Top 5 Wrestling News Stories Of The Week 2/10: Top TNA Star Suspended, Ricky Starks Appears On WWE NXT & Multiple WWE Releases Surprised People In The Company
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.
5. Jordynne Grace Makes Statement At NXT Vengeance Day
Jordynne Grace made her presence felt at NXT Vengeance Day.
Having previously appeared in the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match, ‘The Juggernaut’ officially signed with WWE after becoming a free agent in late January after completing her contractual obligations with TNA. The 28 year-old signed off from the company at TNA Genesis in a losing effort against the controversial Tessa Blanchard.
After Giulia had successfully defender her title in a bout with Bayley, Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade, NXT Women’s North American Champion Stephanie Vaquer made her way to the ring for a face to face confrontation.
The debuting Jordynne Grace was not far behind, however, seemingly confirming her assignment to NXT as the three women stood embarked upon a staredown as the show came to a close.
4. “Timeless” Toni Storm Enjoys History Making Night At AEW Grand Slam Australia
“Timeless” Toni Storm Makes History
Although born in New Zealand, Toni Storm grew up in Australia, and as such Grand Slam represented an emotional homecoming for the star. And thankfully for the packed crowd in Brisbane, the homecoming was a victorious one.
Storm was cheered to the rafters from the moment she made her entrance, with the crowd fully in her corner. However, her path to redemption was far from straightforward. May looked on the verge of retaining her beloved championship on several occasions, only for Storm to rally and deny her at the last.
As the action reached its climax, Storm hit three devastating Hip Attacks in the corner and followed up with a Storm Zero, but May somehow kicked out. She quickly responded with a Back Suplexes and two Maydays, but this time it was Storm’s turn to defy the odds.
In the ensuing scramble, the challenger landed another Storm Zero, but May rolled to the floor. The British star dragged Storm to the turnbuckle and hit a Storm Zero of her own, but as she looked for another Mayday, Storm hooked the champion into an inside cradle pin from which she couldn’t escape.
As referee Aubrey Edwards’ hand hit the mat on the count of three the crowd exploded, with an emotional Storm taking a second to compose herself as she drowned in the acclaim of her supporters.
When Toni Storm raised the AEW Women’s World Championship belt high above her head, she became the first woman to hold the title four times. She also equaled Jon Moxley as the only wrestler to win an AEW singles World Championship on four occasions.
3. Top TNA Star Suspended
A former TNA World Champion has been suspended.
The February 13 edition of TNA Impact opened with a bang as Joe Hendry put the World Championship on the line against Jake Something. After a competitive bout, Hendry picked up the win with a Standing Ovation, but there was plenty of drama to come after the final bell.
As soon as the match ended Ryan Nemeth made his way to the ring with a microphone in hand, saying his brother wouldn’t be happy about the match. At this Santino Marella’s music hit and he rushed to the ring, but as confusion reigned, Something attacked Hendry.
Nic Nemeth then joined the melee and began hitting a series of Superkicks on Something, but unfortunately for him, the last one connected with Director of Authority Marella.
Once backstage, Nic Nemeth was shown apologising to Marella with Ryan in tow, but his words fell on deaf ears as Marella suspended Nic for four weeks.
Elsewhere on the show, WWE star Cora Jade saw off Xia Brookside, and Eric Young beat Josh Alexander in the latter’s final match with TNA.
2. Ricky Starks Appears On WWE NXT
Ricky Starks Makes Statement On WWE NXT
During the second hour of WWE NXT on February 11, they were doing a rundown of the Vengeance Day lineup when all of a sudden there was an interruption.
There was a rundown of the NXT Vengeance Day lineup, but there was an interruption. It was Ricky Starks, who was wearing a white shirt and sunglasses. The fans cheered for Starks while announcer Vic Joseph said: “Holy crap.” There was a “Ricky Starks” chant from the fans, which led to Starks doing a promo.
“It’s obvious you know who I am. If NXT is the future of professional wrestling, well guess what, you need an absolute superstar on the future. If this is the hottest brand…well you need the hottest free agent right now, baby.”
The fans were chanting “Ricky” for Starks.
“Do not let the handsome face and expensive fragrance fool you. I am here to turn this place upside down. And everybody’s been begging the question…when will the revolution be televised again? Well, I’m here ain’t I.”
Announcer Vic Joseph said “We do know who that is” while saying that everybody wants to be part of NXT and the future is brighter than ever.
Even though Starks said he’s a free agent, that is likely part of a storyline and could lead to him appearing on other WWE brands as well.
1. Multiple WWE Releases Surprised People In The Company
The releases of some WWE superstars were surprising to current members of the roster.
Several WWE veterans were released earlier in February 2024. Those wrestlers were Giovanni Vinci, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Isla Dawn, Cedric Alexander, Elektra Lopez, AOP (Rezar and Akam), their manager Paul Ellering, and Blair Davenport.
In addition to those releases, Sonya Deville was told that her contract would not be renewed when it expires in the coming months, which is another way of saying she was being let go.
Most of those wrestlers found out about those releases on February 7th when SmackDown took place that night. In Lopez’s case, she was actually on Smackdown briefly that night.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there was a surprise in WWE about at least three of the names released.
“None would be considered shocks but from those in the company, Deville was a surprise, and to an extent Anderson & Gallows if only because Anderson was injured and they usually don’t cut wrestlers while still recovering from surgery.”