Here's your wrestling news for April 23rd 2021
And if you like what you're watching smash the like button and give us 1000 likes and more !
And your headlines for today include
WWE Sent Mickie James A ‘Care Package’ Trash Bag After Her Release! ; Mickie James Called Out WWE ; Triple H & Stephanie
McMahon Responds!
WWE Fired A Senior And A Long Time WWE Executive Over Mickie James Trash Bag Incident!
CM Punk And Other Members Of Pro Wrestling Industry Reacts Over WWE's Treatment Of Mickie James!
Major Confusion Over Mojo Rawley’s Early WWE Release; Rawley Reacts!
Current Frontrunners For SummerSlam Location!
Charlotte Flair Destroyed Dave Meltzer; Meltzer Speechless!
Tony Khan On Why He Didn’t Promote Impact Wrestling’s Rebellion Event!
Christian Cage Wanted A Program With Kevin Owens In WWE!
Cesaro and Big E Form An Alliance On WWE Smackdown!
Daniel Bryan Wants To Wrestle For Other Companies!
Undertaker Clears Up Controversy Over Comments About Modern Day Wrestlers! And More.
We’re kicking off with news from last week’s WWE releases, as Mickie James was cut, five years after her return, and though she’s
still witing to tell her story, she’s already spoken about feeling quote “comfortably uncomfortable” during her latest run.
Speaking to Gaw TV, James often felt like the company tried to pigeonhole her into a certain mold, and it turns out one of those
uncomfortable moments happened after she was let go. On Twitter, James shared a photo of her
personal items that WWE sent her, which came in a trash bag, and sarcastically thanked Vince McMahon for the “WWE care
package.” This photo of her items in the trash-bag sparked a reaction by Triple H, who called
the action disrespectful, and said that the person responsible is no-longer employed.
Stephanie McMahon felt the same way and apologised to James, saying it’s embarrassing that anyone was treated like this.
We too feel it’s disgraceful that anyone, especially someone of James’ seniority in WWE, would be treated this way, especially
after all that Mickie has done for WWE in her two runs with the company. Triple H’s response got reactions of its own,
as CM Punk chimed in, hinting that he knows a thing or two about being disrespected by WWE, whilst Gail Kim claimed that sending a
released Superstar’s personal effects in a trash-bag has been going on since before she joined in 2003, and said that since
Stephanie apologised, she should also apologise to every woman who’s worked there for the past decade.
AEW’s Chris Jericho sarcastically called the move ‘Classy,’ whilst Ivelisse said it was heartbreaking to see the lack of respect to
female veterans of wrestling. David LaGreca of Busted Open Radio called the practice unbelievable, saying Mickie
deserves a Hall of Fame induction, not a trash-bag. Maria Kanellis-Bennett also tweeted that
like Mickie, she got her items in a trash-bag after her release last year, and now we may know who’s responsible for this disrespectful
practice. According to Fightful, Senior Director of Talent Relations Mark Carrano was identified
as the trash-bagger, and fans may remember him for his appearances during segments backstage of both Total Divas and Total Bellas.
Fightful also reported that their sources in WWE have said that Carrano has been let go from his role in the company, a role that was already
largely taken over by John Lauriniatis, who called the 10 Superstars released last week. The former RAW General Manager reportedly
rang some of those talent this week to apologise for the trash-bags, saying Carrano was responsible, adding that he “had been taken
care of,” without outright saying he’s fired. Fightful we’re told that it’s very possible that Carrano being “out of WWE” means he coul
go without an official firing, but without having real duties.
WWE sources have also spoken to Fightful to express remorse over the trash-bag incidents, calling them “embarrassing” and saying they
should have never happened, and it was reiterated that they wanted to take care of the matter as quickly as possible.
When Fightful reached out to WWE for an official statement, they didn’t respond, but whilst Mickie James never won gold in her
second tenure with WWE, she successfully made major change in WWE’s treatment of talent, despite being let go.
What do you think of this trash-bag practice, and WWE’s response to being called out? Let us know in the comments.
Mojo Rawley was also let go from WWE last week, but according to some, his departure came far earlier than announced.
When Fightful spoke to the former 24/7 Champion, he denied reports that he was released in March, and it was noted that
just an hour before his release was made public, Rawley was under the impression he was with the company.
When Mojo said that May 31st will mark the start of the next chapter of his life, that apparently had nothing to do with his 90-day
non-compete clause expiring, but we’ll have to wait until May 31st to see what the former Superstar has planned.
We know that the 10 Superstars released won’t be competing at this August’s Summerslam Pay Per View, which is expected
to be WWE’s next event with live fans in attendance. The decision to host Summerslam with fans
came after the success of WrestleMania 37, and with the United States re-opening more in recent months, the chances are very likely
that the Biggest party of the Summer will have a crowd. According to PW Insider, there’s been talks
within WWE to hold Summerslam 2021 in either Phoenix, Arizona or somewhere in Texas, and both of those locations could
see a lot of fans make the trip. Of course, plans could always change as the ongoing situation continues to loom over
WWE, and the entire world, but for now, fans in Phoenix or Texas may be getting an experience they’ve not felt in a very long time
this August.
One name fans can expect at Summerslam is Charlotte Flair, who recently returned to WWE TV, but her actions, namely attacking both
RAW Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley and Asuka, were overlooked by many, who preferred to comment on how the Queen looked.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed how her current kayfabe suspension is related to a dental procedure
she’s having done, but added that Flair is getting a complete makeover, saying that Flair is self-conscious about her body,
thanks to the wrestling industry. One person who doesn’t agree with Meltzer is Charlotte herself, who said that Dave
should’ve learned his lesson the last time he commented about women’s bodies, and told Meltzer to go to hell.
Adding that the wrestling journalist has her phone number, Flair said it’d take him 30 seconds to ask her rather than giving his
listeners theories, speculation, and sometimes, incorrect information. Asking if Meltzer has any shame, decency,
or professionalism left, the Queen clearly didn’t appreciate people speaking about her body, especially when they have the chance to ask
her the truth but didn’t. Though she needed to get dental work done immediately, that doesn’t mean she’s out of the
running for next month’s WrestleMania- Backlash, where Flair will no-doubt prove her skills in the ring, no matter how she looks.
AEW news next, as fans have seen stars from both AEW and Impact compete on each other’s shows, but not as many as you’d think.
At this time, the Good Brothers are the only Impact stars who’ve appeared on Dynamite, and whilst AEW World Champion Kenny Omega
will face Impact World Champion Rich Swann in a title-for-title match this Sunday, you wouldn’t know it judging by AEW’s booking.
In fact, Swann has barely been mentioned on Dynamite, and this Sunday’s Rebellion show rarely addressed, and on Busted Open Radio,
Tony Khan pointed the finger of blame at Impact themselves: People have asked me why I haven’t gone out
and spent a lot of money on promoting Rebellion]. It’s when I’ve gone to your guys’ show to promote my cards, I’ve had to pay
and buy ads. It’s kind of on [Impact]. Khan clearly feels that Impact are responsible for promoting Impact’s Rebellion event, even if
the AEW World title will be on the line, and we’ll have to see who ends this week as both the AEW and Impact World Champion.
Christian Cage knows all about working for both AEW and Impact, but it wasn’t too long ago that Captain Charisma was in WWE.
Quietly retired from competition by WWE in 2014, Christian had to watch a ton of new talent join Vince McMahon’s promotion from the sidelines,
including Kevin Owens. Speaking on AEW Unrestricted, Cage said that he would have loved to have faced Kevin
Owens had he stayed in WWE, praising the prizefighter as “fearless” on the mic and In the ring, and said Sami Zayn is someone he’d love
to have faced as well. Obviously, those matches can’t happen right now, as Cage is happy to be competing once
more, this time in AEW, and has his sights set on Team Taz, on route to the main-event title picture.
Back to WWE, and on SmackDown, fewer stars have impressed more than Cesaro in recent weeks, but for as strong as the Swiss
Superman is, he is still one man. Cesaro has made it clear that he’s eyeing up the Universal title, which’ll put him in the
crosshairs of Roman Reigns and Jey Uso, as well as Seth Rollins, who isn’t done with Cesaro yet.
With a three-on-one disadvantage, Cesaro will need backup, and that may start tonight, with Big E joining his side.
After losing the Intercontinental Championship to Apollo Crews, Big E shouldn’t challenge for the title again, but should instead look
at moving up the card, entering himself in the world-title picture. By Cesaro’s side, Big E could keep Rollins and
Uso at bay whilst the Swiss Cyborg challenges for the Universal title, and if unsuccessful, this could allow Big E to step up, and possibly end
the Tribal Chief’s reign at Summerslam. This storyline could all begin on tonight’s edition of SmackDown if WWE play their cards right,
and after years of people talking about the singles potential of Big E, the powerhouse could prove it in the coming months.
Tonight’s SmackDown may also see an appearance by Daniel Bryan, who this year is marking eleven years since joining the
the company. Debuting in February 2010, Bryan’s career has seen ups and downs, but recently,
the former World Champion has made it clear that 2021 will be his last year as a full-time restler.
During a recent meet-and-greet though, Bryan made it clear that he does not plan on ever stopping being a wrestler, and admitted he’s
trying to do something new in WWE, saying: “It’d be interesting if I could wrestle in different companies and WWE… That’s actually
something I’m trying to weasel my way into right now.”
In the past, Bryan has previously expressed interest in facing stars from other companies, as he said
in March he’d like to face ROH Pure Champion Jonathan Gresham, as well as AEW’s Jungle Boy.
Whether these matches happen is another story, as WWE have always been territorial when it comes to their
talent and other promotions, but that won’t stop Bryan from keeping his options open, even whilst he’s in WWE.
And we’re ending today with news from The Undertaker, who sparked some controversy earlier this year over his
comments about modern-day wrestlers. Speaking on the Joe Rogan podcast, the Deadman claimed today’s wrestlers
aren’t as tough as previous generations, and said it was disappointing to see wrestlers nowadays play video games in
the locker-room, rather than carry guns and knives.
These comments drew the ire of fans and wrestlers alike, and now Undertaker has explained what he
actually meant, as he told Sports Illustrated this week: “I wasn’t bashing our talent. Our
talent is extraordinary. What they’re physically able to do, I couldn’t imagine doing that back in the day. I have a lot
of respect for our roster, but I came from a different time period… I’m so proud to be part of the evolution of our business.
The industry has come so far.” The wrestling world is much-different now to how it used to be, but that’s not a bad
thing, and given that the Deadman has expressed a desire to help train in NXT now he’s retired, he’ll be able to see
the wrestling industry continue to development for many years to come.