Backstage News On TNA And Dixie Carter Negotiating With Potential Investors

Source: WrestlingINC

TNA has been in talks with potential partners as they look for a new investor. Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio today that talks with one party are said to be relatively serious.

However, the other party buying in wants a majority interest and Dixie Carter does not want to sell a majority of the company. Meltzer noted that the potential partners are looking for something around 55% of the company.

No word yet on where these talks will go or who the potential partner is but talks are happening.

WWE Announces 2016 Warrior Award Recipient

WWE issued the following today:

Joan Lunden to receive 2016 Warrior Award at 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Induction CeremonyJoan Lunden, an award-winning journalist, best-selling author and breast cancer survivor, has been named the recipient of the second annual Warrior Award, which will be presented at the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, April 2 from American Airlines Center in Dallas, live on WWE Network at 8 ET/5 PT. The announcement was made by WWE Superstar John Cena on NBC’s “TODAY.”

The Warrior Award is given to someone who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance, and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of WWE Hall of Famer The Ultimate Warrior. The award will be presented to Lunden by The Ultimate Warrior’s widow, Dana Warrior. In June 2014, Lunden was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, which required chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Lunden made the decision to take her battle public and has since shared her journey through cancer treatment, becoming a prominent voice in the breast cancer community.

“It is truly humbling to be honored by WWE and receive this year’s Warrior Award at the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony,” Lunden said. “After being diagnosed with cancer, my first thought was to survive, but soon after, I changed my focus from my cancer to the fight against cancer and my life took on a whole new purpose. WWE has welcomed me into their family, offering me warmth and support, as have so many of the WWE fans from around the world. It is a privilege to receive this honor.”

“On behalf of my family, we are proud to present this year’s Warrior Award to Joan Lunden,” said Dana Warrior. “Joan embodies all that this award was meant to capture. She is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the quintessential Warrior woman. It will be an honor to recognize her at this year’s WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.”

“Joan Lunden has been an incredible role model to so many people and it is an honor to recognize her as the second annual Warrior Award recipient,” said Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer. “The will and perseverance she gracefully displayed in her fight against breast cancer is an inspiration to millions of women around the world.”

An eternal optimist, Lunden decided to turn her diagnosis into an opportunity to inspire others in the breast cancer community. Through her website, JoanLunden.com, and her social media channels, Lunden has created an online community dedicated to people living with and surviving from breast cancer. From her consistent journaling throughout her breast cancer treatment, Lunden wrote her most recent book, “Had I Known: A Memoir of Survival,” which documents her battle with cancer and provides a reflective look back at her life and career. Lunden continues to be an advocate for those diagnosed with the disease, making trips to Capitol Hill, and as a special correspondent for “TODAY’s” Pink Power series.

Last year, the Warrior Award was presented for the first time ever to Connor Michalek, a Pittsburgh native and passionate WWE fan who passed away from cancer. In his honor, Connor’s Cure was created as a fund within Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation to support pediatric brain and spinal cord cancer research. To date, Connor’s Cure has raised $1 million and assisted more than 100 families around the world.

The 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony airs live on the eve of WrestleMania, Saturday, April 2, at 8 ET/5 PT, only on WWE Network.

Update On Luke Harper’s Injury

Source: WrestlingINC

Luke Harper was pulled from this weekend’s WWE live events after suffering a knee injury in last Monday’s post-RAW dark main event in Philadelphia.

While WWE has not confirmed the injury, word going around backstage at last night’s live event from at Madison Square Garden is that Harper’s knee injury is worse than originally believed, according to PWInsider. Harper is now expected to be out of action for 5 to 6 months, which could put him back in time for SummerSlam.

Will Ronda Rousey Be At WrestleMania 32?

Is it possible that Ronda Rousey along with her 4 Horsewomen of MMA friends be at WrestleMania 32?

As noted earlier, 4 Horsewomen of MMA member Shayna Baszler will be appearing at the Shimmer 80 event on Saturday, April 2nd in Dallas, Texas the night before WrestleMania 32. And usually where we see Shayna we see other 4 Horsewomen of MMA member Jessamyn Duke and sometimes 4 Horsewomen of MMA member Marina Shafir. As we all know the 4 Horsewomen of MMA was at WrestleMania last year and we all know what happened with Rousey & The Rock and Triple H & Stephanie McMahon.

With The Rock set to appear at WrestleMania 32 in Dallas and with him teasing a Mania shocker, and the fact that Stephanie has been training, and Rousey’s plans being pushed back and with Baszler in Dallas during WrestleMania week with the possibility of Duke & Shafir also being in town, sparks speculation that Rousey just may show up at WrestleMania 32 for another Mania moment with The Rock involving Stephanie McMahon.

The idea of Rousey finally being able to get her hands on Stephanie a year later at WrestleMania is awesome, but we will just have to wait and hope that he happens.

Thanks to fellow Wrestling News Blog writer Vanessa with provided me with information for this post.

SmackDown Preview: 3/24/16

Source: WWE.com

Brock Lesnar and Dean Ambrose’s paths collide in Boston.

Will Sasha Banks make a statement in her match against Charlotte?

Kevin Owens & The Miz VS Sami Zaun & Dolph Ziggler

Kofi Kingston VS Sheamus

Will Roman Reigns pave a path of destruction through SmackDown?

The New Day To Induct The Fabulous Freebirds Into WWE Hall Of Fame

Source: WWE.com

WWE issued the following:

The Fabulous Freebirds revolutionized tag team wrestling in their heyday, and now, one of the biggest beneficiaries of their innovations will induct them into the WWE Hall of Fame. Before a sold-out American Airlines Center and a worldwide audience watching on WWE Network, reigning WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day will present Michael “P.S.” Hayes, Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts and Jimmy Garvin  as members of the Hall’s Class of 2016.

“You talk about smooth tag team wrestling and people that wrestled like a family, the Freebirds were one of the first wrestling families that were able to take over,” Kofi Kingston told WWE.com.

Full WWE Hall of Fame coverage

The tie that binds these two factions is the “Freebird Rule” Hayes and his crew created, allowing any two members of their team to participate in a match or defend their titles. Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods have used the Freebird Rule to their advantage, using it to hang on to the WWE Tag Team Titles during their two reigns as champions.

“The Freebird Rule has helped The New Day in many ways,” Xavier Woods said. “It allows us to create a different kind of strategy against our opponents that no other team has. You don’t know if you’re going up against Kofi and Big E, Kofi and myself, or Big E and myself.  We have different strategies for different opponents. You never know what you’re going to get, like a box of Booty-Os.”

And just how does the always entertaining trio plan on honoring the Freebirds? WWE.com tried to get Kingston, Woods and Big E to offer a hint, but The New Day would not budge.

“Oh, you want our secrets, huh? You want us to open our box of secrets?” Big E replied. “No, sir! You have to wait and see!”

How will The New Day pay homage to one of sports-entertainment’s most influential factions? Find out when the WWE Tag Team Champions induct The Fabulous Freebirds into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 2, live at 8 ET/5 PT, only on WWE Network!

Randy Orton Returning To WWE TV Next Month?

Source: WrestlingINC

For what it’s worth, FOX Sports Radio 1340 in the Washington, DC area posted this tweet that says Randy Orton will be back on WWE TV in April.

Back in January Orton denied reports that he might need neck surgery as he was still recovering from shoulder surgery he had in late 2015. The latest we heard on his return was that he was not a lock for WrestleMania 32 but they expected him back any time between mid-March and May.

Shayna Baszler to appear on shimmer 

 Shayna Baszler’s journey to conquer the world of professional wrestling continues as she heads to the all women wrestling promotion known as Shimmer.

In a tweet sent out earlier today which you can see here:

Baszler Said:

 And the entire @SHIMMERwomen roster just got put on notice.

Baszler made her professional wrestling in ring debut in September and since then has took on the likes of Nicole Matthews, cheerleader Mellisa and has wrestled for promotions such as Stardom USA, ECCW, quintessential pro, Midwest all Pro and even made an appearance in ROH


It’ll be interesting to see what the Queen of Spades has in store for Shimmer. We’re sure whatever it is though it’s going to be good.

AJ Styles Deals With Bomb Scare At Airport

Source: WrestlingINC

AJ Styles was apparently at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta this morning, which had the north and south terminals evacuated after a suspicious package was found. According to AJC.com, an unattended bag in the south terminal had a “positive hit” from the K9 explosives team, although the bag was later cleared. Officials have not commented on the contents of the bag. Rumors of an active shooter at the airport proved to be false.

The terminals have re-opened, although the incident remains under investigation.

Styles posted these tweets today:

Theme Music Announced For NXT TakeOver: Dallas

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H announced today that WWE NXT “Takeover: Dallas” will feature music from Halestorm, Yelawolf and Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes. Yelawolf’s “Fiddle Me This” single is the official theme song.