Tag: observer

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Botched Finish on This Week’s Episode of SmackDown Live?

As seen on Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown Live, Dolph Ziggler defeated AJ Styles cleanly in the main event of the show.

Bryan Alvarez speculated on today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Radio that the finish appeared to be botched. It’s believed that the finish was supposed to see a three-count with Styles having his foot on the rope, however Ziggler screwed it up when he grabbed Styles foot as he went for the pin. The announcers even played into this finish by making mention of his foot being on the rope but quickly re-worded as they processed what had happen.

Dave Meltzer also mentioned on Observer Radio that with Ziggler defeating Styles clean on the show, he expects the two to have another match on either next week’s show or the week after so that Styles can get his win back. The company would have used the foot on the rope as an excuse for the rematch, but because it was botched that won’t be the case.

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Backstage Update on Emma’s WWE Return

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Emma is expected to be cleared to return to action in June.

As previously noted, Emma suffered a shoulder injury at a WWE Live Event on May 7th in Liverpool, England while she was teaming with Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax to take on the team of Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Mickie James. Emma took a bad landing on her right shoulder after a double knee drop from Sasha on the turnbuckle. The match was stopped early as a result to the injury.

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Lita Returning to WWE?

As previously noted, Jim Ross will be one of the announcers for the upcoming women’s tournament that will be taped on July 13 and 14th. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Lita is being considered to join J.R. on the commentating booth.

While the show is being taped in July, there is no official announcement yet on when WWE plans to air the shows on the WWE Network. We will keep you updated.

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Reason for the High Amount of Multi-Person Matches on WWE Programming

As seen on WWE programming lately, WWE has been doing a lot of multi-person matches. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that “booking is slow” and that’s the reason the viewers are being stuck with these types of matches.

While WWE has things planned out for the upcoming SummerSlam pay-per-view event, the company doesn’t have many creative ideas for storylines until then. These multi-person matches are essentially being done as a way to fill up time.

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Jinder Mahal to Have a Lengthy Run as WWE Champion

As seen at Sunday’s WWE Backlash event, Jinder Mahal defeated Randy Orton to capture the WWE Title for the first time ever. Going into the event, the plan has always for Mahal to defeat Orton for the title, however the original idea pitched was for him to drop the title the following week on SmackDown Live after Backlash. Obviously, plans changed and the company has other plans in place for Mahal’s championship run.

We noted earlier this week that the Mahal is inline for a Lengthy run with the title. Bryan Alvarez speculated on today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Live that Mahal could very well hold onto the title until September. That is when WWE heads overseas to tour India. The whole idea on putting the title on Mahal was to create a Superstar to cater to the fans in India.

Alvarez also indicated that there is a possibility that if things go well in the India market, Mahal could even hold onto the title as late as WrestleMania 34 next year.

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Future Plans Revealed for Sasha Banks

Coming out of Monday’s episode of RAW, Dave Meltzer mentioned on Wrestling Observer Radio that the company is setting up a mix tag match that feature Alicia Fox and Noam Dar vs. Sasha Banks and a male partner.

Meltzer indicated that Banks’ partner will probably be Cedric Alexander, as Alexander has history with Noam Dar and Alicia Fox prior to his injury. With Alexander scheduled to return from injury on this week’s episode of 205 Live, it’s very possible that they set up the match as early as tonight.

In regards to the RAW Women’s Championship, Banks isn’t expected to be put back in the title picture anytime soon. Right now they are doing a program between Alexa Bliss and Bayley.

Featured NEWS Other ROH TNA WWE

What’s Next for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles?

As seen at Sunday’s WWE Backlash event, The Fashion Police faced The Usos in a losing effort for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship Titles. This match saw a lot of comedy and overall got a lot of negative and positive feedback from fans on social media.

Dave Meltzer discussed this match on today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Radio. Meltzer indicated that The Fashion Police are just a comedy act and shouldn’t be taken seriously. Meltzer also added that the only reason they received a shot at the tag team titles is because the company is trying to buy some time for the next challengers, The New Day.

WWE has been keeping The New Day off television while Kofi Kingston recovers from his injury. PWInsider reported earlier today that they are expected to return to SmackDown this coming Tuesday to promote a WWE Network special. It is unknown if they will actually be returning full-time on this show, or if it is just for a one-time appearance until they are ready to return.

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Reason Summer Rae Hasn’t Returned to WWE Television Yet

Summer Rae has been out of action since August after suffering an injury and is finally ready to return to action.

Dave Meltzer reported on today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Radio that Summer is ready to return and was backstage at television last week. It’s being said that the reason she hasn’t returned on television is because the company needs to find a spot to place her.

The feeling is right now that both RAW and SmackDown have enough active females so they need to find a place to write her in on television. It’s unknown which brand she will end up on. We will keep you updated.

Featured NEWS ROH TNA WWE

Possible Announcer for the Upcoming WWE Women’s Tournament

Dave Meltzer indicated in the latest installment of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Jim Ross may be one of the play-by-play announcers for the upcoming Women’s Tournament that will be taped on July 13th and July 14th at Full Sail University.

Ross is expected to work various WWE projects under his new deal with WWE and this could be one of them. Ross will also be calling the action on the new weekly WWE UK show that will also be on the WWE Network.

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Speculation on WWE Cutting Back 205 Live

WWE send out an email that mentioned Talking Smack would be starting at 10:30 PM. Historically the show has been kicking off right before 11PM because of 205 Live.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that they were informed that there is nothing to this change and they just started listing it at 10:30PM because 205 Live has never been scheduled for one hour.

Dave Meltzer wrote, “WWE officials said that nothing is changing and they just listed 10:30 p.m. because 205 Live has never been scheduled for one hour and so 10:30 p.m. would be the time meaning a time slot prior to the 11 p.m. time slot.”