WWE to Fox Update, Reason for Iconic Duo Name Change, Rusev Chant

WWE is expected to announce their new television partner for the foreseeable future later this year. While it is certainly possible that the company could remain on USA Network with NBCUniversal, a lot of reports suggesting that a move to the Fox network could be coming very soon. According to a new report from Terez Owens, UFC will likely be leaving Fox very soon in favor of signing with two new televisions partner. It appears that the MMA company will be provided by both NBC and ESPN as part a huge new deal. This lay even more hints as to WWE’s future. WWE has reportedly been in talks with several other networks, including Fox, about moving their television programs there by 2019.

BREAKING: ESPN And NBC To Split Expanded UFC TV Package (Details)https://t.co/4RUI6vwX2v
— Terez Owens (@TerezOwens) April 11, 2018

Debuts during this week’s editions of Raw and Smackdown from NXT were to be expected. It has become a tradition for some NXT stars to receive main roster callups on the WWE shows taking place directly after WrestleMania, and this week’s Smackdown saw the arrival of Peyton Royce and Billie Kay. The two Australian athletes were referred to as “The IIconics” rather than “The Iconic Duo” name that they used in NXT. According to Cageside Seats, WWE decided to change the name of Royce and Kay’s team because another company already owns the rights to “The Iconic Duo” name. The new name was created so that WWE can maintain ownership of the team name.

Some fans were disappointed when Rusev was pinned by Jinder Mahal during the Fatal 4-Way match for the United States Championship at WrestleMania. Rusev has become one of the most popular characters in all of WWE and he has the merchandise sales and crowd reactions to prove it. Interestingly enough, Twitter user DunKology took notice of a clip posted by WWE from this week’s Smackdown show. When General Manager Paige asked the fans who Daniel Bryan should face that night, the “Rusev Day” chants that the crowd gave were edited out and replaced with chants for “AJ Styles.” Rusev was also recently replaced by Chris Jericho in an upcoming match against The Undertaker at the Greatest Royal Rumble event on April 27th.

Love how #WWE just copy/pasted AJ Styles over the @RusevBUL chants for their YouTube clip. Can even see fans in the background shouting #RUSEVDAY! @Maffewgregg pic.twitter.com/iE2yMFDkuQ
— DunK (@DunKology) April 12, 2018