Some images via WWE.com
Alex Zayne On His Career In NXT.
Alex Zayne or Ari Sterling if you're the resident WWE shill like myself, is, of course, known for his time in NXT/205 Live where he's been mostly a mainstay in the cruiserweight division.
Unfortunately, he was one of the dozen people that was released by WWE weeks back due to "budget cuts" (because corporations are CLEARLY struggling with getting that "hard-earned cash", am I right?).
Frank Mandolini of The Last Minute Wrestling Podcast recently caught up with Alex and asked him about his time in the CWC (from Frank's press release):
" I don’t know, I always roll with the punches, that’s my whole lifestyle anyway, so as soon as I got the call I hung up the call, I called WIlliam Regal and said thanks for everything - ‘cause he’s who brought me in, so shout out to William Regal -, I hung up that call and I immediately was like onward and upward, hitting up all the promoters, [...] people were like ‘I haven’t even seen it’ and I said no one has I just hung up the phone!”
Wayne has also talked about a variety of topics like his future plans in the business as well as his appearance on NJPW Strong which you can check out the entire interview here.
Quick Thoughts On Smackdown Yesterday.
Since I slept for 14 hours and forgot to review this week's Smackdown episode (yes, the sleep was fantastic), I decided to give my quick thoughts on the blue brand and well……. It was fine.
Becky Lynch's promo before Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Carmella and Zelina Vega (aka the entire women's division) showed up, tried so hard to "heel it up" but failed miserably because the crowd was just happy to see the man back in world wrestling entertainment.
Finn Balor got his universal title match against Roman Reigns next and it feels a little too soon but as the cliche saying goes, "will see what happens".
Sami Zayn got a win for the first time since 1884 so that's cool.
Johnny Gargano Becoming The Top Heel In NXT!?
Now, why is that headline above?
Mike Johnson of PWInsider noted that with Karrion Kross being demoted and Adam Cole avoiding that demotion, NXT is now positioning Johnny Gargano as the top heel of the future rainbow brand alongside Peter Dune and Roderick Strong.
Kofi Kingston Wasn't Cleared To Compete During Summerslam Weekend?
The aforementioned PWinsider have stated that Kingston isn't cleared to compete.
The specifics of why he hasn't been cleared isn't known. I wish Kofi Kingston nothing but the speediest of recoveries.
The Reason For Karrion Kross' "New Look" On RAW.
Andrew Zarian Of Mad Men Wrestling Podcast revealed that it's basically because of branding and merchandising.
I would create a series of Karrion Kross' merch with the line "I have a torture fetish" but that would be too funny and sensible for WWE's toilet humour.
What do you think about the news I just reported and follow me on the tweets @omartheplayaguy? Anyways, stay safe smarks.