The Wrestling Roundup is here to bring you all the news and rumors you need to know in one place.
“Dozens” of Positive COVID-19 Cases in WWE, Including Renee Young
WWE has reportedly had multiple positive tests for COVID-19 this week. The number, according to one source, is “in the two dozen range” (h/t PWInsider). WWE is scheduled to resume tapings on Friday, but if that will happen remains to be seen. In a statement on Wednesday, WWE said (h/t ProWrestlingSheet): “WWE will continue COVID-19 testing of its talent, production crew and employees in advance of TV productions for the foreseeable future.”
Late Wednesday night, Renee Young took to Twitter to announce her positive test. Here’s hoping Young & all the positives in WWE have a speedy recovery.
Man. What a few days. My show gets cancelled and I get Covid. Wear your masks and wash your hands. Stay safe, everyone ❤️
— Renee Paquette (@ReneePaquette) June 25, 2020
WWE NXT Results
This week’s NXT was headlined by a monumental match-up. Keith Lee defended his NXT North American Championship against both Johnny Gargano and Finn Balor. Also on the show was Karrion Kross in action and more. What did NXT serve up for us this week?
- Santos Escobar def. Jake Atlas
- Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez def. Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter
- Karrion Kross def. Bronson Reed
- Rhea Ripley def. Aliyah
- Dexter Lumis def. Roderick Strong by countout
- Keith Lee (c) def. Finn Balor & Johnny Gargano to retain the NXT North American Championship
We do have an AEW Dynamite recap article coming as well from Javier Melo. Check for that later on Thursday.
WWE NXT Takeaways
The two big men’s title holders for NXT are headed for a showdown. Keith Lee defended his North American Championship, and is now set for a winner-take-all match against NXT Champion Adam Cole. It would be a bold decision to have Lee take possession of both titles and be the face of the brand. He’s got the skills, but does WWE want to move Undisputed Era up to Raw or SmackDown yet? If Cole loses the belt, the boys are not long for Wednesday nights.
There can only be one. #WWENXT @RealKeithLee @AdamColePro pic.twitter.com/mZI2u2oenS
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 25, 2020
The NXT Women’s Championship will get a new challenger soon. GM William Regal announced a fatal four-way match to find a new opponent for Io Shirai. It will be one of Mia Yim, Dakota Kai, Tegan Nox or Candice LeRae. That match is on the card for next week, and it truly could be anyone’s to win.
NEXT WEEK!
⭐@roderickstrong vs. @DexterLumis in a #StrapMatch!
⭐@MiaYim vs. @TeganNoxWWE_ vs. @CandiceLeRae vs. @DakotaKai_WWE! The winner will challenge @shirai_io for the #WWENXT #WomensTitle! pic.twitter.com/XKcu8ok3hT— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 25, 2020
Dexter Lumis is extremely unsettling in the best way possible. No wonder Roddy is so scared of him.
Poor Roddy!@roderickstrong is still terrified of @DexterLumis!#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/0fXsf9wm4Y
— WWE (@WWE) June 25, 2020
Luckily, Strong had some Undisputed Therapy to help him through. Kyle O’Reilly continues to be a gem.
CHIKARA Shutting Down
Following abuse allegations against himself and other CHIKARA staff, Mike Quackenbush has announced that CHIKARA is discontinuing. In a statement on Twitter, Quackenbush announced CHIKARA is shutting down and he is stepping down as head trainer of Wrestle Factory. CHIKARA has been a staple of the independent wrestling scene since 2002, and is possibly best known for their yearly King of Trios tournament.
— Mike Quackenbush (@MikeQuackenbush) June 24, 2020
AEW Talents Kept Home Due to COVID-19 Contacts
Dynamite this week had some changes to the announced card due to concerns around COVID-19 contacts. AEW Champion Jon Moxley was told to stay home due to being in contact with a positive case (likely wife Renee Young), according to Tony Khan.
Recently @JonMoxley had contact with someone who had contact with someone who has COVID-19. Mox did the right thing & warned us. Doc asked him to stay home & get tested to protect us here at our test site. Cage will be in action tonight on #AEWDynamite ahead of their title fight pic.twitter.com/TWbskkzU2Z
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) June 24, 2020
Tony Khan also said QT Marshall was told to stay home and get tested after coming in contact with a positive case. Marshall was supposed to team with Dustin Rhodes against FTR. They were replaced by SCU in the tag match.
Since last week’s show, in his everyday life, QT had brief contact with a non-wrestling acquaintance who since tested positive for COVID-19. Rather than risk bringing QT to our test site, our doc asked him to stay home & take a COVID test back in GA to protect the rest of us here https://t.co/eeN8VmF2nP
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) June 24, 2020
One for the Road:
Alexa Bliss is getting a podcast. If you want more Bliss in your life, you’re going to get your chance. She’s got a new podcast called Uncool With Alexa Bliss, where she talks to celebrities and WWE superstars about their life before fame (h/t Sportskeeda). It’ll be the third podcast under the WWE banner, joining Corey Graves & The New Day.
SmackDown Superstar @AlexaBliss_WWE recently caught up with @FOXSports about the origins of @WWE’s Women’s Evolution, new podcast and her dream match. https://t.co/jvutA58FcA
— WWE Public Relations (@WWEPR) June 24, 2020
