Tonight on Impact at 8/7c on AXS TV, it’s the last stop on the road to Sacrifice, February 22nd on IMPACT Plus
* Ace Austin and Reno Scum vs. Tessa Blanchard, Trey and Tommy Dreamer
* Best of 5 Series Match 3: Michael Elgin vs. Eddie Edwards (Elgin lead 2-0)
* Josh Alexander vs. TJP
* Madison Rayne – Golden Opportunity Open Challenge
* Dave Crist vs. Rhino
The following was taped for tonight’s AEW Dark episode on YouTube at 7pm ET:
* Best Friends (with Orange Cassidy) vs. The Hybrid 2.
* Kris Statlander vs. Diamante
* Big Swole vs. Christi Jaynes
* Young Bucks vs. QT Marshall and Peter Avalon (with Leva Bates)
Matt Hardy took to Twitter today with cryptic comments following last night’s attack from Randy Orton on WWE RAW. It’s believed that this could be the angle to write Matt off WWE TV as his contract expires on March 1st, but the same thing was rumored after the attack by Orton last week.
WWE noted during RAW commentary that Matt had been taken to a local medical facility after the chair attack from Orton, while he was wearing a neck brace.
Matt wrote, “When tragedy FRACTURES you, SHATTERS you.. Pick up the pieces & recreate yourself into something GREATER. The #BROKEN pieces won’t be lost in limbo forever. NEVAH LOSE FAITH.”
With that tweet, Matt linked to a new “In Limbo” video, which you can see embedded below. That episode features Matt, in the brace, commenting on how he’s in a horrible slump and a terrible losing streak. He chokes and says maybe he was meant to be “Choken” Matt Hardy.
Matt made another tweet today that translates to the cycle of death and rebirth. “SAMSARA,” he wrote.
The other post-RAW tweet from Hardy links to the original “Free The Delete” episode.
He wrote, “Sitting in my #ChairOfWheels at the hospital & just realized I’ve seen this exact moment before in a PREMONITION. One ESSENCE must PERISH for a new ESSENCE to be RESURRECTED.”
Stay tuned for updates on Matt’s WWE future. You can see the latest “In Limbo” video and cryptic tweets below:
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Japanese promotion Stardom announced earlier today on Twitter they will be canceling a number of upcoming shows as a precaution to the Coronavirus. The virus has infected more than 73,000 people around the world, mostly in mainland China, according to CNN. The death toll is 1,873, including five people outside mainland China.
In a series of tweets, Stardom announced which events would be cancelled, also revealing its March 8 show at Korakuen Hall will take place in an empty arena, streaming for free on its YouTube channel.
“Due to the current Coronavirus situation in Japan, the following precautionary measures are being taken:
2.19 Mayu Iwatani Birthday Fan Event – cancelled
2.20 Fan signing event – cancelled
2.20 Press conference – will be held, but no fans in attendance
2.22 Osaka show – cancelled
2.23 Nagoya show – cancelled
2.29 Shinkiba show – cancelled
3.8 Korakuen Hall show – will be held, Empty Arena (no fans in attendance)
3.14 Osaka Day and Night shows – cancelled
“Refunds to these shows are available. If you are from a foreign country and have tickets, please email we.are.stardom@gmail.com and we will help you resolve your case as efficiently as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
“Our March 8 show at Korakuen Hall may not have any fans (Empty Arena due to the Coronavirus outbreak) but you’ll be able to watch the entire show for free on our official YouTube channel!”
As noted, NJPW’s parent company, Bushiroad, purchased Stardom back in October. The two companies have been running separate from each other, although a Stardom dark match (Mayu Iwatani and Arisa Hoshiki defeating Hana Kimura and Giulia) took place for the first time at last month’s Wrestle Kingdom 14.
NJPW has not currently cancelled any upcoming live events. They issued a notice to fans attending their upcoming shows, and announced that upcoming meet-and-greets have been cancelled.
https://twitter.com/we_are_stardom/status/1229663347068456960
https://twitter.com/we_are_stardom/status/1229663415599153152
https://twitter.com/we_are_stardom/status/1229663507546685440
https://twitter.com/we_are_stardom/status/1229764620824395777
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Former WWE star Eve Torres claims she was “forcefully” grabbed by Donald Trump in 2009 for a photo opp and is now offering advice on what to do in a similar situation.
Torres shared her message via Instagram on Monday, writing:
Happy Presidents Day.
I look forward to having a president who doesn’t grope or objectify women. I have taken pictures with thousands of men at military bases, at WWE events, and signings, and very few have grabbed me and pulled me in as forcefully as he did without knowing me. Of course, at the time I believed it was my job to be eye candy in a photo for this supposed billionaire, and play along. It is actually hard for me to see that photo because it reminds me of my beliefs about my worth at the time. Swipe to see what I mean. Swipe again for a brush up on Creepy Hug Defenses including the Inappropriate Photo Squeeze.
PS The pregnancy announcement is old so no I’m not pregnant again. Also, this was scary for me to post but it’s been on my mind. We haven’t forgotten about your p+$$y grabbing, Mr. President.
The photo Torres included in her post is from ’09 when Trump went to Green Bay for Raw. Before the event, he held a press conference at the airport and was welcomed by a group of “Divas” upon arrival.
Eve’s video on “Creepy Hug Defenses” can be seen below.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
“The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith is set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 36 Weekend in Tampa.
There’s no word yet on when WWE will announce the induction or who will posthumously induct The Bulldog, but Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that Bulldog’s induction has been confirmed.
Bulldog passed away at the age of 39 on May 18, 2002. He is a former WWE Intercontinental, European, Hardcore, and Tag Team Champion.
Bulldog’s family has pushed for his Hall of Fame induction for several years now, calling on other wrestlers to record video messages and make social media posts in support of the induction. It’s interesting to note that Bulldog’s son, David Hart Smith, recently returned to WWE programming for an appearance on The Bump, as Wrestling Inc. noted before at this link.
Regarding other 2020 inductions, it was noted that the reports of The Bella Twins and Jushin Thunder Liger going into the Hall this year are correct.
WWE has previously confirmed the headliners for this year – Batista and the nWo (Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman).
The 2020 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on April 2 from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, during WrestleMania 36 Week.
Stay tuned for updates on the 2020 Class.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE announcer Vic Joseph revealed on Instagram that he will be part of the Cleveland Cavaliers coverage for the second half of the season for the NBA Network. Joseph, whose real name is Victor Travagliante, is from Cleveland and worked in the Cleveland sports media prior to joining WWE.
Joseph was last seen on live WWE television calling Monday Night RAW on January 20th. He has since been replaced by Tom Phillips.
As of now, it has been confirmed that Joseph is still a WWE employee.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Charlotte Flair made a surprise appearance at NXT TakeOver: Portland, attacking Rhea Ripley aftyer she successfully defended her NXT Women’s championship against Bianca Belair. Flair said she thought about it and she will see Ripley at WrestleMania 36.
https://twitter.com/WWENetwork/status/1229223321549627392
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1229225099150184448
Charlotte also attacked Bianca Belair as she exited the ring.
NXT “Takeover: Portland” event from Moda Center in Portland, Oregon opened with a live performance by Poppy and her band.
https://twitter.com/WWENXT/status/1229194645781073920
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1229213547751780352
NXT North American Championship: Keith Lee (c) vs. Dominik Dijakovic –
Winner: Keith Lee
Street Fight: Dakota Kai vs. Tegan Nox –
Raquel Gonzalez attacked Tegan and tossed her off the top rope and through a table to allow Dakota to get the win. After the match, Raquel raised Tegan’s hand.
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1229207450873663490
Winner: Dakota Kai
https://twitter.com/TripleH/status/1229207926176247808
Finn Balor vs. Johnny Gargano –
Winner: Finn Balor
NXT Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Bianca Belair –
Winner: Rhea Ripley
After the match, Charlotte Flair attacked Rhea and accepted her challenge for WrestleMania 36. Charlotte tthen also attacked Bianca.
https://twitter.com/WWENetwork/status/1229223321549627392
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1229225099150184448
NXT Tag Team Championship: Undisputed Era (Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish) (c) vs. The BroserWeights (Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle) –
Winners and new NXT Tag Team Champions: The BroserWeights
NXT Championship: Adam Cole (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa –
Winner: Adam Cole
What an incredible match. Undisputed Era got involved towards the end but it was a shot to the head with the title belt by Johnny Gargano that cost Ciampa from getting Goldie back.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shared a video on Sunday of a brief guest coaching session he did at the WWE Performance which shows the first in-ring footage of his daughter Simone.
The video begins with The Rock saying he had about 4-5 hours to visit the PC and see his daughter Simone Johnson train. Dwayne also says there’s only one place he’d trust his daughter learning to wrestle, and that’s with family aka The McMahons.
As we previously reported, the 18-year-old fourth generation wrestler recently signed with WWE.
In the footage, Simone is seen trading moves in the ring with Deonna Purrazzo as The Rock and most of NXT’s female roster watch on. He then asks to show them something and offers advice to his daughter in regards to what he had just seen.
Simone explains in an interview that is shown how it’s been great having her dad advise her and that he lets her find her own path, while also giving guidance when he can.
Dwayne Johnson is also shown taking questions from the PC trainees.
The video ends with The Rock and Simone preparing to lock up in the ring together, as well as Dwayne lifting her up for a vertical suplex.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
