Latest news with #WWESummerSlam2015
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Fan-Favorite Superstar Breaks Silence On WWE Contract Status
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. Just two days before his WWE contract is reportedly set to expire, Karrion Kross has addressed the whirlwind of reports and rumors about his future. In a new interview, the former NXT Champion claims that much of what has been written online is "not true." Speaking on The Angle Podcast while promoting his new book, Kross attempted to clear the air. However, his comments have only added another layer of mystery to his and his wife Scarlett's uncertain status with the company. Karrion Kross confirms what you're reading today is NOT true.@realKILLERkross and I talked today, 8/7/25. His book, Life is Fighting is out now. Full chat drops tomorrow. — Joey Karni (@theanglejoey) August 7, 2025 Clearing The Air? When asked about the situation, Kross was direct in his refutation of many online reports. However, he also expressed a personal hope that he and Scarlett will remain with WWE. "I see things being written online right now, specifically today. A lot of what I read is not true," Kross stated. "I hate to disappoint people but I don't wanna bulls--t. But, I hope so. I hope we do come back." A Week of Conflicting Reports Kross's comments come at the end of a chaotic week of conflicting reports about his future. On Tuesday, a report from Fightful Select stated that his and Scarlett's contracts expire this Sunday, August 10th, and that as of Monday, no new deal had been offered. This sparked massive speculation that they were on their way out of the company. Then, on Thursday, a new report from the Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer claimed that the situation had changed. Meltzer stated that Kross had in fact received a new contract offer and that he was expected to stay. Now, Kross's own statement that "a lot of what I read is not true" throws both reports into question, leaving fans completely in the dark. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Crowds cheer at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Crowds cheer at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match Life Imitating Art? This public and confusing contract negotiation has led many fans to speculate that it could be a "worked shoot" storyline. WWE recently blurred the lines between reality and fiction with R-Truth's contract status, which was used to create a major on-screen angle. The company may be employing a similar tactic with Kross to generate buzz. Whether it is a real, messy negotiation or a brilliant storyline, the clock is ticking. Kross and Scarlett were pulled from this past Monday's episode of Raw, and with their contracts reportedly expiring this weekend, their future is truly up in the air. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Reportedly Changed Winner Of Major SummerSlam Match
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The outcome of the massive celebrity tag team match at SummerSlam Night One was reportedly not the original plan. According to a new report, WWE made a last-minute change to the finish of the bout. The match saw Drew McIntyre and United States Champion Logan Paul team up to defeat the duo of Randy Orton and country music superstar Jelly Roll. The result was a surprise to many, as the original plan was for the babyface team to get the victory. A Last-Minute WWE SummerSlam Change A new report from Fightful Select ahead of SummerSlam stated that the planned finish "throughout much of the week" was for Randy Orton and Jelly Roll to win the match. However, at some point before bell time, the decision was made to have the heel team of McIntyre and Paul go over instead. The actual finish of the match saw Logan Paul hit his signature frog splash on Jelly Roll to score the pinfall victory. It is not known exactly when or why the creative decision was changed. The result was surprising to many fans due to WWE's long history of booking celebrities to win their debut matches. It is a long-standing creative trope to give the visiting celebrity a feel-good victory to generate positive mainstream press. This has been the case for stars like Lawrence Taylor at WrestleMania XI and, more recently, Bad Bunny at WrestleMania 37, both of whom were victorious in their first outing. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: General atmosphere at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: General atmosphere at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. The decision to have Jelly Roll take the pinfall loss is a significant break from that tradition. However, it also served to further establish Logan Paul, a celebrity in his own right, as a legitimate and credible WWE champion. A WWE Feud Built On Disrespect The entire feud was built around McIntyre and Paul's condescending attitude towards "outsiders" like Jelly Roll. They positioned themselves as protectors of the business against a celebrity who they felt had not earned his spot. The victory for the heel duo ultimately proved their point in the storyline. Despite the loss, Jelly Roll has been highly praised for his performance and his dedication. Previous reports have noted his intensive training at the WWE Performance Center and his incredible physical transformation. It has been reported that WWE is hopeful to have him back for more matches in 2026, so his story in a WWE ring is likely not over.
Newsweek
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Superstar Is Upset With SummerSlam Booking Decision
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. On the eve of SummerSlam, the inaugural WWE Women's United States Champion, Chelsea Green, has spoken out about the title being absent from the massive two-night event. In a new interview, she expressed her frustration that the championship she helped establish has "taken a step back." The current Women's United States Champion, Giulia, is not scheduled to defend her title at SummerSlam this weekend. Green, speaking on The Ringer Wrestling Show, shared her thoughts on the situation. The Inaugural Champion's Frustration Chelsea Green was candid about her disappointment in seeing the new championship left off of WWE's biggest party of the summer. She feels that the title's prestige has diminished since her reign. "It definitely makes me upset. I feel like I really put in work with that title," Green said. "I feel like I laid the groundwork for this title to mean something and unfortunately we've taken a step back from that." She did acknowledge the difficulty of getting on a stacked card, but felt that a place should always be found for a champion. "Am I making excuses, yes," she admitted. "Because you can always fit something on TV." NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Crowds cheer at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Crowds cheer at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. A Perfect Character Moment The comments are a perfect blend of legitimate critique and the on-screen "Karen"-like persona that has made Chelsea Green a fan favorite. Her character is built on complaining to management and believing that she is the center of the WWE Universe. Her passionate, yet self-serving, defense of the title she was the first to hold is a masterful example of her blurring the lines. Green's inaugural reign as champion began in late 2024. She held the title for four months before losing it to Zelina Vega in April of this year. More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match A Champion's Pedigree Green also had high praise for the current champion, Giulia, a world-renowned star who made her name in Japan's Stardom promotion before signing with WWE. "She's such an amazing wrestler, she's insane," Green said. "I do feel like we could do more with it." Giulia defeated Zelina Vega for the championship in June, but has yet to be featured in a major storyline on SmackDown. The decision to leave a champion of her caliber off of a major show like SummerSlam is a surprising one, and it validates the concerns voiced by Green. With a stacked, two-night, 11-match card, the new Women's U.S. Title was simply the odd one out. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Reportedly Forced To Drop Shocking SummerSlam Moment
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. On the eve of WWE SummerSlam, a new report has revealed the original, shocking creative plan for Seth Rollins and his Money in the Bank contract. The plan involved a dramatic cash-in following the World Heavyweight Championship match that would have had massive repercussions. According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the original plan was for Rollins to cash in his briefcase at the conclusion of the match between GUNTHER and CM Punk. This adds another layer of intrigue to the mystery surrounding Rollins' current injury status. The Original Cash-In Plan Meltzer reported that the plan was for Seth Rollins to cash in his contract immediately after the World Heavyweight Championship match on Saturday night. The report notes that this creative direction was still in place as of one week after Rollins suffered his knee injury at Saturday Night's Main Event. Meltzer noted that a storyline where "Punk finally winning the title and then Rollins cashing in after making everyone think his knee was blown out is actually a great one." However, he also stated it is unknown if WWE will stick with this plan now that it has been reported, as the company values the element of surprise. The "Heist Of The Century" Part II? A surprise cash-in from Seth Rollins would be a callback to the most iconic moment of his career. At WrestleMania 31 in 2015, Rollins created the "Heist of the Century" when he cashed in his Money in the Bank contract during the main event between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, pinning Reigns to steal the WWE Championship. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: General atmosphere at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: General atmosphere at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. That moment established him as the ultimate opportunist. The original plan for SummerSlam would have been a perfect echo of that history, this time targeting his most bitter rival. More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match A Rivalry's Ultimate Payoff The idea of Rollins cashing in specifically on CM Punk would be the ultimate conclusion to their deeply personal feud. Since Punk's return to WWE, Rollins has been his most vocal and aggressive antagonist. For Rollins to potentially allow his nemesis to achieve his dream of winning a world title, only to snatch it away moments later, would be a devastating and personal act of villainy. The entire situation now hinges on the legitimacy of Rollins' injury. While initial reports and a video of him on crutches suggest the knee injury is real, this new report of a planned cash-in has fans wondering if it could all be part of a masterful deception. All eyes will now be on the World Heavyweight Championship match tomorrow night. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Fans React To WWE's Greatest SummerSlam Matches List
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. Ahead of this weekend's massive two-night SummerSlam event, WWE has officially concluded its countdown of the 25 greatest matches in the history of the show. The iconic Intercontinental Championship match between Bret "The Hitman" Hart and "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith from 1992 has claimed the coveted top spot. The countdown has been playing out on WWE's digital platforms over the past several weeks. The final reveal celebrates a bout that is widely considered to be one of the greatest matches in company history. The Greatest SummerSlam Match Ever The main event of SummerSlam 1992 was a masterclass in storytelling, held in front of over 80,000 passionate fans at London's Wembley Stadium. The match was for the Intercontinental Championship, marking one of the rare times the title headlined a major pay-per-view. The storyline was deeply personal, as it pitted two brothers-in-law against each other, with Bret's sister and Bulldog's wife, Diana Hart, torn between them at ringside. In a legendary performance, Bret Hart carried an exhausted British Bulldog through a 25-minute technical classic, culminating in Bulldog winning the title in his home country in an incredibly emotional moment. Rounding Out The Top Five The rest of the top five is a showcase of legendary encounters from different eras. The number two spot went to the 2016 dream match between John Cena and AJ Styles, a bout that saw Styles score a clean, star-making victory over the face of the company. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: General atmosphere at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: General atmosphere at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match Bret Hart featured heavily at the top of the list. His 1991 technical masterpiece against Mr. Perfect, where he won his first Intercontinental Championship, was ranked number three. His classic 1994 steel cage match against his brother, Owen Hart, for the WWF Championship, came in at number five. The number four spot was claimed by the brutal "The Best vs. The Beast" No Disqualification match from 2013 between CM Punk and Brock Lesnar. That match was the violent culmination of Paul Heyman's betrayal of CM Punk. The Full List Here is the complete list of WWE's 25 greatest matches in SummerSlam history: 25. Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar (2023) 24. Seth Rollins vs. John Cena (2015) 23. The Undertaker vs. Bret Hart (1997) 22. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins (2019) 21. Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch (2022) 20. Randy Orton vs. Christian (2011) 19. Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker (2015) 18. Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk (2009) 17. Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle (2001) 16. Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero (2005) 15. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman (2017) 14. The Rock vs. Triple H (1998) 13. John Cena vs. CM Punk (2011) 12. Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar (2022) 11. John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan (2013) 10. The Undertaker vs. Edge (2008) 9. Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon (1995) 8. The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar (2002) 7. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H (2002) 6. The Hardy Boyz vs. Dudley Boyz vs. Edge & Christian (2000) 5. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (1994) 4. CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar (2013) 3. Bret Hart vs. Mr. Perfect (1991) 2. John Cena vs. AJ Styles (2016) 1. Bret Hart vs. British Bulldog (1992). You can see how the fans reacted below: As soon as I they started this countdown I knew this would be number 1 & fair play because it's an iconic match. Would it be my number 1? I'm not entirely sure what my number 1 would be but as I say an iconic match held in the UK which is special. — Daniel(SDMN) (@TheYOLOArtist) July 30, 2025 Is 2002 the only year to have back to back matches on the list? — Markin' Out (@MarkinOut) July 30, 2025 Not mad at it. Good graps — JA (@ReceiptTalk) July 30, 2025 Bret Hart is the greatest in-ring storyteller in wrestling history. It's really not even close. Out of respect, the next two spots should be left empty. — BizarroBabyface (@BizarroBabyface) July 30, 2025 That was storytelling magic. Well deserved. — Mikey! (@MegaMikey81) July 30, 2025 It shouldn't be the greatest match ever... It doesn't worth to be in the no 1 greatest match ever — Enzorealestfan💙🇦🇷 (@IfeoluwaAj11) July 30, 2025 I had a feeling it would be this one. The crowd in Wembley. The family infighting. First time an IC title Main Evented a PPV. I'm still of the opinion Brett vs. Perfect is the better wrestling match, but I can definitely understand the spectacle nature of this match. — Jorge Edwards (@JorgeBEdwards) July 30, 2025 More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
