Backstage News On Brock Lesnar’s WWE Contract And Renewal

In an update on Brock Lesnar not wanting to renew his WWE contract past WrestleMania 34 in April, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports Lesnar’s WWE deal has a renewal option.

Lesnar’s contract with WWE does end in April 2018 but it renews if neither side informs the other they are ending the agreement, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Brock has yet to say he’s leaving and reportedly has not made a decision on his future at this time.

Brock retired from fighting after his loss to Alistair Overeem at UFC 141 in 2011 due to struggles with diverticulitis. In March 2015, he participated in an interview on ESPN SportsCenter where he announced he had re-signed with WWE and had closed the door on a return to fighting for the UFC.

Lesnar ended up returning to the Octagon last July when he fought Mark Hunt at UFC 200. As noted, that fight was mired in controversy due to Lesnar testing positive for the banned estrogen blocker clomiphene in an out-of-competition test and in-competition test. He was suspended for one year by USADA as a result and his victory was overturned to a no contest.

Recently, rumors began circulating that Lesnar had re-entered the USADA drug-testing pool in anticipation for another return to the Octagon. Jeff Novitzky, who works as the UFC’s Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance, told media outlets on Wednesday there is “zero truth” to the rumors and Lesnar as not re-entered the testing pool.

Lesnar is the current WWE Universal Champion and defeated Samoa Joe in the main event of WWE Great Balls of Fire earlier this month.

Source: WrestlingINC

NJPW G1 Climax 27 Results (Day 2)

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Day 2 kicked off in the G1 Climax 27 tournament with the first round of matches in Block B. You can watch all of the upcoming shows on NJPW World for about $9 a month. Here are the full results:

Tournament Matches (Block B)
Juice Robinson defeated Satoshi Kojima
Tama Tonga defeated Michael Elgin
SANADA defeated EVIL
Kazuchika Okada defeated Toru Yano
Kenny Omega defeated Minoru Suzuki

Non-Tournament Matches
El Desperado and Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Hirai Kawato and Kota Ibushi
Yuji Nagata, Tiger Mask, and Togi Makabe defeated Tomohiro Ishii, Gedo, and Hirooki Goto
Chase Owens and Bad Luck Fale defeated David Finlay and Hiroshi Tanahashi
Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI defeated Jado and YOSHI-HASHI

Source: WrestlingINC

Gail Kim’s New Role In GFW Revealed, Two New Female Signings Teased

Jeremy Borash did a media conference call on Wednesday, where he revealed Gail Kim will be transitioning to a behind the scenes role in Global Force Wrestling.

“This may be known but we are happy to have on board as an agent for Impact Wrestling, who will be helping with our Knockouts, Gail Kim. Who announced that she would be retiring at the end of this year,” said Borash.

“So she’s going to be taking on a more behind-the-scenes role. Everybody may not know but Gail and I had a very strong friendship for the last decade,” JB continued. “I obviously do stuff with her husband Robert Irvine, the chef. And she has an incredible mind and really somebody that’s going to take the Knockouts to the next level. So she’s in Orlando and Tampa training gals that you’re seeing.”

Borash also teased that GFW have signed two new girls that are known but did not reveal any further details.

JB noted that this week’s episode of Impact Wrestling will open with a fantastic Super X-Cup Match. He said this week’s show “kicks ass” and we’re really seeing an evolution of talent, guys that can really go in the ring.

Source: WrestlingINC

Rey Mysterio Reportedly Has Contract Offer ‘In His Hands’ From GFW

Rey Mysterio was in Nashville, TN on Monday night to visit with his WWE friends who were in town for RAW, according to PWInsider.

According to the report, Mysterio met with Global Force Wrestling officials earlier in the day to discuss a deal that would bring him to Global Force Wrestling. Exact details of the meeting were not immediately available but PWInsider reported that Mysterio “has a contract offer in his hands.” Mysterio was in town with his long-time friend Konnan.

As noted, Mysterio is under contract with Lucha Underground through the end of season three, which will air in September. He’ll be a free agent after that but has a 90-day non-compete agreement attached to his deal.

Sports Illustrated first reported GFW’s interest in Mysterio, also noting WWE was hoping to bring him back.

Mysterio, 42, left WWE in February 2015 and has worked for AAA in Mexico, on the independent circuit, in addition to his work with Lucha Underground. His son, Dominick, is also focusing on a career in professional wrestling.

Karen Jarrett, who of course is Jeff’s wife and an executive consultant for GFW, posted this photo of Mysterio to her Instagram account on Tuesday.

Source: WrestlingINC

UFC Squashes Reports Of Brock Lesnar Re-Entering USADA Testing Pool For MMA Return

Jeff Novitzky, who works as the UFC’s Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance, says Brock Lesnar has not re-entered the USADA drug-testing pool, according to comments made to MMAJunkie on Wednesday.

“(Lesnar) is not currently enrolled in the USADA testing pool, nor has there been any inquiry on his part to do so,” Novitzky said.

He added there is “zero truth” to reports, apparently started by the @TalkMMA page that Lesnar had met with UFC officials along with Paul Heyman to discuss a return to the Octagon.

There were reports that Lesnar had re-entered the USADA testing pool in case he wanted to opt to return to MMA instead of re-signing with WWE. Again, that’s something the UFC is emphatically denying.

Brock Lesnar came out of a five year retirement from mixed martial arts to compete at UFC 200 last summer where he beat Mark Hunt by unanimous decision. Lesnar was later suspended by the USADA for testing positive for the banned estrogen blocker clomiphene in an out-of-competition test and in-competition test. As a result, the former UFC heavyweight champion was suspended one year by USADA. When he retired, his suspension was frozen. Lesnar’s victory over Hunt was overturned to a no contest.

Hunt filed a civil lawsuit against the UFC, Dana White and Lesnar himself over the positive drug tests. Motions were made by both parties to dismiss the suits.

Lesnar remains under WWE contract through WrestleMania 34 in 2018. The company approved his fight against Mark Hunt and retain exclusive rights to his services, in the wrestling ring and in fighting competitions for as long as his Performer’s Contract is active.

Source: WrestlingINC

Police Suggest Paige Be Charged With Battery Over Airport Incident, State Attorney Reviewing Case

Pro Wrestling Sheet has confirmed that police have determined Paige should be charged with battery in regards to the airport incident involving Alberto El Patron … but it’s up to the State Attorney’s office to make a final decision.

A rep for the Orlando PD tells us, “OPD detectives have found that probable cause exists to charge Saraya Bevis with Battery (Domestic Violence). Detectives have sent the information to the State Attorney’s Office for review and the SAO will determine whether to file charges in the case.”

As we previously reported, Paige claimed that she was the one being held for battery at the airport — but police had previously stated Alberto El Patron was the only person being investigated.

Despite this update, we’re told the investigation into Alberto is not complete.

Per WWE’s domestic violence policy, if an arrest is eventually made Paige would be suspended. If she’s convicted, her contract would be terminated.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Helicopter Carrying Shane McMahon Makes Crash Landing In Water

helicopter shane mcmahon crash landing

Shane McMahon was riding aboard a helicopter that made a crash landing this afternoon near Long Island … but luckily, the SmackDown Live Commissioner came out of it injury-free.

McMahon told ABC there was a loud bang before the pilot told him they’d be making an emergency landing in the waters off of Gilgo Beach and described it as “very unnerving.”

Adding, “Mario [the pilot] was super calm, which made me calm super calm, and we landed perfectly.”

According to ABC, emergency responders picked them up after the chopper landed in the water on it’s pontoon skids. They were then ferried to shore.

Don’t worry though, this won’t keep Shane from his SD duties … he says he’ll be at Battleground.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE.com issued the following:

A helicopter carrying Shane McMahon made an emergency landing today in the Atlantic Ocean near Gilgo Beach on Long Island, N.Y.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the emergency landing occurred around 10:25 a.m. ET about a half-mile off shore.

The SmackDown LIVE Commissioner spoke with WWE.com after the incident to confirm he and his pilot were fine and escaped injuries from the landing. He explained that he was en route to visiting family on Eastern Long Island when the helicopter troubles started.

“I would like to thank our pilot, Mario, who did a heroic job of landing us safely in the water, the Suffolk County Marine Bureau who were first on the scene, all the lifeguards who came out to assist us and the Fire Island Coast Guard station,” he said.

McMahon reiterated that the WWE Universe shouldn’t worry and that he won’t need to step away from his SmackDown LIVE responsibilities.

“Everyone is safe and sound,” he said. “I look forward to seeing everyone at WWE Battleground in Philadelphia this Sunday.”

 

Johnny Mundo Calls Out Vampiro Over Taya/AAA Situation, Vampiro Responds

Image result for Vampiro, Johnny Mundo, Taya

It was reported on Monday Sexy Star won the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship at last night’s AAA television taping in Monterrey. Former champion Taya Valkyrie was stripped of the title, which she won in a no DQ match back in April, because “she used a choke during her No-DQ match with Ayako Hamada.” Vampiro told the crowd that Taya didn’t show up and was being stripped of the title; she was never scheduled to appear. The only reason they got her tile back was because Johnny Mundo brought it with him for a photo shoot, which was AAA’s way of getting the belt back to strip Taya.

After Taya quit AAA over social media, Vampiro (via WrestleInc) posted the following on Twitter…

Probably shouldn’t do this as I don’t give a f–k, but a mark is a mark, regardless of its gender! It’s called building a story and a angle and the day that talent dictates what happens in any company, then the company is in trouble. There are hundreds of people involved in planning stories ,programming events in advance, and , for me to even waste time addressing this to you, is crazy, as, I have a responsibility to do the best I can with what I have in front of me. Running a company in three continents is extremely complicated. Now , as far as taya is concerned, I chose not to say anything as I have been around long enough to see to many young talents close doors because they lose touch with reality. I support her and I think she is incredible. Her opinions are hers and hers alone. As far as you go, they say you do what I have done, or go through what I have gone through, and can do a better job than me , I will respect you. For now, I apologize , but to me , you’re a person who made me take 5 mins out of my day to answer your text, out of respect for your ignorance. Other than that, have a good day!

Mundo, who is engaged to Taya, then posted the following on Twitter…

Vampiro then took to Facebook (via WrestleInc) and posted the below message, which has now been deleted…

My response to Johnny mundo, taya , and fans in general.
This, is The perfect case of something that can turn into something very bad.

When I took the job of talent relations , producing, and writing….

I knew for a fact that I would have to have thick skin because no matter what you do or how you do it, when you work in the entertainment industry, or any industry for that matter and are in a position of influence, and have responsibilities, no matter what and no matter way, there will always be somebody who will not like you.

I have also learned that if you are a public person there will be more people who hate you then like you, and you will be destroyed in public via social media and every other outlet available , as no matter what, even if you were trying to do the best you can, somebody will be offended.

I get that and it’s all good, I’m OK with it, and I think that’s why I continue to grow as a person because I can understand that sooner or later I will make someone angry.

So I prefer to be honest, and that is I am a human being and they do make mistakes and by no means do I think I’m perfect.
I am only learning to do this job day by day, and I am trying my hardest.

I think that Taya is incredible, and she is a great performer, and has so much more in front of her .

I do think that It was completely irresponsible and how I went about the situation with her and for that I apologize.

As far as Johnny goes, I have nothing but respect for him and I think that he is one of the best pro wrestlers in the world today, and certainly one of the best ever of his generation.

I am just a guy who is trying his hardest to do his job, I do not apologize for who I am, but I do apologize if I have offended anyone and I do make professional mistakes.

In saying that I do not do anything on my own, I always run things by my superiors as that is the way things are supposed to be done, but I do strongly stand by what I am trying to transmit on television .

I am certain that I cannot make everybody happy all the time, and I do realize that I am just a passenger on this journey, and sooner or later I will be out of style and somebody will take my place but in the meantime I’m going to continue to try to do my best, and I am certainly not getting involved in a Twitter fued, work, or no work.

I certainly hope this clears up a few things, they’re a great story lines in great angles coming up, and it’s not my fault if talent is unhappy with me, but I am extending my hand in friendship and asking for forgiveness for whatever I have done wrong, and I would love to have a discussion with anybody who has been offended by me, because I can guarantee you that I did not do it intentionally.

This is the last I will comment on this issue, and I hope it’s sufficient.

Thanks very much and have a great evening.

Source: 411Mania

Lucha Underground Preview 7/19/17

Fade to Black: The Cueto Cup continues; Vampiro gives counsel to Prince Puma on his match; Johnny Mundo introduces his agent to the Worldwide Underground.

* Cage vs. Pindar

* PJ Black vs. Prince Puma

* Son of Havoc vs. Dante Fox