Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will feature more build for the upcoming Fastlane and WrestleMania 37 events.
Author: John Bass
AEW Announces 12 Matches For Special Edition Of “Dark” 3/6/21
AEW has announced 12 matches for the special Revolution Weekend edition of AEW Dark that airs tomorrow night at 7pm ET on YouTube.
* Lance Archer vs. John Skyler
* Jack Evans vs. Jake St. Patrick
* Chuck Taylor vs. JD Drake
* Penta El Zero vs. Azriel
* Thunder Rosa vs. Tesha Price
* Tay Conti vs. Leila Grey
* Matt Sydal and Mike Sydal vs. Chaos Project (Luther, Serpentico)
* Ricky Starks and Brian Cage vs. Angel Fashion and Fuego del Sol
* The Gunn Club (Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn) vs. M’Badu and D3
* The Natural Nightmares (QT Marshall, Dustin Rhodes) vs. Cezar Bononi and Peter Avalon
* Bear Country (Bear Boulder, Bear Bronson) vs. Ryzin and Cameron Stewart
* The Dark Order (5, 10) vs. Labron Kozone and Vary Morales
WWE NXT TakeOver To Be A Two-Night Event During WrestleMania 37 Week?
The next WWE NXT Takeover special may be a two-night event during WrestleMania 37 Weekend.
Earlier this week, a WWE Network pop-up revealed that a NXT Takeover event was scheduled for Thursday, April 8, which is the Thursday before Night 1 of WrestleMania 37 on Saturday, April 10. PWInsider has since confirmed that the next planned Takeover special is scheduled for that Thursday before WrestleMania.
There has been talk of this being the first-ever two-night Takeover event. The idea is that Night 1 would air on the USA Network that Wednesday night as the weekly NXT TV episode, while Night 2 would air that Thursday on the WWE Network.
There is no word on if WWE will go ahead with the two-night Takeover event as the idea could change or evolve with more than a month to go.
There’s also no word on if both nights would take place from the Capitol Wrestling Center at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Jim Crockett Jr. Reportedly Had COVID-19 Before Passing Away, Ric Flair Pays Tribute
Legendary pro wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. reportedly had COVID-19 shortly before passing away.
As noted, Crockett Jr. passed away at the age of 76 on Wednesday. He had entered hospice care late last week due to issues with his kidneys and liver. Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio last Friday that Crockett was in grave condition and had removed himself from dialysis to enter hospice care.
In an update, Meltzer reported on today’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that Crockett Jr. had the coronavirus shortly before passing. The COVID-19 diagnosis combined with his other heath issues led to the recent hospitalization. Crockett Jr. made the call last week to go off dialysis, and from there it was just a matter of time before he passed.
WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair paid tribute to Jim Jr. on Twitter today, crediting his influence and persistence with Flair becoming a World Champion.
“I Moved To Charlotte In 1974 With $150 In My Pocket. Jimmy Crockett Was My Friend And My Boss. I Can’t Put Into Words How Much He Did For Me And My Career. His Influence And Persistence Helped Me Become The World Champion. My Thoughts And Prayers Are With The Crockett Family! [folded hands emoji],” Flair wrote.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
NJPW Announces Big Events, 49th Anniversary Show Results
Earlier today, NJPW held its 49th Anniversary Show with Kota Ibushi defeating El Desperado to retain his IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships. As noted, NJPW is going to unify the two titles into one IWGP World Heavyweight Championship going forward.
The opening round of the New Japan Cup also began with Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb each moving forward. Below are the full results:
* Hirooki Goto, Tomoaki Honma, Gabriel Kidd, and Master Wato defeated Taichi, Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr., and DOUKI
* EVIL, Jay White, KENTA, Chase Owens, and Taiji Ishimori (with Gedo and Dick Togo) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Juice Robinson, David Finlay, Toa Henare, and Ryusuke Taguchi
* Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, and SHO defeated SANADA, Shingo Takagi, and BUSHI
* Jeff Cobb defeated Satoshi Kojima (New Japan Cup Match)
* Great-O-Khan defeated Tetsuya Naito via Referee Stoppage (New Japan Cup Match)
* Kota Ibushi (c) defeated El Desperado (IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships)
NJPW also announced Wrestle Grand Slam, which will happen over two nights on May 15 and May 29.
The first takes place at Yokohoma Stadium, an outdoor baseball stadium, similar to what they did last year with Summer Struggle in Jingu. The second show happens at the Tokyo Dome.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Paul Wight Teases Big Signing For AEW At Revolution PPV
Paul Wight formerly known as The Big Show has appeared on AEW programming for the first time since he jumped ship from WWE.
Wight returned to TNT for the first time in over 20 years when he debuted on the latest edition of AEW Dynamite.
During his segment, Wight plugged his upcoming color commentating spot on AEW Dark: Elevation. As noted, along with wrestling from time-to-time, Wight will commentate AEW Dark: Elevation on Mondays at 7 pm ET on AEW’s YouTube channel. The show premieres on March 15 and Tony Schiavone is set to be his broadcast partner.
During a chat with his former WCW colleague Tony Schiavone, Wight — who was wearing a t-shirt that said “no more BS” — clarified his new role with All Elite Wrestling.
“Raise your hand if you saw this turn coming,” he joked.
Wight then revealed that AEW has signed a major “hall-of-fame worthy” star, and said that they will debut at AEW Revolution on Sunday.
Check out Paul Wight’s AEW debut below.
Cody Rhodes Puts Shaq Through A Table On Dynamite
All Elite Wrestling’s Cody Rhodes managed to put NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal through a table on the latest edition of AEW Dynamite.
It all went down in the opening match which saw Cody team with Red Velvet to take on the powerhouse duo of Shaq and Jade Cargill.
At one point during the match, Cody cross-bodied Shaq off the apron through two tables on the outside!
An impressive performance from newcomer Cargill meant that Cody and Velvet ultimately lost the match.
After the bell, Shaq was stretchered into an ambulance, but when Tony Schiavone went to conduct a post-match interview with him, he had vanished.
Check out Shaq’s brutal table bump in the clip below.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
Legendary Promoter Jim Crockett Jr. Passes Away At 76
The legendary pro-wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. has tragically passed away at the age of 76.
Crockett’s death from organ failure was confirmed by multiple sources on Wednesday evening.
Jim’s father — Jim Crockett Sr. — started the hugely influential Jim Crockett Promotions in 1931. Crockett Sr. passed away in 1977, and Crockett Jr. officially took the reigns of JCP in 1977. The company, which ran affiliated with the NWA, was started by his father, and was sold in 1988 to Ted Turner, who re-named it WCW. Crockett Jr. was a three-term NWA President, last serving in the role in 1991.
In the wake of his passing, tributes poured in from Jim’s fans, friends, and colleagues.
“Rest In Peace Jim Crockett Jr. You will be missed by so many,” Robert Gibson of The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express wrote on Facebook.
“If not for my love of Jim Crockett promotions I doubt I ever would have considered a pro wrestling career,” Lance Storm tweeted. “Thank you Jim Crockett jr. May you Rest In Peace.”
WWE issued a statement:
WWE is saddened to learn that Jim Crockett Jr. passed away at the age of 76.
An influential promoter who helped champion the careers of WWE Hall of Famers such as Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat and The Road Warriors, Crockett Jr. stewarded the family’s Crockett Promotions from 1977 to 1989. As part of the promotion’s affiliation, Crockett Jr. was later named President of the National Wrestling Alliance in 1980. During his tenure, Crockett Jr. helped expand the promotion’s footprint and held the inaugural Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Under Crockett Jr.’s leadership, the NWA would eventually be sold and renamed as World Championship Wrestling.
WWE extends its condolences to Crockett Jr.’s family and friends.
AEW and Impact Wrestling also issued statements via Twitter.
MLW Fusion Preview 3/3/21
- World Heavyweight Championship: Jacob Fatu (champion) vs. Jordan Oliver (challenger)
- World Tag Team Championship: Los Parks (Champions) vs. CONTRA Unit (challengers)
- Calvin Tankman vs. Laredo Kid
- Parrow in action!
Jordan Oliver prepares for the absolute fight of his life as he faces CONTRA’s undefeated World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu for the championship in the main event of FUSION, presented by newlawoffice.com.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TCEKvR0_PtI
Oliver has been calling out Fatu for 8 months and come this Wednesday he will finally have his shot at destiny and some justice as he challenges the CONTRA kingpin for his championship in the main event on FUSION. Now the young, brash kid from Newburgh, NY looks to prove youth, his unorthodox street fighting style and tenacity will be enough to topple the “Samoan Smashing Machine” Fatu.
Will Jordan Oliver score the greatest upset in MLW history and win the biggest prize in the league? Or will he end up in a bodybag?
The Heavyweight Hustle has steamrolled over the competition since Calvin Tankman debuted in November. The undefeated 355 pounder now faces his biggest challenge to date as he battles former AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Laredo Kid. With both men jockeying for position in the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 10, the outcome of this match could have championship implications.
The war between CONTRA Unit and Los Parks rages on as Simon Gotch and Daivari challenge Mexico’s legendary familia for the World Tag Team Championship! With the stakes higher than ever and the mysterious proprietor of Azteca Underground keeping a watchful eye on his investments, this is a championship clash full of intrigue.
After burying Savio Vega six feet under, what’s next for Mil Muertes? Alicia Atout attempts to get answers as Azteca Underground’s presence in MLW grows.
After the dumpster fire that was Tom Lawlor’s Filthy Island, MLW can confirm Tom Lawlor will make a statement on FUSION. How will first-time (and only?) promoter “Filthy” Tom Lawlor address the PR disaster, allegations and rumored lawsuits?
National Openweight Champion Alex Hammerstone and Carribean Champion Richard Holliday will speak with Alicia Atout about what’s next for the Dynasty.
The heavyweight division heats up as Parrow returns to MLW after an extensive tour of Japan. Who does the three hundred plus pound powerhouse have his sights set on in the heavyweight division?
Join Rich Bocchini, fight analyst St. Laurent and backstage correspondent Alicia Atout for a night of high profile championship bouts headlined by an exhilarating World Heavyweight Title fight.
Fans can also watch nationwide on cable and dish via beIN SPORTS on Saturday nights at 10pm ET and on demand anytime, anywhere on DAZN. Learn more about where to watch.
AEW Dynamite ‘The Crossroads’ Preview 3/3/21 – Women’s Tournament Finals, Paul Wight, Ladder Match Qualifier, Shaq Wrestling, Tully Blanchard
Tonight’s AEW Dynamite ‘The Crossroads‘ episode airs on TNT at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida.
* Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet with Arn Anderson vs. Shaq and Jade Cargill
* FTR and Tully Blanchard vs. Jurassic Express
* Chris Jericho and MJF hold Revolution press conference
* Paul Wight to make his first appearance
* Hangman Page and John Silver vs. Matt Hardy and Marq Quen
* 10 VS. Max Caster with Anthony Bowens (Face of the Revolution Ladder Match Qualifier)
* Nyla Rose vs. Ryo Mizunami (Finals of the AEW Women’s Title Eliminator Tournament)
