It’s Title Tuesday for Dynamite but unfortunately there’s only one title match announced for tonight’s broadcast which comes on at an unusual time of 9PM ET.
Four matches are currently advertised for the show, with Mercedes Mone vs Emi Sakura for both the TBS and NJPW Strong Women’s title, Bryan Danielson and Wheeler Yuta vs Claudio Castagnoli and Pac, Komander vs Hologram, and Britt Baker vs Willow Nightingale with the winner getting an AEW Women’s title shot at WrestleDream this weekend.
Plus, Jay White is back and Hook calls out his dad’s attacker from last week.
For the second – and last – week in a row, NXT will be coming to you on the road this time from Chesterfield, Missouri for a TV show on the CW from a rather unusual location for a wrestling event.
Tonight’s show will be going head-to-head with AEW’s Dynamite: Title Tuesday between 9PM and 10PM so of course, WWE has loaded up the show more than usual.
Headlining the show is WWE Superstar Randy Orton who is coming to wrestle on NXT for the first time against Je’Von Evans. NXT Tag Team champions Nathan Frazer and Axiom defend their titles against Austin Theory and Grayson Waller, and the other match announced so far is a six-woman tag match between Fatal Influence against Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, and Kelani Jordan.
Plus, Sexxy Red will have a performance, the NXT champion Trick Williams will be in the house, and Intercontinental champion Jey Uso will also make an appearance.
Rampage on TNT drew 216,000 viewers this past Friday, down 60,000 viewers from the previous episode and the lowest since August 2. The show had a 0.07 rating in 18-49, down 0.01 from last week and matches the lowest number of the series so far. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg is still looking for that retirement match that Vince McMahon promised him during his last run.
After things went cold, there might be some hope for the former World Heavyweight and Universal champion after Triple H teased more of Goldberg in the months to come.
Goldberg attended Bad Blood this past weekend with his family and sat at ringside. He was involved in a segment with Gunther and also hopped over the security barricade looking for a fight before he was stopped. He eventually got in the ring where Triple H raised his arms and then told Gunther that he’s “next.”
Yesterday, Triple H posted a video of him and Goldberg, once arch rivals in more ways than one, speaking to each other at Gorilla, a conversation which ended with a hand shake and a hug.
“Thanks for coming to #WWEBadBlood @Goldberg,” Triple H wrote. “We’ll talk more very soon…”
Goldberg last wrestled against Roman Reigns at the 2022 Elimination Chamber in Saudi Arabia.
AEW Dynamite will be airing tonight at a special start time of 9PM ET as it is pre-empted due to MLB coverage on TBS tomorrow.
Tonight’s episode is labeled as Title Tuesday and is being held at the Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington. As of press time, just over 1,700 tickets have been distributed according to @WrestleTix.
It will also run head-to-head with NXT for an hour, a change from last year when the two shows went head-to-head for the two hours. Last year, both WWE and AEW loaded up their broadcasts, with several main roster stars appearing on NXT including Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Paul Heyman, and The Undertaker. NXT won the battle last time around in the head-to-head ratings.
The competition is slightly different this time, and while WWE is sending some top stars to the show from Chesterfield, Missouri, it has not been advertised the same last year’s show was.
It looks like Maria Kanellis’ time in AEW is coming to an end as she wrote that she will be accepting interviews and appear for bookings later after this month.
Kanellis wrote that she would be able to discuss her “time and treatment” in AEW after October 31 and then be able to appear at other events six weeks after her scheduled surgery which is set for October 24.
The former WWE Diva is going under the knife to remove a mass from her adrenal gland, a mass which she won’t know if it’s cancerous or not until after surgery.
Before announcing the availability for interviews, Kanellis wrote, “My contract with AEW is coming up October 31. I’ve reached out to them to find out whether or not they are going to be signing me, but I haven’t really heard anything yet — so of course that is weighing on me as well.”
Kanellis and her husband Mike Bennett arrived in AEW in October 2022 although lately she has been appearing only on ROH TV as a manager.
Ann Callis, the attorney representing Janel Grant in her lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE, has asked WWE to release any employee, past or present, from previously-signed non-disclosure agreements related to sexual abuse so the victims can come forward.
The story, carried by the Associated Press, said that the letter was addressed to WWE attorneys as well as the attorneys of the two other plaintiffs.
In her letter, Callis said that if WWE and TKO are serious about cleaning up the company and parting ways from Vince McMahon and the toxic culture he created, they should have no problem releasing employees from their NDAs.
“This is the first step to rehabilitating a company that covered up decades of sexual assault and human trafficking,” Callis wrote.
A copy of her letter was also sent to WWE President Nick Khan, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel.
The full letter can be read below:
Dear Mr. Toal, Ms. Rosenberg, and Mr. Brennan:
World Wrestling Entertainment, LLC (“WWE”) has said that it “takes Ms. Grant’s allegations very seriously and has no tolerance for any physical abuse or unwanted physical contact.” In other words, WWE would like the world to believe that it has reformed its workplace culture. But if WWE is truly committed to change, it must allow survivors to speak their truth without fear of reprisal. We call upon WWE to publicly waive enforcement of its non-disclosure agreements (“NDAs”) to allow its former and current employees and contractors (including wrestlers contracted to perform under the WWE brand) to speak out about sexual misconduct, sexual assault, harassment, and workplace aggression or disputes concerning the toxic culture at WWE. This includes releasing women who signed NDAs related to sexual misconduct by former CEO Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and other WWE leadership and employees as conditions of settlement.
The toxic and sexualized culture at WWE during Mr. McMahon’s tenure as CEO and Chairman was open and notorious. Yet what has been publicly reported is only part of the picture. We have had witnesses come to us confidentially and describe a sexualized culture at WWE that victimizes women and men. We have received reports that many victims are currently afraid to come forward because of punitive non-disclosure and nondisparagement agreements. For example, as The Wall Street Journal reported on July 8, 2022, Mr. McMahon paid over $12 million to at least four women to secure their silence about his sexual misconduct. Our client is just one of an untold many. We therefore also ask Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis to affirm that survivors and WWE employees who witnessed abuse may speak about their experiences without fear of retribution and retaliation.
WWE cannot move on from its sordid past while its victims remain silenced. Survivors deserve an opportunity to share their experiences on their terms. Forced silence only deepens the wounds of sexual abuse. Survivors are revictimized every time they are muzzled and forced to live in fear of attack from a multi-billion-dollar business that can hire an army of lawyers to bury them in legal fees if they speak the truth. Even unenforceable NDAs, like the one our client was coerced to sign, have a chilling effect because individuals do not have the will or resources to fight them. WWE must clarify that any NDAs that it has entered are not intended to prevent disclosure of sexual misconduct, abuse, or assault, and disclaim and waive any claims it may have under those NDAs if current or former employees and contractors choose to speak out.
We urge WWE to quickly and proactively release its current and former employees and contractors from any obligations under any WWE-executed NDA that would prevent them from discussing sexual misconduct, abuse, or assault during their time at WWE without delay. WWE wants people to believe the company has changed—this is its chance to prove it.
Regards,
Ann E. Callis
Copy to:
Nick Khan, WWE Paul Levesque, WWE Ari Emanuel, Endeavor Vince McMahon John Laurinaitis Jerry S. McDevitt, K&L Gates LLP
Smackdown on Friday night on USA drew 1,518,000 viewers for the Bad Blood go-home episode, down 50,000 viewers from the prior week. The show had a 0.47 rating in 18-49, up 0.02 from the previous show and was #1 on cable television for the night and #2 overall behind FOX’s coverage of college football. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
NorthJersey.com is reporting that the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority is using $7.125 million from its pandemic relief fund to secure the SummerSlam 2025 premium live event in East Rutherford next year.
The money, part of the American Rescue Plan funding that the state of NJ received from the U.S. government, is to be used to “respond to the negative economic impacts of the public health emergency by providing aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel and hospitality.”
NJSEA is expecting that SummerSlam, which they are billing as a “marquee event,” will generate over $80 million in total economic impact for the region to justify the spending.
The authority spent $3.5 million from the same fund to bring UFC 288 to the Prudential Center last year.
The state of New Jersey received a total of $6.24 billion and funds must be spent by the end of 2026.
Last month WWE announced that the two-night SummerSlam would be taking place at MetLife Stadium next August.
During the opening segment of Raw last night, CM Punk hinted that he was going to take some time off from WWE.
Coming out all banged up and bandaged following that Hell In A Cell match against Drew McIntyre, Punk said that he was going home “for the first time” in five weeks to see his wife.
“I’d like to say I’ll see you soon, but I just don’t know,” Punk continued, before thanking the fans while standing at the top of the entrance.
Earlier, Punk addressed his haters and told them to keep doubting him.
Before returning to the back, he was met by Seth Rollins who came out for the next segment and the two had a face-to-face before Rollins shoulder blocked him on the way to the ring.
Rollins told Punk that he hopes he returns soon so that when he comes back, he would retire him once and for all.
While Raw is back to two hours tonight, fans attending the show at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, will have to sit through back-to-back Raw tapings.
There will not be a live Raw next week on October 14 as the four-day European tour kicks off on Sunday in Cardiff, Wales. All four shows will be combined rosters and there is a house show next Monday live from Liverpool.
Instead of holding Raw overseas, WWE will do something that they have not done in a long time, and that is tape two episodes of Raw in one night. Usually, Smackdown is the one taped since it’s easier with two hours, but with Raw back to two hours from tonight, doing two sets of tapings is completely doable.
AJ Styles was not the only casualty of WWE television last week as Braun Strowman tore his groin two minutes into his last monster standing match against Bronson Reed on Raw.
“After waiting a few days to see how this was gonna end up. This is where we’re at,” Strowman wrote in a post on Instagram, along with a video of a nasty, huge bruise on his back thigh.
Strowman said that he “pained” his way through the match to yet again remind the world that he is the monster of all monsters.
The former WWE Universal champion won the match after Seth Rollins interfered and curb stomped Reed on the steel steps, allowing Strowman to beat the 10 count barely.
The prayers of many wrestling fans have been answered as tonight, WWE Raw switches to two hours instead of three, eliminating the 10PM to 11PM hour on USA Network.
The two-hour switch is however temporary as plans are to revert to three hours once the show moves to Netflix in January 2025.
But this new, three-month temp deal from NBCUniversal translates to around $25 million for WWE for two hours of action on Monday nights, the first time the show will be two hours since it’s permanent move to three back in July 2012.
Raw will start at its usual time slot of 8PM ET but at 10PM ET, the series The Anonymous will kick off on USA Network.
Ratings are likely going to get slightly better too as the third hour often dragged down the average viewership and the 18-49 demo as well.
AJ Styles’ injury on Smackdown this past Friday was not a storyline and the former WWE champion is suffering from a mid foot ligament sprain, otherwise known as Lisfranc injury.
Styles was wrestling Carmelo Hayes when he suffered the injury and the match was stopped and the referee gave the win to Hayes.
WWE’s Jackie Redmond wrote on social media that Styles will be undergoing an MRI this week to determine how bad the injury is.
“I believe everything happens for a reason,” Styles wrote on X, promising fans to keep them updated on the situation.
Styles was just returning on WWE television after four months away, with his last televised match coming at Clash at the Castle in June. He did work the non-televised live events in Japan and Europe in August but was kept off television since his title match loss to Cody Rhodes in Scotland.
In a post on social media, Diamond Dallas Page thanked Triple H and the new TKO leadership for making him feel welcome at Bad Blood.
“With him at the helm of creative, along with the new owners of @TKOGrp, I personally had one of my favorite times at a #WWE event,” DDP wrote. “Knowing my HOF career was made in WCW, regardless of how many close friends I had there at WWE, I never felt totally welcomed.”
He said that last night in Atlanta it was different, and when he got home, he signed his WWE Legends deal that was pending and sent it in.
“It was very laid-back and fun to be around, just hanging out, & having some laughs. The entire WWE crew did a hell of a job,” he continued. “The legends weren’t just seen as guys and girls who used to be wrestlers. Last night we were seen as TRUE legends…superstars from the past that paved the way. Treated with the ultimate respect & kindness from everyone, which I believe is all we’re really looking for.”
DDP thanked WWE for “changing the atmosphere” and thanked his fellow Superstars for taking their time and their kindness.
Kevin Owens has finally flipped on Cody Rhodes, attacking him in the parking lot of the State Farm Arena following the Bad Blood show.
With fans waiting in the back for Superstars to get out, Cody and Kevin were seen arguing next to Cody’s tour bus and then Owens poked him before decking him with a right hand. With Rhodes down on the floor, Owens continued to unload on him until several security and WWE officials came in to break the fight.
Owens eventually left in his Lamborghini and Rhodes was helped into the bus by officials.
The turn has been teased for weeks on television, with Owens unhappy that Rhodes chose to team up with Roman Reigns in their fight against The Bloodline.
Following a long bout with mast cell activation syndrome, Raquel Rodriguez returned at Bad Blood last night and aligned herself with her former tag team partner Liv Morgan.
Rodriguez interfered in the WWE Women’s World title match between Morgan and Rhea Ripley, attacking Ripley and causing the disqualification in the match.
As Ripley was hitting Mysterio with a kendo stick while he dangled upside down from the shark cage, Raquel came from behind and took her out. She then moved her to the ring and hit the Tejana Bomb on her, with the referee calling for the bell. Rodriguez then reunited with Morgan and went to check on Dom.
Rodriguez last appeared at Elimination Chamber in Perth this past August but had another MCAS flare up and was immediately taken off the roster to recover.
After six months out, Jimmy Uso returned at Bad Blood and helped the team of Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns defeat The Bloodline in the main event of the show.
Towards the end of the match a hooded figure with a face covering appeared at ringside with Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa not realizing he was behind them. Sikoa did notice him and when he pointed at him, the WWE Tag Team champions got super kicked in the face.
At that point, it was clear who the mystery man was and when he removed the hoodie and mask, the fans exploded. That was enough of a distraction for Sikoa, as he got speared by Reigns and went down for the count.
After the match, Reigns and Uso hugged and following a short stare down with Cody, the two left together. The Bloodline did attack Cody when he was in the ring alone and then Jimmy pushed for Reigns to return and help out, which they did.
Jimmy was last seen at the post-WrestleMania Smackdown in April when he was taken out by Solo Sikoa and the debuting Tama Tonga.
Several WWE Legends and Hall of Famers appeared at the Bad Blood premium live event in Atlanta last night.
Bill Goldberg and his son Cage, Jacqueline, Lilian Garcia, Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page, X-Pac, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Mickie James, and Scott Steiner all were shown on camera and acknowledged. Other celebrities shown included Quavo, Lil Baby, Metro Boomin, and Killer Mike.
WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg even had an in-ring segment after Gunther called him out. After the Crown Jewel announcement, Gunther came to the ring and mentioned Goldberg, who was sitting ringside for the show. Gunther said that the comment he made to Bret Hart last time around that Goldberg was his childhood hero was simply a lie and no one could be impressed by a one-trick pony like Goldberg.
Gunther then addressed Cage and told him he hopes Goldberg is a better father than he was a wrestler, a comment which did not sit down well with Goldberg.
Goldberg jumped the security barricade but security and Raw General Manager Adam Pearce kept him away. Gunther told him that he got “three minutes” for him and then Sami Zayn then ran down to attack the World Heavyweight champion and eventually he bailed out.
In the ring, Triple H raised Goldberg’s hand and he told Gunther, “You’re next, boy!”
The two top matches for Crown Jewel were announced last night by WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H, who unveiled a new Crown Jewel championship in what seems to be an annual tradition going forward.
Dubbed as a “historic announcement,” Triple H said that the main events of Crown Jewel will have the WWE champion taking on the WWE World Heavyweight champion and the WWE Women’s champion taking on the WWE Women’s World champion in singles matches, with none of the titles on the line, but the winners will receive the brand new Crown Jewel title.
The new championship, made out of 50 carats of diamonds, is of a different design from the regular WWE championships and has a gold and green theme on a black leather strap, the colors used for Crown Jewel.
In years past, the Survivor Series was the place where champions of each brand face each other but that went away in recent years especially since Survivor Series is now more marketed for WarGames.
Crown Jewel takes place on November 2 live from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This will be the sixth event of the series.
