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Welcome to another edition of our weekly gathering of all the biggest stories in the world of pro wrestling. With SummerSlam approaching, the past few days were stacked with many newsworthy moments that were talked about extensively.
While SummerSlam was of prime focus, there were many other movers and shakers that you might have missed out on in the build-up to WWE's biggest show of the summer.
So let's not waste any more time and get right into it:
#1. The Rock has 'quietly' retired from wrestling
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It may sound disheartening, but we may never see The Great One perform again inside a WWE ring.
The Rock appeared on Live with Kelly and Ryan to promote the new Fast & Furious spin-off movie, Hobbs & Shaw. During the interview, the former WWE Champion opened up about his in-ring status and was asked whether he misses competing inside the ring.
The Hollywood megastar confirmed that he had quietly retired from in-ring competition. Here's what he had to say:
"I mean, no. I quietly retired from wrestling because I was lucky enough to have just a really wonderful career and accomplish what I wanted to accomplish, but there's nothing like a live crowd, a live audience, a live microphone as you both know. Plus, I grew up in wrestling.
"For a lot of you guys that don't know, my grandfather wrestled, my dad as well, my whole family. And I actually had my very first match ever in the WWE, in Madison Square Garden and it was a big pay-per-view, and it was funny because I credit my time and my journey in pro wrestling to getting me to where I am at today." [H/T: WrestlingInc]
While The Rock may continue to make non-wrestling appearances in the future, it's highly unlikely that he will ever get back inside the squared circle for another run. The 10-time World Champion just can't risk injuring himself wrestling as it could incur major losses for the producers and makers of his films.
#2. Kane returning to the ring
Kane is no longer just the Big Red Machine. The future WWE Hall of Famer has been tirelessly fulfilling his duties as the Mayor of Knox County. They may claim they are happy with being away from the ring, but we guess some superstars can never get over the itch to wrestle. Kane falls under that category as he has been confirmed to return to in-ring action later this month.
As per PWInsider, the WWE veteran has been advertised to take on Braun Strowman in Bossier City, Louisiana on August 23rd at a Raw house show. The Lafayette live event will also see AJ Styles defend the United States Championship against Ricochet in a Street Fight.
The card, as you may have imagined, is subject to change with SummerSlam and other WWE shows scheduled to take place before the live event.
This will be Kane's first match since he returned to team up with The Undertaker at Crown Jewel in November last year. The Brothers of Destruction lost to D-Generation X on that night.
While there is no confirmation of Kane possibly returning to TV for another short run, we can always count on WWE to boost its live event sales by adding the 52-year-old legend for more events in the future. He is expected to be a part of the next Saudi Arabia show on October 31st, 2019.
#3. SummerSlam updates
With only a few days left to go until the show, the go-home shows of Raw and SmackDown shaped up the final card for SummerSlam.
Goldberg returned and confirmed his match against Dolph Ziggler for the PPV. The Raw Women's Championship match was officially announced to be a Submission match.
The Cruiserweight Championship match will see Drew Gulak defend the title against Oney Lorcan. Here's how the card looks as of this writing:
- Brock Lesnar (C) vs. Seth Rollins (WWE Universal Championship)
- Kofi Kingston (C) vs. Randy Orton (WWE Championship)
- Becky Lynch (C) vs. Natalya (Submission Match for the WWE Raw Women's Championship)
- Bayley (C) vs. Ember Moon (WWE SmackDown Women's Championship)
- AJ Styles (C) vs. Ricochet (WWE United States Championship)
- Drew Gulak (C) vs. Oney Lorcan (WWE Cruiserweight Championship)
- Kevin Owens vs. Shane McMahon (If KO loses, he leaves WWE)
- Charlotte Flair vs. Trish Stratus
- Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt
- Dolph Ziggler vs. Goldberg
The tag team and Intercontinental titles are not expected to be defended on the show but knowing WWE, one of those matches can be added to the kickoff show on the day of the PPV.
#4. Harley Race passed away
Former NWA World Champion Harley Race passed away on August 1st at the age of 76 after a lengthy battle with Lung cancer.
The WWE Hall of Famer was one of the most respected performers in the industry and his death garnered various tributes and condolences from all corners. WWE, AEW, and many superstars and legends paid homage to the original 'King of the Ring'.
Harley Race's official Twitter account posted the following statement immediately after his sad demise:
Today at 12:50, we lost the man that fought up until the very last of his existence. More information will be released soon, but just know that he loved pro-wrestling and the fans that loved him. Harley Race, we love you.
It was also revealed by former WWE Superstar Trevor Murdoch that during his final hours, Race needed emergency medical attention and a call was made to the WWE for help. Vince McMahon didn't blink an eye and did all he could to ensure Race could spend some more time with his family.
Harley Race was a true pioneer who was way ahead of his time when it came to his in-ring work. The 8-time NWA World Champion's matches against Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes are wrestling clinics that showcased his brilliance inside the squared circle. His dedication towards the business and his toughness inside the ring were unmatched.
We at Sportskeeda extend our condolences to family and friends of Harley Race. May God give them the fortitude to overcome these testing times.
#5. Lio Rush talks WWE run, music career and more
Sportskeeda's very own Scottish Psychopath Gary Cassidy caught up with Lio Rush on SK's new show, Dropkick DiSKussions. The 23-year-old WWE Superstar opened up on a variety of topics such as his WWE run, his new single 'Scenic Lullaby', favourite career moments and what the future holds for him.
Rush is currently on a hiatus from wrestling and the focus has shifted to his rap career. The versatile Superstar released a new single titled 'Scenic Lullaby'. If you ask us, it's a pretty impressive effort from from Rush that paints a promising picture of his prospects of making it big as a musician.
"There wasn't really any musical inspiration, I feel like it was something... I feel like a lot of the time, I can be misunderstood because I'm usually a pretty quiet guy in person, I'm pretty laid back - which is completely different from what people see on television," said Rush on his new endeavour.
He continued, "I feel like I'm never as good with my words when I talk to people, and that's why I usually don't talk, but I just felt like putting things down on paper, putting down my thoughts and why I feel this way into music definitely helped me express myself in ways that...I'm not going to say I'm incapable of doing, but I find it very difficult doing in person, so that's why I did it through a song."
So what's next for Rush? When can we expect him back in the WWE? Check out what he had to say in the full interview below:
#6. Nick Aldis rejects AEW offer
Most of the fans may remember Nick Aldis as Magnus from his time with Impact Wrestling/TNA, where he enjoyed a successful tenure, winning the TNA World Championship and the Tag Team Championship among other honours.
Aldis, who is married to WWE Superstar Mickie James, is currently signed to National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) where he is the NWA Worlds Champion.
During a recent interview with Daily DDT, Aldis opened up about an offer he received from Cody Rhodes to join AEW. Aldis revealed that he counter-offered the proposal and wished to work for both AEW and NWA if an agreement was to be reached.
However, AEW wanted him exclusively and Aldis wasn't ready to walk away from NWA after building up a good foundation with the promotion for two years.
I'll tell you the truth: I was made an offer by AEW. I counter-offered with, 'I'd like to be able to do both.' I'd like to work with them because obviously, I have great admiration for Cody and the Bucks for what they've been able to do. But I wasn't prepared to walk away from the two years of work I've done with the NWA. And that was that.
I left it open with, 'If you can find a way to keep doing this and do your show, I'll do your show. They essentially wanted to offer me a contract and have me walk away from what I'm doing here and I said that doesn't make any sense to me.
Really, there's no reason to. It's just a hangover from the way things have always been done. Obviously, we hear this 'Change the World' phrase a lot, but that was my pitch to them. 'If you really want to change the world, why can't we do that?' H/t Credit: WrestlingInc
#7. Cain Velasquez makes an impressive pro wrestling debut
Cain Velasquez's days as an unstoppable beast inside the Octagon are a thing of the past and the 2-time Heavyweight Champion has already found the perfect career to transition into.
Velasquez made his long-awaited pro wrestling debut at AAA's Triplemanía XXVII and surpassed all expectations to put on a sensational performance.
The 37-year-old teamed up with Cody Rhodes and Psycho Clown in a six-man tag team match against Taurus, Killer Kross and Texano Jr. Velasquez's team ended up victorious on a night that saw him do all sorts of flippity flip stuff.
It was classic Lucha Libre on display with Hurricaneranas, tilt-a-whirl arm drags and suplexes all while being nimble with his movement. Velasquez gave us all a good account of what he is capable of.
For a man who is as towering as him, Velasquez made it look effortless as well. If this is what he can do with a few months of proper training, we can't even imagine how good he can be if given a year or two to develop his craft.
#8. Roman Reigns disagrees with Jon Moxley's comments on WWE creative
Jon Moxley has been thoroughly enjoying himself ever since leaving WWE. The former WWE Superstar is tearing it up in the G1 Climax while also keeping himself busy on the independent circuit.
Apart from the wrestling, Moxley has honestly shared his opinions about his time in the WWE in various shoot-style interviews since his departure, with his comments on the WWE's Creative system particularly drawing a lot of attention.
In a recent interview with ESPN, The Big Dog spoke about Moxley's criticism of the WWE Creative and was quick to disagree with the former Shield member. Reigns explained the creative process in WWE and stressed it comes down to the Superstars to turn things around for themselves through effective communication with the boss.
I’ll tell you straight-up: I disagree with what [Dean] Ambrose said about the creative process. I love the guy. I love him to death. He’s my brother. And wrestling ain’t gonna stop that. On a personal level, me and that dude can hang out, have a beer or two and just talk.
And even when we don’t talk, that’s just our relationship. When it comes down to it, creative-wise, that’s on you. Communication is communication. When you go in there and you talk to boss, you gotta let him know. He even made comments about the things I had to say, but that was in a different place. H/t Credit: ESPN
I was brand-new. Advertisement Reigns on Vince McMahon: We’ve worked our asses off for Vince [McMahon] in this company, and he respects that, and he wants to know our opinions. You have to speak up for yourself. I’m in a position now where he listens to everything I have to say, what I’m feeling.
#9. Jon Moxley confirms he will work for New Japan and AEW
Jon Moxley is inarguably the hottest name outside the realms of WWE. Everyone wants a piece of the former WWE Superstar. As mentioned in the previous slide, Moxley has kept himself busy since leaving WWE and has truly thrived as an in-ring performer in NJPW.
The burning question is, will Mox be able to do double duty and wrestle for both AEW and NJPW in the near future?
While speaking to Japan's Nikkan Sports, Moxley claimed that there should be no problems with him showing up in NJPW for a few games despite him being an AEW talent. AEW begins its weekly television programming in October and Moxley will be a major player in the promotion as they look to capture a big market.
“Fortunately, there is no problem in fighting in New Japan while belonging to an American organization (AEW). In the future, I can always show up in Japan and play games.”
That's great news for NJPW fans who may have been under the impression that AEW would lock Moxley down to an exclusive deal. The Mox experience will thankfully be a global phenomenon.
#10. Big Cass undergoes an incredible physical transformation
There is something about unceremonious exits from the WWE. The Superstars who go through such a departure hit the indie scene with a renewed vengeance to improve themselves. Big Cass is one of those talents.
During his time with the WWE, Cass was relatively out of shape, was accused of having behavioural issues, and ended up being a missed opportunity. The former WWE Superstar, now known as CaZXL, is making all the rights moves by turning his life and career around.
Cass has been putting in extra hours in the gym and the results are all there to be seen.
Cass showed up at a Cactus League Wrestling (CAL) event and cut an epic promo in which he sent out a message to his detractors and vowed to become a champion in the promotion.
From battling depression and alcohol addiction to being one the go-to guys for many promotions, we're very happy for Cass doing well and only wish that he continues on the same path.
