Author: John Bass

XFL Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy After Suspending Operations

The XFL’s parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday, the first business day after the league suspended operations and laid off almost all of its employees.

The filing, officially made by Alpha Entertainment, listed the XFL with assets and liabilities each in the range of $10 million to $50 million. The largest creditor was listed as the St. Louis Sports Commission at $1.6 million. Seven of the league’s eight coaches also are among the top creditors.

In a statement, the XFL attributed its decision to the coronavirus pandemic:

“The XFL quickly captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of people who love football. Unfortunately, as a new enterprise, we were not insulated from the harsh economic impacts and uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Accordingly, we have filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. This is a heartbreaking time for many, including our passionate fans, players and staff, and we are thankful to them, our television partners, and the many Americans who rallied to the XFL for the love of football.”

Owner Vince McMahon, who is also chairman and CEO of the WWE, has not spoken publicly about the XFL’s demise.

XFL chief operating officer Jeffrey Pollack held a conference call Friday with employees to announce the layoffs and suspension of operations. Although Pollack stopped short of saying the league is going out of business, staffers left the call convinced that the XFL will not return.

A source close to the bankruptcy filing said the league could be sold during the process.

McMahon announced the return of the XFL in January 2018, and the league spent two years in development before debuting in February. The eight-team league made it through five weeks of games before suspending and finally canceling its season because of the pandemic. It pledged as recently as three weeks ago to return in 2021, but that changed after McMahon began assessing the league’s future following WrestleMania 36 on April 4-5.

The XFL paid its employees through April 12, plus accrued vacation time. The league also plans to refund all advance ticket sales.

Source: ESPN

WWE Deemed An “Essential Business” By Governor During Coronavirus Pandemic

The Mayor of Orange County, Florida confirmed WWE has been deemed an “essential business” during the coronavirus pandemic.

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings took part in a press conference on Monday where he was asked how WWE has continued to create content while other businesses are forced to close.

“Initially there was a review that was done and they were not initially deemed an essential business,” Demings replied. “With some conversations with the Governor’s office regarding the Governor’s order, they were deemed an essential business. So, therefore, they were allowed to remain open.”

As we previously reported, WWE shows reportedly will return to being filmed live starting this week.

The Mayor was also asked about WWE confirming an on-screen talent, who is not a member of the roster and has since recovered, testing positive for COVID-19.

“In terms of the specifics associated with the wrestling personality who tested positive, I don’t know any of the details of that obviously because of HIPAA laws,” he answered.

“But, that’s like a little family. A small family of professional athletes that wrestle. And if one of my family members tested positive in my house, that would be concerning to me. We would have to make some provisions in our house to make sure that the rest of us not get infected. So I would assume that, from a business perspective, the WWE is doing that type of analysis of its own family.”

Watch the press conference below.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE RAW Preview 4/13/20

Tonight’s WWE RAW on the USA Network will reportedly air live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida with more fallout from WrestleMania 36.

WWE has not officially announced any matches for tonight’s show as of this writing.

It’s believed that tonight’s RAW will feature the first red brand Money In the Bank qualifying matches, but that hasn’t been confirmed.

It has been confirmed that WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler will return to commentary on tonight’s show.

WWE Reportedly Returning To Live TV During Coronavirus Pandemic Due To TV Contracts

WWE will return to airing live TV with WWE NXT, RAW and SmackDown this week, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. They will continue to air from closed sets with limited personnel at the empty WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida and the NXT Arena at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL.

WWE returning to live TV reportedly has to do with their contracts with NBCUniversal and FOX, according to a new report from Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.

WWE had plans to tape several weeks of TV beginning on Friday. Meltzer reports that 5 weeks of each TV show was to be taped, along with 205 Live and Main Event episodes, but plans changed on Friday when WWE Chairman Vince McMahon made the call. Talents were ready to tape several episodes, go back home, and then return in early May, possibly for the May 10 Money In the Bank pay-per-view. They were then told on Friday that they would start going live this week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

It was noted that the reason for the return to live TV is the fear of being in violation of the WWE TV contracts, which state that WWE must go live for 49 of 52 weeks per year, and WWE doesn’t want any issues there. Meltzer speculated that NBCU and FOX could deny that they said anything to WWE about going live, and it’s possible that they did and the return to live TV is Vince’s reaction, but it’s also possible that Vince feels like he’s getting a step ahead before the networks ask him to return to live TV. However, the TV contracts are the reason for the return to live TV this week, according to the new report from WOR. It should be noted that there is no word on either network threatening WWE with a possible contract violation, and it seems likely they would understand that WWE is trying to operate during trying times.

It was believed by many that the workload would go down once the first positive coronavirus test came from within WWE. That positive test was confirmed last week and WWE actually increased the workload, returning to live TV. Meltzer noted that the positive test would have came on the second day of WrestleMania 36 tapings late last month, but in theory it was after the tapings, so no one working the tapings were affected. The report noted that it’s been confirmed a member of the WWE broadcast team was the one who tested positive, but it was not Corey Graves. His girlfriend Carmella has also been ruled out. As noted, WWE confirmed that the person is doing well and has already recovered.

Meltzer also noted that both AEW and WWE have violated state orders when it comes to how many people they have in the building for these closed-set tapings. Both companies have had more than 10 people present for the tapings, but AEW President Tony Khan has been the only person backstage in the “Gorilla Position” at AEW tapings. The Last Man Standing match at WrestleMania 36 between WWE Hall of Famer Edge and Randy Orton proved that WWE has had more people in the “Gorilla Position” but both companies have worked to do the best they can. Despite the efforts and the concern, people are still stunned at WWE going live this week, especially after the positive COVID-19 test. WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler is returning to RAW tonight and while he does want to work, there is some added concern there because his age puts him at a greater risk when it comes to the coronavirus. The same goes for talents like Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns, because of their health, who have not been confirmed for this week’s TV like Lawler has.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

A WWE Employee Test Positive For Covid-19 Virus

 Pro Wrestling Sheet reports that a WWE on-screen talent in the company, who is not a member of the roster, tested positive for COVID-19.

The person was reported to have went out to dinner with friends who work in the healthcare industry following the completion of WWE’s last batch of tapings (which included WrestleMania 36).

WWE confirmed this in a statement released to Pro Wrestling Sheet which says:

“A WWE employee has tested positive for COVID-19. We believe this matter is low risk to WWE talent and staff, as the individual and a roommate became symptomatic in the days following exposure to two people working in acute health care on the evening of March 26, after WWE’s TV production on a closed set was already complete. The employee had no contact with anyone from WWE since being exposed to those two individuals, is doing well, and made a complete recovery.”

XFL Ceased Operations

It appears that the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has ended the XFL.

Two months and two days after the league hosted its first game, the XFL informed employees on Friday that it was ceasing operations and layed off nearly every employee. As of now there is no plans to return in 2021.

It’s a shame, because XFL 2.0 was a quality product that dwarfed its original version and served as a reasonably interesting alternative to the NFL for football fans. The difference was clear from the very first game that bright Saturday in February in the nations capital, where the DC Defenders defeated the Seattle Dragons withe the support of a large raucous crowd

. Well remember Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker, who probably would have been the league MVP and is now with the Carolina Panthers in the NFL. Well remember the St. Louis Battlehawks, who exceeded expectations and temporarily satisfied the hunger of a football starved city. Well remember Bob Stoops, who left retirement for his first professional opportunity, coaching the Dallas Renegades. The XFL knew what it needed to be.

Sources: ESPN and USA Today

MLW Fusion Preview 4/11/20, Pagano Debuts

NOTE: Special 10 p.m. start time on BeIN Sports!

The MLW AAA Super Series Begins!

Experience history in the making as AAA hosts the first ever Super Series from Tijuana, Mexico!

Featuring both organization’s top athletes, witness two organizations clash with national pride and championship gold on the line in a spectacular summit south of the border.

Tijuana could very well become title town as MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone defends his title against AAA’s electrifying Laredo Kid.

Fresh off of last week’s shocking main event where Mance Warner swept MJF out of MLW, the Dynasty’s Alex Hammerstone looks to drop the hammer and reverse the Dynasty’s downward momentum.

Can Hammerstone get the Dynasty’s mojo back as he looks for a successful ninth defense of the Openweight title?

Or will AAA’s Laredo Kid conquer Muscle Mountain and win the title in Mexico?  The stakes are high in the first main event of the Super Series.

Mance Warner rolls up with Savio Vega as the duo represent MLW in an anything goes Barrio Street Fight against AAA’s wildest luchadores.

For weeks fans have been haunted by the unsettling messages sent by Pagano which have aired on FUSION.  Now the 6’2” strange, sinister man makes his debut as he teams with Mortiz against Warner and Vega.

After being brutally assaulted by Injustice, Alicia Atout promise to have an exclusive on Brian Pillman Jr.

Will Psycho Clown accept Los Parks’ Super Series challenge? Tune in to find out!

“Filthy” Tom Lawlor has a message for the Von Erichs as the captain of Team Filthy continues to make big moves, with the Team Filthy/American Top Team merger.

Plus, AAA Co-Founder Konnan is in the house and more!

Join Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch and birthday girl Alicia Atout from Tijuana for a night of top ranked action.

Matches:

  • MLW National Openweight Title Match: Alexander Hammerstone vs. Laredo Kid
  • Barrio Street Fight: Mance Warner & Savio Vega vs. Pagano & Pagan
  • Plus more!

WWE SmackDown Preview 4/10/20

Tonight’s post-WrestleMania 36 edition of WWE SmackDown on FOX will air on tape from the empty WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL.

  • Braun Strowman ushers in Universal Championship reign on SmackDown
  • Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross welcome The Kabuki Warriors to SmackDown for title rematch

WWE Releases The Revival, AEW News

WWE announced that they have released Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder of The Revival. They noted that the release was “immediate”, indicating that they do not have a 90-day non-compete clause.

It had been widely expected that the tag team would be leaving the company once their contracts expired. Both of their contracts were originally set to expire this month. While Dawson’s deal is up, Wilder’s contract was extended until mid-June to make up for time he missed due to injuries.

Wilder recently filed to trademark the name “Cash Wheeler” last month. He also owns the following trademarks related to the team: No Flips, Just Fists; Say Yeah; Top Guys, Shatter Machine; #FTRKO; #FTR.

Dawson also filed several trademarks recently and owns the following: No Flips, Just Fists; Say Yeah; Top Guys; Shatter Machine; #FTRKO.

Following their filings, WWE filed to trademark “No Flips Just Fists” and “The Mechanics”, which is the name that the team originally used in NXT.

It had widely been expected that Dawson and Wilder would be signing with AEW once they were free. AEW currently has no tapings scheduled after filming television last week that will last the company through mid-May. The status of the AEW Double Or Nothing pay-per-view scheduled for Saturday, May 23rd in Las Vegas remains uncertain.

WWE issued the following statement regarding their release:

Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder of The Revival releasedEffective today, Friday April 10, 2020, WWE and The Revival have agreed on their immediate release from WWE. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Hulk Hogan sparks backlash for suggesting coronavirus is punishment from God: ‘Maybe we don’t need a vaccine’

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan is facing criticism after suggesting that the coronavirus pandemic is a punishment from God and “we don’t need a vaccine”.

On Monday, the WWE star shared his beliefs on Instagram, where he compared the pandemic to the “plagues of Egypt”.

“In three short months, just like He did with the plagues of Egypt, God has taken away everything we worship,” Hogan wrote. “God said: ‘You want to worship athletes, I will shut down the stadiums. You want to worship musicians, I will shut down Civic Centres. You want to worship actors, I will shut down theatres.’”

According to the 66-year-old Hall of Famer, who has more than 1.5m followers on Instagram, God is also punishing those who “worship money” by shutting down the economy and collapsing the stock market, as well as those who don’t want to go to church.

“‘If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land,’” Hogan continued in the lengthy caption.

The retired wrestler, whose real name is Terry Gene Bollea, then suggested that “maybe we don’t need a vaccine” and that this time of “isolation” should instead be used for “personal revival” and to focus on Jesus.

“Maybe we don’t need a vaccine, maybe we need to take this time of isolation from the distractions of the world and have a personal revival where we focus on the ONLY thing in the world that really matters. Jesus,” Hogan concluded.

The post has divided Hogan’s fans on social media, where some praised the wrestling star while others expressed their disappointment and concern over the dangerous message.

“You just lost a fan today. I’m in a nursing home and have a high chance of getting this illness. In a county next door to us 26 people have tested positive for this illness and in my state of North Carolina 35 people have died so far. So hurt over this,” one person wrote.

Another said: “We definitely need a vaccine…”

This is not the first time Hogan has referenced religion while appearing to discuss the pandemic on social media. Last week, the former reality star shared a photo of a highlighted bible quote with the caption: “This is one of the most powerful gifts to our human race, it’s as powerful as it gets here on Earth, thank you God. Only love HH.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-djnBnjAjl/?utm_source=ig_embed

According to the most recent figures, there have been 369,179 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US, where the virus has killed more than 11,000 people.

Source: Independent UK