Kofi Kingston To Undergo Ankle Surgery Today

Kofi Kingston will need surgery following a recent injury.

The New Day member took to Twitter on Thursday evening to announce that he’ll be undergoing surgery on his ankle later today (Friday) in Birmingham, Alabama. The injury took place on an episode of WWE SmackDown earlier this month.

Kingston wrote:

“***Long post ahead. Y’all that don’t like to read, this ain’t for you lol***

Alabama folks are so kind. Earlier today instead of waiting 15 min for an Uber to take me to the YMCA Shades Valley to workout, I opted to take one of those electric street scooters. Big mistake. Half the trip was uphill and on semi highway roads! And I was wearing my air cast walking boot!

I got within a mile of the @BirminghamYMCA, and the scooter wouldn’t go further for some reason. Also, the Y was out of the drop off range, so I then had to call an Uber anyway, lol.

30 min later after 2 others canceled, one finally came to pick me up. I had him stop at target…I needed lotion (yes I was still ashy from this morning).

Finally got to the Y and the woman at the desk told me that in order to buy a guest pass, a member had to bring you as a guest… “but you can be my guest,” she said. And she vouched for me to workout. So kind of her to do for a stranger. I really wanted to move around a bit before I’m unable to do so after surgery tomorrow.

After the gym, I stopped at a stir fry spot called “Yummefy”. Tons of vegan options. The maps app said they were closed, but I was in luck! Nice lady gave me the best recommendations… I ordered all of them!

When I got my food, I went to inform the lady that the maps app said they were closed and they should probably fix their hours. She said, “oh we are closed. We just made that food for you anyway.”

My jaw dropped in disbelief. It was 15 minutes past the closing time! I thanked her profusely. So kind of her to go out of her way so that I could eat.

Anyway, a long message that can be summed up by saying that I am very grateful for the people I’ve come across here in Birmingham today.

Tomorrow, we march forward and into the hands of the best in the world at what he does! Let’s get this ankle right!”

Source: eWrestlingNews

Danhausen Injured, Out With Torn Pectoral Muscle

Danhausen is out with an injury.

On Thursday, the “very nice, very evil” one took to Twitter to announce that he suffered a torn pectoral muscle at the AEW Revolution pay-per-view event.

Danhausen teamed with Orange Cassidy to face off against The Gunns, The Acclaimed, and Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal for the AEW Tag Team Championships at the show.

Danhausen wrote,

“Hello, Danhausen tore his pec at AEW Revolution.

~When Armageddons been locked and loaded, Danhausen will come back for you~”

Source: eWrestlingNews

Conflicting Reports Emerge Regarding Roxanne Perez Situation In WWE NXT

Last week on the “WWE NXT” Roadblock special, “NXT” Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez successfully defended her title against Meiko Satomura. Following the momentous victory, Perez suddenly collapsed, and WWE have been providing updates ever since, including when she was discharged last Friday night. While the injury gives every indication of being storyline, separate outlets are reporting conflicting things as to its legitimacy.

Today on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that the situation was vague and that hopefully nothing is wrong, but there might be. He also suggested that until they know what the situation is, WWE has to be vague about it. However, Fightful Select were a lot more direct, reporting that Perez is fine and that her “injury” is and always has been for storyline purposes. It should be noted that WWE has not shied away from discussions or replays of the incident on “NXT” programming, which would suggest it is kayfabe.

In perhaps continuing with said storyline, WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels announced this week that with Perez’s health in question, “NXT” needed to take steps to potentially crown a new women’s champion at Stand and Deliver, beginning with a series of qualifying matches this past Tuesday. “With Stand and Deliver in less than three weeks I have the obligation to announce we possibly have to crown a New NXT Women’s Champion,” he tweeted

Tuesday night’s “NXT” saw both Zoey Stark and Gigi Dolin qualify for the Ladder Match at Stand & Deliver, which is slated for April 1 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Perez, meanwhile, has held her title since defeating Mandy Rose on the December 13 episode of “NXT.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Preview 3/16/2023

The jam-packed road to Sacrifice, Multiverse United and Rebellion continues on an all-new IMPACT! this Thursday at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for IMPACT Insiders.

  • Bullet Club (Kenta, Chris Bey, and Ace Austin) vs. Josh Alexander, Rich Swann, and Frankie Kazarian
  • Death Dollz (Taya Valkyrie and Rosemary) w/Jessicka vs. “The Coven” KiLynn King and Taylor Wilde for the Knockouts Tag Titles
  • Jonathan Gresham and Mike Bailey vs. Decay (Crazzy Steve and Black Taurus)
  • -Steve Maclin vs. Heath

ROH TV Preview 3/16/2023

ROH will air a new episode of its weekly television show tonight at 7 pm ET on HonorClub. 

You can sign up for the streaming service here. Below is the lineup for the show: 

  • ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships: The Embassy (c) (Brian Cage, Kaun, Toa Liona) vs. Dalton Castle & The Boys (Brandon & Brent Tate)
  • Eddie Kingston vs. Jeeves Kay
  • Blake Christian & Gran Metalik vs. Ari Daivari & Slim J
  • Madison Rayne vs. Trish Adora
  • Silas Young vs. Marcus Kross
  • ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground Match: Athena (c) vs. Hyan
  • Matt Sydal & Christopher Daniels vs. The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd)
  • ROH World Championship Proving Ground Match: Claudio Castagnoli (c) vs. Willie Mack
  • Dante Martin vs. Mike Bennett
  • La Faccion Ingobernable In Action
  • ROH Pure Championship: Wheeler Yuta (c) vs. Clark Connors

Taya Valkyrie Makes AEW Debut

A triple champion across three promotions, Taya Valkyrie made her debut for AEW on Wednesday night’s episode of Dynamite, confronting reigning AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill.

Wednesday’s show saw Cargill successfully defend the TBS Championship against Nicole Matthews in a Canadian Open Challenge.

Following the match, Cargill asked if that was all Canada could offer, and this led to Valkyrie coming out to the ring.

Valkyrie got right in Cargill’s face, but the undefeated TBS Champion Cargill backed off. Leila Grey made an attempt to attack Valkyrie but got decimated by the decorated Canadian athlete. Cargill tried to brawl but was held back by Mark Sterling and the referees.

Following the segment, AEW President Tony Khan announced that Valkyrie has signed with the company.

Valkyrie currently holds the Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship, the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship, and the MLW Women’s Featherweight Championship.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1636168788990214147
https://twitter.com/thetayavalkyrie/status/1636171429820485634

Source: eWrestlingNews

The Great Muta To Be Inducted Into 2023 WWE Hall Of Fame, Announced By Ric Flair On The Bump

The Great Muta’s induction into WWE Hall of Fame has now been officially confirmed via Ric Flair on “The Bump.”

Keiji Muto, aka The Great Muta, will enter the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2023. Ric Flair officially announced Muto’s on WWE’s “The Bump.” It remains unknown whether Flair will induct him during the ceremony, which will stream on Peacock directly after “WWE SmackDown” on March 31. 

Muto will be the second 2023 Hall of Famer announced so far, following Rey Mysterio, whose entry was announced on Monday’s “WWE Raw,” and reportedly preceding Stacy Keibler, who is believed to be another 2023 entrant. WWE is said to be keeping the list of inductees smaller than usual, with a shorter broadcast planned compared to years past. As of now, it’s unknown how many individuals will be part of the 2023 class. Last year saw the induction of The Undertaker, Vader, Queen Sharmell, and the Steiner Brothers, along with Shad Gaspard receiving the Warrior Award.

Despite his status as a legendary figure in professional wrestling, Muto’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame is slightly curious, as he’s never competed in the company over the course of his lengthy career. Still, it’s impossible to deny the impact of The Great Muta on the industry, and the company clearly thought highly of the performer; they recently gave permission for WWE star Shinsuke Nakamura to compete at a Pro Wrestling NOAH event on Muto’s farewell tour. Nakamura wrestled Muto there and walked away with a victory. Muto’s final match took place on February 21, with NJPW’s Tetsuya Naito defeating Muto after nearly 30 minutes.

Flair and Muto shared a rivalry in NWA, wrestling a number of times on both PPVs and at live events. Their feud culminated in a steel cage match featuring Flair, Arn Anderson, and Ole Anderson taking on The Great Muta, Buzz Sawyer, and Kendo “The Dragon Master” Nagasaki. Flair has been open about his high regard for Muto as an opponent, and the 16-time world champion is a natural fit to induct Muto into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 3/15/2023

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS and emanate from the Canada Life Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

  • AEW International Championship Match: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Jeff Jarrett
  • AEW World Trios Championship Three-Way Match: House of Black (c) vs. The Elite vs. Jericho Appreciation Society
  • Jade Cargill TBS Championship “Canadian Open Challenge” Match
  • Hangman Page & Dark Order vs. Blackpool Combat Club
  • AEW World Champion MJF’s “Re-Bar Mitzvah” Celebration
  • We Will Hear From The Outcasts (Ruby Soho, Toni Storm & Saraya)
  • The Debut “QTV” with QT Marshall and TNT Champion Powerhouse Hobbs

Roxanne Perez’s Availability In Doubt, WWE NXT Poised To Crown New Women’s Champ At Stand & Deliver

It appears that a new “WWE NXT” Women’s Champion will be crowned at the brand’s Stand & Deliver event. WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels took to Twitter and announced that there will be a series of qualifying matches starting on tonight’s episode to determine who will be competing at Stand & Deliver in a ladder match for the “NXT” Women’s Championship.

“As of Friday Morning Roxanne Perez was discharged from the hospital,” Michaels wrote. “However, after numerous tests, Roxanne’s health is still in question. With Stand and Deliver in less than three weeks, I have the obligation to announce we possibly have to crown a New NXT Women’s Champion. Starting tonight there will be a series of qualifying matches with the winners advancing to Stand and Deliver to compete to become the NXT Women’s Champion in a Ladder Match.”

The end of the March 7 episode of “NXT” saw Perez suddenly “collapse” after she retained her title against Meiko Satomura. Perez was stretchered out of the arena to an ambulance backstage. This happened after several vignettes showed her “exhaustive workouts” ahead of the big match with the former “NXT UK” Women’s Champion. Perez has been the “NXT” Women’s Champion since defeating former WWE Superstar Mandy Rose on the December 13 edition of “NXT.” 

Stand & Deliver is set for Saturday, April 1 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. It will be on the same day as night one of WrestleMania 39 and will be starting at 1 PM ET. Other matches announced include Bron Breakker defending his “NXT” Championship against Carmelo Hayes and Grayson Waller will be facing Johnny Gargano.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Mickie James Plans To Be In Attendance At WrestleMania 39 Night 2 As A Fan

In a recent interview with Denise Salcedo on the “Instinct Culture” podcast, Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Mickie James touched on the current state of women’s wrestling, as well as her plans to attend WrestleMania 39 as a fan for the very first-time next month.

Citing Lita and Trish Stratus competing at WrestleMania 39, Saraya’s (Paige) recent in-ring return in AEW, and Impact Wrestling’s thriving women’s division, James said,

“How amazing, how exciting of a time is it in 2023 when we are looking at Lita as a Tag Team Champion with Becky? Now looking at Team Bestie going to be at WrestleMania, two women who I’ve shared a lot of history with, and who I admire, look up to, find hella inspiring, and I just adore. You see that happening there. You see, in IMPACT, I’m the Champion in 2023, and our tag team division is shining so bright, and the women in that locker room. Then you see over at AEW, Saraya comes back from a career-ending injury. Someone who they said, ‘Oh, she’s never going to wrestle again.’ What a freakin magical time in professional wrestling and not just in women’s professional wrestling, just in professional wrestling across the board,” James continued. “For a long time, it used to be like, ‘Oh, well, they’re retired,’ or ‘they’re this,’ and it would all be about this whole new — and it was never that way about the men as much as it was for the women.”

James also discussed her plans for WrestleMania 39 weekend, revealing that she plans to attend Night Two of WrestleMania as a spectator.

“I’m going to be there for WrestleCon. I’m going to be out there in LA. I’m really hoping — because we’re doing DressleMania this year and one of the things that we’re auctioning off is — I’ve already texted both of them, ‘I really hope you guys are wrestling on night two,’ because I’m actually going to be in a suite that we’re auctioning off for one of the winners for DressleMania and they’re watching. It is my first time ever watching WrestleMania as a spectator. I’ve never been. I could never go when we were kids. We didn’t have the money. Never went as a child have only been as a talent. For my first time ever, in the history of the world, in the history of Mickie James, I’m going to be going to WrestleMania as a spectator. I’m just praying that my friends are wrestling night two, so I can watch it there live, in-person, because I really would love to see it live in person.”

Mickie James is also slated to be a part of WrestleCon as she defends her Impact Knockouts World Championship in a four-way match at IMPACT x NJPW Multiverse United: Only The STRONG Survive, against Deonna Purrazzo, Gisele Shaw, and Miyu Yamashita.

Source: eWrestlingNews