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News: Universal Title New Look on WWE Backstage Tonight, 4 Recruits Begin at WWE PC, 205 Live Change This Week

By Matthew Fowler • Published 5th November 2019
TJR Wrestling

The WWE on FOX Twitter Page announced today that Bray Wyatt will be appearing in a special edition of the Firefly Funhouse tonight on the premiere episode of WWE Backstage on FS1 at 11PMET. Wyatt will be showing off his personal touches that he has made to the Universal Championship since winning it from Seth Rollins last Thursday at Crown Jewel.

* WWE also announced on WWE.com today that they have signed four new recruits to start training at the WWE Performance Center. They include former Impact and ROH star Scarlett Bordeaux, Evolve star Shotzi Blackheart, 22-year-old sensation from Australia “Impressive” Indi Hartwell and Evolve referee Stephon Smith.

Here’s some more info from WWE.com:

Chicago’s Elizabeth Chihaia – aka Scarlett Bordeaux – has made quite the name for herself in America and abroad. The self-proclaimed “smokeshow” has been a standout for promotions like Mexico’s AAA, Ring of Honor and Ohio Valley Wrestling.

Ashley Urbanski, known on the independent scene as Shotzi Blackheart, is renowned for her fierce, in-your-face style. Fans will recognize Urbanski from her standout performance in a No Disqualification Match at EVOLVE’s 10th Anniversary Special that aired on WWE Network. She was presented her WWE contract by NXT General Manager William Regal last month at an EVOLVE show in Atlanta, Ga.

Australia’s Samantha De Martin, also known as “Impressive” Indi Hartwell, has been just that during her time on the indies. The 22-year-old has cited Bayley and Sasha Banks’ epic battles in NXT as her inspiration in pursuing a career inside the squared circle. She’s racked up titles in her home country and for promotions like SHIMMER.

Referee Stephon Smith rounds out the group of newcomers. Smith, a Baltimore native, started out as an in-ring competitor before transitioning to donning the stripes. He’s a graduate of Ohio Valley Wrestling and most recently officiated for EVOLVE Wrestling before joining the PC.

Bordeaux is most known for her recent run in Impact Wrestling, but WWE chose not to mention that. Bourdeaux tweeted about it as well.

* For at least one week, Full Sail University will be the home for even more WWE programming then just NXT. WWE announced that 205 Live will be broadcasting live from the Full Sail Arena this Friday night at 10PMET on the WWE Network. Here’s what they wrote about it on WWE.com:

This week, WWE 205 Live will emanate from the very arena where Finn Bálor made his shocking NXT return and Superstars like Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura began their WWE careers, the NXT Arena at Full Sail University! Don’t miss the top Superstars from WWE NXT and the best Cruiserweights in the world collide on the most exciting hour on television! Will a new challenger emerge for NXT Cruiserweight Champion Lio Rush, or will more Superstars step up to make their case?

WWE 205 Live will still air immediately following Friday Night SmackDown on FOX at its regular time of 10/9 C, streaming live on the award-winning WWE Network.

The main reason for this is because on Friday in Manchester, England, WWE is taping Raw and Smackdown on the same day. It will be a long night and it would be tough to add 205 Live on top of it. Plus, WWE won’t have to fly all the 205 Live wrestlers over to England for it.

Matt’s Musings: With there being rumors of NXT moving to bigger arenas next year, this is great news for Full Sail and the struggling 205 Live brand that will hopefully find a new life in front of the always hot Full Sail crowd.

NXT continuing to sign top female talent such as Scarlett Bordeaux shows that they are committed to the women’s roster for years to come.

As for Wyatt changing the Universal Title, any change to what is strongly considered one of the ugliest championships in WWE history would be welcome.