During AEW’s Full Gear pay-per-view, former Ring of Honor World Champion Jay Lethal made his debut for the promotion. He would be introduced by Tony Schiavone and stated that he is All Elite leading to him challenging Sammy Guevara for his TNT Championship on Dynamite this upcoming Wednesday. Guevara would come out and accept the challenge, with the duo having a staredown.
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”3fGeLMUd” upload-date=”2021-11-14T12:54:59.000Z” name=”Jay Lethal’s AEW Full Gear Debut” description=”” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]Lethal would go on to take part in the events post-show media scrum alongside Tony Khan and confirmed the deal to join AEW came together in a few days, and he wouldn’t be at ROH’s Final Battle pay-per-view in December. For those unaware, ROH recently announced that they were going on hiatus following the show, and we’re releasing all their contracted talent, meaning Lethal would have been unemployed.
Jay Lethal first became known to wrestling fans as part of ROH in 2002; however, his career took off once he began competing for TNA at the end of 2005. He would go on to X-Division regularly and impersonate Ric Flair and Randy Savage, which got him over huge with fans before returning to ROH in 2011, where he became one of the promotions top talents and was declared their wrestler of the decade.
Sadly, his time with the promotion would involve controversy when he was accused of wrongdoing by female talent as part of the #speakingout movement and is currently involved in legal action arising from this. Nevertheless, he has always denied these claims, and it doesn’t appear to have affected his career in the long run
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Three weeks ago, during a Saturday night episode of Dynamite, Lance Archer wrestled Eddie Kingston in the first round of the AEW World Championship Eliminator Tournament. The duo would put be putting on an exciting hard-hitting match. However, things went wrong when Archer ended up under rotating on a moonsault and landed on his head. Clearly hurt and dazed, he rolled out of the ring and was checked out by AEW’s doctor. Presumably, after getting confirmation that he could finish the contest, he slowly re-entered the ring and was rolled up and pinned by Kingston, reminiscent of Owen Hart pinning Steve Austin at SummerSlam 1997.
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”ajkozvsN” upload-date=”2021-10-24T10:33:00.000Z” name=”AEW Dynamite Lance Archer Moonsault Gone Wrong” description=”” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]It was a scary moment, but thankfully, afterward, fans in attendance reported on social media that Archer was able to walk to the back. Then later in the evening, Archer would take to social media himself and thanked AEW for looking after him and acknowledging it could have been much worse. While it was expected that Archer was set to miss some time from the ring, Wrestling Inc has now reported that Archer is officially out with a concussion.
How long Archer will be out is not known as healing time varies by individual, and in some unfortunate cases, the individual never makes a full recovery. Hopefully, that isn’t the case for Archer, and he can fully recuperate and resume his AEW career soon in the near future.
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On the November 8th edition of Raw, Corey Graves won the WWE 24/7 Championship before quickly losing it to fellow Raw commentator Byron Saxton. While it was typical 24/7 nonsense that has seen the likes of Marshmello, Bad Bunny, The Gobbledy Gooker, and even Santa Claus become champion, it appears that it might have stirred up some memories for Graves, as he has tweeted out about wanting to wrestle again.
For those unaware, Graves was forced to retire from the ring in 2014 due to concussion issues. However, thanks to advances in medical knowledge, treatment, and WWE being less risk-averse, both Bryan Danielson and Christian were able to resume their careers after lengthy spells out, so it is possible Graves is considering being reevaluated himself.
Before moving behind the announce desk, Graves wrestled for 14 years and competed across the US, sharing a ring with talents like CM Punk, Chris Hero, Cesaro, and AJ Styles on the independents. Eventually, he would impress WWE enough to offer him a developmental contract in 2011 and wrestled for Florida Championship Wrestling and NXT. During this time, his career highlight would come when he won the NXT Tag Team Championship with Adrian Neville (PAC) in 2013 by defeating Erick Rowan and Luke Harper.
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Keith Lee was recently among 18 wrestlers let go by WWE and would subsequently release a statement thanking fans for their positivity and that he was looking towards the future. Additionally, he would also reveal that WWE didn’t cover his medical bills while he was experiencing a heart issue earlier this year. Now though, in a statement to PWInsider, WWE has refuted this and that Lee should take the matter up directly with them as he was part of WWE’s healthcare program.
Keith Lee’s recent comments implying WWE failed to pay his medical bills are erroneous. WWE has an extensive healthcare program for the medical care of its in-ring performers and Mr. Lee was part of this program while with the company. Should Mr. Lee have any concerns over the payment of medical bills, he is welcome to address them with WWE.
WWE via PWInsider.comWWE very rarely comments on claims made by talent, but considering how much backlash they received on social media, they seeming decided to make an exception. Exactly what the confusion is with Lee and his medical bills right now isn’t known. Still, hopefully, it is a simple misunderstanding that can be rectified with a conversation.
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WWE’s very much on a youth movement at present, and during Friday night’s SmackDown, 27-year-old Von Wagner would appear beside Adam Pearce in a backstage segment. Unfortunately, it was quite an underwhelming appearance as Wagner didn’t speak, nor was his name mentioned, and even on commentary, Pat McAfee acted as though he didn’t know who he was despite being on NXT 2.0. While not confirmed, it appears the 6ft 5 wrestler t will be acting as an enforcer or bodyguard.
Wagner soon began wrestling on live NXT events after signing with WWE in March 2019 and following some dark matches before SmackDown’s would be introduced s part of NXT’s revamp. He would immediately receive a push replacing Kyle O’Reilly in a match for the vacant NXT Championship. Shortly afterward, he would form a tag team with O’Reilly; however, with O’Reilly possibly departing the company next month, it seems WWE has changed their plans for Wagner. While not confirmed, it appears the 6ft 5 talent will be acting as an enforcer or bodyguard.
Wagner played football for the University of Central Florida and is a son of wrestler Wayne Bloom, best remembered to fans as Beau of the Beverly Brothers. The belief is WWE is very high on Wagner, and Vince McMahon considers him a future WrestleMania main eventer, so moving from NXT 2.0 to SmackDown should have been expected. Given his size and presence, he doesn’t look out of place but is in desperate need of a gimmick and personality, so hopefully, this potential role will allow for this.
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On October 22nd, there was a segment on SmackDown where Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch exchanged their physical championship belts overseen by Sonya Deville. Unfortunately, it would break down when Flair reportedly went against the script due to being against the segment taking place. This resulted in a backstage verbal encounter between Flair and Lynch, and then Flair and Deville, with the second-generation star being escorted out of the arena by security. Subsequently, WWE pulled Charlotte from her arranged media interviews, and no more had been said.
However, Becky Lynch, who the vast majority of the roster apparently fully supported, has now broken her silence. In a just-published interview with Sports Illustrated, she addressed the situation, and while not going into detail, she revealed the pair no longer talk and referred to herself as a locker room hero.
We don’t talk anymore. We don’t talk. So all I’ll say is the locker room needs a hero sometimes. And sometimes somebody’s gotta be a hero. I’m all right being that hero. That’s what I’ll say on that matter.
Becky LynchIt was assumed the pair would be purposely kept out of each other’s presence, and being on different brands should have allowed this. However, WWE seemingly wants to cash in on the disagreement, and the pair are scheduled to wrestle at Survivor Series. With both being professionals, it’s doubtful anything untoward will occur in their match. Still, as shoots have broken out in matches before, the company is hoping fans who wouldn’t have watched the pay-per-view will tune in just in case.
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Despite being related to The Rock, WWE surprisingly released Nia Jax along with 17 other talents at the start of the month. Subsequently, she would reveal that she was on a mental health break at the time of her release, which explained why she had been written off television by a Shayna Baszler attack. Now the former Raw Women’s Champion has shared a humourous video showing her on with Baszler backstage along with a comment about being dragged “out of the business.” This could possibly indicate her time working in the industry may now be over.
Jax’s only wrestling experience is with WWE, having signed with the promotion in early 2014 and training at the WWE Performance Center. By mid-2016, she would be drafted to Raw and become a prominent part of the women’s division. However, during her time in the company, she developed a reputation of being careless after famously injured Becky Lynch when she busted her open on Raw, leaving her bloodied and concussed. Additionally, she also reportedly hurt Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Ember Moon, Zelina Vega, and Kairi Sane.
Given the notoriety she now has, it’s possible Jax would struggle to find another promotion willing to offer her a contract. Alternatively, though, she may just want time away from the business to focus on her mental health before reviewing her career options both in and outside of wrestling.
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Two weeks ago, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan shared on social media that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and would consequently be undergoing surgery on October 29th. Since then, there haven’t been any further updates. However, Duggan has now posted a video assuring his followers that he is doing well and feeling better. He would also thank the fans worldwide for caring about him and says he intends to return to traveling and meeting them next year.
This surgery was actually Duggan’s second during October, although specific details surrounding the first were never disclosed. Unfortunately, the former WWE and WCW star has had multiple health concerns over the year, dating back to being diagnosed with kidney cancer in 1998. Happily, though, he would overcome that and be able to resume his in-ring career. Although in his later years, he was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat that necessitated surgery. Then later in the same year, he underwent two further operations for what was described as a serious infection. Hopefully, now though, Duggan can have a spell without any additional health issues.
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Bray Wyatt is currently a free agent with his WWE non-compete having expired. This has resulted in fans speculating about what wrestling promotion he will show up in next. Yet, it now seems any wrestling debut could be some way off, as Jason Barker, the special effects make artist who worked on The Fiend’s costume, has revealed that Wyatt has landed a role in a feature film.
Specific details relating to the movie, which begins filming later this month, weren’t disclosed, although it was described as Ichi the Killer meets Xanadu. Unfortunately for wrestling fans, this would seemingly indicate his in-ring career is on hold, and any fans expecting him to debut at AEW’s upcoming Full Gear pay-per-view will be disappointed.
Over the years, many wrestlers have tried to go from the ring to the big screen with varying degrees of success. For every Dwayne Johnson and Batista who made it to the top, there is a Triple H and Goldberg who failed to make the transition successfully. However, in Wyatt’s favor is the fact he has good contacts, and managing to land a role so quickly can only be seen as promising.
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MJF is one of the best talkers in the business today, and anytime he cuts a promo, it is one of the show’s highlights. Apart from his delivery, the actual content is usually cutting and firmly establishes him as a heel. However, sometimes his comments have caused contention, such as referring to Brian Pillman Jr.’s mother Melanie as “Methane” in reference to her drug issues.
Now in an interview with Richard Deitsch, one of MJF’s recent opponents, Chris Jericho, would be discussing promos and used MJF as an example of getting the wrong type of reaction. Specifically, MJF’s promo that included a line about Lex Luger being in a wheelchair as part of his feud with Darby Allin and Sting.
People at this point know it’s show business, and there’s only so deep you can go. There’s a line a few weeks ago MJF used about Lex Luger being in a wheelchair to Sting. I don’t think that gets heat. I think it makes people feel uncomfortable and feel bad. You don’t want that. There is a fine line between using real-life issues and going to inside baseball where, “I don’t know what this guy is talking about, but it doesn’t feel right.” To me, that is the fine line.
Chris JerichoFor those unaware, Luger, who worked with Sting in WCW both as a friend and foe, suffered a spinal stroke in 2007. As a result, the former WCW Champion was initially unable to move either his arms or legs, although over the years, he has been able to stand and walk short distances. He does, though, still require a wheelchair, so hopefully, his permission was sought before his misfortune was used as a way of generating heat.
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Keith Lee, who was released by WWE last week, missed a significant portion of 2021 away from the ring due to ill-health. At the time, there wasn’t much known about why Lee had suddenly gone on hiatus. However, he would later reveal that a heart issue was discovered in his blood work, and he required multiple scans and was not allowed to train. At the time, it was considered a career and even life-threatening. Still, he thankfully returned, although he was never again treated as a top talent again. Now in a tweet directed towards his fans, he has thanked those who have been sending him positively and revealed that while he was out, he paid for his own medical bills despite being under contract with WWE.
WWE doesn’t seemingly have a set policy on who or for what they pay medical bills for, and that is one of the many downsides faced by talents who are regarded as independent contractors. Lee, though, is now looking forward to his future, and out of all the talents released recently, he is likely going to be one of the most in-demand. While his run on Raw won’t go down as anything special, fans are educated enough to realize that it wasn’t down to Lee’s ability and instead was a combination of bad luck and poor creative. Hopefully, Lee can resume his career elsewhere as soon as his non-compete expires and show the world what he can do in the ring.
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Tammy Sytch, best known to wrestling fans as Sunny, has shared the good news that she has been able to return home following ten days in the hospital. Over the past few days, she would explain to her Facebook friends and followers that she was dealing with long-time nagging issues and may need to have her gallbladder removed. However, she isn’t happy with the medical treatment she has received, and there appears to have been complexities due to her being diabetic.
Just wanted to update you all on why I haven’t been online. I’ve been in the hospital since last Saturday, sick since a few days before that. I thought I would have been discharged by now, but things keep coming up that need testing and I may be having a procedure. I’ll probably be here for a few days more, while they try and diagnose every issue. Please respect my privacy at this time… and I appreciate your support. These details will be kept private, but they are long-time nagging issues that need to be dealt with and fixed so I can stop coming back in pain every 18 months or so.
Tammy SytchThanks to this wonderful hospital that won’t do the surgery I need to finally be pain free, carb loads me bc they have me on a cardiac diet (🤷🏼♀️) instead a low-carb diet (I’m diabetic), and then overdosed me on insulin to compensate for all the carbs and sugars they are feeding me and CRASHES my sugars to the point where I’m almost passing out. GREAT JOB BAYSHORE!!! You need to hire new surgeons and endocrinologists who know what they’re doing. This is Bulls—.
Sunny had been imprisoned at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in New Jersey until June 9, 2021, and is now attempting to rebuild her life. She has begun appearing at wrestling autograph signings and has reopened her Only Fans account, which reportedly makes her big money from subscribers paying $29.99 a month and is now her primary income source. Although she recently could not create new adult content due to an abusive co-star and being unwell for an extended period, she has possibly lost some subscribers.
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