All articles tagged with #prowrestling
WWE is reviving Saturday Night's Main Event on NBC with a nostalgic flair, featuring classic elements like bow-tied referees, red, white, and blue ring ropes, and iconic promos. WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura promises a throwback experience, aiming to capture the essence of the show's original 1980s run. The revival will also include classic music themes to enhance the nostalgic atmosphere.
AEW Collision featured a main event where FTR overcame House of Black with family support and a budding friendship with Daniel Garcia, despite post-match attacks. Eddie Kingston retained his title in a gritty match against Trent Beretta, and Adam Copeland continued his climb up the ladder with a victory and a new submission move. The show also saw Sting & Darby Allin's victory, and Claudio Castagnoli's challenge to Hangman Page. The event was marked by solid matches and storyline developments, setting an exciting tone for AEW in 2024.
Ring of Honor (ROH) recorded several matches for their upcoming TV episode before and after the AEW Collision event in Charlotte, North Carolina. The tapings featured a variety of matches, including victories for Zak Knight, Tony Nese, Kyle Fletcher, The Righteous, Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty, Cole Karter, Queen Aminata, Taya Valkyrie, Leyla Hirsch & Rachael Ellering, Blake Christian, The Iron Savages, and Christopher Daniels. Notably, Cole Karter's win involved controversy as he secured the victory by pulling Serpentico's tights, leading to a post-match altercation.
The pro wrestling rumor mill is abuzz with speculation about Mercedes Moné potentially returning to WWE, with both WWE and AEW reportedly in negotiations with her. Trinity is rumored to be leaving Impact/TNA for WWE after the January tapings. MJF is facing a potential year-long absence if he undergoes shoulder surgery, but is hoping for recovery through rehab. WWE canceled an NXT championship match due to Ilja Dragunov needing a break. Additionally, WWE is reportedly seeking alliances with Japanese wrestling promotions and considering another collaboration with New Japan Pro-Wrestling under its new president, Hiroshi Tanahashi. Remember, these are unconfirmed rumors and should be taken with a grain of salt.
Speculation is mounting about a potential WWE dream match between Roman Reigns and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, possibly headlining WrestleMania 40. While nothing is confirmed, The Rock's recent WWE Raw appearance and references to Reigns have fueled rumors. Previous plans for a match at WrestleMania 39 fell through due to creative differences. Alternative venues for the match could include the Elimination Chamber in Australia or a premium live event in Saudi Arabia, with both locations expressing interest in hosting the high-profile bout.
The wrestling rumor mill is abuzz with speculation that The Rock may return to WWE to face Roman Reigns, possibly at the Elimination Chamber event in Australia, although Bryan Alvarez denies this, insisting The Rock will appear at WrestleMania. Meanwhile, plans for Cody Rhodes in WWE are reportedly ongoing. There's also talk of backstage satisfaction in WWE following Kevin Dunn's departure, and Mercedes Moné is expected to join AEW barring unforeseen changes. Chris Jericho was spotted backstage at AEW Dynamite without making a TV appearance.
Former WWE star Nic Nemeth, previously known as Dolph Ziggler, made a striking return to professional wrestling at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 with a new gimmick video. The video features Nemeth in action-packed sequences fighting zombies, including a notable scene where he superkicks a zombie's head off, and a nod to the Evil Dead with a "Groovy" one-liner. The video aligns with his self-proclaimed status as "The Most Wanted Man" in wrestling, showcasing his free agent appeal and hinting at more appearances in 2024.
On AEW's Dynamite, Adam Cole unveiled his group's new name, The Undisputed Kingdom, alongside Roderick Strong, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, and Wardlow. Cole delivered a promo explaining their mission to rid AEW of narcissist MJF and outlined their future goals, including championship pursuits. Despite internal tensions, particularly with Wardlow's reluctance to Cole's plan for the World Championship, the group also faced external challenges from Jay White and The Gunns, hinting at future conflicts. The segment solidified The Undisputed Kingdom's presence and set the stage for upcoming storylines in AEW.
On the January 3rd episode of AEW Dynamite, Adam Cole, following his return as The Devil at Worlds End, introduced his new stable named the Undisputed Kingdom. The group, which includes The Kingdom, Wardlow, and Roderick Strong, made a bold entrance with a new theme and visual presentation. Cole, who is recovering from double ankle surgery, declared that each member of the faction is targeting a championship, and he plans to return to the ring once Wardlow secures the AEW World Title and forfeits it to him. The Undisputed Kingdom is set to make a significant impact on AEW, aiming to dominate the title scene.
WWE NXT's New Year's Evil 2024 featured a series of high-stakes matches, including title defenses and tournament finals. Lyra Valkyria successfully retained her NXT Women's Championship against Blair Davenport, while Trick Williams remained the No. 1 contender for the NXT Championship after a match against Grayson Waller, which saw interference from Kevin Owens. The event also saw Fallon Henley defeat Tiffany Stratton, forcing Stratton to become a ranch hand for a day, and Oba Femi winning the Men's Breakout Tournament. Despite the absence of Ilja Dragunov and Dragon Lee, the show was highlighted by strong performances from the women's division, with the overall event receiving a solid B grade.
MJF, recently dethroned as AEW World Champion by Samoa Joe, has been removed from AEW's official roster page, sparking speculation about his future with the company. However, reports from PW Insider suggest that his disappearance is likely a storyline, not an actual departure, as no one within AEW believes he is leaving. MJF has been dealing with injuries, so a break could be beneficial for his health and to refresh his character. The wrestling community is curious about how long MJF will be away and what his next move will be in AEW.
In the world of professional wrestling, rumors are swirling about MJF's status with AEW, with insiders suggesting his roster page removal is part of a storyline. Mercedes Moné is reportedly close to signing with AEW, and could appear on Dynamite even before finalizing a deal. Speculation continues over who will replace Kevin Dunn as WWE's executive producer, with Triple H's takeover prompting guesses about Mike Mansury and Michael Cole's potential roles. Meanwhile, AEW Battle of the Belts IX is scheduled for January 13 on TNT. Remember, these are unconfirmed rumors and should be taken with a grain of salt.
Speculation is mounting that The Rock, a former WWE Champion, may appear on the January 1 episode of WWE RAW. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reports that while the identity of the expected WWE Champion is not confirmed, The Rock is anticipated to be the one, especially after being seen in Pasadena not far from the RAW venue. WWE president Nick Khan's recent interaction with The Rock adds to the speculation, although no official confirmation has been given.
Former WWE star Elias has announced his new ring name, "Elijah," following the end of his 90-day noncompete clause after being released in September. He revealed his new persona through a dramatic video on social media, which included symbolic imagery of him burying his past and rising anew. While he has not announced any future bookings, the video marks his first public hint at his career's direction post-WWE.
AEW has removed MJF, the former AEW World Champion, from its official roster page amidst speculation about his contract, which is set to expire on January 1, 2024. Despite rumors of a signed deal and a "bidding war" being part of a storyline, MJF's future with AEW remains a topic of discussion, especially after CEO Tony Khan's remarks about his value to the promotion and MJF's recent loss to Samoa Joe, which ended his 406-day championship reign. MJF has expressed his love for AEW but is considering his options as his contract end approaches.