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We publish a whole lot of content here at Cageside Seats. We’re also [looks around and whispers so the bosses can’t hear] not the only place producing wrestling content on the internet. So, as a service to you on the weekdays, we’ll be producing a wrestling newsletter, "Rude Awakening." Well, it will be a newsletter eventually: for now, it’ll just be part of your experience here at Cageside, collecting the news, recaps, and social moments from the greater wrestling universe daily so you won’t fall behind, with a newsletter format to come.
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Jinder Mahal looks like a completely different person from the last time he was in WWE, so obviously, jokes about steroids and performance-enhancing drugs abound. Wrestling fans are doing their best Murray Chass impersonation and putting Mahal in the role of Mike Piazza all because he’s got a case of back acne. Jinder was asked about his transformation by The Times of India in a recent interview, and volunteered that he’s been tested “multiple times” since his return — all passing grades, given he hasn’t been suspended by WWE.
All the WWE talents are drug tested by a third-party agency and I have been tested multiple times and never had an issue, so you know my transformation is all diet, all hard work. I am a tested athlete like every other WWE wrestler. I have no special privilege; nothing like that. I look like an athlete, I perform like an athlete, I carry myself like an athlete and WWE was not hesitant to put me in a WWE title match.
If you’re suspicious of him still, that’s understandable, since the cheaters are almost always going to be ahead of those doing the testing. However, assuming he’s definitely using is unfair, especially given we’re not that far removed from Roman Reigns — you know, the apple of Vince McMahon’s eye, the guy who hasn’t left the main event for more than 30 seconds in years — being suspended for a failed drug test. As Bill Hanstock pointed out over at With Spandex after making that Reigns’ point, chances are good this is truth telling, especially since these tests come from a third party and not WWE themselves.
What’s clear is that Jinder has spent a ton of time in the gym, the locker room seems thrilled for his success, and every interview, from his time on Chris Jericho’s podcast to the one cited here today, seems to come from someone who put in hard work to get here and couldn’t be happier about what it got him. Until given actual cause to believe otherwise, we should appreciate that on its face.
- Speaking of Jericho, he’s already playing it coy and saying he won’t be back in WWE for some time.
- Friday’s Rumor Roundup includes a non-spoilery tidbit about the Mae Young Classic, which could have Lita join Jim Ross at the announce table.
- Ryback thinks independent wrestlers are ruining wrestling, and you won’t be shocked, but he also can’t stomach smaller wrestlers.
- The Miz would totally wear a man romper, which, really, should just be called a romper. Masculinity so fragile and all that. Not Miz’s masculinity, though, and we love him for it.
- Asuka has been added to WWE’s upcoming Japan shows, which is intriguing mostly because the timeline still seems to be before she’d graduate from NXT.
- Emma could reportedly return from injury in mid-June, assuming WWE doesn’t have her wait in the locker room for months again. Oh, no, I’m definitely not still annoyed about that.
- For those who love NXT spoilers, here are the full results from the most recent taping.
- This week’s Impact Wrestling featured the return of Scott Steiner in the year 2017.
- Sean Rueter explained why he’s a fan of pro wrestling, and we’d like your stories, too.
- ESPN published a feature on Lucha Underground, which is built on creativity.
- It’s too soon for this guy, but Paste has five takeaways from the split of Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano that occurred at NXT TakeOver: Chicago.
- Within this interview with John Morrison aka Johnny Mundo, there is praise for the Miz and a lack of surprise regarding his longevity.