-- More details on the backstage chaos that preceded WWE’s most recent tapings was reported in the current edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. While most TV shows these days are already crazy, last week the situation was made worse due to the falling ratings and Vince McMahon being “grilled” by investors about the slumping audience as well as various negative articles about the company in the financial and entertainment worlds. Vince came up with Shane’s return as well as an angle with Randy Orton and Ric Flair but wouldn’t commit to any other ideas and as of the morning of Raw, that’s all he had approved as he was nixing every other idea that was suggested. The next week is when another meeting was held, lasting four hours, where Vince praised Bayley, Bianca Belair and Peyton Royce, the latter two who he envisions as future stars for the company.
-- Due to Vince blowing up the script for the 8/7 Smackdown as well, the decision was made not to go ahead with the 8/14 Smackdown taping. The plan now is to tape this show on 8/13 along with the 8/17 Raw, which was moved ahead and initially planned to be taped a few hours before it aired on 8/17. That would still leave the 8/21 Smackown in limbo as it was scheduled to be taped on 8/17 with Raw. The plans for NXT is to tape the 8/12 and 8/19 episodes this week on the 12th and that is still on.
Also in the news this weekend ...
- * Rusev On Cesaro Giving Him Black-Eye Before His Wedding (Photos)
* Update On AEW Trying To Sign Away Top Wrestling Legend From WWE
* Vince McMahon Sees Big Future Stars In 2 Talents You Wouldn't Expect
* Brandi Rhodes Takes Credit For Recent AEW Success: "I Was The One To Do That"
* Update On Plans For "HAIR vs. HAIR" Match At WWE SummerSlam
* Sasha Banks Vs. MMA Legend (And It's NOT Ronda Rousey) In The Works
* Extended, Unseen Footage Of Retribution's SmackDown Debut (Video)
* AJ Styles vs. Edge WWE Dream-Match: "That's One I Want Badly"
* WWE President Nick Khan Hired To Do What Vince McMahon Couldn't
* Seth Rollins On Raw Underground: "I Wasn't Entirely Offended By It"
* WWE Legend Has Interesting Take On How Vince McMahon's Legacy
* NJPW Star Finally Shaves Off His Trademark Beard (Photos)
* Daniel Bryan vs. The Rock Being Discussed For 2021 WWE Dream Match?
* Kurt Angle Updates His Mount Rushmore Of Wrestling To Include ...
* "Very Personal" Reason For Austin Theory's "Unannounced Suspension"
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