• Ash By Elegance / Dana Brooke Announces Retirement Weeks After Relinquishing World Title
Ash By Elegance’s (fka Dana Brooke in WWE) in-ring career has apparently come to an end, judging by her latest comments.
During a virtual signing for RDP Promotions, the former TNA Knockouts World Champion called herself “retired” while showing off a t-shirt she was selling and explaining its importance.
“$30 for this top. It is worn with me and Paige VanZant (in a photoshoot), but also, this is the shirt I retired in. It’s $30. My retirement t-shirt.”
The 15-time WWE 24/7 Champion also added that TNA has provided her an opportunity to help out in a backstage role.
“I might not be in the ring, but, I’ll still be busy. TNA has opened their doors for me and allowed me to do things backstage. Just not in the ring. Never say never so, maybe one day again.”
Ash By Elegance won the TNA Knockouts World Title at NXT Heatwave earlier this year and vacated the belt at Victory Road a couple of weeks ago. She did not give a reason for the decision during her emotional promo, and just stated that she could no longer compete.
• WWE Planning To Fire More Wrestlers After Letting 12 Names Go
WWE has started its latest round of roster cuts, a process the company typically carries out every spring and fall. Last week, several wrestlers were released and some were told their contracts won’t be renewed, marking the beginning of the fall cycle.
The list of names includes former NXT North American Champion Wes Lee, former Evolve General Manager Stevie Turner, Zara Zakher, Lance Anoa’i, Drako Knox, Jamar Hampton, Jin Tala, Haze Jameson, Summer Sorrell, Brayden “BJ” Ray, former WWE ID Women’s Champion Kylie Rae and Zayda Steel. Most of these talents primarily worked across WWE’s developmental brands – NXT, EVOLVE, LFG and the ID program.
However, the process isn’t over yet. According to Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer, more releases could be coming this week. Alvarez noted that the cuts were not budget-related, explaining that WWE currently has over 130 names in developmental and continues to hire regularly.
If someone isn’t progressing fast enough or seen as suitable for the main roster, they’re released to make room for new prospects.
Bodyslam+ recently reported that the company has renewed the ID contract of WWE EVOLVE Champion Jackson Drake.
• 2 WWE Stars Received A Standing Ovation Backstage At Crown Jewel
John Cena and AJ Styles went head-to-head one final time and put on a classic at WWE Crown Jewel in Australia. The two men wrestled for nearly half an hour. In the end Cena defeated Styles after hitting a Tombstone Piledriver followed by an Attitude Adjustment. This was Cena’s 100th PPV victory.
Fans in the arena and at home thoroughly enjoyed the match. ESPN highlighted it as the best match of the night in its review.
During the match, Cena and Styles paid tribute to various wrestlers that they worked with during their illustrious careers. Below is the list:
– The Undertaker
– Chris Jericho
– Randy Orton
– Bray Wyatt
– Shawn Michaels
– Sting
– The Miz
– Samoa Joe
– Rusev
– Christopher Daniels
– Frankie Kazarian
Honorable Mentions: Rey Mysterio (John set AJ up for a 619, but Styles clotheslined Cena) and Triple H (they almost hit a Pedigree)
The Undertaker called the match a “masterclass” and a “beautiful tribute to wrestling.” Frankie Kazarian described it as “a poetic love letter to their craft, their rivals, their legacy, and to the fans.”
According to Fightful Select, the match also received significant praise in WWE, as Cena and Styles received a standing ovation backstage following their match.
Also, Styles was unaware that the surprise introduction segment was planned. Additionally, the “Bullet Club” mention isn’t expected to cause any internal problems.
With the 17-time World Champion’s battle against The Phenomenal One at Crown Jewel concluded, there are now 4 dates left in his Retirement Tour, including two episodes of RAW, Survivor Series: WarGames and Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13.
• ESPN’s Rating For WWE Crown Jewel & Worst Rated Match Revealed
WWE kicked off its partnership with ESPN last month at the Wrestlepalooza Premium Live Event. The show was expected to be a major spectacle, but ended up being underwhelming. ESPN writer Andreas Hale criticized the event and gave it a C grade, which sparked a lot of discourse online.
Many fans were eagerly waiting for Hale’s review of the Crown Jewel PLE. His review is now out, and he has given it a B.
Here’s what he wrote about the event:
“A show that stumbled out of the gate with a relatively tame street fight and a far too brief fight between women’s champions was rescued by an absolutely stellar match between Cena and Styles that put an excellent bookend to their rivalry.
Rollins finally getting his comeuppance against Rhodes — by any means necessary — and the women’s tag match were both strong and anchored a memorable bounce-back for WWE after a middling Wrestlepalooza.”
Hale enjoyed John Cena vs. AJ Styles the most, giving it an A. Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY vs. The Kabuki Warriors and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins vs. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes both earned a B.
Roman Reigns and Bronson Reed’s Australian Street Fight received a C, while the lowest-rated match on the card was Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer vs. WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, which received a C-.
