During the men’s Royal Rumble match last Sunday, Christian made a surprise appearance at number 24. The former World Heavyweight Champion hadn’t wrestled for the past seven years due to concussion issues but was recently cleared to return to the ring. The match featured a special moment when he and his longtime tag team partner and childhood friend Edge embraced. Now the Rumble winner, Edge, has revealed in an interview with SportingNews.com he was one of the few people who know Christian had been cleared, and how his reaction in the match was real. Edge was also asked about the possibility of them partnering again, and while he doesn’t know if it’ll happen, he seems to be very open to the idea. Edge and Christian held the WWE World Tag Team Championship seven times and last teamed for a series of matches against Alberto Del Rio and Brodus Clay in 2011. Before that, you’d have to go all the way back to 2005. A match with the duo reuniting would likely generate a lot of interest from a nostalgia perspective. The only potential obstacle could be that Edge has a set number of matches in his contract. However, as it seems to be something Edge would love to do, it’s likely something could be worked out.

The Forgotten Sons stable, consisting of Jaxson Ryker, Steve Cutler, and Wesley Blake, were disbanded after Ryker caused controversy with tweets supporting Trump following George Floyd’s passing and BLM protests. All three men went on a long hiatus, but Ryker is now part of Raw, and Cutler and Blake recently returned to SmackDown to work with Baron Corbin as The Knights of the Lone Wolf.

However, on Thursday, WWE announced Cutler had been released, with it believed he was told while straining at the Performance Center. The reported reason was Vince McMahon was furious that Cutler had gone to a New Year’s Eve party and then tested positive. McMahon felt this was a disciplinary issue and was particularly angry as he had promised Roman Reigns a safe working environment to get him to return last year.

Now Impact Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo has taken to Twitter, seemingly believing these reports were implying her boyfriend Cutler had put others in danger. She confirmed they had attended a New Year’s Eve party together but insists Cutler not put anyone at risk as he tested positive before SmackDown and was sent home.

Other’s wrestlers have recently been photographed and filmed at parties, including Ricochet, Kacy Catanzaro, and Damien Priest. Although none of them subsequently tested positive, so appear to have remained off McMahon’s radar. McMahon also possibly considered Cutler nonessential and released him to send a message to the rest of the roster.

Some fans have suggested Cutler could have a cause against WWE for unfair dismissal. Still, it’s questionable whether he would win as WWE contracts are heavily weighted in the companies favor. Purrazzo herself was released by WWE last April as part of their mass cuts due to WWE wanting to save money and feeling she was not ready to appear on television.

Rumors were previously spreading that Cesaro would possibly depart WWE as his contract was expiring shortly after WrestleMania 37. This excited many fans as it meant he could have soon been wrestling the top names in AEW and New Japan. However, it’s now been confirmed he has agreed on a new with WWE. The fact he held out for so long before signing actually cost him a push recently, as Cesaro was initially proposed to reach the finals of the recent Gauntlet match on Smackdown. Due to not having signed, Shinsuke Nakamura took instead took the spot.

Cesaro now seems set to receive a push as on last night’s SmackDown, as he defeated Daniel Bryan via submission in a short match. Following the hard-hitting contest’s conclusion, which saw Cesaro receive a cut to his head, the Swiss Superman gave Bryan a fist bump establishing himself as a babyface. Michael Cole also put Cesaro over on commentary by saying he has shown the potential to be one of the best on the planet.

It isn’t known if Cesaro received a significant pay rise, but Konnan revealed on his podcast previously that when Rey Mysterio negotiates his WWE contracts, it is vital to get a high figure guarantee amount to ensure a push. The feeling is that if someone earns a high-dollar amount, then Vince McMahon feels compelled to push them strongly so he can recoup his investment.

AAA has begun wrestling shows again after agreeing on a year-long deal with the Mexican Department of Tourism. The tour is being called Fighting for the Identity of Mexico, and shows are being taped at significant tourist locations in 11 different states, with the aim to encourage people to visit. However, the first show taped this past Thursday, at Plaza de Toros Jorge el Ranchero Aguilar in Tlaxcala, had to behind closed doors due to worldwide events.

Amongst the matches taped was Abismo Negro Jr. and Texano Jr. vs. Octagón Jr. and Laredo Kid, and during the match, Laredo Kid suffered a really nasty head laceration. He’d require a trip to the hospital but thankfully informed fans via his Instagram, he would be OK. You can check out a photo of the cut here, although please note it isn’t for the queasy.

For those unaware, Laredo Kid is one of the hottest stars right now in Lucha libre and is the current AAA World Cruiserweight Champion. Back in 2015, the luchador teamed with Sammy Guevara using the name Tony Guevara for a WWE tryout, but the company opted not to sign the duo. Since then, though, he has begun to make a name in the US, first teaming with Angel Garza in Impact Wrestling and then would wrestle for AEW as Pac’s replacement at Fyter Fest, teaming with the Lucha Brothers against Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. This past December, he wrestled in arguably his most notable match ever when he challenged Kenny Omega for the AAA Mega Title at Triplemania XXVIII. The duo put on a match of the year contender, and Omega would make it look like Laredo Kid had a chance of winning the title, despite all logic saying it couldn’t happen.

When Trey Miguel, Dezmond Xavier, and Zachary Wentz, collectively known as The Rascalz, departed Impact Wrestling last year, it was expected the trio would sign with WWE. All three were offered contracts to join NXT, and while Xavier and Wentz did indeed sign, and have since debuted as Wes Lee and Nash Carter, respectively, Miguel remained a free agent. However, at the last set of Impact’s television tapings, he’d return to the promotion and joined Rich Swann, Willie Mack, and Tommy Dreamer in defeating Sami Callihan, Chris Bey, Ken Shamrock, and Moose.

With Miguel now working a program with Callihan, it’s self-evident he is again an Impact regular, raising the question of why he turned down WWE’s offer. Now speaking to the Wilde On podcast, he revealed he stated Impact is a better fit for him due to being the head trainer of the Skull & Bones wrestling school in Toledo, Ohio, and he needs to be there daily. Plus, stay close to his family.

Miguel rejoining the promotion is quote a coup of Impact, as they seemingly perceived him as having the most upside of all three Rascalz. Last year he received a singles push and defeated more established stars like Michael Elgin, Moose, and TJP, and even got to compete in the main event of Slammiversary for the vacant Impact World Title.

While it is unusual for someone to choose Impact over WWE, there have been countless stories over the years of wrestlers not enjoying their time with the world’s biggest promotion. Plus, unless someone is an established name like Finn Bálor and Shinsuke Nakamura, NXT pays less than $120,000 a year for first-time contracts. So conceivably, with his school, Impact, and Independent dates, he could earn more money outside of the WWE system. Additionally, Impact’s new relationship with AEW could have played a factor because it potentially makes him available for occasional Dynamite and/or Dark appearances.

Butch Reed sadly passed away earlier today, aged 66, due to heart complications. He had suffered two heart attacks in recent weeks and had been doing poorly since. The former college footballer played for Central Missouri and tried out for the Kansas City Chiefs before training to wrestle. During the early years of his wrestling career, he wrestled all over the United States, including Florida Championship Wrestling, Georgia Championship Wrestling, and Mid-South Wrestling.

Vince McMahon would give him his big break in 1986 when he was brought in alongside Slick. At one point, he was set to become Intercontinental Champion but skipped the taping due to burnout. Instead, The Honky Tonk man took his spot. Somewhat ironically, he appeared in the Honky Tonk Man’s lockerroom celebration as it was taped at the next set of tapings.

After departing WWE in 1988, he joined NWA/WCW and formed a tag team with Ron Simmons called Doom, managed by Nancy “Woman” Sullivan. The team was pushed heavily and defeated the Steiner Brothers at the 1990 Capital Combat pay-per-view for the WCW World Tag Team Championships. They’d hold the titles for an impressive 281 days, setting a new record that stood until WCW’s closure in 2001.

After departing WCW in 1992, he only wrestled sporadically, often going years between matches. However, between 2000-2002, he did have mini-comeback wrestling over 30 times for Harley Race’s World League Wrestling. He’d hold the promotions Championship during this run and defended it against wrestlers such as Curt Hennig and Ron Harris. He officially retired in 2013, with his final match being him teaming with Bob Orton against Flash Flanagan and Ron Powers. Away from wrestling, he was part of the rodeo circuit as a rodeo cowboy in Kansas City.

The Forgotten Sons stable, consisting of Jaxson Ryker, Steve Cutler, and Wesley Blake, were in line for a big push once called up to the main roster. The plan was for them to defeat The New Day to become SmackDown Tag Team Champions. However, the group was taken off television shortly after debuting due to Ryker tweeting support for Donald Trump following the George Floyd tragedy and BLM protests. In addition to bringing unwanted publicity, he had a lot of heat with other wrestlers, including Kevin Owens, Mustafa Ali, and Sami Zayn. Ryker was sent home, and Cutler and Blake’s careers were left in limbo despite their attempts to distance themselves.

Eventually, Cutler and Blake returned to television to work with Baron Corbin as The Knights of the Lone Wolf, but the angle was quickly dropped after Cutler missed TV due to the need to isolate. Yesterday WWE announced Cutler had been released from the company, and today it’s been reported that Vince McMahon was angry that Cutler got ill due to attending a New Year’s Eve party along with his girlfriend, Deonna Purrazzo of Impact Wrestling. At the time of his release, he was apparently at the Performance Center training.

McMahon’s considered this a disciplinary issue and was outraged as he’d promised Roman Reigns a safe working environment when he convinced him to return last year. Other wrestlers also attended New Year’s Eve parties, but as they didn’t catch anything, seemingly they are off McMahon’s radar.

What is next for Cutler remains to be seen as he didn’t have a very big name despite being with WWE for over seven years. With his girlfriend being prominently featured in Impact Wrestling, there will be speculation that he could end up wrestling for them. Still, nothing will be possible until his 90 days non-complete expires.

What’s up with Rybo’s rash? The Winnipeggers take a free personality test! Who’s vibrant? Who’s whimsical? Who’s turbulent? Who’s not getting their pilot’s license? Dave rants about passwords, equity firms, and the lack of public hot tub etiquette at his gym (pre-pandemic, of course)! There’s more fan mail from some coerced… we mean happy… viewers. Plus, the air band (or is it lip-sync) story of The Village Inn Guys featuring a young Chris Jericho with a giant ‘stache as the Village People’s construction worker David Hodo.

And thanks to this week’s sponsors: Mr. Steak! Down at the end of Portage Ave with tons of ample parking! DaveSpivakProject.com (which is 100% related to host Dave Spivak; it’s his website) and the very popular toque (aka beanies in the US). High-quality cross-stitching. Lifetime guarantee. And get your official, high-quality Winnipeggers merch (aka t-shirt) at ProWrestlingTees.com.

On Wednesday Night AEW put on a Beach Break themed episode of Dynamite. The show featured tag team battle royal, Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford’s wedding, and a big six-man tag main event followed by KENTA’s debut. To combat this, WWE had Edge take a trip to the Capitol Wrestling Center, which they advertised ahead of time.

The Royal Rumble winner interrupted NXT Champion Finn Bálor and Pete Dunne, teasing that he might challenge the winner of their match at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day. Obviously, WWE would have hoped, if not expected, Edge’s appearance to boost NXT’s ratings. However, that was not the case, as NXT was down 15.3% week-on-week, averaging 610,000 viewers. In comparison, AEW Dynamite saw a 15% week-on-week increase, averaging 844,000 viewers. Dynamite would be third on cable for the evening with a 0.32 rating in the key 18-49 demo, with NXT disappointingly ranking 51st with a 0.15 rating.

The Wednesday Night Wars have been heavily onesided over the past six months, with NXT’s lone victory over the past six months coming with their Halloween Havoc themed episode. Worryingly for WWE, this week’s gap was also the largest between the two shows since Dynamite’s Brodie Lee Celebration of Life episode.

Two months ago, D-Von Dudley revealed on his Table Talk podcast that he has been suffering from health issues and has been off work but hoped he could return soon. It resulted in the WWE and TNA Hall of Famer’s phone blowing up with concerned friends looking for clarification. He would publically downplay his health issues, saying news reports had made it a bigger deal than it was, and he wasn’t dying. Now though, he has opened up and revealed on the latest edition of his podcast that he had actually suffered a stroke.

It’s great to hear D-Von is doing better, as a stroke is a life-threatening condition. Each year, almost 800,000 people in the United States have strokes, with 17% dying. Bret Hart famously suffered a stroke in 2002, and would it the most challenging thing he ever had to endure in his life. Hopefully, D-Von does not suffer any ongoing effects and is back to full health as soon as possible.

Gabe Tuft was signed for WWE between 2008 and 2012 and wrestled as Tyler Reks on ECW, NXT, and SmackDown. Reks would quit the company shortly after debuting a stripper gimmick along with tag partner Curt Hawkins citing wanting to spend more time at home with daughter Mia, who had been born the prior year. Today it has been announced that with the blessing of wife Priscilla, Tuft will no longer be going by the name Gabe and will now be known as Gabbi due to being a trans woman. The news has been released to coincide with Tuft’s story airing on Extra this upcoming Friday.

Since departing WWE, Tuft has only competed once on the independent scene, teaming with former partner Hawkins against Kevin Matthews and Lance Hoyt 2014. Instead, focusing on the fitness company, Body Spartan, along with wife Priscilla. You can read the full press release below.

Heather Renée Sweet, who has made a career for herself under the name Dita Von Teese first met Marilyn Manson when he asked her to perform in one of his music videos. While the collaboration didn’t occur, they kept in contact and became a couple in 2001. They’d marry in 2005, but Von Teese filed for divorce citing “irreconcilable differences” the following year.

Now, after multiple women have accused Manson’s abuse, his ex-wife has issued what she says will be her only statement. She’d admit that their marriage was ruined by infidelity and drug abuse. However, she did not have the same experience with the rock star as other women alleged. She did, though, note that those abused should take steps to heal.

Manson’s life and career appear to be in freefall following the initial allegations made by his former fiancée Evan Rachel Wood. His record label has dropped him, upcoming appearances on American Gods are being edited out, and the episode featuring him on the forthcoming series of Creepshow has been pulled. Also, California state senator Susan Rubio has requested an FBI investigation into his conduct.

Manson has issued his own statement saying, “My intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners,” and it is believed friends are worried about him. TMZ reported that police carried out a welfare check at his home due to concerns the rock star couldn’t be contacted. Apparently, Manson wouldn’t come out of his house to speak to police, but they were told he was fine via a representative.