Brock Lesnar last appeared for WWE in the main event of night 2 of WrestleMania 36. He lost his WWE Championship in under five minutes match to Drew McIntyre, which he was entirely on board with and wanted to make McIntyre look as strong a possible. Since then, there have been no updates on when Lesnar would return. This past Friday, Lesnar’s manager/advocate Paul Heyman was brought back to WWE and aligned with Roman Reigns to establish Reigns as the companies top heel. It’s understood Heyman is paid as a top guy, and WWE doesn’t want him to sit at home, indefinably earning big money for doing nothing.
Now somewhat unexpectedly, all of Brock Lesnar’s merchandise has been removed from WWEShop.com. Last week, WWE had 11 Lensar items available for sale between WWE Shop and WWE Euroshop, but now none are available. You can check for yourself at https://shop.wwe.com/brock-lesnar/.
It has been rumored that Lesnar’s latest WWE contract was set to expire in June, but as of writing, Lesnar’s WWE.com profile has not been moved to the alumni section, so he might still be with the company.
XYZ
In the latest episode of WWE Network documentary series WWE Chronicle features Braun Strowman who bravely discusses his mental health and credits a conversation with Vince McMahon for helping him. Strowman was having suicidal thoughts, and McMahon took time out from a production meeting to have what Strowman likens to a father-son talk.
I kind of just busted in on Vince one day in a meeting and was like, “I need to talk to you,” and he kicked everybody out of a production meeting and sat down and talked to me, not like boss to employee, but like like man to man, like almost like a father-son talk. He gave me such a level of confidence and reassurance in myself that day. It lit a completely new fire underneath my ass to be better at this, to continue to work my ass off because I knew it was for a cause. I got to the point where I was feeling like I was doing all this hard work and I was just spinning my tires in the mud and Vince reassured me that that’s not what was happening and told me like, “Hey, not only do I want you here for the long haul, I need you here for the long haul.”
I’m very thankful to have a relationship with him like that because I might not even be here. There was, I don’t even like talking about this out loud, I was thinking about killing myself a couple of times, and it’s just, it’s shitty that I got to that point and I should have talked to somebody sooner, and I never knew how much he cared about me. I thought I was just, you know, a number in the system, and that day he made me realize that I’m more important than just a number. I can’t thank him enough for doing that.”
Braun Strowman
McMahon would prove he meant what he said by putting the Universal Championship on Strowman at WrestleMania 36 when Roman Reigns became unavailable. Strowman would hold the belt for 114 days, and McMahon is continuing to push him strongly by including him in tonight’s Payback pay-per-view main event.
XYZ
After months of SmackDown’s ratings declining, the debut of the WWE ThunderDome last week put the show’s ratings above 2 million average viewers for the first time since June. This weel the SmackDown return of Roman Reigns was expected to see a further significant increase; however, the overnight ratings show the average viewership was 2.186 million, up just 0.8%, which is only an extra 18,000 fans watching.
In the demos, which are essential to advertisers, SmackDown averaged a 0.3 in the 18-34 category down 14.3% from last week. In the key 18-49 category, the show did 0.6, which matches last week’s number.
While the overall number being up is always positive, it’s unlikely WWE will be pleased. They had no competition from the NBA, it was the post SummerSlam episode, and featured arguably their biggest stars first television appearance in several months. It should be noted that these are overnight ratings, so they are subject to change, but usually, the disparity is not much.
XYZ
Ric Flair was recently a guest the Wrestling Inc Daily podcast and discussed how his daughter Charlotte is recovering following surgery. Charlotte was written off television due to needing further plastic surgery on her breasts following suffering silicone poisoning in 2018. According to Ric, she’s taking it as an opportunity to allow the rest of her body to heal.
She’s fine, but this time she knows, and her personal physician and the company doctors have reinforced it, that she can’t hurry the process; otherwise, we’re going to be right back. With the stuff that she does, the moonsaults and the way she lands and taking knees and everything, she’s got to be a 100%.
So she’ll be fine just has to be patient and heal. The rotator cuffs, you got to let those heal. You gotta let the knees heal, and I got to remind her sometimes like Seth was off for a year. She’s likely out for a year. It’s not the end. You’ll come back.
After her father’s comments began to circulate on social media, Charlotte took to Twitter to dispute her return time frame. Expressly stating after one website reported she’d miss WrestleMania 37 that “this isn’t remotely freaking true.”
It’s possible Ric said more than he was permitted to in the interview, or he was just guesstimating on the time frame. Regardless, Charlotte plans to be back for WrestleMania 37, and it would take a brave person to bet against her being in one of the Women’s championship matches.
XYZ
WWE has been having many problems with virtual fans in the WWE ThunderDome trying to troll the company. Raw even featured what appeared to be a man having his throat cut. So it was expected WWE would have much more stringent moderation for SmackDown, yet an image of AEW star Kenny Omega taken from BTE made it to air. An eagle-eyed fan would capture it with the below screenshot.
There was much debate at the time on social media whether it was really Omega, and he has taken to Twitter to go along with the joke, and now even more fans are believing he infiltrated the WWE ThunderDome.
I was just trying to have a good time, I honestly didn’t think anyone would notice. Kenny Omega
We now wait to see if The Young Bucks, Cody Rhodes, or even Tony Khan appear at Payback this Sunday.
XYZ
Sami Zayn was stripped of the Intercontinental Championship in May after deciding not to attend WWE’s television tapings. WWE held a tournament to crown a new champion, which AJ Styles won by defeating Daniel Bryan in the finals. Then on last week’s episode of SmackDown, Jeff Hardy would win the championship from Styles. In hindsight, it appears this was done, so a babyface held the title ahead of Sami Zayn’s surprise return this week.
Zayn had been away for five months but returned to SmackDown last night, still in possession of his version of the Intercontinental belt. He’d confront Jeff Hardy, after he had successfully retained against Shinsuke Nakamura, and would leave him laying after a Helluva Kick. This is reminiscent of the feud between Razor Ramon and Shawn Michales that started in 1993 between when Michales was stripped of the title for testing positive for steroids. Ramon would win the title following a battle royal and a match against Rick Martel. Michaels would return claiming to be the legitimate champion leading to the now iconic ladder match at WrestleMania X.
WWE’s current plan is Hardy will defend the Intercontinental Championship against both Zayn and Styles at aptly named Clash of Champions pay-per-view on September 27th. It will be interesting to see if WWE resume their plans for Zayn and has him reclaim the title, or move him down the card after he opted to stay home.
XYZ
Jim Cornette recently discussed the Sonya Deville attempted kidnapping incident on episode 365 of his Jim Cornette Experience podcast, which was taped before SummerSlam aired. After he found out that Mandy Rose, who was feuding with Deville, was her house guest at the time of the home invasion, he initially stated that the pair should be fired for breaking kayfabe. He believes a babyface and a heel shouldn’t be together, especially with a big match booked.
I say fucking, I’d fire ‘um, fire ‘um, fuck it, fire ‘um.
Wait until the sympathies died down and fucking fire them in six months.
Shitting on their fucking match in their home. Didn’t they escape the house? They escaped their house and called the police. Then she had time to drop old Mandy Rose off somewhere, and nobody would have known.
Jim Cornette
Cornette’s co-host argued against this, and Cornette did ease up and instead said that a fine would suffice under the circumstances.
Okay, don’t fire them because the lunatic stalker, just fine them.Jim Cornette
It’s an incredibly old school viewpoint, but Jim Cornette is about as old school as you can get. Most people wouldn’t think about maintaining kayfabe when running for their lives, but Jim Cornette isn’t most people.
Obviously, WWE won’t take any action against Deville or Rose as they don’t care about kayfabe to any meaningful degree anymore. Apart from the Kliq’s curtain call, which happened during a show, the last time WWE was upset about a heel and babyface being together was back in the 80’s. In 1987 “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan and Iron Sheik caused some controversy after being pulled over by the cops and lost their jobs, although as drugs were involved, it isn’t that surprising that WWE took action.
XYZ
Late last night Road Dogg and Scott Armstrong both tweeted that their Hall of Famer father “Bullet” Bob Armstrong had sadly passed away. He had prostate cancer, which spread and became bone cancer, and due to it being terminal, he opted not to receive treatment. Sadly he was recently widowed after his wife of 60 years had passed away two months ago. Once the sad news was shared, some of the biggest names in wrestling took to Twitter to pay tribute and share memories, some of which you can read below.
Sad to hear of the passing of #BulletBobArmstrong…a true man’s man in this sport of thieves. When I broke my arm in #SMW in 94, Bob was one of the ONLY ones to call & check on me. I also learned the art of cutting a promo from him. Rest well Bullet! Chris Jericho
@StephMcMahon and I are thinking of the entire Armstrong family at this difficult time as they mourn the death of @WWE Hall of Famer and patriarch of the Armstrong family, “Bullet” Bob Armstrong. Triple H
I’m truly gutted to hear of the passing of my friend Bob Armstrong. His family have been my “American” family since I’m moved here 27 years ago. I love them all dearly. My deepest condolences to them all. William Regal
Bullet Bob. Always so nice to me. I’d like to think he saw how thrilled I was whenever I got to speak with him, which fortunately for me was often. Here is a rare picture of him with sleeves on his shirt. Condolences to your family @WWEArmstrong. Your father is a legend. CM Punk
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your father, Brian. I was so fortunate to have known “Bullet” Bob Armstrong, and watch him work his magic inside the ring. My deepest condolences to you and your family. Mick Foley
Heartbroken by the passing of Bullet Bob Armstrong. He crushed his Hall of Fame speech the night this picture was taken. Never seen a father more proud of his sons & sons more proud of their father…ever! #RIPBulletBob What an honor it is to have known you. Sean Waltman
Rest In Peace, “Bullet” Bob Armstrong.. I’m so happy I was able to know/work with this extraordinary legend & kind human being. My thoughts & prayers go out to his family. Godspeed, Bullet!Matt Hardy
Bob Armstrong was born Joseph James and fathered four sons who all became wrestlers. His wrestling career spanned five decades and during his prime wrestled for affiliates of the National Wrestling Alliance. In 1974 he challenged Jack Brisco for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, the most prestigious title in all of wrestling a the time.
Modern fans will best remember Armstrong for his time in TNA, where he was an on-screen authority figure and occasional wrestler despite being in his 60’s. In 2011 he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his sons Scott, Brad, and Brian.
XYZ
While the majority wrestling magazine became obsolete due to the internet, the most famous of them all Pro Wrestling Illustrated is still keeping the flame alive, despite being over 50 years old. It’s annual PWI 500 issue is still just as eagerly anticipated by both fans and wrestlers as ever, and is continuously the magazine’s bestselling issue.
Starting in 1991, PWI has been ranking the top 500 wrestlers in the world based on win-loss records, technical ability, influence, success against the highest grade of competition, success against the most diverse competition, and had at least a minimum about of matches. It should also be noted that the evaluation period is July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020.
So without further ado, we can confirm that All Elite Wrestling’s Jon Moxley has secured the top spot for the first time. It was a considerable jump by Moxley, who was 20th last year, and it shows how great his run in AEW has been so far, plus he has had success in New Japan. Topping the list now means all three members of The Shield have ranked #1 with Seth Rolins in 2015 and 2019, and Roman Reigns in 2016.
The top 25 is listed below, and to read the full 500, you can pre-order your copy and support the long-running publication at PWI500.com, or pick up a copy at newstands from September 22nd.
1) Jon Moxley
2) Adam Cole
3) Chris Jericho
4) Drew McIntyre
5) Tetsuya Naito
6) Kazuchika Okada
7) Cody Rhodes
8) Seth Rollins
9) Kofi Kingston
10) AJ Styles
11) Keith Lee
12) Brock Lesnar
13) Kenny Omega
14) Roman Reigns
15) Nick Aldis
16) Bray Wyatt
17) Kota Ibushi
18) Rush
19) Braun Strowman
20) Jacob Fatu
21) Will Ospreay
22) MJF
23) Aleister Black
24) Kento Miyahara
25) Walter
XYZ
The Uso’s were recently guests on Table Talk, and Jimmy used it as an opportunity to talk about his torn ACL, which happened in the ladder match against John Morrison and Kofi Kingston at WrestleMania 36. During the conversation, he’d also reveal he is working towards a January 2021 return.
I’ve never had any injury in my life period. Through football, putting my brother through tables, doing all this crazy stuff we’ve done, I’ve never had an injury. To get hurt at WrestleMania this year, I didn’t know what to do. I was sitting there wondering, “Do I be mad? Do I be sad and worried?” You just have to take it one day at a time. Luckily, I have a great family I could go to.
I don’t like hospitals, I don’t like doctors, I don’t even take medicine. I don’t like any of it, so to sit there and have to go under with the whole gown on having surgery, yeah, I tore the ACL, and now we’re looking at January. Hopefully, we’re back and ready to roll.
It was the first minute at WrestleMania, I tore my ACL within the first minute. I had no idea! All I knew was I went down, and I jumped off the ladder from 4 feet. I landed on the mat, and that’s how I blew my ACL. Out of all the crazy things we have done in the past decade in WWE, I get hurt from falling 4 feet off a ladder. Man, I was pissed. I knew something was wrong, I had torn it cleanout. I found out two days later that it was an ACL tear.Jimmy Uso
Jimmy’s ACL tear has also affected his brother Jay’s career, as clearly WWE doesn’t see him as a singles wrestler, having only used him twice since the injury. As a duo though, The Uso’s are highly regarded within WWE and have been mainstays of the tag team division since debuting on Raw in 2010. Once Jimmy is medically cleared to return, it’s expected the pair will be prominently featured again.
XYZ
Karrion Kross won the NXT Championship from Keith Lee at NXT TakeOver this past Saturday. However, during the match, he separated the acromioclavicular joint in his right shoulder. On Monday, he had an MRI, which has now led to him relinquishing his newly won title during the opening of last night’s edition of NXT.
Later in the show William Regal, the on-screen General Manager of NXT, would wish Kross well during his “long recovery” and announced that there would be a four-way iron man match to decide a new champion. The four men selected are Adam Cole, Tommaso Ciampa, Finn Balor, and Johnny Gargano, who are all former NXT champions. The colossal match occurs on next week’s NXT episode, which is airing on Tuesday due to being preempted by the NHL playoffs.
At present, it hasn’t been revealed how long Kross will be out for, but judging my Regal’s comment, and with surgery looking likely, it is doubtful he’ll return to the ring until next year.
XYZ
Online trolls have been enjoying themselves trying to infiltrate the WWE ThunderDome and display unacceptable content. It started tamely but quickly escalated to include pictures of Chris Benoit, someone wearing a Klan robe, and then most disturbingly a video of an apparent execution partially aired.
WWE quickly issued a statement calling this behavior abhorrent and declaring a zero-tolerance policy. WWE’s problem is that they need fans to be live so they can react with what is happening in the ring. Even a few seconds delay would throw things off sync.
However, according to Bryan Alvarez of F4Wonline.com, WWE wants to establish regular fans they can trust. He informed his listeners on Wrestling Observer Live that sources have told him WWE is looking to make changes, and “when they’ve been doing this for a while, they’ll find some fans who will obey the rules no matter what.”
Currently, fans only need an email address and to agree to a set of strict terms and conditions to register at WWEThunderDome.com. While WWE informs fans they will pass fines on to them, it’s likely the type of fan who has access to execution videos is proficient enough at using the internet to set up a VPN to hide their true identity.
XYZ