HANA KIMURA PASSES AWAY AGED 22
In what is incredibly sad news, Japanese wrestler Hana Kimura has passed away. Click here to read our full report.
JOEY JANELA TO REPLACE FENIX IN CASINO LADDER MATCH
.@ReyFenixMx is out of the #CasinoLadderMatch due to injury. Fenix isn’t expected to miss significant time. @JANELABABY is now entered in the Casino Ladder Match. 1 mystery wrestler is still TBA. DOUBLE or NOTHING is available on all major providers @brlive @FiteTV tomorrow 8/7c pic.twitter.com/0RKeirEhtU
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 23, 2020
It seems the heavy bump Rey Fenix took on Wednesday’s episode of dynamite has done more damage than initially hoped. Earlier today AEW announced that Joey Janela will replace him in tonight’s Double or Nothing pay per view.
The injury occurred after his match with Orange Cassidy. The other participants in tonight’s ladder match made their way to ringside. With a brawl breaking out, Rey went for a springboard dive and landed heavily across his upper back.
After the match, it was reported that Fenix was hurt, but expected to recover in time for Double or Nothing. However, reports now say that he isn’t expected to take much time off, and will be returning soon.
BRITT BAKER TO BE REPLACED BY PENELOPE FORD
. @RealBrittBaker is out of #AEWDon due to injury. We will address her status at Double or Nothing tomorrow night. @callmekrisstat will now face @thePenelopeFord Live on Pay Per View.
Double or Nothing is available on all major providers, B/R Live and FITE TV – 8/7c pic.twitter.com/xOU4vPSyqy
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 23, 2020
In the second incident of Wednesday’s Dynamite ruling a wrestler out of tonight’s Double or Nothing, Britt Baker has also been forced to pull out.
Baker was supposed to face relative newcomer, Kris Statlander at tonight’s Double or Nothing, but has been forced to remove herself from the event following an injury picked up on Dynamite.
Britt was involved in a tag match, teaming with Nyla Rose, facing Kris Statlander and Hikaru Shida. At one point in the match Statlander and Shida threw Rose into Baker, Baker was slumped in the corner and Rose landed awkwardly on her knee.
AEW announced today that Penelope Ford will replace Baker. Ford last met Statlander in a fatal four-way match last week, both women lost out to Hikaru Shida.
WWE TO AIR STING SPECIAL LATER THIS MONTH
WWE Network News has reported that WWE will air ‘Sting: The Lost Tape’ later this month. The special will feature previously unaired material going back to 1995. The description of the feature is as follows:
Featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews, cameras follow Sting backstage before his big match at WCW Slamboree 1995.
The match was the co-main event of the event. Sting defeated Big Bubba via the Scorpion Deathlock after 10 minutes. Recent speculation has definitely lent far more towards Sting moving to AEW. It will be interesting to see if and how WWE react to Sting’s possible move.
HUNDREDS ATTEND SHAD GASPARD MEMORIAL
It has been reported that over 500 people attended a memorial service arranged in the memory of Shad Gaspard.
The memorial was held near to the sport that he disappeared last Sunday. Many pro wrestlers attended the event, including Kofi Kingston, John Morrison, JTG, Taya Valkyrie, Shelton Benjamin, Joey Ryan, Dolph Ziggler, Ryan Nemeth, PJ Black, Eli Drake, and Chris Masters.
AJ STYLES MOVES TO SMACKDOWN
BREAKING NEWS: @AJStylesOrg has been traded to #SmackDown for future considerations. pic.twitter.com/ynAxeLGqZK
— WWE (@WWE) May 23, 2020
During last night’s episode of SmackDown, WWE revealed that AJ Styles was once again a member of the SmackDown roster.
According to the announcement, RAW traded the Phenomenal One to the Blue Brand in return for future trades or draft picks.
In his return to #SmackDown, @AJStylesOrg ADVANCES in the #ICTitle tournament! pic.twitter.com/AOT2jzPQqB
— WWE (@WWE) May 23, 2020
In his return match, AJ defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in the first round of the Intercontinental Title Tournament. He will face Elias in the semi-final match.
UNIVERSAL CHAMPION IN HANDICAP MATCH AT BACKLASH
It's OFFICIAL!@BraunStrowman defends the #UniversalTitle against @mikethemiz & @TheRealMorrison in a Handicap Match at #WWEBacklash! pic.twitter.com/uRyPVwzssC
— WWE (@WWE) May 23, 2020
On last night’s episode of SmackDown WWE set up WWE Universal Champion, Braun Strowman vs. The Miz and John Morrison at Backlash.
SmackDown opened with Miz and Morrison’s Dirt Sheet segment. During the spot, Miz and Morrison rounded on Braun Strowman, bringing the monster among men out. After a little back and forth, John Morrison managed to talk Miz into a match with Braun. After beating Miz, Morrison challenged Braun to a handicap match at Backlash. Strowman accepted, even though his title will be on the line.
KURT ANGLE RETURNING TO REFEREE NXT MATCH
BREAKING: @RealKurtAngle will serve as the special guest referee for @SuperKingofBros and Timothy Thatcher's #CageFight this Wednesday night on #WWENXT! https://t.co/RZoHaH9aDY
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 23, 2020
WWE has announced that Kurt Angle will be the special guest referee for Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher’s cage fight. The match is due to take place on next Wednesday’s episode of NXT.
Although Kurt has retired from in-ring competition, he was working behind the scenes for WWE, before he was released by WWE last month. It isn’t known if the announcement is anything more than a one night deal for Angle at this point.
The Riddle and Thatcher match comes from their tag team run. Thatcher replaced Pete Dunne as Matt Riddles partner for a while, but the pair ended up losing the titles when Thatcher walked out of a match.
HUGE WOMEN’S TAG MATCH ADDED TO NXT
Per General Manager @RealKingRegal, @RheaRipley_WWE & @shirai_io will team up against #WWENXT #WomensChampion @MsCharlotteWWE and a partner of her choosing this Wednesday on @WWENXT! https://t.co/1xqsjes37Y
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 23, 2020
Next week’s NXT will feature a massive women’s tag match. Rhea Ripley will team with Io Shirai to face Charlotte and a partner that has yet to be named.
I understand the desire for competition…so ahead of the #NXTWomensChampionship match at #NXTTakeOver, @shirai_io and @RheaRipley_WWE will team up against @MsCharlotteWWE and a partner of her choosing THIS WEEK on @WWENXT.
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) May 23, 2020
These three women will meet at NXT TakeOver: In Your House, in a triple threat match. This Wednesday’s match was made when both Rhea and Io posted that they didn’t want to wait for TakeOver. William Regal noticed the messages and made the match. Charlotte’s partner is currently unknown.
