Cesaro returned to Twitch on March 31 after not streaming since October 29, 2020.
Cesaro Returns To Twitch With Tyler Breeze
Cesaro and Tyler Breeze joined up to play PGA Tour 2K21. The stream provided many of Cesaro’s dad jokes, Da Party memories, and practically zero talk about wrestling or Cesaro’s future in the industry.
At the end of the stream, Cesaro said, “Thanks to everybody who joined me on the first stream back. It’s going to be the first of many. I’m not going to number them.”
On the stream, Cesaro mentioned League of Legends and Witcher as other games that he would like to stream. He also said that he wants to play Nintendo Switch games because Breeze plays a lot of PS5 and Xbox games. Cesaro also added that he plans to steam again on April 1.
Cesaro Is Currently A Free Agent
Cesaro’s WWE contract expired back in February after negotiations reportedly failed. Cesaro is currently a free agent. Cesaro filed to trademark “CSRO” for merchandise, coffee, and entertainment services on March 14.
H/T to Jeremy Lambert of Fightful for the transcription
Last night, “Speedball” Mike Bailey and Bandido received the $5,000 bonus reward for being voted the best match.
‘SuperShow Bounty’: $5,000 Reward For Best Match
Prior to the Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow, WrestleCon announced that wrestlers would be competing for a $5,000 bonus that would be awarded to the best match. The fans in attendance were able to vote for what they thought the best match was. The winning match would take home the $5,000, which would be split amongst the wrestlers in the match.
Bandido and “Speedball” Mike Bailey Receive $2,500 Each
After the event, it was announced that Bandido and “Speedball” Mike Bailey won the match of the night competition. Both men received an extra $2,500 each for the amount of effort they put into the bout. Following the match, which Bandido won, fans even threw money into the ring.
Ace Austin is sticking around in IMPACT Wrestling for a while.
Ace Austin Re-Signs With IMPACT Wrestling
Ace Austin spoke with Sportskeeda, and during the interview he announced that he had signed a new multi-year deal with IMPACT Wrestling.
Ace made his debut in IMPACT back in 2019. He is a former two-time X-Division Champion and the 2021 Super X Cup winner.
Ace even spoke about the reason that he decided to stay in IMPACT. “I wish that I could give a very different answer than, ‘why did I sign with IMPACT in the first place?’ The answer is pretty much the same. It’s the place to be right now. It’s the best environment backstage that I’ve personally experienced. I experienced all the locker rooms in 2018.
It’s the place that has been my home and has been such a launching point for me. I feel like there is some unfinished business. It wasn’t time to leave after three years. I accomplished a lot, but I didn’t accomplish everything that I said I would. That’s very important to me,” Austin said.
Ace Austin At The WrestleCon SuperShow
Last night, Austin competed at the WrestleCon SuperShow, when he teamed with Josh Alexander & Black Taurus in a losing effort against Rey Horus, Laredo Kid & Michael Oku.
For the full results of the Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow, you can click here.
H/T to Jeremy Lambert of Fightful for the transcription
The fifth event of GCW: The Collective was GCW: LA Fights vs JCW. The event was held by Game Changer Wrestling at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. Furthermore, GCW: The Collective will feature 12 live wrestling events this year. Eight of those shows are presented by GCW.
LA Fights and JCW are promotions based on their regions. This battle between the two coasts featured many stars from both sides of the country. In the main event of GCW: LA Fights vs JCW, Charles Mason went to war with Dark Sheik. The event also saw Kevin Blackwood take on Cole Radrick, and Alec Price have a match with Jack Cartwheel.
The event aired on FITE and is available for $9.99 on Video on Demand. Wrestling fans can also watch all GCW Collective events for $139.99.
(Via Game Changer Wrestling)
GCW: LA Fights vs JCW Quick Results
Super Series of Survival Match: Team JCW (Yoya, Janai Kai, Edith Surreal, Jordan Oliver, Charlie Tiger, Ellis Taylor, Bam Sullivan and Slade) defeated Team LA Fights (Titus Alexander, Bad Dude Tito, Hunter Freeman, Matt Vandagriff, Damian Drake, Jordan Cruz, Lucas Riley and Ju Dizz)
Cole Radrick (JCW) defeated Kevin Blackwood (LA Fights)
Jack Cartwheel (LA Fights) defeated Alec Price (JCW)
Big Vin (JCW) defeated Juicy Finau (LA Fights)
Nick Wayne (LA Fights) defeated Marcus Mathers (JCW)
Billie Starkz (JCW) defeated Sandra Moone (JCW)
B-Boy (LA Fights) defeated Grim Reefer (JCW)
Dark Sheik (LA Fights) defeated Charles Mason (JCW)
In conclusion, GCW: LA Fights vs JCW was everything we expected it to be. From the multi-person matches, to the brutal and crafty collisions, both promotions came out looking dominant. Although it was hard to focus during the Super Series of Survival Match, in the best way possible, the matches after definitely brought your attention right back. Many of the wrestlers on the card showed new levels of grit and intensity. The final two matches were intense, to say the least.
GCW: The Collective still has nine shows remaining for the weekend. To see the schedule for the remaining events, click here.
Triple H made a very special appearance during a WWE talent meeting in Dallas, Texas this week. The report comes from Fightful, which notes that “The Game” was introduced by WWE Talent Relations head John Laurinaitis to kick off the meeting Thursday night. This was quite the treat for talent, as most hadn’t seen the WWE Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development since August.
The scene was said to be very emotional, with Hunter discussing his recent health struggles, which led to him making the decision to retire from in-ring competition for good. “The Game” then introduced WWE President & Chief Revenue Officer Nick Khan, who he described as a friend of over 10 years. Khan offered up some news to the talent regarding pay. Specifically that they will earn additional compensation on top of their Superstar contracts for any revenue generated via third-party platforms.
This includes the likes of services such as Cameo, autograph signings, scripted and un-scripted programming. The meeting was reportedly described as overwhelmingly positive by several Superstars, with one going as far as saying it was a great way to kick off the WrestleMania weekend.
As for Triple H, he has been steadily increasing his involvement in public appearances as WrestleMania 38 approaches this weekend. He was present for WWE tryouts in Frisco, Texas this past Thursday, and also appeared for The Undertaker’s life-size statue unveiling this week. The former WWE Champion had taken time away from the business after suffering a cardiac episode this past fall.
Becky Lynch wanted to make her return to the ring at the 2021 WrestleMania to do something impactful with Bayley.
As you may remember, Becky Lynch reliquished her Raw Women’s title on May 11, 2020 when she announced that she was pregnant. Becky held the title for 399 days before vacating it and giving it to Asuka.
Lynch Wanted To Return At WrestleMania 37
Becky Lynch recently appeared in an interview with Ariel Helwani for BT Sport, where she talked about her journey to coming back to the ring and how it came about.
When asked about her feelings on missing last year’s WrestleMania, the RAW Women’s Champion replied, “I was trying, I was trying to get booked. Before, I wanted to come back by WrestleMania. I wanted to be back in less than a year. You know? And so, there was part of it going, ‘I could’ve been doing this. I could’ve been doing that.’ But, you know, look, everybody did a fantastic job. It wasn’t even a full capacity WrestleMania. It was, what, a quarter, a quarter of the way full. Yea, but you always want to be involved. You always, you look on.”
Becky Wanted To Do Something Impactful With Bayley
Becky even talked about who she wanted to have a program with at the showcase of the immortals, “I didn’t, I didn’t necessarily have a dream scenario. At the time, Bayley wasn’t, didn’t have a match. And so, she had been killing it. She was killing it all the way up to then, especially during the pandemic. And so, I thought it would be pretty great seeing as we never really had a story, to come out there and do something with her, something impactful.”
Despite being an MVP of the WWE pandemic era, Bayley did not receive a match at WrestleMania 37. For a chunk of the pandemic, Bayley was the SmackDown Women’s Champion, and also held half of the Women’s Tag Team Championships at the same time. At the event, Bayley was only involved in short, mainly comedy, segments. Bayley eventually did end up getting beat up by The Bella Twins on Night 2.
Becky Found Out About Her SummerSlam Return Less Than A Week Before
After 15 months away from the ring, at the 2021 SummerSlam, Becky Lynch made her return. After it was announced that Sasha Banks would be unable to compete, Becky Lynch came out to challenge Bianca Belair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship in Sasha’s place. Lynch would end up punching Belair and pinning her with the Manhandle Slam in under 30 seconds.
Ariel asked about the length of time it took for Becky to return is she was ready to perform in April.
“You ask them. I was ready to come back. Yea, and so, I only got the call the Monday before I came back. So, it was on a Saturday. SummerSlam was on a Saturday last year. So, they call me on Monday and said, ‘We may need you. A situation has come up where somebody is out of the match, and we may need you to do this, or we may need you to do something else.’ I go, ‘So, okay, you need me either way, but you just don’t know which way.’ He said, ‘Yeah.’ I said, ‘Alright, I’ll be there.’ Luckily, I had gotten my hair done the day before,” Lynch answered.
Lynch’s WrestleMania 38 Plans
On WrestleMania Saturday, Becky Lynch is scheduled to face her SummerSlam opponent once again. Bianca Belair won the Women’s Elimination Chamber match back at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view in February to earn the opportunity to challenge for the title at the biggest show of the year. Both women are former WrestleMania main events, and both won their respective matches. Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch will go one-on-one for the RAW Women’s Championship on April 2 in Dallas, Texas. Airing from the AT&T Stadium, You can watch WWE WrestleMania 38 on Peacock in the United States and on the WWE Network internationally.
If you use the quotes above, please credit the original source with a h/t and link back to SEScoops for the transcription.
The 2022 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is finally here.
Each year during WrestleMania weekend, the wrestling world comes together to honor the deserving inductees as they take their rightful places among the immortals.
WWE Hall of Fame 2022 Inductees
Here are this year’s WWE Hall of Fame inductees:
The Undertaker
Vader
Sharmell
The Steiner Brothers
Plus, former WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard will receive the coveted Warrior Award. Gaspard passed away in May 2020 after sacrificing his own life to save his son.
Gaspard’s courage and heroism exemplify everything the Warrior Award represents. However, we feel it’s time to rename the Warrior Award.
WWE has produced the following video highlighting The Undertaker’s unparalleled career ahead of his Hall of Fame induction:
Time & How to Watch
The 2022 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place Friday, April 1st from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
You can watch the event on Peacock at 10:00 PM ET on the Peacock streaming service.
WrestleMania weekend is the largest wrestling gathering of the year. It sees some of the biggest wrestling names coming together for various events, including Bray Wyatt.
The former WWE star, real name Windham Rotunda noted on Instagram that he has arrived in Dallas for his scheduled WrestleCon appearance. He also took the time to answer some fan questions.
Wyatt, who has mostly been away from wrestling since his WWE release last year was asked about returning to the ring. Replying to it, he said that he couldn’t imagine spending the rest of his life without stepping in the ring again:
“I will always love wrestling. I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life without stepping in the ring again and hearing that roar again. I think about it often. Everything has to be in place though. Like I said, timing is everything.”
Bray Wyatt also commented on the origin of the Firefly Funhouse. He claimed that the early Funhouse segments were a story about his life:
“The Firefly Funhouse, at least the early ones, are a story about my life. I told you stories in there that happened live on television and many that you could never know.
It was confessions. They were short, stylized documentaries about my life. That’s why they connected. They weren’t just about wrestling. They were an origin story.”
Per Wyatt, he hid his struggles and his comeback in the segments because he wanted people to feel when they watched the vignettes. He claimed that he felt every emotion fathomable during the making of them.
Apart from this, Bray Wyatt discussed his health. He said that he has never been healthier both physically and mentally. He claimed that this is a happy time for him.
Each year, WWE presents the Warrior Award at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. It’s given to people who are courageous, honorable and have overcome adversity.
Over the past several years, wrestling fans have pleaded with WWE to name the award after someone else, anyone else, due to The Ultimate Warrior’s history of racist, homophobic, hateful and downright cruel public statements.
Ultimate Warrior’s Beliefs
The Ultimate Warrior had made many controversial statements before his passing on Apr. 8, 2014. He wrote blog posts and spoke publicly about his offensive personal beliefs.
Vice published an article with several quotes from The Ultimate Warrior, like mocking Heath Ledger’s and Bobby Heenan’s death. He also made offensive remarks regarding the LGBT community and the black community.
In 2005, The Ultimate Warrior shared some of his problematic beliefs with students at The University of Connecticut. A video of the speech was published on Youtube. He expressed that the LGBT community and Kwanzaa were illegitimate during his speech.
“…In the classrooms across this country, minds are being trained anti-truth, anti- discipline, anti-virtue, anti-American. We are training minds in this country and the schools across this nation literally to be anti-mine, and this continued idiotic assault to rationality and reason upside down on its head and supplant feelings for thinking so much so that every word of every concept in every act of every action no longer have any meaning has compromised not only our republic but our humanity altogether to an offensive of world relativity where everything is just as legitimate as everything else, where there are no absolutes. No right or wrong. No true or false,” said the Ultimate Warrior.
He continued, “… The broadest and most despicable illustration of this most destructive consequence of moral relativity is that barbarism today is as legitimate as civilization. Nothing subject to moral relativity is left out to these two extremes. That the bums is as legitimate as the businessman.” The Ultimate Warrior brought up homosexuality. However, a female student groaned in displeasure, and he made a sexist remark. He shared, “…Let me come down off my politically correct horse, that queers are as legitimate as heterosexuals. He also shared he believed homosexuality wasn’t legitimate. When asked why by upset students, he said “reality.” He also said “…That Kwanzaa is just as legitimate as Santa Claus at Christmas.”
Dana Warrior on Her Husband Past
The widow of the Ultimate Warrior, Dana Warrior, shared before his passing that he changed his heart thanks to his daughters. It’s unclear precisely what that means, but fans will never know if he changed his views or became accepting of others. Unfortunately for the Warrior Family, The Ultimate Warrior has a documented history of controversial and offensive comments.
Wrestling fans believe that WWE can have someone else’s name attached to the award.
Why Shad Gaspard Should be Considered
WWE announced that Shad Gaspard would posthumously receive the Warrior Award in the 2022 Hall of Fame. On May. 17, 2020, Gaspard and his son were caught in a strong current while swimming. When Lifeguards came to help, he instructed them to help his son first, and Gaspard disappeared at sea to be found dead days later. He passed away at 39 years old. He was beloved by his peers and fans, that also believed Gaspard should be honored by naming the award after him.
The company’s description of the Warrior Award is “…presented to an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior.” Wrestling fans believe that Gaspard is a true embodiment of courage and compassion.
While The Ultimate Warrior is a wrestling legend, he has a problematic past. His past comments contradict what the WWE considers to be his character. Gaspard fits WWE’s criteria, and the company also believes because he’s receiving the award posthumously. Although it may come with WWE having to answer admit wrongdoing, the company should consider renaming the Warrior Award.
WrestleMania is usually the PPV where big WWE storylines conclude. For someone like Brock Lesnar, it signals the start of another hiatus until he is needed to pump the ratings again.
Though it appears that things are going to be different this year. We’re going to see a lot more of The Beast Incarnate than we are used to after the Show Of Shows.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter recently provided some update on Lesnar. He revealed Brock’s post Mania PPV schedule.
The WWE champion is expected to work at least two of the next three PPV events post-WrestleMania 38, according to the wrestling journalist.
This includes the WrestleMania: Backlash event scheduled for May 8 from Providence, RI, and the Money In The Bank PPV on July 2 from the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Brock Lesnar is currently scheduled to face the Universal champion Roman Reigns. This winner takes all match will main event WrestleMania Sunday.
The former UFC champion’s PPV appearances would make a lot more sense if he comes out of Sunday’s event as the dual champion. Though whether or not it actually happens will only be revealed later this week.
Game Changer Wrestling held the all Deathmatch event GCW: Planet Death at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas.
The GCW event was hosted by Nick Gage, who worked on commentary throughout the entire event. The main event saw an Intergender Deathmatch between Sadika and Jimmy Llyod. GCW: Planet Death aired on FITE and is available for $12.99 on Video on Demand. Wrestling fans could also buy the GCW Collective bundle for $139.99.
GCW: Planet Death may not be enjoyable for wrestling fans that don’t like Deathmatches. Every match on the show had someone bleed profusely. If you aren’t a fan of wrestlers getting hit with light tubes or cut on the forehead with a blade, this show may not interest you.
The event delivers on what fans should expect from fans of Deathmatches. The matches on the card are brutal. The competitors on the card put their bodies through pain to put on an entertaining show. However, bouts like Mercer vs. Cutter also tell stories in the match that may make you interested in how it would end. One of the standout matches on the card was Radrick vs. Akira, as both wrestles took a tremendous amount of punishment and dished it out.
The event is also an hour and a half long, making it easier to watch. Despite cleaning the objects in the ring after a match, the PPV pacing was good. Deathmatch or curious fans that missed the show could be interested in seeing the PPV on VOD for $12.99.
Vince McMahon gets a lot of heat from the fans online. Any bad ideas or controversial programming elements are blamed on the boss. Pat McAfee thinks one is bound to get some bad ideas while running weekly shows for this long. He believes the boss gets criticism for all the bad things, but he doesn’t get the credit for any of his success.
The former NFL player recently welcomed Randy Orton on his podcast. The two first talked about Orton’s relationship with Mr McMahon. McAfee then explained how the WWE chairman doesn’t get enough credit for his good ideas:
“Vince gets all the heat for all the bad ideas that happen. When you’re going live every single week, two times a week on TV. Both the first longest and the second-longest episodic television series of all time, Raw and Smackdown.” said Pat McAfee, “Those are the two. You’re gonna get some bad ideas in there. Every show you watch, there’s some fucking bad episodes. Every once in a while that’s gonna happen.
He never gets credit for the good stuff though. Whenever you think like, Stone Cold, The Rock, Brock Lesnar. You go through the list of just success. I know there’s a lot more. Randy fucking Orton is on that list. By the way, you should be pumped. You’ve done the business well, and I think Vince should also probably take a victory lap every once in a while and be like, ‘I saw something in this guy and stuck by this guy. A lot of people didn’t and now he is one of the goats at what he does.’ Man, it’s awesome.”
If you use the quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription
Randy Orton’s relationship with Vince McMahon has grown over the years. He had some early encounters with the boss because of his problems but Mr McMahon took a liking to him. It helped him stay in WWE despite messing things up more than once and since then, the chairman has become a father figure for The Viper.
The Raw star recently talked to Pat McAfee. When asked about his relationship with McMahon, Orton mentioned how he has had some deep conversations with him:
“It’s been a long steady growing one. I’d say early on most of our encounters were because I was fucking up, but I was very fortunate because he took a liking to me.” said Randy Orton, “I think it’s kind of like a father figure on the road. I was so young and I think he saw a little bit of something of himself in me because I’m a little batshit crazy.
I think he’s seen me throw a tantrum or two, and get emotional and lose it and I’ve had a couple of deep conversations with the guy. He’s known some of the troubles that I’ve went through. So we’re kind of on a different level. I think he kind of sees a little bit of himself in me and I think that’s why he took a liking to me.”
Will Randy Orton Consider An AEW Move?
Randy also discussed the reports of his interest in AEW before his re-signing in 2020. Orton said that Vince knows that he’s a WWE guy through and through:
“I think he also, he sees that I’m a WWE guy. I started out a WWE guy, and I’m not going anywhere. Even a couple years ago, there might have been some chatter and some talk, but I wasn’t really the guy talking about really going anywhere else.
That was just the internet and everybody. I was like, ‘Oh, this is interesting. I never said that.’ And here I am. My contract’s up in a couple of years and I’ll sign another one. I love this place.”
Wrestlecon held the Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, Texas. The event was a part of the FITE Fest bundle and WrestleCon SuperShow.
The main event saw the Briscoes vs. The Rottweilers(Homicide & Low Ki). The Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow also had Mia Yim’s first match since WWE released her on Nov. 4, 2021. She competed against Athena, who also wrestled for WWE as Ember Moon. The event can be watched on FITE’s video on demand for $14.99, or wrestling fans could buy the FITE Fest Bundle/WrestleCon bundle for $74.99.
Taya Valkyrie defeated Johnny WrestleCon in a Dirty Dishes Match
Michael Oku, Rey Horus & Laredo Kid defeated Josh Alexander, Ace Austin & Black Taurus
Minoru Suzuki defeated Biff Busick
Team Onita(Atsushi Onita, The Rock N Roll Express, Juice Robinson & Colt Cabana) defeated Team PCO(PCO, NZO, Jimmy Wang Yang, Barry Horowitz & Dirty Dango)
The Briscoes defeated The Rottweilers(Homicide & Low Ki)
Overall Thoughts on Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow
The Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow delivered a great wrestling show. The event did have some audio issues and spoiled a surprise appearance by Bret Hart at the start of the show. In the main event, Homicide and Low Ki confronted a fan for being disrespectful. The incident went on for almost 5 minutes before the match started. However, it may not hurt a fan’s overall enjoyment of the event.
Bandido vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey set the tone for the event and could be considered the best match on the card. However, the rest of the card also delivered exciting and fun matches. Yim looked in great shape and seemed happy to be wrestling again in her return. The show may be worth watching for $14.99 on VOD for fans who didn’t see the event live.
The first event of the WrestleCon events was AAA Invades WrestleCon. The event was held by AAA Lucha Libre at Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, TX.. Furthermore, WrestleCon will feature six live wrestling events this year.
In the main event of AAA Invades WrestleCon, Psycho Clown was in action against Black Taurus. The event also saw Laredo Kid defend his AAA Cruiserweight Championship against Bandido and Demonic Flamita.
The event aired on FITE and is available for $14.99 on Video on Demand in Spanish. Wrestling fans can also watch all WrestleCon events for $74.99.
AAA Invades WrestleCon Quick Results
The Natural Classics (Tome Filip & Stevie Filip) def. Ryan Kidd & Christi Jaynes
Nino Hamburguesa, Microman & Taya def. Rey Escorpion, Mini Abismo Negro & La Hiedra
NWA World Tag Team Championships: La Rebelion (Bestia 666 & Mecha Wolf) (c) def. Aero Star & Drago
Aramis, Mr. Iguana & Octagon Jr def. Arez, Faby Apache & Abismo Negro Jr.
Jack Cartwheel, Drago Kid & Pagano def. La Empresa (Sam Adonis, Puma King & Gringo Loco)
This year’s WrestleCon event features six live events. IMPACT Wrestling, AAA, New Japan Strong, and Zicky Dice have events scheduled for the Dallas convention.
WrestleCon still has four shows remaining for the weekend. To see the schedule for the remaining events, click here.
As The Undertaker prepares to enter the WWE Hall of Fame this weekend, the former world champion and WWE legend has been doing the media rounds (while he also had a statue dedicated to him).
In recent years, The Undertaker has gotten a reputation for making comments about the modern WWE generation that haven’t been too kind. In the past, he has seemed to have a reverence for the bygone era of wrestlers partying hard on the road rather than playing video games, for example. He even once called today’s generation “soft.”
However, during an interview with Sports Illustrated, The Undertaker put over the current WWE roster in a major way. Especially some of the female talent.
“As great as she is right now, Bianca is still light years away from where she’s going to be,” Undertaker said. “Bianca is a real phenomenal talent. And Becky is in such command of her gimmick. She’s at the top of her game. I thought they threw even more gasoline on the fire this week with Becky getting her hair cut. There is so much emotion surrounding that match. I’ll try to sit down in my seat, have a beer and enjoy it.”
He then went on to compliment AJ Styles, the man who so far has the distinction of wrestling The Undertaker in his last match back at WrestleMania 36 two years ago.
The Undertaker defeats AJ Styles in the Boneyard Match at WrestleMania 36
“I’m so excited for Edge and AJ Styles,” he said. “Those guys are so in tune with what they do. They know their characters, they know how to have great matches, and this is something new for WrestleMania. It’s really going to be a fun match to watch. That match, with those peaks and valleys, it’s going to be a roller coaster.
“As a fan, I’m excited to see Austin. When Steve was in his prime and on top, he was really intense. He took all of this very, very seriously, as he should have, and he was kind of a lone wolf. After our careers, we’ve really grown closer. We’re two Texas boys, and we like to talk about hunting and fishing and all that good stuff. After 19 years since his last match, and with WrestleMania in Texas at AT&T Stadium, I’m just like everyone else-I can’t wait to hear and see the reaction when that glass breaks.”
The Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin worked several times against each other on PPV over the years. One of their most memorable encounters happened at SummerSlam 1998, and one year earlier they wrestled for the world title for the first time in a singles match on PPV at May 1997’s In Your House: Cold Day In Hell.
In regards to the current WWE roster, The Undertaker summed up his thoughts by noting, “This era’s talent is incredible. I love the way they’re developing psychology and in-ring personas. WrestleMania is going to be special.”
Which match at WrestleMania are you most excited for? Let u know in the comments section below!
And as you prepare for WrestleMania, be sure to check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news: Apple – Spotify – YouTube.This week’s show features a full preview of WrestleMania 38.
Impact Wrestling on 3/21 aired an episode from their recent tapings at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
This episode featured the in-ring return of Jonathan Gresham, a battle royale to decide a new number one contender for the Knockouts title, and the second match in the Bullet Club vs. Motor City Machine Guns rivalry.
IMPACT Wrestling Quick Results (3/31/22)
Black Taurus (with Decay) defeated Deaner (with Violent By Design) on BTI
ROH World Champion Jonathan Gresham defeated Kenny King in a non-title match
The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) defeated Johnny Swinger & Zicky Dice
Josh Alexander defeated Madman Fulton (with Ace Austin)
Rosemary won the Knockouts World Championship number one contendership battle royale
Bhupinder Gujjar defeated Aiden Prince
Masha Slamovich defeated Abby Jane
Bullet Club (Jay White & Chris Bey) defeated Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)
Tomorrow night, as a part of WrestleCon, IMPACT Wrestling will put on IMPACT: Multiverse of Matches. The show takes place in Dallas, Texas and is a part of the WrestleMania weekend festivities. The show airs at 10:00 PM EST, and will stream live on FITE TV for $19.99.
The card is listed below:
Ultimate X Match For The X-Division Title: Trey Miguel vs Vincent vs Chris Bey vs Rich Swann vs Blake Christian vs Jordynne Grace
“Speedball” Mike Bailey vs Alex Shelley
Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) vs. The Briscoes (Mark & Jay Briscoe)
Jay White vs. Chris Sabin
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Eddie Edwards
Josh Alexander & JONAH vs IMPACT World Champion Moose & PCO
Chelsea Green & Matt Cardona vs Mickie James & Nick Aldis
Champ Champ Challenge: Deonna Purrazzo Open Challenge
IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Championships: The Influence (Tenille Dashwood & Madison Rayne) (c) vs. Tasha Steelz & Savannah Evans vs. Havok & Rosemary vs. Gisele Shaw & Lady Frost
WrestleCon still has four shows remaining for the weekend. To see the schedule for the remaining events, click here.
The third event of GCW: The Collective was GCW: Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6, Part 1. The event was held by Game Changer Wrestling at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. Furthermore, GCW: The Collective will feature 12 live wrestling events this year. Eight of those shows are presented by GCW.
In the main event of GCW: Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6, Part 1, there was a deathmatch for the GCW Ultraviolent Championship between the champion Alex Colon and John Wayne Murdoch. The event also saw All Elite Wrestling’s Jon Moxley defend his GCW World Championship against GCW’s own, AJ Gray. The GCW World Tag Team Championships were on the line when Nick Gage took on SGC (Mance Warner and Matthew Justice) and The Briscoes (Mark Briscoe & Jay Briscoe) by himself, as Matt Tremont was unable to attend.
The event aired on FITE and is available for $19.99 on Video on Demand. Wrestling fans can also watch all GCW Collective events for $139.99.
GCW: Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6, GCW: Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6, Part 2 – The Greatest Clusterf*ck
The second part of GCW: Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6, GCW: Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6, Part 2 – The Greatest Clusterf*ck, will take place on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 12:59AM EDT. That show will be streaming live on FITE TV for $19.99. That show features the following matches:
Chris Dickinson w/ Missy Hyatt vs. Matt Cardona w/ Chelsea Green
EFFY vs Minoru Suzuki
Tony Deppen vs Biff Busick
“Speedball” Mike Bailey vs PCO
The Greatest Clusterf*ck: Maven, Jimmy Wang Yang, Jazzy Yang, Nasty Leroy, Kevin Matthews, Edith Surreal, Lord Adrean of the Walmart Dudes, Shazza McKenzie Kamikaze, Invisible Man, and Sean Ross Sapp
(Via Game Changer Wrestling)
GCW: Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6, Part 1 Quick Results
GCW World Tag Team Championship: The Briscoes (Mark Briscoe & Jay Briscoe) defeated Nick Gage & SLADE and SGC (Mance Warner and Matthew Justice) to win the vacated tag tittles
GCW: Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6, Part 1 Final Thoughts
In conclusion, GCW: Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6, Part 1 had everything you could wish for when it comes to a GCW show. There were many staples on this show, like the classic ‘Scramble Match’ and a tag team title match. In the first match, there was immediately blood, violence, and pizza cutters. The first match of the show completely represented what the rest of the card would be. Katch/James also featured a clash of styles mixed in with a bit of performing and callbacks. The last two title matches also featured the typical GCW style matches with straight up weapons and blood everywhere.
GCW: The Collective still has nine shows remaining for the weekend. To see the schedule for the remaining events, click here.
April 25, 2022 will mark the 20th year of Randy Orton’s first televised WWE match. With two decades of dominance, The Viper undoubtedly has one of the most impressive careers in the history of wrestling. According to him, the secret to his longevity is figuring out how to get a reaction from the crowd without killing yourself.
The former world champion appeared on The Pat McAfee Show. Discussing the secret of his longevity in the business, Orton mentioned how he got injured several times very early in his career. So he had to understand his limitations and figure out how to get people interested without taking big bumps:
“It’s a lot of bumps, lot of traveling, but I feel like I kind of got injured very early in my career several times, boom, boom, boom. And I had to figure out. [I thought] ‘if I’m going to do this for a long time, if I’m going to have any kind of longevity, I gotta figure out how to do that.’ And that’s what I’ve done.
I’ve toned back the physicality to the point where I know what I’m capable of. I know what my body’s capable of, but I also know what I need to do out there in order to get a reaction and I don’t need to break my neck. 220 shows a year bro, you can’t physically survive decades in this industry if you’re killing yourself every night.”
At the Intimidation Games event in Dallas, Texas, the former MLW Champion Shane Strickland officially made his return.
MLW’s Dallas Tapings
This year’s Intimidation Games was the third event under the Intimidation Games chronology. The event is a television taping for MLW Fusion. Intimidation Games 2022 took place on March 31, 2022, at Gilley’s Dallas in Dallas, Texas. There is also another major MLW event scheduled in Dallas for WrestleMania weekend. The other event is MLW Azteca Underground TV taping that is scheduled for April 1, 2022 at 3:00 PM EST.
Myron Reed’s Title Reign
Back at the January 21, 2022 MLW Tapings, Myron Reed defeated Yoshihiro Tajiri, Matt Cross, and Bandido in a to become a record-setting three time MLW World Middleweight Champion. At this time, Reed has held the championship for 69 days.
Shane “Swerve” Strickland Returns To MLW
Apparently, at these tapings Myron issued an open challenge for the MLW World Middleweight Title which was answered by All Elite Wrestling’s Shane “Swerve” Strickland. It should be noted, this was Swerve’s first match in MLW since the January 18, 2019 episode of MLW Fusion. Swerve was also the first MLW World Champion when the company was rebooted in 2018.
Earlier in the day, on Twitter, Major League Wrestling hinted at a possible entry into their company through the forbidden door which would end up being the former Hit Row member.
The Undertaker wrestled his final match two years ago at WrestleMania 36, a theatrical style bout with AJ Styles. Undertaker revealed during his Last Ride documentary series that later aired that his match with Styles would be his final encounter and that he was satisfied with that.
Here are the cards for both nights of WrestleMania 38 this weekend as things stand right now:
Night One
WWE RAW Women’s Championship Match Becky Lynch (c) vs. Bianca Belair
The Miz and Logan Paul vs. Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio
Drew McIntyre vs. Happy Corbin
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match The Usos (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs
WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship Match Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Ronda Rousey
Seth Rollins vs. An Opponent of Vince McMahon’s Choosing
KO Show Featuring Stone Cold Steve Austin
Night Two
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match Queen Zelina and Carmella (c) vs. Sasha Banks and Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan vs. Natalya and Shayna Baszler
Anything Goes Match Johnny Knoxville vs. Sami Zayn
Pat McAfee vs. Austin Theory
WWE RAW Tag Team Championship Match RK-Bro (c) vs. The Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy
Edge vs. AJ Styles
Bobby Lashley vs. Omos
WWE Championship vs. WWE Universal Championship – Winner Take All Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns (c)
As you prepare for WrestleMania, be sure to check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news: Apple – Spotify – YouTube.This week’s show features a full preview of WrestleMania 38.
Corey Graves has been cleared to wrestle again but don’t expect him to lace up his boots anytime soon, if ever.
Back in January, Fightful reported that Graves had the option to return to the ring if he wants to. The Raw color commentator confirmed the report the following month. Graves had been forced to retire as an active wrestler in late 2014 due to issues stemming from concussions.
Corey Graves Isn’t Clamoring For In-Ring Return
During an interview with The Athletic, Corey Graves explained why he no longer has a desire to get back in wrestling shape.
“Three years ago, I might have had a different answer. But I have grown so confident and comfortable in this new role that I’m in, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Graves has enjoyed great success at the commentary table. It’s something that he isn’t ready to give up. He recalled first transitioning from in-ring work to commentary.
“I thought to myself, man, I dedicated my life to coming to WWE and being a WWE Superstar. That option got taken away because of medical reasons. But I’m still here; I’m not going to let them kick me out, you know what I mean? I’m going to make myself as valuable as possible.”
Graves will once again be calling the action during “The Grandest Stage of them All” WrestleMania 38.
The second event of GCW: The Collective was GCW: Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 8. The event was held at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. Furthermore, GCW: The Collective will feature 12 live wrestling events this year. Eight of those shows will be presented by GCW.
In the main event of GCW: Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 8, Minoru Suzuki took on the ‘Dirty Daddy’ Chris Dickinson. The event also saw All Elite Wrestling’s Jon Moxley face Biff Busick, formerly known as Oney Lorcan in WWE. The event aired on FITE and is available for $19.99 on Video on Demand. Wrestling fans can also watch all GCW Collective events for $139.99.
(Via Game Changer Wrestling)
GCW: Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 8 Quick Results
Masha Slamovich defeated Janai Kai via submission
Ninja Mack defeated Yoya via referee stoppage/knockout
Royce Isaacs defeated Bad Dude Tito via submission
Alex Coughlin defeated SLADE via referee stoppage
John Hennigan defeated Simon Gotch via submission
Marina Shafir defeated Zeda Zhang via submission
JR Kratos defeated Timothy Thatcher via knockout
Yuyu Uemera defeated“Speedball” Mike Bailey via submission
Josh Barnett defeated JONAH via submission
Jon Moxley defeated Biff Busick via knockout
Chris Dickinson defeated Minoru Suzuki via referee stoppage
In conclusion, GCW: Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 8 was truly a mixed bag of match styles. Though the rules were the same as all the other Bloodsport shows, the amount of new talent on the show made the concept fresh. In particular, John Hennigan proved that his style could be adapted to Bloodsport rules. Ninja Mack unmasked himself prior to his match. Surprisingly, Jon Moxley even used some of his new partner’s, Bryan Danielson, moves. Overall, the matches showcased technique, a mix of training styles, superior athleticism, and straight up brutality.
GCW: The Collective still has ten shows remaining for the weekend. To see the schedule for the remaining events, click here.
DDP has given an update on how Kevin Nash is holding up amid the passing of his long-time friend Scott Hall.
On March 14, Hall died due to complications from a hip procedure. The former WWE and WCW standout suffered multiple hearts attacks after a blood clot got loose. His family ended up taking him off life support.
DDP Talks Kevin Nash Following Scott Hall’s Passing
On a new episode of the DDP Snake Pit podcast, Diamond Dallas Page said that Kevin Nash is unsurprisingly distraught over the death Scott Hall (h/t Wrestling Inc).
“We took it hard. Really hard. But Kev, he took it really hard. Like I took it hard, he took it really hard and you know, it was tough. That last week or so was really tough.”
DDP then said he thinks Nash will be helping Scott’s son, Cody going forward.
“I think there is definitely something there for sure. And Kev, you know, he’s gonna really reach out, and you know, because Kev works every damn weekend because he loves it. He works with whatever damn promoter there is. He knows them all and Cody and I were talking about it.
“I had his sister and Scott’s brother Jeff over for dinner when they were in town here and Cody, I think there is a future for him out there. I think timing is everything and he’s done his time. He’s been to Japan. He’s been to the UK. He just needs a break.
“I think working independents right now, you know, the independent world out there, they draw. And I think Cody Hall, as a name, is a draw to see what he can do, you know? So I think the time, and we talked about this.
“And Kevin is like, like I said, it’s still really, really hard on him so anything he can do to help out Cody, I think he’ll do. It’s just the friend Kevin Nash is.”
Hall was inducted into the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame as his Razor Ramon character. He was inducted a second time in 2020 for his run in WCW, specifically with the nWo.
Scott Hall was 63 years old at the time of his passing.
WWE veteran Randy Orton believes NXT talent don’t know how to protect each other in the ring.
The veteran is coming up on his 20th anniversary since his debut in WWE. Orton has become one of the few active veterans that have competed with the company since the early 2000s. As a veteran of the WWE locker room, Orton believes that wrestlers from NXT lack the knowledge to protect their opponents.
In an interview with Smackdown Commentator Pat McAfee, he talked about dealing with the longevity in WWE. Orton also praised Edge and felt it was refreshing to work with someone he looked to as a mentor. He then compared working with a veteran like Edge and dealing with newer wrestlers, which he feels work unsafe.
“…When Vince was on, he talked about his number one priority, above all being to protect your opponent. That’s not taught necessarily in NXT, and I know that because I’ve been in the ring with guys that came from NXT, and they don’t know what the f*ck they are doing, and it’s unfortunate,” said Orton.
Does Randy Orton Have a Point about NXT Talent?
WWE calls up talent from NXT that they believe is ready to work on the main roster. It’s unclear if WWE Chairman Vince McMahon thinks that NXT call-ups could not protect others in recent years.
While Orton shared his belief, he omitted what former NXT talent didn’t protect him in the ring. Although, Wrestling fans have seen an incidence where a former NXT talent hurts someone on the main roster.
One of the recent examples is Ridge Holland accidentally breaking Big E’s neck with a belly-to-belly suplex on the ringside floor. However, it may not be fair to blame the coaching in NXT on accidents that involved a former NXT talent. Orton also clarified that he wants to help talent have longevity in wrestling but didn’t share how he’d plan to support up-and-coming talent in NXT.
Orton will defend his Raw Tag Team Championship with Matt Riddle against Alpha Academy and The Street Profits at Wrestlemania 38: Night Two on Apr. 3.
