Month: February 2016

TNA Knockout Raquel Says She Was Assaulted During Match

Source: WrestlingINC

New TNA Knockout Raquel (Gabi Castrovinci), a former WWE Tough Enough competitor, appeared on last night’s episode of TMZ on FS1 and claimed to have been assaulted during a match at a WXW event in Miami over the weekend.

“I really got assaulted, I didn’t expect it,” Raquel said. “Although I was warned that it was going to happen, but I never thought that it would be at that level.”

Raquel noted that she cracked her tooth and had to get a root canal and a crown on her tooth. She also had “a little hairline fracture” on her jaw and multiple bruises.

Raquel noted that she does not intend to file charges out of respect to her coach, and that the person who had warned her does not want to come forward.

She believes that the incident happened because she “became very successful in wrestling and got a huge contract with Impact Wrestling.”

Raquel also stated on Twitter that she would not let the ordeal affect her and that she was already back training. She also posted the following on her Instagram, writing, “I’m fearless, I don’t complain. Even when horrible things happen to me, I go on.”

Update On Titus O’Neil’s WWE Suspension

Source: WrestlingINC

The New York Post reports that WWE changed Titus O’Neil’s suspension, and Titus will now be suspended for 60 days instead of 90 days, which would still have him out of WrestleMania.

As noted, Titus O’Neil tugged at Vince McMahon following Daniel Bryan’s post-RAW retirement celebration, as seen in the video below. PWInsider.com first reported today that WWE suspended Titus O’Neil for unprofessional conduct for the incident.

The Post article is actually titled “Fans call Vince McMahon a racist for suspending black wrestler,” and contains many messages from fans complaining that the suspension was racially motivated.

“The suspension of Titus O’Neil had nothing to do with race and everything to do with unprofessional conduct,” WWE told the Post in a statement. They added that Titus “acknowledged the gravity of his mistake” in a text message, writing:

“I feel like s–t now so if you have to let me go, I understand. Stupid mistake.”

CM Punk’s UFC debut delayed once again 

The former professional wrestler turned mixed martial artist can’t seem to catch a break.

CM Punk made the announcement in late 2014 that he would be debuting in the Octogan in 2015 but due to legal issues and a shoulder injury that wasn’t the case.

Last week Mickey Gall defeated Mike Jackson to earn his right to face Punk. The bout was slated to take place at UFC199 but now Punk is telling MMAfighting.com that is not the case.

Apparently the straight edge Chicago native with an (0-0) MMA record has been dealing with some nagging back pains and as per usual found himself working through them. Upon further investigation it appears that Punk has a herniated disk that will require back surgery, pushing his UFC debut back even further.

Injuries are never fun so we here at WNB would like to wish Punk a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.

Backstage Talk About WrestleMania 32 Main Event Plans

Source: PWInsider Elite via WrestlingINC

As of last week there was still at least some talk of having either Vince McMahon and The Rock or Stephanie McMahon and Ronda Rousey involved with the Roman Reigns vs. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H main event at WrestleMania 32. We also know that there’s been talk of having a special referee in the match.

Have Gargano And Ciampa Signed With WWE?

Source: PWInsider Elite via WrestlingINC

As of this past week, WWE NXT regulars Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa were still not signed to deals. There’s a feeling that they will be signed eventually but WWE is in no hurry as the current situation works for all sides. The two are available when WWE needs them but they’re still able to work indies and make money there.

 

Brie Bella On Daniel Bryan’s Retirement, Being The Wrestler In The Relationship, WWE Fastlane, More

Brie Bella

Source: WrestlingINC

This week’s sitdown interview with Michael Cole features Brie Bella discussing husband Daniel Bryan’s WWE retirement. Below are highlights:

* Cole asks her how much of an emotional roller coaster Monday was. She says they were both emotional landing in Seattle because this would be the last time he touched down in his home state with WWE. She says when Bryan saw everyone backstage and started joking around with them, then he was happy. As time got closer to the retirement speech, that’s when he started breaking down again. She wasn’t sure if he would be able to pull it together because Bryan is very sensitive and the business means everything to him. She says she couldn’t be more proud of him. She just wanted to be a wife on Monday, not a wrestler or co-worker. Brie says she was in the “Gorilla Position” and couldn’t stop crying

* Cole brings up how she’s now the wrestler in the relationship and asks if she’s ready for that, and if they have discussed the transition. She talks about how they walked around Seattle on Tuesday morning and Bryan pointed out how nobody can call him a wrestler anymore. Bryan joked how he gets to walk into parties and introduce his wife, the wrestler now. Brie says she didn’t realize that her life is changing as well. As a woman, it’s empowering because she gets to be the one who works and she’s a wrestler. At the same time, it’s devastating because they are soulmates and have shared the same passion. She says if it wasn’t for Bryan, she wouldn’t be where she’s at in the ring now because he pushed her to get better

* Regarding the title shot against WWE Divas Champion Charlotte at Fastlane, Brie talks about how it’s hard that she doesn’t even have Nikki Bella by her side to fall on right now. Brie wonders how she’s the smallest out of Bryan and Nikki but she’s still the strongest standing. She says no matter what, she has strength inside because she’s a Bella and she’s going to use what Charlotte has said about her family. Brie says Charlotte crossed her family and the lioness in her is here now. Brie says she’s going to win the title at Fastlane and when she does, she’s going to dedicate it to her sister and make her husband proud. Brie says she’s going to stand in the middle of the ring at Fastlane and chant “yes!” after she wins.

Lucha Underground Preview: 2/10/16

The hunt is on! In an epic battle the fierce Catrina enlists the help of King Cuerno to defeat Fenix. PLUS, a new Luchadora makes her temple debut! Don’t miss the Boyle Heights action in an all new episode of ‘Lucha Underground’ on Wednesday, February 10th at 8:00PM ET/PT on El Rey Network. New one-hour episodes of the lucha libre wrestling series from Emmy Award®-winning producer Mark Burnett premiere every Wednesday at 8:00PM ET/PT.

Jack Evans and Drago make their return to The Temple.

A new luchadora is about to enter The Temple. Kobra Moon debuts.

The hunt continues as King Cuerno once again targets Fenix.

NXT Preview: 2/10/16

The following is scheduled for tonight’s 2/10 WWE NXT on the WWE Network:

* NXT Women’s Title: Bayley (c) vs. Carmella

* Baron Corbin vs. Johnny Gargano

* Cameron vs. Alexa Bliss

* Elias Samson vs. Jesse Sorensen

* The Hype Bros. in action.

ROH On Comet TV Preview: 2/10/16

The following is scheduled for tonight’s 2/10 ROH TV on Comet:

* ROH Tag Team Titles: War Machine (c’s) vs. The All Night Express

* 2016 Top Prospect Tournament First Round: Action Ortiz vs. Leon St. Giovanni

* Alex Shelley vs. Frankie Kazarian w/Chris Sabin

* Dalton Castle w/The Boys vs. Joey “Diesel” Daddiego w/Truth Martini

CM Punk’s UFC Debut Delayed Again, Set For Surgery

Source: WrestlingINC

CM Punk detractors are going to have some more ammunition, as the former WWE Champion will have his UFC debut delayed yet again. He’ll be undergoing back surgery to repair a herniated disc, according to MMAFighting’s Ariel Helwani.

Punk told Helwani that his back is something that has always bothered him, and he figured that it was simply professional wrestling injuries. As it turns out, it was.

“It got bad enough to the point where I couldn’t do anything the week before I went to train with the New Jersey Devils last month. One day I could manage, the next day I couldn’t. I’ve been in agony for almost a month. Chiropractor, acupuncture, massage, cryotherapy, nothing worked,” Punk told MMA Fighting.

CM Punk was linked to both July’s UFC 200 and June’s UFC 199 to take on Mickey Gall. Gall defeated Mike Jackson at last weekend’s UFC Fight Night 82 to earn the right to take on Punk in his UFC debut.

Many fans, fighters and media have speculated that Punk’s UFC career is simply a publicity stunt, and that he has no intent to fight. According to my sources close to the camp, Punk has always had the actual intent to fight, along with his trainers at Roufusport. Punk, 37, still insists he will fight in the UFC.