Category: WWE

The Rock Acknowledges Roman Reigns, Lays Out WrestleMania Challenge On WWE SmackDown

Cody Rhodes, World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns may be pulling double duty WrestleMania 40 weekend, following Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson issuing a challenge with set stipulations during the opening of Friday’s “WWE SmackDown.” The Rock also acknowledged his cousin, Reigns, as his Tribal Chief during the segment after Reigns interrupted Rock’s iconic “if you smell” catchphrase.

Rhodes had previously challenged the Rock to a one-on-one match during “The Grayson Waller Effect” at Elimination Chamber. Rollins did him one better and said he would team with Rhodes to take on the Rock and Reigns. On “SmackDown,” Rock said he wouldn’t be facing Rhodes one-on-one because everyone wants to challenge “The Great One.” He did challenge both Rhodes and Rollins to the tag team match the World Heavyweight Champion previously suggested at the premium live event, but with added stipulations.

Rock said that if Rhodes and Rollins win on WrestleMania Night One, the Bloodline would be barred from ringside during Rhodes’ match for Reigns’ title on Night Two. However, if the babyface team loses, Rock said the title match would be a “Bloodline Rules” match where anything goes. Rock said he was giving Rhodes the option to accept the challenge, but if he doesn’t, he said he is going to make sure Rhodes does not win the title.

There’s currently no word on if Rollins and Rhodes will acknowledge the challenge on “WWE Raw” on Monday, but Rhodes is scheduled to appear on the next three episodes of “SmackDown” alongside the Rock on the “Road to WrestleMania.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE SmackDown Preview 3/1/2024

WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX from the sold out Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

  • Fallout from Elimination Chamber
  • The Bloodline to appear with The Rock and Roman Reigns
  • Cody Rhodes to appear
  • Non-Title Match: Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors ((Kairi Sane and Asuka) vs. Bayley and Dakota Kai
  • Street Fight: Santos Escobar vs. Carlito
  • I would expect LA Knight retaliate against AJ Styles for his assault on Knight at Elimination Chamber

Former WWE Star Billy Jack Haynes Arrested, Charged With Second Degree Murder

Earlier this month, news broke that former pro wrestler Billy Jack Haynes was arrested in Oregon in connection to the murder of his wife, but authorities were waiting to charge the former WWE star until he was released from the hospital for an unrelated matter.

According to CBS affiliate “KOIN,” Haynes has been released from the hospital and officially charged with second-degree murder. Haynes’s wife was murdered in a shooting on February 8 which led to a standoff between Haynes and authorities. Haynes was soon taken into custody and then hospitalized for an unrelated matter. Upon Haynes’s release, he was booked into Multnomah County Detention Center for charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon.

Haynes’s contemporary WWE Hall of Fame Jake “The Snake” Roberts recently said that he wasn’t surprised by the arrest, as he always felt that Haynes was an unbalanced individual. Haynes retired from professional wrestling in 1996 and was one of the many wrestlers named in the massive class action lawsuit that was leveled against WWE in the 2000s regarding issues of the company’s negligence regarding the brain health of the wrestlers. The case was dismissed in 2016.

In 2018, Haynes admitted to witnessing the murders of three boys in rural Arkansas, an infamous case that has not been solved, which occurred in 1987, not long after Haynes had wrestled for WWE at WrestleMania III. Haynes said that he had been involved in drug trafficking at the time, which is why he was hesitant to come forward.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Shawn Spears Returns To WWE On NXT, Backstage Update On His Return

A familiar face returned to “WWE NXT” on Tuesday night, albeit, with a new name from the last time he was in the promotion. 

Shawn Spears, formerly known in the company as “The Perfect 10” Tye Dillinger, made his return on the show after he left AEW at the end of 2023. Spears appeared after the phrase “Truth will ultimately prevail but there is pain bringing it to light” appeared on the video screens while Ridge Holland was in the ring addressing the fans. He appeared behind Holland and bashed him with a chair before pulling back his hood to reveal his identity.

Spears announced in December that his time with AEW had come to an end, due to an amicable split between him and the company. Prior to the announcement, he hadn’t been seen on TV since the Over Budget Charity Battle Royale during the pre-show for All Out. He had, however, according to Dave Meltzer, been portraying one of The Devil’s masked henchmen before his departure. Spears put out a statement thanking AEW for his five years of growth and development and said it was a personal choice for him. He took time to focus on life away from the ring, as he and his wife, Cassie Lee (the former Peyton Royce in WWE) announced they were expecting their second child.

Backstage Update On Shawn Spears’ WWE NXT Return

Fightful Select has some additional details on how the deal came together, including confirmation that he’s keeping the Spears moniker.

Most talent was unaware of Spears’ return and, during rehearsals for last night’s show, Shawn Michaels served the role that Spears would later fulfill. Additionally, Spears’ name was kept off rundowns of the show and he remained hidden backstage until the big moment.

The report cited AEW sources that said Spears asked for his release last year. Spears announced in December that he was leaving AEW following more than four years with the company after the veteran hadn’t been used since August. There were reports that he was one of the masked attackers in the “Devil” storyline from last year, but he never wound up being involved in the storyline. Spears was said to have signed with WWE before the “Three Faces” vignettes began airing in recent weeks.

Spears initially signed with WWE in 2006, spending a few years in the promotion’s developmental system. He later began making appearances on “ECW” but was released in 2009. Spears then returned to WWE in 2013, gaining some traction as the Dillinger character on “NXT” before getting lost in the shuffle on the main roster. After asking for his release, the company let Spears go in 2019, and he would later join AEW starting with the company’s inaugural pay-per-view.

In addition to his name, another aspect of the Spears character seems to have been carried over from his time in AEW: an affinity for steel chairs. Spears was known as “The Chairman” for some time in AEW, and he appropriately attacked Ridge Holland with one of the “foreign objects” upon his return.

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.

WWE NXT Preview 2/27/2024

Here is the lineup for tonight’s episode of WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Performance Center on the USA Network: 

  • NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes face-to-face
  • Heritage Cup Championship: Noam Dar (C) vs. member of No Quarter Catch Crew (Drew Gulak, Damon Kemp, Charlie Dempsey, or Myles Borne)
  • Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Andre Chase & Duke Hudson
  • Von Wagner vs. Lexis King
  • Kiana James vs. Kelani Jordan
  • Dijak vs. Luca Crusifino
  • Ridge Holland speaks

Ole Anderson, founding Member of The Four Horseman, Passed Away at Age 81

A founding member of The Four Horsemen and one of the biggest heels from the territory area of wrestling, Ole Anderson, has died. Ricky Morton shared the news of Anderson’s death via his Instagram account last night.

“Rest in Paradise, Ole Anderson,” Morton wrote. “You taught me so much in professional wrestling. You were tough as nails. You will be missed, my friend.”

During last night’s “WWE RAW,” Michael Cole acknowledged Anderson’s death on air before a graphic was shown. Anderson famously hated Vince McMahon (and vice versa) after he took over GCW in 1984.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1762319106617876787

Anderson, whose real name was Alan Robert Rogowski, was 81 years old. Following his wrestling career, Anderson worked as a booker for Georgia Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions, notably beefing with Vince McMahon over the takeover of GCW in 1984. 

Eventually, Anderson would wind up as part of WCW’s executive team but kept to his word as far as McMahon goes, reportedly refusing to agree to participate in documentaries and WWE Hall of Fame presentations, still hanging on to the animosity stemming from McMahon’s territory takeover. 

Anderson’s spot as an original Horseman next to Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, and Arn Anderson, managed by J.J. Dillon, was ultimately ceded to Lex Luger in 1987. He was also part of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew, alongside his kayfabe brother Gene Anderson, replacing Lars Anderson (also not related) in the group upon his departure from the territory. In 2007, it was reported that Anderson had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis although there is no word as of yet as to an exact cause of death.

At the same time, WWE posted about Anderson’s death, as did AEW and NWA.

AEW and the wrestling world mourn the passing of the legendary Ole Anderson. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1762319149806526889
https://twitter.com/nwa/status/1762290369465925807

Fellow Horsemen, Ric Flair said that he was “forever grateful for giving me the opportunity to become who I am today.” Veteran journalist Dave Melzter commented on the impact of Anderson on the pro wrestling industry.

Sorry to hear about the death of Ole Anderson. One of the major characters in pro wrestling of the 70s and 80s. Excellent talker and great heel.

https://twitter.com/RicFlairNatrBoy/status/1762262001059848453
https://twitter.com/THETOMMYDREAMER/status/1762272178911760474
https://twitter.com/Pau1Orndorff/status/1762332697454661716

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE RAW Preview 2/26/2024

WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network from the SAP Center in San Jose, California. 

  • Fallout From Elimination Chamber
  • Sami Zayn vs. Nakamura
  • Street Fight: New Day vs Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci

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

Reported Date For The Rock & Roman Reigns Vs. Seth Rollins & Cody Rhodes In WWE

To say that the road to WWE WrestleMania 40 has been eventful would be an understatement, as the proposed main event between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes has been confirmed, dropped, and re-assigned within a few weeks. Not only that, but The Rock has gotten involved and joined The Bloodline, while Seth Rollins has put his differences with the “American Nightmare” aside to fight the good fight for WWE. This story took another turn at Elimination Chamber in Perth when Rhodes challenged The Rock to a match, prompting Rollins to offer his support in the battle against the Bloodline. 

The idea of the Bloodline against Rhodes and Rollins is enough to get even the most casual WWE fired up, and it might be on the cards. According to Dave Meltzer on the latest edition of “Wrestling Observer Radio,” he’s heard that the match could headline night one of WrestleMania 40. While this is all speculation at this time, it would mean that both Rollins and Reigns would pull double duty over WrestleMania weekend, as they would both have to defend their respective championships on night two.

While Reigns vs. Rhodes has been officially confirmed for some time, Rollins is scheduled to defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 40. This follows McIntyre’s victory in the men’s Elimination Chamber match this past Saturday in Perth. The Rock and Reigns have yet to answer the callout made by the “American Nightmare” at Elimination Chamber, a topic of discussion that might crop up this Friday when the Bloodline makes an appearance on the March 1 edition of “SmackDown.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.