Category: Industry News

Ronda Rousey Slated To Return In November 

UFC President Dana White recently had an interview with BigboyTv where he discussed the future of former Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.

He said Rousey will probably  be making her return to the octagon in November of this year. If Rousey does indeed return in November it’ll be one year after her devastating loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193

White also went on to say that whoever wins at UFC 196 their next title defense will be against a returning Rousey. Whether that’ll be Holly Holm or Miesha Tate remains to be unseen.

Regardless who wins at UFC 196 it’ll be a rematch for Rousey and that alone is the making of an anticipated fight.

Plans For The WWE Divas Title Heading Into WrestleMania 32

  Source: Wrestlinginc.com

It is being reported that WWE Divas Champion Charlotte is scheduled to hold on to the Divas Title at least until WrestleMania 32. Her current feud with Brie Bella is set to rap up at the FastLane PPV.

Many fans believe that a Sasha Banks vs Charlotte match for the title at WM32 is what we’ll see but according to PWinsider it looks like we may be getting a triple threat involving Chatlotte, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch.

There is no word yet on how this may all come about. Like they say only time will tell. It makes you wonder though what about the 4th woman in the WWE’s version of the 4Horsewomen? Can all of this mean we may have a Bayley main roster debut on the horizon? Possibly the night after Mania? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

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”

Claudia Gadelha next in line for strawweight champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk 

 During last nights post fight press conference for  UFC Fight night 80 president Dana White confirmed that Claudia Gadelha would be the next Challanger for undefeated Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

With the Strawweight division just one year young this fight has been an anticipated rematch amongst  the majority of fight fans.

In their first fight back in December of last year many believed that Gadelha won the fight while others believed it was a draw. Further more Gadelha’s only career loss was at the hands of Jedrzejczyk.

The rematch was originally set for UFC193 but due to a thumb injury Gadelha was unable to complete and was replaced by Valerie Letourneau. 

It would now seem Gadelha is cleared and ready to go but Jedrzejczyk is on a 6 month medical suspension after suffering a hand injury in her last title defense.

There is no exact timeline as to when this fight will take place but we here at WNB would put our money on UFC 200 during international fight week in July. Another title shot pegged for that monumental event is the rematch between Bantamweight champ Holly Holm and Ronda Rousey, so it’s possible that two women’s bouts could be headlining the card once more.

One things for sure whenever Gadelha vs Jedrzejczyk happens it’ll be one for the ages.

Ronda Rousey breaks her silence 

  Yesterday on ESPN.com an interview with former battemweight champion Ronda Rousey was released. The interview was conducted by Romana Shelburne and it will also be available  in the latest issue of ESPN Magazine on newsstands today.

This is the fist public interview since Rousey’s devistating TKO lost against Holy Holm at UFC193 and luckily we’ve got the answers we’ve been waiting for.

Is Rousey done? No. Rousey said “I have to come back I have to beat this chick: I don’t know if I’m going to get my teeth knocked loose or break my jaw or split my lip open again I don’t care I have to fu****** do it” 

But how long will it be before we see   The Rowdy one back in the cage? That remains unknown but she went on record saying “it’ll probably take 3-6 months before I can eat an apple again let alone take contact” in the interview the former champion also admitted to being “really fu***** sad about the loss. She stated that early into the first round Holm landed a hammer fist that left her loopy and she never fully recovered. Rousey said after the round was over she didn’t even wait for her corner to give her the bucket and she just spat the blood on the floor.

She continued by saying “that fight was a really poor representation of myself, I feel really embarrassed I wasn’t even Fu***** there” when asked about the backlash she’s been receiving she said she hasn’t even turned on her phone but could guess that “people are saying I’m a failure and I got what I deserved” 

So what’s next for Ronda Rousey? Here is what she had to say: “I guess it’s all going to be determined by what happens in the rematch,” “Everything is going to be determined by that. Either I’ll win and keep going or I won’t and I’ll be done with everything.”

You can check out the full interview here  http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/espnwrousey/in-exclusive-interview-ronda-rousey-says-not-losing-holly-holm

 so there you have it folks. This interview cleared up a lot of things but also left things hanging in the balance. I guess one fact remains: only time will tell 

Dana White confirms Ronda Rousey will get immediate rematch against Holy Holm

 UFC president Dana White stopped by the ESPN morning radio show mike and mike today where he confirmed Ronda Rousey will indeed get a rematch against Bantamweight champion  Holly Holm.

At UFC193 Holm handed Rousey her first career loss in a devastating KO victory in the 2nd round improving her career record to (10-0)

Dana white said, him and CEO Lorenzo Ferritia would probably lose their promoters license if they didn’t make this rematch. He also went on to say that before this loss Rousey (12-1) went undefeated beating opponents in 14 or 30 seconds so the rematch is what makes sence.

As far as when this fight will actually take place is unknown. Rousey is on a 6 month medical suspension and has prior movie commitments before she can step in the octagon again.

Some fight fans are upset about this news because they believe it’s unfair to Holly to have to sit on the sidelines, some even believe it’s holding up the rest of the division. While all that may be true at the end of the day the UFC is a business and Holm vs Rousey 2 is a good business move. There is no doubt it’s an anticipated rematch, and whether you’re  Team Holm or Team Rousey you’ll be turning into watch.

Wrestling Legend Tommy Gilbert Passed Away

Tommy Gilbert, the patriarch of the Gilbert wrestling family passed away Thanksgiving morning at the age of 75. Tommy was the father of Doug and the late Eddie Gilbert. Tommy was a star in the Memphis wrestling territory for years, he also worked for other Southern wrestling territories like Continental, Florida and Puerto Rico’s WWC. He won several titles, including the Florida Heavyweight Championship and the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship, as well as many Tag Team championships.

Wrestling News Blog would like to give our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Here are tweets from Tommy’s son Doug and from Jerry “The King” Lawler on his passing: