J

Jitu Jangir

9737 Articles

I'm a wrestling writer at Sacnilk and my credentials are simply meant to be momentary-awake deliver of Wrestling.

Articles Written By Jitu Jangir

Netflix Quietly Deletes Becky Lynch's Spiciest Line From The Raw Replay
4 days ago
Wrestling

Netflix Quietly Deletes Becky Lynch's Spiciest Line From The Raw Replay

Ever since WWE programming moved to the streaming giant back in January, viewers have grown used to spotting the odd edit here and there on the replay versions of shows. This week, it's Monday Night Raw's turn, with a spicy line from Becky Lynch getting quietly scrubbed from the record. During her promo exchange with Liv Morgan on the August 3 episode, Lynch went for the jugular, telling the WWE Women's World Champion she wasn't even the best champion in her own stable — before adding a much cheekier dig, pointing out that Morgan isn't even the best champion to have been romantically linked with Dominik Mysterio, throwing shade at Morgan's on-screen history alongside Rhea Ripley. Except if you only caught Raw on the Netflix replay, you'd have no clue it ever happened. The line about Dominik has been sliced clean out, with the segment now cutting straight from Lynch's "own stable" dig into Stephanie Vaquer's return, as if the Dominik reference simply never existed. This is far from the first time Netflix has taken the editing scissors to WWE programming, and it certainly won't be the last. The go-home Raw before SummerSlam alone had a handful of changes made to it. As a general rule, it seems Netflix's edits tend to fall into two camps: profanity, and anything that might make for uncomfortable viewing. Jade Cargill's wig malfunction on the June 12 episode of SmackDown got the same treatment, disappearing from the replay without a trace. Blood has proven to be just as much of a headache. The Bron Breakker vs. Seth Rollins Steel Cage Match from Night of Champions was left borderline unwatchable on the Netflix version, with Breakker's bloodied face blurred out for large chunks of the match. Whether it's a stray curse word, a bit of on-screen chaos, or a line that's a little too risqué for Netflix's liking, one thing's becoming clear — if you want to see WWE programming the way it was actually broadcast, live viewing is the only way to guarantee you're not missing anything.

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'Industry Plant'; Conrad Thompson Rips Roman Reigns As WWE's Most Overrated Star Ever
4 days ago
Wrestling

'Industry Plant'; Conrad Thompson Rips Roman Reigns As WWE's Most Overrated Star Ever

The 83 Weeks co-host didn't hold back after Reigns' SummerSlam win over Seth Rollins, comparing the Head of the Table to a wrestling version of a music industry plant. Conrad Thompson on Eric Bischoff's 83 Weeks podcast, took a scathing take on Roman Reigns, arguing that the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion doesn't deserve the reputation he's built over the past several years. Discussing Reigns' recent victory over Seth Rollins at SummerSlam 2026, Thompson didn't mince words, telling Bischoff he considers Reigns to be the most overrated main event star in company history. Borrowing a term from the music world, Thompson labeled Reigns an "industry plant" — someone elevated by the machine behind him rather than by genuine talent or fan demand. His core argument: WWE's business wouldn't skip a beat if Reigns vanished from television tomorrow. "I think Roman Reigns is probably the most overrated main eventer in WWE history. I know this isn't a wrestling term, it’s a music term, but Roman Reigns is what music would call an industry plant. I don’t think if Roman Reigns disappears tomorrow WWE’s fortune changes at all. Thompson leaned on a phrase Triple H has used to explain why the company holds back stars like Bron Breakker — that pushing someone too aggressively risks shoving them "down our throats." Thompson's contention is that this is exactly what happened with Reigns, who he says has been force-fed to the audience for years. He acknowledged The Bloodline storyline had real strengths, but suggested the faction has overstayed its welcome, comparing its current state to the "black and silver era" of the nWo — a once-groundbreaking angle that lingered long past its creative peak. Perhaps the sharpest part of Thompson's critique centered on legacy. He argued that unlike CM Punk or Cody Rhodes, Reigns has never been booked in a way that lets fans form an organic emotional connection to him — audiences have simply been trained to accept his spot at the top rather than earning it. Thompson challenged listeners to name a favorite Roman Reigns match or promo, suggesting few could. He also pointed out that Reigns doesn't carry the promotional workload that stars like Cody Rhodes or John Cena have shouldered, doing minimal press and media rounds compared to his peers. Thompson's most memorable line described Reigns' in-ring routine as formulaic: a long entrance, a slow-paced, similar-feeling match every time, and a win to close the show. He summed it up by comparing Reigns to Goldberg — but a version of Goldberg capable of working matches longer than ten minutes.

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Sheamus Set For WWE Raw Return On April 15th
850 days ago
WWE News

Sheamus Set For WWE Raw Return On April 15th

Sheamus, the beloved WWE veteran, is set to make his grand return to the ring after an eight-month hiatus. A short video package aired during this week's SmackDown (April 12th), confirming his appearance on the upcoming episode of Raw on April 15th. ## Sheamus' last televised match was back in August 2023 against Edge. During his absence, significant changes have impacted his former faction, The Brawling Brutes. ## Pete Dunne, formerly known as Butch, has shed his new identity and rejoined his tag team partner Tyler Bate. Meanwhile, Ridge Holland has been a whirlwind of activity. ## After a brief retirement announcement, he returned with a vengeance, attacking Joe Gacy at NXT Stand & Deliver. Most recently, Holland was involved in a backstage altercation with Joaquin Wilde, leading to a scheduled match between the two on the upcoming edition of NXT (April 16th). ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

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The Bloodline Gets A New Enforcer As Tama Tonga Makes Shocking Debut On SmackDown
850 days ago
WWE News

The Bloodline Gets A New Enforcer As Tama Tonga Makes Shocking Debut On SmackDown

The fallout from WrestleMania 40 continued to shake up SmackDown this week, with a major change to the landscape of The Bloodline.## Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso, and Paul Heyman kicked off the night with an in-ring segment addressing their loss and the subsequent eviction from their locker room by the new champion, Cody Rhodes. Heyman attempted to maintain order, reminding Sikoa that "wins and losses matter" and regaining championship gold was the key to reclaiming their space.## However, tensions flared as Sikoa questioned the consequences for losing, particularly after Jimmy Uso's defeat at the hands of Jey Uso at WrestleMania. Suddenly, a hooded figure attacked Jimmy Uso, and the identity was soon revealed to be Tama Tonga, son of Haku and a former NJPW star.## This shocking debut was followed by a vicious assault on Jimmy Uso by both Sikoa and Tonga, leaving him laid out despite Heyman's protests against the violence. Notably, Tonga, while not an Anoa'i family member by blood, has been acknowledged as honorary family by The Rock and Roman Reigns in the past.## The segment concluded with Sikoa asserting his dominance within the group. He smacked Heyman's phone out of his hand and stomped on it, sending a clear message that decision-making within The Bloodline may have shifted.## The future of The Bloodline and its impact on SmackDown remain to be seen, but one thing is certain: the WWE Universe can expect fireworks in the weeks to come. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

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Piper Niven Makes Surprise Return From Injury On 4/12/24 SmackDown
850 days ago
SmackDown

Piper Niven Makes Surprise Return From Injury On 4/12/24 SmackDown

While the WWE Universe focused on the debut of Tama Tonga as the newest member of The Bloodline on this week's SmackDown (April 12th), another significant event flew under the radar.## Piper Niven made her long-awaited return to the ring after recovering from a broken hand.## Niven's last match was on February 5th on WWE Main Event. Tonight, she teamed up with Chelsea Green to take on the formidable duo of Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. While Cargill and Belair secured the victory, Niven's return to the ring marked a positive step in her recovery.## This was Cargill's fourth WWE match, and she continued her dominant streak alongside Belair. Just days prior, Cargill defeated Green in a singles match on Raw.## JUST. LIKE. THAT. @Jade_Cargill and @BiancaBelairWWE are not to be messed with 😤#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/rbs9TYZyE1— WWE (@WWE) April 13, 2024 ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

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Bayley's Title Defense Set For Next Week's SmackDown, Naomi Earns Championship Opportunity
850 days ago
WWE News

Bayley's Title Defense Set For Next Week's SmackDown, Naomi Earns Championship Opportunity

Bayley's reign as the new WWE Women's Champion got underway on this week's episode of SmackDown (April 12th) but not without a twist. Returning to the blue brand after her WrestleMania 40 victory over IYO SKY, Bayley was interrupted by Tiffany Stratton, who mistook Bayley's celebration for an open challenge.## Clearing the air, Bayley revealed she had a specific challenger in mind and summoned Naomi to the ring. This set the stage for an impromptu match between Stratton and Naomi to determine Bayley's first title challenger. Naomi emerged victorious, securing her championship opportunity for next week's SmackDown (April 19th).## While the SmackDown Women's Championship picture heats up, the main event scene also saw significant developments. Two Triple Threat matches took place to determine a future challenger for the Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes. LA Knight took down Bobby Lashley and Santos Escobar in the first match, while AJ Styles emerged victorious from his WrestleMania 40 rematch against Kevin Owens and Rey Mysterio. ## Next week on SmackDown, Knight and Styles will collide in a rematch with a massive prize on the line. The winner will go on to challenge Cody Rhodes at Backlash in France on May 4th, marking Rhodes' first title defense since his WrestleMania win over Roman Reigns. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

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Cody Rhodes All Set To Defend WWE Championship At Backlash; Opponent Revealed
850 days ago
WWE News

Cody Rhodes All Set To Defend WWE Championship At Backlash; Opponent Revealed

This past Friday night's episode of SmackDown was all about title contenders. Cody Rhodes, the newly crowned Undisputed WWE Champion after his victory over Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, made his presence felt, setting his sights on the blue brand for his first title defense. ## SmackDown didn't waste any time in determining his challenger for the upcoming Backlash pay-per-view in France on May 4th. Two action-packed Triple Threat matches took center stage. In the first, LA Knight emerged victorious over powerhouses Bobby Lashley and Santos Escobar. The second Triple Threat saw a WrestleMania 40 rematch as AJ Styles defeated Kevin Owens and Rey Mysterio.## With both men earning their stripes, the stage is set for a rematch of epic proportions. Next week on SmackDown, LA Knight and AJ Styles will clash once again. The winner of this encounter will have the prestigious honor of challenging Cody Rhodes at Backlash, marking Rhodes' first title defense since his historic WrestleMania win.## The episode also saw another championship clash brewing. Bayley, fresh off her WrestleMania victory, will defend her title next week on SmackDown. Naomi secured the coveted challenger's spot after defeating Tiffany Stratton.## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

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Chris Jericho Files For Trademarks, Sparking New AEW Faction Rumors
850 days ago
AEW News

Chris Jericho Files For Trademarks, Sparking New AEW Faction Rumors

Chris Jericho, the veteran wrestler currently performing for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), has fueled speculation about a potential new faction with recent trademark filings. ## On April 10th, Jericho submitted applications to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for three phrases: "The Rarified Air of Jericho," "The Educator," and "The Learning Tree." The filings indicate Jericho's intention to use these trademarks for wrestling-related entertainment, including contests, exhibitions, and appearances.## The detailed description accompanying the filings covers a wide range of entertainment services, including live and televised appearances, wrestling news and information, and online interviews. Notably, some fans believe "The Learning Tree" might be the name of a new faction within AEW.## Jericho's latest in-ring appearance occurred on the same day as the trademark filings, where he teamed with Hook and Katsuyori Shibata in a losing effort on AEW Dynamite. This episode also garnered attention for Will Ospreay's comments directed at WWE's Triple H during a live promo.## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

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The Rock Rattles PG Era: Wrestlers Get Edgier After Dwayne Johnson's Mic Drop
850 days ago
WWE News

The Rock Rattles PG Era: Wrestlers Get Edgier After Dwayne Johnson's Mic Drop

The Rock's recent stint on WWE has caused a shift in on-screen language policies, particularly for top wrestlers.## Dave Meltzer, wrestling journalist, reports in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the previously enforced PG-rated language restrictions seem to be loosening up. This change appears to be at least partly due to The Rock's freedom to speak his mind. ## Meltzer notes, "Rock says what he wants when he wants," and this leniency seems to be extending to other top stars. Examples include Paul Heyman's (bleeped-out) profanity during his Hall of Fame speech and Cody Rhodes and C.M. Punk using language that wouldn't have been tolerated just a few months ago.## Interestingly, this coincides with a reported decline in viewership among older demographics and a rise in younger viewers. This suggests a potential return to the "Attitude Era" style of programming, known for its edgier content, might be a strategic move to capture a younger audience.## However, WWE seems to be taking a cautious approach. While there's a push for edgier content, there's also a concern about alienating sponsors with excessive profanity. It appears they're aiming for a balance.## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

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Report: There Is No Planned Date For The Rock To Return For A Match
850 days ago
WWE News

Report: There Is No Planned Date For The Rock To Return For A Match

The Rock's WWE departure is confirmed, following his "go away for a little while" comment on the Raw after WrestleMania. He did assure fans he'd return, specifically for a showdown with Cody Rhodes.## Earlier reports suggested a potential WrestleMania 41 clash (in 2025) between The Rock and Rhodes. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter now sheds more light on The Rock's plans.## Meltzer indicates this is a long-term absence, with no confirmed return date for a match, though WrestleMania next year is a possibility. The Rock initially envisioned a match with Roman Reigns, but due to recent events, a singles match with Rhodes is considered the bigger draw.## Current plans suggest The Rock might work a match later in 2024, but it's not guaranteed. His ideal scenario is a main event clash with Rhodes at next year's WrestleMania, and The Rock often gets what he wants. This could translate to a one-year title reign for Rhodes, though not a certainty as of yet.## Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's busy film schedule likely factors into his WWE hiatus. He has two movies in post-production and a third slated for 2025 release. These include the action-comedy "Red One" (with Chris Evans) in November 2024, "Moana 2" (reprising his role as Maui) also in November 2024, and a live-action "Moana" movie in 2025. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

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Scrapped Plans For Stone Cold Steve Austin's Involvement In The Main Event Of WrestleMania 40 Revealed
850 days ago
WWE News

Scrapped Plans For Stone Cold Steve Austin's Involvement In The Main Event Of WrestleMania 40 Revealed

Plans for Stone Cold Steve Austin's involvement in the main event of WrestleMania 40 have been revealed, along with the reason for his absence.## At WrestleMania 40, Cody Rhodes dethroned Roman Reigns to become the new Undisputed Universal Champion, ending Reigns' historic 1316-day reign. The match featured surprise appearances by WWE legends who helped Rhodes overcome The Bloodline.## John Cena returned to put Solo Sikoa out of action, but was later taken down by The Rock. Just as The Rock appeared poised to interfere further, The Undertaker made a shocking entrance, chokeslamming The Rock and effectively removing him from the equation.## The Undertaker's return was particularly unexpected as WWE had teased appearances by Cena and Stone Cold Steve Austin, who was ultimately absent. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE was unable to reach a financial agreement with Austin for his WrestleMania 40 appearance.## Meltzer reported that The Undertaker took Austin's originally planned spot in the main event. This explains the surprise nature of The Deadman's return, as opposed to the pre-event hype surrounding Cena and Austin. The Rock's on-screen interaction with Cody Rhodes on Raw this week suggests he might be taking a break from WWE. During the segment, The Rock alluded to stepping away for "a little while." ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

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