Category: Wrestling News

Lucha Underground’s Sexy Star Embodies Women’s Revolution in Wrestling

Source: Forbes.com – Donald Wood

During the May 4 episode of Lucha Underground, the El Rey Network’s flagship show was the home to a match of the year contender when Sexy Star took on Mariposa in a ‘No Mas’ bout.

Sexy Star won the lucha version of an ‘I Quit’ match, but the moment was about so much more than a simple victory. During the course of the brutal battle, Sexy Star cemented her spot as one of the top stars in Lucha Underground and the embodiment of a true women’s wrestling revolution.

The Lucha Underground brand is looking to continue its growth, and one of the cornerstones which the company appears to be building around is Sexy Star. Wrestlers like Mil Muertes, Rey Mysterio, Prince Puma and others also have the potential to be marketable faces for Lucha Underground, but Sexy Star has the ability to transcend wrestling and become one of the most mainstream marketable wrestlers on the roster.

 “The prize for my arduous sacrifice and passion is that Lucha Underground as a company and organization believes in me,” Sexy Star said. “I feel extremely proud of that because it also means they believe in women’s wrestling, and I will never fail them in that aspect. Contrary to men, when a woman decides to never fail, she does not disappoint. Lucha Underground believes in the power of women, in a power that goes well beyond physical beauty and that makes me feel even prouder to be considered as central character and top talent within the company.”

As arguably the strongest female character in the wrestling business today, Sexy Star is a marketing goldmine for Lucha Underground. With a recognizable mask which could become a stable of her character just as it has for Mysterio, a catchy name that stays true to her lucha background and a genuine appeal to men, women and children, Sexy Star has the potential to be a top merchandise seller and one of the few wrestlers outside WWE who can transcend wrestling into mainstream media.

While it would be easy for Sexy Star to rest on her laurels now that she has become one of the elite talents in Lucha Underground, her match against Mariposa proved she is one of the most gifted performers in the company. Sexy Star is a proficient wrestler, but it is her ability to tell a convincing story in the ring and get the fans emotionally invested that separates her from other performers.

Check out this incredible Sexy Star vs. Mariposa – No Mas Match:

 

Rey Mysterio Chats Live With HuffPost Entertainment About Lucha Underground

Source: HuffPost Entertainment

Rey Mysterio chats with HuffPost’s Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani about the wrestling franchise Lucha Underground.

ROH COO On WWE Not Changing Wrestlers’ Names

Source: WrestlingINC

Phil Strum recently interviewed ROH COO Joe Koff for The Poughkeepsie Journal, who was promoting last Saturday’s ROH show in Manhattan. During the interview, Koff discussed ROH talent signing with WWE and some talent not changing their names.

“There’s always going to be people going to other promotions and it’s not something we are concerned about,” Koff said. “They had a No. 1 contenders match on Monday Night Raw and three of the four people in the match were ex-ROH guys (A.J. Styles, Kevin Owens and Cesaro). Of the three, two had their names changed.”

“WWE has created an incredible brand and merchandising opportunities. This is a new era. It speaks to the fact that when wrestling was a TV promotion, you were in total command and control of every aspect of the business. If you’re a fan of a guy like A.J. Styles, you know that he came to WWE from New Japan and WWE can’t act surprised that every fan is chanting his name. You’re starting to see a little bit more that they’re not changing the name anymore, that’s starting to go away. You have to be genuine. Fans are not stupid about these things. The essence used to be buyer beware, but now it’s seller beware. Fans are so knowledgable. The guy’s name is worth something. They really are smart fans and that’s not just a term.”

Koff also discussed the relationship between ROH and New Japan, the growth of ROH, WWE being the pinnacle of the business, ROH being on syndicated cable and more. You can read the full interview by clicking here.

Emma suffers back injury at live event 

Via WWE’s official website: WWE.com has learned that Emma suffered a back injury last Sunday night during a WWE Live Event and is currently undergoing tests to determine the extent of her injuries.

Please check back with WNB as updates to the matter surface. Here’s to hoping it’s nothing serious. God speed Emma 

ROH War of the worlds New York results 

* Cheeseburger and Davey Vega defeated Juan Francisco de Coronado and Jay Diesel in a dark match

* ReDragon defeated Rhett Titus and Kenny King
* Dalton Castle with The Boys defeated Michael Elgin, Lio Rush and Moose with Stokely Hathaway when he pinned Rush
* IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion KUSHIDA defeated Silas Young in a non-title match
* The Motor City Machine Guns defeated Trent Baretta and Gedo
* Jushin “Thunder” Liger and The Briscoes defeated Adam Page, Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa
* During intermission, Taeler Hendrix attacked Mandy Leon and dropped her on a steel chair with a DDT in the ring
* BJ Whitmer came to the ring for a big heat promo on Steve Corino. Corino came out with a chair but security held him back while Whitmer talked trash. Corino made it to the ring but Whitmer retreated
* Donovan Dijak defeated Cedric Alexander in Cedric’s exit match. They did Code of Honor after the match and fans chanted “thank you Cedric”
* War Machine defeated ROH Tag Team Champions Frankie Kazarian and Christopher Daniels by DQ when Daniels broke up a pin using one of the belts. The Addiction retains
* Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Matt Sydal
* IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito defeated ACH in a non-title match. Naito attacked referee Todd Sinclair after the match for a pop
* ROH Champion Jay Lethal and Roderick Strong defeated Adam Cole and Matt Jackson, Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii in a three-team main event

Lilian Garcia NOT released. Takes time off for sick father 

We have learned via pro wrestling sheet that despite speculation WWE announcer Lilian Garcia has not been released by WWE.

She is however taking time off to spend time with her father who has been battling cancer and who has had complications in the past month. 

Sources close to Lilian say her father was having major complications in his battle with cancer and WWE not only approved her emergency leave, but the company has been constantly checking in since.

You can read Lilian’s full statement on the matter here 

Imagine my surprise today when I woke up to find out that I was among the top trends in the world on twitter! What for, I said to myself….wait, does that say “Lilian Garcia released from WWE”?? That’s when I knew I had to set the story straight. As you know, I have been absent from TV for the past few weeks missing “WWE Payback” & two “WWE Monday Night Raw’s”. I mentioned on twitter that it was due to a family member being ill. Well, that family member is my father. He has been battling bladder cancer and multiple Myeloma (blood cancer) and due to a reaction to the chemotherapy, he became very ill these past two weeks. On top of that, he had to go into two emergency procedures on his kidneys. To say he has had it tough is an understatement. However, he is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army, being a Veteran from the Korean and Vietnam Wars, so his spirit is that of a fighter. I am so inspired by how he has taken on this disease and continues to battle it with all his might. He has allowed me to share this story as he hopes his journey will inspire anyone else who is battling cancer. Luckily he is doing much better now and gearing up for a new treatment next week. As you can imagine, my entire family has been through a rollercoaster of emotions and cherishing all the time we have with him. I truly believe in the power of prayer and ask all of you to please pray for him and also my mother. They have been married for 62 years, so you can imagine the bond they share together.  

 

I want to thank all of you for the many messages you have tweeted & FB’d me when you thought I had been released. It truly shows me how much I matter to you, and right now more than ever, I needed to know that. Above all, I want to thank the WWE for all their support & love during this hard time. They have been constantly checking in on me and also given me the time I needed to get my father strong again. I feel so proud to work for a company that cares so much. 

 

So, on to Monday, I will be back on RAW and couldn’t be happier as I have missed you all very much!! Thank you and I love you!!!

 

Xoxo,

Lilian

We here at WNB would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Lilian and her family. 

Matanza Cueto Vein-Slicing Match Re-Taped (Without Glass Punching)

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

The match that caused Matanza Cueto to receive multiple stitches after slicing open a vein will never be aired on television … Pro Wrestling Sheet has learned a new one was taped in it’s place.

Lucha Underground sources say the wrestler’s only got through a third of their match last month in The Temple before Matanza was injured, so a re-shoot was needed.

The new match was filmed on Saturday, with many of the same spots used, only this time no glass was included — which was probably best for everyone.

As we previously reported, the wrestler only had to miss a short amount of ring time.

Lucha Underground Preview: 5/11/16

THE CASKET MATCH RETURNS

TUNE IN FOR AN ALL NEW EPISODE OF ‘LUCHA UNDERGROUND’

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11th AT 8:00 PM ET/PT ON EL REY NETWORK

 

In the newest episode of “Lucha Underground,” Mil Muertes goes to war with the Monster Matanza Cueto in an unforgettable battle, while Dario receives some unexpected news. The madness doesn’t stop there since there can only be one winner of the Lucha Underground Championship. The first luchador to place their opponent in a coffin and close the lid, wins! Tune in on Wednesday, May 11th at 8:00pm ET/PT on El Rey Network to witness the action for another explosive week. Don’t miss new one-hour episodes of the lucha libre wrestling series from Emmy Award®-winning producer Mark Burnett Wednesdays at 8:00PM ET/PT.

 

Kurt Angle Returning To The Ring

Source: WrestlingINC

Besides the recent iPPV match against Rey Mysterio, Kurt Angle hasn’t wrestled since the January 31st TNA Impact Wrestling tapings in the UK, a loss to Bobby Lashley.

Angle, who is supposed to be a few months into one year away from the business, has been announced to wrestle on November 20th at ICW’s “Fear and Loathing IX” event in Glasgow, Scotland. The promotion tweeted the following:

Lucha Underground Preview: 5/4/16

THE TEMPLE’S FIRST EVER “NO MAS” MATCH HITS BOYLE HEIGHTS IN AN ALL NEW EPISODE OF ‘LUCHA UNDERGROUND’
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4th AT 8:00 PM ET/PT ON EL REY NETWORK

For the first time ever in “Lucha Underground” history, Sexy Star battles Mariposa for an Aztec Medallion in a spectacular “No Mas” match. While Catrina confronts Dario Cueto, the remaining highflying luchadors battle it out for the other unclaimed medallions! Tune in Wednesday, May 4th at 8:00pm ET/PT on El Rey Network to witness the action for another explosive week. Don’t miss new one-hour episodes of the lucha libre wrestling series from Emmy Award®-winning producer Mark Burnett Wednesdays at 8:00PM ET/PT.