Former AEW Star Forced To “Walk On Eggshells” To Avoid “P*ssing Off” The Wrong Person; July 7th Live Wrestling News Round-Up

WWE has taken fans behind-the-scenes at last weekend’s blockbuster Money in the Bank PLE!

Check out the video below!

Randy Orton might not have wrestled for over a year, but that doesn’t mean his peers have forgotten just how good The Viper can be.

Malakai Black was recently a guest on Bobby Fish’s Undisputed Podcast and reflected on his career to date, and plans for the future. The leader of the House of Black revealed he wasn’t always the most popular man in NXT earlier in his career while confirming he’s asked to work exclusively on AEW Collision.

While looking back on his time in WWE, Black recalled working with Randy Orton and wrestling the veteran on house shows. Black was full of praise for Orton, commenting that it’s crazy just how good he is.

Reflecting on wrestling Orton, Black said the star managed to thank him while taking his Black Mass spinning kick.

You can read Black’s full comments, here.

Rhea Ripley and Natalya tore the house down on the July 3rd edition of WWE Raw.

The two Monday Night Raw stars have earned praise for their recent match both online and from WWE management.

A new report from Fightful Select noted that those backstage were “very happy” with how the match played out. Both women were said to have taken a beating but were quick to say how much fun they had.

The report adds that management who were in attendance were also impressed with the bout.

You can read more about this report, here.

John Cena might be one of the most successful stars in WWE history and a multi-millionaire, but his early years in the industry were much more of a struggle.

Cena signed with WWE in October 2000 and quickly found himself part of Ohio Valley Wrestling. The 16-time World Champion impressed in developmental and arrived on the main roster in the summer of 2002. Cena’s developmental class with OVW has since become the stuff of legend, having also produced Brock Lesnar, Batista, Randy Orton, and Shelton Benjamin.

Appearing on Hart to Heart with Kevin Hart, Cena reflected on these early years and revealed his first contract with WWE was worth just $12,000.

You can read Cena’s full comments, here.

In a quickfire Q & A with the WWE, ‘The Hardcore Legend’ Mick Foley would name the two toughest WWE Superstars of all time!

During the interview, Foley would praise Terry Funk as the individual who had the biggest influence on his career, reveal that a classic “Falls Count Anywhere” match is his favourite match stipulation and also name the two toughest WWE Superstars of all time.

Responding to the prompt “who is the toughest superstar”, Foley would name two WWE Hall of Famers.

“Terry Funk & The Undertaker.”

You can check out the full interview clip below!

@wwe

WWE Hall of Famer #MickFoley joined us for an exclusive Q&A! 🧦🧔🏻‍♂️ #WWE #HallOfFame #Mankind #DudeLove #CactusJack

♬ original sound – WWE

Rob Van Dam has had little interaction with Vince Russo, but does recall one big moment involving Jeff Hardy while working with the polarizing wrestling personality.

The topic at hand for this week’s “1 Of A Kind with RVD” revolved around the WWE Hall Of Famer’s storied history with Taz and the “pick a hand” moment, but Mr. Monday Night was asked about if he had any interactions with former WWE and WCW head writer Vince Russo. RVD had a brief run with WWE back in 1997 as ECW “invaded” the company, but didn’t cross paths with Russo long past even his WCW days.

The first time Van Dam and Russo crossed paths actually was when they were in TNA together. The one major conversation he did have with Russo left RVD scratching his head.

“He came to me one time and told me that he wanted to turn Jeff Hardy heel. And I thought that was the stupidest idea. I was like, ‘But I mean, me and Jeff are the top baby faces. Like we’re rocking the crowds. Like the fans are screaming for “RVD” and “Jeff Hardy,”‘ you know?

“I’m like, ‘I mean, I thought you wait until like things get stagnant until you do that? He’s like, ‘Well, we’re kind of at that point,’ which is what I heard about me, much later from TNA IMPACT.

“But I was not for it. And I was like, ‘I think that just sounds like you’re taking something that works and then putting a spin on it. Why?’ And he said, ‘Well, Jeff is really behind it too. Like he’s really looking forward to it.’ And I was like, ‘Really? All right. Well, s***. Do what you gotta do.’ That’s really like the only time that I remember actually like really talking to him is during that time.”

What do you think of Vince Russo? Hit the thumbs below and let us know!

In this exclusive interview with Inside The Ropes, LA Knight discusses his pitch black match with Bray Wyatt and growing popularity with Kenny McIntosh.

Check it out below!

WWE has announced that the 2023 instalment of their Survivor Series PPV will air live on November 25th from the Allstate Arena in Chicago!

The official press release states:

STAMFORD, Conn., July 7, 2023 – WWE^® (NYSE: WWE) today announced that Allstate Arena in Chicago will host Survivor Series on Saturday, November 25. Additionally, Friday Night SmackDown will emanate from Allstate Arena on Friday, November 24.

An exclusive presale opportunity for combo tickets for Survivor Series and Friday Night SmackDown will be available Wednesday, July 19 at 10 a.m. CT via https://www.ticketmaster.com/. Fans can register now to receive an exclusive presale offer by visiting https://www.wwe.com/wwesurvivorseries2023-presale-registration.

General public on-sale for combo tickets will be available Friday, July 21 at 10 a.m. CT via https://www.ticketmaster.com/. Additional details on individual tickets being released for each event will be announced in the coming weeks.

Survivor Series will stream live exclusively on Peacock in the U.S. and WWE Network everywhere else.

What do you think should main event the iconic PPV? Let us know by using the ‘get involved’ feature at the top of the page!

Dave Meltzer is regularly accused online of favouring AEW over WWE, however in a recent post on social media the legendary journalist would claim that AEW simply “isn’t nearly as hot” as the WWE in 2023.

Taking to Twitter, Meltzer would reveal that although AEW’s recent episode of AEW Dynamite was a record low for the company, it wasn’t actually that bad as it was the highest the show has placed in the weekly rankings in a “long time” and that it was simply case of TV viewing across the board being down.

“Just did the weekly numbers. TV is so far down this week. AEW’s record low on Wednesday was actually its highest placing in weekly numbers in a long time. TV viewing was way down last week, except WWE is on fire.”

When asked why Dynamite being down was not concerning when WWE was smashing viewership figures on a weekly basis, Meltzer would claim that the answer is simply…AEW is “not as hot” as WWE right now.

“AEW isn’t nearly as hot as WWE. Got a story on year to year changes for both coming out tonight.”

Do you agree with Dave’s statement? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Bret Hart talks exclusively to Kenny McIntosh on tour with Inside The Ropes about his true opinion on John Cena’s work as an in ring wrestler.

Check out this never before seen interview clip below!

During a recent quickfire Q & A with the WWE, Raquel Gonzalez would reveal the messiest member of the WWE locker room.

During the same interview Gonzalez would praise Shotzi for being the funniest member of the locker room, Liv Morgan for being the loudest and Chelsea Green for being the neatest.

It was WWE veteran Natalya however that was put on blast by Gonzalez for being the messiest member of the locker room.

“Oh messiest superstar… I think… and I love her, Natalya, just cause she’s always opening her suitcase and things go flying and takes up a lot of space with all that stuff.”

You can check out the full interview clip below!

@wwe

What’s the ☕️ in the WWE locker room? RaquelRodriguez spilled it just for TikTok! 👀

♬ Sports race challenge opening – SOUND BANK

During a recent quickfire Q & A with the WWE, ‘The Hardcore Legend’ Mick Foley would reveal his current favourite WWE Superstars.

During the interview, Foley would praise Terry Funk as the individual who had the biggest influence on his career, reveal that a classic “Falls Count Anywhere” match is his favourite match stipulation and also name his favourite male and female WWE Superstars currently.

“Today, I think Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch are my two favourite superstars.”

You can check out the full interview clip below!

@wwe

WWE Hall of Famer #MickFoley joined us for an exclusive Q&A! 🧦🧔🏻‍♂️ #WWE #HallOfFame #Mankind #DudeLove #CactusJack

♬ original sound – WWE

Who are your two favourite WWE Superstars? Let us know using the ‘get involved’ feature or by clicking here, and we will share some of our favourite responses throughout the blog.

LA Knight may currently be the most over star in the WWE but it turns out that not long ago he was taking over the 99th precinct of the Brooklyn police department as a guest star in the hit comedy show Brooklyn 99.

During a rewatch of the iconic show that aired it’s final season back in September 2021, one WWE fan would spot the leader of the ‘Yeah’ nation during a season two episode titled Boyle-Linetti Wedding.

During the episode Knight plays the role of the ultimate gym-bro who celebrates his love by getting married inside his gym in a ceremony overseen by Sargent Terry Jeffords, one of the shows main characters played by Terry Crews.

Despite the episode airing back in 2014, Knight is only now being spotted in his role due to his meteoric rise in the WWE over the past few months.

You can check out the full episode featuring LA Knight, here.

Eric Bischoff may be one of AEW’s most vocal critics but he has come to the companies defence when it comes to the recent dwindling numbers for AEW Collision following it’s launch last month.

AEW Collision numbers have almost halved following the shows debut episode featuring the return of CM Punk with the most recent episode only just cracking 450,000 viewers a 45% drop off from the pilot episode.

Speaking on his Strictly Business podcast, Bischoff would reveal why Tony Khan & AEW shouldn’t be worrying about the numbers…yet.

“I wouldn’t worry about it too much if I was Tony,” Bischoff said. “It’s the Fourth of July weekend. There’s just not a lot of people sitting around watching television over the Fourth of July weekend, at least not as many as there normally are.

That’s one factor. When I say I wouldn’t be concerned, I would be aware. I wouldn’t be panicking, it wouldn’t keep me up at night but I would definitely be aware because 452,000 viewers that’s 45 percent of a drop from their initial episode only three weeks ago.” [h/t WrestlingInc]

Do you agree with Bischoff’s comments? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Jade Cargill is currently absent from AEW television and it seems like things will stay that way, at least for the time being.

After Double or Nothing it was reported that Cargill would be taking a break and could potentially return with a new presentation. While that might still be the case, it seems that the star won’t be back in the ring in the near future.

Following Cargill’s comments on social media about a return, Dave Meltzer notes in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that there’s no timeline for a comeback.

“There is also no time line on a return of Jade Cargill. Cargill dropped the TBS title to Kris Statlander at Double or Nothing and hasn’t been back since nor talked about much. When asked on Twitter if she would be coming back soon, the answer was “No.” She posted some photos later of her being in Hollywood and wrote, “Outside of the wrestling bubble is nice. I might stay.”

It has also been revealed that there is currently no timeline on the AEW return of WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross.

You can read more about this, here.

One major wrestling star who fans haven’t seen in awhile is reportedly on tap for an appearance with AEW.

According to a new report from Fightful Select, there has been confirmed conversation between former New Japan Pro-Wrestling star Kota Ibushi and All Elite Wrestling. Many within the company were under the belief that Ibushi would be involved with AEW in some form, particularly with Blood & Guts upcoming, but that has not been confirmed.

Ibushi’s media obligations have been reduced which could be a good indication that he may be making a return to the ring soon. A source close to Kota indicated that he has plans to work Blood & Guts. We haven’t seen Ibushi wrestle on the regular since late 2021, stemming from injuries and was also very outspoken in his differences with NJPW. However, it’s been reported that Ibushi resolved his issues with NJPW and a new contract is on the table for him

You can read the full report, here.

Who do you think will be the mystery entrants into the upcoming Blood & Guts match? Let us know using the ‘get involved’ feature or by clicking here, and we will share some of our favourite responses throughout the blog.

It was recently announced that the third-ever Blood and Guts match will be taking place in Boston, Massachusetts on July 19th between the two warring factions The Elite and the Blackpool Combat Club.

However, it now appears that not one, not two, but three of the planned participants for the event may be unable to compete on the show.

The leader of the BCC, Bryan Danielson is unable to compete after suffering a broken arm in his match against Kazuchika Okada at Forbidden Door meaning his team will need another member.

The Elite will also need a partner as Eddie Kingston is participating in NJPW’s G1 Climax. This means that two mystery members will be revealed in the coming weeks.

However, the issues for AEW don’t stop there.

It has been revealed in this afternoon’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Blackpool Combat Club’s Wheeler Yuta is racing to recover in time for the event after sustaining a hamstring injury during his match last Wednesday against Kenny Omega.

“Wheeler Yuta suffered a hamstring injury in the match with Omega on 7/5. Right now the belief is that it’s not a full tear and that he will be able to return on 7/19 for Blood & Guts in Boston”

If AEW are lucky and the injury is not a full tear as Dave suggests then Yuta will be able to compete in the match, all be it not at 100%. However, if Yuta has indeed torn his hamstring then depending on the severity of the injury Yuta could be out for between one and six months, depending on the grade of the tear and injury.

Who do you think will be the mystery entrants into the upcoming Blood & Guts match? Let us know using the ‘get involved’ feature or by clicking here, and we will share some of our favourite responses throughout the blog.

When it comes to wrestling, there is an unwritten rule… only hit someone as hard as you are willing to be hit back.

Referred to as a “receipt”, there have been many iconic instances of wrestlers giving it stiff only to be gifted with an equally stiff strike in return.

In recent memory Braun Strowman was on the receiving end of a brutal strike from Brock Lesnar after ‘The Beast’ deemed that ‘The Monster Amongst Men’ gave him a little more than he should have.

While discussing ‘receipts’ on his podcast, Matt Hardy would claim that although he has never given anybody a receipt, there have been times when he has needed to fight back, including one occasion when WWE Hall of Famers Bradshaw and Farooq decided to take it upon themselves to “beat the sh*t” out of him and his brother Jeff Hardy.

I’ve never actually given anyone a receipt… There have been times where I’ve realized that I need to fight back.

There was a time when we were working with The Acolytes, and they were beating the s–t out of us. They dropped the titles to us, we were the tag team champions, and we worked a couple of times after that, and I’m like, ‘Holy s–t, they can have these titles back. We’re in the record books — I’m good.’”

Hardy would continue, recalling a conversation with, his brother, Jeff Hardy about the “abusive” nature of working with The Acolytes and being unsure if he could do it anymore.

“I was like, ‘I don’t know how much longer I can take this. This is like abusive…and then when were in there, Bradshaw beat me down in the corner. I remember beating him as hard as I could in the face, and the next thing I had was just a very soft [jab to the face].

So, it’s one of those things where the old-timers — where guys would beat you up and take advantage of you … until you didn’t let them. Until, like, you stood up for yourself. I think that was kind of a case of that.” [h/t WrestlingInc]

Throughout his WWE career, Kevin Owens has never been afraid to put his body on the line, and he’s a little frustrated that he just missed out on an opportunity to do just that.

Speaking to Mark Andrews on My Love Letter To Wrestling, admitted he was a bit annoyed to be missing out on the 2023 WWE Money in the Bank Ladder Match and the chance to throw himself from a ladder… again.

“I’m actually a little annoyed I’m not in it this year. I love ladders. I love ladder matches, I think I thrive in them. To not get to do it kind of sucks,” [H/t to Fightful]

Despite his love for Ladder Matches, Kevin Owens has actually never held the Money In The Bank briefcase. However, this is one of the few accolades Owens hasn’t won during his time in WWE, the only other major blemish being the Royal Rumble.

Would you like to see Kevin Owen’s win Money in the Bank before he retires? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Writing in this morning’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer has revealed his star ratings for WWE Money in the Bank 2023.

• Men’s WWE Money In The Bank Ladder Match – 4.5*
• Shayna Baszler & Ronda Rousey vs Liv Morgan & Raquel Gonzalez – 2.75*
• Matt Riddle vs GUNTHER – 2.75*
• Cody Rhodes vs Dirty Dominik Mysterio – 3*
• Women’s WWE Money In The Bank Ladder Match – 4*
• Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins vs Finn Balor – 3.5*
• The Bloodline Civil War – 4.5*

Do you disagree with any of Dave’s ratings? Let us know by using the ‘get involved’ feature to share with us your ratings and we will share them on the blog throughout this afternoon!

The Dark Order was one of AEW’s first success stories, taking a ragtag group of relative unknowns and catapulting them to become one of the companies most popular acts.

However, following the devastating loss of the groups leader Brodie Lee, the group has been without purpose in recent months with members unmasked, released and re-signed in the past six months.

In September 2022, Dark Order original Alan Angels departed AEW after the company made the decision not to renew his contract, instead offering him a pay per appearance deal – which Angels’ felt was not in his best interest.

Speaking on his time in AEW during a recent interview with Busted Open Radio, the IMPACT star would discuss feeling like he had to “walk on eggshells” backstage in AEW to avoid “p*ssing the wrong person off.”

“[In IMPACT Wrestling] I don’t feel like I’m walking on eggshells all the time. I feel like everybody there is super inviting and welcoming and I just love the camaraderie…

I think with AEW, and walking on eggshells kind of sounds worse than it is, I think it’s just a competitive industry in general, you know what I mean? So, I just think when you’re at AEW, you kind of walk around, you don’t want to upset anybody, you don’t want to piss off the wrong person or anything like that.”

Angels would continue revealing that he is enjoying his work in IMPACT Wrestling and the freedom from this mentality that had afflicted him in AEW.

“So, while I’m at Impact, I don’t feel like I have to worry about that as much. Not that I want to piss off the wrong guy, obviously, I don’t, but there’s just not that worry in the back of your mind all the time.” [h/t WrestlingInc]

Do you think AEW made the right call not renewing Angels’ contract? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Good Afternoon!

Hope everyone is doing well and has had an awesome week so far!

I will be with you this afternoon from 12 pm to 6 pm BST (7 am -12 pm EST) with all the latest news and rumours from AEW, WWE and NJPW.

This afternoon we will be kicking things off with some of today’s biggest stories, including:

• A former AEW star recalls feeling forced to “walk on eggshells” backstage to avoid “p*ssing off” the wrong person.
• A major WWE star is “a little annoyed” they weren’t in the Money in the Bank match.
• Eric Bischoff believes AEW should not be worried by recent viewing figures.
• Matt Hardy reveals which WWE Hall of Famers “beat the sh*t” out of him.
• Long-time absent AEW star looking to return in “four to six weeks.”

As always if you have anything you want to ask us or any stories you would like us to try to provide an update on, let us know by using the ‘get involved’ feature at the top of the page!