The following is set for tonight’s 2/2 IMPACT Wrestling on POP TV:
Special “Open Fight Night” episode of the show featuring Jeff Hardy, The DCC, Trevor Lee and Eli Drake getting to pick their matches and stipulations.
Jeff Hardy will kick off the show with his case.
Sienna vs. Brooke Tessmacher
No word yet on what WWE is planning but the company has been contacting a lot of former women talents from the past to tell them that they’re wanted for WrestleMania 33. We do know that RAW Women’s Champion Charlotte vs. Nia Jax vs. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks is the plan for one of the WrestleMania women’s matches.
Source: WrestlingINC
After the recent WWE United Kingdom Title tournament that WWE officials were interested in holding similar tournaments for other regions of the world. Word now is that they are moving forward with a tournament to crown the first-ever WWE Asia Champion.
The company has been contacted several talents in Asia to inquire about passport details and other information. To avoid confusion that we’ve seen in the UK wrestling scene, talents being contacted for the Asia tournament are being told outright that no outside bookings are allowed if signed in the United States, the UK or Japan.
Source: WrestlingINC
Finn Balor was evaluated by doctors over the past week and was not cleared to return to the ring. The first-ever WWE Universal Champion has been out of action with a shoulder injury since SummerSlam 2016.
There had been speculation on Finn returning as a surprise Royal Rumble entrant last weekend but Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that it’s possible Balor was never even considered for the Rumble because his target return has always been late February or early March. Balor told Sam Roberts back in early December that he was looking at WrestleMania 33 as his return date but that he could be able to come back sooner. With that said, Balor is expected to appear at WrestleMania 33 in some form.
Balor recently posted the photo below with the full list of injuries he suffered from the powerbomb into the barrier from Seth Rollins at SummerSlam, which were a labrum tear, a torn biceps, a fractured glenoid neck socket, shoulder cartilage damage and a torn pec.
Source: WrestlingINC
Tommy Dreamer had a close call with his dogs as one of them pawed him in the eye, Dreamer tells the story below:
“Scary day, I almost lost my eye. Was in bed in am petting my dog. Switched to pet the other & he lunged forward to get more scratching & he put his paw right in my eye. I’ve never felt so much pain & I’ve been on fire, in barbed wire tacks & hit in balls w/a cane that knocked me out. Went to Dr, scratched cornea, it ripped my contact in half, we can’t find other half. Dr said contact probably saved my eye. Pain is pretty intense Can’t open it. Hopefully tomorrow is a better day.”
Source: WrestlingINC
Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker is the current plan for one of the WrestleMania 33 main events.
Despite the fact that Reigns will likely be booed out of the Camping World Stadium, Vince McMahon has reportedly wanted to do this match for some time. WrestleMania 33 may be the last big chance to do the match due to Taker’s health.
Reigns eliminated Taker in this year’s Royal Rumble match to set up their WrestleMania beef but Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that there is the idea of a generational passing of the torch being discussed, which may be hard to pull off with the expected crowd reaction to Reigns. That could indicate an official heel run for Reigns but The Observer notes that WWE’s long-term goal is still for Reigns to be the face of the company.
Regarding Taker’s health, we noted before that he was said to be really hurting with hip pain after Sunday’s Royal Rumble main event. Taker had hip surgery last fall but still needs a hip replacement surgery, which he’s been putting off until his in-ring career is over.
Source: WrestlingINC
The right knee injury that Seth Rollins suffered at Monday’s RAW in the fight with Samoa Joe is believed to be a torn MCL, according to Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Rollins was evaluated by doctors in Birmingham, Alabama on Wednesday and early word is that he will be out of action for around 8 weeks. The scheduled match with Triple H at the April 2nd WrestleMania 33 pay-per-view is possible but not definite. This is the same knee that Rollins had reconstructive surgery on last year, forcing him to miss the first scheduled match with Triple H at WrestleMania 32.
The Observer adds that the segment on RAW was to set up Joe vs. Rollins at the March 5th Fastlane pay-per-view. Rollins would then face Triple H at WrestleMania 33.
Rollins issued the following statement Wednesday evening regarding his injury on his Twitter account:
Wanted to take a second to thank everyone who has reached out to me over the last two days. Life doesn’t always go your way, but that is no excuse to surrender. If anything, obstacles exist to help us grow and evolve.
“This reinjury to my surgically repaired knee is real and a lot is up in the air right now, but one thing remains constant: my resolve. This doesn’t end for me until I’ve reclaimed the throne. And for me, fighting and defeating Triple H is the only way. I will work harder than I ever have and push myself beyond what I know. This isn’t over. The only way to wear the crown is to slay the king. I know what must be done and there’s nothing that can stop me.
Source: WrestlingINC
MLW Radio first tweeted earlier this week that the first two seasons of Lucha Underground will air on Netflix. They added that the promotion will NOT be leaving the El Rey Network and is not for sale, as seen below:
On MLW Radio yesterday, via @luchablog, it was noted that the show would premiere on Netflix on February 15th for the U.S. and other parts of North America. Netflix Canada confirmed that the series will be airing in Canada on Twitter:
As for the current third season of Lucha Underground, the mid-season finale aired on January 11th. As seen below, the second half of the third season will return to the El Rey Network on May 31st:
Source: WrestlingINC
According to the latest edition of Court Bauer’s MLW Radio (via PWinsider), the first two season of Lucha Underground will debut on Netflix on February 15. The series had 39 episodes in Season One and 26 in season two. Bauer is a former WWE Creative Team member and promoter; he had worked for Lucha Underground last year and at had been involved in a push to get the series on the streaming platform. This news follows rumors that started last month, claiming that the series would be leaving The El Rey Network completely for Netflix. If it happens, Lucha Underground will be the first wrestling promotion/series hosted on the streaming service. Lucha Underground is currently in their third season, but are currently on a break as El Rey made the call to split and extend the season.
Source: 411Mania
Ember Moon vs. Aliyah
WWE UK champion Tyler Bate vs. Oney Lorcan
No Way Jose vs. Elias Samson
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