William Regal Announces the Return of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic

During tonight’s WWE NXT TV tapings, William Regal announced the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will return and culminate at NXT Takeover Toronto.

WWE Cruiserweight Classic Winner And First RAW Cruiserweight Champion Revealed

TJ Perkins defeated Gran Metalik by submission in the finals of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic to win the CWC trophy and become the first-ever WWE RAW Cruiserweight Champion.

Perkins defeated Kota Ibushi earlier in the night in the semi-finals while Metalik defeated Zack Sabre, Jr.

Perkins will be on Monday's RAW with the title and other cruiserweights as the new division officially kicks off.

Full Results

Paige Issues Statement On Her WWE Status And WWE Wellness Policy Suspension

Paige posted the following on Instagram:

First, I'd like to thank all my fans for their love and support the last few weeks. Let me begin by saying that the rumors that I'm leaving WWE are completely false! I certainly look forward to returning back to action at some point, once my injury is treated and on a healthy return. Although I was disappointed by my suspension, I respect the WWE's Wellness Policy. However, let me be clear that I was not suspended for failing a drug test, it was merely due to a procedural issue. I took the test, I passed it. I arranged said test to happen after I wasn't at my home when Aegis contacted me. So I drove 200 miles to do it. Unfortunately I didn't do it in time, according to Aegis. Once again, thank you for all the love and support.

More Details on Vince McMahon’s Injury

As noted, WWE announced on Monday that Vince McMahon was injured while training and underwent surgery. He is expected to be back to work at WWE HQ on Wednesday. It was noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that Vince tore his quad while doing squats.

WWE Announces Vince McMahon Is Injured

From WWE.com:

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon sustains injury

WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon sustained an injury while training, requiring surgery, WWE.com has learned. The Chairman will be back in the office at WWE Headquarters on Wednesday, as usual.

AJ Styles Makes Pro Wrestling History at WWE Backlash

AJ Styles proved tonight that he truly is phenomenal. The 39-year-old veteran defeated Dean Ambrose in the main event of WWE Backlash to win the WWE World Champion, becoming the first man in wrestling history to win the WWE World Championship, TNA World Championship, and IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

Brock Lesnar had previously held the WWE and IWGP titles, Shinsuke Nakamura has been IWGP Champion and NXT Champion, Finn Balor is a former IWGP Jr. Champion and WWE Champion, and there are several wrestlers who have been WWE and TNA champion, but no man until Styles has managed to obtain the top world titles of all three top professional wrestling promotions in the world.

As additional icing on the cake, Styles is also a former Ring of Honor Pure Champion, PWG Champion, and because of the early association between TNA and the NWA, he is also technically a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.

What makes all these even sweeter for the self-proclaimed “face that runs the place”? Styles left TNA as world champion in October 2013, meaning that he has accomplished this feat in a little under three years. In addition, it was only 14 months ago that he lost the IWGP title to Kazuchika Okada, and he is currently only in his ninth month as a WWE Superstar, debuting at the 2016 Royal Rumble.

Becky Lynch Crowned First-Ever WWE SmackDown Women's Champion At Backlash

Becky Lynch became the first-ever WWE SmackDown Women's Champion by winning a Six-Pack Challenge at tonight's Backlash pay-per-view in Richmond, Virginia. Other match participants were Nikki Bella, Natalya, Carmella, Alexa Bliss and Naomi.

Eliminations in the match went like this:

1. Naomi eliminated Alexa Bliss
2. Natalya eliminated Naomi
3. Nikki Bella eliminated Natalya
4. Carmella eliminated Nikki Bella
5. Becky Lynch defeated Carmella

CM Punk says he'll keep fighting, but he isn't sure if it'll be in the UFC

CM Punk vows to fight on. He just doesn't know for what promotion.

After a blowout loss in his MMA debut to Mickey Gall at UFC 203, Punk said he'll continue training and fighting. The former WWE star just isn't sure if the UFC will want him back after a poor debutante performance.

"My initial venture into this was gonna be at the lowest level," Punk said at the post-fight press conference. "This opportunity just got presented to myself and I would have been a fool to say no. I don't know what happens from here on out. What if I get cut? I don't know. I think that's a possibility. Do I want that to happen? No. But who's to say where I go from here? I don't know. I definitely want to keep going."

Gall took Punk down right away and finished him with a rear-naked choke submission in just 2:14. Punk got emotional discussing the loss. Sure, it was his dream to be a mixed martial arts fighter and he said he had the time of his life this week. But he also planned on being victorious.

"There's probably an alternate reality somewhere where I win and I'm still disappointed in myself," Punk said, fighting back the tears. "That's just who I am. I'm just really, really hard on myself. I lost and it sucks and it was lopsided and it's upsetting. But I know I'm better than that."

Punk, 37, was then asked what his wife AJ Brooks, also a former WWE star, told him after he got out of the Octagon.

"You guys are all gonna make me cry," Punk said. "You bastards. ... She just said she was proud of me."

More?

Dana White Comments On CM Punk’s UFC 203 Fight, Says His Next Fight ‘Probably Shouldn’t Be In UFC

Dana White spoke to LAW Radio / Fight Network’s John Pollock after UFC 203 last night, and commented on the possibility of CM Punk’s second mixed martial arts fight.

White commented on the idea that Punk’s UFC career was an experiment, saying he doesn’t believe that, and that he likes Punk and thought he’s a nice guy and he asked for a shot so he got one. Pollock asked about Punk’s next fight, and White said his second fight probably shouldn’t be in UFC. He said even with Punk going against a fighter like Gall that is 2-0, UFC is a ‘tough place to learn’.

Joe Rogan Calls CM Punk Fighting Mickey Gall “Delusional”

During tonight’s post-UFC 203 press conference, Joe Rogan had the following to say about CM Punk fighting Mickey Gall at tonight’s event:

“I admire CM Punk for taking the chance, I really do. But, it was delusional. That’s my feeling, it was my feeling watching him hit the bag, when I was watching him punch things. It’s not like he can’t ever learn, but there’s a journey as a martial artist. There’s a path that each martial artist is on and different people are on different paths. There’s a reason why brown belts don’t compete with white belts in jiu-jitsu tournaments. It’s not fair, and what we saw tonight was not fair. Mickey Gall’s way better, he’s really good.”

CM Punk Gets Destroyed In His UFC Debut

CM Punk made his UFC debut at UFC 203 tonight, and the fight went pretty much as most expected.

Punk's opponent, Mickey Gall, got his wish and came out to "Oh Mickey, You're So Fine," which UFC President Dana White had nixed earlier this week, but changed his mind after fan backlash. Punk got a great pop coming out to his old wrestling theme, "Cult of Personality."

Almost immediately, Punk was taken down. Gall landed some hard ground and pound and got his back. Punk escaped Gall's first attempt at a rear naked choke, but was forced to submit to the second at 2:14 of the first round. Punk's face and ear were a mess after the fight.

After the fight, Gall refused to say anything bad about Punk, instead saying that there's too much hate and to "f--k the hate, we're all going to be dead in a hundred years." He said the fight was a great opportunity, then called out Sage Northcutt, stating that he was "corny."

Despite the mauling, Punk spoke to Joe Rogan after the fight and said that he still plans to fight again.

"In life you go big or you go home, I just like to take challenges," Punk said. "This was a hell of a mountain to try to climb and I didn't get to the summit today, but that doesn't mean I'm going to give up.

"I will be back, believe it or not, this was the most fun I've ever had," Punk continued. "It was the second best day of my life after marrying my wife. I know there's a lot of doubters, but life's about falling down and getting up. It doesn't matter how many times you get knocked down, it's about getting back up. So if there's any kid out there who's told be a parent, a teacher or a coach or somebody that they're supposed to look up to, somebody that's supposed to push them and believe in them and they're told no, don't listen to them. Believe in yourself. Sometimes the outcome isn't always what you desire it to be, but the true failure in life is not trying at all. I know that sounds preachy and kind of weird for a guy that just got beat up, but f--k it. This is the time of my life, thank you Cleveland!"

CM Punk Says WWE Bankrolled Lawsuit is Designed to Make Him Spend Money, Punk Seeking $15K from WWE, Next Court Date

The defamation lawsuit filed by WWE Dr. Chris Amann against CM Punk continues, and according to court documents the next scheduled hearing is on 9/12 at 11am. Back in February 2015, Amann filed a defamation of character lawsuit against both CM Punk and Colt Cabana, stemming from comments the two made on an episode of Cabana’s “Art of Wrestling” podcast.

CM Punk spoke with MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani, and briefly discussed his time in WWE. Punk also had the following to say on the current lawsuit against him:

“It’s designed to get me to spend money. That’s what it’s doing, so it’s just a source of stress that I just need to get out from under. I have good days and I have bad days. Yeah, there’s a finish line for sure, but it’s the way these things work. It’s a bunch of B.S.”

Back on July 25th, 2016, Punk requested the court issue an order compelling WWE to comply with a previously issued subpoena, and Punk’s main cause for issuing the request is that WWE has failed, in a timely manner, to respond to the subpoena initially issued by Punk, and produce documents critically relevant to action pending in the case.

Punk furthers that he has been forced to incur substantial fees and expenses to enforce the subpoena, specifically $15,000.00. Punk, in his request, also asked the court to assess monetary sanctions against WWE in an amount no less than $15,000.

On September 7th, WWE filed an objection to Punk’s application to enforce the subpoena and a new hearing is scheduled for September 12th.

Rumor Mill - Paige Reportedly Quits WWE

MMA source and occasional WWE insider Front Row Brian has posted the following tweets claiming the Paige has quit WWE:

BREAKING. @RealPaigeWWE quit WWE this week and has hired legal representation.

— FrontRowBrian (@FrontRowBrian) September 8, 2016

Issue with @RealPaigeWWE is she has a contract with WWE that extends out several years. That's the major point of contention.

— FrontRowBrian (@FrontRowBrian) September 8, 2016

This announcement from Brian came just hours before WWE officially announced the release of Paige’s real life boyfriend Alberto Del Rio.

WWE Releases Alberto Del Rio

From WWE.com:

WWE and Jose Rodriguez (Alberto Del Rio) have mutually agreed upon the terms of his release as of today, September 9, 2016

Chris Benoit Biopic “Crossface” Officially Moving Forward, Director Comments, Screenwriters and More Movie Details Released

In 2010, indie filmmaker and screenwriter Richard O’Sullivan wrote a spec script about the Chris Benoit tragedy called Crossface, which he began developing as a feature film project.

After partnering with Let It Play’s Alex A. Ginzburg (Producer of Hardcore Henry and Geezer), O’Sullivan soon grew frustrated by feedback from William Morris Endeavor and stepped aside as Writer/Director (on the condition that he would continue as a Producer on the project).

Now, six years later, Variety.com reports the project is moving forward at Radar Pictures (makers of the Vin Diesel Riddick movies and the upcoming King Kong & Jumanji reboots) with Oscar-winning director Lexi Alexander (Punisher: War Zone) attached.

Alexander will direct from a script by Jake Goldberger and Sarah Coulter. The project is based on Matthew Randazzo’s book “Ring of Hell: The Story of Chris Benoit & the Fall of the Pro Wrestling Industry.” The movie’s title is taken from Benoit’s trademark “crippler crossface” wrestling hold.

“I was pretty certain I’d stay in TV rather than returning to the feature world, because the material just seems so much better in TV, especially in drama, but then ‘Crossface’ came my way,” Alexander said. “A heartbreaking, true story about the dark side of wrestling. … I couldn’t say no to that.”

On Thursday, Richard O’Sullivan posted the Variety article on his Facebook page and then made the following comment:

“Since people have been asking me about this the past couple of days…I have absolutely no details. Just that it’s in development at Radar (which is also developing the “King Kong” and “Jumanji” reboots) with Lexi Alexander as the director. I wrote the first draft, was the original developer of the project, and have a valid contract (not to mention a terrific L.A. entertainment attorney in Manoj Shah who will sue everyone back to the motherfucking stone age if I don’t get paid). Other than that? I wish everyone involved with the project great success. Lexi’s a terrific director.”

Meanwhile, O’Sullivan (along with producing partner Sandra Rayne Garcia) have launched their own New York City-based wrestling company, Lucha Ilimitado, which will hold its first event on Wednesday, October 12 at the Yakima, Washington SunDome.

In an interview on the company’s website, O’Sullivan talked about his previous brushes with wrestling (saving an eight year old Dwayne Johnson’s life, co-creating a sitcom for Mick Foley, and developing a show about ’80s territory wrestling called Citizen Pain for the Fight Network).

ESPN wrestling with fiction/non-fiction in deciding to 'cover' WWE

WWE Signs Seven Wrestlers From China

The WWE has signed the following people from China. Big Boa, Gu Guangming, Gao Lei, Zhao Xia, Wang Xiaolong, Yifeng and Cheng Yuxiang are all brought in for a developmental contract. The new signees from China will begin training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, beginning around January 2017. The new people will all attend WWE Live China at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, Shanghai, this Saturday as well.

Paul Levesque better known as Triple H had the following to say about the signing of these seven people:

“WWE is dedicated to finding the most talented athletes and entertainers from around the world. The seven athletes identified at WWE’s first-ever tryout in China will be given the opportunity to train at the WWE Performance Center, in the hopes of becoming the next big WWE Superstar, while also helping to inspire future WWE Superstars and continue the global success of WWE.”

More?

Stephanie McMahon Announces New Book Release Year, Why Book is Delayed

As noted, Amazon has changed the release date for Stephanie McMahon’s new book to August, 2020, but Stephanie took to Twitter and posted the following update:

"Thought I was done writing #unREALbook but realized I have much more 2 share! It will now be available in 2017. So close but yet so far!!!"

Billy Corgan Says That He Is 'Actively Involved' In Trying To Buy TNA, Talks TNA Creative Reports

As noted, tonight's episode of TNA Impact Wrestling will feature an "evolutionary announcement" from Billy Corgan.

Corgan hyped tonight's Impact on Facebook and said that he is now President of TNA, and that it is not just a storyline position but that it's real. He noted that their business "has been pretty complicated" over the past several years and that sorting some of it out has "definitely been a challenge."

Corgan also discussed reports that the TNA creative team is mostly run by John Gaburick with David Lagana and Matt Conway as the writers. Corgan said that he is running the creative department, and that everything that is on TNA television is his responsibility. He said that the creative team is Madison Rayne, John Gaburick, David Lagana and Matt Conway. He said that it has been the team for a while, with the only difference being that he is now in charge of it.

Corgan added that the source behind the story about the creative team also once said that he couldn't afford to buy the company. Corgan said it was funny because he is "actively engaged" in trying to buy the company. He said that it doesn't mean that he will buy the company, but he is trying to. He called it a complicated process that he hopes to pull off and that he not only wants to run the culture of the company, but the company itself.

Paige Reportedly Hires Legal Representation, WWE Future Up In The Air

Paige's WWE future is said to be up in the air right now, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. While also dealing with injuries, she is still serving a 30-day suspension for her first violation of the WWE Wellness Policy and is under contract until 2019 but there has been a lot of heat over her relationship with Alberto Del Rio, and other issues, leading to speculation on her not coming back.

We noted last week via MLW Radio's "MSL & Sullivan" podcast that WWE's Mark Carrano approached Paige and Del Rio individually and harassed them about the relationship. It was indicated that the office wanted them to end the relationship, which is why they were split up in the WWE Draft. It was also reported that the company threatened to fire Paige if she didn't break up with Del Rio.

The Observer reports that WWE is denying the story - the harassment to Del Rio and Paige, and the threat to fire her. Apparently there is also a claim going around that Del Rio called Carrano on the subject but Carrano just went silent during the conversation.

For what it's worth, Paige has now reportedly retained legal representation and there's speculation on if she will stay with WWE or leave.