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SI.com's Week in Wrestling is published on the surface coverage of the business of pro wrestling.
Roman Reigns Announcement Forces WWE to Change Direction
Roman Reigns broke this Monday Raw to reveal that he is fighting a battle against leukemia. Reigns also reported that this was not a first battle against leukemia, as the disease had been in remission since late 2008.
The devastating news caused by WWE to shift its storytelling RawSincerely, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose – Ambrose Turned on Rollins.
The Ambrose turn is a receipt for Rollins originally breaking up The Shield in 2014, and should propel Ambrose back into the world title picture for the first time since 2016. The pair is also tag team champions, and tag fields that hate one another has been A Vince McMahon staple since the "Attitude Era" when Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels won the belts in May of 1997.
McMahon thrives under pressure, so it is hardly a surprise that Monday's Raw delivered to feel. New champion, which will take place at the controversial "Crown Jewel" show on Nov. 2 in Saudi Arabia as Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman will fight for the vacant title.
There are few things in the world when they are involved, but each piece of information is available from sources close to WWE noted that the plan is for Braun Strowman to win the title and start a program with fellow creator Drew McIntyre.
Women's Take Centerstage at Evolution on Sunday
The women of WWE have been presented with a major opportunity at the all-women 's Evolution pay per view this Sunday.
Led by Ronda Rousey, the entire women's roster has a unique chance to show the world that they are some of the best wrestlers, regardless of gender, in the world.
WWE is not the first to have an all-women's pay per view, but this is the first time it has happened on their platform, which is the worldwide leader in pro wrestling. The show is a chance for Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair to become one of the most compelling stars in the world. There are few more wrestlers in the world than Lynch, and her program with Flair is high enough that it could (and should).
There are also stars in Trish Stratus and Lita, one of whom should take a fall in love with Mickie James. This is a showcase for all of us who have performed on the WWE, and we are in the process of becoming one of the stars. Unless Stratus or Lita are returning to a part-time schedule, then Bliss-who is full-time and helps carry the division of the year round-should take the victory.
Also give credit to Ronda Rousey and Nikki Bella, who have turned a pretty bland matchup on paper into a must-see attraction. But there is a possibility of a disability, a two-on-one stipulation, possibly adding an aspect of legitimacy to the match, there will be no doubt about outside interference from Brie Bella.
Following the show, the top takeaways from Evolution will be posted on SI.com.
No Truth to Rumors of a New Chris Jericho-Led Promotion
All In served as a rabid hearing looking for a product that is different from WWE. Led by Kenny Omega, the Young Bucks, and Cody Rhodes-and with a surprise appearance by Chris Jericho-it succeeded.
There are now rumors that it could lead to a new wrestling promotion by the affluent Khan family and possibly feature likes of Omega, the Bucks, Rhodes, and Jericho.
As of the current moment, the story is primarily about leverage.
Brad Davis wrote the report for SEScoops this past Friday. While the idea of Tony Khan financing has been recently promoted, there is no substance-at least not yet-to the story.
The promotion has no headquarters, no television deal, and no guaranteed financial backing.
There is also no truth to NWA owner Billy Corgan and top adviser Dave Lagana wanting to attach themselves to the Khan promotion. They are rebuilding the NWA brand into a commodity, and they would bring significant value to any promotion, but reports of involvement with a Khan wrestling project are false.
Still, the report can be used for free agents, especially for Jericho and a possible return to WWE, even if the promotion never materializes. The Bucks and Omega, whose contracts expire, respectively, in December and January, could also use this news, especially with WWE.
It also would not be shocking for the likes of Omega and the Bucks to want to start their own promotion, as they have brilliant minds seemingly designed for wrestling. But for now, the Bucks are under contract with Ring of Honor and remain in talks about the potential for a new deal with the company, and Omega is under contract to New Japan Pro Wrestling and Remains in Negotiations for a new deal of its own.
The best-case scenario for Vince McMahon is to lure Omega and the Bucks to WWE, which would be one of the biggest hits of outside talent since The Radicalz-Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Perry Saturn, and Chris Benoit-left WCW in 2001 .
As for the Khan story, it's far more likely that Khan finances has show in 2019 before he invests in an entire promotion.
In other news …
• Not only is WWE continuing with its "Crown Jewel" show in Saudi Arabia, the card has major significance with the crowning of a new Universal champion.
The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, is back in action, the show is loaded with WWE 's brightest stars. The World Cup tournament features Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio; this lineup is better than some WrestleMania cards, with WrestleMania 32 quickly coming to mind.
The show puts conscientious fans in a difficult dilemma. For those who are disgusted by the murder of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi and believe that WWE, like other American businesses have, should halt business with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there is the debate of whether or not to watch the show.
Wrestling is an outlet for entertainment, an escape. It should not be the source of an ethical conundrum. But money has been trumped all over this agreement, and the show is still set to take place on November 2.
• "Mr. PEC-Tacular "Jessie Godderz has teamed up with 98 Degrees star Jeff Timmons for a new version of" The Girl is with Me ".
Godderz made his name with OVW and Impact Wrestling. He last appeared earlier this season for Lucha Underground and is now a wrestler free agent with designs on another run in the business. But he kept an active profile outside the business, appearing in roles in Amazon shows New Dogs, Old Tricks and Tainted Dreams.
"I do not watch a lot of TV, and my children monopolize all of the media at our house, so I was not familiar with Jesse's work," said Timmons, who is back on tour with 98 Degrees this November. "But I saw how prolific he was on social media. I thought, 'Why do not we make a song?' I thought this was an opportunity to grow our fan base and have fun, but when we got in the studio, I was pleasantly surprised. In addition to his charming personality and his incredible look, he's also a multi-talented guy. It's going to be well-received song, as we're finding out. "
Godderz was hesitant to accept the offer, considering he had no real background in music. But he embraced the opportunity, just like he did a two-time tag field in Impact and throughout his roles on television.
"Until you try, you do not know what's out there," said Godderz. "Jeff helped ten-fold so I could come out with a better sound. All these years of experience were at my fingerprints, and the opportunity was a blessing. I can not help it but it is not my forte, if you give me the ball, I'll try to run it! "
Despite the success of the ring, Godderz is still planning a return to wrestling.
"I hope to be a world champion for a major promotion," said Godderz. "I plan on coming back. Wrestling is something I've been doing since 2009.
"I've sacrificed my body and a lot of relationships, and it's part of my life. My sights are a world champion for a promotion, and that is my dream. "
• Nick Aldis defeated Cody Rhodes to regain the NWA world's heavyweight title this Sunday at the 70th Anniversary show in Nashville.
Willie Mack also captured the vacant NWA National Heavyweight title in the tournament that took place at the show.
Mack starred with Lucha Underground, and is now a critical piece of the NWA's future. His style is best described as a perpetual shock. It is a rare type of movement, and should help propel him to superstardom, especially with a mind like Dave Lagana leading the creative.
Wrestling relates to organic, authentic underdogs, and Mack fits that description. WWE opted that they would be better off, and he does not offer the prototypical bodybuilder look. But people related to Mack due to his talent, agility, and charisma.
If you ever wonder what the "It Factor" looks like in wrestling, then Willie Mack's watch defends his NWA National Heavyweight title.
• Fresh off his honeymoon, Conrad Thompson returns for a new "Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard" this Friday at noon with a double-sided look at the wedding screen of Triple H and Stephanie McMahon from November of 1999, more the behind-the-scenes love affair between the two.
"We'll look at this from two different perspectives, covering the storyline came together, whose idea it was, and the creative decisions," said Thompson. "We're also going to discuss the role of Chyna, which has a lot of people waiting for us to do. We'll address the relationship from Stephanie and Hunter's perspective, and then we'll cover it from a different perspective with Chyna. "
Triple H was romantically linked to Chyna before his relationship, and subsequent marriage, to McMahon.
"We'll look at the McMahon-Helmsley era," said Thompson. "We'll also cover the creative with Stephanie, Hunter, and Test, but it's going to be a little bit more fun than just going on-camera.
"There is supposedly a love letter that Stephanie wrote to Hunter, and Chyna found it. Supposedly, when she tried to confront Stephanie after the show, Stephanie had already left the building with Triple H. This is all rumor and innuendo, and I'm looking forward to getting along with Bruce this Friday. "
Thompson is back after his wedding and honeymoon. He confirmed that the bloody prankster named "The Mailman" during the reception.
"That got some heat with my mother," said Thompson. "I do not think she loved it."
Tweet of the Week
I hope that this is a good way to get a boost of energy from an outrageous pop star guest at the Royal Rumble.
Get well soon, Joe.
Justin Barrasso can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
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