New Japan Pro Wrestling Cancels Three Events Due To State of Emergency

It was reported last week that a state of emergency was declared in Japan due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now it seems it will force changes for New Japan Pro Wrestling. NJPW’s English-language website has announced that the company has cancelled three events in Korakuen Hall next month. The shows that were cancelled were set for May 8, 10 and 11. The announcement reads:

As a result of the State of Emergency declared across Tokyo, New Japan Pro-Wrestling has arrived at the decision to cancel three events on the Road to Wrestle Grand Slam tour on May 8, 10 and 11 at Korakuen Hall.

We deeply apologise to fans who were looking forward to these events. Though matches with no fans in attendance were considered, NJPW has decided that, in order to act in the best interests of staff and wrestlers as they prepare for Wrestle Grand Slam in Yokohama Stadium May 15 and Tokyo Dome May 29, cancellation was the correct course of action.

The following events are covered by today’s cancellations:

Saturday May 8, Korakuen Hall

Monday May 10, Korakuen Hall

Tuesday May 11, Korakuen Hall

All other events on our current schedule are set to proceed as planned, though New Japan Pro-Wrestling will be in constant contact with local authorities with regards to restrictions and regulations. Please check back on njpw1972.com for the latest event information. Fans in attendance are also reminded to check and comply with our live event policy.

All tickets for affected events will be refunded, with a procedure to be announced at a later date. If you have any ticketing inquiries, you can get in touch through our contact form, using the subject header ‘ticket inquiries’.

Source: 411Mania

WCW Legend Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael Diagnosed With ALS

WCW legend and former NFL star Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael has revealed that he was recently diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Speaking to the Chicago Tribune, Mongo revealed that he was diagnosed with the disease three month ago.

“I promise you,” Mongo told the Tribune, “this epitaph that I’m going to have on me now? This ain’t ever how I envisioned this was going to end.”

According to the man himself, Mongo will no longer be able to make public appearances. “I want everybody to realize why they’re no longer going to see me around,” he said.

Steve McMichael was a defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears between 1981 and 1993. He is best remembered by wrestling fans for his stint in WCW between 1995 – 1999.

Mongo also appeared at ringside at WrestleMania XI in support of his NFL colleague Lawrence Talyor, who was taking on Bam Bam Bigelow in the main event.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE RAW Preview 4/26/21

Tonight’s WWE RAW on the USA Network will feature more build for the upcoming WrestleMania Backlash pay-per-view.

WWE has announced that tonight’s show will include an address by the returning WWE Champion Bobby Lashley, who did not appear last week. Lashley will speak on Drew McIntyre and their title match at Backlash.

The one match announced for tonight’s show will feature McIntyre and Braun Strowman teaming to face former RETRIBUTION members T-BAR and MACE. This will be a rematch from last week, which saw T-BAR and MACE win by DQ as they were unmasked.

Impact Wrestling Rebellion Results 4/25/2021

PRE-SHOW
Rosemary and Havok defeated Susan and Kimber Lee

IMPACT X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Josh Alexander defeated Ace Austin (c) and TJP to win the X Division Championship

VBD (W. Morrissey, Deaner, Joe Doering, and Rhino) defeated Chris Sabin, Eddie Edwards, James Storm, and Willie Mack

Former WWE star Big Cass (aka CazXL) made a surprise appearance during Impact Rebellion PPV. He’s going as W. Morrissey in Impact Wrestling.

Eric Young was out of action tonight due to a torn ACL and CazXL was his replacement. He joined Deaner, Joe Doering, and Rhino against Eddie Edwards, Willie Mack, Chris Sabin, and James Storm in an eight-man tag match. Morrissey ended up hitting the east river crossing on Mack to get the pinfall victory.

Brian Myers defeated Matt Cardona

IMPACT KNOCKOUTS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Jordynne Grace and Rachael Ellering defeated Fire ‘N Flava (Tasha Steelz and Kiera Hogan) (c)  to win the Knockouts Tag Team Titles

LAST MAN STANDING MATCH
Trey Miguel defeated Sami Callihan

IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
FinJuice (David Finlay and Juice Robinson) (c) defeated The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows)

IMPACT KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP
Deonna Purrazzo (c) defeated Tenille Dashwood

TITLE VS. TITLE MATCH
AEW World Champion Kenny Omega with Don Callis defeated Impact World Champion Rich Swann to win the Impact World Championship

WWE SmackDown Preview 4/23/21

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will feature more build for the upcoming WrestleMania Backlash pay-per-view. 

Who is left to challenge The Head of the Table?

It’s believed that Sasha Banks will confront SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair on tonight’s show. Last week’s post-WrestleMania 37 episode reportedly was to feature Banks confronting Belair, but that never happened.

Impact Wrestling Rebellion 4/25/2021

DATE: April 25, 2021 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
AVAILABLE ON:FITE, Impact Plus, Traditional PPV

CARD

TITLE VS. TITLE MATCH
AEW World Champion Kenny Omega with Don Callis vs. Impact World Champion Rich Swann

Mauro Ranallo to join commentary for the Main Event Title Vs Title Match

IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
FinJuice (David Finlay and Juice Robinson) (c) vs. The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows)

IMPACT KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP
Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs. Tenille Dashwood

IMPACT X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Ace Austin (c) vs. Josh Alexander vs. TJP

IMPACT KNOCKOUTS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Fire ‘N Flava (c) vs. Jordynne Grace and Rachael Ellering 

LAST MAN STANDING MATCH
Trey Miguel vs. Sami Callihan

Brian Myers vs. Matt Cardona

Chris Sabin, Eddie Edwards, James Storm, and Willie Mack vs. Eric Young Deaner, Joe Doering, and Rhino

Mauro Ranallo - Impact - Rebellion - Main Event

Jim Ross Says AEW Will Be Releasing An “Aggressive” Touring Schedule Soon

On the latest episode of the Grilling JR Podcast, Jim Ross talked about AEW going back on the road for live shows for the first time since the COVID-19 Pandemic started. AEW has found a home at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville for the past year but according to Ross, they’re “aggressively” ready to hit the road and have fans attend their shows in different towns.

“We’re making some changes, we’re adding more content sooner or later with a new show,” Ross said. “We’re getting our schedule together, looks like we’re going back on the road pretty aggressively in the beginning of July and getting back to a live audience is a blessing. I can’t wait, it will help everybody’s work. Just can’t help but feed off the adrenaline of the audience surrounding you.”

AEW recently hosted its first-ever non-televised live event at Daily’s Place on April 9th. AEW also announced in March that plans to travel Boston, Rochester and Philadelphia had been moved to later in the year. Though it’s unclear if those events will be affected again, Ross talked about the schedule he expects AEW to have for the rest of the year.

“I expect an amazing atmosphere and that’s going to help everybody involved,” Ross said. “We fed off them. I’m sure AEW will be releasing their schedule [soon], I’ve actually seen it, it’s very aggressive. It’s very exciting, hopefully something for everybody to look forward to.”

“It just makes the show better. Business will pick up essentially when we’re back on  national television in front of a live audience. There’s going to be an awful lot of live television, I know where my Wednesday’s are going to be, in various locations around the USA. What about the UK? What about Canada? Would we look to go there? Of course we would but COVID’s still gotta play, you still got to play by the rules.”

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to Grilling JR 

WWE Fires Mark Carrano

Wrestling Inc. is reporting that WWE has fired Senior Director of Talent Relations Mark Carrano.

Former WWE Superstar Mickie James revealed that she received a black garbage bag with her belongings after being released by the company last week.

WWE Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development Paul “Triple H” Levesque issued a statement on Twitter, stating that “person responsible for this inconsiderate action has been fired and is no longer with WWE.”

Maria Kanellis confirmed receiving a trash bag following her departure last year, while Gail Kim stated that the practice had been happening since before she joined the company. Kim had stints with the company from 2002 through 2004, and 2008 until 2011.

WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon apologized to James, stating that she was “embarrassed” that she or anyone else was treated that way.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Possible WWE SummerSlam Locations

WWE is reportedly looking to go on the road for the 2021 SummerSlam pay-per-view.

There has been talk within WWE about possibly running SummerSlam in Phoenix, Arizona, or somewhere in Texas, according to PWInsider.

WWE has not decided on a SummerSlam location just yet, but they are hoping to hold the show outdoors in a stadium setting, with fans in the crowd. Of course the COVID-19 pandemic could force them to stay at the ThunderDome, but that is the hope as of now.ADVERTISING

It was recently reported that the current internal plan is to hold SummerSlam in front of a live crowd, which would make it the first show with fans since WrestleMania 37.

It was reported last year how WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon was determined to have fans at the 2020 SummerSlam event but that obviously did not happen. It will be interesting to see if they can make it happen this year after a successful WrestleMania 37 Weekend with live fans in the crowd.

WWE has not announced a date for SummerSlam 2021 but the big event is usually held in late summer.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Preview 4/22/21

This Sunday, the landscape of Impact Wrestling will forever change as big title matches, as well as a once-in-a-generation marquee matchup between the Unified Impact World Champion Rich Swann and the AEW World Champion Kenny Omega is set to occur. But tonight on AXS TV at 8/7 C, witness the final messages and matches before Rebellion on Sunday.

* Final build towards Rebellion

* Eddie Edwards vs. Eric Young

* The Good Brothers vs. Decay

* Tenille Dashwood vs. Susan

* Kiera Hogan vs. Jordynne Grace

* Shera vs. Jake Something

* Madman Fulton vs. Fallah Bahh vs. Petey Williams will kick things off on Before The Impact

* Who will be Jordynne Grace’s partner at Rebellion?