Tag: Cody Rhodes

AEW just pulled off Forbidden Door without 4 of the biggest stars in company history

The continual growth of the AEW roster allowed it to put on an excellent Forbidden Door card with NJPW but without four of its biggest names.

If you asked Tony Khan a year ago (pandemic restrictions notwithstanding), if he wanted to try a dual-branded pay-per-view with New Japan Pro-Wrestling without Kenny Omega and Cody Rhodes, he almost certainly would have said no. The same would have been true six months ago pondering a Forbidden Door without CM Punk and Bryan Danielson.

This past Sunday in Chicago, AEW and NJPW pulled off one of the more entertaining and ambitious pro wrestling cards in recent memory without any of them.

While Rhodes departed of his own accord to return to WWE several months ago (and ironically got injured since then), the other three wrestlers all missed Forbidden Door due to injury. Punk and Danielson were penciled in for specific matches: Punk against Hiroshi Tanahoshi for the AEW World Championship, and Danielson in a battle for technical supremacy against Zack Sabre Jr. Omega has been out longer term, but considering his history with NJPW, he almost certainly would have been in one of the night’s matches, like the four-way match for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

It’s a testament to the amount of talent that AEW has acquired and developed that other members of the roster were able to step up and fill the void almost seamlessly, a fact not lost on Khan during the post-event media scrum.

“You could headline any pay-per-view ever with the list of people who were out on this pay-per-view,” Khan said. “The roster is so deep compared to where it started, and we’re able to sustain it.”

Indeed, having Jon Moxley sub in for Punk worked for a variety of reasons, not least of which because Mox had been seeking a match with Tanahashi for some time, and Khan admitted to delaying it. That paid off handsomely in Sunday night’s main event, with much of the crowd cheering for Tanahashi but also showing Moxley love when he emerged with the victory.

Moxley also missed time in recent months due to checking himself into alcohol rehab, but he and Jericho — as well as Orange Cassidy, who shined at Forbidden Door in a singles match against Will Ospreay — returned to the fold just when AEW needed them most.

Khan’s continued knack for talent acquisitions helped as well, with Claudio Castagnoli making his AEW debut as Danielson’s hand-picked replacement to face Sabre. Amid the ongoing debate over whether AEW has too large a roster in some parts of wrestling fandom, it could have been seen as a luxury signing. But if Forbidden Door proved anything, it’s that you never know when any newcomer or foundational talent will be needed to play a big part on short notice.

“The people who came in helped fill that void,” Khan said, referring to Punk and Danielson. “Now they need the time, now they’re beat up, and now these guys can step back in, the originals, the first few champions. And new faces come in for the company, including, now, Claudio. I just think it’s really cool, to talk about it again, full circle, being back here in Chicago. … So it all came together even though it wasn’t the original plan for tonight.”

It certainly wasn’t, and probably never would have been at any time in AEW’s history. But darned if it didn’t turn out just fine anyway.

Cody Rhodes hints he doesn’t expect to be out 9 months

Nine months to recover from surgery to repair a torn pec? Not if Cody Rhodes has anything to say about it.

It’s hard to argue against the idea that  Cody Rhodes‘ torn pec has been one of the biggest pro wrestling bummers of 2022, even if the injury gave us the most awe-inspiring in-ring performance in recent memory.

As people burned up their keyboards searching for “How long does recovery take from a torn pec?” after Rhodes had surgery a few weeks ago, the consensus was one of a surprise when WWE suggested he could be out nine months while recovering. After all, John Cena made it back from a similar injury in less than four months.

(On the other hand, he’s John Cena.)

But it’s possible that WWE is just trying to manage expectations for one of its hottest performers in 2022 by stating the longest possible time, the same way Applebee’s tells you it’s a 20-minute wait and then seats you in 10. Rhodes slyly hinted at a faster timetable for his return in an Instagram Story (as spotted by Fightful’s Robert DeFelice), giving fans hope they may see him in the ring again before the end of the year.

Rhodes’ WWE return has been one of the most notable positive stories in the pro wrestling industry this year. The company that gave the second-generation wrestler his first exposure to a worldwide audience treated him like a big deal when he rejoined after finding greater success in NJPW, ROH and as one of the architects of AEW, and he repaid it by looking every bit a main event-caliber attraction.

Though the potential for him to reach his stated goal of achieving the WWE world championship his legendary father never quite captured seems real, that quest is on hold for now. But if Rhodes has anything to say about it, the next chapter might not have to wait until next March, and that would be fantastic news for both WWE and wrestling fans in general.

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CM Punk and Cody Rhodes are injured. Which AEW and WWE stars can step up to fill the void?

With CM Punk and Cody Rhodes injured, we run down the WWE and AEW performers best positioned to step up while they are out.

Fans of traditional sports know how one unexpected injury can torpedo a promising year. It’s no different in pro wrestling, where both AEW and WWE have had the injury bug strike top performers at the worst possible time.

CM Punk had literally just won the AEW World Championship when he hurt his foot during Dynamite last week. That led to an appearance on Rampage on June 3, when he revealed he would be out of the picture for a while while he has surgery.

Cody Rhodes hadn’t won a title yet since returning to WWE at WrestleMania, but he was repaying the company’s faith in him as a top star and looked like he was on the path to contending for championships sooner rather than later. Then he tore his pec, which led to a legendary Hell in a Cell performance before he, too, announced that surgery was in his immediate future.

The situations aren’t exactly the same, but they’re eerily parallel in some respects and the injuries struck just days apart. In AEW’s case, we already know how it plans to pivot — the promotion is holding a mini tournament to crown an interim champion — but the absence of both Punk and Rhodes will be acutely felt.

The silver lining in both cases is that there are opportunities for other talent to step up and claim more of the spotlight while they are away. Who’s in the best possible position to take a step forward over the next few months? Let’s take a look at a few possibilities.

Who could fill in as Raw’s top babyface with Cody Rhodes out?

Riddle

The King of Bros has been rumored to be the next championship contender for Roman Reigns, but his alliance with Shinsuke Nakamura and ongoing issues with The Usos put at least a little doubt on that plan. The most recent episode of Raw made it appear Riddle has his sights set on Reigns again, and the timing couldn’t be better.

Riddle is arguably as popular as he’s ever been in WWE right now, and has shown he has the knack for balancing an edgier side to his persona with his unmatched comic stylings. Pursuing Reigns means he’ll likely appear on both shows over the next month, but he has the potential to stay Raw’s top face even after Money in the Bank.

Bobby Lashley

Speaking of performers who are as over as they’ve ever been, we’re living in the time of Peak Good Guy Bobby Lashley if recent crowd reactions are any indication. Putting him up against the larger Omos helped him as he wasn’t able to win just by being bigger and stronger, but still looked impressive in overcoming the odds.

The only hiccup here is that Lashley just started a program with Theory, so his ascension to top dog on Raw could be more of a medium-term play if Rhodes ends up out until almost the end of 2022.

Edge

Yes, Edge has just spent the last little bit recruiting other wrestlers to be part of The Judgment Day, definitely not a face faction. But then Finn Balor joined and the group turned on him, so he’s going to be a good guy by default.

The 48-year-old WWE Hall of Famer is playing with house money at this point in his illustrious career, but if the company wanted to give him one final babyface run, this is now the ideal chance to do it.

AJ Styles

Not to quite the same degree as Edge, but Styles is headed toward the end of his time as a main event caliber attraction too. It’ll be interesting to see if he joins forces with Edge in an “enemy of my enemy” sense, but why couldn’t WWE push him to the very top of the card right after they deal with The Judgment Day?

Styles has faced Reigns in championship matches before, but not for years, so a program between the two of them could still feel fresh. With Money in the Bank on the horizon, it’s easy to imagine him winning the briefcase and then turning his attention to the Tribal Chief.

John Cena or Brock Lesnar

These are names mentioned somewhat in jest, but if WWE feels this is a “break glass in case of emergency” situation, it’s already announced that John Cena is returning to Raw in a few weeks. And Brock Lesnar is presumably just a phone call away.

Who will emerge as AEW Interim World Champion while CM Punk is on the shelf?

Jon Moxley

He’s got a leg up already in narrative terms since he is guaranteed a spot in the main event on Dynamite to determine who will go on to fight for the interim title at Forbidden Door. And since he’s held the real title before, people know what they’re getting from a Jon Moxley reign.

That’s the downside though, too. The AEW World Championship hasn’t been around all that long, as Mox already held it for some time. Pushing him more right now might feel like something fans have already seen, and not as effective as elevating someone new. The Punk-Moxley unification bout at the end of the rainbow would be sweet, however.

Wardlow

Now that Wardlow has freed himself from the machinations of MJF and become a legitimate star, why not just strap a rocket to him? It’s almost certainly not what the promotion was planning, but injuries have a way of changing plans, and this could be a change that pans out.

His path to the interim championship would also afford AEW a chance to put him over even more, as it would mean winning a battle royale, then defeating Moxley and someone at Forbidden Door, likely Hiroshi Tanahashi. That’s earning it, for sure. Plus it would be easy to turn Punk heel to play off him for their showdown when the current champ returns.

Eddie Kingston

Anyone who has followed Eddie Kingston during his career in the indies is probably already in favor of this idea, and people who only discovered him through AEW TV have to be impressed with him by now. In terms of building a story and selling it with promo work, Kingston could have one hell of a feud with Punk when he returns.

Does AEW view him as a top guy? It would be interesting to know, but if Eddie gets a chance to run with the ball right now, that would go a long way to answering that question in the affirmative.

Bryan Danielson

Just a quick note that while Bryan Danielson had a shot at the AEW World Championship while Hangman Adam Page held it, he wasn’t successful in winning it. The American Dragon has an unlimited amount of goodwill with the fans and would be easy to accept as the interim champ.

He and Punk wouldn’t be a brand new program, of course, but it’s been a decade since they faced each other with gold on the line. Both men shift effortlessly between face and heel roles, so it would be a showdown that can go any direction the creative team envisions once Punk is healthy again.

Hiroshi Tanahashi (or Kazuchika Okada, or anyone from NJPW)

Even in the Forbidden Door era, it seems unlikely that AEW would let someone from another promotion hold its main championship for any length of time. An interim title, though? That’s another story altogether.

Tanahashi was getting ready to face Punk later this month before the injury, and has already invited Punk to face him at Wrestle Kingdom next January. That could be to unify the regular and interim championships if so desired. Or Tanahashi could defend the interim strap in NJPW for the rest of 2022, opening up the possibility of dropping it to Kazuchika Okada or another top NJPW talent. The sky is really the limit should AEW choose to go in this direction.

WWE Raw live results: The Judgment Day expands, Cody Rhodes says goodbye for now

Check out WWE Raw live results for the June 6, 2022 episode from Green Bay.

The late Notorious B.I.G. told us all “don’t be mad, UPS is hiring,” but if he were around today, he may very well update that line by reminding us that The Judgment Day is recruiting. Ahead of tonight’s episode of Raw from Green Bay, WWE has made it known that Edge’s group, fresh off a victory at Hell in a Cell, expects to add another member to its ranks during the show.

Speaking of success on Sunday night, no one enjoyed more of it despite tremendous adversity than Cody Rhodes, who somehow managed to grit his way through a Hell in a Cell match with a torn right pec to defeat Seth Rollins for a third time. Cody is scheduled to address the fans at the arena and watching at home, likely to admit what we already know: He’s going to be out for a while to heal up.

WWE has promised two more things for Raw. Bianca Belair, who gave Becky Lynch a taste of her own opportunistic medicine to defeat her and Asuka at Hell in a Cell, will learn who her next top contender will be. Finding out could be fun, since it means a four-way match between Liv Morgan, Doudrop, Alexa Bliss and Rhea Ripley, or as we like to call it at Wrestling Junkie HQ, two subplots intertwining.

And last but not least, especially in their minds, The Miz and Maryse will join forces for a special episode of Miz TV. Could the timing of this have anything to do with the new season of their TV show that they need to promote? You know, it just might.

Can’t tune in live on USA to catch the action from Green Bay? No worries, just bookmark this page and check back throughout the evening as we update it with the latest WWE Raw live results as they take place.

Report: Cody Rhodes to appear on Raw, then have surgery on torn pec

A report says Cody Rhodes is set for surgery on his torn pec Thursday after his gutsy performance at Hell in a Cell.

After one of the gutsiest, most captivating performances in pro wrestling in recent memory, Cody Rhodes is set for surgery later this week.

That should come as no surprise to anyone who watched Rhodes enter the ring for his Hell in a Cell match against Seth Rollins at the event of the same name Sunday night. WWE had announced on social media prior to the show that Rhodes had a torn right pec, but would compete anyway. He verified that by revealing one of the nastiest bruises you’ll ever see, one that took up a huge part of the right side of his chest.

Rhodes not only competed in a lengthy match with Rollins, but emerged with a dramatic, compelling victory given the obvious pain and lack of motion affecting him. People in attendance live noted that after the broadcast went off the air, Rhodes said he would likely say something about his status on Monday night.

According to Fightful Select, that is indeed the plan, as Rhodes is “currently scheduled for WWE Raw.” The outlet says he’ll then have surgery on his torn pec Thursday, putting him out of action for some time.

How long is now the biggest question. Fightful Select points out that torn pecs aren’t all that uncommon in pro wrestling, and that recovery time has ranged in some of the most famous cases from just under four months to six month. The high end of that range for Rhodes could mean he’s off WWE programming until near the end of 2022.

Considering how successful he’s looked as a top star in the few months since his return to WWE, that would be unfortunate for both the wrestler and the company. But after his unforgettable Hell in a Cell performance, Rhodes looks set for an “absence makes the heart grow fonder” situation while he heals up, with the fans greeting him like a conquering hero whenever he’s finally ready to return.

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The injury (and bruise) that Cody Rhodes wrestled with has to be seen to be believed

Anyone who sees pictures of Cody Rhodes and the bruise he wrestled with at Hell in a Cell can’t help but come away amazed and impressed.

There are times when fans pay lip service to the idea that pro wrestlers put their bodies on the line to entertain them, and other times that they sincerely appreciate it. When it comes to Cody Rhodes and what he put himself through to be in the main event of Hell in a Cell on Sunday night, it’s hard to imagine anyone watching wouldn’t fall into the latter category.

Shortly before the show, WWE tweeted that Rhodes had injured his right pectoral tendon earlier in the week, then made it even worse training for the show. Despite that, the company insisted he would face Seth Rollins inside Hell in a Cell as planned.

This being wrestling, Twitter lit up with a variety of reactions, including people questioning whether the injury was legit.

Once Rhodes walked to the cage and removed his entrance gear, revealing possibly the nastiest bruise ever seen in sports or sports entertainment, that question became entirely moot.

Not only did the bruise look extremely painful, but the underlying injury couldn’t have been any picnic either. Nonetheless, Rhodes not only participated in a lengthy, physical match ⁠— which included shots from various weapons and at one point, a bullrope ⁠— but he pulled off a number of wrestling maneuvers essentially with one arm. Full credit needs to be given to Rollins’ typically high level of skill and professionalism here too, because even more than usual, the match required two superior talents to pull off.

Rhodes eventually got the pinfall victory, but that hardly even mattered in the end. It’s a match anyone who saw it will remember for a long time, and people who only see the pictures of Rhodes won’t believe actually took place.

Common sense suggests Rhodes is headed for surgery and a lengthy recovery, which is unfortunate given how much momentum he had built up since returning to WWE at WrestleMania. WWE positioned him as a major star in a way it never did during his first stint, and he was repaying that faith.

He did that again at Hell in a Cell in a different but even more impressive way. That kind of performance will ensure he’s still wildly over when he recovers, and it’s well deserved.

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WWE Hell in a Cell 2022 live results: Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins collide

Check out live results from WWE Hell in a Cell 2022 as Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins go head to head in the main event.

It’s time to go to hell … in a cell, that is. WWE’s showcase for one of its best known and most brutal gimmick matches is set for the Allstate Arena outside Chicago, though the Hell in a Cell match will make just one appearance tonight.

For that reason, Cody Rhodes vs. Seth “Freakin'” Rollins is expected to be tonight’s main event. The two men have met twice already since Rhodes made his triumphant WWE return, with the American nightmare prevailing both times. Yet Rollins can’t seem to let this feud die, making it personal enough to warrant a third go-round. It’s only right that it take place inside the steel on the 25th anniversary of the namesake match.

Also on the card for the event is a three-way dance for the WWE Raw Women’s Championship, with Bianca Belair defending against both Asuka and Becky Lynch. Interestingly, most of the beef has been between the two challengers leading up to Hell in a Cell, but the onus will still be on Belair to ensure she doesn’t lose her title by one of them pinning the other.

And while there are no championships on the line and it won’t take place inside Hell in a Cell, the six-person mixed tag pitting The Judgment Day against AJ Styles, Finn Balor and Liv Morgan will also be worth watching. It feels like someone could turn on the alliance of heroes, or there might be a new recruit that Edge has waiting in the wings.

There are seven matches in all advertised for tonight’s Hell in a Cell card, so it should move along pretty briskly before Rhodes and Rollins collide. If you can’t watch live, bookmark this page and check back regularly as we update it with the latest WWE Hell in a Cell 2022 live results.

Pre-show update: This seems less than ideal, but Cody is going to make a go of it anyway, apparently.

WWE Hell in a Cell: Everything you need to know

Get ready for WWE Hell in a Cell with our preview, including predictions for each match, start time, how to watch and more.

WWE fans in the Chicago area, get ready to go on lockdown. Hopefully the fun kind, in this case, as the Allstate Arena prepares to host Hell in a Cell on Sunday, June 5.

Similar to Money in the Bank, Hell in a Cell has evolved over the years into an entire event themed around its namesake gimmick match. But that’s where the similarities end; while MITB is now a major show with ramifications that echo far down the road, HIAC feels like something of an afterthought. To wit, this year’s card features only two title matches and just one appearance by the Cell itself.

That said, WWE premium live events that look forgettable on paper sometimes surprise to the upside thanks to the hard work of the talent, and the potential for that in 2022 begins with Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins inside Hell in a Cell. WWE has consistently positioned Rhodes as a top star since his return, and Rollins is as reliable a main event performer as the company has.

The show will also pay off the most entertaining subplot on WWE programming since WrestleMania when Kevin Owens faces Ezekiel. Owens is a gem both in the ring and on the microphone, but he has taken his character to the next level with his paranoia-fueled disbelief over the true identity of Ezekiel. If you needed proof that excellent pro wrestling storytelling can happen at any part of the card, this is it.

It’s possible that WWE could still add a match or two during SmackDown this week, in which case we’ll update our preview with the latest. In the meantime, read on to get up to speed on everything you need to know for Hell in a Cell 2022.

WWE Hell in a Cell 2022

  • When: Sunday, June 5
  • Where: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Ill.
  • Start time: 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
  • How to watch: On Peacock in the U.S., or on WWE Network internationally
  • Matches announced: 6

WWE Raw live results: Nakamura, Riddle take on The Usos

Check out WWE Raw results for the May 30, 2022 episode from Des Moines, IA.

To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man … to get a chance to beat the man. Ahem. We’re not particularly fond of the “Championship Contender’s Match” that’s become so popular as of late, but we’re willing to give the one that’s been promoted for tonight’s episode of WWE Raw from Des Moines the benefit of the doubt.

At least with Riddle and Shinsuke Nakamura, they’re a brand new tag team forced together because both their regular partners are on the shelf, and they need to prove themselves as a credible threat to the undisputed tag team champs, The Usos. We just wish there was another way for them to prove it than by beating the Usos.

Also tonight, Bobby Lashley will sign a contract to face both Omos and MVP at Hell in a Cell, assuming they both sign as well. Bianca Belair will get the measure of one of her two HIAC challengers, Asuka, though Becky Lynch will undoubtedly be an interested observer. And Cody Rhodes should have something to interesting to say after he was attacked mid-match by Seth Rollins last week.

Can’t watch Raw this week? No worries, just bookmark this page and we got you. Get results in bullet point form as they happen tonight from Des Moines, then scroll down for more detailed recaps of every match and the most important in-ring segments.

Opening Bell: WWE, AEW previews for the week of 5/30

Get ready for Raw, SmackDown, Dynamite and Rampage with WWE and AEW previews for episodes airing the week of May 30, 2022.

Welcome to the Opening Bell, where we round up what’s been announced for WWE (Raw and SmackDown) and AEW (Dynamite and Rampage) programming for the week ahead.

WWE Raw preview – Monday, May 30, Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA

Cody Rhodes was just trying to have a normal, competitive match with The Miz when it was unceremoniously ended thanks to an ambush by Seth “Freakin'” Rollins. He’s not going to let that go without addressing it, which he’ll do this week on Raw. When? The Cody Clock will probably let us know on Monday night.

There’s also a contract signing set to take place. Bobby Lashley lost his match with MVP a week ago, meaning his former manager got to pick the stipulation for a third bout with Omos at Hell in a Cell. MVP chose a Handicap Match, so all three men will have to sign on the dotted line this week.

Also on tap for Raw:

AEW Dynamite preview – Wednesday, June 1, Kia Forum, Los Angeles

Double or Nothing was a entertaining but lengthy affair, so it’s good that AEW has some time to catch its breath … but not too long, as the company is set for the first live wrestling event at the Kia Forum since 2015. So far, just one match has been confirmed for L.A., but it’s a big one: Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus and Christian Cage (who still hasn’t turned heel) will join forces with The Hardys in a 10-man tag team match against the Undisputed Elite (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Bobby Fish and Young Bucks).

It would be a surprise if we didn’t hear from new AEW World Champion CM Punk, who needs his first challenger. And we may or may not hear from MJF because … well, you know.

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WWE SmackDown preview – Friday, June 3, The Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH

WWE hasn’t confirmed any matches yet for SmackDown in Columbus, but the venue has been advertising Drew McIntyre, Ronda Rousey, the New Day and The Usos. All of them make sense to appear.

On top of that, The Schottenstein Center is also saying AJ Styles will face The Miz, though that could be a dark match, for sure.

AEW Rampage preview – Friday, June 3, Toyota Arena, Ontario, CA

Last but not least (unless Rampage gets moved up again for the NHL playoffs, in which case SmackDown will air last), Rampage rolls into Ontario (not the Canadian one) to close out the week in televised Big 2 wrestling. Toyota Arena is promoting this as a homecoming for the Young Bucks, so they should be involved in some capacity.

As well, at Double or Nothing, Scorpio Sky promised Dante Martin he could have a shot at the TNT Championship, and given Rampage is on TNT, this feels like the proper place for that bout. Expect it to be officially confirmed during Dynamite.