NJPW announced that Michael Elgin has not re-signed with the company. The two sides did talk and mutually decided to part ways after his contract expired on March 31.
Elgin first began appearing for NJPW in 2015 through ROH’s partnership, and was able to capture the IWGP Intercontinental, NEVER Openweight, and NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle has been announced for the loaded Starrcast II convention.
Angle joins The Undertaker as current top WWE Superstars scheduled for the big event, which takes place during All Elite Wrestling’s Double Or Nothing weekend from Las Vegas in late May. This would be almost two months after Angle’s Farewell Match against Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35.
AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes took to Twitter on Monday night to announce Angle for Starrcast II. He wrote, “It’s true, It’s damn true, Kurt Angle is coming to Starrcast II!”
Starrcast II takes place May 23-26 from the Tuscany Suites & Casinos at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. Full details on the convention can be found at Starrcast.com.
You can see Cody’s tweet below along with a list of guests currently advertised for Starrcast II:
The Undertaker aka Mark Calaway
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle
WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair
WWE Hall of Famer Sting
Eric Bischoff
Bruce Prichard
Tony Schiavone
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross
WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler
WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart
WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash
WWE Hall of Famer Scott Hall
WWE Hall of Famer Lita aka Amy Dumas
WWE Hall of Famer Ricky Steamboat
WWE Hall of Famer Sean “X-Pac” Waltman
WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson
WWE Hall of Famer JJ Dillon
WWE Hall of Famer Barry Windham
WWE Hall of Famer Tully Blanchard
Tommy Dreamer
Colt Cabana
Magnum TA
Joey Ryan
David Arquette
WWE Hall of Famer The Godfather aka Charles Wright
Jerry Lynn
Konnan
WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk
Dylan Postle aka Swoggle aka Hornswoggle
Rob Van Dam
Leva Bates
WWE producer “Hurricane” Shane Helms
Brian Pillman Jr
The Blue Meanie
Bill Apter
Madison Rayne
Ashley Massaro
Dan Soder
Mike Lawrence
Ron Funches
LA Park
El Hijo de LA Park
Sean Mooney
Nyla Rose
Kylie Rae
Sonny Kiss
Chuck Taylor
Trent Beretta
Dan St. Germain
WWE Hall of Famers The Rock n’ Roll Express
WWE Hall of Famer Mil Mascaras
WWE Hall of Famer Greg Valentine
Mark Madden
Scott Norton
Angelina Love
Velvet Sky
Vampiro
Brandon Cutler
Sammy Guevara
Ace Romero
Kip Sabian
Jimmy Havoc
Scarlett Bordeaux
Killer Kross
Dave Meltzer
Bryan Alvarez
Matt Mitchell aka Casio
Alex Marvez
Dr. Britt Baker
Cody Rhodes
Brandi Rhodes
The Young Bucks
Kenny Omega
Chris Jericho
Christopher Daniels
Frankie Kazarian
Scorpio Sky
Adam Page
Joey Janela
Penelope Ford
WWE Hall of Famer Billy Gunn
WWE Hall of Famer Stan Hansen
WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart
Source: Wrestling Inc.
As noted, Stephanie McMahon appeared on last night’s WWE RAW to announce that Becky Lynch vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair vs. RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey will now be a “winner take all” match. Whoever emerges victorious will leave MetLife Stadium with both WWE Women’s Championships.
As far as what happens down the line, whether or not the titles will be broken off to two separate people is to be determined, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio. It was noted that higher-ups within WWE have yet to reach a decision on when to actually separate the belts.
According to Meltzer, the storyline that will be focused on after WrestleMania will see someone wanting revenge for unjustly losing their championship in the triple threat scenario. It is believed that Lynch will ultimately leave with both belts, and who she ends up pinning will likely depend on whether or not Ronda Rousey takes a break from WWE after WrestleMania 35. If she stays, Lynch can pin Charlotte and they can focus on Rousey getting a shot at Lynch one-on-one. If rumors prove true and Rousey is indeed departing, they can have Lynch pin her and refocus on the never-ending feud between Charlotte and Becky.
As noted, both the WWE RAW and SmackDown Women’s Championships will be on the line when Ronda Rousey faces both Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch in a triple threat match this Sunday, April 7, at WrestleMania 35, taking place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Join us this Sunday for live coverage of the event.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Last night on RAW, Finn Balor revealed that he is bringing his alter ego “The Demon” to WrestleMania 35 to face Bobby Lashley for the Intercontinental championship.
There had been speculation as to whether or not Balor would bring out the rarely-seen demon to face Lashley at WrestleMania. Now it has been confirmed.
Last night on RAW, Stephanie McMahon announced that the first-ever WrestleMania women’s main event triple threat match will now be Winner Takes All with both the RAW Women’s Championship and SmackDown Women’s Championship on the line. RAW women’s Champion Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair.
Stephanie said, “That’s right, one woman will bring home all the gold the grandest stage of them all. Because this Sunday at WrestleMania, three of the WWE’s greatest athletes will step foot in that ring. They will put their bodies on the line and leave their hearts and souls on the mat because this Sunday at WrestleMania, it’s WINNER. TAKES. ALL.”
Last night on RAW, Becky, Ronda and Charlotte had to team up against The Riott Squad with the stipulation that if one of them betrays the others in the match they would be removed from the WrestleMania main event match. Ronda picked up the win for them by submitting Liv Morgan with an armbar. As soon as bell rang, a huge brawl broke out. Police officers came out to the ring to stop Ronda, Becky and Charlotte, but the three wasn’t willing to stop. The three ended up fighting with the officers resulting in all three of them being arrested. Evan after being handcuffed they keept on fighting each other and the officers. They were placed into police cars with Ronda and Becky placed in the same car. They fought and kicked out the window. Becky was pulled out of one car but then she brawled with Charlotte, their hands still cuffed behind their backs. Ronda manages to get behind the wheel of one of the squad cars. She drove it into the back of another car. The police finally calmed things down somewhat as two cars are driven away with the sirens on, Ronda in back of one and Becky in the back of another. Charlotte was still resisting as they all watch the police drive away with Ronda and Becky in separate cars.
WWE announced a storyline update on Becky, Ronda and Charlotte:
Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair released from custody
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey, SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch have all been released from police custody of their own recognizance and will appear in court at a later date.
Stay with WWE’s digital platforms as this story develops.
The final WWE RAW before WrestleMania 35 will take place tonight from the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.
* Breaking News: Stephanie McMahon to make an announcement regarding the WrestleMania main event tonight
* Can WrestleMania’s main-event Superstars coexist against The Riott Squad?
* Batista returns to Raw
* Beth Phoenix returns to action in an Eight-Woman Tag Team Match – Beth Phoenix, Natalya and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Nia Jax, Tamina Snuka and The IIconics
* Brock Lesnar comes to Raw to extinguish Seth Rollins’ fire
* Can Aleister Black & Ricochet convert their recent success into a Raw Tag Team Championship reign?
* Will Roman Reigns attain retribution against Drew McIntyre before WrestleMania?
* Kurt Angle battles Rey Mysterio in his final Raw match
ROH announced the Pre-Show for ROH /NJPW G1 Supercard will begin at 6:30 pm ET on April 6 and air for free on ROH’s Facebook Live, FITE, NJPW World, and traditional PPV. The Pre-Show will feature an Honor Rumble battle royal.
WWE has announced Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake (Ed Leslie) for the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame class.
Beefcake joins headliners DX (Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chyna, Billy Gunn, “Road Dogg” BG James, Sean “X-Pac” Waltman), Torrie Wilson, Harlem Heat, The Honky Tonk Man and The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart) as confirmed inductees for the 2019 class. Veteran WWE employee Sue Aitchison will receive The Warrior Award.
The 2019 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place this Saturday night from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, during WrestleMania 35 weekend.
Below is WWE’s full announcement on Beefcake’s induction:
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2019Brutus Beefcake was known for taking a little off the top (and the sides) of his opponents after a win inside the squared circle. Now, “The Barber” will be struttin’ and cuttin’ into sports-entertainment immortality.
Beefcake is the final inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019. He will take his place in the hallowed hall this Saturday, the eve of WrestleMania 35, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The news was first reported by Sports Illustrated. Tickets are available now for the ceremony, which will stream live on the WWE Network at 7 ET/4 PT.
Beefcake first arrived in WWE in late 1984. He was a Superstar who was just as concerned with his looks as he was picking up wins in the ring. Vanity aside, Beefcake was no slouch as a competitor, racking up victories and even appearing in the very first WrestleMania. He found his first major success as a tag team wrestler. He and fellow WWE Hall of Famer Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, known as The Dream Team, dethroned The British Bulldogs in August 1985 to capture the World Tag Team Titles.
At WrestleMania III in 1987, however, The Dream Team split up, with Valentine and manager Johnny Valiant ditching Beefcake. Just a few minutes later, Brutus re-emerged to help “Rowdy” Roddy Piper even the odds in a Hair vs. Hair Match against Adrian Adonis, who had “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart in his corner. After Piper claimed victory, it was Beefcake who ended up shearing Adonis’ platinum locks off. It was a moment that changed Beefcake’s career forever.
After a little training in the fine art of cutting hair, he rechristened himself Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake. With a wild-eyed glare and a massive pair of hedge clippers in hand, “The Barber” became an immediate fan favorite with the WWE Universe, as well as a feared opponent in the ring. Both were due in part to his trademark Sleeper Hold and for what happened after he put his opponents to sleep.
Leaving his hedge clippers aside in favor of more traditional haircutting tools, Beefcake showed off his unique barbering skills, giving his rivals a haircut that would leave them regretting ever stepping into the ring with “The Barber.”
Beefcake was also a trusted friend of the legendary Hulk Hogan. “The Barber” always had The Hulkster’s back, even if it meant staring down monstrous foes like Zeus. On his own, Beefcake was always a top contender to the Intercontinental Championship, whether it was held by fellow 2019 Hall of Fame Inductee The Honky Tonk Man or Mr. Perfect. In fact, it was Beefcake who handed Mr. Perfect his first-ever loss in WWE at WrestleMania VI.
A parasailing accident in 1990 nearly took Beefcake’s life, and seemingly cut his in-ring career short, just as he was hitting his stride in WWE. Reconstructive surgery with titanium plates, screws and steel wire put his face back together, and allowed him to make a miraculous comeback in 1991. Upon his return, Beefcake opened his “Barber Shop,” his own interview segment where he grilled the biggest Superstars of the era, and gave the more daring ones a trim. Still, Beefcake yearned to get back in the ring and compete.
Against all odds, he did just that in early 1993. Though his reconstructed face made him a target of nefarious Superstars like The Million Dollar Man & IRS, “The Barber” had a protective mask and backup in the form of Hogan. Joining forces as The Mega Maniacs, “The Barber” & The Hulkster defeated Money Inc. at WrestleMania IX.
While Beefcake eventually left WWE to head to WCW, he has remained one of the most enduring characters in WWE history and an all-time fan favorite of the WWE Universe. That’s why there’s no better honor for him then induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Watch Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake enter the WWE Hall of Fame when the 2019 Induction Ceremony streams live this Saturday at 7 ET/4 PT on WWE Network. If you’ll be in New York City for WrestleMania 35 Week, tickets for the ceremony are available now!
Tommaso Ciampa took to Twitter today and revealed that doctors told him he will be on “borrowed time” if he returns to the ring from his recent neck surgery.
Ciampa revealed the bad news when reflecting on how he will be missing the WWE NXT TakeOver: New York” event next Friday night in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center. As noted, the plan was for Ciampa to defend his title against Johnny Gargano in the TakeOver main event, but Ciampa was forced to undergo neck surgery and relinquish the title. Gargano will now face Adam Cole in a 2 of 3 Falls match for the vacant NXT Title at TakeOver.
Ciampa said the match at TakeOver meant more to him than anyone will ever understand. “The opportunity was taken away from me,” he added.
There’s still no official word on when Ciampa will return to the ring but it was noted in the recent NXT TV video package, seen above, that it takes most people up to a full year to recover from the operation he had.
You can read Ciampa’s full statement below:
“In May of 2017 they told me that no one has ever had 3 major surgeries in a 12 week span and returned at a competitive level.I returned to the most successful run of my career.
This week I should be preparing to walk into the main event of TakeOver New York on Wrestlemania weekend as the NXT Champion. This match meant more to me than anyone will ever understand.
The opportunity was taken away from me.
In March of 2019 they told me that if I return then I will be on borrowed time.
To be continued…”
https://twitter.com/ProjectCiampa/status/1112716777392431104
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE has just confirmed that Stephanie McMahon will be on tonight’s RAW to make an announcement on the WrestleMania 35 main event between new SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey.
As noted, there’s been talk on Flair also putting her title on the line in the main event, or some sort of “Winner Takes All” stipulation being added. This is likely what Stephanie will be announcing on tonight’s WrestleMania 35 go-home show.
Below is WWE’s announcement on Stephanie’s appearance:
Breaking News: Stephanie McMahon to make an announcement regarding the WrestleMania main event tonight
Stephanie McMahon will appear on the final Raw before WrestleMania 35 with an announcement pertaining to WrestleMania’s first-ever women’s main event, featuring Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defending her title against new SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch in a Triple Threat Match.
The historic match has undergone incredible shifts in recent weeks, with Mr. McMahon inserting The Queen as his hand-picked challenger to The Rowdy One’s throne, The Man having to fight tooth-and-nail to cling to the opportunity she earned in the 2019 Women’s Royal Rumble Match and, this past Tuesday night, Flair capturing the SmackDown Women’s Title.
What news will Stephanie deliver, and how might it further alter the landscape of one of the most anticipated main events in WrestleMania history? Find out when Raw airs live tonight at 8/7 C on USA Network.
