Category: Industry News

NWA 70th Anniversary Show Tickets On Sale Now

Tickets went on sale at 9 a.m. ET today for the NWA 70th Anniversary Show at the Asylum at the Nashville Fairgrounds on Sunday, Oct. 21. After the historic moment at “ALL IN,” the main event will feature “The American Nightmare” Cody defending his newly won NWA World Heavyweight Championship in a rematch against Nick Aldis.

In honor of the 70th Anniversary of the National Wrestling Alliance being founded in 1948, ringside seats are $70 and general admission tickets are $19.48. Tickets will be available exclusively at nwa70.com.

The show, in conjunction with the NWA and Global Force Entertainment, also will be carried live on FITE TV, the premium digital streaming network.

The legacy of the NWA was forged by the fighting spirit of world champions such as Lou Thesz, Dory Funk Jr., Jack Brisco, Harley Race, Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, Sting, Ken Shamrock, AJ Styles, Jeff Jarrett, Adam Pearce, Colt Cabana and Tim Storm. The famed “Ten Pounds of Gold” is the most identifiable and historic championship in professional wrestling.

Ring of Honor Wrestling’s Cody won the belt from Aldis in an instant classic at the sold-out “ALL IN” show outside Chicago. It was an emotional moment as he donned a title first worn by his father, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, in 1979.

“It was such a touching moment. To be a part part of the lineage of great champions to hold the Ten Pounds of Gold including my father … it proves that we have a staying power as a family,” Cody said. “The match with Nick Aldis was a serious, competitive world championship fight. It had a big-fight feel, and this rematch is exactly what the 70th anniversary show calls for.”

Aldis had held the belt for 266 days.

“Cody and I are just getting started here,” Aldis said. “The match at ALL IN was more or less a home crowd for him, though. This time, it’s an NWA show, I’m a contracted NWA talent. It’s going to have a different feel, and I’ll be ready to reclaim that Ten Pounds of Gold.”

Billy Corgan purchased the NWA in 2017. “The Ten Pounds of Gold” video series was launched then, documenting the path of champions Storm, Aldis and now Cody. It’s available at YouTube.com/NWA, including a recap of the “ALL IN” match.

Also on the card, a classic championship returns as a new NWA National Champion will be crowned. More matches and talents will be announced in coming weeks, as will the price to stream live on FITE.

Source: 411Mania

Latest Details On Jeff Jarrett’s Lawsuit Against Anthem Sports

Image result for Jeff Jarrett GFW

PWInsider reports that Anthem Sports & Entertainment filed a motion asking the United States District Court of Tennessee for an extension so they can properly respond to a lawsuit from Jeff Jarret and Global Force Entertainment. They said Jarrett’s legal team has already agreed to the move. They’re asking the court to give them until October 15. Jarrett is suing for copyright infringement.

Source: 411Mania

Cody Rhodes Discusses What He Would Do Differently For “All In 2”

Image result for Cody Rhodes All In 2

Recently on The Jim Ross Report, WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross caught up with the newly crowned NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, Cody. Among many other pro wrestling topics, ‘The Grandson Of A Plumber’ talked about his role at All In and what he learned from his experience, planning a sequel to the wildly successful indie show, and the future of the NWA’s top prize.

According to Cody, he produced the second half of All In and was in charge of timing the show.

“I didn’t get a chance to sleep [after All In] and I went right to gorilla [position] after my match and I directed and timed the last half of the show.” Cody admitted, “I’m not the best timer judging by the main event time. I’m learning! But I didn’t get that moment to… I didn’t get many moments. It was just happening so fast.”

During the interview, Cody hinted at planning another All In and noted that he learned a lot about time management [except for timing pro wrestling matches].

“Well, maybe we already started planning [laughs].” Cody added, “I kept writing these lists. And my dad was a big list guy and I have become a big list guy too. I kept writing these lists of these are the things to do to make sure you’re in peak condition, and also make sure you’re in peak mental state, and make sure you paid this guy and talked to this guy. I also learned I wanted to do every single thing with this show. I wanted to do payroll; I wanted to know elements of production; I wanted to know how many chairs were in the union catering room.

“Just, next time, I don’t need to know all that stuff. I also learned you are only as good as the team around you and we’ve discovered some new teammates over the course of [All In] weekend.”

With respect to the future of the NWA title, Cody claimed that he would like to continue on the NWA’s tradition of having a traveling champion.

“Well, I want to continue the path of the traveling champion.” Cody continued, “that’s kind of what I grew up on, the type of [pro] wrestling I like. Even though it’s a generation prior to me, when I look back at what [Ric] Flair was able to do, what Jack Brisco was able to do, their date book alone, and not just, ‘oh, I did it,’ but I did it and it was the best thing of the night. Like, I did it with consistency, but it rubs some people the wrong way and that’s fine. I think most people enjoy it.

“I don’t really believe in the politics of wrestling anymore. I understand if this isn’t your company’s title, but if you’re asking me to come wrestle for your company, I’m wearing the damn title. There’s no [way around that], right? It takes an organization, it does, to facilitate and get that ring set up. And it takes a crew to tighten those ropes, but a big focus [at All In] was ‘this is a wrestling show by wrestlers.’ And yeah, there [are] some things we could have learned from a company standpoint, an organizational standpoint, but that’s how I go into everything I do. When I go to Long Beach [California for NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed] to wrestle Juice Robinson for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, I’ll be wearing this too. I’m taking it everywhere I go and I’m excited to do that.”

Source: WrestlingINC and The Jim Ross Report

Backstage Update On WWE Possibly Signing Pentagon Jr. And Fenix

Image result for Pentagon Jr. and Fenix

There’s a lot of speculation on WWE signing brothers Rey Fenix and Pentagon Jr. The two currently hold the MLW Tag Team Titles and Pentagon held the Impact World Heavyweight Title earlier this year. WWE has had interest in signing both wrestlers for some time and first asked fans about their interest in the brothers during a June 2017 Fan Council survey.

The brothers are currently signed to Lucha Underground and Dave Meltzer confirmed on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that they are not able to sign with any other wrestling promotion right now. There may be an option to leave the deal once the current fourth season of Lucha Underground ends. There’s no word yet on when the season will end but they are airing the 14th episode this week. The third season had 40 episodes and the second season had 26 episodes.

There’s strong speculation on Fenix and Pentagon signing with WWE once the current Lucha Underground season ends but they could also sign with someone like AAA or they could stick with Lucha Underground.

Pentagon, who is the current PCW Ultra Champion, addressed the rumors at a PCW Ultra event this past weekend. After successfully defending his title, he spoke to the crowd and said: “Respect that I am the PCW Champion and no one is going to take that from me. Thank you very much! And before I forget. I am not going anywhere. Penta will be in PCW for many, more years.”

MLW posted the following teaser on Fenix and Pentagon this past week, and that fueled the rumors on them signing for the WWE NXT brand:

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1037816334342676481

Source: WrestlingINC

Top 10 wrestlers revealed for the upcoming annual Pro Wrestling Illustrated “PWI 500” list

Image result for 28th annual PWI 500

On this week’s episode of Jim Ross’s Ross Report podcast, Pro Wrestling Illustrated Senior Editor Dan Murphy was on the show and revealed the top 10 wrestlers for the annual “PWI 500” list of wrestlers that the magazine puts out every year.

The list is as follows:

1. Kenny Omega
2. AJ Styles
3. Kazuchika Okada
4. Brock Lesnar
5. Seth Rollins
6. Braun Strowman
7. Roman Reigns
8. Cody
9. Tetsuya Naito
10. The Miz

The annual issue will be released in September.

Source: WrestleView

Jeff Jarrett Files Lawsuit Against Anthem Sports

jeff jarrett global force wrestling sue impact wrestling anthem

Jeff Jarrett and Global Force Entertainment Inc. have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Anthem Sports and Entertainment alleging the GFW merger never went through and Impact has been wrongfully making money off their IP.

Pro Wrestling Sheet obtained the full lawsuit — which was first reported on by PWInsider — in which Jarrett/GFW claim discussions to merge GFW into Anthem began in December ’16.

In May ’17, the two sides signed a term sheet regarding Jarrett’s employment as Chief Creative Officer of Anthem Wrestling and for the GFW merger. The term sheet, however, allegedly said GFE would retain all rights to the show they filmed called Amped.

Five months later, Jeff Jarrett was released from his position.

As we previously reported, Jarrett was fired from Impact Wrestling while on a leave of absence. The next day a promoter in Canada accused him of passing out in the locker room due to drinking, then insisting on wrestling a match.

Jeff subsequently entered rehab and months later was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

In the lawsuit documents, Jarrett and co. claim the merger was never officially completed yet Anthem “reproduced, distributed, publicly displayed, offered for sale, and sold the GFW Amped content without providing any compensation or royalties to GFE or Mr. Jarrett.”

Global Force Entertainment also has an issue with Impact’s Global Wrestling Network, pointing to the similarity of the logos and claiming Anthem doesn’t have a license to show the Amped footage.

GFE is seeking “an award of punitive and/or treble damages for at least three times the amount of Defendants’ profits or GFE’s damages, whichever is greater, due to the nature of Defendants’ wanton and willful conduct.”

They also want all copies of GFW content erased/deleted from Anthem’s archive.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Read the full documents below.

Jeff Jarrett/GFW Sue Impact Wrestling by Anonymous bxLafqTarx on Scribd

Former Memphis Wrestling Personality ‘Nate The Rat’ Passed Away

Image result for Former Memphis Wrestling Personality Passed Nate Whitlock Away

According to WBRC FOX 6 News, former Memphis Wrestling Personality, Nate Whitlock, passed away last Friday. Known to many as “Nate the Rat,” he had a number of different runs as a manager for Memphis Wrestling (CWA and USWA). The cause of death has not yet been released.

Whitlock had managed wrestlers such as, The Undertaker (then known as Master of Pain), Jerry “The King” Lawler, and The Godfather (then known as The Soul Taker).

Long-time Memphis announcer and current WMC-TV channel 5 Meteorologist, Dave Brown, told WMC Action News, “He really played the [heel] role well. I liked being around him. He was just a nice guy. Anything that was asked of him, he was willing to do.”

Our condolences to the friends and family of Nate Whitlock. Below are a some videos from his career.

Source: WrestlingINC

Backstage News Regarding The Future Of Lucha Underground

It’s been over a year since the third season of Lucha Underground was taped. The season, which is still currently airing on the El Rey Network, was taped from March – May of 2016, leaving many wondering if a fourth season would be happening.

Dave Meltzer reported on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that there may be some good news regarding the future of the promotion as they have a potential source of funding. The drawback is that the budget for the show would have to be significantly cut as the source of funding is “earmarking far, far less money per episode and for the season” than what the company had been spending for the previous seasons. Meltzer said that while the future of the company was looking bleak, it’s a little “better than bleak” now.

Meltzer noted that many of the stars that he’s spoken to that are under contract with Lucha Underground want their release. Ricochet told Sports Illustrated in July that even though his contract with the company expired, his no-compete doesn’t expire until 90 days after the conclusion of the third season.

“My contract finished last June,” Ricochet told Sports Illustrated. “I’m on the no-compete for the rest of Lucha Underground’s season three, then I have 90 days after that. I can be on any TV as long as it’s not American TV. I can work indies, I can do iPPVs, most anything, really, just not on American TV. I’m not sure about a Season 4 with Lucha Underground. I’m busy until October, and I might take November off to heal up again. I really want to work on my diet and get myself in the best shape possible.”

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE On Lance Russell’s Passing

Legendary wrestling announcer Lance Russell passed away today at the age of 91. WWE posted the following on “The Voice of Memphis Wrestling” passing:

Legendary announcer Lance Russell passes awayWWE is saddened to learn that Lance Russell, the legendary voice of Memphis, Tenn., wrestling, has passed away at age 91.

A fixture of the Memphis circuit, Russell’s career as an announcer began in the late 1950s and spanned nearly 40 years until his semi-retirement in 1997. His avuncular charm and steady hand guided fans who tuned in to watch the region’s larger-than-life personalities and notoriously wild ring action.

As the unflappable host of the Continental Wrestling Association’s weekly Saturday morning show held at WMC’s TV studios, as well as the Mid-South Coliseum cards each Monday night, Russell provided commentary for all of Memphis’ most famous matches.

His relaxed drawl was the soundtrack for Jerry “The King” Lawler’s rivalry with absurdist comedian Andy Kaufman in the early 1980s, a groundbreaking event that made national headlines. When an impromptu tag team fight broke out in the concession stand of the Tupelo Sports Arena in Mississippi years earlier, after that night’s taping had ended, it was Russell who alerted the cameraman to begin filming and who literally shined a light on the brawl, which many consider a milestone moment in wrestling.

Over the years, Russell developed a level of credibility and trust with TV audiences that rivaled Walter Cronkite’s, and as Superstars like Lawler and Bill Dundee switched allegiances, Russell remained a consummate moral compass. His interaction with rule-breakers like Austin Idol and “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart — which often featured Russell voicing his disappointment over their dirty deeds — became as much an attraction to fans as the matches themselves.

Russell also commentated in WCW from 1989 to 1992.

Following news of Russell’s passing, many of his friends, contemporaries and admirers expressed their love and affection for the “Voice of Memphis Wrestling.”

WWE extends its condolences to Russell’s family, friends and fans.

Legendary Wrestling Announcer Lance Russell Passes Away

It’s a sad day in wrestling. Legendary wrestling announcer Lance Russell has passed away at the age of 91.

Lance was best known as the voice of Memphis wrestling.

I grew up watching and listening to Lance Russell and in my opinion he was the best in the business. I believe he should be in the WWE Hall of Fame. I had the pleasure to meet him once and got the photo above.

All of us here at Wrestling News Blog send our thoughts and prayers out to Lance’s  family and friends.

Below are reactions on his death from longtime announce partner Dave Brown, Jerry “The King” Lawler and others: