Category: Wrestling News

CMLL Announces First-Ever Arena Mexico All Women’s Show On International Women’s Day

After a tremendous 2023, CMLL has kept the momentum going in 2024, forging a strong working relationship with AEW, even as visa issues attempt to neuter some of the partnership’s impact. But before CMLL holds its big AEW vs. CMLL match in late March, where the Blackpool Combat Club will face top stars Blue Panther, Mistico, Ultimo Guerrero, and Volador Jr., the promotion will do something it’s never attempted in its 91-year history.

During last night’s edition of “CMLL Informa,” CMLL announced that the March 8 edition of “CMLL Super Viernes” will be an all-women’s show. Taking place on International Women’s Day, the show will feature a five-match card, headlined by a Mexican National Women’s Tag Team Championship match where the champions, La Jarochita and Lluvia, will defend against Andromeda and Skadi.

The March 8 show will not be the first all-women’s show in CMLL history, as the promotion previously ran two such events in Puebla and Guadalajara during October 2023, and is believed to have held all-women’s shows in Arena Coliseo during the promotion’s early years. However, this will be the first-ever all-women’s event the promotion has run in their home base of Arena Mexico, considered the most iconic venue in the history of lucha libre. Though unconfirmed, should the show prove to be a success, it would likely lead to the event becoming a yearly tradition going forward.

In addition to the main event, the show will also feature former WWE Mae Young Classic competitor Zeuxis in singles action, challenging Reyna Isis for the Mexican National Women’s Championship, as well as Dark Silueta defending the CMLL Japan Women’s Championship against former WWE star La Catalina. One notable name missing from the show is Stephanie Vaquer, who will be traveling to Japan to challenge Giulia for the New Japan Strong Women’s Championship on March 10.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Former WWE Star Virgil (Michael Jones) Reportedly Dies Peacefully At Age 61

Former WWE star Michael Jones, known to fans as Virgil, has reportedly died at the age of 61. Wrestling referee Mark Charles III, known as THe Count, announced news of Jones’ death in a Facebook post.

“My dear friends, it is with great sorrow that I bring news from the Jones family of the passing of our beloved Michael Jones, whom we know and loved as Virgil, Vincent, Soul Train Jones and more,” the post reads. “Virgil passed peacefully at the hospital this morning and I ask that you pray for him and for his family. May his memory be eternal!”

Jones’ health had deteriorated over the years. In 2022, he suffered two strokes and was diagnosed with dementia. Earlier in the year, Jones had announced he’d been diagnosed with stage II colon cancer. Late last year, Jones set up a GoFundMe, seeking aid for minor expenses.

Born on June 13, 1962, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, Jones debuted in wrestling in 1985 under the name Soul Train Jones, primarily working for Jerry Jarrett’s Continental Wrestling Association in Tennessee. He would join WWE in 1986, first working under the name Lucius Brown, before being repackaged as Virgil, Ted Dibiase’s manservant, in the summer of 1987. The repackaging would launch Jones’ career and also begin the trend of him being named after other figures in wrestling, with him taking the Virgil moniker as a rib towards Dusty Rhodes, whose real name was Virgil Runnels.

Jones would serve as Dibiase’s servant for nearly four years before turning on him following a tag match against Dusty and Dustin Rhodes at the 1991 Royal Rumble. The duo would have a lengthy feud throughout the rest of 1991, with Jones arguably achieving his pinnacle at the 1991 SummerSlam, where he defeated Dibiase to win the Million Dollar Championship. Following the end of the feud, Jones was relegated down the card, and eventually left WWE in 1994, though he briefly worked live events for the promotion again in 1995.

After two years on the independent scene, Jones re-emerged in the national spotlight when he joined WCW in 1996 as a member of the nWo, reuniting with Dibiase and serving as the group’s bodyguard. Taking the name Vincent, a shot at WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, Jones generally served the role of the nWo’s jobber until the group’s initial incarnation dissolved in 1999. From there, Jones would have run with the West Texas Rednecks as Curly Bill, the bodyguard for Creative Control as Shane, a knock at Shane McMahon, and bodyguard for Ernest “The Cat” Miller as Mr. Jones, before departing WCW in late 2000.

Jones retired from wrestling after his WCW departure, though he continued to make occasional independent appearances, and even briefly returned to WWE as Virgil in 2010 to serve as Ted Dibiase Jr.’s bodyguard. In his later years, Jones became best known for his colorful personality on the convention circuit, leading to him being the subject of several memes. Jones’ last notable appearances in wrestling came for AEW in 2019 and 2020 under his original name, Soul Train Jones, where he aligned with Chris Jericho’s Inner Circle stable.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Ronda Rousey To Appear At WrestleCon Philadelphia

Ronda Rousey is scheduled to appear in Philadelphia during WrestleMania 40 weekend for WrestleCon. Fans can catch her at WrestleCon from April 4 – 7 for autograph signings.

She recently competed in a WWE match against Shayna Baszler at SummerSlam, which resulted in a loss.

Since then, Rousey had been doing independent wrestling events in late 2023.

Source: eWn

WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley Would Like To Do One Final Death Match For 60th Birthday

On June 7, 2025, WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley will celebrate his 60th birthday. While some people might ask for new clothes, a games console, or even cash from their family and friends, Foley has one thing on his wishlist for 60; one final match. During the final episode of “Foley Is Pod,” the hardcore legend explained that he wants to drop 100 pounds and needs something to motivate him and work towards in order to make that happen. The solution; get back in the ring.

“60 is right around the corner … thinking of doing one final match,” Foley said. “For my 60th birthday, a death match. I’m not kidding, I think it would be a great incentive to drop those 100 big ones and I think it might be fun.” Foley made it clear he doesn’t think the match would happen in WWE, as it would be a pretty gory spectacle, to the point where his children asked him if there was a chance he could get hurt, he was upfront and told them yes.

When Conrad Thompson asked him if he thought about who he would be open to facing in his final match, Foley immediately put two names out there. “[Jon] Moxley or Matt Cardona,” Foley said. “I think Moxley would be the easiest, but Matt has that heat in the death match world that could really make it something cool.” Cardona has already made it clear on social media he would be happy to face Foley given their volatile history. Cardona has repeatedly called himself the “King of the Death Match,” despite the fact that Foley actually won a tournament of the same name back in 1995, defeating Terry Funk in the finals.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Scott D’Amore Fired As TNA President By Anthem Sports, TNA Stars Pays Tribute & Bid Farewell To D’Amore

Another shake-up has taken place in the world of pro wrestling. TNA Wrestling President Scott D’Amore has been let go, with Anthony Cicione of TNA’s parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc. taking over as the new President. The company’s press release states that the intent is to further integrate TNA into Anthem’s Entertainment Group, which Cicione is already the President of.

According to a report from PWInsider, it is believed that the decision came directly from Anthem’s owner, Len Asper. As echoed by the official statement, Anthem management will be taking on a larger role in the day-to-day operations of TNA, with Cicione leading that charge.

D’Amore’s termination comes less than a month after the company changed its branding from Impact Wrestling back to TNA, its original moniker. With the relaunch, the company has brokered a great deal of goodwill with fans, making D’Amore’s exit all the more surprising. According to an update on the matter from Fightful Select, Anthem management met with TNA talent over Zoom this afternoon. The report also quoted one talent who understood the reasoning behind the change but credited D’Amore with saving the promotion.

In contrast with D’Amore, Cicione has no direct experience working in the professional wrestling industry. The Anthem press release touted his history of “executive-level management experience,” specifically referring to cable and digital channels. It remains to be seen if the company intends to keep Cicione in charge of TNA long-term or if he will be managing the promotion until Anthem finds a suitable replacement.

Similarly unknown is how the company intends to handle the creative process moving forward. In addition to his management duties, D’Amore was previously a key part of the team in charge of booking TNA’s TV shows and pay-per-views.

Some talent such as Brian Myers crediting D’Amore for helping save the company from closing entirely. Since his termination, many members of the TNA roster have spoken out in support of D’Amore.

“The incredibly painstaking, tedious, and difficult work that [Scott D’Amore] has put in to bring [TNA] to this very exciting moment in time, cannot be understated,” said TNA star Frankie Kazarian. “We all, wrestlers and fans alike, owe him a debt of gratitude.”

TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace, who recently appeared in the WWE Royal Rumble, posted a picture of herself and D’Amore. Grace also called the former executive the “heart and soul” of the promotion.

Former Impact World Champion Steve Maclin posted a picture of himself with D’Amore presenting him with the title belt after a particularly bloody victory. Meanwhile, TNA star Alex Zayne thanked D’Amore for both the opportunities he gave Zayne personally as well as everything he’s done for wrestling as a whole.

“Not all people in leadership roles are leaders,” said Jody Threat. “[Scott D’Amore] was a leader. [Honored] to have been led by him. Thank you for everything.”

TNA star Jake Something posted a video of himself talking about D’Amore and his impact on Something’s career. The wrestler stated that he was “proud to be a Scott D’Amore guy.” Referee Brandon Tolle also referred to himself in the same manner while thanking D’Amore for the opportunities he provided.

Wrestler-turned-announcer Jade Chung posted a series of pictures of D’Amore, including a shot of D’Amore sitting behind the backstage monitors with a young child, presumably his own. Another former Impact World Champion, Josh Alexander, also posted a picture of himself in the ring with D’Amore. Alexander thanked the company’s former President and referred to him simply as “coach.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Jeff Jarrett Reacts To The Passing Of Toby Keith

WWE, TNA Hall of Famer and AEW star Jeff Jarrett took to social media to share his thoughts on the passing of his friend Toby Keith.

“I don’t believe in coincidences…only convergences. I woke up at 4am to a message on my phone of Toby’s passing. I just finished my media day in Huntsville, Alabama — for an event in the same arena where I busted his song and he suplexed me on TNA’s 1st ppv. The reason I tell this story is to explain what a friend Toby was to me — after he had already committed to my show, he was asked by the President of the USA to come to the White House to perform his new smash hit, Angry American, on the day of the event, June 19, 2002.

Toby said a “diplomatically no” to them.

Toby was a man of his word, honor and integrity to his core, and I’ll never have a friend like him again.

T, love you my friend, Rest in Peace…”

Country singer Toby Keith died Monday night at age 62, more than two years after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

MLW’s Jacob Fatu Is Now A Free Agent

Just as The Bloodline saga has taken yet another turn in WWE, another member of the fabled Anoa’i family has hit the free agent market, as former MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu’s contract with the company has come to an end. A tweet from WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi, Fatu’s uncle, raised eyebrows this week, calling Fatu “the baddest talented Indy worker on the scene” and wondering, “Who will sign him?” while tagging the official X accounts of both WWE and AEW.

Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net was then able to confirm Fatu’s contract status, citing independent sources, while also reporting he is still set to appear for MLW in Philadelphia during the company’s tapings tonight, where he will square off against Yuji Nagata. At this point, with The Rock now seemingly set to square off against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, to speculate on just about anyone getting involved in that story as they battle for the claim to “The Head of the Table” is fair, and it would make just as much sense for Fatu, son of Samuel Fatu (The Tonga Kid), to get involved as nearly any other available family member.

In fact, Fatu showed interest in just that as recently as last year. Of course, WWE shouldn’t be his only option, as interest is likely to be significant for “The Samoan Werewolf,” who held the MLW World Heavyweight Championship for more than two years between 2019 and 2021. Fatu is a 12-year pro who already in 2024 has appeared in MLW, GCW, NJPW, and elsewhere, and has been ranked in the PWI 500 each year since 2019, peaking at #20 in 2020 and finishing just outside the top-50 in 2023 at #53.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Marty Jannetty – ‘My Sister Passed Away & Doctors Want To Amputate My Leg’

Marty Jannetty took to Facebook on Wednesday to share some sad news – his sister has passed away and his leg issues have gotten worse.

The former WWE Superstar has revealed that doctors have advised him that they want to amputate his leg. Additionally, Marty’s brother called him on Tuesday night to give him the news that their sister had passed away. He wrote,

“I can’t hardly formulate a sentence right now, it’s a tough time in life, yesterday day they told me they want to cut my leg off.. struggling with that my brother called last night and, my sister died in his arms basically. I don’t even know what I’m saying right now. I don’t think I’m doing the podcast show tomorrow night, please forgive me, I do loves y’all..I just can’t. I’m so lost right now

PS- Many of y’all know both my sisters, Diane is still hanging in tough as a mo-fo, Diane STAY STAY STRONG, KEEP BELIEF, YOU TOO GENO!”

Condolences to Marty Jannetty during this difficult time.

Source: eWn

Dave Meltzer Provides WWE Backstage Update On The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns

Things are very up in the air for WWE right now, with the promotion capping off a “great week” by fielding just as many questions regarding a lawsuit, and accusations of sexual assault, against former chairman Vince McMahon as they did their new Netflix deal. They also found time to hold their Royal Rumble PLE, which saw Cody Rhodes win the Men’s Rumble, and immediately challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40.

Rhodes’ victory led to more questions than answers, however, particularly whether this meant the long-rumored match between The Rock and Roman Reigns was off. As it turns out, it is and it isn’t. On the latest “Wrestling Observer Radio,” Dave Meltzer confirmed that Rhodes vs. Reigns is the planned WrestleMania 40 main event this year, and will take place as a singles match, without any involvement from The Rock.

That being said, The Rock is still expected to come back to WWE, and a match between him and Reigns is in the cards. When and where the match will take place remains to be seen, as conversations between Rock, who was named to WWE/TKO’s board of directors last week, and WWE, regarding the match are said to be ongoing.

The delay in Rock vs. Reigns will give Rhodes a chance to finally “finish the story” and capture the Undisputed WWE Title, something he failed to do against Reigns last year at WrestleMania 39. Reigns meanwhile will look to continue his record-setting reign as champion, which has lasted for over 1,240 days, putting him only 234 days short of passing Hulk Hogan’s 1,470 day reign as WWE Champion in the 1980s.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Vince McMahon Resigns From WWE, TKO Group Holdings Amidst Sex Trafficking Allegations

Vince McMahon’s role in WWE and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings, has come to an end. During Friday night’s broadcast of “WWE SmackDown,” Sean Ross Sapp reported that WWE President Nick Khan had sent the following memo to some staff:

“I wanted to inform you that Vince McMahon has tendered his resignation from his positions as TKO Executive Chairman and on the TKO Board of Directors. He will no longer have a role with TKO Group Holdings or WWE.”

Shortly after Sapp’s report, McMahon issued a statement to Deadline.

“I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth,” McMahon said, echoing his initial denial. “I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name.”

“However, out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary TKO business and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all of the employees and superstars who helped make WWE into the global leader it is today, I have decided to resign from my executive chairmanship and the TKO board of directors, effective immediately,” he said.

The news comes one day after news broke that former WWE employee Janel Grant had filed civil suit against McMahon and another former employee, John Laurinitis, alleging “physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault and trafficking at WWE.” The allegations, which a TKO spokesperson referred to as “horrific,” resulted in major WWE sponsor Slim Jim putting its deal with the company on pause one day before they were set to sponsor the Royal Rumble.

After McMahon resigned from TKO, Slim Jim agreed to the sponsorship again. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.