Indie Wrestler Logan Legit Passed Away At 28 Years Old Due To A Car Accident On March 23.

We are very sad to learn that Logan Roettger, a pro wrestler who also styled many WWE performers at his salon in Tampa, Florida, passed away due to a car accident on March 23. He was only 28 at the time of his death.

Roettger known as Logan Legit performed for World Wrestling Alliance (a indie promotion in Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee).

Wrestling promoter Chris Waddell said Roettger left his home Wednesday, March 23, 2022. Unfortunately, he was in an accident en route and was taken to a hospital in Nashville, Roettger, where he passed away.

“We spent all day with him yesterday [Thursday], and his parents flew in from Florida,” said Waddell in a video shared to Facebook. “Logan was full of life and every time he stepped in the locker room — every time — he made it a better place, a more enjoyable place,” said Waddell.

“He became the best of us, he really was Logan to me was not only my partner, but he was my best friend. He gave me tools inside to let people know who I was, who I am, and just to be a better person overall, we are broken, we are sad, I feel so, so much pain for his mom and dad.”

In addition to working as an independent talent, Roettger occasionally styled many WWE and NXT superstars at his salon in Tampa, Florida. He was also the WWA National Champion.

Waddell spoke to the WWA fans, noting that as Legit, Roettger “understood how to connect” with the audience, and drew fans and fan loyalty, and was the most popular wrestler in the company. “He lived for performing for you.”

Roettger was born October 14, 1993, and was from Posey County, Indiana, and resided in and around Evansville for most of his life.

In 2019, he started wrestling, and worked as a manager, and rose to become WWA National champion, despite his smaller size.

“Logan was full of life and every time he stepped in the locker room — every time — he made it a better place, a more enjoyable place,” said Waddell. “He became the best of us, he really was.”

“Logan to me was not only my partner, but he was my best friend. He gave me tools inside to let people know who I was, who I am, and just to be a better person overall,” said Waddell. “We are broken, we are sad, I feel so, so much pain for his mom and dad.”

Late on Friday, Waddell shared more memories of Roettger with SlamWrestling.

“We met through online dating and had our first date at a WWE house show at the Ford Center [in Evansville] in May 2019,” said Waddell. “Logan helped me build up the courage to come out as bisexual.”

“Logan and I started dating and he quickly told me about his passion for wrestling. He immediately wanted to manage, thinking he was too small to compete, but fell in love with the performance as soon as he stepped in front of our crowd,” said Waddell, who has been a wrestler and promoter for 15 years. “He started wrestling and was amazingly talented. He won our 2021 Most Loved year-end award in December and loved his fans and the industry so much.”

According to Waddell, the WWA promotion became much more “progressive and inclusive” thanks to Roettger.

By trade, Roettger was a hairdresser, after studying at TSPA Evansville Beauty School, in Indiana.

Kelsey Boles was a classmate, and they graduated at the same time. They have remained friends. She recalled Roettger excitedly letting her know when WWE wrestlers came in to get their hair done, when he worked at Monaco Salon in Tampa, Florida. “Pro women wrestlers (WWE I’m pretty sure) would come get their hair done and he was shocked and so excited that he was in a salon where they get their hair done at,” she recalled via text. “He got to do a few of the girls’ hair before. His favorite women’s wrestler at the time was Carmella.”

“He always loved wrestling,” added Boles. “He would tell me he would watch wrestling all the time growing up and still to this day did. Him and I went to a couple WWE shows together as well.”

At the time of his death, Roettger was associated with the JuniperJade Salon in Evansville.

There were many who shared their memories of wrestling Logan Legit online.

“Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to work with him. Probably the easiest match I ever had. He was my first opponent in my return to the WWA,” posted Paul Rickard.

Ian Matthew Harper had a longer post:

I always loved goofing around with Logan at shows while we were waiting on matches or segments. I’m still processing that when I go to the building, Logan isn’t going to be there to give me a hug and say something catty about the sweatpants and flip flops combo I’m usually wearing. I only got the pleasure of being involved in a handful of segments or matches with Logan including being slapped, stomping on him for real in my first battle royal on accident (that he regularly reminded me of), and finding any excuse to diss each other in front of the fans. My favorite was the last tag match I wrestled. I had a ruptured disc in my back and took a week off, but before then was my most recent WWA show and it included me managing Bo Brady and Alex Beretta against Logan Legit and CCW (Chris). We acted like buffoons that entire match and made it feel like the old Saturday morning wrestling you’d watch where the bad guys always got their comeuppance and tan away like scolded dogs. I’m blessed to have had my last memory with Logan being an entertaining one with him standing tall.

Jones Nation was one of Roettger’s wrestling trainers, and later an opponent. “When I first saw Logan he showed up before an Evansville show. I went over and introduced myself and had small talk. He was very nervous but excited to start his journey into professional wrestling. Thus the heel manager Logan Legit was born. He instantly had a knack for working the crowd,” wrote Nation. “Logan had a interest in starting to train to be a wrestler. Myself and others would teach him the ways of the business.”

Munchie Gonzalez also shared his memories: “I can’t really put much words into how appreciative I was to have you in my life. We trained together. You were involved in my first match and helped me gain confidence when I had none in myself to perform. You were one of the first to welcome me back with open arms when I came back. You were always available at 2 am in the morning to talk to when I needed someone. You were the best of us and I will miss you everyday.”

WWA presented: WWAisLEGIT (Fandemonium 2022) on Saturday, March, 26, 2022, at Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Evansville, IN).

Sources: SlamWrestling and Ringside News

GCW Confirms Jeff Jarrett vs. Effy For The Wrld On GCW PPV

WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett vs. Effy is now official for The Wrld On GCW.

The feud between Double J and Double F began at GCW’s Die 4 This event a few weeks back, where Jarrett made his GCW debut to interrupt a “State of Effy” speech, attacking Effy with his guitar. After a few words on social media between the two, Jarrett then appeared at GCW’s Say What You Will event this past weekend, and attacked Effy’s partner, Allie Katch, with a guitar.

Effy challenged Jarrett to a match earlier this afternoon, as seen in the Twitter video below, and now the challenge has been accepted as GCW confirmed the match this evening.

GCW’s The Wrld On GCW pay-per-view will be held this Sunday, January 23 from a sold out Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Below is the updated card, along with related tweets:

GCW World Title Match
Homicide vs. Jon Moxley (c)

Open Challenge for the GCW World Tag Team Titles
TBA vs. The Briscoes (c)

Grab The Brass Ring Ladder Match
Participants TBA
Winner can choose any match at any time.

ROH World Title Match
Blake Christian vs. Jonathan Gresham (c)

Jeff Jarrett vs. Effy

Matt Cardona with Chelsea Green vs. Joey Janela

Ruby Soho vs. Allie Katch

Team Bandido (Bandido, Laredo Kid, ASF) vs. Team Gringo (Gringo Loco, Demonic Flamita, Arez)

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Booker T Comments On His Impending Return To In-Ring Action

It was confirmed this week that Booker T will be returning to the ring for his Reality Of Wrestling promotion. During his latest Hall Of Fame podcast, Booker himself discussed the situation, likening his current role when he returns to the ring as that of a player-coach.

“Player-coach baby. I’ll coach it from the outside and, hey, I’m putting myself in the game. Go in and score 30,” he added. “That’s what it’s all about. It’s about letting these young guys get a ‘rub.’ Get a rub and let them see exactly what it takes from an inside perspective.”

Booker T will be teaming with Gaspar Hernandez  and the match will be taking place on January 22 in Canton, Texas. He believes it is all about on-the-job training and also spoke about the future of his tag team partner.

“I mean, on-the-job training, baby,” Booker T said about the situation. “It’s about learning this thing the proper way. A straight line is the direction that Gaspar Hernandez is going. Do you feel me?”

Booker T is taking his return to wrestling seriously. He has not been in the ring since February of 2020, where he competed for Reality Of Wrestling as well. However, the Hall Of Famer has been getting ready to get back, by spending time inside of the gym in order to get ready.

“I just finished working out in the gym. I am getting prepared, I am getting ready,” the Hall Of Famer claimed. “To go out there and do something special, the first time that it has never been done. Player-coach, Booker T, Gaspar Hernandez, Canton, Texas. It’s going to be good.”

Source: Wrestling Inc. credit to Hall Of Fame podcast

WWE Hall Of Famer Jeff Jarrett Makes GCW Debut At Die 4 This Event

WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett made a surprise debut at last night’s Game Changer Wrestling’s Die 4 This show in Atlantic City, NJ.  The pro wrestling veteran appeared, attacking Effy and destroying him with a guitar to the head to set up a future grudge match.

It was reported in July 2021 that Jarrett was released from WWE along with other budget cuts made at the time. Jeff Jarrett, inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018, was hired to work as a producer, but in March 2019, he was promoted to the creative team.

It was also determined last night who will be the new #1 contender for Jon Moxley’s GCW World Championship upon his return to the promotion. Homicide won the Do or Die Rumble to earn his spot to challenge for Moxley’s title at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.

Homicide made his intentions clear as soon as he grabbed the microphone post-match, saying he was going to “f*ck up Moxley”.

Another pro wrestling veteran is also back on the indie wrestling scene — Scotty 2 Hotty. He announced his return to competing in the squared circle this past November and suffered a loss to Joey Janela at last night’s event.

You can see the full results for last night’s show below:

GCW Tag Team Championship
The Briscoes (Mark Briscoe & Jay Briscoe) (c) def. Blake Christian & Alex Zayne

Calvin Tankman def. Yoya

Joey Janela def. Scotty 2 Hotty

GCW World Title Number One Contender Do Or Die Rumble
Homicide def. Jordan Oliver, Tony Deppen, Jack Cartwheel, Dante Leon, Ninja Mack, Atticus Cogar, Nick Wayne, Dark Sheik, Matthew Justice, AJ Gray, Cole Radrick, Shane Mercer, PCO, G-Raver, Colby Corino, Allie Katch, Billie Starkz, Grim Reefer

GCW Ultraviolent Championship:
Alex Colon (c) def. John Wayne Murdoch

Indie Star Dani Mo Reportedly Assaulted Backstage At OVW Event

Independent wrestling star Dani Mo was reportedly punched in the eye during a backstage altercation with one of her peers at an OVW show.

At a recent OVW event, independent wrestler Dani Mo was allegedly assaulted backstage during a pre-show meeting. after she broached the topic of some of her peers working while intoxicated.

Indie veteran Facade, who is Dani’s real-life partner, took to social media shortly after the incident to share his side of the story.

We’re headed back from Louisville right now. During a backstage meeting where “officials asked to leave,” Dani was sucker punched in the eye from behind after speaking up about people getting intoxicated before the show,” Facade tweeted. In a follow-up tweet, Facade said he didn’t want to put anyone on blast but that the incident wasn’t cool.

Later, Dani clarified that OVW was not at fault for the incident and placed the blame solely on the unnamed individual who attacked her.

I want to make this CLEAR, this has NOTHING to do w/ a company I work for, this insident was out of their hands COMPLETLY. It was w/ 1 particular person. Please do not make assumptions nor bash anyone,” she tweeted.

Dani Mo debuted for OVW back in May and has wrestled for the company 29 times since. She was originally scheduled to face Sierra for the latter’s OVW Women’s Championship at OVW’s Christmas Chaos event on Thursday, December 16. Dani withdrew from that match prior to the event, presumably as a result of the aforementioned backstage altercation.

Ohio Valley Wrestling is a Kentucky-based promotion that is currently owned and booked by businessman Matt Jones and former WWE Superstar Al Snow. The promotion was closely associated with WWE in the late ’90s and early 2000’s when it served as a developmental territory. During its glory days, the promotion was responsible for developing future megastars like Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar, John Cena, and Batista.

Source: TheSportster

Top ROH Star Jonathan Gresham Announces New Promotion, Seth Rollins Comments

Jonathan Gresham announced he is starting up a new wrestling promotion called Terminus.

“Terminus. Modern age grappling. 1/16/22 Atlanta, GA,” Gresham wrote on social media.

In the video promo, it also teased “all roads lead to Terminus.”

Jonathan Gresham defeated Brody King over the weekend at ROH Honor For All to become the new number one contender.

The ROH World Champion is currently Bandido and he will meet Gresham for the title at ROH Final Battle on December 17.

Ring of Honor is set to go on hiatus after the PPV until April 2022. The company is reportedly going to operate more as an independent promotion in the future as it is not renewing contracts.

“Throughout the pandemic, our top priority was to keep everyone healthy and safe, and despite not producing any live events over 18 months, we were able to keep everyone fully contracted,” ROH wrote in a statement last month. “We now find ourselves at a time where we need to make changes to our business operations and are planning a pivot for Ring of Honor, with a new mission and strategy.”

WWE Superstar Seth Rollins retweeted Gresham’s video and recalled a story:

“One time a young JG paid my booking fee — when the promoter couldn’t come up with the cash — so I would stay and work. We ended up tearing it up in front of about 6 people, & had a couple more bangers months later. He never looked back. Invest in yourself, friends.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Matt Tremont Remains Hospitalized After Atsushi Onita Deathmatch, Video And Photos From The Match

Indie veteran Matt Tremont remains hospitalized after suffering burns in the Current Blast Double Hell Deathmatch against the legendary Atsushi Onita this past weekend.

Sunday’s Destiny event from H20 Wrestling at Trenton Thunder Ballpark in Trenton, NJ was headlined by Onita defeating Tremont in a match that included fire, light bulb tubes, barbed wire, and more. The finish to the match saw Onita set fire to a barbed wire board, and then hip toss Tremont into the flames. Tremont’s gear was then covered in fire, but they put them out and Onita covered for the pin. Crew members immediately hit the ring with fire extinguishers after the pin.

Tremont is expected to remain hospitalized for up to one week due to burns suffered in the bout, according to PWInsider. It was noted that Tremont was admitted to a burn ward at a New Jersey hospital right after the event, and has been hospitalized since then.

Tremont was said to have been in increasing amounts of pain once the adrenaline from the match wore off, which led to him being taken to the hospital.

Sunday’s Destiny main event was co-promoted by H20 and Onita’s FMW-E match. After the bout was over, Onita embraced a bloody, cut and burned Tremont in the middle of the ring to an ovation from the crowd. Onita then took the mic and declared his love for deathmatches, and promised there will be even more explosions and violence next time.

Onita tweeted after the show and wrote, “Thank you to everyone who came to the venue and to see it at home. I’m proud of Tremont. Despite the spectacular explosion, he stood in the ring. Thank you to all fans for their warm welcome.”

Tremont is scheduled to challenge Rickey Shane Page for the H20 Heavyweight Title later this month at the Last November event on November 27 in Williamstown, NJ.

You can see Onita’s full tweet below, along with clips and photos from the Current Blast Double Hell Deathmatch:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Mick Foley To Make Special Appearance At GCW Fight Club

Game Changer Wrestling announced that WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley will be making a special appearance at GCW Fight Club.

Foley will be presenting the GCW World Championship before the Title match between Jon Moxley and Nick Gage.

Moxley became the GCW World Champion after he defeated Matt Cardona at GCW Art of War Games.

GCW announced, “*BREAKING* Hardcore Legend MICK FOLEY will be in AC to present the GCW World Championship prior to the #MOXvsGAGE Main Event. Watch LIVE on @FiteTVhttps://fite.tv/watch/gcw-october-atlantic-city-combo/2pa4y/… Less than 25 Tix left: http://MOXVSGAGE.EVENTBRITE.COM

Fight Club is on October 9 at the Showboat in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Below is the updated line-up for Fight Club: 

* Mick Foley To Make Special Appearance

* Jon Moxley (c) vs. Nick Gage (GCW World Championship Match)

* Alex Zayne vs. Ninja Mack

* Atticus Cogar vs. Jordan Oliver

*  “Second Gear Crew” (Matthew Justice, Mance Warner & AJ Gray) vs. Alex Colon, G-Raver & Akira (Six-Man Tag Team Match)

The event will be available to stream on FITE.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Former ROH And IMPACT Star Jimmy Rave Announces Retirement After Arm Amputation

Former Ring of Honor and IMPACT Wrestling star Jimmy Rave (real name James Guffey) announced his retirement from professional wrestling on Saturday.

Rave made the announcement on Twitter.  He noted this is the hardest tweet he has had ever had to put out.  Rave stated that his retirement was due to an infection in his left arm which resulted in amputation of his left arm above the elbow.

Rave was trained by Murder One.  He made his debut in October 1999 as the masked Mr. XTC. He would then later adopt the in-ring name of Jimmy Rave. 

He debuted for Ring of Honor in 2003 and would stay with the promotion until 2007. He then left in August 2007. Rave later would sign with TNA/IMPACT Wrestling and become part of the Rock ’n Rave Infection with Lance Rock (Lance Archer).  After his departure from TNA/Impact, he made his return to ROH, and then left the promotion June 2013. 

Rave has held the NWA Wildside Junior Heavyweight Championship twice.  In addition, he has competed in the Best of the Super Juniors for New Japan Pro Wrestling, wrestled for Combat Zone Wrestling, Full Impact Pro, Dragon Gate and the independent circuit between 2009 and 2020.

He even made one appearance on WWE Sunday Night Heat in March 2005.

Below is Rave’s full statement from Twitter:

“I have been very blessed for the last 21 years in professional wrestling and getting to live out my dream. Today, that dream has ended for me and I have a new reality. This past Tuesday my world came crashing down when Doctors found an infection in my left arm. I tried toughing it out but by the time I saw a doctor it was too late and they had to amputate my left arm above the elbow. Thus effectively ending my in ring career. I appreciate everyone who has supported me or anyone who has pegged me with a roll of toilet paper. To my brothers & sisters I have shared the ring with or a locker room; thank you for always pushing me to be better. Thank You to all of my mentors and my students who allow me to still feel needed. This was the hardest thing I have ever had to type. If you have questions or comments please feel free to DM me. Please take your health much more seriously than I did. I am sorry for anyone I have let down. Support pro wrestling! -Jimmy Rave”

Source: WrestleView

Tracy Smothers Passes Away At Age 58

Pro wrestling veteran Tracy Smothers has passed away at the age of 58.

Smothers announced in November 2019 that he was battling lymphoma. The Eat Sleep Wrestling website noted on Monday that they talked to Smothers via phone call and it looked like his first bout with cancer was going to be “a squash match” compared to this second round. The update from Monday also noted that Smothers suffered heart damage from the heavy chemotherapy in his first battle with cancer, which led to Smothers being hospitalized a few times. Smothers underwent surgery for a hernia just 11 days ago.

“Tracy’s ready to fight this cancer as hard as he did last fall, but the heart problems have delayed the cancer treatments and the hernia issue has delayed doctors from treating the heart issues. He’s in a real battle. Tracy is in it to win it, and he sends his love to all his friends and his wrestling family, and he is asking for prayers,” ESW wrote on Monday.

A GoFundMe had been launched at this link to help with Smothers’ medical expenses, and an indie event was planned for this weekend in Bartonville, IL to help raise more money. Smothers also asked ESW to plug his book, which you can find here.

Smothers began his pro wrestling career back in 1982 and wrestled for numerous promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW, SMW, TNA and Memphis Wrestling, among others. He held the ECW World Tag Team Titles once with Little Guido, and held the WCW United States Tag Team Titles once with Steve Armstrong.

In an update, Timothy Denison noted on Facebook that Smothers passed away this morning at around 4:24am, due to his fight against cancer.

Funeral arrangements and a “Celebration of Life” will be announced in the near future for Smothers’ family, friends and fans. Denison noted that Smothers is survived by his mother, sister, two brothers, two sons, and his girlfriend.

Several promotions, wrestlers and WWE Hall of Famers are paying tribute to Smothers on social media today.

Tracy Smothers passes away

WWE is saddened to learn that Tracy Smothers passed away today at the age of 58.

A native of Springfield, Tennessee, Smothers teamed with Steve Armstrong, as his career began in Florida Championship Wrestling. The duo competed in WCW as The Southern Boys and The Young Pistols and were engaged in a long rivalry with The Fabulous Freebirds tandem of Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin.

After another stint on the independent wrestling circuit, Smothers began wrestling in WWE as Freddie Joe Floyd. Smothers shared the ring with icons such as Triple H and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin during his time with WWE. Later, the wrestling veteran had a memorable run with ECW.

WWE extends its condolences to Smothers’ family and friends.

Source: Wrestling Inc.