Ringside Roundup: Bray Wyatt, Adam Page, Ronda Rousey, Adam Cole’s Contract, More

– Bray Wyatt Released by WWE

WWE releasing Bray Wyatt was the big news of this past weekend. Wyatt, whos been out since WrestleMania in a losing effort to Randy Orton, was expected to return at any moment. At the end of the match, Alexa Bliss turned on Wyatt while simultaneously taking over “The Fiend” character.

WWE has released over 33 wrestlers in 2021, with Wyatt as the latest casualty with “budget cuts” cited as the official reason. The company is reportedly trying to get the payroll down, and with such an initiative, a wrestler’s on-screen range as a performer means more than ever. What do I mean?

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Wrestling’s “Pizza Cutter Gate” is a Howl

Yesterday morning, I told my wife, who doesn’t follow wrestling, about “Pizza Cutter Gate.” As I finished telling the story, her dog barking text notification went off. It was a message from Dominos about a new pizza deal. At that point, I knew I had to write about this.

Dominos issued a statement regarding a commercial that aired Wednesday night on AEW Dynamite playing juxtaposed to Nick Gage using a pizza cutter on Chris Jericho’s forehead. This bloody and hilarious coincidence has everyone but AEW laughing.

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Will CM Punk’s Arrival in AEW Cancel Out Adam Page?

All Elite Wrestling is on the precipice of its first game-changing moment in its short but noteworthy history. In a similar vein to when WCW signed Hulk Hogan in 1994, AEW has presumably signed CM Punk.

Capitalizing on the fervent speculation, Tony Schiavone announced Rampage on August 20 will emanate from Punk’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois, at the United Center. The sophomore episode is auspiciously dubbed “The First Dance.”

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Hall of Famer”Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff Dies at 71

It seemed like another Monday until the news broke yesterday that “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff passed away. Orndorff, who was 71 years old, will always be remembered for headlining the inaugural WrestleMania and his legendary feud with Hulk Hogan.

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The New Day Named Greatest Tag Team of All-Time?

WWE’s “50 Greatest Tag Teams” series on Peacock named The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) the greatest tag team of all time. Lists like this often conjure up a divisive reaction. Everyone has an opinion, as is the case here. Some feel the colorful unicorn trio is worthy of such an honor, while others, not so much.

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Million Dollar Title Comes To NXT

Tuesday’s episode of NXT saw the return of the Million Dollar Championship. Ted DiBiase announced that Cameron Grimes vs. LA Knight at TakeOver: In Your House on Sunday is now a ladder match for the famed belt. Both wrestlers have vied for the services of DiBiase, and the winner will carry on his Million Dollar Legacy. So, who will win? What will the title mean?

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Shingo Takagi Wins IWGP Title. Good or Bad Idea?

Shingo Takagi defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on Monday at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Dominion in Osaka-Jo Hall. The finish saw Shingo hit Okada with a dragon suplex followed by Last of the Dragon to win the vacant title at 36:04.

While one can never complain about an Okada title win, was putting the belt on Shingo the right call?

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Remembering New Jack, Dies at 58

I vividly remember an altercation during an ECW house show at Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere, MA. It was intermission, and there was a metal guardrail in the crowded foyer separating the wrestlers from fans buying merchandise.

“I don’t want to see that s***,” New Jack shouted to a fan who, without warning, handed him a VHS tape of his backyard wrestling exploits. New Jack quickly said he was only kidding, took the tape, removed the slipcover, and smashed it over the guardrail.

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WWE Releases 10 Wrestlers Including Samoa Joe & Billie Kay.

Last Wednesday, WWE released 10 wrestlers precisely one year to the day where they released 20 wrestlers at the beginning of pandemic. Then and now, budget cuts were cited as the reason for the company releasing various talent. Some of the releases were not surprising, while other releases are mind-boggling, while some never got a fair shake.

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WrestleMania 37 Review

WrestleMania 37 was the first WWE show in front of a live crowd in over a year. Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL saw 13 matches, 5 new champions, 2 heels retain their titles and one main historical event.

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