Category: Wrestling News

Renee Paquette Becomes A U.S. Citizen

WWE broadcast legend and Canadian national treasure Renee Paquette is celebrating after she officially became a citizen of the United States!

The artist formerly known as Renee Young took to Instagram to share the exciting news.

“I became an American citizen today! 4th of July I’m gonna go off! 10000 [Budweisers] and 28833992 hotdogs, baby. Thanks for having me USA,” Renee captioned an image of herself waving a small American flag,

As most wrestling fans know, Renee was born and raised in Canada. She’s been living and working in the U.S. for a long time, and presumably qualifies for citizenship via her marriage to AEW star Jon Moxley.

Congratulations Renee!

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Pro Wrestling Events With Fans Could Return To The State Of Maryland Soon

Pro wrestling events could return to the state of Maryland with fans in attendance soon.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has eased some of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions, announcing that large indoor venues and outdoor venues can now operate at 50% capacity.

While venues are able to run at 50% capacity, coronavirus safety protocols and the mask mandate must be followed, according to The Baltimore Sun.

The new capacity limits will go into effect this Friday at 5pm.

It will be interesting to see if WWE, AEW and other promotions start to book shows with larger crowds now that many states are re-opening from COVID-19 shutdowns.

Ring of Honor operates out of Maryland and will run their 19th Anniversary Show later this month from the from the UMBC Event Center in Baltimore, on Friday, March 26. It will be interesting to see if they put tickets on sale for the event. You can click here for the current ROH 19th Anniversary Show card.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

First Look Photos Of Upcoming Stephen Amell Wrestling Drama Released

TV network Starz has released some cool photos from ‘Heels’ — the upcoming Stephen Amell-led drama set in the world of independent wrestling.

Starz unveiled the images on social media on Tuesday.

The photos feature Amell and his co-star Alexander Ludwig full wrestling attire. Amell’s character is also wearing a championship belt around his waist.

According to Entertainment Weekly, ‘Heels’ is about a family-owned wrestling promotion in Georgia. Amell plays a character called Jack Spade, and Ludwig plays his brother/rival Ace.

“The premiere date for [Heels] is locked,” Amell tweeted a few days ago. “[Alexander Ludwig’s] hair is majestic. There’s good stuff on the way!!”

The 8-episode drama series is set to premiere in the summer.

This obviously wouldn’t be Stephen’s first brush with wrestling. He’s made appearances in WWE, wrestled against Christopher Daniels at All In and has a close relationship with Cody Rhodes — who he invited to join him on the new TV show when it was first announced back in 2019.

Will one of AEW’s Executive Vice Presidents be making an appearance on the show in the future?

https://twitter.com/HeelsSTARZ/status/1369317141720145920

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Jim Crockett Jr. Reportedly Had COVID-19 Before Passing Away, Ric Flair Pays Tribute

Legendary pro wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. reportedly had COVID-19 shortly before passing away.

As noted, Crockett Jr. passed away at the age of 76 on Wednesday. He had entered hospice care late last week due to issues with his kidneys and liver. Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio last Friday that Crockett was in grave condition and had removed himself from dialysis to enter hospice care.

In an update, Meltzer reported on today’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that Crockett Jr. had the coronavirus shortly before passing. The COVID-19 diagnosis combined with his other heath issues led to the recent hospitalization. Crockett Jr. made the call last week to go off dialysis, and from there it was just a matter of time before he passed.

WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair paid tribute to Jim Jr. on Twitter today, crediting his influence and persistence with Flair becoming a World Champion.

“I Moved To Charlotte In 1974 With $150 In My Pocket. Jimmy Crockett Was My Friend And My Boss. I Can’t Put Into Words How Much He Did For Me And My Career. His Influence And Persistence Helped Me Become The World Champion. My Thoughts And Prayers Are With The Crockett Family! [folded hands emoji],” Flair wrote.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Legendary Promoter Jim Crockett Jr. Passes Away At 76

The legendary pro-wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. has tragically passed away at the age of 76.

Crockett’s death from organ failure was confirmed by multiple sources on Wednesday evening.

Jim’s father — Jim Crockett Sr. — started the hugely influential Jim Crockett Promotions in 1931. Crockett Sr. passed away in 1977, and Crockett Jr. officially took the reigns of JCP in 1977. The company, which ran affiliated with the NWA, was started by his father, and was sold in 1988 to Ted Turner, who re-named it WCW. Crockett Jr. was a three-term NWA President, last serving in the role in 1991.

In the wake of his passing, tributes poured in from Jim’s fans, friends, and colleagues.

“Rest In Peace Jim Crockett Jr. You will be missed by so many,” Robert Gibson of The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express wrote on Facebook.

“If not for my love of Jim Crockett promotions I doubt I ever would have considered a pro wrestling career,” Lance Storm tweeted. “Thank you Jim Crockett jr. May you Rest In Peace.”

WWE issued a statement:

WWE is saddened to learn that Jim Crockett Jr. passed away at the age of 76.

An influential promoter who helped champion the careers of WWE Hall of Famers such as Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat and The Road Warriors, Crockett Jr. stewarded the family’s Crockett Promotions from 1977 to 1989. As part of the promotion’s affiliation, Crockett Jr. was later named President of the National Wrestling Alliance in 1980. During his tenure, Crockett Jr. helped expand the promotion’s footprint and held the inaugural Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Under Crockett Jr.’s leadership, the NWA would eventually be sold and renamed as World Championship Wrestling.

WWE extends its condolences to Crockett Jr.’s family and friends.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1367347395344924676

AEW and Impact Wrestling also issued statements via Twitter.

https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1367327469192310788
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1367314318396690432

WWE And AEW Possibly Running Events In Texas And Mississippi Soon

Live pro wrestling events could return to the states of Texas and Mississippi soon.

Governors in both states announced this week that they are rescinding mask mandates and re-opening businesses and schools due to a drop in COVID-19 cases.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Tuesday that he was lifting the mask requirement and allowing businesses to fully re-open.

“It is now time to open Texas 100 percent,” Abbott said, adding that, “Covid has not suddenly disappeared,” but state mandates are no longer needed.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said his latest executive order to ease restrictions will be one of his final orders related to COVID-19. It allows businesses to operate at full capacity without any state-imposed rules.

“I am replacing our current orders with recommendations,” Reeves said. “The only rules that will remain in this order are a capacity limit of 50% on indoor arenas and those that govern K-12 schools.”

This follows a trend around the country of governors and mayors deciding what is feasible, what is safe, and politically practical, according to the New York Times. Chicago public schools have re-opened while restaurants in Massachusettes were allowed to operate without capacity limits, and South Carolina has done away with its limits on large gatherings. San Francisco is allowing indoor dining, museums, movie theaters and gyms to re-open on a limited basis. Other states have been slowly re-opening for several months now.

Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on Tuesday that she was easing restrictions on businesses and allowing family members who have tested negative for COVID-19 to visit nursing home residents. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker also announced that while residents should continue to wear masks in public, it’s time for more limits on businesses to be eased.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated last week that the state’s falling infection statistics show that immunizations are beginning to have an impact. Most school districts in Kentucky are now offering in-person classes.

“It means vaccinations work,” Beshear said. “We’re already seeing it. We’re seeing it in these numbers. It’s a really positive sign.”

We could potentially see pro wrestling companies like WWE and AEW begin running in Texas after Wednesday, March 10 when Governor Abbott’s lifting of limits goes into effect.

WWE previously indicated that they could return to live events with fans later this year, but it remains to be seen if plans will change as more states re-open. WrestleMania 37 is expected to run with limited capacity on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 in Tampa, Florida at Raymond James Stadium.

“Dark Side Of The Ring” Topic And Special Revealed

The life and career of former WWE Tag Team Champion “The Dynamite Kid” Tom Billington is set to be covered in an episode of Vice TV’s “Dark Side of the Ring” series.

Billington’s first wife Michelle and their children were recently interviewed for the episode, according to PWInsider. Tom’s former sister-in-law Julie Hart was also interviewed.

On a related note, Vice TV will premiere a special titled “Dark Side of the Ring: Confidential” on Tuesday, March 9. The special will feature an overview of past and future “Dark Side” episodes, plus footage of Conrad Thompson interviewing Evan Hunsley and Jason Eisner, the creators of the hit series. That interview was filmed last year at the former ECW Arena, the 2300 Arena, in Philadelphia.

There is still no official word on when season three of “Dark Side” will premiere, but we will keep you updated. Below is the updated list of confirmed topics for season three, which is narrated by Chris Jericho:

* Brian Pillman (season premiere, WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin interviewed)

* FMW (Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling)

* XPW (Xtreme Pro Wrestling)

* Nick Gage

* WCW/NJPW Collision In Korea event from 1995

* The Smith Family (Grizzly Smith and his children – Sam Houston, Rockin’ Robin, WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts)

* Ion Croitoru (aka Bruiser Bedlam and Johnny K-9)

* Chris Kanyon

* “The Dynamite Kid” Tom Billington

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Teddy Hart Arrested Again In Texas

Pro wrestling veteran Teddy Hart (Edward Ellsworth Annis) is currently incarcerated in Fort Worth, Texas at the Tarrant County Corrections Center.

Records from Tarrant County shows that Hart was arrested on Wednesday, February 10.

The Arlington, Texas Police Department picked him up on one charge of Evading Arrest/Detention with a Vehicle, and one charge of Injury to a Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual. Records also show that the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office arrested Hart that same day on one charge of Possession of a Penalty Group 1 Controlled Substance, which usually covers cocaine, or heroin, or methamphetamine, or prescription narcotics. The records do not state which substance Hart was charged for.

Hart was jailed in Fort Worth last October on the same charges, which were related to a previous arrest in 2016. It looks like the Evading Arrest charge and the Injury to a Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual charge are from that previous arrest, which he initially did time for. It’s possible that the charges he is currently in jail for are due to a parole or probation violation.

Hart, who has had numerous legal issues in the past few years, is currently being held under no bond. Hart has no scheduled court dates in Tarrant County as of this writing.

You can see his mugshot photo from Tarrant County below:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

The Great Muta Signs Pro Wrestling NOAH Contract After Winning GHC Heavyweight Title

Pro wrestling legend and new GHC Heavyweight Champion The Great Muta (Keiji Mutoh) has signed a two-year deal with Pro Wrestling NOAH.

A joint press conference was held with Mutoh and new DDT KO-D Openweight Champion Jun Akiyama, according to F4Wonline.com. The 58 year old Mutoh confirmed that he will be a regular member of the Pro Wrestling NOAH roster for the next two years. The 51 year old Akiyama also announced that he has joined the DDT roster full-time.

Muta defeated Go Shiozaki to win the GHC (Global Honored Crown) Heavyweight Title for the first time at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Destination 2021 event from Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan on Friday. Akiyama won the DDT KO-D Title in Kawasaki, Japan on Sunday morning at DDT Pro-Wrestling’s Kawasaki Strong 2021 event by defeating Tetsuya Endo. DDT and NOAH are ran under the same parent company, CyberAgent.

Muta’s first title defense will be on March 14 at the Great Voyage event in Fukuoka. After winning the title this past weekend, he was confronted by Kaito Kiyomiya and challenged for March 14.

Muta made pro wrestling history with his GHC Heavyweight Title win as he is now the third person to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the All Japan Pro Wrestling Triple Crown, and now the GHC Heavyweight Title. The other two wrestlers are Yoshihiro Takayama and Kensuke Sasaki.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Dustin Rhodes Asks Fans To Pray For Terry Funk

AEW star Dustin Rhodes took to Twitter to ask fans to pray for WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk.

Rhodes revealed that he talked to the 76-year-old today and that he is in a lot of pain.

He tweeted, “Just got off the phone with Terry Funk. He is in a lot of pain and could use some prayers. One of the greatest #TrueLegends to ever be in the ting. Appreciate y’all”

https://twitter.com/dustinrhodes/status/1358502857851473930

Last Thursday, Funk sent out a video on Twitter asking fans to please stop sending fan mail to his home.

https://twitter.com/TheDirtyFunker/status/1357089707214188548

Source: Wrestling Inc.