Category: WWE

Kairi Hojo Signs With WWE

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, STARDOM’s Kairi Hojo (age 28) has signed a three-year deal with WWE. She will head to Orlando in April to start with NXT (Nakamura has been pushing for her to come to NXT for several months). Hojo was one of STARDOM’s top acts, winning the Artist of Stardom Championship three times, Goddess of Stardom Championship three times, Wonder of Stardom Championship one time, World of Stardom Championship one time, and won the 5★Star GP tournament in 2015 as well as the Goddesses of Stardom Tag League in 2016.

She had told Stardom officials that she had turned down the WWE offer months ago, and told them that she was staying with them. She has two titles and Stardom wants to her drop the titles before she leaves. The company felt that they were misled by Hojo through all this.

Source: 411Mania

Daniel Bryan Teases Returning To The Ring When His WWE Contract Expires

Daniel Bryan teased returning to the ring once his WWE contract expires next year.

During a heated exchange with The Miz on Tuesday’s Talking Smack episode, The Miz made fun of Daniel Bryan for not being able to wrestle because of “his head.”

“I can’t or they won’t let me?,” Bryan replied. We’ll see in a year and a half, we’ll see what happens.”

Bryan was forced to retire in February of last year due to multiple concussions and a lesion on the brain. Dave Meltzer noted in the latest edition of The Wrestling Observer that Bryan “was rushed” into that retirement speech by Vince McMahon. While it’s unlikely that WWE will clear Bryan to wrestle by next year, Meltzer noted that one of Bryan’s goals has been to work in CMLL and to do an angle building to a hair vs. hair match at their anniversary show.

During an interview with Jonathan Coachman on ESPN SportsCenter last September, Bryan noted that he had been cleared by several concussion specialists, however was flagged by one test. He said that the more he learns about that test, the more he thinks that it should not have forced him to retire. He aded that he feels 100% and feels everyday that he can wrestle.

Meltzer added that Bryan has a new ring style in mind that would be lower risk while still allowing him to have interesting matches.

Bryan has not wrestled since April 14th, 2015. He teamed with John Cena to defeat Cesaro and Tyson Kidd in a dark match at a SmackDown taping in London, England.

Source: WrestlingINC

Jerry “The King” Lawler Calling A WrestleMania 33 Match, ‘Dinner With the King Podcast’

WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler’s new podcast, Dinner With The King, launched today, which you can check out at www.podavenue.com/king. New episodes will be released every Wednesday. During today’s first episode, Lawler revealed that he will be doing commentary during one WrestleMania match and will also appearing on the pre-show. He also goes discussed his new contract with WWE and the phone call he received from Vince McMahon.

Source: WrestlingINC

NXT Preview 3/8/17

The following is scheduled for tonight’s 3/8 episode of WWE NXT on WWE Network:

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. TJ Perkins

Will the WWE Performance Center confrontation between Peyton Royce, Billie Kay and Amber Moon lead to further drama?

Ember Moon vs. Billie Kay

“Outlaw” Ron Bass Passes Away At 68

Image result for Outlaw Ron Bass

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.

205 Live Preview 3/7/17

Tonight’s 205 Live will take place from the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana as the road to WrestleMania continues.

  • Austin Aries has a special message for WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville
  • What’s in The Brian Kendrick’s latest lesson plan for Akira Tozawa

SmackDown Live Preview 3/7/17

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Live will take place from the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana as the road to WrestleMania continues.

  • Randy Orton to battle AJ Styles tonight to determine Bray Wyatt’s No. 1 contender at WrestleMania
  • John Cena & Nikki Bella set to team up for first time against Carmella & James Ellsworth
  • Who will challenge Dean Ambrose, Alexa Bliss and American Alpha at WrestleMania?
  • Who will throw their hat in the ring for the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal?

Rick Rude Announced For WWE Hall Of Fame Class Of 2017

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WWE announced that “Ravishing” Rick Rude will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2017:

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat to induct “Ravishing” Rick Rude into WWE Hall of Fame“Ravishing” Rick Rude will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by one of his greatest rivals, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. The news was broken by Bleacher Report in an exclusive interview with the 2009 inductee.

The two locked horns several times in WWE in the late 1980s, including a memorable bout that kicked off the first-ever Royal Rumble event in 1988. However, their rivalry reached its boiling point in the early 1990s in WCW. With Rude as the centerpiece of Paul Heyman’s nefarious Dangerous Alliance, “The Dragon,” one of the most heroic competitors ever, was one of the first to stand up to the villainous faction.

Steamboat zeroed in on Rude, the reigning United States Champion, in a series of matches that thrilled WCW fans. Their rivalry came to a head at Beach Blast 1992 in a grueling 30-Minute WCW Iron Man Match, where Steamboat eked out a narrow 4-3 victory in the waning moments of the battle.

Now, “The Dragon” will have the chance to reflect on the impact “Ravishing” Rick Rude had on sports-entertainment as he inducts his late rival into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2017. What will Steamboat have to say? Tune into the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, live on Friday, March 31, at 8 ET/5 PT, exclusively on WWE Network!

RAW Preview 3/6/17

Tonight’s RAW will take place from the Allstate Arena in Chicago with the fallout from WWE Fastlane as the Road to WrestleMania 33 continues.

  • Goldberg raises the stakes for anticipated WrestleMania clash with Brock Lesnar
  • Seth Rollins grants an exclusive look at his rehabilitation
  • Rich Swann challenges The King of the Cruiserweights
  • Roman Reigns: Monster hunter
  • Controversy continues to swirl around Raw Women’s Champion Bayley

Jerry “The King” Lawler Is Launching “Dinner With The King” Podcast

WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler is launching his new “Dinner With The King” podcast this Wednesday.