Source: WrestlingINC
Former WWE NXT Superstars Sylvester Lefort and Marcus Louis have reportedly signed with TNA, according to PWInsider. They are set to debut on Impact Wrestling in the next several weeks but did not appear in front of the crowd at last week’s tapings.
The former NXT tag team partners were released back in February.
TNA’s Bob Ryder noted on Twitter that the company signed 5 new talents last week. PWInsider has confirmed that one of those talents is Laura “Cherry Bomb” Dennis.
The Al Snow Wrestling Academy announced that they have partnered with TNA to bring the Impact brand to the UK and Europe. The Al Snow Academy issued the following:
The Al Snow Wresting Academy is proud to announce our partnership with TNA Impact Wrestling.
Bringing the Impact brand to the UK and Europe and further establishing together a commitment to finding, nurturing and showcasing the best talent in the UK, Europe and worldwide.
This amazing partnership which will take the Academy, its students and Impact Wrestling to even greater heights.
Academy tryouts are on 9th April at our new 6000sq ft facility in London.
The following is scheduled for tonight’s 3/23 Lucha Underground on El Rey:
Aztec Warfare Match for the Lucha Underground Title featuring champion Fenix, Mil Muertes, Drago, Rey Mysterio Jr., Matanza Cueto, Pentagon Jr., Prince Puma and more.
The following is scheduled for tonight’s 3/23 WWE NXT on the WWE Network:
Asuka vs. Emma
NXT Champion Finn Balor vs. Rich Swann
Alexa Bliss vs. Sarah Dobson
Elias Samson vs. Johnny Gargano
Bull Dempsey vs. Danny Birch
The following is scheduled for tonight’s 3/23 ROH TV on Comet:
The Young Bucks vs. Michael Elgin & Hiroshi Tanahashi
The Briscoes vs. Reno SCUM
ROH TV Title: Tomohiro Ishii (c) vs. Cedric Alexander w/Veda Scott
Source: WrestlingNews.co
On leaving TNA:
I did this on purpose. I needed a break. I’ve been under contract for the past 17 years and didn’t have much time to spend with my family. I just wanted to do my own thing for a year. I finished up my contract with TNA, I was really happy with my career there, very happy with my career in WWE. I really don’t have much else to prove, I’m not going to be retiring though. I will be coming back to wrestling eventually. I’ve been signing contracts mainly because of the money. Thank god, the money has always been good for me. WWE and TNA, they’ve both treated really well but I just got to the point where I wanted to do my own thing for a little while. I didn’t want to be obligated to going anywhere, I wanted to do my own thing and see how that goes, see where it takes me. I also wanted to start working on my acting career, I signed with an agency, APA in Hollywood. I’ve been doing some reads, just doing my own thing. I like it, it’s good to be off and not have to worry about showing up somewhere every week.
On a possible WWE return:
We’ll see what happens. I haven’t talked to TNA or WWE about doing anything in the future. I want to take this whole year off but I will start talking negotiations in the fall. We’ll see what happens but yes, it does feel good. I heard about Pittsburgh, I didn’t really watch but I heard they were chanting we want Angle. I saw a lot of tweets going out there, I do believe I started trending that night. I’m sure that was quite a surprise to WWE. I know that the fans wants me back, I understand. I had a great career there, it’s where I started and obviously a lot of people want me to finish there.
You can listen to the entire interview at Live Audio Wrestling
As of Tuesday evening the state of New York has become the 50th state to make mixed martial arts events legal.
The final vote between New York lawmakers was 113 to 25. Now the bill heads to the desk of Governor Andrew Cuomo, who included MMA revenue in an executive budget proposal earlier this year and is widely expected it sign it into the law
Bill NoA02604 “establishes protocols for combative sports; authorizes mixed martial arts events in this state; establishes procedures for applications for licenses; establishes penalties for violations; imposes taxes on gross receipts of such events.”
This is great news for fighters and fans alike. The possibilities are now endless and we’re sure to be getting some history making moments in the future
WWE issued the following:
USA NETWORK TO PREMIERE LIVE WRESTLEMANIA KICKOFF SHOW ON SUNDAY, APRIL 3
Special SMACKDOWN with Live Segments from AT&T Stadium to Air Thursday, March 31 and WWE HALL OF FAME Special to Premiere Thursday, April 7
NEW YORK – March 18, 2016 – For the first time ever, USA Network, the exclusive cable home to WWE’s marquee properties, announces expanded access to WRESTLEMANIA, WWE’s biggest event of the year. Between March 31 and April 7, the network will feature multiple events, including a live, one-hour broadcast of the official WRESTLEMANIA KICKOFF SHOW, a special SMACKDOWN episode with live segments, the one-hour WWE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY, and a movie marathon celebrating Dwayne “The Rock®” Johnson.
On Thursday, March 31 from 8-10PM ET/PT, SMACKDOWN will feature live segments from AT&T Stadium just days before WRESTLEMANIA 32.
On Sunday, April 3, USA’s live hour of the WRESTLEMANIA KICKOFF SHOW will start at 6PM ET/3PM PT and include the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, featuring 20 WWE Superstars. WRESTLEMANIA 32 will broadcast live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. And leading in and out of the live kickoff show, USA Network will celebrate with a movie marathon featuring WWE homegrown star Dwayne “The Rock®” Johnson, with films including The Rundown, Faster, Fast Five and GI Joe Retaliation.
The night after, on Monday, April 4, an all-new WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW will feature the fallout from the action of WRESTLEMANIA 32.
Then on Thursday, April 7 at 10PM ET/PT, immediately following SMACKDOWN, USA will broadcast the one-hour 2016 WWE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY special. WWE Legends including Sting, Big Boss Man and The Fabulous Freebirds will be immortalized for their accomplishments and contributions to sports entertainment in this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class.
In 2016, USA Network became the exclusive cable home to WWE’s marquee properties, offering fans the live WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW for three hours every week (8-11PM ET/PT) and SMACKDOWN on Thursdays from 8-10PM ET/PT. In 2016 to date, MONDAY NIGHT RAW is averaging 4.09MM total viewers, 1.91MM P25-54 and 1.87MM P18-49 L7 and SMACKDOWN on USA is averaging 2.82MM P2+, 1.23MM P25-54, and 1.15MM P18-49+ L7, making USA the #1 cable entertainment network across the key demos on Monday and Thursday nights. In 2015, the two programs reached 50MM viewers.
Source: WWE.com
Since his shocking first appearance at Survivor Series 2014, Sting’s time with WWE has been as turbulent as it’s been triumphant. From his WrestleMania thriller with Triple H, to his unfortunate injury against Seth Rollins at Night of Champions 2015, Sting has truly run the gamut during his 16-month run with WWE. Now, with just a few weeks before he becomes forever immortalized in the WWE Hall of Fame, and with rumors swirling about his in-ring future, The Icon sits down with WWE.com to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future.
WWE.COM: During interviews you have given in recent months you revealed that surgery was on the table as a potential option in the wake of the spinal injuries you sustained during your Night of Champions 2015 match with Seth Rollins. Did you ultimately have surgery?
STING: I actually did not have surgery. Two neurologists [Dr. Joseph Maroon and one in Houston] were saying the same thing. The side effects you’re supposed to have, I’m not really having any. I’m feeling good [and] completely normal.
WWE.COM: With that in mind, it had been reported that you were diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Is that diagnosis now inaccurate?
STING: I am not saying that is inaccurate. I’m agreeing there probably is spinal stenosis or cervical spinal stenosis. I have had certain doctors tell me, “You know, so many athletes of all ages, they’ve got this. They deal with it to some degree or another.” I had one doctor here tell me, “You’re fine, you’re okay — you don’t have anything to worry about.” And then wrestlers say, “I’d see this doctor.” “No, I’d see this one over there.” I’m telling you, it’s just craziness. So I’m thinking, as long as I’m feeling good, why am I going to do anything? And the one thing everyone has said is don’t go under the knife unless you absolutely have to.
WWE.COM: Had you not had this injury setback last September, do you think we would have you seen performing at WrestleMania this year? Or, is that just too tough a question to answer because of all the variables?
STING: Oh no, it’s an easy one to answer: Yes. If I had my way, yes, of course. I would have loved to have done one more WrestleMania and I would have called it quits at that point. The Undertaker match — that’s what I wanted to do.
WWE.COM: Had there been any early discussions prior to the injury of what your role could be at WrestleMania 32? Or, was it just something that you had in your mind?
STING: Yes, it was in my mind, of course, but everyone knew that I definitely wanted to have that one match. And, of course, WrestleMania would have been the place to do it. But, I got hurt and the rest is
In the video below from a dark match at last night’s RAW, you can see Luke Harper injury his right knee at the 0.05 mark. Harper is in the corner punching away at Reigns when his right knee appeared to blow out. Bray Wyatt tagged into the match while Harper rolled to the outside. At the 2:50 mark, Harper is helped to the back by Wyatt and Strowman.
In the same video you can see at the 1.20 mark, Braun Strowman was attacked by a fan and Strowman alerted officials about it.
