NJPW Stripped Shinsuke Nakamura Of IWGP Intercontinental Championship

Source: WrestlingINC

If you were expecting Shinsuke Nakamura to hang around and drop the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, you can give up on that idea. New Japan Pro Wrestling has stripped Nakamura of the championship, although he’ll appear on a few shows to finish out his deal.

New Japan Pro Wrestling posted an article early Tuesday announcing the move. Many expected Nakamura to finish out the month in New Japan in order to lose the title, likely to new Bullet Club leader Kenny Omega.

Omega and Nakamura started a storyline at New Year Dash where Omega pinned the dominant IWGP Intercontinental Champion. After the match, Omega hit fellow Bullet Club member AJ Styles with his finish, kicking him out of the group. Omega then challenged Nakamura to a title match. The article stated that Kenny Omega would be taking on an undetermined opponent for the championship.

Both Nakamura and Styles have been involved in rumors that they’re heading to WWE. Styles finished up with the company at New Year Dash, with Nakamura stating that he’d be leaving after January. Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows are both rumored to be leaving for WWE as well.

Nakamura’s final show is expected to be January 30 at Korakuen Hall.

Sting To Be Inducted Into The 2016 Hall of Fame

In announcement via WWE.com the first inductee of the 2016 Hall of Fame was named and it’s none other than the icon STING!

“We are truly honored to have Sting take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame,” said WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative, Paul Levesque. “His contributions to our industry are unprecedented, and we look forward to celebrating his incredible career with fans all over the world.”

The 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place on Saturday, April 2, the night before WrestleMania 32, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas at 6:30 p.m. local time. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Jan. 15, at 10 a.m. ET/9 a.m. CT.

 

Sting commented on his WWE HOF induction”

AJ Styles WWE Debut plans, Gallows & Anderson Update

Dave Meltzer reported in the latest issue of The Wrestling Observer that WWE was originally looking to debut AJ Styles in the Royal Rumble Match as a surprise, however he noted that plans might change now that it’s public that he’s WWE bound.

Doc Gallows noted on Twitter that he will be on the NJPW tour in February. He will team up with Karl Anderson to face Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma. Both of their contract expire at the end of the month, so that may be their last appearance for NJPW before heading to WWE.

Source: WrestlingINC.com

McGregor & Holm Booked In Title Fights For UFC 197

Bleacher Report is reporting that UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor got his wish and will be fighting UFC Lightweight Champion Rafeal dos Anjos in a huge champion VS champion fight at UFC 197 on March 5 in Las Vegas. McGregor stated that he wanted to become a two-division champion and actively defend both championships.

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm will defend her title at UFC 197 against Miesha Tate. Ronda Rousey will still get her title rematch when she’s ready to return, but Holm wanted to fight in the interim.

Sasha Banks Injured?

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Sasha Banks is reportedly out of action with an undisclosed injury. Her last match was December 28th on RAW, where she defeated Becky Lynch.

Source: WrestlingINC.com

Are 2 More Bullet Club Members Leaving NJPW For WWE?

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that there are rumors that Bullet Club members Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga also may be leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling for WWE. However, as of this week they have not given their notices to NJPW.

It’s believed that Finn Balor, who is the creator and former leader of Bullet Club, suggested and recruited Fale and Tonga.

John Cena Injury Update

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that John Cena’s injury is believed to be a tron rotator cuff or a torn labrum. Details on Cena’s condition are sketchy, but word is that he wanted to have surgery done as soon as possible. Cena had been having shoulder issues but they were worsened while training.

Normal recovery time could be over 6 months but Cena has been known to return sooner than expected. Cena is expected to miss WrestleMania 32, but they should have a better idea on his return once he begins rehab.

WWE tweeted the following, stating Cena’s surgery was successful along with a photo of Cena in a hospital bed with his doctor by his side, both giving the OK sign:

Stat On WWE Injuries

This is a scary stat for WWE, every talent who left WrestleMania 31 as champion is currently out of action with an injury: then-United States Champion John Cena, then-WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella, then-Intercontinental Champion Daniel Bryan, then-WWE Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Tyson Kidd, and then-WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.

Source: WrestlingINC.com

Preview For SmackDown Premiere On USA Network: 1/7/16

SmackDown makes its premiere on the USA Network tonight at 8/7c.

John Cena kicks of SmackDown.

Mauro Ranallo joins Jerry “The King” Lawler and Byron Saxton to become the new voice of SmackDown.

Intercontinental Championship: (C) Dean Ambrose VS Kevin Owens

Divas Championship: (C) Charlotte VS Becky Lynch

Miz TV with The New Day

Kalisto VS Alberto Del Rio