Fightful has checked in on some of the multi-year deals that were signed within wrestling a couple of years back to see if any of them have or are expiring in the near future. In the fall of 2019, Major League Wrestling announced several multi-year contracts, with one being Dominic Garrini of Violence is Forever. We've confirmed that Garrini's deal isn't up, and he'd actually signed a three year deal, meaning he has a year remaining. Garrini had been sidelined from regular action for several ...
2021-12-22 18:56:07 +0000 UTC
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Fightful spoke to Chris Van Vliet for an interview, and spoke to him about his experience in working with AEW.
Van Vliet said said that doing interviews with top AEW talent ahead of their TV debut got the company to reach out and offer him a spot on the debut episode. Things were left open ended after that, and they called him the day before AEW Dynamite in West Virginia to ask if he'd be on a show. He hasn't appeared since then, and said things seemd fine there, though he didn't appear...
2021-12-22 16:00:06 +0000 UTC
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The recent WWE releases have a lot of fans wondering why WWE Superstars don't apply no-cut clauses to their deals. Fightful worked to find out why that is.
Fightful spoke to several employees of WWE who have worked in the office, and numerous talent since the cuts started last year. We're told that the subject of no-cut clauses was broached and that several people of influence within the company were open to that, but eventually talent was told it isn't negotiable or something WWE was w...
2021-12-21 20:01:45 +0000 UTC
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Fightful has learned the following producers for last night's Raw
- A dark match with Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan was produced by Jason Jordan.
- Big E & Bobby Lashley vs. Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens was produced by Michael Hayes & Jamie Noble
- Rhea Ripley vs. Queen Zelina was produced by TJ Wilson
- Damian Priest vs. Dolph Ziggler was produced by Abyss & Kenny Dyktra
- Randy Orton vs. Chad Gable was produced by Shawn Daivari
-...
2021-12-21 19:16:42 +0000 UTC
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(!!!Starting after Sean & Denise's review!!!)
Raw tonight was utterly pointless.
A bunch of storylines came to a head WAY too early and the payoffs were nowhere near what they could have been.
All good things on the show were also bad.
Bianca finally hit the KOD on DouDrop!
(DouDrop lost her third match in a row.)
Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins are now friends!
(And they'll fight each other in 12 days and not be friends anymore.)
2021-12-21 05:17:33 +0000 UTC
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Fightful has learned of the following Raw plans as of this afternoon
- Lashley is set to kick off the show
- Balor vs. Austin Theory, Bianca Belair vs. Doudrop were previously announced
- Miz TV with AJ Styles & Omos
- Liv Morgan in ring promo
- Mysterio family vs. AJ Styles & Omos
- Randy Orton vs. Chad Gable
- Big E & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Seth Rollins
As always, these plans can change, and often do, all the way up to...
2021-12-21 00:39:13 +0000 UTC
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Fightful spoke with RJ City, who was scheduled to be a part of the now-canceled Greektown Wrestling show for this week, and he opened up about his work with WWE Digital.
He said that David Arquette insisted he join him on a WWE interview once, which put him back on Digital's radar. He was invited to do several projects, including WrestleMania After Dark. He said he got all the guests he wanted except Chelsea Green and Karen Q because they were off television at one point. He'd also writ...
2021-12-20 22:37:41 +0000 UTC
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Major League Wrestling has retained the centerpiece of their roster.
MLW Champion Alex Hammerstone has signed an extension with MLW, Hammerstone confirmed to Fightful on Monday. Hammerstone was reaching the end of a multi-year contract that he'd signed with the company in 2019, before he'd become world champion. Hammerstone confirmed to Fightful that the extension was another multi-year one, taking him at the very least until the end of 2023 with the company.
Hammerstone cit...
2021-12-20 20:02:18 +0000 UTC
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- Kevin Owens' contract
- AEW fan booted from backstage
- Mustafa Ali
- IInspiration
- Smackdown changes
- Ted Dibiase
- Sonya Deville
- AEW injuries
- WWE producers
- Contract updates
2021-12-20 19:11:09 +0000 UTC
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It's a hugely belated edition of the SOUR GRAPS SmackDown review featuring the return of serious drama in the Roman Reigns saga, and literally nothing else good on the show. Might be a quick review.
So we'll also examine the best way to react to the news that Kevin Owens has re-signed with WWE. How to view his decision in the most objective light, how to tamp down those feelings of disappointment, and how to not be a crazy freaking jerk about it.
Oh, and this new COVID outbreak me...
2021-12-20 02:41:14 +0000 UTC
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STEPHEN JENSEN is back with a new episode of the WEEKENDER!
Topics:
- Show to watch on IWTV - ACTION: "Bangers Only 2"
- GCW: "Blood on the Hills" results
- NXT UK (12/16) results
- 205 LIVE (12/17) results
- MLW: "Fusion ALPHA" (12/16) results
- NWA: "Powerrr" (12/14) results
- IMPACT: "IPWF Throwback Throwdown II" results
2021-12-19 23:34:25 +0000 UTC
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Many fans were expecting and subsequently disappointed to not see Mustafa Ali in front of his hometown crowd of Chicago for Smackdown Friday.
Not only was Mustafa Ali not on this past week's show, he wasn't filmed for anything for the Christmas Eve edition and wasn't physically at the show. We're told that while he asked off for a couple of weeks for paternity leave, that amount of time had already passed and it appears that there just wasn't anything planned for him for the Chicago sho...
2021-12-19 21:45:14 +0000 UTC
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ightful has learned the following producers this week for Smackdown, at least as listed.
- The Roman Reigns in-ring promo was credited to Michael Hayes and Pat Buck, as was New Day vs. The Usos
- Shane Helms was listed for Viking Raiders vs. Jinder Mahal & Shanky
- Jason Jordan produced the Happy Talk segment
- Adam Pearce was listed for Cesaro vs. Ridge Holland
- ...
2021-12-19 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Fightful has learned the following producers this week for Smackdown, at least as listed.
- The Roman Reigns in-ring promo was credited to Michael Hayes and Pat Buck, as was New Day vs. The Usos
- Shane Helms was listed for Viking Raiders vs. Jinder Mahal & Shanky
- Jason Jordan produced the Happy Talk segment
- Adam Pearce was listed for Cesaro vs. Ridge Holland
- Molly Holly was a solo producer for Naomi vs. Shayna Baszler and Sonya Deville's segment.
2021-12-19 18:00:04 +0000 UTC
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Ted Dibiase took his first bump in decades as a part of the LA Knight/Cameron Grimes storyline on NXT TV, but he told Fightful it actually wasn't supposed to happen that way. The company pitched the angle and spot to Ted Dibiase and told him they could have security guards catch Dibiase as he fell, so that would be easier on his body, and their consciences. However, DiBiase was insistent on taking the bump, and said that he wanted to take the bump just like he had during his wrestling days to...
2021-12-18 22:00:04 +0000 UTC
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- Riddle vs. Otis was assigned to Shane Helms
- Becky Lynch's promo and Rhea Ripley vs. Zelina were produced by TJ Wilson, aka Tyson Kidd
- Bianca Belair vs. Doudrop was produced by Pat Buck and Molly Holly
- Bobby Lashley's series of matches were produced by Jamie Noble, Shawn Daivari and Jason Jordan, respectively.
- Miz TV with Edge and Maryse was produced by Adam Pearce.
- 2021-12-18 18:00:00 +0000 UTC
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This week's Smackdown saw the company tape two episodes, since Christmas Eve, but there was a lot changed on the show, at least as of the afternoon of the show and based on internal plans.
Originally Roman Reigns was set to open WWE Smackdown on December 17 with an in-ring promo, which was moved to the main event spot. Usos vs. New Day was slated internally to main event, and was adjusted.
Also planned for the December 17 Smackdown and changed was a Brock Lesnar sit-down interview...
2021-12-18 15:00:06 +0000 UTC
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WWE is filming two episodes of Smackdown tonight, including one for next Friday's Christmas Eve special. Fightful obtained the tentative lineup for that show.
- Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss were scheduled to open the show, with New Day, Usos and Drew McIntyre all involved.
- A Miracle on 34th Street Fight between Drew McIntyre & New Day vs. Usos and Moss is scheduled.
- There is a 12 Days of Christmas Gauntlet match that is slated to get a ton of time, and the winner get...
2021-12-18 00:30:22 +0000 UTC
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Fightful Select has learned the following plans for Smackdown, which were as of this afternoon.
- Roman Reigns was slated to kick off the show as of this afternoon, which was switched to Paul Heyman awaiting him.
- Charlotte Flair vs. Toni Storm.....in another "Championship Contender's match." -- this was swapped with the planned match for next week.
- Viking Raiders vs. Jinder Mahal & Shanky
- Happy Talk with Drew McIntyre
- Brock Lesnar's sit down int...
2021-12-18 00:20:49 +0000 UTC
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Sonya Deville has started openly discussing her desire to eventually return to the ring, but as of now, it's only technically happened in a handicap match.
Recently, Fightful reported that WWE was hopeful she'd return to the ring, but that we couldn't confirm that those hopes even got to Deville personally. During the revolving door that was the Smackdown roster around Money in the Bank in July, we can confirm that WWE actually had graphics made featuring Deville as a Money in the Bank ...
2021-12-17 18:56:58 +0000 UTC
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SRS takes a real blast from the past, and from his childhood
2021-12-17 17:01:03 +0000 UTC
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Maggie and Rob Wilkins with the pilot episode of Co-Existing
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/upRCiHMjia8
2021-12-17 01:50:21 +0000 UTC
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Fightful spoke to Cassie Lee and Jess McKay for a new interview, and they noted that Eddie Guerrero and Britney Spears were big inspirations for their flame gear, but they're happy people took Harlem Heat from it as well.
Jess McKay said the references on her resume would be Cassie, The Rock and her mom. They both put over Becky Lynch, Natalya, Liv Morgan and Tamina for all being very helpful to them...
2021-12-16 21:48:08 +0000 UTC
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SRS digs into AEW Unmatched Series 2!
2021-12-16 18:00:06 +0000 UTC
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Kevin Owens has re-signed with WWE, which extends his contract for several years.
Wrestling Observer reported that Owens signed a three-year extension to his deal, which Fightful can confirm. This deal will take him to January 31, 2025. Owens confirmed the month and day with Pat Laprade in an interview recorded earlier this week.
Observer also spoke of a massive raise that WWE sources alluded do, but didn't confirm an amount. Fightful has heard from numerous WWE talent and s...
2021-12-16 16:39:29 +0000 UTC
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A very unusual situation played out last week on Long Island at the AEW Dynamite show, backstage
Fightful has learned that building security for UBS Arena (not AEW's security) allowed a fan backstage, who was posing as an extra. Things quickly unraveled for him. The fan made his way into the locker room, and sat in Dax Harwood's seat, before being informed of such. He apologized, noting he was an extra, and then moved over to a seat that had belonged to the Blade of Hardy Family Office....
2021-12-15 19:10:28 +0000 UTC
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Jimmy Van is out of the office today, so SRS is giving you a Fightful Select free preview of the Q&A show. To ask a question, comment below and those will take priority!
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/_NrD3ig2Ev0
2021-12-15 17:39:11 +0000 UTC
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WWE has landed at least one of their three big free-agent names, as Kevin Owens has re-signed with the company.
Fightful learned several weeks ago that WWE was very interested in retaining Kevin Owens, and made him what sources in the company was "an excellent offer" to stay. WWE sources that we spoke to said they were over the moon about retaining Owens, that they made it clear to him personally that they were eager to retain his services.
Talent within AEW we spoke to didn't thi...
2021-12-15 16:42:25 +0000 UTC
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The Hardy Family Office is hobbled for the time being.
When The Butcher made his return from touring with his band Every Time I Die, he suffered a biceps injury, but that isn't the only thing that has the group left short handed. Fightful has learned that Marq Quen of Private Party has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury that has kept him out of action the last couple of months. In addition to that, Angelico hadn't wrestled for AEW since September outside of the Jericho Cruise un...
2021-12-14 22:32:35 +0000 UTC
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Raw has tried nothing, and they're all out of ideas.
Most of the night built to Bobby Lashley pinning the WWE Champion. Hooray.
Vince is still doing his weird Austin Theory thing, there are bad finishes literally EVERYWHERE, and Rhea Ripley lost to Zelina in 48 seconds. We got a rematch from last week, and next week we'll get another rematch from this week.
The best thing that happened on Raw tonight was Maryse slapping the Miz.
Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.
2021-12-14 05:12:05 +0000 UTC
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