WWE announces four post-draft free agent signings

The new rosters for Raw and SmackDown continued to take shape after the WWE Draft ended last night.

WWE announced overnight that Erik of The Viking Raiders has signed with Raw as a free agent, while Tamina, Billie Kay, and Zelina Vega have signed with SmackDown. Andrade and Mickie James are now the only wrestlers who were listed in the WWE Draft pools but haven’t been assigned to either brand yet.

Erik and Tamina are staying on the same brands they were on prior to the draft. Kay and Vega are moving from Raw to SmackDown.

Ivar of The Viking Raiders, who is out of action after undergoing neck surgery last month, wasn’t listed as eligible to be drafted. Erik also underwent surgery earlier this month to have “some hardware removed” from his arm. Erik wrote that he had been putting off the surgery for a very long time and had been working around and through the pain and limitations caused by a surgical screw protruding into his triceps.

Kay and Peyton Royce are now on opposite brands. Royce & Kay lost a match to Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan in August where the stipulations were that the winning team would get a Women’s Tag Team title shot and the losing team couldn’t team together anymore.

Angel Garza defeated Andrade on Raw last night in a match where Vega was on commentary. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and Alexa Bliss then laid out Andrade and Vega with stereo Sister Abigails.

Here are the updated rosters for Raw and SmackDown:

Raw —

  • WWE Champion Drew McIntyre
  • Raw Women’s Champion Asuka
  • The Hurt Business (MVP, United States Champion Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander)
  • AJ Styles
  • Naomi
  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
  • Ricochet
  • Mandy Rose
  • The Miz & John Morrison
  • Raw Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods
  • Dana Brooke
  • Angel Garza
  • Humberto Carrillo
  • Drew Gulak
  • Tucker
  • Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado
  • “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt
  • Randy Orton
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Braun Strowman
  • Matt Riddle
  • Jeff Hardy
  • RETRIBUTION (Mustafa Ali, T-Bar, Mace, Reckoning & Slapjack)
  • Keith Lee
  • Alexa Bliss
  • Elias
  • Lacey Evans
  • Sheamus
  • Nikki Cross
  • 24/7 Champion R-Truth
  • Dabba-Kato
  • Titus O’Neil
  • Peyton Royce
  • Akira Tozawa
  • Lana
  • Riddick Moss
  • Arturo Ruas
  • Erik

SmackDown —

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns
  • Seth Rollins
  • Sasha Banks
  • Bianca Belair
  • Jey Uso
  • Rey & Dominik Mysterio
  • Big E
  • Otis
  • Murphy
  • Kalisto
  • Shorty G
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits
  • Daniel Bryan
  • Kevin Owens
  • Lars Sullivan
  • Baron Corbin
  • Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn
  • Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro
  • Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
  • Apollo Crews
  • Carmella
  • Aleister Black
  • Natalya
  • Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
  • Tamina
  • Billie Kay
  • Zelina Vega

WWE Raw video highlights: Draft night two

The 2020 WWE Draft came to an end with night two taking place on Monday.

Six rounds of draft picks were announced on Raw and another round of picks were revealed on Raw Talk. There were also four additional free agent signings announced last night.

Raw drafted “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Charlotte Flair, Braun Strowman, Matt Riddle, Jeff Hardy, RETRIBUTION (Mustafa Ali, T-Bar, Mace, Reckoning & Slapjack), Keith Lee, Alexa Bliss, Elias, Lacey Evans, Sheamus, Nikki Cross, 24/7 Champion R-Truth, Dabba-Kato, Titus O’Neil, Peyton Royce, Akira Tozawa, Lana, Riddick Moss, and Arturo Ruas last night.

SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits, Daniel Bryan, Kevin Owens, Lars Sullivan, Baron Corbin, Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode, Apollo Crews, Carmella, Aleister Black, Natalya, Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan were drafted by SmackDown. After the teams switched brands in the draft, The Street Profits became the SmackDown Tag Team Champions by swapping their Raw Tag Team title belts with Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods.

It was also revealed before last night’s show that Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado have been drafted to Raw and Shorty G has been drafted to SmackDown. 

Erik of The Viking Raiders went undrafted but is staying on Raw as a free agent signing, while Tamina, Billie Kay, and Zelina Vega were announced as free agent signings for SmackDown.

More coverage from last night —

WWE Raw video highlights —

Drew McIntyre brawls with Randy Orton

Night two of the draft begins

No DQ match: Kevin Owens vs. Aleister Black

Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke appear on Miz TV

Lars Sullivan lays out John Morrison

The New Day and The Street Profits swap Tag Team title belts

Seth Rollins bids farewell to Raw

Seth Rollins vs. Jeff Hardy vs. AJ Styles, Elias returns

Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke vs. Natalya & Lana

Andrade vs. Angel Garza, The Fiend & Alexa Bliss lay out Andrade & Zelina Vega

Raw Tag Team title match: The New Day vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode

Elias explains why he attacked Jeff Hardy

Ricochet vs. Cedric Alexander

Final rounds of night two draft picks

Dual-brand battle royal for Raw Women’s Championship shot next week

Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton continue to brawl as Raw goes off the air

Raw fallout: WWE announces four free agent signings

Raw fallout: Tom Phillips interviews Braun Strowman and Keith Lee

Raw fallout: The greater good is Seth Rollins’ number one priority

Raw fallout: AJ Styles didn’t need help from Elias

Raw fallout: The Street Profits celebrate becoming the Triple Crown Profits

Raw fallout: Matt Riddle is focused on winning some championships

Raw fallout: Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode are coming for the SmackDown Tag Team titles

WWE announces final round of draft picks on Raw Talk

Update —

WWE also announced overnight that Erik of The Viking Raiders has signed with Raw as a free agent and Tamina, Billie Kay, and Zelina Vega have signed with SmackDown.

**********

After tonight’s Raw went off the air, an additional round of draft picks was announced on Raw Talk.

Lana, Riddick Moss, and Arturo Ruas were selected by Raw in the last round of the draft. Natalya and The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan) were selected by SmackDown.

Lana won a dual-brand number one contender’s battle royal in the main event of Raw tonight and will challenge Asuka for the Raw Women’s Championship on Raw’s season premiere episode next Monday. Natalya said she was done with Lana earlier in tonight’s show and appeared to have the battle royal won, but Lana returned and eliminated Natalya to get the win. Lana had been put through a table by Nia Jax during the battle royal but was never eliminated.

Andrade, Erik of The Viking Raiders, Billie Kay, Tamina, and Zelina Vega were in the night two draft pool but weren’t picked tonight. Mickie James hasn’t been drafted from the night one draft pool. Shorty G and Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado also weren’t originally drafted from the night one draft pool, but it was announced prior to Raw today that Shorty G has been selected by SmackDown and Metalik & Dorado have been selected by Raw.

Andrade and Vega were laid out by stereo Sister Abigails from “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and Alexa Bliss on tonight’s Raw. Wyatt and Bliss were both selected by Raw in the draft.

The updated rosters for Raw and SmackDown following this year’s draft are listed below:

Raw —

  • WWE Champion Drew McIntyre
  • Raw Women’s Champion Asuka
  • The Hurt Business (MVP, United States Champion Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander)
  • AJ Styles
  • Naomi
  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
  • Ricochet
  • Mandy Rose
  • The Miz & John Morrison
  • Raw Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods
  • Dana Brooke
  • Angel Garza
  • Humberto Carrillo
  • Drew Gulak
  • Tucker
  • Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado
  • “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt
  • Randy Orton
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Braun Strowman
  • Matt Riddle
  • Jeff Hardy
  • RETRIBUTION (Mustafa Ali, T-Bar, Mace, Reckoning & Slapjack)
  • Keith Lee
  • Alexa Bliss
  • Elias
  • Lacey Evans
  • Sheamus
  • Nikki Cross
  • 24/7 Champion R-Truth
  • Dabba-Kato
  • Titus O’Neil
  • Peyton Royce
  • Akira Tozawa
  • Lana
  • Riddick Moss
  • Arturo Ruas
  • Erik

SmackDown —

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns
  • Seth Rollins
  • Sasha Banks
  • Bianca Belair
  • Jey Uso
  • Rey & Dominik Mysterio
  • Big E
  • Otis
  • Murphy
  • Kalisto
  • Shorty G
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits
  • Daniel Bryan
  • Kevin Owens
  • Lars Sullivan
  • Baron Corbin
  • Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn
  • Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro
  • Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
  • Apollo Crews
  • Carmella
  • Aleister Black
  • Natalya
  • Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
  • Tamina
  • Billie Kay
  • Zelina Vega

WWE Draft 2020: Full list of night two picks, updated rosters

Update —

WWE also announced overnight that Erik of The Viking Raiders has signed with Raw as a free agent and Tamina, Billie Kay, and Zelina Vega have signed with SmackDown.

**********

The 2020 WWE Draft concludes with night two taking place on tonight’s episode of Raw.

Four rounds of the draft took place on Friday’s SmackDown, with another round of picks then being announced on Talking Smack. A second pool of eligible wrestlers will be eligible to be drafted tonight.

With Raw being a three-hour show, it will again get three picks every round and SmackDown will get two. Tag teams will count as one pick “unless FOX or USA Network, in conjunction with WWE Officials, wants to pick one Superstar from the team.”

It was announced before tonight’s show that Shorty G has been drafted to SmackDown, while Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado have been drafted to Raw. Those three had gone undrafted from the night one draft pool. Mickie James also didn’t get selected on night one but hasn’t been drafted to a new brand yet.

Tonight’s Raw begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time. There will also be additional picks announced on Raw Talk after tonight’s show.

The night two picks will be listed below, along with the updated rosters for both Raw and SmackDown:

Night two picks —

Raw:

  • “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt
  • Randy Orton
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Braun Strowman
  • Matt Riddle
  • Jeff Hardy
  • RETRIBUTION (Mustafa Ali, T-Bar, Mace, Reckoning & Slapjack)
  • Keith Lee
  • Alexa Bliss
  • Elias
  • Lacey Evans
  • Sheamus
  • Nikki Cross
  • 24/7 Champion R-Truth
  • Dabba-Kato
  • Titus O’Neil
  • Peyton Royce
  • Akira Tozawa
  • Lana
  • Riddick Moss
  • Arturo Ruas

SmackDown:

  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits (swapped Tag Team title belts with Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)
  • Daniel Bryan
  • Kevin Owens
  • Lars Sullivan
  • Baron Corbin
  • Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn
  • Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro
  • Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
  • Apollo Crews
  • Carmella
  • Aleister Black
  • Natalya
  • Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan

Updated rosters —

Raw:

  • WWE Champion Drew McIntyre
  • Raw Women’s Champion Asuka
  • The Hurt Business (MVP, United States Champion Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander)
  • AJ Styles
  • Naomi
  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
  • Ricochet
  • Mandy Rose
  • The Miz & John Morrison
  • Raw Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods
  • Dana Brooke
  • Angel Garza
  • Humberto Carrillo
  • Drew Gulak
  • Tucker
  • Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado
  • “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt
  • Randy Orton
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Braun Strowman
  • Matt Riddle
  • Jeff Hardy
  • RETRIBUTION (Mustafa Ali, T-Bar, Mace, Reckoning & Slapjack)
  • Keith Lee
  • Alexa Bliss
  • Elias
  • Lacey Evans
  • Sheamus
  • Nikki Cross
  • 24/7 Champion R-Truth
  • Dabba-Kato
  • Titus O’Neil
  • Peyton Royce
  • Akira Tozawa
  • Lana
  • Riddick Moss
  • Arturo Ruas
  • Erik

SmackDown:

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns
  • Seth Rollins
  • Sasha Banks
  • Bianca Belair
  • Jey Uso
  • Rey & Dominik Mysterio
  • Big E
  • Otis
  • Murphy
  • Kalisto
  • Shorty G
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits
  • Daniel Bryan
  • Kevin Owens
  • Lars Sullivan
  • Baron Corbin
  • Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn
  • Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro
  • Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
  • Apollo Crews
  • Carmella
  • Aleister Black
  • Natalya
  • Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
  • Tamina
  • Billie Kay
  • Zelina Vega

Elias returns to WWE TV, drafted to Raw

Elias made his return tonight on Raw, attacking Jeff Hardy with a guitar.

Hardy, who was drafted to Raw tonight, took on AJ Styles and the departing Seth Rollins in a triple threat match. Towards the end of the match, Elias emerged from out of nowhere and attacked Hardy with his guitar. This allowed Styles to cover Hardy for the win.

Stephanie McMahon then announced in the following segment that Elias was drafted to Raw from SmackDown, where he last appeared.

Elias was last seen being stretchered into an ambulance following a hit and run angle that took place on the May 29 edition of SmackDown. In reality, it was a cover for a pectoral injury that would keep him out of action for months.

The storyline had Sheamus frame Jeff Hardy for the hit and run. This resulted in a feud that ended when Hardy defeated Sheamus in a bar room fight on SmackDown

Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado drafted to WWE Raw

Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado are heading to Raw.

WWE Watch Along announced that Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado are heading to the Raw brand. This splits them up with Kalisto, who was drafted to SmackDown.

WWE Network’s twitter account posted an interview with Lucha House Party earlier on Monday. Kalisto was boasting about how he had been in meetings with FOX. When Dorado asked if he or Gran Metalik were brought up, Kalisto said the meetings were only about him. Dorado said that he and Dorado would remain “lucha lit” with or without Kalisto.

Since returning from injury in August, Kalisto has been teasing dissention between himself and the other two members of Lucha House Party, with Kalisto often instigating the confrontations.

Both Metalik and Dorado were in SmackDown’s draft pool, but neither were picked on the show nor were they drafted on Talking Smack the following day, leaving them free agents. Shorty G, who was also left as a free agent, was later confirmed today signing with the SmackDown brand.

Daily Update: ThunderDome, Raw, G1 Climax final week

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

WON NEWSLETTER: October 12, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Florida reopens, Cartwright lawsuit

A look at how WWE & AEW are handling things like the reopening of Florida, and how Texas looks to be the place MMA companies will go to as far as putting fans in buildings is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer.

We look at the current planned date and place for WrestleMania, what sports are now allowed to do as far as live events in Florida,  AEW’s current plans going forward and the new regulations in Texas.

The new issue also covers:

The Samantha Tavel lawsuit against WWE, Matt Riddle, Evolve and Gabe Sapolsky.  We look at the claims and look at both sides of the story and stories that have changed.  We also look at the strategy of involving WWE i the case, WWE responds to the suit, and go through the time lines and how they differ and wording of the suit. We also go through the background of the case.

History of the non-relationship of NJPW and AEW.  We look at how it started, why there was heat, how the ouster of Howard Meij could change things, as well as why there were so many mentions of NJPW on this past week’s AEW show.  We look at what happened in January 2019 that caused issues between the two sides, the issues with how talent was handled on the way out, and what would be the first sign if relations started opening up.

WWE draft.

G-1 tournament. We go through what style of wrestlers have been helped and hurt by the current no-cheer, no-boo environment, who has been able to get a reaction, the standings, this week’s matches, plans for the rest of the year in New Japan, plus coverage with star ratings and poll results from every show.

NXT Takeover, the show background, match-by-match coverage and poll results on the show.

Updates on the sports rights fees business and where wrestling fits in, Paige’s tweet about unions, Stephanie McMahon gets major praise, new member of WWE Board of Directors, Drew McIntyre vs. Tyson Fury update, one year anniversary of Smackdown on FOX, more on John Cena’s debut in Fast & Furious, new season of Miz & Mrs. and the time slot, Angel Garza injury update, new A&E specials on pro wrestlers coming next year, more WWE injuries, WWE UK direction, wrestling placings in sports ratings and UK rating s for WWE & AEW, Jack Gallagher talks his being released, college heavyweight wants to be managed by Pual Heyman, Miz working on a new television show, WWE new developmental signings, WWE injury updates, WWE market value and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

This past Saturday’s UFC show.

Bushiroad’s attempt at a major Stardom show this past week.

Rundown of charting the place-winners in the key Observer awards and how it relates to the Hall of Fame.

A feature on the team of Penny Banner & Lorraine Johnson, who were known for decades as being the greatest women’s tag team in pro wrestling with the death this past week of Johnson.

What sports events did the best in viewers per home while talking about AEW setting its company record in that category this week.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week. 

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight to talk G-1 with us now in the final week, as well as the WWE draft, Raw and a multitude of other topics with Wrestling Observer Radio late tonight. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]

A few notes about the news today about WWE continuing in the Thunderdome. The original contract between the building and WWE and the city was through the end of this month. It was actually amended some time back through November. They are now in negotiations for a new deal which would extend past November but the final date they would be looking for isn’t finalized.

These are the name listed to be drafted tonight on Raw and probably some after the show on Raw Talk: Andrade, Bayley, Aleister Black, Alexa Bliss, Daniel Bryan,Carmella, King Corbin, Apollo Crews, Nikki Cross, Dabba-Kato, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode, Erik, Lacey Evans, Charlotte Flair, Jeff Hardy, Billy Kay, Lana, Keith Lee, Elias, Riddick Moss, Natalya, Titus O’Neil, Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, R-Truth, Retribution, Matt Riddle, Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan, Peyton Royce, Arturo Ruas, Sheamus, Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro, Street Profits, Braun Strowman, Tamina, Akira Tozawa, Zelina Vega, Bray Wyatt and Sami Zayn.

The G-1 is back tomorrow at 5:30 a.m. in Shizuoka for its final week with an A card show with:

  • Yuya Uemura vs. Gabriel Kidd
  • Jeff Cobb vs. Will Ospreay
  • Kota Ibushi vs. Yujiro Takahashi
  • Shingo Takagi vs. Taichi
  • Minoru Suzuki vs Jay White
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii

The last show before Sumo Hall is Wednesday morning at 5 a.m. from the Yokohama Budokan with B block

  • Yota Tsuji vs. Gabriel Kidd
  • KENTA vs. Yoshi-Hashi
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Juice Robinson
  • Hirooki Goto vs. Evil
  • Tetsuya Naito vs. Toru Yano
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Sanada

As far as who is still alive at this point, in the A block it’s Okada, Ospreay, Ibushi and White. In the B block, Evil, Naito, Goto, Sabre and Sanada are still alive. 

WWE

  • Women announced for tonight’s dual branded Battle Royal for a show at Asuka at Hell in a Cell are Billie Kay, Natalya, Lacey Evans, Mandy Rose, Dana Brooke, Lana, Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Zelina Vega, Tamina, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Alexa Bliss, Bianca Belair, Nikki Cross and Peyton Royce.
  • Tonight’s show goes against the New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Chargers on ESPN. and the Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers. Wednesday’s wrestling will go against two playoff games, another Braves vs. Dodgers game plus a Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays game
  • The new season of Total Bellas starts on 11/12 in the 9 p.m. time slot.
  • ECW Press announced a new Steve Austin book called “Austin 3:16: 316 Facts & Stories about Stone Cold Steve Austin by Michael McAvennie. It is scheduled to be released on March 16, 2021.
  • Sami Zayn talks WWE creative, Reigns vs. Uso and why he’s a fan of the angle and more.

UFC

  • Donald Trump Jr. held a rally called Fighters Against Socialism yesterday in Broward County featuring Jorge Masvidal who claimed Joe Biden would paralyze the country with his socialist economic policies. He said everyone in socialists countries is starving and trying to find a way to get here.

AEW

  • They announced “a huge announcement by MJF” has been added to Wednesday’s AEW anniversary show. Jon Moxley vs. Lance Archer for the AEW title, FTR vs. Best Friends for the tag title, Cody vs. Orange Cassidy for the TV title, Hikaru Shida vs. Big Swole for the women’s title plus Kip Sabian & Miro in a tag match is on the show.  
  • Dark for tomorrow:
    Eddie Kingston vs. Baron Black
    Evil Uno vs. Frankie Kazarian vs The Blade vs. Jungle Boy
    Alex Reynolds & John Silver & Preston Vance vs. Aaron Solow & Angel Fashion  & M’Badu
    Darby Allin vs. Nick Comoroto (a former WWE developmental guy who was cut in April)
    Colt Cabana vs. Griff Garrison
    Brandon Cutler vs. Peter Avalon – THE REMATCH
    Matt Sydal vs Sonny Kiss
    Penta El Cero M & Rey Fenix vs. Lee Johnson & Cezar Bonomi
    Elayna Black vs. Red Velvet
    Wardlow vs. Elijah Dean
    Ricky Stars vs. Fuego del Sol
    Joey Janela vs D3
    Nyla Rose vs. KiLyn King
    Billy & Austin Gunn vs. Ryzin & Maxx Stardom 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • It’s notable that media reports have a Nevada man as the first person to get COVID twice in the U.S., even though it has happened elsewhere in the world.  I guess Kayla Braxton in Florida is no longer part of the U.S.
  • ROH talent is all in Baltimore under quarantine for several days before they start taping another round of television.  With several days of quarantine before each show ROH has the strictest protocols of any promotion except for UFC.
  • Shimmer from yesterday in Indianapolis:  Neveah b Kenzie Paige, Alice Crowley won six-way over Elayna Black, Queen Aminagta, Jody Threat, Big Mama,and Brittany Blake, Heather Monroe b Leyla Hirsch, Solo Darling & Willow Nightingale b Kayla Cassidy & Sierra, Lacey Ryan b Davienne, Hyan b Thunderkitty to keep the Heart of Shimmer title, Zoey Skye b Holidead, Ashley Vox & Deli Expo b Allysin Kay & Marti Belle to keep the tag titles, Kimber Lee b Nicole Savoy to keep the Shimmer title (thanks to Craig Russell)
  • CWE on 10/24 in St. Albert, Alberta with Johnny Devine and former UFC fighter Mitch Clarke.  Clarke will be doing what is being called an MMA Exhibition match.  Devine also headlines 10/23 in Red Deer. Alberta against Jude Dawkins of Red Deer.
  • KSW returns on 11/14 featuring welterweight champion Roberto Soldic, light heavyweight champion Tomas Narkyun and former boxer,  reality show star and TV host Karolina Owczarz.
  • Cris Cyborg (22-2) defends the Bellator featherweight title on Thursday against Arlene Blencowe (13-7).  The main card starts at 10 p.m. Eastern on  CBS Sports Network and DAZN.  The semi has Patricky Pitbull Freire (23-9) vs. Jaleel Willis (13-2).
  • Pro Wrestling Phoenix from Saturday night in Omaha:  Con Artiest won three-way over Branden Juarez and Brett Bishop, K-Dos b Jon West, Purple & Mack Riggs b Paul & Joey Daniels, Jack Darling b Logan Ocean, The Carver b Omar Pachecco, Pat Powers b Nicky Scent, Moonshine Russell b Duke Cornell in a lumberjack match, Tim Boston & Set Kobara NC Lars Metzger & Johnny Ruckus, Jack Darling & Lars Metzger & Johnny Ruckus b Branden Juarez & Tim Boston & Seto Kobara-DQ.  Next show is 11/11 at the Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha.
  • Impact tomorrow night on AXS TV has Kylie Rae vs. Kimber Lee and Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz vs. Taya Valkyrie & Rosemary vs. Havok & Nevaeh  
  • Former WWE star Eve Torres Gracie tested positive for COVID several weeks ago.  Her husband, Rener Gracie, tested positive just before he was to leave for Abu Dhabi to corner Brian Ortega.  So he wasn’t allowed to leave the country.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Bret Hart wins his first WWF World title

CONTACT INFORMATION

Shorty G staying on SmackDown in WWE Draft

WWE has revealed the destination for one of the undrafted wrestlers from night one of this year’s WWE Draft.

In a video posted before tonight’s Raw, WWE announced that Shorty G (Chad Gable) has been drafted to SmackDown. That’s also the brand he was on prior to the start of the draft. In his most recent match, Shorty G was quickly defeated by Sheamus on the October 2 episode of SmackDown.

Mickie James and The Lucha House Party’s Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado are the other wrestlers who weren’t drafted from the night one draft pool. WWE posted a video tonight featuring more dissension between The Lucha House Party after Kalisto was drafted to SmackDown without his teammates during the first portion of the draft.

WWE announced prior to the draft that any undrafted wrestlers would “immediately be declared free agents and able to sign with the brand of their choosing.”

The draft will conclude with night two taking place on tonight’s episode of Raw. Wrestlers from the night two draft pool are eligible to be selected by Raw or SmackDown tonight.

WWE announces five additional draft picks

Another round of WWE Draft picks has been revealed.

WWE announced during this week’s episode of Talking Smack that Humberto Carrillo, Drew Gulak, and Tucker have been drafted to Raw. It was also announced that Murphy and Kalisto have been drafted to SmackDown.

Those five names were among the remaining wrestlers left in the night one draft pool after last night’s SmackDown. Mickie James, the rest of The Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado), and Shorty G were also in the night one draft pool but weren’t selected. WWE has noted that any undrafted wrestlers “will immediately be declared free agents and able to sign with the brand of their choosing.”

Tucker being drafted by Raw means that Heavy Machinery have been broken up in the draft. Otis was selected by SmackDown last night.

Murphy is joining Seth Rollins and Rey & Dominik Mysterio on SmackDown.

The draft will conclude on Monday’s episode of Raw. The updated rosters for Raw and SmackDown are listed below, along with the wrestlers in the night two draft pool:

Raw —

  • WWE Champion Drew McIntyre
  • Raw Women’s Champion Asuka
  • The Hurt Business (MVP, United States Champion Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander)
  • AJ Styles
  • Naomi
  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
  • Ricochet
  • Mandy Rose
  • The Miz & John Morrison
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods
  • Dana Brooke
  • Angel Garza
  • Humberto Carrillo
  • Drew Gulak
  • Tucker

SmackDown —

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns
  • Seth Rollins
  • Sasha Banks
  • Bianca Belair
  • Jey Uso
  • Rey & Dominik Mysterio
  • Big E
  • Otis
  • Murphy
  • Kalisto

Night two draft pool —

  • Andrade
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley
  • Aleister Black
  • Alexa Bliss
  • Daniel Bryan
  • Carmella
  • King Corbin
  • Apollo Crews
  • Nikki Cross
  • Dabba-Kato
  • Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
  • Elias
  • Erik (of The Viking Raiders)
  • Lacey Evans
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Jeff Hardy
  • Billie Kay
  • Lana
  • Keith Lee
  • Riddick Moss
  • Natalya
  • Titus O’Neil
  • Randy Orton
  • Kevin Owens
  • 24/7 Champion R-Truth
  • RETRIBUTION (Mustafa Ali, T-BAR, MACE, SLAPJACK, RECKONING & RETALIATION)
  • Matt Riddle
  • The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan)
  • Peyton Royce
  • Arturo Ruas
  • Sheamus
  • Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro
  • Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
  • Braun Strowman
  • Lars Sullivan
  • Tamina
  • Akira Tozawa
  • Zelina Vega
  • Bray Wyatt
  • Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn

WWE SmackDown video highlights: Draft night one

This year’s WWE Draft kicked off with four rounds taking place on last night’s SmackDown.

In the first round, WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Universal Champion Roman Reigns stayed on their respective brands with Raw selecting McIntyre and SmackDown selecting Reigns. Raw Women’s Champion Asuka and The Hurt Business (MVP, United States Champion Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander) also stayed on Raw, while Seth Rollins moved to SmackDown.

AJ Styles, Naomi, and Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax were selected by Raw in round two. Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair were drafted to SmackDown.

Round three saw Raw select Ricochet, Mandy Rose, and The Miz & John Morrison. SmackDown picked Jey Uso and Rey & Dominik Mysterio.

Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods returned to the ring last night and won the SmackDown Tag Team titles from Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro. After the match, it was revealed that Kingston & Woods are moving to Raw and Big E is staying on SmackDown. Dana Brooke and Angel Garza were also selected by Raw. Otis was picked by SmackDown.

Additional draft picks will be announced on this week’s episode of Talking Smack. The draft will then conclude with the second pool of eligible wrestlers being selected on Monday.

The build to Hell in a Cell also continued on last night’s SmackDown. It was revealed that Reigns and Jey Uso’s Universal Championship match at Hell in a Cell will be the first-ever Hell in a Cell I Quit match. After SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley got herself disqualified in their title match last night, Banks challenged Bayley to face her in a Hell in a Cell match.

Plus, The Fiend made his SmackDown in-ring debut as he faced Kevin Owens in last night’s main event.

More coverage from last night —

WWE SmackDown video highlights —

The WWE Draft begins

Big E vs. Sheamus falls count anywhere match

Roman Reigns and Jey Uso will face off in the first-ever Hell in a Cell I Quit match

AJ Styles thinks he should have been the number one draft pick

Jeff Hardy & Matt Riddle vs. The Miz & John Morrison

Lars Sullivan returns

Bayley vs. Sasha Banks for the SmackDown Women’s Championship

Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro vs. The New Day for the SmackDown Tag Team titles

The New Day get split up in the draft

The Miz’s lawyer files a continuance to delay Otis trial

Sasha Banks challenges Bayley to a Hell in a Cell match

Kevin Owens vs. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt

SmackDown fallout: Drew McIntyre reacts to being Raw’s first overall draft pick

SmackDown fallout: Seth Rollins is now SmackDown’s Savior

SmackDown fallout: Rey Mysterio is excited to be back on SmackDown with Dominik

WWE Draft 2020: Full list of night one picks

This year’s WWE Draft kicks off with night one taking place on SmackDown tonight.

The draft begins tonight and concludes on Monday’s episode of Raw. The draft is again divided into two pools of wrestlers, with more than 20 eligible to be drafted by SmackDown or Raw tonight and more than 30 eligible to be drafted by SmackDown or Raw on Monday. Due to Raw being three hours, it will get three picks for every two picks that SmackDown gets. Tag teams “will count as one pick unless FOX or USA Network, in conjunction with WWE Officials, wants to pick one Superstar from the team.”

Undrafted wrestlers will become free agents and are “able to sign with the brand of their choosing.”

Stephanie McMahon will preside over both nights of the draft.

WWE has noted that more picks will also be made on Saturday’s episode of Talking Smack.

Tonight’s show begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time. The updated rosters for Raw and SmackDown will be listed below:

Raw —

  • WWE Champion Drew McIntyre
  • Raw Women’s Champion Asuka
  • The Hurt Business (MVP, United States Champion Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander)
  • AJ Styles
  • Naomi
  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
  • Ricochet
  • Mandy Rose
  • The Miz & John Morrison
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods
  • Dana Brooke
  • Angel Garza

SmackDown —

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns
  • Seth Rollins
  • Sasha Banks
  • Bianca Belair
  • Jey Uso
  • Rey & Dominik Mysterio
  • Big E
  • Otis

Remaining wrestlers in night one draft pool —

  • Humberto Carrillo
  • Drew Gulak
  • Tucker
  • Mickie James
  • Lucha House Party (Kalisto, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado)
  • Murphy
  • Shorty G

WWE reveals draft rules, wrestler pools for nights one and two

Ahead of it kicking off on SmackDown this Friday night, WWE has revealed the rules for this year’s draft.

Stephanie McMahon will again preside over both nights of the draft. It will begin on SmackDown this Friday and conclude on Monday’s Raw. The full rules for the draft are:

  • Over 60 Male Superstars, Female Superstars and Tag Teams have been placed into the 2020 WWE Draft.
  • More than 20 Superstars are eligible to be drafted on Friday night and more than 30 Superstars are eligible to be drafted on Monday night.
  • Due to the length of each show, for every two picks that SmackDown selects, Raw will get three picks.
  • Tag Teams will count as one pick unless FOX or USA Network, in conjunction with WWE Officials, wants to pick one Superstar from the team.
  • Any undrafted Superstars will immediately be declared free agents and able to sign with the brand of their choosing.

Like last year, the draft is again divided into two pools of eligible wrestlers. The wrestlers in the first pool are eligible to be selected by either SmackDown or Raw this Friday night. The wrestlers in the second pool are eligible to be selected by either SmackDown or Raw on Monday.

The pools are:

Night one (Friday, October 9) —

  • Asuka
  • Sasha Banks
  • Bianca Belair
  • Dana Brooke
  • Humberto Carrillo
  • Elias
  • Angel Garza
  • Drew Gulak
  • Heavy Machinery (Otis & Tucker)
  • The Hurt Business (Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander & MVP)
  • Mickie James
  • Lucha House Party (Kalisto, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado)
  • Drew McIntyre
  • Murphy
  • Rey & Dominik Mysterio
  • Naomi
  • The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)
  • Roman Reigns
  • Ricochet
  • Seth Rollins
  • Mandy Rose
  • Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
  • Shorty G
  • AJ Styles
  • Jey Uso

Night two (Monday, October 12) —

  • Andrade
  • Bayley
  • Aleister Black
  • Alexa Bliss
  • Daniel Bryan
  • Carmella
  • King Corbin
  • Apollo Crews
  • Nikki Cross
  • Dabba-Kato
  • Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
  • Erik (of The Viking Raiders)
  • Lacey Evans
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Jeff Hardy
  • Billie Kay
  • Lana
  • Keith Lee
  • The Miz & John Morrison
  • Riddick Moss
  • Natalya
  • Titus O’Neil
  • Randy Orton
  • Kevin Owens
  • R-Truth
  • RETRIBUTION (Mustafa Ali, T-BAR, MACE, SLAPJACK, RECKONING & RETALIATION)
  • Matt Riddle
  • The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan)
  • Peyton Royce
  • Arturo Ruas
  • Sheamus
  • Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro
  • The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
  • Braun Strowman
  • Tamina
  • Akira Tozawa
  • Zelina Vega
  • Bray Wyatt
  • Sami Zayn

Three matches have also been announced for this Friday’s SmackDown. Bayley will defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Sasha Banks, Kevin Owens will face “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt, and Big E will take on Sheamus in a falls count anywhere match. Otis will also “represent himself in court” on the episode as he tries to stop The Miz from taking his Money in the Bank contract.