Paige retiring?!
Paige apparently will be forced to retire from in ring competition, according to a report from PWInsider. She suffered what was initially thought to be a severe stinger injury due to concussion like symptoms during a match with Sasha Banks during a house show. Paige was kicked in the back by Sasha during the match and the match was stopped by the referee after she lost feeling in her extremities. According to NoDQ, it was unlikely that she would be medically cleared in time for the Rumble. Sadly, the injury was much worse than thought. The Anti Diva was told Monday that she was “done” and that she couldn’t be cleared. The injury was compared to that of Edge’s in its severity. The injury, in keeping in comparision to Edge’s, is likely spinal stenosis. Sheamus is also dealing with the condition as well. If true, this is an unfortunate turn of events for the embattled grappler after battling back to get back in the after her well publicized struggles.
This is the official roster thus far for WWE’s Mixed Match Challenge, which will be live streamed on Facebook beginning January 16 before 205 Live at 10:00 PM EST. The teams will wrestle for $100,000 that will go to charity:
SmackDown
* Big E. & Carmella
* Becky Lynch & Sami Zayn
* Rusev & Lana
* Jimmy Uso & Naomi
* Bobby Roode & Charlotte Flair
* Shinsuke Nakamura & Natalya
Raw
* Bayley & Elias
* Goldust & Alicia Fox
* The Miz & Asuka
* Braun Strowman & Alexa Bliss
* Apollo Crews & Nia Jax
* Finn Balor & Sasha Banks
This is the official card for the Royal Rumble. It will be in Philadelphia on January 28, 2018. It will air on pay per view and the WWE Network at 7 PM EST/6 PM CST:
WWE Universal Title Triple Threat Match: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Kane vs. Braun Strowman
WWE Title Triple Threat Match: AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
WWE US Title Tournament Finals: Jinder Mahal or Xavier Woods vs. Bobby Roode or Mojo Rawley
WWE Raw Tag Team Title Match: Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan (c) vs. Cesaro & Sheamus
WWE Smackdown Tag Team Title 2-out-of-3-Falls Match: The Usos (c) vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin
WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match: Enzo Amore (c) vs. Cedric Alexander
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Participants: Elias, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, John Cena, Finn Balor, Baron Corbin, Matt Hardy, Samoa Joe, Bray Wyatt, Rusev, Aiden English, other wrestlers TBA
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Participants: Asuka, Naomi, Ruby Riott, Natalya, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Carmella, Tamina Snuka, Lana, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan, Nia Jax, Mickie James, Becky Lynch, Molly Holly, other wrestlers TBA.
Molly Holly Returns
Molly Holly will be competeing in this year’s Royal Rumble. According to a report from PWInsider, the former diva is returning to the ring after leaving the WWE in 2005 for the first female Royal Rumble. Other names are expected to be revealed as the event nears.
Samoa Joe out?
Samoa Joe is also not going to be able to compete due to a plantar fascia rupture in his foot he suffered during his match with Rhyno on this week’s episode of Raw. According to Wrestling Observer, Joe could need anywhere from two weeks to two months to recover.
The Undertaker rises?
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, The Undertaker and John Cena are slated to square off at WrestleMania 34. The two are scheduled to appear on the Raw 25th Anniversary show, which should begin the build for the match. Mean Gene Okerlund is slated to also appear on Raw as well, according to PWInsider.
David Ortunga officially cleared
David Ortunga has been officially cleared of domestic abuse charges. According to TMZ, the police investigation revealed that the speculation behind he and his wife, Jennifer Hudson, indeed confirmed that the split was due to Jennifer being discovered having an affair. The restraining order and domestic violence claims were a result of things getting further heated between the two. David was awarded temporary custody of their son due to her work schedule and the two are working on a formal parenting agreement.
Bubba Ray coming to Raw’s Anniversary!?
Bubba Ray Dudley’s currently under contract with Ring of Honor but he will be appearing on the Raw 25th Anniversary Show that will air January 22. according to PWInsider.
A love story’s new chapter…
Maria & Mike Kanellis announced the gender of their child on a video blog on WWE.com. The power couple is expecting a baby girl. This is positive news for Maria in light of her being one of the latest subjects of the rash of nude leaks.
Where’s Kairi?
Kairi Sane hasn’t been seen since November’s NXT Takeover: WarGames. According to Dave Meltzer, the reason is she’s recovering from injury. She was slated to be getting a push for NXT’s Women’s Title but due to her unspecified injury, she was put on the shelf. She’s expected to be challenging for the title upon her return.
Ronda Rousey debut update
Ronda Rousey and Triple H recently made news and further buzz about her speculated venture into the WWE. The two had dinner and The Game stated that things are still being worked out. Ronda does have some projects that she’s attached to but it’s feasible that she could be at the Royal Rumble in some capacity.
Filling the gaps: Why WWE Network is missing content
A recent Q&A session with Mike Johnson fielded a question regarding the absence of content available on WWE Network, namely Mid South Wrestling. The answer was that the WWE just doesn’t have all the episodes. Territorial wrestling was taped but it was common practice for TV stations to reuse tapes, which limited archival efforts. The WWE is actively trying to acquire the material from private collectors.
WWE signs Gabe Sapolsky
According to a report from PWinsider, The WWE has signed Evolve’s Wrestling’s promoter and writer, Gabe Sapolsky, as a consultant. He has been working closely with Triple H with NXT and is expected to be focused there. Gabe is currently the vice-president of talent relations, creative and marketing of the World Wrestling Network (WWN) and has also previously worked as the assistant of Paul Heyman when ECW in its time before being acquired by WWE.
