Author: John Bass

Daniel Bryan’s Doctor On What His Medical Records Show In Regards To A WWE Ring Return

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Newsweek recently spoke with one of the neurosurgeons that cleared Daniel Bryan for his WWE ring return. Dr. Robert Cantu cleared Bryan along with Dr. Javier Cárdenas and Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, according to WWE’s announcement issued last week.

Cantu evaluated Bryan’s medical records in February and said he found no sign of concussion-related injuries that would prevent a ring return.

“I evaluated Bryan for a neurological opinion on return to WWE on February 26, 2018. Included in his medical records were multiple evaluations by renowned concussion clinicians,” Cantu told Newsweek. “I determined that Bryan is currently asymptomatic, has a normal detailed neurological and cognitive neuropsychological examination, normal EEG, and an MRI that showed no definite evidence of a prior brain injury. It is my medical opinion that there is no absolute contraindication to his return to in-ring action in WWE.”

Cantu is a leading concussion expert and one of the foremost experts in CTE, chronic traumatic encephalopathy. He was one of three neurological experts who diagnosed what is believed to be the first case of CTE in pro wrestling with Chris Benoit. Cantu runs his own concussion treatment center at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA and he also works with teams in the NFL, NBA and NHL.

Source: WrestlingINC

Molly Holly to induct Ivory into the WWE Hall of Fame

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WWE has announced that Molly Holly will induct Ivory into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 34 Weekend.

Molly Holly was a rival and partner of Ivory during their illustrious in-ring careers in WWE. Now, Holly will have the distinction of inducting Ivory into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2018 on Friday, April 6, in New Orleans during WrestleMania 34 Week.

The two were trailblazers in the squared circle, creating a path that helped lead to today’s Women’s Evolution. It is perfectly fitting that Holly, a two-time WWE Women’s Champion, inducts Ivory, a three-time titleholder, into sports-entertainment immortality.

What kind of stories will Holly have to share about her friend and rival? Find out during the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, streaming live on WWE Network Friday, April 6, at 8 ET/5 PT!

Tickets for the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans are available now.

WWE Announced Lilian Garcia As WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal Ring Announcer

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WWE has announced that Lilian Garcia will be the ring announcer for the first-ever WrestleManiaWomen’s Battle Royal at WrestleMania 34.

Veteran ring announcer Lilian Garcia will return as the guest ring announcer for the first-ever WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal, WWE.com can confirm.

A longtime member of the broadcast team throughout WWE’s Attitude Era, Lilian is also known for her stirring renditions of “America the Beautiful.” Her return to The Showcase of the Immortals comes in tandem with the establishment of the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal, a counterpart to the male-centric Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal that will feature Superstars from Raw, SmackDown LIVE and NXT. Raw’s Sasha Banks became the first woman to declare for the contest on Monday; she was followed on Tuesday by SmackDown LIVE’s Natalya, Becky Lynch and Naomi as well as The Riott Squad — Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan.

Tune in to WrestleMania 34 on Sunday, April 8, to see the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal begin another chapter in the Women’s Evolution, helped along in no small part by the forbear who will announce it to the world.

AJ Styles WWE Status Update Going Into The Weekend

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WWE Champion AJ Styles is scheduled to return to the ring at weekend SmackDown live events in New Jersey, Virginia and Pennsylvania, according to PWInsider. Styles is booked to work eight-man tag matches, likely as a way to cut down on his in-ring work. Styles will be teaming with The New Day to face Chad Gable, Shelton Benjamin, Rusev and Aiden English.

Styles hasn’t wrestled since working a match against Rusev on last week’s episode of SmackDown Live. He appeared at last Friday’s live event at Madison Square Garden where he was scheduled to team with Nakamura, but an injury angle was done at the beginning of the show to take him out of the match. He missed the remaining SmackDown live events over the weekend, where he was announced as injured. Styles told Catch-Newz earlier this week during a media call that he still planned on defending his title against Nakamura at WrestleMania.

“If my leg got cut off I’d find a way to make it to Wrestlemania,” Styles said. “I will be wrestling Shinsuke Nakamura at Wrestlemania, don’t worry about it, it’ll be fine.”

Triple H also spoke with Catch-Newz and said they are working with AJ to get him cleared for the big match in New Orleans, if possible.

“AJ is working diligently on rehabbing his injuries and getting himself in tip-top shape for WrestleMania,” Triple H said. “We are trying to help him with that process of getting the best care and the best rehab and everything else possible. We’re hoping for the best. Right now he says he’s feeling a lot better and will be ready to go. Obviously we’ll get him doctors to make sure that he is ready to go and get a medical clearance, if that’s possible. He’s working very hard at it, so we’re hoping for the best.”

Source: WrestlingINC

Su Yung Made Impact Debut

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On last night’s Impact Wrestling, Su Yung made her debut by coming through the crowd and attacking Knockouts Champion, Allie, from behind. Yung has wrestled in a number of indie promotions since 2007, including Shimmer and Shine.

WWE Confirms Recent “Discussions” With Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan has reportedly been in talks with WWE about making a return to the company and a statement has been released confirming their discussions.

Talks between the two sides began several weeks ago, according to PWInsider, however it’s unclear what role WWE officials would like him to fill.

WWE’s statement says, “We have had discussions with Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan) about how he can help others learn from his mistakes, however, he is not under any contract with WWE.”

Hogan’s WWE contract was terminated in July 2015 after he was heard saying the n-word and admitting he was racist “to a point” in a leaked conversation published by the National Enquirer.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Triple H Provides Medical Update On AJ Styles, “We’re Hoping For The Best”

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AJ Styles is still waiting to be cleared by doctors before his anticipated WrestleMania 34 match against Shinsuke Nakamura … this according to Triple H.

While speaking with a french publication called Catch Newz, Triple H was asked about WWE Champion AJ Styles’ recent undisclosed injury and if the company had a Plan B in case he can’t defend his title against Shinsuke Nakamura at WrestleMania. Triple H said:

“You always have to have a Plan B, [and] just in case you have a Plan C,” Triple H said. “AJ is an incredible performer. Replacing AJ Styles would be very difficult. [He’s] not necessarily a replaceable talent, but we would do our best.”

Triple H noted that they are working with AJ to get him medically cleared for WrestleMania “if that’s possible.”

“AJ is working diligently on rehabbing his injuries and getting himself in tip-top shape for WrestleMania. We are trying to help him with that process of getting the best care and the best rehab and everything else possible. And, you know, we’re hoping for the best.”

Triple H added, “Right now he says he’s feeling a lot better and that we’ll be ready to go, and obviously we’ll get him doctors to make sure that he is ready to go and get him medical clearance if that’s possible. But he’s working very hard at it, so we’re hoping for the best.”

For those who missed it, AJ is apparently suffering from a leg injury and only made one house show appearance over the weekend.

Styles hasn’t wrestled since working a match against Rusev on last week’s episode of SmackDown Live. He appeared at last Friday’s live event at Madison Square Garden where he was scheduled to team with Nakamura, but an injury angle was done at the beginning of the show to take him out of the match. He missed the remaining SmackDown live events over the weekend, where he was announced as injured. Styles told Catch-Newz earlier this week during a media call that he still planned on defending his title against Nakamura at WrestleMania.

“If my leg got cut off I’d find a way to make it to Wrestlemania,” Styles said. “I will be wrestling Shinsuke Nakamura at Wrestlemania, don’t worry about it, it’ll be fine.”

Sources: Catch-Newz, WrestlingINC and Pro Wrestling Sheet

Listen to the quick interview clip with Triple H below:

Former NFL Player Pat McAfee Joining The NXT Takeover: New Orleans Pre-Show Panel

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WWE sent out the following, confirming that former NFL Player Pat McAfee will be part of the NXT Takeover: New Orleans Kickoff show.

Indianapolis Colt-turned-comedian, radio host and podcaster extraordinaire Pat McAfee will join Charly Caruso and Sam Roberts on the NXT TakeOver: New Orleans Pre-Show panel Saturday, April 7, streaming live on WWE Network, on the eve of WrestleMania.

A former All-Pro punter who spent eight years in the NFL, McAfee is no stranger to the black-and-yellow brand. He served as a special guest ring announcer at an NXT Live Event in Indianapolis last month and even made his presence felt, helping Aleister Black defeat Adam Cole, with whom McAfee had traded barbs on social media.

The outspoken McAfee, a former recipient of the NFL’s “Walter Payton Man of the Year” award, currently hosts a Sirius XM radio show and “The Pat McAfee Show” podcast, as well as heads up Barstool Heartland, a branch of Barstool Sports. Known for his infectious energy and “Let’s go!” mantra, McAfee can be counted on to add unique insights to the Pre-Show panel.

Don’t miss the NXT TakeOver: New Orleans Pre-Show when it streams live Saturday, April 7, at 7 ET/4 PT, immediately before TakeOver: New Orleans. In addition to the award-winning WWE Network, you can catch the TakeOver: New Orleans Pre-Show on WWE.com, the WWE App, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.

Impact Wrestling Preview 3/22/18

* Feast or Fired cases are opened. Who get’s fired?

* Monster’s Ball: Kongo Kong w/Jimmy Jacobs vs. Abyss w/James Mitchell

* Impact World Champion Austin Aries and Alberto El Patron in the same ring at the same time

* Rohit Raju vs. Matt Sydal w/Josh Mathews

* Trevor Lee vs. Fallah Bahh

* Knockouts Championship: (C) Allie vs. Sienna

5 Star Wrestling Shuts Down, Issues Statement

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5 Star Wrestling, who once offered CM Punk a million dollars to compete for them, has officially shut down. The news was confirmed by owner Dan Hinkles. The company had been building up to a huge 128-man tournament, which was moved from last summer to February. The tournament never happened and the venues for 5 Star events only had a small amount of people compared to the venue’s size. They also missed several dates in Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and Aberdeen. They said in a statement:

Names to appear for the promotion included AJ Styles, RVD, Rey Mysterio, John Morrison, Drew McIntyre, Jay Lethal, Jack Swagger, Chris Masters, and Carlito. However, they never had enough fans to cover expenses. One talent told Wrestling Inc that he had to cancel his flight and appearance due to poor management, which didn’t make sure his appearance was booked and his flight was secured.

Source: 411Mania