Ronda Rousey Return Update

Source: WrestlingINC

According to a report by Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting, Ronda Rousey’s return to action is growing more and more possible. The former UFC female bantamweight champion has not fought since November when she lost to Holly Holm for the title.

“Nothing is for certain or set in stone yet, but there continues to be increased optimism regarding Ronda Rousey’s return,” Helwani posted on Twitter Wednesday. “The goal has always been to return in (New York) but it’s important to remember Rousey had minor knee surgery two months ago. Still few (months) ago the talk was more if not when. That has shifted November to early 2017 is the talk now, but it’s still very early.”

The UFC has promised Rousey, a former bronze medalist in judo at the Summer Olympics, an immediate title shot vs. the current champion when she does return. That is Amanda Nunes, as the Brazilian submitted Miesha Tate at UFC 200.

Who The Rock’s ‘Fast 8’ Rant Was Directed At

Source: WrestlingINC

It was noted earlier that The Rock called out some of his “Fast and Furious 8” male co-stars about some of their actions during filming. TMZ reports that Rock’s rant was targeted at Vin Diesel and that the two had a secret meeting on the “Fast” set yesterday to squash the beef. Rock and Vin reportedly butted heads during production, in part because Vin is a producer and made decisions that didn’t sit well with Rock. The meeting came today after tensions were so high that it was almost impossible to finish shooting. TMZ adds that a majority of the cast is angry at Rock for causing such a stir before filming ends.

The Rock Lays The Verbal SmackDown On Some Fast And Furious Co-Stars

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

The Rock just put some of his male co-stars in the new Fast and Furious flick on serious blast … but who he’s talking about is still a mystery.

The Great One took to Facebook yesterday to let off some steam about a lack of professionalism on the part of certain cast members saying, “This is my final week of shooting Fast and Furious 8 … My female co-stars are always amazing and I love ’em. My male co-stars however are a different story.”

He added, “Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don’t. The ones that don’t are too chicken shit to do anything about it anyway. Candy asses. When you watch this movie next April and it seems like I’m not acting in some of these scenes and my blood is legit boiling – you’re right.”

Whoever Dwayne is talking about  — it doesn’t matter what your names are — you better watch your ass or The People’s Champion might whoop your candy ass in real life.

Fast 8 is scheduled to be released April 14, 2017.

WWE Universal Title Design Leaked? (Photo)

Source: WrestlingINC

A Reddit user who often posts reliable tidbits on WWE title belts, also known as “Da Belt Guy” on BeltTalk.com, indicated that the new WWE Universal Title will look just like the current WWE Title, but it will be red to represent the RAW brand.

The user, Dvizzle, noted that multiple sources leaked the news to him at the same time.He wrote that it will be the same belt with different wording, and a red background behind the logo. He also indicated that the WWE Title will have a new blue background to match SmackDown.

He was waiting confirmation on this quick render that was worked up based on the description that was leaked to him. It should be noted that this render has not been confirmed as the new look for either title.

SmackDown Live Preview: 8/9/16

Source: WWE.com

Will The New Face of Fear continue to haunt the WWE World Title?

Are tensions heating up between Team Red and Team Blue?

Will the tag team division get turned upside down by Bryan ‘Talking Smack’?

Can Heath Slater defeat Rhyno to earn a place on the SmackDown Live roster?

SmackDown Live’s Women’s division – take two!

Joey Styles Released From WWE

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Pro Wrestling Sheet reports that Joey Styles was recently released from WWE.

No word as to when the release went down exactly, but his last tweet was on July 29th — just days after a Facebook Q&A he participated in that was described as Joey’s shoot interview.

Styles was extremely open during the chat and talked about not liking the name of the Universal Championship, hating the 3-man commentary booth and why Vince loves Roman Reigns.

Unclear if Joey’s honesty had anything to do with his release, but the video has since been pulled from WWE’s YouTube and Facebook pages.

Styles was an announcer in WWE from 2005-2008 and then transitioned into a position for the company’s website.  He was eventually promoted to Vice President of Digital Media Content.

He was also the famous voice of ECW throughout it’s entire run.

RAW Preview: 8/8/16

Source: WWE.com

RAW GM Mick Foley Invites SmackDown Live GM Daniel Bryan To RAW: What does Mick Foley have in store for Daniel Bryan?

What does Sean ‘Puff Daddy’ Combs have in store for Raw?

Will Seth Rollins need to rethink his strategy against Finn Balor?

Is Big E out of action?

Does Kevin Owens truly have Chris Jericho’s back?

Conor McGregor Had Negative Comments Towards The WWE Roster, WWE Stars Respond

Source: WrestlingINC

During a conference call to promote UFC 202, Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor voiced some negative commenatry for the WWE and Brock Lesnar. You can listen to the interview by clicking here.

McGregor was asked with the cross promotion of the UFC and the WWE if he would ever consider going to the squared circle. McGregor responded that he hasn’t really put much thought into it.

McGregor explained, “For the most part, those WWE guys are pussies. They’re messed up pussies if you ask me.”

When asked about Lesnar, McGregor stated, “at the end of the day he’s juiced up to the eyeballs…so how can I respect that?”

In reference to CM Punk, McGregor said, “The other guy, he hasn’t fought yet so I don’t know about him.”

McGregor says he does not have a problem regarding the McMahons, Triple H and The Rock.

 

WWE superstars, both current and former, have been responding to McGregor’s negative comments. You can check out responses from Rusev, Ric Flair, Big E, Sasha Banks, Baron Corbin and many others below:

TNA Knockout Jade Talks Being A Victim Of Domestic Abuse

Source: WrestlingINC

TNA Knockout Jade has been speaking out about domestic abuse. She penned a column on Time.com discussing being a victim of domestic abuse, and noting that she would stay silent because she didn’t want to be known as a victim.

“In order to be a top female wrestler, I needed to be perceived as a strong woman, not a victim,” Jade wrote. “Besides, I was working with World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) NXT program, and my ex and I were both working with TNA Impact Wrestling at the time, so I felt I had to protect both of our careers.”

She said that her boyfriend at the time would choke her, and once kicked her in her injured knee and locked her in a closet, amongst other incidents. She is urging people to join Safe Horizon’s #PutTheNailinIt campaign to end domestic violence. You can get more details about the campaign at PutTheNailInIt.org/.