On their Talk N’ Shop: Countdown To F#ckTown podcast, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson were in full shoot mode, and spent time talking about their release from WWE. Despite recently having signed new contracts with WWE after prodding from Triple H, the duo was still part of the mass cuts WWE made on April 15th. It was believed this was due to buyer’s remorse from Vince McMahon, who was paying the duo $1.5 million a year combined, however now it’s been revealed Paul Heyman was the initiator.
The story goes that once they were released, they asked an unnamed contact they have within the company who was behind their release and were told it was Paul Heyman. Gallows and Anderson asked AJ Styles to find out more information, and after checking his own backstage contact, he went to Paul Heyman, who denied any involvement. Styles then went directly to Vince McMahon and was told that Gallows and Anderson were not originally on his list to be released, and it was a “Heyman thing.” This explains why Styles recently called Heyman “a bold-faced liar” on his Mixer stream, and his request to move to SmackDown to be away from Heyman.
So while Vince McMahon made the final decision, if Paul Heyman hadn’t suggested their release, it is likely they’d still be with WWE.
XYZ
Saturday night’s Slammiversary PPV looks set to be an incredibly eventful show. Following the release of Tessa Blanchard, a new Impact World Champion will be crowned, and numerous surprise appearances have been teased with EC3, Heath Slater, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Eric Young, and possibly Bully Ray the most likely to appear. The whole card is stacked with championship matches, and it is available to watch through FITE on computers, tablets, phones, smart TV’s, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, PS4, Xbox One and more.
Currently, the card has the below seven matches booked.
The PPV cost’s just $19.99 through FITE, but one lucky reader can win a code to watch for free by answering the below question. Please note entries close on Saturday, 18th July, at 1:00 PM ET, and the winner will be sent the FITE code via email by 3:00 PM ET. By submitting your entry, you will also be subscribing to the WIJ Newsletter, which you can unsubscribe from with one-click.
So, for your chance to win, just answer the following question:
Who was the President of Aces & Eights?
A: Abyss
B: Bully Ray
[contact-form to=”james@webisjericho.com” subject=”Slammiversary Comp”][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”1″][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”1″][contact-field label=”Answer” type=”text” required=”1″ options=”Abyss,Bully Ray”][/contact-form]
XYZ
AJ Styles has previously declared that once his current contract with WWE expires, he plans to retire, but now during an interview with Vicente Beltrán, he revealed he battles thoughts of retiring daily.
A lot of times, I feel like my body and my mind are going, ‘No, no,’ like they argue with each other. Like, my brain’s telling me that I can do it, but my body’s saying, “Don’t even try it.” So I think when they both come together, the brain and the body, and say, “Hey, maybe it’s a good time to hang it up, “maybe we’ll do that. But when is that? This is something Undertaker talked about. It’s something that you battle with on a daily basis because you love what you do.AJ Styles
Styles began wrestling in 1998, so he has performed an incredibly high level for over 20 years. However, at 43, he is still one of WWE’s go-to guys when they need a great match, and doesn’t appear to be slowing down in the ring. It’s believed he has four years remaining on his contract, so we probably shouldn’t worry too much about losing Styles too soon, but we need to appreciate him while we still can.
XYZ
We reported earlier that Billy Corgan had become disillusioned with running a wrestling company and was looking to close the National Wrestling Alliance. This article was based on comments made during an interview on the Hannibal TV YouTube channel. It was feared the NWA could be down once and for all. However, it seems this wasn’t an instance when we should quote the Raven, because Corgan has denied these claims on social media.
A quick note about the National Wrestling Alliance, which I fought for, and won ownership of a few years back. We are NOT shutting down. So please disregard any and all rumor to effect. The NWA is not and will not be for sale, and those talent who are under contract remain under contract for a reason: which is that we at the NWA are trying to figure out a way to provide our great fans with wrestling in a very, very tough environment. And, most importantly, keep our talent safe and the standard of production you’ve come to expect from us at a high level. Anything less, in my opinion, is unacceptable. So yes, appreciate the interest, appreciate the chatter, but don’t appreciate the unsourced rumors and speculation. Billy Corgan
This is terrific news for everyone who works for and supports the iconic wrestling 71-year-old brand, and hopefully, it won’t be long until tapings can resume.
XYZ
Billy Corgan, best known for being the singer-songwriter of the Smashing Pumpkins, is a lifelong wrestling fan. He chose to get involved in the business almost a decade ago, initially starting an indie called Resistance Pro, then working for TNA as Senior Producer of Creative and Talent Development and finally purchasing the NWA in 2017.
The NWA purchase was quite a coup due to its name recognition and the fact the NWA World Champion was once regarded as the most meaningful in the entire industry. It was hoped Corgan could restore the brand to modern-day relevance, and he started a weekly YouTube show called NWA Powerrr, run PPV’s and established a working relationship with Ring of Honor.
Just as the brand was gaining momentum, the pandemic happened, stopping all the NWA in its tracks. It was thought that once restrictions were eased, the company would return, but things changed once sexual assault allegations were made towards NWA Vice President Dave Lagana, leading to his resignation.
Following these setbacks, it now looks like Corgan will be stepping away from the industry if recent comments from Raven are to be believed. The former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Raven has worked with Corgan in the past, and in a new interview, says he has heard that Corgan will be closing the promotion.
I think Billy’s shutting it down, from what I hear.
I heard from the grapevine, I heard that Billy’s not opening it back up, he’s really disillusioned.Raven
While this is far from an official confirmation, the fact that there are no tapings scheduled, social media has been dormant for almost a month, and featured wrestler Zicky Dice has been allowed out of his contract early, the claim looks plausible.
XYZ
Ever since Conrad Thompson, the podcast host with ties to AEW through his Starrcast convention trademarked “Four Horsemen,” it has been rumored that there could be a modern-day version of the group forming. The latest speculation has been that the group could consist of Cody Rhodes, Shawn Spears, and FTR with original members Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard attached. Now in an interview with TalkSPORT, Cody has discussed the possibility of this, and while not dismissing the possibility of a faction, it doesn’t appear the Four Horsemen name would be used.
I don’t think you can ever do the Four Horsemen; that’s ambitious, braggadocios and, very likely, you’d have the most uphill battle ever. You’re talking about wrestlers of the caliber of Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew and whatever creations of the Horseman you’re looking at, but those guys bell-to-bell and in real life, on the microphone, just the total packages. Total packages as a unit, too. Just so special and that’s why it lives on today.
I think in this case, I love flirting with some of the concepts that were out there because my dad and my family was always the antithesis of the Four Horseman. Their biggest rival was my father. And now, one of his biggest rivals is genuinely one of my closest confidants and coaches and it’s really a different career than I had envisioned, but I love having Double A there and I know Arn has had some conversations with Tony Khan and FTR and I know Spears has had some conversations with FTR. Cody Rhodes
Not using the name is probably the right decision, as living up to the Four Horsemen name would have a big ask. Still, perhaps a Horsemen inspired group could be possible, much in the same way WWE created Evolution, TNA had Fortune, and MLW had The Xtreme Horsemen.
XYZ
Social media can be a tough place for professional wrestlers due to the sheer number of trolls who try to provoke and, at times, torment them. However, this time, Shayna Baszler got the better of her harasser, who called her both “ugly” and “the most unattractive woman in the wwe roster” with a sharp-witted response.
The former UFC fighter has just returned to Raw this past Monday after two months spent on the sidelines waiting for creative to have something for her. She made an immediate impact, and showed she can be as devastating in the ring is she is on Twitter by attacking Akira Tozawa’s ninjas. Afterward, she’d cut a promo where she sent a warning to the Raw’s Roster’s women.
XYZ
Having only wrestled four times over the past 8 years, all of which were on independent shows, you’d be forgiven for thinking Booker T was retired. His last in-ring run with WWE concluded in 2012, and it didn’t seem likely we’d see him compete outside of an occasional match for his own promotion Reality of Wrestling. However, in a recent interview on After The Bell, the six-time world champion said he would accept if WWE asked him to have a one-off match.
I know how hard it is to walk away from the business, and you know how hard it is to walk away from it and say, “Man, that’s the last time I’m gonna do this.” You know, I’ve been out of a WWE ring for quite some time now, but rest assured, if they called me and said, “Hey Book, one match!” You know what I mean? I’d be like, “Baby, can you help me find my boots?”Booker T
Back in January, it was thought that Booker T and his brother Stevie Ray, identified as Harlem Heat, were going to wrestle The Revival. The Revival, now known as FTR, is AEW confronted Booker T during WWE’s TLC kickoff show, and despite also being teased on social media, nothing came of it.
XYZ
Tammy Sytch, known best to wrestling fans as Sunny was once the most downloaded celebrity on the internet, and was honored by WWE with a Hall of Fame Induction in 2011. Sadly, her life has been troubled with legal issues since then, with her having been arrested over a dozen times and spending time in rehab and prison. After spending 2019 locked up, Sytch was released in February and was focused on building up signups on adult website OnlyFans where she had over 11,000 fans.
Sadly it’s been reported by PWInsider that she has been incarcerated at Monmouth County Correctional Institution, where she is being held for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, eluding police, and violation/contempt of a domestic violence restraining order. As she was out on parole, this could potentially mean a return to prison.
XYZ
Charlotte Flair was written off WWE television three weeks ago so she could have elective surgery. No more details were known at the time, but Charlotte has taken to Twitter to clarify that she needed further plastic surgery on her breasts following suffering silicone poisoning in 2018. She was sure to explain that this surgery is solely cosmetic to fix an issue from her previous surgical repair.
My air conditioning is broken, and we have a little free time. These tweets may be spaced out a bit, but we’re going to talk time off, plastic surgery and boobs.
The entire world having an opinion on the topic bothers me more than I care to let on, so we are going to discuss it.
I’m going to save the history of my boobs for a different bedtime story, so: Picture it. Charlotte, North Carolina, 2018. A young queen, shortly after a career defining WrestleMania victory, finds herself sicker than sick at her brother’s house.
A trip to the doctor tells us the likely culprit is silicone poisoning, and that my implant had been leaking for quite some time. It was one of the worse cases the doctor had seen.
At that time, I had a few options to fix the issue. Each option had a specific recovery time. I love this job more than anything, so I picked the option that allowed me to return the soonest. That was the choice I made.
Fast forward to a few months ago. Something felt off, so I went back to the doctor. Same issue again. This time, I’m going with an option that I believe will solve the issue long time, even though the recovery period is a little longer than I would like.
To clarify: I do not have silicone poisoning this time. The surgery is cosmetic to fix an issue from a prior surgery
I’ll be back when I’m ready. The body will be rested, and the mind still focused on legacy. Focused on this job. Focused on being better. Always being better.Charlotte Flair
While Charlotte Flair didn’t give a timeframe for her return, Dave Melter of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter previously reported that WWE was hoping Charlotte Flair could return for SummerSlam, which is scheduled for August 23rd.
XYZ
Miro is now staying home and plans on spending time on his Twitch channel, making YouTube videos, and working out in his home gym. He was part of a recent Impact Wrestling video tease for Slammiversary this upcoming Saturday, and as his symptoms started last week, he should still be able to attend if he was in fact booked.
XYZ
Jeff Hardy is currently feuding with Sheamus, and his past addiction issues and arrests are being prominently used in the storyline. Many fans feel the use of his real-life issues is distasteful, with one fan taking to Twitter questioning if Jeff Hardy being presented as a junkie could result in a relapse. This tweet caught the attention of Jeff’s brother Matt who tweeted out his concern.
I have those same concerns about the unneeded pressure on my brother.Matt Hardy
Regardless of some fans and Matt Hardy being unhappy with the storyline, Jeff Hardy seems to be on board with the angle, saying in a recent interview conducted with The Bump that while he finds it extremely uncomfortable at times, from a creative perspective, it has been good.
It’s expected the feud Jeff Hardy, and Sheamus feud will culminate at Summerslam, but the next match will take place this upcoming Sunday with a “bar fight” booked for The Horror Show at Extreme Rules.
XYZ