All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) has officially announced that the promotion will launch its own subscription streaming video service, All Japan Pro Wrestling TV, similar to NJPW’s own NJPW World. The service is set to launch on March 7 and will be priced at 900 yen a month. That comes out to be about $8.17 USD.
Source: 411Mania
WWE announced that Mark Henry will inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Henry joins Goldberg, The Dudley Boyz, Ivory, Jeff Jarrett, Hillbilly Jim, Kid Rock and Warrior Award recipient Jarrius “JJ” Robertson as those being honored during the 2018 Induction Ceremony on Friday, April 6, during WrestleMania 34 Week in New Orleans.
WWE issued the following:
Mark Henry took pride in giving countless Superstars a vicious induction into his Hall of Pain. During WrestleMania 34 Week, The World’s Strongest Man will enter a completely different hall.
As first reported by USA Today, Henry will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2018. He joins Goldberg, The Dudley Boyz, Ivory, Jeff Jarrett, Hillbilly Jim, Kid Rock and Warrior Award recipient Jarrius “JJ” Robertson as those being honored during the 2018 Induction Ceremony on Friday, April 6, during WrestleMania 34 Week in New Orleans.
Henry’s journey in professional sports began in the world of powerlifting. After becoming a prodigy in the weight room as a high-schooler, Henry broke out at the 1992 Summer Olympics. One year later, he won gold, silver and bronze medals at the 1993 Pan-American Games. His unbelievable power caught the eye of WWE officials, who signed him to become a Superstar in 1996. Shortly after competing in the 1996 Summer Olympics, Henry made his in-ring debut at In Your House: Mind Games, defeating fellow WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler.
Henry excelled inside the squared circle as a member of The Nation of Domination alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and also became the notorious ladies’ man known as “Sexual Chocolate” during WWE’s over-the-top Attitude Era. While with WWE, Henry would foray into strongman competition and find great success, winning the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic. Back in WWE, The World’s Strongest Man would use the power that won him that contest, pulling off incredible feats of strength for his fellow Superstars and the WWE Universe.
Soon, though, Henry would discover a mean streak like no other and unleash his rage on the WWE roster. Henry carved a path of destruction through Superstars like The Undertaker, Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio before making his way to ECW and capturing the brand’s top championship in his first match, defeating Kane and Big Show in the process. After returning to SmackDown, Henry’s penchant for punishment was given a name – his opponents weren’t just being beaten down; they were being inducted into The Hall of Pain.
Henry’s appetite for destruction brought him one of sports-entertainment’s top prizes – the World Heavyweight Championship, which he won by defeating Randy Orton at Night of Champions 2011. As The World’s Strongest Man’s career approached the two-decade mark, rumors of Henry’s retirement began to travel through the WWE Universe. Henry even played into the rumors, appearing on Monday Night Raw in June 2013 for what appeared to be a tearful retirement speech as John Cena watched on, though he shocked everyone by nearly driving Cena through the mat with his World’s Strongest Slam, boldly declaring “I’ve got a lot left in the tank!”
Henry continued competing with WWE through WrestleMania 33, while also taking on a new role as a talent scout and mentor, helping to prepare competitors like Braun Strowman, Baron Corbin, Apollo Crews and Bianca Belair for the rigors of the squared circle.
For the devastation he caused inside the ring, as well as the work he does to help the next generation of Superstars, there is no bigger honor for Mark Henry than to become The World’s Strongest Hall of Famer.
The 2018 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place on Friday, April 6, in New Orleans at the Smoothie King Center during WrestleMania 34 Week. Tickets are available now on Ticketmaster.
Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas as the Road to WrestleMania 34 continues.
* Who will claim victory in The Ultimate Deletion?
* Brock Lesnar finally emerges
* Asuka puts her streak on the line against Alexa Bliss
* Will Braun Strowman take on The Bar at WrestleMania?
A filmmaker named Jon Bravo claimed to have evidence connecting Roman Reigns to a jailed steroid distributor, but the video he hyped has been released and it featured none.
For those who don’t recall, Reigns was named by jailed steroiddistributor Richard Rodriguez as a former client in an interview he gave to filmmaker Jon Bravo about his Miami-based company Wellness Fitness Nutrition — which was raided by the DEA last year.
Roman denied the allegations not long after the interview got picked up by news outlets.
Bravo then began to promote that he had evidence on Roman Reigns’ purchases, as well as info on a former WWE legend who placed over 140,000 orders, and would release a video report.
He additionally implied other current WWE stars were clients.
However … the video was published on Friday evening and included zero proof of any wrestlers, including Reigns, being tied to WFN. Even worse, the “former WWE legend” was just someone using the name Jesse Ventura and wasn’t the actual wrestler.
The video also ended with a weird tribute to Ultimate Warrior.
Not long after publishing his “report,” Bravo posted a message in the comments saying he will now take some “time away” from YouTube:
Yes there are spelling errors.. When you are rushed by 1000’s to make a video of this magnitude in this amount of time and work there will be errors.. I am human*******Also since no matter how many times or ways I say it but their IS EVIDENCE on Reigns but without some key texts to match the orders I WILL NOT DISCLOSE IT. ** Just wanted to tell everyone that I am going to be taking some time away from youtube to focus more on the WFN Film and other feature film opportunities that I have been given.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
After being announced as one of the inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018, Hillbilly Jim said he wants Hulk Hogan to do the honor of inducting him.
Jim described the impact Hogan had on his wrestling career, saying, “When I first came into the business, to get brushed up against the guy that was the most popular wrestler on Earth … it was wonderful what he did for me.”
He added that being inducted by “The Hulkster” would be “cream on top of this thing.”
When Jim first appeared in the World Wrestling Federation in late 1984, he was portrayed as a fan known as Big Jim who routinely sat in the front row of live events who decided to try his hand at wrestling himself. After appearing as a guest on Piper’s Pit, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper offered his services to train him. Jim, however, chose to be trained by WWF Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan instead of the villainous Piper. A series of vignettes then aired on WWF programming in the early weeks of 1985, showing Hogan training Jim and providing him with his first set of wrestling boots for his in-ring debut.
WWE’s video package on Jim going in the Hall of Fame highlights their storyline connection, saying that Hogan took Jim under his guidance and turned him from a fan into a WWE Superstar.
Hogan honoring Jim may not be possible since WWE terminated the wrestling legend’s contract in July 2015 and he has not appeared for the company since. The termination coincided with the publication of a racially insensitive video in which Hogan is heard expressing disgust with the notion of his daughter dating any black man. Hogan also admitted to being “a racist, to a point.”
In a statement to The Associated Press in January, WWE reiterated its stance on Hogan, saying, “At this time, WWE remains committed to its decision.”
Source: WrestlingINC
During the Wrestlemania press conference, Triple H announced that Ronda Rousey will compete at Wrestlemania from the MetLife Stadium in New York and New Jersey. He didn’t reveal an opponent. He named her various accomplishments before introducing her. Rousey showed up and had a stare down before Triple H left. He said at the time that he hopes that Rousey “doesn’t hurt myself and my wife too badly.” Rousey will team with Kurt Angle against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon at Wrestlemania 34.
Source: 411Mania
The entire exchange begins at the 24-minute mark. Triple H’s portion starts before that at the 17-minute mark.
AXS TV issued the following press release on Thursday:
AXS TV COUNTS DOWN TO STRONG STYLE EVOLVED WITH A STACK OF ‘NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING’ ON FRIDAY MARCH 16 AND 23 FEATURING ‘THE NEW BEGINNING IN OSAKA’ AND ‘HONOR RISING: JAPAN 2018’
Plus, NJPW’s 46th Anniversary Show on Friday Nights Following the Live Broadcast of ‘STRONG STYLE EVOLVED’ on Sunday, March 25
Los Angeles (March 15, 2018) – With less than two weeks until AXS TV’s exclusive live broadcast of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s STRONG STYLE EVOLVED on Sunday, March 25 at 8pE/5pP, the network’s weekly Friday night series will feature coverage from NJPW’s New Beginning in Osaka (March 16 & 23), plus a special bonus episode from Honor Rising: Japan 2018 (March 23). In the weeks following the live broadcast, AXS TV will continue its Friday night series with coverage of NJPW’s 46th Anniversary Show.
The New Beginning in Osaka kicks off this Friday, March 16 at 8pE/5pP with two title matches featuring Hirooki Goto vs. EVIL for the NEVER Openweight Championship and Will Ospreay vs. Hiromu Takahashi for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship. A second hour from Osaka premieres Friday, March 23 at 8pE/5pP as IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada takes on challenger SANADA; then at 9pE/6pP AXS TV premieres a special hour from Honor Rising: Japan 2018 featuring the Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi) versus Bullet Club members Cody & Marty Scurll plus The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) and Hangman Page take on Jay White, Chuckie T and YOSHI-HASHI.
AXS TV goes live for STRONG STYLE EVOLVED from the Walter Pyramid at California State University Long Beach on Sunday, March 25 at 8pE/5pP. Wrestling Hall of Famer Jim Ross and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett will call the action ringside for a stacked card headlined by the Golden Lovers vs. The Young Bucks. In the co-main event, IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Champion Jay White puts his title on the line for the first time against Hangman Page; and, in a matchup of two legends, Jyushin Thunder Liger takes on Rey Mysterio. The complete televised card for STRONG STYLE EVOLVED is forthcoming.
Following an encore presentation of STRONG STYLE EVOLVED on Friday, March 30 at 8pE/5pP, AXS TV presents two nights from NJPW’s 46th Anniversary Show. First, on Friday, April 6, Minoru Suzuki and Togi Makabe battle for the IWGP Intercontinental championship and three tag teams fight for the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship. Then on Friday, April 13, Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay face off in a special IWGP Heavyweight Champion vs. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion match and Tetsuya Naito takes on Taichi.
AXS TV’s upcoming NJPW schedule is as follows (subject to change):
Friday, March 16 at 8pE – The New Beginning in Osaka Part 1
* NEVER Openweight Championship – Hirooki Goto vs. EVIL
* IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship – Will Ospreay vs. Hiromu TakahashiFriday, March 23 at 8pE – The New Beginning in Osaka Part 2
* IWGP Heavyweight Championship – Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADAFriday, March 23 at 9pE – Honor Rising: Japan 2018
* Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi) vs. Cody & Marty Scurll
* The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) & Hangman Page vs. Jay White, Chuckie T & YOSHI-HASHILIVE – Sunday, March 25 at 8pE – STRONG STYLE EVOLVED
* Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
* IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship – Jay White vs. Hangman Page
* Jyushin Thunder Liger vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.
* More matches to be announcedFriday, March 30 – STRONG STYLE EVOLVED (Encore Presentation)
Friday, April 6 – 46th Anniversary Show Part 1
* IWGP Intercontinental Championship – Minoru Suzuki vs. Togi Makabe
* IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship 3-Way Match – Roppongi 3K (SHO & YOH) vs. BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El DesperadoFriday, April 13 – 46th Anniversary Show Part 2
* Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay
* Tetsuya Naito vs. Taichi
WWE announced WrestleMania 35 will return to the New York-New Jersey area at MetLife Stadium on April 7, 2019.
WWE issued the following:
A high-profile press conference was held to make the official announcement that MetLife Stadium will play host to WrestleMania 35 on Sunday, April 7, 2019, with additional events held throughout the New York-New Jersey region during WrestleMania Week.
“On behalf of everyone at WWE, we thank Governor Murphy and all of our partners for bringing WrestleMania back home,” WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon said of the incredible partnership. “It is the one place that matches the energy, excitement and spectacle of WrestleMania.”
“What does WrestleMania mean to me?” said an emotion-filled John Cena, as he asked his fiancé Nikki Bella to join him at the podium. “Everything.” The 16-time World Champion beautifully expressed the many ways The Showcase of the Immortals has been his life throughout the years and how he would be a part of the event in 2019 in some capacity.
“It was destiny that brought me here [to WWE],” said The Baddest Women on the Planet Ronda Rousey, who exchanged an intense stare with one-half of her WrestleMania 34 tag team opposition Triple H as she made her way to the podium. Rousey expressed her desire to use WrestleMania 35 as her way to honor the late WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and the great female Superstars of the Women’s Evolution.
Some of the other distinguished speakers in attendance included WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon, who described the rich past of the Showcase of the Immortals, WWE EVP, Talent, Live Events, Creative Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who talked about WWE today including the Women’s Evolution and the rise of Ronda Rousey, The New Day as well as dignataries like New Jersey Lt Governor of New Jersey Shelia Oliver, WWE EVP Special Events and the host for the event John Saboor and the CEO of Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment Brett Yormark.
Other Superstars in attendance included Braun Strowman, Titus O’Neil, Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax and Apollo.
Other dignitaries included Vincent Prieto, President and CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, Rob VanDeVeen, President/CEO of MetLife Stadium, John Mara, Giants owner and PresidentNeil Glat, New York Jets President, Kirkos, President and CEO of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber and Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC and Company.
In the end, The New Day would return to the stage to close the amazing event out right, serving pankcakes to the crowd. A fitting way to ring in the return of The Greatest Stage of Them All to the New York-New Jersey Area.
WrestleMania 35 is more than just a one-day event; it’s a week-long celebration that will stretch throughout the New York-New Jersey region. In addition to WrestleMania, other activities will include WrestleMania Axxess — WWE’s four-day interactive fan festival — as well as four nights of events at Barclays Center: The 2019 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, NXT TakeOver, Monday Night Raw and SmackDown LIVE. WWE will also host more than a dozen community outreach events, including hospital visits and Be a STAR bullying prevention rallies, designed to give back to the local region.
The last time The Show of Shows came to MetLife was WrestleMania 29, an event held in April 2013 that grossed an excess of $72 million and attracted a sold-out crowd of 80,676 fans from all 50 states and 34 countries. The incredible event featured WWE Champion The Rock going head-to-head against John Cena, Triple H battling Brock Lesnar in a No Holds Barred Match, The Undertaker taking on CM Punk, and WWE Tag Team Champions Team Hell No clashing with Dolph Ziggler & Big E.
Over the past 11 years, WrestleMania has generated more than $1 billion in cumulative economic impact for the cities that have hosted the event. This year, WrestleMania 34 takes place Sunday, April 8, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans and will be streamed live around the world on WWE Network.
As first reported on nypost.com, the New York-New Jersey area will once again play host to The Showcase of the Immortals when WrestleMania 35 descends on MetLife Stadium on April 7, 2019.
The last time The Show of Shows came to MetLife was WrestleMania 29, an event held in April 2013 that grossed an excess of $72 million and attracted a sold-out crowd of 80,676 fans from all 50 states and 34 countries. The incredible event featured WWE Champion The Rock going head-to-head against John Cena, Triple H battling Brock Lesnar in a No Holds Barred Match, The Undertaker taking on CM Punk, and WWE Tag Team Champions Team Hell No clashing with Dolph Ziggler & Big E.
Another big part of WrestleMania Week will be the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, NXT TakeOver, Monday Night Raw and SmackDown LIVE, all of which will take place at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
WrestleMania 35 has strong potential to be bigger than ever, with ticket and special Travel Packages becoming available later this year. Prepare yourself as The Grandest Stage of Them All returns to New York-New Jersey on April 2019.
It looks like WWE RAW Superstar Finn Balor has launched his own clothing line – PE&K.
Balor has launched a website for the brand at http://www.smmileitspeak.com but only t-shirts are available as of this writing. The Twitter account for the brand notes that they are based in Brooklyn.
The company “Story” or mission statement reads like this:
Smile it’s PE&K!Our goal at PE&K is to provide clothes that will make you smile, whilst having the least amount of impact on our lovely planet as possible.
– All our shirts are made in USA , and printed in UK,
– We don’t use plastic, but if there is, biodegradable YAY!
– And the only paper we use will be the sticker for shipping & international custom sheets (We are trying to source recyclable paper)
– No stickers
– No wasted cardboard
– Nothing that is going to hurt our planet
– We like to say. We are friends of the environment
Source: WrestlingINC
Pro Wrestling Sheet reports that ex-TNA wrestler Chase Stevens was arrested last month after beating Brian Christopher so badly he needed surgery on his face.
According to the affidavit, Chase — real name Jonathan Ryan Clark — was taken into custody on February 18th in Indiana for battery following an incident that took place at a hotel.
The report states an intoxicated Brian Christopher Lawler — aka Grandmaster Sexay from the tag team Too Cool — entered the lobby bloody with severe injuries described as “swelling all over, an approximate 2-inch laceration to his right brow, orbital eye socket discoloration to both eyes, bleeding from the nose, abrasions and noticeable front tooth dental injuries.”
Officers then made contact with Stevens in his hotel room who told police Lawler had caused them problems at nightclubs hours earlier and refused to go to sleep on the floor of the hotel room.
The wrestler then admitted to punching Brian in the face two times, but claimed it was in self defense. He also says Brian fell and hit the ground. Officers noted in the report, “There was visible blood stains on the carpet floor, a small amount of blood smears on the wall and a small amount blood spatter on the sheets. The trash can inside the room had blood and tissue in it as well.”
According to the report: “Lawler said he was attacked for no reason but he was very confused. The physician reported that Lawler had several broken bones in his face, broken teeth and that surgery was required. Officers were told that a trauma team had been activated after Lawler’s injuries had been evaluated. Lawler was intoxicated on alcohol and admitted he is on several prescription drugs. Lawler told me that he absolutely wanted to pursue charges against Clark.”
Chase Stevens was then taken into custody and a witness in the room told police that Brian was drunk/causing a scene and Stevens hit him more than once to “calm Lawler down.”
Prior to surgery, Brian Christopher told police that Chase thought he was making an advance on the witness — who is Stevens’ girlfriend — but the former WWE star says he didn’t.
Sources tell Pro Wrestling Sheet that Lawler was released from the hospital days later. Chase is out of jail as well.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
