WWE
The WWE has ‘emergency’ Saudi Arabia plans, several NXT stars have been released, there’s an update on Cody Rhodes’ return and more.
It’s Wednesday, we’re half way through the week and WWE Jewel Crown is just days away, so what better way to start your day than your wrestling news bulletin for November 2, 2022?
WWE ‘Emergency’ Saudi Arabia Plans For Crown Jewel
On November 1, 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported that Saudi Arabia had “shared intelligence with the US warning of an imminent attack from Iran on targets in the kingdom.”
With WWE Crown Jewel scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 5, it has been reported that WWE is monitoring the situation.
At the time of writing, reports are that the show will still go ahead, with PWInsider reporting:
“In speaking to several at WWE, we are told that the show is set to still go forward and that the company already has security protocols and emergency contingencies in place for any issues. They are hopeful all will be fine.”
WWE last visited Saudi Arabia in February 2022 where Brock Lesnar won the WWE Championship
The current card for Crown Jewel as it stands is:
- Roman Reigns (c) vs. Logan Paul – Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
- Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar
- Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley – Raw Women’s Championship Last Woman Standing Match
- The Usos (c) vs. Butch & Ridge Holland – Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
- Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross – Steel Cage Match
- Judgment Day vs. The OC
- Braun Strowman vs. Omos
- Alexa Bliss & Asuka (c) vs. Dakota Kai & IYO SKY – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
- Bray Wyatt to appear
Five WWE NXT Stars Released
WWE released five NXT wrestlers on November 1, 2022.
The most prominent of the names was Bodhi Hayward, who had featured as part of Chase University with Andre Chase.
Hayward’s release would be referenced on NXT for that evening.
The other names are:
- Sloane Jacobs, who had appeared on NXT TV, featured in the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament quarter-finals in May 2022 and made appearances on NXT Level Up
- Erica Yan, who had made appearances on WWE 205 Live and NXT Level Up
- Damaris Griffin, who had made tag team appearances (with Quincy Elliott and, most recently, Bryson Montana) on NXT Level Up
- Ru Feng, who had appeared on NXT, 205 Live and NXT Level Up, facing the likes of Roderick Strong, Cameron Grimes and Solo Sikoa
Bodhi Hayward had been featured prominent on NXT TV as a member of Chase University
Bodhi Hayward posted on social media following his release to thank his fans for their support and to say:
“What up Brodies, it’s your boy, Bodhi Hayward. Hey guys, Brady Brooker here to tell you that I was just released from the WWE. I’m hurt, I’m embarrassed, and Brodies I’m just down bad.
“For the last 18 months, Andre Chase University and wrestling has been my whole life.
“But I am no stranger to adversity. Adversity is something that has come up my whole life and I’ve always found a way to get on top. I will do it again. I’m Brady Brooker and I’m here to stay.”
Meanwhile, WWE NXT for November 1, 2022 gave us:
- The opening set up a main event match with NXT Tag Team Champions Pretty Deadly defending the title against the team of NXT Champion Bron Breakker and North American Champion Wes Lee
- R-Truth injured his leg on a dive over the top rope, causing his match with Grayson Waller to end early
- Bodhi Hayward’s release was referenced as Chase U members Andre Chase and Thea Hail said it ‘felt like something was missing’, but then new Chase U student Duke Hudson arrived and filled in Hayward’s spot carrying the Chase U flag
- Hudson tried to cheat to help Thea Hail win her match against Kiana James, but Chase told him they don’t do that and sent him to the back – the distraction of Chase and Hudson interacting on the outside led to Hail losing
- Odyssey Jones beat Javier Bernal in Jones’ first match back from injury
- Mandy Rose’s one-year championship celebration was interrupted by Alba Fyre, setting up a rematch with Rose for the NXT Women’s Title on November 15
- Another cryptic message from whoever/whatever ‘Scrypts’ is
- Zoey Stark got too frustrated during her match with Indi Hartwell and it led to Hartwell getting the win
- A new video for T-BAR/Dominik Dijakovic aired, with him saying “a new order of high justice is upon us”
- Cora Jade beat Valentina Feroz who was sad and distracted because Sanga didn’t come to ringside with her as Veer had asked him not to earlier
- Jade tried to attack Feroz post-match, but Wendy Choo ran out to make the save
- Interference from Carmelo Hayes led to Pretty Deadly retaining the tag title over Breakker and Lee in the main event
- Hayes and Lee fought off seemingly setting up that match for the future, while Breakker was attacked by Von Wagner who wants an NXT Championship shot
- The camera went backstage to Apollo Crews and then JD McDonagh looking on, seemingly setting up a four-way situation for the title with Breakker, Wagner, Crews and McDonagh
Cody Rhodes Return Update
Cody Rhodes has provided an update on his recovery following the injury he was working through at WWE Hell in the Cell on June 5, 2022.
Cody Rhodes’ injured performance at Hell in a Cell earned him and Seth Rollins’ match a five-star rating from Dave Meltzer
Posting an update on Twitter, Rhodes shared details of his physical therapy, saying:
“How’s pt going?” It’s fn’ awful.
“Everyday we dig into the muscle, then I scream, half the time I spot a tear flowing.
“It’s a near impossible task getting a bodypart that had been shredded to 100%…or Hell even 90%. But on the worst of days I have the best reason to not tap out.”
The post included was accompanied by pictures and a video of Rhodes’ daughter, Liberty Runnels, dressed in a Halloween costume.
Other Stuff
CM Punk could be planning to never wrestle again, according to what Nick Hausman on Wrestling Observer Radio had heard from people who know Punk, with the “in-roads in Hollywood” apparently potentially leading to bigger acting opportunities.
Tony Khan has opened up on the concussion suffered by Hangman Adam Page on the October 18, 2022 episode of AEW Dynamite, saying that “he’s doing really well” and talking about the aftermath of the incident. Khan also praised the doctors, referee and Jon Moxley for their handling of the situation.
WWE has filed two trademarks for the term ‘Queen of the Ring’, though it remains to be seen how the company plans to use its new trademarks.
Zelina Vega won the ‘WWE Queen’s Crown’ tournament last year
In the season three premiere of ‘Young Rock’, titled ‘The People Need You’, Cyndi Lauper will be portrayed by Rebecca Quin, better known to WWE fans as the currently injured Becky Lynch.
Tonight’s AEW Dynamite has:
- Jon Moxley vs. Lee Moriarty
- Samoa Joe (c) vs. Brian Cage – ROH World TV Championship
- Chris Jericho (c) vs. ‘A Former ROH Champion’ – ROH World Championship
- Jade Cargill (c) vs. Marina Shafir – AEW TBS Championship
- Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Luchasaurus vs. Rey Fenix – AEW All-Atlantic Championship
- Darby Allin vs. Jay Lethal
- Saraya & Britt Baker sit-down interview with Renee Paquette
- The Daddy Ass Birthday Bash
And, that’s the news bulletin for today, but keep an eye on WrestleTalk for ongoing wrestling news throughout the day.
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1 year ago by Dave Adamson
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