Jonathan Good (Dean Ambrose/Jon Moxley) Signs On For New MMA – Wrestling Movie Produced By Former WWE Star Christian

Former WWE Superstar Dean Ambrose (who is now using his former moniker – Jon Moxley) has signed on to star in a MMA-themed action movie, according to Deadline.

Billed under his real name, Jonathan Good, Ambrose has joined the cast of Cagefighter, which is currently in pre-production. The movie tells the story of a lauded MMA champion who unexpectedly loses a heavily promoted fight to a pro wrestling star making his crossover debut in the world of MMA. Humiliated by the loss, the fighter must fight his way back to the top and earn a rematch.

The movie also stars real-life MMA fighter and actor Josh Herdman, Michael Jai White, Gina Gershon, Michelle Ryan and Jason Maza. MMA legends Georges St. Pierre, Anderson Silva and Alexander Gustafsson will also appear.

Former WWE star Christian is the Executive Producer of the movie. There’s no word yet on when it will be released.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Announces Partnership With ITV To Broadcast “Double Or Nothing” In The U.K.

ITV today announced that they will broadcast Double Or Nothing on its ITV Box Office channel. The pre-show, Buy-In, will air for free on IT4 and will feature the Casino Battle Royale with 21 competitors.

Double or Nothing will air on ITV Box Office at 1:00 a.m. GMT, Sunday, May 26.

ITV ANNOUNCES AEW “DOUBLE OR NOTHING” WRESTLING EVENT FOR ITV BOX OFFICE

All Elite Wrestling’s Highly Anticipated PPV Show will Ignite the Screen with Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, The Young Bucks, Cody, SCU, and more

LONDON, UK, (May 8, 2019) – ITV, the largest commercial television network in the UK, announced a partnership today with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the new wrestling promotion headlined by members of The Elite, to broadcast the highly anticipated DOUBLE OR NOTHING event on its ITV Box Office channel.

Fans across the UK can look forward to seeing all the drama, action and entertainment live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on the night of Saturday 25 May going into Sunday 26 May. DOUBLE OR NOTHING, which sold out in under 30 minutes, features an electrifying card packed with stars including the headline clash between Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho. The wrestling world will rock as Cody takes on his brother Dustin Rhodes, The Young Bucks battle the Lucha Bros for the AAA World Tag Team Championship, Hangman Adam Page clashes with PAC, and Britt Baker, Nyla Rose and Kylie Rae compete in a three-way match.

Additionally, before the live pay-per-view event begins at 1:00 a.m. GMT, Sunday, May 26, the hourlong live pre-show special BUY-IN will air for free on ITV4 at midnight. BUY-IN includes the first ever “Casino (Battle) Royale,” which will see 21 competitors including Jimmy Havoc, Billy Gunn, MJF, Michael Nakzawa, Jungle Boy, Glacier, Sonny Kiss, and Joey Janela entering the ring in waves of five wrestlers every three minutes followed by one final entrant, lucky number 21, all fighting it out in the ring until there is one winner, whose reward will be a future title shot against the first ever AEW World Champion. BUY-IN will also feature a pair of high-flyers squaring off one-on-one as the UK’s own Kip Sabian will face Sammy Guevara.

“We’re delighted to announce this partnership with AEW, whose entry into professional wrestling is already making a massive impact on the industry and promises to deliver an electrifying event later this month, and a fantastic experience for our viewers and wrestling fans in the UK,” said Niall Sloane, Director of Sport, ITV. “Joining forces with AEW for this event is faithful to ITV’s More Than TV strategy to develop direct relationships with viewers through big events available on its platforms.”

“We’ve stated since our launch that we want to make this the greatest time ever to be a professional wrestling fan, and part of this plan is to make our product as accessible as possible to a global audience,” said Tony Khan, President/CEO of AEW. “Since our launch in January, we’ve signed the best talent, sold out our debut show in record time, and we’ve built relationships and formed bonds with the best media partners like ITV. This collaboration with ITV is so important to AEW, ITV is the best in the UK, they were always my first choice to be our international PPV partner for DOUBLE OR NOTHING, and we’re looking forward to a great show.”

In addition, a special pre-event show “Before the Bell” will air for free on ITV4 and ITV Box Office in the build up to the DOUBLE OR NOTHING broadcast. Details about how to access DOUBLE OR NOTHING on ITV Box Office can be found at http://www.itvboxoffice.com.

WWE NXT UK Preview 5/8/19

NXT UK, today at 3 ET/ 8 GMT on the WWE Network.

The Grizzled Young Veterans battle Williams & Jordan in a NXT UK Title Match today

Weeks after a retreat by Zack Gibson & James Drake gave Kenny Williams & Amir Jordan a count-out victory over the NXT UK Tag Team Champions, The Grizzled Young Veterans maintain that their opposition doesn’t deserve to be in the same locker room with them. Johnny Saint clearly disagrees, as the esteemed General Manager has now awarded Williams & Jordan the opportunity to capture the gold in Glasgow, Scotland.

In addition to the highly-anticipated title showdown, there are currently rumblings about a major announcement coming during this week’s show.

Update On Vince McMahon’s New WWE Wild Card Rule And A Potential Issue For The Company

Vince McMahon’s new WWE Wild Card Rule could end up leading to issues for the company, as described on Wrestling Observer Radio today.

As noted, the rule will see four RAW Superstars appear on SmackDown each week while four SmackDown Superstars appear on RAW each week. The gimmick was created as a response to ratings pressure from NBCUniversal (USA Network) and Fox. Vince did not want to give up the idea of separate brands, but the networks want star power on both shows and there has been a feeling that the brands don’t have enough star power individually. Furthermore, it was also reported that Fox wants RAW and SmackDown storylines on the blue brand show when it goes to their network on Friday nights in October. There has been pressure from both networks to have the top WWE Superstars work both shows.

The Wild Card Rule will potentially cause issues for WWE live events, such as false advertising. Due to the way WWE creative operates these days, WWE likely won’t plan out these weekly Wild Card Rule appearances in advance, which could lead to incidents where Superstars have been advertised for live events, for weeks or even months, but they’re pulled from those live events to appear on TV at the last minute.

While WWE likely won’t plan out the Wild Card Rule appearances in advance, it was noted that Roman Reigns is expected to appear on both RAW and SmackDown often. We noted before how NBCU recently asked questions about why WWE gave up a star like Reigns to SmackDown in the 2019 Superstar Shake-Up.

We’ve reported on how WWE has made recent hires to help bring live event business back up, and they noted during the Q1 2019 earnings call that they are focused on bringing that part of the business back to where it should be. The WWE Wild Card Rule could create more of a decline in live event business, at a time where they’re focused on getting it back up. There’s no word yet on if the Wild Card Rule really will help with the TV ratings, but we should know within the next few weeks. It’s believed that the gimmick could bring a small increase in the numbers, but likely not a huge turn around.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Ross And Marshall Von Erich Sign Multi-Year Deals With MLW

Ross and Marshall Von Erich have signed multi-year deals with MLW. The third-generation wrestlers will make their MLW on June 1st at Fury Road in Milwaukee.

“Signing with MLW is a big deal for us,” 30 year-old Ross told Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated. “They are the promotion that has allowed us to be with our dad, help out around the ranch, and still wrestle.”

“We’re able to continue the legacy,” added Marshall, who is the younger brother. “It’s humbling, we’re honored, and it’s the perfect timing—we’ve never been this ready for this big a stage before.”

Ross and Marshall are the sons of the legendary Kevin Von Erich. Kevin and the Von Erich family were chronicled on an episode of Viceland’s Dark Side of the Ring last week. The episode looked at the tragedy of the Von Erichs. All five of Kevin’s brothers died premature deaths, three by suicide.

“The Von Erich name is not a burden,” said Ross, who is the elder brother at 30. “We are grateful for our name, it’s a blessing to be a Von Erich. God gave us the right equipment, and we’re going to go out there and do our best.”

MLW sent us the press release regarding their signing:

Major League Wrestling sign Ross and Marshall Von ErichThe Texas born athletes ink multi-year deal; will debut June 1st in Milwaukee at FURY ROAD

NEW YORK — Ross and Marshall Von Erich have joined Major League Wrestling, signing a multi-year deal with the promotion this week. The sons of Kevin Von Erich have emerged as accomplished wrestlers, competing around the world including for Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan, Israel, Australia, the United Kingdom as well as in their home state of Texas.

League officials can confirm that the 3rd generation grapplers will make their MLW debut June 1st in Milwaukee at FURY ROAD.

Earlier today, Sports Illustrated broke the news with a report, featuring exclusive comments from the Von Erichs and MLW CEO Court Bauer.

“Ross and Marshall are not only world-class athletes but world-class people,” said MLW CEO Court Bauer. “I look forward to seeing their journey as they write a new chapter and usher in the future for their family and for pro wrestling fans around the world.”

About Ross and Marshall Von Erich:

Born in Denton County, Texas and now fighting out of Kauai, Hawaii, Ross and Marshall Von Erich are premier professional wrestlers. Dangerous competitors both in singles competition as well as a franchise tag team unit, the brothers have aspirations of both singles and tag team gold.

The massive 6’4″ 250-pound Marshall Von Erich loves three things: surfing, fishing and fighting. Without a doubt, the younger and physically bigger brother is a certified Hawaiian hoss. Combining explosive power with speed and agility, very few if any can match the charismatic grappler’s fusion of styles, especially at his size.

A strategist inside the ring, Ross wastes no movement, systematically focusing on his opponents’ weaknesses until they are too tired to endure his blitzing offense. Featuring fast and furious brawling, cutting-edge grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsui mat work, his arsenal also includes uncanny aerial attacks.

Proud and serious, Ross Von Erich mixes technical wrestling, brawling, MMA and aerial attacks to make for a customized hybrid wrestling style.

Grappling and learning new techniques on the beaches of Kauai from their father, Kevin Von Erich, these Texas born bad asses are a force to reckon with.

Preferring to fight barefoot, like his father, Marshall is a 3rd generation grappler. Similar to his father, Marshall also possesses one of the best dropkicks in the sport, attaining a vertical leap that would put most athletes to shame. Shocking fans and devastating opponents with his signature moonsault, Marshall is exceptional in every way.

A top-level wrestler in both singles and tag team competition, Ross and Marshall fight for his family’s name and their future.

When not wrestling, the brothers can be found spending time with his family on their ranch in Hawaii, enjoying surfing, spear fishing and innovating new high flying moves off of waterfalls.

Growing up in Denton County (just outside Dallas), Marshall and Ross would tussle all over the family’s Texas ranch with hopes of one day wrestling in front of large crowds around the world. However, their legendary father, Kevin Von Erich, didn’t want his sons to grow up too fast. So much so he hid the weights in the barn at their Denton County farm and encouraged the boys to enjoy life. Wrestling would come soon enough if it was meant to be.

Both impressive athletes from an early age, the brothers exceed in all sports, Ross in football and Marshall at discus throwing.

In 2007, the entire Von Erich clan moved to Kauai, Hawaii, the state’s northernmost island where the brothers Ross and Marshall would begin their journey to become pro wrestlers.

Training under their father’s watchful eye on his Hawaiian farm, the brothers quickly took to professional wrestling. This would lead Ross and Marshall on a journey around the world to train and learn from some of the sport’s best, including Harley Race.

The brothers’ time training with Race in Missouri was invaluable. The brothers not only learned key fundamentals but world class technical and brawling skills from the hall of famer, which would serve them well in the years to come.

From Race’s camp in Missouri, Ross and Marshall would go on an excursion to Japan where they would live for the better part of two years in the Pro Wrestling NOAH dojo.

Under the tutelage of Naomichi Marufuji, the Von Erichs mastered the art of puroresu(Japanese wrestling). On and off for two years, Ross and Marshall would train and compete in one of Japan’s most competitive and prestigious wrestling circuits both in singles and tag team competition.

Competing around the world, including Israel, England, Australia as well as stateside in their home state of Texas, the rise of the 3rdgeneration of Von Erichs heralded a new era for the family. One of triumph, tranquility and hope. Along the way, they even collected championship gold in Texas and abroad.

In 2019, Ross crossed over into film, appearing in Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Hobbs and Shaw action movie. The brothers were also spotlighted in VICE’s Dark Side of The Ringseries, representing a new hope for a new chapter in the family’s fabled story in the sport.

Believing in the mantra to always look forward, never backward, Ross and Marshall have embraced their destiny: the fight for their family’s name and their future.

See the Von Erichs live June 1st in the greater Milwaukee area. Tickets start at just $10 at MLWTickets.com.

Daniel Bryan And Rowan Are New SmackDown Tag Team Champs

Last night on WWE SmackDown Live, Daniel Bryan and Rowan defeat The Usos to capture the vacant SmackDown Tag Team Titles.

As noted, the SmackDown Tag Team Titles have been vacant since The Hardy Boys relinquished them last week due to Jeff Hardy’s right leg injury. Hardy will be out of action for 6-9 months.

Shane McMahon originally announce Bryan and Rowan as the new champions. The Usos took of advantage of the new Wild Card Rule coming to SmackDown from RAW and took issue with Bryan and Rowan being crowned champions without earning the titles. This led to Shane making The Usos vs. Bryan and Rowan for the titles. Bryan and Rowan won that match to begin their first title run together.

 

Bryan noted that they will be switching out the leather straps on the title belts because they disgust him. It looks like Bryan and Rowan will be using eco-friendly straps like he used on the WWE Title before losing it to Kofi Kingston at WrestleMania 35.

 

WWE Made Change On Uploading Video Content From RAW & SmackDown On YouTube Reportedly To Help With Drop In Ratings

You may have noticed how WWE did not upload any YouTube videos from this week’s RAW and SmackDown episodes until late in the show. This was done as a way to potentially help combat the drop in ratings, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.

The current plan is to cut back on the amount of uploads to YouTube during the RAW and SmackDown episodes. The feeling is that uploading videos as matches and segments happen on TV is potentially hurting the ratings.

WWE usually uploads clips from RAW and SmackDown matches shortly after they happen on TV, but that was not the case this week. WWE started uploading the first clips from Monday night’s show late into the third hour. All clips from RAW were uploaded within an hour of the show going off the air, which isn’t far from how they usually do it.

The big difference was that there were no YouTube clips from RAW while it was still airing on the USA Network, until the final hour. While WWE is changing their policy on YouTube uploads, at least for now, it looks like things will not change on Twitter. WWE uploaded photos and videos as usual on Twitter with content going up as it aired on TV.

As noted, WWE is currently facing pressure to bring the ratings back up from NBCUniversal (USA Network) and Fox. This is part of the reason why Vince McMahon introduced the Wild Card Rule.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE SmackDown Live Preview 5/7/19

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Live will take place from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

* Shane McMahon will crown new SmackDown Tag Team Champions

* Kevin Owens to respond to Kofi Kingston’s attack from last week

* Massive Six-Woman Tag Team Match to go down on the blue brand

* Ali and Andrade to square off tonight

* Which Raw Superstars will take advantage of the “Wild Card Rule?”

WWE 205 Live Preview 5/7/19

Tonight’s WWE 205 Live will take place from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Can Kanellis defeat Tozawa at his own game?

Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Akira Tozawa is no stranger to No Disqualification and Falls Count Anywhere Matches. In fact, some of the most memorable matches in WWE 205 Live history have involved The Stamina Monster stopping at nothing to defeat the likes of his rival-turned-ally The Brian Kendrick. However, as Mike Kanellis looks to rack up some wins and prove that he belongs at the top of WWE 205 Live, his rivalry with Tozawa has reached dangerous levels.

Last week, The Opportunist attacked Kendrick as The Man with a Plan made his way to the ring, leading to a wild brawl between Tozawa and Kanellis that raged until they were separated by WWE officials. The incident was just the latest in a tit-for-tat struggle between the two Superstars that has often involved Kanellis’ wife Maria and Kendrick.

Now Tozawa and Kanellis look to settle the score in a No Disqualification Match. Can Kanellis prove his mettle – without the aid of his wife – against a former WWE Cruiserweight Champion, or will The Stamina Monster silence his nemesis for good? Tune in to WWE 205 Live at 10/9 C, streaming live on the award-winning WWE Network!