During a press conference in Las Vegas, WWE officially announced that Logan Paul will challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.
Michael Cole kicked off the press conference and said that the press conference came about at the last minute after Logan Paul’s appearance last night on Friday Night SmackDown.
Cole introduced Reigns (with The Bloodline) and Logan Paul and then Paul “Triple H” Levesque was introduced. He then announced the match for Crown Jewel.
Hunter put over Paul’s work ethic and said that Logan has earned his respect for going the distance with Floyd Mayweather. Hunter put over Reigns as someone who is on a God-tier level and is performing on a different stratosphere because he’s been champion for over 2 years.
Reigns said he plans on smashing Paul at the pay-per-view and he won’t go easy on him and he plans on showing him what God mode really looks like. Paul spoke on the podium and said he is a disruptor and he welcomes any challenge. He mentioned that his brother Jake will face Anderson Silva a week before Crown Jewel and this is “simply what we do.” Paul said that wrestling is “my sport, my industry” because WWE is his home and that is why he called out the GOAT.
The press conference closed with some questions and some comments from Paul Heyman talking about Logan Paul only fighting people who are over the hill. Logan took offense to what Heyman said and then a fight almost broke out between Roman and Logan put Triple H stepped in between them.
WWE Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is set to happen on Saturday, November 5, and will stream live on Peacock in the United States and on the WWE Network internationally.
If you missed it, click below to watch the press conference.
A Frank Warren promoted show goes ahead at York Hall, Bethnal Green this Friday evening, and the top of the bill sees Denzel Bentley defend his British middleweight title for the first time against Marcus Morrison.
BT Sport televise Bentley vs Morrison, live in the UK.
Bentley (16-1-1, 13 KOs) is a heavy-handed type, and first came into prominence during the first COVID-19 enforced lockdown in a cracking contest in September 2020.
The 27-year-old dropped Mark Heffron in the second round, and the pair fought to a thrilling draw.
A rematch was a natural, and this time with the vacant British title on the line, ‘2 Sharp’ forced Heffron to retire after four rounds.
Bentley beat Udofia in May to regain the British title Photo Credit: Leigh Dawney/Wasserman Boxing
The Battersea man attempted to add the Commonwealth belt, but found Felix Cash too much to handle in April last year, with Cash storming to a third round stoppage win.
After a comeback win, Bentley regained the Lonsdale Belt in May, as he took a split decision win over Linus Udofia for the vacant title in another breathless display.
Bentley is a two-time British middleweight champion Photo Credit: Leigh Dawney/Wasserman Boxing
Morrison (29-5, 16 KOs) suffered back-to-back losses in 2017, and it looked like his career was finished when upset by journeyman Alistair Warren in June 2018.
The 29-year-old rebounded with seven straight wins before a spirited points defeat to Chris Eubank Jr in May last year, but he was halted for the first time in his career in November 2021 by Zach Parker.
That was at super middleweight, and he returned last month with a four round points win to secure this title shot.
Prediction: Morrison’s early defeat to Parker could well tell us all about his punch resistance, and Bentley is a big puncher. Once the Londoner catches up with ’Sweet MNM’, I think it could be over swiftly, and I expect Bentley to retain before halfway.
Zorro tackles Spelman
Ellis Zorro makes his debut under the Frank Warren banner, and he has a tough eight rounder with former Commonwealth title challenger, Dec Spelman (18-5, 9 KOs) at cruiserweight.
Zorro (14-0, 6 KOs) is a former Ultimate BOXXER winner, but has never been past six rounds.
Prediction: He can overcome early scares here to take a points win.
Remaining Undercard
The other eight rounder should see a points win for Frank Arnold (9-0-1, 3 KOs) who takes on the tried and tested Nicaraguan, Brayan Mairena (11-30-1, 5 KOs) at super featherweight.
Six round action sees Adan Mohamed (6-0, 1 KO) make his third appearance of the year, and he can bank a points win at super bantamweight against Reiss Taylor (3-17, 1 KO).
Khalid Ali (3-0, 2 KOs) can also take his welterweight contest with Croatia’s Dario Borosa (1-19) on the scorecards.
Masood Abdulah (5-0, 4 KOs) is also in action, and the Islington-based super featherweight can score another early win, this time against Stefan Nicolae (3-37-2, 1 KO).
In four action, Royston Barney-Smith (2-0) should defeat Paul Holt (8-14, 2 KOs) on points at super featherweight, and at middleweight, debutant Joel Kodua should deal with Joe Hardy (1-2) inside the distance.
Arnold Obodai (1-0, 1 KO) can also take his cruiserweight contest with Pawel Strykowski (3-18-1) inside schedule.
Jake Paul is set to fight UFC legend Anderson Silva in October.
Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva is actually happening. For real. Rumors had been swirling for weeks that negotiations for the fight were ongoing, but on Tuesday, Paul made it official.
My toughest test yet. I respect the legend, but he must be exterminated. @MostVpromotions presents #PaulSilva from Phoenix, AZ @GilaRiverArena
“My toughest test yet,” Paul said in a tweet. “I respect the legend, but he must be exterminated.”
After a glittering career in the UFC, Silva is arguably the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. At the very least he’s in the top five. Silva broke multiple records during his reign as middleweight champion, but it’s the style with which he destroyed his opponents that made him legendary.
“I know that in life everything has its purpose,” Silva said in a statement sent to ESPN. “Nothing comes just by chance. So I thank God for my health, my family and my team for providing me with this opportunity to continue doing the thing that I love the most. I believe this will be the biggest combat event of the year and will truly make history in the sport forever.”
Is there a press conference?
Of course there is. No massive combat sports event can take place without a wild press conference. Paul has already announced not one but two pressers next week in the US.
#PaulSilva Kick-off press conference Monday September 12th in Los Angeles live on my YouTube.
I wouldn’t expect anything too rowdy from these press conferences. Silva is a middle-age man who doesn’t like to trash talk. I’d expect even Paul to treat Silva with a dash of reverence and respect.
The first one kicks off on Monday Sept. 12 at 11 a.m. PST.
Below is The First Press Conference That has been released.
The Second Press Conference is now posted below:
When and where does the fight take place?
Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva is set for Oct. 29. The fight will take place in the Gila River Arena in Phoenix.
Where can I can I watch?
Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva will be available to watch on Showtime PPV. Details are incoming, but the PPV event is set to kick off at 9 p.m. ET.
As mentioned above, Silva is one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. After defeating Rich Franklin for the UFC’s middleweight title in October 2006, Silva went on to hold that title for a record 2,457 days. His 16-fight undefeated streak in the UFC is a record that stands to this day.
But it was Silva’s fight style that made him an icon. A flashy, elusive counter striker, he did things that felt impossible. Fighting with his hands down, landing outlandish kicks, knees and punches from wild angles, Silva is essentially the Roy Jones Jr. of MMA. For many, he’s the greatest martial artist who’s ever lived.
After eventually losing his title to Chris Weidman in 2013, Silva had a difficult run of losses, resulting in him leaving the UFC in 2020 at the ripe old age of 45. Since then he’s had a remarkable resurgence in boxing. Most notably, he outclassed former world champ Julio César Chávez Jr. in an eight round boxing match.
Who is Jake Paul?
You’re probably aware of Paul, the social media personality who first made it big on Vine before moving across to every platform in existence. He’s moved into boxing in recent years after fighting on the undercard of brother Logan Paul’s viral boxing match with UK YouTuber KSI. He showed a talent for boxing and has been fighting ever since.
Paul has also moved into promotion, co-promoting a huge fight between Ireland’s Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, which was one of the biggest female boxing matches of all time.
Is this a fair fight?
Paul has been selective about his opponents to this point, which is smart. Every new fight is a step up in competition, but this one is unique for a few reasons.
Size is perhaps the most important. Every other Paul fight, until this point, has been against a dramatically undersize fighter. Paul has a fighting weight of 190 pounds, but in his last fight, faced off against Tyron Woodley, who in his prime in the UFC, competed at 170 pounds.
Silva was the UFC’s middleweight champion with a fighting weight of 185 pounds. Not only that, he regularly stepped up in weight to fight in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Arguably his best ever performance — a spectacular dismantling of former champ Forrest Griffin in 2009 — took place in this weight class, at 205 pounds.
Unlike Woodley, Silva also has previous experience in boxing. Most recently, he’s dedicated his focus to the sport, putting together some extremely impressive wins. Silva is also one of the most lethal strikers in MMA history.
But Silva is also 47 years old. That’s pretty old. Ancient in terms of combat sports. To be clear, he’s not a normal 47 year old, but age is still a massive, massive factor.
I guess we’ll find out how much of a factor in October.
WWE Clash at the Castle emanates from Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 1 p.m.ET /10 a.m. PT. | 8PM UK
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre has his sights on making history. When the WWE Clash at the Castle Premium Live Event comes to Cardiff, Wales, on Sept. 3, McIntyre will look to end Roman Reigns’ more than 700-day reign as champion.
The SmackDown Warrior defeated Sheamus in an absolutely brutal Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook Match to win his the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship opportunity on the July 29 episode of SmackDown. The next night, Reigns survived a hellish Last Man Standing Match against Brock Lesnar to retain his title and set the stage for a title showdown.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan vs. Shayna Baszler
SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan will put her title on the line against the dangerous Shayna Baszler at WWE Clash at the Castle in Cardiff, Wales.
The extraordinary Morgan captured the SmackDown Women’s Title on sheer will. After overcoming six other Superstars in a whirlwind Money in the Bank Ladder Match, Liv cashed-in her coveted contract on the same night to best a war-torn Ronda Rousey and lay claim to the gold. She then followed that up with a controversial victory over The Baddest Woman on the Planet in a rematch at SummerSlam. Rousey was suspended for attacking a WWE official in the aftermath of the matchup, and the WWE Universe instantly began to wonder who would set up to challenge the tough titleholder.
Enter Shayna Baszler. On the first SmackDown after The Biggest Event of the Summer, The Submission Magician overcame Raquel Rodriguez, Aliyah, Shotzi, Xia Li, Natalya and Sonya Deville to win the right to challenge Morgan at the historic event on Sept. 3 in Cardiff, Wales.
Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss and Asuka vs. Bayley, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY
At SummerSlam, the WWE Universe was shaken to its core when Bayley made her ferocious comeback. She wasn’t alone, however, as she brought IYO SKY and a returning Dakota Kai with her.
Since then, they have made one thing clear: They are here to control WWE.
Standing in their way, however, is the Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair, along with Alexa Bliss and Asuka. The EST of WWE did not take kindly to having her thunder stolen at SummerSlam and has a bone to pick with Bayley’s new faction after they took out Becky Lynch the night after SummerSlam.
Additionally, Alexa Bliss and Asuka are primed to compete in the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament, as are Dakota Kai and IYO SKY. Now the two trios will head to Cardiff, Wales to battle each other at WWE Clash at the Castle.
Riddle vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins
In what is sure to be a volatile showdown, Riddle will go one-on-one with Seth “Freakin” Rollins at WWE Clash at the Castle in a quest for payback.
The Original Bro has found himself in the crosshairs of The Visionary since the absence of Randy Orton has left Riddle to battle it out on his own. Although they were supposed to throw down at SummerSlam, Riddle found himself not medically cleared to compete, and the contest never took place.
Riddle has since been sidelined with a stinger injury after Rollins Stomped him into the steel ring steps. Before he could give his return address on the Aug. 15 edition of Raw, however, The Visionary made an unexpected appearance.
After Rollins continued to mock his adversary, The Original Bro ultimately stormed the ring and ignited a huge brawl with his adversary. In the wake of the free-for-all, Riddle challenged Rollins to a showdown at WWE Clash at the Castle.
Intercontinental Champion Gunther vs. Sheamus
Sheamus loves a good fight. He will get that and so much more when he attempts to dethrone Intercontinental Champion Gunther at WWE Clash at the Castle.
After holding the NXT United Kingdom Championship for an astonishing 870 days, Gunther turned his attention SmackDown. With Ludwig Kaiser at his side and a brutal arsenal at his disposal, The Ring General has dominated the blue brand and defeated Ricochet to claim the Intercontinental Title.
Now, he is headed back across the pond to defend the workhorse title at the historic Premium Live Event, and he has made it clear that he considers the title “sacred.”
Sheamus reigned supreme over Ricochet, Madcap Moss, Happy Corbin and Sami Zayn a Fatal 5-Way Match on SmackDown to earn the right to face the vicious titleholder. A four-time World Champion, the highly-decorated Celtic Warrior is as tough as nails and would like nothing more than to seize the Intercontinental Title in Cardiff, Wales. Backed by The Brawling Brutes, Sheamus presents an epic challenge to the titleholder.
Edge & Rey Mysterio vs. The Judgment Day
The Judgment Day’s modus operandi has been to eradicate the veterans and so called “old-timers” from WWE.
First was Edge, who they brutally kicked out of his own group with a Con-Chair-To the former leader. Next came Rey Mysterio, who along with his son Dominik, took the fight to the nefarious trio, but were eventually beaten.
At SummerSlam, The Rated-R-Superstar made his fiery return and gained retribution when he defeated Damian Priest in Edge’s hometown of Toronto on the August 22 edition of Raw. Now, Edge looks to seek the eradication of the very group he created.
Edge and Rey Mysterio look to turn back the clock when they face Finn Bálor and Priest in a high-stakes match at WWE Clash at the Castle.
A wrinkle in this match has been Dominik Mysterio, who didn’t take kindly to his father picking Edge over him. Dominik has suffered his fair share of abuse from Rhea Ripley, being left beaten on several occasions. However, Dominik, as well as Ripley, will be ringside, making this matchup even more combustible.
Can Edge and Rey Mysterio, former Tag Team Champions, seek former glory and end The Judgment Day, or will The Judgment Day follow through on their plans to end Edge and Rey Mysterio?
For more than 720 days, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns has stood on the top of the mountain in absolute “God Mode,” conquering the likes of Seth “Freakin” Rollins, John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Edge, Riddle, Kevin Owens, Rey Mysterio and so many others.
One day before going head-to-head with Drew McIntyre at WWE Clash at the Castle in Cardiff, Wales, The Head of the Table will celebrate his epic two years as champion!
Ronda Rousey’s Final Judgment
At SummerSlam, a controversial finish in the SmackDown Women’s Title Match between titleholder Liv Morgan and Ronda Rousey caused the challenger to attack multiple officials, causing her to be fined and suspended.
Refusing to wait for her suspension to be lifted, The Rowdy One brought her special brand of bedlam to the blue brand last week and ended up getting arrested. Although WWE Official Adam Pearce did not press charges and Rousey was released, The Baddest Woman on the Planet will now face a Final Judgment.
Karrion Kross to make his SmackDown in-ring debut
Tick Tock.
Since emerging on SmackDown, former NXT Champion Karrion Kross and Scarlett have been lurking in the shadows and keeping a close eyes on Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and his challenger Drew McIntyre.
Kross will make his SmackDown in-ring debut next week, and the blue brand will never be the same.
The New Day and The Viking Raiders clash in a Viking Rules Match
The viciousness between The New Day and The Viking Raiders will be settled when the two collide in a Viking Rules Match.
The teams have beaten each other in recent weeks with Kendo sticks, shields and a wide variety of other weapons. The Viking Raiders even held a mock “Viking Funeral” for Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods after they put both Superstars on the shelf.
Last Friday, The New Day looked ready to retire The New Day, but it all ended up being a ruse to trick The Viking Raiders. With a stipulation like a Viking Rules Match, nothing is off the table in terms of the punishment that each team will inflict on the other.
Maximum Male Models to compete in first match against Hit Row
ma.cé and mån.sôör of the Maximum Male Models will compete for the first time in a SmackDown ring against Ashante “Thee” Adonis and Top Dolla of Hit Row next Friday night.
The two teams have been butting heads recently, with the Maximum Male Models getting fed up with Hit Row’s partying alongside The Street Profits last Friday night. This led to the model agency teaming up with Los Lotharios and together spray-painting what they thought was Hit Row’s bus. Unfortunately for the combined force, the bus belonged to The Street Profits.
The models and the recording artists will go toe-to-toe in a match to determine tag team supremacy.
Butch to take on Ludwig Kaiser
One day before Sheamus challenges Intercontinental Champion Gunther in a highly anticipated title showdown at WWE Clash at the Castle, The Celtic Warrior’s unhinged cohort Butch will step inside the square circle with Ludwig Kaiser in a one-on-one showdown. (SmackDown preview, Sept. 2, 2022)
