fightful

NXT Star Apologizes Backstage At Tapings

 Fightful has learned that at the last set of WWE NXT tapings, a backstage meeting was held and Indus Sher's Saurav Gurjar apologized for spoiling the results of the title-for-title match before it happened. Gurjar posted a picture of Keith Lee celebrating in the ring with both title belts with confetti falling a week before the title switch aired. We're told there's no significant heat on him, and there's no punishment expected to be handed down,, though he and his partner have not been...

Jeremy Lambert's Smackdown Notes

• AHHHHHHHAHAHA JEFF HARDY DID HIS POSE AFTER DELIVERING A "TOUGH LINE." It reminded me very much of Rip in No Holds Barred. Everyone check out the review of No Holds Barred that Joseph and I did many months ago. Our review is better than SmackDown.
• JBL! He's ready for a Friday night fight but I was told by Elton John that Saturday night is when it's alright to fight.
• IT'S BOSS TIME! The Horror Show at Extreme Rules.
• I very much like that they still...
  2020-07-25 03:10:25 +0000 UTC View Post

Update On WWE In-House Crowds, "Volunteer Basis"

Although conditions have improved since the initial set of tapings, some people have either outright refused to come in, or hadn't shown up to some of the event tapings before all of the positive tests even dropped. We're told many no-showed the back lot fight between Adam Cole and Velveteen Dream, specifically. Along the way, some NXT Talent, including Undisputed Era were asked to come in as extra noise before friends of the wrestlers were eventually brought in. Prior to that, many of the to...

News on Tessa Blanchard and IMPACT's Title Belt

Tessa Blanchard and IMPACT Wrestling are on the outs, and reports have emerged suggesting that she demanded a large sum of money to return the title. Her side of things has disputed that, and mentioned that not only did Tessa not try to hold up IMPACT, but that the company only provided an address to send the belt this week. They claim the title is planned for a safe return.

Fightful will also reach out to IMPACT on the matter

Monty Brown Update

 If you were hoping for a Monty Brown comeback, you probably shouldn't any time soon. He's popped up at a couple of events backstage, both for IMPACT and WWE over the last year of so, but doesn't have any interest making a return to wrestling. He did one appearance for a charity show promoted by Kevin Thorn, which Thorn told us he jumped at the opportunity to do. Brown didn't want to wrestle, and Thorn said that several promoters had contacted him trying to get Monty's number, but he was...

SRS Q&A Show (7/23): Bayley vs. Sasha, Roman Reigns, TNA, IMPACT

- Bo Dallas

- Top companies

- Bayley vs. Sasha

- Roman Reigns return

- Aleister Black's future

- GFW

- Tessa Blanchard

- Undisputed Era

- Demos

- Nixed podcasts and plans

- Fightful future

SRS AEW/NXT Review Podcast (7/22)

- Insane falls count anywhere match

- TNT Title

- Eddie Kingston

- Britt Baker, MJF, Moxley

- Sammy Guevara returns

- Title vacated

- Qualifying Match

- Mercedes Martinez

- Killian Dain's future

Extreme Rules Spot Upset Kevin Dunn

 Extreme Rules was high quality for WWE, but not everything went so smoothly, we're told. During the Sasha Banks and Asuka match, there were some production snafus that set Kevin Dunn off. We weren't told of specific instances, but Dunn was upset that cameras were catching Bayley in spots where they were...

List Goes On (7/22): Bol Bol, Jericho Cruise, Cinematic matches

- Bol Bol

- BAR FIGHT

- Cinematic matches

- Swamp Fight

- Salina de la Renta

- Jericho Cruise

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/hJfj-gZBiz4

Kairi Sane Update

Kairi Sane is looking to wrap up her time in WWE, but Monday wasn't the last time that we've seen her. Fightful has been told that Kairi is set for next Monday's Raw as well, but weren't told in what capacity. Both episodes have since been filmed. WWE has made a big effort to retain Kairi, and pitched several ideas to keep her on the payroll, and more specifically, away from other companies. Many of these ideas included her returning to Japan to work in a variety of capacities from an ambassa...

SRS Q&A questions

Hit me with questions!

Rules

1. Three questions each

2. No "favorite," top 5, or "are you a fan of?" questions.

3. If they're about contracts, the answer is here  https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/confirmed-wrestling-contract-expirations-wwe-njpw-roh-gfw-lu 

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: Raw 7/20 & Extreme Rules--Ow, my eye! I'm not supposed to get steel steps in it!

On this episode of SOUR GRAPS, we'll discuss ping pong balls and whether they look like eyeballs. Then we'll talk about how stupid endings can ruin amazing matches. Then we'll talk about how Dolph Ziggler is basically that Steve Carell as Michael Scott screaming No gif, but as a person.

Plus, the return of Mustafa Ali and whether he'd still be off TV if Apollo Crews didn't (allegedly) contract a debilitating illness on his employers' watch. Also, how they should write off Kairi Sane, a...

Plans For Good Brothers, EC3, Impact World Title, IMPACT Lineup

Impact lineup:

- X-Division Championship: Chris Bey (c) vs. Willie Mack

- Good Brothers speak

- Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz vs. Havok & Nevaeh

- Rhino vs. Hernandez

- Backstage segment with Deonna Purrazzo and Kylie Rae

- Eddie Edwards speaks

- TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Moose (c) vs. Fallah Bahh

- IMPACT World Tag Team Championship: The North (c) vs. Motor City Machine Guns

- EC3, Ace Austin, Reno Scum, Madman Fulton, Deon...

Update On IMPACT Free Agents, Locker Room Morale

Most of IMPACT's talent roster knew that Heath Slater was coming in weeks ago, even prior to his WWE appearance. In addition, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson were well known as being brought in. However, Curt Hawkins and Bully Ray were both rumored, though the speculation backstage was that talks with Bully Ray fell through, though we can't confirm that.

The backstage area was said to be very positive this week, and the tapings wrapped up on Monday, after much of the talent drove or flew...

Major Plans For IMPACT Tag Team

 As Fightful Select reported Saturday, MotorCity Machine Guns are back in the the fold in IMPACT, with big plans for them. The plan as far back as of last week was for them to emerge victorious and win the Tag Team Championships, which airs Tuesday. 

Backstage Report Podcast (7/20): IMPACT, EC3, NWA, WWE, More

- NWA's future, contract offers

- LOTS of Impact Wrestling news

- EC3

- Ivelisse

- Deonna Purrazzo

- WWE Social media policies

- Contract, stats, injuries

Sean Ross Sapp's WWE Extreme Rules Live Blog & Discussion

Kevin Owens defeated Buddy Murphy
6.25/10

• This is a hell of a match to get added to the slate at the last minute.
• It seems like Owens has been using the DDT more, and I'm all for that.
• Kevin Owens has to stop playing with my emotions and teasing the return of the Super Fisherman's Buster. In...
  2020-07-19 22:31:00 +0000 UTC View Post

Update On Deonna Purrazzo's Status With IMPACT

If you've watched Fightful shows over the past couple of weeks, you probably heard us mention that Deonna Purrazzo was working without an IMPACT contract, leading many to believe she'd not win Saturday. After winning the Knockouts Championship, we're told that Purrazzo and IMPACT are still working on a per-appearance basis.

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: SmackDown 7/17--This Is Your Braun. This Is Your Braun On Drugs.

Any questions?

It's a brand new, GO HOME episode of SOUR GRAPS, where we'll make picks for ThE hOrRoRR sHoW at Ewwwwtreme Rulez, but we'll also talk about just how racist WWE is going to let Lacey's gimmick get (now that she's heel again) and whether you like rooting for people who run up and hit somebody from behind. Also, Tables Matches are Dumb, and AJ Styles stands for Arrogant Jackass Styles.

But mostly, we're going to talk about Braun Strowman's obvious cocaine problem.

Sean Ross Sapp's IMPACT Slammiversary Live Blog & Discussion

Open Challenge
Motor City Machine Guns defeated Rascalz
6/10

• It feels great that there's real buzz around IMPACT Wrestling again. This show is running live, in case you were wondering.
• As Fightful Select reported, Motor City Machine Guns are back, and there are big plans for them.
• The action starts a lit...
  2020-07-18 23:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post

Fightful Weekender (7/18): IMPACT SLAMMIVERSARY, NWA, 205 LIVE, ROH, BEYOND, NEW SOUTH

STEPHEN JENSEN is back with another edition of the WEEKENDER!

Topics:

- Show to watch on IWTV - NEW SOUTH: "Americana"

- Free matches on YouTube - BEYOND: WARHORSE vs. Manders

                                                 &nb...

IMPACT Makes Play, Plans For Former TNA Names

Fightful has heard of several names that are rumored to be brought in to IMPACT Wrestling for the upcoming set of tapings. In addition to several that left WWE, Fightful has learned that IMPACT Wrestling made a play for Motor City Machine Guns, and there were big tentative plans for the duo to come in. Chris Sabin was originally planned to make an appearance at the TNA show earlier this year. 

AEW Name That Was Upset About Gallows & Anderson Passing On Deal, Details

On Saturday morning's TalkN'ShopAMania, Gallows and Anderson had hinted at people who were upset in AEW that they passed on their contract offers last year. Among those, Fightful has learned that Chris Jericho was particularly off-put, as the thought the deal was done, and was "hilariously outspoken" about it at an AEW taping. While he isn't an EVP of the company, Jericho clearly has heavy influence within the company and we're told was friendly with Karl Anderson ahead of the contract situat...

Jeremy Lambert's Smackdown Show Notes

• Need WWE movies starring Morrison and Van Dam
• THE HORROR SHOW AT EXTREME RULES
• THE HORROR SHOW AT EXTREME RULES
• I'm willing to bet Cesaro has the New Day's number, he is always on UUDD
• THERE WAS SOME VOTING THING AND A TIEBREAKER MATCH THAT THEY JUST ANNOUNCED TWO DAYS BEFORE THE SHOW WHY WAS THIS NEVER MENTIONED DID I FORGET TO WRITE THIS NEWS STORY?!?!?!
• How was the voting so close? Was it a literal tie? AND WHERE WAS THIS VOTE...
  2020-07-18 03:24:23 +0000 UTC View Post

Ivelisse notes on WWE tryout, IMPACT backing out

We're finally dropping another long lost interview, this one pertinent to next week's AEW, with Ivelisse debuting

It was pretty clear Ivelisse didn't want to burn any bridges by saying anything rough, as she didn't broach a nixed 2018 Impact Wrestling run that came down to a matter of days or hours. She said she was "too close to slip up." She spoke highly of WWE and her tryout, and said that the WWE facility was much improved and a lot bigger than when she was there. She reiterated tha...

WWE Extreme Rules Betting Odds

Sent directly to us from BetOnline

Braun Stowman (c) vs Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt                    -150     (2/3)

Braun Strowman            +110     (11/10)

Drew McIntyre (c) vs Dolph Ziggler

Drew McIntyre    &nb...

News On WWE Social Media Policies

We were given some insight about WWE's social media methods. If you're participating in a social media campaign for something promotional like Snickers, they'll ask you to tweet about it, but won't tell you an exact tweet to put out. They'll supply a link, as opposed to a direct tweet script. As a part of a TV program or feud, they'll instruct some more succinct tweets in order for their other social media to utilize as well. Sometimes talent gets texts or calls informing them of the company'...

SPOILER For This Week's Smackdown

Please do not read below if you want to avoid spoilers.


Fightful has been informed that as of now there aren't plans for Matt Riddle to become IC Champion. The plan for this week's show calls for AJ Styles to defeat him and join in with Baron Corbin for a beat down.

Update On NWA's Future

 As of right now, NWA has no firm plans moving forward. The presentation was largely the vision of former VP Dave Lagana, and with him out, there isn't much direction. Fightful has learned that NWA World's Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis was considered for a VP spot, but doesn't have the same skill set that Lagana presented. 

Most of the roster members we've spoken with are very fond of Billy Corgan, and says he treats people with respect, but mentioned he wasn't very active i...

Combate Americas Was Interested In Bringing In Another Pro Wrestler

Fightful learned that as far back as last year, Combate Americas at least had an interest in speaking with Ivelisse about the potential of joining them. There was a lost interview with Fightful where she mentioned an MMA company speaking to her, which we later found out was Combate. They've also brought in Thunder Rosa and Alberto Del Rio in the past. Ivelisse was at this week's AEW tapings and got a WWE tryout last year.