Latest news with #BryanAlvarez
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE Crew Stuck At Airport Ahead Of WWE Night Of Champions Due To Airspace Shutdowns
Airspace shutdowns have already had a small effect on WWE Night Of Champions weekend in Saudi Arabia. The United States recently carried out what is being called a 'successful' attack against three of Iran's nuclear facilities. In response, Missiles were fired at a US Airbase in Qatar, which borders Saudi Arabia. Iran's actions have resulted in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates closing their respective airspaces. This could also have a potential effect on WWE's events this week. In fact, it has already resulted in several WWE production employees being stranded at the airport. Advertisement SmackDown and Night of Champions are both set to take place this weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. According to Bryan Alvarez, 'Many WWE production employees who flew in early for this Saturday's Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia are now stuck at the Qatar airport.' In addition, @WrestleVotes claims a source who is scheduled to be part of Night Of Champions said they hope WWE considers rescheduling the event. Will WWE Night of Champions still take place? WWE is advertising a SmackDown taping in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday, June 27. Night Of Champions is still scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 28. The company has not publicly commented on the situation. Despite that, a source told Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp that they are actively monitoring the situation. WWE talent is expected to leave on a chartered flight for Riyadh in the middle of this week. Advertisement In addition, a source also claims the promotion postponing or canceling the event would be a costly financial decision, as there is too much money at stake in regard to the 2026 Royal Rumble. It was stressed that this source was sharing an opinion, not fact. As of Sunday, the team in Saudi Arabia was preparing as if the event will still happen. As far as whether the event will actually take place, many fans expressed hope that WWE considers postponing it. However, WWE talent scheduled to go to Saudi Arabia 'had not been updated on any changes' as of this afternoon, according to Fightful. WrestleZone will continue to provide any new information regarding WWE's events in Saudi Arabia this weekend as it becomes available. The post WWE Crew Stuck At Airport Ahead Of WWE Night Of Champions Due To Airspace Shutdowns appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE Draft 2025: What You Need to Know About Annual WWE Event
While WWE has yet to formally announce the dates, plans for the annual WWE Draft in 2025 are reportedly still in motion, with new information suggesting a potential timeframe for the highly anticipated roster shake-up. The Draft traditionally sees Superstars from Raw and SmackDown switch brands and often features call-ups from NXT. Roman Reigns facing off with Seth Rollins wearing the Concord 11 bootsGetty Images Previous reports a couple of months ago indicated that WWE had initial plans outlined for this year's Draft. Now, Bryan Alvarez, speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, has provided a more specific window, reporting that the draft is 'very likely' to occur at the end of May. This timing could see the roster changes align with WWE's significant "weekend takeover" in Tampa, Florida, during the Memorial Day holiday period. Advertisement Alvarez elaborated on the internal thinking and the status of certain NXT talents who have been appearing on the main roster: 'For whatever reason, Giulia and Roxanne are still considered NXT talents. Roxanne has been a regular on the main roster since Royal Rumble; she should be petitioning for main roster back pay. She's been here so often," he noted. "But I was told it's not set in stone, but very likely at the end of this month, when they're doing that series of dates in Tampa, it's very likely there might be a draft on that weekend or that week, which would probably mean that some people are being called up.' WWE has already announced a packed schedule at Tampa's Yuengling Center for that period. It begins with Saturday Night's Main Event on May 24th, followed by NXT Battleground on Sunday, May 25th. The Yuengling Center will then host WWE Raw on Monday, May 26th, and NXT the following Tuesday, May 27th. Traditionally, the WWE Draft unfolds over two nights, typically starting on Friday Night SmackDown and concluding on Monday Night Raw. If WWE adheres to this pattern and the late May timeframe, the 2025 Draft could potentially kick off on the May 23rd episode of SmackDown and finalize on the May 26th Raw from Tampa, setting a new landscape for the company heading into the summer. Official confirmation from WWE is still awaited. Related: WWE Discussing The Return Of Fan-Favorite PLE Related: Real Reason For Becky Lynch's Year-Long WWE Absence Revealed
Newsweek
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Is Bringing Back Another Popular Event: Report
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 is reportedly still intending to hold its annual Draft sometime in 2025, though fitting the significant roster shake-up into the company's increasingly packed global event schedule presents a logistical challenge. Reports from earlier this month via WrestleVotes indicated that WWE still has plans for the Draft this year. More recently, Bryan Alvarez noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that he has heard the 2025 WWE Draft "could take place later this month" (May 2025). This potential timeframe aligns with WWE's upcoming "Memorial Day weekend takeover" in Tampa, Florida. That weekend will see multiple events emanating from the Yuengling Center. These include a Saturday Night's Main Event special, the NXT Battleground Premium Live Event, and tapings for WWE Monday Night Raw and WWE NXT. The WWE Draft, a tradition with a rich history, was first introduced in 2002. This initial Brand Extension Draft formally divided the expansive WWE roster between its flagship shows, Raw and SmackDown. The aim was to create two distinct brands with separate talent pools, storylines, and championships. This move fostered direct competition between the shows and generated significant excitement among the fanbase. Roman Reigns (L) falls back while wrestling CM Punk during their Triple Threat match with Seth Rollins during WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium on April 19, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Roman Reigns (L) falls back while wrestling CM Punk during their Triple Threat match with Seth Rollins during WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium on April 19, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over the subsequent years, the Draft's format and frequency have evolved. There have been periods without a brand split, a "Superstar Shake-up" concept where talent would simply appear on new shows, and then a return to the more traditional multi-night Draft structure. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation These annual or semi-annual roster reshuffles have consistently refreshed matchups and storylines. They provide opportunities for talent to move to different brands, encounter new opponents, and potentially receive renewed pushes. A Draft in late May 2025 would come relatively soon after WrestleMania 41 and Backlash. Such timing would undoubtedly lead to immediate and significant changes across both Raw and SmackDown as WWE heads into its summer season. As noted, WWE's challenge lies in scheduling the multi-day event amidst a calendar filled with weekly television, domestic and international Premium Live Events, and other special broadcasts. The company has yet to make an official announcement regarding the 2025 Draft. However, the reports from WrestleVotes and Bryan Alvarez suggest that internal discussions are active. For now, WWE fans will have to wait to see the roster changes and new creative directions that the WWE Draft invariably brings. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
