WWE Hall Of Famer George ‘The Animal’ Steele Passes Away At 79

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WWE Hall of Famer George “The Animal” Steele has passed away at the age of 79.

Wrestling agent Eric Simms noted on Facebook on Thursday that Steele had entered hospice care and that it wasn’t looking good for him. WWE Hall of Famer Bob Backlund also noted on Facebook earlier this week that Steele was not at home when he called, and that Steele’s wife informed Backlund that he may not be coming back home this time, indicating that he was under hospice care. Steele reportedly passed away last night.

WWE issued the following statement on his passing:

George “The Animal” Steele passes awayWWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer William James Myers, known to fans as George “The Animal” Steele, has passed away at the age of 79.

Steele was one of the wildest and most unpredictable Superstars in sports-entertainment history. Yet, despite his green tongue, hairy torso and insatiable appetite for turnbuckle pads, “The Animal” was a very well-educated man. Prior to breaking into sports-entertainment, Steele received his Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University and became a high school teacher and wrestling coach in the Detroit area.

It was during his teaching stint that he began moonlighting in sports-entertainment, working in the Detroit-area promotions. Steele’s first WWE appearances took place in 1967, when he began a heated rivalry with WWE Champion Bruno Sammartino. For nearly 20 years, Steele was a reviled villain, managed by the likes of fellow WWE Hall of Famers The Grand Wizard, “Classy” Freddie Blassie, Capt. Lou Albano and Mr. Fuji. His classic main events against Sammartino, Pedro Morales and Bob Backlund saw him come close to winning the WWE Championship on many occasions.

In 1985, however, Steele was embraced by the WWE Universe and changed the course of his career. After The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff abandoned him during a match, Steele fell back under the tutelage of the then-beloved Albano. His transformation was remarkable, as one of the most hated men in the sport became one of its most loveable figures. Long after his in-ring retirement and WWE Hall of Fame induction, George “The Animal” Steele’s name still evoked terror for one generation of WWE fans and warm smiles for another.

WWE extends its condolences to Steele’s family, friends and fans.

Source: WrestlingINC

Wrestlers and Jim Ross commented on his passing:

 

‘Fighting With My Family’ Filming Planned For Staples Center In Los Angeles

Filming for Fighting With My Family — the movie about Paige — will take place next week at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Multiple sources say a big moment from Paige’s career will be filmed in front of the live audience, which means we’ll more than likely get our first look at Florence Pugh as the WWE Superstar.

Tessa Blanchard and Thea Trinidad have been hired to work on the movie and Lena Headey — aka Cersei Lannister has been cast in the role of her mom, Saraya Knight.

We’re told production started this week and Dave Taylor has been the on-set wrestling coordinator.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Brock Lensar Retires From UFC Competition

Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar has informed the mixed martial arts promotion that he is retired from competition.

The UFC confirmed the 39-year old Lesnar’s decision Wednesday.

Lesnar returned from a 4 and a half year MMA absence last July to beat Mark hunt at UFC 200, but the results was overturned after Lesnar failed two doping tests. He was subsequently suspended from competition for a year by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which administers the UFC’s doping policy.

Lesnar’s decision to retire means he has been removed from USADA’s drug-testing pool, which monitors the fighters year-round.

If he decides to return to competition, he would have to serve the remaining five months of his suspension.

Impact Wrestling Preview 2/16/17

The following is scheduled for tonight’s 2/16 Impact:

Eddie Edwards wants redemption. He wants a fight. He wants revenge on Davey Richards. After the shocking events that happened last week.

Fact of Life with host Tyrus! His special guest on the show, Fact of Life creator and usual host, Eli Drake. After turning his back on Tyrus last week, it will be interesting to see how these men interact and who’s temper flares up first.

A blast from Lashley’s Past

Brandi Rhodes & Moose vs Rosemary & Crazzy Steve

The Broken Hardy’s attempt to capture tag team gold in Tijuana, Mexico

Laurel Van Ness’ bachelorette party and Braxton Sutter’s bachelor party

 

Jeff Jarrett & Anthem Officials In The UK

Jeff Jarrett and officials from Anthem Entertainment are in the UK this week for business meetings related to the Impact Wrestling product. Jarrett indicated on Twitter that he was also going for Global Force Wrestling (GFW) business.

Source: WrestlingINC

Update On WWE Contacting Women’s Wrestlers For WrestleMania 33

Kelly Kelly is one of the former women’s wrestlers that WWE has contacted about a WrestleMania 33 appearance. Kelly was backstage visiting at Monday’s RAW and noted that she will be appearing for Axxess appearances in Orlando. She also expressed interest in having another run with the company.

No word yet on what WWE has planned for the women at WrestleMania 33 but it appears Lisa Marie Varon (Victoria) was also contacted. The plan for the RAW women’s division is for the RAW Women’s Title, currently held by Bayley, to be defended in a Fatal 4 Way with Nia Jax, Sasha Banks and former champion Charlotte Flair.

Source: WrestlingINC

Kurt Angle Reportedly Wrestling For WWE

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that there are plans for Kurt Angle to do at least some wrestling for WWE in the near future. The 2017 WWE Hall of Famer will be inducted during WrestleMania 33 weekend but there’s no word yet on if he will get into the ring that weekend. The Observer notes that Angle still has to pass a physical and would likely be used on a very limited basis.

Angle recently spoke with Forbes and commented on possibly wrestling for WWE:

“I wouldn’t be surprised if I do a few more matches somewhere down the line, but they haven’t talked about it so it’s not official. This Hall of Fame thing is just the beginning, so let’s see how it goes and we’ll go from there.”

Source: WrestlingINC

Paige And Alberto Del Rio Getting Married Soon

Paige and Alberto Del Rio are scheduled to be married in May, schedule permitting, according to The Observer. No word yet on if this will be filmed for WWE’s Total Divas. Paige proposed to Del Rio in the ring at an indie event in Puerto Rico last October but later received a ring from him in January of this year.

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE Releasing ‘The Official WWE Book Of Rules (And How To Break Them)’

WWE sent WrestlingINC.com the following:

WWE and Topix Media announce The Official WWE Book of RulesNew York, NY – February 15, 2017 – For the first time ever, WWE is publishing The Official WWE Book of Rules (And How to Break Them). Learn how the biggest WWE Superstars of today such as John Cena, Roman Reigns and The New Day are following in the footsteps of legends like The Undertaker and WWE Hall of Famers Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels to reshape the rules of sports-entertainment.

Full of WWE secrets and entertaining narrations including:
* Commentary and rule revisions from WWE Superstars and Hall of Fame-worthy referees
* More than 200 pages of rules, drawings and diagrams
* Foreword by SmackDown! Live General Manager Daniel Bryan
* And much more!

The Official WWE Book of Rules reveals not only the rules of the ring but also the do’s and dont’s of every aspect of WWE Superstardom. Published for the first time, these regulations range from the conventional and competition-based to the eccentric and Superstar-specific. It’s the ultimate companion for any member of the WWE Universe who believes rules were made to be broken.

The Official WWE Book of Rules: (And How to Break Them) will be released on February 28, 2017, and can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and wherever books are sold.

You can check out the cover for the book below: