IYO SKY Comments on How WWE Matches Are “Completely Different” From Japan & Retaining WWE Women’s Title at WrestleMania 41 Being Greatest Moment of Her Life
The Japan Times held a recent interview with IYO SKY. One of the topics discussed included SKY’s thoughts about WWE’s upcoming tour of Japan this month.
“I usually only get to meet fans through the screen, so I’m really looking forward to seeing the faces of everyone in the Japanese universe and competing in matches. Let’s sing, scream and have fun until our voices are hoarse.
SKY also gave her thoughts about the differences between wrestling matches in WWE and Japan.
“Japanese professional wrestling is more like a ‘sports broadcast,’ so wrestlers only need to concentrate on the match. But WWE is a TV program, so the match and drama need to be conveyed to viewers through the camera. To do this, while fighting opponents during a match, wrestlers do countless other things simultaneously — all in English. It’s no exaggeration to say that it’s completely different from a match in Japan.”
SKY also gave her thoughts about how her retaining the WWE Women’s World Championship against Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair at this past April’s WrestleMania 41 event was the greatest moment in her life so far.
“I’m apparently the first Japanese woman to win at WrestleMania. And since it was also a defense of WWE’s most prestigious title, it was definitely the greatest moment of my life. Not just the result but also being with the best wrestlers in Bianca and Rhea. I was able to take on the best stage, the best performers, the best match, and make the most of history.”
Backstage Update on Santos Escobar’s New WWE Contract
As noted before, Santos Escobar signed a new contract with WWE this past Tuesday that includes a hefty pay raise and other perks as part of the terms of the deal. Escobar’s original contract with WWE had expired that same day and had previously turned down an offer from WWE that included a pay raise due to “creative dissatisfaction” issues.
Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that several within WWE had been of the belief that Escobar was headed to AEW. Meltzer reported that it is currently believed that AEW had not even opened up talks with Escobar once he became available.
Meltzer reported that while there were some similarities with how the recent Karrion Kross contract situation went down, the biggest difference was Escobar kept quiet about contract talks and issues. Meltzer also reported that there were internal talks within WWE that Escobar was looking to leave and WWE officials believed he wasn’t staying after he was removed from the group with Angel and Berto.
Fightful Select reported that several people spoken to within WWE stated that they were pleasantly surprised that Escobar is back in WWE. It was reported that many people within WWE had believed that the “exploding offer” would extend to him as it did for others in the company.
WWE News & Notes
Friday’s WWE SmackDown show in Perth, Western Australia, Australia featured Shinsuke Nakamura and The Street Profits coming out to their old entrance theme songs. Nakamura came out to his old entrance theme of “The Rising Sun” for his surprise return appearance as the mystery opponent for Sami Zayn’s open challenge for the WWE United States Championship. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) came out to their old entrance theme of “Bring The Swag” for their WWE Tag Team Championship match against the Wyatt Sicks (Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy).
WrestleVotes reported that their sources stated that several stars in WWE have been asking for changes to their entrance theme music for “some time now.” Those spoken to reportedly stated that Sheamus and Drew McIntyre were among those confirmed to have been pushing to use their old entrance themes. It was reported that a number of requests have been made by talents to revert their entrance music and it is currently not known how many of the requests end up getting granted. It was also reported that Friday’s WWE SmackDown show was the start of some talent getting their original entrance themes back for their matches.
As noted before, John Cena’s final match of his wrestling career will be taking place at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event show on December 13th in Washington, D.C. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that WWE officials currently expect leading political figures to be invited and attend this upcoming show. Meltzer reported that President Donald Trump has yet to make a decision yet but WWE officials are currently under the belief that a lot of people from the White House will be attending this event. Trump reportedly will be attending the annual Army vs. Navy college football game that afternoon in Baltimore, Maryland. Meltzer reported that a lot of major political figures have already informed WWE that they will be attending the upcoming show.
Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that recent rumors of WWE making a creative reinvigoration for their Smackdown brand are not true. It was reported that those spoken to stated that the creative hierarchy and structure has been the same for SmacDown. WWE officials reportedly were happy with the early buzz of their SmackDown show in Australia.
As noted before, Rey Mysterio has been out of action for WWE since this past April due to a torn groin injury and torn abductor surgery. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that Mysterio is currently expected to be medically cleared soon for an in-ring return. Meltzer speculated that Mysterio will likely be cleared in time for this November’s Survivor Series WarGames 2025 event due to it taking place in his billed hometown.
WWE recently released one new video to their WCW Vault channel. This new video was a Winners Advance to Vacant WWE World Heavyweight Championship 49’ers match of Booker T & Jeff Jarrett vs. Scott Steiner & Sting from the October 2, 2000 episode of WCW Nitro.
WWE also recently released two new videos to their WWE Vault channel. The first new video was a ““Stone Cold” and The Rock’s hilarious unseen moment with The Undertaker: From the WWE Vault.” The second new video was a WWE Championship match of Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles (c) from WWE Crown Jewel 2018.
WWE announced one new match for the card of Saturday’s WWE NXT house show event in Cleveland, Ohio:
- NXT North American Championship – Johnny Gargano vs. “All Ego” Ethan Page (c)
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