Category: Wrestling News

Chyna — Drinking Heavily Before Death, Over Bad Relationship With WWE

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

The documentary director who was with Chyna in the final months before she died says the ex-wrestler was incredibly broken up about not getting an invite this year to attend WWE‘s Hall of Fame ceremony — and it’s one of the reasons she began to drink heavily before passing away.

Erik Angra tells Pro Wrestling Sheet Joanie Laurer had been distressed over not being invited to the big event to see old friends, and it’s partly why she backed out of flying to Dallas.

For those who missed it, Chyna was scheduled for a meet and greet at WrestleCon but cancelled at the last minute and promoters said it was because she wouldn’t get on the plane.

Sources say Laurer expected the documentary she was filming to shine a light on her Hall of Fame situation, and was hoping it would lead to an invite to get the conversation started with company officials. When that didn’t happen, she began to drink more than usual.

Angra says Chyna was also feeling emotional over attempts to reconnect with her family, and the full story will be seen in their documentary — which they still plan to release in the wake of her passing.

Reports say Chyna’s death is being  investigated as a possible overdose and Angra tells us those working on the film “saw the signs were there” in regards to her addictions.

Official word on her cause of death is pending further investigation.

Coroner Delays Ruling On Chyna’s Death

Source: WrestlingINC

CBS Los Angeles reports that the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office has deferred a ruling on Joan “Chyna” Laurer’s death pending an additional investigation into what happened.

As noted, the former WWE Intercontinental Champion was found dead at the age of 46 in her Redondo Beach apartment last Wednesday night.

There were no signs of foul play inside the apartment but it was previously reported that her death was being looked at as a possible overdose. Her manager and best friend Anthony Anzaldo, who found her after she went several days without answering her phone, said he found Chyna in bed with two prescription bottles in the same room — one for Ambien, one for an anti-anxiety medication similar to Xanax. He also said there was nothing illegal as she was prescribed those medications and there was no alcohol, no blood, no vomit or any other signs of an overdose.

Mr. Belding Powerbombs Wrestler Through Table, With Help From ‘Bayside Tigers’ (VIDEO)

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Saved by the Bell star Dennis Haskins pulled off the Shield-like powerbomb on Buster Jackson during a WrestlePro event in Brooklyn and was aided by Pat Buck and Kevin Matthews.

The longtime wrestling fan/actor ran in for the save at the end of the match … and based on the video, everyone in attendance loved seeing Belding get in on the action.

Below is the link to the video:

http://d198p0p9bilzub.cloudfront.net/mp4_360/1739ab3ce590b3832cb8b258b8e46b46.mp4?571e4ca5a326f

Matanza Cueto Sliced Vein During Match, Multiple Stitches Required

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Matanza Cueto required multiple stitches following his match Saturday night in Boyle Heights … and it’s all because he sliced a vein while punching a window.

Sources in attendance at the Lucha Underground taping report that Jeff Cobb — the man behind the Matanza mask — punched a window during a hardcore match and began to bleed heavily.

The match was cut short after his injury quickly became apparent and Cobb was taken to a nearby hospital for stitches. Rey Mysterio and Dragon Azteca filled the extra time by running to the ring and beating up PJ Black and Johnny Mundo while backstage officials handled the situation.

Sources report that  Matanza can’t get back in the ring until the stitches come out and he’s been forced to cancel bookings next week. However, he should be good to go by the next LU taping.

Velvet Sky Done With TNA

Source: WrestlingINC

It looks like another veteran TNA Knockout is done with the company as Velvet Sky may be finishing up this week.

Word from last night’s Impact Wrestling tapings in Orlando is that Velvet is done with the company, according to PWInsider. It’s possible she works the rest of this week’s tapings but it’s believed she’s not staying.

Breaking news: Samoe Joe defeats Finn Balór becoming the new NXT champion 

 WWE has reported that Samoe Joe has dethroned the demon Finn Balór end at an NXT live event in Lowell Mass ending his record setting reign of 292 days.

The Now that we have a new NXT champion there’s two main questions. What’s next for the monster in his path of distruction now that he has gold around his waist? And what is next for the former champion Balór?

Our best bet is that the Demon is heading to the main roster. It would definitely keep the momentum Raw has had in the last few weeks going. Perhaps the most obvious scenario would be the inception of the Bullet Club and or Balór club (which ever they decide to call it)

All the pieces are already aligned. Styles is number 1 contender for the WWE world heavyweight title, Gallows and Anderson have made their presence known in the last two weeks, the only thing missing is Finn.

What do you guys think? Will we see a new formation of the Bullet club? Will Balór debut on Raw? Or perhaps Payback? Let us know in the comments below.

Note On Chyna’s Condition Before Her Death

Source: WrestlingINC

As noted, TMZ reported that police are investigating Chyna’s death as a possible overdose. Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio today that friends of Chyna’s had been discussing a possible intervention recently. The former WWE Intercontinental Champion was found dead at home on Wednesday. She was 45.

The world of professional wrestling reacts to the sudden passing of Chyna 

 Regardless of what your personal opinions may be on Chyna there is no denying she changed the game for not only women of professional wrestling but men as well.

She was in a league of her own. Last night moving into the early morning of today is a tough one for the wrestling world. It almost doesn’t feel real. Maybe it’s just because being such big Chyna fans we don’t want to accept it.

Right now the number one trend on Twitter is #RIPChyna as it should be. We here at WNB have took it upon ourselves to compile some of those tweets but really each one is a beautiful tribute and we encourage you to look through them:

Perhaps though the most heartbreaking tribute comes from Mick Foley as he took to his Facebook account this morning to pay tribute to his friend saying:

GOODBYE JOANIE

My heart is aching. My eyes are swollen from crying, having just talked to Joan Laurer’s manager Anthony Anzaldo on the phone and been told that Chyna, the 9th Wonder of the World was no longer with us; gone at only 45.

I will always be grateful for the friendship I shared with her, but particularly so for the kindness she showed my children, especially Noelle when she was younger. I will never forget those moments where Joanie would take Noelle by the hand at WWE events in the late 90’s – off to have her makeup done, her fingernails painted; bonding time between big, strong Joanie, and her tiny sidekick. A father doesn’t forget that type of kindness.

I didn’t know whether to post a classic photo of Chyna in her WWE prime or of Joanie from the last time I saw her – about 10 months ago at a convention on Long Island. I went with the photo from the convention because of the emotion; because it was taken at the exact moment I saw her for the first time in many years. I was told later that Joanie wasn’t sure how I would react to her, and that it meant a great deal to her to be accepted. Like I said, a father doesn’t forget. I called home on my way back from the convention – only about 40 minutes from my house. “I’m bringing a friend over to watch the pay-per-view” I said to my wife.

“Who’s that?”, my wife asked.

“Chyna”

“Chyna?”

“Yeah, Chyna!”

And that was pretty much that. A mother, you see, doesn’t forget the kindness shown to her child, either.
I am so glad we had that night with Joanie. A night to let her know how much we cared about her, whether it was politically correct or not. A night to let her know we loved her – and always would. RIP my dear friend. I pray that somehow in death, you can find the peace that eluded you so frequently during the latter years of your remarkable life.

As you can see the general consensus is that Joanie (Chyna) was a remarkable person, and she touched the hearts of everyone she knew.  No longer hurting and finally at peace. Long live the 9th wonder of the world

Chyna’s Death Being Investigated As Possible Overdose

Source: TMZ

TMZ reports that police are investigating Chyna’s death as a possible overdose, mainly because of her history with drugs. Prescription bottles were found in her home but there were no illegal drugs and no signs of foul play.

Chyna was found in her Redondo Beach, California home on Wednesday at the age of 45. She was found in bed by a friend who checked on her after Chyna went several days without answering her phone. The friend found her unresponsive and called 911.

Triple H Comments On The Passing Of Chyna