Category: Wrestling News

Breaking news: Joan Laurer aka Chyna passes away 

  ABC 7 reports that Joan Laurer better known for her in ring name Chyna has passed away at 46, her manager George Pennacchio confirms.

Laurer was found dead in her bed at her home in Radando beach. This is a developing story and we’ll report more as it develops.

We here at WNB would like to extend our deepest condolences to chyna’s family friends and fans. 

*UPDATE*

WWE is saddened to learn of reports that Joanie Laurer, best known for competing in WWE as Chyna, has passed away.

A physically striking and talented performer, Chyna was a true sports-entertainment pioneer. Not only was the Superstar dubbed “The Ninth Wonder of the World” a founding member of the groundbreaking faction D-Generation X, but she also holds the distinction of being the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble Match and the first and only woman to win the Intercontinental Championship.
Upon hearing the sad news, WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon tweeted the following:

I just heard the tragic news that @ChynaJoanLaurer has passed. She was truly a pioneer in our industry, and she will be missed. #RIPChyna

Lucha Underground Preview: 4/20/16

Mil Muertes takes on The Monster Mantanza Cueto for the Lucha Underground Championship title in an intense new episode of “Lucha Underground,” on Wednesday, April 20th at 8:00PM ET/PT on El Rey Network. Watch Fenix receive a shocking surprise when he is set up with unlikely partners in the Trios Tournament, and an old rivalry may just revisit the temple! Don’t miss out on new one-hour episodes of the lucha libre wrestling series from Emmy Award®-winning producer Mark Burnett every Wednesday at 8:00PM ET/PT.

Plus as seen in the video below – Drago vs Aerostar in a Gift of the Gods match:

Tommy Dreamer & Former ECW Stars Pay Tribute To Balls Mahoney At House Of Hardcore Show

Source: WrestleView.com

Tommy Dreamer, Rhyno, Shane Douglas, Rob Van Dam, Joel Gertner, The Blue Meanie, Danny Doring, Stephen DeAngelis, Ron Buffone and talent booked on the show (outside) took part in a tribute to the late Balls Mahoney at last night’s House of Hardcore event in Philadelphia at the former ECW Arena.

Major Changes Coming To TNA Soon?

Source: WrestlingINC

We’ve noted how TNA continues to meet with potential investors and partners. The company returns to Universal Studios for more TV tapings this coming week and according to F4WOnline, there’s a feeling in the office that whatever happens will happen soon and that there will be changes made.

It was described as a situation where TNA is approaching the 11th hour regarding a new deal with investors. There is said to be one group, which is the favorite to end up with the company, but there is also another party that is still involved but said to be a long shot. The favorites reportedly have two people with TNA, that have wrestling experience, among them.

F4Wonline.com also noted that Dixie Carter is trying to negotiate a deal that will see her keep control of the company but the majority of it will be sold one way or another.

Bray Wyatt Injured Last Night In Italy

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE confirmed that Bray Wyatt suffered a right calf injury in the match with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns last night in Italy. The injury came when Wyatt was backing out of the corner after the referee’s 4 count. He slipped on the mat, landed bad and was unable to continue. A correspondent in attendance called it a freak accident.

WWE wrote the following:

Bray Wyatt suffered a right calf injury on Wednesday, WWE.com has learned. The injury came during Wyatt’s match on the first Live Event of WWE’s European tour in Milan, Italy.

 

Here is video of Bray getting injured:

View post on imgur.com

TNA Getting Evicted From Offices

TNA was reportedly evicted from their current offices at Cummins Station in Nashville and will be moving all operations to a 20-25,000 square foot warehouse that ShopTNA.com has been using at the end of this month. Production will be moving to NorthStar Productions in the same city because there is no room for TV production at the warehouse.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the company fell behind on rent and could no longer afford to stay at the Cummins Station location. They previously moved the offices to the basement where TV production was done as a cost-cutting move but fell behind and were essentially evicted, effective at the end of this month. The company had known about the move for some time.

TNA officials continue to talk with potential investors and partners. The Observer reports that new potential investors are in play and have put money into keeping TNA TV going but it does not look like they have purchased an interest in the company yet.

There is a deal that reportedly revolves around which side ends up with controlling interest, something TNA obviously does not want to give up. However, there’s a feeling that TNA needs the deal to happen just so they can survive, which gives the investors a lot of leverage to gain controlling interest.

Jeff Hardy Booked Against Jushin Thunder Liger

Jeff Hardy VS Jushin Thunder Liger has been booked for NEW Wrestling on August 27 in New York. It’s the first time the two have ever competed against each other.

Lucha Underground Preview: 4/13/16

THE TRIOS TOURNAMENT CONTINUES WITH MORE MIND-BLOWING ACTION ON THE NEWEST EPISODE OF ‘LUCHA UNDERGROUND’
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13TH AT 8:00 PM ET/PT ON EL REY NETWORK

The Trios Tournament continues with an all-star line-up consisting of Rey Mysterio, El Dragon Azteca Jr. and Prince Puma. Dario Cueto makes the decision to redistribute the Seven Ancient Aztec Medallions and invites a new luchador to compete for the opportunity to earn one for themselves! See who will get the chance to take home the gold in a new episode of ‘Lucha Underground’ on Wednesday, April 13th at 8:00PM ET/PT on El Rey Network. Don’t miss out on new one-hour episodes of the lucha libre wrestling series from Emmy Award®-winning producer Mark Burnett every Wednesday at 8:00PM ET/PT.

NJPW Invasion Attack (2016) Card 4/10/16

DATE: April 10, 2016 LOCATION: Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan

 

IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: (C) Okada ) VS Tetsuya Naito

IWGP TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP:  (C’s) GBH (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) VS Guerrilas Of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Roa)

NEVER OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: (C) Katsuyori Shibata VS Hiroyoshi Tenzan

NEVER OPENWEIGHT 6-MAN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS: (C’s) Bullet Club Elite (Young Bucks & Kenny Omega) VS Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin & Yoshi Tatsu

IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: (C) KUSHIDA VS Will Ospreay

IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: (C) Ricochet & Matt Sydal VS Roppongi Vice

CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Hirooki Goto) VS Los Ingobernables de Japan (Bushi & Evil)

CHAOS (Kazushi Sakuraba, Toru Yano, & YOSHI-HASHI) VS Jushin Thunder Liger, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata)

Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi) VS Juice Robinson & Ryusuke Taguchi)

Lucha Underground Preview: 4/616

On this week’s jam-packed episode of “Lucha Underground,” Fenix attempts to defend the Lucha Underground Championship in what is set to be a ferocious match against the Monster Matanza Cueto. As The Trio’s Tournament goes underway in a battle of epic proportions, Famous B seeks out to sign his very first client and Vampiro fights with his inner demons. Tune in on Wednesday, April 6th at 8:00PM ET/PT on El Rey Network. Don’t miss out on new one-hour episodes of the lucha libre wrestling series from Emmy Award®-winning producer Mark Burnett every Wednesday at 8:00PM ET/PT.