WWE
Rumors of backstage heat in WWE, an AEW star has hinted at retirement, an update on Charlotte Flair, and much much more.
It’s the morning after Wednesday night, so you know that that means – this is our news bulletin for Thursday, October 13, 2022.
Rumor Killer On WWE Backstage Heat
Sean Ross Sapp has provided an update to bogus reports that WWE’s new Director of Long-term Creative, Rob Fee, has backstage heat in the company.
While it was previously claimed that Fee “isn’t making any friends” with his treatment of assistants backstage, Sapp tweeted:
“WWE officials across creative and the broader business laughed at reports that Rob Fee is making enemies at the company. His work and treatment of others have both been positively received.”
Rob Fee has reportedly been one of the minds behind the White Rabbit mystery that led to the return of Bray Wyatt
Fee himself responded to Sapp’s tweet, seemingly in good humor, when he replied:
“Lol we all had a good laugh at that this morning while I was hitting writers assistant with chairs.”
The WWE executive recently named his favourite non-WWE wrestlers, which you can read more about right here.
AEW Star Dustin Rhodes Considering Retirement?
AEW star Dustin Rhodes has made a post on Twitter that has sparked speculation that he may soon be considering retirement.
The former Goldust posted a photo of himself with the caption:
“Man, old age has caught up to me guys. As much as I push myself beyond my limits, I can honestly say, I am doing some heavy thinking about the next step. We all think we can go forever with new batteries, but TIME comes for all of us. Kinda scared tbh. #KeepSteppin”
Dustin Rhodes last wrestled on August 24 when he unsuccessfully challenged Claudio Castagnoli for the ROH World Championship
As previously reported, Dustin Rhodes has also shared his thoughts on the recent reports about AEW talent wanting out of the company.
Update On Charlotte Flair During WWE Absence
Charlotte Flair may not have wrestled since losing her SmackDown Women’s Championship to Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania Backlash in May, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been keeping herself busy.
Flair, real name Ashley Fliehr, has partnered with Rockford Collection to launch a collection of designer rings as part of The Eminence Collection.
Rockford Collection shared the following press release about the collaboration (via PWInsider):
Rockford Collection and Global Superstar Ashley Fliehr’s Jewelry Collaboration, “Eminence,” Now on Sale
NEW YORK—October 12, 2022—Rockford Collection and Ashley Fliehr, also known as World Wrestling Entertainment’s Charlotte Flair have officially launched their Eminence line of designer rings. The Eminence collection consists of six unique ring styles, with options of platinum, 18k gold or 14k gold as the base metal, and the choice to add .65ct Black Diamonds or 2.25ct Diamonds.
To view and shop the entire Eminence collection, visit The Rockford Collection’s website.
Eminence meaning “acknowledged prominence or achievement within a particular sphere,” was created by Rockford Collection and Fliehr to reflect the strength, beauty and grace that the 13-time wrestling champion brings to her life, both in-and-out of the ring.
“To see the ‘Eminence’ line come to life has been an extremely rewarding experience,” said Fliehr. “I am so fortunate to have had the support of the talented team at The Rockford Collection in building this line. In partnering with Rockford, my goal was to create pieces that would have a contemporary yet sophisticated feel but could also be worn proudly by not only myself, but someone like my husband as well. I was able to lean on their expertise in the jewelry space and together we created some beautiful designs that I’m extremely proud of.”
“When designing high-end pieces of jewelry, like the ‘Eminence’ line, it is of the utmost importance to the Rockford Collection that we bring an attitude and design that stands out. Ashley Fliehr was the perfect partner to launch a line like this. She poured her heart and soul into this project, and the ‘Eminence’ rings show the result,” said Aleksander Chuly. CEO of Rockford Collection. “Ashley is one of the most talented performers and athletes in her field, and it has been an honour to partner with her on this collaboration.”
Rockford Collection has physical locations in the heart of Manhattan, New York and Wynwood, Miami, and also offers digital consultations for convenience to customers worldwide.
Charlotte Flair lost out to now two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania Backlash
While it isn’t known when Flair will make her return to the squared circle, she has indicated that it could be sooner rather than later.
In an interview with Kayla Braxton on WWE’s Most Extreme Moments Countdown on FOX, Flair indicated that she’s paying close attention to Bianca Belair and the Raw Women’s Championship, hinting that she’ll go after the Raw Women’s Title upon her return.
However, according to Flair’s husband – AEW star Andrade El Idolo – during an interview with Mas Lucha:
“[Charlotte] has time off due to personal reasons and she will specify them in future interviews”.
AEW Dynamite Highlights
Former WWE announcer Renee Paquette made her AEW debut on last night’s episode of AEW Dynamite, which took place in Toronto. AEW owner Tony Khan made the announcement official with the customary “[person] is All Elite” tweet and graphic.
It was previously reported that Paquette was extended an offer by her former employer, but turned it down to join her husband, AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, in AEW.
Paquette opened the episode, interviewing Christian Cage ahead of Luchasaurus’ match with Jungle Boy Jack Perry.
Paquette wasn’t the only former WWE star to debut in the promotion last night, as the Bollywood Boyz made an appearance on AEW Dark Elevation.
The Bollywood Boyz were formerly known as the Singh Brothers during their time with WWE, where they served as in ring wrestlers and, perhaps most notably, as managers for Jinder Mahal.
The Bollywood Boyz (Singh Brothers) were Jinder Mahal’s sidekicks during his WWE Title reign in 2017
Shawn Spears made his first appearance on AEW television since his Steel Cage match with Wardlow prior to Double or Nothing, sporting his popular ‘Perfect 10’ gimmick from his time in WWE.
The WWE references didn’t stop there (do they ever, on AEW?), as the commentary team responded to a remark made about Billy Gunn during Monday’s DX reunion on WWE Raw.
During the reunion, WWE commentator Corey Graves said that he had heard “that other guy is doing something with office equipment nowadays,” in reference the missing Gunn’s “scissor me” gimmick.
Taz referenced the remark, saying “If you were moving that much office furniture, you’d have that physique too” as Gunn removed his shirt in preparation for his match with Swerve Strickland.
The comment got a chuckle from Excalibur, who clearly picked up on the reference.
Former AEW World Champion Hangman Adam Page squared off against current champion Jon Moxley in a promo, in which he referenced the backstage drama between CM Punk and the Elite following AEW All Out 2022.
Adam Page will challenge AEW World Champion Jon Moxley in Moxley’s hometown of Cincinatti on the Tuesday, October 17 edition of Dynamite
Page told Moxley that if the champion had a problem with him, he wants him to say it to his face. Many took this as a thinly veiled shot at CM Punk, who called out Page (among several others in AEW) during the now-infamous post-AEW All Out media scrum.
Page then referenced the Elite more explicitly later in the promo. When referencing his loss at All Out, he said that he ‘failed to win the Trios Championship alongside his best friends, and it seems that week by week they’re slowly starting to disappear’.
He then referenced the Elite, noting that ‘my old friends are already gone.’
Daniel Garcia attacked Bryan Danielson with the ROH World Title belt to help Chris Jericho retain his championship, seemingly pledging his allegiance to the Jericho Appreciation Society and to sports entertainment after weeks of back-and-forth on the issue.
It was only a week ago that Daniel Garcia fought alongside Bryan Danielson against Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara
A different title did change hands, though, as Orange Cassidy was able to overcome Pac to become only the second ever AEW All-Atlantic Champion.
In a heart-warming moment, teammate Kris Statlander made an appearance to celebrate with Cassidy. Fans noted that Statlander was wearing a knee brace during the segment, meaning that a return to the ring may not be on the cards just yet.
AEW Dynamite match results:
- Luchasaurus (with Christian) defeated “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry
- WarJoe (TNT Champion Wardlow & ROH World TV Champion Samoa Joe) defeated The Factory (QT Marshall & Nick Comoroto)
- Swerve Strickland defeated Daddy Ass Billy Gunn
- “Lionheart” Chris Jericho defeated “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson in a match for the ROH World Title
- AEW Interim Women’s World Champion Toni Storm & Hikaru Shida defeated Dr Brit Baker, DMD & Jamie Hayter
- “Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy defeated “The Bastard” PAC for the AEW All-Atlantic Championship
Other Stuff
In non-AEW Dynamite news, AEW President Tony Khan has come under fire after a recent interview.
Khan was recently interviewed by Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour. On the latest episode of MMA Hour, Helwani addressed the interview and called it one of the most frustrating of his career, saying:
“Now the Tony Khan interview, I did this interview with Tony Khan last Tuesday night. It aired Wednesday night. It was for the YouTube channel, you can check it out. Look whatever I’m say here is gonna piss off the AEW super marks, but I’ll just say this, one of the most frustrating and to a degree, not so fun interviews of my career.
“Because as you may have seen, he didn’t want to answer anything. Now look if you’re gonna come on and promote x, y & z, great! And I’ll play that dance with you and I did at the beginning, but you gotta give us something. To not even tell me like how you were feeling, I’m not asking for specifics on..alright fine I asked ‘is Punk going to wrestle for you, is he coming back?’ You don’t want to get into it, fine. But just tell me how you were feeling.”
If you use this transcription, or any portion of it, please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.
Dave Meltzer backed up Helwani, tweeting: “Just saw it. He had the right to be frustrated with the interview. I’ve been as well with covering AEW of late which I talk about all the time so can’t disagree. I’ll talk more later. Not enough space here.”
Paige VanZant wrestled alongside Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky at Double Or Nothing, against Frankie Kazarian, Sammy Guevara and Tay Melo
Former WWE wrestler/vampire Gangrel has said that his wrestling training of MMA fighter Paige VanZant has essentially come to a halt, saying:
“Yes, I did [train VanZant] for a little while there. She did well; she didn’t train as much as I would have liked for her to train, but I haven’t seen her since that match.
“She did that match, she wrote me, and said, ‘Hey, I’d like to go over the match with you and some critique.’ And I said, ‘Sure,’ and that’s the last I heard from her,”
Warner Bros Discovery executive Kathleen Finch has confirmed that more AEW shows are in the works; specifically ones that are “not in a wrestling ring.”
According to WrestleVotes, WWE has expressed interest in Chelsea Green, who was released from her WWE contract in April 2021.
Mia Yim has previously praised Triple H for how much he cares about his talent
Mia Yim has shared a statement on her Instagram account following the expiration of her contract with IMPACT Wrestling:
“Thank you @impactwrestling @gailkimitsme @scott.damore . You believed in me when I didn’t believe myself and gave me that passion again. It has been a true privilege being a part of the locker room and working with everyone.
“I will support and root for everyone’s success! Impact Wrestling will forever hold a special spot in my heart. This isn’t goodbye. Love you all”
WWE has filed trademarks on the names “Uncle Harper” and “Uncle Howdy.”
NXT this week recorded its highest viewership since October 2021, drawing 737,000 viewers and a 0.15 rating in the key 18-49 demographic.
Fightful Select has reported that the crossovers between NXT and the main WWE roster are set to continue.
Sonya Deville appeared on NXT this week, helping Toxic Attraction ambush Alba Fyre ahead of Fyre’s Halloween Havoc match with Mandy Rose
The dates for the next two WWE Madison Square Garden events have now been revealed as December 26 (Boxing Day) and March 12, 2023.
Extreme Rules special guest referee Daniel Cormier admitted on ESPN that he started forgetting the plan for the Fight Pit match at Extreme Rules between Matt Riddle and Seth Rollins.
And finally, WWE Senior VP Scott Zanghellini teased in an interview with The Wrap that there are interesting things in store for the company’s video game future, but is remaing “tight-lipped”.
Be sure to stay tuned to WrestleTalk.com throughout the day to keep up with all the news from the world of pro-wrestling, and be sure to come back tomorrow morning for another round-up.
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2 years ago by Ryan Coogan
@theothercoogan
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