Matt Hardy Says Retirement Is NOT On The Horizon

Contrary to popular belief, Matt Hardy says he’s NOT retiring from professional wrestling in the near future — he’s just been taking time off to heal various injuries.

Hardy was recently interviewed by Sportskeeda and told the publication his retirement is not on the horizon, despite how it appeared in some of his social media posts over the summer.

“I took time off to heal some nagging injuries and I’ll be back sooner rather than later,” he explained. “So, I’ve been doing this twenty-six years. I was just a little beat up. I was given a little time off. From when I’ve been back, for over a year and a half, I was full time. I did everything.”

Adding, “Jeff was off with the surgery, so just had a little bit of time off. I think Bray needed a little time off. He’d had a car accident. So, I think it was just a little bit of time off for everyone. So, I think you’ll see an evolution of Bray Wyatt and an evolution of Matt Hardy.”

Wyatt last wrestled in WWE at Starrcade. The match was not shown on the WWE Network broadcast. Hardy last wrestled in September, but made an appearance at a live event in Spain this month during a pull-apart brawl between Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE SmackDown Live Preview 12/4/18

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Live will take place from the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas as the road to TLC continues.

* Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair and Asuka sign their TLC Match contract

* Daniel Bryan to appear on a must-see “Miz TV”

* Jeff Hardy goes one-on-one with Randy Orton

* Woods, Uso and Cesaro square off in Triple Threat Match

WWE Mixed Match Challenge Preview 12/4/18

WWE MMC Week 3 Preview (10/2/2018)

Tonight’s WWE Mixed Match Challenge will take place from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The MMC season two continues this evening on Facebook Watch at 10pm EST., immediately following WWE SmackDown Live on the USA Network.

The MMC Playoffs will continue on tonight’s show.

* The Miz and Asuka vs. Jimmy Uso and Naomi

* Jeff Hardy and Charlotte Flair vs. Carmella and R-Truth

Chris Jericho Reportedly Involved In Physical Incident Outside Of Tour Bus

Image result for chris jericho fozzy 2018

Chris Jericho was reportedly involved in an altercation with a fan following the Fozzy concert at The Exchange in Regina, Saskatchewan on Sunday night.

The incident reportedly started when a drunk man, described as being “all messed up” when the trouble began, tried getting on the Fozzy tour bus, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio. Apparently there was a younger man who helped perform with the band that night, and he wanted to get on the tour bus to get autographs. Another man, the intoxicated guy who later ended up in police custody, reportedly tried to help the autograph-seeker get on the bus. The band did not want the inebriated man on the bus, but he tried sneaking on anyway. A crew member saw this and ended up in a fight with the guy, coming out of it with a broken collarbone.

Jericho reportedly came off the bus and started yelling at the drunk man as he was being kicked out. Jericho hit the man with a Spear and mounted him with punches, according to Meltzer. Jericho returned to the bus, came back out and yelled at the guy, and hit him with more punches.

People were watching the incident unfold and tried to hold the man until police arrived. He got away and was later chased by police, then apprehended. There’s no word yet on what the man was charged with or if anyone else is facing charges.

Source: WrestlingINC

Natalya Written Out Of WWE RAW Storylines Due To Elbow Injury?

Image result for The Riott Squad drive Natalya through a table

It appears that WWE will be going in a different direction with Ronda Rousey and who she partners with.

Over the past few months, Ronda has had an ally in Natalya. There were plans to turn the latter heel until her father, Jim Neidhart, passed away this past summer. While WWE has been teasing it, now it appears that Natalya will take a small break.

On last night’s Monday Night RAW, Rousey and Natalya were in a match against Tamina and Nia Jax before the Riott Squad interrupted. The trio ended up putting Natalya through a table. In the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that Natalya has an elbow injury. The angle on RAW was done to replace her with Ember Moon in the storyline.

A timetable for Natalya’s return is unknown. Ronda is scheduled to face Nia Jax for the RAW Women’s Championship at the TLC PPV on December 16th inside the SAP Center in San Jose, California.

Source: WrestlingINC

Air Date Announced For WWE Tribute To The Troops

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WWE has announced that the 16th annual Tribute to the Troops will air on Thursday, December 20 at 8pm ET on the USA Network.

WWE also announced that Jon Stewart will make a special appearance on the show. As noted, country music artist Morgan Wallen will also perform.

WWE TTTT will be taped today at Fort Hood in Texas.

Below is the updated TTTT announcement with comments from Vince McMahon:

STAMFORD, Conn. and Fort Hood, Texas., Dec. 4, 2018 – The 16th annual WWE Tribute to the Troops celebration will be held today at Fort Hood with a two-hour special airing Thursday, Dec. 20 at 9/8c on USA Network. This year’s celebration will feature a special appearance by Jon Stewart, former host of The Daily Show and a long-time supporter of our servicemen and women. In addition, rising country music star Morgan Wallen will perform for the troops in attendance.

WWE began Tribute to the Troops in 2003 to honor our servicemen and women and their families. In the tradition of Bob Hope, WWE brings together the best of sports, entertainment and pop culture with celebrity appearances and performances from music’s most popular acts in what is considered TV’s most patriotic and heartwarming show of the year

“Entertainment companies such as WWE and other nationally recognized performers and performances which have visited Fort Hood in the past are a tremendous morale booster for our Soldiers and their families,” said Col. Henry Perry, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood commander. “It shows how a little bit of their time can give our Soldiers some relaxation, good fun and enjoy much needed down time experiencing something they don’t see every day.”

“It is an honor to celebrate our servicemen and women for their unwavering commitment and sacrifice to our country,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman & CEO. “We are proud to return to Fort Hood and continue WWE’s Tribute to the Troops tradition for the 16th consecutive year.”

While in Fort Hood, WWE Superstars will spend time giving back to military personnel and their families. Activities include a Be a STAR bullying prevention rally, as well as hospital visits and military outreach initiatives across the base. WWE will also make a financial contribution to Celebration of Love, a local non-profit organization dedicated to supporting U.S. soldiers, veterans and their families through their Soldiers of America program. This year, Celebration of Love is holding a Christmas Toy Drive, gifting 1,200 bikes and toys to military children at Fort Hood. WWE last held Tribute to the Troops in Fort Hood in 2010.

UPDATE: Roman Reigns is set to make his WWE TV return on the 16th annual Tribute to the Troops special.

Reigns is in town and would be limited to a non-wrestling role, if his appearance makes the special. This would be Reigns’ first WWE TV appearance since announcing his second battle with leukemia back on October 22.

Vince McMahon Sells $22 Million Worth Of WWE Stock, How Many Company Shares Does He Have Left?

WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon sold 306,000 shares of company stock back on November 30.

WWE made a new SEC filing on Monday and revealed that McMahon sold 306,000 shares of WWE stock for a total of $22,866,523.61.

It’s possible Vince unloaded the stock to help finance the XFL launch planned for 2020. Vince sold $100 million worth of stock to launch the Alpha Entertainment company last year as the parent company of the league, and he has reportedly told people that he expects to spend an estimated $500 million in the first three years of operations. The league is scheduled to officially announce the 8 host cities & venues for the inaugural season on Wednesday.

Vince still owns 31,887,375 shares of stock, which would be worth almost $2.4 billion at the current stock price of $73.59 per share.

Source: WrestlingINC

Jack (Swagger) Hager To Make Bellator MMA Debut In January

Image result for Jack Swagger To Make Bellator MMA Debut In January

It’s been over one year since Jack Swagger signed a deal with Bellator MMA … and now his first fight has finally been made official!

Swagger made the announcement Monday on Ariel Helwani’s MMA show and confirmed his debut will happen January 26th during the Heavyweight Grand Prix Finals at The Forum in Inglewood, CA.

His opponent will be 41-year-old JW Kiser, who has only fought (and lost) one professional fight.

“I think my career will be a lot longer than most people imagine, in mixed martial arts,” Swagger — aka Jake Hager — told Helwani. “I have nothing to prove. I’m doing this for me and my family. I know I belong and you will see that I do when I step in the cage.”

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Rhyno Retires After Losing WWE RAW Job, Heath Slater Becomes A Referee

Image result for Heath Slater vs. Rhyno - Loser Gets Fired

On Last night’s RAW from Houston, Texas Heath Slater defeat his tag team partner Rhyno in a match that saw the loser get fired.

The match was made

by General Manager-Elect Baron Corbin, who said he had been crunching some numbers and found that RAW only had room for one of them. Corbin gave them the chance to quit to save the other’s job but they refused and he made the match.

In a twist to the story, Corbin later confronted Slater in a backstage segment and revealed that he’s keeping him on the red brand as a referee, not as an in-ring performer.

Rhyno announced his retirement to the live crowd during a commercial break after the match. Stay tuned for updates on his retirement.

There’s no word yet on what they have planned for Slater in the referee role, but we will keep you updated.

UPDATE: It looks like The Man Beast isn’t finished with WWE just yet as he’s booked for this week’s live events in South America, according to PWInsider. Rhyno has not tweeted since the angle on last night’s show. Stay tuned for updates on his status.

WWE RAW Opened With President George H. W. Bush Tribute

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Last night’s WWE RAW from Houston, Texas opened with JoJo leading a 10-bell salute for President George Herbert Walker Bush, who passed away at the age of 94 on Friday. The 41st President lived in Houston.

WWE also tweeted a tribute to the 41st President.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1069758692315160576