Welcome to the January 26th Inside The Ropes Live blog, bringing you the latest news from WWE, AEW, NJPW, IMPACT Wrestling and more.
Today’s biggest stories:
Get a candid look at how CM Punk is preparing for his WWE in-ring return at Royal Rumble 2024 after 10 years with this behind-the-scenes look at his tense moment with Cody Rhodes on the final Raw before Royal Rumble.
Check it out!
Kazuchika Okada & Mercedes Mone are not the only stars expected to be popping up in AEW in the near future.
According to a new report from Dave Meltzer, AEW signee Megan Bayne is expected to be starting shortly.
Meltzer notes that Bayne, who has been signed with AEW for over a year, has now finished up with stardom and is expected to begin appearing for AEW in the immediate future.
Writing in this morning’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer notes:
“Megan Bayne, who is under contract here, should be starting shortly.
She had her final match with Stardom on 1/21. She was in stardom to gain experience because the fastest learning curve for a woman wrestler is a Stardom tour because you work hard with good people and get regular ring time in several days a week in a highly structured environment
Do you think Megan Bayne has what it takes to succeed in AEW? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!
If you were expecting or hoping to see either Kazuchika Okda or Mercedes Mone in tomorrow’s Royal Rumble… then look away.
According to a new report from Dave Meltzer, both stars are expected to be “starting soon” in AEW.
Writing in this morning’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer would reveal that despite recent WWE rumours and speculation both free agents are set for AEW.
“Regarding Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Mone, the belief from this side [AEW] is that both will be starting soon.
Mone was doing acting work but there is talk her debut will be played up extremely big and that announcement could be soon.”
Are you excited to see Okada and Mone in AEW? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!
Recently a new report from Sports Illustrated claimed that WrestleMania 40 may look nothing like originally planned.
However, that report has since been retracted…so what is planned for WrestleMania?
Well according to Dave Meltzer, at least one championship match has been planned for months and it may reveal the winner of the 2024 Royal Rumble.
Writing in this morning’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer notes that Becky Lynch vs Rhea Ripley has been on the table for months and remains the plan for WrestleMania 40.
“Nobody expects Reigns to lose. His next contender, who would have been a Rumble favorite, was Cody Rhodes but now it seems likely that could change to Dwayne Johnson. And it could end up as a three-way.
Seth Rollins vs CM Punk for the world title was also planned, making Punk the other co-favorite.
However, the only match, which has been planned for months and was still on the schedule is Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch for the world women’s title.”
Meltzer continues, noting that although it is possible Lynch could book her ticket to WrestleMania at WWE’s Elimination Chamber PLE her planned role at WrestleMania makes her a favourite for tomorrow’s Royal Rumble.
“This makes Lynch a Rumble favorite.
But one of the contenders could also win the slot at Elimination Chamber on 2/24, or, given it’s wrestling, just get it with some other storyline explanation.”
Lynch has seen a surge in betting odds in recent days for the 2024 Royal Rumble but we won’t post these here to avoid potentially spoiling them for those who want to avoid.
The “Billy Goat” has done it again.
After making history with a record setting 33 five star matches, Will Osprey has not slowed down.
The AEW stars critically acclaimed match with Josh Alexander on the 18/1 edition of TNA has been awarded 5.5 stars in this morning’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Not only does this put Ospreay at 34 five star matches…but this is also the highest rated match in TNA history!
Breaking the previous record…held by Mike Bailey…and Will Ospreay.
Meltzer would comment on the match noting:
“The Will Ospreay vs. Josh Alexander match taped on 1/14 that aired on 1/18 to me was the best match easily so far this year.
Will is well and I get that, and the idea he did that the day after the Okada match is unreal. It didn’t have the story behind it as the Okada match, and they tried to do a 30:00 match in 23:49 because they felt rushed at the end but athletically this was just incredible.
I’d go *****½ and it’s the best match in what looks like it may be the best year ever when it comes to great matches. Great finish with Ospreay putting him over clean with the C-4 spike, which is so professional because he’s at the level where he wouldn’t have to do that.”
Is Will Ospreay the best wrestler in the world right now? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!
Royal Rumble 2014 made history for more than just angering the internet.
At the event CM Punk entered number one in the Royal Rumble lasting 49:12 before being eliminated by Kane.
The match would signal CM Punk’s final televised WWE match in a decade with ‘The Second City Saint’ set to go full circle by returning to the WWE ring this Saturday at the 2024 Royal Rumble!
Relive the entire 2014 Royal Rumble in full below!
On January 26th, 2014, Batista won the Royal Rumble booking his ticket to WrestleMania.
However, the match will be most remembered for the extreme fan anger that followed due to Daniel Bryan not featuring in the Royal Rumble with everyone desperate for him to become World Champion.
Fast forward to WrestleMania and Daniel Bryan would defeat Triple H, Batista and Randy Orton in the same night to make his childhood dream come true.
You can relive the 2014 Royal Rumble in full below, courtesy of the WWE.
Inside The Ropes Magazine Issue 41 available now!
Featuring:
Don’t miss out, get your copy today at www.insidetheropesmagazine.com
2020 may be remembered for the year the world shut down…but let’s be honest for wrestling fans, 2020 will always be the year that Edge made us all cry.
On this day in 2020, WWE Hall of Famer, Edge made his shock in-ring return to wrestling after being forced to retire at the peak of his career.
Edge would enter the 2020 Royal Rumble at number 21 and the rest, the rest is history.
Relive this insane moment below!
It is almost time for the BEST WWE PPV of the year…at least in my opinion, the Royal Rumble.
But who looks set to leave the show with a one way ticket to WrestleMania, let’s take a look and find out.
Unlike the men’s Royal Rumble, there was no mention of the women’s Royal Rumble in the now redacted SI report earlier this week, therefore, there has been much less movement in the average UK betting odds.
Bayley remains the 10/11 favourite for the match, appearing to be a lock in at this moment in time.
‘The Man’ Becky Lynch has moved up to second favourite at 9/2 whilst Jade Cargill, who was recently reported to be making her debut at the PLE, sits third with stagnant 6/1 odds.
Liv Morgan closes out the top four with an outside shout of 12/1.
But who do you think is going to win the 2024 women’s Royal Rumble? Write in using the get involved feature at the top of the page and let us know!
It is almost time for the BEST WWE PPV of the year…at least in my opinion, the Royal Rumble.
But who looks set to leave the show with a one way ticket to WrestleMania, let’s take a look and find out.
A recent report from SI, that has since been retracted, has caused a major shift in the odds.
CM Punk remains the odds on favourite for the 2024 Royal Rumble, however, Gunther has seen his odds slashed from 14/1 down to 2/1 following the claims from SI.
Cody Rhodes remains an outside shout at 9/2 odds however The Rock has seen a huge plummet in his odds dropping from 3/1 earlier this month to 11/1 as the 4th placed favourite.
But who do you think is going to win the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble? Write in using the get involved feature at the top of the page and let us know!
It was recently reported that Brock Lesnar could be making his WWE return at the upcoming 2024 Royal Rumble.
However, after Brock Lesnar was reportedly implicated in the recent sex trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon plans may now be off for ‘The Beast’s’ return.
According to a new report from Fightful Select, plans for Brock Lesnar’s return may be off after Wall Street Journal claimed to have sources identifying him as the former WWE & UFC Champion referred to in Janel Grant’s sex trafficking case against Vince McMahon.
It is important to note that Lesnar was not named in the court filling submitted by Grant, however, Wall Street Journal have since claimed to have confirmed with sources that this was in fact Brock Lesnar.
Fightful Select reports, as recently as Thursday, that the Royal Rumble was being considered as the date for Brock Lesnar’s WWE return, however, in light of his “implied inclusion” in the Vince McMahon lawsuit “that may change.”
You can read a full breakdown of the report on Brock Lesnar’s potential WWE return, here.
The spokesperson for Vince McMahon has responded to the sex trafficking allegations made against the former WWE owner.
In an official statement, McMahon’s spokesperson would dismiss the allegations claiming that they are “replete with lies” and claiming that they are “made-up instances that never occurred.”
““This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth.”
Continuing, McMahon’s spokesperson would state that the 78-year-old intents to “vigorously” defend himself from Janel Grant’s allegations.
“He will vigorously defend himself.”
You can read a full breakdown of the allegations made against Vince McMahon by Janel Grant, here.
Ann Grant, the attorney of Janel Grant, the plaintiff in the recent sex trafficking case filed against Vince McMahon, has issued a new statement regarding the allegations featured within the case.
Published via Variety, Grant would on the purpose of the legal filings citing justice against Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis as it’s primary aim:
Grant states:
“Today’s complaint seeks to hold accountable two WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked Plaintiff Janel Grant, as well as the organization that facilitated or turned a blind eye to the abuse and then swept it under the rug. She is an incredibly private and courageous person who has suffered deeply at the hands of Mr. McMahon and Mr. Laurinaitis.
Ms. Grant hopes that her lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimized. The organization is well aware of Mr. McMahon’s history of depraved behavior, and it’s time that they take responsibility for the misconduct of its leadership.”
You can read a full breakdown of the allegations made against Vince McMahon by Janel Grant, here.
TKO has released a statement on the new allegations made against former WWE owner Vince McMahon.
TKO, the parent company for both WWE & UFC, would respond to allegations of sex trafficking made against McMahon and appearing distancing themselves from him noting:
“Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE.”
As reported by Variety, TKO would however would acknowledge the allegations and stated that the matter is being ‘addressed’ interallly.
“While this matter predates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally.”
Late last night a report from Wall Street Journal revealed a new court filing against Vince McMahon by a former WWE HQ employee.
The report featured a detailed recounted of sex trafficking and sexual assault allegedly conducted by McMahon, so please take this into account before reading further.
Within the report it is alleged that, amongst other allegations, McMahon forced himself on the employee, shared nude photos of the employee without consent, sexually assaulting the employee alongside with another employee.
Additionally, it is alleged that Vince McMahon & former WWE employee John Laurinaitis took turns forcing themselves on the employee whilst saying “no means yes” and “Take it, b—.”
Good Afternoon!
I hope everyone is doing well and is ready for the Royal Rumble tomorrow!
I will be with you from 12pm to 6pm BST (7am – 1pm ET) covering all the biggest stories from WWE, AEW, NJPW, IMPACT and more.
We will be kicking things off today with the biggest stories from the last 24 hours including:
