News Update: Who really produced World Title Change, Bronson/Oba, Rebel, Willow, Andrade, More (Patreon)

News in today's update

Who has been with Andrade on TV

Willow, Steven Borden, Bronson Reed, Oba Femi, Samantha Irvin

Wade Barrett notes

Debunkathon

Tatevik was one of the extras with Andrade this week. She's been with him a number of times on screen over the past month alone -- at least four times. Amaris Blair appeared a couple of times last week, as well.

Willow was on this week's Dynamite and is expected to remain on TV while her hand injury heals. She'd been planned to stay on TV from the time it was hurt.

We have no confirmation of Bayley's contract at this point. But AEW sources had not heard one way or another, either.

Steven Borden is full steam ahead as an on screen wrestler for AEW. He's been training for over two years.

WWE sources we spoke to were very happy with the condition Bronson Reed showed up in for his return.

Oba Femi swatting Bronson Reed's leg was not scripted, per WWE sources. Those we spoke to didn't know if Bronson putting his foot on Oba was scripted. Wrestlevotes spoke about it being a hot topic behind the scenes this week.

Everyone we spoke to in AEW was over the moon about the Rebel Heart Dynamite show, with a number of her friends saying it was exactly what Rebel wanted. Christy Hemme, Gail Kim, Killer Kross, Scarlett, Allysin Kay, Marti Belle, Megha Parekh and others were in town for the show.

Regarding Samantha Irvin's non-compete, she was pretty clear about it ending in October a while back. She has not been getting paid by WWE while out of action, and almost certainly could have had that non-compete waived if she fought it legally. We'll have more on her in the coming weeks.

Sean Ross Sapp is wrestling Bruss Hamilton at Pro Wrestling Symphony in Nashville September 12 to benefit I AM ALS. You can donate at this link.

Wade Barrett

Fightful definitely forgot to publish an interview with Wade Barrett a while back (woops).

Wade Barrett said that Michael Cole should be the lowest rated character in WWE 2K26. Barrett was so excited to be added to commentary for 2K26. He started voicing over the game in early 2025, and did about 125 hours of recording to do it. 2K sent him tech to record things at his home.

He thinks the fact that it was such a great undertaking is why they waited so long to get him into it. He always knew commentary was in his future, because he did some of it earlier in his career.

WWE RAW Writers, Producers And Other Notes

Writers:

- The Usos and Jacob Fatu backstage segment: James Curtin, Michael Kirshenbaum, Ben Saccoccio and Jon Baeckstrom

- Stephanie Vaquer and Becky Lynch backstage segment: Kristen Koedding

- Adam Pearce, LA Knight and Solo Sikoa: Michael Kirshenbaum, Ben Saccoccio and Jon Baeckstrom

- Penta backstage promo: Michael Kirshenbuam, Ben Saccoccio and Jon Baeckstrom

- The 946 phone promo: Michael Kirshenbaum, Ben Saccoccio and Jon Baeckstrom

- Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan segment: Kirsten Koedding

- The Vision and Paul Heyman segment: Brian Parise

- Big Cass backstage promo: Brian Parise

Producers:

- Otis vs Austin Theory: Jamie Noble

- The Miz, Kit Wilson and Matt Matthews segment: Shane Helms

- Rey Mysterio vs Ethan Page vs Bron Breakker: Michael Hayes and Bobby Roode

- Lyra Valkyria vs Sol Ruca vs Maxxine Dupri: Petey Williams

- Joe Hendry vs JD McDonagh: Shane Helms

- Stephanie Vaquer vs Liv Morgan: Jason Jordan

- The Usos and Jacob Fatu main event segment: Michael Hayes and Bobby Roode

Other Notes:

- The show was internally titled ‘Modern Warfare.’

WWE SmackDown Writers, Producers And Other Notes

Writers:

- Nick Aldis, Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton segment: Devyn Prieto

- Sami Zayn and Johnny Gargano backstage segment: Colin Clark

- Nia Jax backstage interview: Sondra Lacey

- Gunther, Nick Aldis, Finn Balor and Danhausen backstage segment: Cristian Scovell/Producer: Shawn Daivari

- CM Punk backstage interview: Colin Clark

- Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Tatum Paxley and Fatal Influence backstage segment: Ioannis Filippides

- Rey Fenix and Ricky Saints backstage segment: Eric Watts/Producer: Chris Park

Producers:

- Randy Orton promo: Shawn Daivari

- Ricky Saints vs Rey Fenix: Abyss

- Nikki Bella vs Paige: Jason Jordan

- Trick Williams, Lil Yachty and Baron Corbin segment: Abyss

- Chelsea Green vs Nia Jax: Jason Jordan

- Damian Priest and R-Truth vs War Raiders: Kenny Dykstra

- CM Punk vs Sami Zayn: Bobby Roode and Shawn Daivari 

Other Notes:

- The show was internally titled ‘Mexico City Mayhem.’

- CM Punk’s ‘jerking it’ jab at Sami Zayn in a backstage interview was not listed in the rundown.

DEBUNKATHON

No, WWE did not issue an apology to New Level. It also isn't satire if you're just trying to fool people.

WWE also didn't post any sort of apology for Jacob Fatu cursing weeks ago, for some reason that picked up on Facebook.

Chris Bey and dozens of other wrestlers are on to the FadeAwayMedia "LMAOOOOO" account just being a thieving, engagement baiting grifter.

No Brock Lesnar is not going to be Oba Femi's partner.

Ric Flair did not recently "make amends with WWE recently." Booker T's Youtube channel posted a recent compilation and a clip from 2023 made people think Ric Flair was talking about something current.

A note for aggregators: if an outlet breaks news on a Tuesday, then another outlet says the same thing on a Friday, you don't need to credit the Friday outlet!

The Undertaker had nothing to do with the Sami Zayn world title change. It's not a parody/satire account when it's just lying for engagement bait at the expense of someone's reputation. Self Made PW never reported Undertaker made that call.