Category: Wrestling News

Backstage News On Tessa Blanchard – WOW

As we’ve noted, Tessa Blanchard and WOW Wrestling reportedly had a falling out ahead of the promotion’s re-launch.

It was alleged that during a mid-April class, Blanchard cut a promo on Samantha Sage, who is known as Americana. The promo reportedly saw Blanchard “tear apart” Sage, which led to other trainees speaking up.

According to a new report from Fightful Select, Tessa Blanchard is not figured into WOW’s plans and she was not at their recent tapings. It was not told officially that she was fired.

While issues between Tessa Blanchard and WOW were first learned in mid-April, sources noted that they had witnessed friction as far back as January.

Blanchard was reportedly “livid” that a planned January tryout was canceled by CBS due to COVID, with David McLane getting the finger pointed at him. Blanchard reportedly believed they could have done a tryout via Zoom or at an isolated school.

One source told the outlet, that things had to have gotten bad between David McLane and Tessa Blanchard because he was consistently on her side for years, even through multiple controversies.

Sources within the company also revealed that WOW was even able to lure back some people that swore they’d never work with Blanchard again only to see “more of the same.” Tessa’s attitude initially was chalked up to just being “passionate” among the higher-ups.

After the initial Fightful report was published, several people reached out to suggest that there could be legal recourse between the two sides and they were concerned about potentially being involved in it.

It was also revealed in the report that AJ Lee was at the recent tapings and worked commentary. After the tapings, a company-wide email went out informing staff that the scheduled early June tapings will be postponed due to a positive COVID test.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Two Released WWE Stars Returning To Ring After Hiatus

Lina Fanene (Nia Jax) and CJ Perry (Lana) are set to return to the squared circle for the first time since their WWE releases last year.

The two women will renew their WWE rivalry in a match to crown the first-ever Women’s World Champion of Wrestling Entertainment Series (WES). WES is a new wrestling promotion created by Legion of Pain, FKA The Authors of Pain.

While Nia Jax wrestled her last match on the September 20, 2021 episode of RAW, Lana was last seen in action on the May 31, 2021 episode of RAW.

Other matches announced for the event include Adam ‘The Titan’ Scherr (Braun Strowman) vs. Alistair Overeem to crown the inaugural WES World Champion, Legion of Pain (Authors of Pain) vs. Westin Blake & Steve Maclin, and Killer Kross (Karrion Kross) vs. Samuray Del Sol (Kalisto) vs. JONAH (Bronson Reed).

The other top women’s match will see Deonna Purrazzo & Chelsea Green team up against Madison Rayne & Tenille Dashwood to crown the inaugural WES Women’s Tag Team Champions.

Dean Muhtadi (Mojo Rawley), Lince Dorado and Dirty Dango (Fandango) will also be wrestling at the event.

WES’ debut show will take place June 4th at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England. The pay-per-view event will be available to stream on FITE.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Ricky Steamboat Declines To Wrestle Ric Flair At Starrcast V

It turns out Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat will not be taking part in Ric Flair’s retirement match at Starrcast V after all. While confirming a Fightful Select report that he was approached for a match at the event, the 69-year-old former NWA World Heavyweight Champion said he would not be part of the match during a Highspots Superstore signing (as transcribed by Fightful).

“Well, I was approached and [had] given it some serious thought,” Steamboat said. “A lot of respect to the guy in the ring … I thought about it for a week and just recently just declined on it. I know when I wrestled Jericho at WrestleMania 25, then we had the return match at Backlash in a singles [match], but at 69, and I know it’s a six-man tag and I could get a little this and that in, but with all due respect to our fans, I want them to remember me that last time I was in there with Jericho when they chanted ‘You still got it.’ I don’t want to scar that phrase … I don’t want to tarnish the memory that the fans have of me. It’d be a good payday, sure, but I don’t want them thinking ‘Maybe he should have stayed retired.’”

During the same signing, Steamboat also addressed recent comments by Jake Roberts regarding his health, telling everyone that he was doing okay and that doctors had described him as healthy. He attributed Roberts’ comments to being tied into a conversation about Roberts giving Steamboat a DDT onto a cement years earlier.

According to Fightful Select, Steamboat was scheduled to team with Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express to take on Flair and current AAA and ROH World Tag Team Champions FTR. There is no word currently on who will be replacing Steamboat, or if the match will be changed altogether.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Nash Carter (Zachary Wentz) Apologizes For Hitler Photo That Led To WWE Release

Former NXT Tag Team Champion Nash Carter (Zachary Wentz) has made his first comments since being released by WWE.

Carter was released by WWE last month following social media posts made by his estranged wife Kimber Lee, who alleged that Carter physically and emotionally abused her during their marriage. Lee also tweeted a photo of Carter doing what appeared to be a Nazi salute, while sporting a mustache similar to Adolf Hitler.

Although Carter was kept on NXT TV despite Lee’s abuse allegations, he was released quickly after the Hitler photo surfaced on social media.

On Monday, the 28-year-old Carter apologized for the photo and wrote that he’s ashamed of his behavior. The full statement can be read below.

A statement by Zachary Green.

No words can truly describe how ashamed and apologetic I am for my conduct in the photograph. There is no excuse for such behavior and I take full responsibility for my actions and ask for forgiveness. This picture was taken in 2015, a time where I was uneducated on the topic and therefore didn’t understand the magnitude of how hurtful it was. In 2020 someone was trying to extort me by threatening to post it on social media. I sent it to my wife to discuss the situation. Apparently, she kept it and then decided in retaliation for the filing of the divorce to post it to social media. Regardless how the photograph came to light, there is still no excuse for my actions.

Over the past month I have taken time to reflect on my conduct to which I express my utmost remorse and regret. I have spent time off social media to refresh and re-educate myself about of the horrors of the Holocaust. I truly do hope that this situation will teach and bring awareness to the horrific tragedy that took place so that something like this will never happen again. I can assure you that this is not who I am or what I represent as a human being, and I feel it is never too late to educate and better yourself.

If you are ever in the Orlando/Maitland area, take some time to visit the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida where you can learn about the history and depth of what took place. It was an incredibly eye-opening, and impactful experience that teaches the importance of this history.

Nash Carter will make his first post-WWE appearance at an event for Circle 6 & No Peace Underground in Orlando, FL this Saturday. Carter is set to go back to his old name, Zachary Wentz.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Ricky Steamboat Will Reportedly Be The Sixth Man In Ric Flair’s Return Match

After a couple of videos of Ric Flair training with Jay Lethal made it out into the wild, The Nature Boy officially confirmed this week that he really is returning to the ring. Flair will wrestle his first match in more than ten years, at the age of 73, at the Nashville Fairgrounds on July 31, 2022. If you won’t be in the area or can’t get a ticket, the match, and presumably the rest of the event, will stream live on Fite.

The only element of Flair’s latest return match that hasn’t been confirmed is who else will be involved. Thankully, it doesn’t appear as if Flair will be rolling the clock back 35 years and wrestling a 60-minute broadway. However, one of them he had some of his best matches ever with, Ricky Steamboat, will reportedly be involved.

According to Fightful Select (via Wrestling Inc.), Steamboat will be a part of the match, wrestling for the first time since 2010. Steamboat’s last match was actually even longer ago than Flair’s. Naitch’s final match was a losing effort to Sting on Impact in 2011. Steamboat’s last match was one where he tagged with his son Richie in 2010, though he was sort of involved in a match/physical angle with The Duke at an AIW show in 2018.

As for how Steamboat will factor into the match, if other reports are correct he will likely be teaming with The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express. The belief is that Steamboat, Ricky Morton, and Robert Gibson will take on the team of Flair and FTR. On paper, that gives Team Flair the advantage since the average age of the team will be far younger. Then again, if Steamboat is still in tremendous shape, which seems likely, he will probably wrestle like a man half his age.

As this plan continues to unfold, who exactly wants this match to happen outside of Flair himself remains unclear. Hopefully, the match will be well thought out and Flair won’t do much outside of the hits. Connecting with a few chops, taking the Flair Flop, that sort of thing. Whatever the plan, if you want to see it happen, tune into Fite on July 31.

The match will be taking place at Jim Crockett Promotion’s Starrcast event in Nashville, TN on July 31. The show is set to air just via FITE TV just one day after WWE’s SummerSlam, which will also be in Nashville.

Source: TheSportster

Ric Flair Confirms His In-Ring Return

WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair has confirmed he will be making his in-ring return for one final match on July 31st for Jim Crockett Promotions.

The Nature Boy announced the news on Twitter by writing:

“The Rumors Are True! I’m Going To Walk That Aisle, Style And Profile, One Last Time! July 31st! Nashville, Tennessee! Jim Crockett Promotions! I Will Prove Once Again, That To Be The Man, You’ve Got To Beat The Man! Now We Go To School! WOOOOO! TIX: RicFlairsLastMatch.com”

Rumors of Ric Flair making his return to the ring had begun after he shared a video of himself training with Jay Lethal online. Flair was seen taking bumps, and getting himself back in ring shape, and it is now clear why. According to a report by PWInsider, the current plan is for Flair to be involved in a multi-man match. It is unknown whether that would also feature AEW’s Lethal or not. No official opponents have been confirmed at this time.

That report added that Ric Flair has been training hard for this match, as he wants to look good when stepping back inside the squared circle. As of right now, the match is being promoted as the final one of his career. The last time he competed in a match was for TNA, back in 2011. The Nature Boy defeated Sting on that occasion.

Flair’s final WWE match famously happened at WrestleMania 24 against Shawn Michaels.

The event will be taking place in Nashville, just one day after WWE’s SummerSlam, which will also be in Nashville. The show is set to be available to watch via FITE TV for fans who cannot attend live.

Even though Ric Flair’s in-ring return has now been confirmed, that does not mean everyone is supportive of it. Former WCW announcer Chris Cruise made a public appeal to stop the Hall Of Famer from being able to wrestle due to his age and various health issues.

https://twitter.com/RicFlairNatrBoy/status/1526205498852315137

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE WrestleMania Backlash Results 5/8/2022

Cody Rhodes defeated Seth Rollins

Omos defeated Bobby Lashley

Edge defeated AJ Styles

Styles goes to the top rope but now Damian Priest is walking down the entrance ramp. Priest points out he’s not yet at ringside but Finn Balor is right behind and the two brawl into the ring and back out to ringside.

In the confusion, a masked individual pulls Styles off the top rope. Edge locks on the cross face. Edge turns it into a sleeper hold on the mat and the referee calls for the bell.

The masked individual steps into the ring and kneels before Edge before unmasking to reveal it’s Rhea Ripley, sporting a darker hair color.

https://twitter.com/WWEonFOX/status/1523473992710975490

“I QUIT” MATCH FOR THE WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Ronda Rousey defeated Charlotte Flair (c) (**TITLE CHANGE**)

Madcap Moss defeated Happy Corbin

Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns & SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso) defeated Drew McIntyre & Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle)

WWE WrestleMania Backlash 5/8/2022

DATE: May 8, 2022 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Dunkin’ Donuts Center, Providence, Rhode Island
AVAILABLE ON: Peacock (U.S.), WWE Network (International)

CARD

“I QUIT” MATCH FOR THE WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair (c)

Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns & SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso) vs. Drew McIntyre & RAW Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle)

Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins

AJ Styles vs. Edge
Damian Priest is banned from ringside.

Madcap Moss vs. Happy Corbin

Omos vs. Bobby Lashley

Freddie Prinze Jr. To Start A Pro Wrestling Company In The Near Future

During the latest edition of his “Wrestling With Freddie” podcast, the former WWE creative team writer announced that he’ll be starting a pro wrestling company in the near future and has plans to bring things “back to basics.”

Actor Freddie Prinze Jr. is looking to start his own pro wrestling promotion in the next 18 months and he wants his wrestlers to become members of the Screen Actors Guild so they get insurance retirement and medical coverage. Says he has enough funding to run profit free for at least three years while he gets his promotion off the ground.

https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/im-starting-a-wrestling-company/id1593422280?i=1000559552534&theme=light

Tessa Blanchard Has Falling Out With WOW Wrestling, Status With Company Uncertain

Tessa Blanchard may be done with WOW Wrestling after a reported falling out between the two sides.

What many deemed to be inevitable seems to have happened. According to a report by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightflul, WOW talent have claimed to Fightful Select that Tessa Blanchard recently had a falling out with the company and her status with the promotion going forward is uncertain.

Ironically, when WOW Wrestling announced that Blanchard was going to be part of their upstart promotion, something that was seen by fans and insiders as both a huge get, but also a risk, they quickly promoted a t-shirt design with the word “nuclear” on it. The hint was that Blanchard had nuclear heat with all the big wrestling promotions and that she was unhireable. WOW was going to take a chance and make her a big part of their plans. It appears to have backfired.

https://twitter.com/SeanRossSapp/status/1521912386587926531

After she deactivated her social media account, reports are that a fallout occurred between the two parties. As a result, her status for this week’s tapings is unclear and if she doesn’t appear, it will indicate that she might be done with the promotion. Much of what is going on backstage is being kept tight-lipped and because those who work for WOW signed a non-disclosure agreement there isn’t a lot of detail forthcoming. What is believed to be the situation is that Blanchard might have seen herself as someone with more power than she actually has and that could have been the root of the issue.

One source alleges that Blanchard tore into wrestler Samantha Sage during an acting class and other talents spoke up about how uncomfortable it was. The acting classes were canceled from that point until further notice and Blanchard’s involvement was apparently decreased. Another source suggested that Blanchard is no longer a trainer in the promotion, her role being given to Selina Majors. Many think that Blanchard is gone from WOW and an announcement will follow.

Social media has been flooded with comments about the news, many people suggesting no one has dropped the ball more with her career than Blanchard has. Despite being given multiple opportunities and having a ton of natural talent, she can’t seem to stop herself from being her own worst enemy. Attitude issues, problems with other talents and allegations of prejudice have followed her around for the past few years.

Source: TheSportster