Author: John Bass

Backstage News On Television Deal For AEW, Streaming Double Or Nothing

It looks as though we’ll be waiting later rather than sooner for a confirmed television deal, as All Elite Wrestling is reportedly in no rush to sign any one contract, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Meltzer noted that talks for a TV deal are “smooth” and nothing has fallen apart.

The belief is that holding out will strategically benefit AEW, especially considering the new deal between UFC and ESPN, and the proven success of the DAZN streaming service. These examples of synchronization between sports promotions and streaming services, along with rights fees for sports continuing to rise, are apparently contributing to the hold up from AEW. Nevertheless, Meltzer notes that decision time will be coming at a certain point, and we will know more then.

Regarding AEW’s upcoming Double Or Nothing show, Meltzer noted that he is certain that there will be a streaming component involved so that people can watch along at home, as well as the traditional option of watching on pay-per-view. There are reportedly several options. The higher ups in AEW have the task of selling their product to different streaming companies based off of the exceptional ticket sales they’ve seen and the potential TV deals that are on the table.

In a recent interview with Wrestling Inc.’s  WINCLY Podcast, AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes mentioned that a major TV deal remains an important aspect of AEW’s ongoing exposure. Rhodes expound only a bit further, claiming that their potential deal could create a “massive shift in the pro wrestling industry”.

“I can’t talk about it but I know that I was quoted as saying – not by you guys – that, ‘A TV deal was not important.’ And I think that in the context I was speaking, I was talking about how important social media and do-it-yourself brands are compared to the traditional TV median,” Rhodes explained. “But I also – let’s be serious, major TV is a huge thing, and it would be a massive shift in the pro wrestling industry. It would be a change-the-world-like move. But I can’t talk about any pending TV deals.

“A lot of the information that’s out there is very accurate about what we’re seeking to do and how frequently we’re seeking to do it,” Rhodes continued on. “But I don’t want to discourage any future partners. I can say that people have been really calculated about how we roll out announcements. We want to be proper. We can’t just stand on the podium in Jacksonville and say, ‘Hey, here’s the entire business model, here’s all of our plans, here’s x-amount of money.’ We can’t do that. I know the business of the business is very entertaining but I think if people put their trust in us like they have, we won’t let them down.”

AEW presents Double or Nothing on May 25th from the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Heated Ring For WrestleMania 35 (Video),

Below is the latest episode of WWE’s “Making WWE” series, featuring Mark Carpenter, who is the official ring maker for WWE. Carpenter talks about how he created a special heated ring for WrestleMania 35.

Stephanie McMahon And Triple H Donate $1 Million To Children’s Hospital Of Pittsburgh

WWE executives Stephanie McMahon and Triple H have made a HUGE donation of $1 million to a children’s hospital in Pittsburgh.

According to KDKA, the donation will help establish a family-centered MIBG Therapy Suite at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh — the only of its kind in Western Pennsylvania.

MIBG (metaiodobenzylguanidine) is used to treat high-risk neuroblastoma. This is an aggressive cancer of the nerve cells that spreads quickly and is mostly found in children under five-years-old.

Triple H aka Paul Levesque and Stephanie McMahon attended a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday at UPMC Children’s Hospital to celebrate the generous donation.

KDKA reports the new suite will include “highly sophisticated equipment” and “the ability to provide care without needing to transfer a patient out of the room, even if critical care is required.” An adjacent room will also be built allowing family members to provide support while not being exposed to radiation during treatment.

Watch the press conference below.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Jim Ross Confirms He’s In Talks With AEW

Just weeks after announcing he’d soon be parting ways with WWE, wrestling legend Jim Ross has confirmed he’s in talks with All Elite Wrestling.

“We’re talking. We’re talking. I just haven’t signed anything yet,” JR said during an interview on Thursday with ESPN’s Outside The Lines. “My people and their people are doing their thing.”

As we previously reported, the WWE Hall of Famer sounded confident that he wouldn’t be out of work for long when he announced his WWE departure on an episode of his podcast.

Check out the clip of JR confirming the AEW talks below.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

AEW Signs Former Impact Knockouts Champion Allie, News On Title Belt Design

On the latest Road to Double or Nothing it was announced former Impact Knockouts Champion Allie has signed with AEW. The above video features Allie meeting with Brandi Rhodes and getting ideas for her new wrestling gear with former WWE seamstress, Sandra Gray.

Allie spoke about how she first got into wrestling and how she’s looking forward to working with All Elite Wrestling.

“Going forward, I really want to make my mark here at AEW,” Allie said. “I feel like even though I’ve had those opportunities, I feel like now I really want to show people what I can do and I don’t know if I had that chance before.”

Allie originally appeared in Impact back in 2013 and signed a contract with them in 2016. Allie has already finished up with Impact Wrestling, according to PWInsider. Allie’s last appearance will air on tomorrow’s episode of Impact. The report stated she knew back in January the company wouldn’t be renewing her deal as they look to refresh the roster. Allie was said to be well liked and ended up keeping the news mostly to herself, so when yesterday’s signing broke that would be when many in Impact were made aware of her exit.

The video below also showed Brandi talking about the design for a new AEW championship title. She noted it will be as large as the Mid-South North American Championship. They are looking to make it unique to AEW, but the size will be in the same ballpark, below is a photo of what the Mid-South North American Championship looked like.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Kenny Omega Appears At DDT Event

AEW brought in DDT Pro-Wrestling Star, Michael Nakazawa, who was joined by Kenny Omega (via video) at the most recent DDT event. Omega wanted to let the crowd know AEW is bringing in Nakazawa, but he will still be appearing for DDT. Omega also teased maybe he’ll show back up in his old stomping grounds in the future.

https://twitter.com/ddtuniverse/status/1108711047160946688

Source: Wrestling Inc.

ROH announced the full schedule for G1 Supercard Festival of Honor, When Is Flip Gordon Returning?

ROH announced the full schedule for G1 Supercard Festival of Honor (seen here) featuring numerous meet and greets, Q&As, and a press conference. Individual tickets for meet and greets go on sale March 21 at 12 pm ET.

Flip Gordon will be making his return to an ROH ring on March 31 at Road to G1 Supercard in Baltimore, Maryland. Gordon has been out since January with a torn MCL in his right knee. Gordon was never expected to miss the G1 Supercard, although he doesn’t currently have a match on the event.

The Undertaker Reportedly Set For Upcoming WWE Show

It looks like we will be seeing a return to WWE TV from The Undertaker this spring, however, it may not be at WWE’s “Grandest Stage Of Them All”, WrestleMania.

Despite any issues between “The Deadman” and WWE that followed after he signed on to be a part of Starrcast 2 during Memorial Day weekend, Undertaker will still be performing at the Saudi Arabia show on May 3, 2019, according to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

With ‘Taker not yet retiring from WWE, it will be another huge payout to partake in the annual Saudi Arabia events that the company holds. By a wide margin, the two shows in Saudi Arabia are the biggest money draws of the year for WWE.

As previously mentioned, The Undertaker signed a deal and is scheduled to appear at the Starrcast 2 wrestling convention in Las Vegas from May 23-26. The convention falls on the same weekend as All Elite Wrestling’s Double Or Nothing event, but Starrcast is not an official AEW event.

On a recent edition of The Jim Ross Report, “good ol’ J.R.” was quoted as saying, “[Undertaker] has got to make a living, and if he’s at a point age-wise where WWE doesn’t want to use him in the ring, or if he doesn’t feel able good to compete in the ring and you want to keep him around, then you’ve got to pay him something! But you might not pay him the same if you can’t get the one, two, three matches a year out of him.”

There has been no word on if The Undertaker will be appearing at WrestleMania 35. However, Wrestling Inc. reported this week that his picture is on the WWE “WrestleMania 35” graphic below on one of the production trucks at last Monday’s RAW in Chicago:

 

Jimmy Uso Body Cam Footage From February Arrest Released By Police (Video)

Detroit police have released body camera footage from the February 13 arrest of SmackDown Tag Team Champion Jimmy Uso, as seen below.

As noted before, Naomi was driving their car down the wrong way of a one-way street in downtown Detroit when the two were pulled over at 10:22pm that night.. Police noted that their 2018 Dodge Journey reeked of alcohol.

Police said Naomi told them that she was visiting from out of town and didn’t know the streets. Naomi also said that Jimmy was intoxicated.

“He’s had a lot to drink. He’s intoxicated,” Naomi said.

Police said Jimmy pulled Naomi back into the car when they asked her to get out to talk. Police also said they asked Jimmy to stay seated in the car, but that’s when he got out, took his shirt off and “squared up” with officers like he wanted to fight. An officer pulled out his Taser and ordered Jimmy to get on the ground, and he did.

“Man, you don’t understand. I’m just here in and out. I’m in and out, man,” Jimmy said.

Jimmy was arrested for disorderly conduct and obstruction. He was taken to the Detroit Detention Center, where he bonded out.

WWE issued a statement on the arrest shortly after it came out in the news. They said, “Jonathan Fatu is responsible for his own personal actions.”

The Usos would win the SmackDown Tag Team Titles from Shane McMahon and The Miz just days later at WWE Elimination Chamber.

Noami later defended her actions to a fan on Twitter. She wrote, “I was NOT ticketed, I was NOT drinking, leaving the lot I was unaware that it exits to a 1 way street (it was dark snow no signs no traffic I was pulled immediately made a mistake and I own it) as for my husband he’s more of a man you’ll ever be & I’ll leave it at that #blocked”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Rey Mysterio Files For Trademark

Rey Mysterio applied to trademark the “Prince Mysterio” name on Friday, March 15. The trademark was filed for merchandise use. This is the likely ring name for Rey’s son Dominic, who returned to WWE TV for a backstage segment with his dad on last night’s SmackDown. Dominic, who has been training for a pro wrestling career, revealed that he will be ringside at WrestleMania 35 for the match between Rey and WWE United States Champion Samoa Joe.

Back in November Rey filed to trademark the “Principe Mysterio” name, which translated to Prince Mysterio.

Source: Wrestling Inc.