In this WrestleTalk News, a potential update on a CM Punk AEW return, a bit of MJF controversy
following Dynamite and news on a major title match at Revolution.
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Wrestling is still real to some people dammit, and this first story pretty much confirms
that.
On Wednesday’s Dynamite MJF told a story about being involved in a car crash during
high school after he got distracted by some uhh… services…
his girlfriend was… uh… furnishing him with… with her mouth.
He said that post-crash to avoid the consequences and keep his driver’s license he pulled
his girlfriend’s unconscious body into the driver’s seat, and presumably zipped his
trousers back up.
Some viewers took this bit of wrestling braggadocio to mean MJF was actually admitting to a felony
live on air and called the police.
The 434 Facebook page claimed that “police received over 300 calls last night” and
said they would be investigating claims but believe it was a fictional story for a TV
show.
Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez followed up saying that there was some truth to the
claims and that “100% they got a bunch of phone calls”.
While ESPN’s Marc Raimondi also “heard from several people who have said there is
truth to the original story”.
I think the key thing to take away from this is that it’s a wrestling promo, don’t
lose your head everyone, that’s for MJF to do when he crashes.
The far bigger car crash to talk about in AEW is CM Punk who tanked his big return to
wrestling by bad mouthing the company he works for during the post All Out press conference
and then being involved in a locker room brawl.
Punk hasn’t been seen since - but that could potentially change soon as on the latest Wrestling
Observer Radio Dave Meltzer said that Punk will be available if AEW wants to use him
in a couple of months.
Punk underwent surgery immediately following All Out to repair a torn left tricep which
would usually have someone out of action for 8 months.
It’s unclear whether Punk will return though as many of the rumors recently suggested that
he would be interested in buying out the remainder of his contract which lead to further speculations
about him returning to WWE.
Something Seth Rollins wasn’t too happy about in comments we reported on the other
day calling him a ‘cancer’ and asking him to stay away from WWE.
Rollins elaborated a bit more on these comments in an interview with Fox Sports Radio, he
said:
““Punk and Logan Paul are two different personalities but they’re both as selfish
as it comes and if you’re not gonna help, then I don’t want you to be apart of our
industry, I don’t want you to be apart of our company and that’s all there is to that.”
Ahh hiding your true feelings amongst a work to build your Mania match is it?
Rollins then mentioned that Punk had given him his career and that “it pains me to
have to say bad things about him because he helped me out” and that after the last six
or seven years he’s “not a fan”.
I see we’re not mincing words anymore.
I don’t know about you but the wait between AEW’s Full Gear and Revolution PPV’s always
seems so darn long and you know what they say… the longer the wait the more you (uhh)
want something?
Just give me it already Tony!
Yes, while all eyes (including mine) have been on the build to the Bryan Danielson vs
MJF Ironman match which is sure to be just delightful on all levels, it looks like TK
may have another marquee match up his sleeve for March 5th.
And it involves those ‘wayward sons’ THE ELITE and their Trios Championships.
With The Bucks and Kenny Omega following up their best of seven series win over Death
Triangle with another win this week on Dynamiet against AR Fox and Top Flight, it seems like
a matter of time until a new challenger approaches… and you know what as of right now that may
have already happened.
Spoiler warning for tonight’s AEW Rampage ahead.
On tonight’s Rampage the team of The Butcher, The Blade and Kip Sabian took on The Blackpool
Combat Club in trios action… and a three guesses as to who won that one?
Wait there’s only two teams, you don’t need three guesses… it was the BCC ok.
They won.
And with that win, it looks like they have become the next in line for a shot at The
Elite’s Championship gold, which presumably will lead to a match at the PPV.
Now as you’ll remember Hangman Adam Page and Jon Moxley have had their differences
in recent weeks, with Moxley most recently rounding out their trilogy of matches with
a rather unsatisfactory win.
So, given Hangman is a known Elite affiliate, it is expected that the Elite vs BCC rivalry
will also involve Page in some fashion as well, however, we can’t say for sure right
now.
Are you down for the BCC vs Elite at Revolution?
I think it sounds like a hum-dinger personally.
Let us know in the comments below.
Moving on to a major coup for AEW on the business side now and it seems as if TK’s company
has secured itself a major broadcasting partnership with one of the world’s largest sports networks,
that being ESPN.
The deal was announced via a press release on AEW’s website, announcing that ESPN will
be the new home of AEW programming in the regions of Australia, New Zealand and the
Pacific Islands, with this officially beginning in just six days on February 16th.
The deal will include weekly broadcasts of Dynamite and Rampage as well as PPV events
which will be available on delay.
It marks the first expansion in the region for AEW and will represent a huge opportunity
for growth in a previously untapped market for the company.
This is the latest in AEW’s clear goals for expansion in 2023, with another major
broadcasting deal also being inked with DAZN two weeks ago for the distribution of AEW
programming for over 40 European countries.
There’s also been the much-rumored AEW streaming service potentially coming in the near future
AND of course the fact that AEW will also be beginning their house show schedule on
March 18th.
Sticking with AEW and there has been an update on the status of the long-absent former AEW
Women’s Champion Thunder Rosa.
Rosa has been on the shelf for six months at this point, and while she was initially
said to be suffering with a disc issue in her back, it has seemed to have dragged on
longer than both her and AEW had initially anticipated which has been quite the worry
for fans.
While Rosa was reportedly backstage at the December 21st edition of Dynamite in San Antonio,
a return has still not materialized since.
However there may now finally be an indication that Rosa’s return may be imminent, as she
was once again reportedly backstage at this week’s Dynamite from El Paso according to
Insider.
This, combined with the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer’s report from back in November
that Rosa would likely be returning to action in February, and maybe just maybe we could
see Rosa at some point before Revolution.
Moving across to WWE now, and following the universal acclaim for the Cody Rhodes and
Paul Heyman promo segment on Raw, it seemed like the talk of whether it should have been
Sami vs Reigns at Mania instead had gone more quiet.
I mean it was just that damn good, I honestly could’ve had a root canal while simultaneously
being kicked in the groin numerous times and my attention would’ve STILL been locked
to the screen…maybe.
But as good as that segment was, it seems like one WWE HOF still has his doubts over
whether Cody will be able to counteract the disappointment that is sure to come if/when
Sami falls short at the Elimination Chamber.
Speaking on the latest edition of his podcast ‘Foley is Pod’, Mick Foley spoke of his
concern for Cody if the Sami vs Roman feud is simply a one-off deal.
WWE has to be really careful in how they treat what they have in Sami Zayn.
So if it's a one-off, I think fans will be upset and subconsciously take that out on
Cody.
So I think it's really important that Sami be treated reverently by the people in charge.”
“You don't want this title shot to be the peak of his storyline and then soon forgotten."
While WWE will likely try to intertwine the two storylines, in all likelihood Zayn’s
attention will be taken away from Roman and onto the remaining members of the Bloodline,
which may not be what many would’ve wanted, but if done correctly WWE may manage to pull
it off without either Cody or Sami suffering for it.
Speaking of WrestleMania, another man that is garnering his fair share of speculation
for the ‘show of shows’ is the Intercontinental Champion Gunther.
Following the ‘Ring General’s’ history-making performance at the Royal Rumble, as well as
his recent accolade of becoming the longest reigning IC Champ of the 21st century it’s
safe to say he’s kind of a big deal right now.
And naturally, that would also suggest a comparably ‘big’ match would also be in the pipeline
for Gunther right?
Well, while reports have suggested that Gunther could be set for a triple-threat with Sheamus
and Drew McIntyre at Mania, there has long been another big meaty man, perhaps the biggest
most meatiest man of them all, that had also been rumored to be Gunther’s opponent.
None other than ‘The Beast’ Brock Lesnar.
The match, which was somewhat teased at the Rumble with a brief staredown between the
two has always been a bit more of a dream than a reality for both fans and Gunther himself,
who recently described Brock as his “end boss” in a recent interview on the ‘Rob
Brown Show’.
However, the reality may unfortunately be another thing all together, given Brock’s
current rivalry with Bobby Lashley looking to perhaps keep his attention for the Chamber
and perhaps beyond.
Further dampening the dreams is the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer who noted that he
has been told “so many times” that Brock Lesnar’s Mania opponent will not be Gunther.
Ahh well, to be honest the Gunther, Drew and Sheamus match would be just as much of a banger
(after banger) in my opinion so let’s look at the positives eh?
And ending on a real positive note, there has been a new update on the condition of
WWE HOF Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler after suffering a stroke Monday.
Lawler, who was discovered in the driveway of his Fort Myers home on Monday afternoon
was rushed to hospital, where it was later revealed he had suffered a massive stroke.
While fans and friends of Lawler were understandably worried it seems that thankfully things have
progressed increasingly well for ‘The King’ ever since.
Following news that Lawler would be set to make a full recovery, it has now been revealed
via his Twitter account that not only is Lawler out of ICU but is also set to be discharged
from hospital at some point today.
In the post it was revealed that Lawler will now be able to proceed with outpatient rehabilitation
from home to help recover his speech and cognition skills, with the post reiterating that doctors
are hopeful of a full recovery.
This is amazing news, and we at WrestleTalk would like to continue to offer our well wishes
to ‘The King’ in his ongoing recovery.