Author: John Bass

AEW Dynamite Preview 10/9/19

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite will air live from the Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts on TNT.

* AEW World Champion Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara vs. Dustin Rhodes and “Hangman” Adam Page

* Jimmy Havoc vs. Darby Allin (#1 Contender Match for the AEW World Championship, winner face Jericho on next week’s show)

* The Young Bucks vs. Private Party (AEW Tag Team Championship Tournament Match)

* Jon Moxley vs. Shawn Spears

* Bea Priestley and Emi Sukura vs. AEW Women’s Champion Riho and Dr. Britt Baker

WWE NXT Preview 10/9/19

Tonight’s WWE NXT will air live from Full Sail Live in Winter Park, Florida on USA Network.

* Lio Rush challenges Drew Gulak for the NXT Crusierweight Championship tomorrow night

* Kushida and WALTER to clash on NXT

* Isaiah “Swerve” Scott to battle Roderick Strong

* How will Finn Bálor’s arrival impact NXT?

* How will Tommaso Ciampa’s quest to regain the NXT Title continue?

* Can anyone stop Shayna Baszler?

XFL Picks Announce Team For ESPN And FOX

With an entertaining league like the XFL set to come back, it was only fitting the most entertaining commentators would be involved. According to the New York Post, the Fox and ESPN broadcast teams for each main XFL game will have a lot of experience.

On the ESPN side, Steve Levy, Dan Orlovsky and Pat McAfee will be on the call. Meanwhile, on Fox, Curt Menefee and Joel Klatt will be talking all things XFL. According to the report, Fox had an interest in Gus Johnson, but due to his commitment to college basketball, the schedules didn’t work out. No word yet who will host the FS1 and ABC games.

Levy has worked with ESPN for a number of years, especially as a longtime anchor of SportsCenter. Known for his role on ABC/ESPN’s College Gameday program, Levy has worked doubleheader games of “Monday Night Football” with Brian Griese. He has also broadcasted a number of hockey games.

A fifth-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, Orlovsky has played for the Lions, Texans, Colts and Buccaneers. The former quarterback from UConn retired from football in 2017, becoming an analyst for ESPN.

One of the most entertaining voices in social media today, Pat McAfee has made his voice known allover. From Barstool Sports to WWE to his own radio show, the former NFL kicker has become more popular than ever before. Starting another talk show on DAZN (syndicated by Westwood One), McAfee has also been a part of ESPN’s Thursday Night Football crew. Both he and Orlovsky have clicked before when it comes to commentary, joining together for “Get Up!” on ESPN.

This opportunity is a step up for Curt Menefee, who is currently providing commentary for Fox’s Sunday NFL Pregame Show. Menefee has provided preseason analysis for both the Jaguars and the Seahawks, while also working commentary for NFL Europe games. He has also used his voice for boxing, MMA and has signed on and off of Super Bowl’s whenever he is available.

Menefee will be working with Joel Klatt, a former college quarterback for Colorado. Starting his post-playing days as a football analyst, Klatt helped usher in FS1. He is FOX Sports’ lead college football game analyst, teaming with Gus Johnson. Moving up in the ranks every year, Klatt also provides coverage on golf.

The relaunched XFL season is expected to start in February of 2020, the weekend after the Super Bowl.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Jeff Hardy Had Bloody Nose From Domestic Incident During DWI Arrest, Was Uncooperative With Police

As noted, WWE SmackDown Superstar Jeff Hardy was arrested on the evening of Thursday, October 3 in Moore County, North Carolina, and charged with Driving While Impaired. Hardy was released from custody at around 11:30pm ET that night.

In an update, TMZ has revealed that the police report says Hardy had a bloody nose during the traffic stop, and he told officers that it was from an earlier fight with his wife Beth.

The police report also noted that Hardy was stopped by Carthage Police after receiving a tip about a careless & reckless driver at around 8:40pm ET on Thursday, October 3. Officers located the car and found Hardy parked in front of a liquor store. Hardy came out of the store and was carrying a case of beer. He got into the car and began driving while police followed closely behind him. They finally pulled him over after he was seen “weaving badly” in his lane.

The officer noticed what looked to be dried blood on Jeff’s nose during the stop, and asked him what happened. The report states, “The driver advised that him and his wife got into a fight.”

The police report does not give any further details on the possible domestic violence incident, but the officer did question Hardy about drinking alcohol. Hardy admitted to taking two shots of vodka earlier in the night, and admitted to being impaired. Hardy “bombed” the field sobriety test and was uncooperative when asked for a blood sample or Breathalyzer test.

The officer ended up getting a search warrant from a judge, to extract a blood sample from Hardy. Paramedics were called to draw the sample. Hardy was then arrested for Driving While Impaired and Driving on a Revoked License.

Police told TMZ that they are not investigating the possible domestic incident between Jeff and his wife, but they said they would if Jeff filed a complaint.

As noted, Jeff is scheduled to be in court for the charges on Thursday, November 7.

This DWI arrest comes after Hardy was arrested for public intoxication and impairment in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina back in July of this year. Jeff is currently out of action for WWE while he recovers from knee surgery that he underwent in May. It’s been reported that Jeff would be out of action for 6-9 months. He is still scheduled to appear at Ringside Fest in New York City on Sunday, November 3.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Hulk Hogan Undergoing Surgery Soon, Reveals Talks With Vince McMahon For A Possible WWE Ring Return

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan is set to undergo back surgery soon, but he’s still hoping for one more match in WWE.

The 66 year old Hulkster spoke with The Los Angeles Times this week and said he has a hard time moving around these days, which he blames on the “Seven unsuccessful back surgeries” that have led to the upcoming eight operation. Hogan blamed that on the Atomic Leg Drop finisher he used for 30 years, noting that he would have never used the leg drop if he knew then what he knows now. Hogan would have used the Sleeper hold instead.

“Everyone says they wouldn’t change anything about their life. If I could change anything, it would be my finisher,” Hogan said. “I would never use the leg drop. I’d use the sleeper. All the back surgeries I’ve had are because of that damn leg drop. I had scoliosis, brother. Dropping that leg for 35 years did me in. I said I had the largest arms in the word, and I should have used a sleeper hold or another finisher with my arms.”

Regarding one more match, Hogan said he’s had talks with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon about a ring return, possibly at WrestleMania 36 in his hometown of Tampa, Florida next April. Hogan said he’s not sure if he can live with his last match being for TNA.

“I talked to Vince, and I said I really don’t know if I could live with myself knowing my last match was with TNA,” Hogan said. “If I can get fixed, I pray I can have one more match. I told Vince, ‘When I get through this back surgery, I’m going to get in the best shape of my life and we’re going to talk about me having one last retirement match.’ ”

Who does Hogan want to face in his last match, if it were to work out? Mr. McMahon himself.

“I’d love for it to be against Vince,” Hogan said. “I had such a great time with him in the ring at WrestleMania 19. I had no idea what to expect from him, but he’s a great bad guy. His timing is great. I loved wrestling him, but everything he does hurts. When you’re in the ring with someone and they’re hurting you, you kind of pinch them on the wrist, and the whole match I was doing that to Vince. I was like, ‘Vince, take it easy!’ Everything he does hurts, but I’d like to get in the ring with him one more time for my last match. That would be perfect.”

Hogan and WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair will be involved in the upcoming WWE Crow Jewel event from Saudi Arabia on Halloween, October 31. They will lead their teams into a big ten-man battle. Team Hogan currently features Rusev and WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins, while Team Flair currently features Randy Orton and King Baron Corbin.

Stay tuned for updates on a possible WWE ring return for The Hulkster.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Big Show Getting His Own Reality TV Travel Series

Veteran WWE Superstar Big Show has signed on for his second TV show.

Show will be getting his own travel reality TV series, titled “Big Show vs. The World: A Giant Abroad,” from WWE Studios and ITV America’s Thinkfactory Media, according to The Wrap.

“Big Show vs. The World: A Giant Abroad” is currently in the development phase ad is being shopped to top broadcast and cable TV networks, and streaming platforms.

“Big Show brings so many different layers to a project like this; it’s a dream scenario for us as producers,” said Thinkfactory CEO Adam Reed. “He blends his fierce intelligence and curiosity with an unexpected, one-of-a-kind wit, and his intimidating physical stature is offset by his surprisingly disarming personality. We’re ecstatic to be working with him and the WWE Studios team and can’t wait for the journeys ahead.”

“For more than two decades, Big Show’s magnetic personality has inspired fans around the world, and in this new series, he will be able to meet the people and explore the places that have played a pivotal role in his journey as a WWE Superstar,” said head of WWE Studios Susan Levison. “We are thrilled to be bringing this show to life with our partners at Thinkfactory who are proven winners in the unscripted television genre.”

Show also commented on the show and said, “I won’t guarantee we’ll solve every mystery, but we’ll explore every strange detail, chase every bizarre lead, and meet the incredible characters involved in pursuit of the truth.”

WWE Studios and Netflix started filming “The Big Show Show” earlier this summer. The live-action multi-camera family comedy series will run for 10 thirty-minute episodes, starring Show, Allison Munn and kid actresses Reylynn Caster, Lily Brooks O’Briant, and Juliet Donenfeld. It is expected to premiere in early 2020.

There’s no word yet on when “Big Show vs. The World: A Giant Abroad” will premiere or what network they will sign with, but stay tuned as we will keep you updated.

Below is the official synopsis for the new series:

“Through his extensive world travels with WWE, Big Show has collected a lifetime of unusual stories filled with unexplained natural occurrences, local enigmas and fascinating people. “Big Show vs. The World: A Giant Abroad” will follow the larger-than-life WWE Superstar as he travels back to these locations and indulges his lifelong passion for exploring the strange and unknown.Each self-contained episode will feature Big Show venturing to a new exotic area, where he’ll team up with a local guide and dive head first into a native mystery or legend. Navigating the difficulty of travel (at seven feet tall) and the extreme, sometimes awkward situations he encounters with his signature self-deprecating sense of humor, Big Show will do whatever it takes to unearth every quirky and shocking detail during his adventures into the bizarre.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Edge Reportedly In Pittsburgh For WWE Business Today

WWE Hall of Famer Edge was reportedly in Pittsburgh, PA earlier today on WWE business, according to PWInsider.

There’s no confirmation on what Edge was doing in Pittsburgh, but it’s interesting that WWE’s Dr. Joseph Maroon is based out of the city.

As we’ve noted, there has been a lot of talk about Edge possibly returning to the ring for WWE. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported last week that Edge negotiated with both WWE and AEW, which ended with a much higher offer from WWE to stay. It was also noted that Edge still wasn’t cleared by WWE doctors to do a full match, but that a ring return had been discussed among higher-ups. It was later reported by @fightoracle that Edge had been medically cleared by WWE doctors to return to the ring. There was no timetable given for a ring return, but it was noted that Edge was now cleared and under contract to WWE once again.

Edge took to Twitter that same night, before the SmackDown FOX premiere, and apparently dismissed the reports on his WWE status.

“No I’m not and no I’m not,” he wrote, as seen in the tweet below.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

XFL Announces Rules, Players For The XFL Draft

Looking to truly separate themselves from the NFL, the XFL is ready for a different kind of draft. The draft, which will look to fill a 71-man roster for all eight teams, will be taking place on October 15th and 16th through various XFL media channels in Connecticut.

The draft pool will include over 1,000 players that accepted a Commissioner’s Invitation and passed a background check. According to a press release by the XFL, one quarterback will be assigned to each team prior to the five-phased draft. The draft will be phased the following way:

1. Skill Players (QB, RB, WR, TE)
2. Offensive Line (OT, OG, OC)
3. Defensive Front Seven (DL, LB)
4. Defensive Backfield (CB, NB, SS, FS)
5. Open Draft (In addition to P/K/LS, all remaining players after positional drafts will be available)

The D.C. Defenders will have the first pick when it comes to the skill-position players.

In Phases 1-4, each team will get to choose ten players, resulting in 40 players. Phase five is when teams can choose the remaining members of the roster. To make things interesting, the XFL will be going through a “snake” format; the team selecting first in the first round will pick eighth in the second round, first in the third, and so on.

Luck later told ESPN that there will be a supplemental draft at the end of November for players that were ineligible to be drafted in October. This was either because they were on NFL rosters at the time or because they were in college programs.

Names of several former NFL, college, AAF and CFL stars who will be involved in the XFL Draft were released by the organization. Some names include former Oakland Raider Connor Cook, receiver Jalen Rowell, Landry Jones, Sean Hickey and wide receiver Keith Mumphery.

The relaunched XFL season is expected to start in February of 2020, the weekend after the Super Bowl.

https://twitter.com/xfl2020/status/1181283279514660864

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Master P Getting Into The Pro Wrestling Business With House Of Glory Ownership

Rapper and multi-millionaire entrepreneur Master P has announced that he is the new owner of the House of Glory indie wrestling promotion.

P, who appeared for WCW during the 1999 feud between the No Limit Soldiers and the West Texas Rednecks, announced today that he is taking over HOG, which is the New York City indie fed that was launched in 2012, ran by The Amazing Red and Brian XL.

The No Limit boss and head of the Miller family issued a warning to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, as seen in the new Instagram video below.

“And we’re getting into wrestling! I’m just telling y’all,” Master P told a TMZ reporter while promoting his new ‘Miller’s Family Treasures’ lifestyle reality TV show. “Vince McMahon, you in trouble, cause I’m about to take over wrestling.”

He continued, “Taking hip-hop to a whole different league. HOG – House of Glory Wrestling. I’m hiring all the top wrestlers, come over here. WWE, come over here to us.”

The caption on the video reads like this: “TMZ @romeomiller @cymphonique Our new lifestyle of the elite and wealthy tv show is called ‘Miller’s Family Treasures’ and we are making history by bringing Hip Hop to wrestling. We don’t own the NFL, NBA, or MLB but we do own House of Glory aka “HOG”. Join the movement #weallwegot @hogwrestling”

It looks like the Miller family will feature HOG on their “Miller’s Family Treasures” TV show.

There’s no word yet on when Master P and his crew will begin running HOG, or what they have planned.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

XFL Releases Season Ticket Pricing And Membership Perks

After teasing fans for months, the XFL finally released its season ticket packages for all eight teams. This comes after announcing that the selection process will be taking place today, October 8. Fans will be able to choose their location for the 2020 season at 11 a.m. ET.

In a press release, the XFL announced plans for the Seattle Dragons. All five of the Dragons’ home games will be at CenturyLink Field. Lower level season tickets start at $20 per game, while season tickets with club access start at $44 per game.

“We want our games to be affordable and accessible to everyone in the Seattle community,” said Seattle Dragons President Ryan Gustafson. “We’re excited to launch a new brand of professional football and create fun and memorable experiences with the best fans in the world.”

Each fan that purchases a Dragons season ticket will receive a VIP Field Pass for one home game. Season ticket members will enjoy benefits that include season ticket price locks for the first two seasons, 25% discounts on merchandise, VIP Dragons experiences throughout the year, priority status for playoff and season ticket renewals and early access to the XFL’s Football Advisory Network. The FAN is an online community that will give fans access to help optimize the Dragons’ and fan experience.

https://twitter.com/BizballMaury/status/1181405023328014337

All of the perks given to Dragons fans will be included for all XFL teams. Fans still have time to secure their deposits for the season.

https://twitter.com/XFLBattleHawks/status/1181581179968983042

In just a few short weeks the XFL Draft will be taking place from Stanford, CT. The relaunched XFL season is expected to start in February of 2020, the weekend after the Super Bowl.