Stardom Cancels Shows Due To Coronavirus Situation In Japan

Japanese promotion Stardom announced earlier today on Twitter they will be canceling a number of upcoming shows as a precaution to the Coronavirus. The virus has infected more than 73,000 people around the world, mostly in mainland China, according to CNN. The death toll is 1,873, including five people outside mainland China.

In a series of tweets, Stardom announced which events would be cancelled, also revealing its March 8 show at Korakuen Hall will take place in an empty arena, streaming for free on its YouTube channel.

“Due to the current Coronavirus situation in Japan, the following precautionary measures are being taken:

2.19 Mayu Iwatani Birthday Fan Event – cancelled
2.20 Fan signing event – cancelled
2.20 Press conference – will be held, but no fans in attendance
2.22 Osaka show – cancelled
2.23 Nagoya show – cancelled
2.29 Shinkiba show – cancelled
3.8 Korakuen Hall show – will be held, Empty Arena (no fans in attendance)
3.14 Osaka Day and Night shows – cancelled

“Refunds to these shows are available. If you are from a foreign country and have tickets, please email we.are.stardom@gmail.com and we will help you resolve your case as efficiently as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

“Our March 8 show at Korakuen Hall may not have any fans (Empty Arena due to the Coronavirus outbreak) but you’ll be able to watch the entire show for free on our official YouTube channel!”

As noted, NJPW’s parent company, Bushiroad, purchased Stardom back in October. The two companies have been running separate from each other, although a Stardom dark match (Mayu Iwatani and Arisa Hoshiki defeating Hana Kimura and Giulia) took place for the first time at last month’s Wrestle Kingdom 14.

NJPW has not currently cancelled any upcoming live events. They issued a notice to fans attending their upcoming shows, and announced that upcoming meet-and-greets have been cancelled.

https://twitter.com/we_are_stardom/status/1229663347068456960

https://twitter.com/we_are_stardom/status/1229663415599153152

https://twitter.com/we_are_stardom/status/1229663507546685440

https://twitter.com/we_are_stardom/status/1229764620824395777

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Eve Torres Claims She Was ‘Forcefully’ Grabbed By Donald Trump In ’09

Former WWE star Eve Torres claims she was “forcefully” grabbed by Donald Trump in 2009 for a photo opp and is now offering advice on what to do in a similar situation.

Torres shared her message via Instagram on Monday, writing:

Happy Presidents Day. ⁣

I look forward to having a president who doesn’t grope or objectify women. I have taken pictures with thousands of men at military bases, at WWE events, and signings, and very few have grabbed me and pulled me in as forcefully as he did without knowing me. Of course, at the time I believed it was my job to be eye candy in a photo for this supposed billionaire, and play along. It is actually hard for me to see that photo because it reminds me of my beliefs about my worth at the time. Swipe to see what I mean. Swipe again for a brush up on Creepy Hug Defenses including the Inappropriate Photo Squeeze. ⁣

PS The pregnancy announcement is old so no I’m not pregnant again. Also, this was scary for me to post but it’s been on my mind. We haven’t forgotten about your p+$$y grabbing, Mr. President.

The photo Torres included in her post is from ’09 when Trump went to Green Bay for Raw. Before the event, he held a press conference at the airport and was welcomed by a group of “Divas” upon arrival.

Eve’s video on “Creepy Hug Defenses” can be seen below.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

The British Bulldog Reportedly Set For The WWE Hall Of Fame, Bella Twins And Jushin Thunder Liger WWE HOF?

“The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith is set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 36 Weekend in Tampa.

There’s no word yet on when WWE will announce the induction or who will posthumously induct The Bulldog, but Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that Bulldog’s induction has been confirmed.

Bulldog passed away at the age of 39 on May 18, 2002. He is a former WWE Intercontinental, European, Hardcore, and Tag Team Champion.

Bulldog’s family has pushed for his Hall of Fame induction for several years now, calling on other wrestlers to record video messages and make social media posts in support of the induction. It’s interesting to note that Bulldog’s son, David Hart Smith, recently returned to WWE programming for an appearance on The Bump, as Wrestling Inc. noted before at this link.

Regarding other 2020 inductions, it was noted that the reports of The Bella Twins and Jushin Thunder Liger going into the Hall this year are correct.

Image result for Bella Twins And Jushin Thunder Liger WWE HOF?

WWE has previously confirmed the headliners for this year – Batista and the nWo (Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman).

The 2020 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on April 2 from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, during WrestleMania 36 Week.

Stay tuned for updates on the 2020 Class.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Former WWE RAW Commentator Vic Joseph Reveals New Gig, Update On His Status

WWE announcer Vic Joseph revealed on Instagram that he will be part of the Cleveland Cavaliers coverage for the second half of the season for the NBA Network. Joseph, whose real name is Victor Travagliante, is from Cleveland and worked in the Cleveland sports media prior to joining WWE.

Joseph was last seen on live WWE television calling Monday Night RAW on January 20th. He has since been replaced by Tom Phillips.

As of now, it has been confirmed that Joseph is still a WWE employee.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Charlotte Flair Attacks Rhea Ripley At NXT TakeOver: Portland And Accepts Challenge For WrestleMania 36

Charlotte Flair made a surprise appearance at NXT TakeOver: Portland, attacking Rhea Ripley aftyer she successfully defended her NXT Women’s championship against Bianca Belair. Flair said she thought about it and she will see Ripley at WrestleMania 36.

https://twitter.com/WWENetwork/status/1229223321549627392

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1229225099150184448

 

Charlotte also attacked Bianca Belair as she exited the ring.

 

NXT TakeOver: Portland Results 2/16/20

NXT “Takeover: Portland” event from Moda Center in Portland, Oregon opened with a live performance by Poppy and her band.

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NXT North American Championship: Keith Lee (c) vs. Dominik Dijakovic –

Winner: Keith Lee

 

Street Fight: Dakota Kai vs. Tegan Nox –

Raquel Gonzalez attacked Tegan and tossed her off the top rope and through a table to allow Dakota to get the win. After the match, Raquel raised Tegan’s hand.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1229207450873663490

Winner: Dakota Kai

 

https://twitter.com/TripleH/status/1229207926176247808

 

Finn Balor vs. Johnny Gargano –

Winner: Finn Balor

 

NXT Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Bianca Belair –

Winner: Rhea Ripley

After the match, Charlotte Flair attacked Rhea and accepted her challenge for WrestleMania 36. Charlotte tthen also attacked Bianca.

https://twitter.com/WWENetwork/status/1229223321549627392

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1229225099150184448

 

NXT Tag Team Championship: Undisputed Era (Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish) (c) vs. The BroserWeights (Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle) –

Winners and new NXT Tag Team Champions: The BroserWeights

 

NXT Championship: Adam Cole (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa –

Winner: Adam Cole

What an incredible match. Undisputed Era got involved towards the end but it was a shot to the head with the title belt by Johnny Gargano that cost Ciampa from getting Goldie back.

https://twitter.com/WWENXT/status/1229240673469181954

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1229241225561112577

The Rock Shares Footage Of Simone Johnson Wrestling At WWE Performance Center

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shared a video on Sunday of a brief guest coaching session he did at the WWE Performance which shows the first in-ring footage of his daughter Simone.

The video begins with The Rock saying he had about 4-5 hours to visit the PC and see his daughter Simone Johnson train. Dwayne also says there’s only one place he’d trust his daughter learning to wrestle, and that’s with family aka The McMahons.

As we previously reported, the 18-year-old fourth generation wrestler recently signed with WWE.

In the footage, Simone is seen trading moves in the ring with Deonna Purrazzo as The Rock and most of NXT’s female roster watch on. He then asks to show them something and offers advice to his daughter in regards to what he had just seen.

Simone explains in an interview that is shown how it’s been great having her dad advise her and that he lets her find her own path, while also giving guidance when he can.

Dwayne Johnson is also shown taking questions from the PC trainees.

The video ends with The Rock and Simone preparing to lock up in the ring together, as well as Dwayne lifting her up for a vertical suplex.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE Announces Matt Hardy Vs. Randy Orton No Holds Barred Match For RAW

WWE has announced a No Holds Barred match for Monday’s WWE RAW from the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington.

The match will see two WWE veterans clash as Matt Hardy take on Randy Orton.

This match was made after Orton took out Matt with a steel chair shot to the head on this week’s RAW. Matt had just confronted Orton over his recent attack to WWE Hall of Famer Edge.

It had appeared that the angle on this week’s RAW was done to write Matt off WWE TV as his contract expires on March 1 and he’s reportedly on his way out of the company. There’s no word yet on if he has re-signed, or if WWE is just using him until March 1.

Below is the announcement on Monday’s No Holds Barred match:

Matt Hardy to battle Randy Orton in No Holds Barred MatchThis past Monday on Raw, Randy Orton subjected Matt Hardy to the same brutal Con-Chair-To that sent Edge out of Raw on a stretcher. Now, Hardy is coming for payback.

In the wake of Orton’s heinous attack, the former Raw Tag Team Champion is now slated to battle The Apex Predator in a No Holds Barred Match, placing Orton directly on a collision course with his most recent victim — to say nothing of a Superstar who refuses to take the abuse lying down. After all, Hardy is as much a trailblazer as Edge, and his history is almost completely entwined with that of The Rated-R Superstar. Then again, Randy Orton seems to take a particular delight in destroying legends these days. He’ll be more than happy to do it again.

Tune in to Raw this Monday, live at 8/7 C on USA Network.

NXT TakeOver: Portland 2/16/20

February 16, 2020 at 7:00 PM ET (Preshow at 6:30 PM ET) – Moda Center, Portland, Oregon

NXT Championship: Adam Cole (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa

NXT Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Bianca Belair

Finn Balor vs. Johnny Gargano

NXT Tag Team Championship: Undisputed Era (Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish) (c) vs. The BroserWeights (Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle)

Street Fight: Dakota Kai vs. Tegan Nox

NXT North American Championship: Keith Lee (c) vs. Dominik Dijakovic

MLW Fusion Preview 2/15/20

The following description of this week’s FUSION has been provided by its executive producers: Richard Holliday, MJF, Alex Hammerstone and Gino Medina – collectively known as The Dynasty.

For 60 minutes your unspectacular, unattractive and financially underwhelming lives will sample the rarified air of excellence as the greatest athletes of any era invite you to their vision of Major League Wrestling.

It will be a dynastic night in Dallas as the Dynasty presents TWO title matches where we guarantee all the gold is coming home to the Dynasty.

In the main event Dallas will finally experience a championship team that brings dignity, honor and affluence to a city long in need of it.  After being screwed by a crooked referee at SuperFight, the World Tag Team Titles are coming home to Richard Holliday and MJF when they finally catch those cowardly Texas born Hawaiian hillbillies the Von Erichs.

Witness history and watch children cry as the goofy Von Erich boys are dethroned and women line-up to kiss and party with the most dynastic force in tag team wrestling: Richard Holliday and MJF.

Viewers will be awe as they take a ride on Muscle Mountain when Alexander Hammerstone defends the National Openweight Championship against Aerostar.  Experience the newest ride with the longest line as Muscle Mountain dominates the competition with a tan that radiates excellence.

Oh… and we also are allowing Konnan to briefly appear on our show. Konnan? You know, the guy who calls himself “the Hulk Hogan of Mexico” despite having NO tan and looking like the stroked out old guy in Breaking Bad.

Anyway, the Narcos villain of the week wannabe will offer up a luchador for Gino Medina to destroy and prove he is what he is (unlike Konnan): truly untouchable.  Then again, who would want to touch Konnan? Gross.

Plus, our lumbering giant Grogan will flex his muscle (and valet our Bugattis)!

Apparently Mance Warner was booked by MLW before we locked in running this week’s FUSION. His presence? TBD…

Join a man allergic to sunlight Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch and that eclectic Canadian dialect of Alicia Toot-Toot for a dynastic night in Dallas.

Matches:
•World Tag Team Title Match: The Von Erichs (Champion) vs. MJF & Richard Holliday
•National Openweight Title Match Alexander Hammerstone vs. Aerostar
•Septimo Dragon vs. Gino Medina

Source: MLW.com