Here's your wrestling news for September 18th, 2022.
And we're kicking off today with WWE and in November, the
promotion will return to Saudi Arabia for crown jewel.
And the main event of that show has been set one day after
appearing on SmackDown, Logan, Paul appeared in a press
conference last night, alongside triple H and the bloodline.
The game spoke about WWE, putting on events that nobody
else can and confirmed that Paul will face Roman reigns
for the undisputed WWE universal championship at the show.
Triple H confirmed that this will be a match like no other.
And the crowd at the press conference seemed pretty
split half chanting for Paul and the other half chanting.
He sucks.
Logan.
Paul has been impressive so far in WWE earning victories at
both WrestleMania at 38 and summer slam, but he'll have his
biggest challenge to date when he steps foot in the ring with
the tribal chief, given that Logan Paul has had just two matches
in WWE it's strange to say the least that he's been pushed into
a universal title program with WW E's biggest star already.
There's no shortage of WWE superstars who are arguably more deserving
for a shot at the WWE undisputed universal championship than Paul yet.
It's the YouTuber slash boxer.
Who's next in line.
Speaking at the press conference rain's addressed.
Paul as an opponent and why he's willing
to step foot in the ring with him.
Because I'm a good tribal chief as the face of the WWE, the greatest
sports entertainment and entertainment company in the whole world.
That's my obligation to carry this company.
If that's what they need me to do, smash Logan
Paul in Saudi Arabia, then that's what I do.
No betting odds have been given yet, but considering rain's dominant
run, it's safe to call him the early favorite in this match.
Not only will Reigns be at crown jewel, but he's
also being promoted for next week's SmackDown.
And we can imagine that the tribal chief will have
plenty to say more from last night's press conference.
Now, as the match between Roman Reigns and Logan, Paul
was made official, but that's not all that transpired
during the press conference, triple H also spoke and had
strong words for the undisputed WWE universal champion.
There is no one in this industry, even close to
touching the level that Roman reigns is on right now.
As you'd expect rains.
And Paul had some verbal barbs for each other,
but also got into a physical altercation.
At one point, Paul got into a verbal exchange with Paul
Hayman and Reigns responded by shoving his upcoming opponent.
This will mark Paul's third official
match in WWE and his second singles match.
And the YouTuber turned boxer is hoping to do what no
one has done before and de thrown the head of the table.
Over to AEW as Jeff Hardy, hasn't been seen in
months ever since his DUI arrest in June, which
earned him a suspension without pay from Tony Khan.
This week, Matt Hardy said fans are close to meeting
the new Jeff Hardy and Dave Meltzer also reports that
the charismatic enigma could be back in the ring.
Soon, Jeff has been popular with fans throughout his career,
thanks to his unique personality and impressive moves.
But some now feel that the Hardy ship has sailed.
On Twitter, many fans reacted to the news of an impending
return saying they're done with Jeff arguing that the
multi-time world champion should call it a career and retire.
This latest arrest has certainly shifted public opinion on Jeff.
As he had a ton of support following his release from WWE only
to throw it all away for endangering people with his driving.
Tony Khan has insisted that this is Jeff's only chance in AEW so
another arrest we'll see him gone from the company, but many fans
think that would be for the best ahead of AEW all out thunder.
Rosa had a passionate promo during dynamite, where she confirmed that
she will not be able to defend the AEW women's world championship.
Rosa is out of action due to an injury, though.
Some of the company believes she's exaggerating how hurt
she is, but the champ has given an update on her condition.
During her latest vlog, Rosa revealed that she's been getting
spine decompression treatment in shockwave therapy, and
that she's actually been injured for the past six weeks.
Rosa has been attending the south Texas
spine and joint Institute with Dr.
Kaiser who first discovered her injury and said that not being on the
road, traveling has already made a huge difference for the better.
There's still no time window on when Rosa is
expected to be back in the ring, but AEW has an
interim women's world champion in her absence.
And we're wishing thunder.
Rosa's speedy recovery from this latest injury back to
WWE now, as in the wake of Vince McMohan's retirement,
there's been a shift in power behind the scenes with
Nick Khan and Stephanie McMahon being appointed co CEOs.
Stephanie is also the chairwoman of WWE with her husband,
triple H serving as head of talent relations and creative.
But now several names have been shown the door.
Brandon Thurston of wrestlNomics reports that WWE made
layoffs to the marketing department on September 16th, with
multiple people at the vice president level being, let go.
I'm told There ara layoffs today to WWE's marketing
department, multiple people at the VP level were let go
possibly a part of a restructuring to that department.
EVP, Catherine Newman was hired this
summer as the new head of marketing.
It's worth noting that these layoffs aren't connected
to Erica Nardini who resigned from WWE's board
of directors and was not released against her.
Will.
This is also believed to be unrelated to Michelle McKenna
and Joel and Lyons, Dylan being elected to the board
earlier this week, concurrent with the election of Mrs.
Dylan and McKenna Erica Ayers Nadini has resigned from
the board WWE's filing said with the recent acquisition
of bar stool sports by Penn entertainment, Ms.
Ayers Nard Dini's time will be focused on the
next chapter of this business and partnership.
Ms.
Ayers Nadini decision to resign from the board was not due
to any dispute or disagreement with WWE its management or any
matter relating to WWE's operations policies or practices.
It's never a good time to lose your job.
But with WWE's changes, showing no signs of slowing down,
expect more power shuffles to take place behind the scenes.
Well this month and last month, AEW have held talent wide meetings
backstage to reflect on some of the issues the company has been
facing AEW talent have been said to be unhappy in recent months.
And it's not just Tony Khan's company that has had a meeting fiteful
reports that after the latest NWA tapings, the veteran promotion
had a talent wide meeting, which many veterans didn't agree with?
Many, thought the meeting wasn't urgent
with one calling it a waste of time.
And it said that Luke Cox comments turned people off.
Again, feeling that a meeting wasn't needed one veteran in
particular noted the meeting didn't have anything newsworthy.
And while several people spoke, it didn't
appear like NWA management were involved.
It has been previously reported that one wrestler
walked out, but not because of what was said,
but because the meeting seemed unsubstantial.
Many in NWA feel they needed a meeting to address things, but
they seem to be in the minority as the majority, especially the
veterans are happy carrying on with business as usual back to AEW
and even before all out, there were reports of talent being unhappy
with both Miro and Andrade El Idolo liking tweets suggesting
they'd have a better in WWE things have gotten to the point that
multiple talent meetings have been held to address problems.
And these aren't used just for the short term.
The 83 weeks podcast, Eric Bischoff spoke about
his experience producing TV content and how
investors could be turned off by AEW as of late.
I think the biggest challenge right now is how
credible does AEW look as long term investment.
If you're a television company, seeing the
kind of dysfunction that we've all seen.
Well, it's been reported in the past that Warner
media is fine with AEW doing its own thing.
We can't imagine people at the media giant are thrilled to hear
about top stars being suspended and possible legal ramifications.
Tony Khan may see himself as one of the boys, but the AEW
president needs to now act like he's the owner of the company
or investors may think twice the next time they hear about AEW.
We've got some great news from Mandy rose.
Now, as the undisputed NXT women's champion is now engaged.
Rose took to Instagram on Saturday to announce that she
and boyfriend Tino Sabbatelli are soon to tie the knot.
And fans may remember, Sabbatelli for his own tenure in NXT rose.
And Sabbatelli met at the WWE performance center a few years ago.
And the two took an immediate liking to one another.
This news comes just days after rose announced a new non
WWE fitness business that she'll be running with her fiance.
And we'd like to offer the happy couple.
Our congratulations at this happy time,
we are looking ahead to the Royal rumble.
Next is next year's event is still months
off, but plans are starting to come together.
Part of what makes the Royal rumble matches.
So fun is the surprise returns.
And two big names are being rumored for the 30 man bouts.
As first reported by Xero news biggie and Randy Orton could
make their comebacks during the men's Royal rumble match.
After both have been out for months, biggie hasn't
competed since breaking his neck in March while Orton
hasn't competed since may and has said to be nursing.
Some injuries, PW insider have noted that Orton asked for
extended time off to deal with a back issue, but it now
seems like he'll be back in time for the Royal rumble.
Orton is already a two time rumble winner while big E is yet to
taste victory in the match, but both could try and lay claim to
a world title match at WrestleMania next year, more from crown
jewel, as we know what match will headline WWE's next Saudi event,
but there'll be plenty more high stakes bouts come this November.
WWE always tries to book legends for their Saudi
events and this year could be no different.
Zero news reports that both Goldberg and Brock Lesnar were
pitched to be working crown jewel with a plan for Goldberg
to face either Omas or veer Goldberg's previous WWE match
came in Saudi Arabia where he unsuccessfully challenged Roman
reigns for the universal championship in elimination chamber
this year, as for Lessner the reported pitches for him to
face Bobby Lashley match that the almighty is hoping to have.
Well, Lashley versus Lessner did take
place at this year's Royal rumble.
The match was short and it was Roman Reigns who made
the difference costing Lessner the WWE championship.
Lashley has gone on record saying that the match he
returned to WWE to have didn't live up to his expectations.
So crown jewel could be the real one-on-one bout.
He's been wanting.
Lesser last wrestled at summer slam 2022, where he lost a
brutal, last man's standing match to Roman reigns, but we may
just be a handful of months away from the beasts next match.
And we're ending today with AEW and with all out
in the rear view mirror, the promotion is looking
ahead, not just a full gear, but their pay per view.
After that revolution, AEW revolution will be the first
pay perview of 2023 and could be coming to California.
Fighteful select reports that AEW has tentatively planned
for revolution to take place at the cow palace in San
Francisco, California, either in late February or early March.
If this goes ahead, it'll be the first wrestling show at the arena
since new Japan's G one special in 2019 and Fighteful noted how
WWE hasn't held a televised event at that arena in over 15 years.
After a mixed year plagued with injuries and backstage issues.
AEW are hoping to turn things around in 2023.
And that could all start with AEW revolution from San Francisco.