Category: Wrestling News

REPORT: WWE In Talks To Buy Ring of Honor Wrestling!

Pro Wrestling Sheet has learned WWE and Sinclair Broadcast Group have recently discussed a potential buyout of Ring of Honor in secret … this according to sources.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell us the companies have been talking since January and things have been slowly progressing, with the plan being a full takeover if the deal is made official.

This would include the weekly TV show beginning to air on the WWE Network. No word at this point on whether every wrestler on the roster would continue working in ROH if it happens.

Keep in mind, there’s no actual deal on the table right now and discussions are simply that. This means the buyout could always fall through if both sides can’t agree on specifics.

Jim Ross’ Wife Suffers Multiple Skull Injuries In Vespa Accident

Image result for Jim Ross with wife

 

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross noted on Twitter that his wife, Jan, underwent surgery after being hit while riding her Vespa. He said that she has “multiple skull fractures” and that “we need a miracle.”

Ross told TMZ that Jane was riding her Vespa without a helmet to the gym near their home in Oklahoma. She was hit by another vehicle and struck her head. She was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition and underwent surgery.

Ross told TMZ that the situation “touch and go” at the moment and that “it could be a tough day.”

Our thoughts and encouragement are with Jan and J.R..

Source: WrestlingINC

“Outlaw” Ron Bass Passes Away At 68

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Former WWE and NWA star “Outlaw” Ron Bass (Ronald Heard) passed away yesterday in Tampa, reportedly due to complications from surgery. He was 68 years old.

Bass had been hospitalized after suffering a burst appendix but reportedly waited a week before seeking medical attention as he was not aware of the bust, according to PWInsider.

WWE issued the following statement on his passing:

“Outlaw” Ron Bass passes awayWWE is saddened to learn that Ronald Heard, known to sports-entertainment fans as “Outlaw” Ron Bass, has passed away at the age of 68.

Debuting in 1975, the tough Texan performed in several NWA territories, including Jim Crockett Promotions and Florida Championship Wrestling.

It was in 1987 that Bass rose to national fame in WWE. With his ruthless attitude and dreaded bullwhip, Bass battled against classic fan favorites like Junkyard Dog and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake. He even claimed a pinfall victory over a young Shawn Michaels in the 1988 King of the Ring tournament.

Following his retirement from the ring in 1991, Bass earned a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University and became a successful construction equipment salesman.

WWE extends its condolences to Heard’s family, friends and fans.

Broken Matt Hardy Files Trademark For His Name

Broken Matt Hardy has taken his first legal step to own the name. Pro Wrestling Sheet has confirmed that he filed a trademark to officially lock it down.

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the wrestler filed for a trademark last week on “Broken Matt Hardy” for “Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer.”

As we previously reported, sources close to Matt says his Impact deal gave them the ability to profit off of anything already filmed having to do with ANY gimmick he used throughout the course of his contract … but, once that’s over, he retains ownership of his name and characters.

Impact Wrestling sources, however, say that’s not the case. They claim the current deal specifically states that their company owns all IP creations.

If that’s the case, Impact’s legal team still has time to oppose.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

The Hardys Win ROH Tag Titles, Say They Are With ROH

The Hardys appeared at last night’s ROH show and defeated The Young Bucks to win the ROH tag team championship.

After the match the Hardys said that although people are wondering if they signed with Meekmahan, they “exist in the plane known as ROH.” They are with ROH until at least Supercard of Honor

Source: WrestlingINC

Jack Swagger Requests WWE Release

jack swagger requests release wwe

Former World Heavyweight champ Jack Swagger has requested his release from WWE … and he’s already done an interview to get the word out.

Swagger appeared on Chael Sonnen‘s podcast and said, “As of yesterday, I asked for my release from WWE.” Adding, “It’s still kind of an ongoing process right now. Basically, it came down to contract negotiations. We were way off. They didn’t value me at what I thought I was valued at.”

“They weren’t giving me the opportunity to make the full amount of income I could for my family, so when you put it like that … it’s time to go.”

Jack was initially drafted to Raw after the brand split, but made the switch to SmackDown Live shortly after and wrestled against Baron Corbin at No Mercy in a losing effort.

He hasn’t been used much on TV since.

It’s unclear what his plans for the future are … but with Jack’s former manager Zeb Colter aka Dutch Mantell working in creative at Impact Wrestling now and company sources saying they’re looking to freshen up the roster — a reunion between the two sounds possible.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Hear his full interview below:

Update:

Jack Swagger revealed on Chael Sonnen’s podcast that he requested his release from WWE. Despite some incorrect reports, PWInsider confirmed that while Swagger requested his release, he is still officially with the company. Swagger’s profile is also still on the WWE roster page. Swagger noted on Sonnen’s podcast that his release is “an ongoing process right now.”

Source: WrestlingINC

Matt Hardy Teases Going To WWE?, Comments On Being A Free Agent

As noted, Matt and Jeff Hardy are now free agents as their contracts expired. Matt commented on being a free agent on Twitter:

Matt also teased possibly returning to WWE, responding to an old tweet that Bray Wyatt sent him last December:

Source: WrestlingINC

Reby Hardy On If Matt Hardy Will Drop ‘Broken’ Gimmick, How Dixie Carter Treated Talent, TNA Contracts

Reby Hardy appeared on Busted Open with Dave LaGreca on Sirius XM this afternoon to discuss the Hardys leaving Impact Wrestling. You can listen to the full interview by clicking here, below are some highlights:

* She said that the rumors are true that the Hardys are leaving TNA. She said that Matt, Jeff and herself all had separate contracts with TNA, noting that they all signed at the same time. They didn’t know up until a few days ago if they were re-signing. She said that they received theirr contracts “like 5 days before” which was “a note of contention for [Matt and Jeff],” although she didn’t care.

* She said that TNA was “the perfect situation” for them because they had a limited schedule, the whole family got to travel together and that she got to bring her child to work. She said that things have been changing and it wouldn’t have been the same perfect situation if they re-signed.

* She said that she felt that someone in Matt and Jeff’s position should not have to be chasing anyone for contracts for six or seven weeks and that after a while it was like, “s–t, I’m not important.” She stated that during this time they were getting weird vibes and feedback. They were waiting until the last second for their new contracts, and noted that it takes time to review the contracts. It got so down to the wire that they felt almost rushed into signing. She pointed out that several things needed to be changed in the contracts that “were slipped in there as if we wouldn’t notice at the last minute.”

“It’s just all of this stuff with someone [for] as long as they’ve been in the business has never had to deal with, and should never have to deal with,” Reby said.

* When asked if the future was bleak for Impact Wrestling, Reby said that she doesn’t think so. TNA has a hardcore audience, which is why AJ Styles and Samoa Joe have such hardcore followings. She said that there is so much talent at TNA that they can succeed, although there is the other part of the audience that needs those big names. She said that the locker room is amazing and noted that 2016 was a hard year, but most of the talent didn’t care about the rumors and worked hard.

* She said that a lot of people like to put down Dixie Carter, but at least Dixie knew how to talk to people and give the respect that they needed.

“I’m not talking about me because I know I’m nobody, before everybody tried to f–kin’ jump on me,” Reby said. “I’m talking about the boys, and not just Matt and Jeff.”

* When asked if there was anyway the relationship with TNA can be salvaged, Reby said that it’s too late tonight and that “it’s over” at midnight tonight. She said that there was time for negotiations, but it didn’t happen. She said that if things would have been handled differently, “we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

* As for the future of Matt and Jeff, she said that Matt is in love with the Broken brilliance and will not be dropping it.

“[It] is not about to let that go, I can confirm that for sure,” Reby said. “It’s kind of his baby, his brainchild. He took such a risk with it, even I was telling him, dude, this accent’s gotta go. Everyone was like, ‘you’re crazy, this is dumb, it’s insane.’ He kept on with it, it kept evolving. It’s his baby, so there will be ‘Broken’ wherever there is Matt Hardy.”

Source: WrestlingINC

Randy Orton Burns Down The Wyatt Family Compound (Video)

Randy Orton finally turned on Bray Wyatt in a produced horror movie-style segment which aired during the go-home episode of Smackdown Live Tuesday night heading into WWE Fastlane on Sunday.

Reby Hardy Hints That Hardy’s Will Be In Orlando During WrestleMania 33

Reby Hardy the wife of Matt Hardy posted on Instagram a picture hinting that The Hardy’s will be in Orlando on April 2nd for a tailgate party. WrestleMania 33 takes place in Orlando on April 2nd.