• New Match Announced For Wrestlepalooza
In the opening segment of tonight’s RAW, The Usos vs. The Vision was set up for Wrestlepalooza on September 20. Backstage, LA Knight wasn’t happy about this match announcement and asked RAW General Manager Adam Pearce for a match against either Bron Breakker or Bronson Reed. Below is the updated match-card for the debut ESPN PLE:
– Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena
– Vacant Women’s World Championship Match: IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer
– The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. The Vision (Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed)
• The Rock Reveals Why He Has Lost 60 Lbs
The Rock recently appeared at the Venice Film Festival, where everyone noticed a significant change in this physique. He apparently lost 60 pounds.
During a career retrospective talk at the Toronto Film Festival, The Great One revealed that he’s going through physical changes for a role called “Chicken Man” in an upcoming movie ‘Lizard Music’, which will be directed by Benny Safdie, the director of The Smashing Machine.
“Benny pitched me this, and after about 45 minutes, this pitch ended and I said, ‘I am your Chicken Man.’
I still have a long way to go. I’m so excited to get a chance to hopefully transform again like I was able to do in ‘Smashing Machine.’ [It means] eating less chicken.”
The film tells the story of a 70-something year old (played by The Rock), whose best friend is a chicken.
• Current Plan For Cody Rhodes’ Return
Cody Rhodes hasn’t been seen on WWE programming since the August 8th episode of SmackDown. He was attacked by Drew McIntyre, so he could be written off TV as he was scheduled to film the upcoming Street Fighter movie.
According to the Wrestling Observer, the plan for Wrestlepalooza was a match between The American Nightmare and The Scottish Warrior for the Undisputed WWE Championship. WWE was planning to have Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton at this PLE if Rhodes did not come back in time.
The company has announced McIntyre vs. Orton for the upcoming edition of SmackDown, which likely means that Rhodes will be back in time to defend his title at Wrestlepalooza.
It is possible that he shows up on the blue brand this week following McIntyre’s encounter with The Viper.
• “It came off like domestic abuse” – WWE Hall Of Famer Blasts Becky Lynch’s Segment With CM Punk
Becky Lynch helped her husband Seth Rollins retain the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of WWE Clash In Paris by attacking CM Punk. The following night on RAW, she showered slaps on The Best In The World.
WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash was not a fan of the segment. While discussing it on his Kliq This podcast, he said that it felt like domestic abuse.
“When she went violent on Phil, with the smacking, it felt like watching Deborah Winger and West Hightower in Urban Cowboy. It came off like domestic abuse and that’s not the kind of heat you want. The company censors a line like ‘eat a fat f**k,’ but apparently portraying domestic violence is okay? That doesn’t sit right.”
He went on to question The Man’s promo and felt like she was trying to get cheap heat.
“Then Becky gets a line on RAW to say ‘gross ball sweat.’ I saw it coming. It felt so contrived. Like George C. Scott in Patton – ‘you magnificent son of a b*tch, I read your book’ – I knew exactly what was going to happen. And it’s the same old cheap heat, like when someone says, ‘The only bigger losers than you guys are the Eagles here in Philadelphia tonight.’ Come on, man. That’s where we’re at?”
• Wardlow Suffers Injury After AEW Return
AEW star Wardlow may be sidelined again after suffering an injury almost immediately following his long-awaited comeback.
According to Fightful Select, the injury is believed to be a torn pectoral muscle, a setback that could keep him out of in-ring action for an extended period. While the exact timing of the injury is not confirmed, some within AEW suggest it may have occurred during his return angle at Forbidden Door.
Wardlow had only just resurfaced on AEW programming after more than a year away. His absence was initially due to injuries, though he had been cleared several months ago. His television comeback was delayed as he fulfilled outside commitments, including filming the first two seasons of American Gladiators. That project has since wrapped, paving the way for his AEW return – only for this latest setback to occur.
Although his in-ring future is uncertain, AEW sources noted the possibility of keeping Wardlow visible on television in a non-wrestling role, potentially as an enforcer for The Don Callis Family, while he recovers.
The news has reportedly dampened morale among AEW talent, as many were eager to see Wardlow regain momentum after a frustrating stretch of injuries and time away.
If the torn pec diagnosis is confirmed, Wardlow will join the growing list of AEW talents battling injuries in 2025. The timeline for recovery has not yet been shared, but such injuries typically require lengthy rehabilitation.
