Adam Cole On What It Means To Join The Bullet Club, Adam Page Joining The Group, NJPW, More

Source: WrestlingINC

ROH Wrestler Adam Cole called into Busted Open with Doug Mortman and Larry Dallas to discuss his recent joining of The Bullet Club and what lies ahead. You can download and listen to the full interview by clicking here, they sent us these highlights:

What it means to join the Bullet Club:

“I think it pretty much goes without saying that the Bullet Club has been the most influential wrestling faction in years. You see the influence, obviously, in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Now, more than ever, in Ring of Honor. Even as far as to say the WWE, with The Club and all the former members being in the WWE. It’s crazy. A lot of people are talking about the Bullet Club and I’m really happy to be a part of that group.”

Whether he will be a Heavyweight or Junior Heavyweight in NJPW:

“Actually, I think as of now, as far as I know, I’m going to be a heavyweight because the perception is the character that I’ve created here in Ring of Honor, being a main-eventer there – I think New Japan envisions the same thing for me. So I think that will be the case for me. Only time will tell. I think I’m scheduled to go over to New Japan in late summer this year. I’m really, really stoked about it. Being a part of New Japan Pro Wrestling has been a big goal of mine ever since the formation of Ring of Honor and New Japan being together. I got the chance to go over one time before. Then, injury really kind of derailed that for me. Now being a part of, once again, the hottest faction in pro wrestling, some really cool stuff should happen for me over in New Japan and I’m really excited about it.”

Sharing the leadership role with Kenny Omega:

“I’m a huge, huge Kenny Omega fan. Me and him really enjoy each other. I like being around Kenny. I’ve wrestled Kenny before. Kenny has worked so hard to create the status that he has in Japan so if it comes across as me leading the charge in the US and him leading the charge in Japan, that’s totally fine. The Bullet Club has actually been built on exactly that – being a foundation that gets along, sees things on the same page. So as far as focusing on who the leader is, man, I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

Adam Page becoming the newest member of the Bullet Club:

“I think Adam Page is a young guy with a lot of talent who’s been waiting for someone to kind of throw him the ball and this is the ball. He’s being given a huge opportunity in joining the Bullet Club and I think he’s completely capable of filling this role. He’s so talented, he’s still so young, and, for a lot of guys who are young with a lot of talent, the thing that takes them over the edge is being given that real opportunity in that high-pressure situation. And this is a high-pressure situation for him. So as far as wondering if he will sink or swim, which I’m sure a lot of people have thought, I have full confidence that he will succeed and that he’ll do really well and I think he’s a great addition to the Club.”

You can find more from news articles at BustedOpenNation.com and tune into Busted Open Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 2-4pm ET on SiriusXM Rush 93 and on the SiriusXM App on your smartphone.

WWE Announces Injury To Kalisto, Update On U.S. Championship Match At Extreme Rules

WWE announced the following:

Kalisto will not appear on SmackDown due to injuryDue to injuries sustained at the hands of Rusev on Raw, United States Champion Kalisto is unable to compete on this week’s SmackDown, WWE.com has learned.

WWE medical staff confirmed that Kalisto suffered a strained intercostal muscle and erectus spinae muscle, attributed to Rusev’s Accolade submission maneuver.

Despite his injuries, Kalisto is still planning on defending his U.S. Title against The Super Athlete this Sunday at Extreme Rules.

Lucha Underground Preview: 5/18/16

Tonight on Lucha Underground on the El Rey Network:

Seven luchadors push each other to the edge for the “Gift of the Gods: Championship.

Pentagon Jr. continues his dark journey with the Master.

Cage wants to take back what was once stolen from him.

 

 

Lucha Underground’s Sexy Star Embodies Women’s Revolution in Wrestling

Source: Forbes.com – Donald Wood

During the May 4 episode of Lucha Underground, the El Rey Network’s flagship show was the home to a match of the year contender when Sexy Star took on Mariposa in a ‘No Mas’ bout.

Sexy Star won the lucha version of an ‘I Quit’ match, but the moment was about so much more than a simple victory. During the course of the brutal battle, Sexy Star cemented her spot as one of the top stars in Lucha Underground and the embodiment of a true women’s wrestling revolution.

The Lucha Underground brand is looking to continue its growth, and one of the cornerstones which the company appears to be building around is Sexy Star. Wrestlers like Mil Muertes, Rey Mysterio, Prince Puma and others also have the potential to be marketable faces for Lucha Underground, but Sexy Star has the ability to transcend wrestling and become one of the most mainstream marketable wrestlers on the roster.

 “The prize for my arduous sacrifice and passion is that Lucha Underground as a company and organization believes in me,” Sexy Star said. “I feel extremely proud of that because it also means they believe in women’s wrestling, and I will never fail them in that aspect. Contrary to men, when a woman decides to never fail, she does not disappoint. Lucha Underground believes in the power of women, in a power that goes well beyond physical beauty and that makes me feel even prouder to be considered as central character and top talent within the company.”

As arguably the strongest female character in the wrestling business today, Sexy Star is a marketing goldmine for Lucha Underground. With a recognizable mask which could become a stable of her character just as it has for Mysterio, a catchy name that stays true to her lucha background and a genuine appeal to men, women and children, Sexy Star has the potential to be a top merchandise seller and one of the few wrestlers outside WWE who can transcend wrestling into mainstream media.

While it would be easy for Sexy Star to rest on her laurels now that she has become one of the elite talents in Lucha Underground, her match against Mariposa proved she is one of the most gifted performers in the company. Sexy Star is a proficient wrestler, but it is her ability to tell a convincing story in the ring and get the fans emotionally invested that separates her from other performers.

Check out this incredible Sexy Star vs. Mariposa – No Mas Match:

 

Rey Mysterio Chats Live With HuffPost Entertainment About Lucha Underground

Source: HuffPost Entertainment

Rey Mysterio chats with HuffPost’s Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani about the wrestling franchise Lucha Underground.

ROH COO On WWE Not Changing Wrestlers’ Names

Source: WrestlingINC

Phil Strum recently interviewed ROH COO Joe Koff for The Poughkeepsie Journal, who was promoting last Saturday’s ROH show in Manhattan. During the interview, Koff discussed ROH talent signing with WWE and some talent not changing their names.

“There’s always going to be people going to other promotions and it’s not something we are concerned about,” Koff said. “They had a No. 1 contenders match on Monday Night Raw and three of the four people in the match were ex-ROH guys (A.J. Styles, Kevin Owens and Cesaro). Of the three, two had their names changed.”

“WWE has created an incredible brand and merchandising opportunities. This is a new era. It speaks to the fact that when wrestling was a TV promotion, you were in total command and control of every aspect of the business. If you’re a fan of a guy like A.J. Styles, you know that he came to WWE from New Japan and WWE can’t act surprised that every fan is chanting his name. You’re starting to see a little bit more that they’re not changing the name anymore, that’s starting to go away. You have to be genuine. Fans are not stupid about these things. The essence used to be buyer beware, but now it’s seller beware. Fans are so knowledgable. The guy’s name is worth something. They really are smart fans and that’s not just a term.”

Koff also discussed the relationship between ROH and New Japan, the growth of ROH, WWE being the pinnacle of the business, ROH being on syndicated cable and more. You can read the full interview by clicking here.

TNA Impact Wrestling Preview: 5/17/16

The following is scheduled for tonight’s 5/17 TNA IMPACT Wrestling on POP TV:

TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Drew Galloway (c) vs. Lashley

Last Man Standing: EC3 vs. Tyrus

Sienna vs. Velvet Sky

New Eli Drake “Facts of Life” w/Bram

Jeff Hardy seeks out the identity of the fake “Willow”

Drax Shadow – WWE Gifts 9 Year-Old Cancer Patient With Personalized Action Figure

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

“Drax Shadow” just received a one-of-a-kind gift from the WWE … the 9 year-old cancer patient was delivered a custom action figure based on his now-famous wrestling persona.

Elijah Mainville, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at a young age, was seen smiling from ear to ear Monday night while his mom snapped a pic of the wrestling fanatic clutching his new toy — which she says was ACTUALLY made by Mattel.

Shadow’s mom also says the toy was personally sent by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.

The back of the box even lists stats for Drax Shadow, just like a real figure, but the company was apparently unaware that the character’s finisher already has a name.

Emma Injury Update, Will Need Surgery

WWE announced that Emma will require surgery on a ruptured disc she sustained in a live event match on Sunday evening.

Here is WWE’s announcement:

Emma has a ruptured disc that will require her to have surgery,” explained WWE ringside physician Dr. Chris Robinson. “She came to us in a great deal of pain, which seemed to be increasing. She was then given an M.R.I., which revealed that further action would need to be taken. Unfortunately, the Superstar’s estimated recovery time cannot be determined until after her procedure is complete.