-- Asuka is officially set to make her main roster debut next month.
It was announced in a video that aired on last night's pre-show and the main No Mercy broadcast that Asuka would be debuting at Raw's TLC pay-per-view on October 22nd. The Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota will host that show, which is Raw's last PPV before Survivor Series.
Whether Asuka would immediately be inserted into the Women's title picture wasn't indicated, though Alexa Bliss was asked about Asuka joining the Raw roster before No Mercy and on the post-show after successfully defending her title. She said that Asuka joining Raw is great for the division, but she's never faced a goddess like Bliss.
During that appearance on the No Mercy post-show, Bliss also discussed running through her competition on the Raw roster after defeating Bayley, Sasha Banks, Nia Jax, and Emma in the fatal five-way Women's title match last night.
Asuka left NXT undefeated and without ever having lost the brand's Women's Championship as she vacated the title in a segment that aired on the September 6th episode. It was later revealed that she would be heading to Raw upon her arrival on the main roster.
--
Another WWE couple is expecting a baby next year.
Maria Kanellis-Bennett announced on Instagram today that she's pregnant with her and Mike Bennett's first child. She wrote that she's 13 weeks pregnant, noting that "life is what happens when you are making other plans" because they thought they had put their plans to have a baby on hold earlier this year.
Despite that, Maria wrote that they're happy for their new path, that Mike has wanted children for a long time and her biological clock recently started ticking, and that now is the perfect time for their family.
Maria said that she plans on coming back to WWE with her doctor's approval after giving birth and after she gets to spend plenty of time with the baby.
The couple hasn't been on television since the August 29th episode of SmackDown, though Mike has faced Bobby Roode in dark matches in recent weeks. Maria wasn't with Mike when he faced Roode last week or when Mike wrestled against Sami Zayn at SmackDown's house show last night.
Maria and Mike got married in 2014. They were paired together on television in Ring of Honor and Impact Wrestling before joining the SmackDown roster at this year's Money in the Bank pay-per-view.
Here's Maria's full post announcing her pregnancy:
"The Power of Love is Strong.....And BABY makes 3. Mike and I are happy to announce I am 13 weeks pregnant!! Life is what happens when you are making other plans. This is the universe's plan for us. Last year Mike and I tried to expand our family when we had a lighter schedule and this year we thought we had put those plans on hold but apparently that is not what is meant to be and we are so happy for our new path. Mike has wanted children for a long time (he is gonna be a very good daddy) and my biological clock just recently started ticking!! Timing is everything and now is our perfect time for family.
As far as the future... WWE is and has been my dream job and I plan on coming back with my doctor's approval after the baby is born and get's plenty of mommy time. But, until then, I will be posting my REAL updates on my social media accounts. There is so much pressure to have the perfect pregnancy, gain the right amount of weight, and be super stylish. But, let me just say I've gained 7 pounds, been nauseous everyday, and wore yoga pants every day since 6 weeks. I'm not perfect. Haha... life is messy. My husband is a recovering prescription drug addict, we are in the middle of buying a house, we are moving across county, and I'm pregnant!!! I figure I can either stress or feel blessed. I feel blessed. I choose happiness. WE choose happiness. Thank you to our families, friends, WWE, and the fans for all of the support! Let's continue building the #PowerofLove with my husband on Smackdown Live. Because the Power of Love is Real. I have the picture to prove it....."
-- According to those close to the situation, Cesaro did not get his teeth cracked or knocked out when he went mouth first into the post last night after taking a catapult into the corner spot by Dean Ambrose.
What actually happened is that the blow caused Cesaro's front teeth to be jammed into his gums.
According to someone familiar with this type of situation, the teeth possibly could be saved by having oral surgery to pull the teeth down and stabilize them, although that would require a root canal. But it was noted in a WWE.com post that Cesaro will see “a maxillofacial surgeon today, most likely removing the teeth and then having some implants made” and that they hope to have him back in action by mid-week.
The injury took place at last night's No Mercy pay-per-view in Los Angeles where Cesaro & Sheamus were challenging Ambrose & Seth Rollins in a match for the Raw Tag Team titles. Cesaro wrestled much of the match badly bleeding from the mouth, and it appeared that his teeth had been knocked out. He later posted photos of his injury after the match was over.
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