There are also plans to launch a crowdfunding effort that would allow fans to invest in a minority stake in the company.
“I think what we are doing with Aro Lucha being fan-owned is revolutionary,” Mysterio said. “We are giving the fans something they have never had before, a voice and a chance to get in on the action.”
The article also notes that Mysterio “was rumored to be considering a return to the WWE,” but did not elaborate further on the situation.
Aro Lucha sold out its debut event at the Nashville Fairgrounds in December, where a pilot episode was filmed. The company then took the promotion on the road, holding non-televised events in Texas.
The company released this ‘sizzle reel’ from the pilot episode taping, which shows a number of familiar faces including Mysterio, MVP, Johnny Mundo, James Storm, Hurricane Helms, Taya Valkyrie, Reby Hardy and Willie Mack.
Although Aro Lucha hasn’t found a television partner yet, co-founder Jason Brown says they are deciding between a few different options for where to produce the television show in Nashville, with filming expected to begin in May or June. Other live events for the Nashville area are also in the works.
Konnan is heading the company’s creative department, which aims to produce a family-friendly product.
– A new episode of WWE 24 airs this Monday after Raw on the WWE Network and it gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble Match. Here is the synopsis:
“Female Superstars are redefining sports entertainment with groundbreaking matches and the addition of Ronda Rousey to a star-studded roster.”
WWE has released a teaser clip of Dana Brooke honoring her late bodybuilder boyfriend, Dallas McCarver, who died suddenly on August 22, 2017.
Last March, Brooke and McCarver both competed in the 2017 Arnold Classic. To honor McCarver, she incorporated a small piece of McCarver’s posing trunks from the event by having it stitched onto her ring gear for the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. She had WWE seamstress Terry Anderson make the piece look like a dumbbell and have it placed over her heart.
On her tribute, she tweeted the following:
???? I am forever grateful 4 my angel @DallasMcCarver my heart aches daily but reminding myself he is always w/ me makes me stronger! PLEASE TUNE IN! @WWENetwork@WWE I thank u for allowing me to share this! I am forever thankful https://t.co/CJDRcFtlGa
According to Medium.com, an autopsy determined that McCarver died after an unwitnessed cardiac event contributed to by of combination of coronary atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in the arteries) and an enlarged left ventricle (a thickening of the heart muscle that causes it to work harder). McCarver had a family history of cardiovascular disease including both hypertension and atherosclerosis.
– New York Knicks player Enes Kanter attended Friday’s WWE live event at Madison Square Garden in New York City and posed for photos with WWE stars backstage, including Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman, The New Day, and John Cena.
If there was ever a proper time to use the word “electrifying” to describe a wrestling match, it was The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 18.
Aside from Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock and Hogan are easily the two biggest stars in the history of professional wrestling. While fans had been clamoring for a showdown between Stone Cold and Hogan, egos clashed and the match never happened. This set the stage for Rock-Hogan I inside the SkyDome in Toronto, Canada.
Over 68,000 fans packed the dome to see what was considered to be the real main event of WrestleMania 18. On this March 17, 2002 night something unusual happened. For the first time since he was riding the coattails of The Corporation back in the Attitude Era, The Rock was heavily booed.
Fans inside the SkyDome were pro-Hogan and wanted to see the wrestling legend turn back the clock. The Rock ended up winning the match and he embraced Hogan afterwards. Soon after, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash attacked Hogan. The Rock ended up making the save and Hogan posed for the fans.
Sixteen years later, The Rock took the time to reflect:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgdDLrLFD7B/
Hogan also had some words, laying out just how special the match was:
Never again will an arena shake to its foundation with electricity like it did on the night of WM18 brother HollyWoodHulkHogan 4Life pic.twitter.com/HtsMVyPORZ
On March 16, Hiroshi Tanahashi became the first man to advance to the finals of this year’s New Japan Cup tournament. He defeated Juice Robinson inside Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan in semi-finals action. Today, we found out who will be joining him.
In the other semi-finals match, SANADA took on Zack Sabre Jr. In the end, it was Sabre Jr. who punched his ticket to the finals. He will now face Tanahashi on March 21 to determine who will go on to Sakura Genesis on April 1. The winner of the New Japan Cup can go after any singles title of his choosing.
Wrestling Dontaku 2018 Poster
Following Sakura Genesis, NJPW will begin their Wrestling Dontaku tour. The road to Wrestling Dontaku begins on April 13. There will be 14 road shows leading up to the event and NJPW World will air at least five of them. In addition to that, Wrestling Hi No Kuni takes place on April 29 as the calm before the storm. That card will also air live on NJPW World.
Wrestling Dontaku will be a two-night event. The first event takes place on May 3 and wraps up the following night. You can check out the event’s official poster below:
We now know who will be in the finals of the New Japan Cup.
Night seven saw Hiroshi Tanahashi emerge victorious over Juice Robinson to advance to the finals on March 21. The question going into night eight was, who will join “The Ace?” SANADA and Zack Sabre Jr. did battle earlier today to answer that question.
Plus, there was a slew of undercard matches that took place. Notable stars such as IWGP Heavyweight champion Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito, Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, and many more were in action. Peep the full results below and find out who is going to the New Japan Cup finals:
Singles Match: Shota Umino def. Ren Narita
Six-Man Tag Team Match: Bad Luck Fale, Tanga Loa, & Yujiro Takahashi def. Togi Makabe, Toa Henare, & Tomoyuki Oka
Tag Team Match: Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano def. Taichi & Takashi Iizuka
Tag Team Match: Michael Elgin & Juice Robinson def. Kota Ibushi & Chase Owens
Tag Team Match: Killer Elite Squad def. Hiroki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi
Six-Man Tag Team Match: Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi, & Bushi def. Minoru Suzuki, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, & El Desperado
Tag Team Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & David Finlay vs. Kazuchika Okada & Chuckie T.
New Japan Cup Semi-Finals Match: Zack Sabre Jr. def. SANADA
WWE returned to Madison Square Garden on Friday night for a live event featuring the top Superstars of RAW and SmackDown. Brock Lesnar, John Cena, AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura were all in action for the event.
The Garden was not sold out, but a live correspondent noted that there were approximately 12-13,000 fans on hand. It was announced that WWE is returning to MSG on Saturday, July 7th and Ronda Rousey will be in attendance.
Here are the results from WWE Live at Madison Square Garden:
– Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were scheduled to face WWE Champion AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura in tag team action, but Owens and Zayn attacked Styles before the bell. They did an injury angle and Styles was helped to the back, leading many fans to wonder if there was something more to Styles not competing. It was announced Kevin Owens would face Nakamura in singles action.
– Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Kevin Owens by disqualification after Sami Zayn interfered. AJ Styles ran out and made the save for Nakamura, which got a huge pop.
– Cedric Alexander defeated Drew Gulak.
– Asuka defeated Mandy Rose with the Asuka Lock.
– Bray Wyatt defeated “Woken” Matt Hardy.
– RAW Tag Team Champions The Bar retained in a Fatal 4 Way over Titus Worldwide, The New Day and Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson.
– WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar defeated Braun Strowman and Kane in a triple threat match, with Kane taking the pin. The Bar came out and attacked Strowman after the match, putting him through a table before Strowman fought back and beat up the champions.
Afterwards, Bliss and Mickie James beat down Banks, but Nia Jax ran out for the save. Nia had a brief confrontation with Alexa Bliss and gave Mickie James a Samoan backdrop.
– John Cena and Nikki Bella defeated Elias and Sonya Deville.
A WrestleMania 35 press conference was held on Friday morning at MetLife Stadium. The event featured appearances from Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, Ronda Rousey, John Cena and The New Day.
It was a rather uneventful affair, aside from Triple H noting that Ronda Rousey will be competing at the event. After running down some of her past accomplishments and stating that he hopes Rousey does not injure him or his wife at WrestleMania next month, he introduced Rousey and the two had a brief stare-down.
You can watch the full half-hour WrestleMania 35 press conference below. Triple H and Ronda Rousey’s confrontation occurs around the 24-minute mark of that broadcast.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay has released details for his new promotion Frontline Wrestling’s debut show ‘Build Me An Empire.’
The event will be taking place on Thursday June 28th at Stratford Circus in London, just 5 minutes walk from the Stratford Underground station. Frontline has released the following information with regards to entry and tickets:
This event hosts a mix of seating and standing tickets. Floor seating are Front Row (Includes 2 Streamers), Second Row & General Seating Balcony Upper Balcony
No names have been revealed for the show however it is expected to include some up and coming talents from the UK scene, particularly those who are yet to receive opportunities on such a stage elsewhere.
WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne has been announced for Fight Club Pro’s upcoming Dream Tag Team Invitational events happening later on this month.
The former PROGRESS World Champion will be taking part in at least two bouts over the three day event and Fight Club Pro are bringing in two unique opponents for the young veteran. Day 2 of the DTTI will see Dunne face Lucha Underground star Rey Fenix in a bout that will pit the ‘Bruiserweight’ against one of the premier high flyers on the independent scene. Night Three of the event will see Dunne face an icon of Japanese wrestling; Meiko Satomura…
Satomura is the co-founder of the famed Sendai Girls promotion, she has performed across the globe for the likes of Gaea Japan, WCW and Chikara. Her bout against possibly the best performer in the UK in Dunne is highly anticipated and will only be seen live by the crowd in Birmingham’s NEC Arena due to the VOD streaming rules surrounding WWE UK contracted talent. If you’re in the UK you cannot miss this.
DTTI – NIGHT THREE SUNDAY 1st APRIL 2018 THE N.E.C., BIRMINGHAM
Possibly the biggest night in Fight Club: PRO history deserves the biggest singles dream match we can deliver.
– Despite suffering a grade one partial left biceps tear a few weeks ago, leaving him out-of-action for up to a month, Rey Mysterio is still set to appear at tomorrow’s CRASH Lucha Libre event.
Mysterio was originally scheduled to face Bestia 666 at the event, but due to the fact that he was wearing a sling this week, it’s unknown if he will be engaging in anything physical at the show. There’s also no word yet on if he’ll be facing Jushin “Thunder” Liger at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s (NJPW) Long Beach event on March 25th. We’ll keep you updated.
– Former WWE Superstar Rich Swann had recently announced his retirement from professional wrestling, however, he’s still advertised for tomorrow’s CRASH Lucha Libre show as well. This is interesting considering Swann pulled himself from several upcoming bookings after announcing his retirement.
– With just a few weeks until he challenges WWE Champion AJ Styles at WrestleMania 34, Shinsuke Nakamura is set to get two English re-releases of two autobiographies. The books will be released in both physical and digital editions on August 7th. PWInsider has confirmed the news, and Viz Media – who has acquired the rights to the books – made the following announcement:
“VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, springs into the wild world of professional wrestling as it announces the acquisition of the English-language publishing rights for KING OF STRONG STYLE: 1980-2014.
“Originally published in two paperback volumes in Japan, (1980-2004, 2004-2015), the autobiography of one of Japan’s greatest professional wrestlers, Shinsuke Nakamura, will be released as a single-volume hardcover print edition as well as a digital edition by VIZ Media in the summer of 2018. Both hard copy and digital releases will feature select color and b&w photographs.
“Nakamura now appears weekly on USA Network’s Tuesday night program, Smackdown Live, which has over 2 million weekly viewers, where he is frequently featured in the main event match-ups.
“Before he became a star of American professional wrestling, Shinsuke Nakamura was Japan’s “King of Strong Style.” His autobiography traces an amazing life and career from the amateur grappling ranks to the Nippon Budokan. Thrill to his matches against such legends as Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar, his reign as the youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and his success as a mixed martial artist.
““Professional wrestling is at the crossroads of extreme sports, over-the-top theatre and pop culture, and Shinsuke Nakamura, already a huge star in Japan, is seeing his star rising fast among millions of U.S. fans,” says Masumi Washington, Sr. Director, Publishing Production. “His autobiography, a riveting story depicting one man’s quest to conquer the world both inside and outside the wrestling ring, is a unique and special addition to the VIZ Media catalog.”
“Born in Kyoto, February 24, 1980, Shinsuke Nakamura began amateur wrestling in high school before attending university at Aoyama Gakuin University. After a brilliant career there, he joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling in March 2002 and made his professional debut at Nippon Budokan in a match against Tadao Yasuda on August 29, 2002. On December 9, 2003, a mere sixteen months into his professional career, he crushed Hiroshi Tenzan and was crowned the youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion in history. Even as he pursued greatness in the professional wrestling ring, Nakamura participated in MMA, facing Daniel Gracie of the legendary jiu-jitsu family, and superheavyweight kickboxing champion Alexey Ignashov. Now he thrills fans in the United States and beyond on a weekly basis as one of the top wrestlers in the world.”
As we’ve been reporting, Daniel Bryan’s WWE contract is set to expire this fall. Daniel Bryan will be a free agent on or about September 23rd, according to a report at PWInsider. Unfortunately, this would prevent Bryan from appearing at the big “All In” event from Chicago scheduled for 9/1.
– Online wrestling clothing store, Grplgme., recently asked former WWE Superstar Batista if he’d step in to face John Cena at WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans next month. Batista said that match won’t happen, but did reveal he has been “very vocal” about a return to WWE.
Batista doubled down on his belief that his career inside the ring isn’t over, as he turned down a WWE Hall Of Fame induction.
Batista said a return hasn’t happened yet because of both scheduling and creative issues. He concluded by saying “Never say never, I would love to go back.” It should be noted Batista said last year that if he did come back to WWE he’d like it to be on a full-time schedule.
WWE is in Dallas, Texas at the American Airlines Center for next week’s episode of Monday Night RAW. Former WWE RAW Women’s Champion Bayley recently spoke with SportsDay to promote the upcoming event.
As seen at the WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on the WWE Network, Alexa Bliss successfully retained her Raw Women’s Title over Bayley, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, Sonya Deville, and Sasha Banks in the first-ever Women’s Elimination Chamber Match. “Honestly, it’s very intimidating – the structure itself. Being told that we were going to have this match was a little scary. But as weird as it may sound, as soon as I got in the Chamber and the bell rang, I felt really comfortable. It was really fun, but you know, it was just as painful as you’d imagine. But I was just happy I was OK with it mentally when I got in there.”
Since then, WWE has teased tension between Bayley and Banks. During this interview, she was asked about the problems she has with RAW star.
“It’s just a little complicated. Friends and sisters fight all the time, but it’s just – I don’t know – something that I know we have to handle ourselves, and I’m sure we will soon because it’s just been a little awkward.”
“She’s No. 1. For sure. I’ve always said that I think she is the best woman to ever step foot in the ring. And maybe that’s what bothers me sometimes because I want to be the best. But she’s definitely my favorite opponent for many reasons.”
She was also asked about former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey joining the company and potentially wrestling her. Rousey is set to team up with Kurt Angle to take on Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in a Mixed Tag Team Match at WrestleMania 34. “Oh, I would love to. Once she’s done with her stuff with Stephanie and Triple H, I would love to be in line – which originally that’s what I’ve been waiting for since she stepped foot in the Mae Young Classic and basically challenged us Four Horsewomen. So, we’re still waiting.” “I don’t really see her much. She’s kind of got her own thing going on, and so do we. But I think she’s fitting in well. The crowds really seem to like having her around, and I think she’s obviously going to fit in well and learn to adapt pretty easy. But she definitely still needs to earn her stripes, I’d say. And I’d be happy to help her.”
It appears we may have seen the last of NXT broadcaster Christy “St. Cloud” Olson.
Olson’s Superstar bio has been removed from the WWE website and she’s has also changed her social media handles to @CHRISTYreports, the name of her popular Youtube Channel.
After a successful run as a correspondent on AfterBuzz TV, Olson made her NXT TV debut last April, where she worked as a backstage interviewer. She’s been seen on NXT’s weekly show on the WWE Network as recently as last week.
Her professional wrestling background prior to WWE includes ring announcing for West Coast Wrestling Connection in the Pacific Northwest of California.
Olson took an 11-month hiatus from her Christy Reports Youtube channel, but returned with a new video earlier this week, another indication her WWE sting has concluded.
Former WWE Superstar James Ellsworth was recently interviewed by Andy Malnoske of Wrestling Inc. to talk about several professional wrestling topics. Ellsworth first talked about fans probably being uncomfortable with him being presented as Carmella’s ‘pet’ on WWE TV during their time together on SmackDown Live:
“I was OK with doing it, who wouldn’t? It’s Carmella,” Ellsworth said. “But to me, I thought the fans thought it was weird, so I’m glad it didn’t last long. But again, I personally didn’t mind it but I think it was weird for people to watch.”
Ellsworth was released from his WWE deal back in November and has been working the independent circuit ever since. He has since established an Intergender Championship that he plans on defending. When asked who he’d like to defend the belt against, Ellsworth named former WWE Superstar Tenille Dashwood (a.k.a. Emma):
“I’m wrestling Emma next month who’s also in the indies, she goes by Tenille Dashwood now. I think on the independent scene she’s probably the biggest name that’s a girl,” he said. “I would love to wrestle Carmella for it, that would be cool, I think people would love that. But yeah, as far as the indies go I can’t wait to get in the ring with Emma next month, I think that will get a lot of people talking.”
He was then asked about his thoughts on WWE bringing in former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. Ellsworth said he believes the relationship will be mutually beneficial for both WWE and Rousey, and thinks Rousey will surprise some people with how good she’ll be in the ring:
“I mean, she’s one of the biggest stars in the world. As far as star power, she’s great for WWE. It’s good for both, it’s good for her and WWE, I think it’s a good relationship with them too,” he said. “I think both parties will make a lot of money off of her being there. She’s awesome and she’s been working hard in the ring and I think she’s gonna surprise a lot of people and be a really, really good wrestler.”
You can read Ellsworth’s full interview with Wrestling Inc. by clicking this link here.
– Former WWE Superstar and three-time Women’s Champion Melina is set to make her in-ring return on Friday, March 23rd for Australian Wrestling Entertainment (AWE). This seems to be Melina’s first match since dislocating her knee last March in England during an indy match. Initially Melina feared the injury would end her professional wrestling career. For more information on Melina’s AWE appearance click here.
– Former WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia was recently a guest on Renegade Radio with Jay Ferruggia to talk about her career with the professional wrestling juggernaut. Garcia also spoke about what it was like to work with former WWE Champion-turned Hollywood mega-star The Rock:
“[The Rock] would always make me blush. And so, all of a sudden [WWE’s creative writers were] like, ‘Ah, that’s so cute. Let’s do that, let’s put her in situations where she would totally blush.’ And he would call me out sometimes at ringside, you know, and there I am and I’m just blushing,” Garcia said. “So it just became fun and he loved working together and vice versa. I’m blessed, I’m blessed that I had that situation with him, for sure.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgB18qsHgKd/
You can listen to Garcia’s interview on Renegade Radio with Jay Ferruggia by clicking this link here.
H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions
– Former WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee (real name AJ Mendez) has announced that she will be hosting a book signing on Saturday, March 24th at a Barnes & Noble Bookstore in East Brunswick, New Jersey. The event will be used to help raise awareness of mental illness and fight stigma:
Jersey! Who wants to hang out with me and help an amazing cause?! Join me, March 24th, at the NAMIWalks NJ 2018 Kick-Off Event to help me raise awareness of mental illness & fight stigma! There will be a book signing too! More info here: https://t.co/3kzlQaoTFZpic.twitter.com/T6W2URdFw5
– WWE Hall Of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler held a wrestling event in the parking lot of his Hall Of Fame Bar & Grille restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee to celebrate one year of being open for business. Lawler wrestled Moondog in the rain for the event and posted the following pictures on Twitter:
Packed house today at my barbecue restaurant on Germantown Parkway in Memphis! Thanks to everyone who came out. pic.twitter.com/NGWhJKrNo3
– WWE Superstar Finn Balor has launched his own clothing brand, PE&K. The website https://smileitspeak.com/ launched this week and only features t-shirts for sale at the moment. Here’s PE&K’s self-description of their company:
“Smile it’s PE&K!
“Our goal at PE&K is to provide clothes that will make you smile, whilst having the least amount of impact on our lovely planet as possible.
– All our shirts are made in USA , and printed in UK,
– We don’t use plastic, but if there is, biodegradable YAY!
– And the only paper we use will be the sticker for shipping & international custom sheets (We are trying to source recyclable paper)
– No stickers
– No wasted cardboard
– Nothing that is going to hurt our planet
– We like to say. We are friends of the environment”
Balor and the PE&K Twitter account sent out the following Tweets to hype the line’s debut:
– Former WWE Superstar Darren Young, now going by his real name Fred Rosser on the indies, returned to in-ring action at a WrestlePro event last week in Uniondale, New Jersey. Rosser picked up a win over IMPACT Wrestling star Fallah Bahh. He posted the following highlights video from the match on Twitter:
– In one of Cody Rhodes’ latest Tweets he nudged at the possibility of his upcoming “All In” event in Chicago featuring pyrotechnics. The event goes down on September 1st from The Sears Center Arena, which holds up to 11,800 fans:
You better Slick Nick, because today's "All In" production call also included the revised budget…and I might have hyperventilated…#Pyro#wtfhttps://t.co/e9ID7oUkw0
– This week marks 14 years since late-WWE Hall Of Famer Eddie Guerrero defeated Kurt Angle at WrestleMania 20 to retain his WWE Championship. The Monday Night RAW General Manager took to Instagram to pay homage to his fallen friend:
“14 years ago to this day, I shared the ring with possibly the greatest overall performer of all time, #eddieguerrero. He always had something up his sleeve, and he didn’t disappoint in this Wrestlemania Showdown. Thank you Eddie. #LieCheatSteal #itstrue”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgT3HtdBrNZ/
– WWE has posted its latest installment of “List This!” on their YouTube channel. This week’s episode features the five shortest WrestleMania matches ever. Check them out here:
WWE RAW Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Sheamus recently appeared on E&C’s Pod Of Awesomenessto talk about various topics.
Cesaro went from a singles competitor to a tag team performer with Sheamus. If you recall, they were in the middle of a best-of-7 series of matches against one another when then-RAW General Manager and WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley put them together as a tag team. Sheamus and Cesaro have gone on to be very successful, winning the Raw Tag Team Championships 3 times so far.
“It gave us a chance to show more personality and give both of us a chance to play off each other.” Cesaro explained, “while you’re out there by yourself, you don’t really have anybody to play off of, but if Sheamus is out there, I know that even if something gets messed up, or one of us gets lost, or I miss my cue, then, we can play it off no matter what.”
“If you take a step back and look at it, I’m definitely happy to be there, but, then again, I’m not happy to be there. And I think that’s what helps about teaming with Sheamus, anytime one of us is down, do you know what I mean, goes through something, the other one is there and we can talk. It’s like good cop/bad cop. If Sheamus is down, I pick him up and if I’m down, he picks me up. And that I think is a good thing. Cesaro elaborated, “sometimes, when you’re by yourself, it’s really easy to dig yourself into a hole and be unhappy. But I know when it comes down to it, when I walk through the curtain, I’m out there with Sheamus and I know we’re going to have a blast no matter what. And I think that really helps.”
Sheamus also noted that he believes his tag team partner will become World Champion one day.
“I think for Cesaro, everyone wants it and when it does happen, man, it’s going to mean so much more.” Sheamus continued, “we’ll tag team for as long as possible, but then we’ll get in the situation again of maybe we’ll go away for a bit, but we’ll always have this. There will be a time when we both go singles and Cesaro, like, I’ve said it many times in interviews. The fact that he hasn’t been world champion already is an absolute crime, but it’s going to happen. I know it will because there’s no one more determined than him, and when it does, it’s going to be an epic moment.”
Ring of Honor/New Japan Pro Wrestling talent Adam Page spoke with Sporting News for a new interview to talk about the Bullet Club and more. Over the last year or so, Page has elevated his game and been pushed into a more prominent role while being a member of the Bull Club.
Page’s next big match is slated to go down next month when he takes on international mega-star Kota Ibushi at ROH’s Supercard of Honor event on April 7th from New Orleans, Louisiana.In this interview, he talked about having the time of his career.
“This is the most fun I’ve had in my career. The most money I’ve made in my career. This is the best time in my career, and I don’t mean that as if the next year won’t be or the years after that. So far, it’s been a steady incline in everything that I do. I’ve enjoyed this time, and it should be continuing getting bigger.”
He also opened up about working with Matt and Nick Jackson of The Young Bucks.
“When we have these kinds of matches — myself, Matt and Nick — we go all out, maybe even more so than we have to or should. I think that’s what people can expect. It should be wild. The six-man titles are on the line so we have a lot to fight for.”
“[I’m] maybe more confident, maybe more willing to do things like moonsaults off of a balcony or whatever it may be. I’m fortunate that I’m in a good place right now. Fans are really responding to me now so I guess now is the time for me to give back and do that kind of stuff with a little less hesitation. … Around Christmas time, I passed by a Hot Topic at the mall. They had the Christmas decorations up in the front of the store with AC/DC and Metallica, Harry Potter, Star Wars and Bullet Club. So, we are certainly a part of pop culture. I think its Bullet Club stuff and what we’re doing now in wrestling is, honestly, such a big part of pop culture that it’s kind of hard to avoid, even if you don’t follow wrestling.”
– WWE Superstar Rusev recently held a live stream on his Instagram account. Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Ryback joined in the stream and made a comment that forced “The Bulgarian Brute” to end the stream. Ryback said the following:
“Are you involved in this steroid scandal? I can’t have you involved in my company if you’re involved in this [Jonny] Bravo stuff.”
Rusev responded by saying that he was going to block Ryback on Instagram and told fans to thank him for being the reason he is ending the stream now. It was all captured on video by “The Top Rope” on YouTube, and you can watch here:
– WWE made the decision to change the name of the Fabulous Moolah Memorial Battle Royal to simply “WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal.” This came after a ton of backlash towards, not only WWE, but to WrestleMania sponsor Snickers. Shortly before the name change Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, who is the parent company of Snickers, issued out the following statement on the matter:
“We were recently made aware of the World Wrestling Entertainment Inc’s (WWE) decision to honor a former wrestler during the upcoming WrestleMania 34 event. As a principle-based business that has long championed creating inclusive environments that encourage and empower everyone to reach their full potential, this is unacceptable. We are engaging with the WWE to express our disappointment”
After the name change was made, another announcement was made by Mars Wrigley Confectionery US:
“We are very pleased that WWE has decided to proceed with the name ‘WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal.’”
Former WWE Champion CM Punk is expected to make his mixed martial arts (MMA) return at UFC 225 on pay-per-view (PPV) in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois on June 9th. There has been a ton of speculation that fellow 0-1 record-holder Mike Jackson will be his opponent, however, nothing has been officially confirmed as of this writing.
Punk made his debut at UFC 203 in September of 2016 when he took on Gracie jiu-jitsu brown belt Mickey Gall in welterweight competition. “The Cult Of Personality” was immediately taken down, battered on the ground, before subsequently being choked out via rear-naked choke. Punk’s coach, Duke Roufus, recently joined The Luke Thomas Show on SiriusXM Rush 93 to offer his thoughts on Punk returning to the Octagon.
Roufus said that he believes Punk will be “200 percent” better upon returning to the cage. Punk will have had two more years to hone his craft when he returns to fight in June (quotes via MMA News):
“200 percent [better]. I’m not even his coach. We were friends first before we did this. I would not do this with anyone else except for my friendship with him from before he decided to fight. He’s just one hell of a guy. He’s a celebrity but he’s different than a lot of celebrities I know. Great guy. He works his ass off. He’s very well-liked on our team and he’s improved a lot.”
– As we’ve reported, WrestleMania 35 will be going down from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey in 2019. Wrestle Votes is reporting on Twitter that because of this it’s likely SummerSlam will be moved out of the Brooklyn region:
SummerSlam, and the surrounding weekend events, are moving on from Brooklyn after this upcoming year. Location still TBD, but high probability of SummerSlam being held at a stadium venue. Likely a MLB stadium.
– Dean Ambrose has been forced to pull out of several autograph signing appearances at World Of Wheels this weekend. It’s unknown why Ambrose was forced to pull, but it should be noted he’s currently recovering from a surgery back in December to repair a torn tricep. He was given a return timeframe of around 9 months, meaning he won’t be back in the ring until around August or September:
– As we’ve previously reported, the site Bodyslam.net has reported that “Ms. Money In The Bank” Carmella is likely to cash-in her briefcase in a losing effort at WrestleMania 34 next month. Carmella caught wind of these rumors on Twitter and responded to them sarcastically:
WWE recently acknowledged Natalya for all her contributions to the women’s divisions. As an 11-year veteran in WWE, Natalya serves as something of a team captain for the women’s roster.
They gifted her several signed items and mementos from the Women’s Royal Rumble match.
Natalya recently Tweeted out a photo of the gift she received:
Beyond touched to have received this beautiful gift from @WWE in honor of the first ever women’s #RoyalRumble match. It was such a huge dream to be a part of this moment and to make history with so many amazing women! ??????? pic.twitter.com/0jgHKIZTGC
Natalya was the 18th wrestler in the Women’s Royal Rumble match and the 25th to be eliminated. She spent 25 minutes in the match which was the 3rd longest of anyone. Becky Lynch was in the Rumble for 30 minutes and Sasha Banks for 53.
Natalya eliminated Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix, and helped to eliminate Nia Jax. She was eventually eliminated by Trish Stratus who was then eliminated by Sasha Banks.
The upcoming 50-man “Greatest Royal Rumble” event from Saudi Arabia will be featured on the WWE Network as special programming. RAW Superstar and WrestleMania 34 headliner Roman Reigns mentioned the news on Friday morning during an appearance on Jim Norton & Sam Roberts’ Sirius XM show.
Reigns told Jim and Sam that he hopes he isn’t spoiling anything, but, “I believe it’s going to be a huge network special.”
The Greatest Royal Rumble will beheld at the King Abdullah Sports City venue, which holds approximately 62,000 people. Talent announced for the event includes John Cena, Triple H, Roman Reigns, WWE Champion AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura.
WWE is pulling out all the stops to make the event a success – with Chris Jericho and The Undertaker rumored to be appearing as well.
The Greatest Royal Rumble is being co-presented by the Saudi General Sports Authority as part of a new long-term partnership with WWE.
“The Greatest Royal Rumble will be a spectacle of historic proportions,” said Vince McMahon when the event was first announced. “Our partnership with the Saudi General Sports Authority reflects a long-term commitment to present WWE’s world-class entertainment to a global audience on a grander scale than ever before.”
This coming Monday, WWE RAW will feature The Ultimate Deletion – a one-of-a-kind battle between “Woken” Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt from the Hardy family compound in Cameron, North Carolina.
Queen Rebecca, King Maxel, Lord Wolfgang, Senior Benjamin, Vanguard 1 and Skarsgård will all be on hand for the Great War.
