SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defeated Bayley in a Hell in a Cell match at WWE’s last pay-per-view. Still, Bayley would pin Belair subsequently in a mixed tag team match on SmackDown. This led to Bayley calling Belair’s victory at Hell in A Cell a fluke, and Belair would challenge her to an “I quit” match at Money in the Bank.

Now though, what appeared to be the blowoff match to their pair’s feud is officially off. This is because Bayley has been injured in training, according to WWE.com. The specifics around the injury she sustained were not revealed, but apparently, she will be out for approximately nine months, likely meaning a return around WrestleMania 38.

WWE intends on naming a replacement for Bayley on SmackDown tonight, although it isn’t known if the match will have the same stipulation. At present, who WWE intends to put into the match is unclear. However, as Sasha Banks has yet to receive a rematch from WrestleMania 37, it would make sense to put her in the spot.

Alberto Del Rio is currently looking to rebuild his career and reputation following assault and kidnapping allegations that were made against him by an ex-girlfriend. She has rescinded these allegations, and Del Rio claims she made them due to wanting revenge for him cheating on her before their wedding. However, he still has a court date scheduled for later this year, which could be him spending significant time in prison if found guilty due to the state seemingly still proceeding.

While it seems incredibly unlikely WWE would consider bringing him back to the promotion, stranger things have happened. Now on Twitter, the 44-year-old has released a return to the company by posting a photo from 2015 of him alongside the WWE Championship captioned, “One more time? 👀” Although many fans were unhappy with the possibility of this, with many in the comments harshly dismissing this.

Del Rio had a very successful original run in WWE where he was a two-time WWE Champion, two-time World Heavyweight Champion, Royal Rumble winner, and Money In The Bank winner. He would end up being fired in 2014 after hitting a WWE employee who made a discriminatory joke. He then returned for a second run in 2015 and won the United States Championship from John Cena but later quit the company after failing a wellness test and being unhappy with his push.

Keith Lee hasn’t wrestled since February, having been replaced by John Morrison for a triple threat match with then United States Champion Bobby Lashley and Matt Riddle at Elimination Chamber. Since then, there has been much speculation on why he has been absent, with the most prevalent rumor being that Lee has been suffering from health issues. However, that hasn’t been confirmed by anyone in contact with Lee.

Now a year on from when he won the NXT Championship in one of the biggest matches of his career, the Raw star has taken to Twitter and requested fans have patience and don’t give up on him.

Seemingly fans will need to wait longer to find out exactly why the 36-year-old is absent. As he is a popular talent, it’s understandable that people are concerned that he was abruptly taken off the television with no explanation. However, they need to accept Lee either isn’t ready or is permitted to discuss at this time. Hopefully, though, it ends up not being anything too serious, and he can resume his career sooner rather than later.

Aleister Black is now All Elite, and while him signing with the AEW isn’t a surprise, the fact he was able to do so as soon as he did was. Having been released by WWE on June 2, 2021, it was thought the earliest he could sign with someone else would be Monday, August 31, 2021. However, that clearly wasn’t the case.

Now PWInsider has reported that due to an error by WWE, his contract wasn’t updated to include a 90-day non-compete clause, which is standard in main roster contracts. Instead, his contract still had the 30-day non-compete clause used for NXT and wrestlers at the Performance Center.

The former SmackDown wrestler would make his AEW debut 35 days on from his WWE release on the July 7th episode of Dynamite, taking out both Arn Anderson and Cody Rhodes with Black Mass. It’s now anticipated Black, who is now going by the name Malakai Black will be feuding with Cody. With AEW’s next pay-per-view All Out scheduled to take place on September 5, 2021, it’s likely the pair will be involved in a featured match-up in Chicago.

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WWE’s relationship with the Saudi General Sports Authority in Saudi Arabia generates colossal revenue for the company. However, the deal has been controversial due to the countries limited rights towards women and the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was critical of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Many have called for WWE not to accept the “blood money” offered, and multiple wrestlers have refused to work shows in the country, with some that did choosing to donate their payoffs to charity.

Now during this week’s episode of Dynamite, Dr. Britt Baker has caused a stir on social media by taking a shot at WWE’s partnership. She did this by complaining during a promo about her tag match last week against Nyla Rose and Vickie Guerrero, which saw her put through a table. She alleges in the storyline that Tony Khan only booked the match due to owing Guerrero a favor for recruiting Andrade and told him to enjoy his “blood money.” She’d then follow up by saying, “maybe next week, AEW Dynamite can run in Saudi Arabia!“

WWE’s last event in Saudi Arabia took place in February 2020, which saw Goldberg defeat “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt for the WWE Universal Championship. Further shows in the country haven’t been able to take place due to worldwide events. However, it’s believed a show will take place later this year, with November rumored. Should Baker’s boyfriend Adam Cole be on the main roster at the time, it will be interesting to see whether he participates.

Aleister Black’s WWE release raised many eyebrows inside and outside of the company and was seen as a huge mistake by many. However, Black look sets to show WWE what they are missing as he has debuted in the Road Rager-themed episode of Dynamite.

During an Arn Anderson promo, the lights would go out, and when they came back on, Aleister Black was in the ring. He would hit Black Mass on Anderson, and when Cody Rhodes ran out to make the save, he was hit with the same move. Excalibur would go on to refer to Black as “Malakai Black,” which is the same name he used in a gory video recently shared on his Instagram and means either “Messenger Of God” or “My Messenger.”

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Black’s final WWE match took place on October 12, 2020, where he lost a no disqualification match to Kevin Owens. Following that, he went on an extended hiatus. It would later be reported he was training at the Performance Center for a potential return, and on the April 23, 2021, episode of SmackDown vignettes became promoting his return, leading up to him attacking Big E on the May 21 episode. He’d surprisingly only make one appearance on the blue brand with the company citing budgetary reasons for letting him go.

His AEW debut comes just a few days after his wife Zelina Vega made her WWE return during Friday night’s SmackDown when Sonya Deville introduced her to be a participant in the upcoming women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. While her return fell flat due to losing a two-minute match to Liv Morgan, Black’s has been well-received on social media, and fans can’t wait to see what’s next.

CM Punk became a laughing stock in mixed martial arts circles after being soundly defeated in his two high-profile Ultimate Fighting Championship fights. Since then, he has appeared as a guest on Renée Paquette podcast and would acknowledge he was too old to start MMA training.

Punk moved to Milwaukee at the age of 35 to began training under Duke Roufus at Roufusport MMA Academy. After twenty months of training, which was interrupted by an injury, he stepped into the Octagon for the first time. He’d first lose to Mickey Gall, who was competing in his third professional fight via submission. Then a year and a half later, Punk would face 0-1 fighter Mike Jackson and lose via unanimous decision.

However, three years since he last fought, MMAJunkie.com has now revealed, thanks to a Freedom of Information Act request, that Punk’s record is not 0-2 as believed. It is actually 0-1 as his fight against Jackson was overturned and was officially a no contest. The reason for this is that on the night Jackson tested positive for marijuana.

At the time of the fight, some experts said Jackson dragged the fight out rather than finishing Punk, and Dana White, President of the UFC, declared both men were done fighting for the promotion. It’s now known that following the fight, Jackson was suspended for three months.

Aleister Black was one of the seemingly countless wrestlers recently let go by WWE. His release came as a complete shock to fans as the company had spent several weeks promoting his new gimmick through numerous vignettes. Additionally, he’d even returned to SmackDown attacking Big E on the May 21 episode.

Since departing the promotion, the former WWE talent had reverted to using his previous ring name Tommy End on social media. Although now, in an almost five-minute Instagram video that shows him inside a psychiatric hospital, he states, “My name isn’t Tom. My name is Malakai“. Then, it lists Tom Budgen (his real name) as Tommy End/Malakai Blacks during the end credits. Depending on where you check, the name Malakai means either “Messenger Of God” or “My Messenger.”

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It isn’t known if he used the name as a one-off or intends to use it ongoing wherever he ends up wrestling. Some fans have speculated that AEW or Impact Wrestling could have been involved in filming the video due to its professional look. However, that isn’t very likely due to him still technically being under contract with WWE.

As a prominent member of the WWE roster, Black’s release came with a 90-day non-compete clause, so it will be some time before returning to the ring. This likely frustrates the Dutchman as he hasn’t gotten to wrestle since October 12, 2020, where he lost a no disqualification match to Kevin Owens.

Ruby Riott recently revealed she would be going by the name Ruby Soho following her WWE release. Speaking on the Wrestling Perspective podcast co-hosted by Lars Frederiksen from Rancid, she explained she isn’t a fan of her old name Heidi Lovelace. She’s admitted she initially chose the name Ruby because of the Rancid song Ruby Soho which prompted Frederiksen to suggest she use that from now, and he could arrange it for her.

With her ring name set and being used n her social media, the former WWE wrestler has now filed a trademark application for “The Runaway.” Her intention for the trademark isn’t known yet, but she filed under “Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer.” This could possibly mean she intends for it to be her new nickname.

Ruby started wrestling on the indies in 2010 as Miss Heidi and began making a name for herself in OVW and Shine Wrestling in 2012, now going by Heidi Lovelace, where she built a cult following. She’d sign with WWE in December 2016, aged just 25, and was fast-tracked to NXT and debuted on the March 22, 2017, episode. Later that year, she would be called up to the main roster alongside Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan as the Riott Squad. With Logan having been released in 2020, this now leaves Morgan as the only member remaining with the promotion.

Two weeks ago, word spread that “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff was in ill-health following the release of an upsetting video shared by his son. In the video, the WWE Hall of Famer was unrecognizable and appeared to be confused while eating the contents of condiment packets.

Travis Orndorff intended to make fans aware of his father’s condition, but he received a lot of backlash from those in the wrestling business and fans saying his father wouldn’t want to be seen in that condition. The video has now been deleted, but fans have been left wondering precisely what the status of Orndorff’s health was.

Now Hannibal TV has reported that the 71-year-old is suffering from the late stages of dementia which is the same condition Terry Funk has been reported to have. Thankfully though, he is at home with his son and being cared for by family. Sadly, there is no cure for dementia, so all that his loved ones can do is keep him comfortable and ease his distress.

Current fans may not realize, but Orndorff was an important part of establishing WWE as a national brand as an opponent for Hulk Hogan. The pair would face off dozens of times in the mid-80s, and Orndorff, along with Roddy Piper, would wrestle Hogan and Mr. T in the main event of the first WrestleMania.

Unfortunately, nerve damage to his arm and neck that was left untreated caused him to retire in 1988 due to atrophy of his right bicep. Although he returned the following year and worked for WCW and Herb Abrams’ UWF, he never regained his former main event status and stepped away from a full-time schedule in 1995.

Jimmy Uso recently returned to the ring, having missed over a year due to tearing his ACL in a ladder match against John Morrison and Kofi Kingston at WrestleMania 36. Since his return, he has been prominently featured alongside his twin brother Jey and cousin Roman Reigns, but now his future is in doubt following a DUI arrest.

TMZ has reported he was arrested on Monday night after running a red light and speeding in Pensacola, Florida. Apparently, after pulling him over, police could smell alcohol on him, and he was noticeably swaying when standing. He’d take two breathalyzer tests and was more than double the legal limit. He would go on to be booked, taken into custody, and released eight hours later. His bond was set at $500.

Uso’s life outside the ring has been plagued by legal issues stemming from drunken behavior. In 2011, he was charged with his first DUI and sentenced to probation, and an arrest followed this in 2013 for driving with a suspended license. Then in 2018, he would be arrested for DWI in Texas and released after posting a $500 bond. Then twice in 2019, he would encounter more legal troubles, once for disorderly conduct and obstruction and then again for DUI. However, this time he would be found not guilty, which shocked many people at the time due to video evidence.

Terry Funk is one of the most beloved and respected wrestlers of all time. He began wrestling in 1965 and last wrestled in 2017, showing remarkable longevity. He should be enjoying a well-deserved retirement, however, it’s been known he recently has been in ill-health and no longer making appearances.

Tragically, former WWE Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco has now revealed the latest episode of his podcast that Funk is currently in a home due to suffering from dementia. This means Funk now has an impaired ability to retain memories and make everyday activities challenging.

I heard that Terry Funk is in a home and disabled with dementia. I spoke with Scott Casey over the weekend, and I guess he’s driving to Amarillo, all the way to way down to Amarillo, so I don’t know. I know his wife passed away two or three years ago.

It doesn’t seem long ago that Funk was hitting moonsaults in ECW, WWE, and WCW in his 50’s, but he actually turned 77 last month, and as Muraco stated, is sadly widowed following the passing of his wife of 54 years, Vicki.

Hopefully, Funk can continue battling on as the wrestling world is not ready to mourn yet another legend. While there is currently no cure for dementia, medications and treatments are available, so perhaps there is hope Funk can receive some relief.