BY SACNILK

In a recent podcast appearance on Rick Rubin's show, Tetragrammaton, Paul Heyman divulged intriguing behind-the-scenes intricacies regarding the Bloodline storyline, shedding light on the substantial contributions made by Vince McMahon. ## Heyman eloquently expressed the pivotal role McMahon played in orchestrating his collaboration with Roman Reigns. He expounded upon McMahon's astute involvement in establishing their partnership, showcasing the Chairman's innate aptitude for crafting captivating narratives within the realm of professional wrestling. ## “Vince removes me as executive director in June of 2020, and I thought I had a bunch of months left on my contract, and I was gonna ride it out, and we’ll see where we go from there. There were limited options in my agreement as to whom WWE could put me with. ## “When I had the leverage, I wrote that in because we had reached a point with the cachet of being Brock Lesnar’s advocate that anybody else you put me with could either make them instantly a star, or you’re watering me down, and ultimately hurting the other person, because they don’t belong with me. They don’t measure up to where you’re used to seeing my character bring someone down to the ring, which is either the main event of WrestleMania or close to it. ## “One of the few names on this list was Roman Reigns. Another was Brock Lesnar, obviously. Another was Ronda Rousey. Ronda Rousey was having a baby. Brock Lesnar wasn’t coming back with Saudi being down. That kinda left Roman Reigns in there.” ## “So Vince calls me in the middle of August and he says, ‘We’re gonna take you back into television. I’m thinking, ‘Oh, oh. He’s gonna make me a commentator and Jim Ross isn’t here. What is a commentator in 2020? How can I be disruptive? How can I be evolutionary in the process? How can I redefine this role because I don’t just want to settle in and do what’s been done already. Even by me, I want to do this differently. I said, ‘Okay, well, what do you got in mind?’ ## “He says, ‘I’m going to put you with somebody. ‘I’m thinking, ‘Has he read my contract?’ I said, ‘Well, you know Vince, the options are kind of limited in that.’ I’m trying to tiptoe into a delicate situation here where I’m about to butt heads with him. I’m thinking Ronda is pregnant. Brock’s not coming back with Saudi down. He’s certainly is not putting me with Roman and he goes, ‘I’m envisioning Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman.’ I’m thinking, ‘Oh my God. He’s gonna pull the trigger on this. He would never pull it with Cena. He would never have allowed Cena to come to the dark side.” ## Transcription via WrestlingNews.co ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

BY SACNILK

Roman Reigns and his trusted advisor, Paul Heyman, made a noteworthy appearance in NBC's inaugural commercial promoting the highly anticipated 2024 Paris Olympics. ## Despite his decision to embrace a villainous persona in 2020, Reigns has astonishingly attained unprecedented levels of popularity. The ongoing Bloodline narrative, undoubtedly one of WWE's most captivating storylines, continues to captivate audiences, with its culmination still a distance away. ## As Reigns' mainstream appeal continues to soar, the formidable Tribal Chief and his sagacious counselor were prominently featured in NBC's Save The Date campaign for the forthcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. The inaugural commercial, a captivating affair, also showcased revered music icon Dolly Parton and the beloved character Kevin from the Minions franchise. ## Within the commercial, Heyman proudly proclaimed that Reigns, the holder of the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, would fearlessly defend his illustrious title against any challenger, irrespective of time or place. Notably, The Paris Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024, and will be broadcasted exclusively by NBC Universal in the United States. It is worth noting that NBC currently possesses the television rights for WWE RAW, which is presently aired on the esteemed USA Network. ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

BY SACNILK

WWE concluded this week's RAW episode with a riveting clash for the World Heavyweight Championship, marking Seth Rollins' inaugural televised defense. Despite a formidable challenge from Damian Priest, Rollins emerged victorious. However, the astute observers were quick to speculate on his next adversary. ## As RAW drew to a close, Finn Balor emerged, standing resolute within the squared circle, locking eyes with Seth Rollins. The anticipation grew palpable as fans eagerly awaited the announcement. A devoted WWE follower took to social media, directing a tweet to BWE, a renowned insider renowned for their accurate information. The inquiry posed whether Rollins and Balor would collide at Money in the Bank on July 1st, contending for the illustrious WWE World Heavyweight Championship. ## Responding succinctly, BWE's tweet simply stated, "clear as day." This enigmatic yet affirmative message unequivocally confirmed that Seth Rollins would indeed defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor at Money in the Bank. ## While subtle tensions had seemingly surfaced within the ranks of the Judgment Day stable, WWE remains steadfast in their decision not to dissolve the faction. Despite planting seeds of discord, the promotion has opted to preserve the formidable alliance. ## As WWE aims to launch the new title with resounding impact, they undoubtedly harbor ambitious plans for Seth Rollins' championship reign. The forthcoming challenges and prospective contenders remain shrouded in mystery, for only time will reveal who will rise to the occasion. However, one thing remains certain: Finn Balor's presence at the O2 Arena during Money in the Bank will undoubtedly elevate the event's allure, as his illustrious name resonates with fans worldwide. ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

BY SACNILK

During the electrifying WWE Raw episode on June 5, Cody Rhodes found himself subjected to ridicule due to his distinctive neck tattoo. As a special guest on Miz TV, the former WWE Champion had the spotlight on him. However, to further intensify the drama, an unexpected twist awaited the audience as Dominik Mysterio emerged as the undisclosed second guest. ## With sharp words, Dominik cunningly referred to Cody as a "frail birdie with a fractured wing," alluding to his previous arm injury. Not stopping there, Dominik boldly criticized Cody's parenting skills, labeling him a neglectful father and drawing a parallel to his own father, the legendary Rey Mysterio, who had faced similar accusations. ## In response, Cody employed his quick wit and retorted by acknowledging the hardships Dominik faced during his time behind bars. Seizing the opportunity, Cody humorously pointed out that Dominik's teardrop tattoo paled in comparison to his own infamously divisive neck tattoo. ## As tensions escalated, Dominik unleashed an unexpected, sly slap to Cody's visage, causing him to recoil. Seeking protection, Dominik swiftly sought refuge behind the formidable SmackDown Women's Champion, Rhea Ripley. In an admirable display of restraint, Cody refrained from retaliating against Rhea, opting instead to unleash his fury upon The Miz, forcefully striking him with his arm encased in a cast. ## "You have an even worse prison tattoo than mine."@CodyRhodes @DomMysterio35 #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/A8mnsZPxt6— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) June 6, 2023 ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

BY SACNILK

The match begins as Gunther and Owens engage in a lock-up, with Gunther backing Owens into the corner and cleanly breaking away. They lock up again, and Gunther gains control with a side headlock takedown. Despite Owens' attempts to send Gunther off the ropes, Gunther holds onto the headlock. Owens resorts to grabbing Gunther's nose, but Gunther responds with a shoulder tackle. Owens retaliates with a front face lock, but Gunther counters with an armbar. ## Owens manages to reach the ropes, forcing a break, and then delivers a punch and a series of forearms. He transitions into a side headlock, bouncing off Gunther, and drives punches to back Gunther into the corner. Gunther counters with a kick but misses a chop, allowing Owens to respond with a chop and more forearms. Owens follows up with a European uppercut, but Gunther counters with a kick and executes a German suplex. Owens rolls out of the ring, clutching his head and neck in pain.## Owens fights back with a kick and a chop upon returning to the ring, but Gunther responds with a boot to the chest, sending Owens head-first into the ringside barrier. Gunther follows up with a back drop driver onto the apron.## We cut to a commercial break.## As we return, Gunther secures a near fall after a pin attempt.## During the break, footage is shown of Gunther countering a Swanton by Owens with his knees.## Gunther slams Owens and uses his boots to snap his neck. Gunther continues to target Owens' neck, prompting Owens to deliver punches in an attempt to free himself. Gunther responds with a boot to the head, nearly scoring a pinfall. He then proceeds to taunt Owens, berating him while giving him a dismissive shove.## unther unleashes a series of chops onto Owens, delivering them with force and intensity. He then transitions into a Liontamer, turning it into a Boston Crab submission hold. Gunther follows up with elbows and applies a crossface, putting pressure on Owens.## Both competitors manage to rise to their feet, and Owens fights back with a barrage of punches. However, Gunther responds with a powerful chop, displaying his own resilience. Gunther attempts a suplex, but Owens blocks it and retaliates with a flurry of punches. Owens then tries to execute a fisherman's buster, but Gunther blocks the move and counters with a clothesline, halting Owens' momentum.## Gunther delivers yet another impactful clothesline, but Owens retaliates with a series of clotheslines of his own. Both competitors manage to remain on their feet until Gunther connects with a German suplex. However, Owens swiftly ducks under one of Gunther's clotheslines and responds with a German suplex of his own. ## They engage in a forearm exchange, displaying their determination and resilience, but Gunther halts the back-and-forth with a punishing chop followed by a boot to the back of Owens' head. Gunther then locks in a front face lock, but Owens counters with a barrage of superkicks, sending Gunther crashing into the corner. Owens follows up with a cannonball maneuver, coming close to a pinfall.## Kevin counters a sleeper hold with a snapmare, freeing himself from Gunther's grasp. Gunther, however, quickly recovers and delivers a dropkick to Owens. Owens manages to escape a potential powerbomb from Gunther, responding with a series of kicks and executing a fisherman's buster for a near fall. Owens ascends to the top turnbuckle, but Gunther interrupts his plans with a chop. Undeterred, Gunther attempts a butterfly superplex, resulting in another close near fall. Gunther then positions himself on the top rope for a frog splash, but Owens cleverly raises his knees, causing Gunther to crash down in pain. Seizing the opportunity, Owens ascends the turnbuckle as well. ## Owens executes a swanton bomb, nearly securing the victory. However, Vinci, who is at ringside, hops onto the apron, prompting Sami to intervene and stop him. Kaiser, another individual involved, comes to Vinci's aid, leading Owens to lend support to Sami. In the midst of the chaos, Owens delivers a kick and a stunner to Kaiser, but Gunther capitalizes on the distraction, rolling up Owens and securing the three-count for the victory. ## WINNER: Gunther ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.