The Wrestling Roundup is here to bring you all the news and rumors you need to know in one place.
COVID-19 Presenting Challenges For Wrestling
The threat of spreading Coronavirus, a.k.a. COVID-19, has caused ripples through the world of entertainment. From the NBA suspending the season, to NCAA playing March Madness without fans, to Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson testing positive, it has had many effects. One that will impact Wrestlemania for sure is President Trump’s travel ban from European countries except the United Kingdom. This ban will prevent any European fans or wrestlers from attending Wrestlemania weekend.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a travel ban for 30 days from Europe beginning on Friday March 13th. The United Kingdom is not included in this travel ban. Bad news for European fans traveling for #WWE #Wrestlemania.
— NoDQ.com: #WWE #HIAC 2020 news (@nodqdotcom) March 12, 2020
A meeting is being held on Thursday to discuss the possibility of cancelling Wrestlemania 36 in Tampa Bay.
.@CityofTampa and @JaneCastor will meet on Thursday to discuss canceling or postponing "major" events due to #Coronavirus. This weekend's River O'Green fest isn't likely to be canceled.
— Ryan Bass (@RyanWTSP) March 10, 2020
WWE SmackDown this Friday will be aired from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. This is being done as a precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and could be the standard for WWE for the next little while.
https://twitter.com/SeanRossSapp/status/1237939658841034754
It is also impacting the XFL. This weekend’s L.A.-Seattle game will be played with no fans in attendance.
XFL statement regarding LA-Seattle gamehttps://t.co/IhWkpD6eM4 pic.twitter.com/XRVNUXu8gS
— XFL (@xfl2022) March 11, 2020
NXT Results
This week NXT was broadcast from the WWE Performance Center instead of it’s normal Full Sail University home. Two title bouts book-ended the show. Here are the full results from Wednesday’s action:
- Keith Lee (c) def. Cameron Grimes to retain the NXT North American Championship
- Mia Yim def. Dakota Kai, earning a spot in the Number One Contender’s Ladder Match at TakeOver: Tampa
- KUSHIDA def. Raul Mendoza
- Tegan Nox def. Deonna Purrazzo, earning a spot in the Number One Contender’s Ladder Match at TakeOver: Tampa
- Broserweights (c) def. Undisputed Era to retain the NXT Tag Team Championships
NXT Takeaways
Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano tore up the Performance Center and each other on Wednesday. Ciampa got the last strike in, hitting an Air Raid off a stage onto a table. These two needed to find another gear for this continuation of their feud. This was a good start, but digging more into Gargano’s change of heart will make it even greater.
Nobody:
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. #WWENXTpic.twitter.com/wAtM5LdRSO
— Fightful Wrestling (@FightfulWrestle) March 12, 2020
Velveteen Dream was using Roderick Strong all along. That is according to Dream himself when he confronted the Undisputed Era on Wednesday night. It turns out goading Strong was just a means to an end, and that end will be the NXT Championship currently around the waist of Adam Cole. The champ is having a party next week to celebrate becoming the longest-reigning NXT Champion of all time. I’m sure that will go off without a hitch.
The @DreamWWE wants @AdamColePro’s #NXTTitle! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/8tpZgLPPsB
— WWE (@WWE) March 12, 2020
Keith Lee was attached by Damien Priest. He thought it was from Dominik Dijakovic because of Dominik being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Things got awkward, and we are heading towards a triple threat at TakeOver: Tampa.
Welp….this just got *REALLY* awkward….
……oops. https://t.co/wzLanbXWuY
— Grizz Lee (@RealKeithLee) March 12, 2020
AEW Dynamite Results
The next big event for AEW is going to be their Blood and Guts match in two weeks time. It will be the Inner Circle battling The Elite inside the War-Games-But-Not-War-Games structure. How did AEW continue the build towards their next big match? Let’s check the results from Wednesday night:
- Cody Rhodes def. Ortiz
- Bea Priestley & Nyla Rose def. Hikaru Shida & Kris Statlander
- MJF & Butcher and the Blade def. Jurassic Express
- Death Triangle def. Joey Janela & Private Party
- Hangman Page & Dustin Rhodes def. Sammy Guevara & Chris Jericho
AEW Dynamite Takeaways
A pair of debuts were hyped on this week’s Dynamite. One debut is next week, but one came earlier than many expected. Jake “The Snake” Roberts’ client was revealed: Lance Archer. The two took in the opening Cody Rhodes-Ortiz matchup with great interest. Roberts as a manager is exciting, especially pairing him with such an imposing presence like Archer.
.@LanceHoyt has arrived with @JakeSnakeDDT!
Watch #AEWDynamite NOW on @TNTDrama 8e/7c #AEWonTNT @AEWonTNT pic.twitter.com/pB0mQbSQ19— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 12, 2020
We were told by commentary that the Exalted One will be revealed next week. Will this all have a payoff of having Matt Hardy come in as the Dark Order’s leader? This week’s Free The Delete gave us even more to dissect.
Or could it be Luke Harper? Next week’s Dynamite is scheduled to be in his hometown of Rochester, New York. Having Harper show up and lead the Dark Order would be a huge push for such a talented wrestler.
One for the Road
According to reports, Rob Gronkowski has signed with WWE and is scheduled to debut on Friday night at SmackDown (h/t TheWrap). Gronk & Mojo, tag team champions 2020.
Breaking: Rob Gronkowski is finalizing a deal with the WWE. I can’t wait for his finisher to be called “Gronk Smash” pic.twitter.com/65bQ7beDpL
— DailySportsDosage (@SportsDsd) March 11, 2020
