CM Punk In Talks With WWE; October 6th Live Wrestling News Round-Up

Responding to some reason fan criticism, AEW World Champion, MJF would admit that he “dropped the ball” during the most recent episode of Dynamite.

MJF recently took to social media to inform fans and upcoming wrestlers to never shy away from criticism.

When a fan told him to follow his own advice, the star admitted the promo on Dynamite wasn’t his finest hour.

“Already have. I could sit here and tell you I’ve consistently been the biggest ratings draw in my company for some time. I can say that I’ve also been universally praised. But the fact is I dropped the ball this week.

There’s a lot of eyes on me. I can’t afford to do that. Look forward to picking the ball back up on Wednesday.”

Do you agree that MJF “dropped the ball?” Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

According to a new report Dragon Lee has been quietly called up to WWE’s main roster following a recent string of impressive performances.

In recent months Lee has begun featuring regularly on WWE’s main roster programming and alongside main roster regulars such as Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley on NXT.

According to the Dave Meltzer, WWE was so impressed by Lee’s performances, including his North American Championship match against ‘Dirty’ Dom on Raw, that they have called the former ROH and NJPW star up to the main roster.

Writing in this morning’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer notes:

“Dragon Lee did so well with Dominik that it looks like he’s now on the main roster. The nature of the deal he signed did indicate he’d be on the main roster after one year in NXT to begin with, but the match with Dominik may have sped up his timetable.”

Can Lee become WWE’s next Rey Mysterio? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

WWE Superstar Johnny Gargano — with the help of Candice LeRae and dog Pawdme — meet JB Shepard, the founder of Puptrait Studios, and learns how to photograph dogs.

Check out this WWE exclusive video below!

Grayson Waller stole the show at WWE’s 2023 Money in the Bank PLE when he was interrupted by none other than ‘The Doctor of Thuganomic’s’ himself John Cena.

The two would then engage in a war of words and although Cena came out on top on the night, Waller has clearly left a lasting impression on the WWE legend.

During an appearance on The Bump, Cena said Waller reminds him of The Miz while praising the confidence he shows in his performances.

“Grayson reminds me a whole lot of Miz, like a lot. From all of Miz’s confidence/arrogance, he’s been here 19 years and he’s one of the most reliable, decorated, and elite performers in WWE history. The fact that he’s been here for 19 years and continues to crush it, I think that says good things about Grayson Waller.

I like to see somebody come in with confidence. Looking back on my existence, I wish I had more confidence. I wish I had Grayson Walker’s swagger when I slapped Kurt Angle back in 2002. Instead, I timidly shook The Undertaker’s hand when I should have slapped him too. I didn’t have that ruthless aggression, he’s got it.

I admire that and we all have something to learn, everyday is a chance to learn and grow and he’s got a few things to learn. As somebody who’s got a little more in-ring wisdom, I want to shake him. He’ll find all that stuff out, he’s got the first ingredient, he believes in who he is.”

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

Following the news that CM Punk is in talks with WWE, it has been revealed that Dax Harwood has filed for the trademark for “CMFTR” the name and branding used by himself, Cash Wheeler and CM Punk during their time together in AEW.

The listing, accessible by the United States Patent and Trademark Office reveals that David Harwood, better known as Dax, filed for the trademark CMFTR as an entertainment listing.

“Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestlers and sports entertainers; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestlers and sports entertainers; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestlers and sports entertainers; Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Providing online interviews featuring professional wrestlers and sports entertainers in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes.”

The online listing, accessible here, reveals that the trademark request was filed on October 5th 2023, just 24 hours before the news surrounding CM Punk’s WWE return began to emerge.

Could Dax Harwood have his eyes on WWE down the line?

AEW WrestleDream may have been a spectacle for fans, but it was more a WrestleNightmare when it comes to the ratings!

Although the PPV was heavily praised from an in-ring standpoint by fans and critics alike, the attendance figures were bad news for AEW.

Writing in this morning’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer would reveal that AEW WrestleDream had delivered the lowest attendance figures in company history.

“The show drew 7,300 total fans with 6,500 paid. Aside from the pandemic shows in Jacksonville, this would be the lowest numbers for an AEW PPV show in is history.”

Meltzer added that matters were made worse by empty seats being visible on television.

“A negative was that even in tight shots of ringside, you could see a lot of empty seats just a few rows down. They kept trying to change camera angles from usual to avoid shooting them. WWE covers that using seat fillers. It was noticeable even deep into the show.”

Following the breaking news earlier today that CM Punk is in talks with WWE over a potential return, a new report has emerged providing an update on the possibility of CM Punk appearing at Survivor Series in Chicago next month.

Nick Hausman of Haus of Wrestling has provided an update on CM Punk’s potential WWE return, noting that one source within the company told him that it is a “safe bet” to assume CM Punk will return in Chigaco next month.

The report notes:

“The general belief within WWE at this time is that if Punk does come back, it will be on the main roster, which Michaels seems to agree with. One WWE source told me they feel it is a “safe bet” he will be at Survivor Series.”

Hausman also notes that those close to CM Punk do not believe the reports surrounding Punk’s backstage antics in AEW would be used against him should he negotiate a return with the WWE.

“Furthermore, those we have talked to from Punk’s came do not feel the incidents that led to his AEW release would be held against him if he wanted to return.”

You can read the latest on a potential WWE return for CM Punk, here.

In recent weeks rumours have begun circulating online that Roman Reigns is set to take on John Cena at WWE’s upcoming Crown Jewel PLE.

However, a new report has revealed that although both men’s opponents are yet to be confirmed, there are no plans for the two of them to face off in Saudi Arabia.

Writing in this morning’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer would shoot down the rumour.

Meltzer notes:

“Although the promos where the Bloodline and Heyman talk of Cena as “the second greatest wrestler of all-time,” with the idea Reigns is the greatest and a play off Cena’s WWE tag line of being the greatest, and Cena also at this point scheduled for Crown Jewel, it was confirmed to us that Reigns vs. Cena is not the match planned for the show.”

Who would you like to see Roman Reigns take on in Saudi Arabia? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Tammy Sytch, known in her WWE days as Sunny, has been declared a “danger to society.”

Tammy Sytch’s sentencing is scheduled for November 27th before The Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, in and for, Volusia County, Florida.

If convicted, then former WWE Superstar Sunny faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in jail.

According to the sentencing memorandum filed by Florida State Attorney RJ Larizza, stated under facts they have declared that:

“Tamara Lynn Sytch is a danger to society as shown based on her past record and current offense.”

Sytch’s full criminal history dating back to 2005 was also detailed in the sentencing memorandum.

You can read full details of this report, here.

Jim Ross is technically no longer All Elite.

The WWE Hall of Famer who has been with AEW since the companies first show in 2019 is currently without a contract after his existing AEW deal expired in September.

The news was reported in this morning’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer would note that Ross’ contract expired in September but added that negotiations are on-going which would imply that ‘Good Ol’ Jr’ is likely to be All Elite once again in the near future.

“Jim Ross’ contract is either up or about to be up and he’s still working as they negotiate a new deal.

It was up in September from what we were told and Ross on his podcast said that they were in talks for a new deal”

Would you like to see Jim Ross re-sign with AEW? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below! 

As WWE continues to stack next week’s episode of NXT as it goes up against AEW Title Tuesday, many fans are treating this as a sign that WWE sees AEW as major competition.

However, according to a new report from Dave Meltzer, at least one individual backstage in WWE believes that AEW is set to become the next WCW or TNA.

Writing in this morning’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer would reveal that following the WWE signings of Jade Cargill and Brian Pillman Jr, and the AEW signing of Adam Copeland, the belief, from at least one individual, backstage in WWE is that AEW will continue to lose young talent to the WWE whilst also continuing to sign WWE’s older talent – something that was common practice in both WCW and TNA.

Meltzer writes:

“One person in WWE noted that they believe the wrestling war will turn into WCW or TNA or Bellator as the competition in the sense there will be signings of older talent from WWE with names while WWE will take AEW’s younger talent (Cargill being the first example) and this is history repeating itself.

The claim is that a pipeline has developed and some of the younger AEW stars are already talking about leaving when their deals are up.

Even in AEW there are people saying the same thing, that it’s known that people are looking to leave and the hope is that the number is few because the perception of AEW as the AAA league in wrestling (a baseball reference for the top feeder league, not a wrestling reference) would not be good for AEW.

There will likely be movement in both directions as there has been, but WWE is interested in the key younger talent”

Do you think AEW is destined to end up like WCW or TNA? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Last Saturday fans were treated to a in-ring spectacle as Ilja Dragunov defeated Carmelo Hayes to capture the NXT Championship but has the match been awarded five stars…no, no it has not.

Writing in this morning’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer would reveal his ratings for WWE NXT’s NO Mercy PLE including the beloved co-main event between Dragunov and Hayes.

Dave Meltzer NXT No Mercy Star Ratings

• Blair Davenport vs. Kelani Jordan *1/2
• Baron Corbin vs. Bron Breakker **3/4
• Trick Williams vs. Dominik Mysterio (c) – NXT North American Title **1/2
• The Family (c) vs. The Creed Brothers vs. Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo vs. OTM – NXT Tag Team Titles ***3/4
• Noam Dar (c) vs. Butch – NXT Heritage Cup ***1/4
• Ilja Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes (c) – NXT Championship ****3/4
• Becky Lynch (c) vs. Tiffany Stratton – NXT Women’s Title (Extreme Rules Match) ****1/2

Do you agree with Meltzer’s ratings for NXT No Mercy? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

You can check out the ratings for last week’s AEW WrestleDream PPV featuring Bryan Danielson vs Zack Sabre Jr, here.

Bryan Danielson vs Zack Sabre Jr at AEW WrestleDream has been awarded 5.5 stars by Dave Meltzer in this morning’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Meltzer would describe the pairs clash as a “classic style match” and on that will be one of the “most remembered” matches of the next 20 years.

“This was a classic style match and I think it will be one of the most remembered matches of this era by people in 20 years.

The announcers from the start tried to compare it to the 1975 Antonio Inoki vs. Billy Robinson match and while it won’t have nearly the cultural significance because these guys have nowhere close to the name value in this culture that Inoki and Robinson had in Japan, this is the modern equivalent of a match that is remembered far better than matches that were actually far bigger at the time.”

You can read Dave Meltzer’s full star ratings for AEW WrestleDream, here.

Do you agree with Meltzer’s rating for this match? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

MJF is the Salt of the Earth, the reigning AEW World Champion and better than you (and you know it)… but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have some friendly advice.

Taking to social media, MJF would offer some advice to young wrestlers when it comes to handling feedback and criticisms.

Writing on Twitter, MJF would tell fans to never ignore criticism but instead know how to balance taking it on board/letting it effect you with utilising the feedback as a tool for growth.

MJF wrote:

“Advice from a guy whose been fortunate enough to have accomplished a lot in his profession at a young age.

I’ve noticed something with people in my generation and hopefully this helps you young Poors out there.

When you are criticized, of course allow it to upset you. You’re only human. But it doesn’t matter how good you are at your job, never blow off criticism. Use it.

Never rest on your laurels. There’s always room for growth.”

Mercedes Mone shocked the world when she appeared in the crowd during AEW’s record-setting All In PPV earlier this year.

Since then reports have circulated online revealing that Mercedes Mone was set for a prominent role in AEW’s 2023 Forbidden Door PPV prior to getting injured at NJPW’s Resurgence PPV.

Tony Khan has made it no secret that he would love to make the former Sasha Banks a major figure in AEW and ahead of the companies Full Gear PPV on November 18th, Mone has revealed that she would be open to appearing at the event… if her calendar permits.

During a recent Instagram Live session, Mone would comment on AEW coming to Los Angeles for Full Gear – noting that she would be happy to appear, but she needs to check she isn’t busy first.

Mone would state:

“When is that? [AEW Full Gear] I don’t know, I got to ask my friend – a little A-E-Dub. It’s coming here to LA I guess.

[If they invite us?] Sure, if I’m free, I gotta see, I gotta check the schedule. We’re really busy, we’re doing a lot of things, travelling a lot.”

Would you like to see Mercedes Mone sign with AEW? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

If you use any quotes from this article please prove a h/t to Inside The Ropes and link back to the original article.

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:

• WWE denies Hulk Hogan‘s recent bizarre WrestleMania 39 claims.
• Randy Orton once paid a fan $1000 for a unbelievable reason.
• Mercedes Mone open to AEW Full Gear appearance.
• LA Knight reveals what advice he would love to get from The Rock and John Cena.
• Original reunion plans for Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa revealed.
• John Cena compares rising WWE star to The Miz.