Category: Wrestling News

Mercedes Varnado (Sasha Banks) Will Reportedly Be At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17

Mercedes Varnado (also known as Sasha Banks in WWE) is expected to be at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17, according to a report from Pwinsider.

It’s unclear whether she will just be in attendance for the show or appearing on the broadcast, but she’s being brought in. This comes after she expressed interest in wrestling former WWE Superstar KAIRI in STARDOM, a sister company to NJPW.

Due to creative differences, Banks walked out of WWE at a Monday Night RAW TV taping back in May. She and Naomi were later indefinitely suspended. Both women have made several public appearances since the walkout.

This past August, it was reported that Banks and Naomi had reached an agreement to return to WWE. However, their return has yet to happen as there have been hang-ups in negotiations for a new deal with Banks due to money.

Source: EWrestlingNews

Barry Windham Hospitalized After Suffering A Heart Attack

Barry Windham, the uncle of Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas, is in the hospital. 

The WWE Hall Of Famer suffered a heart attack over the weekend while traveling through the Atlanta airport. 

Barry’s niece Mika Rotunda announced the news when she set up a GoFund Me Campaign for him: 

“With deep sadness I regret to inform that my uncle, WWE Hall of Famer, Barry Windham suffered a massive heart attack Friday evening. While traveling through the Atlanta airport, his darkest fear became a horrific reality as he went into cardiac arrest. He is currently in the ICU and has undergone an emergency procedure to save his life. As a family, we are impatiently waiting to hear that he will be okay. But as of now, the future is uncertain.

As is the future for many in his position. And for those who have formerly devoted their lives to their craft. Barry Windham, has an iconically, decorated resume as an American professional wrestler. He traveled all over the world for decades, entertaining people of all ages with his athleticism and undeniable charisma.

After those countless years of wrestling matches, traveling and entertaining world wide, he experienced a number of taxing injuries and ended up undergoing multiple surgeries. That led to other health complications. Barry hung his boots for the last time in the early 2000’s. Since then he has been limited with work due to his medical history as well as left without health insurance.

To face these times is one of great stress and hardship. As well as one that comes with extensive medical expenses he is taking on. That is overwhelming to say the least.

We are politely asking for any increment of financial assistance to help cover his medical expenses and bills and see him through this time.”

Source: EWrestlingNews

Former MLB Player Todd Frazier Makes The Save For Jerry Lawler At Local Indie Show

Former Major League baseball player Todd Frazier shared a post on Instagram where he helped Jerry “The King” Lawler during the Stand Alone Wrestling event on Saturday night in Toms River, New Jersey.

Frazier came to Lawler’s aid when Lawler faced Rik Ratchet, with Prince Nana and Marc Coralluzo interfering and trying to attack Lawler during the match. You can view some clips from the event that Frazier posted on Instagram below. Frazier wrote,

“What a thrill to live out a childhood dream of mine. The Contest of Champions did not disappoint. All proceeds went to the 200 Club. Wrestling along side Jerry ‘the King’ Lawler was pretty awesome too. I had a feeling I still needed my baseball bat still ????????????????????????”

Source: EWrestlingNews

Mickie James, Nick Aldis, And Conrad Thompson Announce Australian Endeavor

Since his stint with the NWA came to a sudden, and very acrimonious conclusion, many have been wondering what Nick Aldis’ next move would be. Could the former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion wind up in AEW? WWE? World of Sport’s latest revival? Elsewhere? Regardless of what people expected, few, if any, would’ve predicted Aldis’ next project would be in the land down under.

In a press release unveiled Tuesday afternoon, Aldis, along with his wife, Mickie James, were announced as executive producers for Oceania Pro Wrestling’s 2023 Oceanic Wrestling Event. Scheduled for the latter stages of 2023, the event will see James in charge of the women’s content related to the show, which will be co-promoted by wrestling podcaster and occasional event promoter Conrad Thompson and Australian executive Cam Vale, who serves as COO of the North Melbourne Football Club of the Australian Football League.

The release revealed that the Oeanic Wrestling Event is looking to be a cross between “a major sporting event and a major cultural event like a Comic-Con.” The event was also compared to Starrcast, the wrestling fan convention that Thompson has promoted several times in the US, most recently this past summer. It is expected to take place over the course of four days, and work to locate a venue able to accommodate at least 5,000 fans is expected to begin imminently. While this project would seem to preclude Aldis from signing with a major US promotion, it should be noted that comments from Vale in the press release suggest they are seeking the involvement of several wrestling companies, including AEW, Impact, New Japan, Lucha Libre AAA, CMLL, and even Aldis’ old promotion the NWA. Aldis’ NWA deal is set to officially expire in January.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 11/16/2022

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS at 8/7c from the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, CT.

  • Claudio Castagnoli and Bryan Danielson vs. Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara
  • AEW World title eliminator tournament semifinal: Ethan Page vs. Bandido
  • Interim AEW World Women’s Championship: Toni Storm vs. The Bunny
  • AEW Trios Championship: Death Triangle (c) vs. Top Flight and AR Fox
  • Anthony Bowens vs. Swerve Strickland
  • Interviews from Jon Moxley, MJF, Samoa Joe, Britt Baker (by Tony Schiavone) and Saraya (by Renee Paquette)
  • The Acclaimed music video “A hand for a hand”

Shawn Michaels Announced Iron Survivor Challenge Matches For NXT Deadline

WWE Hall of Famer & Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels has announced the first Iron Survivor Challenge matches for the WWE NXT brand.

Michaels appeared in a pre-recorded video on Tuesday night’s NXT show and stated that while NXT is all about developing stars of tomorrow, the brand is also about developing innovation. Michaels announced that the Iron Survivor Challenge, a revolutionary new match never before seen in WWE history, will take place at NXT Deadline on Saturday, December 10. Michaels then revealed the following information:

* Two Iron Survivor Challenge matches will be held, one for the men’s division and one for the women’s division.

* The winner will be dubbed the Iron Survivor, and they will be the new #1 contender for a future title shot at the NXT Championship or the NXT Women’s Championship.

* Each match will feature 5 Superstars competing against each other and the clock. The match will begin with two Superstars, and every five minutes, a new Superstar will enter until all five are present. When the clock strikes 25:00, the goal is to have the most falls.

* Falls can be won by pinfall, submission, or disqualification at any time. A Superstar receives 1 point for winning a fall. When they lose a fall, they are ejected from the ring and placed in the penalty box for 90 seconds. After 90 seconds, the Superstar may re-enter the match.

* At the end of 25 minutes, the Superstar with the most falls will be named the Iron Survivor and the #1 contender for the NXT Title or the NXT Women’s Title.

* The participants’ names will be released in the coming weeks.

Shinsuke Nakamura On Great Muta Match: “It’s A Real Forbidden Door”

Pro Wrestling NOAH announce this past weekend that WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura was crossing over to the company as part of Keiji Mutoh’s retirement tour, with the former Intercontinental Champion announced as Mutoh’s opponent for its 1 January show, The New Year 2023. It’ll be one of the last times the 59-year-old works as The Great Muta before he draws the curtain on his wrestling career later that month – and something those involved had to work hard to make happen.

Tokyo Sports reports (via translation) that NOAH had earmarked Nakamura as somebody it wanted to book for Mutoh’s retirement run as soon as the legend made the decision to retire. Initially, they were met with disagreement from WWE, though “tenacious” negotiations continued once Vince McMahon stepped down as Chairman and CEO in July.

The two sides then reached an agreement on 26 October. Now, the bout is official.

Nakamura revealed he was spurred on by people within WWE, calling the situation “a real ‘Forbidden Door'”, nodding to AEW’s working relationship with NJPW:-

“There were people in WWE who pushed me forward. I opened a door that no one could break in. Hahaha…it’s a real ‘Forbidden Door’.”

Continuing, Nakamura called the bout a meeting of “fate”, adding that he worked hard to make it happen:-

“I think it’s really fate, and I worked hard to make it happen. I’ve fought Keiji Muto twice in the past, but this was my first encounter with Great Muta, the first and last. I definitely think that I am in the midst of the miracle of the times.”

Nakamura has not wrestled in Japan on a show promoted by a native company since January 2016, when he left NJPW for WWE. His last tie with Mutoh came in October 2008.

Source: WhatCulture

AEW Stars Refusing To Work With CM Punk If He’s Brought Back

Following his actions at the AEW All Out event, when he ripped Colt Cabana, The Elite, and Hangman Page at the media scrum before getting into an altercation with The Elite, it seems unlikely that CM Punk will ever step foot inside an AEW ring again.

The only issue holding up Punk’s departure is AEW’s agreement to buy out the remainder of his contract is the length of the non-compete clause. Punk’s friend and trainer, Ace Steel, has already been fired by AEW for his involvement in the fight.

Chris Jericho allegedly told Punk that he was a cancer to the locker room following the All Out altercation.

In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that “many, if not most of the key top names were saying that they wouldn’t work with him.”

A top star said that “Punk won’t be back. His value on screen isn’t one percent worth the hassle and black cloud he causes backstage.” Another star noted “regardless of some being willing to work with him, the collective decided that he was voted off the island.”

Source: EWrestlingNews

Humberto Garza, Grandfather To Humberto Carrillo & Angel Garza, Dies At Age 85

Wrestling veteran Humberto Garza, the grandfather to current WWE Superstars Humberto Carrillo and Angel Garza, has died at the age of 85.

On Twitter, Alberto Del Rio sent out a message regarding Garza’s death and offered his condolences to the two Superstars. He wrote,

“Today Mexican wrestling is mourning the loss of Mr. Humberto Garza. To his grandchildren, @AngelGarzaWwe and @humberto_wwe , my condolences and a big hug, as well as to all his family and fans at this difficult time. Rest in peace Don Humberto.”

Like his grandchildren, Humberto Garza was a wrestler and competed for EMLL from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Source: EWrestlingNews

WWE SmackDown Preview 10/14/2022

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown live from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA.