Shawn Michaels Working NXT Live Events This Weekend

Shawn Michaels indicated on Twitter that he will be working the NXT Live Events this weekend in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

PWInsider reports that Michaels will be working as a producer at these events. While Michaels has been helping out at the performance center, this will be his first time on the road with the yellow brand.

Possible Intercontinental Title Plans for SummerSlam

WWE announced that Jason Jordan will appear on the MizTV segment on next week’s episode of RAW. Dave Meltzer indicated on the recent installment of Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE most-likely booked this angle to setup a possible feud between The Miz and Jordan for next month’s SummerSlam event for an Intercontinental Title match.

There was speculation that Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose would be challenging The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship on the card, but those plans appear to be nixed.

We will keep you updated if we hear anything new regarding the Intercontinental Title being defended at SummerSlam.

Internal Concern Within WWE Over Recent Cutbacks

WWE is expected to announce their earning reports this Thursday and there is some internal concern within the company regarding those reports.

Bryan Alvarez discussed the earning reports on today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Live and mentioned that he heard that employees within the company are worried, especially with the recent cutbacks. With the decision to cut pyros from weekly programming and cutting shows with low viewership from the network, has many concerned.

Speaking of pyros, Alvarez mentioned that the company spent millions of dollars on the WrestleMania 33 set, which attributed to the company cutting the pyros. The decision to drop pyros for the time being was a cost cutting measure and Alvarez indicated that there is a chance that WWE may bring the pyros back in the future.

WWE Personality Now Working for Both RAW & SmackDown

Renee Young is now working as a correspondent with Charly Caruso now that Talking Smack has been nixed as a weekly WWE Network series. Renee also revealed in an Instagram post that she will be working both RAW and SmackDown moving forward.

She wrote, Dream team back in the (RAW) hiiiizouse!!! @charlycarusowwe ❤️❤️❤️ (and yes, I’ll still be on Smackdown ?)”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW85uS6FHwx/

Nikki Bella Fuels SummerSlam Return Rumors

It was reported via PWInsider that there has been internal talk within WWE about bringing back Nikki Bella for this year’s SummerSlam event.

Nikki Bella played up to these rumors in a new video posted to the Bella Twins YouTube channel. Nikki teased the possibility of a SummerSlam appearance after she asked why they weren’t in the Fatal 5-Way match at Sunday’s WWE BattleGround event. Brie then mentioned that there are rumors that Nikki may be at SummerSlam, with Nikki saying that there may be a surprise.

You can check out her remarks at the 1 minute mark in the video embedded below:

Title Match Set for Next Week’s SmackDown Live

As seen on tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live, AJ Styles pinned Chris Jericho in a Fatal 3-Way for US Championship to capture the title. Kevin Owens announced after the match that he wants his rematch for the Title on next week’s show.

Also confirmed for next week’s show is John Cena facing Nakamura for a shot at the WWE Championship against Jinder Mahal at SummerSlam.

The Rock Says He’s Proud of Nia Jax

It is no secret that WWE Superstar Nia Jax and The Rock are cousins. The Rock has shown his support to his cousin a number of times before.

Here’s a relatively older video of The Rock putting over Nia Jax:

The Rock has stated that Jax has the potential to be the most dominant female athlete in the history of the WWE. Here’s something The Rock wrote along with the video given above in an Instagram post from December last year:

“She ain’t like most girls. Me and my cuz @niajaxwwe (Lina) layin’ down our post workout ?. Really proud of the hard work she’s putting in 24/7 to become a real asset and draw for the WWE and their Women’s Division which has some of the best female athletes on the planet. Luv spending hours with her chopping it up because she’s so coachable & enthusiastic to learn the wrestling business inside and out from me. But what I’m most proud of about Lina’s journey is she represents millions of young girls around the world who don’t fit the “traditional mould” of what girls in the entertainment industry look like. She’s an inspiring example that regardless of your look, height, weight, race, the most powerful thing you can always be is yourself. Because you’re perfect. Just keep putting in that hard work and being humble and hungry. We’re all rooting for ya. #IronParadise #NiaJax#FutureWWEWomensChamp #WhyBeLikeMostGirls #WhenYouCanBeYourself ??”

Once again, the Great One has taken to Twitter to praise his cousin and her progress in the company.

Jax posted this tweet after last night’s episode of Monday Night RAW:

To this, The Rock replied:

What do you think about this great altercation? Sound off below in the comments!

Jinder Mahal Possibly Not Defending the WWE Title at SummerSlam

As seen at Sunday’s WWE Battleground event, The Great Khali returned to the company and helped assist Jinder Mahal retain his WWE Championship Title against Randy Orton in a Punjabi Prison match.

Bryan Alvarez mentioned on today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Live that the company could be moving towards a tag match between The Great Khali and Randy Orton at this year’s SummerSlam. It was noted earlier today that Khali was brought back to the company to help get Jinder over. If a tag match at SummerSlam is the plan, that would mean that Jinder would be teaming with Khali at the event. This would also mean that the WWE Championship title will not be defended on the card.

We should have a clearer understand after Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown Live in the direction the company is going. The original plan was for Mahal to defend the WWE Championship against John Cena but those plans could now be off the table.

New Match Added to WWE SummerSlam

Bayley defeated Sasha Banks to earn a shot at the RAW Women’s Championship against Alexa Bliss at the upcoming WWE SummerSlam event.Here is the updated card:

WWE Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman vs. Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns

RAW Women’s Championship
Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley

SmackDown Women’s Championship
Naomi vs. Natalya

WWE SummerSlam will take place on August 20, 2017, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. As always, we will have live coverage of the event.

Jinder Mahal Teases Match Against John Cena

After his victory against Randy Orton at Sunday’s WWE Battleground event, WWE Champion Jinder Mahal spoke with Indian Express and teased a possible match against John Cena.

“I put the ‘vipers’ legacy to rest. I beat a fourteen time World Champion three times in a row. Whose legacy am I going to put to rest – maybe John Cena. He has a legacy of his own, I would like love nothing more than to use his legacy as a stepping stone and cement my own legacy.”

It’s been rumored for a while now that they may actually compete against each other over of the WWE Championship at this year’s SummerSlam. It should be known what direction they are going with the WWE Championship title at SummerSlam after this week’s SmackDown Live episode.