Top 5 Wrestling News Stories Of The Week 12/16: Mandy Rose Responds To WWE Acknowledgment, Kenny Omega On AEW TV & Ric Flair Blasted For Missed Appearances
Each and every week, the weird and wonderful world of professional wrestling never fails to captivate fans with a plethora of captivating stories that make their way into the news cycle.
Whether it’s shocking upsets, dramatic showdowns, or behind-the-scenes drama, the happenings within professional wrestling always keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Here are the Top Five Wrestling News Stories of the Week.
Mandy Rose Answers Back To WWE Acknowledgment
Mandy Rose has responded to being acknowledged on NXT.
At the 2024 edition of New Year’s Evil, Giulia is set to challenge Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women’s Title. On the December 11th episode of NXT, WWE showcased the championship’s history to hype up the match. The video showed all of the women who have held the gold in its 11-year history, including the likes of Bayley and Charlotte Flair, as well as former WWE stars like Mercedes Mone, Saraya, and Mandy Rose.
During the show, Rose took to social media to show her appreciation for the shout-out in the form of emojis.
Mercedes Mone Fires Back At Critics: “I’m Richer Than I’ve Ever Been”
Mercedes Mone hits back at her critics
Since making her AEW debut there have also been some in-ring stumbles, with her All In match against Britt Baker coming in for heavy criticism.
However, in more recent months Mone has again hit her stride, turning in eye-catching performances against Kris Statlander and Anna Jay in AEW, and Hazuki in NJPW. But that hasn’t stopped her critics.
During a TikTok livestream, Mone fired back at a fan online who claimed her “downgrade has to be studied.” The star said she’s having the best matches of her career and earning more money than ever, telling the fan to “shut the f*ck up.”
“I just saw someone say, ‘Downgrade has to be studied.’ B****, I am richer than I’ve ever f***ing been, putting on the greatest matches that I’ve ever had, so shut the f*** [up],
I hate stupid people. I’m living my best life, the greatest life ever. It’s an upgrade, baby because I went forward and I didn’t go back. It’s the best feeling ever to be rich in spirit, rich in your bank account, and just rich in life. It’s the best.”
Kenny Omega Finally Back On AEW TV
Kenny Omega Video Airs On AEW TV.
Kenny Omega ended up in a backstage altercation with Gabe Kidd at that show and since then, Omega has made clear that if Gabe Kidd wants to step up and face him at Wrestle Dynasty then he’d be ready and waiting. That challenge has been accepted and Omega will be back in action in the Tokyo Dome, but perhaps his AEW return is also not too far away.
On Dynamite Holiday Bash, a short video aired highlighting his top moments in the company but gave no indication as to when Omega might be back on AEW TV.
Big E Shares Disappointing Injury Update
Big E Still Isn’t Cleared To Wrestle
Despite hopes from fans that the appearance on Raw is merely a starting point for an in-ring comeback, the man himself has urged caution. During an appearance on The Mike Broomhead Show, the star revealed he still isn’t cleared.
“I broke my neck, two and a half years ago, in three places, including my C1 in two places. I still haven’t been cleared. Thankfully, I feel great and don’t have any issues, nothing like that. Didn’t need surgery. I was in a hard collar for three months. There are very real risks. We had a suplex that went wrong and I’ve been out since. I’m grateful to have no issues, no pain, nothing like that,”
Ric Flair Urged To Repay Thousands Of Dollars After Missed Appearances
A wrestling promoter wants Ric Flair to pay back a significant amount of money.
The legendary WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair went on social media this week to write in his unique style about how somebody owed him $2 million from a deal that took place 20 years ago. It was a strange place for Flair to air his grievances, but he’s obviously mad about the money not being paid to him.
In response to Flair’s comments, former Ring of Honor owner Cary Silkin posted on X/Twitter that he wanted Flair to pay back the $41,000 that Flair was paid by ROH for appearances that Flair never went to.
Please pay me back th 41K you owe me for failing to appear at 4 signing.
sincerely Cary Silkin
When a fan commented on what Silkin wrote, Cary followed up by calling Flair one of his wrestling heroes, but also a scumbag.
That was the thing one of my greatest wrestling heroes turned out to be the lowest scumbag all the people I dealt with. Nobody screwed me. We’re talking Brett Hart Bruno Bobby Hennan Mick Foley Ricky Steamboat Dusty Rhodes. Everybody was a pleasure except [Ric Flair].
In May 2023, Silkin wrote on social media that the $41,000 was from four Ring of Honor appearances that Flair was booked for, but he didn’t show up to them.
“Flair owes me 41k from not fulfilling 4 Ring of Honor appearances in 2009. Yes I was a moron to pay Ric up front. That’s my story and it’s sad but true.”