John Layfield announced on Twitter that he is leaving his position as a play-by-play commentator on SmackDown Live. JBL said that he’s leaving so he can focus on his work with at-risk children and communities.

“After much consideration, I will be stepping back my weekly role as Smackdown Announcer to dedicate more continuous time on the work I have done since 2010 with at risk kids and communities. My new schedule will allow me to continue to be a part of the WWE family and also continue my work that I feel is the most important thing in my life. I will continue my 20+ year relationship with WWE and will appear on such marquee shows as Tribute to the Troops, WrestleMania, amongst others.

With the help of Beyond Sport, I founded Beyond Rugby Bermuda in 2010–which has been recognized as one of the world’s best charities for work with at risk, gang focused, youth intervention. Beyond Rugby Bermuda won the 2014 NACRA Fair Play Award out of 7,000 programs and 17 countries for its work with at risk kids. I was named as a Beyond Sport Global Ambassador–an organization backed by all major sports leagues in the U.S.

I’m proud to say that in addition to being Smackdown’s longest reigning WWE Champion, I inspired WWE’s Tribute to the Troops over 10 years ago. WWE has been my partner in all my philanthropic works and this new deal with WWE ensures that will continue. WWE has made my dreams come true and helped me become a global name. And now, WWE is helping me use that name to make a difference.”

After much consideration, I will be stepping back my weekly role as Smackdown Announcer to dedicate more (cont) https://t.co/An7zuYRFmV

— John Layfield (@JCLayfield) September 1, 2017

JBL has been part of WWE’s commentary team on and off since June of 2006. As of this writing, his replacement has not been announced. We will keep you updated if we hear anything new.

The post JBL Leaving SmackDown Live appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

WWE has announced that Heavy Machinery will receive a shot at The Authors of Pain for the NXT Championships on the July 12th episode of NXT. Here is the preview they posted for the match:

NXT Tag Team Champions The Authors of Pain to defend against Heavy Machinery on July 12

The Authors of Pain have built their NXT Tag Team Title Championship upon a foundation of brute force and physical dominance. However, against Heavy Machinery — AOP’s newly confirmed challengers for the July 12 episode of NXT — Ellering’s menacing monsters, for once, find themselves against opponents who can more than match their immensity.

For Tucker Knight & Otis Dozovic, the battle cry of “steaks and weights” isn’t just playful banter; it’s a way of life. The numbers tell the story: 320-pound Knight boasts a 365-pound bench press and 500-pound squats and deadlifts, while 330-pound Dozovic lays claim to a 475-pound bench press, a 610-pound squat and a 710-pound deadlift. Beneath the muscle and outsized personalities are two elite grapplers who torched collegiate competition before turning to NXT, where their success has been just as great.

Not that any of those facts will intimidate The Authors of Pain. Akam & Rezar are 300-pounders, and they have MMA and world-class wrestling backgrounds, too. Their WWE Hall of Fame manager appears to have his misgivings about the burly challengers, even if he won’t admit it, but AOP only has one thing in mind: Adding Knight & Dozovic to The Book of Dominance.

Which super-heavyweight tandem will prevail? Don’t miss this huge NXT Tag Team Championship battle when it takes center stage Wednesday, July 12, on NXT, streaming exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network at 8/7 C.

The post NXT Tag Team Championship Match Announced appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

WWE announced that Asuka will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Nikki Cross in a Last Woman Standing Match on the June 28th episode of NXT. Here is the announcement:

Asuka to defend NXT Women’s Title against Nikki Cross in Last Woman Standing Match

NXT Women’s Champion Asuka will put her coveted title on the line against the crazed Nikki Cross on the June 28 episode of NXT. The title showdown will be a Last Woman Standing Match, further adding to the uncertainty and chaos surrounding the huge championship contest.

The extreme stipulation was a logical next step in Asuka and Cross’s rivalry after the two brawled throughout Full Sail University on the June 14 episode of NXT. Along with Ruby Riot, they competed in a Triple Threat Elimination Match for the NXT Women’s Title. After Riot had been eliminated, Asuka and Cross fought outside the arena, only to return and eventually crash through a table, leaving them laid out in a heap of carnage.

Asuka’s record-breaking NXT Women’s Title reign has overcome many obstacles, but she has yet to face a challenger as crazy as Cross in a bout that caters to chaos like a Last Woman Standing Match. Will we see the end of The Empress of Tomorrow’s historic title reign?

Find out on Wednesday, June 28, at 8/7C on the award-winning WWE Network.

The post NXT Women’s Title Stipulation Match Announced appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.