Author: John Bass

The Funeral Service For Jamin “Jay Briscoe” Pugh Now Available To Watch

On Sunday, a funeral service for late Ring of Honor wrestler Jamin “Jay Briscoe” Pugh was held in Laurel, Delaware.

The official YouTube channel of the Laurel School District hosted a livestream of the funeral, which you can see below. During the service, Jay’s mother, father, and brother Mark recalled their memories of their beloved family member.

You can watch the service below.

On behalf of all of us here on eWn, we send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jamin “Jay Briscoe” Pugh.

Jey Uso Says “I’m Out” Of The Bloodline After WWE Royal Rumble 2023

Sami Zayn’s tenure as the Honorary Uce has ended, and Jey Uso is leaving The Bloodline with him.

At this past weekend’s Royal Rumble 2023 pay-per-view event, Zayn was ejected from the group after refusing to attack Kevin Owens and for striking Roman Reigns with a steel chair.

While Reigns, Jimmy Uso, and Solo Sikoa all attacked Zayn, Jey refused to do so and instead walked away from his family.

Taking to Instagram, Jey shared an image from the night, with the simple caption “I’m out.”

Jey had been at odds with Zayn for months, but came to Sami’s defense during the ‘trial’ on last week’s “RAW is 30” show.

Source: eWrestlingNews

NJPW Announces STRONG ON DEMAND, Rebranding For All American NJPW Live Events

New Japan Pro Wrestling has overhauled its STRONG brand in order to consist of all the American shows under one banner.

NJPW announced on Sunday that all NJPW events in the United States will henceforth take place under the STRONG brand, and the weekly taping of NJPW Strong will switch to a “duel model” of STRONG LIVE and STRONG ON DEMAND.

The inaugural show under the new STRONG LIVE branding will be February 18th’s Battle in the Valley in San Jose, California event. The upcoming pay-per-view event will make up four episodes of their weekly TV series that is set to air on their new STRONG ON DEMAND service starting on March 4th.

The four-part model will continue with other United States live events that include March’s Strong Style Evolved at WrestleCon and April’s Capital Collision in Washington, DC, and Collision in Philadelphia shows.

You can check out the full announcement below:

“NJPW of America, STRONG transform in 2023 【NJoA】
STRONG LIVE, STRONG On Demand to see the best in the US
Since its inception during the COVID pandemic in 2020, NJPW STRONG has seen the best rising stars in the US compete with familiar names from the Japanese stage and beyond. Monthly tapings have seen passionate fans witness great action live, with matches from those tapings being distributed every week on NJPW World and FITE.

Additionally, Pay Per View events from the US have seen still more memorable moments, from Jon Moxley and El Desperado’s wild deathmatch at “Music City Mayhem” to Eddie Kingston and Kazuchika Okada teaming for the first time, and STARDOM’s Mayu Iwatani defending SWA gold at “Rumble on 44th Street”.

In the past, these PPV offerings were presented under the NJPW rather than NJPW STRONG branding in order to make them more distinct from the weekly TV style presentations on NJPW World and FITE. As NJPW moves into a new era in 2023 however, so too does action in the US, and the time has come to further fortify the NJPW STRONG brand, as well as to ensure even more people sample the incredible action that NJPW presents in the US.

Moving forward, all events from New Japan Pro-Wrestling in the US will carry the branding of NJPW STRONG. In addition, the weekly ‘TV taping’ format of STRONG will shift to a dual model: STRONG LIVE and STRONG On Demand.

The first STRONG LIVE event will be Battle in the Valley on February 18 from the sold out San Jose Civic. With Mercedes Moné versus KAIRI for the IWGP Women’s Championship, Fred Rosser defending the STRONG Openweight Championship against KENTA, Jay White and Eddie Kingston in a grudge match, and the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship also on the line, this immense card is a must watch event for fans live in English on FITE, or in Japanese on NJPW World PPV.

All this action will also be made available in March with NJPW STRONG On Demand. STRONG On Demand will see matches from STRONG Live cards delivered in a four part weekly basis through the month, much as NJPW STRONG has been to date.

NJPW STRONG on Demand March schedule

March 4 Battle in the Valley week 1: 2 matches

March 11 Battle in the Valley week 2: 3 matches

March 18 Battle in the Valley week 3: 2 matches

March 25 Battle in the Valley week 4: 3 matches

This model will continue with our return to WrestleCon this March with Strong Style Evolved, before NJPW Capital Collision in Washington DC and Collision in Philadelphia from the world famous 2300 Arena!

This dual model will give fans on a budget the chance to stay up to date with the hottest action in the US through their regular NJPW World subscription, while the very best live experience on the planet awaits on pay per view as it happens.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling thanks fans for their dedicated support of NJPW STRONG to date- we can’t wait to have you join us for Battle in the Valley and what lies beyond in a thrilling new chapter for all of NJPW.”

Source: eWrestlingNews

WWE Appears To Confirm Nia Jax’s Return With New Merchandise

Nia Jax’s return at the 2023 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event doesn’t appear to be a one-off, with a new piece of merchandise being released for the former RAW Women’s Champion.

Jax returned to WWE as the #30 entrant in this year’s Women’s Rumble match, after being released from the promotion in November 2021.

After her shocking return, WWE released a new shirt for Jax, using her moniker as the ‘Irresistible Force.’

Source: eWrestlingNews

WWE Royal Rumble 1/28/2023 (Results)

WWE color commentator Pat McAfee made his return last night during the 2023 Royal Rumble. He joined the commentary team which featured Corey Graves and Michael Cole.

30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:

Entry Order:

  1. Gunther
  2. Sheamus
  3. The Miz
  4. Kofi Kingston
  5. Johnny Gargano
  6. Xavier Woods
  7. Karrion Kross
  8. Chad Gable
  9. Drew McIntyre
  10. Santos Escobar
  11. Angelo Dawkins
  12. Brock Lesnar
  13. Bobby Lashley
  14. Baron Corbin
  15. Seth Rollins
  16. Otis
  17. Rey Mysterio – Nevered entered the Rumble, he was apparently taken out in the back by his son Dominik
  18. Dominik Mysterio
  19. Elias
  20. Finn Balor
  21. Booker T
  22. Damian Priest
  23. Montez Ford
  24. Edge – After he was eliminated, Edge chases Priest and Balor back up the ramp and they begin brawling until Rhea Ripley comes out and helps. However, as she turns around Beth Phoenix appears and hits Rhea with a spear and the brawling continues until officials break it up.
  25. Austin Theory
  26. Omos
  27. Braun Strowman
  28. Ricochet
  29. Logan Paul
  30. Cody Rhodes

Winner: Cody Rhodes

MOUNTAIN DEW PITCH BLACK MATCH:
Bray Wyatt def. LA Knight

After the match, Wyatt then ends up with some form of mask on his face with a completely different look than before, and he stalks Knight. He uses the kendo stick to hit Wyatt on the head but he just walks through it as the blows don’t register. Wyatt eats a trio of shots to the head but he doesn’t flinch as hey head through the fans, and Wyatt grabs Knight and locks in the Mandible Claw. 

Uncle Howdy is then shown above Wyatt on a platform, and he launches himself off the top of the platform, crashing through Knight underneath as the area explodes. Above him are the puppet characters who look down and watch everything.

RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP:
Bianca Belair (c) def. Alexa Bliss

After the match the lights flicker and a playground is shown with various Wyatt related logos. Uncle Howdy asks her if she feels in charge, and Bliss is then shown looking scared inside the ring.

30-WOMAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:

Entry Order:

  1. Rhea Ripley
  2. Liv Morgan
  3. Dana Brooke
  4. Emma
  5. Shayna Baszler
  6. Bayley
  7. B-Fab
  8. Roxane Perez
  9. Dakota Kai
  10. Iyo Sky
  11. Natalya
  12. Candice LeRae
  13. Zoey Stark
  14. Xia Li
  15. Becky Lynch
  16. Tegan Nox
  17. Asuka
  18. Piper Niven
  19. Tamina
  20. Chelsea Green
  21. Zelina Vega
  22. Raquel Rodriguez
  23. “Michin” Mia Yim
  24. Lacey Evans
  25. Michelle McCool – She was sitting in the crowd
  26. Indi Hartwell
  27. Sonya Deville
  28. Shotzi
  29. Nikki Cross
  30. Nia Jax

Winner: Rhea Ripley

UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP:
Roman Reigns (c) w/Paul Heyman and Sami Zayn def. Kevin Owens

After the match, all of The Bloodline appear. Jey Uso wants to honor him but Reigns says no and he wants them to attack Owens more which The Usos do as they beat down on Owens, hitting the 1D. They then trap Owens’ head into a chair as Solo Sikoa charges into the corner with a hip attack. The Usos then handcuff Owens to the top rope, leaving him helpless as they continue the attack with superkicks. 

Reigns then gets set to hit Owens with a chair but Zayn gets in the way and he tells Roman it is beneath him as it is enough. Instead, Reigns hands Zayn the chair himself, and he then steps infront of him and Zayn teases hitting Roman but he doesn’t. Reigns then pushes Zayn several times as he screams in his face, but Zayn then uses the chair…on Reigns! He apologizes to Jey, and then Jimmy Uso nails him with a superkick and begins a beatdown himself. Sikoa then hits the Samoan Spike to him as Reigns instructs them to keep attacking him and they beat him down as Jey watches on. They hen want more Jey to get involved, but he simply leaves the ring as he cries and walks away from The Bloodline. Reigns then takes out his frustration with a chair on Zayn himself. 

AEW Rampage Preview 1/27/2023

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT at 10/9C.

  • Hangman Page vs. Wheeler Yuta
  • AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter vs. Emi Sakura in a title eliminator match
  • Best Friends & Danhausen vs. Jeff Jarrett, Satnam Singh & Jay Lethal
  • Powerhouse Hobbs vs. TBA

WWE SmackDown Preview 1/27/2023

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX, and emanate from the Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas. This is the go-home show for this Saturday’s Royal Rumble.

WWE Royal Rumble 1/28/2023 (Card)

Date: January 28, 2023
Location: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas

CARD

30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:
Participants: Austin Theory, Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman, Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Gunther, Karrion Kross, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio, Ricochet, Santos Escobar, Seth Rollins, Sheamus, Omos, Dominik Mysterio and TBD

30-WOMAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:
Participants: Candice LeRae, Emma, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Rhea Ripley, Shayna Baszler, Zelina Vega and TBD

MOUNTAIN DEW PITCH BLACK MATCH:
Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight

UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP:
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens

RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP:
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Alexa Bliss

Latest News On Why Stephanie McMahon Resigned From WWE

Earlier this month, Stephanie McMahon stepped down as Chairwoman and co-CEO of WWE. The news came just days after her father, Vince McMahon, reinstated himself to WWE’s Board of Directors after retiring last summer amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations. More details have now emerged regarding Stephanie’s resignation. 

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Stephanie was “about to be demoted” following her father’s return, so she ultimately decided to completely step away from the company with the knowledge that she didn’t require the job — or its paycheck — moving forward. Of course, Stephanie began a sabbatical last year, but was brought back into the fold when the allegations against Vince were made public by the Wall Street Journal. Additionally, WON notes that her departure signaled “a lot stronger move,” instead of resuming her leave of absence and remaining on WWE’s Board.

Stephanie, who became a full-time employee of WWE after graduating from Boston University in 1998, posted a statement online revealing her resignation and clarified that she would still support WWE “from the other side of the business.” Meanwhile, her husband, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, remains in charge of WWE’s creative as Chief Content Officer, despite Vince’s comeback. Her father, now serving as Executive Chairman once again, is seeking out “strategic alternatives” for the promotion regarding upcoming U.S. media rights negotiations and a potential sale of the company. WWE has brought financial experts JP Morgan on board to assist the sale process, with several suitors reportedly interested in buying the organization, including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.  

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Warner Bros. Discovery Reportedly Banned The Briscoes For More Than Jay’s Offensive Slurs

Mark Briscoe appeared on “AEW Dynamite” this past Wednesday and took on Jay Lethal to honor the memory of Jay Briscoe, who passed away earlier this month. However, Tony Khan confirmed that he “fought hard” to get Mark on the show as Warner Bros. Discovery executives previously banned them from appearing on AEW programming on TBS and TNT. Furthermore, their reasons for doing so were reportedly two-fold.

Previously, it was noted that WBD had a problem with Jay’s homophobic tweet from 2013, for which he apologized several times in the years that followed. At first, it was assumed that Mark had been banned because he was associated with his brother, but the latest edition of the “Wrestling Observer Newsletter” reported that WBD executives had issues with the Briscoes for wearing the Confederate Flag on their gear in the past.

Per the “WON” article, this is why AEW wasn’t allowed to host a tribute show for Jay on TBS or TNT following his death. AEW’s deal with WBD means that the media company has the power to ban anyone from AEW programming, so the situation was out of Khan’s hands until he convinced the relevant executives to reconsider.

It now seems that WBD has relaxed its stance regarding Mark Briscoe showing up on AEW television. Earlier this week, it was revealed that he’s been given the green light to appear on AEW television going forward. Meanwhile, the latest episode of “Dynamite” featured a tribute video for Jay and discussions about his career from the show’s commentary team.

Source: Wrestling Inc.