Author: John Bass

“Superstar” Billy Graham Says Kofi Kingston Going To WrestleMania Is A “Joke”

As noted last night on SmackDown Live, New Day members Xavier Woods & Big E won a gauntlet match to earn Kofi Kingston a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 35 against Daniel Bryan. After the match, Kofi celebrated with his teammates and a good chunk of the SmackDown roster surrounded the ring to cheer on Kingston’s accomplishment.

One individual who does not have “Kofimania” is WWE Hall of Famer “Superstar” Billy Graham who posted on his Facebook about Kingston getting a title shot. Graham was not thrilled about a “145 pound WWE Champion” and called the whole thing a “joke.” Below is his full post.

Is The WWE Serious???I turned on my computer today and went to the wrestling news sites and what did I see? Kofi Kingston vs Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship at mania. Talk is Vince is going to put that WWE belt on Kofi Kingston…. S—…..You…not me, will have a 145 pound WWE champion. This must of been an idea by the new Sr. Creative Lady Dana Warrior? Meltzer says she has been promoted to an extremely high position on the creative team and attends meeting that only Vince, H and Step are in…damn…how did she get so smart???

My friend Hannibal has been monitoring the Monday Night RAW steady decline in TV viewership. Well Hannibal, it dropped again last night in Boston, Monday, March 25th. Steady decline in TV viewership. I predict that this years mania will be so bad that next year, 2020, will not come close to selling out. The thrill is gone. Is anyone out there really excited to see these 2 light weights wrestle for the WWE Championship ? Oh, one more thing. I would love to see Kofi at 145 pounds put his newly won WWE belt on the line against Brock Lesner, great logistics, 1 man being out-weighed by a good 135 pounds, a total joke this thing is. – S.B.G.

 

Bray Wyatt Updates His Look

Bray Wyatt has yet to appear on WWE television since last summer, although he did make a surprise appearance at Starrcade last November as well as work some live events that December. Wyatt is changing up his look a little, as barber @thebarbermaestro posted the photos below of Wyatt ramping up his hair style.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage News On Charlotte Flair Defeating Asuka For The SmackDown Women’s Title, Stars React To Their Women’s Title Opportunity Being Scrapped

On Tuesday night’s SmackDown Live, Charlotte Flair faced Asuka for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. It was a rematch of their WrestleMania 34 encounter, and Charlotte once again beat her, winning the title in the process.

Flair is now an eight-time champion. Originally, plans were for Ronda Rousey to defend the RAW Women’s Championship against Charlotte and Becky Lynch in the main event of WrestleMania 35. Now there are two champions in the match.

According to Dave Meltzer on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Charlotte winning the Smackdown Womens’ Championship wasn’t planned until the day of SmackDown Live.

The idea of Charlotte going into WrestleMania with a title has been talked about for a while, but the trigger was pulled last night.

All four scorned competitors took to Twitter afterward to vent their frustrations.

“I’m a very very patient person with a long fuse, but let me tell you when it blows, you won’t want to be the one in my way,” Sonya wrote. While her current frenemy Mandy claimed that WWE brass was “Putting all the equity in the wrong blonde.”

Carmella simply tweeted a expressionless emoji, followed by “Push through,” and Naomi just shared the word “Welp.”

https://twitter.com/SonyaDevilleWWE/status/1110703690397216768

https://twitter.com/WWE_MandyRose/status/1110718278601764866

https://twitter.com/CarmellaWWE/status/1110711058141011968

https://twitter.com/NaomiWWE/status/1110703803916013574

The New Day Win Gauntlet Match To Earn Kofi Kingston WWE Championship Match At WrestleMania 35

It appears that Kofi Kingston vs. WWE Champion Daniel Bryan is now official for WrestleMania 35.

Kofi’s New Day partners Xavier Woods & Big E won a gauntlet match on SmackDown to earn Kofi a title shot at WrestleMania 35 against WWE Champion Daniel Bryan.

Xavier Woods & Big E defeated Gallows & Anderson, Rusev & Nakamura, The Bar, The Usos (who forfeited because they said Kofi deserves the title match) and Daniel Bryan & Rowan.

After the match was over, Vince McMahon seemingly confirmed that Daniel Bryan would face-off against Kofi Kingston at WrestleMania while speaking with Kayla Braxton. Most of the SmackDown Superstars then walked to the ringside area to celebrate with Kofi and The New Day.

Charlotte Flair Wins SmackDown Women’s Title Ahead Of WrestleMania 35

Charlotte Flair defeated Asuka for the SmackDown Women’s Championship with less than two weeks until WrestleMania 35 where she will compete for the RAW Women’s Championship against Becky Lynch and RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey in the Main Event.

Charlotte is now a 8-time champ.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1110703784613707776

ROH Announces Flip Gordon Re-Injures Knee

Back in January, Flip Gordon sustained an MCL sprain at ROH Honor Reigns Supreme. He was initially expected to return to ROH on March 31 at Road to G1 Supercard in Baltimore.

Today, Ring of Honor released a statement that Flip Gordon re-injured his knee after competing in Northern Ireland for Over the Top Wrestling. The next day his knee was “locked up” and there’s concern his injury will keep him out for four to six months.

Below is ROH’s full statement:

Flip Gordon has re-injured his right knee and will not be able to appear at Road to G1 Supercard in Baltimore on March 31.Gordon, who suffered an MCL tear in his knee during a match in January and was medically cleared to return to in-ring action last week, competed in a match in Northern Ireland for Over the Top Wrestling on March 24. When he woke up the following morning, his knee was “locked up.”

He was able to make his flight home and visited his doctor this morning. There is concern that Gordon may have suffered a “bucket handle” meniscus tear, which would require surgery and keep him out of action for four-to-six months. The extent of the injury will not be known until the results of Gordon’s MRI exam are in.

Gordon will still appear at G1 Supercard Festival of Honor on Friday, April 5 at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater as scheduled. For Full Schedule and Tickets, click here.

 

WWE SmackDown Live Preview 3/26/19

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Live  will take place from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT as the Road to WrestleMania 35 continues.

* Fatal 4-Way Match to determine Asuka’s WrestleMania challenger

* Kurt Angle to have his final match on SmackDown LIVE against AJ Styles

* What does the future hold for The New Day?

* What’s next for Lynch and Flair after an eventful Raw?

WWE 205 Live Preview 3/26/19

Tonight’s WWE 205 Live will take place from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT as the Road to WrestleMania 35 continues.

* The Lucha House Party vs. Humberto Carrillo, Jack Gallagher and Drew Gulak.

* Tony Nese is heading to WrestleMania

Joan Jett Set To Perform Ronda Rousey’s Entrance Music At WrestleMania 35

WWE has announced via a press release that Rock N’ Roll icon Joan Jett will be performing at WrestleMania 35. The Hall of Famer will be doing a live rendition of Bad Reputation, a song Ronda Rousey uses as her theme music.

“The Queen of Rock N’ Roll, Joan Jett, is a music legend and icon for powerful women everywhere.” stated SVP and General Manager of WWE Music Group Neil Lawi.”Her performance at this year’s WrestleMania promises to be both exhilarating and inspiring, and we are honored to watch her join a distinct list of extraordinary performers who have lit up the WWE stage.”

Ronda has been using Bad Reputation as her entrance since she started MMA. It became a rallying cry while she became the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion.

Founder of the Runaways, Joan Jett has entertained many for over 40 years with her songs, “I Hate Myself for Loving You” and “I love Rock ‘N Roll”. She is not the first artist to perform a superstar’s entrance. She joins Snoop Dogg, Motorhead, Rev Theory, Limp Bizkit and Mark Crozer among others.

Ronda Rousey is set to defend the Raw Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch in the main event of WrestleMania 35. The event takes place April 7th inside MetLife Stadium.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Lucha Underground Reportedly Settles With Talent, Given Immediate Releases

Back in February it was reported King Cuerno (aka El Hijo del Fantasma) had filed documents in Los Angeles against the El Rey Network and Lucha Underground’s production Baba-G Productions, claiming his contract “illegally restricts” wrestlers from finding work in wrestling.

Along with that individual lawsuit, a class action lawsuit was possibly in the works including other stars, Ivelisse, Joey Ryan, and Thunder Rosa (aka Kobra Moon), who were looking to get out of their contracts with the stalled out promotion. Despite being between production of season four and five, wrestlers were still locked down to the promotion.

In a new report from Lucha Central, the El Rey Network and Baba-G Productions were sent three lawsuits. Two were from El Hijo del Fantasma and Texano Jr., both seeking financial damages. The third was indeed a class action lawsuit from Fantasma, Ivelisse, Ryan, and Rosa.

The report stated Texano Jr. withdrew his lawsuit and a settlement was agreed on for the class action lawsuit, as part of that Fantasma agreed to withdraw his personal lawsuit against the companies. Exact terms are not known, but those involved in the class action lawsuit are now released from their Lucha Underground contracts and are allowed to sign with other promotions.

Still no word yet on a season five taking place, Lucha Underground Co-Executive Producer, Chris DeJoseph, commented last month that he thought the show was “dead.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.