Latest news with #Appolo
Newsweek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Abruptly Splits Up Popular Tag Team
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The WWE tag team of A-Town Down Under is officially over. On the July 21st episode of Monday Night Raw, Grayson Waller announced that his partner, Austin Theory, has suffered an injury and that their team is finished, before delivering a scathing promo on social media. This split brings an end to a partnership that has been teased with dissension for well over a year. Waller made it clear he has no sympathy for his now-former partner. Waller's Scathing Message Following the on-screen announcement, Grayson Waller took to social media to send a direct and insulting message to the injured Austin Theory. He claimed that he "saved" Theory's career and that their partnership was a waste of his own time. "You should be celebrating the fact that Big G, Grayson Waller, saved Austin Theory's career," Waller began. "Remember two years ago when John Cena buried him alive on Monday Night Raw, I watch it all the time, it's one of my favorite Raw moments of all time. Imagine where he'd be without Grayson Waller." More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation He continued, "I just wasted two years of my career making you relevant, and now that that's done, I can finally remind everyone just who Grayson Waller is." Appolo crews and Titus battle in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN Appolo crews and Titus battle in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN The Infamous John Cena Promo Waller's comments refer to a now-legendary promo segment on the road to WrestleMania 39. During their verbal confrontation, John Cena brutally ran down Austin Theory, questioning his authenticity and telling him that the fans did not care about him. Many fans and critics believe the promo was so harsh that it legitimately stalled Theory's momentum as a rising star. Waller is now using this famous moment as the foundation for his new rivalry with Theory. He claims that by teaming with him, he gave Theory a WrestleMania moment by winning the tag team titles and made him relevant again. A Partnership Built On Tension The breakup of A-Town Down Under has been a long time coming. The team of two arrogant heels was formed in 2023, and while they found success, there was always underlying tension. They captured the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 40 in a chaotic six-pack ladder match. Throughout their reign and in the months since, WWE has consistently teased a split. The two would often argue, show jealousy towards one another, and accidentally cost each other matches. Now, with Theory on the shelf with an undisclosed injury, Waller has used the opportunity to officially end the partnership on his own brutal terms. When Theory eventually returns, a heated feud between the two former champions is inevitable. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
Newsweek
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Star Undergoes Major Surgery
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. WWE NXT superstar Ariana Bennett has announced she has suffered a major injury. In a recent social media post, Bennett revealed that she has torn her ACL and has already undergone surgery. The injury is a significant setback for the promising young star. She has been sidelined from in-ring action since April of this year. An Unexpected Injury In a candid post on her X account, Bennett explained the unusual circumstances of her injury. She revealed that she tore her ACL weeks ago while filming a dancing video that she posted online. "Funny thing is, I didn't even feel pain when it happened," Bennett wrote. "I kept practicing like nothing was wrong. Found out later it was a full tear." She explained that she chose to wait until after her surgery to update her followers in order to protect her mental health during a difficult time. Life threw a curveball a few weeks ago…I tore my ACL. And yes it was torn in that dancing video, my surgery was scheduled for a later date. Funny thing is, I didn't even feel pain when it happened. I kept practicing like nothing was wrong. Found out later it was a full tear.… — Aria Bennett WWE (@AriaBennettWWE) July 13, 2025 The Long Road To Recovery Appolo crews and Titus battle in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN Appolo crews and Titus battle in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN An ACL tear is one of the most significant injuries a professional athlete can suffer. The typical recovery time for such an injury is between nine and twelve months, meaning Bennett will be out of action for a substantial period. Many top WWE stars have had their careers derailed by the same injury in the past. However, modern medicine and rehabilitation have allowed wrestlers like Seth Rollins, Tegan Nox, and Dakota Kai to make successful returns from the devastating tear. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation A Positive Mindset Despite the long road ahead, Bennett is maintaining a positive outlook. She wrote about her faith and her focus on healing. "Keeping things fun and lighthearted has helped me get through the hard times," she wrote. "Laughter really is medicine. This is just one chapter in the story. Right now, it's about healing, trusting the process, and coming back stronger—mind, body, and spirit." Bennett signed with WWE as part of the Performance Center class of Fall 2022. The former collegiate track and field athlete had been a regular competitor on the NXT Level Up program before her injury. Bennett's last match was at an NXT live event on April 26, where she competed in a tag team match. We wish her a speedy recovery. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Released WWE Superstar Has Major Interest From AEW
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Isla Dawn is expected to join All Elite Wrestling. A new report states that AEW has significant interest in the recently released superstar. Dawn was released from her WWE contract in February of this year. According to the report, she was recently backstage at an AEW television taping. A Deal Is Reportedly Imminent The report comes from WrestleVotes. It indicates that an agreement between the two sides is expected soon. "We have learned through sources that AEW is heavily interested in recently released talent, Isla Dawn," the report said. "The expectation is that she will begin working AEW shows in the very near future." The move would provide a fresh start for Dawn. Many fans felt her WWE release was premature. A Champion Comes To AEW During her seven-year tenure with WWE, Dawn achieved significant success. She was known for her unique, witch-like gimmick. She formed the tag team "The Unholy Union" with her partner, Alba Fyre. Together, they held both the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship and the main roster WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. Appolo crews and Titus battle in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN Appolo crews and Titus battle in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Dawn would be the latest former WWE star to find a new opportunity in AEW. She would join a women's division that includes other former WWE talents like current AEW Women's World Champion Toni Storm. Since its inception in 2019, a core part of AEW's strategy has been signing prominent former WWE stars to add experience, credibility, and create dream match scenarios. This began with Chris Jericho, who became the first-ever AEW World Champion, and Jon Moxley (formerly Dean Ambrose), whose surprise debut was a major statement for the new promotion. The company made its biggest splash in 2021, signing CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, and Adam Cole within a matter of weeks, shifting the balance of power in professional wrestling. This trend continued with legendary names like Adam Copeland (Edge), who became a TNT Champion, and Christian Cage, who also held the same title. AEW also significantly bolstered its women's division with talent like Saraya (Paige), Ruby Soho, and the current AEW Women's World Champion, Toni Storm. These high-profile acquisitions have consistently generated buzz, provided veteran leadership, and helped establish AEW as a true top-tier alternative in the wrestling landscape. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Fan-Favorite WWE Superstar To Miss Several Months Of Action
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. WWE has confirmed that Liv Morgan will be out of action for an extended period. The announcement was made during the June 23rd episode of Monday Night Raw. Morgan, one-half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, suffered a separated shoulder. The injury occurred just seconds into her match against Kairi Sane on the previous week's Raw. Reports indicated that Morgan would require surgery for the injury. This suggested any upcoming plans, including a rumored match at the Evolution event, would be changed. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation WWE Confirms Liv Morgan's Injury Timeline On Raw, commentator Corey Graves addressed the situation. He provided an official update on Morgan's condition. Graves confirmed that the injury was serious. He stated that Morgan is expected to miss several months of action. He explained how the injury occurred during the match with Sane. "Watch Liv's elbow; it jammed her right shoulder," Graves said. "We understand that Liv Morgan is going to miss several months of action," he concluded. Appolo crews and Titus battle in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN Appolo crews and Titus battle in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN Future Of WWE Tag Team Titles The injury has major consequences for the women's division. It has also put the future of the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship in question. A planned feud between Morgan and the returning Nikki Bella is now off. That program was expected to lead to a major match at the Evolution event in July. WWE has not yet made an official announcement regarding the tag team titles. However, reports suggest the championships will not be vacated, and a replacement partner for Raquel Rodriguez may be named. Morgan signed with WWE in 2014, developing her skills in NXT before debuting on the main roster in 2017 as part of The Riott Squad. After the group disbanded, she slowly built a passionate following as a singles competitor, leading to a massive breakout year in 2022. That year, Morgan won the Money in the Bank ladder match and cashed in the contract on the same night to defeat Ronda Rousey for her first SmackDown Women's Championship. She later found success in the tag team division, winning the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship on two occasions with Raquel Rodriguez. In 2024, she returned from injury with a more aggressive persona, capturing the Women's World Championship from Becky Lynch. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Longtime WWE Superstar Is Taking A Leave Of Absence
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. WWE Superstar The Miz, a constant presence on Friday Night SmackDown in recent months, is reportedly set for a hiatus to film the reboot of the iconic competition series, "American Gladiators." According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, this hosting role will take "The A-Lister" away from WWE television for a period. This reboot is set to feature a new lineup of elite athletes, including bodybuilders, former college athletes, and CrossFit winners, who will test their skills in classic games like "Gauntlet," "Hang Tough," and "The Eliminator," along with new challenges. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation This upcoming filming schedule provides context for recent on-screen friction between The Miz and his new tag team partner, Carmelo Hayes. After forming a partnership on SmackDown. Recent segments have seen Hayes even telling The A-Lister he doesn't need The Miz's help and can do things on his own. This storyline dissension appears to be the creative path to write The Miz off WWE programming temporarily while he fulfills his hosting duties in London. Appolo crews and Titus battle in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN Appolo crews and Titus battle in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN The Miz is no stranger to roles outside of the WWE ring. Over the years, he has built an impressive resume as a television personality, most notably starring in his own successful reality show, "Miz & Mrs." on the USA Network alongside his wife, Maryse. He also has hosting experience from shows like "Cannonball" and has made numerous appearances on other reality shows and talk shows, making him a natural fit for the charismatic host role required for American Gladiators. This new gig adds another significant credit to his entertainment career. This news also comes amidst recent fan speculation about The Miz's long-term WWE status, which was fueled by changes to his social media bio. While those changes remain unexplained, this television project provides a clear, non-contractual reason for his upcoming absence from WWE. With filming for American Gladiators set to get underway, it remains to be seen when The Miz will make his return to a WWE ring. Miz has literally done everything that there is to do in WWE and he appears to have years left in the role of doing anything WWE asks him to do. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
