WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels has had his say on potential WWE return
Shawn Michaels, a true legend in the world of professional wrestling, has been the subject of recent discussions about a potential WWE return. The 57-year-old Hall of Famer has been retired from in-ring competition for over a decade, focusing his efforts on a backstage role with WWE’s developmental system, particularly in “NXT.” While there have been rumors of a potential return, Michaels put them to rest by choosing not to engage in an on-screen rivalry with Grayson Waller earlier this year. Instead, he entrusted the spotlight to Johnny Gargano as his stand-in during the “NXT” Stand & Deliver event at WrestleMania weekend. Shawn Michaels will not return to the WWE In a recent interview with Sportskeeda Wrestling, Michaels was asked about the possibility of making a surprise comeback to the squared circle. His response was resolute and emphatic: “No, I absolutely don’t think about that at all anymore.” Instead, Michaels finds immense joy and satisfaction in helping the next generation of wrestlers rise through the ranks in “NXT.” He passionately shared his commitment to nurturing and supporting young talents like Bron Breakker, Julius, Brutus Creed, Tiffany Stratton, and others, who he firmly believes will become huge superstars on the main roster in the near future: “This is about the generation of a Bron Breakker, Julius and Brutus Creed, Tiffany Stratton – we have a number of young men and women coming through ‘NXT’ who are going to be huge, huge superstars on the main roster. I don’t think anyone is going to be surprised if they see Bron Breakker and Carmelo Hayes headlining a WrestleMania someday in the very near future … that’s what I’m obviously focused on.” Michaels’ decision to focus on mentoring the new generation of wrestlers is not surprising, considering his illustrious career. The four-time WWE champion retired in 2010, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional matches and memorable moments. Transitioning to a coaching role in WWE’s developmental system in 2016, Michaels missed the opportunity to work with some of today’s top stars like Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch during their time in “NXT.” However, he did have the pleasure of working with Finn Balor during the latter’s second run in “NXT,” expressing great respect and admiration for the talented wrestler and his contributions to the brand.
WWE expected to sign former ROH World Champion?
The wrestling world is buzzing with anticipation as the expiration date of Luchador Rush’s AEW contract draws near. The talented Mexican luchador made his highly anticipated AEW debut in May 2022, signing a reported one-year deal. However, recent visa complications have temporarily kept him off the screens, leaving fans curious about his future in the world of professional wrestling. On June 10, 2023, Rush’s decision to cut ties with Lucha Libre AAA resulted in a public feud with Konnan, who slammed the AEW star and accused him of demanding a hefty price for his services. This move added even more intrigue to Rush’s already uncertain future, as fans and industry insiders eagerly speculate about his next move. WWE might struggle to match AEW’s offer to Rush According to Dave Meltzer’s insights in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Rush has become a hot topic of discussion within WWE due to the uncertainty surrounding his contract. AEW, on the other hand, has not been sitting idle and has made a very tempting offer to retain the services of this exceptional luchador. This puts WWE in a challenging position if they hope to bring him aboard. To even be considered as a contender, WWE would have to offer Rush “main roster money,” indicating the level of value AEW places on his skills and star power. The financial stakes at play are significant, with AEW’s offer to Rush being considerably larger than the current deals offered to talents in WWE’s NXT brand. In fact, the deal is so enticing that it rivals main roster earnings, highlighting just how much value AEW places on the exceptional skills and star power that Rush possesses. Despite the visa complications that have temporarily affected his appearances, Rush has managed to create a significant impact during his time with AEW. His debut was met with excitement and enthusiasm from both fans and fellow wrestlers, and his presence added a new dynamic to the promotion’s already star-studded roster. While the future remains uncertain, Rush’s departure from Mexican promotion Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide has undoubtedly sparked intrigue and speculation. His most recent match with AAA, where he competed alongside LA Park in the Guerra de Rivalidades finals against Psycho Clown and Sam Adonis, ended in a draw, leaving fans eager to witness more of his incredible in-ring abilities.
Matt Hardy says Rey Mysterio is the greatest Luchador of all time
Matt Hardy, the seasoned wrestling veteran, recently expressed his admiration for the iconic WWE Superstar, Rey Mysterio. Mysterio, known for his awe-inspiring high-flying moves and unmatched skills, has remained a fan-favorite throughout his illustrious career, even at the age of 48. For Matt Hardy, working alongside Rey Mysterio was nothing short of an honor, and he didn’t hold back in praising the luchador’s extraordinary contributions to the wrestling world. Mysterio’s impact and trailblazing achievements in the industry are unparalleled, evident by his historic win of the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 22. It was a groundbreaking moment that shattered barriers, and Mysterio’s popularity soared, rivalling even that of legendary stars like John Cena. Vince McMahon, known for favoring larger wrestlers in main event spots, recognized the magnitude of Mysterio’s star power and entrusted him with the top-level prize. Matt Hardy has some high praise for Luchador Rey Mysterio On his podcast, “The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy,” the AEW star lavished praise upon Mysterio, hailing him as the greatest luchador in the history of professional wrestling. “In my opinion, Rey Mysterio is the greatest luchador to ever do it,” Hardy said. “He broke so many barriers — so special. On top of being one of the most talented guys I’ve ever been blessed to step in the ring with, and wrestled so many times, both as opponents and his partners — he’s incredibly talented, but he’s also a phenomenal human being. One of the best guys I’ve ever met, and it’s been an honor to say that I got to work with him so much.” Matt Hardy fondly recalled one of his memorable encounters with Rey Mysterio during a June 2003 episode of “WWE SmackDown.” On that night, Mysterio captured the WWE Cruiserweight Championship from Hardy, capping off a gripping storyline that saw Hardy emerge victorious at WrestleMania 19 in their lead-up battles. The match on “WWE SmackDown” was the culmination of their captivating rivalry, a storyline that Matt Hardy cherishes to this day. For Hardy, working with Rey Mysterio was an exceptional experience both inside and outside the ring. Not only did he consider Mysterio as one of the most talented wrestlers he had the privilege of facing, but he also commended him as a phenomenal human being. The respect and admiration Hardy holds for Mysterio are evident in his words, describing him as one of the best guys he has ever met.
Hall of Famer Bully Ray picks out The Usos as best ever WWE tag-team
WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray is leaving no room for doubt when it comes to naming the greatest tag team in WWE history. He firmly believes that Jimmy and Jey Uso, the dynamic duo formerly known as The Bloodline, have carved out a historic legacy that surpasses all other teams in WWE’s rich history, even including the legendary Dudley Boyz. Speaking on “Busted Open Radio,” Bully Ray passionately argued his case for The Usos, highlighting the remarkable accomplishments that set them apart from the rest. When looking at the numbers and accolades, Bully firmly asserts that no other team can stake their claim to the top spot. He mentions iconic teams like The Hardys, New Day, and The Dudleys, comparing championship wins, memorable matches, and other criteria, but in his eyes, The Usos emerge victorious. Bully Ray praises The Usos again, calls them best ever tag-team in WWE A significant factor in Bully’s endorsement is The Usos’ involvement in an A-storyline that’s generating major revenue for WWE. The impact they have had in this storyline is pivotal, and Bully emphasizes that the Bloodline story wouldn’t be as successful without the twins’ contributions. Their ability to connect with the audience and deliver compelling performances have propelled them to the pinnacle of tag team success. The Usos’ exceptional achievements go beyond the traditional norms. They are the only traditional tag team to have main-evented a WrestleMania, an accomplishment that even iconic teams like The Road Warriors, The Hardys, Edge and Christian, and The Dudleys did not achieve. For Bully, this distinction is a testament to their unmatched skill and significance in the wrestling world. The admiration for The Usos doesn’t end there. Bully Ray underscores that their journey is far from over, and they continue to excel in the ring with no signs of slowing down. As the dominant force of Roman Reigns’ faction, The Bloodline, The Usos have been making waves in the main event scene. However, backstage discussions are already turning towards what comes next for the group. WWE management reportedly sees The Judgment Day as the successor to The Bloodline and believes that the time has come for the group to step up to that spot. But before that, the immediate future of The Bloodline has become more tumultuous. After The Usos broke away from the faction and Jey pinned Reigns at Money In The Bank, personal animosity has intensified. This has led to Jimmy being brutally beaten down and written off television. Though it has not been officially confirmed, it is expected that Jey Uso will challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title at SummerSlam.
Matt Riddle wanted to recruit Edge and Randy Orton for “RKBRO” faction
WWE star Matt Riddle has recently expressed his desire to be part of a faction featuring two iconic Superstars, Randy Orton and Edge. During a segment on “The Bump,” Riddle was asked if he had considered forming a faction to take on the challenge of Gunther and Imperium. In response, the former UFC star revealed that he would love to be part of a group and even mentioned the idea of forming a faction called Rated RK-Bro. In Riddle’s vision, this formidable faction would include Cody, Randy Orton (if he ever returns), and Edge. Matt Riddle wants to be involved in a faction with some top names The name “Rated RK-Bro” pays homage to the legendary tag team of Edge and Orton, who were known as Rated-RKO during their partnership between 2006 and 2011. The duo teased a reunion during the 2020 Royal Rumble when Edge made a stunning return to the men’s Royal Rumble match. Following their reunion, “The Rated-R Superstar” and “The Viper” engaged in a compelling and lengthy feud, resulting in three epic matches between them. During his appearance on “The Bump,” Riddle also shared his frustration at not having someone to rely on in the WWE ring. He emphasized that no matter the match, the odds always seem to be stacked against him, and he misses having a dependable partner. With Randy Orton temporarily absent and Drew McIntyre often engaged in other endeavors, Riddle feels a sense of isolation without a strong support system by his side. He candidly acknowledged the challenges of being an underdog without a dependable faction to rely on, particularly during Randy Orton’s temporary absence and Drew McIntyre’s involvement in other endeavors. He expressed a sense of longing for the camaraderie and support that thriving factions offer, acknowledging that they often have someone to lift them up during difficult times. For Matt Riddle, the idea of Rated RK-Bro is an exciting prospect that could potentially elevate his career and provide him with the backing of two legendary Superstars. While the future remains uncertain, fans can’t help but speculate on what the WWE landscape might look like with Rated RK-Bro as a dominant force.
Shayna Baszler reveals why WWE fans support her over Ronda Rousey
Since her shocking betrayal of Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler has experienced a remarkable turnaround in the eyes of the WWE Universe. The former allies, known for dominating the women’s division and capturing the Women’s Tag Team Championships, had a tumultuous falling out that has captured the attention of fans worldwide. Baszler’s transformation from Rousey’s ally to her fierce adversary has resonated with the audience. During a recent appearance on “WWE’s The Bump,” Baszler shed light on why fans have rallied behind her so fervently. Shayna Baszler explains beef with Rounda Rousey is real In essence, Baszler’s authenticity has struck a chord with the audience. Unlike in traditional wrestling storylines where fans determine who the “good guy” and “bad guy” are, Baszler’s raw and genuine emotions have allowed fans to naturally align with her: “One thing I’ve always said about wrestling fans – sports fans in general – is they can smell when you’re faking the funk, and all this is legit and real to me. I think they connect to stuff that’s real. And all this is legit and real to me. I think they connect to stuff that’s real.” She added: “You just cheer for who you like and it just happens to be me because the stuff I’m saying is real and the stuff I’m saying is the stuff fans have been saying ever since Ronda got signed.” Baszler’s authentic approach and the genuine emotions she has brought to the storyline have garnered her newfound support from fans, proving once again that in the world of professional wrestling, truth and realness often resonate the loudest. The animosity between Baszler and Rousey escalated when Baszler betrayed Rousey, leading to their loss of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship at Money In The Bank. Since then, Baszler hasn’t held back in criticizing Rousey’s lack of passion for professional wrestling and her seemingly privileged path to success, bypassing the dues that other wrestlers have paid. Despite being the aggressor in the feud, Baszler has found herself winning over the crowd, who have passionately supported her against Rousey. Her no-nonsense approach and willingness to speak her truth have earned her the respect and admiration of wrestling fans everywhere. Behind the scenes, Baszler and Rousey had been eager to engage in this feud, and with Rousey’s scheduled hiatus from WWE, the rivalry was accelerated. Surprisingly, Rousey credits Baszler with introducing her to the world of professional wrestling, adding a poignant layer of complexity to their unfolding conflict.
“Jon Jones is unreliable!” – Colby Covington explains why the UFC would want him on the UFC 295 MSG card
Colby Covington is not a fan of Jon Jones. ‘Chaos’ recently weighed in on the highly-anticipated UFC 295 card and explained why the promotion wants him as their insurance policy in New York on November 11. It was recently reported that Covington could face Leon Edwards in a welterweight title fight at UFC 295. A blockbuster heavyweight bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic will headline the highly-anticipated card. The UFC intends to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a massively stacked card that promises to put on a spectacle at Madison Square Garden. In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Colby Covington explained why he’s being roped in for a championship fight at UFC 295 despite being inactive for over a year. Recalling Jones’ reputation for finding trouble and promising to ask ‘Bones’ hard-hitting questions during the pre-fight presser, Covington said: “Guys, who doesn’t want to see me on stage with Jon Jones? You know the questions I’m going to ask? I’m going to ask him questions that all the people want answers to. What is a picogram Jonny? Who were the two girls in the back of your Bentley when you wrecked it in Vegas?… Guys, it’s going to be a freaking electric factory if you put me and him on the same stage… Plus, we know he’s unreliable. That’s two reasons why.” Catch Covington’s comments below (5:50): Colby Covington claims he’d love to train Elon Musk for Mark Zuckerberg fight Colby Covington is on team Elon Musk all the way. ‘Chaos’ recently weighed in on the highly-anticipated Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg cage fight. The ever-outspoken UFC welterweight backed the Tesla CEO to beat the Meta Platforms CEO and even offered to train him for their potential fight. The two tech billionaires recently took their rivalry to a whole new level. After some light social media banter escalated, Musk and Zuckerberg seemingly agreed to fight each other in a cage match. Their intentions were confirmed by UFC president Dana White, who also claimed he could make the fight happen. While many have debated the outcome of a potential Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg fight, Colby Covington firmly backs the Tesla CEO to come out on top. In the same interview mentioned above, he said: “My line is always open to Elon… I’d love to train Elon. He has so much alpha qualities. The guy is just a straight alpha. He’s fighting for freedom of speech, he doesn’t want people suppressing our free speech, like Mark Zuckerberg, ironically… I’d love to train Elon to put him in six feet deep.”
“We were supposed to fight in London!” – Colby Covington on why a fight with Leon Edwards hasn’t been announced yet
Colby Covington recently sounded off on Leon Edwards for fumbling a blockbuster pay-per-view event in London this weekend. Covington is set to get the next welterweight title shot against Edwards, much to the chagrin of many top-ranked welterweights. ‘Chaos’ was initially scheduled to fight Leon Edwards as the headliner for the upcoming UFC London event this weekend. However, stalled negotiations caused that plan to fall through. According to reports, Dana White is targeting Covington vs. Edwards for UFC 295 on November 11 at the Madison Square Garden in New York. A heavyweight showdown between Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic will headline the event. In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Colby Covington blasted Leon Edwards for refusing to fight less than four months after his last title defense against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286. “The original plan, we’re supposed to be fighting this weekend in London. We’re supposed to be giving the London fans a spectacle, a pay-per-view main event… Leon robbed the UK fans… After that fell apart, it only made sense that this was going to go down somewhere in America.” Covington continued: “He [Edwards] knows he has to prepare for ‘Chaos.’ He knows he needs a full year of training camp… He’s not going to stop the Colby train, and deep down, he knows that. That’s why he’s delaying this, that’s why he’s pushing this as far back as he can possibly get. Now he’s at the point where he’s going to get stripped.” Catch Covington’s comments below (2:06): Geoff Neil claims Colby Covington doesn’t deserve a title shot UFC welterweight contender Geoff Neil recently weighed in on a potential Colby Covington vs. Leon Edwards title fight. The No.8-ranked welterweight opined that ‘Chaos’ doesn’t deserve a shot at UFC gold and named Belal Muhammad the more deserving candidate. It’s no secret that Dana White’s decision to hand Covington a title shot was unpopular among fans and fighters alike. ‘Chaos’ last fought Jorge Masvidal in March 2022 and has been away from competition for over a year. Given Covington’s inactivity, many believe Muhammad’s last unanimous decision victory over Gilbert Burns should’ve made him the title challenger instead. In a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Geoff Neil weighed in on the welterweight title picture and said: “It’s so annoying. I just wish he would fu**ing fight, it’s our job to fight… Belal [Muhammad] should be fighting for a title, I think. I think he’s deserved it; I think he’s earned it… I feel like the fight should make sense; Colby hasn’t done anything to deserve another damn title shot. If I’m being honest, he hasn’t done sh*t. He hasn’t fought anybody, let him fight somebody else.” Watch the full interview below:
UFC Fight Night event this weekend: Here are all the details
The UFC is back with another thrilling fight card this weekend. UFC Fight Night 224 goes down tomorrow at the O2 Arena in London, England, and will mark the promotion’s 15th visit to the British capital. As expected, the fight card features some of the most prominent English stars in the promotion. An explosive heavyweight matchup between Tom Aspinall and Marcin Tybura will headline the power-packed main card. Aspinall will be making his long-awaited return to action after an injury sidelined him in July 2022. Before that, the Englishman had a perfect 5-0 UFC record and was touted to be among the most exciting prospects in the heavyweight division. Meanwhile, Tybura is on a two-fight win streak and has gone 4-1 in his last five outings. In the co-main event, fan-favorite women’s flyweight fighter Molly McCann will face Lithuanian grappling maestro Julija Stoliarenko. McCann is coming off a tough first-round submission loss against Erin Blanchfield, which stopped her three-fight win streak. Meanwhile, Stoliarenko will look to redeem her tough loss against Chelsea Chandler at UFC Vegas 61. Elsewhere on the card, Scottish middleweight Paul Craig will take on Andre Muniz, and Jai Herbert will face Fares Ziam in a lightweight bout. UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall on Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury Tom Aspinall recently weighed in on the Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury boxing match and shared some intriguing news. The mercurial UFC heavyweight claimed he has been in touch with the WBC heavyweight champion and could help him train for his fight against Ngannou. Fury will go ten rounds against the former UFC heavyweight champion on October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While the WBC champion’s title won’t be on the line, the fight will be governed by standard professional boxing rules. Ngannou has long campaigned for this match and is expected to make the biggest payday of his career. In a recent UFC Fight Night 224 media day interview, Tom Aspinall discussed the heavyweight boxing match and said: “Yeah, I spoke to him [Tyson Fury]. He called me the other day and asked if I would help him to train and stuff. We’ll see how it goes… I have a busy schedule myself. We’ll be in touch again after my fight is over with.” While Aspinall doesn’t count Francis Ngannou out completely, he doesn’t see the Cameroonian beating Tyson Fury. He said: “I think Ngannou has a puncher’s chance, but it’s a very, very, very small puncher’s chance. It’s a very slim chance… Obviously, he punches like an absolute truck… But Tyson Fury is a master at what he does, and it’s going to be a tough night for Ngannou.”
Kurt Angle Expresses Disappointment Over Match with Mick Foley
Pittsburgh’s own wrestling giant, Kurt Angle, known for carrying WWE during its tumultuous times in the early 2000s, expressed his regret over not having the chance to wrestle with another titan of the industry, Mick Foley, in their prime. Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017, Angle’s in-ring prowess is undeniable, with several of his matches still being cited as classics for their entertainment value and the technical acumen he displayed. While Foley had retired by the time Angle had become a main event player, he continued to make sporadic appearances for the company. It was only when the paths of these two legendary wrestlers crossed in IMPACT Wrestling in 2009 that they got a chance to square off inside the ring. Reflections from the Kurt Angle Show Speaking on his podcast, The Kurt Angle Show, the Olympic Gold Medalist reflected on his rivalry with Foley and the match they had. To the disappointment of many fans, Angle admitted his dissatisfaction with how their face-off panned out. “If I was 100% healthy, I could have made the match look a lot better,” Angle lamented. “I wish Mick and I could have wrestled in our prime. At this point in time, Mick was a little bit past his prime.” Angle parted ways with Vince McMahon’s WWE in 2006 but returned for a retirement run after being inducted into the Hall of Fame 11 years later. Foley’s last in-ring appearance to date was the Royal Rumble match in 2012. The clash between Angle and Foley, albeit not in their prime, was a significant event that sent ripples through the wrestling community. With both competitors well-respected for their storied careers, many fans hoped that they would finally see a clash of titans. However, both Angle and Foley were past their prime by the time they faced off, leading to a match that, in Angle’s words, could have been better. A Missed Clash of Titans It is a sentiment echoed by many wrestling enthusiasts who would have loved to see the collision between Angle’s technical mastery and Foley’s hard-hitting, no-nonsense style at the height of their respective careers. While the face-off in IMPACT Wrestling provided a taste of what could have been, it is a bitter-sweet reminder of a missed opportunity for a dream match-up. The regret expressed by Angle underscores the fleeting nature of professional wrestling, where stars may rise and fall before dream match-ups can come to fruition. It is a stark reminder to fans and the industry alike to seize opportunities for iconic match-ups when the competitors are still in their prime, creating spectacles that would forever be etched in the annals of wrestling history.