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Tons more on Cody Rhodes/AEW departure

In the hours that followed Cody and Brandi Rhodes' departure from All Elite Wrestling, more wrestlers were talking. We should reiterate, that plenty knew throughout the weekend ahead of Monday's announcement that something was up, but almost nobody would explicitly state what was going on between AEW and Cody Rhodes. There were mixed feelings and a lot of emotions on both sides of things as Rhodes has been seen as polarizing on and off the screen. However, we've heard plenty of support for th...

The List Goes On At 4 PM EST

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/AwzIqvJUCMU

Another Top Free Agent Headed To AEW, Per Talent

Buddy Murphy is now Buddy Matthews, but he also might be All Elite according to some within the company.

Matthews has been a free agent since about September, and told Fightful he wasn't quite sure of where he'd land. He's worked a plethora of indies, as well as dates for MLW and NJPW Pro Wrestling, but we haven't heard details on him signing anywhere. Sources within AEW in recent weeks have indicated that there was growing interest and rumblings about Matthews joining the company in so...

Former MLW Team at AEW Dynamite tonight

There are plenty of names on their way into AEW at the moment, but an interesting tag team is also in town for Dynamite in Nashville tonight.

Dominic Garrini and Kevin Ku, collectively known as Violence is Forever are scheduled to be at today's AEW Dynamite tapings. The two attended the Cleveland show near where they're based, but were told they weren't backstage or involved in any additional segments. The two are set to participate to some degree this week. 

The two gained a...

More details on Chris Jericho's deal with AEW

It's contract season, but not for Chris Jericho.

In 2019, outlets reported that Chris Jericho had a three-year AEW contract, that would have put him with the company through the end of 2021, or into early 2022. With the first round of AEW contracts expiring, Fightful inquired about the status of Jericho's deal with the company. We were told that there are "roughly two years remaining" on the contract, which would carry him at least through 2023. On last night's Wrestling Observer Radio,...

Another Cody Rhodes Update: His departure, Rhodes to the top, more

In an update on the Cody and Brandi Rhodes AEW departure, the locker room began talking last Wednesday, when neither were seen in Atlantic City for AEW Dynamite. Leading up to that, many talent that we spoke to were suspicious that Cody Rhodes' entire contract situation had been a work, with a lot of question marks regarding the legitimacy. However, they came to realize that the situation was real. It became clear to a few by Friday that a deal likely wouldn't be reached.

We've heard fr...

Major Cody Rhodes update

Fightful has learned that Cody Rhodes and AEW have yet to come to an agreement. Word among the wrestling world is that the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement, and Cody Rhodes could be leaving the company and is headed to WWE.

Update:

Cody Rhodes and Brandi Rhodes have left AEW after they could not come to terms on a new contract. Fightful was told by AEW sources last Friday that Cody sought a big money deal, and several didn't think that a re-signing was going to hap...

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: Raw 2/14-- Glass Shatters In The Distance

If I had a wrestling show, and somebody gave me a commercial-free hour, I would probably run my 45 minute gauntlet match during the commercial-free hour, but I am built different.  

At least Rhea got to show that she is still a force to be reckoned with. It's too bad that Alexa Bliss is cured of all her crazy and will be winning the Elimination Chamber at Sands of Time.  

Also, AJ Styles lost clean in less than 5 minutes, and Stone Cold might come back to whip KO's ass b...

WWE making overtures towards Stone Cold Steve Austin for WrestleMania match

In a shocking move, WWE backstage chatter suggests that WWE is going to attempt to get Stone Cold Steve Austin for a match at WrestleMania 38.

Fightful has learned that WWE has made a significant overture towards one of the biggest draws in WWE history "Stone Cold" Steve Austin for an in-ring return at WrestleMania 38 in Dallas, Texas. Austin has not wrestled in 19 years, with his last match taking place at WrestleMania 19. Since then, many WWE Superstars have tried to conjure Austin ou...

WWE Raw Plans For Tonight

Fightful has learned the following plans for tonight's WWE Raw, which as always are subject to change

- A promo with chamber match participants

- United States Title: Damian Priest defends against AJ Styles

- RK-broga party was advertised

-  Alpha Academy's public assembly, which turns into Mysterioa vs. Alpha Academy

- Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton

- Street Profits vs. Dirty Dawgs

- Omos vs. Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjami...

Gabriel Kidd Notes: Calls Out Top Talent, More details

Fightful spoke with New Japan Pro Wrestling star Gabriel Kidd, who just made a trip back over to the UK. He made some news last week by calling out Daniel Garcia, and didn't exactly stop there. He called out both FTR and "Switchblade" Jay White during our interview as well.

Kidd noted that he took some time off last year to work on his mental health, and was happy that his first match in the states was against Jonathan Gresham. He wanted to compete with people in the United States with ...

Fightful Weekender (2/14): NWA POWERRRTRIP SPOILERS, NICK WAYNE TO AEW, IMPACT, NXT UK, 205 LIVE, MLW, WEST COAST PRO, AIW

STEPHEN JENSEN is back with a special Monday edition of the WEEKENDER!

Topics:

- Show to watch on IWTV - AIW: "You Know What? I'm Not Leaving!"

- Nick Wayne gets AEW contract

- NWA: "PowerrrTrip" *SPOILERS*

- IMPACT (2/10) results

- NXT UK (2/10) results

- 205 LIVE (2/11) results

- MLW: "Fusion" (2/10) results

- WEST COAST PRO: "The Art Of Drowning" results

Current WWE Elimination Chamber betting odds

Below are Current WWE Elimination Chamber Odds and implied changes of winning

WWE Title match

Brock Lesnar

-200

66.7%

Bobby Lashley

+350

22.2%

Seth Rollins

+600

14.3%

AJ Styles

+700

12.5%

Riddle

+1600

5.9%

Austin Theory

+5000

2%

Lita vs. Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch

-1600

94.1%

Lita

+700

12.5%

...

SRS Backstage Report Podcast: Lee/Switchblade, More Free Agents

- Kurt Angle's nixed WWE plans

- AJ Styles

- Swerve Strickland

- Keith Lee and Switchblade

- WWE producers

- Larry D

- New ROH free agent

- Vince McMahon

- New Day

- Injuries

- Contracts

Additional production notes from WWE: Reigns, Names Missing, More

Fightful has learned a ton of additional production notes from this week's Raw and Smackdown:

- There was no producer listed for the Bobby Lashley and MVP promo.

- Kenny Dykstra produced Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin vs. Dirty Dawgs on Main Event

- Shawn Daivari produced Veer Mahaan vs. T-Bar on Main Event. Also, Veer is coming.

- Raw will have their 1500th episode on February 21. As of now, we've not been told of any special presentation surrounding the show...

Producers for February 11 Episode of WWE Smackdown

Fightful has confirmed the following producers for the February 11 Smackdown

- Sonya Deville & Naomi promo: Pat Buck & Shawn Daivari

- New Day vs. Los Lotharios: Petey Williams.

- Roman Reigns and Goldberg sit-downs: Michael Hayes

- Aliyah vs. Natalya: Molly Holly

- In-Zayn: Adam Pearce

- Naomi vs. Charlotte Flair: Pat Buck & Shawn Daivari.

Another ROH contract set to expire

Another ROH contract is set to expire.

Fightful has learned that ROH wrestler Sledge's deal is set to expire at the end of February, after being with the company for two years. Many of the Ring of Honor deals expired at the end of December, with some getting their release papers right after ROH Final Battle to give them the option of wrestling elsewhere. Most talent were paid at the beginning of each month, so not getting their last pay hasn't been a concern.

Sledge signed with RO...

WWE Raw producers for this week

Fightful has learned the following producers for WWE Raw, February 7

- Abyss produced the Quiz Bowl, and Alpha Academy vs. Street Profits.

- Petey Williams produced AJ Styles vs. Damian Priest.

- Adam Pearce produced Miz TV and Dominik Mysterio vs. The Miz.

- Bianca Belair vs. Nikki ASH was produced by Molly Holly.

- Lita and Becky Lynch's promo was produced by Jason Jordan...

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: SmackDown 2/11--"It Has Come To My Attention"

SmackDown had a pretty good show ... for SmackDown.

There were two very good matches, one terrible match, and a bunch of mediocre filler. Which somehow counts as a good show.

But the big development is that Vince, in canon, does not watch the product, and hasn't since August.

Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/f0nm9mzYAsQ

Plans for February 18 episode of WWE Smackdown

Fightful has learned the following plans for the February 18 episode of WWE Smackdown. WWE is filming next week's episode tonight, as they'll be traveling to Saudi Arabia that night. 

- A contract signing between Ronda Rousey and Naomi vs. Sonya Deville & Charlotte is set to open

- Ivar vs. Jimmy Uso

- Goldberg & Roman Reigns story

- Ricochet vs. Ridge Holland

- Drew McIntyre in-ring promo with Madcap Moss and Happy Corbin

- IC Title match: Nak...

Interesting Women's Match slated to be added to WWE Elimination Chamber

According to the plans for tonight's WWE Smackdown tapings, a big tag team match is scheduled to be added to the show.

On the February 18 episode of Smackdown, a segment is listed to open the show to set up a women's tag team match between Ronda Rousey and Naomi taking on Charlotte Flair & Sonya Deville. 

Until it's filmed and announced, it's all subject to change. Naomi is scheduled to take on Charlotte Flair for the women's championship on Smackdown tonight. We'll have ...

Plans for tonight's episode of WWE Smackdown

Fightful has learned the plans for tonight's episode of WWE Smackdown, which as always, are subject to change. WWE will also film the February 18 episode of Smackdown as they'll be traveling to Saudi Arabia next Friday.

- Sonya Deville in ring promo, with Naomi scheduled to be involved kicks things off

- New Day vs. Los Lotharios

- Roman Reigns' sit-down interview

- Natalya vs. Aliyah dungeon style match

- InZayn with Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, Rick Boogs

Vince McMahon's reasoning for splitting and reuniting New Day

New Day is back together...kind of

New Day member Big E has been moved to WWE Smackdown to rejoin his New Day teammates. In an interesting note, we're told that Vince McMahon was adamant that Kofi Kingston and Big E not be referred to as "New Day," and instead be called "Big E & Kofi Kingston," which was how they were announced Big E's first week back. However, internally and on the company's Youtube, apparently that message didn't get through, as they were listed as New Day on both...

Figure Haul: Getting Extreme Once More

More ECW goodies on Figure Haul!

Tons of AJ Styles Notes!

Fightful spoke to AJ Styles for a new interview and solicited some questions from Karl Anderson for the talk. AJ Styles shockingly (not really) said he did not watch TalkNShopAMania and the Boneryard match, and that his comedy does not always match up with theirs.

Styles confirmed a story that Dixie Carter once brought him into Nashville to see her personal hair stylist in the early TNA days, which is fantastic. He said that Vince McMahon wasn't sold on him the first time he saw him in ...

SRS Text Based Q&A

Hey guys! Q&A time, but this one is different. I've had a bit of a dental emergency and have to limit my talk time, so I'm gonna do a text based Q&A

Guidelines

- I will try to answer the questions I know. Your question isn't wasted if I don't. It shows me what I need to ask around about.

- 1 question per subscriber-- HARD LIMIT

- No "are you a fan of?" "fantasy book this" "top 5" or "favorite" questions please! We try to keep these as newsworthy as possible

Big Debut Planned For AEW

Fightful has learned Keith Lee is planned for a run in AEW, and is to come into the company imminently. 

Throughout this past weekend, talent began speculating that Lee would be joining AEW now that his non-compete clause is up. Prior to that, WWE talent we spoke to said that they heard it wasn't a sure thing, but over the past week, it became known that Lee was headed to All Elite Wrestling. AEW talent themselves didn't know for sure Lee was coming in, but word began to spread as ...

RECKLESS SPECULATION RUMORS on tonight's AEW surprise

During today's List Goes On, Fightful revealed rumors they'd collectively heard throughout the week in regards to the Wednesday AEW surprise, or perhaps even surprises.

Friday night, talent didn't know who was coming in, or the "forbidden door criteria." Talent itself were speculating Keith Lee, which was accelerated by Tuesday afternoon. However, on Monday, vague tweets (again, unverified), were referring to NJPW star "Switchblade" Jay White as a possible surprise, with multiple report...

The List Goes On 2/9: Who is the AEW surprise?

The List and Ya Boy Post Show!

video: https://youtu.be/3LbAAWaxr-s