Cassie Lee, formerly known as WWE’s Peyton Royce, returned to the ring on Saturday.
Lee defeated Alexia Nicole at SMASH Wrestling’s Rumble in the Rec Room in Toronto. It was her first match since October 2023, following the birth of her second child with husband Shawn Spears in June.
Cassie Lee had her first match in 16 months today and defeated Alexia Nicole!
After the match, Lee called out SMASH Women’s Champion, TNA’s Jody Threat, for a title match in April. She also teased bringing her former IIconics/IInspiration tag team partner, Jessie McKay (formerly Billie Kay in WWE), with her.
Lee and McKay are scheduled to wrestle their first match together as a team since 2022 in Las Vegas on the Thursday of WrestleMania week. They are booked for Prestige Wrestling’s Nothing to Lose, though their opponents have yet to be announced.
Saturday afternoon’s SMASH show occurred in the hours leading up to WWE Elimination Chamber, which took place across the street at Rogers Centre. Raj Dhesi (FKA WWE’s Jinder Mahal), Mike Rollins, Kevin Blackwood, Brent Banks, and more were also on the show.
On next week’s Raw, Tegan Nox & Natalya are getting their WWE Women’s Tag Team title shot.
Nox & Natalya will challenge for Chelsea Green & Piper Niven’s championships on Raw next Monday (November 27). The announcement of the match was made on Raw Talk last night.
Nox & Natalya earned the title shot by winning a fatal four-way number one contender’s match on last night’s Raw. They defeated Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri, Kayden Carter & Katana Chance, and Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell.
To win the number one contender’s match, Nox rolled through on a crossbody and pinned Dupri for the victory.
Niven became Green’s new Tag Team title partner this August, taking over for Sonya Deville after Deville was forced out of action due to a torn ACL.
Raw is taking place from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville next Monday. The following matches have been announced for the show:
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green & Piper Niven defend against Tegan Nox & Natalya
Tag Team Turmoil match for Undisputed WWE Tag Team title shot: New Day vs. Alpha Academy vs. The Creed Brothers vs. DIY vs. Imperium vs. Indus Sher
Former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion and Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champion Jessica McKay announced Thursday that she and her partner are expecting their first child.
McKay, the former Billie Kay in WWE, revealed the news on Instagram that she is expecting in December.
McKay will join longtime tag team partner Cassie Lee (formerly Peyton Royce in WWE) in being a mom. Lee and husband Shawn Spears welcomed their first child this past January.
The soon-to-be 34-year-old hasn’t wrestled since April 2022 when she and Lee were unsuccessful in defeating then-Knockouts Tag Team Champions Madison Rayne & Tenille Dashwood for the titles.
Last month, Lee announced her impending return to the ring for Australia’s World Series Wrestling as part of their October Full Throttle tour. She also has not wrestled since April 2022.
McKay is the latest notable pro wrestling name to announce their pregnancy recently as AEW’s Tay Melo & Sammy Guevara revealed last month they are expecting their first child in addition to WWE’s Alexa Bliss and singer/husband Ryan Cabrera.
The former Peyton Royce is returning to professional wrestling.
World Series Wrestling in Australia announced that Cassie Lee, the former Peyton Royce, would be appearing on their upcoming Full Throttle tour that will take place on October 6-13.
After the promotion aired the announcement video, Lee wrote on Twitter “Let’s grapple!,” along with a gif that read “and I’m back in the game!”
Following their release from WWE in 2021, both Lee and Jessie McKay (Billie Kay), who teamed together in the WWE as the IIconics, signed with Impact Wrestling where they were known as The IInspiration, winning the Knockouts Tag Team titles. In April of last year, both Lee and McKay announced their departure from Impact Wrestling, announcing that they would be “indefinitely stepping away from in-ring action”.
Others announced for this fall’s WSW tour include The Motor City Machine Guns, Frankie Kazarian, Brian Cage, Speedball Mike Bailey, Matt Cardona, and Steph De Lander.
Lee, formerly known as Peyton Royce in WWE, and Spears, formerly Tye Dillinger in WWE, announced their marriage in August 2019. The couple revealed in August 2022 that they were expecting their first child.
Spears returned to AEW television on October 13, 2022 following a five-month absence on a Rampage show in Toronto. A native of Ontario, Spears then worked a pair of indie shows in the province on October 15, but has been out of the ring since.
Lee and longtime tag partner Jessie McKay announced in April 2022 that they were taking an indefinite break from in-ring work after a run in Impact Wrestling, including a stint as Knockouts Tag Team Champions.
As the IIconics in WWE, Lee and McKay won the Women’s Tag Team titles at WrestleMania 35 in April 2019.
The former IIconics have officially unveiled their new tag team name.
Cassie Lee (formerly known as Peyton Royce) and Jessie McKay (formerly known as Billie Kay) will be known as “The IInspiration” going forward. Lee and McKay filed a trademark for the name this June.
“Finally, IInspiration returns to professional wrestling,” Lee and McKay wrote today. “Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay present The IInspiration Tour Dates and cities to be announced soon.”
Highspots has announced that The IInspiration will be taking part in a virtual gimmick table on their Facebook page on Thursday, October 21. Highspots will also be presenting Lee & McKay as guests at WrestleCade Revenge weekend this November. The convention is taking place at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina from Friday, November 26 to Sunday, November 28.
Lee and McKay were both released by WWE during a round of roster cuts this April. At the time of their release, Lee and McKay were on different brands and their tag team had been broken up. They held the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles together from April 2019 to August 2019.
WWE has announced that Mojo Rawley has also been released from the company. Rawley hasn’t wrestled since June 2020.
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WWE announced on Thursday that 10 wrestlers have been released from the company.
In a statement posted on WWE.com, WWE announced that Samoa Joe, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Kalisto, Mojo Rawley, Bo Dallas, and Wesley Blake have been released: “WWE has come to terms on the release of Samoa Joe, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Kalisto, Mojo Rawley, Bo Dallas and Wesley Blake as of today April 15, 2021. We wish them the best in all of their future endeavors.”
It had been announced this Monday that Joe was no longer part of the Raw commentary team but remained on the WWE talent roster. He hasn’t wrestled since February 2020 due to concussion issues but stated earlier this year that he doesn’t believe his in-ring career is over.
Royce & Kay were formerly WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions as The IIconics. Their team was split up in August of last year. Kay was in action at WrestleMania 37 night one this past Saturday, teaming with Carmella in the Tag Team Turmoil match that was won by Natalya & Tamina.
James was part of the pre-show panel for NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver nights one and two last week and also did commentary for the event’s pre-show matches. James tweeted about her release: “Grateful for the memories. Grateful for the locker room. Grateful for the fans. Grateful for these little keys to my golden handcuffs. You can never expected others vision of you to be big as your own dreams. Thank you @VinceMcMahon #AlwaysBlessedAndGrateful”
While making her SmackDown debut in November of last year, Green suffered a broken wrist. She posted a picture while backstage at SmackDown last month but didn’t appear on the show.
Tucker was formerly part of Heavy Machinery before the tag team was broken up, while Kalisto was formerly part of The Lucha House Party and Blake was formerly a member of both The Forgotten Sons and Baron Corbin’s Knights of The Lone Wolf. Blake’s stablemate Steve Cutler was released by WWE this February. Dallas’ former tag team partner Curtis Axel was released last year.
WWE has confirmed another new Royal Rumble entrant.
It was announced ahead of tonight’s Raw that Peyton Royce has declared for the 2021 women’s Royal Rumble match. Jeff Hardy also declared for this year’s men’s Royal Rumble match today.
“BREAKING NEWS: The ‘Superstar to watch in 2021’ Relentless Royce is officially entering the #RoyalRumble,” Royce tweeted.
Royce & Lacey Evans defeated Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Charlotte Flair in a non-title match on Raw Legends Night two weeks ago after Ric Flair tripped Charlotte. Evans, who was flirting with Ric Flair, again got help from Ric on Raw last week and defeated Charlotte in a singles match.
The Royal Rumble is taking place on Sunday, January 31. Here’s the updated list of announced entrants for both Royal Rumble matches:
A couple of changes have been made to Raw’s Survivor Series women’s team.
On tonight’s episode of Raw, Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke were both removed from Raw’s women’s team for Survivor Series. They’re being replaced by Lacey Evans and Peyton Royce. Evans and Royce will team with Shayna Baszler, Nia Jax, and Lana at Sunday’s pay-per-view.
Rose, Brooke & Asuka faced Baszler, Jax & Lana in a six-woman tag match on tonight’s Raw. There was a spot near the beginning of the match where Rose was taken out after Baszler stomped her arm into the steel steps. Rose had kinesio tape on her shoulder going into the match. Asuka won the match for her team when she submitted Lana with the Asuka Lock. Prior to that, Lana had tagged herself in when Baszler was locking the Kirifuda Clutch on Asuka.
There was then an angle where Reckoning (Mia Yim) of RETRIBUTION attacked Brooke backstage as Brooke was being interviewed about Rose’s status.
Adam Pearce announced later on tonight’s Raw that Evans and Royce are replacing Rose and Brooke at Survivor Series due to Rose and Brooke being unable to compete at the PPV.
There are still two spots left on Team SmackDown for their five-on-five traditional Survivor Series elimination match against Baszler, Jax, Lana, Evans & Royce. Bianca Belair, Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan have qualified for Team SmackDown thus far.
Here’s the updated card for Survivor Series:
The Undertaker will appear for his “Final Farewell”
Non-title champion vs. champion match: WWE Champion Drew McIntyre vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns
Non-title champion vs. champion match: Raw Women’s Champion Asuka vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks
Non-title champion vs. champion match: Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
Non-title champion vs. champion match: United States Champion Bobby Lashley vs. Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn
Men’s five-on-five Survivor Series elimination match: Team Raw (AJ Styles, Keith Lee, Sheamus, Braun Strowman & Riddle) vs. Team SmackDown (Kevin Owens, Jey Uso, Baron Corbin, Seth Rollins, and one wrestler to be announced)
Women’s five-on-five Survivor Series elimination match: Team Raw (Shayna Baszler, Nia Jax, Lana, Lacey Evans & Peyton Royce) vs. Team SmackDown (Bianca Belair, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan and two wrestlers to be announced)
A look at the life and wrestling career of Bob Armstrong is the lead in this week’s double issue of the Observer. We go through what made him a star, his appeal in the Southeast, his role in the famed Atlanta promotion war, what his booking by Bill Watts in Florida inspired more than a decade later, the Roddy Piper feud, the numbers Georgia wrestling did on cable, his success in different territories and his authority roles later in his career.
Also in this issue:
Thunderdome, what hit, what missed, what audience came back for it, what has been learned so far, the sweetheart business deal, the Payback card and booking, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
Television situation changing for Bellator and what that means, including the unique nature of their ownership that explains why it was purchased in the first place.
Karrion Kross injury and Tuesday’s NXT show to fill the title vacancy.
A look back at the first NXT Takeover and at the 30th show, with match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results.
New Japan’s first major outdoor stadium show in 21 years, the last non-Tokyo Dome stadium show before this, what Jingu Stadium is most known for historically, an show preview and a look at this past week’s Korakuen Hall show.
The economics of WWE, the Sonya Deville court hearing, return to action of the U.K. crew and plans, Renee Young talks her time in WWE, Big E/Miz talk, WWE new hires, Orton and Flair talk their angle, how wrestling did compared to other sports this past week, Canadian & U.K. ratings, rewriting of Raw this past week, most watched shows on WWE network this past week and company current market value.
Saturday’s UFC show with business notes and match-by-match coverage.
Return of CMLL, its plans for this year’s anniversary show and how the voting for specific matches is doing.
Television viewers per home for the biggest sports events of the past week and how wrestling fits in.
Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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Damien Priest will be the guest on this week’s After the Bell with Corey Graves.
Wade Barrett on Twitter noted that he would be back to call NXT next week.
Peyton Royce wrote the following on Instagram: “24 hours removed from this moment & it’s been a rough day. I’m emotionally exhausted, I’m so sad but I realize there is a silver lining. I believe everything happens as it is supposed to. @billiekaywwe & I have been the eyes in the back of each other’s heads for 5+ years. It’s time for us to make some growth as individuals. I know we can do this, it just sucks I won’t have her by my side through all of it. Thank you for bringing me so much happiness, adventure & fun. You are one in a million & you’re so incredibly talented. The whole world knows it!”
Billie Kay also took to Instagram about her run with Royce: “Last night was one of the most emotional nights of my life. Realizing that The IIconics are no more was devastating & heartbreaking. @peytonroycewwe you have been my rock, my strength, my heart & inspired me for the past 5+ years. Having that being taken away is extremely scary… but that’s life. We have to evolve, we have to learn, we have to keep going. I’m so proud of us & excited for what the future holds for us. Even though you won’t be able to see me, I will always be in your corner cheering you on. You’ll always be my high school sweetheart, my life partner, my iconic duo, my icon.”
Drew McIntyre has continued to trade words with Tyson Fury, writing today in response to a video from Fury: “Every time I thought this video was about to end you carried on. The only thing your doing with that fist is tickling my chin you big feather duster. I’m going to kick that shiny bald head off that dad bod of yours. @tripleh do us all a favor & have a word with this fraud.”
WWE posted a clip of Stone Cold Steve Austin talking to Jerry Lawler about his favorite Stone Cold moment.
WWE 2K19 will be part of Sony’s PlayStation Now streaming service this month. 15, 16, and 18 are already available.
Other Wrestling
Casey Michael, who was the owner of Squared Circle Sirens and had covered women’s professional wrestling for years, has passed away at the age of 26. Squared Circle Sirens wrote the following: “It’s with a heavy heart we inform you that our beloved friend and @SCsirens owner Casey Michael (@ifyouseekcasey) has passed away at age 26. His contributions to women’s wrestling and the friendships made will live on in his memory forever We love you, Casey.”
Tenille Dashwood returned to Impact on last night’s show after being gone for several months, confronting Jordynne Grace and Knockouts champion Deonna Purazzo.
Peyton Royce and Billie Kay lost tonight to The Riott Squad tonight on Raw after Billie Kay was pinned following a pinfall counter by Ruby Riott. Per the stipulations of the match, The Riott Squad will now receive a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles. But the IIconics, as a result of losing, will now have to split up.
It was reported on the August 10, 2020 edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that during a recent backstage meeting, Vince McMahon saw Peyton Royce and Bianca Belair as potential stars.
The IIconics started to team together in 2016 on NXT. The two were called up as a team the day following WrestleMania 34 under the name The IIconics. The following year, the two were part of a Elimination Chamber match that would determine the first WWE Women’s Tag Team champions. That match was won by Bayley and Sasha Banks. The duo would later win the titles at WrestleMania 35.
After spending most of 2020 off of WWE television, The IIconics resurfaced in May and had spent the summer feuding with both Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott, which eventually led to the reformation of the Riott Squad.
Akira Tozawa, complete with his ninja sidekicks, lost to Titus O’Neil in under five minutes. Bianca Belair continued her winning streak, this week against Peyton Royce.
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Titus O’Neil defeated Akira Tozawa (4:51)
It’s easy to forget that Titus O’Neil has been with WWE for over 10 years now. He doesn’t really look his age. At 43 years old and in his first in-ring appearance since April, O’Neil has become quite the influencer outside of the ring and, here, dispensed with Akira Tozawa with relative ease.
Tozawa first appeared with a group of ninjas — turning heel for the first time in his career — at Backlash in June. Since then, a short 24/7 title reign followed before he has returned to Main Event with little creative direction.
O’Neil nailed Tozawa with some open hand chops early on that looked and sounded absolutely devastating. Tozawa and the ninjas did a spot where they all put their balaclavas on to try and fool O’Neil. But he just threw them all around.
The match was largely dull otherwise, with Tozawa trying a sleeper hold for a good chunk of it. In the end, O’Neil finished him with the Clash of the Titus, but even the Performance Center crowd looked bored during this one.
After defeating Billie Kay last week on Main Event, Bianca Belair took on Kay’s IIconics tag partner, Peyton Royce, this time out.
Much like Kay, Royce is an entertaining competitor. No, she’s not in the same league as Belair in terms of natural in-ring ability, but she put on a good show in this match. Royce and Kay are excellent, irritating heels at this point, with Kay shrieking on the outside whenever things weren’t going in her favor.
Royce spent most of the match working over Belair’s left arm, just as Kay did last week on Main Event. Ultimately, though, after selling it well, Belair launched Royce face-first into the turnbuckles and finished her off with the KOD.
Belair remains undefeated since being called up from NXT, but she’s still in need of some main roster exposure. It’s difficult to argue that there isn’t room in a three-hour Raw for someone with her talent.
Final Thoughts —
A return to the more average Main Event of old this week. I’m not sure how long Belair needs to plow through the women’s division undercard before she can achieve some TV time on Raw. She’s more than ready and continues to work well with whoever they put in front of her. Tozawa must also be frustrated at the lack of direction he has found for himself within weeks of debuting a new gimmick.
After an extended time away from WWE television, former Women’s Tag Team Champions The IIconics returned on tonight’s episode of Raw.
Peyton Royce & Billie Kay appeared on a Moment of Bliss segment with current Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross. It led to Royce & Kay defeating Bliss & Cross in a non-title match.
As the referee’s attention was turned away, Kay struck Bliss in the throat near the end of tonight’s match. The IIconics then hit a double-team facebuster to get the win.
This was Royce & Kay’s first match on WWE TV since November. They moved to the Raw roster in October’s WWE Draft.
At WrestleMania 35 in April 2019, The IIconics defeated Sasha Banks & Bayley, Nia Jax & Tamina, and Natalya & Beth Phoenix in a fatal four-way match to win the Women’s Tag Team titles. Bliss & Cross then won the titles in a fatal four-way elimination match in August. Bliss & Cross lost the titles to Asuka & Kairi Sane in October but won them back at WrestleMania 36.
WWE’s Peyton Royce (Cassie McIntosh) and AEW’s Shawn Spears (Ron Arneill) are the latest professional wrestling couple to get married.
WWE.com posted an article today congratulating Royce and Spears on getting married over the weekend.
Spears (formerly known as Tye Dillinger) requested his release from WWE in February and had it officially granted days later. He made his AEW debut as part of the Casino Battle Royale at Double or Nothing in May. It was then confirmed that Spears had signed with AEW, with him beginning his storyline with Cody Rhodes.
Spears vs. Cody is set for All Out, which is taking place at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois this Saturday. Spears is being managed by Tully Blanchard, while Cody will be allowed to have one person in his corner.
Royce & Billie Kay became WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions at WrestleMania 35 and held the titles until dropping them on the August 5 episode of Raw. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross are the new champions.
Drew Gulak will defend the Cruiserweight Championship against Oney Lorcan, Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross will defend their titles against Peyton Royce & Billie Kay, and Apollo Crews will face Buddy Murphy.
Bliss & Cross vs. The IIconics and Crews vs. Murphy are new additions to SummerSlam, while Gulak vs. Lorcan had already been set for tonight’s card.
Bliss & Cross became Women’s Tag Team Champions by defeating Royce & Kay, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville, and Asuka & Kairi Sane in a fatal four-way elimination match on Raw last week. Royce & Kay were the champions heading into the match but were eliminated first.
WWE has already announced that Asuka & Sane will challenge for the Women’s Tag Team titles on tomorrow’s post-SummerSlam episode of Raw.
The Roman Reigns mystery attacker angle continued on SmackDown last week, with Murphy accusing Rowan of being the person who attacked Reigns. Reigns beat Murphy down until Murphy would give him an answer.
Tonight’s two-hour pre-show begins at 5 p.m. Eastern time. The PPV is taking place at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
