fightful

More on WWE writer being let go after podcast appearance

As Fightful reported, writer Kenice Mobley was let go by the company after a podcast interview surfaced where she mentioned that she didn't know much about wrestling, and specifically didn't know Bobby Lashley's name. Reputable sources within WWE have reiterated constantly that fan backlash did not contribute to her being let go. Instead we're told that they actively discourage writers from speaking about the job, and several wrestlers and staffers felt disrespected by the nature in which she...

Fightful Weekender (6/27): WWE RELEASES, 205 LIVE, NXT UK, IMPACT, ROH, NWA, MLW, BTE, ICW NHB

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

Topics:

- Show to watch on IWTV - ICW NHB: "Pitfighter X7"

- WWE Releases

- 205 LIVE (6/25) results

- NXT UK (6/24) results

- IMPACT (6/24) results

- ROH (6/18) results 

- NWA: "Powerrr" (6/22) results

- MLW Open Draft - Round 6

- BTE: "Trip" recap

WWE Raw name backstage at NXT this past week

We've heard a lot about the likes of Bronson Reed, Karrion Kross and Scarlett all being at WWE Raw and Smackdown events of late, but there have actually been some main roster names at backstage recently. Fightful was told that MVP was backstage at this past week's episode of NXT, and that it isn't uncommon to see Damian Priest visiting backstage as well. We aren't sure if there was a specific reason for MVP being there or if he was just visiting.

In addition, Scarlett and Shotzi Blackhe...

More news on wrestlers asking out of WWE non competes

We reported recently that multiple WWE releases from 2021 have asked to have lenience or to forego their non-compete clauses. We gained confirmation that at least one of them has gained an early out on their WWE no-compete clause, and WWE were willing to let them out of the entirety of it, but that it didn't end up happening. Those that we've spoken to have said that WWE and Johnny Ace have been very easy to deal with in these talks. As far as the most recent releases, some have 30-day non-co...

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: SmackDown 6/25--The Edgelord & The Death Of 205Live

Yesterday, WWE released a bunch of NXT and 205Lifers. It sucked.  

Last night, SmackDown unnecessarily extended several feuds, which sucked, and brought one back from the dead... which didn't suck.  

But still, on the whole, everything sucks.
Let's talk about it.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/-O-ulZs52a4

Saturday Night Dynamite Live Discussion

It's........kind of like a PPV, so I'm making this open to everyone. What's up you guys?

Original creative plans for some released NXT stars

There were creative plans for at least two of the releases. Fightful noted that Diamond Mine had been planned months ahead, and Arturo Ruas and Marina Shafir were a part of those plans. Until mid-June, Ruas was penciled in to debut with the Diamond Mine group, but was informed a few days ahead of time that plans had changed for him. There were also plans for Marina Shafir to be involved as a "female enforcer" of sorts, and many on NXT were under the impression that was still going to happen o...

More NXT stars at Smackdown tonight

We've seen Karrion Kross and Bronson Reed work dark matches and Main Event tapings over the past week or two, but it isn't stopping there. Scarlett and Shotzi Blackheart are both backstage at Smackdown tonight, and they were planned to compete in a dark match on the show. We'll work to find out more notes.

Notes on some of the WWE Releases for today

As of publication, multiple names that we've heard were set to be released have not yet. However, there were several names that ended up getting released that we hadn't heard about prior, and at times this year wrestlers have been "saved" from the chopping block.

We were told that the information we'd posted regarding a Nick Khan- led meeting was erroneous, and that the wheels were in motion on several of the releases prior to today.

Several of the 205 Live wrestlers fired were...

An NXT.....talent show?

In news that I'm absolutely sure everyone was expecting, we're told that NXT held a talent show for their roster at the WWE Performance Center on Wednesday afternoon. We've heard there was everything from singing to stand-up comedy, and that the show was mandatory to attend, but was a morale boost for some and it seemed to go over well. There were no official "winners" announced, besides the lucky audience, that is.

SRS Q&A Podcast (6/24): Over 40 minutes!

- Cash In

- Chyna, Keith Lee, Davey Boy Smith Jr., IIconics

- Aleister Black, FInn Balor, John Silver

- Vickie's surprise

- Money in the Bank

- Charging battery

- IMPACT Knockouts

- IMPACT surprises

- NJPW, ROH

- Over 40 minutes of questions!

More news on IMPACT Slammiversary surprises, outside names

IMPACT Wrestling's Slammiversary has quickly gained the reputation as being a place where free agent names will pop up, after it happening last year. Fightful has been able to confirm with IMPACT sources that at least two surprises are planned for the show, with outside names making their way into the company, including one already under contract elsewhere, and one recent WWE release. Fightful has also been told to expect a "reinvigoration" to the Knockouts division in July.

Update on Jeff Hardy's contract status with WWE

Jeff Hardy has been used sporadically by WWE over the last several months, even after re-signing with WWE in 2020. Throughout that year, WWE made alterations and changes on several contracts, and Jeff Hardy's deal was either restructured, re-signed or extended. He spoke openly about wanting "No More Words" as a part of the deal, which we're told lasts until the end of 2022, or the beginning of 2023. WWE is able to add injury time to the deal, which they'd actually done with Jeff Hardy before ...

How-Joey Janela-Drake Wuertz-school board meeting came together

Joey Janela made some waves this week by showing up at a Seminoile County School Board that Drake Wuertz regularly attends. Janela told Wrestling Perspective Podcast (releasing Friday) that he hadn't even decided to attend until mid-way through the meeting. He went and got some appropriate clothes and sped to the meeting, and said that Drake immediately recognized him, knew who he has, and why he was there, and was polite to him during and after the experience. Janela says that he got a lot o...

SRS Q&A

Hey guys! Q&A time

Guidelines

- 1 question per subscriber

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

If you're a new subscriber, comment your question below. I'll delete the field after I'm done recording.

For aggregators and news sites: If you seek clarity on anything I say on this show, reach out to me and I'll help as much as I can.

The List Goes On LIVE 6/23 at 4 pm EST

- Damian Priest

- Lars Sullivan

- Brock Anderson

- much more!

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/mIWpPcBKsNs

ROH Wrestler Says There Was Outside Interest Before Re-Signing

In speaking with Ring of Honor's Amy Rose, we discussed her new contract with the company, and how she landed in the spot she's in. Rose claimed there was outside interest from other companies before she eventually signed with ROH. We did not get confirmation on what other company that was.

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: Raw 6/21--All Good Things Are Bad, Actually

Sometimes when someone you love is making a bad decision, you owe it to them to step in and tell them they need to rethink things.

In related news, Nikki Cross is now a butterfly themed superhero, and it was all her idea. 

Also, bonus Helling in Cells (for stupid reasons)! And Qualifying Matches! And Doudrop is spelled that way, apparently!

Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.

VIDEO: https://youtu....

News On New NXT Diamond Mine Stable

The Diamond Mine made their long awaited debut on NXT, which we're told was a big part of NXT increasing their focus on the Cruiserweight Division throughout the summer. Fightful has learned that Diamond Mine has been planned for months, even well before Roderick Strong "quit" in storyline on NXT TV. There were actually plans to debut the stable well before, but it was moved back on more than one occasion for it to take center stage on an episode of NXT. We'll reiterate at no point during any...

NXT to add focus to Cruiserweight division

In speaking with many in NXT and the Performance Center, there has been a long, working plan for NXT to emphasize the Cruiserweight Division and the title more on their programming. NXT officials have been high on Kushida ever since he came in, as has the roster around him. We saw it start with Kyle O'Reilly, but we're told to expect NXT to integrate more storyline, some bigger names, and angles into the Cruiserweight division, especially this Summer.

Damian Priest Return Update

In an update on Damian Priest's absence, there were rumors of a back injury, which have been denied to us. We have heard that will be available as soon as next week if WWE has creative plans for him. He was said to have been unavailable the past couple of weeks for other, undisclosed reasons.

At one point WWE was hopeful that Priest could be involved in the Money in the Bank qualifiers. We should specify that he may have been dealing with a back injury prior, but that was confirmed to ...

Thunder Rosa-NWA-Combate Americas Notes

Thunder Rosa let us know that she's still training MMA heavily, but that she's focusing on pro wrestling since it's taken off for her. She's spoken with Combate Americas recently, however, and the opportunity to have a fight is there. Last year, she told us her contract with them was up this year.

In speaking with her, she said that Pat Kenney, the former Simon Diamond, is the point of contact for her creative in National Wrestling Alliance.

Our interview with her will air tomorro...

SRS Backstage Report Podcast (6/21): Becky, Brock and More

- Becky Lynch

- Brock Lesnar

- WWE Special themed shows

- Moose's contract

- Hell in a Cell creative changes

- Lars Sullivan boxing

- WWE non compete clauses

- Maria Kanellis

- AEW

- Women of Honor

- Injury updates

Mojo Rawley lands spot in major movie

Mojo Rawley is out of WWE,  but it doesn't look like he's out of work. Fightful learned that Mojo Rawley will appear in an upcoming GI Joe film, Snake Eyes. The film releases July 23, and Rawley appears in the trailer in a fight scene. We'll work to find out more about how this came about. 

WOW Update, Or Lack Thereof

In asking many members of the last WOW Women of Wrestling roster, none we've spoken to have been given any significant updates on the future of the brand. For some, they haven't heard from the company since 2020, and have just assumed the company is on an extended hiatus after the pandemic and the split with Anthem.

SRS WWE Hell in a Cell live discussion, blog, ratings

Hey guys, let's talk some wrestling

Natalya (w/ Tamina) defeated Mandy Rose (w/ Dana Brooke)
5.25/10

This is a pretty solid match, and a harmless one from a storyline perspective. A nice mix of ground transitions and high flying stuff. There are some good submission chains that lead into Natalya winning with a Sharpshooter. I'm okay...

Hell in a Cell main event and opener as of this afternoon, other notes

As of early this afternoon, the plan was for Bianca Belair vs. Bayley in a Hell in a Cell match to kick off the PPV, with Bobby Lashley vs. Drew McIntyre in their Hell in a Cell match. As always, this can change right up to the moment the show starts, and has several times in the past. 

For those asking, despite the "live" graphic not appearing on the screen, this show is live. 

Fightful Weekender (6/20): 205 LIVE, NXT UK, IMPACT, MLW, ROH, NWA, GCW, BTE, AIW

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

Topics:

- Show to watch on IWTV - ABSOLUTE INTENSE WRESTLING: "Major Announcement"

- MLW Open Draft - Round 5 

- 205 LIVE (6/18) results

- NXT UK (6/17) results

- IMPACT (6/17) results

- ROH (6/11) results 

- NWA: "Powerrr" (6/15) results

- GCW: "Outlaw Mudshow" results

- BTE: "You Broke My Face" recap

Big Update On Brock Lesnar - WWE

Brock Lesnar could be on his way back to WWE.

Several WWE sources are under the impression that Brock Lesnar and WWE have been in recent talks about a return to the company. WWE was said to have plans in order for Brock Lesnar, and hopes that he could return imminently if WWE has their way. As with anything, until it appears on screen, it's hardly ever a sure thing.

Last year when Brock Lesnar's merchandise were removed from WWE's store briefly, we were told neither side was parti...

Update On Lars Sullivan Bare Knuckle Boxing

Fightful has confirmed that Lars Sullivan is in the early stages of training in boxing. He's considered taking a fight down the line, and says he's open to capitalizing on his past as a WWE Superstar. He reiterated to us that he's just jumping in and wants to see how he progresses and improves before doing anything solid in boxing. It wasn't specified that it would be bare knuckle boxing as pre...