“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?

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

Rick Rude Announced For WWE Hall Of Fame Class Of 2017

Image result for rick rude wwe hall of fame

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.

Lita Returns To The Ring (Video)

Image result for Lita returns to the ring at MCW show

WWE Hall of Famer Lita returned to in-ring action at Friday night’s MCW event. She teamed with The Bruiser and The Hell Cats to defeat Andy Vineberg, MCW Champion Sean Studd, Rayo & Jeremiah in an eight-person tag team match. Zalaphoto Wrestling Photography posted the video of the match, which includes Lita addressing the crowd at the start of the show.

Source: WrestlingINC

Spike TV Reportedly Not Bringing Back Impact Wrestling

Brian Fritz of The Sporting News reports that Spike TV, which is being rebranded as The Paramount Network in early 2018, is not bringing Impact Wrestling back to the Network despite Impact Wrestling recently securing a U.K. television deal with Spike U.K. This follows a report from Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet that stated that Spike Senior Vice President and Executive Producer Scott Fishman met with Jeff Jarrett before Sunday’s Impact Wrestling taping “about various topics, including a U.S. return.”

Fritz (@BrianFritz) tweeted this statement from Spike:

Spike statement: Spike TV officials confirm that Scott Fishman was there for personal reasons — and is not negotiating any deals. That statement from @Spike was issued by David Schwarz, Vice President of CommunicationsJason Powell of @prowrestlingnet has reported for months that Fishman has been backstage at various @IMPACTWRESTLING tapings. However, each time he was there visiting friends and not working on any business deals. Fishman lives in the Central Florida area. Of course, @IMPACTWRESTLING tapes their shows at Universal Studios, also in central FL so it’s not far from where Fishman lives. Fishman has plenty of friends with @IMPACTWRESTLING considering that the promotion aired on @spike for over nine years.

So, despite making a deal with Spike in the UK, they are not negotiating a return in the US. Impact’s current television deal with @PopTV expires late in 2017.

Satin replied to Fritz on Twitter and noted that his report never stated that there were negotiations, and that a return to Spike for Impact Wrestling was discussed.

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE Hype For Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg At WrestleMania 33

Image result for Goldberg vs Lesnar At WrestleMania 33 For the WWE Universal Title

Brock Lesnar vs. Bill Goldberg at WrestleMania 33 for the WWE Universal Title is now official after Goldberg defeated Kevin Owens for the gold at WWE Fastlane last night.

Below is WWE’s official preview for the match:

As if the long-awaited mega rematch between Goldberg and Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 33 wasn’t already big enough, the stakes have been heightened following Goldberg’s triumph at WWE Fastlane.Now, The Beast Incarnate is out for not only redemption on Sunday, April 2, but also Goldberg’s newly won Universal Championship.

Despite his world-beater bona fides, The Conqueror has never defeated his decorated opponent. Indeed, Goldberg has had Lesnar’s number since the first time they locked horns, at WrestleMania XX. After more than a decade away from WWE, Goldberg returned last fall and destroyed Lesnar in shocking fashion at Survivor Series, thrashing The Conqueror in one minute and 26 seconds.

Lesnar’s advocate, Paul Heyman, chalked up the loss to The Beast taking Goldberg too lightly and nothing more. Yet at Royal Rumble, Goldberg enjoyed the upper hand again, eliminating Lesnar from the event’s eponymous 30-Superstar brawl.

No one else has thrived against Lesnar the way Goldberg has. Lesnar, a four-time WWE Champion, has carved out a career of destruction. Among his many accomplishments since returning to WWE in 2012, Lesnar ended The Undertaker’s once unbreakable WrestleMania Streak, demolished John Cena and bludgeoned Randy Orton to the point of referee stoppage.

Goldberg, however, has proven to be an unbeatable foe, so far.

Will Lesnar’s luck change when he battles Goldberg for Raw’s top championship, at WWE’s biggest event of the year, no less? Or can Goldberg further cement his incredible legacy, putting an exclamation point on his career with another victory against The Beast?

Find out which iconic behemoth comes out on top when Universal Champion Goldberg meets Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 33 on Sunday, April 2, live on the award-winning WWE Network.

Source: WrestlingINC