Tag: xavier woods

Two IC title contender’s tournament matches set for WWE Raw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On WWE Raw tonight, a tournament will begin to decide the next challenger for Bron Breakker’s Intercontinental title.

WWE has announced that the number one contender’s tournament will kick off with a pair of triple threat matches taking place on tonight’s episode. They are: Jey Uso vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Karrion Kross and The Miz vs. Xavier Woods vs. Pete Dunne.

Breakker won the Intercontinental title from Sami Zayn at SummerSlam. His first title defense was a two-out-of-three falls rematch against Zayn on Raw two weeks ago where Breakker won two falls to one.

Zayn received stem cell therapy in Mexico recently to help deal with some nagging injuries. On Raw, he and Uso are back aligned after previously being in The Bloodline together. Uso is still looking to win the first singles championship of his career.

WWE hasn’t announced when the tournament winner will be getting their title shot.

Raw takes place from Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island tonight. It’s the last episode of the show before Saturday’s Bash in Berlin PLE.

WWE Raw (Monday, August 26) —

  • Uncle Howdy vs. Chad Gable
  • Bronson Reed vs. Braun Strowman
  • IC title number one contender’s match: Jey Uso vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Karrion Kross
  • IC title number one contender’s match: The Miz vs. Xavier Woods vs. Pete Dunne
  • Randy Orton appears
  • The Judgment Day appear after attacking Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley last week

Xavier Woods vs. Karrion Kross added to WWE Raw lineup

Posted on by Ian Carey

A new match has been added to the lineup for Monday’s WWE Raw.

Xavier Woods vs. Karrion Kross is now scheduled for the show.

Kross defeated Woods’ New Day teammate, Kofi Kingston, on last week’s show after a distraction by Paul Ellering. The Final Testament manager interrupted the match by playing a video of the Authors of Pain attacking Woods backstage. This allowed Kross to hit the Final Prayer on Kingston for the win.

This week’s episode is scheduled for Boston’s TD Garden. Two Money in the Bank qualifying matches and a Women’s World title bout between Liv Morgan and Zelina Vega are scheduled for the show.

The announced card for the Monday, July 1 WWE Raw:Ā 

  • Womenā€™s World Champion Liv Morgan defends against Zelina Vega
  • Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio
  • Menā€™s Money in the Bank qualifying match: Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus vs. Ilja Dargunov
  • Womenā€™s Money in the Bank qualifying match: Zoey Stark vs. Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile
  • Xavier Woods vs. Karrion Kross

Xavier Woods advances in WWE Speed contender’s tournament

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On WWE Speed this week, a new tournament got underway to determine the first challenger for Andrade.

Xavier Woods defeated Dijak to move on to the next round of the number one contender’s tournament. Woods won with a diving elbow drop with 10 seconds left on the three-minute clock. The match was taped in Toledo, Ohio before the June 10 episode of Raw.

Akira Tozawa vs. NXT’s Nathan Frazer is the other first-round match in the contender’s tournament. That will air on the WWE Speed episode that premieres on X/Twitter at noon Eastern time next Wednesday (June 26). The winner advances to face Woods the following week.

Andrade won the WWE Speed title by dethroning inaugural champion Ricochet in a match that aired last Friday. With Ricochet likely on his way out of WWE, that may have been his final time competing for the company.

Currently, Woods & Kofi Kingston are feuding with Karrion Kross & The Final Testament on Raw. Kross has been trying to drive a wedge between New Day and get Woods to split away from Kingston.

Xavier Woods vs. Karrion Kross announced for WWE Raw

Posted on by Ian Carey

A new match has been added to the lineup for WWE Raw on Monday.

New Day’s Xavier Woods vs. Karrion Kross is now scheduled for the show.

WWE announced the news on Sunday, writing, “Can @AustinCreedWins & @realKILLERkross settle their score tomorrow night on #WWERaw?

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1802461146873774392

Kross had been attempting to recruit Woods into the Final Testament in recent weeks. On last week’s show, Woods and Kofi Kingston came out to prevent Kross from interfering in the AOP vs. Awesome Truth tag title match. Kross later issued a warning to Woods in a WWE.com digital exclusive.

Kross says in the video:

“You can’t say that ‘one day I’d like to be WWE Champion’ because in the back of your mind, you don’t really think you’re going to get there. And it’s not because you’re not talented enough. It’s because there is a ceiling over your head. It’s the same ceiling Final Testament has been fighting against since we came back and you just… I’m going to start swearing, I gotta to get out of here, guys. I can’t let this one slide, Woods, I can’t let this slide. Watch your back.”

WWE Raw announced lineup for Monday, June 17, 2024 —

  • Money in the Bank qualifying matches begin
  • Dragon Lee vs. Carlito
  • Xavier Woods w/Kofi Kingston vs. Karrion Kross w/Scarlett
  • Reveal of QR code mystery teased

Xavier Woods returns on WWE Raw

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Xavier Woods made his return to TV on Raw, focusing on Imperium.

Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser were in the ring cutting a promo when Woods interrupted, making his return after being out since late November to recover from injuries. He challenged Kaiser to a match right then and there. Kaiser won the match by DQ after Woods used a steel chair that Kaiser attempted to use on him.

Following the bout, Kaiser went to attack Woods in the same way he attacked Kofi Kingston on last weekā€™s Raw by putting Woods’ head on the steel steps. Woods recovered and hit a dropkick on Kaiser, then went to throw the steps at him. Kaiser dodged then fled as Woods stood in the ring. 

After a commercial break, Kaiser jumped Woods as he was being interviewed, causing Jey Uso to make the save.

The feud between Kingston and Imperium escalated after a dropkick by Kingston injured Giovanni Vinci two weeks ago on Raw, putting him out of action. Kaiser retaliated last week by throwing a chair at Kingston, then dropkicking his head into steel steps.

Daily Update: WWE SmackDown overnight ratings, Eddie Kingston, Xavier Woods

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Highlights of the current issue:

  • Match and performer of the week
  • TKO COO Mark Shapiro talks WWE and UFC business and changes they are thinking about
  • Future of the house show business and why breaking even should be okay
  • Injury rate in WWE and AEW and does the schedule make a difference
  • His thoughts on the PFL taking over Bellator
  • Upcoming media rights deals to be made
  • Ideas for UFC’s streaming service
  • How much UFC is making for certain overseas shows as well as WWE
  • When deals are up
  • Change in the look of the WWE ring
  • Running shows in the same city in the same weekend
  • What is the median income of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • What is the level of education of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • What is the ethnic makeup of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • A look at All In 2024 ticket sales
  • A look at NXT Deadline and the interest level
  • A look at the Tokyo Sports MVP and its top candidates and why the person who should win has little chance to win
  • Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings, with competition, how each segment did, how the audience has changed over the past year and demo breakdowns
  • AEW and former WWE star headed to Arena Mexico
  • Plight of arrested wrestling star ends up in Mexico president press conference
  • Stardom PPV coverage and build to the Sumo Hall show
  • All Japan tag team tournament coverage
  • New Japan tag team tournament coverage
  • AEW star will headline major NOAH show
  • Updates on Okada
  • Notes on Iron Claw movie
  • Former WWE tag champ retires
  • Sukeban coverage
  • Former WWE announcer working with Trump
  • Great match on indie show
  • U.K. promotion running April show in U.S.
  • Major show with big names in U.K. next week
  • TNA return ticket sales
  • More on the firing of Kevin Sullivan by AEW
  • Update on Continental Classic
  • Von Erichs and AEW
  • Tony Khan talks Sting’s retirement and Ric Flair
  • Khan talks future of Bryan Danielson
  • Danielson talks CM Punk
  • Ticket sales to upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • AEW star on show in Vietnam and why
  • Final Battle rundown
  • Why Montreal didn’t do well for AEW
  • Injury updates
  • Update on buys for last two PPVs
  • How much money did the UFC owners pay themselves as compared to the fighters
  • Dana White laughs at Bellator sale to PFL
  • Former UFC champion arrested for allegedly punching his brother
  • Average ticket sales for AEW & WWE
  • More on multiple WWE firings
  • Royal Rumble notes
  • Update on WWE and Giulia
  • Changes in WWE TV schedule
  • Notes on newcomers to NXT
  • Notes on the new WWE signings
  • Rundown of WWE arena events

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Saturday Update

WWE

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • WWE star Shinsuke Nakamura posted a one-word response to the news that Hiroshi Tanahashi has been named the new president and representative director of NJPW: ā€œWowā€
  • In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Eddie Kingston detailed how nervous he was before his first NJPW G1 Climax match:
  • I threw up before my match against Shingo. I always get nervous before matches, but Iā€™ve never been that nervous. So I got to the ring, talked to myself and said, ā€˜Yup, Iā€™m in the G1.ā€™ That helped. Then Shingo hit me really hard with the first forearm, and I knew I was ready.
  • Kingston further reflected on competing for NJPW in the G1:
  • Walking through the curtain at Sumo Hall, and Iā€™ve seen so many great matches there, like the first G1 Finals between Keiji Mutoh and Masahira Chono, I couldnā€™t believe I was there. Thereā€™s a picture of me with my mouth open, looking around in astonishment, at Sumo Hall. That summed it up, right?
  • I had a lot of good guys around me in Japan. The New Japan locker room is the best locker room Iā€™ve ever been part of. They showed me around, and I tried everything. I donā€™t like fish, but I did in Japan. I loved it there.
  • Kingston said about the AEW Continental Classic:
  • The G1 is already established. Every year, you know itā€™s going to be great. Itā€™s the greatest tournament in professional wrestling. Weā€™re just starting the Continental Classic. Weā€™re setting the tone and building it. Then, next year, weā€™ll need to be even better.
  • While appearing on Casual Conversations with The Classic, Ric Flair praised MJF:
  • Well number one, I think heā€™s (MJF) actually ā€” he comes across as confident in real life as he comes across with his confidence in the ring and heā€™s got a good interview, heā€™s got a great look, he worked hard. I think heā€™s got the confidence in real life that he portrays on TV and I think the future is unlimited for him and heā€™s really good. He could be the next Randy Orton. Thatā€™s about as high a praise as I can give him.
  • Amanda Huber commented on being part of Titus Oā€™Neilā€™s Joy of Giving event in Tampa: ā€œSo incredibly thankful to @TitusONeilWWE & @BFFTampa for the incredible #JoyOfGiving event. I am so blown away by this and so thankful to have been involved. Canā€™t wait for more opportunities to do good around Tampaā€
  • Matt Riddle will make an on-air appearance during MLWā€™s Holiday Rush special thatā€™s airing on Christmas Eve. Riddleā€™s MLW in-ring return will be against Jacob Fatu at Kings of Colosseum on Saturday, January 6.
  • Gabby AF has an interview with Deonna Purrazzo.
  • AJ Francis (Top Dolla) spoke with MuscleManMalcolm.

Report: Xavier Woods banged up, off the road for WWE

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE star Xavier Woods looks to be dealing with an injury.

PWInsider reported on Tuesday that Woods is “banged up and has been taken off the road to heal up.” The issue that Woods is dealing with hasn’t been confirmed, but the report notes that Woods was in Birmingham, Alabama a few weeks ago. Birmingham is where the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center is located.

There was an angle on Raw last night where Kofi Kingston played Santa Claus. Woods didn’t appear on the show with his New Day partner.

The angle led to Kingston being attacked by Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci. Jey Uso made the save for Kingston and then defeated Kaiser in a singles match.

Woods most recently competed in a tag team turmoil match on the November 27 episode of Raw. Woods & Kingston were eliminated by The Creed Brothers in the match. Woods also appeared in a backstage segment on Raw two weeks ago.

On the November 6 edition of Raw, Woods & Kingston lost to Judgment Day’s Damian Priest & Finn Balor.

Two matches added to Monday’s WWE Raw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has announced two new additions to the lineup for Monday’s episode of Raw.

On Saturday morning, Raw general manager Adam Pearce revealed that Xia Li vs. Indi Hartwell and Tommaso Ciampa vs. Ludwig Kaiser are both set for this Monday (November 13). The episode is taking place from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

Li is currently feuding with Becky Lynch. On Raw last Monday, Li attacked Lynch before a Women’s World Championship number one contender’s battle royal. Lynch wasn’t able to compete following the attack. Pearce wouldn’t allow Li to participate in the battle royal after what she did to Lynch.

Li then showed up on Tuesday’s NXT and confronted NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria. Li said she plans to take the NXT Women’s title from Valkyria.

Ciampa & Johnny Gargano defeated Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci on the October 30 episode of Raw. Interference by Kaiser then caused Ciampa & Gargano to lose a match against The Creed Brothers last Monday.

The updated card for Monday’s Raw is listed below:

  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Finn Balor & Damian Priest defend against Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso
  • The Miz vs. Ivar
  • Piper Niven vs. Tegan Nox
  • Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Otis
  • Xia Li vs. Indi Hartwell
  • Tommaso Ciampa vs. Ludwig Kaiser

The New Day return to action on WWE Raw

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods returned to action on Monday’s WWE Raw after being sidelined for months due to a Kingston injury. 

Kingston & Woods defeated Erik & Ivar of The Viking Raiders in their return to the ring on Monday’s Raw episode, with Woods pinning Ivar after a Limit Break to secure the victory. 

Kingston suffered an ankle injury on the March 3, 2023 edition of SmackDown during an angle that involved Drew McIntyre hitting a flip dive on a group of wrestlers on the floor. The injury was such that Kingston required surgery to repair it two weeks later. 

Woods continued to wrestle as a single in the first two months of Kingston’s injury absence, including challenging Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship on the April 21 SmackDown. Prior to Monday, Woods last wrestled on a May 15 episode of Raw in a loss to Dominik Mysterio. 

Kingston & Woods, along with fellow New Day member Big E, whose in-ring future is in question after suffering a broken neck on March 11, 2022, The New Day as a group have combined for a total of four Raw Tag Team title reigns, seven SmackDown Tag Team title reigns, and an NXT Tag Team title reign. 

In addition, Kingston and Big E are former WWE Champions and former Intercontinental Champions, Kingston a former United States Champion, and Woods won the 2021 King of the Ring tournament among many career accolades.  

Xavier Woods: New Day will be back on WWE TV ‘in due time’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Though it’s been more than two months since they’ve had any presence on WWE television, The New Day will be back “in due time.”

Xavier Woods gave an update on his status while appearing on Superstar Crossover with Josh Martinez. When asked where he’s been, Woods said he’s been focused on things outside of the ring over the last couple of months. Woods promised that he and Kofi Kingston will be back in due time.

Kingston has been out of action since undergoing ankle surgery this March. Kingston said last month that he’s been ahead of schedule for the most part and hopes to be back in the ring sooner than later.

New Day joined the Raw roster in the 2023 WWE Draft. After that, Woods was involved in a feud with Dominik Mysterio.

Woods told Superstar Crossover:

So Kofi had ankle surgery, right? So during that draft, came over to Raw, had some matches with Dom. And then, Iā€™ve been just getting big at home, dude. Iā€™ve been getting huge. Iā€™ve been doing Dungeons & Dragons appearances. Weā€™re doing USFL appearances. And thatā€™s the interesting thing, so we havenā€™t been on TV in a minute, like a month, two months? Maybe. But the thing that people donā€™t see is all the stuff that we do outside of the ring and we have been working relentlessly on so many other things. And so weā€™ll be back in due time. Weā€™ll be back in due time.

If you look at wrestling, the landscape has changed and I love when it changes because it comes at like a slow pace and then all of a sudden, you see all these faces are faces that have only been there for like six months or a year or year-and-a-half. And thatā€™s whatā€™s kind of happening right now. So many people are filtering in. And so as people filter in and they get established and the crowd gets to know who they are, then all of a sudden, New Day, weā€™re back on the attack.

New Day’s Big E told WWE After the Bell earlier this month that he “feels great” in his recovery from a broken neck but still has no timetable for an in-ring return. Big E suffered the broken neck in March 2022.

Woods’ full interview on Superstar Crossover is available to watch below:

Xavier Woods supports Ridge Holland in wake of death threats, online harassment

Posted on by Ian Carey

Xavier Woods is imploring fans to stop sending hateful messages to Ridge Holland. 

Woods’ New Day teammate, Big E, was injured on the March 11, 2022, edition of WWE SmackDown when he landed on his head after taking an overhead belly-to-belly suplex from Holland. 

The Brawling Brutes member posted to social media on Sunday stating he has received death threats, been labeled as racist, and had threats made to his family. 

Holland wrote:

Death threats. Threats to my family. Lobbying for me to lose my job. Being labeled as racist. Great stuff keep ā€˜em coming.

Woods responded to Holland’s comments on Monday:

Pro Wrestling is extremely dangerous. All of us involved understand that. Ridge & his family do not deserve to be treated this way. Please do not send any hate towards them. Instead use your energy to do something positive like sending love to E. Be kind. Please be kind.

Last July, Big E told ESPN that he has no ill feelings towards Holland regarding his injury. 

“I have no issue whatsoever with Ridge,” Big E said. “He’s reached out and said some very kind things. … What we do is dangerous, and there are inherent dangers. And to that degree, we all kind of know what we sign up for and it was unfortunate that it went down that way. But I’m not dead. I’m alive. I’m doing well.”

TMZ recently interviewed Big E, who told them he’s waiting on scans of his injury which will help determine if he is able to wrestle again. 

“Everything isn’t permanent. If it comes to an end, cool. If doesn’t, cool. What will be, will be. I’m good with whatever.”

Holland received several other supportive responses to his post as well. 

“Stay strong, Ridge! We know your heart,” wrote Samantha Irvin. 

“Youā€™re honestly one of the nicest and most caring guys around. This app is absolute trash some of the time. But It doesnā€™t reflect real life or the opinions of the people who know you. Keep you chin up big man, big love,” wrote Flash Morgan Webster. 

Holland last wrestled on WWE’s March 5, 2023 house show from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. He defeated Legado Del Fantasma’s Cruz Del Toro in singles competition. The night before, Holland defeated LDF’s Joaquin Wilde from Toronto’s Coca-Cola Coliseum.  

Xavier Woods replacing Kofi Kingston in WWE SmackDown match

Posted on by Ian Carey

Kofi Kingston will not be wrestling on WWE SmackDown this week. 

The former WWE Champion suffered a leg injury on the show last week but it’s not clear how much time he will miss. He appeared to be hurt when catching Drew McIntyre on a dive to the floor. 

WWE announced on Thursday that Xavier Woods will replace Kingston in the five-way match scheduled for Friday’s show. Woods will now face McIntyre, Sheamus, LA Knight, and Karrion Kross with the winner earning an Intercontinental Championship match against Gunther at WrestleMania. 

Our own Dave Meltzer addressed Kingston’s injury on Sunday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio. Meltzer noted that it’s “hopeful” Kingston will avoid surgery but he could still end up missing WrestleMania. 

Meltzer said:

Kofi Kingston will probably not be, almost assuredly will not be in that match [on SmackDown next week]. If he can be ready for WrestleMania, I don’t want to say 100% no but it’ll be touch and go if he can make it for WrestleMania if he doesn’t get surgery. Like I said, he’s hopeful he was not going to get surgery. So, it’s going to be time off but perhaps not that much time off. 

WWE SmackDown on Friday, March 10, 2023, will take place from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. Two matches are advertised for the show:

  • Fatal five-way: Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus vs. LA Knight vs. Karrion Kross vs. Xavier Woods
  • The Viking Raiders vs. Braun Strowman & Ricochet

Wheel of Fortune casting for special WWE-themed episodes in 2023

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE and Wheel of Fortune have announced a partnership. 

The popular game show has revealed plans to film a week’s worth of episodes in early 2023 featuring WWE talent. Each episode will feature a WWE wrestler paired with a “WWE Superfan.” Those wishing to apply to be a contestant can submit a video application here. 

“Do you want to solve puzzles with your favorite WWE Superstar? Submit a fun video telling us which WWE Superstar you want to play with, and why you should be a contestant during WWE Week for your chance to spin the Wheel!”

The episodes will air as part of Wheel of Fortune’s 40th season. 

Xavier Woods was a contestant on Sunday’s edition of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. He raised $96,000 for the Gamers Outreach charity. 

Woods posted a video on Monday regarding WWE’s partnership with Wheel of Fortune. 

“I am here to announce that maybe you get the chance to be on Wheel of Fortune with your favorite WWE Superstars because WWE and Wheel of Fortune are coming together to do a full week of WWE on Wheel of Fortune,” Woods says in his video. 

WWEā€™s Xavier Woods to appear on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune

Posted on by Ian Carey

Xavier Woods is set to be a contestant on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. 

The episode featuring Woods will air Sunday, October 30 at 9 p.m Eastern time on ABC. The series also streams on Hulu. 

Kate Flannery from The Office and comedian Steve Agee will be the other celebrity contestants. 

“Will the years of playing @WheelofFortune on console pay off for me? Find out on October 30th on @ABC at 9pm est when I get to spin the wheel!” Woods wrote on Twitter. 

Woods last wrestled on WWE programming during the October 7 edition of SmackDown. He teamed with Kofi Kingston and Braun Strowman to defeat Sami Zayn and the Usos on the show. 

Woods recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of his King of the Ring victory as well. He defeated Finn Balor in the finals of last year’s tournament at Crown Jewel. 

“October 21st 2021 we became royalty,” Woods wrote. 

Our own Dave Meltzer recently reported that WWE is considering bringing back the King of the Ring PPV as well as both the men’s and women’s tournaments. 

WWE & G4 collaborating on ‘Arena’ series, Xavier Woods to co-host

Posted on by Ethan Renner

WWE and G4 are collaborating on a revival of the Arena series, and Xavier Woods is set to co-host the show. 

WWE and G4 announced in a press release on Thursday that the new monthly gaming series will premiere on Wednesday, June 29 at 7 p.m. Eastern time on G4’s Twitch channel, as well as UpUpDownDown’s YouTube channel, with Woods and G4’s Gina Darling revealed as the show’s co-hosts. 

A trailer for the new series can be seen below. 

Arena will feature WWE talent, as well as Twitch streamers facing off in multiplayer games. WWE’s Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins were mentioned in the press release as appearing on future episodes. 

ā€œAll of our work on UpUpDownDown over the past seven years has brought us to this moment where we will see the wrestling and gaming universes collide,” Woods said in a press release. The full press release can be found here.

The original Arena series aired on G4 from 2002-2005.