than 25 years before finalizing their divorce in 2009. Hogan was then married to his wife Jennifer from 2010-2021.

This January, Hogan made an appearance on WWE television as part of Raw’s 30th anniversary episode. He kicked off the show alongside Jimmy Hart.

WWE announces new dates for 2023 Holiday Tour

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has announced new show dates for this holiday season.

In a press release issued on Friday, WWE announced 12 new show dates for the company’s 2023 Holiday Tour. Ten house show dates were announced, along with two episodes of Raw.

It was revealed that Raw will take place from Pechanga Arena in San Diego on New Year’s Day 2024. There won’t be a live episode of Raw on Christmas Day this December.

WWE also confirmed that it will be back at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Tuesday, December 26 for its annual house show the day after Christmas. There will be a house show in Baltimore that night as well.

Here’s the full list of new events:

  • Monday, November 20: WWE Raw at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Sunday, December 10: WWE Holiday Tour SuperShow live event at Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania
  • Tuesday, December 26: WWE Holiday Tour live event at Madison Square Garden in New York City
  • Tuesday, December 26: WWE Holiday Tour live event at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Maryland
  • Wednesday, December 27: WWE Holiday Tour live event at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
  • Wednesday, December 27: WWE Holiday Tour live event at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan
  • Thursday, December 28: WWE Holiday Tour live event at Place Bell in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Thursday, December 28: WWE Holiday Tour live event at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas
  • Friday, December 29: WWE Holiday Tour live event at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Friday, December 29: WWE Holiday Tour live event at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Saturday, December 30: WWE Holiday Tour SuperShow live event at Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California
  • Monday, January 1: WWE Raw at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California

WWE also announced 26 show dates for its 2023 calendar earlier this month.

Roman Reigns & Jey Uso to appear on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With SummerSlam just over a week away, Roman Reigns and Jey Uso are set to continue the build to their Tribal Combat match.

WWE has announced that Reigns and Jey will both appear on SmackDown tonight. WWE questioned how Reigns and Jey will interact with each other and if things will again turn volatile:

With The Tribal Combat in place at SummerSlam between Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Jey Uso, The Head of The Table and his unhinged cousin will be on SmackDown as they prepare for the high-stakes showdown.

What interaction, if any, will the two Superstars have with each other? If they do come face-to-face, will things once again turn volatile? Who will seize momentum just eight days before The Biggest Event of the Summer?

Don’t miss all the action of SmackDown, tonight at 8/7 C on FOX.

It was confirmed last week that Reigns and Jey will meet in Tribal Combat at SummerSlam on Saturday, August 5. It’s an anything goes, winner-take-all bout. Reigns’ Undisputed WWE Universal Championship will be on the line — and so will his title of Tribal Chief,

Last week’s SmackDown ended with Reigns & Solo Sikoa having a staredown with Jey. Sikoa had tried to give Jey a Samoan spike, but Reigns stopped the attack. That allowed Jey to give Sikoa a superkick.

Jimmy Uso hasn’t appeared on SmackDown since being injured in storyline by Reigns and Sikoa three weeks ago. WWE stated that Jimmy would be out of action “for the foreseeable future” due to suffering ruptured rib cartilage in the attack.

SmackDown is being held at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans tonight. Here’s the updated lineup for the show:

  • Roman Reigns and Jey Uso appear
  • United States Championship Invitational finals: Rey Mysterio vs. Santos Escobar (winner becomes the number one contender to United States Champion Austin Theory)
  • Karl Anderson vs. Karrion Kross

WWE Raw video highlights: Seth Rollins & AJ Styles team up

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Two days after facing off in the World Heavyweight Championship tournament finals, Seth Rollins and AJ Styles were partners on Raw.

Rollins & Styles teamed together to defeat Judgment Day’s Finn Balor & Damian Priest in last night’s main event. The match was set up when Judgment Day interrupted Rollins and Styles at the start of the episode.

Though Styles is part of the SmackDown roster, he stopped by Raw last night to show respect to Rollins following their title match. Styles said Rollins doesn’t just deserve to be World Heavyweight Champion — he earned it. Rollins and Styles then shook hands before Judgment Day confronted them. Judgment Day said it will only be a matter of time before one of them takes Rollins’ title.

Rollins & Styles accepted when Judgment Day challenged them to a match. The main event ended with Rollins pinning Priest after hitting two stomps.

The build to Money in the Bank began last night with Shinsuke Nakamura and Ricochet qualifying for the men’s ladder match. New WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions were also crowned as Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler defeated Raquel Rodriguez & Shotzi, Damage CTRL, and Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville.

More coverage from last night —

WWE Raw video highlights —

AJ Styles shows respect to Seth Rollins after Night of Champions

The Judgment Day interrupt Seth Rollins and AJ Styles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XdjtAyF8DY

Money in the Bank qualifying match: Ricochet vs. The Miz

Trish Stratus and Zoey Stark beat down Becky Lynch

Indus Sher continue to destroy the competition

Imperium confront Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

Alpha Academy vs. Imperium

Fatal four-way match for vacant WWE Women’s Tag Team titles

JD McDonagh vs. Dolph Ziggler

Memorial Day video package

Cody Rhodes issues an open challenge to Brock Lesnar

Gunther wants Matt Riddle to win Money in the Bank and try to cash in on him

Money in the Bank qualifying match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bronson Reed

Seth Rollins & AJ Styles vs. The Judgment Day

Raw fallout: MITB is the first step to Nakamura becoming a World Champion

Raw fallout: It’s time for the Tag Team titles to come home to Imperium

Raw Talk: Trish Stratus & Zoey Stark, Ricochet, Green & Deville appear

Anna Jay returning to the ring, will face Britt Baker at AEW House Rules

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Anna Jay is returning to the ring for the first time in two months.

It was announced today that Jay vs. Britt Baker will take place at AEW’s House Rules live event this Saturday. It’s AEW’s second-ever house show and the first event on the House Rules tour.

Jay last wrestled when she and Tay Melo lost a street fight to Ruby Soho & Willow Nightingale on AEW Rampage this January. In February, Jay revealed that she suffered “some dislocated ribs” and a bruised tailbone during the street fight.

Melo was dealing with a back protrusion going into the street fight and also spent two months out of action after the match. She made her return at an indie show for Northeast Wrestling last weekend.

Saturday’s House Rules event is being held at Hobart Arena in Troy, Ohio. A tag team match pitting Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli against Big Bill & Lee Moriarty has also been announced for the show.

Mandy Rose to address WWE firing on ‘Tamron Hall’ talk show

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Former NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose is set to address her WWE release for the first time.

Rose (real name Amanda Saccomanno) will appear as a guest on this Tuesday’s edition of “Tamron Hall,” which is a syndicated talk show that airs on ABC stations. The description for the episode states that Rose will address her “controversial firing” from WWE in an exclusive interview with Hall.

Tamron has an exclusive interview with former WWE’s MANDY SACCOMANNO addressing her controversial firing from the WWE. Five-time Grammy and Emmy nominee, actress and comedian MARGARET CHO stops by to chat about her new comedy tour ‘Live and LIVID.’ Plus, an All-New Shop Tam Fam!!

Rose tweeted about the appearance: “So excited for this! Everyone tune in to hear my story!”

The 32-year-old Rose was released from WWE on December 14. Adult-themed photos and videos that Rose posted on her FanTime subscription service led to her being released by WWE.

Rose was released less than 24 hours after dropping the NXT Women’s Championship to Roxanne Perez. The Rose vs. Perez title match was originally supposed to happen in January but was moved up because Rose was being released.

Rose’s reign as NXT Women’s Champion lasted for 413 days before losing the title to Perez.

Earlier this month, FanTime congratulated Rose on making $1 million on the service during the month of December.

The Young Bucks file trademark for ‘The Wayward Sons’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new trademark filing was made by The Young Bucks last week.

On November 3, The Young Bucks’ company Killing The Business, Inc. applied to trademark the term “The Wayward Sons.” The full trademark filing is available below:

Word Mark THE WAYWARD SONS

Goods and Services IC 025. US 022 039. G & S: Hats; Shirts; Socks; Bandanas; Sweatshirts; Hooded sweatshirts

IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainment personality; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestling and sports entertainment personality; Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Providing online interviews featuring a professional wrestling and sports entertainment personality in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes

There was a Being the Elite episode in April 2021 where, before a 10-man tag match at AEW’s The House Always Wins live event, The Young Bucks said in a perfect world they’d be coming out to “Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas, but they weren’t able to get it done for the show.

For the first time since their post-All Out brawl with CM Punk, The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega were backstage at AEW Dynamite on October 26. The Young Bucks & Omega have yet to return to television, but teasers hyping their return have aired over the last two weeks.

The Young Bucks & Omega became the inaugural AEW Trios Champions at All Out. They were stripped of the titles after the post-show fight with Punk.

Death Triangle (PAC, Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix) are the current AEW Trios Champions.

The teasers for The Young Bucks & Omega’s return started airing after AEW concluded its investigation into the All Out incident. Dave Meltzer has reported that Punk isn’t expected to return to AEW, with the two sides working on a buyout of Punk’s contract.

PWG Time is a Flat Circle results: Chuck Taylor vs. Keith Lee

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Here are results from last night’s PWG show (called “Time is a Flat Circle”), which was held at the Globe Theater in Los Angeles, California.

– Joey Janela defeated Roy Horus with a package piledriver

A great opener. Janela was very over with the crowd. 

– Brody King defeated Douglas James, Jake Atlas, and Eli Everfly when King pinned Everfly with a piledriver

All four men looked impressive — particularly King, who was bigger yet still did some killer dives to the outside. 

– Zachary Wentz & Dezmond Xavier defeated Bandido & Flamita following an assisted Shooting Star Press

This was one of the highlights of the night. All four wrestlers looked excellent here as well, but Bandido and Flamita stood out as the slightly better team. They had excellent chemistry with one another, doing lots of crazy assisted moves and tandem work.

After the match, people threw money in the ring and chanted “please come back.”

– Will Ospreay defeated Adam Brooks after the OsCutter

Tremendous match, the best of the night. It was a wild spectacle bout with tons of dives, counters, crazy kickouts, and everything you can think of in a high-profile match. Ospreay and Brooks hugged after it was over.

– Jonah Rock defeated Jeff Cobb following a frog splash

Rock was hated and was booed. Cobb was way over. They had a stiff, hard-hitting bout with some neat suplexes and cool counters. The crowd booed the finish.

– Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Matt Riddle with a bridging pin

A really nice technical bout with some good matwork and nicely-timed spots. For just having watched Sabre dominate everyone in the New Japan Cup, it was kind of weird seeing him take moves like a German suplex, but this was more back and forth than the New Japan Cup matches. 

– Keith Lee defeated Chuck Taylor with the Ground Zero to win the PWG World Championship

A good main event. The start of it had Taylor ducking Lee and making remarks on the microphone, including one line about how everyone knows Lee is going to the WWE. Lee eventually got tired of the antics and they brawled around the ring. It turned into a good match with Lee winning the title. 

Lee cut a really good promo after, saying one year ago he came to PWG from the Texas area and now he’s the champion. He thanked the fans to close out the show.