Author: John Bass

WWE Confirms NXT Moving To The USA Network

The announcement didn’t come last night as it was previously reported to be announced, but WWE confirmed today that NXT will begin airing on the USA Network starting on September 18th. In a press release sent to Wrestling Inc., it was noted that WWE and the USA Network reached an agreement “in principle”, and that the show will be live for two hours every week.

“The move to USA Network provides an opportunity to deepen our relationship with NBCUniversal and further build the NXT brand,” said WWE CEO Vince McMahon. “Over the long term, our goal is to develop a following that can be monetized to the same level as our flagship programs, Raw and SmackDown.”

WWE also confirmed that the show will take place each week from Full Sail University.

Below is the full press release:

NXT® MOVES TO USA NETWORKNEW YORK and STAMFORD, Conn., August 20, 2019 –WWE® (NYSE: WWE) and USA Network today announced an agreement in principle to air WWE’s weekly Wednesday night show, NXT, live on USA Network at 8/7c starting September 18.

Following NXT’s growth in popularity, the new two-hour weekly show will expand its reach on USA Network, the leader in cable entertainment, while staying in its Wednesday night timeslot that it has held since 2015.

“The move to USA Network provides an opportunity to deepen our relationship with NBCUniversal and further build the NXTbrand,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman & CEO. “Over the long term our goal is to develop a following that can be monetized to the same level as our flagship programs, Raw®and SmackDown®.”

“USA Network and WWE have one of the longest and most successful partnerships in television history,” said Chris McCumber, President, Entertainment Networks – USA and SYFY. “As the #1 cable entertainment network, we’re excited to add NXT to our weekly lineup alongside powerhouse flagship Raw, and to bring a new generation of Superstars to a wide audience.”

NXT launched in 2010 and has risen to become WWE’s third global brand alongside Raw and SmackDown, hosting nearly 200 live events around the world each year. Airing on Wednesday nights at 8 pm, NXT has been WWE Network’s #1 weekly series.

NXT offers a unique blend of authentic in-ring action with exciting and entertaining storylines that feature WWE’s hottest up-and-coming Superstars including Adam Cole™, Velveteen Dream™, Shayna Baszler™, Johnny Gargano®, Matt Riddle™, Bianca Belair™, Io Shirai™, Candice LeRae™, Tommaso Ciampa™, Kyle O’Reilly™ and Bobby Fish™. The brand’s diverse roster consists of elite athletes from the NFL, collegiate and amateur sports, MMA and international sports such as rugby, kushti and kabaddi. It is also the birthplace to 80 percent of the current Raw and SmackDownrosters including Becky Lynch®, Seth Rollins®, Roman Reigns®, Charlotte Flair®, Bayley®, Sasha Banks®, Alexa Bliss®, Bray Wyatt® and Baron Corbin®.

The series will continue to emanate from Full Sail University in Orlando as part of WWE’s production partnership with the preeminent entertainment, media, arts and technology institution.

NXT will be available on demand on the WWE Network every Thursday beginning at 8/7C. The current format of NXT has been airing on Wednesday nights on the WWE Network since 2015.

WWE RAW Preview 8/19/19 – King Of The Ring Tournament Returns

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota with the return of the King of the Ring tournament.

* 2019 King of the Ring tournament returns

* Braun Strowman to face AJ Styles for the United States Title on Raw

* Sasha Banks’ brutal return sparks questions – Sasha to explain her actions on  “The King’s Court” with Jerry “The King” Lawler

* Cedric Alexander squares off with Sami Zayn as the King of the Ring kicks off

* Cesaro and Samoa Joe to throw down with their eyes on the throne

* Walking with (and running after) Elias

Tony Schiavone Signs With AEW, Update On His Status With MLW

One of the signature voices of the Monday Night Wars is on his way to All Elite Wrestling. PWInsider is reporting that Tony Schiavone has become a member of the AEW brand. This is after speculation that WWE had interest in the former voice of WCW.

The report went on to say that Schiavone will be able to continue his color commentary duties with Major League Wrestling, where he signed a two-year deal. It was previously reported that Schiavone’s current contract with MLW would not allow him to work with another company like AEW or WWE. In fact, Court Bauer did not know that Schiavone was going to be involved in AEW’s “Road to All Out” online series, which was shot this past May.

“Unless AEW elects to reach out, Tony Schiavone cannot proceed with AEW or any other company doing anything. I was unaware of him doing the digital stuff until I read it in this week’s Observer,” Bauer said.

At the time, Schiavone was just helping out Cody Rhodes. It is unknown what specific role he will have with the organization. AEW’s current broadcast team is comprised of Jim Ross, Excalibur and Alex Marvez. They also have Chris Van Vliet and Alicia Atout as backstage interviewers.

Whatever his role may be with AEW, Schiavone will return to TNT for the first time since WCW’s run when the brand ended in 2001.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Jeff Jarrett Posts Tribute To His Grandfather Eddie Marlin

Memphis wrestling legend Eddie Marlin died at age 89 this past week. Marlin was the grandfather of WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett and father-in-law of Jerry Jarrett.

Jeff Jarrett shared a touching tribute to his late grandfather on Saturday evening by posting a photo of the pair in a match together. At the time of the photo, Jarrett was 19 and Marlin was 56.

Along with the photo, Jarrett wrote, “Today we laid to rest my grandfather, Eddie Marlin. Grandfathers n grandsons often work together; but, in professional wrestling, it’s rare to actually have a match where your partner is your grandfather. I was 19 and Pops was 56 when we tagged at the Fairgrounds! Love ya Pops!”

Below is the tribute:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Major League Wrestling Teases Women’s Division

Major League Wrestling took to social media to announce that an MLW Women’s Division could be on the horizon!

Their full tweet was, “The much anticipated MLW Women’s Division could be on the horizon!! Who would YOU want to see in an MLW Women’s Division?”

Several replies named Impact star Tessa Blanchard as someone they would like to see in the division. Thunder Rosa, Savannah Evans, Allysin Kay, Scarlett Bordeaux, Taeler Hendrix, Priscilla Kelly, Meiko Satomura, Big Swole, Mercedes Martinez, La Hiedra, and Tenille Dashwood were also named as women that fans would like to see in MLW.

WWE NXT To USA Network Announcement Reportedly Coming Tonight

WWE NXT’s new home is looking more and more like the USA Network, after initial reports had FS1 as the new landing spot for the brand. The plan is to make it a two-hour, live show that would fill in the 8 pm ET – 10 pm ET time slot on Wednesday, much like the upcoming AEW weekly show that starts on October 2.

The USA Network got much more involved in negotiations over the last several weeks and the feeling for some within WWE was it is a “done deal.”

Yesterday, the @WrestleVotes Twitter account said WWE would be making an official announcement on Monday about NXT – USA.

On the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, it was also confirmed that would be the case, and it would happen during RAW. Dave Meltzer reported, Triple H was talking to people and dropping hints, while saying, “I want to tell you, but I can’t tell you. But watch TV on Monday.” Meltzer also said it would be the USA Network, and not FS1 as the new destination, which makes sense if the announcement comes during RAW (also on USA).

As noted previously, the plan still sounds like NXT wants to get a jump on the new competition before AEW goes live on TNT on October 2 with NXT episodes starting a few week prior.

In regards to Vince McMahon, Meltzer noted it’s likely he’ll still be very much involved since it’s on the USA Network and because this is a “war,” as opposed to just putting NXT on the station to give it more attention.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

UPDATE:

WWE NXT is set to premiere on the USA network on Wednesday, September 18, according to a new report from Dave Meltzer of F4Wonline.com.

WWE King Of The Ring Tournament Brackets Released

WWE released the King of the Ring tournament brackets for the first round.

The announcement came in a video released Friday afternoon by WWE.

First round matches featuring RAW competitors are as follows:

  • Cesaro vs. Samoa Joe
  • Ricochet vs. Drew McIntyre
  • Cedric Alexander vs. Sami Zayn
  • The Miz vs. Baron Corbin

First round matches featuring SmackDown Live competitors are as follows:

  • Kevin Owens vs. Elias
  • Ali vs. Buddy Murphy
  • Chad Gable vs. Shelton Benjamin
  • Apollo Crews vs. Andrade

The 2019 King of the Ring tournament kicks off tonight on RAW

AAA “Invading NY” Location Changed To Hulu Theater At MSG, First Matches Announced

AAA officially announced that their “Invading NY” event on Sunday, September 15th will be held at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, and not at the Garden itself. The Hulu Theater has a capacity of about 5,600, while the Garden can seat up to 20,500 fans.

It was also announced that Tessa will defend her Reina de Reinas (Queen of the Queens) Championship against former champion, Taya, while AAA legends Blue Demon Jr. and Dr. Wagner Jr. will clash in a grudge match. Blue Demon Jr. will be putting his mask on the line against Dr. Wagner Jr.’s hair.

“We are thrilled to bring the most popular Lucha Libre legends to fans in the Hulu Theater at MSG,” said Dorian Roldán, Director General of Lucha Libre AAA.

Regarding the event being moved to the Hulu Theater, Roldán added, “We want to ensure the quality of the experience for our New York area fans and the Hulu Theater offers the kind of setting in keeping with many AAA extravaganzas. Every seat is up close to the action and less than 177 feet from the ring, so our fans will have the kind of exciting, personal experience they expect from AAA.”

Current ticket holders will be guaranteed a new seat assignment of equal or greater value than the seat they already purchased.

Following Invading NY, AAA will run the Forum in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 13th.

Tickets are now on sale for both the New York and the Los Angeles events and may be purchased at the box offices or online in Spanish or English at luchalibreaaausa.com, ticketmaster.com or MSG.com. Both events will be available on pay-per-view live worldwide on FITE, or from all cable and satellite TV providers on pay-per-view.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

MLW Fusion Preview 8/17/19

What happens when Mexico’s most feared brawler take on England’s most dangerous man?

Thanks to Konnan’s “first wish,” a dream match may turn into a nightmare for Salina de la Renta as her destroyer LA Park is forced to take on her slithering associate Jimmy Havoc in a New York Street Fight in this week’s wild main event.

Information is power and Konnan has a lot of info and dirt on Salina de la Renta. Will the Puerto Rican powerbroker get her power back or will Konnan continue to mess with Promociones Dorado and the empresaria?

Another one of Salina de la Renta’s enemies Mance Warner will also be in the house as Promociones Dorado dispatches Salina’s personal “El Sicario” to take out the Bucksnort brawler once and for all.

Will the summer of the Southern Psychopath end at the hands of Martinez? Or will Salina regret setting this showdown in motion?

MLW will share an update on Marshall Von Erich.

“Filthy” Tom Lawlor has some news that he promises will shake CONTRA Unit to its core. What does the scrappy MMA fighter have in store for the global dealers in violence? Tune in to find out.

Speaking of the war between Lawlor and CONTRA, who is the fourth member of Lawlor and the Von Erichs team? The world is watching but will we get any closer to an answer?

After a wild few weeks, the Hart Foundation have finished the much-anticipated next episode of H2tv.

Plus: the War Chamber control center and more!

Join Tony Schiavone and Rich Bocchini from the sold out Melrose Ballroom in New York City for a hot hour of top ranked wrestling.

MLW Partners With Martial-Arts Advance Research Systems (MARS) To Launch An Innovation Lab

MLW announced that they are partnering with Martial-Arts Advance Research Systems (MARS) to launch an innovation lab.

MLW issued the following:

Major League Wrestling is partnering with Martial-Arts Advance Research Systems (MARS) to launch an innovation lab.

The innovation lab is designed to explore furthering athlete development and injury prevention in addition to bout analysis and athlete evaluations.  MARS will also provide MLW’s television division with in-depth analytics to further enrich the viewer’s experience.

MARS is a leading sports analytics and insights technology company. Known for their breakthrough researchexploring the science and engineering underlying athletic endeavors, this partnership marks MARS’ first foray into professional wrestling.

“MARS is going to bring some breakthrough tech to MLW,” said MLW CEO Court Bauer. “We’re extremely proud of this partnership and what it will bring to the league, its athletes and fans.”

MARS has worked in the past with MIT Management Sloan School and with some of today’s global leaders in combat sports.

The innovation lab will tap into MARS’ emerging technology team.

The innovation lab will be housed in the MARS training complex in Ballard, Utah.

The league has been already been putting the partnership to good use with MARS testing all sorts of new innovations – innovations that will be coming to a TV near you soon.

Image result for MLW and Martial-Arts Advance Research Systems