Category: WWE

ROH Source Reportedly Denying WWE Sale Reports

Chuck Carroll has a story at CBS regarding rumors of a WWE purchase of Ring of Honor. Accoring to Carroll, multiple sources told him that WWE is not purchasing Ring of Honor with one high-ranking ROH source outright saying “there is no story here.”

ROH COO Joe Koff has previously stated that the idea of WWE purchasing the ROH tape library is unlikely, but they do have a good working relationship.

“I’m always open to any conversation,” said Koff. “We do business with them if they want to do a DVD or VOD if they need footage from early matches they do come to us. We are open to work with them on that basis because it doesn’t hurt us. It actually helps us.”

Carroll had asked Koff earlier this month about whether ROH will begin streaming on WWE Network.

“No, no, no, no,” Koff told Carroll. “It’s very flattering and humbling to us. It validates what we’ve done. A lot of their current performers and stars are ROH guys and we have their history. So maybe the content of the backstories of Kevin Steen before he became Kevin Owens or AJ Styles’ run in Ring of Honor, Tyler Black (aka Seth Rollins), Claudio (Castagnoli aka Cesaro) … all of the guys who have wrestled for us. We have their backstory and where it began… That’s our content.”

The full article with details on the relationship between WWE and ROH is at this link.

Source: WrestlingINC

Mauro Ranallo Thanks Fans For Support During His Absence

Mauro Ranallo took to Twitter for the first time since last Tuesday to comment on his absence from Smackdown. Ranallo noted that his doctor has told him to “stay off social media” but that he wanted to thank fans for his support.

WWE said that Ranallo missed this week due to illness, while last week’s miss was attributed to travel issues due to weather conditions in the Northeast.

Ranallo has suffered from depression for much of his life, an issue he’s spoken of in depth in interviews, and there was some concern because he has been out of contact with longtime friends since March 14th, the day before he last posted on his usually-active Twitter account (and the day before last week’s Smackdown). However, the site reports that according to his closest friends, Ranallo is doing alright and is resting up.

Source: 411Mania

Shawn Michaels Reveals That He Was Offered Match With AJ Styles At WrestleMania

WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels appeared on the latest episode of The Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast. During the interview with Roberts, Michaels revealed that he was actually offered a match against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 33.

“I guess I’m breaking something with you and I don’t even know if I should, but I could have had that match,” Michaels said (h/t to Sports Illustrated for the transcription). “They didn’t have an opponent for AJ at WrestleMania. I said that I hadn’t been asked because I hadn’t—but then I was.

“I said, I wish that young man was here 10 years ago, man. I honestly do. I think he’s very talented.”

Michaels has not wrestled since losing a “Career vs. Streak” match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVI in 2010. He told ESPN earlier this year that Triple H and Vince McMahon had never approached him about a return match, but he thinks that a match with Samoa Joe would be something that he would have enjoyed.

“I look at Samoa Joe and I’ve told him a number of times that I see his stuff at NXT and think to myself, ‘Man, I could have a great deal of fun with you.’ He’s a guy I have sort of enjoyed, and one of those sleeper guys that no one talks about,” Michaels told ESPN in January. “We have contrasting styles. I get that everybody wants to see me and AJ or Seth or Dolph [Ziggler]. From my standpoint, I think really telling a great story out there [is most important]. I could do it with a guy like Samoa Joe. His stuff looks really good, and sometimes he just looks like he’s beating the tar out of somebody.”

Source: WrestlingINC

Backstage Notes On WWE Trying To Buy Ring Of Honor

We noted on Wednesday via Pro Wrestling Sheet that WWE officials have been engaged in secret talks with Ring of Honor parent company Sinclair Broadcasting about a buyout of the brand. The takeover would reportedly see the weekly ROH TV show air on the WWE Network, among other changes, but there’s been no word yet on talents being kept.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that WWE first contacted Sinclair back in August with the idea of buying the company for the tape library and to remove another competitor. A deal has been discussed within WWE and other promotions for a few weeks now but as noted, there is no concrete deal on the table. This could explain why John Cena recently posted a photo of ROH star Jay Lethal to his Instagram account.

The major part of the deal is the ROH tape library, which features early matches from the careers of WWE Superstars like AJ Styles, Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins, Samoa Joe, Kevin Owens, Cesaro, Austin Aries and others.

The Observer adds that WWE has also sent at least minor inquiries and feelers to other indie companies, in the US and the UK, about buying them out.

Source: WrestlingINC

Impact Wrestling And Lucha Libre AAA Announce Partnership

partnership impact aaa tna jeff jarrett

A new alliance in the wrestling world has arrived … because Impact Wrestling and Lucha Libre AAA announced on Wednesday that they’ve reached a partnership deal.

The Anthem press release states that the agreement includes a talent exchange and “other opportunities to collaborate with each other in their respective markets.”

Jeff Jarrett sounded thrilled by the new deal and was quoted saying, “This is an exciting time to collaborate, coinciding with AAA’s 25th anniversary and IMPACT Wrestling’s 15th anniversary. By building bridges with various partners globally, we can give fans a premier product featuring the best possible talent, which has always been a top priority.”

Jarrett also promised more partnerships “in the coming weeks and months.”

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

RAW Star Returning To SmackDown Soon?, News On Possible SmackDown Women’s Title Match Participants

Summer Rae was apparently training for her return at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Summer has been out of action since last summer with a knee injury.

While Summer has not appeared on WWE TV since the Draft after being sent to the RAW roster, The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that there’s talk of bringing her back to the SmackDown roster with an appearance at WrestleMania 33 in the SmackDown Women’s Title match.

Regarding that match, graphics have confirmed that it will be Alexa Bliss defending against Becky Lynch, Mickie James, Carmella and Natalya but it’s possible we also see appearances by Naomi, Tamina Snuka, Eva Marie and Summer. There’s also been rumors of a stipulation being added to the match.

The Observer adds that it’s also possible we see former WWE Superstars return for the SmackDown Women’s Title match. We’ve noted how the company contacted several women from the past about appearing at WrestleMania 33 for an angle or match that has been kept secret. Kelly Kelly and Lisa Marie Varon (Victoria) were among those contacted about working for the company in Orlando that Sunday.

Jerry Lawler Says Memphis Wrestling May Be Headed To The WWE Network, ‘Dinner With the King’ Podcast

On the latest episode of Dinner With The King, hosted by Jerry “The King” Lawler and Glenn Moore, The King discussed the Memphis wrestling library and revealed that he owned the footage.

“Yes, I do own [the library],” Lawler said. “There’s just some controversy about USWA footage, which would have been from ’88 to ’96. But all the other, from ’77 to ’88 and from ’96 on, yeah, I own that footage.”

When asked about the library being on the WWE Network, his answer was, “Yes, absolutely. Without a doubt.”

Lawler also discussed the leaked photos and videos of Paige and how it’s unfortunate. He also talked about Jim Cornette inducting the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express into the WWE Hall of Fame later this month and whose idea it might have been, as well as Jim Ross’ wife, Jan, and her recent accident. You can listen to the full episode at this link.

Source: WrestlingINC

 

Who Will Induct Beth Phoenix Into The WWE Hall Of Fame?

Image result for Natalya inducting Beth phoenix into WWE Hall of Fame

 

WWE announced that Natalya will induct Beth Phoenix into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 33 weekend.

Natalya to induct Beth Phoenix into the WWE Hall of FameNatalya will induct her best friend and former tag team partner, Beth Phoenix, into the WWE Hall of Fame on Friday, March 31, live on WWE Network.

“There’s nobody that I can think of that deserves to be in the WWE Hall of Fame more than Beth Phoenix,” Natalya told WWE.com. “She’s a pioneer for women in our division. Beth did extraordinary things for women in WWE.”

The Glamazon stood out in many ways during her incredible run in WWE, becoming a four-time champion and the second woman in history to enter the Royal Rumble Match.

“Beth broke down a lot of walls for women in the industry in the sense that she wasn’t a cookie-cutter-type female wrestler,” Natalya explained. “She was bigger than the other girls, she was muscular and dominant, she was strong. At different stages in WWE, that wasn’t always the ‘in’ thing. Beth did it her way and stayed true to who she was. She believed in herself and blazed her own trail.”

For Natalya, inducting Phoenix is an honor, though one she joked that she knew was coming.

“It’s not a surprise,” the third-generation Superstar said. “Beth knows I’d put her in the Sharpshooter if she asked anybody else.”

Kidding aside, Natalya can’t wait to present The Glamazon to the WWE Universe as a Hall of Famer for the first time.

“Beth is one of my best friends,” she said. “We’re close as sisters. It’s such a huge honor for me to induct her into the WWE Hall of Fame because I feel like we shared so many incredible memories on the road, traveling thousands of miles together. We did it all together. While Beth is getting this honor, I want to help share her journey and do her justice.”

How will Natalya honor her close friend? Find out when she inducts Beth Phoenix into the WWE Hall of Fame at the 2017 Induction Ceremony, live on WWE Network Friday, March 31 at 8 ET/5 PT.

Jim Ross’ Wife Passed Away

Image result for Jim Ross with wife

 

As noted, Jan Ross, wife of WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross, was seriously injured after her Vespa was hit by a car in Norman, OK on Monday night as she was driving to the local gym. Jan was not wearing her helmet and suffered multiple skull fractures. We have details on the accident at this link and a blog post from JR at this link.

Our condolences go out to Ross and his family as he announced last night that a priest delivered Last Rites to Jan at the Oklahoma University Medical Center. Ross wrote:

Source: WrestlingINC

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.