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Dynamite preview for 11/06/2024

By
Colin Vassallo
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Dynamite logo

Dynamite faces rare NXT competition tonight but with AEW in its usual time slot and day, it’s wildly expected that unlike last month, they will come out victorious against NXT.

A packed show is on hand, with the main event featuring Orange Cassidy and Darby Allin taking on Claudio Castagnoli and PAC. Adam Cole faces Malakai Black, The Learning Tree take on The Conglomeration in a Fight Without Honor trios match, Penelope Ford faces Jamie Hayter, and Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher team up to battle Ricochet and a mystery partner.

Plus, Christian Cage and Hook will come face-to-face while The Hurt Syndicate – MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and newcomer Bobby Lashley – will also be in the arena live.

Bruce Prichard and Michael Hayes on temporary leave from WWE

By
Colin Vassallo
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Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer is reporting that Bruce Prichard and Michael Hayes are out on “temporary leave” due to two different and unrelated issues.

Meltzer, quoting different sources in WWE, said that Prichard’s leave is due to a family emergency while Hayes’ absence is due to personal issues.

Both long-time WWE employees are expected back in the company at some point and their absence is nothing related to “the old guard” being phased out.

Prichard and Hayes were two of Vince McMahon’s biggest supporters in WWE but unlike other McMahon loyalists who were driven out, both kept their respective important positions within the company.

Collision rating for 11/02/2024

By
Colin Vassallo
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Last Saturday’s Collision drew 349,000 viewers, up 28,000 viewers from the prior week and the best number since September 28. The show had a 0.09 rating in 18-49 which is the same number Collision did last week. (Ratings credit: Wrestlenomics)

WWE Hall of Famer Donald Trump elected as 47th President of the United States

By
Colin Vassallo
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A WWE Hall of Famer has been elected as the 47th President of the United States.

Donald Trump, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013 at Madison Square Garden in New York, won his second term as president, beating Kamala Harris in what ended up being somewhat of a landslide victory.

The road to the election was a bit wrestling heavy this time around, with Trump stopping by Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast and The Undertaker’s Six Feet Under podcast as well. He also had open support from many wrestling personalities, including Hulk Hogan, who appeared multiple times at his rallies.

UFC President Dana White, part of the TKO Group leadership, was also a big presence with Trump and even this morning when Trump spoke to his supporters, White was on stage with him and addressed the crowd as well.

Trump is a big family friend of the McMahons and Linda McMahon served in his cabinet when he was elected president in 2016. Linda was the chair of the America First Action, the pro-Trump Super PAC which helped him raise over $80 million in 2020 and is now the Chair of the Board for America First Policy Institute. Linda has now joined Howard Lutnick to co-chair Donald Trump’s 2025 transition team.

It is believed that Linda McMahon will once again get a high-level position in Trump’s new cabinet once he is installed as president of the United States in January 2025.

Trump is also a huge WWE fan and as everyone is aware, appeared many times on WWE programming throughout the years, including being part of several WrestleManias.

WWE publishes ECW-themed cold open for tonight’s NXT

By
Colin Vassallo
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NXT is going extreme tonight and WWE published a throwback ECW cold open featuring NXT stars along with the several ECW originals to hype up the special episode which will be live from the 2300 Arena, otherwise better known as the ECW arena.

The intro with the iconic ECW theme song opens with Stephanie Vaquer and has a mix of NXT footage and classic ECW footage with those ECW stars who will be part of the broadcast tonight.

The video has a filter over it so the new NXT footage matches the feel of the old ECW footage.

This is just the second time that WWE will use the 2300 Arena for a show, having previously used it once for their ECW version.

Rampage rating for 11/01/2024

By
Colin Vassallo
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Rampage

It was a bad night for Rampage as last Friday’s show drew just 172,000 viewers, a record low for the series. That was down 69,000 viewers from last week and had a 0.05 rating in 18-49, down 0.04 from the prior show. It placed #28 on the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)

GoFundMe campaign launched to help Dutch Mantell and wife

By
Colin Vassallo
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A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Dutch Mantell and his wife with their several health issues after their insurance plan got depleted.

Mantell, who people may know as Zeb Colter in WWE, performed for tons of territories throughout the past five decades including WWE, WCW, TNA, and independents. Unfortunately, Mantell has been having health problems, including suffering from sepsis twice this year.

His wife of over 50 years, Cathy, had severe health issues, including sepsis and diverticulitis, and has been in and out of hospital 11 times since May 2024, including last week where she needed emergency bowel surgery.

The GoFundMe description states that the couple’s health insurance has been depleted and so have all of their savings, and they have almost nothing left.

“The two require further home care which has pushed their situation to breaking point both emotionally and financially,” the GoFundMe says.

A $50,000 goal has been set, and as of this writing, over $38,000 has been donated. To help, go to https://gofund.me/ce26c390.

Damian Priest earns WWE World Heavyweight title shot after Raw main event win

By
Colin Vassallo
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A new number one contender for Gunther’s WWE World Heavyweight title emerged last night on Raw and it is none other than his predecessor, Damian Priest.

The main event of Raw from Saudi Arabia featured a fatal four-way match between Priest, Seth Rollins, Dominik Mysterio, and Sheamus, with Priest winning the match by pinning his former Judgment Day partner Dom Mysterio.

The match also had a big interference from Bronson Reed, who took out everyone, but specifically was after Seth Rollins. While both Sheamus and Priest ate a DVD and a tsunami each, it was Rollins who suffered the most damage after Reed did a splash on him from the barricade and on the announcers’ table.

Just like with Iyo Sky winning her #1 contenders match, WWE did not announce when Priest will be able to cash in his win.

Smackdown rating for 11/01/2024

By
Colin Vassallo
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The taped episode of Smackdown this past Friday on USA drew 1,428,000 viewers, up just 10,000 viewers from the previous week. The show had a 0.42 rating in 18-49, down 0.01 from the prior episode and was #1 on all of television for the night including both cable and network television. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)

Iyo Sky becomes #1 contender for WWE Women’s World title after battle royal win

By
Colin Vassallo
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Iyo Sky has become the new number one contender for Liv Morgan’s Women’s World title after she won a battle royal on Raw in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The battle royal had a total of 15 women and the other competitors included Alba Fyre, Bianca Belair, Isla Dawn, Ivy Nile, Jade Cargill, Kairi Sane, Katana Chance, Kayden Carter, Lyra Valkyria, Maxxine Dupri, Natalya, Shayna Baszler, Sonya Deville, and Zelina Vega.

Belair, Cargill, Valkyria, and Sky were the final four and the WWE Women’s Tag Team champions were eliminated after Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez interfered. The finish came when Sky performed a German suplex on Valkyria on the apron, sending the former NXT Women’s champion flying out.

WWE has not mentioned when Sky will get her title shot.

Raw preview for 11/04/2024

By
Colin Vassallo
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Raw

Tonight’s WWE Raw is not live as the show was taped last night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of the Crown Jewel weekend at the Mohammed Abdo Arena.

Matches set for tonight include a battle royal to determine the #1 contender for the WWE Women’s World title, The New Day vs The War Raiders, Dragon Lee vs Chad Gable, and Seth Rollins vs Dominik Mysterio vs Damian Priest vs Sheamus to determine the #1 contender for the WWE World Heavyweight title.

Liv Morgan, Sami Zayn, and The Usos will also be part of the show in in-ring segments.

Crown Jewel 2024 sets viewership record

By
Colin Vassallo
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Crown Jewel

WWE today announced that Crown Jewel this past Saturday was the most-watched WWE event ever from Saudi Arabia.

The 2024 event saw a 28% viewership increase versus last year’s show which had the record until this weekend.

WWE has held 12 shows in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since the first one in 2018. They’re part of a 10-year deal that WWE struck with the Saudi government to bring two WWE premium live events every year.

With each show, WWE gets $50 million, which is way more than any other show in the history of the company, including the most successful WrestleManias.

AEW offering 40% discount on tickets for 12 upcoming TV and PPVs

By
Colin Vassallo
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AEW logo

With attendance at events dwindling, AEW is offering a 40% discount for 10 upcoming television tapings and two pay-per-views for the next two days in conjunction with the U.S. presidential election.

“Tomorrow is #ElectionDay! Don’t forget to #Vote, and while you’re at it, take advantage of this special offer of up to 40% off of select seats at our upcoming 2024 #AEW shows,” the social media message says. The code to use to get the discount is VOTE.

The events on sale are the Dynamite on November 6 from Manchester, Collision on November 7 from Providence, Dynamite from Bridgeport on November 13, Collision from Albany on November 14, Dynamite from Reading on November 20, Full Gear pay-per-view from Newark on November 23, Dynamite from Chicago on November 27, Dynamite from Fishers on December 4, Collision from Columbus on December 7, Dynamite from Kansas City on December 11, Collision from St. Louis on December 12, and Worlds End pay-per-view from Orlando on December 28.

WWE officially announces 11-day tour in Europe on the road to WrestleMania

By
Colin Vassallo
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WWE Live

WWE today officially announced the Road to WrestleMania tour from Europe, an 11-day tour which will see stops in Spain, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Austria, and Netherlands.

The news was leaked yesterday during the Raw tapings in Riyadh after images of the dates popped up on the screens during the show.

The press release also hypes the first-time-ever consecutive episodes of Raw and Smackdown from different cities across Europe.

No ticket on-sale dates have been announced but fans are urged to register for pre-sale opportunities at https://www.wwe.com/roadtowrestlemania-europe-presale-registration.

Ricochet appears at NJPW Power Struggle, takes out Zack Sabre Jr.

By
Colin Vassallo
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Ricochet made a surprise appearance at the NJPW Power Struggle event and issued a challenge for Wrestle Dynasty in January.

After Zack Sabre Jr defeated Shinto Takagi to retain the IWGP World Heavyweight title in the main event of the show, Ricochet’s theme song kicked in and he came out decked in a full three-piece suit from behind Sabre Jr, hit a springboard clothesline and took out the champion.

He told Sabre that it’s been six years since he wrestled in New Japan and challenged him for the IWGP World heavyweight title at the NJPW/AEW Wrestle Dynasty event.

Later on social media, Ricochet said that he appeared on the show to “remind the world that I’m still the f*cking man around here.”

Kenny Omega says he will be back soon, wants match at Wrestle Dynasty

By
Colin Vassallo
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Kenny Omega appeared at the NJPW Power Struggle event and announced that while there’s no fixed date on his return, he will be able to step back in the ring soon.

Omega said that he would love to be able to wrestle at the upcoming Wrestle Dynasty event in Japan on January 5 as he still considers New Japan Pro-Wrestling his home.

After his promo, Omega was confronted backstage by Gabe Kidd and that led to a brawl, suggesting that Kidd will be his eventual opponent on the joint NJPW/AEW show.

Omega has not wrestled since December 2023 after a bout with diverticulitis. He underwent surgery to repair the problem which was almost fatal for him.

WWE to hold six Raw and Smackdown shows internationally in March 2025

By
Colin Vassallo
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WWE logo

The road to WrestleMania will have an international flavor as WWE will tape six television broadcasts as part of a two-week tour in Europe.

A total of three Raw and three Smackdown shows will be held across Europe, with the March 14 Smackdown in Barcelona, Spain, the March 17 Raw in Brussels, Belgium, the March 21 Smackdown in Bologna, Italy, the March 24 Raw in Glasgow, Scotland, and the March 28 Smackdown and the March 31 Raw both in London, England.

As part of this tour, there will also be live events on March 15 in Dortmund, Germany, on March 16 in Hannover, Germany, on March 22 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on March 23 in Nottingham, England, on March 29 in Vienna, Austria, and on March 30 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The dates were announced during the Raw tapings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia earlier today.

Anna Jay becomes first female to headline all AEW weekly TV shows

By
Colin Vassallo
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Anna Jay became the first female to headline all three AEW television shows Dynamite, Collision, and Rampage along with ROH.

The 26-year-old fan favorite main evented Collision last night, unfortunately losing the AEW Women’s title shot she won a couple of weeks ago against champion Mariah May.

Jay also previously main evented Dynamite taking on Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women’s title, main evented Rampage against Julia Hart, and took on Mina Shirakawa in the top billing of an ROH TV episode.

The Georgia native has been part of AEW since April 2020.

Smackdown brand starts four-day tour in England and Ireland today

By
Colin Vassallo
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WWE Live

WWE kicks off a four-day tour in England and Ireland today following their successful trip to Saudi Arabia.

The Smackdown brand will be doing this tour as the Raw crew are still in Saudi Arabia for today’s taping of Raw which will air tomorrow on USA Network.

The tour starts tonight in Dublin, Ireland at the 3Arena and continues on Monday at The O2 Arena in London. On Tuesday it’s off to Nottingham at the Motorpoint Arena before ending in Sheffield on Wednesday at the Utilita Arena.

The Superstars and crew will then board a plane to Buffalo, New York where a live episode of Friday Night Smackdown takes place on Friday.

Almost sold-out Raw being taped in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today

By
Colin Vassallo
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Raw

Tomorrow’s Raw is being taped today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in the same location as yesterday’s Crown Jewel event.

This will be one of the biggest Raws of the year attendance-wise as the show is nearly sold out with under 50 tickets remaining at time of this writing.

It’s the first overseas Raw in a very, very long time as usually Smackdown is taped before an international PLE. But this time around, Smackdown had a double tapings two weeks ago and Raw gets to experience an international crowd.

During the countdown show on Friday, fans were chanting for NXT and Triple H told the crowd that he would talk to HBK about it. The crowd was also chanting for WrestleMania, but after some consideration, Triple H said that yes, it’s in Las Vegas, and the crowd booed his response!

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