WWE: Update on Ricochet’s Expiring Contract & Samantha Irvin Status, WWE Reportedly Interested in Several TNA Talents for WWE-TNA Crossovers, More News

Ricochet Expiring WWE Contract Status Update – WWE Provides “Injury Update” & Current WWE Status of Ricochet and Samantha Irvin

As noted before, Ricochet is currently expected to be leaving WWE once his contract expires in the first half of this summer. This past Monday’s WWE RAW show was Ricochet’s final scheduled appearance for WWE and was notable for him being written out following an attack by Bron Breakker.

WWE recently provided an update on Twitter about Ricochet’s storyline injury and hospitalization stating that he will be out of action for an unknown amount of time due to the upper body injuries he sustained.

BREAKING: After suffering a brutal attack at the hands of @bronbreakkerwwe this past Monday on #WWERaw, @KingRicochet will be out of action for an undisclosed amount of time with upper body injuries. pic.twitter.com/gkUWJX22DK

— WWE (@WWE) June 12, 2024

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Ricochet’s contract with WWE officially expires in July and he currently does not have any more scheduled appearances with the company as of today. It was reported that WWE could potentially use him again over the next month if they choose to do so but this is unlikely. It was also reported that Ricochet did not travel to Scotland for WWE’s Clash at the Castle 2024 event.

In regards to Ricochet’s fiance Samantha Irvin, it was reported that there have been no indication from their sources that Irvin will be leaving WWE. It was reported that details regarding the status of her announcing contract with the company is currently not known. It was also reported that Irvin traveled to Scotland for Clash at the Castle 2024.

---

Update on TNA’s Current Deal with WWE for Talent Crossovers

As noted before, TNA Wrestling and WWE recently signed a working partnership deal for TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace’s recent appearances for WWE’s NXT brand that is also expected to include more crossovers involving talent from both companies.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that there has been high praise for TNA talents Mustafa Ali and Zachary Wentz within WWE.

In regards to Ali, it was reported that he is currently not under an exclusive deal with TNA meaning any appearances in WWE would only need to go through Ali himself. Those spoken to within NXT reportedly stated that any work for Ali in WWE would have to be done “on his terms.”

In regards to Wentz, it was reported that WWE officials recently have soften their stance towards him and the controversial “Hitler mustache” photo incident that led to his release in April of 2022. Those spoken to reportedly stated that there is a “good chance” that Wentz could make an appearance in NXT if the right situation came along.

Besides Ali and Wentz, WWE officials reportedly are also currently interested in having Moose making an appearance and Moose himself has made it clear that he wants to be part of the talent crossover between WWE and TNA.

---

WWE News & Notes

WWE announced that Drew McIntyre was inducted into the Scottish Wrestling Hall of Fame as the sole member of this year’s class. It was also announced that McIntyre was the first active wrestler to be indicted in Scottish Wrestling Hall of Fame history.

Deadline.com reported that CM Punk recently signed a deal with talent agency The Paradigm Talent Agency. It was reported that this deal is “for representation in all areas, Deadline has learned exclusively, with an eye toward expanding his presence in entertainment.”

WWE filed a trademark for “Talla Tonga” for wrestling and merchandise-related purposes to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

WWE also filed a trademark for “Los Garza” on June 12th for wrestling and merchandise-related purposes to the USPTO.

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that their sources stated that AEW talent Rebel was in attendance backstage at this past Tuesday’s NXT show at WWE’s Performance Center. Sapp was reported that the exact reason for Rebel’s visit is currently not known beyond her being “personally connected to someone who works at NXT.”

Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston reported that WWE had sold 56,147 tickets and had an additional 3,889 comp tickets for their WrestleMania 40 Night 1 event on April 6th at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based on a recent public records request to the Pennslyvania State Athletic Commission. WWE reportedly also had sold 56,758 tickets and had an additional 3,445 comp tickets for their WrestleMania 40 Night 2 event on April 7th at the same venue.

Wednesday’s WWE Speed show featured Andrade defeating Tommaso Ciampa in the Finals of the newest WWE Speed Championship #1 Contender tournament. Andrade will be facing off against Ricochet for the WWE Speed Championship at this Friday’s WWE Speed episode, which was taped this past Friday.

As noted before, Zelina Vega has been out of action for WWE since this past May due to an undisclosed injury. In a response to a recent fan question on Twitter, Vega revealed that she was recently medically cleared for an in-ring return. This person stated “Are you medically cleared yet? Cause if so I think someone who’s currently champion needs a New York style ass whooping!” and Vega responded stating “I am…“

In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, TNA talent Jordynne Grace gave her thoughts about her recent guest appearances in WWE’s NXT brand. Grace stated “The new President of TNA spoke with me about a month ago and told me WWE wanted to have me back. I was like, ‘What is happening?’ We spoke specifically about Battleground, and honestly, I thought I was going to be in the [North American title] ladder match. When I found out it was a singles match, and for the title, I was mind-blown.” Grace also gave her thoughts about being hopeful of WWE holding a new Worlds Collide event with TNA in the future. Grace stated “My pie-in-the-sky dream is to have a Worlds Collide pay-per-view. That’s something everybody–wrestlers and fans–would want to see.“

In a recent interview with Sportsnet, NXT head booker Shawn Michaels gave his thoughts about WWE’s decision to debut a new Women’s North American Championship for their NXT brand. Michaels stated “From the very beginning, from the recruiting process — I don’t know any other way to say it, but just so many stud athletes out there. Gosh, I don’t want to create a competition I guess — or a negative one — with the men or anything. But, again, it’s just amazing, some of the extremely athletic and talented women that are out there. And how quickly they’re adjusting and adapting to learning this if it’s something that they haven’t watched a lot or grown up with. It’s one of those things, again, it’s a word that gets tossed around, but it’s true, has just happened organically. And clearly our women — as are all women — are on the same level as the men. It was only fitting that we have a North American Men’s Champion, we should have a North American Women’s Champion. And clearly NXT has the depth of a roster that can sustain that. So, for me, it was an easy call. And, again, very proud of not just our women’s division but of all of our women that come through here in NXT.” (Transcript h/t: F4WOnline.com)