Author: John Bass

Backstage Talk On Jeff Jarrett’s WWE Future Behind-The-Scenes

As noted, WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett recently joined the WWE creative team and is now working under a full-time executive-level role.

There’s a feeling within WWE that Jarrett will end up being very influential behind-the-scenes, or at least become a key member of the creative team, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

One source close to the situation noted to the Observer that based on watching how Jarrett plays the game, they believe he will be the most influential guy in the company before too long, aside from Triple H and key writers like Dave Kapoor, Brian “BG” James, WWE Hall of Famer Michael “PS” Hayes and perhaps Paul Heyman, who is very influential right now due to his ties to RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey and WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar.

It was also noted that Jarrett is well-known for being very charming if you work with him, and he has the ability to quickly make you feel like he’s a friend. Jarrett also has some authority when talking to talents that a non-wrestler isn’t going to have because a lot of the current WWE talents grew up watching him perform and they know he ran his own companies.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Becky Lynch Calls Ronda Rousey A Fragile Fraud

The Twitter feud between Becky Lynch and RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey continued this week as they prepare to do battle with Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 35. As seen below, Becky fired a shot at Rousey and then called her a fragile fraud.

Becky wrote, “You thought you had this business all figured after giving me a few smacks on RAW, didn’t you? Delighted u were; couldn’t shut you up. Now look you’re back to being a fragile fraud. Bring all your smacks to WM, Ronnie, because where u wilt after a beating, I absolutely flourish.”

You can see their latest tweets below:

https://twitter.com/BeckyLynchWWE/status/1105644122239631360

https://twitter.com/BeckyLynchWWE/status/1105947510189617154

SPOILER: Triple H Reveals What Will Happen With NXT Championship Due To Ciampa’s Injury

SPOILER:

The NXT Championship match at TakeOver: New York has been confirmed following an injury that forced Tommaso Ciampa to relinquish the title.

Triple H announced at the NXT TV tapings on Wednesday that Johnny Gargano would face-off at TakeOver next month in a title match against the winner of Ricochet vs. Adam Cole vs. Aleister Black vs. Velveteen Dream vs. Matt Riddle moments later in the taping — which was won by Cole.

The NXT title match at TakeOver between Cole and Gargano will be two-out-of-three falls.

At the beginning of Triple H’s promo, the WWE exec admitted he had planned on announcing Gargano vs. Ciampa for the NXT Championship at TakeOver … but that obviously could no longer happen due to Tommaso suffering a neck injury that required surgery.

As we previously reported, Ciampa underwent surgery last week.

Chelsea Green Suffers Injury During NXT TV Taping

Former Impact Wrestling star Chelsea Green wrestled at Full Sail University last night for the first time during the NXT TV tapings and suffered an injury in her match.

Green announced the injury via social media and wrote:

Today I had the opportunity to wrestle for the first time at Full Sail for WWE NXT, after years of dreaming of it! Wow, it was everything I had imagined it would be!!! Of course, with this job comes occupational hazards. Unfortunately, I broke my wrist mid-match & will require surgery first thing tomorrow morning. It sucks. I’m upset, I’m angry, I’m sore… but I’ll be back soon. This is just a tiny bump in the road to many goals I have set for 2019! Oh yeah…I won the match.

Chelsea Green signed with WWE in October 2018.

Image result for Chelsea Green Suffers Injury During NXT TV Taping

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Jim Ross Applies For New Trademark As His WWE Departure Nears

On March 7, 2019, WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross applied for a new trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Under Ross’s business entity, J.R.’s Blackhat Enterprises, LLC, which also owns the intellectual property behind Ross’s barbecue products, book, and stage shows, the professional wrestling veteran has applied to trademark ‘The Voice Of Wrestling’.

According to Ross’s application, the trademark is to be used for live and personal appearances, and podcasts, including video podcasts.

This news comes hot off the heels of Ross’s announcement that he will be parting ways with WWE at the end of March 2019. Moreover, in recent weeks, Ross has stated that he will likely begin a new podcasting project with pro wrestling superfan and entrepreneur Conrad Thompson, which will replace the current incarnation of Westwood One’s Jim Ross Report.

“It’s moving along well,” Ross said of the new venture on The Jim Ross Report recently. “It looks as if, unless something happens in the 11th hour, it’s going to be a go. If it goes like Conrad and I have strategized and gameplanned it, it will replace this format and I’ll keep you posted on that. It’ll replace this format and make it better, so I’m looking forward to that. Conrad has done a great job with Eric Bischoff and Tony Schiavone [on their respective podcasts].”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Dolph Ziggler Gives Update On Status With WWE

Earlier today, Dolph Ziggler spoke with 98.5’s Wrestling Inside the Ropes about his current status with WWE.

The last time fans saw Ziggler on WWE TV was in January where he entered the Royal Rumble match at number 28. Making it to the final four, Ziggler would eliminate his former tag partner, Drew McIntyre, and eventually be eliminated by Braun Strowman.

During his interview, Ziggler was asked if he was still under contract with WWE and while he technically is, it’s under more of a “handshake agreement” to allow him to have outside opportunities, like his stand-up comedy.

“Technically, I am, yes,” Ziggler said. “It’s weird because for the last two years I’ve had somewhat of a handshake agreement, kind of behind closed doors deal with WWE. I’ve been able to do a lot of things, on my own, not at WWE, just because of the relationship we’ve had for the last 14 years. I have a bit of a handshake agreement right now, but we’ll know some more details in the coming months.”

You can listen to Ziggler’s full interview at link below.

https://omny.fm/shows/wrestling-inside-the-ropes/wwe-superstar-and-comedian-dolph-ziggler/embed

Source: Wrestling Inc.

oVe’s Jake & Dave Crist Re-Sign With Impact Wrestling

Wrestling Inc. reports that oVe’s Dave and Jake Crist have re-signed multi-year contracts with IMPACT Wrestling. The terms of their deals are not disclosed.

The former IMPACT Wrestling Tag Team Champions, with Sami Callihan, have been feuding of late with Rich Swann, Willie Mack and Tommy Dreamer. oVe will take on all three in a six-man match that is scheduled for this Friday on IMPACT Wrestling.

Jake Crist spoke to Wrestling Inc. to discuss oVe’s relationship with Swann and why they decided to re-sign with IMPACT.

“IMPACT has always been home to us,” said Crist. “They always gave us a platform and were the first ones to give us a chance so why not stay loyal? I know this business isn’t a loyal business, but we’re loyal people.”

Jake and his brother undoubtedly had offers from other promotions, but Jake revealed that they didn’t talk with anyone else.

“We were always deadset on staying loyal to IMPACT,” stated Crist. “They took a chance on my brother and I, so why not keep rocking and rolling? We love the direction and we are literally taking over everything. Sami Callihan, us…you’ll see what’s coming down the pipe. Ultimate X… it’s an amazing time for me as a performer with IMPACT Wrestling.”

Jake made his Ultimate X debut at IMPACT Homecoming at The Asylum. He came up short to Rich Swann, but he talked about the experience.

“It was nerve-racking. I can speak for every single one of us,” Crist said of all of the match’s performers. “They tell you otherwise – I can look them straight in the face and tell them they’re a liar. I was nervous but it was a dream come true because that’s where everything started for Impact Wrestling.

“I had a broken thumb going into it so I was just trying to concentrate on my grip the whole time,” Crist said before adding that his thumb is better now.

Crist will be involved in another Ultimate X match at United We Stand but says things will be different this time around.

“With the second one, the nerves will not be there and I’ll know what to expect. When you’re standing on that turnbuckle and you jump and reach for those ropes, it’s very nerve-racking the first time. Very few times do you do it the first time so coming into the second match I’ll know what to expect,” stated Crist.

Jake and his brother have already claimed tag team gold in IMPACT, and Jake revealed if he’s eyeing X-Division gold before making a detour towards Rich Swann.

“Absolutely. But the thing is, we want Rich Swann to come ‘home’ to Ohio, so the focus for me hasn’t been on the Ultimate X Championship. On April 4 my focus is Ultimate X,” said Crist. “Rich Swann is one of our brothers. We’ve got a long, long history with Rich Swann. Rich Swann just needs to come home.”

Crist then talked about the history between oVe and Swann and how Callihan took Swann from the gutters and gave him a place to live. Jake travelled the road with Swann and considers him one of his very close friends.

“With that being said, with the history we have….he just needs to come home to Ohio. Come on Swann. Come on Swann,” pleaded Crist.

When asked if oVe should use a different approach to bringing Swann “home,” Crist said, “Sometimes you just gotta go up to your friends and slap them in the face until they get some sense.”

Jake and Dave Crist lost the IMPACT tag titles earlier this year to LAX, and Jake was asked if one of his and Dave’s goals is to re-capture those belts.

“Absolutely. We’re gonna bring the tag team championships back to oVe and if Rich Swann doesn’t join oVe and the X-Division Championship isn’t a part of us, I’ll go out and get that as well,” said Crist. “My brother and I will always be a team. It’s us versus them. We’ve always had that mentality. That’s why it’s ‘For Ohio, By Ohio.'”

Jake Crist will be competing in an Ultimate X match at IMPACT Wrestling’s United We Stand. It goes down on April 4th at 11 pm EST and will be streamed live via Twitch.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 3/13/19

NXT, tonight at 8 ET on WWE Network.

The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semi-Finals

* Aleister Black & Ricochet vs. #DIY

* Moustache Mountain vs. The Forgotten Sons

* Io Shirai and Bianca Belair vie for NXT Women’s Title opportunity

WWE NXT UK Preview 3/13/19 Special Start Time This Week

NXT UK, today at a special start time of 4 ET/8 GMT on WWE Network.

* WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne will join forces with WALTER to take on the dominant Joe & Mark Coffey.

* Kay Lee Ray makes her NXT UK debut against Candy Floss

* Flash Morgan Webster goes head-to-head with Gallus’ Wolfgang

Tenille Dashwood’s ROH Contract Expiring Soon

Pro Wrestling Sheet reports that Tenille Dashwood could soon become a free agent as her Ring of Honor contract expires at the end of the month.

Sources close to the situation say Tenille is currently in negotiations with Ring of Honor to potentially ink a new contract, but as of this week nothing has been signed. That means her upcoming appearances in Las Vegas could be her last with the company.

Dashwood signed on to join the Women of Honor in February 2018.

Tenille — formerly known as Emma in WWE — started in-ring training recently to prepare for her return after undergoing shoulder surgery months back. If she re-signs with ROH, we’re told Dashwood’s in-ring return could take place at G1 Supercard.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet