Author: John Bass

WWE Considering Australian Global Warning PPV In 2018

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Pro Wrestling Sheet has learned there have been serious internal discussions within WWE regarding a possible Global Warning pay-per-view event that would take place next year in Australia.

For those who don’t remember, WWE Global Warning Tour 2002 took place in Melbourne and over 50,000 people attended the live event. We’re told officials want to top that in a big way next year.

Sources with direct knowledge say WWE have discussed running Global Warning II in October at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which holds 100,000 people. This time, however, they want to broadcast the event on PPV and the WWE Network.

Nothing official has been set quite yet, but The Sheet was told things are headed in the right direction.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Jim Ross Verbally Agrees to Contract Extension With AXS TV

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Jim Ross and AXS TV have verbally agreed to a contract extension, and the new contract is being finalized. Since Ross isn’t appearing on WWE TV (he was signed for the UK project, which hasn’t launched), WWE didn’t stand in the way of the deal. Aldo, his WWE deal allowed him to continue doing existing work.

Source: 411Mania

Impact Wrestling Preview 12/7/17

* oVe airs their grievances

* Knockouts Tournament Match: Sienna vs. Rosemary vs. Allie

* Caleb Knley vs. Taiji Ishimori

* Impact Grand Championship: (C) EC3 vs. Matt Sydal

* Eli Drake & Chris Adonis vs. Johnny Impact & Petey Williams

Ronda Rousey Signing With WWE Is Reportedly ‘Imminent’

According to USA Today, Ronda Rousey is finalizing details that will bring the former UFC Champion into the world of WWE. Although not yet officially announced by WWE, it appears as if Rousey will be making her way to the squared circle in the near future.

Rousey has made appearances at WrestleMania 31 (with The Rock), the Mae Young Classic, and in November, at an NXT live event to meet with fans. Along with the other Four Horsewomen members, Rousey has been training in the ring (at times at the WWE Performance Center), which was shown in a December 1 video that was previewing her personal website.

During the Mae Young Classic, WWE teased a confrontation between the two Four Horsewomen groups, with talk of having a match (Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir) at WrestleMania 34. There was also a rumored match against just Charlotte, but no word yet on if or when that could happen.

Last month, in an interview with Good Morning Britain, Triple H spoke about WWE’s mutual interest with Rousey.

“She is very interested in our business, always has been a huge fan, that’s where the ‘Rowdy Ronda’ came from,” Triple H said. “I think she’s interested in the opportunity, I’m interested in offering her the opportunity, so we have some talking do.”

If Rousey is finished with Mixed Martial Arts, her record will stand at 12-2, losing the final two fights to Holly Holm and current UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, Amanda Nunes. Her final fight with Nunes was in December of last year.

Source: WrestlingINC

News On If Matt Hardy Has Creative Freedom With ‘Woken’ Character

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Matt Hardy will apparently have creative license with his “Woken” character, according to a new report by Justin Barrasso at Sports Illustrated. It was noted that Vince McMahon “sees opportunity and the opportunity to cash in on a character that is already established.”

Source: WrestlingINC

Bret Hart Files $1 Million Lawsuit Over Botched Surgery

WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart has reportedly filed a $1-million lawsuit over a botched wrist surgery that has left him unable to use his right thumb and index finger. The Calgary Sun reports Hart underwent the surgery two years ago with Dr. Justin Yeung to deal with an injury he had endured since 1981.

Six weeks after his surgery on Nov. 23, 2015, Hart visited Yeung to have three pins removed and this is when he first indicated that he lacked function in his right thumb and index finger. Yeung advised him to take a wait-and-see approach, but the problems persisted well into 2016.

“The defendants were negligent, breached the duties of care they owed to Mr. Hart and breached their agreement with (him),” the lawsuit alleges. It goes on to say Yeung and his surgery team left “a tourniquet on Mr. Hart’s right arm on too long, such that the circulation of the nerves and tendons to his right thumb and index finger were damaged by a prolonged insufficient supply of oxygen.”

Hart is seeking $1 million in general damage in addition to unspecified amounts for lost income and other losses.

“He is unable to participate in his previous recreational and social activities,” the lawsuit states about Hart’s current limitations. “He is unable to use his right hand to pick up and functionally use objects, including pens, pencils, eating utensils and tools.”

The defense has not yet filed a statement disputing the allegations. Calgary Sun reports that Hart underwent another surgery in Vancouver in October, but the outcome of that surgery is not yet known.

Source: WrestlingINC

NXT Preview 12/6/17

* Zelina Vega throws a celebration for NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas

* Who will move one step closer to an NXT Title Match at TakeOver: Philadelphia?

* Killian Dain, Trent Seven clash for contention

* Ruby Riott and Sonya Deville reignite rivalry in No Holds Barred Match

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Being Honored With Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

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Former WWE Champion The Rock will receive his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, December 13th at 11:30am PST. The event will be live-streamed on WalkOfFame.com.

Below is the full announcement on the big honor:

HOLLYWOOD CHAMBER TO HONOR DWAYNE JOHNSON WITH STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAMEWHO: Honoree: Dwayne Johnson

Emcee: Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President/CEO Leron Gubler

Guest speakers: TBA

WHAT: Dedication of the 2,624th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Motion Pictures

WHERE: 6801 Hollywood Boulevard in front Hollywood & Highland Complex

WHEN: Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. PST

Event will be live-streamed exclusively on http://www.walkoffame.com

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that actor Dwayne Johnson will be honored with the 2,624th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, December 13th, at 11:30 a.m. PST. The star will be dedicated in the category of Motion Pictures at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Hollywood & Highland.

“Everyone loves Dwayne Johnson! We predict that his star will be a very popular one to visit on our famous walk. Not only does Dwayne have a great personality and talent, but he also does a great amount of philanthropic work which is part of the criteria for earning an immortal spot on the Walk of Fame. We envision scores of photos being taken at his star by his fans,” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce which administers the popular star ceremonies encourages people who are unable to attend and fans around the world to watch the event exclusively on http://www.walkoffame.com.

With film revenues exceeding $2-billion worldwide, Dwayne Johnson has solidified himself as a global box-office powerhouse in both film and television. Always adding to his busy schedule, Johnson shows no sign of slowing down.

He will soon be seen in Sony’s highly anticipated “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” alongside Kevin Hart and Jack Black in theaters December 20th. Johnson recently wrapped New Line Cinema’s “Rampage” set to be released April 20, 2018 as well as Legendary’s “Skyscraper” set to be released in July 2018. Next year, he will star in Disney’s “Jungle Cruise,” based on its hit theme park ride. This past year, Johnson starred in Paramount’s “Baywatch” and Universal Pictures’ “The Fate of the Furious,” the 8th installment of the successful ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise. In 2019, Johnson will star with Jason Statham in a ‘Fast and Furious’ spin-off movie based on his breakout character Hobbs. Adding to a slew of tent-pole films, Johnson starred in the highest grossing live action comedy, “Central Intelligence” opposite Kevin Hart for New Line Cinema and also lent his voice to the widely successful Disney Animated film “Moana” released in November 2016. Johnson starred in the 2015 summer blockbuster “San Andreas” (New Line Cinema in association with Roadshow Pictures) as well which is set to feature a sequel.

Among Johnson’s recent film credits are: Universal’s “Furious 7,” Paramount’s “Hercules,” the dramatic thriller “Snitch,” the comic book action-adventure “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” the dramatic independent film “Empire State,” “Pain & Gain,” alongside Mark Wahlberg, “Fast 5” and “Fast and Furious 6,” which grossed a combined for $1.4-billion globally. Johnson’s previous films include “Race to Witch Mountain,” “Get Smart,” “The Game Plan,” “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” which grossed over $325-million in 2011, “Be Cool,” MGM’s sequel to “Get Shorty,” the 2004 remake “Walking Tall” and Universal’s “The Rundown.” Johnson was cast by Stephen Sommers in “The Mummy Returns,” which grossed more than $400-million worldwide. His role was so well received by Universal’s executives that they immediately planned a film based on his character, “The Scorpion King,” which broke box office records in 2002.

Johnson’s production company, Seven Bucks Productions, co-founded with by his business partner Dany Garcia, has produced several shows, including HBO’s highest rated half-hour comedy “Ballers” starring Johnson and entering its 4th season in 2018. In 2017, Seven Bucks produced the critically-acclaimed “Soundtracks” on CNN, the science fiction action drama “Lifeline” on YouTube Red, as well as the youth prison documentary, “Rock and a Hard Place,” for HBO which became the network’s #1 watched standalone special. Seven Bucks also teamed with filmmaker Andrew Jenks to produce the podcast “What Really Happened” which recently hit #1 on iTunes’ Podcast charts.

Born in San Francisco and raised in Hawaii, Johnson excelled as a high school All-American and subsequently as a star defensive lineman for the University of Miami Hurricanes, helping lead his team to a national championship. Upon graduating from the University of Miami, Johnson followed in the footsteps of his WWE Hall of Fame father, Rocky Johnson, and grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, by joining the competitive sports entertainment world of the WWE. Within a seven-year period (1996-2003), his intense passion led to an extraordinarily successful career breaking box office attendance records across the U.S. and setting pay-per-view buy rate records during that period as well.

As “The Rock”, a larger than life extension of himself, Johnson became one of the most charismatic and dynamic characters the industry has ever seen. In March 2012, Johnson made a record-breaking return to the WWE where he defeated John Cena to become WWE Champion in the main event of at Wrestle Mania XXVIII in Miami.

Known as “The People’s Champion” in WWE, Johnson takes tremendous pride in the relationship he has with his audience, feeding off their passion and connectivity. Johnson regularly engages his over 175 million followers across social media as well as his YouTube Channel and was ranked #1 on Hollywood Reporter’s “Top Actors” chart which ranks analytics for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Google Plus.

Johnson penned an autobiography, The Rock Says, which reached #1 on the New York TimesBestseller List shortly after its publication in January 2000.

Johnson also created The Rock Foundation in 2006, with a mission to educate, empower and motivate children worldwide through health and physical fitness. A dedicated philanthropist, Johnson is the current National spokesperson for the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Diabetes Aware Campaign. He is also a committed Celebrity Cabinet Member for The American Red Cross, and serves as a National Celebrity Wish Ambassador for The Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2008, United States Congress and the United States Joint Leadership Commission recognized Johnson with the prestigious Horizon Award, the U.S. Congressional Award given to an individual in the private sector who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and provided opportunities for youth nationwide.

Top Stars Possibly Leaving Impact Wrestling Soon, Backstage Roster Change News, Impact Creative Team Change

It is believed that there will be several wrestlers that depart the company over the next month or so, including some main event talents. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that with James Storm recently leaving the company, the next two top talents who may be leaving when their contracts expire are Bobby Lashley and Ethan Carter III, who currently holds the Impact Grand Title on TV. As noted, Storm left the company because he had a high guaranteed money contract that Impact would not renew.

Two stars who will be staying for a while are Johnny Impact and Taya Valkyrie. They both recently signed deals that will allow them to continue working for Lucha Underground when the series films the next season.

On a related note, the belief is that Impact will feature a much larger contingent of Canadian-based wrestlers going forward as the company is now based out of Toronto, Ontario due to parent company Anthem being located there.

As noted, Impact announced today that Scott D’Amore and Don Callis have been hired as Executive Vice Presidents of the company. They will report to President Ed Nordholm and form a three-member Executive Committee. The committee has an “overall responsibility for developing the creative direction for the Company and managing the execution of the Company’s business plan.” Impact has not confirmed any significant office departures related to the new committee but PWInsider notes that word going around says John “Big” Gaburick will be officially leaving the company during early 2018. Gaburick was kept on as a consultant when Anthem took over and he’s also worked TV tapings but he was kept more as insurance in case the regime under Jeff Jarrett didn’t work out. Gaburick helped with the transition following Jarrett’s departure but mostly with production as creative was being led by D’Amore and Sonjay Dutt. Gaburick is no longer needed with Don Callis and Scott D’Amore being hired but he had already been preparing for life after Impact wit new projects as of late. Gaburick isn’t the only one leaving in early 2018 as Dutch Mantel is expected to part ways with the company. One source noted to PWInsider that Mantel is already gone but that could not be confirmed. Mantel was not brought in for the November TV tapings after losing his power when Jarrett left.

PWInsider notes that one of the longterm employees that is expected to stay with the company and work from home is Bob Ryder, who still works as an executive.

Regarding the rest of the creative team, Dutt is still working creative and as a producer, and that is not expected to change. Abyss, Gail Kim, Jeremy Borash and Jimmy Jacobs will all continue to work as producers and will also have input into creative. The final calls on creative and direction of the company will now be made by Callis, D’Amore and Nordholm.

The company is looking to try and run live events more consistently in 2018 as well. There’s been talk of taping 4-5 weeks of TV episodes at a time, instead of 10 weeks or so over a longer stretch of time. They are also interested in running live non-televised events at smaller venues in between tapings if they can be cost-effective. The January TV tapings are confirmed for Orlando, Florida but the company is planning on running the US and Canada next year. There’s talk of holding the March TV tapings in Canada, possibly the in the Windsor area.

Source: WrestlingINC

Sasha Banks vs. Alexa Bliss To Make History In Abu Dhabi

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Sasha Banks vs. RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss has been confirmed for Thursday’s WWE live event in Abu Dhabi. This will be a history-making match as it’s the first WWE women’s match to be held in that country.

Source: WrestlingINC