Tag: Tye Dillinger

Shawn Spears makes surprise return to WWE NXT

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Shawn Spears made a surprise return to WWE NXT TV on Tuesday’s episode. 

As Ridge Holland delivered a promo in the ring, the arena lights were turned down and a vignette played on the video walls in the style of the mystery messages that began airing at Vengeance Day earlier this month. A hooded figure then attacked Holland with a chair before briefly revealing himself as Spears. 

On commentary, Vic Joseph referred to the attacker as Spears, the ring name that the former Tye Dillinger used in AEW and elsewhere in his career. 

Later on Tuesday’s show, Spears cut a backstage promo and promised to show up at next week’s Roadblock episode. 

Spears has had two previous runs with WWE. He signed a developmental deal with the company in 2006 and was used in OVW, FCW, and briefly on the ECW brand before being released in 2009. He returned to the company in 2013 on another developmental deal and worked primarily in NXT from 2013 to 2017. He was called up to the SmackDown brand in 2017 and was used there until his 2019 release.

Spears announced last December that he was leaving AEW after nearly five years with the company, including appearing on the promotion’s first event in 2019. Spears had his most high-profile match with AEW in the company’s first year, a singles match with Cody Rhodes at the All Out pay-per-view. 

In his final AEW appearance, Spears took part in a battle royale at on the All Out pre-show last September. He has since worked a handful of independent dates.

Spears and his wife Cassie Lee (formerly Peyton Royce in WWE) are currently expecting their second child.

Video of Spears’ return to NXT is embedded below.

Cassie Lee and Shawn Spears welcome birth of first child

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Cassie Lee and AEW’s Shawn Spears have welcomed the birth of their first child. 

Lee and Spears announced in a social media post that their son, Austin Jay, was born on Tuesday, January 17. 

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. 

Former Tye Dillinger announced for AEW Casino Battle Royale

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The former Tye Dillinger will be taking part in AEW Double or Nothing on Saturday.

AEW has announced that Shawn Spears will be an entrant in Saturday’s Casino Battle Royale, which is part of the hour-long “Buy-In” pre-show for Double or Nothing. The announcement was made in a card draw video where Spears drew the 10 of diamonds.

“I’m coming to AEW because I believe in what they are doing,” Spears told Sports Illustrated. “I believe in providing an alternative for fans, and I really believe that the audience has wanted an alternative for quite some time. This is now the platform to give people exactly what they want, and I am really looking forward to proving myself in AEW.”

Spears requested his release from WWE in February and had it granted days later. Sports Illustrated’s interview with Spears noted that his no-compete clause expires less than 48 hours before Double or Nothing.

There will be 21 entrants in the Casino Battle Royale. It will start with five wrestlers in the ring, with waves of five entering every three minutes after that. The 21st participant will then enter on their own.

Jimmy Havoc, Billy Gunn, MJF, Michael Nakazawa, Jungle Boy, Glacier, Sonny Kiss, Joey Janela, Brandon Cutler, Ace Romero, Brian Pillman Jr., Sunny Daze, Dustin Thomas, Marq Quen, Isaiah Kassidy, and Luchasaurus are the other wrestlers who have been confirmed for the battle royal. The winner of the match will receive a future shot at the first AEW World Champion.

Sammy Guevara vs. Kip Sabian will also be part of the Double or Nothing pre-show. It will air live on AEW’s YouTube account starting at 7 p.m. Eastern time this Saturday. In the United Kingdom, the pre-show will be on ITV4.

Tye Dillinger announced for first post-WWE indie matches

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A week after he was granted his release, the former Tye Dillinger has been announced for his first matches since departing WWE.

Create A Pro Wrestling announced today that Dillinger, who is going by the name Shawn Spears, will have his “first post-WWE independent match” at their event in Lynbrook, New York on Friday, May 31.

Shawn Spears is the name Dillinger used at the beginning of his career.

Dillinger is also set for Beyond Wrestling’s Uncharted Territory show in Worcester, Massachusetts on Wednesday, June 5.

Dillinger tweeted before the announcements were made: “Ok, under 2 weeks out and my excitement is already building. So, Let’s get to work. NOW accepting bookings for shows after May. 31st, 2019 and available now for select signings and appearances. Email: [email protected] Thank you all and I look forward to this.”

That May 31 date is after AEW Double or Nothing, which is taking place on May 25.

WWE announced on February 22 that they had “come to terms on the release” of Dillinger. That came after Dillinger posted a statement revealing that he requested his release on February 19. He thanked everyone in WWE and wrote: “I feel at this time this decision, as extremely difficult as it was, is what is best for myself and WWE. I wish to continue to grow as a performer and offer those paying hard earned money to watch a show I’m performing on, a little more of myself.”

Tye Dillinger granted release from WWE

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Tye Dillinger has been granted his release from WWE.

WWE announced the news via a brief statement on their website this afternoon: “WWE has come to terms on the release of Ron Arneill (Tye Dillinger).”

In a statement that Dillinger posted on his social media accounts on Tuesday, Dillinger announced that he requested his release from WWE. Dillinger didn’t reveal what WWE’s response to his request was then, but he thanked everyone in the company and the fans and wished them the very best.

Dillinger wrote about his decision: “I feel at this time this decision, as extremely difficult as it was, is what is best for myself and WWE. I wish to continue to grow as a performer and offer those paying hard earned money to watch a show I’m performing on, a little more of myself.”

The 38-year-old Dillinger returned to the ring at a SmackDown house show in DeKalb, Illinois on February 9. He had been out of action since October 2018 due to a hand injury that required surgery.

Dillinger didn’t appear on either of the two episodes of SmackDown that took place after he returned from injury.

Tye Dillinger requests release from WWE

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Tye Dillinger has requested his release from WWE.

Dillinger (real name Ronald Arneill) announced the news in a statement that he posted on his Twitter and Instagram accounts late Tuesday night. Dillinger didn’t state what WWE’s response to his request was, but he wrote that he wishes everyone in WWE and the fans the very best and thanks them for everything.

The statement read:

Before rumors begin to spread, let me set things straight ahead of time:

This evening, I requested my release from WWE. In the past 5 and a half years with them, I have seen and done some wonderful things. Things that I am very proud of and will never forget. I have met and have worked with unquestionably, some of the greatest talent on this earth and the pleasure has been all mine.

I feel at this time this decision, as extremely difficult as it was, is what is best for myself and WWE. I wish to continue to grow as a performer and offer those paying hard earned money to watch a show I’m performing on, a little more of myself.

To the male and female locker rooms, coaches and producers, to the production/ring crew, all the way up to the very top of WWE and most of all the fans…I wish you all the very best and thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything.

Tuesday was Dillinger’s 38th birthday.

Dillinger returned to the ring at a SmackDown house show in DeKalb, Illinois on February 9. He had been out of action since October 2018 due to a hand injury that required surgery.

Dillinger didn’t appear on the two episodes of SmackDown that have taken place since he returned.

WWE DeKalb live results: Becky Lynch attacks, Dillinger returns

Posted on by F4W Staff

The SmackDown roster came to the NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb, Illinois for their Saturday night house show.

– Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev defeated The Usos and The New Day in a triple threat match

Mandy Rose distracted The Usos at the end of the match.

– Naomi & Carmella defeated Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville

– Shelton Benjamin defeated Tye Dillinger

This was Dillinger’s first match since October. He had been out of action with a hand injury that required surgery.

Samoa Joe attacked Benjamin after and issued a challenge, setting up the next match.

– Mustafa Ali defeated Samoa Joe

Ali won with a roll-up.

– SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair ended in a no contest/DQ

Becky Lynch, who is suspended in storyline, appeared and attacked both of them with a crutch. Lynch will be also appearing on Monday’s Raw, with WWE doing a storyline where she’s been invited to the show by the McMahon family for the second straight week.

– United States Champion R-Truth defeated Andrade to retain his title

– Jeff Hardy appeared on Miz TV. They were interrupted by Cesaro and Sheamus and then faced them in a tag match.

– The Miz & Jeff Hardy defeated Cesaro & Sheamus

– AJ Styles defeated Randy Orton

Tye Dillinger returning from hand injury

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Tye Dillinger is set to return to action for the first time since October.

Dillinger tweeted this morning: “Hey hey!! Yes I still wrestle! I actually start back tonight…. Thrilled.” Tonight’s SmackDown-brand house show is taking place at the NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb, Illinois.

WWE announced on October 30, 2018 that Dillinger had suffered a hand injury at a house show and would need to undergo surgery. Dillinger was supposed to challenge then-champion Shinsuke Nakamura for the United States title on SmackDown that night, but the match was pulled and Nakamura defeated current US Champion R-Truth in a non-title match instead.

Dillinger was involved in a brief feud with Randy Orton before being forced out of action due to the injury.

Dillinger was back in training last month ahead of making his return.

Also on Twitter today, Dillinger wrote “Tried” in response to a fan who asked him if he would go back to NXT if it were possible.

WWE: Tye Dillinger suffers hand injury, will require surgery

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Though WWE had announced that Shinsuke Nakamura would defend his United States Championship against Tye Dillinger on tonight’s SmackDown, that match won’t be happening.

After Nakamura vs. Dillinger was pulled from the SmackDown preview today, WWE uploaded a video with Mike Rome announcing that Dillinger injured his hand at last night’s house show in Macon, Georgia and will require surgery. Nakamura will instead face R-Truth in a non-title match on tonight’s show.

WWE.com also posted an article on Dillinger’s hand injury and reiterated that he will need to undergo surgery.

Tonight’s SmackDown is the go-home show for Crown Jewel. While Daniel Bryan reportedly won’t be traveling to Saudi Arabia for Friday’s event, WWE is advertising that AJ Styles will confront Bryan tonight ahead of their WWE Championship match. Rey Mysterio & Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton & The Miz, Becky Lynch appearing, and a Trick or Street Fight between one member of The Bar and one member of The New Day are also set for tonight.

Two matches, Styles-Bryan segment set for WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Two matches have been announced for this week’s episode of SmackDown.

On the night before Halloween, one member of The Bar (Big Show is also included on the graphic for the match with Cesaro & Sheamus) will face one member of The New Day in a Trick or Street Fight. The match comes in advance of New Day getting their rematch for Cesaro & Sheamus’ SmackDown Tag Team titles at Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Friday.

Paige also announced via Twitter that Shinsuke Nakamura will defend the United States Championship against Tye Dillinger on this Tuesday’s SmackDown. Nakamura vs. Dillinger stems from a title match they had last month ending without a finish due to an angle where Randy Orton attacked Dillinger.

A confrontation between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan is set for SmackDown, with WWE still currently advertising that Styles will defend his title against Bryan at Crown Jewel. SmackDown will also feature the final build to Friday’s World Cup tournament, where Orton vs. Rey Mysterio and Jeff Hardy vs. The Miz will be SmackDown’s first round matches.

WWE Florence, SC, live results: Tye Dillinger possibly injured

Posted on by F4W Staff

Submitted by Justin Rogers

– The New Day defeated Cesaro & Sheamus

They had a long, entertaining match, with Xavier Woods struggling to make the tag to Big E.

– Shelton Benjamin defeated Tye Dillinger by countout

The referee threw up the “X” symbol after Benjamin hit a kick to Dillinger’s face on the top rope. Dillinger was walked to the back. The crowd was worried that Dillinger suffered a legitimate injury — it looked and sounded nasty.

Benjamin then grabbed the microphone and cut a promo where he dissed South Carolina. He said he would give anyone in the building the same fate he gave Dillinger.

– Rusev & Lana defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega

They had a real fun match. There was lots of chasing each other around the ring and false finishes, then it ended with a double Accolade.

– United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Jeff Hardy to retain his title

Nakamura retained by hitting a knee to the face. He got cocky after the match and came back to inflict more damage, but that soon backfired and Hardy gave him a Twist of Fate and the Swanton.

– Asuka defeated SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella by DQ

The IIconics interfered for the disqualification. This then became a six-woman tag match.

– Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair & Asuka defeated SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella, Peyton Royce & Billie Kay

Lynch made Royce tap with the Dis-Arm-Her.

– SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers defeated Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson to retain their titles

– WWE Champion AJ Styles defeated Samoa Joe to retain his title

This got the loudest reactions of the night. The entire crowd was into it, and it was a really good match.

Joe dominated at first, Styles threw him into the guardrail outside the ring, and Styles retained with the Phenomenal Forearm after some back and forth. This was a great house show for a small town.

Miz TV with Bryan & Kane, two matches added to WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A Miz TV segment and two more matches have been added to the lineup for SmackDown’s go-home show for Extreme Rules.

Ahead of challenging for The Bludgeon Brothers’ Tag Team titles on Sunday, Daniel Bryan & Kane will appear on Miz TV to open tonight’s episode. Andrade “Cien” Almas will also face Sin Cara, and Samoa Joe will wrestle Tye Dillinger.

Almas vs. Sin Cara was originally scheduled to take place on the June 12 edition of SmackDown, but it was canceled when WWE explained that, due to Sin Cara suffering a storyline shoulder injury when Almas attacked him the previous week, Sin Cara wasn’t able to compete. Neither has wrestled on SmackDown since, and Almas has only wrestled twice on the show since being called up from NXT. Both of those matches were against enhancement wrestlers.

Sin Cara has been Almas’ regular opponent on house shows, and Almas defeated him in a dark match prior to last week’s episode.

Joe vs. Dillinger was set up in a post-show video last week. R-Truth told Joe that he didn’t stand a chance against Dillinger, Joe asked Dillinger if that was true, and Dillinger challenged him to the match.

WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a non-title match is also advertised for tonight’s SmackDown, along with Asuka vs. James Ellsworth in a lumberjack match. The show is being held at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tye Dillinger set for WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Another match is set for this week’s edition of SmackDown.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tye Dillinger was added to the lineup for the show today. It was set up as they went back and forth on Twitter, playing off of Dillinger’s “Perfect 10” gimmick and Nakamura facing AJ Styles in a last man standing match at Money in the Bank.

WWE then had Paige officially announce Nakamura vs. Dillinger: “Hiya boys! It sounds like you’ve both had some time on your hands this weekend BUT tomorrow is Tuesday and that means I make the rules…soooo I’m making it official: @ShinsukeN vs. @WWEDillinger on #SDLive.”

This will be Dillinger’s first time wrestling on SmackDown since the build to WrestleMania 34. On last week’s episode, Nakamura laid out Styles and announced the last man standing stipulation for their WWE Championship match at Money in the Bank.

The final Money in the Bank qualifying match will take place tomorrow, with Daniel Bryan wrestling Samoa Joe for the first time in WWE. The New Day will also face The Miz, Cesaro & Sheamus in a six-man tag.

NXT San Diego, CA, live results: A farewell to Tye Dillinger

Posted on by F4W Staff

Image: @PadsFan25. Report submitted by reader Marco Bautista.

– No Way Jose defeated Kona Reeves

There was a big pop for Jose and he pumped up the crowd. Reeves got big heat as well. Jose danced throughout the match, eventually winning with his pop-up punch finisher.

– Ruby Riot & Lacey Evans defeated Mandy Rose & Bianca Blair

Both of the faces got pops, but the heels got surprisingly little reaction. Evans was impressive with her moves and showed character.

– Kassius Ohno defeated Oney Lorcan

This was the match of the night. It was a physical back-and-forth match with a few close near falls. Ohno ended up winning with an elbow strike, and both wrestlers got good pops.

– DIY defeated Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss

Sabbatelli and Moss cut a good heel promo on the city before this started. All four showed off at the start and they had a good match from beginning to end. DIY won with their finisher.

– Drew McIntyre defeated Patrick Clark

McIntyre got a good reaction, while Clark didn’t really get much. This was another stiff match with chops and kicks. McIntyre won with a Claymore kick.

– NXT Women’s Champion Asuka defeated Sonya Deville to retain her title

The fans were very into Asuka. They had an MMA type of match with many submissions and kicks. It lasted seven minutes, with Asuka winning with a running kick.

– Tye Dillinger & Hideo Itami defeated NXT Champion Bobby Roode & Andrade “Cien” Almas

Dillinger got one of the biggest pops of the night, with it maybe only being surpassed by the crowd singing Roode’s theme. It started with Dillinger and Roode doing their signature taunts. Roode tried to get heat by telling the crowd to shut up, but he ended up getting a pop for it.

This was a solid match. Dillinger and Itami hit their finishers and Itami pinned Almas.

Dillinger said after the match that as far as he knows this was his last night in NXT. He gave a farewell speech. The crowd chanted “US champ” at one point and he called out Kevin Owens. The whole roster that was there came out to give him a curtain call to end the show.

NXT Riverside, CA, live results: Roode vs. Dillinger; Almas vs. Ohno

Posted on by F4W Staff

Submitted by reader Juan Lopez

– No Way Jose defeated Kona Reeves

This was just a match to get the crowd going.

– Ruby Riot defeated Bianca Blair

Blair had a really long ponytail and used it as a weapon. The crowd chanted “Holy sh*t” and “Use the hair.”

– Patrick Clark cut a promo on the video screen about Cinco de Mayo and saying that we’re going to feel the Patrick Clark Experience later.

– DIY defeated Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss

It looked like Moss’ mouth was bleeding at one point. You can tell that Sabbatelli is going to be a star.

– Andrade “Cien” Almas defeated Kassius Ohno

Both were over, though I’d say Almas was more over than Ohno.

– Hideo Itami defeated Patrick Clark

Clark came out and did a promo before the match, saying the same thing about the “experience” and that we paid to see him.

– Drew McIntyre defeated Oney Lorcan

This was a good, hard-hitting match. It was shorter than expected, with the finish coming so early being a surprise. McIntyre was on the stage after, then turned around and went back to the ring. He picked up Lorcan, only to end up shaking his hand.

– NXT Women’s Champion Asuka & Lacey Evans defeated Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose

Asuka was really over. She came out with the old belt.

– NXT Champion Bobby Roode defeated Tye Dillinger to retain his title

Seeing Roode live is such a different atmosphere than on TV. They had a good match and did a lot of fun spots with Roode building up to the Glorious pose and Dillinger with the “10” chants. There were good near falls near the end that had people buying into them.

Roode got a chair after the match and raised it, but Dillinger hit him with a low blow. Dillinger then hit a People’s Elbow.