IMPACT Wrestling Coming To Australia, Conrad Thompson To Host Live Podcast

IMPACT Wrestling has announced they will be coming to Australia with the Down Under Tour.

The announcement notes that IMPACT will be coming to Wagga Wagga, New South Wales for four days beginning on Thursday, June 29 and then continuing on Friday, June 30 and concluding on Saturday, July 1. Two marquee shows will be held at the Equex Centre.

It was also stated in the announcement that Conrad Thompson will host a live podcast from The IMPACT Down Under Tour.

You can read the full press release announcement from IMPACT Wrestling below:

IMPACT Wrestling Announces 2 Shows This Summer In Australia (Winter, Down Under)

Conrad Thompson Will Host A Live Podcast From The IMPACT Down Under Tour
Major Fan Engagement Activities Scheduled With IMPACT Stars, Championship Matches Confirmed

IMPACT Wrestling presents the 4-day, 2-show IMPACT Down Under Tour, marking the company’s first-ever major events and shows in Australia.

The stars of IMPACT Wrestling will be in the city of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia for four days of activities, starting on Thursday, June 29. The IMPACT Tour is supported by the NSW Government Regional Events Acceleration Fund and the two marquee wrestling shows will be held on Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1 both at the Equex Centre.

IMPACT Wrestling replaced New Japan Pro-Wrestling in Australia due to NJPW scheduling and talent availability issues. The NJPW Oceania Cup has been postponed.

The IMPACT Down Under Tour will feature most of the IMPACT stars, numerous championship matches and special challenge matches against the best Australia-based wrestlers. The shows will be broadcast worldwide on FITE TV and across IMPACT Wrestling international broadcast platforms, digital and social media.

“We are so excited to bring IMPACT Wrestling to the great fans of Australia, with a big thank-you to the NSW Government and the Regional Events Acceleration Fund for helping this tour,” said IMPACT Wrestling president Scott D’Amore. “Australian fans will see the stars of IMPACT Wrestling in-action, in-person and will experience first-hand the excitement, energy and emotion of The IMPACT Zone when we hit the city of Wagga Wagga.”

Wagga Wagga is located midway between the two largest cities in Australia, Sydney and Melbourne.

The IMPACT Down Under Tour will be the company’s first shows outside of North America since a show in the UK in September 2018 that included Rich Swann, Joe Hendry, Sami Callihan and Moose, among others. IMPACT’s last major international tour was in May 2017 in India.

Renowned wrestling podcaster Conrad Thompson will be coming to Australia for the IMPACT Down Under Tour and he will be hosting a live podcast on Sunday, July 2.

“This is my first time in Australia … I am really looking forward to seeing the fans and having an awesome experience in Wagga Wagga,” Thompson said.

Cam Vale, managing director of Australia-based GLO Sports, said his company is proud to facilitate the partnership between IMPACT Wrestling and the NSW Government.

“The way IMPACT Wrestling has been able to come in and support this event on short notice has been phenomenal and a testament to their international ambitions,” Vale said. “The broadcast reach of this event will be significant; it will drive economic activity and showcase the Equex Centre as a multi-sport venue capable of hosting international events.

“I am fortunate to have worked with Destination NSW on many occasions in my career and am excited about the opportunities the IMPACT Down Under Tour will bring to engage local business and community stakeholders, showcasing Wagga Wagga as a great location for signature events like this.”

The IMPACT Down Under Tour will include major fan engagement elements, including wrestler meet & greets, autograph sessions and more.

“IMPACT Wrestling is giving opportunities to Australian wrestlers, referees and ring announcers to be part of this event, an amazing development opportunity for this region,” Vale said.

FITE chief operating officer Michael Weber said, “FITE is thrilled to distribute another great event from our long-time partner, IMPACT Wrestling, which continues to grow its international market with these live shows in Australia, available worldwide exclusively on FITE.”

Tickets for the IMPACT Down Under Tour will go on-sale on Saturday, May 13, at 7 p.m. EST (Sunday May 14, 9am AEST) at www.oceaniaprowrestling.com and via www.intix.com.au.

The $40 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund is part of the $2 billion Regional Growth Fund, designed to support growing regional centres, activate local economies and improve services and community infrastructure for regional communities.

Source: WrestleView

WWE Talent Reportedly Hoping To Make Puerto Rico Permanent Home Of WWE Backlash

Fans in attendance at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot for last Friday’s “WWE SmackDown” and Saturday’s Backlash event certainly made a strong case for WWE to bring more major shows to San Juan, Puerto Rico in the future. According to PWInsider Elite, WWE performers are hoping that the promotion will make San Juan “a permanent home” for Backlash because of the crowd reactions received this past weekend. Wrestlers in the locker room felt the atmosphere was on a similar level to WrestleMania, which in turn made the first premium live event after “The Show of Shows” more significant than it had been in several years. 

Wrestlers and fans took to social media to praise the crowd in San Juan following “SmackDown” and Backlash, including Damage CTRL’s Bayley, who also complimented the Paris, France crowd from a recent house show. She posted, “In just a one week span, #DamageCTRL performed in both Paris and Puerto Rico. Two of the absolute greatest crowds and shows I’ve ever been a part of and I am so proud of that. Thank you @ImKingKota and @Iyo_SkyWWE.”

Backlash was co-headlined by Cody Rhodes battling Brock Lesnar and Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny going up against The Judgment Day’s Damian Priest in a San Juan Street Fight. It was revealed yesterday that the premium live event had broken several records, including becoming the highest-grossing and most-viewed Backlash of all time. The first televised WWE events in San Juan since January 2005 – “SmackDown” and Backlash – drew a combined 34,800 fans. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Becky Lynch Hits WWE Backstage Producer Who Cut Her Off Early With Her Music

One of the great things about, and pitfalls of, live TV is that anything can happen. And that was the case last night for Becky Lynch, who made her triumphant return to “WWE Raw,” only to find herself being interrupted by her own theme music while trying to cut a promo. Fortunately, Lynch dealt with the situation quickly backstage. Posting a video on her Instagram, the former WWE Women’s Champion was seen confronting the culprit who played her music too early. While the problem seemed resolved, an angry Lynch proceeded to nail the sound guy with a forearm, sending him flying back into his seat.

It’s understandable why Lynch was so upset, given that this was her first appearance on “Raw” in nearly a month. “The Man” hasn’t been seen since she was betrayed by Trish Stratus on April 10, following her and Stratus dropping the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship to Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Despite being champions with Lita, Lynch defended the titles with Stratus after Lita was unable to compete due to a backstage attack, which Stratus later confessed to. While Lynch has returned to TV, Lita has not been seen since.

Since the betrayal, Stratus has made several appearances on “Raw” making harsh comments towards Lynch, including last night when she brought up Lynch’s two-year-old daughter. While no match between Stratus and Lynch has been announced, it would appear the two are well on their way to colliding in the ring in the near-distant future.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE RAW Preview 5/8/2023

WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network and emanate from the ystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL.

  • Fallout from Backlash
  • The launch of the new Raw roster, which was established in this year’s 2023 WWE Draft.
  • The World Heavyweight Championship tournament is set to begin. Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, The Miz, Finn Balor, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Damian Priest will be featured in the tournament matches.
  • The social media storyline between Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville is expected to continue.
  • Possibly see more on the feud between Beck Lynch and WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus

Darby Allin Planning To Climb Mount Everest Next Year

While speaking to TMZ, AEW star Darby Allin said he plans to climb Mount Everest next year.

Around 4,000 people have climbed Everest. 

“That’s been my whole MO since AEW started. That’s why it’s so important for me to meet up with guys like [Travis] Pastrana, and make stuff happen. Do stuff that no wrestler’s ever done before. The thing I’m going to be doing next year that no wrestler’s done before is climb Mount Everest. You heard it here first.”

Allin will take on AEW World Champion MJF, Jack Perry, and Sammy Guevara in the Four Pillars four-way bout at AEW Double or Nothing later this month. 

Source: eWrestlingNews

Eddie Kingston To Undergo Surgery This Week – Details

Eddie Kingston appeared at Sunday’s ROH TV tapings in Orlando, FL to provide an update on his injury.

Just last month, it was reported that Kingston has been dealing with a hernia injury and would likely need surgery. Kingston has now confirmed that he’ll be undergoing surgery on Tuesday, and he believes he’ll be able to return to action in around six weeks.

Kingston’s last match came at the ROH Supercard of Honor pay-per-view event on March 31st.

Source: eWrestlingNews

The 12 Competitors For WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Revealed

We now know the 12 competitors who will be taking part in the upcoming WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament, which begins on tonight’s episode of RAW.

The tournament will feature six Superstars from RAW, and six from SmackDown.

Raw

  • Cody Rhodes
  • Damian Priest
  • The Miz
  • Finn Balor
  • Seth Rollins
  • Shinsuke Nakamura

SmackDown

  • Edge
  • Rey Mysterio
  • AJ Styles
  • Sheamus
  • Austin Theory
  • Bobby Lashley

Earl Hebner Reveals Daughter Katie Has Signed With AEW As A Referee

Earl Hebner, the iconic referee who called the infamous Montreal Screwjob, has announced that his daughter Katie will soon be following in his footsteps.

During a recent appearance on the “Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw” podcast, Earl announced that his daughter will be working as a referee for AEW very soon.

Katie Hebner will travel down to Florida to referee some matches at an upcoming TV taping, her father confirmed.

The younger Hebner had initially hoped to become a wrestler before a cracked bone in her back derailed those plans. Earl added,

“I wanted her to be a referee to begin with, but everybody wants to do their own thing. It’s fine with me, whatever she wants [to do], what makes her happy. So, if it works out, we’ll have another Hebner in the business.”

While Earl said his daughter has come to a deal with AEW, it is unclear which show she will be appearing on.

Source: eWrestlingNews

Kimber Lee Announces Retirement From Pro Wrestling

Kimber Lee took to Twitter this weekend to announce that she’s retiring from the professional wrestling business and is planning to go back to using her real name – Kimberly Frankele. Lee wrote,

“The goodbye that I thought would never come. The mistress that has overtaken my life for the past 15 years. At times, wrestling was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I have been to places and I have gotten to see things that I never would have dreamed of in my lifetime. But at the same time, there comes a point in everyone’s life where things just cannot continue in the same fashion that they have, because circumstances and goals evolve and change.

I know that I am coming completely from left field for some of you, and that is understandable as have been rallying as if a comeback is on the way. But that is not the case. I have been deeply working on myself this past year, coming to terms with some very harsh realities, and learning a lot about myself and who I am in the process.

I originally thought that this was just going to be a break from wrestling. That after some time I would be ready to put my heart into this again and come back better than I have ever been before. But the thing is, the more I think about it, the more I come to realize that my heart is not in this anymore. Kimber Lee brings me instant heartache and anxiety, not the butterflies and joy that once was. There are too many painful wounds that come with going back into this world, and I am not willing to give those wounds my power or dominion over my life anymore.

With that being said, I will no longer be. Taking active bookings for the foreseeable future. Kimber is going to step away from the squared circle, and Kimberly Frankele is going out into the world, ready to become something amazing. I know I am being called into my healing abilities, and will be continuing to step forward in that space and I would love to have as many of you as I can along for that journey. When you close one door, you give yourself the opportunity to open up any new door you choose. I have lives to change and heal, and this is my first official step into my true self.

As the real me. love you all so much, and with this, the Princess takes her final bow.
Let the curtain fall…

https://twitter.com/Kimber_Lee90/status/1654991741164965889

Source: eWrestlingNews

WWE Backlash 5/6/2023 (Results)

RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Bianca Belair (c) def. Iyo Sky

Seth Rollins def. Omos

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP TRIPLE THREAT MATCH:
Austin Theory (c) def. Bobby Lashley vs. Bronson Reed

SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Rhea Ripley (c) def. Zelina Vega

SAN JUAN STREET FIGHT:
Bad Bunny def. Damian Priest

Dominik Mysterio and Finn Balor got involved helping Priest. Bad Bunny got help from Rey Mysterio and the LWO along with legends Carlito Colon and Savio Vega

The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa , Jey Uso, and Jimmy Uso) (with Paul Heyman) def. Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn

Cody Rhodes def. Brock Lesnar