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A 27-year-old WWE Superstar shared how he felt when things got physical with The Rock back in 2023. Austin Theory opened up about his experience working with The Great One during his return on SmackDown last year.

On the blue brand’s September 15, 2023 episode, Theory confronted the returning Pat McAfee to open the show. The Rock then surprised fans in Denver, Colorado when he came out and fought the former United States Champion. He and McAfee hit The People’s Elbow on A-Town Down to end the segment.

Speaking to Chris Van Vliet on Insight, the former WWE Tag Team Champion was asked about what it was like being in the ring with Rock. It felt “surreal” for Theory, who was left in awe of The People’s Champion’s instincts.

“I kid you not, being out there with him, he did like these Jedi mind tricks with his eyes. When I just knew when to go, when to say something, and just feeling it with him. He would just, I don’t know, just with his eyes. I was like, ‘Oh man.’ But it was such an experience and I just felt so on top of my game.” [H/T: chrisvanvliet.com]

Check out the video below:

Austin Theory prepared for the segment less than an hour before the show since Rock was a little late.

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Austin Theory was in awe of The Rock’s size in person

In the same interview on Insight, Austin Theory also told the story of meeting The Rock before their segment. The Final Boss was a little late, but the former United States Champion was in awe when the former WWE Champion arrived.

“I’m with Triple H and Nick Khan and we’re all walking outside. The busses are there, and this black car pulls up, six people get out, it’s just insane to me. Rock gets out, and I’m like, ‘This is crazy.’ He’s like the size of a blimp. He looks insane,” Theory said.

The People’s Champion would return again on January 1 on RAW. He became a regular on WWE television on The Road to WrestleMania 40.

Source: Sportskeeda

Bill Goldberg recently announced he plans to retire from in-ring competition in 2025. Legendary wrestling commentator Jim Ross reacted to the news by questioning whether the 57-year-old might appear in AEW.

Ross has worked for AEW since Tony Khan launched the company in 2019. Goldberg previously held talks with Khan about possibly joining the promotion. However, he revealed on 93.7 The Ticket that the discussions did not go anywhere because he thinks AEW’s product is “too cheesy.”

Ross said on his Grilling JR podcast that he “would love” to see the WWE Hall of Famer wrestle at an AEW stadium show. He also mentioned how finances will play a big part in what happens next:

“It might not be,” Ross said, discussing Goldberg having his last match in WWE. “He’s a businessman through and through. He’s got a great agent. They’ll explore every opportunity and follow the cash.” [26:31 – 26:44]

Ross speculated that a clause could be added to Goldberg’s contract, enabling AEW to potentially hire him after the WWE retirement match.

Goldberg’s most recent match ended in defeat against Roman Reigns at WWE Elimination Chamber in February 2022.

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Jim Ross on Bill Goldberg’s future after WWE return

It had been widely rumored that Bill Goldberg could wrestle again after he got involved in a confrontation with Gunther at Bad Blood on October 5.

Even if the former Universal Champion only returns for one match, Jim Ross thinks the bout could present him with other opportunities to make money:

“There’s a big payday there for him and our agent Barry Bloom, and it gets him restarted as far as awareness is concerned for other projects. It may be a one-off in the ring but it’s a multi-level prospect if he does it and he gets himself back on television.” [25:09 – 25:35]

John Cena is also set to retire in 2025. The 16-time world champion will appear at dozens of WWE events before competing in his final match toward the end of the year.

Do you think Bill Goldberg could appear in AEW? Hit the discuss button and let us know.

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Please credit Grilling JR and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.

Source: Sportskeeda

Heel WWE Superstars often project an aura of invincibility, bolstered by their membership in factions that provide backup and enhance their intimidating presence. Meanwhile, Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan recently echoed this sentiment, positioning herself as a fearless and dominant force.

After SummerSlam 2024, The Miracle Kid and Carlito joined The Judgment Day alongside Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor, and JD McDonagh. Later, she added Raquel Rodriguez to the faction.

In addition to that, the 30-year-old WWE star defeated Nia Jax to become the inaugural Women’s Crown Jewel Champion at the premium live event in Saudi Arabia. On RAW after Crown Jewel, Bianca Belair slapped Liv Morgan, and IYO SKY later emerged as the number one contender for the Women’s World Title.

During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, The Miracle Kid was asked if she was concerned about making too many enemies, which could potentially put The Judgment Day at risk. Liv Morgan acknowledged the growing number of challenges she faced from various WWE Superstars.

“I do have a lot on my plate right now between Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Nia Jax, and Tiffany Stratton; Zelina Vega had something to say about me. So there’s a lot going on; everyone wants a piece of Liv Morgan, and lucky enough, there’s enough for me to go around,” she said.

The Women’s World Champion emphasized her confidence in being protected by The Judgment Day and her strong alliance with Raquel Rodriguez, ensuring she’s well-equipped to handle any threat. Morgan added:

“Lucky enough for me, I have the most dominant group in WWE, watching my back, The Judgment Day, and I also have Raquel Rodriguez. So, it’s a lot; I’m in high demand, but my back is covered.” [From 02:07 to 02:37]

You can watch the full interview below:

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Liv Morgan comments on Bianca Belair’s slap on WWE RAW

The November 4, 2024, edition of Monday Night RAW in Saudi Arabia saw Liv Morgan being on the receiving end of a brutal slap from The EST of WWE. This came after the Women’s World Champion hinted that Belair might betray Jade Cargill.

In the same interview with TMZ Sports, Liv Morgan reacted angrily to the 35-year-old star slapping her on RAW. The Judgment Day member threatened retaliation and implied she would have physically attacked Bianca Belair had Adam Pearce not intervened.

“Well, I definitely, you know, it was there. It was a strong slap. It made me fall down, and she’s lucky that Adam Pearce was there to separate us because I would have been all over her, and she would have regretted ever touching me. But now, that could wait till next week,” she said.

Next week on the red brand, Belair and Jargill will defend their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship against Morgan and Rodriguez.

It remains to be seen when Damage CTRL’s IYO SKY will lock horns with The Miracle Kid for the Women’s World Title.

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If you pick any quotes from this article, please credit TMZ Sports and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.

Source: Sportskeeda

Austin Theory recently claimed that an absent 17-time champion was instrumental during The Rock’s WWE return last September 2023. Theory shared the story of how Charlotte Flair was involved in the last-minute planning of The Great One’s surprise comeback.

The Rock confronted Theory on the opening segment of the September 15, 2023 episode of SmackDown in Denver, Colorado. The Final Boss exchanged punches with the former United States Champion before gaining the upper hand. He hit Spinebuster followed by The People’s Elbow to A-Town Down.

Theory was asked about how the segment was planned in an appearance on Chris Van Vliet’s Insight. He said that Charlotte Flairwas asked to get out of one of the buses backstage, so that he, Triple H, Nick Khan, Rock, and members of creative can get a quick meeting.

“I think they’re just trying to get us on a bus so this could be private and nobody sees Rock. I think Nick Khan knocks on Charlotte Flair’s bus, and they’re like, ‘Hey, can you get off?’ She’s like, ‘alright.’ So she just gets off, and then we get on the bus. And then I just remember, I was in the back of the bus with The Rock, and he was kind of telling me when we get out there, it’s going to be magic. Just feel it. It’s going to be good,” Theory said. [H/T: chrisvanvliet.com]

It was just a one-off segment between The Rock and Austin Theory, though the former WWE Champion returned on the January 1st episode of RAW this year. He confronted Jinder Mahal and teased going after Roman Reigns before plans changed heading into WrestleMania 40.

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Update on Charlotte Flair’s potential WWE return

Charlotte Flair has not been seen on WWE television since the December 8, 2023 episode of SmackDown. Flair suffered a knee injury in a match against Asuka and had to undergo surgery in early January. She’s still recovering and is not expected to wrestle this year.

According to WrestleVotes on Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Backstage Pass, there are plans in place for Flair’s WWE return at WrestleMania 41. It’s still unclear at this point, but it will likely be a big matchup.

“I haven’t heard too much about potential women’s matches at WrestleMania. I do know that Charlotte Flair is going to be in the fold and at the top of any women’s wrestling card that they present for WrestleMania.”

Flair suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus in her left knee. It was her first major injury and the typical recovery time for it is nine to 12 months.

Source: Sportskeeda

A top WWE Superstar revealed the backstage reaction to The Rock being late during his return to the company back in September 2023. Austin Theory shared that The Final Boss was running late, but it didn’t hamper the preparations for their segment.

The People’s Champion made his return to WWEon the September 15th, 2023 episode of SmackDown in Denver, Colorado. He interrupted Theory and Pat McAfee, before laying out the former United States Champion as the crowd cheered.

In an interview with Chris Van Vliet of Insight, Theory shared the story of how he met The Rock before the show started. He was with Triple H and Nick Khan, and they quickly put together what to do. A-Town Down was surprised at how huge the former WWE Champion was.

“Before Rock comes out, kind of going back to when I met Rock, I remember, I came up with what I wanted to say on Pat. I was like, ‘Okay, I got it.’ And then I just get a text, ‘Come outside.’ I come outside, and it’s one of the writers, and he said, ‘Come with me.’ And then next thing I know, I’m with Triple H and Nick Khan and we’re all walking outside. The busses are there, and this black car pulls up, six people get out, it’s just insane to me. Rock gets out, and I’m like, ‘This is crazy. He’s like the size of a blimp. He looks insane,’” Theory said. [H/T: chrisvanvliet.com]

Check out the podcast below:

The People’s Champion would later turn into The Final Boss during the buildup to WrestleMania 40. He even wrestled on Night 1, pinning Cody Rhodes in the main event during their tag team match that also involved Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.

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Former WWE Champion Seth Rollins opens up on possible Hollywood career like The Rock

Speaking on The Pivot Podcast, Seth Rollins was asked about his plans after WWE. Rollins wants to be part of the industry but is also open to having a career in Hollywood. However, he compares himself to Triple H, who only had a handful of movie roles, rather than to The Rock, John Cena, and Batista.

“(Dwayne Johnson) always saw himself as being The Rock, the biggest movie star on the planet. He always saw himself taking those steps to get to that level. I see myself more like Triple H. I might dabble in movies here and there,” Rollins said. [H/T: Fightful]

Check out the video below:

Rock, Batista, and John Cena are three of the most successful actors in Hollywood today. They all had their start as WWE Superstars before becoming A-list celebrities.

Source: Sportskeeda

Monday Night RAW on November 4 averaged 1,465,000 viewers, according to Programming Insider, surpassing the 1,401,000 from the previous week. In the 18-49 age demographic, the show achieved a rating of 0.48, improving from last week’s 0.42.

The first hour averaged 1,483,000 viewers, while the second recorded 1,446,000. RAW was the third most-watched program on cable, behind only the NFL game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs, which scored a rating of 2.79 with 8.7 million viewers.

The show, recorded in Riyadh, featured IYO SKY winning a Battle Royal for a shot at the Women’s World Championship, a matchup between Sami Zayn and The Usos, and Damian Priest earning a title opportunity for the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event.

Last night, right after the AEW Dynamite broadcast on TBS, the tapings for the next episode of AEW Rampage took place, which will air this Friday on TNT.

A total of four matches took place, with the main event featuring Lio Rush going up against Komander in a singles match. Check out the complete results below:

Spoilers:

– Hikaru Shida defeated Viva Van;

– The Undisputed Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) defeated The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & John Silver) and The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean);

– Top Flight (Dante Martin & Darius Martin) defeated Beef and JD Drake;

– Lio Rush defeated Komander;

WrestleMania 41 is still over five months away. However, WWE legend The Boogeyman recently revealed that he would love to face former Universal Champion Finn Balor at next year’s Show of Shows.

The Boogeyman is one of the most scariest characters in professional wrestling history. His fixation with eating real worms not only weirded out the audience but also made him a larger-than-life persona.

The 60-year-old veteran is currently under a Legends deal with WWE and makes sporadic appearances for the company. However, he hasn’t competed in a WWE ring since the 2015 Royal Rumble match, where he was eliminated by the late Bray Wyatt. The Nightcrawler remains semi-retired, having last wrestled during the Great Fall Bash 2 on September 30, 2023.

An X (fka Twitter) user recently shared a photoshopped image of The Boogeyman vs. “The Demon” Finn Balor at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas. The worm-eating wrestler was quick to notice as he responded to the tweet by saying,” I love it.”

Finn Balor last brought back his alter ego for his Hell in a Cell match against Adam ‘Edge’ Copeland on Night 2 of WrestleMania 39.

The Irishman clarified that The Demon gimmick wouldn’t return until The Judgment Day storyline has run its course.

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Will WWE let The Boogeyman wrestle at WrestleMania 41?

Martin Wright, at 60, is well past his prime. He underwent knee surgery last year and hasn’t wrestled a match in 2024. WWE has a strict policy when it comes to allowing older talents to get in the ring. But stranger things have happened in pro wrestling before.

The mere thought of seeing The Boogeyman and “The Demon” Finn Balor in the same ring on The Showcase of the Immortals would get the people talking.

The 2025 Royal Rumble would be the time and place to sow the seeds for this buzzworthy rivalry, leading to a singles match at WrestleMania 41.

Will Triple H turn this fantasy warfare into a real match next year? Only time will tell.

Source: Sportskeeda

Stone Cold Steve Austin has famously delivered the Stunner to countless WWE opponents, often surprising them with its sudden impact. Among the victims of this lightning-fast, stun gun-like maneuver was former WWE Tag Team Champion and United States Champion, Austin Theory, who recently reflected upon the incident.

At WrestleMania 38, The Texas Rattlesnake made a shocking appearance and attacked A-Town Down after Vince McMahon’s match against Pat McAfee. As a result, Stone Cold delivered a devastating Stunner to the 27-year-old WWE star before taking out Mr. McMahon.

During a recent appearance on Chris Van Vliet’s INSIGHT, The Unproven One recalled his WrestleMania moment when he took a Stunner from Stone Cold Steve Austin. He vividly remembered the excitement and adrenaline rush of the moment, even envisioning a celebratory beer with the WWE Hall of Famer backstage.

“So at the time of WrestleMania, getting Stunned by [Steve] Austin. I fell out of the ring; I kept one eye open. I came to the back after that match thinking in my head, already living in the future. I’m about to drink a whole beer because Stone Cold is going to walk through the curtain and he’s going to hand me one, and if I don’t drink it, that’s so disrespectful,” Theory said.

Though the beer wasn’t offered, The Texas Rattlesnake’s praise and the memory of their intense in-ring moment left a lasting impact on Austin Theory.

“First beer; I’m going to be so drunk tonight. He comes through the curtain; he’s covered in beer on his shirt, and he hugs me, and I just taste all the beer. That’s enough of the beer I needed. He didn’t give me a beer, but he said, ‘It was a hell of a Stunner, kid! That was a great sell!”‘ he added. [H/T: CVV]

You can listen to the entire episode below:

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Austin Theory also got laid out by another WWE legend

On the September 17, 2023, edition of Friday Night SmackDown, the former United States Champion came face-to-face with Pat McAfee. The two men cut promos on each other before a legend returned.

It was none other than The Rock, who made his electrifying return to SmackDown in Denver. The Great One verbally humbled Austin Theory and took him out with a Spinebuster, followed by The People’s Elbow maneuver.

The Unproven One has been teaming up with Grayson Waller for some time, and the duo even held the WWE Tag Team Championship earlier this year. However, there have been hints that Austin Theory might turn babyface and part ways with Waller due to the latter’s increasingly questionable tactics.

Source: Sportskeeda

Jimmy Uso wasn’t left feeling ‘Ucey’ after Sami Zayn accidentally smashed Roman Reigns with a Helluva Kick at Crown Jewel. The former stablemates erupted like volcanoes on the latest episode of WWE RAW, and Sami refused to have his loyalty questioned once again.

Jey Uso requested the former Intercontinental Champion to come to the upcoming episode of SmackDown so that The Usos, Roman Reigns, and Sami Zayn can resolve the situation like “family” does. Unfortunately, Jimmy isn’t too convinced about whether the former Honorary Uce can be trusted or not. Well, one person can change Jimmy Uso’s mind!

At WWE SmackDown, Roman Reigns can fix the situation by convincing Jimmy Uso to let Zayn return to the OG Bloodline. The OTC is changing with every passing appearance. He could explain to Jimmy Uso that the Canadian deserved the benefit of the doubt and the kick was truly an accident. Even though Roman Reigns was left confused and shocked at Crown Jewel, he must have taken his time to evaluate the situation in these past few days.

Getting kicked in the face and yet taking a stand for Sami Zayn is highly unexpected from the OTC. Hence, the crowd will blow the roof off the arena if Roman embraces Sami as one of his own and accepts him as family, even if they aren’t related by blood. That said, the angle is speculative at this point.

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Jimmy Uso might be the only one who has forgiven Roman Reigns

The idea behind bringing back the former members of the OG Bloodline was to show that family comes above all, and one shows up for their close one. However, between The Usos and Roman Reigns, the situation might be different from what meets the eye.

On the Notsam Wrestling podcast,Sam Roberts claimed that Jimmy Uso might be the only one who has forgiven Roman Reigns. According to the analyst, Main Event Jey was still on the fence about the OTC, and the former Undisputed WWE Champion was well aware of that.

“So, Jey trusts Jimmy. And Jey has his own rivalry with this new Bloodline. But I don’t think Jey specifically thinks that Roman should have the Ula Fala back. I don’t think Jey’s forgiven Roman Reigns. And I think Roman Reigns is aware of that and has resentment towards it. Roman Reigns is aware that Jey quit on him. Roman Reigns is aware that Jey still has resentment towards him. Roman Reigns is aware that three weeks ago, he told Jey he was proud of him, and Jey walked away and said, ‘No Yeet!’”

At Crown Jewel, Jey did not tag in Roman even though it was clear thatthe OTC wanted to be a part of the action. To a certain extent, even Jimmy Uso was concerned with his former tag team partner not tagging in the Original Tribal Chief.

Source: Sportskeeda