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More news on Brock Lesnar's return

Brock Lesnar returned on Smackdown, and is set for a program with Roman Reigns. 

The two are set to main event WWE Summerslam, which wasn't the original plan. As reported this week, Randy Orton is likely having surgery and was originally the idea for Reigns' opponent for the show. However, once it became clear that Randy Orton wouldn't be able to perform any time soon, the plan was put in place for Brock Lesnar to return to the company.

Word started to emerge this afternoon s...

Backstage Notes, Reactions To Vince McMahon's Smackdown Appearance

Several WWE talent reached out to Fightful after Vince McMahon's Smackdown appearance

Some additional notes on the segment-- it wasn't featured on internal full scripts as of 5:30 EST, or the rundown we gained access to at 7:50 PM EST. One person suggested that the segment did not happened as originally planned this morning. Vince McMahon was said to have been in a good mood backstage, and not outwardly reacting to the investigation.

"Business as usual" was a term constantly reite...

Plans for tonight's WWE Smackdown.

Fightful Select has learned the following plans for WWE Smackdown tonight, subject to change. 

Vince McMahon isn't listed on the rundown, so where he'll appear is a mystery

- Riddle promo

- THE LAST LAUGH: Madcap Moss vs. Happy Corbin. Pat McAfee will also interview Corbin.

- New Day vs. Jinder Mahal & Shanky

- Drew McIntyre/Sheamus MITB match decision

- MITB Qualifier: Raquel vs. Shayna Baszler, with Lacey Evans involved

- Max Dupri promo 2022-06-17 23:57:05 +0000 UTC View Post

Coexisting After Dark with Rob and Maggie with Special Guest Jacky Rodriguez

Coexisting After Dark with Rob and Maggie with Special Guest Jacky Rodriguez

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD2443VtRbc&feature=youtu.be

A Big Update On Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, And Reactions To WWE Changes

WWE announced that Vince McMahon was voluntarily stepping down as CEO as a Special Committee of the WWE Board is conducting an investigation into misconduct. Stephanie McMahon will serve as interim CEO and interim Chairwoman just weeks after she stepped away from the company.

In the hours that followed, Fightful has spoken to well over a dozen employees, staff, talent and former employees who have worked with the McMahons, both close and at a distance.

Beyond Vince McMahon steppin...

Reckless Speculation Podcast: Sasha Banks

The Fightful Select Reckless Speculation Podcast returns at 7:30 PM EST, talking about the Sasha Banks release rumors, and the speculation surrounding it.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/nTH1rAQH920

WWE fears Randy Orton could be sidelined for the rest of 2022

Things aren't looking great for Randy Orton these days.

Fightful has learned that Orton has been dealing with a back injury for quite some time, to the point he actually had work done to improve his condition before the tag team title unification match, though we aren't sure of the extent of the "work" that was done. We're told that things have gotten progressively worse, and WWE fears that Orton will be forced to undergo a surgery. WWE sources that we spoke to said that if that happens...

Select Exclusive: Adam Priest Interview

Fightful's Stephen Jensen speaks to Adam Priest live on the scene of Battle Slam Fight For ATL!

What We Do And Don't Know About Sasha Banks' Situation

For those asking about Raj Giri's report of Sasha Banks being released, here's what we know.

Sean Ross Sapp spoke with Giri hours prior who informed him of the claim of Banks' release. Fightful reached out to numerous WWE reps, one of which got back to us and stated "Not that I've heard" in regards to the release. They confirmed later that they saw Giri's tweet, but didn't comment beyond that. Thus far, nobody in WWE has explicitly shot it down, they've just said they haven't heard abou...

Reactions, News On Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis Investigations

For the sake of context, the original WSJ article is sourced within our Fightful aggregation: https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/report-wwe-board-investigating-secret-3-million-hush-pact-vince-mcmahon-over-alleged-affair

WWE made their staff aware of the Wall Street Journal article and issued an internal email t...

AEW Tag Title Plans Changed, Per Talent

The AEW Tag Team scene changed very quickly over the past two weeks, we're told.

Talent that Fightful spoke with indicated that word had made it to them prior to AEW Double or Nothing that All Elite Wrestling was considering putting the tag team titles on the Hardy Boyz. The duo were on what Jeff Hardy admitted WrestleMania weekend was their last run. Frustration emerged out of that weekend from some talent that we spoke to, who gained word that Hardy had been intoxicated publicly both ...

The List Goes On at 4 PM EST: Vince McMahon, Tag Team Scene in AEW

Jimmy Van and SRS keep the ball rolling!

Video: https://youtu.be/zd2AlrVT1J8

Steve Maclin interview notes

Steve Maclin spoke with Fightful about numerous topics ahead of IMPACT Slammiversary.

He said that he and Trey Miguel went into their BTI match looking to prove that they were a feud that the office should pursue down the road. He's been very happy with the confidence IMPACT has shown in him and he's enjoying his time there. He was excited to do work in the X-Division and show a different edge to it, and himself.

Maclin says that the creative process is much more relaxed in IMPACT...

More Details On Jeff Hardy Arrest

We've learned more details around the Jeff Hardy arrest.

We're told that following the signing and concert that Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy attended Sunday, Matt made sure his brother got to his hotel room. After that, Matt Hardy and his family flew back home, while Jeff remained in Florida. Matt last saw Jeff Sunday night.

An allegedly intoxicated Jeff had stated to officers he had a scheduled doctor's appointment for his "head" coming up for brain scans, but we didn't get a commen...

Jake Atlas Isn't Expected Back In AEW, Was On Per-Appearance Deal

It's no surprise to anyone, but Jake Atlas is not expected back in All Elite Wrestling.

Fightful was told this morning that former NXT talent Jake Atlas was not coming back to AEW. Atlas was injured in his first week in All Elite Wrestling, and initially we were told by AEW higher ups that they were hopeful his injury was not as bad as feared. However, he was sidelined with a torn ACL.

Despite having received an "All Elite" graphic generally reserved for full-time signings, we've ...

Select Exclusive: Baron Black Talks Lil Scrappy, Battle Slam, MORE!

Stephen Jensen speaks with Baron Black at Battle Slam Fight For ATL

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: Raw 6/13 -- Strike A Pose

The Main Event of Raw was a "Pose Down", between Austin Theory and Bobby Lashley, that ended when Theory, angry at having been defeated in the "Pose Down", squirted baby oil in Lashley's eyes and dropkicked him in the face.  

Confoundingly, none of those words is a lie.  

Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/3grMWTu9KcE

WWE Raw plans tonight

Fightful has learned the following plans for tonight's episode of WWE Raw, subject to change

- Miz TV with Paul Heyman

- Montez Ford vs. Jimmy Uso

- Seth Rollins discusses his attack on Cody Rhodes in a sit down interview.

- 24/7 Title Match: Dana Brooke vs. Becky Lynch

- MITB Qualifier: Liv Morgan & Alexa Bliss vs. Doudrop & Nikki ASH

- Ezekiel vs. Kevin Owens

- Cedric Alexander vs. MVP

- MITB Qualifier: Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles

SRS Backstage Report Podcast (6/13)

- Jeff Hardy

- MJF

- Stephanie McMahon

- Jericho vs. MVP

- Cody Rhodes

- Roman Reigns' schedule

- KiLynn King

- Kerry Morton

- AEW All Out

- AEW news

- Edge & Judgment Day

- Adam Cole

AEW All Out Location And Venue, Per Talent

AEW All Out is headed to a familiar home.

All Elite Wrestling talent has been told that the plan has not changed for AEW All Out, and the event will remain in the Chicago area. Sources that we spoke to did not confirm a specific date for the Labor Day weekend tradition, but did confirm that they were told the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates was the planned venue. Many wondered with the addition of Forbidden Door in Chicago if the show would be moved.

AEW Founder Tony Khan had noted r...

MVP, Jericho Comment To Fightful On Confrontation

Chris Jericho and MVP are not on good terms any more.

Wrestling Observer reported a story that had been going around for several weeks about MVP, Chris Jericho and a confrontation between the two. 

Fightful had heard about the confrontation as far back as AEW Double or Nothing weekend, but facts were few and far between as there wasn't much talent around that saw it. Those close to the situation say that it is true that MVP and Chris Jericho are no longer friends, and it boil...

Fightful Weekender (6/12): NWA ALWAYZ READY, NJPW DOMINION, IWTV, MLW, NXT UK, NXT LEVEL UP, BTE, IMPACT SLAMMIVERSARY PREDICTIONS

STEPHEN JENSEN is back with a new edition of the WEEKENDER!

Topics:

- Show to watch on IWTV - TWE: "Sink Or Swim"

- SOUTHEAST FIRST: "Uncharted Territory S4 E5" results

- NWA: "Alwayz Ready" results

- MLW: "Rise Of The Renegades" results

- NXT UK (6/9) results

- NXT Level Up (6/10) results

- NJPW: "Dominion" results

- IMPACT: "Slammiversary" predictions

- BTE: "Welcome Home Young Bucks" recap

Backstage notes from this week's AEW Dynamite.

Fightful has learned some notes from the June 8 AEW Dynamite.

- There was a tornado scare the night before Dynamite that caused the AEW talent hotel to be evacuated.

- MJF has not traveled with the company since his AEW Dynamite promo, though he was heavily discussed at the tapings among talent we spoke to.

- There have been general plans for the All-Atlantic Title for months, and we're working to find out more.

- Red Velvet may have been banged up following the Dynami...

WWE Raw & Smackdown producers, backstage news

Fightful Select learned the following producers for WWE Raw this week:

- Cody Rhodes promo: Jamie Noble

- Dana Brooke vs. Becky Lynch: Kenny Dykstra

- Riddle vs. Miz: Abyss

- Street Profts vs. Usos: Michael Hayes

- Lashley promo: Adam Pearce

- Dominik Mysterio vs. Veer: Shane Helms

- Judgment Day turn: Petey Williams

- Cedric Alexander vs. Omos: Adam Pearce

- Ezekiel vs. Otis: Shawn Daivari

- Women's Fatal Four Way: Petey Williams vs...

Cody Rhodes update

Cody Rhodes had surgery this week to repair his torn pectoral muscle, and we've learned a little more about his week.

We're told that WWE was more lenient on allowing him to wrestle the match at WWE Hell in a Cell because the pectoral was torn completely off the bone, and further damage likely couldn't be done. To back up Cody Rhodes' words, he was insistent on working the match, and had he not wanted to, he wouldn't have been asked or required to. Talent we spoke to were already excit...

Retro Review: NXT Takeover: Rival, Owens vs. Zayn

With no Sour Graps last night, we wanted to give you a bonus show! Rob Wilkins & Elaquent review NXT Takeover: Rival, Owens vs. Zayn!

You can find over three dozen retro reviews under the "Retro Reviews" tag on the main page!

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LlkCqTeWkA

CARD Haul: WWE Topps Finest Part 2

SRS gets SHAFTED on Card Haul

Wait what

WWE Smackdown plans for tonight'

Fightful Select has learned the following plans for WWE Smackdown, subject to change.

- Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus (w/ Butch) in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match.
- Lacey Evans vs. Xia Li in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match.
- Ronda Rousey promo involving Shotzi.
- Ronda Rousey vs. Shotzi
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Gunther vs. Ricochet
- Sami Zayn vs. Riddle - If Riddle wins, he will earn a championship match but if Sami Zayn wins, Riddle is barred from...

Fightful Select Exclusive - Coexisting After Dark - Special Guest: Drew Nicholas 6/10/22

Rob and Maggie are back with a new episode of Coexisting After Dark. 

Special Guest: Drew Nicholas 6/10/22. 

Gunther has consistently impressed many people of influence in WWE

Gunther has impressed many "people of influence" in WWE, but that isn't a new thing.

The former WALTER had plenty of people on his side all along, as his lengthy NXT UK Title reign indicated, but we're told that many things have put him in favor with WWE. Among them include his move to the United States, and his dedication to his diet and training. Those that we spoke to within WWE said that Walter getting in shape and being willing to move to the United States after not seeming interes...