Backstage update on WWE changing contract for veteran superstar - Reports
WWE officials are reportedly set to alter the contract terms for one superstar following issues with his health.
Erik of The Viking Raiders has not wrestled since he and Ivar defeated Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin on September 11 at the WWE Main Event tapings. The 39-year-old announced in November that he underwent neck fusion surgery for his C6/C7 vertebrae. There is still no timeframe for his return.
At times, WWE has automatically extended wrestler contracts to make up for time away. It was recently noted by Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp that the company is adding time to Erik's contract to make up for his current absence.
Wade Barrett previously noted on RAW commentary that Erik would be out "for the foreseeable future," but no exact timeframe was given. The Viking Raiders signed their first WWE contracts on January 16, 2018, so it's likely they re-signed in the last year or two.
On the latest episode of RAW, Ivar was on RAW, where he emerged victorious against The Alpha Academy's Otis.
WWE has been pushing Ivar as a singles star
Erik of The Viking Raiders went down on the injured list last September. This usually means time off for the other tag team partner, but Ivar has thrived in singles action despite a few losses.
Ivar was defeated by Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods in singles action last fall, but then he defeated Kingston in a Viking Rules match on the October 9 episode of RAW. The 39-year-old had an impressive loss to The Miz, then a double count-out with Bronson Reed, but Reed won the rematch two weeks later. Since then, Ivar has won over Akira Tozawa and Otis, along with a loss to Johnny Gargano.
The Massachusetts native defeated Otis just this past Monday on RAW. He used his moonsault finisher, and that was heavily praised on social media. Ivar agreed with Wade Barrett in naming the move the Doomsault.
"Doomsault #AirIvar #BeardofPrey #ivar #wwe #vikingraiders," he wrote with the Instagram clip.
The Viking Raiders signed with WWE on January 16, 2018, after successful runs around the world as War Machine. They debuted on NXT as War Raiders in April 2018 and ran wild through the roster before getting re-packaged and called up as The Viking Experience. They have held the NXT, RAW, and ROH World Tag Team Championships all on one occasion each. They won the IWGP Tag Team Title twice.
What do you think of Ivar getting a singles push? Where do The Viking Raiders rank on your list of all-time great tag teams? Sound off in the comments below!