Welcome to the April 24th Inside The Ropes Live blog, bringing you the latest news from WWE, AEW, NJPW, IMPACT Wrestling and more.
Today’s biggest stories:
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It was recently reported that Nick Aldis was working in IMPACT Wrestling without a contract following his return.
Inside The Ropes has learned that this report is categorically untrue and Nick Aldis has “100% signed” a contract with IMPACT Wrestling.
Taking to social media, AEW and former WWE Superstar Andrade has touted Hook and ‘Jungle Boy’ Jack Perry as two talents with great futures ahead of them.
Andrade would share photos of himself alongside the two AEW Superstars from a recent fan convention in the US.
Andrade would state:
“2 talents with a great future. ‘Jungle Boy’ Jack Perry and Hook.
Hopefully in the future we will see each other in a ring as a partner and rivals…. good luck Chicos!!!”
Andrade is rumoured to be on his way out of AEW with his contract seemingly set to expire in June of 2024 after signing a three year deal back in 2021.
Do you think Hook and Jungle Boy will be the future of AEW? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!
From the moment that Trinity Fatu walked out of the May 16th, 2022 episode of Monday Night Raw alongside Mercedes Mone, many have wondered if and when she will return.
According to a new report from Fightful Select, WWE has previously had interest in bringing the former SmackDown Women’s Champion back to the company.
However, any plans WWE may have had are reportedly on hold as the company has entered a unofficial ‘hiring freeze’ following the companies sale to Endeavour at the beginning of April.
You can read more on WWE’s interest in Naomi and the unofficial hiring freeze, here.
Would you like to see Naomi back in the WWE? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!
During a recent virtual signing with Captain’s Corner, Chavo Guerrero would blast long time friend Rey Mysterio for prostituting the memory of Eddie Guerrero.
At WrestleMania 39, Rey Mysterio would steal the show by dawning Eddie Guerrero’s iconic Los Guerrero’s low rider and theme song as he made his entrance ahead of his highly anticipated clash with Dominik Mysterio.
The entrance was beloved by fans across the globe, but one man who didn’t care for the entrance was Eddie’s nephew and former WWE Superstar Chavo Guerrero.
Chavo would accuse Rey of ‘prostituting’ Eddie’s memory for his own benefit.
“I gotta tell you this, I just don’t understand why Rey Mysterio still has to — look, we all love Eddie (Guerrero).
But we’re not going out with his gimmick and our gimmick, it was Los Guerreros’ gimmick and come out with the Los Guerreros, ‘We Lie, We Cheat, We Steal’ and everybody’s like, oh yeah, keeping Eddie’s memory alive. I say no dude. I’m tired of people — and this is not a bitter thing, this is the truth. We worked hard for that last name.
This whole family worked really, really hard to get that name to where it was and we’re tired of people prostituting it in a sense and using it for their benefit. So Rey Mysterio, I’m sorry that no one knows who Rey Mysterio Sr. is, Rey Mysterio Jr.
No one knows who he is and I’m sorry that you have to latch on to the Guerrero family and we’re just kind of tired of it so, thank you for keeping Eddie’s name alive, thank you for keeping the Guerrero name alive but we don’t need you, we’re good, you know what I’m saying?” [h/t Post Wrestling]
Do you agree with Chavo’s comments? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!
Lita has been absent from WWE programming since the unprovoked attack by her former best friend Trish Stratus on the April 10th edition of Monday Night Raw.
In an update on the Hall of Famer’s status, PWInisder Elite has said that while she has not been around any recent television tapings nor have they heard of any plans for her return it makes sense that she’ll be involved in the Stratus and Lynch storyline at some point.
The outlet also mentioned that while there are no plans in place to do so, a legends match such as Lita vs Stratus certainly fits the modus operandi of the Saudi Arabia events, which could see them go in that direction if creative plans allow.
You can read the full report, here.
Would you like to see Trish and Lita go one on one, one last time? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!
AEW Superstar Dax Harwood has taken to Twitter to share an incredible throwback photo with WWE Superstar and good friend Bayley.
Bayley would take to Twitter, shouting, in character, about her recent booking in WWE.
The former Women’s Champion would ask fans if she had ‘ignore me’ written across her forehead, presumably in reference to her lack of championship opportunities in recent months.
“DO I HAVE A SIGN ON MY FOREHEAD THAT SAYS ‘IGNORE ME’?!???!!!!?!?”
Good friend and fellow NXT alumni Dax Harwood would respond in jest with a fantastic throwback photo of the duo during their time in NXT together, whilst stating that he can’t see the words “ignore me” written anywhere.
Check out the lovely photo down below ⬇️
I don’t see it 😵💫 pic.twitter.com/W4kRCep0U6
— Uncle Dax FTR (@DaxFTR) April 24, 2023
Not every WWE Superstar can become a bonafide legend, many names walk through the Stamford Gates an aspiring Hall of Famer but only a few can truly make it there.
Between 2002 and 2005 one man perusing such a career was Marc Copani best known as WWE’s Muhammad Hassan.
Hassan was a controversial WWE character debuting in 2004 as a wrestler of Jordanian-Palestinian descent wanting relief from the increased prejudice and stereotypes created by the 9/11 attacks.
Hassan would go on to portray a Muslim heel, challenging the ‘greed’ of America and seeking revenge for the prejudice he faced.
The gimmick, although receiving a major push from the WWE, faced major backlash causing Hassan to be released just three years after signing with OVW.
Darby Allin is currently competing in AEW’s ‘Four Pillars’ tournament but before he was on national TV, he was still the same crazy daredevil that fans have grow to know and love.
Appearing on ‘Drinks with Johnny’ back in 2020, WWE Star Gigi Dolin [FKA Priscilla Kelly] would recall an insane story of Darby Allin using hot sauce to impress her during a first date.
The NXT Star would reveal that prior to a 15 hour drive to New York, Allin would rub Wild Wing’s hot sauce on his bare as*hole in order to impress her.
You can check out the bizarre interview clip below ⬇️
Darby did WHAT pic.twitter.com/1CTTJnEpKz
— NHATional Scissoring Day ✂️ (@nhathaniel_h) April 24, 2023
Eric Bischoff has revealed that he recently suffered a serious health scare that almost took his life.
Speaking on his 83 weeks podcast, Bischoff would reveal that he recently blacked out multiple times after passing “buckets” of blood in the bathroom leading him to be rushed to ICU.
“I get up, go to the bathroom, and I’m passing buckets of blood, like lots of it,”
The incident, caused by Bischoffs’ hypoglycemia, was so serious that doctors were at one stage debating how much intestine they would need to remove also revealing that the former WWE GM almost died twice during the incident.
“The doctor did tell me, he said, ‘You almost died twice, you almost died in Cody and you almost died here.’”
Bischoff would put fans minds at ease, revealing that he is feeling fine now and even had Sushi not long after being discharged from the hospital.
Will Ospreay and Matt Cardona are set to clash for the first time ever in a match “the internet marks” will like.
British independent promotion 1PW recently returned after over a decade away and crowed NJPW star Will Ospreay as their new 1PW World Champion.
Now “The Aerial Assassin” has confirmed his first title defence as he takes on ‘The Indy God’ Matt Cardona in Lincoln, England at 1PW’s Devil’s Due show on June 10th.
Cardona would take to Twitter to announce the match, but not without taking a shot as the 1PW fan base stating that he thinks “the internet marks” will like this match.
Check out the announcement below ⬇️
I’m sure a lot of internet marks will like this@WillOspreay vs. INDY GOD pic.twitter.com/XysAqp5l1A
— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) April 23, 2023
Happy Birthday to the Dr of Thugonomics himself, John Cena!
The legendary WWE Superstar celebrated his 46th birthday on April 23rd 2023.
Fans and friends across the world took to social media to celebrate the event, including fellow WWE Star Dominik Dijakovic who also celebrated his 36th birthday on April 23rd.
The former T-Bar would take to Twitter and hilariously wish Cena a Happy Birthday by calling it a ‘shot to his ego’ and sharing footage from a WWE Live event of the future WWE Hall of Famer beating up Retribution.
Sharing a birthday with John Cena is such a continual shot to my ego, like I’m not even the most popular WWE wrestler from Massachusetts born today wtf.
Anyway here’s a clip of him kicking my ass, HBD @JohnCena. pic.twitter.com/98ClMGBfFh
— DIJAK (@DijakWWE) April 23, 2023
Speaking on the Joe Rogan podcast, Ric Flair would heap praise on his controversial former boss Vince McMahon.
While discussing his relationship with Vince McMahon, the record setting World Champion would reveal that hold’s the former WWE CEO in high regards even going as far as to label him his hero.
“He’s my hero (Flair said about Vince McMahon). I judge people by how they treat me and he has treated me… I’ve never had anyone treat me with more respect ever in this business. He’s a great guy. I don’t care what he does. He’s my hero.”
If you want to read more on Ric Flair’s relationship with Vince McMahon, click here.
During the podcast, Flair also revealed how he created his iconic ‘Nature Boy’ character, you can check out that clip down below ⬇️
During an ITR Live show in 2019, Mick Foley answered the all important question about Undertaker’s alleged fear of cucumbers.
Check out this hilarious video down below ⬇️
The nWo is one of wrestling’s most iconic factions with Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman and Hulk Hogan engrained in wrestling legend for their roles within the group.
There was almost one more name in the iconic faction, that of WWE Hall of Famer and former World Champion Booker T.
Speaking on his Kliq This podcast, Kevin Nash would confirm that he wanted Booker T to join the nWo but was turned down by the future five time world champion himself.
You can read Nash’s full statement including Booker T’s reason for rejecting the offer, here.
Dave Meltzer’s opinions and star ratings may be divisive but one thing that is undeniably true is that the man is one of wrestling’s greatest historians with a near encyclopaedic knowledge of professional wrestling.
Taking to social media, Meltzer would share resurfaced footage of Dick Shikat’s infamous double cross of Danno O’Mahoney from March 1936.
This moment is deemed the cause of the end of one of wrestling’s first ever boom periods and therefore is widely considered one of wrestling’s ‘most important moments.’
Check out the clip and Meltzer’s comments below:
Absolutely one of the biggest moments in history. Danno was the biggest star in wrestling and he never recovered from this, and the business went largely into a tailspin because of the coverage and aftermath of this. https://t.co/tOWuC5BEmp
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) April 23, 2023
It wouldn’t be a live blog update without some mention of CM Punk as ‘The Second City Saint’ continues to dominate headlines ahead of his AEW return.
Following on from the news that the Former AEW Champion could be set for his return in just eight weeks, new information has come to light on his conduct prior to the now infamous All Out brawl.
Speaking to Nick Hausman on the Haus of Wrestling podcast, Josh Shernoff, of the Premier Steaming Network, who was backstage outside of Punk’s dressing room on the day of the All Out brawl would reveal that CM Punk’s “demeanor was good” and he had just been “hanging out there…talking to some of the younger talents.”
You can check out the full report, here.
Are you excited to see CM Punk back in AEW? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!
WWE Hall of Famer Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts has taken to social media to defend Tony Khan’s latest AEW announcement.
Tony Khan has made several pre-advertised announcements on AEW TV over the past year including including the launch of AEW All Access and most recently the return of AEW All In.
The frequency of Tony Khan’s announcements however have become a bit of a meme on social media, with some fans claiming that the AEW owner has something to say every time the ratings dip.
Jake Roberts has now taken to Twitter to hype Tony Khan’s upcoming announcement this Wednesday on Dynamite as well as defend his boss by stating that “it’s always great” to hear from Tony Khan and that it is a good thing the announcements come “straight from him.”
“It’s always great to hear what Tony Khan has to say.
Whether you agree or not at least it’s coming straight from him. Tune in to TBS Network on Wednesday 4/26 or be there live in Sunrise, FL for #AEWDynamite at 8/7CST.”
You can checkout Jake’s Tweet, here.
What do you think Tony Khan will have to say on Dynamite? Let us know by hitting the ‘Get Involved’ button at the top of the page!
We will be with you right through until 6pm tonight [BST] before taking a short break until 10pm [BST] when Robert will join us to look at all the news heading into tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw.
Ahead of that, let’s take a look at what has currently been announced for tonight’s show.
AEW Dynamite on April 26th will see a clash of generations as Jeff Jarrett takes on FTR’s Dax Harwood in singles competition.
The match was announced via social media over the weekend and was met with a positive reaction.
Elsewhere on the show, Sammy Guevara will take on Darby Allin, we will hear from Adam Cole following the shocking actions of Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega & Konosuke Takeshita will take on Butcher & Blade in tag team action.
Are you looking forward to Jarrett vs Harwood? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below.
Ronda Rousey has faced backlash several times throughout her WWE career and that doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.
The UFC Hall of Famer has found herself on the receiving end of a scathing rant from WWE Hall of Famer and former SmackDown GM Teddy Long.
Speaking on Sportskeeda’s Wrestling Time Machine, Long would blast Rousey’s recent criticism of WWE’s Women’s Division and it’s booking – stating that Rousey shouldn’t comment because she doesn’t know what she is talking about.
The WWE Hall of Famer would even go so far as to state that Rousey has no interest in pro wrestling and doesn’t show the WWE any dedication.
You can read Long’s scathing comments on Ronda Rousey, here.
Do you agree with Long’s comments? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!
Kurt Angle has revealed that he believes if he was paired with fellow Olympian Chad Gable in the WWE that the duo could be ‘unstoppable.’
Speaking on The Kurt Angle Show, the Olympic Gold Medalist was asked about possibly teaming with The Alpha Academy leader. Angle welcomed the idea, describing how successful the duo would be in the ring:
“I would love to be a heel with Chad Gable. He’s so entertaining. The two of us together would be unstoppable. But, I’m sorry to say — if I ever came back to wrestle, I don’t know if I’d be a heel.”
You can also read about Kurt Angle’s upcoming major surgery, here.
Would you like to see Kurt Angle return to the WWE? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!
Mercedes Mone has declared her intent to start a new faction in STARDOM and has already picked two perfect stablemates.
Taking to social media Mone responded to a post featuring up-and-coming stars, the Renegade Twins calling them perfect for her stardom faction.
Perfect for my stardom faction https://t.co/QAZ1YUVzgv
— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) April 24, 2023
You can read more about The Renegade Twins, including their current roles in AEW, here.
Who would you like to see Mercedes team with in STARDOM? Let us know by using the ‘Get Involved’ feature at the top of the page or by clicking here.
WWE’s 2019 trip to Saudi Arabia for their Crown Jewel PPV will go down in wrestling folklore as one of the most bizarre stories of all time.
More than 200 WWE personnel were left stranded on an aeroplane for several hours with the delay credited to a mechanical fault. However, the less-than-clear situation led to a number of conspiracy theories, including claims that then-Chairman Vince McMahon was involved in a dispute over pay.
All involved have mostly remained quiet about exactly what took place, although Drew McIntyre has previously stated that the incident was a “bit scary.”
Former WWE Star Dax Harwood has now weighed in, revealing that he never dared talk about the event on his podcast for fear of being found dead in his house.
You can read Harwood’s full statement, here.
What do you think REALLY happened in Saudi Arabia? Let us know by using the ‘Get Involved’ feature at the top of the page or by clicking here.
In 2022 following Vince McMahon’s short lived retirement, Triple H wasted no time bringing new and old faces back to the WWE with the likes of Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, Dragon Lee, Johnny Gargano and more all signed to the company within a span of three to four months.
In latter months returns/signings to the WWE have slowed down aligning with the timing of the recent WWE Endeavour sale which has reportedly prompted a ‘hiring freeze’.
A new report from Fightful Select has offered an update on the situation noting that an “effective hiring freeze” has been in place since the start of 2023.
In the case of Nick Aldis who recently returned to IMPACT Wrestling, he was told by WWE that they were interested in him, but main roster signings were not being made.
Despite this, the sports entertainment giant has continued to speak with potential new hires. It was noted by someone within the company that “we haven’t been hiring people, but we’ve been talking to people.” It was also confirmed that talks between WWE and EJ Nduka and Jay White had occurred.
You can read more about free agents currently being approached by WWE, here.
Good Afternoon!
I hope everyone had a lovely weekend, other than watching Arsenal bottle the Premier League, I certainly did!
We are going to be with you again this morning from 12pm until 6pm [GMT] covering the latest news from the world of wrestling.
Up first this morning we are going to be taking a look at WWE’s ‘hiring freeze’ and the latest on free agents the company has been in contact with.
Then we will be taking a look at Kevin Owens’ injury status, Dax Harwood fearing for his life and Teddy Long’s scathing comments on Ronda Rousey.
Do you have anything you want to see us cover this morning? If so use the ‘Get Involved’ feature at the top of the page or click here.
