NEWS

That’s up next. There are several types of wrestlers and some of them work well together, with their styles meshing. That can make for some of the most entertaining matches around, especially if you have wrestlers who are good at what they do in the first place. It seems that WWE is setting up what could be an interesting match between wrestlers who could work well together.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WATCH: WWE Stable Turns Heel In Surprise Switch On SmackDown
The main event of this week’s SmackDown saw the Usos cheat to retain their Tag Team Titles against the team of Sheamus and Drew McIntyre. Following the show, the Viking Raiders came to the ring and attacked McIntyre and Sheamus, suggesting that a match between the teams could be coming. The clip included commentary and was shot like a part of the show.
This could be interesting. Check out what we could be seeing next from both teams:
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They switched. Stables are an interesting concept in wrestling as you can have a bunch of wrestlers together in one group to let them get more television time. That can cause a lot to change at once if the entire group does something different. That seems to be the case this week, as a team of wrestlers is now going in a rather different direction for the first time in this place.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Run It Back: Roman Reigns’ Next Title Defense And Opponent Announced
This week on SmackDown, Ricochet defeated Top Dolla in a Royal Rumble qualifying match. Following the match, Dolla shook Ricochet’s hand, allowing Dolla’s Hit Row teammate Ashante Thee Adonis to superkick Ricochet. The team, including B Fab, attacked Ricochet, turning heel in the process. Braun Strowman, Ricochet’s occasional tag partner, ran in for the save. This is the first time Hit Row will have been villains since their original run in NXT.
It was a busy night. Check out Hit Row, both new and old:
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He’s up next. There has not been a WWE World Title reign like Roman Reigns’ current run with the championship in a very long time. With the longest title reign since the 1980s, Reigns is rapdily running out of challengers for his title. It means something to see him defend the title and now he is going to be doing just that on one of the bigger stages WWE has to offer.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: There It Is: Vince McMahon Officially Returns To WWE Board Of Directors
Last week on SmackDown, Kevin Owens and John Cena defeated Reigns and Sami Zayn. This continued Reigns’ issues with Owens, which have been going on for a few weeks now. Therefore, this week, Owens challenged Reigns to a title match at the Royal Rumble. Reigns agreed and the match was set later in the show. The Royal Rumble takes place on January 28 in San Antonio, Texas.
There is a history. Check out the two going at it:
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Impact Wrestling
Date: January 5, 2023
Location: Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, Florida
Commentators: Matthew Rehwoldt, Tom Hannifan
We’re back after last week’s Best Of 2022 event with the first show of 2023. That means we are just over a week away from Hard To Kill and the card is mostly set. There is always room for a little more effort though and now we might be getting to do just that. If nothing else, getting some of the lower card built up should help so let’s get to it.
In Memory Of Don West.
Opening recap.
Masha Slamovich vs. Taylor Wilde Deonna Purrazzo is on commentary. Wilde is in all black and apparently has a new attitude, as seen on Before The Impact. Purrazzo doesn’t think much of Wilde’s resume, asking how long it has been since Wilde was a champion. Fair enough really, as it was a long time ago. They grapple to the mat to start with Slamovich spinning out of a wristlock into an armbar.
Wilde avoids a charge in the corner though and some choking has..

That didn’t take long. To say that WWE is rapidly changing at this point would be a huge understatement as the major backstage pieces keep moving around. There were all kinds of changes last year, including one at the very top of the company. Now things have changed back in the other direction after a very short time, as the original boss is back in a huge way.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: She’s In: Update On Ronda Rousey’s WWE Status Following Title Loss
Earlier this week, Vince McMahon announced that he was attempting to return to WWE’s Board Of Directors by threatening to block any potential sale or media rights deal. Less than twenty four hours later, three members of the WWE Board Of Directors (JoEllen Lyons Dillon, Jeffrey R. Speed, Alan M. Wexler) have officially been removed, allowing McMahon and former co-Presidents George Barrios and Michelle Wilson to take their places. Following the change, other members Ignace Lahoud and Man Jit Singh resigned. There is no word on any potentia..

That’s a good sign. We are coming up on the most important time of the year for WWE, as the Road To WrestleMania 39 is set to begin later this month. That means it is going to be an all hands on deck moment for WWE, with all of its biggest stars available ready to go. Now we might be getting a sign that one star whose future is a bit in doubt will be around going forward.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Not Welcome: Backstage Reaction To Vince McMahon Wanting Back In WWE (It’s Not Good)
Last week on SmackDown, Charlotte made a surprise return and defeated Ronda Rousey to regain the SmackDown Women’s Title. This led to questions about Rousey’s future in WWE, but according to PWInsider.com by way of SportSkeeda.com, Rousey is still listed on WWE’s internal roster. Rousey is listed as a heel and is booked for several upcoming appearances, including the Royal Rumble. She is also advertised for this month’s Raw 30.
Rousey is one of those special WWE stars. Check out her time in the company:
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It doesn’t seem to be popular. The biggest wrestling story of the week so far has been Vince McMahon announcing that he is attempting to return to WWE after five months away. McMahon is planning to try to return to the Board of Directors and is threatening to block any media rights deal or sale of the company if he is not allowed. This is going to cause some backlash and it seems to have already begun.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: It Didn’t Work: Bryan Danielson Reveals How He Tried To Get Fired From WWE Job
Fightful Select has spoken to several people in WWE about the situation, with everyone being described as “floored” by the announcement. No WWE department was given a heads up about McMahon’s statement and the main concern is about McMahon possibly returning to WWE creative. Everyone asked felt that the announcement was negative but it was something they would not worry about until they had to. There is no word on when McMahon will be attempting to return to WWE.
There have been a lot..

He’s next. With so many wrestlers on the AEW roster, it can be difficult to find a way to stand out. The best way tends to be by showcasing yourself in the ring, but even then it takes something very special. There are enough stars in AEW to make it happen though, and now it seems we know the next star to be getting a major chance. It just might take another bit of time.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Keep Them? Top AEW Stars Reportedly Set To Negotiate New Deals
According to Wrestling Observer Radio, AEW is expeced to give Konosuke Takeshita a big push in the near future. The push will not likely start within the next week though, as Takeshita is scheduled to face Bryan Danielson next week in a match that Danielson must win to earn a World Title shot at Revolution. Takeshita returned to AEW and the United States after a brief hiatus late last year and is signed to the company.
Takeshita has done rather well in AEW so far. Check out some of his best moments:
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Stick around? The AEW roster has done the company a lot of good over the years and a lot of its success has been built around the collection of wrestlers. There are several who have been added over the years but some of them have been around since the beginning. At some point, AEW has to figure out who they want to keep around though and now they are needing to do just that with two originals.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: LOOK: WWE, AEW And New Japan Stars Recreate Classic Photo This Week
According to Fightful Select, the Young Bucks’ contracts with AEW are coming up and the two sides have yet to come to a new deal. According to Wrestling Observer Radio, negotiations between the two sides have not yet begun but AEW wants to “lock them in” with multi year deals as soon as possible. Negotiations between the two are expected to begin soon.
The Bucks have been around for a bit. Check out their time together in AEW:
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That’s a long time. We are entering a new year and that causes a lot of people to look back at other things, both short and long times ago. This can be the case in wrestling as well, as you will see some stars celebrating milestones in their careers. You might see someone being happy with how long it has been since they first did something, and that was the case again this week in a surprising place.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: He’s Back? Vince McMahon Planning Return To WWE, Threatens To Block Huge Deals
This week on WWE Main Event, Shelton Benjamin defeated Rip Fowler. Following the match, Benjamin mentioned that he recently celebrated the twenty year anniversary of his WWE debut. Benjamin thanked the fans and said that he was still the Gold Standard and there was no stopping him now. Benjamin debuted on the December 26, 2002 SmackDown and he is a former United States, Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion.
That was a special moment. Check out Benjamin’s address, plus some of his bett..

He wants back in. The biggest wrestling story in a busy 2022 was the retirement of Vince McMahon from WWE. After nearly forty years in charge of the company, McMahon retired amid an internal investigation over a series of payments but still remained the company’s majority owner. However, now something else has chanced and we could be in for something very different.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Over There: WWE Taking Annual Event To London Later This Year
Last month, a report stated that McMahon was planning a comeback to WWE. According to the Wall Street Journal, McMahon is attempting to have himself and former co-WWE Presidents Michelle Wilson and George Barrios elected to the WWE Board of Directors. This would require three current Board members to vacate their positions. McMahon has also said he will not support any media rights deal (with negotiations expected to begin before the current deals expire in 2024) or sale of the company. McMahon has issued a press release:
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