Category: Announcments

UFC Announces Ultimate Fighter Season For Championship Title Shot

Source: WrestlingINC

The UFC has officially announced season 24 of their reality show The Ultimate Fighter. This time, the company is pulling out some stops in order to regain some of the audience the show has lost.

Per a press released issued to us Tuesday, the show will hold a 16-man flyweight tournament in order to determine a number one contender for the 125-pound championship. The winner will get a title shot on the finale in December.

This format isn’t unheard of, as Matt Serra won season four on his way to earning a championship fight. Serra would go on to score one of the biggest upsets in MMA history by defeating Georges St-Pierre for the championship.

Season 20 was actually contested for a championship, with Carla Esparza becoming the first ever UFC Strawweight Champion in 2014.

Demetrious “Mighty” Mouse Johnson is the UFC’s dominant Flyweight Champion, and seems to be running out of contenders. He faces Olympian Henry Cejudo later this month at UFC 197, but has expressed his desire to break Anderson Silva’s consecutive title defense record of 10. Johnson is currently sitting at 7.

Tryouts will take place on April 25 in Las Vegas at Palace Station, with the season set for filming in June, and the broadcast premiere on August 31 on Fox Sports 1.

WWE Reportedly Doing Away With The Divas Title 

We’ve waited for years to post this story. It’s always been a hope for everyone here on the site and sometimes it just seemed like a far fetched dream. However now according to PWinsider and WrestlingInc our dream and the dream of many others is becoming a reality.

The word going around is that WWE officials have had a new women’s belt commemorated. The coming of this new title also means that the words diva division is a thing of the past and will now be called what it should’ve always been: The Women’s division.

The change will begin to take place at the post mania Raw live from Dallas Tx. It is being said that the new title is similar to World Heavyweight Title only smaller.

So now perhaps the bigger question is who will be at the forefront of the newly formed women’s division? Will it be genetically superior Chatlottle? The Irish lass kicker Becky Lynch? Or will it be our personal favorite The Boss Sasha Banks? Find out this Sunday at Wrestlemania 32 live on the WWE Network 4PT/7ET 

Shayna Baszler to appear on shimmer 

 Shayna Baszler’s journey to conquer the world of professional wrestling continues as she heads to the all women wrestling promotion known as Shimmer.

In a tweet sent out earlier today which you can see here:

Baszler Said:

 And the entire @SHIMMERwomen roster just got put on notice.

Baszler made her professional wrestling in ring debut in September and since then has took on the likes of Nicole Matthews, cheerleader Mellisa and has wrestled for promotions such as Stardom USA, ECCW, quintessential pro, Midwest all Pro and even made an appearance in ROH


It’ll be interesting to see what the Queen of Spades has in store for Shimmer. We’re sure whatever it is though it’s going to be good.

MMA finally becomes legal in New York 

  As of Tuesday evening the state of New York has become the 50th state to make mixed martial arts events legal. 

The final vote between New York lawmakers was 113 to 25. Now the bill heads to the desk of Governor Andrew Cuomo, who included MMA revenue in an executive budget proposal earlier this year and is widely expected it sign it into the law 

Bill NoA02604 “establishes protocols for combative sports; authorizes mixed martial arts events in this state; establishes procedures for applications for licenses; establishes penalties for violations; imposes taxes on gross receipts of such events.”

This is great news for fighters and fans alike. The possibilities are now endless and we’re sure to be getting some history making moments in the future 

CM Punk’s UFC debut delayed once again 

The former professional wrestler turned mixed martial artist can’t seem to catch a break.

CM Punk made the announcement in late 2014 that he would be debuting in the Octogan in 2015 but due to legal issues and a shoulder injury that wasn’t the case.

Last week Mickey Gall defeated Mike Jackson to earn his right to face Punk. The bout was slated to take place at UFC199 but now Punk is telling MMAfighting.com that is not the case.

Apparently the straight edge Chicago native with an (0-0) MMA record has been dealing with some nagging back pains and as per usual found himself working through them. Upon further investigation it appears that Punk has a herniated disk that will require back surgery, pushing his UFC debut back even further.

Injuries are never fun so we here at WNB would like to wish Punk a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.

AJ styles is finally coming to WWE 

 AJ Styles is finally coming to WWE, according to PWInsider. Styles is set to begin his run with WWE this week as he will be at the Royal Rumble on Sunday, RAW in Miami and then the SmackDown tapings in Tampa 

Jim Ross Returning To Pro Wrestling As Lead Announcer For NJPW On AXS TV

It was announced on Tuesday that WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross will be doing play-by-play for “New Japan Pro Wrestling” on AXS TV alongside NJPW veteran and former UFC star Josh Barnett beginning March 4.
“This opportunity to work with AXS TV is attractive on many fronts,” Ross told FOX Sports.com. “The travel won’t be weekly but approximately 8-10 trips to Los Angeles in a year’s time. While there, in a two-day, voice-over session, we will hammer out up to six shows. I’m happy OKC now has non-stop flights to LAX.”

“For me, the New Japan Pro Wrestling business philosophy reminds me of my earlier years in wrestling. I’ve had numerous other offers, some serious and others just flirting to return to TV Wrestling broadcasting but none have had the appeal that AXS TV offered me. We think my style will fit the NJPW in-ring presentation well. We’ll know that conclusively in early March. Plus, AXS TV and I discussed other potential projects outside NJPW.”

“I’m very excited about this opportunity to get off the bench and get back in the game,” he added. “My tank is far from empty. The social media feedback, especially on Twitter, regarding the possibility that I might get back behind the mic for some pro wrestling has been nothing short of spectacular. I’ve been touched by the genuine outpouring of support from fans who have been supporters of mine for years.”

The show is broadcast at 9 p.m. ET.

It’s official: Jedrzejczyk and Gadelha to coach TUF23 

  
The Ultimate Fighter Team Joanna vs. Team Claudia will kick-off on FS1 on Wednesday, April 20 with a two-hour season premiere airing at 10 p.m. ET as 32 competitors fight for one of 16 slots – eight in each weight class – available to be coached by two of the sport’s best. The season will continue with 11 one-hour shows Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET. The series is the highest rated and most watched original program since the network’s inception in August 2013.

Poland’s first UFC champion, Jedrzejczyk (11-0, fighting out of Olsztyn, Poland) stormed onto the scene in 2014 with her first Octagon appearance. Since then, she’s gone on to win five straight, won the strawweight title, cemented her place on the top pound-for-pound list and is widely considered as one of the best strikers in the sport. She’ll now lend her expertise to the next generation of athletes who hope to follow in her footsteps and one day wear UFC gold themselves. 

Gadelha (13-1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) trains at the renowned Nova Uniao gym, home to former champions Jose Aldo & Renan Barao. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist hopes to get another crack at current strawweight champion, Jedrzejczyk, who provided Gadelha with the only blemish on her record – a three-round split decision loss in late 2014. Their contrasting styles should provide for an entertaining season between the two teams. The Brazilian’s comfort zone is on the canvas and will provide a stark contrast to the Pole’s highly skilled striking attack brings a completely different skillset to the show. 

The series culminates on live on FS1 Friday, July 8 in Las Vegas as part of International Fight Week and will be headlined by Jedrzejczyk and Gadelha in a championship

Source: UFC.com

Sting To Be Inducted Into The 2016 Hall of Fame

In announcement via WWE.com the first inductee of the 2016 Hall of Fame was named and it’s none other than the icon STING!

“We are truly honored to have Sting take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame,” said WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative, Paul Levesque. “His contributions to our industry are unprecedented, and we look forward to celebrating his incredible career with fans all over the world.”

The 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place on Saturday, April 2, the night before WrestleMania 32, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas at 6:30 p.m. local time. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Jan. 15, at 10 a.m. ET/9 a.m. CT.

 

Sting commented on his WWE HOF induction”

Latest On AJ Styles To WWE, Major Bullet Club Angle At NJPW Show, Rumors of more NJPW Talent Leaving

AJ Styles who is rumored to have given his notice to New Japan Pro Wrestling for a WWE main roster spot, has been pulled from advertising from several Ring of Honor shows, including the ROH 14th Anniversary PPV.

NJPW ran a angle where Bullet Club member Kenny Omega turned on AJ Styles after they defeated Shinsuke Nakamura and YOSHI-HASHI. the rest of Bullet Club including Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows also turned on Styles.

After the beatdown by the Bullet Club, Styles got to his feet and bowed to the crowd it what really seemed like a farewell for Styles, who has competed in NJPW since 2014, and took leadership of the Bullet Club after Finn Balor left.

 

Wrestling Observer Radio reports that there were also rumors that Rocky Romero and Tama Tonga may be leaving NJPW as well, but there is no word on if they have given their notices. Tonga is the son of legend Haku/Meng.

Source: WrestlingINC.com