To clarify situations on WWE contract, as reported initially, WWE was fully aware of Kevin Owens' WWE deal expiring in January 2022.
WWE renegotiated several WWE contracts in 2019, adjusting them for higher guarantees. We weren't told the specific terms, but many wrestlers altered their deals.
We've been told more of the issues regarding confusion about contracts fell in NXT and the transition between NXT and WWE. After Malakai Black's contract only saw a 30-day non compete instea...
2021-09-08 17:22:48 +0000 UTC
View Post
- Bryan Danielson
- Adam Cole
- Ruby Soho
- Minoru Suzuki
- AEW Title Match
- Scrum information
2021-09-08 16:32:39 +0000 UTC
View Post
Last night on Raw, there was a whole bunch of stuff that was entirely unnecessary, considering we would up right back where we were at the beginning of the show LAST week.
Also, WWE better hope that Omos is actually *really* ready to be WWE Champ. Otherwise they just opened a Pandora's Box that might spell doom for the Raw brand.
Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/pTw4m...
2021-09-08 03:57:58 +0000 UTC
View Post
A major star's WWE contract is coming due sooner than later, and it's one most people don't expect.
Fightful has been made aware that one WWE contract expires much sooner than originally thought by the public. Kevin Owens did an interview in May of 2018 with TVA Sports where he'd stated that he'd signed a new 5-year contract that would carry him into 2023. However, as it turns out, that deal is actually now up in January 2022, according to WWE sources. Specifically we've learned the dat...
2021-09-07 23:33:03 +0000 UTC
View Post
A recently released NXT star replaced another recently released NXT superstar in a TV spot.
Fightful has learned that Alex Zayne, formerly Ari Sterling, was not the original plan to face Cameron Grimes on a June episode of NXT. Zayne, who worked as a heel on NXT after appearing repeatedly as a babyface on 205 Live actually replaced Ariya Daivari, who was released just before the match took place. The original plan was to have an established heel work against Cameron Grimes to help furth...
2021-09-07 16:00:33 +0000 UTC
View Post
- Adam Cole's AEW signing, WWE reaction
- Ruby Soho's AEW signing, backstage details
- All Out finish
- Bryan Danielson
- Britt Baker contract
- Impact Wrestler wants release
- Tommaso Ciampa, Jake Crist, Nikki ASH, Braun Strowman
- Injury & contract updates
2021-09-07 15:45:37 +0000 UTC
View Post
STEPHEN JENSEN is here with a special Monday edition of the WEEKENDER!
Topics:
- GCW: "The Art of WarGames" results
"Effy's Big Gay Brunch" results
"Guilty Conscience" results
- GCW/BLP: "3 Cups Stuffed" results
- BLP: "Ground Control to Filthy Tom" results
- FREELANCE UNDERGROUND: "No ...
2021-09-06 20:43:39 +0000 UTC
View Post
As Fightful Select reported on August 4, Ruby Soho was brought into All Elite Wrestling. Those that we've spoken to said there was "immediate" interest in the former Ruby Riott, not just from All Elite Wrestling but from other companies and independents as well. Some were told early on that Ruby would not be taking any bookings, and those promoters had assumed due to that, she was likely AEW bound as well. Fightful was told as far back as July that they had heard that Soho would be joining th...
2021-09-06 19:13:18 +0000 UTC
View Post
AEW talent was in Chicago for All Out Weekend, but plenty of WWE talent were in town as well. Ric Flair, Zelina, were all seen in Chicago, and Sarah Logan was backstage at the event. In addition, Scott D'Amore, Jerry Lawler, Jeff Jarrett, Eric Bischoff, Kurt Angle and Mike Chioda and numerous others were booked for Conrad Thompson's Ad Free Shows event and were in town as well.
2021-09-06 19:02:06 +0000 UTC
View Post
Adam Cole signed with All Elite Wrestling, and made his debut at All Out Sunday night in one of the more memorable show closers ever in wrestling. Fightful has learned a ton of news in regards to the signing.
Cole's appearance didn't necessarily come as a surprise to many within WWE, as much of the company expected him to be heading to AEW as of last weekend. As Fightful reported, WWE had operated on the assumption that he was as good as gone by the time they sent a memo to some within ...
2021-09-06 18:44:01 +0000 UTC
View Post
HEY GUYS! SRS here live from All Out. I'll post any interesting notes in here.
- The Butcher returned tonight. We reported he was in Chicago tonight
- There are numerous UFC vets in attendance
- There are TALL PAUL and MUTE DENISE signs
- Renee Paquette was in Chicago for the show
- The canvas was changed after the cage match
- Mark Henry came out and recorded CM Punk's entrance from the audience
Ratings
Opening tag- 5.75/10
2021-09-05 23:51:07 +0000 UTC
View Post
There is obviously heavily speculation in regards to Adam Cole and All Elite Wrestling now that he's a free agent. In Fightful last speaking with WWE reps on Tuesday, they seemed less confident in making a deal happen now that Cole had reached that free agency period, which is why they sent out the internal note. We'll have more on those talks in the coming weeks, but WWE sources indicated they'd continue making efforts to re-sign him as of the day he hit free agency
As of 5 PM EST, th...
2021-09-05 22:02:00 +0000 UTC
View Post
AEW's All Out takes place tonight, and the card is already presumably full. Most of the roster will be at tonight's show, but that's not the case for everyone.
FTR noted that they were leaving Chicago Sunday, and Fightful is told that several other talent also took off on Sunday. There are tons of talent not on the card that is sticking around for the event. There were also several WWE contracted talent that were around throughout the weekend before the show.
There were othe...
2021-09-05 20:56:13 +0000 UTC
View Post
AEW All Out is today, and has led to many reports and additional speculation about who could show up tonight.
In speaking with talent, many are personally of the belief that Bryan Danielson, the former Daniel Bryan, is showing up tonight. Fightful was told that the working plan as of a couple of weeks ago was for Bryan to appear on AEW All Out, as BodySlam.net reported. However, it was noted that with AEW having multiple big shows on the horizon, things could be moved...
2021-09-05 16:55:59 +0000 UTC
View Post
It's been a while since we've seen AEW's Butcher, also known as Andy Williams. AEW sources indicated to Fightful that Butcher tore his thumb during his match with Darby Allin back in April and has been recovering. Butcher is in Chicago for AEW All Out weekend, but we haven't been told that's for any on-screen purpose. The company held a fan fest Friday and Saturday and brought several talent not currently on TV in for the events
2021-09-05 15:52:28 +0000 UTC
View Post
NOTE: Audio version of the podcast may be delayed due to All Out weekend. Thanks for your patience.
Roman vs Finn was great, except they had to overbook it.
Seth vs Cesaro was pretty good, except we've seen it.
Usos vs Profits never got going, kicked the can down the road.
No women's matches.
Becky isn't a heel, no matter how much she tries.
Nothing really matters. It feels like carelessness.
And as a result, I couldn't care less.
Everything suc...
2021-09-05 03:23:40 +0000 UTC
View Post
Sasha Banks has been out of action since before Summerslam, when she was pulled from the event. Since then, Banks had not been around shows, until this past Friday's episode of Smackdown. Several sources told Fightful that Banks was backstage at this week's Smackdown. We have not been told of any creative plans at the moment for Banks.
2021-09-04 16:38:00 +0000 UTC
View Post
Nikki ASH told Fightful that she initially spoke with creative about pitching the Almost a Super Hero story line, then after they liked it, they had to go to the office to pitch the idea. Nikki noted that she never felt nervous about making the unconventional pitch, instead she was excited to make it happen.
Nikki ASH spoke highly of fellow superheroes Hurricane Helms and Mighty Molly Holly, who both work as producers for WWE. Nikki said that Helms was one of the first people to congrat...
2021-09-04 13:00:06 +0000 UTC
View Post
Fightful has learned that Kip Sabian is in Chicago for AEW All Out. Sabian has battled injuries since back in December but briefly returned in 2021. Sabian hasn't been seen on AEW TV since the split with now-TNT Champion Miro. We have not been told of and imminent plans for Sabian as of yet.
2021-09-03 17:39:09 +0000 UTC
View Post
Adam Cole is now a free agent and able to go anywhere he chooses, but in speaking to WWE sources, Fightful learned an interesting note about some talks he had. According to those in WWE, Adam Cole had made it clear well ahead of his contract even coming up in July that he was not willing to give up his Twitch as many other wrestlers had been asked to do. The WWE source we originally spoke to on the matter called it "non-negotiable" for him, and even said that higher ups weren't excited to tal...
2021-09-03 17:00:07 +0000 UTC
View Post
A Blood Brothers two pack and even more!
2021-09-03 16:00:08 +0000 UTC
View Post
Fightful has reached out to numerous WWE sources about the NXT production being handled by Vince McMahon and Bruce Prichard, and it was effectively denied. One source very close to the situation said "don't believe everything you hear." Several others did confirm that Bruce Prichard is slated for a Saturday visit to the WWE Performance Center, but that talent isn't mandated to be there, and some aren't even sure what the nature of the visit is. We'll work to learn more details of the trip.
2021-09-03 15:14:18 +0000 UTC
View Post
Nikki ASH's Raw Women's title reign is over, but it came together pretty quickly as well.
ASH told Fightful that she cried when she won the Money in the Bank contract, and was told that afternoon that she would win the contract. The next day after winning the Raw Women's Title, there were no tears and she was ready to celebrate – although she cried when she found out it was happening. However, upon winning the Money in the Bank contract, she wasn't told that she'd also be winning the ...
2021-09-03 14:00:09 +0000 UTC
View Post
Jake Crist appeared on IMPACT Wrestling again after spending several months away from the company. Crist has dropped a ton of weight since last year and has worked on his physical conditioning, and was getting another look by IMPACT after the two parted ways last December. We've been told that Crist was well liked within the company, and we had several sources within the company specifically mention his creative mind as one of the potential benefits of him being back around the company. As of...
2021-09-03 01:47:38 +0000 UTC
View Post
On this week's episode of AEW Dynamite, Dr. Britt Baker DMD noted that she had huge free agent news, a wink and a nod at the fact that her boyfriend, Adam Cole, was a free agent.
During her segment, Baker revealed that it was actually her that had signed a new contract with AEW. In speaking with All Elite Wrestling sources, Fightful was told this was actually true and that the Women's Champion did agree to an extension with the company recently.
We have not been told a length or t...
2021-09-02 17:02:55 +0000 UTC
View Post
Sean Ross Sapp answers your questions!
- Contracts!
- Adam Cole
- New NXT
- AEW Women's division
- All Out
- More!
2021-09-02 16:06:30 +0000 UTC
View Post
It was reported today by Wrestling Observer's Bryan Alvarez that Vince McMahon and Bruce Prichard will be "producing" NXT with Dave Meltzer later adding that "McMahon and Prichard will be behind the big decisions, not the little ones, and will be behind marketing, promotion, and direction. Their role in booking may only be regarding those at the top."
Fightful has spoken to numerous talent in NXT who have not yet been informed of such a decision and are effectively left in the dark...
2021-09-01 21:11:42 +0000 UTC
View Post
Video: https://youtu.be/GxyCoiNA3Lo
2021-09-01 19:45:01 +0000 UTC
View Post
Some huge news for the immediate future of WWE WrestleMania.
After the reception of the last two years of WrestleMania being split up into two nights, Fightful has learned the working plan internally as of last week was for WrestleMania 38 in Arlington, Texas to also be split up into two nights. The shows are scheduled for Saturday, April 2, and Sunday April 3. As long as things hold up, it'd be the first two-night WrestleMania in front of a full crowd.
As cliche as "plans change"...
2021-09-01 17:19:44 +0000 UTC
View Post
The former Braun Strowman is a free agent, and is returning to wrestling against an old friend.
Fightful has learned that Adam Scherr -- formerly Strowman -- will return to wrestling on Free The Narrative II.
Fightful was also sent the following:
From the propaganda desk of the essential character (ec3)
Are you born a monster? Or is it something you become?
After his shocking dismissal from the corporate wrestling realm, joi...
2021-09-01 16:00:01 +0000 UTC
View Post
