Friday, February 1, 2019
Gail Kim On Why A Women's Ultimate X Match Wouldn't Work, If She Would Wrestle One More Match
Current producer for Impact Wrestling and Impact Hall of Famer Gail Kim was on a media call recently. Kim spoke about a women's Ultimate X Match and why she didn't think it would work, her controversial refereeing Impact Homecoming, and if she could come out of retirement for one more match.
Kim was asked if the Knockouts division should give an Ultimate X match a try. At Impact Homecoming, Rich Swann defeated Ethan Page, Jake Crist, and Trey Miguel to win the X Division Championship in an Ultimate X Match. Kim said she was approached during her days as an active wrestler about the match, but felt like the women may not have the upper body strength to pull off a comparable match to those in the X Division.
"Someone just asked me that the day of the PPV as they were setting up for that match," Kim began. "It's funny because when I was active years ago, one of the writers had approached me about that and they said, 'Do you think that we should do one?' It's going to probably sound wrong when it comes out of my mouth [Laughs] but I am one who wants the best, so I want the girls to have the best match, I want them to steal the show, and I always felt that way as an active wrestler.
"Truth be told - maybe some women can prove me wrong, but I think that match is a lot of upper body strength and I'm not sure how many girls can execute it to that degree, and I feel like we would be compared to the X Division. Maybe if we come up with something similar, but not the same, I think that would be more realistic. For me, if I had a magical match that I was so proud of, and I had to work the same person after that again, it was always about topping that last thing and being the best. If I didn't feel like I could, I wouldn't want to disappoint, or be less than. In that [Ultimate X] match, I don't know if we would be able to surpass those division guys because they are so super athletic."
At Impact Homecoming, Kim was the special guest referee for Tessa Blanchard and Taya Valkyrie's Impact Knockouts Championship match. Near the end of the bout, Kim ended up getting very involved in the match by accidentally hitting Valkyrie with the title and giving her finisher, Eat Defeat, to Blanchard, which ultimately would cost the former champion her title.
"Yes there was a lot of controversy around my officiating at the Homecoming PPV, but that moment built up to what happened," Kim said. "I'm going to defend myself, Tessa was abusing authority at that point, and a lot of people said, 'Why didn't you just disqualify her?' and that was the easy way out in my mind. When I went into that match, I knew I wasn't going to disqualify her because I just had a feeling of that that's where she'd go."
Kim wrestled her final match last February in the UK, and then took on a producer role with Impact Wrestling where she has worked predominately with the Knockouts division. She has noted previously, and again in this call, that her back is a big reason for her retirement, and still troubles her from time to time. Kim was asked if she could ever do another match and said a lot of factors would come into play for her to give it another go.
"That's a hard question to answer," Kim admitted. "I guess I would say it depends on the circumstances and how far I'm pushed. Also, I think it goes, honestly, by how my body feels at that moment because still to this day since I retired last February my back gives me a lot of problems, on and off. I pretty much look normal in day-to-day life, but that doesn't mean I can have a wrestling match. I am getting an update on my back just to see where it was at because it's been bothering me. If I did feel good and the circumstance did arise, I wouldn't abject to it. There's a lot of factors that play into it, I'd want to see how bad the fans want to see it."
Former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ron Garvin Says Dusty Rhodes Was 'Overrated'
WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes has been widely viewed as one of the best minds in pro wrestling history. Throughout his career, in addition to being a top name in the NWA, Rhodes was also a head booker for many years during his time with the company. Rhodes would go on following his retirement from full-time competition to be a head creative mind for both TNA, FCW, and NXT. Despite his highly acclaimed creative abilities, one person, former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ronnie Garvin, feels much different. Garvin shared his thoughts on the latest episode of Under the Mat Radio.
"Dusty Rhodes was overrated. He was the booker most places he went, Florida, Carolinas," said Garvin. "I didn't like what he done a lot of times. A lot of politics, he put himself in places he should've been, he didn't draw the big of money. When he was in the main event, he booked 30 men on the card and had more gimmick matches. Rock n' Roll Express, those kids were so over. So over, that they would sell out and Dusty Rhodes would book them in small towns because he didn't want them on the same card as him because he wanted the thunder."
Garvin reached the pinnacle of his career on September 25, 1987. In a steel cage match, Garvin defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Although Garvin stated that he made more money in a short peiod of time than he ever had, he also admitted that he "didn't go crazy" when he won the title.
"You know I've had a lot of title matches, I don't want to diminish the World Title, it was great," said Garvin. "But I guess with luck and staying healthy long enough, I got to the very top. To me, and I'm being honest, wrestling was a job, pure and simple. I didn't go crazy because I was the world champion. I'll tell you, the World Title is probably the most money I made in a short period of time.
"I was in wresting five years before Flair showed up. I don't know the guy, I mean I know him (speaking as in working with him), but I never visited with the guy, never had a meal with the guy, never traveled with him. I ran into him a few times in the dressing with and said hi and [bye], but know nothing about the guy. We had two different lives. He had the party life which is fine and I don't begrudge it. One thing about Flair no matter how I hard I hit him he never complained."
Impact Wrestling Notes
There was some grumbling among talents that Impact announced their 4/7 event had been moved from Queens, NY to New Jersey publicly without telling the talent first. It wasn't so much about the move as it was the talents being caught unaware when they are also trying to strategize other appearances and bookings on the biggest weekend of the year. More than one talent commented to various news sites that this was a good example of where Sonjay Dutt will be missed as he was the most communicative member of management when it came to talent.
A big part of the reason for the move to New Jersey was concern about the New York State Athletic Commission curfew on pro wrestling. In New Jersey, there is no commission, hence relative freedom. One thing Impact will have to make sure is that their event on Thursday 4/4 is over before the last New Jersey Transit train back to NYC leaves Rahway, NJ, which as of the current scheduled, would be 1:52 AM as the next train would not be until after 4:30 AM. With an 11 PM start, that's going to require their live production to be really right.
Eddie Edwards was announced as returning to Pro Wrestling NOAH, where he once held the Global Honored Crown Championship.
There are still plans to work with House of Glory in NYC down the line.
For those of you with Verizon Fios, please be aware that if you did a series record for Impact Wrestling last week, the network listing featured the two hour broadcast as FOUR different half-hour episodes with only the 8-8:30 PM segment listed as a new episode. So, unless you set your DVR to record new episodes AND repeats, you are chancing the possibility of not getting the entire episode. We have heard Impact has made the network aware of the issues with the program guide, but Pursuit has been slow in responding in general.
mpact will team with Smash Wrestling this Saturday for a live Twitch broadcast tomorrow from London, Ontario at The London Music Hall with Impact Champion Johnny Impact vs. Sami Callihan on top.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Supreme Wrestling (Madison, Indiana)- Supreme Last Word 31
On this edition of Supreme Last Word, Legion strikes again with ANOTHER piledriver. Also, Jacob the Carpetbagger addresses the Supreme fans and Morty comes to a difficult decision.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH__9omd7-8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH__9omd7-8
Mat Memory- Head Hunter I, Rikishi, Ron Killings, Sabu vs La Parka Jr., Latin Lover, the Animal, Zorro
AAA on Televisa: 2007-07-22
taped 2007-07-15 @ Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Naucalpan, Estado de México
1) La Parka Jr., Latin Lover, the Animal, Zorro vs Head Hunter I, Rikishi, Ron Killings, Sabu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZF80V55nIk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZF80V55nIk
Mat Memory- Ron "The Truth" Killings Wins NWA World Championship
Ron "The Truth" Killings makes wrestling history by defeating Ken Shamrock to become the first-ever African-American NWA World Heavyweight Champion! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW8e0SGV1CQ
Eddie Edwards on Adopting a Hardcore Style | Behind the Lights on Twitch
Eddie Edwards joins Anthony Carelli and Alicia Atout on Behind the Lights to talk about adopting a hardcore style and what it's like to go crazy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn26vfb9efg
ReLoaded Podcast #8: General Ameen With An Exclusive Announcement For Unstoppable
General Ameen joins Dave Bradshaw and James R Kennedy as we look ahead to the final episode of Loaded before Unstoppable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyZnOzhcWIA
UPDATE ON INVESTIGATION INTO BRIAN CHRISTOPHER'S DEATH,
Attorneys representing Jerry Lawler and the estate of his son Brian "Christopher" Lawler have moved forward with filing subpoenas demanding the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and The Hardeman County Sheriff's Office provide them with information on the ongoing investigation into Brian Lawler's death in July 2018. The investigation was opened the same day Lawler passed away after being taken off life support after he allegedly hung himself while incarcerated in Bolivar, TN.
“We were tired of waiting. This family has waited for over six months for the Hardeman County Sheriff Department to provide them with detailed explanation and the documentation as to what happened to their son and we decided to take the into our own hands,” Attorney Jeff Rosenblum told Memphis ABC affiliate channel 24.
It should be noted that PWInsider.com has followed up with TBI numerous times over the last six months requesting updates on the investigation and had been told the investigation was still active. The most recent response to various news sources, on 1/8 from TBI's Susan Nilson stated, "The investigation remains open and ongoing while we await the full autopsy results."
In August 2018, Jerry Lawler explained why he did not believe his son killed himself in an interview with WMC-TV, explaining that his family was told that Brian hung himself with his shoelaces, but photos taken of Brian at the hospital show marks on the sides of his neck but not the front of his throat. Lawler explained that the area that did not feature any marks would be the size of his son’s hand, which leads him to believe Brian was trying to use his hand to try and “keep the pressure” off his throat.
"We've received literally countless calls, text messages from people, actual eyewitnesses, that were in the jail and saw things that happened on the actual day that Brian died that now has opened up a new can of worms," Lawler told WMC-TV. "It just doesn't seem like it was suicide."
Lawler said the same day his son allegedly took his life, they had spoken that morning via the telephone at 11 AM and Brian “talked perfectly normal, perfectly rational." Later, Lawler's fiancée received a phone call around 2 PM informing them Brian had been in a fight with another inmate, even though he was supposed to have been kept away from other prisoners. Lawler stated that his son had requested medical attention as he was bleeding from the head but “apparently” did not receive it and several hours later, was found dead in his cell. Lawler stated that the Sheriff had previously given him personal assurances that Brian would be OK while incarcerated. Lawler also alleged that twenty security cameras in the County Jail were not operating the day his son died.
While the official, announced cause of Brian Lawler's death is suicide by hanging, Jerry Lawler commented that “doesn't pass the smell test” and promised in 2018 that he was not going to stop pursuing the issue until he had answers. Lawler also stated that Brian's fellow inmates have told him they don't think his death was suicide, and there's still no medical examiner's report.
The TBI and The Hardeman's Sherriff's office must provide information by February 26th.
Brian Christopher Lawler was 46 years old at the time of his passing.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Capitol Wrestling - Episode 95: Smiley/Juba vs The Ugly Ducklings, Carter vs Bowens: Round 2
This Week on Capitol Wrestling TV, Smiley & Juba face their toughest challenge to date in the form of the DEBUTING Ugly Ducklings in a highly anticipated Tag Title match. Also, Darius Carter looks to even the score with "The 5 Tool Player" in Round 2 of their Best of Five Series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w44n1jGkjKM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w44n1jGkjKM
Mat Memory- UWFI Show №31 Bad News Allen vs Kazushi Sakuraba
UWFi #31: "Second Junior League Championship", 15.12.1993
Tokyo, Japan, Korakuen Hall
1,800 Fans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHCdf4LFwYg
Archie Gouldie (Later Known As The Mongolian Stomper) vs Bad News Allen Strap Match
The Stomper attempts to get revenge against Bad News Allen in a strap match.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSrHemR5EkA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSrHemR5EkA
AAW Presents Lucha City Limits (Hype Video)
AAW presents Lucha City Limits
February 8th
AFS Cinema
Austin, TX
Get your tickets now at http://aawpro.ticketleap.com
Stream it live on the @HighspotsWN
https://twitter.com/i/status/1090662893018861569
https://twitter.com/i/status/1090662893018861569
AIWF Mid Atlantic Wrestling- Midatlantic 352
It's the return of Joe Briggs, and the intensity is still there as he goes one on one with Nate Diamond. Our classic match for this episode is from 1995 as King Cobra takes on Badd Brad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36NCZBbDltc
AWA New South The Penthouse vs Kings sizzle
Friday February 1st in Franklin Ky.
AWA New South Presents "The Penthouse vs Kings"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ycDGluNaYo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ycDGluNaYo
IMPACT WRESTLING & MLW ANNOUNCE COLLABORATION FOR WRESTLEMANIA WEEK EVENTS
Impact Wrestling and MLW issued the following:
IMPACT Wrestling and Major League Wrestling Announce Collaboration for April 4 Events
TORONTO | NEW YORK CITY – IMPACT Wrestling, a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp., and Major League Wrestling (MLW), announced today that they will be collaborating for their events on April 4 by coordinating talent and schedules to ensure that fans can attend live events presented by both organizations when virtually the entire professional wrestling world descends upon the New York metropolitan area.
April 4 show details for both organizations are below:
Major League Wrestling
MLW will host “Rise of the Renegades” tapings on April 4 at 7:00 p.m. ET for its weekly television program “Fusion” airing on beIN Sports. Tickets start at $20 and are already on sale atMLWTickets.com. The live event will take place at Melrose Ballroom (36-08 33rd St.) in Long Island City, NY. Click here for directions.
IMPACT Wrestling
IMPACT Wrestling presents “United We Stand” on Thursday, April 4 at Rahway Recreation Centre (275 E. Milton Ave.) in Rahway, NJ. The event, in partnership with WrestlePro, begins at 11:00 p.m. ET and streams live on Twitch. Tickets are on sale at www.IMPACTWrestling.com and start at $40. Click here for directions. The event will stream live on IMPACT Wrestling’s official Twitch channel –www.twitch.tv/impactwrestling – which also features the flagship weekly show IMPACT!, simulcasting on Pursuit Channel across the U.S. on Fridays at 10:00 p.m. ET.
“This arrangement eliminates talent booking conflicts and ensures that loyal and passionate fans of both IMPACT Wrestling and MLW are able to attend our respective live events on April 4th,” said Ed Nordholm, president of IMPACT Wrestling.
“Both promotions believe in putting the fans first,” said MLW COO Jared St. Laurent. “Fans will be traveling from all over the world in hopes of seeing the best of the best. MLW and IMPACT Wrestling agreed without hesitation that the fans deserved to be able to see both of these amazing events without having to choose one over the other.”
IMPACT Wrestling executive vice-president Scott D’Amore added: “Due to the New York curfew preventing us from starting at 11:00 p.m. ET, we have moved our live event to New Jersey. We want to thank our partners at WrestlePro for facilitating this collaboration on April 4th and also thank House of Glory and stress that we couldn’t make this happen for our great fans without their cooperation. We look forward to working with House of Glory in the near future and will have an announcement coming soon about a future event together.”
The two venues are roughly 30 miles apart and travel time between the two is generally about an hour.
Directions from Melrose Ballroom to Rahway Recreation Center can be found below:
By Transit or Subway
April 4 show details for both organizations are below:
Major League Wrestling
MLW will host “Rise of the Renegades” tapings on April 4 at 7:00 p.m. ET for its weekly television program “Fusion” airing on beIN Sports. Tickets start at $20 and are already on sale atMLWTickets.com. The live event will take place at Melrose Ballroom (36-08 33rd St.) in Long Island City, NY. Click here for directions.
IMPACT Wrestling
IMPACT Wrestling presents “United We Stand” on Thursday, April 4 at Rahway Recreation Centre (275 E. Milton Ave.) in Rahway, NJ. The event, in partnership with WrestlePro, begins at 11:00 p.m. ET and streams live on Twitch. Tickets are on sale at www.IMPACTWrestling.com and start at $40. Click here for directions. The event will stream live on IMPACT Wrestling’s official Twitch channel –www.twitch.tv/impactwrestling – which also features the flagship weekly show IMPACT!, simulcasting on Pursuit Channel across the U.S. on Fridays at 10:00 p.m. ET.
“This arrangement eliminates talent booking conflicts and ensures that loyal and passionate fans of both IMPACT Wrestling and MLW are able to attend our respective live events on April 4th,” said Ed Nordholm, president of IMPACT Wrestling.
“Both promotions believe in putting the fans first,” said MLW COO Jared St. Laurent. “Fans will be traveling from all over the world in hopes of seeing the best of the best. MLW and IMPACT Wrestling agreed without hesitation that the fans deserved to be able to see both of these amazing events without having to choose one over the other.”
IMPACT Wrestling executive vice-president Scott D’Amore added: “Due to the New York curfew preventing us from starting at 11:00 p.m. ET, we have moved our live event to New Jersey. We want to thank our partners at WrestlePro for facilitating this collaboration on April 4th and also thank House of Glory and stress that we couldn’t make this happen for our great fans without their cooperation. We look forward to working with House of Glory in the near future and will have an announcement coming soon about a future event together.”
The two venues are roughly 30 miles apart and travel time between the two is generally about an hour.
Directions from Melrose Ballroom to Rahway Recreation Center can be found below:
By Transit or Subway
- Walk approximately 3 minutes from Melrose Ballroom to 31st & 36th Ave. to the W Train
- Take train approximately 17 minutes to 34th St. – Penn Station.
- Alternate route: N Train also goes direct to 34th St. – Penn Station.
- Take NJ Transit 7 stops approximately 35 minutes to Rahway, NJ.
- Cross the street and enter Rahway Recreation Center on 275 E. Milton Ave.
By Car
- Drive through Manhattan via Lincoln Tunnel or Holland Tunnel.
- Drive through Staten Island via Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
- Both routes will bring you to NJ Turnpike South to Rahway, NJ.
Hideo Itami Done With WWE
Hideo Itami, aka KENTA, finished up officially with World Wrestling Entertainment at last night's Smackdown taping in Phoenix, Arizona, The word making the rounds is that Itami requested his release from the company.
The former Pro Wrestling NOAH Global Honored Crown Champion signed with WWE in July 2014 with a big ceremony presided over by Hulk Hogan. Rechristened Hideo Itami, he joined WWE NXT with a lot of fanfare and even competed in the 2015 Andre the Giant Battle Royal at Wrestlemania 31 in Santa Clara, California.
Unfortunately, he had issues transitioning over to the WWE style initially and then found himself out of the ring with a bad shoulder injury that required surgery. The recovery kept Itami out of the ring from May 2015 through June 2016. Itami returned to NXT TV in April 2017, soon feuding with then-NXT Champion Bobby Roode, Kassius Ohno and then Aleister Black.
Itami was called up to become a member of the 205 Live roster in November 2017 and has been a featured competitor for WWE's Cruiserweight brand. At the Royal Rumble PPV over the weekend, Itami was pinned by Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy.
At 37 years old, Itami would certainly be a strong pickup for another promotion. He has a long history with Ring of Honor (including some classic bouts with Bryan Danielson) and would certainly be in great demand back home in Japan, where he has a storied history and lots of fresh potential matches in New Japan, NOAH or All Japan. Of course, with All Elite Wrestling signing talent, one would think Itami would certainly add to the depth of that promotion as well.
Itami changed his social media accounts back to his former ring name, KENTA, over the course of the last day.
Hideo Itami has not yet received a WWE release, but will be receiving one. He said his goodbyes to everyone and last night was his final scheduled night on the road with WWE. One he receives it, he will be subject to the traditional 90-day no compete.
It's been noted by several sources that the former and future KENTA is looking to return home to Japan
TMPToW: Nick Aldis by Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling
Hot off the recorder and straight to the airwaves, we welcome back after nearly four years the current reigning and defending NWA World Champion, Nick Aldis.
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/tmptow/episodes/2019-01-30T04_30_22-08_00
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/tmptow/episodes/2019-01-30T04_30_22-08_00
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Mat Memory- WWC Carlos Colon VS Ron Garvin 1988
Final Match for the WWC Universal Title between Carlos Colón and Hands of Stone Ronnie Garvin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbjBA7P_54g&t=4s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbjBA7P_54g&t=4s
Mat Memory- AWA International TV Title Match: Greg Gagne (ch) vs. Ronnie Garvin 1988-09-17
AWA International Television Champion Greg Gagne vs. "The Man With the Hands of Stone" Ronnie Garvin. From September 17th, 1988 at the Fairgrounds Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVPJgRF8E98
Mat Memory- Ronnie Garvin and Buddy Roberts vs Giant Baba and Tenyru
March 4 1984, Chicago Illinois, The team of Ronnie Garvin and Buddy Roberts take on the team of Genichiro Tenryu and Giant Shohei Baba.
Mat Memory- Ronnie Garvin vs.Scott Steiner 1988-09-18 (AWA)
AWA International Television Champion "The Man With the Hands of Stone" Ronnnie Garvin vs. Scott Steiner. From September 18th, 1988 at the Louisville Gardens in Louisville, Kentucky. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mffpKeOYGG0
Matt Riviera: "Jerry Lawler Will Pay for His Sins" in Thunderdome Cage Match - 1/26/19
"The LVR Boy" Matt Riviera on his Thunderdome Steel Cage match with Jerry "The King" Lawler on Feb 16th, 2019 at the Oman Arena in Jackson, TN. Plus, we see the TWO brawls between Jerry Lawler & Matt Riviera from last week's episode of USA Championship Wrestling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37r2B8Xzwcg
Rascalz & oVe vs. LAX & Doom Patrol | Beyond Wrestling
Part two of this week's "Twofer Tuesday" comes to us courtesy of the Beyond Wrestling "Looking California" event features an 8-man tag team war between four teams that change their name too much - oVe fka OI4K (Dave Crist & Jake Crist) teaming with The Rascalz fka Scarlet & Graves (Zachary Wentz & Dezmond Xavier) against LAX fka EYFBO (Santana & Ortiz) teaming with Doom Patrol fka Catch Point (Chris Dickinson & Jaka) - one of the most insane matches in Beyond Wrestling history!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSxDV9hvU2A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSxDV9hvU2A
PENTA EL 0M and Rey Fenix Comment on LAX and Title Match | AAW Pro
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO
Pentagón 0M and REY FENIX comment on LAX and their tag title match on 2/8/19 in Austin, TX against AR Fox and Myron Reed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAS4mnGsRhY
PWCI This Week - #160 Zero One Supreme
Our feature matchup from Zero One in Mattoon has former ROH & Impact star The Zombie Princess Jimmy Jacobs taking on the Chainsaw Massacre Stephen King. Also a news update on multiple stories we have been following with the Mad Conservative Crimefighter! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aakabKIw1yU
LAX vs. Crummels & Defarge | Beyond Wrestling vs. CHIKARA
Part one of this week's "Twofer Tuesday" comes to us courtesy of the Beyond Wrestling vs. CHIKARA "Clan Feuds" event and Impact Wrestling's LAX (Santana & Ortiz) aka Team Pazuzu's EYFBO (Mike Draztik & Angel Ortiz) vs. CHIKARA's tag team specialists Crummels & Defarge in an interpromotional fight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeD2PvXNhBE&t=8s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeD2PvXNhBE&t=8s
Sammy Guevara Has Left MLW
Major League Wrestling has parted ways with Sammy Guevara,
A source close to the promotion claimed that Guevara had double-booked himself on certain MLW dates, including Superfight this weekend, and that there was no way to be consistent with how he would be used going forward, so the decision was made that each side would go their separate ways.
MATT SYDAL DONE WITH IMPACT, ANOTHER DEAL EXPIRING SOON
Impact Wrestling moved a number of talents to their alumni section of their website this week, including Caleb Konley, who is still technically under contract. We are told that Konley's deal expires next month. He's always been a solid hand, who, for some reason, the company never really found anything to do with. Hopefully he lands somewhere and gets the opportunity to be utilized. Konley had been under contract since April 2016.
Meanwhile, Matt Sydal's deal with the company is also up. Sydal is slated for knee surgery shortly. He had a nice run with Impact while he was there and will obviously be in demand when he's ready to return.
Dean Ambrose leaving WWE shortly after WrestleMania when his contract expires in April
Dean Ambrose, a main event wrestler for WWE since debuting with The Shield in 2012, has given his notice to WWE that he will be finishing up when his current contract expires at the end of April, according to three PWTorch sources. He broke the news to management this weekend, including directly in a meeting with Vince McMahon, after being offered a new contract and a raise weeks ago.
He is expected to finish up shortly after WrestleMania, although it’s possible WWE would write him out of storylines sooner. This could explain why he was rather unceremoniously eliminated from the Royal Rumble on Sunday night and did a clean job to Seth Rollins on TV on Raw last night.
Sources tell PWTorch that Ambrose has been long frustrated with the creative direction of his character and reached a breaking point recently. He’s indicated to WWE management this weekend he’s not interested in negotiating further and made it clear this isn’t about trying to get more money. One of his colleagues on the roster, when asked tonight about Dean’s demeanor lately and if there were any signs of discontent, said “he’s pretty much impossible to read.” He added, though, that Dean “hates hokey sh–” and, since so much of his character has been portrayed as hokey in the last few years, he’s not surprised that would have built up frustration leading to a breaking point.
Top management in WWE and a small circle of friends of Dean knew about his decision this weekend, but it wasn’t well known at the Rumble or Raw among most of his colleagues.
Monday, January 28, 2019
LAX Puts The AAW Tag Division On Notice - AAW Pro Wrestling
The AAW camera crew caught up with LAX after their match with the Lucha Bros. They talk about their match with the Rascalz on 2/8/19 in Austin, TX and put the AAW tag division on notice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzyoDQK0Pp0
WWE Graphics Error At Royal Rumble (So Much For All That Micro-Managing, LMAO!)
- The LED board graphics at Chase Field billed WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion at last night's Royal Rumble pay-per-view. You can see the error in the photo below
Jeff Jarrett Back In WWE (rolls eyes)
Like anyone really wants to see him, back on camera... Trust me, I can't name five people I know who do.
WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett has signed a new deal with WWE to work behind-the-scenes as a producer, according to several sources. Jarrett will also be appearing as an on-camera talent.
Jarrett returned to WWE TV as a surprise entrant in last night's 30-man Royal Rumble match. He was inducted into the Hall last year.
Jarrett is backstage for tonight's RAW in Phoenix to work with new producers Sonjay Dutt and Shane Helms. I myself and others reported that Helms has signed to work as a producer for the company. This is the first day Helms and Dutt are working for WWE under their new roles.
Mat Memory- Tommy Rich & Paul Orndorff vs Masked Superstar & Super Destroyer - (Columbus, GA house show)
House show / pro shot footage from Columbus, GA of NWA Championship Wrestling from Georgia featuring Tommy "Wildfire" Rich & the National Heavyweight Champion, Paul Orndorff, taking on the challenge of The Masked Superstar & Super Destroyer. This looks to be from the early 80's, but I don't know exact timeline. This match contains commentary, including color commentary by none other than Tom Pritchard! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2Wj-gWjnxc
Mat Memory- Ric Flair promo/Paul Orndorff in GA. July 1982.
Ric Flair does a promo with Gordon Solie and takes a jab at WWF till Paul Orndorff comes out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-ikqdFt9Ac
Andy Wild clashes with Dallas! (Insane Championship Wrestling - ICW)
Andy Wild unleashes on Mark Dallas! Kieran Kelly breaks Ravie-Davie's face?! Wild and Kelly's ICW careers are on the line this Sunday at ICW: Fight Club! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiupH1mI0eg
LAX Attack PENTA EL 0M and Rey Fenix - AAW Pro Wrestling
LAX: Santana & Ortiz attack the Lucha Bros: PENTA EL 0M & Rey Fenix after their show stealing match this past Saturday night in Chicago.
NEW Evolution Wrestling SUPERBOUTS (E64) - feat. Scott Humphries, Aziz, Tony King & Dylan Davis
As we head towards NEW's 2nd annual invasion of Mile One Centre on Feb 15th, 2019 NEW Superbouts relives last years main event from Mile One Centre (now with commentary) as "Dynamite" Dylan Davis clashes with "Wild Thing" Tony King. In our Main Event, courtesy of NEW Evolved on Rogers TV/FITE, "Redefinition" Scott Humphries defends the NEW World Heavyweight Title against Aziz in a contest from Whitbourne, Newfoundland. All this plus ticket information on upcoming events and much much more!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcVbriCe3d4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcVbriCe3d4
Over The Top Wrestling- Ringkampf vs The Kings of the North | Belfast, February 3rd, 2019 (Hype Video)
Over The Top Wrestling Returns To Belfast
Feb 3rd, Live From The Europa
Ringkampf Vs The Kings Of The North https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLUxHj8jWv0
Bert Prentice's USA Championship Wrestling Episode 45 January 26th, 2019
The LVR Boy issues a warning to The King, Nathan Starr is in action, Blake Christian looks to take to the sky, and much more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNdtsb7D2nE
Discovery Wrestling......Andy Wild vs Joe Coffey
Andy Wild goes one one one with the Discovery Y Division Champion Joe Coffey!
After winning the 2018 Disco Derby and 2018 Hotter than Hell tournament....can the Wildman make it a hat-trick of major victories??
Filmed in January 2019 at the Jam House in Edinburgh
Commentary from Randy Valentine and Darren T Goss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcUm7ALTHuM
Chicago Blast from Past 18 (New Post, Features Indy Wrestling From The Past In The Chicago Area)
Coming from Chicago Land Pro Wrestling (C.L.P.W.) we get to see two brothers face off in a title match for Elite Pro Wrestling. (This promotion was working with C.L.P.W. at the time) Vito Thomaselli takes on his brother Pauly Thomaselli for that strap. C..L.P.W. only ran for about 2 years if that putting on shows mostly in the Harvard Ill. area. Vito Thomaselli has since retired from ring action. Brandon Thomaselli is still very active on the Chicago scene working mostly tag team action with his partner Hardcore Craig.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0PDaR6IcIE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0PDaR6IcIE
Shane Helms Returning To WWE (In Backstage Role), AEW Eyeing Woman Star Who Turned Down WWE
Former
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Shane
Helms will
be returning to the company as a backstage producer. Helms had been
working with Ring of Honor since this past June.
Helms
brings nearly 20 years of experience in the business on a national
level, dating back to his signing with WCW in 1999. His biggest
career run came when he started dressing as a superhero named "The
Hurricane" in the WWF in 2001.
During
a recent media call, Paul "Triple H" Levesque discussed the
company increasing their efforts in hiring talent in backstage roles.
"We're
always on the lookout for talented people that can contribute to the
product and to the WWE as a whole," Levesque said. "It
doesn't matter where they're from, the quality people that are
talented, that have a passion for this and want it to go to the next
level and succeed, I'm always looking forward to those people."
Helms is expected to begin with WWE today. Abyss and Dutt are believed to start their new roles by mid-February. Levesque indicated that their roles are not yet fully defined.
"Sonjay
coming in here, Abyss coming in here [in] behind the scenes roles,
we're going to see where that best fit is for them," Levesque
said. "I've heard of them, I know of them.
"So
many people speak highly of them and their jobs over the years, from
a talent standpoint and other standpoint, so, I'm looking forward to
working with them and seeing where they best fit through all of this,
as we all are. Everybody here will determine where they fit, what
they want to do, and how they can help contribute in the best way to
the product going forward".
Bea
Priestley is reportedly on All Elite Wrestling's radar after turning
down a contract offer from WWE, according to several sources. AEW
is
very hopeful of Priestley and if the deal comes through. Priestley
has held women's titles in multiple independent wrestling promotions,
including Defy Wrestling in Seattle, Washington. . Priestley is also
in a long term relationship with the current NEVER Openweight
Champion of NJPW, Will Ospreay.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)