Welcome to the November 29th Inside The Ropes Live blog, bringing you the latest news from WWE, AEW, NJPW, IMPACT Wrestling and more.
Today’s biggest stories:
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CM Punk & Randy Orton = Ratings.
On average, the Survivor Series fallout episode of Raw drew an average audience of 1.884 million with 863,000 in the 18-49 age range.
The total viewership is up 29% compared to the previous week and up 13% compared to 2022.
The increase in key demographic viewership is more impressive as it was up 34% compared to the previous week and up 64% compared to 2022.
The Undertaker has named his Mount Rushmore of smaller wrestlers and it’s hard to argue with his list.
Check out the video in full below!
Will Ospreay is officially All Elite but not, quite yet.
In a new interview Tony Khan has clarified Ospreay’s status with NJPW and what his availability with the company will be moving forward.
Speaking with BBC West Midlands about the Ospreay signing, Khan elaborated on how pleased he was to have signed the British star and confirmed that Ospreay can be factored into future NJPW storylines if he chooses:
“I was very pleased with that. One of the great things we’ve been able to do with AEW is build a great relationship with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. I think Will Ospreay’s been one of the great New Japan Pro-Wrestling stars of this era. With Will Ospreay coming up in free agency, he made it clear that he wanted to get out and have new experiences. But he’s had a great time in New Japan, and he has a great relationship with them.
So that’s why I thought it would be good to go to New Japan and pre-emptively try to sign Will with their blessing, trying to keep him in our family so that everything they’ve built together, all those great moments, will still live on, that the traditions Will Ospreay has built, he can bring to AEW, and he’s able to go back to New Japan virtually anytime.
We can always work that out any time he want to go back. I know that is something he will want to do. He’s going to finish out there the right way and then come to AEW full-time, and we’re so excited he’ll be with us at Wembley Stadium on August 25, 2024, for AEW All In.” [H/t to Fightful.]
Mick Foley tried to make CM Punk see WrestleMania 29 from a different perspective.
Punk believed that 2013 should have been his year. After winning the WWE Championship in late 2011, Punk would remain champion for over 400 days. Missing out on the main event of WrestleMania 28 as this was reserved for The Rock vs. John Cena, Punk was hopeful that he would be placed in the marquee match one year later. However, not only did Punk lose out on the main event match, but he also lost the title too.
While speaking on Busted Open Radio, Mick Foley recalled speaking to the former World Champion prior to the marquee match and telling Punk that the fans decide what is the match of the night:
“Phil and I were pretty close at one time and he couldn’t get motivated for The Undertaker. He felt like they had taken that main event spot away from him. I’d say, ‘Phil, the main event is what the fans decide the main event is. You go out there and you decide what your own WrestleMania moments are.’ I don’t like to brag about much but I felt like Edge and I had the match of the night in 2006 and no one will be able to tell me differently. That was my WrestleMania moment. I didn’t need someone stamping the words main event on it to tell me how I felt when the match was done.” [h/t Fightful]
You can read a full breakdown of CM Punk’s conversation with Mick Foley, here.
Watch how WWE commentary teams from around the world reacted to CM Punk’s shocking Survivor Series 2023 return.
Adam Copeland, previously known as Edge discussed WWE’s decline in popularity after WWE purchased WCW and ECW during an Inside The Ropes live show back in 2018!
Check it out!
It looks like WWE is set for an another major announcement.
Following a record breaking Survivor Series and the shock return of CM Punk, WWE looks set to announce the new TV provider of Monday Night Raw.
It was recently revealed that Raw would likely be leaving it’s home on USA following the end of the networks rights deal in September 2024.
Well, according to a new report that new home could be unveiled very shortly.
WrestleWorld reported that the deal was “completed or extremely close” to completion and would be announced before the end of the year.
“We’re being told that RAW’s next TV deal has either been completed or extremely close to being completed and is expected to be announced before January 2024.
Last we heard the top 3 bidders, in order, for the rights are..
– Warner Bros. Discovery (Looking at placing the show on TBS or TNT)
– Disney (Looking to place the show on FX)
– Amazon (Looking to place the show on their Prime streaming service)
Also in the running, as a distant 4th LAST WE HEARD was NBCUniversal to possibly retain the rights for either USA Network or Syfy.”
The report has since been confirmed by Dave Meltzer, who, writing on Twitter, noted:
“Yes it’s expected to be announced soon.”
As previously mentioned fans have been divided on the quality of CM Punk’s WWE return promo on Monday Night Raw.
But one man has made their thoughts very clear.
Taking to social media, Former WWE star Ryback has blasted CM Punk’s promo labelling him “fragile Phil” in the process.
Posting a video on Twitter, Ryback would blast Punk stating:
“Yo, I’m the ‘Big Guy’ Ryback and I’m here to tell you that CM Punk promo on Monday Night Raw ASBSOLUTELY sucked.
First of all, the pops aren’t quite nearly the same when you’re not in your hometown of Chicago ain’t that right fragile Phil.
The man child, best know for his ‘Pipebomb’ promo, which by the way was all, all scripted for all you little neckbeard Nancy, negative marks out there, just completely bombed.
Anyone who calls that place home [WWE] is just mentally fried. It’s Shawshank and there’s no doubt, that promo was written 100% by the warden.
But fragile Phil is desperate and desperate boys do desperate things. I mean in fact did he just think he was gonna just sneak this one by us.
Bro…do you think we were just gonna forget about this [CM Punk’s UFC career] ‘most feared man’…HUH…HUH…’most feared man’ if you got into an altercation with a twelve year old I’m putting everything you got on the 12-year-old.
At least he was clear on one thing though and that’s he’s broke. He doesn’t have the money, he needs the money and he tucked his tail between his legs and he went back to the one place that fired him [laughing] on his wedding day.
Oh fragile Phil, welcome back to ‘The Game’ and you are about to get played.”
If you use any quotes from this article please provide a h/t to Inside The Ropes and link back to the original article.
Do you agree with Ryback? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!
Santos Escobar, NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov, The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile join WWE’s The Bump to discuss the incredible aftermath from Survivor Series: WarGames, jaw-dropping returns, NXT Deadline and more!
Check it out live at 5pm UK time, you can set a reminder via the video below!
AEW currently has a whopping 157 wrestlers listed on their official roster and even with three weekly TV shows not everyone can be featured.
But, at least one AEW star is not concerned with their recent lack of appearances noting that “In business full of rabbits f***ing around” they do not mind being the turtle.
Responding to a fan on social media, Ethan Page defended his recent appearances on Ring of Honor and lack of AEW screen time.
Writing on Twitter, Page would state:
“We’ve got plenty of time to get #AllEgo back to @AEW & back on #AEWDynamite In business full of rabbits f***ing around, I don’t mind being the turtle.
But truly, I’m on a different path right now. A little bit of rediscovery in @ringofhonor
Thanks for tuning into #HonorClub”
Popular WWE star Nikkita Lyons appears to be nearing her return after a surprise appearance on last night’s episode of NXT.
Lyons, who has been sidelined with an ACL injury for over nine months, appeared in the crowd during the November 28th edition of NXT.
During her brief appearance commentary stated that the 24-year-old was nearing a 100% recovery, teasing her return to in-ring action.
🦁🦁🦁@nikkita_wwe #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/sYEm5LpN3g
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 29, 2023
Lyons herself had recently commented on her injury status, responding to a fan on social media asking how much longer the Vegas born superstar would be out of action.
Responding via Twitter, Lyons stated:
“Will be back soon.”
Are you excited to see Lyons return? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!
Since regaining the NXT North American Championship at the start of October, Dominik Mysterio has had only one title defence which came at Halloween Havoc against Seth Rollins’ protégé Nathan Frazer.
However, that is about to change as at NXT Deadline 2023 Dominik Mysterio will be in action against a former NXT North American Champion.
On the November 28th edition of NXT, Wes Lee defeated a trio of former North American Champions to gain a title opportunity at the upcoming NXT PLE.
Lee defeated Bronson Reed, Johnny Gargano and Cameron Grimes to secure his title opportunity on the show.
Bronson Reed looked set to win the match before Ivar made a shock appearance to take out his current rival and set up the other three men for victory.
NXT Deadline is set to air on Saturday, December 9th and currently features the following matches:
Will you be checking out Deadline? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!
Lince Dorado is back in the WWE… at least for a few days.
Taking to social media, the former 24/7 Champion and Lucha House Party member would reveal that he is currently coaching at the WWE Performance Center.
Writing on Twitter, Dorado would note:
“Day 2 coaching at the PC. #NXT taping tonight! See you there”
After a flurry of messages congratulating him on his return to the WWE, Dorado was quick to clarify his status and that he is not currently a WWE employee.
“Just guest coaching again jaja still freelancing”
Would you like to see Lince Dorado return to the WWE? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!
Ronda Rousey’s WWE run has been clouded with multiple controversies both in and outside of the ring.
Now, speaking on his podcast, Weekend at Effy’s, independent star Effy has revealed why he does not respect the former WWE Women’s Champion and why he believes she is the “dumbest b*tch of all time.”
Speaking on the latest episode of his podcast, Effy would comment:
“I just want to say this, and this is me being a little vague, okay?
When I think of if I respect a wrestler, or disrespect, or don’t enjoy or promote a wrestler, they only have to be three things. Okay?
The first is a little bit good at wrestling, just a little bit.
The second is, they have to believe that trans people are valid, and respect and honor our trans friends and family.
And then the third is they have to believe that Sandy Hook actually happened.
“And if you cross off, zero out of three of those, then you, and that’s all I’m gonna say, and everyone will know who it’s about. But Ronda Rousey is the dumbest b*tch of all time, and she is not good at wrestling.
She is transphobic, and she questioned the reality of whether Sandy Hook happened, and I just said it anyway, Ronda Rousey, you’re a big dumb b*tch. I did it again. Dammit.”
If you use any quotes from this transcription, please credit the original source and link back to this article with a h/t to Inside the Ropes.
Do you agree with Effy’s comments? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!
CM Punk’s first WWE promo since his return at Survivor Series 2023 has garnered a mixed reaction online with some fans excited to see Punk back in the WWE and others stating that the promo felt “heartless” and disappointing.
One line in particular has garnered a large amount of discussion online, at the end of Punk’s promo in the final segment of Monday Night Raw, ‘The Second City Saint’ would declare that he is not here to make friends, he is here to make money, a clear shot at The Elite and Punk’s issues in AEW.
The controversy was only exacerbated as CM Punk then appeared to mock The Young Buck’s infamous ‘victory lap’ performed on AEW TV following Punk’s firing, although sources close to him have since denied this was what Punk was doing.
In a recent interview, Jon Moxley was asked his thoughts on CM Punk’s WWE return promo and the former AEW & WWE World Champion gave an interesting response.
Speaking with ComicBook.com, when asked about CM Punk, Moxley jokingly stated that it would be best if he didn’t issue any further comments:
“You don’t want to know what I think. I didn’t see it. You do not want to know what I think (laughs).”
You can read a full breakdown of Jon Moxley’s comments on CM Punk, here.
Following CM Punk’s shock WWE return at Survivor Series 2023 new information has come to light regarding Punk’s unceremonious firing from AEW earlier this year.
A new report from Fightful Select has revealed that Bryan Danielson led the disciplinary committee that had the ultimate say in CM Punk’s termination from AEW.
Danielson was one of three members of the “quickly developed” discipline committee that featured alongside him AEW’s General Council Chris Peck and an outside attorney.
The report also notes that contrary to online speculation former AEW Chief Legal Officer Megha Parekh was not involved with the process after resigning from her post prior to the investigation.
The AEW roster reportedly noted that Danielson faced up the committee to the locker room and was included due to being an “appropriate moral compass who exemplifies objectivity.”
You can read a full breakdown of Bryan Danielson’s role in CM Punk’s AEW departure, here.
Do you think Bryan Danielson made the right call in having CM Punk fired? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!
Good Afternoon!
I hope everyone is doing well and has had a great week so far!
I will be with you from 12pm to 6pm BST (7am – 1pm ET) covering all the biggest stories from WWE, AEW, NJPW, IMPACT and more.
We will be kicking things off today with the biggest stories from the last 24 hours including:
