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AJ Lee, Matt Sydal, Brock Lesnar, MJF Wedding, WWE announcers, Stori Denali
🕑 Added 2025-09-07 00:19:55 +0000 UTCMJF and Alicia Atout's wedding was this Friday. Tony Khan, Kip Sabian, Penelope Ford, Taz, Hangman Page, Hook, Thunder Rosa, Amanda Huber, Ken Jeong, Tay, Bryce Remsburg, Nyla Rose, Tony Schiavone and many others were in attendance.
When we asked about Wade Barrett's absence from WWE Smackdown, we were told it wasn't tied to any of the Nikki Bella issues from this week. One higher up just incredulously reiterated he was in character. It was planned time off that he'd asked for.
Joe Tessitore will have some time off for the start of football season.
We have not gained confirmation on the schedule as related to AJ Lee's return. Triple H posted a video of her signing a WWE contract, which they have even for some short-term and one off appearances. However, we're told this isn't planned to be a one off.
There were a few talent backstage at Smackdown who weren't scheduled for the show in order to see AJ's return.
AJ Lee was not on internal rundowns -- same as Brock Lesnar. However, this isn't a rarity. Most in the company assumed she was coming back and didn't think WWE would be so heavy handed about it without a plan.
According to some online reports and cagematch, Matt Sydal made his in-ring return from injury against Ultimo Dragon in July overseas.
The AJ Lee return was referred to as a "curtain sellout" by many we spoke to, meaning many wrestlers were watching for themselves.
Brock Lesnar traveled in a full day early for Smackdown, which doesn't usually happen.
We've been getting a lot of questions about Stori Denali from ROH after her debut. We were told Tony Khan was very happy with the buzz associated with that appearance. She' a 6-foot-3 former volleyball player from Ohio State. She's been wrestling on the indies, and naturally uses a chokeslam as a signature move.
Aigle Blanc was backstage at Clash In Paris, per Fightful's Corey Brennan
A number of talent who participated in the Summerslam week WWE tryout were informed of their status', we're told.
Comments
Christopher Hendrix
Can someone run down what the Nikki / Wade incident I’ve crossed a few times. What happened?
Fightful Select
Fixed
Tim Wininger
I don’t think that the link came through for the cm punk video
