ROH ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO UPCOMING TV TAPING PLANS, NEW COMPETITORS IN WOMEN OF HONOR TITLE TOURNAMENT

Sumie Sakai and Stacy Shadows have been announced for the upcoming Women of Honor Championship Tournament

Ring of Honor announced the following:

Due to a change in production requirements, the upcoming ROH event in Concord, NC on Friday, February 9 will now present “Honor Reigns Supreme,” while the following night in Atlanta will now host “Saturday Night at Center Stage” International TV Taping.

Matches previously announced for Honor Reigns Supreme will now take place in Concord while Atlanta’s event will produce ROH TV leading up to the ROH 16th Anniversary Pay-Per-View.

Honor Reigns Supreme in Concord will now feature Bullet Club members “The American Nightmare” Cody, Marty Scurll, and ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion Adam Page vs. The Kingdom. By checking social media in the past few days, you would see that things have heated up, specifically between Cody and Kingdom kingpin, Matt Taven, turning this match into a must-see chapter of a heated rivalry.

Concord, NC will also play host to a red-hot Jay Lethal taking on “The Octopus” Jonathan Gresham. Lethal has been on a tear recently, including a huge win over Marty Scurll at Final Battle. He has made it clear that the ROH World Championship is his priority, but Gresham is now a roadblock, and an upset win for “The Octopus” would be career-changing.

Saturday Night At Center Stage in Atlanta will feature a ROH World Television Championship match with “The Last Real Man” Silas Young defending against the former champion Kenny King. Although Young won the championship on the big stage of Final Battle, this match was contested under Four Corners Elimination rules. Kenny King will now get his straight up, one on one opportunity to earn back this prestigious title.

Fans in Atlanta will also witness a huge tag team match featuring two teams that have their eyes set on the ROH World Tag Team Championships. Mark and Jay Briscoe, who are on the run of their lives coming off of a career-defining win against Bully Ray and Tommy Dreamer at Final Battle, will battle Best Friends (Chuckie T. and Beretta), a team that have quickly won over Honor Nation and are now looking for that signature ROH victory.

Both events will also feature a special Meet & Greet with top ROH stars beginning 90 minutes before bell time. Our Meet & Greets offer fans an exclusive and engaging experience that includes a signed 8x10 and personalized picture for one low price.

For tickets and upcoming match announcements, visit ROHWrestling.com.



Friday, February 9, 2018

ROH Presents: “Honor Reigns Supreme”

Cabarrus Arena

4751 NC-49

Concord, North Carolina 28025

Meet & Greet: 5:30PM EST

Bell Time: 7:00PM EST



Saturday, February 10, 2018

ROH Presents: “Saturday Night At Center Stage” International TV Taping

Center Stage

1374 West Peachtree Street

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Meet & Greet: 6:00PM EST

Bell Time: 7:30PM EST

TWITCH ANNOUNCES 10 DAY WRESTLING CELEBRATION WITH HOUSE OF HARDCORE, IMPACT, AAA, CLASSIC WRESTLING AND MORE

Twitch Gets its Slam on with 10 Days of Live and Legacy Wrestling 



Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, IMPACT Wrestling, House of Hardcore, Hoodslam, and Shout! Factory TV to live stream new and classic wrestling content on their respective Twitch channels



SAN FRANCISCO – January 26, 2018 – Social video service Twitch today announced a 10-day event celebrating both live and legacy content from top wrestling organizations. The opening day highlight is Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide’s “Guerra de Titanes” (Clash of the Titans) at 7:00 PM PST on January 26, with Shout! Factory TV, House of Hardcore, IMPACT Wrestling, and Hoodslam also providing thrilling wrestling action during this 10-day showcase. The lineup ensures an epic shared experience of pandemonium in the ring, including plenty of exclusive programming.



"Wrestling on Twitch has continued to grow as more and more organizations realize the appetite their fans have for being able to interact with each other in chat while watching matches online," said Annie Berrones, Director of Emerging Content Marketing. “With so many top wrestling promotions working with Twitch to help us celebrate the sport over the course of ten days, we’ve become the perfect place for the community to thrive and grow.”



Wrestling fans can tune into these programs on their respective channels:



?     Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide -- Mexico’s largest wrestling promotion kicks off the 10 Days of Wrestling on Twitch. Don’t miss the first AAA Major Show of the year, “Guerra de Titanes” event on January 26 @ 7:00 PM PST. Channel: Twitch.tv/LuchaLibreAAA.

?     House of Hardcore -- Created in 2012 by former ECW World champion and WWE® Hardcore champion wrestler, Tommy Dreamer and promoting events internationally since 2012, they will be featuring new exclusive matches on January 26 @ 5:00 PM PST. Channel: Twitch.tv/HouseofHardcore.

?     IMPACT Wrestling -- As one of the world’s largest wrestling entertainment properties, creating more than 200 hours of original content annually across television and other digital platforms, IMPACT Wrestling will air matches and news segments, including Live Audio Wrestling (The LAW) and Mathews’ Megacast on their 24/7 Twitch channel. Also, on January 29 they are airing their weekly flagship IMPACT! show at 3:00 PM PST. Channel: Twitch.tv/IMPACTWrestling.

?     Shout! Factory TV: A-Teams of Classic Wrestling -- Starting January 30 @ 11:00 AM PST, Shout! Factory TV will host a 13-hour marathon showcasing tentpole events and promotions that shaped today’s pro wrestling scene. First to air is “Classic Wrestling Battles,” which features matches dating back to the 1950s between legends such as Dick the Bruiser, Gorgeous George, and "Haystack" Calhoun. Also to air is “Brawlin’ Beauties GLOW,” a look back at the first-ever, all-female promotion and the personalities who paved the way for women in pro wrestling. Channel: Twitch.tv/ShoutFactoryTV.

?     Hoodslam -- This outrageous and edgy wrestling organization features the best of the San Francisco Bay Area who will fight live on Twitch on February 2 @ 8:00 PM PST. Channel: Twitch.tv/Hoodslam.



About Twitch

Twitch is the world’s leading social video service and community for gamers. Each day, millions of community members gather to watch, talk, and chat about shared interests. Twitch’s video service is the backbone of both live and on-demand distribution for all types of content, including the entire video game ecosystem, the creative arts, vlogging (IRL), wrestling, and more. Twitch also runs TwitchCon, the annual convention for celebrating the Twitch community. For more information about Twitch, visit our Press Center, Twitter feed (#Twitch), and Blog.

Indy Stuff, John Nord and...

Texas All-Star Wrestling (Owned I believe by a guy I know named Bob Murphy)on Saturday night in Cypress, TX at he VFW with Big Daddy Yum Yum vs. Danny Ramons vs. Alex Reigns for the TASW title in the main event.

Pro Wrestling Mid South on 2/9 in Ripley, TN at the Power Pro Arena with Matt Riviera vs. Greg Anthony headlining.

AWS on Saturday night in South Gate, CA with Tyler Bateman vs. Jake Atlas and Peter Avalon & Ray Rosas vs. Eli Everfly & Jorel the Vegan Superman.

AAW on 2/3 in LaSalle, IL at the Knights of Columbus with Rey Fenix vs. ACH for the AAW title, Jessicka Havok vs. Rosemary for the women's title, Jeff Cobb vs. AR Fox, Penta 0M vs. Eddie Kingston and more.  They also run 2/17 in Chicago with Tetsuya Naito vs. Sami Callihan as the main event but that show sold out instantly.

John Nord, who was the Berzerker in WWF and Nord the Barbarian in the AWA and Mid South, was on yesterday's episode of Judge Mathis.  He was being sued for not making payments on two credit cards a friend of his had opened on his behalf.  He ended up being ordered to pay back about $3,000.

Vulcan Wrestling from earlier today in Sydney, Australia:  Chris Zorba b Prince of Leon, A.K. b Alex Irvine, Bee Boy b 5 Star Flash, Lord Sabre b Samoan Hercules, Lee Marrow b J.J. Spartan, Darius Vega b Mike Valuable

SoCal Uncensored announced its 2017 awards for the area's independent scene

• Wrestler of the Year - Eli Everfly
• Woman's Wrestler of the Year - Ruby Raze
• Tag Team of the Year - Jesse James & Hoss Hogg
• Most Outstanding Wrestler - B-Boy
• Rookie of the Year - Jake Atlas - After winning the award, Atlas publicly announced that he was gay.
• Promotion of the Year - PWG
• Match of the Year - Kenny Omega vs. Tomohiro Ishii on 7/2 in Long Beach (Keith Lee vs. Donovan Dijak and Walter vs. Zack Sabre Jr. placed second and third)

Fund Raising for a statue of The Crusher.

More on fund raising to build a statue in Milwaukee for The Crusher.

FITE TV has PPV prices the same as you can get thru cable company's? Why bother then?

FITE TV is already advertising the 3/9 ROH PPV at $34.99 and the 4/22 Impact PPV at $39.99 so that looks to be the list price for both shows on regular PPV.

Here's a 'top notch' plug of something by Dave Meltzer (rolls eyes) From his webpage is..

This.

So with all these stars, Meltzer forgot one thing. WHERE'S THE CONVENTION, AT!? DUH! Dumb ass.

"Top notch" reporting there Meltzer, top notch (claps). Fucking idiot.

My watching material for tonight. WWA Hysteria 57 - Season Three Premiere

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5lQbuKUFW4

Published on Jan 24, 2018

Season 3 of the critically-acclaimed Hysteria kicks off in Livermore! How is Krutch doing now that he is part of the Collective? Also what is next for the trio of Teddy King, Tony Evans and Stonewall? What happened to the WWA title, and will Jordan Whittaker even have a chance at retrieving it with Alexander Knight on his tail?

CCW is in the building to make a plea to some WWA roster members. Meanwhile his brother, "Superstar" Ray Waddell, gets his chance for revenge on Teddy King in the main event. Plus Vanderpool, Josiah, Jones, the Queen, Ring Leader, Tyler Hawkins, Dakota France, Nick Willis, Jeremy Gray, Justin Boner, Andrew Hunter, and the WWA debut of the Jolly Rogers!

PODCAST RECAP AND REVIEW: Killing The Town – Bam Bam Bigelow Tribute Show with memories and stories from Dave Meltzer, Rob Van Dam, Jim Cornette, Diamond Dallas Page, and Chris Jericho

https://www.pwpodcasts.com/2018/01/25/podcast-recap-review-killing-town-bam-bam-bigelow-tribute-show-memories-stories-dave-meltzer-rob-van-dam-jim-cornette-diamond-dallas-page-chris-jericho/

Konnan On New Impact Wrestling Creative Team, Impact Needing To Make It Up To Their Fans

Make it up to their fans? They're doing quite a shitty job so far.

http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2018/0125/636304/konnan-on-new-impact-wrestling-creative-team/

RELIVE THE EARLY DAYS OF BECKY LYNCH'S CAREER ON THIS WEEK'S NECW LEGENDARY

http://www.pwinsiderxtra.com/ViewArticle.php?id=34144&p=1

Here's a real rarity for you. Hulk Hogan vs. Dusty Rhodes (Japan) - 12-9-80

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU8wkue0jsQ

Scott D'Amore using Impact Wrestling to highjack his company & Another's for a show?

HHHMM, where have we seen this before? OOOHH Jeff Jarrett did the same thing with his garbage GFW. Different booker in Impact Wrestling, yet the same ol shit. Imagine that.

Impact Wrestling will have a live road show with Border City Wrestling and Destiny Wrestling at the Don Kolov Arena in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada on March 4th. The show will be on Impact’s Twitch channel.

booking on Smackdown discussed on the WKPWP

https://www.pwpodcasts.com/2018/01/24/quick-quotes-problematic-booking-smackdown-discussed-wkpwp/

PODCAST RECAP AND REVIEW: The Jim Cornette Experience on January 1988, the payoffs, attendance figures, anecdotes, the reason Big Bubba left the NWA, why it was the beginning of the end

https://www.pwpodcasts.com/2018/01/24/podcast-recap-review-jim-cornette-experience-january-1988-payoffs-attendance-figures-anecdotes-reason-big-bubba-left-nwa-beginning-end-ep-213/

NWA FILES FOR A TRADEMARK, other stuff.

Billy Corgan's Lightning One, Inc. company, which is the production company attached to the National Wrestling Alliance, applied to trademark 'The Dupont Network' for wrestling purposes.   That may be a takeoff of the Dumont Network, which was the name of the first television network that broadcast professional wrestling.

The follow-up to Tim Storm's end of the story of him losing to Jocephus is that he is heading to this weekend's Championship Wrestling from Hollywood TV taping to speak about losing the title shot.

NWA champion Nick Aldis is working Tommy Dreamer's House of Hardcore event this Friday night in the main event.

WHY WWE CHOSE TO RELEASE ENZO AMORE

Since World Wrestling Entertainment announced yesterday that Enzo Amore was being released from the company in the wake of claims from a woman in Arizona that Amore had allegedly raped her in October 2017, many wrestling sites have received a number of emails asking if the firing was due to an internal belief within WWE that Amore was guilty of the accusations.  That is not the case.

WWE's standard protocol in these situations (as seen in the recent Rich Swann suspension) is to suspend a talent indefinitely when they have been arrested and then, if the charges are dropped, bring them back.  If the talent is convicted, they are immediately terminated.  Amore has not been charged with anything by the Phoenix Police Department and in checking with them yesterday and today, there have been no developments in their investigation that mean an arrest is pending.

People speaking to a number of WWE sources last night and this morning, were told that WWE management was completely unaware of the allegations and the criminal investigation into the October 2017 Phoenix incident until members of the media reached out Monday afternoon after it broke on Twitter.  The company was in the middle of putting together Raw 25 plans and had already locked their plans in, including Goldust vs. Enzo in hour three from Brooklyn.

When the company learned of the allegations on Twitter, we are told that Amore was approached and asked about them.   According to numerous sources, while Amore denied the allegations were true, he acknowledged that he knew about the investigation.  From WWE's perspective, we are told by sources, the fact that Amore had been aware of the criminal investigation, yet failed to inform WWE management about, led to his immediate suspension and expulsion from the Barclays Center.

[ After posting the original story, other sources and wrestling sites were made aware that the Fightful.com website initially broke yesterday that Enzo had not made WWE aware of the situation.]

With WWE being a publicly traded company that promotes primarily to families and children, we are told that management was angry that Amore, who they had built the entire 205 Live brand around in recent months, had knowingly put them into a position where, on a major media day, they had to react to inquiries over one of their champions involved in what could only be described as horrible, heinous accusations.  One source noted that the only way the timing could have been worse would been for WWE to have been blindsided by this on Wrestlemania weekend.

The decision to terminate Amore the next day was again, not a belief internally that Amore was guilty, but a determination that Amore failing to inform the company was, as several people described it, "the last straw" for Amore within the company.

It isn't news that Amore had been an controversial figure behind the scenes, something that was openly talked about in his recent WWE Network interview with Corey Graves.  Sources indicated that there had been a number of issues previously with Amore's behind the scenes conduct, including the company being unhappy that he had gone on social media to mock Big Cass' legitimate injury when he hadn't been instructed to do so last year as well as the well-known situation in Europe where he was thrown off a tour bus for, allegedly, being loud and not letting talents sleep in the middle of the night even after he was asked repeatedly to quiet down.  Within the company, among the wrestlers, Amore had been one of the least liked members of the locker room, often dressing and traveling on his own.

In the end, WWE sources have stated, there were too many instances of problems in recent months that were already building against Amore.  His decision to not come to the company about criminal allegations that are obviously extremely serious and horrible, while knowing about them for months, was the watershed moment that led to them finally terminating him

Want more Rocky Mountain Pro Wrestling? Ok, here. Charged | Season 3, Ep 10: The Mean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeosDqO5nbg

Published on Jan 18, 2018

This week on Charged, after defeating Rocky Mountain Pro Champion, Curtis Cole, last week, Humphrey Jacobs 1st is in action in the Main Event. This time against Charged Champion, Anaya! Can the King of Old Style turn back the challenge of the new age brawler or will Anaya be able to stop the mean streak dead in it's tracks?

You will also see action in the Lockettes divison as Rachelle Riveter and Heather Rae go one on one. Alpha Omega head into battle with Kaiden Koyama. And the unlikely pair of Tyler Stinson & Stephen Ashburn, the former Balance, team up once again under order of Mario Vanjur to take on the team of Big Vig & Tremaine Island.

Tickets: https://www.universe.com/users/rocky-...

Rocky Mountain Pro night. Rocky Mountain Pro Charged | Season 3, Ep 9: Old Style

Published on Jan 18, 2018

This week on Charged after the brawl that the Curtis Cole & Humphrey Jacobs had last week, HJ1 has a challenge for the Rocky Mountain Pro Champion. Malia Hosaka, women's wrestling legend, makes her Rocky Mountain Pro debut against a game Lockettes Champion, Allie Gato with the Lockettes Chapionship on the line. You will also see action from Big Vig, Severino Corrente, 2 Cool Dudes and Derek Stone and.....Maxine?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-yvViSbk7U

If you're on Facebook check out Evan Ginzburg's page.

https://www.facebook.com/The-Evan-Ginzburg-Show-205447739531216/

ROH HITS & MISSES 1/22: Taven attacks Castle, Machine Guns vs. Dawgs, Coleman’s Pulpit with Coast to Coast, Cody, SoCal Uncensored

https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/23/roh-hits-misses-1-22-taven-attacks-castle-machine-guns-vs-dawgs-colemans-pulpit-coast-coast-cody-socal-uncensored/

Someone wasn't happy with last night's RAW. EDITORIAL: I got worked by Raw 25 – I got too hyped and ended up disappointed with another corporate agenda-pushing episode

https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/23/editorial-got-worked-raw-25-got-hyped-ended-disappointed-another-corporate-agenda-pushing-episode/

So much for just suspending him. WWE Releases Enzo Amore

WWE has officially announced the release of WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore. Below is their full announcement:

 

Enzo Amore released
WWE has come to terms on the release of Eric Arndt (Enzo Amore).

The release comes after Enzo was accused of rape earlier this week. WWE suspended him on Monday, noting that they have zero tolerance for matters involving sexual harassment or sexual assault. Things must have changed between that announcement and today as he has been released.
As noted, a woman filed a police report with Phoenix Police, alleging that Enzo raped her on October 19th, 2017 at 401 West Clarendon Avenue, which is The Clarendon Hotel & Spa. You can read our report on the accuser at this link.

Letters, questions and comments oh my.

I know you're not a fan of the big three federations but if you had to watch one, which one would it be?

Justin R. Maine
I'd prefer to say none of them but if I had the choose, ROH would be the most tolerable of the three.


I saw you took another shot at Dave Scherer, Aren't you weorried that he may fire back on his web page?

Joe H. Iowa
Nope, because when you're telling the truth, what can he say? Nothing really. It's not the first time I've known more than him and undoubtedly, it won't be the last. He knows that which is why he knows it's better for him to just stay quiet.


So what's your problem with WWE, Impact and ROH? You seem to be slamming them alot. Why don't you like them? I'm interested in seeing your answer.

Chuck B. Wisconsin.
I'll give you a list. WWE- Bad gimmicks that suck, scripted promos that like the gimmicks, are 'cookie cutter', the level of no selling there is atrocious at best. And every time I've tried to watch it I get a headache that reminds me why I stopped watching it in the first place. Impact Wrestling- They can't book logicly from one week to the next. Nothing makes any sense and this goes back to when Jeff Jarrett was brought back (and fired again). It's been the same thing. different bookers but the same kind of inconsistent booking that they obviously for some reason, can't see or don't want to see. WCW at its worst was still better than this crap and this is your number TWO or THREE promotion in the United States? Oh and dare I mention the frigging world title they still have that's basicly a GFW title with an IMPACT plate slapped across the middle, with the GFW plates still on the side(Picture enclosed).

D'Amore putting over his really sad looking indy group on a 'major' federation's show isn't helping matters either. In some ways D'Amore is doing exactly what Jarrett was doing. What's next. Anthem Sports going to buy Border City Wrestling? . ROH- Some talents I like some I don't alot more high spots than really necessary and same with WWE, the no selling alot of times is really atrocious. I hope this answer helps.

Of all the indy groups you feature on your blog, which one (s) would you like to see live in person?

Donna R. Texas
AWA Supreme in Madison, Indiana, WWA in Kentucky, AMW in Kentucky and Fight Pro Wrestling in Maryland. While it's a fantasy to get to the UK, Absolute Wrestling or Defiant Wrestling at like York Hall or O2 Arena because that atmosphere (along with the fact it's a product not geared for kids) reminds me alot of the old ECW in many ways.


Didn't you once go to a rival promoter's show while working for a wrestling company? I vaguely remember hearing that from some guys 'you know' I work with.

(Name withheld by request)

Sure did! I even wrote about it. Here's the link to it that goes to an old long forgotten webpage I once had. http://prowrestlingtapes.angelfire.com/worstshow.html I had no regrets doing it then, have less than none now and would do it again in a heartbeat.



Great site Bill, love your honesty and the variety you provide. Please keep this going.

Karla M. England
Thank you, and i intend to do just that. :)

　

　

As you can guess I'm finding this funny as hell. More On RAW 25 Fans Being Upset At The Manhattan Center Last Night, Videos Of Anti-Barclays Chants

http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2018/0123/636227/more-on-raw-25-fans-being-upset-at-the-manhattan-center-last/

Kurt Angle Says TNA Will Be Discussed On Next 'Table For 3' With Shane McMahon And AJ Styles

This might be interesting.

WWE RAW General Manager Kurt Angle revealed on Instagram that he filmed an upcoming episode of Table For 3 with AJ Styles and Shane McMahon. He noted that in addition to their matches and families, they will talk about TNA Wrestling.

 

"Very intriguing 'Table for 3' coming soon on the WWE Network," Angle said. "AJ Styles, Shane McMahon and Yours' truly..... We talk about our matches together, our families, unheard stories and even TNA Wrestling. Must see."
Angle worked for TNA / Impact Wrestling from 2006 - 2016, while Styles was a part of the company from 2002 - 2013.

While WWE has traditionally ignored TNA, former TNA President Dixie Carter was interviewed by WWE for a WWE 24 special on Angle last summer.

NEW ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING LAUNCHES NEW YOUTUBE SERIES, COMPLETE DETAILS

http://www.pwinsiderxtra.com/ViewArticle.php?id=34135&p=1

PODCAST RECAP AND REVIEW: X-Pac 1,2,360 with Nick Hausman on if C.M. Punk will be at “All In,” why Bret Hart doesn’t podcast anymore, the independent scene in Australia, Impact on Twitch (EP. 69)

https://www.pwpodcasts.com/2018/01/23/podcast-recap-review-x-pac-12360-nick-hausman-c-m-punk-will-bret-hart-doesnt-podcast-anymore-independent-scene-australia-impact-twitch-ep-69/

Eric Bischoff Reveals The Reason Why The NWO Wolfpac Was Created

The nWo was undoubtedly one of the most notorious factions in pro wrestling history. Originally stemmed from the invasion of the "Outsiders" Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, it was officially birthed when Hulk Hogan turned his back on WCW after executing a leg drop on Randy Savage at the 1996 Bash at the Beach pay-per-view. Hogan, Hall, and Nash would then go on a mission to make the nWo the premier organization of professional wrestling, and recruit others to join the task.

 

After a while, nWo would get substantially crowded, which would dilute its potency. Moreover, the group would experience dissension, especially between Hollywood Hogan and Randy Savage, and the nWo Wolfpac was formed. While Hogan's side retained the original white and black colors, the Wolfpac would don red and black, and compete as babyfaces. The group would start with members including Konnan, Curt Hennig, Rick Rude, and Kevin Nash, and others such as Scott Hall, Buff Bagwell, and Sting would join. Eventually, Hogan, Hall, Scott Steiner, and Eric Bischoff would join, and it would be the elite list of talent while the other members would create more of a B version.

I recently interviewed the mastermind behind the nWo, Eric Bischoff, on the Pancakes and Powerslams Show to discuss why the nWo became crowded and the Wolfpac was formed.

"The reason why we expanded the nWo, quite frankly, including the reason why we brought in Bret Hart although he had nothing originally to do with the nWo, was because we knew we had launched a second primetime series on the TBS network based on the strength of Nitro on TNT," said Bischoff. "It was a mandate directly from Ted Turner himself, and based on the success we had with Nitro on TNT, Ted was determined, much to my chagrin, and the chagrin of others at the executive level, but Ted was determined to launch this second two-hour show on TBS, and that required two things.

"One, a significant influx of new talent, because we already had a three-hour show on TNT, and just having another two-hour show with the same talent would have cannibalized the success we had on TNT, and quite frankly it did, anyway. And the second thing was it required a position. It required me trying to create two separate brands. And this is long before Raw and SmackDown. And again I have to reiterate... I didn't want Thunder on TBS. I petitioned as aggressively as I could under the circumstances to not have a second show, because I was fully aware of what it would do to Nitro on TNT and it did.

"But, once I lost that battle, my goal was to create two separate brands. And the intent, although it was never realized and executed fully, the intent was for nWo to take over TNT and have WCW live on SmackDown [Thunder]. And, by doing that, I would have been able to create my own war, so to speak, and my own rivalry between Nitro and Thunder, similar in many ways to what WWE has been attempting to do, rather unsuccessfully from my perspective, but attempting to do with Raw and SmackDown."
You can hear the full interview here.

This is how 'good' Raw is now? lol. Upset Fans Chant 'Bulls--t' At WWE RAW At Manhattan Center, JR And Jerry Lawler Fall Asleep (Photo)

http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2018/0122/636210/upset-fans-at-wwe-raw-at-manhattan-center/

Rocky Mountain Pro Charged | Season 3, Ep 8: One Last Ride

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66ptCxNrKfA

Published on Jan 18, 2018

This week on Charged, the issues between Humphrey Jacobs & Curtis Cole come to a head as Cole sits ringside for the Main Event between Humphrey Jacobs and Big Vig. Danger Dean, after months of issues, finally gets his hands on Tremaine Island one on one with a huge stipulation added to the match. Showing his true colors, Severino Corrente has some words for Charged Champion, Anaya, and makes a challenge that seems unbelievable. Jason Noel vs Vlad Balashov & a six man tag between Hunter Grey, Filter & Anthony Andrews vs Kaiden Koyama & Alpha Omega round out the evening.

Tickets: https://www.universe.com/users/rocky-...

Learn more about Rocky Mountain Pro at http://TheRockyMountainPro.com

Enroll at the Mercury Pro Wrestling Academy http://www.mercuryprowrestling.academy

Woman Files Police Report Over Enzo Amore Rape Accusation

http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2018/0122/636199/woman-files-police-report-over-enzo-amore-rape-accusation/

WWE Suspends Enzo Amore Following Rape Allegations

Wrestlinginc is the one breaking this so here's the link to their story on it.

 http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2018/0122/636195/wwe-suspends-enzo-amore-following-rape-allegations/

CATCHING UP WITH "THE FABULOUS ONES" STAN LANE & STEVE KEIRN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bCoC6BQQXY

Published on Nov 10, 2017

The first tag team to become tied to a music video -- Lane & Keirn were innovators. Imitated yet never duplicated their tag team was fun and exciting to witness. On October 21, 2017 Bill Apter interviewed them for the APTER CHAT at www.legendsofthering.com. Enjoy this nostalgic "Catching Up With ... " on www.1wrestlingvideo.com

Some thanks goes out to these people here.

I do notice this, even it if tdoes take me forever sometimes to acknowledge it. People like you help keep this blog being successful so thank you.

Smokey Mountain Wrestling The Man Under the Sheet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6kNcoM1qOQ

Smokey Mountian Invaded WCW First! 1993

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1Nvf6kNNG8

Jim cornette and the Rock n Roll Express..Bum rush their feud in Smokey Mountain right into Center Stage in Atlanta at a wcw sat nite filming..

Jim Cornette on SMW-WCW Cross Promotion in 1993

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1bm7WsaMQ8

Published on Jan 21, 2018

Jim Cornette goes back to 1993 where Bill Watts' WCW welcomed Jimmy, The Heavenly Bodies and The Rock 'n' Roll Express back to the fold for some cross-promotion matches. Then Eric Bischoff ruined it.

Let me beat PWInsider, Torch, and Observer with, Jocephus Celebrates Empty Arena Match and Earning NWA Worlds Championship Match

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNi3jxntocY&t=5s

Published on Jan 22, 2018

Jocephus defeated Tim Storm in the Empty Arena Match at Impact Wrestling last Sunday and now this past weekend he threw a celebration for earning an NWA Worlds Championship Match.

As Jocephus exits his forty-five day period of contemplation, with the help of his spiritual advisor, his celebration is for the those who are the most important to Jocephus on this journey. From this secluded bar in Nashville, TN, Jocephus toast Tim Storm, Nick Aldis, Austin Idol and someone very close to him.

This footage from his party goes in an unexpected direction as once the libations begin to flow, so does the true feelings of Jocephus.

Batista On Issues During Last WWE Run, Problems With Today's Product, If He Would Return, Bray Wyatt

Recently on E&C's Pod Of Awesomeness, six-time world champion Batista joined the program. Among many other things, Batista talked about reaching out to WWE brass after wrapping Guardians Of The Galaxy. Batista claimed that the WWE product is not as good as it was in the past. Also, Batista talked about a possible return to WWE.

 

According to Batista, he reached out to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and WWE Superstar/Executive Triple H about a return after filming for Guardians Of The Galaxy wrapped because he felt like he accomplished what he set out to do in Hollywood and could go back to WWE without feeling like a failure.

"After I had finished filming that," Batista recalled, "which was late 2013, I believe, is when I, that's when I started making calls to Vince and Hunter, and saying, 'man, I'd really love to come back' because I felt like that's what I set out to do. I had accomplished what I set out to do. Now I could go back and feel like I didn't go back because I failed. I actually accomplished what I set out to do. Now I could go back and do some wrestling."

In Batista's opinion, the WWE product is not as good as it used to be.

"This is not a dig on anyone, but I just don't feel that the product is as good as it used to be. I think it [has] just changed in a lot of ways and not for the better. When I came up with [Edge and Christian], I mean, everybody was rockstars, man! They were real, live rockstars! They were real performers and everybody had kind of an edge to them."
 
Batista continued, "they were interesting and different individuals and I feel like a lot of that [has] just been lost. I feel like a lot of the edginess has been taken out of wrestling, the creativity. There's still great stuff going on with the company, but I don't… and I feel like a dinosaur when I'm saying this, but I don't feel like the product is as good as it was."

Additionally, Batista averred that talent are less likely to take chances to stand out because they are far more replaceable and when talent do not stand out, they do not get over. 'The Animal' went on to call The WWE Performance Center a "wrestler factory", producing generic characters.

"I think a lot of the guys, their hands are tied and I think a lot of the guys now, they're terrified that they'll lose their job. If they do something wrong, they're going to lose their job. They're much more easily replaceable now because they have a factory for them! NXT, it's a wrestler factory. They just turn out wrestlers. I think a lot of them, again, I don't mean to sound disrespectful, I don't mean [it as a] dig, a lot of them are cookie cutter. They're coming up with these kind of characters for them. They're cookie cutter and they're not individuals. They're not thinking outside of the box."
Batista shared that does not understand why more is not done with standout performers like Bray Wyatt.

"There are a few guys that are and they easily stand out. Some of the guys that stand out and I feel that they should do a lot more with. I feel like they're for some reason holding them back. Like Bray Wyatt. There are a lot of things with the direction of Bray Wyatt that I just didn't get why they were doing certain things with him because that dude, I think he's money, man. I think he's money all day long."

Another point of contention for Batista with respect to WWE is that The Shield was broken up immediately after Evolution put them over. In Batista's view, a lot of money was left on the table by splitting up the trio prior to a major babyface run.

"I was really enjoying putting The Shield over. That was the thing, my last run, I was really just loving putting these guys over and just building them, building them, and when I left I really felt like I had accomplished something and I really felt great about what we did. And as soon as I left, they broke these guys up. I didn't get it, man. And I just didn't get it, man! They should have milked that thing for all it was worth."
  
In addition to talent, some writers and producers are scared to lose their jobs at Titan Tower, in Batista's estimation.

"I think there's a big writers room of writers afraid to step on people's toes as well." Batista explained, "they're afraid to piss anybody off. And even a few producers, they just don't want to step out of line and possibly lose their job."

On possibly returning to WWE, Batista said performing for the WWE Universe is "an incredible feeling" that he truly misses.

"I don't want to say I was given a raw deal, but creatively, when I went back last time, it was a constant struggle." Batista added, "I mean, [Edge and Christian] know that anxiety of having to go there and having to wait outside of Vince's office and know that you've got to go in and argue with Vince because you hate something that's creative. Well, I had that every week and it's just an awful, awful feeling and I don't want to experience that. I don't want to go back and have to do that, so I said, 'this is what I'll come back to do, this is what I'm interested in, and this is probably the only thing that would bring me back.' So yeah, I miss it. I miss it all the time. There's no other feeling like it."

Apparently, Batista would like to go back to WWE for one last run before he is too old, but certain conditions must be met.

"Before I'm too old, yeah, I would, I would like to go back," Batista confirmed. "But it's going to have to be under certain conditions. I won't go back and go through what I went through last time. And I don't care, the fans can boo me. I don't care. Whatever. As long as, I hope, they're watching some of the matches. And it seems like from what I've seen that the crowd has changed a bit. They've matured a bit and I think it was a real transition point when I went back. It was almost like a whole new generation of audience and I think that it was a really, really weird [pocket], but I think the audience has matured a bit and they appreciate the wrestling a little bit more and are less focused on what's not there and instead paying attention to what's on the show."

Kevin Kelly On Creating 'Byte This', Working In The Attitude Era, RAW 25

Kevin has also been doing commentating for Rocky Mountain pro Wrestling as well.

http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2018/0122/636165/kevin-kelly-on-creating-byte-this/

Enjoy some late night indy wrestling with Appalachian Mountain Wrestling AMW-TV: January 20, 2017

Published on Jan 21, 2018

Take a look at what's to come for AMW ahead of out return to Combs, Kentucky on February 2nd.

See a battle royal and a match between Scott Hayes and Eddie Browning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldXgaP0qEEg

Questions? Comments? Here's where you can ask me.

Will be posting acouple letters later today (Monday) so if you'd like to be added just email me whatever at chicagobillw1@gmail.com

Speaking of Indy Wrestling, here you go. Fight Pro Wrestling Episode 27

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNNtQAd9eVg

Published on Jan 21, 2018

Hub City Showdown concludes in a one hour season finale special. Riot City's Most Wanted takes on the debuting Ugly Ducklings. Zoey Skye tests her limits as she goes one on one with Mercedes Martinez in a Grapplers Division match. The main event, Michaels Amaydo takes on Tanner Reynolds for the Fight Heavyweight Championship in a Hybrid Division match.

More Indy Results

wXw in Oberhausen, Germany on Saturday before 575 fans: Jay Skillet & Francis Kaspin b Maggot & Prince Ahura, Session Moth Martina b Melanie Gray, Jurn Simmons b Dirty Dragan, Da Mack b Chris Colen, Absolute Andy b Bobby Gunns, Toni Storm b Killer Kelly, Walter & Timothy Thatcher & Avalanche & Julian Nero b Bad Bones & Ivan Kiev & Tarkan Aslan & Lucky Kid in a Cage Battle designed like a War Games match. David Starr and Jurn Simmons will face in a last man standing knockouts only match in the first round of the 16 Carat Gold tournament. Also announced are Matt Sydal, Matt Riddle, Jonah Rock, Avalanche, Jeff Cobb, Travis Banks, Chris Brookes and Mark Haskins. Walter vs. Matt Riddle takes place on 3/10 under UWFI rules while on 3/8, Walter vs. Rock and Haskins vs. Mike Bailey will be taking place at the wXw Academy.

Limitless Wrestling from Friday night in Westbrook, ME: Kalvin Strange & Xavier Bell b Mark Sterling & Jaxon Stone, Darby Allin b Jeff Cobb, Martin Stone won three-way over Fred Yehi and David Starr, Allie Kat & Kris Stadlander & Ashley Vox b Danger Kid & Alexander Lee & Aidan Aggro, Troy Nelson & Dick Justice b Brett Domino & DL Hurst, Maxwell Jacob Friedman b Matt Cross, Tessa Blanchard b Deonna Purrazzo, Chris Dickinson b Eddie Kingston, Ethan Page & Jay Freddie & John Silver b Mr. Grimm & Christian Casanova & Austin Theory, Doria Graves & VSK b James Drake & Anthony Henry, Anthony Greene won four-way over Ace Romero, JT Dnnn and Josh Briggs. Next show is 3/30 with Teddy Hart & AR Fox & Sami Callihan vs. Josh Briggs & Ace Romero & JT Dunn, Darby Allin vs. MJF, Martin Stone vs. ? and Joey Janela, Brian Cage an Chase Owens.

Kris Wolf returned on today's Stardom show: They ran their seventh anniversary show at Korakuen Hall and a lot of the women sang a pop singers to start the show. Starlight Kid & Shiki Shibusawa & Hanan b Hiromi Mimura & Konami & Ruaka, Jungle Kyona & Kaori Yoneyama & Natsuko Tora b Nicole Savoy & Miranda & Xia Brookside, Mary Apache b Kay Lee ray to keep the High Speed title, Mayu Iwatani b Rachael Ellering in her return, Queen's Quest b Oedo Tai so Tam Nakano must leave Oedo Tai. Io Shirai said she could join Queen's Quest. Momo Watanabe challenged Io Shirai for her title. Iwatani said that Nakano should join her stable.

Lucha Xtreme TV from last night in Fresno: Calder McCall b Snipes, Beast the Butcher b Alonso Alvarez, Gary Galaxy b Kevin Daquets. Next show is 1/28 in Hanford, CA at the Civic Center at 2 p.m..

 

Indy results.

AAW from last night in Chicago before 520 fans: Curt Stallion & Jake Something b Zero Gravity, Eddie Kingston b Kevin Lee Davidson, Maxwell Jacob Freidman b Juice Robinson, ACH b Paco Gonzalez, David Starr & Trevor Lee & Jeff Cobb b Sami Callihan & Jake & Dave Crist, Jessicka Havok kept the women's title in an elimination match over Scarlett Bourdeaux and Kyle Rae, Teddy Hart b Myron Reed, Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett kept the tag titles over Shane Strickland & Keith Lee, Rey Fenix b Matt Riddle to retain the AAW title. Fenix defends next against ACH on 2/3.

Lucha Downunderground from Melbourne on Friday: Maddog & Cletus b Carlo Cannon & Sketch, Kellyanne b Ivelisse, Vance Adams & Nick Bury & Mitch Waterman b Freddie Gold & Big Cuz & FOX, Angelico b Syd Parker, PJ Black b Gabriel Wolfe, Drago & Aerostar b Dowie James & JXT to win the BCW tag titles, Shane Mercer retained the BCW title over Alan Payne, Preston and Mil Muertes.

From yesterday in Sydney: Angelico b Gabriel Wolfe, Syd Parker & Nick Bury & Mitch Waterman b Psykotic & Vinnie Vain & Billy the Kid, Ivelisse b Kellyanne, Syd Parker won Aztec Rumble, Dowie James & JXT b Drago & Aerostar to win the BCW tag titles, Syd Parker kept the BCW title over PJ Black and Slade Mercer, Mil Muertes b Maddog under Hardcore rules.

PCW from Friday night in Wilmington, CA before more than 600 fans: ACH b Rey Fenix, Kikutaro b Mariachi Loco, Shane Strickland won three-way over Flip Gordon and Brody King, Hammerstone b Bran Cage, Douglas James b Ganseki Tanaka, Warbeast (Josef & Fatu) b Joey Janela & Jimmy Jacobs in a tag title match, Great Muta & Penta 0M b Johnny Ultra (John Hennigan) & Sami Callihan when Penta pinned Ultra. After the show, Rob Van Dam came out to challenge Penta for the PCW title on the next show. Muta couldn't do much. Opener was the best match by far. Stephan Bonnar was there and cut a terrible promo. Janela took a Canadian Destroyer off the middle rope through four chairs. Los of chair shots to the head in that one as well.  Muta couldn't do much but everyone else covered for him. They pushed it could be his last match ever in the U.S. Kevin Sullivan managed the Warbeast tag team. Jacobs walked out on Janela so they'll probably feud. At the end, guitarist Nita Strauss was playing Penta's music and then switched to "Walk" by Pantera and RVD came out.

CWE Rise of a Queen II from Orlando on Friday: Amber Nova b Lexi Gomez, Aria Blake b Chelsea Durden, Kaci Lennox b Chloe Christmas, Salina de la Renta b Clara Sniclare, Aaron Epic b Mike Austin, Amber Nova b Chelsea Durden, Kaci Lennox b Salina de la Renta, Bobby Bourne won Rookie Rumble, Kaci Lennox b Amber Nova. Next show is 2/2 at the Team Vision Dojo.

Only an idiot thinks a 'dick flip' is a good move to use.

Sabotage Wrestling on Friday night from Austin, TX: Hyan & Erica Torres b Jordan Len-X & Rocketboy Wilson, GPA b Kylie Rae, Baby D b Human Tornado, B-Boy b Leva Bates, Angel Blue & Phoebe & Robyn Reid & Nikki Knight b Andy Dalton & Double D & Ray Ortiz & JC Res, Fuego del Sol b Heather Monroe, Erica Torres b Fuego del Sol to win their title, Joey Ryan b Barbi Hayden, Sammy Guevara d Thunder Rosa 20:00. Next show has Torres defending the title against Delilah Doom. Mia Khalifa, the porn star who got into a twitter battle with Shane Helms appeared with a bodyguard to work spots with Ryan. She said Ryan looked like a hairy cartoon character. He told her to touch his dick, since that's what she did best. She refused and was offended. Ryan shoved away the bodyguard and put the sucker in her mouth. The bodyguard attacked Ryan and took the dick flip.

National Wrestling League from Friday night in O'Fallon, MO: Jet Royal b Thomas Shire, Anthony Gutierrez won three-way over Thor Thierot and Matt Kenway, Davey Vega & Mat Fichett & Paco Gonzalez b Niles Plonk & Everett Connors & Rasheed Ali, Jeremy Wyatt b Mike Outlaw, Dak Draper b Christian Rose, Maverick b Jack Foster, Marti Belle & Savanna Stone b Carolina Rodriguez & Rahne Victoria, Gary Jay b Leonel Howlett in a no DQ match.

Need another example of how bad Impact Wrestling is? Read this. IMPACT HITS & MISSES 1/18: Another dreadful episode, good hype for main event that didn’t air, Chandler Park, Ishimori vs. Xavier

I actually made a comment there about this at the bottom of the review as well.

https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/20/impact-hits-misses-1-18-another-dreadful-episode-good-hype-main-event-didnt-air-chandler-park-ishimori-vs-xavier/

RADICAN’S 12/31 Beyond Wrestling “Heavy Lies the Crown” live stream report – EFBYO vs. Doom Patrol TLC match, Lee vs. Woods, Janela vs. Starr main event

https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/20/radicans-12-31-beyond-wrestling-heavy-lies-crown-live-stream-report-efbyo-vs-doom-patrol-tlc-match-lee-vs-woods-janela-vs-starr-main-event/

Another example of how I know more than Dave Scherer at PWInsider

The above pic is from Scherer's own letters section at PWInsider. He obviously doesn't even read his own webpage because his partner Mike Johnson posted several times that Russo helps Konnan write Aerolucha shows. Plus, one look at Russo's YouTube channel, one click on Rocky Mountain Pro Wrestling's show and you'd see who? oh Vince Russo, who's been working there for several months.

Hell every time Rocky Mountain Pro posts a new show I post it here, I know more (again) than Dave Scherer? Mr. More Well known columnist than me? Damn, maybe she shouldn't be such a lazy ass and actually alittle bit of actual research like I do. I know what a concept but Scherer is more concerned with his pay walls than doing any actual fact finding on his own.

You can thank me for again knowing more than some of these 'bigger names' in wrestling journalism.

George here obviously doesn't really know how it's done. WWE CFO George Barrios Comments About Wrestlers Being Able To Get Out Of Their WWE Contracts

WWE Chief Strategy and Financial Officer George Barrios was recently a speaker at the 20th Annual Needham Growth Conference. He spoke on subjects such as the company's financial growth, content strategy, company transformation, and more.

 

Barrios opened the presentation by stating that the company has done $784 million in revenue over the past 12 months, which is an all-time company high, and about two-thirds of that revenue comes from media, 20 percent from live event ticketing, and 14 percent from consumer products. 75 percent of the revenue is from the United States, while the other 25 percent is international.

After presenting for about 25 minutes, Barrios opened up the floor for Q&A. One question addressed talent contract agreements.
"We're not specific about our talent agreements, but generally, what we like to say it is a usually beneficial association," Barrios said. "So, they're under agreement, but both parties could terminate them in pretty short order. So, we're not trying to lock anyone up, it has to work for both parties, and that model has worked for a long time and led to a succession of iconic stars. Starting with Bruno [Sammartino], ending with John [Cena]."

Oddly enough, both Rey Mysterio and Daniel Bryan have experienced a great deal of difficulty taking advantage of this ability stated by Barrios. Regarding Mysterio, we reported in 2014 that he was missing in-ring competition due to suffering a hand injury, but still had his contract renewed by Vince McMahon despite desiring to get out of his contract when Vince renewed it.

Ever since being forced to retire by WWE, and making a formal retirement speech on the February 8, 2016 edition of Raw, Daniel Bryan has made it known that he wants to return to in-ring competition. He has been cleared by various doctors, but not WWE.

In an interview with ESPN in 2016, Bryan stated that he would often talk about wrestling and threaten to quit WWE to Brie Bella. Bryan has also teased wrestling in Ring of Honor, and other promotions if not cleared by WWE once his contract is up.

Well, my opinion is WWE has failed in many ways and areas, not just, The Great Khali Says WWE Failed In India

The Great Khali spoke to The New Indian Express about the WWE and wanting to instill different training practices in India. Here are some of the highlights:

 

WWE in India and his time with the company:
"The WWE has failed in India. They thought they would use the Great Khali fully and then leave him. I [had] been trying hard for [a long time] to leave WWE, but they kept on offering me [a] contract. Finally in 2014, I decided I [would] leave once my contract [ended] and [would] not work with them ever again. Then I came back and opened CWE [Continental Wrestling Entertainment] in Punjab, which is doing well."

Wanting to change the mentality of how training is done in India:
"The future of wrestling is very bright and it can be better, if handled in a better way, if a coach is provided or [a better foundation] is given. The mentality of the Indian sportsmen is very weak. Many of them depend upon drugs. They feel that the consumption of drugs will help in enhancing their performance and will help them in clinching a medal. They receive too much of love after winning a medal that they forget to concentrate on sports."
The Great Khali also discussed more about those in sports needing to focus on proper dieting and training in India. You can read the full interview by clicking here.  ..

Eric Bischoff On What He Would Have Done If Vince McMahon Accepted His Challenge To A Shoot Fight

Eric Bischoff and Bruce Prichard appeared on Busted Open Radio and discussed being invited back to Raw 25, the Monday night wars, guaranteed contracts vs guaranteed opportunities, what if Vince McMahon accepted Eric's challenge to fight on Nitro and more. You can watch the full interview in the video above, they sent us these highlights:

Being at Raw 25:
Bruce: "It's going to be a lot of fun. It's been 9 years since I've been there, and I'm looking forward to see everyone. It's going to be fun putting on the Brother Love suit again. It's going to be a blast and I'm probably more excited to just be there and see everyone."
Eric: "To see a bunch of friends I've known for many years and have a lot of respect for... To see some great friends, to see some great action and to be a part of the event is... I mean, by any measuring stick you wanna use, name another show you know that's been on the air 52 weeks a year for 25 years. There is none. Period. End of conversation. To be part of such a successful television juggernaut... it's fascinating, exciting and I can't wait to be part of it."
Eric's spark to Vince McMahon wanting a fight during the Monday Night Wars:
Bruce: "We (at WWE) have become complacent, and all of the sudden we not only had someone challenging us, we had someone kicking our ass. We went from the only dog, to the top dog, to the underdog."
Eric taking over WCW and competing with WWE when Nitro first started and making wrestling cool again:
Eric: "It was a perfect time. I would love to say I was the architect and I saw the opportunity and that was the plan, but sometimes timing is everything. In that case, timing was everything. The truth is, when we were given Nitro, I knew we couldn't compete with WWF in terms of content they were creating. I knew we couldn't create characters that would be more appealing to the audience that the WWF was doing at the time. I knew the WWF has been around for decades. They had a loyal following. I was forced, by default, to go after an 18-35 year old demo, which, in the end, is what made wrestling cool again. I didn't do it because it was the best thing to do. I did it because it was the only thing to do."

Eric on what if Vince McMahon accepted his offer to fight:
"I had never met Vince at the time. To me, he was just a big guy who lifted weights. I've been around guys like that my whole life, so I wasn't intimidated by Vince. When I came out and challenged him, right or wrong, I wrestled in high school, I did kick boxing, I had a black belt, I grew up in Detroit and fought on ESPN kickboxing before it was MMA. The idea of getting into a fight, win or lose, didn't intimidate me. My approach to it was, 'I got enough skill sets. I'm not going to get knocked out in the first 30 seconds. I thought win-lose or draw, if he comes out and beats my ass, it would be great TV.' Winning or losing didn't matter to me. Getting Vince to come to the ring and getting him to do it is what mattered. Hulk Hogan said 'Brother, you don't wanna do that. He's gonna show up and kick your ass'.
"I told our head of security that if anybody from WWF showed up, escort them to the dressing rooms, accommodate them in any way. The only person that I pulled aside in case anything went wrong was Big Show. I said if it gets ugly, do me a favor and jump in there. It has to get that bad though. Otherwise, let it go.

Hope they have Black Sabbath's permission to use that name (especially if they plan on using the song by that name)

https://twitter.com/OfficialPWG/status/954515360866119680

Want to tell Impact Wrestling how much they suck? Here's your chance.

 

https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/954745335829602311

Defiant Wrestling #6: Full Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x36AABa0usw

 

Streamed live on Jan 19, 2018

IPW have laid down a challenge and we gladly accept! It's time to reclaim the Defiant title, and it starts tonight. Haskins vs Kirby... if Haskins wins, IPW take control until the PPV. If Kirby wins, he gets a title shot!

Primate & Havoc vs Aussie Open, Joe Coffey vs The Prestige and Alex Gracie issues an open challenge.

Subscribe to Defiant Wrestling and watch a brand new episode FREE every Friday at 8pm UK (3/2c).

I posted the audio of this when it came out but you can read parts of it now. Jericho talks about spots at WrestleKingdom that he and Omega had to change, Kenny says this match kicked New Japan into another gear

Chris Jericho talks with Kenny Omega about their match at WrestleKingdom earlier this month. The following are highlights of key topics:
-Omega says he’s a fan of improvising and doesn’t think he’s a move guy. He said the crossbody to the table that didn’t quite work or the moonsault spot they didn’t do and improvised something else outside the ring were fun. He also liked the physicality of the match and the fact there was not dead time or rest holds. Those are the details that Kenny likes a lot. He likes the stuff you can’t choreograph but rather happens during the circumstance of the match. He also says even though this is the first time they’ve wrestled, they were creating what many said was match of the night. Kenny said the match also unlocked a new style for him and if he were to do this again he could do it even better. Chris said one of his favorite spots was Kenny jumping on the table with Jericho underneath and the one-winged angel into the walls. Kenny mentions he liked when Jericho took a ringside photographer’s camera and took pictures.
-Chris asks how big this match was with expanding the New Japan product in North America. Kenny says it was a game changer. He says the match he did with Okada opened up a lot of eyes about the New Japan product. The show in the States gave people an opportunity to watch the product live (the U.S. Title tournament). Coming off those two performances, he was wondering what he could do to top that. Sure he could have a good match but instead of trying to do another 5 or 6 start match, Omega would rather go out of his comfort zone and try to tell new stories. He feels that the match with Jericho kicked New Japan into another gear. This match was completely different from his matches with Okada or during the show in L.A. Omega says he’s on a mission to make wrestling cool again and feels it’s not an us vs. them situation (with the WWE) but wants everyone to be open to collaboration. He respects a lot of the wrestlers in the WWE and his match with Jericho shows these two forces can coexist and when they clash it’s amazing.
-They talk about the springboard crossbody out to the floor. Initially, Jericho was going to move and hit Don Callis but when Omega was on the top rope, he didn’t realize how far Don was from the ring. He wasn’t sure if he was going to make the distance so Kenny was going to aim for Jericho (who was going to move), look like he was out of control then crash into the table. Kenny said he decided this literally just as he stood on the top rope about to jump. He ended up clipping Don, crashing into the table and it looked better than he had originally planned.
Read much more from this interview recap by Joe Aguinaldo at our sister site, PWPodcasts.com.

EDDIE KINGSTON, MJF, JT DUNN, CHRIS DICKINSON, TESSA BLANCHARD, DEONNA PURRAZZO & MORE: 1/19 LIMITLESS WRESTLING IN WESTBROOK, MAINE

Limitless Wrestling “The World Is Ours”
January 19, 2018
Westbrook, ME

PRE-SHOW MATCH: Jaxon Stone & “Smart” Mark Sterling v. Xavier Bell & Kavlin Strange

Strange ended up getting the win for the team with a crossface submission.  I wasn’t quite sure what to make of this one.  Sterling and Stone were the heels, I guess, but Sterling did at least two big babyface spots, including an absolutely absurd snapmare to Strange, who had his own partner Bell between his legs, that led to Strange giving a Canadian Destroyer to his own partner.  The crowd reacted well to it because they’re starved for live wrestling, but unfortunately, this didn’t click for me.

WINNERS: Xavier Bell & Kalvin Strange

OPENING MATCH: Darby Allin v. “Mr. Athletic” Jeff Cobb

Very good opener.  Even though everyone loves Cobb, he played the heel role in that he kept Allin down with his power moves while Allin sold and tried comebacks.  Really well played by both guys.  The finish saw Allin hit a sunset flip powerbomb for a two count.  He tried another roll up for a two, then locked in his reverse figure four pinning combo for the win.

WINNER: Darby Allin

MATCH TWO: Fred Yehi v. Martin Stone v. “The Product” David Starr

Really entertaining triple threat match.  Lots of action between the three of them.  The finish saw Yehi have the Koji Clutch on Starr.  They did the Wrestle Kingdom Young Bucks spot of saving the other from tapping out spot as Stone stopped Starr’s hand from tapping out.  Stone then kicked Starr out, and Stone locked in a crossface on Yehi and got the tap before Starr could prevent the hand from tapping.  Stone now gets to pick his opponent for the next Limitless show.

WINNER: Martin Stone

MATCH THREE: The Maine State Posse v. Allie Kat, Ashley Vox & Kris Stadtlander

There were a ton of comedy based spots in this one, which while it isn’t my particular taste, the match ended up getting a standing ovation, so what do I know?  Allie Kat got the win with a piledriver.

After the match, Joey Eastman came out and continued his rant from the last show running down the state of Maine and saying the Maine State Posse “thing” doesn’t make money and they need to think bigger and challenge one of them to step out of their comfort zone and be a singles against a big opponent.  Aiden Aggro started ranting that they’re a team when Danger Kid took the mic and accepted the challenge and left.  Good segment.

WINNERS: Allie Kat, Ashley Vox & Kris Stadtlander

MATCH FOUR: DL Hurst & Brett Domino (with Anthony Greene) v. Whiskey Dick (“Supercop” Dick Justice & “Top Shelf” Troy Nelson)

There wasn’t as much comedy in this one as I thought there would be.  Yes, Dick Justice used his hand as a gun, but Hurst and Domino spent most of the match keeping the ring cut off on Nelson and building the heat.  Justice got the hot tag and the place went crazy.  Justice ended up getting the win.  Good showing for Hurst & Domino.

WINNERS: Whiskey Dick

MATCH FIVE: “M-Dogg 20” Matt Cross v. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Really well done match that told a story.  MJF was working the arm throughout and allowed Cross to sell leading to his comeback and nearfall off a springboard cutter.  The crowd popped big for the two count.  The finish came when MJF distracted the ref, hit a back kick low blow and got in the armbar for the victory.

MJF cut a promo after running down the roster and putting himself over as the only thing that matters.  Stokely Hathaway came to the ring.  He said they are close friends but there’s a problem, because MJF works for him everywhere except Limitless, so they need to remedy this by signing a contract.  MJF was celebrating when Darby Allin snuck to the ring and went to the top.  MJF turned by ducked and Allin took out Stokely with a graveyard leap.

WINNER: Maxwell Jacob Friedman

INTERMISSION

MATCH SIX: Deonna Purrazzo v. Tessa Blanchard

This ended up being a pretty good match.  It didn’t have much of a heel/babyface dynamic to it, but the crowd ended up popping big on a nearfall and for Deonna’s Fujiwara armbar attempt, so that’s half the battle.  Tessa ended up getting the win with a Codebreaker from the second rope.

WINNER: Tessa Blanchard

MATCH SEVEN: Eddie Kingston v. Chris Dickinson

Dickinson called out Kingston in a promo on the last show, which lead to this match.

So here’s the only issue I had with this match.  At the last show, Dickinson called out Kingston and basically called him a coward that’s been ducking him for years.  Then the match starts and they have a wrestling match, where I feel (and so did the crowd based on their reaction) that they should have come out and started brawling all over the place and then broke into a strong style showdown.  Instead, they started on the mat and eventually broke into strong style.  Nothing wrong with that, and in fact, it was a good strong style type of match.  I just felt it needed more intensity from the start.

Great intensity in their strikes, especially the kicks of Dickinson.  The finish saw Dickinson get the win with the Pazuzu Bomb.  Kingston got on the mic and confirmed what I was thinking watching the match.  He dedicated the match to Giant Baba and All Japan Pro Wrestling.

WINNER: Chris Dickinson

MATCH EIGHT: The Dream Team (Mr. Grim, Christian Casanova & Austin Theory) v. The Thick Boys (John Silver & Jay Freddie) & “All Ego” Ethan Page

The Thick Boys, who come out in denim cut-off jackets, came out and stood near the entrance.  Ethan Page then emerged behind him also wearing a denim cut off and the crowd went wild.  Very cool entrance.

This was a really fun, high energy six man with a lot of action.  It’s exactly what the crowd wanted from the match.  Ethan Page ended up breaking the bottom rope as he attempted his jump in cutter from the apron. That’s right, Ethan, it was all your fault!  Mr. Grim ended up accidentally pouncing Casanova and the Thick Boys ended up getting the win.

WINNERS: The Thick Boys & “All Ego” Ethan Page

MATCH NINE: The Workhorsemen (Anthony Henry & James Drake) v. Massage NV (Dorian Graves & VSK)

This was only the second time I’ve seen Massage NV work a serious match and both times I’ve been very impressed.  This match was by far the best I’ve ever seen them.  They were organized, crisp, athletic and just fantastic.  I wish they would work like this more often.  Take nothing away from Henry and Drake, as they’re both tremendous in their roles.  Henry might be the hardest hitter in the business.  VSK ended up getting the win for Massage NV.

WINNERS: Massage NV

MAIN EVENT: Fatal Four Way Match – JT Dunn v. Ace Romero v. Josh Briggs v. “All Good” Anthony Greene (with DL Hurst & Brett Domino)

This was a wild brawl all over the building which saw JT Dunn jump off a really tall locker for a huge pop. The story of the match was all four guys were giving their best and they were all popping up like nothing was hurting them.  Not sure how much the match worked as a match, but as a spectacle it’s what the crowd wanted to see.  The finish saw Anthony Greene steal the win on Dunn with a handful of tights, making him the Ace of Limitless.

After the match, Teddy Hart made a surprise return.  He got on the mic and cut an expletive filled promo about how on March 30 on the next show, he’s bringing AR Fox and Sami Callihan with him to take on Dunn, Romero and Briggs.

WINNER: “All Good” Anthony Greene

Overall, this was a very fun show.  While there were no match of the year candidates or any blow away matches, it gave the crowd what they wanted from a live experience.  I thought it did a good job building toward their next show on March 30.  I definitely suggest checking out a Limitless show if you’re in the northern New England area, or if you’re willing to travel a bit since they always load up their card

Follow them online @LWMaine 

Barbed Wire Massacre III: LAX vs oVe | FULL MATCH | IMPACT! Jan 18, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWBgF0qEGgc

New booking team? Same shit product, go figure. MCMAHON’S IMPACT WRESTLING REPORT 1/18: Barbed Wire Massacre III, Global Title three-way match, Xavier vs. Ishimori

I threw a comment in at the bottom of the review as well.

https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/18/mcmahons-impact-wrestling-report-1-18-barbed-wire-massacre-iii-xavier-vs-ishimori-spinelli-vs-rosemary/

LMAO, This is funny as hell. least to me. Impact Star Fired For Refusing To Get Squashed

Hania The Huntress was fired from Impact after refusing to do a 90-second job to Su Yung at the recent Impact Wrestling tapings in Orlando, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Hania made her Impact Wrestling debut at the Ottawa tapings last year and worked 3 matches at the most recent tapings. Yung is married to WWE Superstar Rich Swann, who is currently suspended indefinitely due to the domestic arrest after an incident with Yung last year.

 

Yung ended up debuting in a segment with Allie at the January 13th tapings and had her first match with Amber Nova the next night. She later wrestled Allie that same night. Hania wrestled Nova at the January 10th tapings and had matches with Rosemary the next two nights.

He won't look at himself but instead, Alberto El Patron Says He Blames Paige For His Past Rants

Alberto Del Rio was recently interviewed by Medio Tiempo. Below are a few translated highlights:

 

His past rants ripping Triple H on social media:
"As you know, I am a man who knows when he was wrong. In fact I was in contact with them. Like WWE, when they admitted their mistake the first time I left, I also admit my mistake.
"I personally apologized to Triple H for the issues we had when I was in a bad relationship with my ex-partner. She and her entire family made me believe that they affected our relationship. She made me believe that the videos [Paige and Maddox] and all that was happening outside to her was perpetrated by Triple H and the company. At the time I believed her, because she was my partner. I defended her by heart and sword, then things were different. Later I realized how wrong I was to place my trust in that person. I deeply regret my words and apologized to Triple H, his wife and WWE. They understood me."

If he would return to WWE:
"Of course I would go back if the opportunity arises. I would not go back full-time, but I would transition to a special appearance wrestler. Before I put down my wrestling boots for good it will surely happen. Surely before I retire, I will do something special with [WWE]. However I do not see it happening in 2018, but in 2019 before leaving the United States. I'm definitely going to do something special with them. I consider myself to be on good terms with WWE right now on my side, we will one day shake hands and everything will be fine. Time heals all wounds."

EDMONTON BAN ON PRO WRESTLING OVERTUNED, PAVING WAY FOR WWE TO RETURN

A ban on all forms of combat sports in Edmonton, Alberta Canada will no longer cover professional wrestling as the City Council there agreed to pass an amendment making the genre exempt from the ban.

A scheduled World Wrestling Entertainment debut at the brand new Rogers Place arena in Edmonton, Alberta Canada on 2/9/18 had been canceled after new regulations banning combat sports were enacted by the city's council following the June death of boxer Tim Hauge following a fight card held in the city.

The Edmonton city council announced on 12/8/17 that they were placing a one year moratorium on new permits or licenses for anything that fell under the umbrella of combat sports.  The moratorium is scheduled to stand until December 2018.

In regard to making WWE and other professional wrestling companies exempt from the ban, Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson snidely commented, "My heart is broken to find out that it's a predetermined outcome.  It's like finding out that Santa Claus isn't real, but nonetheless they'll be back in business in a week."

There has been criticism of the city council for enacting the ban after UFC held an event in September 2017, with critics believing they waited until after that event instead of just immediately issuing the ban.

To read CBC coverage of the decision, click here.

This stuff I grew up watching. AWA CHICAGOLAND TV 83

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZc4G9GhAbQ&t=3139s

WWA (Kentucky) webpage.

http://www.wwaisnow.com/

AWA Supreme Webpage.

http://www.awasupreme.com/

AWA Supreme Last Word S02/E03: A New Reign

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgKuWfzeRVs

 

Published on Jan 17, 2018

On this edition of AWA Supreme Last Word, take a look at the AWA Mid America Tag team Championship match from this past week, as well as hear from your favorite AWA Supreme stars!

WRITTEN PODCAST RECAP: Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard on The Rockers & Marty Jannetty (Pt. 1): How the team came to be, why they were fired after less than two days with the WWF in 1987, their relationship with Andre the Giant and more (Ep. 82)

https://www.pwpodcasts.com/2018/01/18/written-podcast-recap-something-wrestle-bruce-prichard-rockers-marty-jannetty-pt-1-team-came-fired-less-two-days-wwf-1987/