Author: John Bass

WWE Announces Ricochet Signing

ricochet signed wwe performance center lucha underground

It’s official! Former Lucha Underground champ Ricochet (Prince Puma) has signed a deal with WWE.

WWE.com revealed the highly-anticipated signing on Tuesday and noted that he officially reported for duty today at the WWE Performance Center.

Interesting note: Rico competed in LU as Prince Puma and had a 90-day no compete clause with the company after his final match aired in October. Yesterday was day 90.

The announcement also lists some of his accomplishments: “Among his many accolades, Mann has twice won Pro Wrestling Guerrilla’s annual Battle of Los Angeles tournament, and he is only the second American in history to win New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament.”

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Laurel Van Ness Granted Release From Impact Wrestling

laurel van ness impact release chelsea green

Another Impact Wrestling departure has occurred, as Laurel Van Ness announced that she’s been granted her release from the company.

Van Ness aka Chelsea Green tweeted saying, “I have been granted my release, am excited for the future, and I can’t wait to see what 2018 holds.”

She also wrote: “THANK YOU Impact Wrestling. I will always be grateful for the opportunities I received, and the people who had faith in me. Thanks to everyone both in front of, and behind the camera, the production team, and most importantly my fellow Knockouts. I have grown as a wrestler, and a performer because of the amazing locker room at Impact.”

Green was signed to a contract in 2016 but really began to take off as a character the following year due to her messy, not married, drunken, maniacal bride gimmick.

According to Squared Circle Sirens, Van Ness asked for her release back in November.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

EC3 & Bobby Lashley Gone From Impact Wrestling?

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After over four years with Impact Wrestling, EC3 seems to be done with the company — and his character was written out of storylines during last night’s TV taping.

Sources say Carter’s deal expires between now and the next set of tapings in April, so he was officially written off the program. It’s unclear when the actual date of expiration is on the contract, but the Wrestling Observer reports that he doesn’t intend to re-sign.

As we previously reported, EC3 filed documents to trademark his name last month.

For those who don’t recall, Ethan previously worked in WWE as Derrick Bateman. He was released in 2013 and re-invented himself in TNA, becoming one of the most popular acts on the roster. According to sources, WWE officials have been extremely interested in bringing him back to the company in the past … but it’s unclear if any recent talks have occurred.

ec3 ethan carter gone impact wrestling written off contract expires

Former World champ Bobby Lashley said goodbye to the crowd at  Impact Wrestling TV taping this past weekend and he seems to be done with the company.

According to those in attendance, Lashley lost his final match to recent signee Brian Cage … then, as he walked to the back, Bobby waved goodbye and bowed.

Similar to EC3, sources tell us Lashley’s contract expires before the next taping in April so he was written out of storylines in case he doesn’t re-sign.

The 41-year-old wrestler returned to Impact in 2014 and won their World title shortly after, making him the first African-American to do so. He went on to capture the belt three more times.

No word on his current plans for the future.

bobby lashley impact wrestling done with company leaving says goodbye

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Could EC3 & Lashley be headed to WWE?

Awesome Kong/Kharma Wants To Compete In First Women’s Royal Rumble (AUDIO)

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Former WWE wrestler Kharma aka Awesome Kong would LOVE to take part in the inaugural women’s Royal Rumble, but she says no one has called her yet to make it happen.

Kong — better known now by real name Kia Stevens due to her role on GLOW — called in this week to Wrestling Sheet Radio and told the guys that she believes the fans deserve one final appearance from Kharma in the Rumble so she can gain closure on her WWE story.

When asked whether WWE has made contact yet, Stevens replied, “Not so far, no.”

For those who don’t recall … Kharma is one of three women who’ve compete in the men’s Royal Rumble.  She made an appearance in the 2012 Rumble match and was eliminated by Dolph Ziggler.

Check out THE FULL INTERVIEW to hear her initial reaction to the Royal Rumble announcement, who she’d like to face-off against in the match and more (including GLOW S2 tidbits).

For now though, listen to the clip below.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

 

Goldberg To Headline 2018 WWE Hall Of Fame Class, Other Possible Inductees

Bill Goldberg was set to go into the WWE Hall of Fame this year in New Orleans, first reported by freelance writer Brad Shepard. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter has now confirmed that Goldberg will be the headliner of the 2018 class.

The Dudley Boyz were also on the original list of names reported and it’s possible WWE announces their induction during the RAW 25th Anniversary show on January 22nd as they were recently confirmed for that event. Besides Goldberg and The Dudleys, other names reported but unconfirmed as of this writing are Ivory and Bam Bam Bigelow, plus Kid Rock going into the Celebrity Wing.

Goldberg’s induction should be announced soon, possibly as early as Monday’s RAW, as tickets for the ceremony go on sale Friday, January 19th at 11am EST. The online pre-sale will begin next Wednesday via Ticketmaster.

The 2018 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on Friday, April 6th at 7:30pm EST from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. No word yet on a special broadcast for the USA Network but it will air on the WWE Network in its entirety.

Impact Wrestling Preview 1/11/18

The following matches have been announced for tonight’s Impact Wrestling episode:

* Trevor Lee, Caleb Konley, Hakim Zane vs. Garza Jr., Dezmond Xavier, Sonjay Dutt

* Impact Grand Champion EC3 issues an open challenge

* Global Champion Eli Drake issues a Championship Address

* American Top Team’s Dan Lambert opens the show

* KC Spinelli vs. Knockouts Champion Laurel Van Ness

Austin Aries returned at last night’s impact tapings and challenged Eli Drake for the Global Title. PWInsider reports that the title match is scheduled to air on the February 1st episode.

Two Former WWE Women’s Champions Contacted For 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match

WWE has contacted former Women’s Champions Molly Holly and Michelle McCool about competing in the 30-Woman Over-The-Top Royal Rumble Match, according to PWInsider.

 WWE sources tell PWInsider that Holly has agreed to compete in the Royal Rumble Match on Sunday, Jan. 28. Her last match took place in 2009 in the 25-Diva Miss WrestleMania Battle Royal at WrestleMania 25. She now serves as a coach at The Academy School of Professional Wrestling in Minneapolis, Minnesota owned by Ken Anderson and Shawn Daivari.

McCool has not yet agreed to compete in the Royal Rumble Match as it was only noted that she spoke to WWE officials about it. During a recent interaction with SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair on Twitter, McCool indicated that she would be interested in returning for a match after retiring from the squared circle in 2011.

Source: PWInsider

Major WWE WrestleMania 34 Match Revealed

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Current WWE Intercontinental Champion Roman Reigns vs. WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar has been planned for one of the WrestleMania 34 main events. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that Reigns vs. Lesnar is still the plan but there’s no word yet on if Reigns will go into WrestleMania with the IC Title.

It is being reported that another top WrestleMania 34 match will see John Cena finally face off with The Undertaker. It’s believed that a big angle with Cena and Taker will be shot at the January 22nd RAW 25th Anniversary show in New York City as both Superstars will be there.

Source: WrestlingINC

The Hardy Boyz And Impact Wrestling Agree To Terms Over Use Of The Broken Universe

Prepare for some WONDERFUL news … because Matt and Jeff Hardy are once again able to use their characters from the Broken Universe without fear of a lawsuit.

As we previously reported, Impact President Ed Nordholm had stated the company was working to amend old contract agreements in an effort to give wrestlers more ownership over their characters — and now he’s lived up to his word.

Sources say the two sides finally came to a mutual agreement that allows the Hardy brothers to utilize their Broken Universe characters in the future. However, terms of the agreement are still unclear.

After things were made official, Matt tweeted a photo of him and Ed with a caption saying: “I am thrilled to PROCLAIM that we have ACQUIRED new ALLIES on our side of .”

Adding, “Ed Nordholm & The Owl of Anthem have revealed themselves as MAJESTIC beings who stand on the side of the LIGHT. The LIGHT always EMERGES, . Everything is COPASETIC & WONDERFUL!”

The Great Trademark Battle of 2017 is officially OVAH.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Impact Wrestling Once Again Ditches Six-Sided Ring For Upcoming Tapings

six-sided ring impact no more upcoming tapings don callis scott d'amore

The six-sided ring is no more at Impact Wrestling (at least for now) … as the company revealed today that they’ll once again be using a traditional four-sided ring.

Impact tweeted a picture of the new ring with a caption saying “see it here first,” even though wrestler Taiji Ishimori posted one hours before showing something they left out — a giant Twitch logo on the ring skirt, seen in the photo above.

No word on whether the two companies have struck a deal.

For those unaware, the set of tapings that begin tonight are the first since Don Callis and Scott D’Amore were named as Executive Vice Presidents of Impact Wrestling.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet