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AEW Rampage Reviews – January 20, 2023

January 21, 2023 • Admin

Rampage Date: January 20, 2023 Location: Save Mart Center, Fresno, California Commentators: Jim Ross, Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Chris Jericho We’re still in California and this week’s Dynamite is going to be a bit tough to follow. There is a good chance that we are going to get some solid matches though, as tends to be the case around here. Rampage can be rather fun when it comes to focusing on some of the lower level stuff and that might be what happens again this week. Let’s get to it. Opening sequence. Jungle Boy vs. Ethan Page Isaiah Kassidy, Stokely Hathaway and Matt Hardy are here with Page. Chris Jericho rants about the fans singing along with Jungle Boy’s theme song as Page tries an Ego’s Edge out of the corner to start. That’s broken up and Page is sent to the floor, where he pulls Kassidy in the way of a dive. Back in and Page catches Jungle Boy on top but a dropkick puts him right back down. Hold on though as Hathaway interferes but blames Hardy, allowing Page to whip J..

The Idea: More On WWE’s Plan To Split Up Usos’ Tag Team Titles

January 21, 2023 • Admin

There is a logic there. Titles mean quite a bit in wrestling as they can be quite the status symbol. Holding a title means a lot and can go a long way to elevate a wrestler. Every so often you see a wrestler holding more than once title at a time. That is taking place in WWE today, but now we might be seeing someone lose at least half of their gold, but with a good reason. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WATCH: WWE Airs Awesome History Of Monday Night Raw Package According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE is planning to split the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles, with the Usos losing one set of titles soon. WWE has announced upcoming title matches for either the Raw or SmackDown Tag Team Titles rather than both sets. The idea is to have the Usos lose one set of titles and keep the other, which will make future title matches more dramatic as they could lose again. WWE reportedly discussed the concept earlier this month. The Usos have been on an all time reign. Check out some of their t..

WATCH: WWE Airs Awesome History Of Monday Night Raw Package

January 21, 2023 • Admin

They do history well. WWE has been around for a long time and has been the dominant wrestling promotion in the United States for the last twenty plus years. The company has not faced serious competition in a long time and a lot of that has been due to its flagship television show, Monday Night Raw. That show is about to celebrate a special anniversary and WWE is going down Memory Lane. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Another Way: WWE Plans Different Kind Of Royal Rumble Surprises Next week, Monday Night Raw is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary with a special show. The event will include a variety of legends, a steel cage match and a pair of title matches. This week on SmackDown, WWE aired a video looking back at some of the greatest Monday Night Raw moments in history. The video included moments from throughout the show’s history, which were not shown in chronological order. It’s a rather cool video. Check out the Monday Night Raw tribute and some other classic show moments: [This post ..

Another Way: WWE Plans Different Kind Of Royal Rumble Surprises

January 21, 2023 • Admin

They have a plan. We are a week away from the Royal Rumble and WWE is going to need to do something special for the show. The Royal Rumble is a show with a lot of built in advantages as the show’s namesake matches allow for multiple surprises. Planning those out can be difficult but WWE has already started, albeit in a way that you might not be expecting. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Not So Rowdy? Update On Ronda Rousey’s WWE Status According to Fightful Select, while WWE is planning surprises for the Royal Rumble, the company is leaning towards “non-traditional surprises”. It is not entirely clear what that means, but WWE has been going against the idea of having veterans come in for a spot in the Royal Rumble matches. As of Friday night, 15/30 men and 6/30 women have been announced for their respective matches. The Royal Rumble has had some great surprises. Check out some of the better ones: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to play] [This p..

Not So Rowdy? Update On Ronda Rousey’s WWE Status

January 21, 2023 • Admin

Not that one. The Royal Rumble is a complicated show as there are so many people taken up by the show’s namesake matches. That does not leave much room for wrestlers to not be around, though it can made a bit easier if the roster is deep enough coming into the show. It seems to be the case this year, as one prominent WWE star is no longer expected to appear at the event. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: REVIEW: Raw 25: The Previous Biggest Reunion Ever According to Fightful Select, Ronda Rousey is no longer expected to appear at the Royal Rumble. Rousey was originally scheduled to have a singles match on the show but the plans have since changed. There is no word on any reason for the change, though Rousey was also scheduled to appear at Raw 30 before the plans were changed as well. Rousey last wrestled on the December 30, 2022 SmackDown, losing the SmackDown Women’s Title to Charlotte. Leave the memories alone? Check out some of Rousey’s time in WWE: [This post contains video, click to play..

SmackDown Results – January 20, 2023

January 21, 2023 • Admin

Smackdown Date: January 20, 2023 Location: Little Caesar’s Arena, Detroit, Michigan Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett We’re just over a week away from the Royal Rumble and that could make for an interesting build to the show. Most of the card is set and that means it is time for a Bloodline show. Sami Zayn is having some issues with the rest of the team and that could be very interesting. Other than that, we start the #1 contenders tag team tournament. Let’s get to it. We open with a recap of Sami Zayn going after Kevin Owens last week but getting some seemingly unwanted help from the rest of the Bloodline. The Bloodline arrives and Roman Reigns doesn’t seem thrilled with Sami Zayn. We get brackets for the Tag Team Title #1 Contenders Tournament: Drew McIntyre/Sheamus Viking Raiders Los Lotharios Hit Row Brawling Brutes Imperium Maximum Male Models Legado del Fantasma Tag Team Titles #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Drew McIntyre/Sheamus vs. Viking Raiders Valhalla..

REVIEW: Raw 25: The Previous Biggest Reunion Ever

January 21, 2023 • Admin

Welcome to KB’s Old School (and New School) Reviews. I’ve been reviewing wrestling shows for over ten years now and have reviewed over 5,000 shows. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I’ll be posting a new review here on Wrestlingrumors.net, starting today. It could be anything from modern WWE to old school to indies to anything in between. Note that I rate using letters instead of stars and I don’t rate matches under three minutes as really, how good or bad can something that short be? Monday Night Raw 25th Anniversary Date: January 22, 2018 Location: Manhattan Center, New York City, New York/Barclays Center, New York City, New York Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Booker T., Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler Now this is a big night with the show having been build up for several months and a slew of guest stars booked for the night. The show is also being run from two arenas, including the location of the first ever episode. I’m more excited for this than I am for Sunday’s Royal Rumbl..

WATCH: Another Tag Team Splits On AEW Rampage

January 21, 2023 • Admin

And they’re done. Tag teams have been a major part of AEW’s history since the promotion was founded and continue to be to this day. AEW pushes tag teams like few other promotions today and it allows multiple wrestlers to appear on television in prominent roles. It can also lead to something when the teams split, and now another one has done just that this week. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: It’s Not The Same: Thunder Rosa Announces AEW Return, But Not To The Ring Another AEW tag team split this week on Rampage. Eddie Kingston and Ortiz had a face to face meeting in the ring, with Ortiz asking Kingston about his recent behavior. Ortiz went on to ask what their mentors would have said about Kingston, resulting in Kingston hitting him with a chair. This was presented as the House Of Black attempting to split the team apart and succeeding. It was a nasty situation. Check out the showdown, plus the two on their own: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click to..

It’s Not The Same: Thunder Rosa Announces AEW Return, But Not To The Ring

January 21, 2023 • Admin

Well, kind of. Injuries are a terrible thing to see in wrestling as you never want a wrestler to be on the shelf for any length of time. You never know how long someone could be out of action as there are certain injuries that just take more time to heal. Unfortunately that is the case with a prominent AEW star, but now we have a bit of an update on her return. It just might not be the kind people have been waiting to see. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: If You Smell? Update On The Rock’s WrestleMania 39 Status Former AEW Women’s Champion Thunder Rosa appeared on Busted Open Radio and revealed that she will be back on the road with AEW soon, albeit not back in the ring. Rosa said that she would be showing her face and being around. There is no word on when she will be back in the ring following her back injury. Rosa has not wrestled a match since August 10, 2022. Rosa is an amazing star. Check out what she can do in the ring: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains v..

Finn Balor Discusses His Conversation With Vince McMahon About Heel Turn

January 21, 2023 • Admin

Finn Balor was recently interviewed by BT Sport, where he discussed his conversation with Vince McMahon about joining the Judgement Day and turning heel. This was also the evening that Edge was kicked out of the group. [This post contains video, click to play] Below are Balor’s comments: “I’ve actually never watched this back at all. This was such a weird night because I remember it was like 7:55 PM, and we’re going live at eight o’clock. I knock on Vince McMahon’s office, and I go there, and I say, ‘Sir, have you got a minute?’ He looks up from his papers, and he goes, ‘Is it about tonight?’ I said, ‘Yeah, it’s about tonight. It’s about the heel turn.’ He goes, ‘Oh, come in.’ Balor continued, “I just wanted some direction as to, ‘Hey, am I going out there in the suit? In The Judgment Day colors, or am I going out as Finn? Am I going out to music? What way are we doing it?’ He said, ‘Oh, you just go out as Finn and then do the segment.’ I said, ‘Well, oh, okay. That’s cool’. “The..

If You Smell? Update On The Rock’s WrestleMania 39 Status

January 21, 2023 • Admin

Not this time? We are rapidly approaching WrestleMania 39 and there are several questions about where things are going. One of the biggest questions is about the main event, which has been rumored as the Rock facing Roman Reigns for several months now. The story would make sense, but it all hinges on the Rock being available. Now we might have a better idea on the match’s status. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WATCH: The Firefly Fun House Returns On SmackDown A source has told the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the Rock does not feel he has enough time to get into ring shape for a main event match. Unless things change in the next few days, Rock will not be taking part in the match, though there is always the chance that he could change his mind. There is also the chance that the entire situation is a way to cover the fact that Rock has agreed to the match. Rock being back would be a big deal. Check out what it is like to have him around: [This post contains video, click to play] [Th..

WATCH: The Firefly Fun House Returns On SmackDown

January 21, 2023 • Admin

The trip continues. Back at Extreme Rules 2022, Bray Wyatt made his return to WWE, revealing himself to be the White Rabbit after weeks of speculation. Once Wyatt was back though, the question became what is he supposed to do now. That is the tricky part, as Wyatt is one of the most complicated stars in all of WWE. A few months have passed and we might have a better idea, but now things have taken another twist. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Glow On? Details On Naomi’s Current WWE Status, Possible Future Last week on SmackDown, Wyatt said that he was the Eater of Worlds, referring back to his original persona. This week, Wyatt returned in the Firefly Fun House, complete with all of his puppet characters. This was the first Fun House since 2021 and there is no word on if there will be more of them going forward. Wyatt will wrestle his first televised match since his return at the Royal Rumble when he faces LA Knight in a Pitch Black match. It was always a weird trip. Check out the Fun House..

Impact Wrestling Results – January 19, 2023

January 21, 2023 • Admin

Impact Wrestling Date: January 19, 2023 Location: Center Stage, Atlanta, Georgia Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt We are done with Hard To Kill and that means it is time to go through the fallout period. The big story coming out of the show was Mickie James ending her Last Rodeo by defeating Jordynne Grace to become the new Knockouts Champion. Other than that, Josh Alexander is still the World Champion, having defeated Bully Ray in Full Metal Mayhem. Let’s get to it. In Memory Of Jay Briscoe, with Tom Hannifan giving a brief voiceover about thoughts and prayers being with the Briscoe family. Long Hard To Kill recap. Here is Mickie James to get things going. The Last Rodeo may be over but Hardcore Country lives forever…and Bully Ray interrupts. Ray tells her to get out but James tells HIM to get out. Ray: “You were not in the main event of Hard To Kill.” Fans: “YES SHE WAS!” Ray insists that HE was the main event, not he and Josh Alexander. The reality is that no one car..

He’s Good: Police Perform Wellness Check On Kevin Nash After Allusions To Suicide

January 20, 2023 • Admin

That could have been horrible. There are all kinds of people in the wrestling industry but at the same time they all have to deal with the same kind of things that non-wrestling people do as well. Some of those things can be terrible and incredibly difficult to face, including all kinds of tragedies. That is the case with one wrestling legend and some of his comments scared his fans so much that police got involved. Earlier this week on his Kliq This podcast, Kevin Nash spoke about his son passing away twelve weeks ago. This included Nash talking about how “time flies when you got a gun in your mouth” and how he can do “whatever the f*** I wanna do. Long as I leave a note.” According to TMZ, this caused the Volusia County Sheriff’s office to do a wellness check on Nash. The office said that Nash seemed to be ok. Nash mentioned the situation on Twitter, saying that he was being sarcastic and using it as a coping mechanism. He also thanked fans for their worries. Nash had a heck of a c..

WATCH: Wrestling Legend Makes Surprise Appearance To Help Fellow Boss

January 20, 2023 • Admin

There’s your cameo. There have been all kinds of wrestlers throughout history and some of them are names who do not make the biggest impact. Some of them make a short term impact and become a bit more infamous than famous, but they are not around all that long. Now one of the more memorable stars from WCW made an appearance in a spot you might not have expected him. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: It’s About That Time: Wrestling Legend Says He Does Not Have Much Time Left In The Ring Ernest “The Cat” Miller made a surprise appearance this week on Impact Wrestling, helping new Director Of Authority Santino Marella set up a six person tag match for later in the night. There is no word on if Miller will be appearing again for Impact Wrestling. Miller was a former WCW Commissioner during WCW’s final years before eventually wrestling and commentating for WWE. After a nearly ten year hiatus, Miller returned to the ring in 2015 and still wrestles occasionally. Miller certainly had some interesting ..

It’s About That Time: Wrestling Legend Says He Does Not Have Much Time Left In The Ring

January 20, 2023 • Admin

You have to hang it up sometime. There are all kinds of wrestlers throughout the industry but one thing they have in common is they all have to stop wrestling at some point. While it seems that some wrestlers will go on forever, at some point they are going to have to hang up their boots someday. A former WWE star seems to realize that and is announcing that his time in wrestling is almost over. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Maybe Later: AEW Star Removed From Roster Page, Seemingly Done With Wrestling For Now According to Puroresu Today, during a press conference for an upcoming Kyushu Pro Wrestling event in Japan, former WWE and ECW star Tajiri said that he knows he does not have much time left in his career. Tajiri, 52 and the reigning Kyushu Pro Champion, said that at his age, he still wants to be the champion and have hot matches, but he also want to nurture the next generation. There was no word on how much time Tajiri feels he has left in the ring or what else he wants to accomplish i..

Maybe Later: AEW Star Removed From Roster Page, Seemingly Done With Wrestling For Now

January 20, 2023 • Admin

Some people don’t stick around. AEW has built a large roster of wrestlers over its history with a variety of talent from around the world. As a result, the company is able to showcase different kinds of wrestling with stars of differing levels of experience. There are several names who are still gaining experience, but now one of them is officially gone from the company. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Glow On? Details On Naomi’s Current WWE Status, Possible Future According to Fightful Select, AQA has officially been removed from the AEW roster page as her contract with the company has expired. This comes after AQA announced in July 2022 that she was stepping away from wrestling. There is nothing to suggest any hard feelings between AQA and AEW. AQA only wrestled seven matches for AEW, as well as a handful of matches for NXT under the name Zayda Ramier. There isn’t much to remember of her. Check out some of AQA’s time in wrestling: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post con..

Glow On? Details On Naomi’s Current WWE Status, Possible Future

January 20, 2023 • Admin

Working on it? Eight months ago, Naomi and Sasha Banks walked out on WWE, resulting in the Women’s Tag Team Titles being vacated. While Banks has moved on to New Japan Pro Wrestling under the name Mercedes Mone, Naomi has yet to make an appearance in wrestling. Now we know some more details about Naomi’s current WWE status and how things were going before she left. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: They’re In: WWE Signs Two More Former College Athletes Fightful Select has more details on Naomi’s WWE departure and current status. Naomi is reportedly still in contact with WWE and according to one “higher-up” in the company, it is expected that she will return to the company at some point. When Naomi originally left, her contract with WWE was set to expire, with both sides being interested in a new deal. Naomi is said to have been likely to sign the biggest money contract of her career. Naomi was a star while she was around. Check out some of her time in WWE: [This post contains video, click to ..

They’re In: WWE Signs Two More Former College Athletes

January 20, 2023 • Admin

The roster grows. WWE has a roster with enough talent to fill up three weekly television shows, but those wrestlers have to be kept moving. At some point the roster is going to get a bit stale and needs some fresh blood, which is why WWE also brings in fresh talent every so often. Now they are doing that again, this time from other sports outside of professional wrestling. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Vince McMahon Agrees To Multi-Million Dollar Settlement, Ends 30+ Year Rape Allegation Ordeal PWInsider.com is reporting that WWE has signed two new stars to NXT. First is Alexis Gray, who was a track and field star at Texas Southern University, where she earned a degree in biology. Second is Ezekiel Balogun, a 6’6 former basketball player from the University of North Florida. There is no word on when either of them will officially start training at the Performance Center. The two of them will have good training facilities. Check out the Performance Center: [This post contains video, click ..

Backstage News On Cody Rhodes’ Announcement for the Royal Rumble

January 20, 2023 • Admin

That makes sense. One of the big stories coming out of Raw this week was the announcement that Cody Rhodes will be making his official return to WWE at the Royal Rumble. While some have thought that he should have been a surprise entrant, some insight has been given as to why this was not the case. According to a tweet from WrestleVotes: Asked a source the reasoning behind Cody’s Rumble return being announced as opposed to a surprise… Source said it’s twofold, one being that nearly everyone expected it to happen already & two, source states they are “more than pleased” w/ the other surprises that are lined up. Asked a source the reasoning behind Cody’s Rumble return being announced as opposed to a surprise… Source said it’s twofold, one being that nearly everyone expected it to happen already & two, source states they are “more than pleased” w/ the other surprises that are lined up. — WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) January 19, 2023 Rhodes has been out of action since Hell in a Ce..