Backstage News On John Cena At WrestleMania 35

Although the WrestleMania 35 card has continued filling out throughout the week, one of WWE’s biggest names, John Cena, has yet to be mentioned on WWE TV regarding this year’s “Show of Shows”.

During the past couple of months, there has been speculation on who Cena will ultimately be competing against at this year’s WrestleMania. WWE United States Champion Samoa Joe was an early favorite for one of Cena’s opponents, especially after a series of promos delivered by Joe hinted that it may be the direction WWE creative was taking. Of course, Samoa Joe will be defending his U.S. Title against Rey Mysterio at ‘Mania.

People have also speculated that Cena will eventually take Baron Corbin’s place and become Kurt Angle’s opponent in what is being billed as the Olympic gold medalist’s final match with WWE. Cena continues posting photos on his Instagram account that poke fun at the situation with Corbin, and bring attention to the fact that Angle was Cena’s vert first opponent in WWE.

F4WOnline is now reporting that there is a deal on the table that Cena is expected to sign for WrestleMania; however, they noted that his opponent is not Kurt Angle.

We’ll keep you updated on further developments as we head in to this year’s WrestleMania.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Mickie James To Be Speaker At Childhelp National Day Of Hope

WWE superstar Mickie James just announced on her official Instagram that next week, she will be a speaker at the Childhelp National Day of Hope breakfast in Washington D.C. The first Wednesday in April is National Day of Hope and it was created by the United States House of Representatives in 2000.

James wrote that she was excited to be part of the event and that the organization was near and dear to her heart. She also wrote that after the breakfast, she will be joining the Childhelp team on the Hill to speak to members of Congress about the importance of organizations like Childhelp.

Her full message reads: “I am so excited to announce that next week I will be a speaker at the @childhelp National Day of Hope breakfast in Washington D.C. After the breakfast, I will join the Childhelp team on the Hill speaking to leaders and members of Congress about the importance of helping organizations that help victims and families with their life-changing resources and programs.
As you may know, this organization is so special to me, and near & dear to my heart. Please check out their page Childhelp.org and support them in any way you can. Together we can end child abuse now & forever. If you know of, or suspect a child to be a victim please use the national Child Abuse hotline 1-800-4-A-Child so they may no longer be a victim but a #SURVIVOR thank you!!! Xoxo”

It was also announced today that Mickie James will be a part of the 2nd annual WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal at WrestleMania 35.

You can read her Instagram post below:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Luke Harper Issues Statement Ahead Of WWE TV Return, Says He Was “Ignored And Left Home For Months”

Luke Harper took to Twitter and confirmed that he was cleared to return to action back on February 6th. He also noted that he has not been brought to one WWE TV tapings since going down with an injury last October.

Harper pointed to how he will be facing WWE NXT Superstar Dominik Dijakovic at the WrestleMania 35 Axxess tapings for the WWE Network next Thursday, and said his WWE career has come full circle. Harper also addressed the speculation on his future and said he still has so much to prove to himself, WWE, the industry and his wife. He went on to say being “ignored and left home for months” by WWE brought on a lot of doubt and negative thoughts.

He wrote, I have so much to prove to myself, to WWE, to the industry of professional wrestling, to my wife and it is my responsibility to show my kids how to handle adversity. Next Thursday is the answer. Are the doubts real or is this the first step of the climb? I promise you I will come prepared and you will get my very best that night Mr. Dijak. Just know, be careful thinking of this as just an axxess match because to me, this is Wrestlemania. I’m not throwing away my shot.”

As noted, Harper has worked recent live events, including shows for the RAW brand, but he has been off TV since losing the SmackDown Tag Team Titles when Rowan suffered an injury last summer.

You can see his full statement below:

I’m 39 years old.I’ve been cleared since February 6th. I haven’t been brought to one television taping since I left to have double ligament reconstruction surgery on October 2nd, 2018.

6 years ago, I wrestled multiple matches at Axxess as part of FCW and was involved in Undertakers entrance. 5 years ago, I had a front row seat to watch Bray Wyatt wrestle John Cena. 4 years ago, I competed for the Intercontinental Championship in my first Wrestlemania singles match. 3 years ago, I wrestled Brock Lesnar in Toronto on a network special. 2 years ago, I came within inches of competing for the WWE Championship in the very math AJ Styles won his first and within inches of being part of the WWE championship match at Wrestlemania with Bray and Randy. 1 year ago, I won the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championships with Rowan while my wife and 2 sons watched from the front row.

Next Thursday I will be wrestling Donovan Dijak at Axxess.

Full circle.

I read all the texts I got that said, “you’re back on axxess???” I was kind to all the people at the gym asking if I’m retired. I swallowed my pride when agents and writers asked me if I was still hurt when completely healthy. And now here we are. April 4th, 2019 “When Worlds Collide” at Axxess. Luke Harper vs. Donovan Dijak. How will I respond? How will I change things? Well to all of you this may just be a throwaway Axxess match, but I can assure you to me it is much, much more. This is test. No one has to be happy with the results except me. That’s the true test. Do I still have it? Can I compete with a young, up and coming, incredibly talented, nxt prospect? Am I too old? Has the game passed me by? Am I as good as I really think I am? It brings me near tears to write this because I truly believe I have so f–king much to offer this industry. I believe I will be a World Heavyweight Champion someday. I believe that, but these are the doubts I live with daily. These are the doubts that creep in your head during rehab. These are the thoughts you think when you watch your left side atrophy. Being ignored and left home for months exasperated these thoughts and it sucked.

I have so much to prove to myself, to WWE, to the industry of professional wrestling, to my wife and it is my responsibility to show my kids how to handle adversity. Next Thursday is the answer. Are the doubts real or is this the first step of the climb?

I promise you I will come prepared and you will get my very best that night Mr. Dijak. Just know, be careful thinking of this as just an axxess match because to me, this is Wrestlemania. I’m not throwing away my shot.

Good luck.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

The Undertaker Shows His Recent Weight Loss

The Undertaker took to Instagram today and said the reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Taker noted that he’s made some lifestyle changes in an attempt to offset the years of physical abuse his body has endured while wrestling for WWE. He noted that he has lost 25 pounds and gave credit to Nutrition Solutions for helping.

Taker wrote, “The reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated!! I’ve made some serious lifestyle changes in an attempt to offset the years of physical abuse my body has endured. One of the major changes was losing 25lbs. Goal reached! I wanted to thank @nutritionsolutions for the meal prep! I really appreciate the help getting my diet dialed in. #iaintdoneyet #neverstopworking #rentsdue #restinpeace #goals #wwe #deathvalley #makeithappen #goodfood”

There’s still no word yet on if Taker will be appearing at WrestleMania 35. We know that he and wife Michelle McCool were teaching at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando last week.

You can see Taker’s full post below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvmMC6qgFYL/?utm_source=ig_embed

Source: Wrestling Inc.

MLW Fusion Preview 3/30/19

Watch Major League Wrestling nationwide and in Canada each week on beIN SPORTS Saturdays 9pm ET / 7pm PT and on YouTube Sundays 12pm ET / 9am PT.

Salina de la Renta is on the hunt for a mysterious strategic advantage going into next week’s Battle Riot.

After being arrested, Teddy Hart is out on bail and is in the mood for fighting. So much so he pinned an open contract for a fight for tonight’s card to the locker room door. Who was the first to get to the contract and punch his ticket to a title fight? Find out tonight as Teddy Hart takes on the challenger in the main event.

After nearly having his ear torn off last fall, Daga returns to action… and his nemesis Low Ki isn’t far away.

In middleweight action, Air Wolf makes his debut against “El Sicario” Ricky Martinez (presented by Salina de la Renta).

CONTRA Unit has sent in footage and demanded it be aired tonight. What do the dealers in global violence have to say? Tune in to find out.

The Dynasty address last week’s disrespectful post match incident… and the Hart Foundation drop their own truth bombs.

Matches:
•Teddy Hart open contract
•Air Wolf vs. Ricky Martinez (presented by Salina de la Renta)
•Daga vs. Ariel Dominguez

Join Jim Cornette and Rich Bocchini ringside in Chicago as Major League Wrestling presents the fastest and most dangerous hour of combat sports you’ll experience anywhere in the world.

Watch MLW FUSION Saturday nights on beIN SPORTS at 9pm ET/6pm PT. Don’t get beIN? Subscribe to MLW’s YouTube channel for free and stream binge on MLW FUSION anytime anywhere!

Linda McMahon To Step Down From Small Business Administration, Reportedly Raising Funds For Trump

Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon is expected to announce later today that she is stepping down as the head of the Small Business Administration.

Linda is expected to rejoin the private sector, according to Politico. Her exact plans are unclear, but a source close to Linda said she plans on playing a fundraising role for President Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign. Linda was expected to join Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida this weekend.

Trump named McMahon as the head of his SBA back in December 2016. Trump administration officials have long seen Linda as a leading contender to replace Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross when he eventually steps down, but that won’t be happening.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Preview “Against All Odds” 3/29/19

Tonight Impact presents “Against All Odds” at 10/9c airing on Pursuit, Twitch and FightNet.

* Killer Kross vs. Brian Cage

* Gail Kim to apologize to Tessa Blanchard

* Scarlett Bordeaux vs. Glen Gilbertti

* Rosemary head to The Undead Realm

* Impact Knockouts Championship: (C) Taya Valkyrie vs. Jordynne Grace

Jim Ross’ WWE Contract Comes To An End, Reveals An Undertaker Documentary Is In The Works

Earlier this month, WWE Hall of Famer, “Good Ol’ J.R.” Jim Ross, confirmed that he would be parting ways with the WWE when his current contract expired.

On his show, The Ross Report, J.R. mentioned that a lot of great opportunities are coming up even if his time with WWE has reached it’s conclusion.

“There [are] a lot of big things on the horizon,” Ross said. “I’ll leave you with that. There [are] so many rumors out there, ‘this is going to happen,’ ‘that is going to happen.’ All I can tell you is this: I’m not keeping any secret. My contract with WWE is up at the end of March. What happens after that is not up to me entirely. It takes two to tango on any front you go to. So, all I know is I’m not worried about any of it. I’m not worried about how to get my groceries in 2019. All is good.”

The last day of J.R.’s contract with WWE has arrived, and J.R. took to Twitter to comment on what today entails. Ross wrote, “Big day…it’s the final day of my contract with WWE after 26 years. A WWE camera crew arriving at my home today to record for an Undertaker documentary. I’m honored to be a part of it. Great way to exit.”

There’s no official word on what is next for J.R. We previously noted that despite being under contract with WWE until today, he has been in talks with AEW.

“I don’t know, [AEW and I are] talking,” JR said. “I just haven’t signed anything yet. My people and their people are doing their thing. The only agent I grew up knowing was a State Farm agent in Oklahoma, I got a real agent now, man. So, they’re working on it. I’d like to get into some voice-over work, I’d like to do some… I wouldn’t mind having a radio gig doing college football.”

You can read Ross’ full tweet below:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Hall of Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan Undergoing Heart Procedure

WWE Hall of Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan announced via Instagram that he is undergoing a heart procedure in South Carolina. Still in good spirits, Duggan wrote, “On my way to the hospital for a planned heart procedure, will be in over night. Then back HOOOOOING. Any good thoughts and prayers will be appreciated. See you down the road.”

Back in December, Duggan told TMZ Sports how breathing trouble and complications in his chest lead doctors to discover that his heart had gone in to AFib. The WWE Hall of Famer would come to find out that many legendary pro wrestlers and close friends dealt with the same issue.

“Bill Eadie, one of the “Demolition” guys called me and said he had Afib for many years,” Duggan said. “Jerry Lawler called me and said, of course, he has a heart problem and is still doing well. [Brian] Knobbs and [Jerry] Sags, Hulk Hogan, just everybody checked in on me, which was really nice. The outpouring from the fans and friends is humbling.”

Duggan also posted a photo of himself giving a signature ‘thumbs up’ gesture outside of the hospital. We’ll keep you updated on the status of Duggan.

You can see the full Instagram post below.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Koji Kitao Passes Away At 55

It was announced today in Japan that Sumo star turned pro wrestler, Koji Kitao, passed away back in February at the age of 55.

Kitao gained the rank of Yokozuna while still involved with Sumo wrestling but he ultimately turned to the world of professional wrestling in 1989 under the tutelage of Masa Saito. He wore a mask while competing in AWA and called himself “Monster Machine” so that Japanese media wouldn’t catch wind that he was competing in the States. When he returned to the New Japan Dojo, he competed in the promotion’s first Tokyo Dome event in February 1990. Kitao unfortunately had a falling out with Riki Choshu and it would result in his firing from the company.

Kitao worked with the SWS wrestling promotion after that, and their working partnership with WWE at the time allowed Kitao to be a part of WrestleMania 7. Even still, after lasting about a year with SWS, Kitao was fired when he began no-selling and shooting on his opponent at the time, John “Earthquake” Tenta. When the referee intervened in the match, Kitao kicked him and proceeded to tell the audience that wrestling was fake.

Kitao would be involved with various promotions after that, including one stint with UWFi. Ironically, Kitao was welcomed back in to the world of wrestling after he suffered a knockout kick to the head from one of his UWFi opponents, Takada. He would later transition to the world of MMA but officially retired in 1998 .

You can see a few matches from Kitao’s career below:

Source: Wrestling Inc.