Read on for my thoughts on last night's Raw.
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Monday, April 8, 2019
Hart attacker charged, EVOLVE signing, new WWE Network content, Impact+AAA execs at Supercard, Supercard guest, ex-WWE stars debut for ROH, Stephanie on Gronk+Conor in WWE, Impact releases former world champion, Lawler appearance, previous Cena-WM35 plans, WM35 breaks record, and Questions on Vince's control of NXT, how no-compete clauses work, Brock ending the Streak, Becky's title future, and another Angle vs. Corbin alternative
Bret Hart's Hall of Fame attacker has been charged with two counts of assault as well as a count of trespassing. Again, as to not glorify this individual, I will not name him here.
EVOLVE has signed Anthony Greene after he competed at WWN's Supershow this weekend.
"Table for 3" will feature Johnny Gargano, Adam Cole, and Ricochet after Raw.
NXT will feature Jaxson Ryker vs. Danny Burch this Wednesday on top of the already announced Candice LeRae vs. Aliyah and Street Profits vs. Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel
Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins' WWE Network action figure show debuts on Friday.
AXXESS matches between NXT alumni and current stars will air on WWE Network Sunday night as a one-hour "When Worlds Collide" special. I look forward to seeing that.
Impact and AAA's presidents were in attendance at G1 Supercard. That's really special. I definitely think those promotions could work together to everyone's benefit. As much as everyone talks about AEW vs. WWE, I think Impact and ROH are going to feel the heat from that group pretty heavily.
- Tony Schiavone was also in attendance.
Former WWE stars Enzo Amore and Big Cass were part of an angle at Supercard, where they jumped the barricade and brawled with The Briscoes. ROH tried to play this as a legitimate occurrence with not showing it on-screen or mentioning it on-air, but obviously it didn't take long for people to realize it was part of the show. That's definitely an odd move given ROH's general focus, similar to the Beautiful People reunion. G1 Supercard was an odd mix at times due to the differences between ROH's goals and NJPW's.
Stephanie McMahon discussed the possibility of Conor McGregor and Rob Gronkowski coming to WWE. Given McGregor's outside-the-ring issues, WWE should stay away. They wouldn't hire anyone else with that kind of baggage.
Eli Drake has been released from Impact Wrestling after critical comments he had made following his refusal to wrestle Tessa Blanchard at United We Stand. His contract had been set to expire on May 31, but Impact management made the call to release him before then. I'm not sure why Impact felt the need to book that match in the first place given the current storyline direction, much less why intergender wrestling is something they're suddenly pushing for. I expect multiple companies are excited about Drake being available now.
Jerry Lawler discussed his new Memphis show and more on Cerrito Live.
John Cena was believed to have been scheduled to referee Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin at one point Sunday, but obviously that didn't end up happening. WWE's clearly more committed to Corbin than a lot of fans are!
WrestleMania 35 was reportedly MetLife Stadium's highest-grossing entertainment event ever, surpassing WrestleMania 29.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Yes. He could change anything about NXT at any time, including who's in charge of Creative, Talent Development, etc. But he generally focuses on Raw and Smackdown Live.
2. I'm under the impression it's just for talent. When WWE releases someone, they often enact that clause to prevent the talent from appearing in certain other places within 90 days. They can do signings and certain indie dates before then, though. It's almost like a soft/partial release and then a hard/full release at the end of that period.
3. No. It established Brock as the new final boss of WWE. Brock winning was a fresh direction and he's actually worked more matches since then than Taker has. That said, I do think they missed several opportunities to pass the torch after that win. As for Taker, his matches the past few years have been pretty depressing, so I don't think we really missed much by him taking the loss.
4. I expect Becky will have to defend both championships, and we could very well see someone pop up this week on a path to dethrone her.
5. I would have been fine with Cena vs. Angle happening. I don't think a Taker squash would have added to the show, since it would have taken even more time from the younger wrestlers.
6. Interesting history lesson!
More wrestling tomorrow.
EVOLVE has signed Anthony Greene after he competed at WWN's Supershow this weekend.
"Table for 3" will feature Johnny Gargano, Adam Cole, and Ricochet after Raw.
NXT will feature Jaxson Ryker vs. Danny Burch this Wednesday on top of the already announced Candice LeRae vs. Aliyah and Street Profits vs. Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel
Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins' WWE Network action figure show debuts on Friday.
AXXESS matches between NXT alumni and current stars will air on WWE Network Sunday night as a one-hour "When Worlds Collide" special. I look forward to seeing that.
Impact and AAA's presidents were in attendance at G1 Supercard. That's really special. I definitely think those promotions could work together to everyone's benefit. As much as everyone talks about AEW vs. WWE, I think Impact and ROH are going to feel the heat from that group pretty heavily.
- Tony Schiavone was also in attendance.
Former WWE stars Enzo Amore and Big Cass were part of an angle at Supercard, where they jumped the barricade and brawled with The Briscoes. ROH tried to play this as a legitimate occurrence with not showing it on-screen or mentioning it on-air, but obviously it didn't take long for people to realize it was part of the show. That's definitely an odd move given ROH's general focus, similar to the Beautiful People reunion. G1 Supercard was an odd mix at times due to the differences between ROH's goals and NJPW's.
Stephanie McMahon discussed the possibility of Conor McGregor and Rob Gronkowski coming to WWE. Given McGregor's outside-the-ring issues, WWE should stay away. They wouldn't hire anyone else with that kind of baggage.
Eli Drake has been released from Impact Wrestling after critical comments he had made following his refusal to wrestle Tessa Blanchard at United We Stand. His contract had been set to expire on May 31, but Impact management made the call to release him before then. I'm not sure why Impact felt the need to book that match in the first place given the current storyline direction, much less why intergender wrestling is something they're suddenly pushing for. I expect multiple companies are excited about Drake being available now.
Jerry Lawler discussed his new Memphis show and more on Cerrito Live.
John Cena was believed to have been scheduled to referee Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin at one point Sunday, but obviously that didn't end up happening. WWE's clearly more committed to Corbin than a lot of fans are!
WrestleMania 35 was reportedly MetLife Stadium's highest-grossing entertainment event ever, surpassing WrestleMania 29.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Yes. He could change anything about NXT at any time, including who's in charge of Creative, Talent Development, etc. But he generally focuses on Raw and Smackdown Live.
2. I'm under the impression it's just for talent. When WWE releases someone, they often enact that clause to prevent the talent from appearing in certain other places within 90 days. They can do signings and certain indie dates before then, though. It's almost like a soft/partial release and then a hard/full release at the end of that period.
3. No. It established Brock as the new final boss of WWE. Brock winning was a fresh direction and he's actually worked more matches since then than Taker has. That said, I do think they missed several opportunities to pass the torch after that win. As for Taker, his matches the past few years have been pretty depressing, so I don't think we really missed much by him taking the loss.
4. I expect Becky will have to defend both championships, and we could very well see someone pop up this week on a path to dethrone her.
5. I would have been fine with Cena vs. Angle happening. I don't think a Taker squash would have added to the show, since it would have taken even more time from the younger wrestlers.
6. Interesting history lesson!
More wrestling tomorrow.
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Main Event Reax - 4/6/19, AEW TV update, MLW injury, WWE signs digital talent, Kushida-NXT update, AXXESS notes, Impact signs new team, Cena confirms WM35 appearance, Batista gets another role, Torrie Wilson's father passes, legendary team in Crockett Cup, HoFer attacked during speech, and Questions on the best part of Mania week, Legends House returning, Bundy not being in the HoF, AEW not becoming Impact, Viceland's series, recording Impact, and Allie's Impact fate
Some WrestleMania week press was omitted in order to avoid redundancy and clutter.
-- Main Event:
- Jose vs. Breeze:
Jim Ross recently stated AEW will debut on a major cable network in October. No further details were revealed. It's definitely looking more and more likely something important's coming on that front.
Jimmy Havoc was pulled from an MLW event due to a deep cut in his arm. Havoc is one hardcore SOB.
WWE has signed "Wrestle and Flow" performer Josiah Williams as an on-air digital talent for the U.S. Performance Center. Interesting idea, but one that's worth pursuing.
Kushida has been training at the WWE Performance Center for a few weeks now. WWE just wisely timed his "signing" with Takeover: New York.
Kane was signing at AXXESS, so they're not hiding him being there.
Abyss was billed under that name at AXXESS.
Impact has signed Cody Deaner and Jake Deaner. Cody competed for the company in 2009.
John Cena has confirmed he will be at WrestleMania 35. He's been reportedly scheduled for a match for some time.
Batista has signed on to a Netflix movie filming this fall. So, his schedule's going to be pretty full of non-wrestling ventures. I don't expect him to stick around after WrestleMania.
Torrie Wilson's father Al Wilson passed away this weekend. He was notably part of WWE TV in 2002 and 2003. Torrie tributed her father during her Hall of Fame speech. That had to have been incredibly trying for her.
The Rock 'n' Roll Express will compete in the NWA Crockett Cup. Pretty amazing to see them wrestling at 62 and 60!
Bret Hart was tackled by an audience member during his Hall of Fame speech. Said audience member was quickly and forcefully escorted out by quite a few WWE personalities. So as not to glorify this man's actions, I will not be posting any video of the incident, nor will I identify him. This was a truly shameful moment for wrestling and its followers. I hope WWE changes the setup for the ceremony in light of this.
- WWE referred to the individual to the proper authorities. More on this tomorrow.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. It's pretty exciting seeing so much in the wrestling world come together in one time period, and of course there's a lot of great wrestling in one place!
2. I could see it coming back at some point if they think there's enough demand for it. If a TV network asks for it, that's more likely than it returning to WWE Network.
3. The lawsuit definitely plays into it majorly, but now that he's passed, it could happen in the next few years. There's not really a rule for who gets in when. It's a fairly arbitrary process.
4 is a repeat. I definitely don't see them hiring Russo. They've got their own creative vision and they're going to want to see it out.
5. I definitely don't see it as them bashing wrestling as much as some of the shady things that have happened in relation to the business.
6. Wow, that's a really, really dumb move from Pursuit. Impact's struggling in the TV partner department.
7. Yep. Her "spirit" was stabbed and now the character's dead. We'll see Allie again in AEW, but I don't expect them to follow Impact's continuity with her character.
More wrestling tomorrow.
-- Main Event:
- Jose vs. Breeze:
Yeah I don't blame Breeze for being frustrated with his place on the card.
Eh. Fine undercard match.
- Ascension vs. Gran/Kalisto:
I like this contrast.
Solid showcase from LHP, and The Ascension got to show some personality.
Jim Ross recently stated AEW will debut on a major cable network in October. No further details were revealed. It's definitely looking more and more likely something important's coming on that front.
Jimmy Havoc was pulled from an MLW event due to a deep cut in his arm. Havoc is one hardcore SOB.
WWE has signed "Wrestle and Flow" performer Josiah Williams as an on-air digital talent for the U.S. Performance Center. Interesting idea, but one that's worth pursuing.
Kushida has been training at the WWE Performance Center for a few weeks now. WWE just wisely timed his "signing" with Takeover: New York.
Kane was signing at AXXESS, so they're not hiding him being there.
Abyss was billed under that name at AXXESS.
Impact has signed Cody Deaner and Jake Deaner. Cody competed for the company in 2009.
John Cena has confirmed he will be at WrestleMania 35. He's been reportedly scheduled for a match for some time.
Batista has signed on to a Netflix movie filming this fall. So, his schedule's going to be pretty full of non-wrestling ventures. I don't expect him to stick around after WrestleMania.
Torrie Wilson's father Al Wilson passed away this weekend. He was notably part of WWE TV in 2002 and 2003. Torrie tributed her father during her Hall of Fame speech. That had to have been incredibly trying for her.
The Rock 'n' Roll Express will compete in the NWA Crockett Cup. Pretty amazing to see them wrestling at 62 and 60!
Bret Hart was tackled by an audience member during his Hall of Fame speech. Said audience member was quickly and forcefully escorted out by quite a few WWE personalities. So as not to glorify this man's actions, I will not be posting any video of the incident, nor will I identify him. This was a truly shameful moment for wrestling and its followers. I hope WWE changes the setup for the ceremony in light of this.
- WWE referred to the individual to the proper authorities. More on this tomorrow.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. It's pretty exciting seeing so much in the wrestling world come together in one time period, and of course there's a lot of great wrestling in one place!
2. I could see it coming back at some point if they think there's enough demand for it. If a TV network asks for it, that's more likely than it returning to WWE Network.
3. The lawsuit definitely plays into it majorly, but now that he's passed, it could happen in the next few years. There's not really a rule for who gets in when. It's a fairly arbitrary process.
4 is a repeat. I definitely don't see them hiring Russo. They've got their own creative vision and they're going to want to see it out.
5. I definitely don't see it as them bashing wrestling as much as some of the shady things that have happened in relation to the business.
6. Wow, that's a really, really dumb move from Pursuit. Impact's struggling in the TV partner department.
7. Yep. Her "spirit" was stabbed and now the character's dead. We'll see Allie again in AEW, but I don't expect them to follow Impact's continuity with her character.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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