WWE Hall of Famer Sting The Great Muta during an AEW show

WWE Hall of Famer Sting Loses Tooth In Insane AEW Spot; June 29th Live Wrestling News Round-Up

Welcome to the June 29th Inside The Ropes Live blog, bringing you the latest news from WWE, AEW, NJPW, IMPACT Wrestling and more.

Today’s biggest stories:

  • Sting loses a tooth during an insane AEW spot.
  • Arn Anderson reveals when Vince McMahon decided John Cena was ‘the guy’.
  • Mick Foley reveals Vince McMahon’s initial reaction to his iconic Hell in a Cell match with The Undertaker.
  • Jake Paul comments on Logan Paul’s upcoming WWE Money in the Bank match.
  • The Undertaker reveals the moment he knew his career was finally over.
  • Sami Zayn’s charity drive causes legal issues for Pro Wrestling Tees.

 Get involved and send us your thoughts to join in the conversation.

Logan Paul

Possible Sign Logan Paul Not Set To Win Money In The Bank!

Logan Paul has been heavily rumoured and speculated to be the winner of this Saturday’s WWE Money in the Bank briefcase, with sources believing that Paul’s mainstream appeal will catapult the WWE’s exposure if they have him win the match.

However, based of information circulating in a new report it looks like Logan Paul will be going in another direction.

Fightful Select is reporting that they have heard “rumblings” that a program between Logan Paul and The Brawling Brutes has been discussed for after Money in the Bank.

It is likely safe to assume that if Logan Paul was to win Money in the Bank he would quickly enter a programme towards the top of the cards with Seth Rollins, and not a feud with The Brawling Brutes, who although excellent, are much lower down the card than WWE is likely to put it’s next World Champion.

There have also been reports in recent days that although the WWE creative team are keen for Paul to win the Money in the Bank briefcase, Triple H himself is against the idea and may put a stop on any plans relating to this.

Knight is currently the betting favourite to win the prestigious match just days before the show with Paul sitting second and Butch the least likely at a whopping 14/1.

Would you like to see win on Saturday? Let us know using the ‘get involved’ feature at the top of the page.

Jimmy Uso

WWE Shares Footage of The Usos Final Preparations Ahead of Money In The Bank

This Saturday The Usos are set for the biggest match of their career as the clash with their family in the main event of WWE’s Money in the Bank PLE.

Jimmy and Jey Uso will take on Solo Sikola and Roman Reigns in the latest instalment of The Bloodline storyline.

Ahead of the match, WWE has taken to Twitter to show off The Usos final preparations.

Check it out

WWE

BT Sports Teases Surprise Return At WWE Money in the Bank

WWE’s UK media partner BT Sport never shy away from teasing fans ahead of major events and this weekends Money in the Bank PLE is no different.

Taking to Twitter, the official WWE on BT Sports account would share a video of John Cena’s iconic WWE return at the 2021 Money in the Bank event with a caption teasing that something similar might just happen in London this weekend.

You never know who’s going to show up at #MITB”

Obviously BT Sports aren’t clued up to every aspect of WWE’s behind-the-scenes plans, but this hasn’t stopped fans running rampant with speculation in the Tweets replies with names such as Drew McIntyre and Bray Wyatt discussed as potential shock returns at the O2 this weekend.

Do you think Drew McIntyre will make his WWE return this weekend? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

LA Knight

LA Knight ADDRESSES Concerns About His Age and Missing WrestleMania!

LA Knight addresses issues about his age at 40 years old, his frustrations with missing Wrestlemania, his dislike of portraying Max Dupri and Triple H stepping in to bring back his NXT character!

Check out the brand new interview clip below!

Booker T

Booker T Heaps Praise On Bron Breakker’s Recent Performances

Bron Breakker spears Seth Rollins

Booker T has given his thoughts on the recent match between Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker, tipping his hat to the NXT star in the process.

Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker praised Breakker for his performance, commenting that it’s exactly the kind of thing he wants to see.

“I thought it was a hell of a match. You guys didn’t get a chance to see all of it because some of it happened in the commercial breaks, but the NXT Universe there, man, they got a chance to see exactly what Bron Breakker was all about.

What I liked about Bron, he was calm, cool, and collected. He was walking and talking. Of course, he was in there with a professional. He was in there with a vet, a guy that was going to be able to take him to the Promised Land and let him feel something while he’s out there doing it as opposed to just doing it,”

Booker T also recently called for WWE to strap a rocket onto one rising main roster star.

You can read more, here.

Piper Niven

Piper Niven Rejoices At Return To The UK & The Power Of Greggs

Piper Niven is one of WWE’s toughest competitors and one of the UK’s most successful female exports in WWE history.

Ahead of Money in the Bank, the former Dewdrop has returned to the UK with the WWE and has taken to social media to rejoice at being returned with the UK’s greatest creation… Greggs.

AEW

AEW Star Now Signed To Full-Time Contract

A new report has revealed that Harley Cameron has signed a full-time contract with AEW.

The star has become something of a regular with the company in recent months, joining forces with QT Marshall, Aaron Solo, Powerhouse Hobbs, and John Morrison.

As reported by Fightful Select, Cameron has signed a full-time contract with AEW, as her screen time continues to increase. The star made her debut with the promotion back in July 2022, wrestling Willow Nightingale on Dark.

Cameron hasn’t wrestled since March when she overcame Mafioso, also on Dark.

You can read more on this, here.

LA Knight

LA Knight Reveals Why He Failed In The WWE Ten Years Ago

LA Knight on WWE SmackDown

This weekend LA Knight could set himself on a collision course with the WWE Championship by winning the 2023 Money in the Bank ladder match.

But it hasn’t been a smooth ride for the 40-year-old WWE Superstar, 10 years ago he was a part of WWE’s developmental but it didn’t quite work out.

Now in a new interview with Chris Van Vliet, the leader of the ‘Yeah’ movement has opened up on his previous stint with the WWE and why it failed.

“Well, because when I got let go the first time it wasn’t because of talent issue. And that was made very clear to me. It was very much a professional issue.

There was a perception with me and the head coach at the time and the way that things were going were not good. Because I was poking the bear because things that were happening and the way things were going.

Well, eventually he was out, and then I was kind of floating around the ether here. And I had run into some people and they were like, hey, what do you think about coming back? I said I’d love to come back.

And the only issue was, since leaving with heat, I was kind of given the same offer I had the first time around, and I was making more money where I was. So I was like I’m gonna stay here for a year to hang on to this. And so I did, and for the immediate future, that was probably the best move long term, not the best move.

Because I quickly hit the ceiling financially, professionally, whatever where I was, and at some point it was like I’m gonna have to take this short term downgrade in pay, because even though I’m making more here, I’m stuck. But if I take this downgrade here, eventually I can be well above here.”

You can check out the full interview with LA Knight, here.

Is LA Knight your pick to win this weekend’s Money in the Bank ladder match? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Kenny Omega

"All Of Their Sh*t Looks Phoney" - Jim Cornette Blasts Kenny Omega & Will Ospreay

Will Ospreay vs Kenny Omega at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

Jim Cornette has continued his brutal review of AEW’s Forbidden Door PPV by blasting Kenny Omega & Will Ospreay for their “phoney looking” match.

Kenny Omega vs Will Ospreay was a fan favourite coming out of Forbidden Door with some going as far as to call the match their favourite match of all time.

But someone who wont be joining in the plaudits for the epic bout is wrestling legend Jim Cornette.

Speaking on Jim Cornette’s Drive-Thru, the legendary manager would blast the match and it’s participants for being “phoney.”

“At least these two guys can move. The other Japanese guys on the show are so old and broken down or crippled or whatever, because of all the stupid sh*t they do. These guys have just started crippling themselves with all the stupid sh*t they do, so they can move, so it’s quicker.

But they did the forearms to just back and forth, sh*tty no contact. Nobody can throw a f*cking punch. Because I know Kenny’s never been in a real fight except the one he got bitten in.

But one would think Ostrich being a punk from the UK would have been in a few dust ups.

Anyway, here’s the thing, everybody raves about how Oh, is this going to be whether it’s Kenny and Okada, or Kenny and Will or this guy and that guy. It’s going to be seven stars, it’s going to be a classic, it’s going to be the greatest match of the year.

And so when I look at these two or any match that’s presented with that expectation, I say okay, how does this compare to Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat? Because as we all know, that is still pretty much the pinnacle of athletic competition in pro-wrestling where it was believable enough to be a contest, but exciting enough to be pro-wrestling.

It didn’t go too far, it was just the porridge that was just right. Everything else is based on that. Any further and it was fake, it was sports entertainment, backup any and it was fucking to dry. But in competition, in psychology, in the game of physical chess, as Gordon Solie would say, as something you could get lost in.

Whether it was 58 minutes in the Superdome or whether it was the f*cking half an hour in Chicago or wherever, whatever, Nashville, whatever the f*ck. You could get lost in that sh*t and you could buy it, and the intricacies, and the little things, and the basics.

This is an exhibition, a video game moves by highly athletic performers, with absolutely no basics and no psychology and all of their little sh*t looks phoney. The simple sh*t is phoney the complicated sh*t, the triple flips and lindies and landing on their feet and whatever though they do that fine.

Because that’s all they practise, because that’s all they worry about. Because that’s the superficial f*cking view they have of wrestling. But when it tried to throw a punch or they try to grab somebody, it’s the f*cking exhibition of the same. And there was no MJF in this to keep something this f*cking long interesting to have it mean something from one minute to the next. It was a series of me moves and cool things they thought of to do, strung together.”

You can check out Cornette’s full review of the show, here.

Do you agree with Cornette’s divisive comments? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

AEW

Will Ospreay Cools Talk Of Quick Rematch With Kenny Omega

Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay

Fans hoping to see Will Ospreay vs. Kenny Omega at AEW All In might be left disappointed.

Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay tore the house down at AEW Forbidden Door last Sunday in a match most are calling match of the year and some are calling the best match of all time.

With the score between them now tied at 1-1, many believe a third match could be on the way at All In, with the event set to take place at Wembley Stadium — just down the road from Ospreay’s home in the UK.

However, whether he’s trying to throw fans off the scent, or is legitimately looking elsewhere for a challenge, Ospreay told Dark Puroresu Flowsion that he wants to let their previous two matches marinate for now.

You can read ‘The Arial Assassin’s’ full comments, here.

Is Kenny Omega vs Will Ospreay your MOTY so far? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Eric Bischoff

Eric Bischoff ADDRESSES Misconceptions Over Crazy WCW Salaries

Eric Bischoff spoke to Kenny McIntosh on tour with Inside The Ropes live about the biggest misconceptions about WCW salaries when compared with WWF at the time.

Check out this never before seen interview below!

John Cena

Arn Anderson Reveals When Vince McMahon Decided John Cena Was "The Guy"

John Cena & Austin Theory at WrestleMania 39.

With Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock winding down their WWE careers, the company needed a new would-be megastar, step forward John Cena.

In the summer of 2002, Cena emerged from arguably the most talented developmental class in WWE history. The OVW class of 2002 has become the stuff of legend, after it provided the roster with Cena, Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, Batista, Shelton Benjamin and more.

However, it quickly became apparent that Cena would be the “chosen one,” and the name the company threw its full weight behind. During this period, Arn Anderson, who was working backstage with WWE, was given the task of sharpening Cena up and preparing him for life as the top guy in the company.

Speaking on a recent episode of his podcast, Arn, the WWE Hall of Famer recalled being told by Vince McMahon, that Cena was next.

Anderson added that he’d previously done a similar job for WCW with Goldberg as he embarked on his legendary undefeated streak. Although convincing veterans to lose to a rookie in less than 90 seconds, was often a little more challenging.

You can read Anderson’s full quotes, here.

Sasha Banks

Mercedes Mone Features In Latest Trailer For "The Collective"

Since leaving WWE last year Mercedes Mone has been very busy. Not only has she appeared for NJPW and STARDOM in the U.S. and Japan but she has also been honing her craft as a movie star.

After she landed a role in the Star Wars spinoff The Mandalorian as Koska Reeves it seemed inevitable she would pursue further acting roles and a new movie trailer featuring Mone was recently released.

The former IWGP Women’s Champion took to social media to share an image of herself from the trailer of the upcoming movie called The Collective. Mone appears in the trailer for the movie alongside stars such as Ruby Rose, Don Johnson, Tyrese Gibson, and Lucas Till.

You can check out the trailer in full below ⬇️

Jim Cornette

Jim Cornette Blasts Excalibur As A "Mark Who Got Lucky"

Excalibur thumb

Jim Cornette has continued his scathing review of AEW’s Forbidden Door PPV by directing some words of advice at the companies lead commentator Excalibur.

Speaking during the latest episode of Jim Cornette’s Drive Thru, the legendary WWE manager would discuss AEW choosing to have Excalibur lead the commentary for Forbidden Door despite Kevin Kelly being on the show and an AEW employee.

Cornette would go on to blast the former PWG commentator for being nothing more than “a mark who got lucky.”

“He [Excalibur] had to do all of the Forbidden Door PPVs they had done up until now because of course he’s the lead announcer and even though in the past Jim Ross has done New Japan announcing and even though he [Excalibur] is a f*cking Japanese mark and even though his friends gave him this job even though he had never done a television show in his life before he debuted on TBS.

But now they have legitmately hired NJPW’s American announcer currently, he’s been doing it for the past 3,4,5 years, Kevin Kelly.

But yet when they do a co-promotion between AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Kevin is there alright but he’s sitting in the B chair, next to sock face who’s never worked a f*cking day for NJPW in his life, because he still doesn’t have the intestinal fortitude to say “You know what, you know what you’re doing here and I’m a mark who got lucky so since you’re here Kevin you can do the show.”

You can check out Cornette’s full review of the show, here.

Jey Uso

Throwback Thursday: The Usos Record Their Iconic WWE Theme

Ahead of their blockbuster main event at Money in the Bank, WWE has thrown it back by sharing behind-the-scenes footage of The Usos recording their iconic ‘Done With That’ theme song.

You can check out the full video below!

Mick Foley

Mick Foley's Hilarious Lie To Vince McMahon Revealed

Mick Foley’s fall from the Hell in a Cell is one of wrestling’s iconic moments…and it turns out ‘The Hardcore Legend’ told Vince McMahon a teeny white lie to get the spot approved.

While it’s been well documented that Vince McMahon was less than impressed after the match at the bumps that Foley had taken, the former World Champion has now revealed how he tried to convince the chairman that he’d be safe.

Speaking on Foley is Pod, the WWE Hall of Famer laid out how the big spot was originally meant to be a Chokeslam onto of the cell and then a controlled fall into the ring later. However, by the day of the show, he started to wonder whether he could get thrown from the top. Naturally, McMahon was uncertain, so Foley told a small lie and compared it to simply, hitting an Elbow Drop.

“It was only during the course of the day that I said, hey, how about you throw me off the top of that thing? Going back to what Terry Funk said. I just said it so casually to Taker and Vince that I tried to downplay it as being a big deal. Vince was like, ‘I don’t know if I like that, Mick.’ I said, ‘If I told you I was gonna drop an elbow and Taker was going to move, you’d let me do that, right?’”

You can read the full interview, here.

Foley and The Undertaker recently reunited to watch their iconic King of the Ring clash to celebrate the match’s 25th anniversary.

You can watch that full video below ⬇️

Jim Cornette

Inside The Ropes Magazine Cameos In Dark Side of the Ring

During the latest episode of Dark Side of the Ring, Inside The Ropes Wrestling Magazine made a brief cameo appearance alongside previous cover star Jim Cornette.

During the DSOTR episode on the legendary Junkyard Dog, Cornette would appear as a wrestling historian providing background on the WWE Hall of Famers career.

During a panning shot, Cornette can be seen holding issue 27 of Inside The Ropes Wrestling Magazine.

Jim Cornette Dark Side of The Ring with the ITR Mag

If you wanna look as good as Jim Cornette during last night’s episode of Dark Side of the Ring then you can order your copy of Inside The Ropes Wrestling Magazine today! Issue 34 featuring our interview with the creator of Dark Side of the Ring Evan Husney is out now!

Order your copy today!

Logan Paul

Jake Paul Comments On Logan Paul's Upcoming WWE Money In The Bank Match

WWE Money In The Bank - Ricochet vs. LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Santos Escobar vs. Butch vs. Damian Priest vs. Logan Paul - Men's MITB Ladder Match

This weekend Logan Paul has a chance to write his name in the history books by becoming WWE’s new Mr Money in the Bank, something that, his brother, Jake Paul thinks is going to happen.

Logan Paul is set to clash with LA Knight, Damien Priest, Ricochet, Shinsuke Nakamura, Santos Escobar and England’s own Butch in the 2023 Money in the Bank ladder match.

Speaking with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, former Disney star, Jake Paul would comment on his brothers upcoming PLE appearance and his chances of winning the match.

Paul would claim that Logan is the “best choice to win” because he is “perfect” for the WWE and the briefcase.

“Logan is the best choice to win. He’s larger than life. He has the bravado. He’s the heel. He’s perfect for this. There’s no doubt in my mind he will win. At the end of the day, he’s an entertainer and a super athlete. He can do backflips, the splits, kip-ups, and he’s been creating his own moves out here training in Puerto Rico. He’s creative. That’s what the sport is built around: creativity. We’re hated in these worlds, and we fit perfectly into those characters,” [h/t Fightful]

Do you agree with Jake? Do you think Logan Paul will win the 2023 Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Jim Cornette

Jim Cornette Believes AEW Failed To "Protect" Hiroshi Tanahashi

Hiroshi Tanahashi at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

Never one to mince his words, wrestling legend, Jim Cornette has given his thoughts on Hiroshi Tanahashi’s disappointing performance at Forbidden Door, putting the blame firmly with Tony Khan & AEW.

After a series of pre-show matches, Forbidden Door properly got going with the clash between AEW World Champion MJF and Japanese legend Hiroshi Tanahashi.

While MJF is arguably at the peak of his powers, the 46-year-old Tanahashi is showing the wear and tear of a man who has been wrestling a stunningly hard-hitting style since 1999. The match also came just 24 hours after Tanahashi wrestled Swerve Strickland on Collision.

Looking back at the event and this match in particular on his Jim Cornette Experience Podcast, the legendary manager explained how AEW could have done more to protect Tanahashi and make him seem special. Cornette said that not having him wrestle the night before, and making the bout with MJF shorter would have helped a great deal.

“Tanahashi is a legend in Japan and so people obviously are forgiving. Because when you see him for the first time over here, some person sees him without context. He’s like, What the f*ck? Is he injured is he broke down? He walks by. Yes, it’s from a lifetime of becoming a legend in Japanese wrestling.

But right now. If you get a legend that can’t go anymore, but the people still want to see him, protect him. Don’t make him go 20 minutes and singles matches where all the shit that he does your job guys in your company on free TV every Wednesday, do it better and higher and quicker and faster, and whatever the f*ck.”

During the same segment Cornette would heap praise on AEW World Champion MJF for managing the situation well and making the most of a bad circumstance.

You can read those full comments, here.

What did you think of Tanahashi’s performance at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door? Is it time for ‘The Ace’ to call it a day? Let us know using the ‘get involved’ feature at the top of the page!

Undertaker

The Undertaker Reveals The Moment He Knew His WWE Career Was Over!

The Undertaker pins CM Punk

The Undertaker has recalled the exact moment he knew it was time to retire, whether he wanted to or not.

Speaking to Alistair McGeorge for the Metro, the WWE Hall of Famer reiterated the struggle he’s faced in stepping away from professional wrestling.

“In my heart, I wasn’t ready to do it but in my mind I knew I had to. It’s been a difficult transition because if I physically could, I would still be going.

But I can’t put on a match the way people expect to see The Undertaker wrestle. There’s no sense in tarnishing the legacy, or cashing in on the equity that I built up.”

The Deadman went on to recall the exact moment while filming in the early hours of the morning he knew his career was over, something he’s not openly discussed previously.

“My back is completely locked up, I’ve got pain shooting down my legs. That’s when I knew I was done,” he said, noting it’s not something he’s ‘really talked about a lot.

It was physical, we did some really big stunts, but I shouldn’t have felt the way that I did. It was just that moment of clarity.”

You can read more on this, here.

Sting

WWE Hall of Famer Sting Loses Tooth In Insane AEW Spot

There is a reason WWE has told it’s fans “please don’t try this at home” for over two decades now, and that is because the physical risk of being a professional wrestling is incredibly high.

Something WWE Hall of Famer Sting continues to embrace, despite being 64-years-old.

In the main event of last night’s AEW Dynamite, ‘The Icon’ Sting teamed with Darby Allin to take on “The Painmaker” Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara in a Tornado Tag Team Match. Naturally, chaos ensued with the four men brawling all over the arena. But the action reached a peak with a 64-year-old Sting perched at the top of a ladder.

The veteran then launched himself from the ladder in the ring onto Sammy Guevara and two tables that were waiting outside. However, the WWE Hall of Famer had a pretty rough landing, only partially breaking the first table, and banging his face off the edge of the furniture in the process.

Speaking to fans in a post-show promo, Sting said that he needed stitches in his lip and one of his teeth had been knocked out.

“I’m gonna have a bunch of stitches and my lip, and a tooth that seems halfway knocked out, and it was worth it to be right here. Thank you to Tony Khan for allowing me to do this.”

You can check out the insane spot below ⬇️

Sting

Good Afternoon!

Good Afternoon!

Hope everyone is doing well and is ready for the blockbuster weekend of wrestling coming up!

I will be with you this afternoon from 12 pm to 6 pm BST (7 am -12 pm EST) with all the latest news and rumours from AEW, WWE and NJPW.

This afternoon we will be kicking things off with some of today’s biggest stories, including:

  • Sting loses a tooth during an insane AEW spot.
  • Arn Anderson reveals when Vince McMahon decided John Cena was ‘the guy’.
  • Mick Foley reveals Vince McMahon’s initial reaction to his iconic Hell in a Cell match with The Undertaker.
  • Jake Paul comments on Logan Paul’s upcoming WWE Money in the Bank match.
  • The Undertaker reveals the moment he knew his career was finally over.
  • Sami Zayn’s charity drive causes legal issues for Pro Wrestling Tees.

As always if you have anything you want to ask us or any stories you would like us to try to provide an update on, let us know by using the ‘get involved’ feature at the top of the page!