Some Wrestling News & Rumours 2019 Thread ***NO CHAT***

CastorTroy

At least Sami says it all on tv.

If Sasha does come back and they still insist on making her a face, that'll be a complete joke. I'm trying to remember has she been heel at all since moving up from NXT?

J. Marston

Any stories of her being pissy with fans?

I've seen that famous picture of her at an airport with a fan (that Big E made a pair of socks from!) but if I'm jetlagged and getting off a plane the last thing I want is fans in my face, so I can understand that to a point.

The White Wolf

Itssoeasy wrote: »

I will
Say that at least Alexa seems able to pretend things are okay and seems to be always nice to fans and that, and has said she isn’t the best wrestler and wasn’t sure she’d make it. Sasha is one of the only women wrestlers in WWE who I consistently see as fans having bad experiences with.

Alexa is a well oiled PR machine so playing nice isn't too much of a challenge for her. Plus what makes it easier for Bliss is that she's getting everything she wants from WWE right now, from presenting to starring on reality TV, so there's no reason for her to jeopardize that.

It's not hard to guess what motivates Banks on the other hand and she's getting none of that right now from WWE. There's no reason for her to play ball or play nice so why should she? Fair play to her for making a stand tbh.

Monokne

I've huge empathy for Banks, Harper, Neville...any of those who've fought to get out.

The way WWE treats talent is deplorable. If Banks wants out, she's held to her contract, as though her word should be her bond and that is that. Meanwhile, what happens if the roles are reversed and WWE wants her gone? They just get rid of her. You can rightly point to the fact that all of these talent signed these deals of their own free will and that is true, but up until very recently WWE was the only place for any of these people - especially women - to make a good living so they sign under whatever terms they are offered.

It's not as though WWE is not aware they are the bad guy here either - George Barrios was asked on a conference call last year whether the company would release people who wanted to go and said "We're not going to hold anyone against their will". Oh yeah? Neville wants to know where that year of his career went.

If you or I want to leave our jobs because we are unhappy in the role we are in, that's fair enough right? If a WWE wrestler wants to leave their job because they are unhappy in the role they are in, it's the same thing. It doesn't make them spoilt or a problem child.

For many of the performers in the industry today - Omega & Bryan come to mind, but so does Banks - this is a passion and an art as much as a means to make money. Banks passion is not being fulfilled. She's stuck in meaningless go nowhere programs, rarely gets to have long matches and between 2017, 18 & 19 has had a grand total of 3 singles matches on Pay Per View, only ever being included in the multi person matches or battle royals. She is way more talented than that and wants to go somewhere she feels she'll be given a fair shake. At the end of the day, she was always doomed to failure. Vince has one type he likes to push - blonde, fake t*ts (Charlotte, Lacey, Carmella, Peyton, hell they even tried with Dana Brooke at first) and she doesn't fit it. Anyone else he has to be dragged kicking and screaming into focusing on.

I hope she gets out, and Harper too. Life is too short to be unhappy 5 days a week.

sky88

while i feel that they should absolutely just let her leave if she wants as its just not right to keep unhappy people there. I can see why there trying everything to keep her as it be a huge get for AEW as she is probaley a bigger name than most of the company mainstream wise other than jericho but that doesnt change the fact just let her go hate to see anyone lose out on their career like neville did.

although i will say if she really wants to go just go on twitter and tell the world there forcing you to stay hell john oliver would jump all over this after his story

sirmanga

sky88 wrote: »

while i feel that they should absolutely just let her leave if she wants as its just not right to keep unhappy people there. I can see why there trying everything to keep her as it be a huge get for AEW as she is probaley a bigger name than most of the company mainstream wise other than jericho

Sasha Banks means absolutely nothing to people outside the wrestling bubble. She would not draw anyone new to AEW, especially seen as she would have to have a new name.

The only people who will be watching AEW are the people who are currently watching WWE. So they will be watching anyway, regardless of Sasha Banks.
WWE fans are the only wrestling fans left.

And why would you want Sasha Banks in your company if you were AEW? Someone who throws a strop because she has to drop a worthless tag belt. The woman should feel blessed that she got on the main card at Mania in the first place. Never have I seen such an overrated spoofer in all my time watching wrestling. And that includes Mr. Kennedy.

sky88

sirmanga wrote: »

Sasha Banks means absolutely nothing to people outside the wrestling bubble. She would not draw anyone new to AEW, especially seen as she would have to have a new name.

The only people who will be watching AEW are the people who are currently watching WWE. So they will be watching anyway, regardless of Sasha Banks.
WWE fans are the only wrestling fans left.

And why would you want Sasha Banks in your company if you were AEW? Someone who throws a strop because she has to drop a worthless tag belt. The woman should feel blessed that she got on the main card at Mania in the first place. Never have I seen such an overrated spoofer in all my time watching wrestling. And that includes Mr. Kennedy.

i really think your underestimating what sasha and the other 4 horsewoman mean to a lot of fans. I still think there is a causal fanbase obviously not huge.

I think the fanbase that watches just wwe would be attracted to AEW if she or others they know go. youd be suprised at how many total divas watchers who actually i know have actually taken an interest in wrestling.

J. Marston

sirmanga wrote: »

Sasha Banks means absolutely nothing to people outside the wrestling bubble. She would not draw anyone new to AEW, especially seen as she would have to have a new name.

The only people who will be watching AEW are the people who are currently watching WWE. So they will be watching anyway, regardless of Sasha Banks.
WWE fans are the only wrestling fans left.

And why would you want Sasha Banks in your company if you were AEW? Someone who throws a strop because she has to drop a worthless tag belt. The woman should feel blessed that she got on the main card at Mania in the first place. Never have I seen such an overrated spoofer in all my time watching wrestling. And that includes Mr. Kennedy.

Why wouldn't you? Poaching one of the 4HW from WWE would be a giant move for AEW. She's talented and has name value (even if you don't want to admit it). Look at their current women's roster, a who's who of "Who?" They have 12 women, 2 of them don't even have wiki pages.

After Jericho, Sasha would instantly be the most high profile name in the company.

hufpc8w3adnk65

J. Marston wrote: »

Why wouldn't you? Poaching one of the 4HW from WWE would be a giant move for AEW. She's talented and has name value (even if you don't want to admit it). Look at their current women's roster, a who's who of "Who?" They have 12 women, 2 of them don't even have wiki pages.

After Jericho, Sasha would instantly be the most high profile name in the company.

I think the previous point was ment to read as “she won’t be Sasha” tho. Sasha will die. She will have to go back to Mercedes or something

sirmanga

J. Marston wrote: »

Why wouldn't you? Poaching one of the 4HW from WWE would be a giant move for AEW. She's talented and has name value (even if you don't want to admit it). Look at their current women's roster, a who's who of "Who?" They have 12 women, 2 of them don't even have wiki pages.

After Jericho, Sasha would instantly be the most high profile name in the company.

Dustin is far more well known to casuals than Sasha.
And Sasha Banks wouldn't even be called Sasha Banks in AEW.
Nobody outside of us current fans know or care about the 4 Horsewomen. They've never even been an on air faction, so only the hard-core fans know about them anyway.
It wouldnt make a blind bit of difference in terms of attracting eyeballs.

And if you explain it to someone who doesn't know who the Horsewomen are, they will probably think AEW is getting the worst or second worst Horsewoman when they see what big stars Charlotte and Becky are, and it will just solidify in their minds that WWE is the big leagues.

ERG89

sirmanga wrote: »

Sasha Banks means absolutely nothing to people outside the wrestling bubble. She would not draw anyone new to AEW, especially seen as she would have to have a new name.

I think you could say that for nearly every wrestler in WWE now. I doubt anyone outside the "wrestling bubble" has a clue who Kofi Kingston or Seth Rollins are; Becky Lynch might be known for annoying Rousey on twitter but unless you did something outside wrestling like Batista, Lesnar or Rousey thee general public doesn't really care about wrestlers

sirmanga

ERG89 wrote: »

I think you could say that for nearly every wrestler in WWE now. I doubt anyone outside the "wrestling bubble" has a clue who Kofi Kingston or Seth Rollins are; Becky Lynch might be known for annoying Rousey on twitter but unless you did something outside wrestling like Batista, Lesnar or Rousey thee general public doesn't really care about wrestlers

What's more, Sasha is becoming increasingly less relevant to people inside the wrestling bubble. So what chance does she have of attracting an audience to a new promotion?

Sasha isn't in that boat alone. Braun and others have been devalued. But at least they're not throwing their toys out of the pram and going home in a huff.

WWE should just sack her. They washed their hands of Stone Cold when he "took his ball and went home."
But of course, Stone Cold was a real star, unlike Sasha, who is a huge star in her mind only.
WWE don't even care enough about Sasha to give her the respect of a release or a public burial. That certainly tells you a lot.

sky88

sirmanga wrote: »

Dustin is far more well known to casuals than Sasha.
And Sasha Banks wouldn't even be called Sasha Banks in AEW.
Nobody outside of us current fans know or care about the 4 Horsewomen. They've never even been an on air faction, so only the hard-core fans know about them anyway.
It wouldnt make a blind bit of difference in terms of attracting eyeballs.

And if you explain it to someone who doesn't know who the Horsewomen are, they will probably think AEW is getting the worst or second worst Horsewoman when they see what big stars Charlotte and Becky are, and it will just solidify in their minds that WWE is the big leagues.

Dustin wont be going as Goldust which hes known by casuals

sirmanga

sky88 wrote: »

Dustin wont be going as Goldust which hes known by casuals

Even as Dustin/ Dustin Rhodes/ Runnels he's instantly more recognisable than Sasha Banks or whatever her name would be in AEW.

Same with Cody. He's far more well known than Sasha.

The White Wolf

MrMac84 wrote: »

I think the previous point was ment to read as “she won’t be Sasha” tho. Sasha will die. She will have to go back to Mercedes or something

Throw her mug up in promotional material online and I don't think it matters what they call her. In a women's roster where it looks like Allie is the most well known to casuals outside of Japan, it's hard to argue Sasha wouldn't be a big get for them.

Whether they want her and the alleged baggage is another thing.

ERG89

https://twitter.com/StarrcastEvents/status/1121043681027534850?s=19


Not a bad name to get. No point wasting money on guys who will pull out if asked to.
Not getting to see Kobashi & Misawa in the UK was a real regret of mine

nazmoalex

Sasha drives me up the wall, not a fan since Nxt and maybe the 1st 6 months of her Wwe run.
I think she has one thing going for her and that's being related to Snoop Dogg, not that I have much of an interest in him either these days, but there certainly would be potential to work with him or off the back of that in AEW.
That's crossover potential right there, assuming Snoop would be willing to get involved again.
Personally I think the incident with Paige, no matter what people say about how Paige herself sees it, have left a sour feeling with both the fans and the WWE themselves.
Correct me if I am wrong here, but didn't Sasha burn a lot of bridges by reacting to the hate she received over that incident in an agresive manor?

J. Marston

nazmoalex wrote: »

Sasha drives me up the wall, not a fan since Nxt and maybe the 1st 6 months of her Wwe run.
I think she has one thing going for her and that's being related to Snoop Dogg, not that I have much of an interest in him either these days, but there certainly would be potential to work with him or off the back of that in AEW.
That's crossover potential right there, assuming Snoop would be willing to get involved again.
Personally I think the incident with Paige, no matter what people say about how Paige herself sees it, have left a sour feeling with both the fans and the WWE themselves.
Correct me if I am wrong here, but didn't Sasha burn a lot of bridges by reacting to the hate she received over that incident in an agresive manor?

Never read anything about that but I think she's entitled to tell random people to feck off over it.

The only person whose opinion holds weight on that incident should be Paige and she cleared her of any blame and said Sasha was inconsolable after it happened. Not sure what more people would want from her after a shítty situation like that.

ERG89

https://twitter.com/HeyHeyItsConrad/status/1121112358234021889?s=19

This is very clever. Bret likely doesn't give a f**k about this

Cherry_Cola

J. Marston wrote: »

Never read anything about that but I think she's entitled to tell random people to feck off over it.

The only person whose opinion holds weight on that incident should be Paige and she cleared her of any blame and said Sasha was inconsolable after it happened. Not sure what more people would want from her after a shy situation like that.

Out of the loop here, what happened?

J. Marston

Cherry_Cola wrote: »

Out of the loop here, what happened?

The incident that ended Paige's career at a house show. It was a Sasha dropkick in the back...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_I16f8yqBI

nazmoalex

I totally agree, Paige's opinion is the only one that should matter to Sasha or anyone else.
Sasha would be right to handle any hate however she sees fit.
I mentioned it because I think her supposed hate towards the fans seemed to, at least to me, start to come into focus more around then.

Itssoeasy

To be fair to Sasha in regards to the Paige injury from what Paige was told that it was going to happen at some point, and unfortunately it was Sasha it happened to. It could have happened to anyone.

ThePott

Yeah if that's all it took for Paige to get a career ending injury she probably she shouldn't have been in the ring to begin with.

Loughc

Is anyone else worried that the lack of information on Bryan’s injury is implying it’s a concussion and we might have seen the last of Bryan again in the ring?

sirmanga

Loughc wrote: »

Is anyone else worried that the lack of information on Bryan’s injury is implying it’s a concussion and we might have seen the last of Bryan again in the ring?

Thought the same.
He hasn't really changed the way he works, at least to a degree that would be warranted by his prior injuries, since his in ring comeback.

A few times in the Kofi match he was downright reckless with his own body, particularly his head. If he's injured and barred from competing again, he can't be whining about WWE and doctors this time. He should be working smarter.

The White Wolf

sirmanga wrote: »

Thought the same.
He hasn't really changed the way he works, at least to a degree that would be warranted by his prior injuries, since his in ring comeback.

A few times in the Kofi match he was downright reckless with his own body, particularly his head. If he's injured and barred from competing again, he can't be whining about WWE and doctors this time. He should be working smarter.

Ah he's definitely changed the way he works. Subtle things like when he's doing the running dropkicks in the corner; he used to let his shoulders take the fall but he's actually using his hands now to break the drop.

sky88

What kinda gives me hope is Brie seems to be just doing normal stuff on social media at the beach with Nikki and stuff and if it was concussion stuff she’d be with Bryan.

Yes it’s a stretch but just trying to look on the bright side as I’d hate anything to have happened him

Lord TSC

WWE have not only rejected Luke Harper's request for a release, but actually added months on to his contract.

Per WON:

Right now the WWE side of things regarding Luke Harper is that he is not going to be released and they’ve added six months to his contract because they’ve said that his contract term that was to end in November, has been added to because it was frozen due to his time off for wrist surgery. So their viewpoint is that he can’t leave until just before next year’s WrestleMania. From an outside perspective, this seems to be a way to dissuade people from going public and saying they’re unhappy. The flip side was Dustin Runnels, who has been out for months with double knee surgery, but because he never said a word, denied he was leaving when rumors came out, was given a release and was able to immediately walk into a good position with AEW .

Furious-Red

Lord TSC wrote: »

WWE have not only rejected Luke Harper's request for a release, but actually added months on to his contract.

Per WON:

Right now the WWE side of things regarding Luke Harper is that he is not going to be released and they’ve added six months to his contract because they’ve said that his contract term that was to end in November, has been added to because it was frozen due to his time off for wrist surgery. So their viewpoint is that he can’t leave until just before next year’s WrestleMania. From an outside perspective, this seems to be a way to dissuade people from going public and saying they’re unhappy. The flip side was Dustin Runnels, who has been out for months with double knee surgery, but because he never said a word, denied he was leaving when rumors came out, was given a release and was able to immediately walk into a good position with AEW .

Good oul petty WWE strikes again.

gerrybbadd

I hope they don't act the flute, and actually do something with Harper now. He's so good, and deserves better.

In other news, The Viking Raiders look like they are going to have ANOTHER name change, to The Viking Warriors.

Imagine, they were going to be called The Bezerkers. Vince seems to be reliving the past here this past week with Ravishing Robert Roode, Bezerkers, Warriors etc.

The Nal

gerrybbadd wrote: »

Imagine, they were going to be called The Bezerkers.

Were they?!

J. Marston

Harper is 40 too. Taking a year from his career at that age is costly.

gerrybbadd

The Nal wrote: »

Were they?!

They were!

Still a better name than the Viking Experience (Vince of course had to keep this, and now it's the name of their finisher).

The Nal

gerrybbadd wrote: »

They were!

Still a better name than the Viking Experience (Vince of course had to keep this, and now it's the name of their finisher).

So a character that was already a recycled Bruiser Brody again recycled into a tag team. Hes really running out of ideas.

Bring back Russo.

Frank O. Pinion

Lord TSC wrote: »

WWE have not only rejected Luke Harper's request for a release, but actually added months on to his contract.

Per WON:

Right now the WWE side of things regarding Luke Harper is that he is not going to be released and they’ve added six months to his contract because they’ve said that his contract term that was to end in November, has been added to because it was frozen due to his time off for wrist surgery. So their viewpoint is that he can’t leave until just before next year’s WrestleMania. From an outside perspective, this seems to be a way to dissuade people from going public and saying they’re unhappy. The flip side was Dustin Runnels, who has been out for months with double knee surgery, but because he never said a word, denied he was leaving when rumors came out, was given a release and was able to immediately walk into a good position with AEW .

But...independent...contractors?

Cherry_Cola

Frank O. Pinion wrote: »

But...independent...contractors?

They signed a contract with agreed terms, they have to abide by those terms and the WWE are under no obligation to grant release them ahead of the agreed date. It's pretty standard.

He might have had more luck if he didn't go public before things were signed and sealed.

DEFTLEFTHAND

Didn't Vince attempt to buy the Minnesota Vikings NFL team back in 1998?

Maybe the name is some sort of spoof on that failed venture.

Riddle101

Lord TSC wrote: »

WWE have not only rejected Luke Harper's request for a release, but actually added months on to his contract.

Per WON:

Right now the WWE side of things regarding Luke Harper is that he is not going to be released and they’ve added six months to his contract because they’ve said that his contract term that was to end in November, has been added to because it was frozen due to his time off for wrist surgery. So their viewpoint is that he can’t leave until just before next year’s WrestleMania. From an outside perspective, this seems to be a way to dissuade people from going public and saying they’re unhappy. The flip side was Dustin Runnels, who has been out for months with double knee surgery, but because he never said a word, denied he was leaving when rumors came out, was given a release and was able to immediately walk into a good position with AEW .

Sasha Banks might want to take note of this. Don't know when her contract might end, but I reckon WWE could do the same thing to Sasha after all these reports about her.

Agent Coulson

Vince really is petty as fcuk.

Monokne

Cherry_Cola wrote: »

They signed a contract with agreed terms, they have to abide by those terms and the WWE are under no obligation to grant release them ahead of the agreed date. It's pretty standard.

He might have had more luck if he didn't go public before things were signed and sealed.

I think they are playing with fire holding all these talent to ransom. If just one of them goes public noting their frustrations and absurdity of the contracts WWE gives its talent, it could bring about some really bad PR.

It's pro wrestling so they have been able to get away with whatever they want, but part of the problem with trying to establish themselves in the mainstream is they are no longer as insulated from criticism as they once were. The John Oliver piece showed that, as did the acceleration of the ratings decline and the decrease ins network numbers after the Saudi shows.

Explain to someone in the real world the nature of the contracts:

These people are referred to as independent contractors, no different to someone you'd get to paint your house, but they are told where to be, when to be there, that they can't work for anyone else, and they must do their job exactly as the promoter dictates to the letter. Meanwhile they have no benefits, no pension, no health cover & must cover their own road expenses & taxes.

And those contracts can be terminated at the whim of the promoter for no reason whatsoever, but if the talent decides they want out? The company believes they can freeze the contract and hold the performer to it literally until the day they die.

gerrybbadd

Apparently Dean Malenko has quit

https://amp.si.com/wrestling/2019/04/25/wwe-dean-malenko-simon-agent-departs?__twitter_impression=true

sky88

gerrybbadd wrote: »

Apparently Dean Malenko has quit

https://amp.si.com/wrestling/2019/04/25/wwe-dean-malenko-simon-agent-departs?__twitter_impression=true

always hard to see if the agents leaving is a big deal as you dont really hear much about them and how much good there doing as we dont know what matches they do generally

gerrybbadd

sky88 wrote: »

always hard to see if the agents leaving is a big deal as you dont really hear much about them and how much good there doing as we dont know what matches they do generally

There's always a queue of guys waiting to take up these posts anyhow.

But Malenko had a great mind for the business.

sky88

gerrybbadd wrote: »

There's always a queue of guys waiting to take up these posts anyhow.

But Malenko had a great mind for the business.

youd have to assume hed be great just because of who he is and being there for so long.

i wonder if with a lot of change its getting ready to filter into more of a hhh group of agents more than the old guard

weareallmarks

Holding them to ransom?? Not at all mate!

Holding the employee to the terms of their contract. This isnt tesco!

Monokne wrote: »

I think they are playing with fire holding all these talent to ransom. If just one of them goes public noting their frustrations and absurdity of the contracts WWE gives its talent, it could bring about some really bad PR.

It's pro wrestling so they have been able to get away with whatever they want, but part of the problem with trying to establish themselves in the mainstream is they are no longer as insulated from criticism as they once were. The John Oliver piece showed that, as did the acceleration of the ratings decline and the decrease ins network numbers after the Saudi shows.

Explain to someone in the real world the nature of the contracts:

These people are referred to as independent contractors, no different to someone you'd get to paint your house, but they are told where to be, when to be there, that they can't work for anyone else, and they must do their job exactly as the promoter dictates to the letter. Meanwhile they have no benefits, no pension, no health cover & must cover their own road expenses & taxes.

And those contracts can be terminated at the whim of the promoter for no reason whatsoever, but if the talent decides they want out? The company believes they can freeze the contract and hold the performer to it literally until the day they die.

raze_them_all_

weareallmarks wrote: »

Holding them to ransom?? Not at all mate!

Holding the employee to the terms of their contract. This isnt tesco!

Why can't wrestlers hold wwe to the terms of the contract then

gerrybbadd

weareallmarks wrote: »

Holding them to ransom?? Not at all mate!

Holding the employee to the terms of their contract. This isnt tesco!

But they aren't employees, by WWE's own admission - they are "independant contractors"

ERG89

It looks like The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix) will soon be exclusive to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in the United States. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio reports that he’s hearing a deal is nearly done to have the pair exclusive to the promotion within the U.S.

AAA and AEW are working on a deal that would have Fenix and Pentagon work for AAA in Mexico, and AEW in the United States exclusively. This explains why the Lucha Bros are finishing up their storylines and dropping titles in other promotions such as IMPACT Wrestling, MLW, CMLL, and more as of late.

Last night (Sun. April 28, 2019), they dropped the IMPACT Tag Team Titles to LAX at the Rebellion pay-per-view (PPV). They are also the AAA Tag Team Champions, and will defend the titles against The Young Bucks at Double Or Nothing on May 24.

This was inevitable

sky88

with the wrestlers being exclusive to AEW in the states will be intresting to see if they all go europe or japan to get some time in the ring. theres being any shows announced so far and even if the tv goes ahead in October its a long time to sit out nor wrestling for likes of omega, bucks, page, cody etc