Author: John Bass

Reunited Hardy Boyz, Matt Hardy Returns To Action On SmackDown Live

Maatt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, SmackDown, SmackDown Live, Hardy Boyz

Matt Hardy returned to action tonight on SmackDown Live teaming with his brother Jeff. The Hardy Boyz defeated The Bar.

As you may recall, Matt recently revealed that he days left on his contract.

Word going around backstage is that WWE invoked a clause in Matt Hardy’s contract and Jeff Hardy’s contract that will see the deals roll over for a third year, according to PWInsider. The contracts were set to expire next week if WWE decided against rolling them over.

The Hardys returned to WWE at WrestleMania 33 in 2017 and signed two-year deals that included a third-year option. We noted back in January that it was believed WWE would pick up that option, which includes a significant pay raise for the third year.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1100566897450311680

Kevin Owens Returns On SmackDown, Vince McMahon Replaces Kofi Kingston With Owens In Fastlane WWE Championship Match

Image result for Kevin Owens Returns On SmackDown, Vince McMahon Replaces Kofi Kingston With Owens In Fastlane WWE Championship Match

Tonight on SmackDown Live, just as Kofi Kingston was about to sign WWE Championship match contract, Vince McMahon came out and announced that he was replacing Kofi with Kevin Owens to face WWE Champion Daniel Bryan at WWE Fastlane.

Later in a match Owens suggested to Stephanie and Shane McMahon, Kofi and Owens defeated Bryan and Rowan.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1100591348531384321

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1100591691004665856

WWE SmackDown Live Preview 2/26/19

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Live will take place from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina as the road to WrestleMania 35 continues.

* “The New” Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston to sign contract for their WWE Title Match at WWE Fastlane tonight

* Can Johnny Gargano keep the momentum going against Cesaro?

* Aleister Black & Ricochet look to rise up on Nakamura & Rusev

* Will Asuka recover from her loss to Mandy Rose?

WWE 205 Live Preview 2/26/19

Tonight’s WWE 205 Live will take place from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

After WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy defeated Akira Tozawa in a thrilling title bout during the WWE Elimination Chamber Kickoff, WWE 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick announced a tournament to determine Murphy’s next challenger.

* Kalisto vs. Tony Nese

* Drew Gulak vs. The Brian Kendrick.

Roman Reigns On GMA: Battling Cancer, Filming New Movie With The Rock (Video)

Roman Reigns Appears On 'Good Morning America'

In addition to appearing on Monday night’s episode of WWE RAW at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, Roman Reigns flew to New York City to appear on ABC’s “Good Morning America” talk show on Tuesday morning.

Reigns spoke with Robin Roberts for a sit-down interview to talk about how his leukemia is in remission, and that he intends on using his reach as a WWE Superstar to help others who have, or are suffering with a similar condition.

“We’re not just gonna talk about it.” Reigns said on the show. He also noted that he and WWE are in the process of creating funds and foundations to help make a difference.

Additionally, Reigns spoke about appearing alongside his cousin, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, in the new “Fast & Furious” spin-off movie, “Hobbs & Shaw.” The host of the show read The Rock’s recent Instagram post praising Reigns for his ability to stay strong while dealing with such a great challenge.

Check out Roman Reigns’ appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Tuesday morning below.

Source: EWrestling.com

The Honky Tonk Man To Be Inducted Into WWE Hall Of Fame Class Of 2019

Honky Tonk Man, WWE, WrestleMania, Hall of Fame, WWE Hall of Fame

WWE announced that The Honky Tonk Man (whose real name is Wayne Farris), the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history, is the latest inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2019, joining D-Generation X.

WWE issued the following:

The Honky Tonk Man to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2019

He’s cool, he’s cocky, he’s bad, and now, he’s a WWE Hall of Famer.

The Honky Tonk Man, the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history, is the latest inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2019. The news was first reported by CBS Sports. The 2019 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place on Saturday, April 6, the eve of WrestleMania 35, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Tickets for the ceremony are available now.

With slicked-back hair and long sideburns reminiscent of a certain rock ‘n’ roll icon, The Honky Tonk Man first arrived on the scene in WWE in 1986 with a wide-eyed smile on his face, trying to earn the adulation of the WWE Universe. But WWE fans didn’t quite take to the Elvis lookalike, despite the stamp of approval from Hulk Hogan, as they jeered the newcomer relentlessly. A frustrated Honky Tonk Man called for a vote of confidence from the WWE Universe, and when the results came back overwhelmingly negative, the rockabilly wrestler snapped.

Enlisting the managerial services of fellow WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart, The Honky Tonk Man unleashed his evil side, setting out to make his opponents twist and shout in agony. And if the damage he inflicted on his opponents wasn’t enough, he subjected the WWE Universe to his unique talents as a singer, facetiously thanking fans and telling them they were “a wonderful audience” as he belted out his own entrance music.

The new attitude was apparently just what the crooner needed, as he racked up victory after victory on his way to becoming Intercontinental Champion in June 1987 with a shocking victory over Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. Following his big win, The Honky Tonk Man went on to claim that he was the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time. At first, that boast may have rang a little hollow, but his claims began to hold a little more water as his reign continued.

By hook or by crook, The Honky Tonk Man held onto the Intercontinental Championship for nearly 13 months before his reign ended in lightning-quick fashion at the hands of Ultimate Warrior at SummerSlam 1988. His record-breaking 454 days as Intercontinental Champion is a feat that has stood the test of time, as no Superstar has come close to eclipsing his unprecedented championship reign.

The Honky Tonk Man was, surprisingly, also willing to share the spotlight later in his WWE career, whether it was as one half of the tag team/band Rhythm & Blues with Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, or as the manager of Rockabilly (fellow 2019 inductee Billy Gunn of D-Generation X).

But once again, the spotlight will be on The Honky Tonk Man as he takes his place in sports-entertainment history. Don’t miss The Honky Tonk Man’s enshrinement during the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, April 6, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., during WrestleMania 35 Week. Tickets for this historic evening are available now!

 

Jeff Jarrett Wants A Judge To Give Him Back The Rights To His Name

Jeff Jarrett, TNA, IMPACT, Anthem, GFW, Global Force Wrestling, WWE, WWE Hall of Fame

As part of an ongoing legal battle, Jeff Jarrett is trying to win back the rights to his own name and likeness from Anthem Sports & Entertainment — the parent company of IMPACT.

According to PWInsider, Jarrett and Global Force Entertainment filed an amended lawsuit on February 22 against Anthem. Jarrett and GFE had initially filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Anthem in August ’18 over the use of Global Force Wrestling’s Amped series, which was acquired by the company when they took ownership of Impact Wrestling from Dixie Carter.

Here’s a few interesting details from the amended lawsuit:

  • The lawsuit included a response from Anthem dated 11/30/18 in which they claim “the sixteen one-hour Episodes of Global Force Wrestling Amped content sought in this question no longer exist. It was deleted in the normal course of business, long prior to the onset of this litigation, in order to free up storage space on Anthem Wrestling’s systems.”
  • In a declaration, Anthem’s Executive Vice President Ed Nordholm explains “Anthem Wrestling was formed in order to acquire the assets of an entity called TNA Entertainment LLC, when Fight Media foreclosed on certain loans to that entity.”
  • Jarrett is now requesting a ruling that will cancel IMPACT’s trademark on his name and hand the rights back to him. Jarrett was recently hired to work as a backstage producer for WWE, so this ruling would make it easier for them to manufacture Jeff Jarrett action figures and include his likeness in video games/other media.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

What You Didn’t See On RAW: Post-Show With Sting, HBK, Kurt Angle, Ricky Steamboat, Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brothers (Video)

Image result for What happened after Raw went off the air: Raw Exclusive, Feb. 25, 2019

After Monday’s episode of WWE RAW went off the air on the USA Network, the action continued inside the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

In a post-show segment, Jinder Mahal and The Singh Brothers came out and danced around WWE Hall Of Famers Sting, Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle and Ricky Steamboat until Angle and HBK took out the trio with a super kick and some cake.

WWE posted video footage of the angle, you can check out the complete post-show segment from Monday night’s WWE RAW show featuring Sting, HBK, Angle, Steamboat, Mahal and The Singh Brothers below.

Becky Lynch Interferes In Ronda Rousey’s Match On WWE RAW, ‘The Man” Gets Arrested, Ronda Demands Becky Be Put Back In WrestleMania 35 Title Match

Image result for Becky Lynch Interferes In Ronda Rousey's Match On WWE RAW, The Man Gets Arrested, Ronda Demands Becky Be Put Back In WrestleMania 35 Title Match

“The Man” does not let anyone tell her where she can and cannot be.

The on-going feud between Becky Lynch and RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey went up a few notches on tonight’s edition of Monday Night RAW. Becky Lynch who was “suspended” for 60 days by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, showed up on RAW during Ronda Rousey and Natalya’s tag team match against The Riott Squad and Becky took a swing at everyone in sight.

Becky Lynch and Ronda Rousey brawled all over the ringside area until they were separated by WWE officials and the Atlanta Police Department. The ATL P.D. got a hold of Becky and dragged her up the entrance ramp and restrained her via handcuffs.

After all of the chaos calmed calmed down, Ronda Rousey made her way back to the ring and called upon Vince McMahon to insert Becky Lynch back into the RAW Women’s Title match at WrestleMania 35. This led to Stephanie McMahon coming down to the ring and letting Ronda know that the match that is set in stone for WresteMania is herself versus Charlotte Flair. Ronda was not pleased with that answer and demanded that both Becky and Charlotte be her WrestleMania opponents and as Stephanie McMahon made it clear she was not budging, Ronda dropped the RAW Women’s Title in the middle of the ring.

Batista Ruins Ric Flair’s Birthday Celebration

dave bautista batista wwe raw ric flair birthday celebration triple h wrestlemania 35

“The Animal” Dave Bautista showed up to Ric Flair’s birthday celebration during Raw … but he wasn’t there to wish his old buddy well.

The celebration began with members of the roster gathered onstage as Triple H and Stephanie McMahon introduced guests Shawn Michaels, Ricky Steamboat, Kurt Angle and Sting. Flair was introduced next, but he was nowhere to be found.

Instead … Batista was shown angrily storming into Ric’s dressing room. Then he was seen dragging Flair out. “Hey hunter, do I have your attention now,” Dave said over an unconscious Flair.

Triple H then rushed to the backstage area to make the save, but Batista was gone.

As we previously reported, Bautista has recently been in talks with WWE about wrestling a match at WrestleMania 35. Looks like things have now been solidified.